Wedding Planning Guide Part Two
Quick tips to planning your wedding
This is a continuation from Part one of my Wedding Planning Guide
Once you’ve figured out your budget – it’s time to start planning! One thing I like to remind couples is to plan your day around the two of you; not Pinterest trends, family expectations, or whatever else may take away from the feelings of celebration for the two of you. Below are some ideas for you to consider for your wedding. Some are traditional ideas, and some are newer perspectives of how to plan a day. There is no wrong way to plan this day. It’s about you, so just remember to create a day that celebrates the both of you.
IDEAS TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR WEDDING
- GET READY TOGETHER: Couples don’t realize how much time they don’t get to spend together on their wedding day. Getting ready together is a meaningful way to start the day – it also allows you both more one on one time without others pulling you in different directions. If a first look is important to you, there are still ways to incorporate this in as well. Getting ready together steals the show for me as a photographer, as it calms my clients, and allows them to lean into each other before the ceremony. It’s also a great choice for those that may have anxiety.
- FIRST TOUCH WITH A NOTE: Not comfortable getting ready together, or seeing each other before the ceremony? Consider a first touch, while reading a thoughtful note to your partner. You don’t have to see each other, but can still be “together”. These moments have the potential to be very intimate and emotional and I love when couples choose to do this when they want to wait to see each other until the ceremony.
- SKIP THE WEDDING PARTY GROUP SHOTS: While a group of your peers in a line is a classic photo, a lot of times this whole part of the day brings on a lot of stress for the couple. Your wedding party may not be completely in line with what you want, and on days where alcohol is involved, the chances of someone stealing the show due to being intoxicated are almost 100%. Another option is to get your wedding party together as a group to play a game, to give a few toasts, or have a dance off. Everyone has a different wedding party, and different relationships. Consider how you view yours, and how you interact with them. If you’re interested in having genuine moments with them on your wedding day, it’s okay to do things differently, and I always love when couples change up tradition and take matters into their own hands. Besides, this is a day about YOU. Those in your wedding are there to celebrate you, too. How would they do that?
- DESSERT DOESN’T NEED TO BE A WHOLE MOMENT: Somehow, cutting the cake and feeding it to each other became a wedding tradition. If dessert doesn’t hold any meaning in your relationship, why use up precious time on your wedding day doing something just because others have in the past? I love dessert and love the idea of offering it if that feels good to you! I just like to remind my couples that making a whole moment out of dessert doesn’t have to be a thing if it doesn’t feel meaningful.
- WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU BOTH LOVE?: Music, art, cooking.. there are so many things you may share with your partner. Consider blending one (or more) of these things you both love into your wedding day! A few examples; your favorite food truck, having your guests sign a vinyl as your guest book, kareoke with your parent(s) instead of a first dance.
Plan Together
It’s no surprise that one person usually tends to take the lead on planning. A lot of times planning begins before the engagement. A tip I have for those that are engaged (or will be soon) is to really take this time to consider what both partners want and feel good about. This may mean one or both of you have to make some adjustments in what you’ve been dreaming up, but at the end of the day – this is about both of you and your commitment to each other. Things like type of wedding; elopement vs wedding, guest count, wedding parties and budget all have a certain meaning to different people. Consider each other, and how you can both enjoy this day. If one person doesn’t seem as interested in the planing, talk about ways they can get involved that does feel meaningful.
Consider a theme or vibe
When it comes to a wedding or elopement, considering a theme or vibe is a great step in helping dictate how your day plays out. Once you have both dialed in on this, it makes planning the rest of your day a lot easier. Certain locations, venues and vendors all have pros and cons depending on the vibe of your wedding day, so it’s helpful to determine this early on in your planning. For example, do you love the idea of bright florals, or modern style landscape? Perhaps a darker vintage vibe? Determining this can assist with hiring a certain type of photographer, finding a florist that works in the same style, and even choosing a location to get married that aligns.
Insight from a wedding photographer: Think about your surroundings
When it comes to where you get married; whether indoor our out there are lots of details to consider when you’re planning. Below is a short list of things to think about when planning.
OUTDOOR WEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS
- Lighting: Where the sun rises, falls, and sits during mid day. Where the light hits you will greatly influence photos and how things look in photos. Example: If parts of the sun is hitting one partners face, but not the other.
- View: Buildings and trees etc in close and far proximity. If you’re eloping and prefer to have a view behind you it’s important to think about where you’re going to stand in reference to the backdrop, and what other parts of the scene may come into play.
- Grounds: How it will affect walking for you and your guests. Example; grass is pretty but extremely hard to walk in with heels.
INDOOR WEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS
- Lighting: Type of overhead lighting, and how much of it is in the spaces you plan to incorporate. Daylight is always going to appear more flattering, so rooms with lots of windows is something to consider when booking getting ready airbnbs, hotels or ceremony spaces.
- Decor: The less you have to move around the space, the easier it will be to focus on ‘you’. Example: Art on the walls, wallpaper, linen colors will all have an affect on the vibe of your day. How does it feel when you’re in the space? Does it align with your vision?