The dress, the flowers, the bridal party and all the decorations, there are a lot of things you’ll want to remember and reminisce on from your wedding day. While some of these details may be obvious there are others that you might not have thought about, This list will give you some ideas of the must have shots you’ll want to look back on for years to come.

Capture These on Your Wedding Day

1. Dress

While there will be plenty of shots of you in your wedding dress, and you have probably snapped hundreds on your phone, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to have a beautiful shot of your dress hanging in the morning sunlight before you put it on.

2. Rings

You’ll want your photographer to use their creative skills to take beautiful images of your wedding rings bands.

3. Shoes

Your shoes may not get as much attention as they deserve on your wedding day, but they really bring your whole look together. You’ll want to have the details of your shoes captured as well. 

4. Special Mementos

Whether it’s a necklace, earrings or a special charm wrapped around your wedding bouquet to remember a loved one, these little mementos are something you’ll want to have documented.

5. Bridesmaids

From getting your hair done, having your makeup done to being zipped and buttoned into your dress, pictures with your besties are some of the most fun and sentimental shots you won’t want to miss.

 

6. Signs and Details

Make sure to capture those little details that make your wedding unique, like custom signage and wedding details.

7. Bride Glamour Shot

Once your hair and makeup is perfectly done and you are dressed and ready for your walk down the aisle, you’ll want to take a few moments to get some of those high fashion styled shots of just you.

8. First Look

There is nothing quite like the expression your soon-to-be spouse gives when they see you for the first time all done up in your wedding attire. While in the past this was left for the big moment when the bride walks down the aisle, a first look can really enhance this moment. The first look allows you to see each other for the first time without having to keep your composure in front of all your guests. It allows you to get a genuine and natural reaction to seeing each other and can result in incredibly beautiful moments you won’t want to miss.

9. Children 

The flower girls, the ring bearer or just some of the adorably dressed children of the guests attending your wedding will make for sweet images that will bring a smile to your face.

10. Reception Details

There are a lot of things that you’ll want to have pictures of at your reception site. You’ll want to allow your photographer to get into the reception prior to your guests arriving so they can capture the table settings, escort cards, guest books and more untouched.

11. Farewell

There are so many ways to capture your departure and this is one thing you don’t want to leave out. Whether you are running out the door with your guest throwing flower petals or lighting sparklers you’ll want to have your farewell captured to remember how you ended your big day.

Couple: Cabell Wedding

Photographer: Taylor Salerno

Coordinator: PremierWed

 

Getting engaged is such an exciting time, especially when you start planning your big

day. There is so much that goes into planning a wedding that it’s often difficult to

know where to start.

If you and your partner would like to start planning your wedding day, here is what

you should focus on first:

Set a Date

Before you start searching for the perfect venue, you’re going to need to have a date

in mind. You should also keep in mind that not all venues will have your date

available so it’s best to have a few options in mind so that if you do happen to find a

venue that really speaks to you, you will have several different dates to choose from.

The Bigger Picture

Yes, the smaller details such as finding your dream dress and deciding on the flavor

of your cake are all fun decisions to make, but before you even go there it’s

important to create an overall vision for your wedding. What style really speaks to

you as a couple and what type of atmosphere do you want to create on the day?

Create a Pinterest board where you can gather a few ideas to help with the bigger

picture for your day.

 

Have a Budget in Place

Your finances can very quickly get out of hand if you don’t create a budget right from

the start. Plus, you don’t want to start your life together as a married couple drowning

in debt. By setting a realistic budget before you start planning you will make the

entire process a lot less stressful.

Draft Your Guest List

Not only will your guest list affect your budget but it will also play a role in your venue

search. Your guest list doesn’t have to be final but it helps to have a rough idea of

how many people you think you will be inviting to your wedding.

Remember, a solid wedding planning foundation is key to designing the wedding of

your dreams so start the planning process off right.

 

Photographer: Kathy Thomas Photography

Planner|Designer: PremierW.E.D.

Venue: Southall Meadows

Couple: Jacque Shelton + Stephen Lockwood

Florals: T. Villager

Cake: Classic Cakes By Leslie

Rentals: Southern Event Rentals

Ways to Save Money While Planning Your Dream Wedding

Now that the engagement excitement has settled down it’s time to start planning your big

day! While this can be an exciting time many couples become overwhelmed by everything

they need and all the costs involved. You don’t have to sacrifice your dream of a fairytale

wedding just because you have a smaller budget. There are plenty of ways you can save

money and still have the wedding of your dreams.

5 Ways to Save Money Planning Your Wedding

1. Budget and prioritize

Sit down and create a realistic budget. How much do you want to spend on your wedding

and where will you spend that money? Prioritize your list of wedding day must-haves into

categories where you don’t mind spending extra on and where you don’t mind spending a

little less. This will give you a starting point to begin planning. 

2. Flowers

There are many ways you can save when it comes to the flowers on your wedding day and

these can be an expensive part of your wedding day. Consider what flowers will be in

season around your wedding date. Choosing seasonal flowers can help you cut cost.

Consider opting for a single stem flower instead of a full bouquet for the bridesmaids. Going

with less can often have a bigger “wow” factor on your big day and in your wedding images.

If you are a creative person think about doing the centerpieces and décor yourself and

buying the flowers in bulk. Don’t underestimate the power of negotiating. Many florists are

willing to work with the bride to be to help her create her fairytale wedding.

3. Dress

The dress may be one area you don’t want to skimp on. Although very important and

sentimental, you might want to reconsider spending thousands of dollars on it. While you try

on the perfect dress from a wedding boutique, don’t overlook discount dress shops. Many of

these shops carry the same dresses for half the price. Also, if you have already tried on and

found the dress, look for it online before you buy it. You can often find the same dress for

thousands less.

4. Go online

Invitations, save the dates, engagement announcements all can add up quickly. The printing

costs and the cost to send out all these wedding papers can get expensive. You can save

thousands simply by setting up your own wedding website. You can still use your beautiful

professional engagement photos, but you won’t have to spend the extra money on printing.

5. Ceremony/reception.

Booking a venue for your wedding is one place you will tend to spend the most money. If the

season is right, planning for an outdoor ceremony or reception can be a great way to make

your fairytale come to life. Outdoor weddings at a local park or even a friend or family

member’s backyard can be perfect and it will provide the ideal lighting for your photographer

to capture those breathtaking images in natural lighting.

Also consider a small ceremony, an earlier reception time, or plan for a weekday wedding.

These small changes that aren’t so traditional can save you hundreds or even thousands

when it comes to booking your ceremony and reception venue.

Where you shouldn’t cut cost:

Photography

You might think getting a friend or family member to shoot your wedding photos will help

you save. While it may save you in dollars, it could cost you in quality. You want your

wedding day images to be beautiful and ones that will bring back the joyful emotions and

memories from that day. A professional photographer will be able to capture all these

moments that your friend or relative will be not be able to with a point and shoot or even a

fancy DSLR camera. You’ll regret and be disappointed that you don’t have clear stunning

images from your wedding in the future if you decided to try and skimp n this area of your

wedding budget.

Couple: Courtney & Jason Cohen

Coordinator: PremierWed

Photographer:

Venue:

Wedding Photography Style

When it comes to choosing your wedding photographer before you even begin searching you will want to know just how you want your wedding to be photographed. Each photographer will specialize in a specific style so knowing what style you prefer can make finding a photographer a little easier. Most wedding photography will fall into one of these 5 styles.

1. Classic

When you choose a classic style the results are images that stand the test of time. These are the traditional black and white images, carefully posed and meticulously planned out. Most often the photographer specializes in capturing ordinary moments in a beautiful and elegant way. This style tends to be a bit more formal but can always be given a modern twist.

2. Artistic

If you want something that is more personal for you then an artistic style may be your ideal choice. These style of images tend to capture unique, special moments and tend to utilize a lot more of the space around the couple instead of just capturing the couple full frame and up close. If you are open and willing to have a bit of fun with your photographer you will be amazed by the results.

3. Lifestyle

Lifestyle is a type of photojournalism photography with a bit of a twist. Most images will appear to be candid, and most often they are. This style is a mix of candid, natural shots and images with some direction and staging provided to get the perfect shot.

4. Dramatic

While all styles will use different types of lighting, dramatic images make it a key component. This style will showcase a variety of different lighting techniques that the photographer has mastered to create truly breathtaking portraits.

5. Documentary

If you are not into the traditional posing or styling of shots, then a documentary wedding photographer is probably one you will want to consider. The documentary style focuses on candid and spontaneous images that truly capture the entire essence of you wedding day.   

In general, most photographers will specialize in one of these 5 areas, but are also capable of doing a mixture of different styles. It is best to let your photographer know which style you prefer most and ask if that is a style they enjoy shooting. 

Featured Couples: Stuart + Rikki, Peter + Caroline, April + Erik, Caitlin + Andrew, Addison + Daniel

Wedding Planner|Designer: PremierWed

 

Wedding favors are a great way to show your guests you appreciate their support and to give them something to remember the wedding day by, but often these tokens get left behind or tossed the morning after. To guarantee your gifts get noticed (and appreciated), follow these tips on picking out the perfect favors.

1. Think practically

Like any good gift, you’ll want to put some thought into your selection. Before you dish out the cash take a moment to reflect—is this something you would want? You don’t want your favor to collect dust or—worse yet—end up in the trash, so consider something that’s practical or even edible.  Edible favors are a fail-safe option guests can enjoy at the reception or on their way home. Among those in the “something useful” category are locally roasted coffee, luggage tags or acrylic frames for the photo booth pictures taken at your reception.

2. Skip the monogram

Resist the urge to put your initials and wedding date on everything. Personalizing the favors is a fast way to turn a useful gift into something guests will pass on. For example, guests who enjoy entertaining would find coasters handy, but no one (excluding your mother) will want to display coasters featuring your engagement photo. The one exception to skipping the monogram is packaging.  It’s totally fine to put your personal touch on the boxes, bags, ribbons or labels. It’ll make for a pretty presentation, but won’t put off your guests.

3. Make it meaningful.

Choose favors that express your personalities, speak to the wedding’s setting or share something you love with your guests. Are you both into wine? Mini wine bottles with personalized labels will go over big. Share a piece of your unique heritage by giving out tins of cookies or pastries with a family recipe attached. You could even make a donation to a cause close to your heart in lieu of traditional favors. Let guests know of the donation by placing a note at each place setting or table.

4. Try before you buy.

Once you’ve decided on your favors, do a trial run (especially if you’re buying them online). Order a sample before you hit “buy now” and end up with 100 favors you hate—you want to make sure the truffles taste good or the handcrafted soaps are the right scent. Even if you’re just purchasing personalized tags or packaging to wrap homemade gifts, ask to see a proof to make sure everything is spelled correctly. Order favors one month before the wedding to allow yourself time to assemble, if necessary.

5. Wrap it up. 

Personalized packaging can go a long way when it comes to these tiny tokens. From colorful boxes and clear cellophane bags to tiny tin pails and slim silver canisters, your favor packaging can, and should, make as much of an impact as what’s inside it. Remember, edible favors require special packaging. Paper bags or boxes can quickly absorb the grease of cookies or custom popcorn (leaving you with an unsightly favor box). Line the container with wax paper before adding any edible goodies to keep grease from leaking through.

Couple: Haylie + Chandler

Coordinator: PremierWed

 

Should we invite kids to our wedding?

This is one question that every bride and groom to be should ask themselves as

they plan their wedding and create their guest list.

Most couples already have friends and family members who have children so

this can be a tough decision. Children have a tendency to get bored and fussy

quite easily, something that can turn your wedding into a noisy affair.

If you do decide that you want to include children in your big celebration, you’ll

want to make sure that they’re happy and entertained at all times.

Here are a few fun ideas for keeping those little bodies busy during your

wedding.

 

1. Create an epic kids table

Setting up a few kids tables with various activities is one of the best ways to

keep smaller guests busy for hours, especially during the speeches. Add games,

puzzles, activity and coloring books to the tables so that the kids can choose

something that appeals to them. You could also add a few goodie bags to the

table that contain treats, bubbles or a small toy.

 

2. Include them in the wedding activities

Children really enjoy helping out and being a part of the day’s activities so give

them an important job to do such as handing out pamphlets. If they feel like

they’re helping out, they won’t get a chance to be bored. Another cute idea is to

give each child a disposable camera so they can snap some photos on the day.

 

3. Let them spend time outdoors

If the weather is warm on the day, set up a few outdoor games such as Jenga or

activities such as hula-hoops. If the children are a little older, you can also set

up a crafts table that they can use to create props for a photo booth or a

wedding memento for their parents.

4. Set up a kids room

If you want to keep children entertained and away from the main festivities, set

up a cool kids room or cave that contains beanbags, tables, movies and

activities that they can enjoy.

Wedding: Kelley + Kevin

Wedding Planner|Designer: Premier W.E.D.

5 Simple Tips to Help Take the Stress Out of Planning a Wedding 

1. Learn to say no

Planning a wedding is exciting and fun but it can also be one of the busiest times of your life. If you don’t want to end up being a nervous wreck a week before your big day, learn to prioritize and say no to any new commitments that would take away from other important wedding-related tasks. It’s really ok to say no every now and then. 

2. Become the queen of organization

The more organized you are, the better your wedding planning experience will be. Keep a digital copy of all of your important documents, contracts and information in one file on your computer so that you can easily refer back to them when you need to. If you want to be able to bring important documents along to meetings with vendors, you can always create a wedding binder that contains all of the information you need. Plus it makes for a great backup copy too. 

3. Have a little fun 

There’s no need for you to be a frazzled bride. Take out your calendar and schedule a few fun days in-between all of your planning. Make fun and laughter a priority in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Sometimes it’s important to come back down to earth and remember why you’re choosing to marry your partner and that trying to control every single aspect of your day is only going to leave you wishing it was over. Go out and enjoy an afternoon with the girls where you don’t talk about the wedding at all. 

4. Move your body

Exercise does wonders when you’ve got a lot on your plate and just need to take a breather and focus on your health. This doesn’t mean that you need to schedule in an hour at the gym every day either. If you’re strapped for time, a simple 15-20 minute walk or yoga session will make all the difference to your stress and energy levels. 

5. Just breath

Take a complete timeout from wedding planning as often as you need to. Every bride deserves a relaxing soak in the tub or a heavenly hot stone massage to relieve some of the tension she might be feeling. It can be difficult to make time to simply relax but do your best to find the time, even if it’s just 30 minutes a week. 

Wedding: Emily & Steve Isom

Photographer: Waldorf Photographic Art