Wedding Wednesday Tips and Tricks

It's Wednesday, which means... WEDDING TIPS!!  I love wedding tips!  Brides need all the tips and tricks to make their wedding planning easier!  With these tips you can stress less and enjoy your wedding day more!  We covered several tips in last week's blog.  Choosing a Date /Set a Timeline, Making Lists, Choosing a Venue, Getting Organized, and Choosing a Wedding Planner and Photographer First were some of the topics we covered last week.  You can head on over here to see what it was all about!  This week's tips will include Guest Lists, Save the Dates, Engagement Session, Bridal Session, and Choosing Your Wedding Colors.

Guest Lists.

This can be one of the most tedious and stressful parts to planning your wedding.  The first thing to do is find out how many guests your Venue can accommodate.  We covered this in last week's blog.  When it comes to invitations,  stick to your guns.  You do not need your Grandmother's 3rd cousin twice removed at your wedding. Start off with the family members that you are closest to, yours and your fiancée's closest friends, then close family friends, and work from there.  DO NOT feel obligated to invite Drew that works down the hall from you that you only chat with 2-3 times a month.  Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life.  You want the people there that have been with you and supported you through your life and through your relationship. Don't get me wrong, you may have to invite your judgmental Aunt to the wedding to keep the peace, but my rule of thumb is this, if they are going to bring stress to your event, you don't need them there. That may sound harsh, but you want to make sure you surround yourself with people who love you and support you at this once in a lifetime event!! 

Save the Dates.

Yes.  Save the dates are needed.  This gives your guests a heads up on when your wedding will be so they can go ahead and clear their schedules.  This is super helpful when you have guests that will be coming from out of town.  Your engagement photos usually go on your Save the Dates, which brings me to our next subject...

Engagement Session.

The engagement session is the perfect opportunity to work with your photographer before the wedding, as well as get to know the photographer.  So, many times, I have walked into a Bridal Suite and introduced myself to the Bride.  We, of course, have several phone conversations, but your engagement session gives you the opportunity to talk with them, see how they work, and get to know them before your Bridal Session or your Wedding Day. A bonus is, you get some beautiful pictures for your Save the Dates!!

Bridal Sessions!!!!

Yes, I used exclamation points!  If you opt out of the Engagement Session, at least get a Bridal Session!  If you do opt out of the engagement session, the Bridal Session is a great opportunity to meet and work with your photographer before your big day.  But, most importantly, you are able to coordinate this session with your make up artist and do your make up trial.  The make up and hair trial with your Bridal Session is a perfect way to see how you will look the day of your wedding. If you plan on having a Bridal Portrait at your wedding, then it is even more important to schedule this and coordinate with your Make Up and Hair Artists.  If you choose to have a Bridal Portrait at your wedding, make sure that you schedule this no less than 8 weeks from your wedding.  This will allow your photographer to get the pictures edited and sent to you for you to choose an image and order the portrait.  In some cases, a Bride may not receive their dress before 8 weeks.  If that is the case let your photographer know as soon as possible so he or she can make arrangements for you to receive your portrait in a timely manner.  

Wedding Colors.

Choose your wedding colors based on the venue and it's surroundings, as well as the "feel" and "style" you are trying to achieve for you wedding day.  If you want a romantic chic vibe, you need to keep your colors neutral and romantic.  Purple may be your favorite color, but does it match the overall feel you are trying to create for your wedding day.  I have captured weddings with a variety of colors, and sometimes the colors do not photograph well together.  So, make sure that the colors you choose pair nicely with one another.  

Thanks for checking out this week's tips and tricks.  Stay tuned for next week's blog that will look at some of the more in depth wedding tips such as the First Look!

XO,

L