Less Is More: Embracing Simplicity In Your Wedding

As many fantastic ideas, themes and details are out in the wedding world today, it all can be very overwhelming.  For me, there are very few scenarios that are worse stylistically than seeing an event with random details thrown in.  Every now and again I do come across really simple and gorgeous wedding posts, whether it is an engagement shoot, real wedding or even elopement.  I want couples to know that simplicity should always be considered and here are some great examples of how less really can be more.  Enjoy!

#1. E-Shoot without the frills.  This shoot is proof perfect that a couple in love is the only theme you need for gorgeous engagement photos.  If an elaborate theme is not your style, skip the 1940's bike, the multi-colored macaroons with fussy sets... just let the 'theme' being how much you two are in love!

#2. A sanity saving elopement.  I have pulled a 180 on my feelings about elopements since I started Felicity C Weddings LLC.  I used to wonder why couples would choose to keep such an exciting day private but after working with many clients I realize that a huge celebration is not for everyone.  Sometimes the stress of pulling together a huge, expensive bash gets away from the point of the wedding, which is to start a marriage.  I love this sweet winter elopement featured on Ruffled which manages to walk the line between elegant, simple and celebratory.

#3. The freedom of choosing the simple path.  One of the best parts of my job is passing on inspiration to my clients so that they can truly have the elements that they want.  This bride featured on 100 Layer Cake chose one wooden flower for herself and for each bridesmaid since real flowers 'are expensive... they die and they didn't seem to fit our theme'.

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Favors Your Guests Will Love (And Actually Take Home)

Favors are a tricky area of wedding planning.  There are not required but have become so mainstream that many couples feel obligated to gift their gifts with something extra... you know, in addition to a lovely ceremony, (free) cocktail hour/ dinner/ dancing, etc.  Because favors are just that, something above and beyond what is expected. 

Now favors are popping up at lots of pre-wedding events too which actually makes more sense to me.  My preference for favors if couples want to give them is to choose either edible items or make a charity donation.  However there are always exceptions to the rule.  I have found a few great ideas for favors outside of my typical guidelines.  Never feel pressured to buy favors, but if you are so inclined, are a few more suggestions.  Enjoy!  

#1. Wedding cake flavored vodka airplane bottles.  While this is not the perfect favor for every guest list, if your nearest and dearest love cocktails, they will love this fun idea.  Pearl Vodka's wedding cake flavor is not just for the wedding though, this would be a great add on to any pre-wedding festivity; engagement party, bridal shower or bachelorette party.

#2. Instagram magnets.  Talk about personal and useful!  Using the instagram app you can make magnets of your favorite photos!  I like this idea much better than save the date magnets which looked dated after the actual wedding has passed.  You can use engagement photos (extra points for holding 'thank you' signs) or any photos that go with your specific theme. 

#3. Personalized lollipops.  No, not lollipops with your beautiful faces on them.  This fabulous idea from I Do Crafts is to use your engagement photos to create the illusion that you and your love are holding a lollipop for each of your guests!  Confused?  Check out this post with a full explanation or just look at the adorable finished product below.  This is taking the edible favor an awesome step farther and I think your guests will really appreciate your creativity and attention to detail.

Boudoir Sessions: Not Just For Brides Anymore

In the last couple of years I've been seeing more and more photographers offering boudoir sessions for brides to be or even newlyweds. The basic idea is a private, tasteful photography shoot of the bride that has a stylized theme that can be anything from super sexy to super romatic to super playful.  Think lots of lingerie, bedroom scenes, full on hair and make up, fun props like thigh-high stockings, football jerseys or even cupcakes- whatever goes.  The bride typically gifts the groom with an album of these secret photos for the wedding or for an anniversary.  All the boudoir sessions that I have seen on wedding blogs (brave girls to put out their dressed down photos online!) have been all female shoots.  That's what boudoir meant to me, specifically a one person sexy shoot.   



Then I saw this amazing engagement boudoir shoot thanks to Well Groomed Blog and I kind of fell in love with this idea.  A couples boudoir session that is very playful, intimate and romantic at the same time.  This is such a great option for low key couples who are not interested in the highly stylized engagement shoots.  And these photos are sweet enough to show off to friends & family.  So if that sounds like you, this is another great option for engagement shoots!

*Boudoir credits; photo one, photo two, photo three

Thank You, Gracias, Merci

During wedding planning, most couples are focused on the details of the big day.  When you get back from the honeymoon and start to settle into your new lives, there is still one more wedding related task on your plate: writing the thank you's to your guests and vendors. 

Thank you notes may be less common in our normal lives but etiquette is still a large part of weddings.  Save yourself stress by preparing for thank you's along the way.  There are two main divisions of wedding thank you's; pre-wedding and after-wedding.  Starting with pre-wedding, keep an organized guest list (with full addresses) and keep it updated as gifts come in before the wedding.  Although you are expected to send thank you's for all pre-wedding gifts (engagement party, bridal shower, etc.), the pre-wedding thank you's don't have to match the rest of the stationary and you can find great quality ones at Target, WalMart and A.C. Moore to name a few stores.

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For after-wedding thank you's, start to think about the design.  You will need to decide if you want to stay consistent with the rest of your wedding stationary; the invitations, programs, escort cards, menus, etc.  If you do, order your thank you's with your other stationary to save on shipping two separate orders. Wedding Paper Divas posted recently with new ideas for thank you cards.  If you think you may want to use your engagement or wedding photos, you may want to create a special "thank you" sign specifically for your after wedding thank you's cards.   Let your photographer know ahead of time so you can discuss the expected timeline for getting back the professional photos.  Speaking of vendors, it is always nice to sent a note letting your vendors know that your appreciate their hard work on your big day.  And last but not least, make sure to order new return address labels for your newly married selves!  Hope these tips help, enjoy!

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How To Expand Your Photography Timeline

The two biggest factors in creating (and sticking to) a wedding day timeline are the timelines of the photographers & caterers.  Mostly the photographers since there is only so much daylight and time in one day to get all the most important shots.  To condense the photographer timeline a lot of couples have started doing the "First Look" shots which takes a twist on tradition by having bride & groom see each other before the ceremony.  This is a personal choice for each couple but not everyone is on board.  For couples who don't want to compromise tradition to get all the photos they want, the newest option is the here- day after the wedding photo shoots. 

The pro's are definitely more time & a relaxed environment (as in, no rushing around) for just the bride & groom.  Couples taking a few days to relax before they go on their honeymoon are the best choice and you don't necessarily have to do the shoot the very next day, it can be the next week if that fits in better with your schedule.  This couple choose to have their day after shoot on a boat since that is a very special place for them but there is no limit on locale.  Couples can re-dress in their wedding attire or change it up for different pictures.  The flowers are still fresh and there is no pressure to keep your wedding dress clean or perfect which is completely freeing.  This couple choose to do their day after shoot in an orchard and even styled the shoot similar to an engagement session with great details.  Destination weddings are always a tighter timeline so if you want to get the most out of the location the day after shoot is a great idea like this couple did in Sedona, AZ.

The con's would be that an extra photography session will cost you and of course, you would need to find a location ahead of time for the shoot so there is extra planning involved.  Whatever your situation, it is nice to have options.  Here are some beautiful day after photos, enjoy!

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