Your wedding day is one of the most—if not the most—special days of your life. Whether it’s an extravagant affair with a huge party or an intimate gathering of your nearest and dearest, it’s important to make the day what you want. You may get pressure from friends or family to do your wedding a certain way. (More likely, that pressure comes from social media and Pinterest.) But as a wedding photographer, my number one recommendation is to put all that aside and create the day you envision.)
Sarah and Rick chose to celebrate their marriage with their immediate families in a private and heartfelt ceremony. What a magical day it was; every detail, big and small, had personal significance. Sarah and Rick are business partners and owners of the venue, The 10|20 Collective. This is where the two met and fell in love (fairytale worthy!), so this venue is extra special to them.
Every detail of their day is connected to a memory, milestone, or person. Sarah’s mom and aunt thoughtfully planned and decorated their wedding (her mom is also responsible for the gorgeous floral arrangements). Meanwhile, Sarah’s vintage dress was a gift from a friend years ago. Her veil, also vintage, was the perfect complement to her beautiful dress.
Sarah’s precious daughter also wore a very special outfit for the occasion! The dress was originally Sarah’s first communion dress, and the veil belonged to Sarah’s mother on her wedding day. Both looks were made complete with meaningful jewelry: Sarah and Rick gifted Stella with a bracelet to celebrate the marrying of the families. Even the diamonds in Sarah’s ring are from her grandmother! The middle diamond was originally given to her younger sister, Claire, who has since passed away. When Sarah’s mother gifted it to her, Sarah hadn’t even known it existed. Oh, my heart!
It’s All in the Details!
The love between this couple and their family was palpable throughout the day. An intimate friend (and their officiant) played the drum for the ceremony. She explained that drums are “heart space” meaning they allow those around to open into their hearts. Though I didn’t know the meaning at the time, I was overcome with emotion!
Finally, the reception was catered by Stephanie (owner of Give a Crepe), who is a close friend of Sarah and Rick’s. And their crepe cake looked delectable! She was full of happy tears for the couple all day!
To finish out the day of celebrating new beginnings, Rick and Sarah received the keys to their stunning new home and we were able to snap the dreamiest photos! From start to finish, this day was full of love, tender moments and great joy for these two and their families.
An intimate gathering was perfect for Rick and Sarah, but you may imagine a grand party or exotic destination for your big day. Whatever your vision may be, here are some suggestions for how to do your wedding your way.
4 Tips on How to Plan Your Wedding, Your Way!
Prioritize What’s Most Important
When you think about your wedding day, what comes to mind first? Is it the floral arrangements cascading down the ceremony backdrop? The party atmosphere created by a live band? Or maybe you think about the photos that will be lifelong keepsakes? Whatever it may be, don’t compromise on the things that mean the most to you. Feel free to opt out of tradition in order to emphasize what brings you joy.
Consider Your Style
A great place to start when planning your wedding is nailing down a style or aesthetic for your day. This choice will help you narrow down options for venues, dresses, color scheme, etc. It’s even vital to consider when choosing your wedding photographer! Check out this post that delves in to the different styles of wedding photography to help you find which is right for you.
Decide Who YOU Want to Invite
Creating the guest list can be a major point of stress for couples planning their wedding! An extravagant affair with a large guest list may be what you envision for your dream wedding, especially if you have a big family! However, if crowds of people aren’t your thing, or your budget won’t allow for it, a sweet and personal ceremony might be perfect for you. No matter what you decide, make sure it makes you happy. (You can still include extended friends and family with an announcement, video, or post-wedding get together.)
Brainstorm Ways to Make the Day More Meaningful
Something old, new, borrowed and blue might not be for everyone, but finding ways to include special moments or items is a great way to make your wedding more personal. Like Sarah’s inclusion of her vintage apparel and family jewelry, this adds even more significance to the day!
Here to Support Your Wedding, Your Way!
Not exactly sure what your dream wedding looks like? Check out my Instagram or blog for inspiration! Or, stray off the beaten path with an Elopement Experience with Jessee Allen Photography. Learn more.
[…] I am on board with whatever you decide! I want your wedding photos to be authentically you, so you do you! Saying “pros and cons” makes the title easier, but truly there’s no right or wrong way—do […]