Boutonnieres on the Brain

Alright guys, this ones for you. Now you can probably remember the last time you wore a boutonniere- it may have been a friend’s wedding, graduation ceremony, but most likely it was your high school prom. Well it is out with the old, and in with the new for your big day! So long are the days of stuffy flower boutonnieres strategically pinned to your jacket lapel, and hello to the days of unique, personality fitting jacket accessorizing.  Now some of you may be asking yourself, “how can such a small detail capture so much personality?” Well, I’m going to tell you how some grooms have made their boutonnieres just right!

Whether it be a beach themed wedding or a good ole’ southern wedding, there are plenty of fitting boutonnieres for you and your wedding party. Don’t be scared to step out of the box and create your own ideas, it’s your day - do what works for you. Recently, we have started to see grooms getting away from the traditional floral boutonnieres and opting for a more natural look. Some of our favorites include seashells for the beach wedding, a small bundle of wheat for the country chic affair, and succulents for the outdoor garden nuptials. Remember, creativity is key. Think of your favorite activities or hobbies you enjoy. Do you and your buddies get together and play poker every Tuesday night or head out to the farm on the weekends to shoot some sporting clays? If so, don’t be afraid to gain some inspiration from these activities. See if your florist or planner can make a boutonniere out of your lucky poker chips or incorporate your favorite shotgun shells. These small details will add a little extra meaning to your wedding day, and will have you looking superb! 

Charleston Wedding Photography 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC

Fun and Silly Wedding Ideas: Witty invitations, photos, and more!

Wedding News: Humorous invitation goes viral, even passes royal baby!

A Chicago couple held a memorable and fun ceremony, by jesting with their guests. Doing something a bit “out there” can be a memorable experience for everyone; this couple took full advantage of their collective wit and charm. They did it by teasing their guests with a bit of humor before the ceremony.

Attendees of the Kerr/Sabina wedding received a rather unique invitation in the mail. When asked for their RSVP guests were encouraged to select from a few witty and creative responses. Attending guests could select comical options like “I’m in your wedding party, idiot! Wait, is this optional?” or “Two Words: Free Booze”. Guests who were unable to attend the ceremony were prompted by a playful guilt trip stating, “I’m lame, on a scale of 1-10, my lameness would be in the 9.5 to 9.8 range”.

(read more here)

Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your wedding invitations, photography, music, and stationary!

Katie Kerr, bride, told abcnews that she just wanted to have some fun with her invitations, and so she did. It all depends on the couple, but if you’re the type that likes to tease and banter, you may want to take a page out of the Kerr/Sabina book of wit.

Obviously, with the invitation gone viral, copying these exact options would put your invitations at about a 9.9 on the lame scale, but mimicking the idea in your own way could be a lot of fun! Even if your invitations don’t suddenly go more viral than the birth of the royal baby, you’ll still make your guests chuckle and smile for your special day.

A few ideas you can use to make your own include…

I will attend:

_I plan to object

_My presence is your present

_It depends on the bridesmaid dress you picked

_I’m only going for the cake/booze/pretty bridesmaids (circle one)

_I’m too polite to say no

I cannot make it because:

_A slight jab at the guest for not coming, but nothing overly mean

_Joke about a well-known fact about the bride or groom

_Celebrating alone (for those who live far and can’t make it)

_Other:__________________________________________

 

Three Ways a Photographer Can Ruin a Wedding

When you begin looking at vendors for the various parts of your wedding, you start looking for services that you've never needed before. You will most likely have to hire companies and professionals that you know little about. This situation can put a couple at a severe disadvantage, unless they do thorough research.

For example, the entertainment at your wedding and the photography are two huge components, and they could ruin everything if executed poorly. I have been photographing weddings for a long time, and with many happy couples, I will share a few tips. Asking vendors the right questions, will help you pick a photographer that you’re confident will NOT ruin your wedding.

When it comes to wedding photos you must be confident that the photographer you hired will work in synergy with you, if not it could ruin the wedding and even worse, the photos.

Etiquette Manner and Behavior

Obviously, your wedding photographer must be polite to your guests, it goes without saying. Some photographers prefer that your guests refrain from taking their own photos, and others do not. Simply ask the photographer for his or her opinion on the matter, and make your decision accordingly. In any event, your wedding photographer should never yell at your guests, but it has happened in the past.

Waiting Over a Year for Photo Albums

Couples should expect a decent waiting period for their wedding album; however, some have waited up to eighteen months for their photos, which is unacceptable. Ask you photographer the usual turnaround time, and make an agreement upon the terms of a due-date.

Photographers, Cameras, and Guests

Of course you want spectacular photos with tear inducing scenes, and photographers like myself know how to execute these perfectly. Sometimes, we have an extra set of eyes with us to try to catch perfect moments as they happen. Inexperienced photographers often disrupt the guests when attempting this elusive move. Overly aggressive photographers can aggravate your guests by being in their face too much, especially those in the wedding party. 

When you ask potential photographers how they like to work, a good answer would explain that he or she likes to stay out of the way for majority of the time, but will interact with guests throughout the night for close-up and entertaining reception shots. This shows that your photographer knows to use each tactic in moderation, to blend in with the surroundings of the wedding.

If your photographer answers, saying that he likes to stay out of the way and hide, that may not be great either. Lurking in the shadows could creep out your guests, while the couple will want to see some confidence and humor.

If you ask the right questions, and you know what to expect, you can develop a close and friendly relationship with your photographer. Feeling confident and comfortable will make it easier to explain if you want your photographer to do something different from the norm.

Rocking Your Save the Date Photo Fliers!

 More on Save the Date Fliers

Ideas for cute and creative Save-the-Date fliers are dominating social bookmarks like Imgfave and Pinterest. You can look for hours and still find fresh, unique ideas for sending out notifications to your guests. Ensure that you visit these websites if you’re engaged and excited! Once you pick out your favorite style, you can quickly personalize it to your needs with just a few photographs..

These cutesy little reminders are the first written announcement of your wedding, and they deliver the first impression of your big night - so nailing them is crucial. Make sure the aesthetics and function work in synergy to set the appropriate mood and style for your reception.

Aesthetics

Color, designs, and font should remain consistent through your notifications, invitations, and décor. Ensure that the color and style of your notices match the season and colors of your wedding. If you send out pink fliers, guests will assume that pink is one of your wedding colors. Similarly, if your wedding dress has intricate lace designs, a lacey themed notice would be a cute addition- so consider every fragment of your event.

Function

Your Save-The-Date fliers exist to let your guests know which days you’ll need them available. Most people keep these as keepsakes, instead of actually using them. If your save the date notifications make it easy to mark the calendar right away, the recipient may mark their calendar immediately. A great idea is to give them a photograph of the newly engaged-couple, along with a sticker for their calendar. This gives your guest a keepsake and a quick way to save the date!

Considering Royal Blue For Your Wedding?

 Royal Blue

Royal blue itself is a dramatic color, so if you plan to use it, you want to pair it with something stunning and bright. Compliment the navy blue with the ideal colors to create a stunning and captivating reception. 

Royal blue and silver is one of the best combinations because of their beauty and elegance together. When these hues blend, they create a romantic, nighttime feeling.

Royal blue is often a difficult color to match, so blending different shades of the same color work awesome. Check out this sweet blend from Theperfectpallet.com

If you're having an outdoor or boat themed wedding, then whites and bright yellows are great to pair with navy or royal blue. These preppy colors give off a nautical theme.

You could always go with the traditional red, white, and blue color scheme for the patriotic enthusiast in your life. 

Royal blue gives off a slight hint of purple, which means it blends well with hot pink for an energetic and fun look. These are popular colors so your guests will have no difficulty finding the perfect outfit for your special day!

Regardless of the color you choose to blend with royal blue, the photos and venue will look amazing! Look at some of my favorite shots, featuring royal blue!