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Use This Wedding Decor Checklist to Help You Nail Every Detail

October 22, 2024 | riley

Image by Nomad by NK

Planning a wedding is no small task, especially when it comes to decor. There are so many moving pieces, especially when your venue is a blank slate. With all the details you need to consider, it’s easy to forget something. That’s why we’ve put together this simple, stress-free wedding decor checklist to make sure you’re covering all the bases. Whether you’re going for a grand celebration or a more laid-back vibe, this checklist will help you keep everything in order.

Wedding Decor Checklist

Wedding Ceremony Decor

The ceremony is the heart of your wedding, but it’s also usually over pretty quickly. That means there’s no need to break the bank here. We suggest focusing on what matters most: seating and a beautiful backdrop. These key elements are all you need to make your ceremony feel personal and polished. However, if you envision a few more details, here is our complete list of wedding ceremony decor options.

Image by Kailash Wedding

Cocktail Hour Decor

Cocktail hour is where the fun begins! While the reception is packed with activities, it’s during the cocktail hour that your guests have a chance to mingle and socialize. It’s worth dedicating some of your decor budget here to make it inviting—think about the bar, snack tables, and maybe a few lawn games to keep things lively.

Wedding Reception Table Decorations

Your reception tables are where your guests will spend most of their time, so this is where you can really show off your style. Whether it’s through elegant centerpieces or personalized table settings, the right decor will set the vibe for the evening. Just remember, here at Junebug Weddings, we celebrate the uniqueness of every wedding and believe that its beauty lies in your personal touch.

Image by ANNOVA

Wedding Reception Decor

Last, but certainly not least, is your wedding reception as a whole. As we mentioned earlier,.the reception is where guests will spend the majority of their evening, making it the ideal opportunity to invest in decor that leaves a lasting impression. It’s also the place where you can flex those creative muscles and potentially step outside of the box.. From neon signs to epic seating charts to giant balloons, this is the perfect time to express yourself.

Pro Tip: Pin this wedding decor checklist for easy access as you plan, or download the spreadsheet to keep on hand and stay organized throughout your wedding journey.

If you need more help in crafting the wedding of your dreams, check out our list of planner & designer recommendations. Looking for more checklists to prepare for your big day? Our wedding planning checklist is perfect for you!

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25 Unique Wedding Photos to Spice Up Your Wedding Album

October 21, 2024 | riley
unique wedding photo idea

Image by Erick Oseguera

While traditional wedding photos have their charm, there’s something truly special about unique wedding photography that captures the essence of your love story in unexpected ways. From candid moments to creative locations, these distinctive shots not only tell your story but also reflect your personality as a couple in a way that can help spice up your wedding album. So, if you’re looking for something beyond cookie-cutter posed photography, use these examples to get those creative juices flowing on your big day.

Unique Wedding Photo Ideas

joyful wedding photo

Image by Erika Diaz

unique wedding photo in the city

Image by Martin Wilk

wedding portrait in RV

Image by Taylor Dawning

underwater wedding photo

Image by Tulum Weddings

wedding portrait in a car

Image by Catie Eovaldi

wedding portrait from below

Image by Clouds Inside

wedding portrait with disco balls

Image by Erick Oseguera

windy wedding portrait

Image by Erika Diaz

unique wedding photo

Image by Taylor Dawning

ritual wedding ceremony

Image by Tulum Weddings

wedding portrait through a window

Image by Clouds Inside

Do you know what we’re most proud of about these unique wedding photos? They were all captured by Junebug vendors, who we’ve handpicked in our carefully vetted vendor directory just for wedding planning couples like yourself. There are hundreds of talented professionals in our directory, so if you’re still on the hunt for your wedding dream team, be sure to check it out–from photographers to videographers to planners, we’ve got it all.

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Eclectic, Disco-Western Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden Wedding

October 20, 2024 | justine

Cecilia and Anthony’s Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden wedding was a vibrant celebration that perfectly captured their love for vintage fashion and the spirit of Santa Fe. They embraced a unique disco-Western theme and encouraged their guests to get creative with bold, expressive outfits. As a florist, Cecilia took full advantage of the opportunity to design her own floral arrangements, adding a personal and artistic touch to every detail. With sparkling disco balls, lush flowers, and custom decor, the couple transformed their big day into a truly one-of-a-kind celebration.

Inspired by their dream of living part-time in Santa Fe, Cecilia and Anthony chose their friends’ cactus garden as the perfect setting for their ceremony. With the cacti as their backdrop, they exchanged vows surrounded by loved ones, creating an intimate and enchanting atmosphere. For the reception, they transformed Anthony’s restaurant, Popoca, into a culinary extravaganza. The result was a celebration that felt both personal and unforgettable.

Adding to the charm of their unique setting, the couple’s fashion choices set the tone for their celebration. Cecilia stunned in a modern take on a Vietnamese dress, while Anthony complemented her perfectly with a vintage suit jacket and bolo tie. Every detail, from the outfits to the decor, reflected their personality and style. Take a closer look at all the unforgettable moments and dreamy details captured beautifully by Monique Yvette—these breathtaking photographs are sure to inspire.

The Couple:

Cecilia and Anthony

The Wedding:

Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden, Oakland, California, United States

An Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden Wedding That Defies Tradition

It’s your wedding, so make it your own! We didn’t follow many traditions—instead, we put our twist on things. Even our “tea ceremony” was done with rum and was much more playful than usual. The bride didn’t wear white, and there was no walking down the aisle. Instead, we had a catwalk where everyone could show off their outfits, and we even handed out trophies. Our goal was to throw a fun party that everyone would enjoy. We made sure our personalities, style, and passions shone through, and when we look back at the photos, it feels truly unique. Our friends and family helped so much, and it made us feel incredibly loved.

Planning with Precision Through Spreadsheets, Balancing DIY Projects, and Help From Loved Ones

I’m all about spreadsheets, so we made a plan for what we wanted to stick to and kept updating the sheet along the way. We sourced a lot of our decor from friends (special thanks to Marissa for the disco balls and Nisha for lending her wedding parasols). We were also realistic about what we could DIY and what we didn’t want to stress over. We ensured our friends and family didn’t have to run big errands for us, so we invested in things that would keep everything running smoothly.

Prioritizing Food and Photography While Keeping Things Meaningful at Their Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden Wedding

We initially planned for a budget of $10,500, but we ended up spending closer to $13,000. Most of it went to food and photography because we wanted amazing photos to remember the day and for the food to be something people would talk about long after. We held the reception at Anthony’s first restaurant, Popoca, which meant a lot to us since so much heart and community support went into it. Plus, it was a bonus that it was free for us! It was also a happy coincidence that the restaurant made Bon Appetit’s list for the best new restaurant of 2024 that same week.

Empowering Their Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden Wedding Guests to Express Their Style with a Pinterest Board

There was a whole Pinterest board we shared with our guests. We love fashion, and it was this fun exploration of disco metallics and Southwestern flair. We didn’t want it to be fully gaudy. We liked the mash-up so people could pick and choose what fun clothes to wear.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Monique Yvette
Ceremony Venue – Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden
Reception Venue – Popoca
Floral Design – Village No.7
Catering – Sfizio
Cake – Elle Cowan
Late Night Food – Xingones Oakland
Hair Styling – Jessica Fox
Wedding Dress – Dress Cue + Local Vietnamese Dress Tailor
Bridal Accessories + Rings – Altana Marie
Engagement Ring – Bliss Lau
Groom’s Apparel – Relic Vintage

 

Congratulations to Cecilia and Anthony on their eclectic, disco-western Altana Marie’s Cactus Garden wedding. A huge thank you to Monique Yvette for beautifully capturing all the details that made this celebration truly inspiring. Like this couple, don’t hesitate to add your own twist to traditions or infuse your special day with your own unique style.

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