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Sunflower Filled Nu Tulum Destination Wedding

January 25, 2023 | kailey

Alex and Tyler had one priority on their big day: to be surrounded by all of their loved ones. And this adventurous couple did just that in their Nu Tulum destination wedding–literally. Instead of a long traditional aisle, they decided to switch things up with a circular seating chart—all suggested by their wedding planner, Destination Weddings Tulum. It was the perfect way to spice up their already stunning venue. 

Despite their truly unique seating, the florals still managed to take center stage. Their florist, Grisel Florals, created a grounded floral installation and bouquets that were a true work of art. We’re talking about a stunning mix of purples, yellows, and tropical greenery that carried into their reception space. 

This couple wanted their wedding to double as a vacation getaway, and they absolutely nailed it. If you’re not yet convinced a destination wedding is for you, you will be after catching one glimpse of these stunning images captured by Junebug photographer Memory Box Photography.

The Couple:

Alex and Tyler

The Wedding:

Nu Tulum, Tulum, Mexico

This Nu Tulum Destination Wedding Doubled As A Family Reunion 

We decided pretty early on that we wanted a destination wedding. Not only is travel a huge part of our relationship, but we wanted to provide a unifying and relaxing vacation for all of our loved ones. Our wedding was the first vacation many of our loved ones could take since Covid began in 2020. Not only were we proud of ourselves for planning a wedding in another country, but also the fact that we were able to bring all of our loved ones together.

Forgetting The Wedding Bands During The Ceremony 

Two moments that stood out were our first look and seeing our ceremony space for the first time. But the most memorable moment for us was having Tyler’s sister beautifully officiate the ceremony. Plus, we can’t forget the looks on our loved ones’ faces when they realized they’d forgotten our wedding bands. Instead, we had to use our father’s rings during our ring exchange. It turned into an incredibly sweet moment that  we laughed about.. But don’t worry! Our actual wedding bands were safe and sound, and we exchanged them later that night when we got back to our hotel!

How To Deal With Expectations From Loved Ones  

Opinions of loved ones will flood in during your wedding planning season, but we decided that we weren’t going to argue because of what other people outside of our relationship wanted. We agreed that after deciding on each wedding day detail as a couple, we would defend the decision as “ours,” not just as one of the brides’. Because of this, we didn’t argue once throughout the planning process. So our biggest piece of advice is to remember that it’s really all about you and your spouse-to-be.

Being “Surrounded” By Family With Circle Ceremony Seating 

Our first “must-have” wedding detail was circular seating. We’re both pretty shy, and we loved the idea of literally being “surrounded” by friends and family. So instead of a long traditional aisle, we had a short aisle and arranged all of the guest’s chairs in a circle with us in the center.  We also wanted to draw special attention to the fact that we are the first LGBTQ wedding in both of our families. 

A Restaurant Venue Fit For A Foodie 

When we decided on a destination wedding, everyone thought we’d choose a hotel or resort. But choosing a hotel that everyone would like felt daunting. With Tyler being a huge foodie, we wanted to be somewhere that was both beautiful and had incredible food. That’s why we opted for a restaurant. 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – MemoryBox Photography
Event Planning – Destination Weddings Tulum
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Nu Tulum
Floral Design – Grisel Florals
Officiant – Ryan Shepard
DJ – Michael Motion
Invitation Design – Lovella Bridal
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Styling trio
Wedding Dress – Lovely Bride
Rings – Regal Fine Jewelry
Rentals – Archive Rentals

 

Congratulations to Alex and Tyler on their Nu Tulum destination wedding. And big thanks to Junebug photographer Memory Box Photography for capturing every detail that made this celebration one for the books. If you want to see more of their work, check out their profile in our directory of top vendors from around the world. 

If you know after scrolling through these stunning photos that an adventurous celebration is for you, then a destination wedding is calling your name. Whether you’re dreaming of mountaintop “I do’s” in Scotland or an oceanfront celebration in Mexico, kickstart your planning process by reading up on our how-to guide for planning a destination wedding.

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7 Ways to Help Your Bridesmaids Save Money

January 25, 2023 | Junebug Weddings

Image by Saje Photography. Keep scrolling to read how to save your bridesmaids money

The day you ask your bridesmaids to stand beside you at your wedding is filled with butterflies and emotions. They’re the group you’ll count on throughout the entire wedding planning process. They will help in any way needed and spend whatever is necessary to make your big day perfect.

Before you get too far into the details, take a moment to remember one important thing: your bridesmaids are people with their own jobs, responsibilities, and budgets. Many of them may not be able to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for your wedding without making sacrifices in other parts of their lives. They also might not admit it. Rather than put anyone in an uncomfortable budget situation, consider these ways to help save your bridesmaids money.

How to Save Your Bridesmaids Money

1. Let Them Choose Their Own Dresses

The mismatched bridesmaid trend is stronger than ever and doesn’t look like it’ll be going anywhere anytime soon. Not only does this option add a fresh and modern look to your wedding, but it’s more budget-friendly than choosing one dress from one store. Plus, it removes the stress of trying to pick one style that fits different body types.

By letting them choose their own dresses, you’re empowering them to shop within their own budget, wear a designer or brand they feel confident in, and find a dress they can wear beyond the wedding. If you’re still nervous about trying this trend, take a peek at this inspiration on how to create that perfect mismatched look.

2. Be Flexible with Shoe Options

The mismatched trend doesn’t just apply to dresses—it includes shoes, too. Some of your bridal party might want to rock heels while others might feel their best wearing flats. Keep your bridesmaids comfortable for the entire day with shoes that fit their style, personality, and budget.

To create some uniformity, you can choose one color or tone in a specific finish—satin, matte, etc—and let them choose the style. That way they can find shoes in their price range, wear a pair they already own, or borrow from a friend. Not sure where to start? Nude is always a safe color option and will look great with just about any dress your girls choose.

Image by Adri Mendez

3. Give Them Practical Gifts

The sweetest way to show your bridal party some extra love is with a thoughtful bridesmaid gift. While something purely sentimental or novel might be your first thought, consider giving your bridesmaids an item that they can wear on the wedding day and beyond. This could include a cute robe to wear when getting ready or accessories that complete their wedding day look, such as a necklace, bracelet, or wrap. This takes at least one important item off their must-buy list and will be something they cherish for years to come.

4. Don’t Require Professional Hair and Makeup

Professional hair and makeup can cost each bridesmaid anywhere from $75 -$300, which can be hard on the wallet. Most people are perfectly capable of doing their own makeup. Perhaps you even have a beauty guru friend who could help out with the rest of the party.

If you decide you want everyone to get their hair and makeup professionally done and your budget affords it, offer to pay for it. If you can afford to pay for hair/makeup and a bridesmaid gift, more power to you. But if you have to choose one or the other, consider opting to take the burden off your bridesmaids’ budgets.

5. Encourage Them to Forego Wedding Gifts

Your bridesmaids have to buy dresses and shoes, plan and pay for a bachelorette party and bridal shower, pay for necessary travel and accommodations, and volunteer a significant amount of their time for pre-wedding events. That’s a long list of pretty substantial and thoughtful gifts. Rather than expecting them to buy something off your wedding registry, assure them that their presence is the only present you need. Besides, your guests will have the registry covered.

Some of your bridesmaids might feel guilty showing up to events empty-handed, so let them know early on in the planning stages that you don’t expect a gift. Not only will they appreciate the sentiment, but it’ll open up their budget for other things—like an epic destination bachelorette party.

6. Consolidate Events to Limit Travel Expenses

Between the wedding shower, the bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and the actual wedding day, travel expenses can add up quickly. Consolidate some of those events to the same weekend to cut down on the number of plane tickets, hotel rooms, or tanks of gas your bridesmaids need to buy. Ask your Maid of Honor to pick one city for both the wedding shower and the bachelorette party so they can take place on the same weekend—or even the same day.

If the events can’t line up, suggest that the bachelorette party be the night before the wedding rehearsal so your bridesmaids can simply come in a day early for the wedding weekend. Whether you’re able to consolidate events or not, it’s important to be supportive and flexible if a bridesmaid cannot attend every event. She’ll be there for the most important day, which is what really matters.

7. Find Creative Accommodations

As you look for accommodations for your out-of-town bridesmaids, keep budget-friendly options at the top of your list. If you’re going the hotel route, thoroughly research options around the city and choose the most reasonable ones. Then reach out to the hotel to negotiate a room block discount or keep an eye out for discounted rates that pop up.

If you want an even less expensive option for your guests—or just your bridal party—check out listings on Airbnb or VRBO. You and your bridesmaids can split a large rental house the night before the wedding, which would be cost-effective for everyone and give you much more space to get ready in the morning. If you want to be super generous—and have space—you could even offer your place while they’re in town for the best slumber party ever.

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This Quarry Amphitheater Wedding Fully Embraced Chinese Culture

January 24, 2023 | justine

With nods to their Chinese roots and the Western culture they grew up in, Tracy and Matthew’s Quarry Amphitheater wedding perfectly blended an East meets West style. The pair was set on incorporating meaningful traditions into their big day in a big way, and they totally nailed it! 

With soaring limestone walls, manicured lawn terraces, and stunning city skyline views, the couple had the most picturesque setting for their “I dos.” A red DIY arbor with Chinese symbols representing happiness was the eye-catching backdrop that framed the moment they exchanged heartfelt vows. After the ceremony, guests were greeted with a beautiful sight at the marquee reception, where red centerpieces and accents popped against an all-white tablescape while red lanterns hanging overhead tied everything together.

They were able to realize their vision with the help of their talented vendor team, and they executed it impeccably. To see how this couple infused their big day with their own unique styles and combined it with tradition, scroll through these images captured by Norman Yap.

The Couple:

Tracy and Matt

The Wedding:

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

An East Meets West Quarry Amphitheatre Wedding

We wanted an East meets West wedding. I was born in Australia, but I am a first-generation Taiwanese-born Australian. I tried to connect my wedding to my roots while incorporating important traditions from the western culture that we grew up in. Not only that, we also wanted our celebration to feel like you were in the bush, maybe somewhere southwest, but it’s a hidden spot in the city center. It had beach and city views and felt warm, like a destination wedding.

Personalizing Their Ceremony By Incorporating Meaningful Chinese Traditions

We made our arbor, representing the double happiness symbol in Chinese characters. Our celebrant was someone I had known since I was 12. We also personalized and wrote our own vows. And lastly, we had a separate tea ceremony upon return from our photo shoot before our reception.

How They Pulled Off Their Dream Celebration While Sticking To Their Budget

We started with a budget we could afford. After sourcing pricing for all vendors, we prioritized what was most important to us on our wedding day, renegotiating our other vendors or doing without for a cheaper option. 

Wedding Details That Served As Nods To Chinese Culture

We sourced beautiful Chinese lanterns for our reception. We also had a family-style food service consistent with our cultural eating style. The public tea ceremony showcased our respect for our parents. And lastly, we gave our guests chopsticks. We thought it was a fun gift, and many of our guests didn’t own any, so it was a nice cultural touch.

Advice From The Newlyweds: Stay True To Your Wedding Vision

Stick to one theme and go from there. Please don’t change your vision to suit what is available from vendors. Often they will assist where they can with making your day unique and special to you.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Norman Yap
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Quarry Amphitheatre
Floral Design – Natural Art Flowers
Catering – Ultimo Catering
Cake – Cake Date
DJ – Champion Music
Live Music – Mark Turner Music
Invitation Design – Coast Design Studio
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Connor Adams
Wedding Dress – Karen Willis Holmes
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Vault
Rentals – Hire Society

 

Congratulations to Tracy and Matthew on their Quarry Amphitheatre wedding. Their big day is a shining example that it’s possible to have a wedding that beautifully blends traditions and that’s one-of-a-kind. And, of course, many thanks to Norman Yap for capturing all the love, beauty, and magic at every angle. 

The best weddings are packed with authentic touches that tell a story about the couple and their love. Not sure exactly how to do this? Check out our guide for ideas on how to make your celebration unique and unforgettable.

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