These are some tough times to be engaged. On one hand, couples are filled with excitement and expectation for your upcoming wedding day. But, on the other, it’s a very uncertain time to be planning anything for the future — especially an event in which hundreds of people might be in attendance. If you’ve come here searching for ways to support your engaged friends (or maybe you’re an engaged couple needing a little something to nudge their friends in the right direction), we’ve got your back.
1. Be there to listen
Sometimes the greatest thing we can do for our friends is just listen. Don’t feel like you have to give them advice — because, if we’re being honest, none of us really know how to handle this season anyways. Empathize with your friends by letting them know you agree, “it sucks.” Let them cry, or laugh, or joke. However they might be handling their emotions is valid, and the best thing you can do is lend a listening ear until it seems appropriate for action to be taken. If they want your advice, offer it.
2. Organize a virtual happy hour with friends
If your friends are planning a wedding, especially during the current pandemic, they might be slightly overwhelmed. Especially if they’re the friends who usually pull everyone together for happy hour or a group hang, take that task off their plates. They’ll surely appreciate having one less thing to do. Plus, a happy hour with friends might be just the thing they need to lift their spirits!
3. Call them to talk about things other than the wedding
You were probably friends with this person before their wedding planning was a thing and before COVID-19 was a thing. So, remember to check in with them about things other than their wedding. Ask them how they liked binging Tiger King (or whatever the latest Netflix craze is at the moment). Tell them about something funny that happened during the day. Or even sending a silly meme or Tik Tok video can be helpful to give their mind a little break from the stress of wedding planning.
4. Write a letter
Where are our super sentimental friends at? If you’ve got a lot on your heart that you want your friend to know, you might consider writing them a letter. Yes, a handwritten note. You might be surprised how impactful walking to the mailbox and receiving a letter from their friend might be during this time. This way, they can also keep it forever, rather than a text that will get lost in a few days after you send each other 100s of GIFs and quarantine memes.
Bonus tip: Ask their close family and friends to all write them letters and create a scrapbook for them to cherish and read together.
5. Throw a virtual bachelor / bachelorette / engagement party
We know a lot of couples are getting engaged during quarantine, just as quickly bachelor and bachelorette parties are getting cancelled. But there’s always a way to celebrate. Send your couple some decorations to spruce up their house with, hire a Zoom DJ, grab the cocktails, whatever you would usually do for a party—do it! Then, send out invites and start hyping everyone up for the big event.
6. Send a care package
For our gift-givers, we want to set you up for success with the ultimate care package for your engaged friends! We’ve gotten pretty good at knowing what the “typical” engaged person might like (especially if they are spending a lot of time in the house these days), but remember to throw in a few things that are just them.
Here are Junebug’s favorite (and most creative) things to send your engaged friends:
If you follow even just one of these tips, we’re sure your friends will be feeling oh-so grateful to call you theirs! Searching for more wedding planning ways to support your engaged friends? Let them know about these 10+ Wedding Brands Supporting Couples During COVID-19
Ready to shake up your quarantine with something fun? Today we’re sharing all the tips and tricks you need for a successful Facetime photo shoot. What’s that? Facetime sessions are the latest trend in quarantine photography that allow you to safely commemorate this unique time in your relationship. In light of wanting to avoid front porch sessions, which can ultimately be dangerous, many wedding photographers are offering 30-minute photo shoots using Facetime. Whether you’re married, engaged, co-isolating, or even just want some solo photos (hello, boudoir shoot!), Facetime photos are a great way to capture your experience at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How does a Facetime photo shoot work?
Rather than a screenshot, Facetime has a feature that allows you to snap an actual photo of what you see on your screen. Photographers are using this technology to help them document your memories without having to even leave their house! Responsible and creative? We’re all about it!
Once you’re on the call, your photographer will ask you to do a quick tour of your home to get an idea of the space and lighting. From there, they will give you all the direction and posing guidance you need to take some seriously gorgeous and intimate photos — all through your phone! After your call, your photographer will edit the photos in their own style and deliver your gallery for you to share and cherish.
Facetime photos can be great for couples, families, or even just for you! We know this has been a difficult time, from cancelled plans to being apart from loved ones. Getting photos done not only gives you a way to look back on how you spent these uncertain days, but also gives you something to celebrate in the moment when it may feel like there’s not a lot to celebrate.
To help you feel prepared going into your virtual photo sesh, we’re walking you through everything you need to know about nailing your Facetime photo shoot at home!
P.S. Are you a photographer wanting to offer Facetime sessions but don’t know how to get started? This post is for you!
Is there a photographer you’ve always wanted to work with? With a Facetime session, you don’t have to worry about travel fees, so you can hire your favorite local photographer or your dream photographer who lives on the other side of the country — or the world! Need help choosing the right photographer fit? Check out our vendor directory of the best wedding photographers from around the world!
The key to great photos is great light. While your photographer would usually do the work of scouting out perfect light for your photos, you know your home best! Pay attention to the light in your home at different times throughout the day to see how the light changes in different rooms you want to use for your shoot. Schedule your session around when the light is best in your house or apartment — not every home is well lit at the same time!
Need a little extra help in the lighting department? A ring light can brighten your space with clean, even light that you can control depending on where you want to shoot! You may not be able to move the sun to shine into your favorite corner, but a ring light on a stand will do the trick!
With your photographer not physically present, you’re going to need a way to position your phone for them to take your photos. This is not a selfie situation, y’all! If you’ve always wanted to have one of those cool tripods for your iPhone, now is the perfect time to get one. (Our favorite options are linked below!)
Next, think about what you can set your phone or tripod on in your home to achieve different angles. Practice putting your phone on a shelf, coffee table, etc. to see what photos look like from a variety of perspectives. Sometimes a stack of books or shoebox can help you get the shot!
Bonus tip: Have you ever noticed that the quality of your selfies is lower if you use your front-facing camera? The same is true for photos taken in Facetime, so we recommend practicing photos using your phone’s main camera on the back of your phone. This will help your photographer get the best possible photos with the technology available!
You are, of course, the star of your photos! But that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your personal style through the backdrops of your photos! Spice up your space with texture and color using art, shelving, plants, and more. Hanging some string lights adds a touch of magic to not only your room but the photos too! We recommend choosing 1-3 backdrops in your home — like the nook where you eat breakfast together, your favorite reading corner, or your bedroom — and styling a vignette in each that highlights your personality using some of your favorite things.
Looking for a few finishing touches to style your backdrop? Here’s some home decor we’re loving right now!
Alright, it’s time to change out of last night’s pajamas into your cutest pair of sweats! Just kidding…unless? We think a great way to capture this unique time in your life is by leaning into your stay-at-home wardrobe and putting together an outfit that’s ultra-cozy and cute. If your current rotation of leggings and oversized tees could use a little boost, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite loungewear for her and for him below!
Of course, you can also get all dressed up for the occasion and rock the outfits you planned for your pre-COVID engagement session or get dressed to the nines in your fanciest attire for a cheeky juxtaposition with your setting. What’s most important is that you feel like yourself!
Bonus tip: keep in mind that you’ll be snuggling up in poses you’re maybe not used to having photographed, so be sure to check your outfit in the mirror both sitting and standing so you know you’ll feel confident in whatever you choose to wear.
Last but not least, give yourselves something to do! Lifestyle sessions are best when they capture you in your true state. Plus, if you’re doing something in your photos, you’re more likely to appear natural and be less worried about what to do with your hands!
Here’s a list of “prop” ideas based around your normal home activities:
Sip coffee from your favorite mugs
Make cocktails in pretty glassware
Read from the books on your nightstand
Share a bowl of cereal or ice cream
Bake cookies in your kitchen
Play a card game or put together a puzzle
Snuggle up with a blanket (or your pet!)
Put on a record and dance in your living room
Feeling stumped? Here’s a few products we’re loving for in-home photo sessions!
High school sweethearts, Micah and Kendal, decided they wanted to go the non-traditional route when it came to tying the knot, so they traveled to the gorgeous Santorini and eloped with a most romantic setup at Vallais Villa. We’re obsessed with the minimalistic boho style these two chose for their day. Planned entirely by Divine Weddings Santorini, the style of this day included a perfect touch of bohemian elements we love, like pampas grass arrangements Betty Flowers Santorini beautifully crafted, Turkish rugs, and textured details. Get ready to swoon over every moment Lighthouse Photography and I Do Films Global captured — from an emotional first look on the rooftop to a candlelit dinner under the breathtaking Santorini sunset. This day will have you dreaming of “I do’s” in a magical destination of your own!
Since we switched to eloping instead of a traditional wedding, I decided to go with something inexpensive for my dress. I wanted something that would fit the style of Greece and the overall theme of our ceremony. I knew we’d be adventuring out so I ended up going with something I can easily climb up things and something flow-y.
Congratulations, Micah and Kendal, and many thanks to Lighthouse Photography for sharing their day with us! Loving this amazing photographer and videographer? They are both members of Junebug’s team of the world’s best wedding professionals! You can find their pages in our vendor directory here:
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