Micro weddings–which started as a way to get married during the pandemic–have turned into a wedding trend that’s here to stay. More couples are ditching the big guest lists and opting for a smaller affair with their closest loved ones, which is exactly what Hanna-Ruth and Tyson did after their summer 2020 wedding was canceled.
With the help of Relics Planning, the two transformed The Cooperage into a wedding venue full of vintage furniture, Turkish rugs, an epic bar, a bright color palette, and plants galore. The music hall’s large windows brought in a ton of natural light, which paired beautifully with the bold florals arranged by Bird & Bumble. The result was a stunning indoor garden-like space. As if that wasn’t cool enough, they also had a dessert table surrounded by disco balls to add a little bit of glam to the day.
So if you’re planning your own micro matrimony, keep scrolling because one look at these photos captured by Maria Campbell Photography will show you that small weddings are far from boring.
A Change Of Plans That Led To A Vibrant Micro Wedding
We were inspired most by–despite the pandemic–having a safe wedding where we could celebrate the next step of our partnership surrounded by the ones we loved most. We originally had plans to marry in June of 2020, and those plans were dashed. Our hopes for October 2020 also fell short. Finding Relics and doing a pop-up wedding brought all of the things we cared most about together and allowed us to have a phenomenal (and safe!) wedding.
One of my favorite wedding day memories was standing on the balcony trying to avoid Tyson seeing me in my dress. I could see everyone and wave to people, but I had to turn away anytime I saw Tyson because I was ready to happy-cry and ruin my makeup anytime I saw him! My second favorite memory is walking down the aisle with my mom and dad, hearing one of my favorite love songs, and seeing Tyson smiling so hard at the end of the aisle, even with his face mask on. Tyson’s favorite memory is from the end of the vows when we were announced as Mr. & Mrs. Durrell-Johnson and walking back down the aisle while our family clapped and cheered!
Our advice is to remember that this day is about celebrating you and the person you love most. You’re not going to remember that the color scheme isn’t the one you picked out when you were young, that your nail shape wasn’t what you wanted, or that you were freezing because you chose to get married in February in Wisconsin. All you’re going to remember is that this was the day that you and your partner chose each other in the greatest and most loving way possible. Enjoy your wedding day and take all the pictures you can!
Congratulations to Hanna-Ruth and Tyson on their vibrant micro wedding at The Cooperage. We’re so thankful that Maria Campbell Photography was there to capture the beauty of the day. If you’re feeling inspired to plan your own small “I do’s,” be sure to check out our creative micro wedding guide!
This wedding was doused in florals and feathers. We mean it—Bridgerton’s got nothing on this backyard Florida wedding. Alexa and Javin decided to tie the knot at their home when COVID restrictions didn’t allow for a destination wedding. With florals by 2 Birds Events and help from wedding planner–and Junebug member–Carefully Curated Events, their backyard was completely transformed into a gorgeous fairy-tale wedding venue.
Speaking of fairy tales, Alexa’s gorgeous blush-toned gown makes it easy to understand why brides are opting for more colorful wedding dresses. Her bridesmaids complemented her look with matching mauve gowns while the groom and groomsmen rocked dark green suits and floral ties. Thankfully, Britt & Bean Photography captured the essence of the entire wedding. Keep scrolling to see every detail of this beautiful backyard wedding.
The Couple:
Alexa and Javin
The Wedding:
Tampa, Florida
Bridal Quality Time With The Girls
While I was so incredibly happy with our decor and florals, the part of the day that filled my heart was being able to enjoy the day with the five most amazing girlfriends, my bridesmaids. It’s not easy to build healthy strong relationships and friendships that are filled with unconditional love. When I look back at photos at myself and my girls, I couldn’t be more proud to have had them by my side. Weddings are the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings you have—especially your people.
Marrying Your Best Friend
The most memorable part of the day was walking back up the aisle together. Everything happens so fast during the ceremony, you don’t even realize what is happening. But after it’s over and it’s just you two together, you can finally have your “Oh my god, I just got to marry my best friend” moment.
Choosing A Backyard Florida Wedding
We were originally supposed to have a destination wedding in North Carolina, but it didn’t work out due to COVID restrictions. So we picked the most beautiful, most comfortable place for us in Florida—my home!
Advice From The Bride
This is the most overstated and stereotypical piece of advice, but it’s also the most important: find a way to manage your stress. I won’t say “don’t stress” because that is impossible, but you have to find a way to handle it or it will steal your joy. Halfway through my planning process, I wanted to call off the whole big wedding and just go to the courthouse. It’s not a fun feeling so avoid it as much as possible.
Image by Govinda Rumi. See more of this sustainable styled shoot here
While your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life, it’s also one of the most wasteful. Between the tossed paper, the leftover food, and the discarded florals thrown away at the end of the night, even the smallest mico wedding can create quite a CO2 footprint and trash, which can be harmful to the environment.
Luckily, more brands are making it their mission to be more eco-conscious. You can feel confident while you shop these brands for invites, a wedding dress, and more. Shop these sustainable wedding brands to have the green day of your dream–without sacrificing style.
Sustainable Wedding Invitation Brands We Love
Image by LAYERS. See more of this real wedding here
Making the switch to eco-friendly paper is one of the easiest ways to make your special day more sustainable. Paper Culture plants a tree with every order they receive–in fact, they’ve already planted over 1,000,000 trees! On top of that, all of their products are made from materials like 100% post-consumer recycled paper, so no new trees are cut. And luckily, their invites are also adorable.
Botanical Paperworks is known worldwide for providing eco-friendly seed paper products that literally grow into wildflowers, herbs, or veggies. They collect waste from Canadian businesses and schools to use as the base of their invites. Once planted, the paper composts away, leaving no trace.
Another plantable wedding invite company? We can’t seem to get enough. Whole Weddings started as a graphic design blog and quickly morphed into a wedding company specializing in green vow books, cards, bookmarks, and more. The paper used is manufactured in a solar-run factory and is made of 100% recycled materials.
Have you ever thought about just how many flowers get thrown away at the end of every wedding? From backdrops to centerpieces to bouquets, there are endless amounts of florals included in a special day. They have to end up somewhere when the day ends. Petals for Hope is a non-profit organization that recycles donated flowers and turns them into gorgeous bouquets and arrangements. Donating your flowers to them post-wedding is such an easy way to reduce waste and help others–that’s what we can a win/win.
Faux flowers have gotten a bad rap for being cheap-looking, but Something Borrowed Blooms is here to prove that isn’t always the case. Their rent-and-return system consists of their stunning silk florals, which include hundreds of options from peonies to ranunculus to magnolias. Their arrangements are perfect for everything from bouquets to aisle markers, cake flowers, centerpieces, and even dog collars.
With an emphasis on organic and luxurious fabrics, Wear Your Love’s mission is to provide wedding fashion that is unique, easy to shop, and—most importantly—eco-conscious. Located in California, the company provides their employees a living wage and they don’t outsource their production to low-wage, environmentally unregulated factories. All gowns are made-to-order and use organic cotton, which produces less CO2, saves water, and is free from harsh chemicals.
Calling all boho couples, this one’s for you. Indiebride prides itself on creating stunning and sustainable gowns. All dresses are made to order, handcrafted in their London studio, and use the highest quality lace and silks. All fabric that is scrapped during production is used to embellish belts, sashes, and veils or donated to fashion students and other organizations.
Much like every other company on this list, Leanne Marshall is a US-based bridal company that crafts made-to-order dresses made of only the finest textiles–all of which come from reputable mills that meet environmental and working standard regulations. Oh, and did we mention that all of their dresses look like they belong in a fairytale?
Thrifting has taken the world by storm and is one of the easiest ways to live sustainably. Reformation began as a small thrift store in LA in 2009 and rapidly expanded into an extremely well-known online clothing brand. All clothing is made in small batches to reduce waste and water. Bonus: you can find how much CO2, water, and waste you save on each product page!
This Canadian-based bridal wear company doesn’t use synthetic dyes, produces locally in Vancouver, and reuses or recycles fabric scraps. The reason we love them? A lot of their pieces are separates, so you can mix, match, and re-wear them for years to come.
As weddings grow smaller and elopements become more popular, many couples are turning to rentals to help cut costs. Rent The Runway has everything from white dresses perfect for casual couples to bridesmaid options to wedding guest dresses. The cherry on top is that the company donates past-season outfits to organizations like Operation Prom.
You shouldn’t have to choose between high quality, affordability, and sustainability. That’s why AUrate was founded. They use 100% recycled gold, adhere to the Kimberley Process–an initiative created to increase transparency in the diamond industry–and track every single diamond from mine to shop. They also donate a book to US schools with every gold purchase.
Luxury Diamonds is a custom jeweler and diamond wholesaler that specializes in the precise fabrication of diamond wedding and engagement rings in Vancouver, Canada. Designed by you and carefully crafted by their team, these rings will be as beautiful and unique as your love.
Catbird is a women-owned company based out of Brooklyn that has been hand-making jewelry for over 12 years. They source their gold, wire, findings, and castings from eco-friendly vendors, and their conflict-free diamonds are responsibly sourced. They also donate at least 1% of sales to non-profits. It helps that the rings look like they’re made for royalty too.
When designers Anna Bario and Page Neal began working together, they knew that they wanted to create a jewelry company that didn’t turn a blind eye to the toll that mining precious metals and gemstones have on the environment. In 2008, Bario Neal was born, and they have since become an industry leader in ethical sourcing. They are also committed to equality which we love.
If you’ve ever seen the movie Twilight, then you’re probably familiar with the actress Nikki Reed. But did you know that she has a sustainable jewelry business as well? According to their site, “only around 12.5% of electronics are responsibly recycled globally, meaning Americans throw away more than $60 million in gold/silver every year.”
BaYou with Love uses recycled metal and diamonds sourced from the world’s first 100% carbon-neutral diamond producer to create timeless engagement rings and wedding bands.
Maaterra was founded because they value experiences. Woman-owned and family-run, they focus on achieving the best in design and sustainability. Their beautifully etched palm leaf plates are 100% compostable. In addition to their featured designs, they can customize their plates with your monograms. They’re a unique way to entertain and make a memorable gift for your guests.
If you’ve started the wedding planning process, then you’re aware of how expensive it can be. Between the decor, the lights, and the catering, it adds up quickly. Save yourself money by renting decor on Rent My Wedding. You can find everything from lighting to backdrops to linens. The best part is that it gets delivered directly to your house prior to your wedding. Once you’re finished, you bring it back to FedEx within two days for free shipping back.
Save yourself even more by heading to a local Goodwill or other thrift stores and picking up decor items. From vases to linens to pillows to candlesticks, you never know what you can find. In fact, in many of the weddings that we feature here on Junebug, couples use thrifted finds for some stunning DIY wedding projects. You’ll need to get started early to make this strategy work, but it’s worth it.
Having your dream wedding doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the environment. These 18 sustainable wedding brands are just the beginning. Now that you’ve got your eye on your favorite brands, check out these other small changes you can make to have a sustainable wedding.
There’s a saying “everything is bigger in Texas,” and Kimberly and Clint proved that to be true with their colorful Gage Hotel wedding in Marathon, Texas. The couple knew they wanted to incorporate their love for the desert into their special day, so when they came across the historic hotel, they knew it was the one. Their desert theme was apparent with a coral and sage color palette, Mexican blankets, margaritas, and succulents decorating the space.
The dreamy day also included a DIY macrame backdrop, custom handwritten gift bags for the wedding party, boho wedding fashion that’s to die for, and a donkey-led parade down the streets of West Texas. That’s right–a police escort even stopped traffic for this lively fiesta.
If you’re searching for desert wedding inspo, look no further. These photos beautifully captured by Jadie Photography will have you ready to break out the maracas and tequila!
I wore my hair in a fat fishtail braid, tied with a piece of my mother’s wedding dress, which was my “something old.” My Matron of Honor offered me her stunning diamond earrings, so that was my “something borrowed.” The chic, military-inspired hat I donned at the reception absolutely made the look. As for the hat’s custom details, I had a Dry Creek Turquoise thunderbird pendant that I found on a girl’s trip in Fredericksburg added–and it’s permanently mounted on the hat–and represented my “something blue.” There’s also leather cording and my mother’s wedding dress carefully twisted with horsehair & sage around the hat.
Choosing A Gage Hotel Wedding
About a year before the wedding, we went on what we are called “the West Texas tour,” with the Gage Hotel being the last venue on our expedition. We had seen photos of the Gage and had a brief conversation with them over the phone to get an idea of what it would cost to celebrate there. It was definitely not in our budget, but I thought we should check it out anyway. When we pulled up, we looked at each other and said, this is it, we have to make this happen. We were determined to make it happen, and we did!
A DIY Backdrop
At the ceremony, we flaunted a 12-foot handwoven macramé backdrop that was handcrafted and woven by my mother and me. It was a learning experience for the two of us–we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into–and an opportunity to plan and bond prior to the big day. All in all, it took us about 42 hours to construct. We watched countless hours of YouTube videos to learn how to tie all the knots and weave an exquisite masterpiece. The macramé now resides in our stairwell, and it’s a daily reminder that with patience and persistence, we can do anything we put our minds to.
A Parade Down The Streets of Marathon
One of the coolest and most memorable aspects of our wedding was the donkey processional from the ceremony site to the reception and cocktail hour. Unbeknownst to me, we had a police escort, and all traffic passing through town stopped for our mini parade. Our beautiful donkey named W.T. led the way to the party! In addition, our guitarist Nick strummed some fun Latin tunes on the march over while everyone held hands and danced with maracas.
Congratulations again to Kimberly and Clint on their colorful Gage Hotel wedding. We’re so thankful that Jadie Photography was there to capture their special day. To get started on planning your own dream desert affair, check out these southwestern color palettes!
When it comes to the rehearsal dinner, many people assume it has to be a sit-down dinner the night before the wedding with just family and the wedding party. Well, we’re here to tell you that’s not your only option! Your rehearsal dinner is the last chance to get everyone together for a relaxing evening before the rush of the wedding day.
Take the opportunity to mix it up and make it yet another night to remember. Think outside the formal ballroom and explore other group-friendly settings to serve your favorite foods, talk to guests, and revel in the moment. If you’re ready to break tradition and host an unconventional rehearsal dinner, keep scrolling because we’re rounding up some of our favorite ideas to help get the party started before your wedding day.
Consider setting sail with your favorite people, enjoying dinner on the open water, and toasting your nearest and dearest as the sun sets over the horizon. This is a great way to get your guests into a truly relaxing space for the night. If you live near a large river, lake, or right on the ocean, chances are you will be able to find a boat cruise company that will allow you to rent a private vessel.
As with any rehearsal dinner, let your guests know the plan ahead of time so they can dress appropriately and bring along any personal essentials. Planning is essential for a boat cruise in case some guests need to plan ahead for potential motion sickness.
2. Restaurant Crawl Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
Why visit just one restaurant when you could visit a few? Restaurant hopping gives you lots of options to break it up by dinner course or simply order small bites at each place. Depending on the distance between each restaurant, you’ll want to let your guests know ahead of time so they can plan to wear comfortable walking shoes or you may need to order a car service to transport everyone. And, of course, be sure to make reservations beforehand so you can secure a table everywhere you go.
If you’re splitting it up by course, pick one spot for everyone to meet for drinks and appetizers to kick off your evening. Then move on to the second spot to enjoy the main dinner, distribute any wedding party or parent gifts, and call for any toasts. Once everyone has had their fill, end the night at a cozy café for dessert. Sharing a few of your favorite restaurants with your favorite people keeps the energy high all night long.
Your rehearsal dinner doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive to be memorable, and a picnic is a perfect option for laid-back couples who want an equally laid-back celebration. Decide whether you want guests to sit on the ground–traditional picnic-style–or set up tables around the open space. Then put together a menu of simple finger foods, wine, lemonades, flavored teas, and mini desserts to display buffet style. Tie it all together with a few simple floral arrangements and you’re set.
Whether you host the picnic in your backyard or a city park, the relaxed feel and chance to take it easy with you in an informal setting will set the stage for the wedding.
4. Theme Party Rehearsal Dinner Ideas
If you wanted a theme for your wedding but couldn’t quite make it fit, make that dream come alive with a themed rehearsal dinner instead. We’ve seen couples base their themes on a particular region, food, style, hobby, or interest. Think outside of the box to create a memorable Mexican-inspired fiesta, crawfish boil, casino night, or even a wedding-themed murder mystery party.
This is your chance to go a little more whimsical and carefree than you would for your wedding. It also makes for a perfect icebreaker for guests who haven’t met everyone yet.
Who doesn’t love pizza? Pizza night can take a variety of forms and gives everyone the opportunity to kick back and grab a slice. Whether you opt to make the evening very casual with a pizza buffet with informal seating areas or a more structured dinner party setup with personal pizzas for each guest, the options are endless. You can also take the opportunity to rent a pizza oven and let your loved ones build their own pizzas.
Regardless of the setup you choose, offering fun local cocktails and drinks will add a personal twist and introduce the group to things they may not be familiar with—even if they are local.
6. Brewery, Distillery, or Winery Tour
If you’re looking for a daytime post-rehearsal celebration, a tour of a local brewery, distillery, or winery is a great option. Depending on the size of your group you may be able to book a private tour. If having a private tour is important, make sure to find a place that can accommodate your group sans walk-ins. You also want to find out if children are allowed. If they’re not, communicate this with your guests to ensure they can plan ahead of time.
Many breweries, distilleries, and wineries offer food or have food trucks available on site. Call ahead to make sure to plan appropriately. If they don’t offer food, you might consider combining this with a picnic rehearsal dinner as we mentioned earlier.
Brunch is a great option for just about any celebration. Nothing brings people together quite like a waffle bar, mimosas, and a tower of donuts. You can throw a brunch rehearsal meal right before or after the actual wedding rehearsal. Keep it sweet and simple with interactive food stations, bright decor, and upbeat background music. Be sure to specify clothing expectations on your invitations because brunch attire can often be casual or dressy.
8. Game Night
There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to raise everyone’s spirits and make all your guests feel connected. We absolutely love the game night rehearsal dinner idea with good food, good drinks, and board games. Up the ante by making it tournament style and giving small prizes to the night’s winners. To take it up a notch, consider catering your favorite local foods so nobody has to worry about cooking or clean-up.
If the group is big and you need to set up several gaming stations, pick games in different genres so everyone can find something they love. You and your fiancé should stay mindful to rotate to different tables throughout the night so you get a chance to play with everyone.
This is an oldie but a goodie for low-key couples, families on a budget, or anyone who just loves barbecue. All you’ll need are some picnic tables, centerpieces, simple place settings, and some lighting if the party will continue past sunset—think cafe lights strung through the trees or candles on every table. Decide whether you want your favorite BBQ joint to cater or have someone work the grill. Keep the menu simple and provide other activities, such as lawn games, to give your guests a reason to get up and mingle. And of course, what’s a backyard barbecue without a killer playlist?
Most wedding traditions are, well, traditional. But that doesn’t mean that they have to be boring. Stay true to the feelings that you and your fiance want to share for every wedding tradition. Keeping those thoughts and feelings in mind will ensure that you look back at those memories that created joy and laughter among your closest friends and family.
Now that you have the perfect rehearsal dinner plan, you need the perfect rehearsal dinner outfit. You’re in luck, we have a roundup of our favorite rehearsal dinner dresses and jumpsuits!
It’s a well-known fact that wedding planning is stressful. Whether you’ve always dreamed of large, over-the-top “I do’s,” or your intimate affair has spiraled into something far more complicated, it’s easy to let the preparations weigh heavy on you. You may soon realize that wedding planning–which should be a fun, memorable experience–is something you want to avoid at all costs. You’re already balancing work, relationships, paying the bills, and trying to find time for a social life. Now, add a major life event that requires a year of planning on top of that.
Luckily, there are ways to calm your nerves and make the wedding planning process enjoyable. From stepping away for a bit to creating detailed to-do lists, these ten cool tips will help you stay afloat in the crazy world that is wedding planning.
We asked some of our incredibly talented vendors why it was important to manage wedding planning stress, and we love the responses we received. Photographer Tinsley & Co. said, “Stress can steal so many moments away from what should be a beautiful season. I want my couples to look back and remember their engagement with a full heart. I don’t want them to look back and think, ‘man, that sucked’ or ‘I’m so glad that’s over.’ It’s a once and a lifetime period for most. Enjoy it, don’t rush it, and don’t let stress bring the cloud over a light-filled chapter together.”
First things first–plan out exactly what details are most important to you for your dream wedding. Oftentimes couples get overwhelmed with planning the smaller details and lose sight of what matters most to them. Before you begin booking vendors or putting deposits down, make a list of your absolute must-haves. This could be a professional photographer, live florals, a farm-to-table meal, etc. You can then refer to this priorities list anytime you begin to feel stress creeping in after spending hours scrolling on Pinterest.
Repeatedly looking at this list will also help remind you to stay within your budget. You will be able to avoid overspending on items that are not necessary for your dream day. And the budget is one of the worst stressors couples face during the planning process.
Speaking of budgets, putting together a detailed budget is essential. If anxiety stems from how much money you are spending, take time to clarify your budget. Create a high-level wedding budget and then take it a step further by breaking down that money into different categories. Creating a budget spreadsheet will help you track your spending as you go and allow you to see if there is any wiggle room or areas you may need to scale back.
We recommend also leaving about 5% of your budget aside for miscellaneous expenses that may come up as you go. Some surprise costs that you may run into include unexpected guests, vendor meals, gratuities, service charges, overtime costs, postage, insurance, and more.
Wedding planning can feel like one giant mountain of tasks that you have to tackle. If you go into it without any game plan, you are going to feel overloaded very quickly. This can lead to anxiety and procrastination–which can then lead to more stress.
Consider using a physical wedding planner that includes checklists, worksheets, calendars, and more. This will keep you on track of your budget and timeline and will also keep your planning in one easy-to-access place. If you’re more of a cloud-based person, use apps like Trello or Milanote–both of which are also great for creating a wedding mood board as well.
Along with a to-do list, make a done list. This will allow you to see all that you have accomplished and help to celebrate the small wins!
If there is room in the budget, find yourself a wedding planner. They’ll help manage your budget, bring your vision to life, keep things organized, communicate with your other vendors, offer advice for any sticky situations that may arise, and help you relax on your big day. They handle it all.
There is no shame in asking for help. While there is nothing wrong with being relentlessly self-sufficient, delegating tasks to your wedding party and other family members will help you stay sane.
These people want to see you succeed, and they also want to make this process as easy as possible for you. Your wedding is about you, your partner, and your loved ones. Don’t feel like you have to do every task by yourself.
Comparison is—and always will be—the thief of joy. While sites such as Instagram and Pinterest are great for wedding inspiration, they can also cause couples to feel as if their wedding isn’t good enough. Your wedding is a celebration of you and your partner, not a contest.
If you find you’re continually beating yourself up because you can’t get the florals you saw on Instagram or the expensive neon sign you saw on Pinterest, consider taking a digital detox. These are tools to inspire, not to determine the worth of your wedding.
Like many things in life, you will run into hiccups when wedding planning. And that’s okay. Imperfection is inevitable, so it’s important to embrace it. Once the wedding has come and gone, you’re not going to remember the fact that the florals you wanted weren’t in season or that you couldn’t find the exact table runners you saw online. Whenever you begin to nitpick and become overwhelmed, focus on the bigger picture.
8. Schedule Time Away From Planning And For Planning
One of the key ways to avoid succumbing to wedding pressure is to schedule times for and away from planning. Whether you want to plan Wine Wednesdays where you and your future spouse sit down and plan, or you save time for the weekends, scheduling time for wedding planning will help you separate planning time from your free time.
During your free time, focus on self-care–which looks different for everyone. It could be a walk outside, getting a manicure, writing in your journal, taking a hot bath, a gym session, or binge-watching The Office for the 100th time. Do whatever makes you happiest. We recommend having a stress-free space–such as a bedroom or office area–free of anything to do with wedding planning. You can use this as your escape to decompress and relax when the going gets tough.
When you aren’t planning, it’s also vital to schedule date nights with your future spouse. Stress can strain your relationship, which is why it is crucial that you spend quality time together. This will help you remember why you’re getting married in the first place.
Taking care of yourself should always be your priority. This means prioritizing your physical and mental health. If you don’t feel good about yourself, you’ll go into planning with a negative headspace from the get-go.
This also means you shouldn’t deprive yourself. Treat yourself to ice cream dates, glasses of wine, and take-out in front of the television from time to time. Wedding planning is best when you’re striking a balance between working and unwinding.
Junebug Tip:
Take some time to break a sweat to help boost your endorphins and bust stress! Our friends at HipTrain offer online personal training that you can do from anywhere. With this option, you can choose to train with or without your partner.
The final and most important piece of advice we can give you is to remember the big picture. At the end of the day, your wedding is not about throwing the biggest party around. It’s about marrying the person you want to grow old with and celebrating that with your loved ones. Being stressed about the seating chart or dinner menu is not going to change the fact that you are tying the knot with the love of your life.
While wedding planning may never be completely stress-free, it’s essential to take care of yourself along the way. Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, take a step back, and think about these ten tips. To help keep your spirits high, throw on this wedding planning playlist that will keep you motivated, and have yourself a little dance party!
Every wild and free-spirited fiance needs to see Sanddy and Simon’s boho wedding at Les Domaines de Patras! Their French wedding–put together by Daylove Events–has everything from dramatic floral arrangements put together by Menthe Sauvage to vintage rugs and colored smoke bombs. We’re obsessed with Sanddy’s custom-made Elise Martimort gown that she paired with another customized piece—an incredible leather jacket for the end of the night.
See Free People meets the French countryside below with the gorgeous photos that Les Bandits captured.
I wanted to feel like myself, so I chose a simple dress without lace or embroidery. The dress was very airy, and it suited my style (plunging neckline, slit up the leg, wide openings under the arms). My inspiration was the dress worn by Edita Vilkeviciute during her wedding in Italy. So I decided to have a custom dress made. After giving her an idea of what I wanted, Élise Martimort–the designer–gave me a sketch in 3 minutes during our first meeting. I knew it was my dress. It was completely unique! I wore it until the end of the night. I didn’t want to change my outfit! You only wear your wedding dress once, so I wanted to make the most of it.
Bohemian Wedding Day Vibes
For the decorations and style of our wedding, Simon gave me carte blanche. He trusted me completely and knew how much I wanted to plan it. I wanted a kinfolk/boho style for the decor–with fresh and dried flowers, lots of plants, and wood. Refined and modern style was the focus.
Why Les Domaines de Patras
We live in Paris, and we were looking for a venue in the south of France. Thanks to our wedding planner–Daylove Event–we found the perfect place, Les Domaines de Patras. From the first time we saw it, we knew. The place is magic! The owners, Kety and Eric–so adorable–make the place feel so warm. The barn–our reception location–matched the style of our wedding perfectly. It didn’t require much decoration. It was perfect for dining and partying. We wanted the majority of our guests to stay at the wedding venue, which was possible thanks to Les Domaines de Patras’ guest rooms.
The Wedding Favors
We had a hangover kit prepared for each guest. For a three-day long wedding, this kit was handy. On the dinner table, women received a small vial of olive oil, and men got a small jar of honey. For my wedding party and our mothers, we had a glass bell made with various dried flowers inside.
Shannon and Sean’s unique Ace Hotel New Orleans wedding is the definition of a party! With the help of Nice Day Events, the couple’s day was full of modern touches, neon lights, and a whole lot of groovy disco details including disco ball-shaped cups as wedding favors. Not to mention Shannon’s epic Prabal Gurung gown that was complete with ‘70s-inspired bell sleeves which she wore with green velvet studded Miu Miu platform heels. Hannah Pickle nailed capturing the playful yet sophisticated vibe of the day.
Nice Day Events’ Katy Moody on the Special Day
“Shannon and Sean’s loved ones joined them for a night of revelry to celebrate their marriage in New Orleans, their way. The bride wore an amazing Prabal Gurung gown, with dramatic full pleated sleeves, styled with green velvet platforms, a sparkly green manicure, and purple eyeshadow. Shannon and Sean’s vision for their wedding was always authentic to who they are; their playful yet sophisticated style, their love of Prince, and raucous sense of humor that prevailed throughout the night.
After a second line parade through the streets of New Orleans, the couple surprised their guests with a choreographed dance routine to Britney Spear’s “Everytime” as their first dance. Shannon danced with her father next, choosing to honor their relationship by *getting down* to a New Orlean’s classic, Lil Wayne & Birdman’s “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy”. Lush tropicals, Prince lyrics, a huge fabric chandelier + disco ball perfectly accompanied the evening’s clear mission of fun (and love).”
With our decor being loud, bright, and electric, I wanted a look that was sleek and clean but still had dramatic elements. I found the most awesome Prabal Gurung dress with overstated pleated sleeves, paired it with studded green velvet Miu Miu platform sandals, and a green foil manicure to match (by Paintbox in NYC). Since I planned on keeping my maiden name, I had a nameplate ring made of Sean’s last name, which he didn’t see until the day of. That is definitely my favorite accessory.
Wedding Day Vibes
First and foremost, it was important for us to have a really killer party. Secondly, our wedding was a destination and we wanted our guests to fully experience the unique culture of New Orleans and everything the city has to offer. So, we worked with Hily and Katie at Nice Day to incorporate southern charm with clean modern elements, pops of neon, awesome music, and decadence that can only be found in New Orleans.
The Second Line Parade. We paraded our guests down the streets of New Orleans with a brass band, while onlookers took photos, shouted congratulations, gave us high fives, and I even got a hug. And how often do you get to have your own parade?!
We can’t imagine anything more intimate and romantic than saying your vows with a Bali waterfall behind you. Anna and Igor’s effortlessly beautiful waterfall elopement in Bali has captivated our hearts! We’re absolutely blown away by the beauty of their ceremony backdrop both the florals WedBali created for a perfect circle arch to the natural beauty of the water flowing behind them. This couple’s style also fit the day so perfectly with Anna looking stunning in a boho Rara Avis gown with hints of color and Igor’s all-white casual groom style. If you’ve ever dreamed of an adventure elopement somewhere picturesque, these photos by Borodenok Olga & Vladimir will drive you wild!
The Couple:
Anna & Igor
The Wedding:
Tibumana Waterfall, Bali, Indonesia
We couldn’t have imagined it better. Ceremony at the waterfall around the jungle birds singing water noise, an insanely beautiful arch of fresh flowers in the background, the whole atmosphere, the color in which we plunged, it is simply impossible to express in words. It was a magical day for us.
The most important thing about wedding planning for us was to choose the right wedding agency. Now we understand this more than ever, because the subsequent choice of the location of the ceremony, the photographer and videographer took place with their direct participation. Thanks to the advice and professional opinion of WedBali, we were able to choose the best photographers and videographer for our wedding. Despite the distance of 10000 kilometers, completely trusting WedBali, on the day of the wedding ceremony, everything was organized to the smallest detail.
Working with the organizer Alice was a pleasure, despite the time difference, she was always in touch, helped, advised, and always told us, “Trust our agency, we will make a celebration for you that you will remember for a lifetime, we were required to relax and enjoy the process.” And we fully trusted the organizer and the team of real professionals. We did not regret for a second that we applied to this agency, on the day of the ceremony we only enjoyed the fairy tale created for us. We had two photographers Vladimir and Olga, we are delighted with them, great guys and super professionals, it was a pleasure to work with them. And we can not fail to mention our videographer Alexander, only his work hooked us more than all of the proposed videographers in Bali. He has a certain style in his work. We were hooked.
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!
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