HERE ARE SOME OR OUR TOP POINTS AND ADVICE FOR PLANNING YOUR WEDDING DAY!
There are a million pieces of advice we can give for planning your wedding day. Something Blue has photographed over 550 weddings and here are few tidbits and best advice for brides and grooms. It is so important to never forget that this is a celebration of the union between two people, you. The focus for the day and the reason for the ceremony are to become partners in life.
Advice for planning your wedding:THROW THE RULES OUT
Throw the rule book out. There are no rules that cannot be broken or at least tweaked. Just because everyone you know cut a cake at their wedding and you hate cake, does not mean you have to do it. Choose pie, doughnuts, banana foster or whatever your go to fav is. This applies to every aspect of your wedding day. Wedding parties are often intermingled with offset numbers or gender. Garder removal is often not done. Many choose to not do first dances with parents due to many families having complicated circumstances. Whatever your ideas are that are not tradition, we say DO IT!! [Photo at Skyline Country Club]
Advice for planning your wedding
Advice for planning your wedding:BE PRESENT
Be present in every moment on this day and soak up all the goodness that comes along with it. You have planned this day for a good amount of time, so on the actual wedding day know it is out of your hands. If something goes array, think of it as a good story to tell your children and grandchildren in your old age.
KISS YOUR HUSBAND
My favorite and our best advice is to Kiss your husband all day. Do not just kiss him when prompted by glasses clinging or the officient saying I Do. Kiss him on the dance floor, kiss him as you are introduced into the reception, kiss him for no reason at all. Flirt with him, snuggle your head in his shoulder and embrace the love of the day. Just let go and show all how in love you are. Cherish every moment because it goes by so fast.
[Photo at The Highlands at Dove Mountain]
GET PERSONAL
Infuse small details from your life into decor, signature drinks, seating chart, meal choices and any aspect of the wedding that you can sprinkle it in. We once had a wedding where the couple’s favorite meal was breakfast so their guests were served waffles, eggs, bacon, orange juice and the whole breakfast gamut for dinner.
How special would it be to hand write a note to each person that means the most to you and helped bring this day to fruition?
Rachel and Brian were on of our past couples and had 8 wine bottles labeled as years 1-8 and placed next to personalized note cards. Guest were requested to leave date night idea, love advice and words of wisdom. The guests had the choice of which year they wanted to insert their wise words. On each anniversary the couple will open up the corresponding bottle and exercise the advice or date ideas.
Tonya and Dan was another couple who had a passion for rescue dogs. Their centerpiece on each table included an actual photo of dogs that were up for rescue. The photo also included details of each specific dog and information on how to adopt.
BE DIFFERENT
One of our favorite pieces of advice for planning your wedding is to be different and unique. Many brides are choosing nontraditional bridesmaid dresses in an eclectic mix in a color palette. The big trend we see is allowing each bridesmaid to choose a dress style that fits their personality and body shape.
[Photo taken at Tanque Verde Ranch]
GET HIM INVOLVED
What are your groom’s interests? Perhaps music, then give him the band or DJ assignment. If it’s food, he can research caterers or choose appetizers. Many times the groom is tasked with choosing a photographer and we get the call from him. His choices can be as simple as what type of socks and cuff links to wear; super hero, wacky socks or something to represent his favorite hobby. Involve him as much as he is willing. After all, the wedding belongs to the two of you! If he does not want that type of involvement, we recommend personalizing many of the details about him.
DO A FIRST LOOK
Yes, a first look is contrary to all tradition. However, this is one rule you will want to consider breaking. Every couple that chooses to do a first look states that it calms their nerves. They also enjoy spending more time together on this day that can keep you separated for hours upon hours. First looks can also give you more time to be photographed, slow your day down or maybe enjoy cocktail hour for a few minutes.
[Photo taken at The Buttes at Reflections]
Your photographer can find a secluded area, away from all the madness. Eyes covered or backs turned just prior to seeing each other furthers the anticipation and excitement of seeing each other for the first time. Take a deep breath and let the moment sink in. No matter what you decide, the important thing is choosing what’s right for you as a couple.”
FIRST TOUCH OR HUG
An alternative to the first look is a first touch. The bride and groom are on either side of a wall or door. They are placed there without seeing each other. The couple reaches out to touch each other’s hand without seeing each other. Passing your love a note or kissing her hand is also very sweet.
Another alternative is to have the groom turned with his back to where the bride will enter. He can either be blind folded or just promise not to turn around. The bride comes up behind the groom and hugs his back. Our couple Olivia and Adrien did this and it was a very tender moment.
[Photo taken at Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch]
YOU CAN NOT PLEASE EVERYONE.
Trying to accommodate others will just make you crazy. This is your day; make it about you, your fiancé and the love that you share. This is one day to kick start your lives together and leads us to the next piece of advice
OUR ADVICE FOR PLANNING A WEDDING
Our best advice for planning a wedding is to hire vendors you connect with on a personal level and get to know each vendor you choose. Sit down with them and have a conversation in private, over coffee or a glass of wine to make sure they are a good personality fit with the two of you. You will want to assure your vision is something they can accomplish. Butting heads is the last thing you want on your wedding day. You will spend the most time with your photographer and your wedding planner. Choose them wisely.
[Photo taken at Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch]
Advice for planning your wedding: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We love when clients embrace food and beverage as an integral part of the wedding celebration! A food and wine-focused wedding is a delicious and unexpected treat for your guests. We have all been to a wedding with chicken as the main course. Chicken is fine, but maybe inspire your caterer to push their limits and come up with something creative and unusual to surprise your guest’s pallet. One of our favorites was a mashed potato bar. Guests received mashed potatoes in a desert dish and then guests surrounded a table filled with extras: sour cream, chives, cheese, bacon bits and more. A late night Sonoran dog from a food truck rolling up around 11pm is a fan favorite. Just food for thought.
Let’s make weddings return to something that feels a bit more personal and heartfelt. They should be authentic expressions of love and a gift to your guests to celebrate this new commitment. Contact us soon so that we can chat about your ahhhhh-mazing day.