Wedding Planning – Unsolicited Inc.

Photo Credit: Lily Love

Planning your wedding day photos can feel like a daunting task. To simplify the process, figure out your priorities and intention for using the photos. For example, are these photos destined to be framed and on your wall, just for Facebook, or for a printed wedding album? Make a list of “must have” photos to share with your photographer that you think you would want framed/saved/preserved forever and ever and don’t sweat the other stuff. There will be fun/candid moments that pop up when taking your photos that your photographer will capture so you should end up with a perfect mix of your “must haves” and some unplanned/candid moments.

Must-have bridal party photo checklist!

Bridesmaids

Getting ready — we had monogram embroidered waffle robes and a champagne toast.
With florals — greenery (eucalyptus leaves, succulents) and a couple white roses
Formal — use furniture in whatever space you have so not all your pictures are in a straight line.

View More: http://lilylovephoto.pass.us/cecilia--rodney-wedding-81217

Groomsmen

Getting ready — if your hotel has a classy lobby it is a great opportunity to grab a fancy tux pic.
Formal
Fun

Whole bridal party

Classic
Contemporary
Fun

Bride with groomsmen

Groom with bridesmaids

1:1 with each member of the bridal party

Some photos that you might love love love on Pinterest and are fun to have but may not be worth the stress of formally planning. You can ask your photographer to snap these type of pics at any time (eg bride with a beer, socks, groups of shoes of any kind (groomsmen, bridesmaid, bride and groom…). Also, you don’t need to plan/stage bridesmaids helping with the bustle picture because…they really need to help with the bustle! It happens naturally and inevitably. At the end of the day, were you really going to frame that pic of the groomsmen’s socks? Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Unsolicited yet mildly interesting advice: how to have a one-of-a-kind wedding dress without going over budget.

Exactly one year ago today I bought my wedding dress!

My wedding budget priorities were: food and venue. I did not budget a lot of money for my wedding dress. You can only wear it once after all! I had planned to try on various styles of dresses at David’s Bridal with my family and then order or rent a similar style online to save money.

Once I put on my dress, the plan changed. I loved it. However, since I hadn’t intended on actually purchasing a dress that day, I didn’t ask for the price or even provide the woman helping us at the store with an acceptable price range! My anticipation rose while I waited for the verdict. Turns out, my dress was on sale for only $199!

I loved my dress but I wanted to make it my own. I didn’t want a cookie cutter dress from a national retail chain, and yet, I loved and wanted the dress I found! With a little creativity I was able to make my dress one of a kind without breaking my budget. I ordered two sparkly waist belts from an Etsy artist and had them added to my dress as straps. It made my dress more comfortable and secure and added a tasteful amount of sparkle and individuality. My dress was a gem. Then I added some sentiment to my dress with a veil made from the lace of my mother’s wedding dress.

Three simple and affordable ways to make your wedding dress your own:

Add a meaningful accessory. My veil is made from the lace of my mother’s wedding dress. Simply cut the lace (after being 1000% certain your mother is ok with this idea), buy a generic hair clip/comb, and sew the lace onto the clip. Don’t forget to buy extra bobby pins to hold it in place! You can use lace or fabric from your mom’s dress for other accessories as well like straps, a lining around the bodice, the tie of a waist belt, etc.
Go to Etsy and check out wedding dress waist belts. The great part about Etsy.com is that you can reach out to artists and have your item custom made (from design to sizing!). I had two belts made at 15in long so it would reach from the front of my dress to the back as straps! You can also look for wedding dress sleeves , sashes, or general accessories.
Bustle! You are going to have to pay for the bustle when you get your alterations anyways so you might as well make it pretty! Do some research before you pick your bustle style.You will likely have a preference. Some bustles look kind of awkward IMO, you don’t want a big lump at the bottom of your dress. I asked my seamstress to bustle in a way that would fit with flow of my dress and I loved it!