How to Repurpose Your Flowers at Your Wedding

So you’re planning out the flowers for your wedding, but you don’t want the ceremony flowers to only be used for an hour! There is a simple solution, repurpose them! Flowers can be super expensive, but it is so worth it! Here are some of our favorite ways to repurpose flowers.

  1. Ceremony flowers in front of the head table

Putting those big aisle runners or other ceremony flowers on the ground in front of the head table is a great way to repurpose them. It brings lots of attention to the head table and gives them a beautiful photo opportunity (as shown above).

2. Bouquets as centerpieces for tables

Oftentimes, we go around and collect bouquets from everyone after pictures are done in order to put them in vases preplaces on the tables. This works great with long farm tables!

3. Bouquets laid around the venue

If the tables don’t need flowers, or you already have flowers for that, we usually lay all the bouquets around the venue to add accents. We will put them on the bar, tables in seating areas, the cake table, or wherever else needs it!

4. Bride’s bouquet on the head table

99% of the time, we put the bride’s bouquet at the head table with her if there is not already a designated centerpiece. Some people prefer it to be laid in the middle, and some like it to be in a vase. This is totally up to personal preference, but it's a great way to reuse it and showcase it for the rest of the night (as shown below)!

Photo by Whole Heart Studios

There are so many other ways to repurpose flowers during your wedding so that you can get full use of them, but these are just some of the most common ones we see!

Need help planning your wedding? Click here to chat with us!

The Do's and Don'ts of DIYing Your Wedding

Let's be real,  weddings can get expensive! A lot of people choose to DIY parts of their wedding in order to make it more cost-effective. This can be a great thing! But, only if you’re DIYing the right things. So what should you DIY for your wedding?

DO: Invitations and details

Small things like your detail shot items, invitations, and even signage are great things to DIY! They’re small but super effective on the big day. Signs can be a great option because there are endless possibilities and most of the supplies can be found at hardware and craft stores! Invitations are great if you’re good at stationary. You can add a big personal touch to this by making it yourself, and it can help represent you and your partner’s relationship. 

DO: Favors (if they’re useful)

Favors can get pricy when you’re buying dozens of them. So making your own favors are a great option if you’re choosing to give our favors at your wedding! But, make sure they’re actually relevant and useful for your guests. DIYing can also mean you’re less quality, so make sure if you’re doing this one, that you are making it good!

DON’T: Florals (to save money)

I know, this one is kind of a bummer. A lot of people think they can easily DIY their florals for their wedding, and sure, plenty of people do. However, some people find that when they start the process of DIYing their florals, it ends up being the same price as if they used a florist! A florist is going to know how to help you get the most impact at your wedding, while still staying within budget. They’ll help you reuse and repurpose flowers so that you get the most bang for your buck!

DON’T: Anything last minute

Lastly, make sure that anything you do choose to DIY is done well ahead of time. The last thing you’re going to want to deal with the week of your wedding is making stuff for the big day, such as the pressure of baking your wedding cake. If something went wrong, you would have to scramble to fix it, and that is not something you will want to be doing right before the wedding! Make sure you DIY everything with plenty of time in case you have to change it or get more supplies. 

Overall, we want you to be able to DIY your wedding because this day is about you! But not if means you will be under immense amounts of stress. Reach out to wedding pros to help you decide what you should and shouldn’t DIY based on your skills and the time you have. And remember that whatever you bring to your wedding, you have to take home at the end of the night too! Your wedding planning should be enjoyable, and not spent with you stressing to make everything.



Need help planning or DIYing your wedding? Click here to set up a free chat with us!

How To Change Your Name After You Get Married

Photo by Out of Twig Photography

One thing many couples look forward to when they get married is sharing their last name. While more couples are starting to move away from this tradition, it is still a huge part of marriage for a lot of couples. It can also be kind of stressful to figure out how to legally change your name. There are a lot of steps! But don’t stress, because we are going to lay it out for you all in one place!


Step 1: File for your marriage certificate.

This one may seem obvious, but many couples forget this is even something they have to do until the end of their engagement. This document proves that you and your spouse are legally married. This is different than your marriage license! You get this before the wedding and it is signed by your officiant at your wedding (and JRE’s owner, Julie, is licensed to do this). 

Step 2: Get certified copies of the certificate

You’ll need these copies to give to the next few places you need to go. Always keep one official copy at home in safe keeping, and then get a couple to take with you to get everything else updated with your new name.

Step 3: Social security card

This should be your first “stop” once you have your marriage certificate. You can do this online or in person. This process is also free! You’ll just need proof of name change (the marriage certificate), proof of citizenship (driver's license, state-issued I.D., passport, etc), and your current social security card. 

Step 4: Driver’s license or I.D.

Next is your driver’s license, which you’ll need to update credit cards, investment accounts, and bank. This one takes a little more time, as you have to go to the DMV (which always takes forever…) so budget some time for this. You’ll also take a new photo! Bring your new social security card or the receipt if it hasn’t come in yet, proof of address (a bank statement, bills, etc), a copy of your marriage license (you’ll get this back), and multiple payment options in case they do not accept both card or cash. (You don’t want to show up with just your card when they only take cash or check)! 

Step 5: Passport

You can apply for this by mail, as it just counts as a passport correction. You can do this here. 

Step 6: Bank accounts

Every bank is different so reach out to your bank and see if they prefer in-person appointments or if you can do it online. All you need for this is a certified copy of your marriage certificate, your new Social Security card, and your new driver’s license or I.D. 

Step 7: Credit cards

Call the number on the back of your credit card to find out how your credit card company likes to do this. These companies have different processes, as with banks.

Step 8: Insurance

Update all your insurance information (home, auto, life, etc) so that you avoid any confusion or issues with your coverage. Many providers have different processes for doing this, but always assume they will need your marriage license and driver's license. See if you or your spouse can get on each other’s health insurance too, if that is something you are both interested in. 

Step 9: Update Payments

Update your independent payments such as student loans, mortgages, utilities, etc. 

Step 10: Work HR

Make sure they update your name at work on payroll and see what benefits they have for married employees, such as health insurance and 401(k).

Tips:

Our planner, Samantha, suggests not hyphenating your last name. Her family name was Mattox and her married name is Janiak, so she is Samantha Mattox-Janiak, and she gets a lot of confusion surrounding it. She recommends making your family name your middle name (either adding it as a second middle name or replacing it) so that you still have the family name but also the sentiment of your married name.

This list is in this order so that you don’t get turned around at certain steps. Some of these steps require the previous things to be done in order to continue, so doing it in this order will be the most efficient and least time-consuming! 

Whether you choose to change your last name after marriage is an incredibly big decision between you and your partner, but don’t let it be a big hassle! Congratulations!

Click here to chat with us!

Photo by Ray Photography

Weddings in Every Season

We’re based in Virginia, which gets a wide range of seasons. We get freezing-cold winters, scorching-hot summers, and literally everything in between. Therefore, we’ve seen a wedding in just about every type of weather imaginable. So we’re here today to tell you the pros and cons of each season!

Summer

Pros

  1. Everyone loves a nice warm summer day, so a summer wedding is a great choice for an outdoor wedding with beautiful scenery. Aside from the formalities of the wedding, the guests can choose whether they want to spend their time inside or outside during the whole day. You can do just the ceremony outside and then the rest of the day/night is indoor and outdoor, or you can do the whole day outside under a tent. 

  2. A summer wedding also means there are lots of flowers available for you to choose from! Summer can mean lots of bright and fun florals or any kind of style you love. 

Cons

  1. It can get TOO hot. Summer weather can’t completely be predicted months or a year in advance, so you can only make an estimate about the weather that day. But, this goes for literally every season or type of weather. You don’t want your guests overheating.

Fall

Pros

  1. Can be cooler. The weather in the fall can mean it's still warm, but not so hot that people are going to overheat. 

  2. Beautiful fall leaves. If you’re getting married in the mountains or near lots of trees, you can’t go wrong with a fall wedding. The tree lines will look absolutely gorgeous during this time of year. Think of all the floral options to pair with this!

Cons

  1. Vendors will be super busy during this time because it's peak season, so prices might be higher and fewer vendors will be available. Since fall is so popular, a lot of vendors may get booked out a year or more in advance, so they might not be available for your big day. Venues typically also charge more for peak season. 

Winter

Pros

  1. Snow! If you live in an area that gets lots of snow, think about how beautiful it would be to have snow in the background of all your wedding photos! However, this will also be covered in the cons section. 

  2. Think of all the winter fashion! Long sleeve wedding dresses, fur coats, shawls, and more! 

Cons

  1. Again, snow. Snow can be beautiful, but it could prevent some of your guests from getting to the wedding. If snow is a problem in your area and you want a winter wedding, keep a close eye on the weather in the weeks leading up to the wedding and make sure you have multiple backup plans for guests getting there. This way, everyone can make it for your big day!

  2. Most likely, your wedding will be inside. Not many people like to sit outside in freezing or almost freezing temperatures. But, if you want an inside wedding already, then this is probably a pro for you, not a con!

Spring

Pros

  1. Spring weather is amazing because it's beginning to get warm, so guests will want any excuse to get outside after being stuck inside for the last few months! 

  2. Bright, colorful flowers! Everywhere! If you love lots of colors and you want lots of flowers, a spring wedding would be perfect for you. You can incorporate this in not only flowers, but dresses, napkins, and decor too!

Cons

  1. Spring weather is awesome, but it also means rain. It is way more likely to rain on your wedding day if it's in the spring. However, if you make a backup plan for an indoor ceremony, this won’t be a dealbreaker. Rain is good luck on a wedding day anyways!

Every season has its pros and cons, so choose the best season for you! We are here to help you navigate the hard parts of your wedding, including the weather we can’t control (wouldn’t it be nice if we could?!?)!

Need help planning your wedding? Click here to chat with us!

Christine + Justin | The Seclusion | Lexington, VA

Photos by Kyla Jeanette Photography

Christine and Justin got married on May 14th, 2022 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA. They had a beautiful spring day for their wedding, despite the clouds and a little hit of storminess, surrounded by their friends and family. They have been together for over five years, and actually met when Justin was Christine’s car salesman back in 2016!


Justin proposed on his 30th birthday at home with Christine and their pups. 

They had a beautiful romantic wedding in the mountains of Lexington. 

When we asked Christine what was most important to them in the planning process, she said “Picking quality vendors. Vendors can make or break your wedding experience, so picking vendors that were responsive and reliable were most important to us”. We think this is so true! Having quality vendors means you can sit back and relax and not have to worry about anything that could go wrong. 

And the best part of their day?

 “Marrying each other surrounded by our family and friends!”

They chose the partial planning package, and when asked what their biggest tip to a couple planning their wedding would be, she said “The best money you will ever spend during your wedding is hiring a wedding coordinator/planner”. You are awesome Christine!

Attire

Bride’s dress: Francesca’s Bridal - Galia Lahav

Groom’s tux: Jos. A Bank

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Show Me Your Mumu

Groomsmen’ tuxes: Jos. A Bank

Venue: The Seclusion

Invitations: Long Time Design

Vendor list: 

Photographer: Kyla Jeannete Photography 

Videographer: Golden Hour Visuals

Venue: The Seclusion

Planner: Julie Rupert Events

Florist: Gregory Britt Design

Caterer: Purple Door

Entertainment: Bela Sono

Hair & Makeup: Allie Laree Beauty

What a beautiful couple! Cheers, Christine and Justin!

Why Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?

So, you’re newly engaged and planning your wedding, and you’re wondering if you should hire a wedding planner! This blog is for you!

Many people already know that they need a planner because planning just isn’t their thing. However, you might be someone who is used to planning parties or trips and you think you’ll be fine without one. But is this going to be true down the line?

Well, we’re here today to tell you why we think everyone should hire a wedding planner! 

Wedding planning should be fun!

You shouldn’t have to worry about the logistics of your wedding. Your wedding is a celebration of you and your partner, so you should be focusing on the fun stuff! Those few months leading up to the wedding should be about spending time with your partner and prepping for the big day in fun ways, such as appointments to get your attire, engagement parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or picking out rings. For some, it may mean you need more time to work to get prepared to be gone for your wedding and/or honeymoon. Whatever your plan for leading up to the wedding, it should not include unnecessary research and questioning that a wedding planner could do for you to save you time!

We have extensive knowledge of the wedding world.

During planning, comparing prices, packages, and deals takes up a ton of time. It can be really overwhelming, but a planner can do that for you! We’re knowledgeable about what average pricing and offers are available in our area and we can tell you the best options so you can save money and get the best deals!

We make the timelines.

On the day of your wedding, there will be a lot of moving parts. There’s the catering and bar, musician or DJ, guests, officiant, flowers, rentals, venue staff, and more. There has to be a timeline so that everyone working on your event knows what's going on! We make you a timeline based on everything you’ve shared with us, the things we know need to happen already, and the things your vendors communicate with us. We know exactly how much time each piece of your day should require, like getting ready, photos, the ceremony, and so on. Then, in communication with you and your amazing vendors, we can verify that everything will line up perfectly on your wedding day.


We take the stress off of you on the big day. 

A huge part of our job is making sure you’re relaxing and having fun on the day of your wedding. It is so important to us that you don’t have to worry about anything else on the day of, because this day should be about you and your partner! You won’t have to worry about set up and clean up, communicating with your vendors, or worrying about where you should be and what you should be doing. We will take care of all of this on the day of. We will coordinate where vendors are and answer their questions, as well as make sure you’re in the right place.

No matter what you need for your wedding, we can help! We offer full planning, partial planning, and day-of-event management. We have a package to match the amount of help you need. Click here to see our packages.

Click here to contact us for a free consultation! We’d love to help you make your vision come to life.

Erica + Shane | The Seclusion | Lexington, VA

Photos by Urban Bay Photography

Erica and Shane got married on October 22nd, 2022 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA! They have been together for 9 years and met in college. They were both in greek life at West Virginia University (in Julie and Erica’s opinion, the best university there is) and their love blossomed from there. You can read their full love story here!

Shane proposed at the Moshulu, a beautiful boat in Philidelphia in 2020. Their proposal story is too beautiful to try and shorten, so click here to read the full story! Tears! I love it.

They had an elegant, bohemian wedding on a beautiful October day. They had a large wedding party, which can sometimes be stressful, but this group was great! 

When it came to wedding planning for Erica and Shane, Erica said the most important thing was, “To be surrounded by our friends and family while everyone had a great time. We had a very big wedding party (21 people) and knew that we wanted the entire weekend to be filled with love, laughter, and fun!”

The best part of their day? “Believe it or not, our ceremony! Both Shane and I agreed that of all the amazing moments on our wedding day, the ceremony truly took the cake. I had a running joke with Shane that I was SO nervous that he wanted to write his own vows, and in turn, I would write mine. We also joke about how I really hoped I'd at least get a single tear out of him when I walked down the aisle! However, when I started to walk down the aisle with my mom and witnessed all of our friends and family there to celebrate us on what was truly the most GORGEOUS October day, I was greeted by a pretty teary-eyed Shane. First Win! And after we finished the ceremony, one of the most incredible feelings was having our guests come up to us and not only commend the vows we wrote, but also commented that they had never been to a wedding where "every single guest was crying". It made Shane and I feel loved and heard, and in turn, made me so happy and proud Shane pushed us to write our own vows.” 

We love hearing our couples share their own vows with their partner and their guests!

They chose the day-of-coordination package. Erica said, “When I first began planning, I honestly was hesitant to even have a day of coordinator. As a super type-A gal, who LOVES to plan, I genuinely thought I had it covered! HOWEVER, now knowing what I know - even the most type A bride needs someone to lean on on their wedding day (YES, and you can quote me on that!, lol!), and honestly in hindsight, I would have hired the JRE for more assistance leading up to the big day!” 

I laughed when I read this because it is so true! We hear this a lot. Everyone needs someone to lean on for their big day, and we’re there for you!

We asked them what advice they would give to other couples planning their big day. She said “Get a wedding planner/coordinator. However to lean on that, communicate EVERYTHING to your vendors. If you want something to happen, put someone in charge of it, and that person cannot be you/your groom. For example, Shane and I agreed that we wanted to sneak away at some point during the wedding just to see everything set up. We didn't tell anyone and before you knew it, the night was over! I wish I had asked one of the wedding party/Julie/my mom/someone to make that happen because as the bride and groom, you are constantly being pulled from one fun thing to another.” 

Your wedding day can go by so fast so make sure you soak it all up!

Dress: Olia Zavozina

Groom’s Tux: Jos. A Banks

Bridesmaids Dresses: “My girls were free to pick their own dresses. We had a mix of BHLDN, Birdie Grey, Lulus, Azazie, Reverly, and even Amazon!

Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A Banks 

“Which I highly recommend for big wedding parties! All of the groomsmen were from different states and were all going to be traveling to VA for the wedding. So, to avoid any of the guys forgetting something at home, they all got fitted in their home cities, but my husband picked up all of the tuxes at the closest Jos A banks to The Seclusion in Roanoke VA.”

Venue: The Seclusion

“I feel the Seclusion is just a jaw-dropper. When Shane and I toured the Seclusion with our families, there wasn't a dry eye in the bunch and a single doubt that it was our dream space to be married. We knew we wanted a space that spoke for itself, and the Seclusion screamed that it was the place for us.”

Favors, party gifts, etc: The majority of the items came from Etsy shops, Amazon, and Shein (Bridesmaid Boxes, Personalized Bracelets, Robes, Earrings), and some of the items I made myself (personalized champaign flutes)

Invitations: Minted

Congratulations Erica and Shane! What a beautiful wedding and an even more beautiful couple.

Erica’s Instagram: @simplyellstyle

Vendors:

Planner: @julierupertevents

Photography: @urbanbay

Videography: @valcinemaweddings

Venue: @theseclusion

Catering: Mountain Mama Catering

DJ: @level.up.ent

Florals: @brins_posy

Hair: @kelseybaranek

Makeup: @alissajoymakeup

Rings: @brilliantearth & @bluenilediamond

Dress: @ozbridal_tn

Our Favorite Wedding Details

Courtney Paige Photography

This blog is going to be all about our favorite wedding details here at Julie Rupert Events! We’re solely using photos from past weddings we’ve done (as always) so that we can showcase some of our favorites! 

Emily Hancock Photography

Julie is a big fan of diamonds! As they say, diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Beautiful ring shots are a classic. Here are a few favorites of ours:

This brings us to our next point, detail shots. We loooooove detail shots! This is a great way to capture the essence of your wedding day. These photos feature the rings, the invitation, stationary, and shoes, all with a touch of flowers and other little additions. Julie loved the hand-painted picture of a couple’s venue (The Seclusion).

Sydney loves lots and lots of colors! This modern and fun style is great in the summertime and there are so many ways to do it. You can do a mix of colorful flowers in your arrangements or you can have your bridesmaids wear different colors. Samantha also loves when florals are used to draw color into the wedding. 

Fun napkins are also a big favorite of ours. Colorful or patterned napkins are always fun and can add a lot to the reception space. Sydney and Samantha loved these blue napkins:

Out of Twig Photography

Serving communion to your guests is a beautiful way to share a moment with each and every one of your guests during your wedding. If communion is something you were considering, consider making it an intimate moment with each of your guests. We loved watching this sweet tradition. One of Samantha’s favorites:

The Kama Photography

Doing private vows is another fan favorite here at JRE. Doing your vows with just you and your partner (and your photographer and videographer, by choice) create the sweetest, most intimate moment you can cherish forever. It is a beautiful moment to be able to share with them on such a chaotic day. 

Courtney Timms Photography

There are so many favorites of ours, these are just the highlights!

Need some help planning your wedding? Click here to chat with us!

Instagram: @julierupertevents

Facebook: Julie Rupert Events

5 Moments You Don't Want to Miss at Your Wedding

Courtney Paige Photography

Your wedding day can go by super fast, so make sure you are taking it all in and enjoying the day! We’ve compiled a list of important moments that you do not want to miss at your wedding:

Julissa Martinez Photography

  1. Private moments with your partner

On your wedding day, it can get pretty chaotic and it’s easy to get distracted from your partner. We recommend doing a private first look, prayer, or vow reading. This day is about you two, so make sure you spend time with them. 

2. Special moments with your loved ones

We love seeing those heartfelt moments with your family and friends. The couple’s dances with their family always get us emotional (no matter how long we do this) and it's a moment you’ll always remember.

The Kama Photography

3. Special ceremonies

If this is something that is important to you, don’t forget to include ceremonies or traditions, such as prayers, special meals, or dances. These will always hold a special place in your heart.

4. Fun moments you can always remember

Make sure you get plenty of time to laugh and have fun with your family and friends! Your wedding is a celebration of your new life with your partner, so have fun! Get on the dance floor with your friends and have some laughs during dinner!

5. Feel those emotions!

Your wedding is such a joyous day so don’t be afraid to shed a few tears of joy. We love seeing the tears during the ceremony and toasts (in a good way, of course)!

Julissa Martinez Photography

Remember, your wedding day is all about you and your partner, so do the things that are important to you two!

Need help planning your wedding? Click here to schedule a free chat with us!

Sam + Tim | The Seclusion | Lexington, VA

Photos by Courtney Timms Photography

Sam and Tim got married on October 2nd, 2022 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA and they have been together for just over four years now!

They got engaged at sunset at Ko Olina Beach in Hawaii! (Such a beautiful setting)

They had a boho-style wedding with a few modern touches. 

When it came to wedding planning for Sam and Tim, “We wanted our medium/big wedding to feel small and intimate. We didn't want our guests to have to worry about anything (where to stay, how to get around, what to do, etc.). We wanted everything to run seamlessly on the day of (and as Hurricane Ian approached, we wanted to make sure that the fun of the day felt just as wonderful as it would have if it was a sunny fall day).”

“We wanted to make sure that we had time together without having to worry about other people and we wanted to make sure our photos and videos felt authentic and genuine.”

Additionally, Sam said, “As a detail-oriented person, I was definitely concerned about all of the teeny tiny details, but as we got closer I realized that I had picked excellent vendors who would make the ideas in my head come to life and that it was not helpful to worry about all the small things that guests probably wouldn't notice as much as Tim or I would.”


“I also wanted to create lots of moments for Tim and I that would make him cry (in a good way). He feels emotions so strongly, so I wanted to make sure I created special moments for him throughout the day where he could let his emotions out and not have to worry about putting on a show for all of our guests. On the other hand, I wanted our guests to not cry at all. I wanted them to be having so much fun enjoying themselves that all they could do was laugh and smile and dance.”


We loved the mix of emotions and fun that Sam wanted at their wedding. Your wedding is such a big day in your life, so you want to be feeling all the emotions, but it's also such an exciting time that deserves a celebration!


When we asked them their favorite part of their wedding day, she said, “The moments Tim and I got to actually spend time together. We rode the bus up to the venue together with our wedding party. Even though we were getting ready separately he took the time to grill me up a plate of food when the caterers were running a little bit behind. Doing our private vows and first look by ourselves with just our photographer and videographer was perfect for the two of us and I loved his reaction to seeing how long the train of my dress was and having to figure out what a bustle was. We got to spend some time upstairs while guests got seated for dinner and did a private last dance with the band at the end of the night. All the small moments by ourselves really made the day feel special and like it was about the two of us and not just the fun of a great party.”

Sam and Tim used the Partial Planning Package with a little bit of added customization. “My family is very used to planning and hosting events, so we mostly wanted some assistance with getting together a good list of vendors and helping the actual wedding weekend run smoothly. We also wanted someone who was local to the area since Tim was deployed and I was planning half of the wedding while I was in Hawaii.” 

We asked Sam what tip she would give another couple planning their wedding and she said, “Start planning early so that you have time to be not stressed as the wedding approaches.” We love that advice, Sam! It can be stressful planning a wedding, and so starting early helps eliminate stress closer to your wedding day when all you want to do is relax.

Her dress: “The designer I used was Wona. They helped me merge two dresses into one (Romance and Macklein). The other top two designers I really loved were Galia Lahav and Berta. It was so difficult to choose. I never thought I'd be the girl struggling to decide which fancy dress to wear.”

Groom’s tux: Stitch and Tie 

Venue: The Seclusion

“We wanted to be surrounded by fall and a venue that wouldn't be "open to the public" on our wedding day. It was really important to us that there were only people that we knew and loved at our wedding.”

Bridesmaids dresses: Revelry

Groomsmen’s tuxes: Stitch and Tie

Invitations: Paperlust

Thanks for reading! We absolutely loved their wedding and we wish Sam and Tim a long and happy marriage!

Vendors:

Photography: @courtneytimmsphotography

Videography: @kirstenbeatleyfilms

Venue: @theseclusion

Planner: @julierupertevents

Florist: Urban Flora VA

Hair/Makeup: @locksandlashesva

Caterer: @thecateringoutfit

Cake: @katies_sweettreats_lyh

Band: @young_hearts_music

Most Popular First Dance Songs

Photo by The Kama Photography

The first dance is a big moment for many people at their wedding. It is also a very customizable tradition, meaning there are many things you can do to make it your own. You get to pick the song, meaning you pick how slow and romantic or how fast and fun it is, you can choreograph it, you can get your guests involved … anything you want!

Photo by Courtney Paige Photography

There are some songs we hear at a lot of weddings. But, this definitely isn’t a bad thing! There are some songs you just can’t beat! We reached out to Roy Shannon Prusak, the owner of RSP Entertainment (@rspentertainment_va), to find out some of the most popular songs he hears for a couple’s first dance. We work with RSP Entertainment a lot, so we agree with this list!


Locally, we hear “Better Together” by Luke Combs, and “Joy of My Life” by Chris Stapleton often. Roy also suggests “Speechless” by Dan + Shay as a great one.

Additionally, here are some classics that you can’t go wrong with:

“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran

“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

“Baby I’m Yours” by the Arctic Monkeys

“Better Half of Me” by Tom Walker

So far, these have just been some favorites that we hear a lot locally in VA, but looking a little broader, here are some other hits:

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley (or other covers)

“At Last” by Etta James

“Growing Old With You”  by Restless Road

“Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton

“All of Me” by John Legend

“In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young 

“Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston

“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra

“Lover” by Taylor Swift

This list also has lots of other songs by Luke Combs, Ed Sheeran, loads of country artists, and other classics like Frankie Valli and Elton John. Listing them all out, it is apparent that country is the top genre for first dance songs, so we tried to mention some from different genres in case country or pop wasn’t your thing!

Whatever song you choose for your first dance, make it represent you as a couple. There is no right or wrong! 

Photo by Courtney Timms Photography

If you need an amazing professional DJ service for your wedding or event, check out RSP Entertainment below! 

www.RSPentertainment.com

www.RSPsouthcarolina.com

Instagram:

@rspentertainment_va | @rspentertainment_sc

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/RSPentertainment www.facebook.com/RSPsouthcarolina

Photo by Whole Heart Studios

The Best Wedding Colors for 2023

Photo by Courtney Paige Photography

Choosing the perfect color scheme for your wedding is an important (and stressful) step in wedding planning! There are SO. MANY. choices. But, have no fear, we have some inspiration for you from some of our past weddings! 

Reading up on wedding themes and colors, we found that Pantone released the 2023 color of the year recently. According to them, the color of the year is Viva Magenta and it is this beautiful shade of red shown below. They have lots to say about the inspiration behind this beautiful color, but we love the vibrance and positivity of this shade. 

Photo by Hannah Malloy Photo

Emerald green is a popular color for ANY season and any weather! We see a lot of weddings with emerald green. You can pair emerald green with a blush, baby blue, or greys, each pairing having many different vibes. 

Photo by The Kama Photography

We also LOVE earth tones like the bouquet and suit below. Especially summer and fall weddings! Earth tones include lots of shades of greens, terracotta, tans, and browns.

Photo by Emily Hancock Photography

Photo by Courtney Paige Photography

Julie loves all things PINK! Pink is a timeless color for a soft and romantic feel for your wedding. It pairs beautifully with white and different kinds of greenery.

Photo by Out of Twig Photo

Blue is a great color to use in the spring or summer months as there is such a wide shade range. There is a lot you can do with blue and florals, such as having bright flowers paired with a bridesmaid’s dress like below (one of our planner Sydney’s all-time favorites). Alternatively, you can mix blue with white, greens, or pinks.

Photo by Whole Heart Studios

Navy blue is also a good option (strongly supported by our planner Samantha)! These napkins were a hit:

Photo by Out of Twig Photo

Whatever colors you choose for your wedding, make it something that represents you, whether that is bright and vibrant, classic and simple, or anywhere in between!

For some extra inspiration:

https://waldophotos.com/the-wedding-colors-trending/#:~:text=2023%20brides%20are%20pairing%20emerald,bridesmaid%20dresses%20to%20check%20out.

Pantone’s color of the year by TIME: 

https://time.com/6238112/pantone-color-of-the-year-2023/

Need more help? Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation so we can help you plan your big day!

Seating Chart vs. No Seating Chart

So, your big day is coming up and you’re probably wondering if you should have a seating chart or not. Well, the answer is simple: yes! If you’re not sure if you want to do a seating chart or you don’t see the need, keep reading!

Photo by Out of Twig Photo, Sign by Zazzle

  1. Your guests won’t be confused about where to go when cocktail hour is over.

People need direction! Telling your guests exactly where they’re going to go after the ceremony and cocktail hour will give them more of an idea of what the rest of the night is going to look like and who they’re going to sit with. 

Photo by Emily Hancock Photography

2.  Your guests won't have to ask you and your partner a bunch of questions.

This one goes with the first point. During cocktail hour, you're either taking pictures or enjoying getting to talk to all your guests. You aren’t going to want to be answering questions about where someone is supposed to sit! Having one spot where your guests can find their seat is efficient and easy for them and saves you a lot of time.

3. Ensures everyone has somewhere to sit and there isn’t any awkward seat shuffling when people have to squeeze into a table.

If you don’t have a seating chart, once the room gets filled up, the guests are going to run out of space if they don’t have reserved seats. This will lead to guests having to ask other guests to shuffle around and make space for them, and that’s always an awkward situation for everyone. 

Photo by The Kama Photography

4. Catering knows what food to serve to which guests.

If you’re having a plated meal with different entrees, the catering staff will have to know what food to serve each guest. In this scenario, you will need a seating chart directing guests to their table and then a place card indicating which guest sits at which seat. The place card will also note the guest’s meal choice and food allergies. This eliminates confusion on the catering side of things and ensures smoother dinner service.

Photo by Jamie Vinson Photography

5. Guests don’t have to stress about who to sit with.

Even if you’re not having a plated meal, having a seating chart means everyone has a seat and doesn’t have to stress about who to sit next to. You get to ensure your friends are sitting with people they know and would probably want to sit with anyways. Also, assigning tables to your guests will help avoid any uncomfortable run-ins with friends or family members who may not want to sit near one another.

As you can see, there are many reasons to have a seating chart. There are also SO many different kinds of seating charts and ways to make it unique to you!


Like this advice and want more? Book a free consultation with us to find out how we can help you with your big day!

Lauren + Wes | The Seclusion | Lexington, VA

Meet Lauren and Wes!

Lauren and Wes got married on June 17th, 2022 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA, and have been together for five and a half years. They were a blast to work with and had the most beautiful day. After graduating from college, Lauren met Wes through Wes’s cousin who she had become friends with and Wes happened to live across the street from her. He actually helped her move in and kept trying to get a look at his cousin’s “cute new roommate”! They eventually met at a family gathering, and finally started dating a year later! 

Wes proposed the weekend before Christmas in Ocean City, Maryland. Lauren says, “I had always wanted to do a bonfire on the beach at Assateague Island and it was an unseasonably warm December day, so we decided to go! The weather was beautiful and there was a gorgeous sunset, so I asked my dad to snap a few photos of us. Wes then got down on one knee during one of the photos and luckily my dad kept snapping away. I was totally shocked and completely surprised! Little did I know that Wes, the guy who hates taking photos, was trying to find the right moment to ask to take a photo without sounding suspicious. I totally teed it up for him without realizing it.” 

Lauren and Wes had a beautifully romantic and whimsical style wedding. Due to some crazy rain on their wedding day, their ceremony had to be moved inside but everything turned out beautifully. We were able to switch out the head table for their ceremony flowers and cross and bring in some couches for family to sit in two rows in the front. They were able to get married inside, in front of the fireplace. Their guests sat at their dinner seats and the aisle went right through the middle of the tables.

For Lauren and Wes, “We were really focused on the guest experience. Every person at our wedding played such a huge role in our lives that we wanted to make sure everyone had a great time! Food and music were our top priorities and both of those vendors really delivered.” Their band was the Bachelor Boys Band and their catering was done by Purple Door Gourmet Kitchen.

And what was the best part of your wedding day? 

“Having all of our most cherished friends and family in one place. When will that ever happen again?!” We love that!

Lauren and Wes chose the wedding day management package. They had a short, six-month engagement, so they started working with us two months out from their big day! Lauren was no beginner in the field of event planning so we were able to collaborate with her to fill in any gaps she needed help with! “However, looking back, we both say we wish we had done either the Partial or Full Planning package because there really is so much that goes into your big day that we hadn't realized”, Lauren said. 

When asked if there were any tips they have for other couples, Lauren said, “Don't skimp on a planner in your budget! We loved that we had check-ins with Julie and she kept us on track with our to-do list. She truly took the stress out of planning and we knew we were in great hands. Julie was absolutely invaluable day-of when we had to quickly switch gears for an indoor ceremony. The engagement season and your wedding day are such special moments and you don't want to look back and only remember being stressed!” Thanks, Lauren!

Lauren’s dress: “I said yes to the dress at Betsy Robinson's Bridal Boutique and chose a Watters wedding dress! It was unlike anything I had ever seen and is so special to me.”

Wes’s tux: Men’s Warehouse

Their venue: “We had known well before getting engaged that we wanted to get married at The Seclusion. We fell in love with it after seeing photos online and reached out the day after getting engaged to schedule a tour! We loved that they included so many beautiful rentals (cross-back chairs, farm tables, chargers, flatware, etc.) in the venue fee, had spacious get-ready locations on site and had the most spectacular view. We also wanted a venue where we loved the inside just as much as the outside in case we needed to move the ceremony inside because of rain. Little did we know that we would actually have to use our backup plan.”

Bridesmaid dresses: Birdy Grey

Groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse



Thanks for reading! We loved Lauren and Wes’s wedding and we wish them a long and happy marriage!

Vendor Credits:

Photography: @jamie.vinson

Planning: @julierupertevents

Venue: @theseclusion

Videography: @aerialillustrations 

Florist: @floralsbykimberly

Hair: @megan.lorson

Makeup: @artistrybylexihiggs

Band: @bachelorboysband

Calligraphy: @leahletters_

Caterer: @purpledoorgourmetkitchen

Desserts: @solociachef21

Invitations: @paradiseinvitations

I'm engaged! Now what?

Photo by Victoria V. Photography

Recently engaged? We’re here for you! Whether you’ve had a Pinterest board for your wedding since you were 12 or have no idea where to start, we’ve got you covered! It can be stressful planning a wedding, but here are the most important things you should do when you first start your wedding planning process:

  1. Set a budget

Let’s be real, weddings can get really expensive. But, there are so many ways to save money, and one of those is setting a budget right off the bat. Doing this helps avoid miscommunication and arguments down the line. Figure out how much you and your partner can save/budget for the wedding. If you have family that wants to contribute to a wedding fund, find that out too. Having a budget to follow will give you a guideline as you make decisions throughout the planning process.

Photo by Danny Gorman Photography

2. Pick a day and find a venue 

Next, you’ve gotta pick your day! Choosing your day can be completely random or it can be on a day that holds significance to you as a couple. Also, consider the seasons and what you want the weather to be like on your big day. If you already have a small detail of your wedding picked out (such as a flower you’ve always wanted, a dress style you’ve always loved, or a color scheme you know you want), make sure it will go with the season. For example, what flowers will be easily available in each season, wearing a strapless dress outside in the winter, or having the ceremony outside when it could snow.

Photo by Julissa Tabora

3. Hire a wedding planner!

This one is our favorite, of course! Whether it be someone to handle Event Day Management or Full/Partial Planning you will need someone there on your big day to ensure your wedding dreams come to life and you are able to enjoy the day with friends and family. A wedding planner is important to have in order for your day to run smoothly and take the stress off of you!

Photo by Emily Hancock Photography

4. Hire your core vendors

Aside from the venue, these core vendors include your caterer, photographer, and entertainment. These vendors are important to figure out early on because they are vendors that can typically only take one event per day. So, if you try to book them last minute, they may not be available for your wedding day. These vendors can get booked up over a year out depending on the date, so make sure you reach out to them sooner than later, especially if you’re getting married during peak wedding season in your area. Remember to lean on your planner for recommendations, that’s what they are there for!

You have to consider many things when planning a wedding, but getting these few things accomplished will help avoid last-minute disasters. Planning your wedding should be fun, and we’re here for you if you need that extra help! 

Need help with planning? Contact us and we’ll help you with all the logistics and details to make your day go smoothly!