Simple Steps to Writing Your Own Vows

READ & COMMUNICATE

Reading other people’s vows can help inspire you and give you an idea of what material you want to cover in your own vows. Communicate with your partner on expectations, length of vows, style (format), etc. You want to both be on the same page.

SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP & HEART

You want your vows to be genuine and vulnerable and not sound like you copied them from your favorite romance movie. Share as you feel comfortable!

Some prompts to get you thinking: 

  • How I felt when we met

  • When I knew you were the one

  • What I love about you

  • What I see in our future

  • What makes us laugh, tick, thrive

  • Five things I promise

DON’T GET TOO PERSONAL OR TOO LENGTHY

Remember that you will be reading these in front of your friends and family. Some things should be kept between the two of you. Keep it 3-5 mins if possible.

EDIT & PRACTICE

Edit before writing and printing a final draft. You want to be very familiar and comfortable with your vows by the time you are reading them in front of everyone. Read them to your Maid of Honor or Best Man to make sure they sound natural.

BE YOU

At the end of the day… These are your vows and your relationship. Do what fits you and your partner

GOOD LUCK!

Pros & Cons of First Look


  1. Pro: Ability to take the bulk of your photos together before the ceremony. Have you been looking forward to your cocktail hour food and drinks? Taking pictures before the ceremony means you will have more time to enjoy all you picked out for cocktail hour! Then after the ceremony, there will be just a few more photos to take before you can fully relax and enjoy your reception. Be sure to pick a designated hidden spot for the first look photos, so it can be a private moment that is not interrupted or seen by guests.

  2. Con: No first look at the altar. If you have been dreaming about the dramatic effect of the first look at the altar, we don’t blame you! The suspense and emotion behind delaying the first look can add so much to the ceremony. Plus, if you’re really wanting your partner to cry… seeing you for the first time at the top of the aisle is the way to get the tears! *Be sure to work with your photographer to get the best timeline for taking ‘I Do’ photos after the ceremony in a timely manner!

  3. Pro: Can ease the nerves. Being nervous and jittery on your wedding day is normal, but if you are so nervous that you cannot enjoy it… a first look may be the way to go. Seeing your partner can ease your nerves and allow you to be more present and calm during your ceremony.

  4. Con: Having other people around could add to the day of stress. Clear communication with your photographer and videographer is necessary in order for them to plan and execute it smoothly. If you and your partner are both introverted, having them watch and film the first look could make you more nervous. One solution we encourage is telling your photographers and videographers to capture the moment from far away so that it is still private and special. This allows you to react and say what you want without worrying that everyone is listening. Let your wedding party know that you’re having a private first look, in case they were hoping to watch. 

  5. Pro: You get your tears out before the ceremony. There may be a few tears still at the ceremony… or many tears, but if you are prone to be a crier this could be a good way to get out some of those emotions before the ceremony. Plus, there will be plenty of time for makeup touch-ups before the ceremony.

  6. Con: You have to arrive at the venue and be ready earlier. Taking the majority of your photos before the ceremony means you and your wedding party need to be up earlier and ready earlier. If the ceremony is earlier in the day, it has the potential to be a very early morning. If you or your partner are not a morning person, you might consider holding off on a first look.


If you still can’t decide…another great option:

  • Do a first read/first touch back to back. This allows vows to be read or hands to be held without seeing your partner ahead of time.

Moments before Allison and Brayden Hogan’s first look.

Captured by Emily Hancock Photography

Taking a moment alone to read each other vows before the ceremony.

Captured by Emily Hancock Photography

Buffet vs. Plated Meal

There are many things that one must take into account when deciding between a buffet vs. having a plated meal for their wedding. Then, there’s served vs. self-serve buffets. One must also consider multiple courses. Do you want a served salad and a buffet for the rest? Served salad and served entree? There are a lot of options to choose from! In this blog, we’re going to highlight the pros and cons of each one.


Buffet

Pros

  • Cheaper

    Buffet meals are significantly cheaper than a plated meal because it doesn’t require as many servers.

  • People can pick and choose what they want

  • People can get multiple meats/multiple sides instead of just getting one served to them

    Cons

  • People might have to serve themselves

  • Less formal 

    If you are looking to have a super formal wedding, consider choosing a plated meal instead

  • People have to get up out of their seats to get their food

Plated Meal

Pros

  • More formal

    The luxury of having your food brought to you is always nice.

  • Better presentation

  • Faster

    If you have a top-quality caterer, your guests will probably get their food much faster with a plated meal. If not, then this would be a con!

Cons

  • More expensive

    This requires more servers and more service in general, so the price goes up significantly.

  • 2. More work on your end

    You have to get people’s orders ahead of time, which can be a hassle to collect

  • 3. Dietary restrictions

    If there are only 2-3 meal options, people with dietary restrictions might get stuck getting something they don’t necessarily want for a different meal. If you have a buffet, there are lots more options.

In conclusion, there is a lot to consider, so break it down into what you want for your wedding day. Do you have a smaller budget and a more relaxed vibe? Do a buffet. Do you have a big budget and you want a fine dining experience? Do a plated meal. 

Happy eating!

Need help planning your wedding? Reach out to us to chat or check us out on Instagram at @julierupertevents!

Do You Need a Room Block?

The last thing you want to have to worry about is where your guests are staying for your wedding. However, this blog will show you how to do this without all the stress! Getting a room block is easier than you think. Keep reading to learn how!


  1. Call the hotel in your area

  2. Simply ask if they do room blocks (they may transfer you to the sales department)

  3. Find out the rate, how many rooms they will offer, and what beds are in each room (king, queen, two queen, etc.)

  4. Give them your email and have them send over the contract

  5. Sign and send it back!

  6. Tell your guests what hotels have room blocks, the rate, and the beds

  7. Relax and let your guests take it from there! When they book, they will just tell the hotel they are booking under that block.


One frustrating thing you might encounter is minimum bookings. Some hotels require that a certain number of the rooms blocked off actually get booked (understandable), so make sure you’re not getting too many! Additionally, find out if there’s a deposit (this isn’t common) and what their cancellation policy looks like.

It's super easy…and honestly, there isn't much else to write about! Most hotels will offer blocks of 10-20, so depending on how big your wedding is, you could get 2-3 blocks. Most hotels are also happy to work with you because it brings them more business, so they don’t mind doing room blocks. Good luck!

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Emily Hancock Photography | Madi and Nathan | 10-1-22

If you’re anything like us, you’re always ready for a last-minute emergency. Whether it is a ripped dress, flowers that won’t stay together, or a sign that won’t stay up, we’re always ready to fix it. Here’s a list of things we carry in our wedding day suitcase (Yes…suitcase. We are always ready)!

Set-up Supplies

  • Safety pins

  • Nail glue

  • Double-sided tape

  • Superglue

  • Zip ties

  • Floral wire 

  • Lighter

  • Pens/markers

  • Scissors

  • Sewing kit

  • Phone charger

  • Hand sanitizer and wipes

  • Umbrella

Beauty and Personal Care

  • Deodorant

  • Lip gloss

  • Q-tips

  • Tissues

  • Powder

  • Perfume

  • Bandaids and first aid supplies

  • Ibuprofen 

  • Mints

  • Liquid IV (you’ll thank me later)

  • Sticky bra or fashion tape

  • Feminine products

  • Stain stick

  • Steamer

  • Tweezers

  • Floss

  • Lint roller

  • Hair ties and bobby pins

I’m sure there are things I forgot to mention on this list, but nevertheless, you guys get the point. There are A LOT of things you might need on a wedding day. Having a coordinator (like us) can help ensure you are well-prepared on your wedding day. You won’t have to worry about making an emergency kit or bringing extra supplies. This is one of the MANY things we do for you!

The more you prepare for, the less that can go wrong. That’s always our philosophy. We make extensive lists, detailed timelines, and big emergency kits so that the day always goes as smoothly as possible!

Check us out on social media @julierupertevents or click the header above to chat with us!

,

Ways to Incorporate Your "Something Blue"

,

Ray Photography

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe.”

We’ve all heard this rhyme or some variation of it. However, the “something blue” is probably the most commonly done part of the rhyme. It can be a beautiful touch to your wedding because there are so many ways to incorporate it. From your detail shots to shoes, your florals to your dress, there are so many different ways you can have “something blue”. In this blog, we’re going to have some of our favorites we’ve seen!


Whole Heart Studios

Shoes

A blue shoe or shoe with blue detailing is a beautiful way to bring in this tradition.



Jewelry

A blue necklace, bracelet, or hairpiece is simple and so elegant. (We want to see this more! We don’t even have a picture!)

Luke and Ashley Photography

Bouquet

We see brides incorporate a blue item into the stem of their bouquet. We’ve also seen this be something old or borrowed!

Mom’s dress or bridesmaids’ dresses

The most popular color dress of the mother of the groom or bride is a variation of blue…and it is always gorgeous. Make all your girls your something blue!

Benjamin McLean Photography

Detail shots

Detail shots are a great way to showcase your blue from your wedding. This could include something from your family (which is also something old or borrowed), your flowers, shoes, or jewelry.

We love seeing unique ways of including something blue. It adds a beautiful personal touch!

Erica and David | The Seclusion | Romantic Summer Wedding in Lexington, VA

Photos by Ray Photography

Erica and David got married on June 3rd, 2023 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA. Their wedding was full of flowers, fun, and romance. They didn’t let the rain get in the way of having their dream wedding. 

Erica and David have been together for over three years. They actually met in court! She was the prosecutor and he was the defense attorney. They caught each other’s eye the first day in court. Omg…

David popped the question while they were walking around Washington and Lee’s campus during their yearly trip to Lexington in January. During the sunset, David pulled her into one of the campus canopies and asked Erica if she wanted to get married. Both of their parents got to celebrate with them after. 

When we asked Erica what was most important to her when planning her wedding, she said,

I wanted everyone to have a great time and feel our love - great food, drinks, music and views ended up being the perfect equation.

And the best part of her day? 

Being surrounded by all of our favorite family and friends. There is also something very special when the wedding party comes together after pictures before the ceremony, all tucked away, enjoying a cheers!

Erica and David chose our partial planning package.

I chose the "partial" planning package because I genuinely enjoyed wedding planning, but needed the guidance. Also, I knew that Julie had great connections in Lexington and endless insight on the whole process.

If you could provide a tip to another couple planning their wedding, what would it be?

Stop looking at other options once you decide on a vendor for anything. Also, enjoy the planning process, and don't let the wedding planning stress get in the way of enjoying your engagement. Trust the process - your guests do not care about small details, they care they were invited to a beautiful celebration of your love.

I got my dress at Urban Set Bride in Richmond, Virginia. The designer was Justin Alexander.

The Groom, Best Man (and Father of the Groom) and Father of the Bride got custom suits from Leviner Wood in Richmond, Virginia.

Bella Bridesmaids in Richmond, VA - designer was Jenny Yoo

The rest of the groomsmen rented their suits from the Black Tux.

I chose The Seclusion because the views were unmatched and the thoughtful spaces were just incredible. It was the only venue I ended up looking at because I knew it would be unmatched.

The Merrymaker in Richmond, Virginia.

We wish Erica and David all the best and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to help them create their dream wedding. Congratulations to them!

Vendors:

Planners: Julie Rupert Events

Photography: Ray Photography

Florals: Petal and Pail

Reception Band: Silver Bullets

Ceremony Music: Classic Strings Duo

Catering: Purple Door Catering

Bar Service: The Coordinated Event

Cake: Blush Baking Co.

Hair and Makeup: Transformations Artistry

Best Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love!

Ray Photography

Wedding favors have been a hot topic in the wedding industry for a while because many of them go to waste. Depending on the item, guests don’t want to take one, and then the couple has dozens left over. To avoid this, check out our tips and some examples of great favors to have at your wedding that your guests will absolutely love. 


  1. Get something vague

One option is to get something most guests will be able to use in the future. One reason many guests don’t take favors is because they know it will probably end up in the trash. Instead, if you offer them something like a coaster, shot glass, wine glass, etc., people will be able to actually use those in the future. (But don’t make it cheesy and put your face on it…unless it's funny ;).)

2. Make it a dessert

People LOVE food. Duh. If your favor is a cookie or some sort of dessert that pretty much most people like, your guests will be taking them by the handful! You could also offer a personalized take-home bag of coffee or tea to make the next morning.

3. Make it personalized

Offer your guests something to take home that is personal to them. This could be a written note to each wedding guest, or offering Polaroid pictures that guests can take during the wedding. This could tie into a big guest book trend right now: having a Polaroid album where people snap a pic and sign it. Another option that is starting to get big is having an artist come to the wedding and sketch or paint portraits of each guest. Typically this person will also do a painting of the ceremony (the original trend that has now grown into this)! This is a beautiful way to capture so many moments of your wedding day that your guests can also take home with them.

Check out some of these links for inspiration! (Not sponsored)

The 40 Best Wedding Favors

Live Guest Portraits

Matchbook Favors (doubles as your seating chart)

Favors are a great wedding detail to thank your guests for being there for your big day, and it can help give them something to remember it forever. It can be as simple or as extravagant as you want. You know your guests..what would they love? Happy planning!

Click on our banner to see how we can help YOU plan your wedding!

Emily Hancock Photography

How To Be The Best Maid of Honor

Luke and Ashley Photography

Being a maid of honor is a big responsibility! But, it's also a huge honor, which makes it all worth it. There are many physical things you’ll be in charge of, such as the bachelorette party, helping the bride go dress shopping, or even hosting the bridal shower. Keep reading to see what kinds of things you’ll be responsible for so that you can make your best friend’s day the best it can be!

  1. Communication

You’re in charge of getting all the girls to be one big family. If its a large bridal party, the bride is probably going to have friends from all different times in her life. She’ll do her best to make sure everyone becomes friends, but you should take charge and get everyone to connect. 

Additionally, lead the group chats and keep people accountable for getting the stuff they need for the wedding (dress, paying for things, important dates to remember, etc.). You should also be in charge of handling budgeting for bachelorette activities and working with the girls to make sure plans work for everyone.

2. Deal with conflict

Dealing with bridal parties can often lead to drama. People from different friend groups all come together to make this a special time for their friend, so it can result in tension. Be the one to eliminate that tension and get everyone to get along. Don’t let the bride be in charge of dealing with that.

3. Planning bridal events

You’ll be majorly in charge of planning things such as the bachelorette party, bridal shower, or other fun things for your friend. The bride will want a say, but you should be the one to handle details and the “not fun” stuff so that the bride doesn’t have to. 

4. Support the bride

Be there for her when it comes to planning. Go with her dress shopping, help her pick out things for decor, and shower her with love and support! On the day of, work with the planner so that she can relax. And especially, be her advocate when it comes to the day of decision-making. Lots of people like to get involved in wedding planning, whether it be moms, dads, aunts, random relatives, etc. Be the one that advocates for the bride so that things are going the way she wants them and not just the way someone else does.

Being the maid of honor is truly….a big honor! Help your girl have the best wedding ever and be the one to take lots of stress off her shoulders. Have so much fun!

Raegan Buckley Photo

Lauren + Josh | The Seclusion | Timeless Summer Wedding

Lauren and Josh got married on June 9th, 2023 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA. They had a beautiful summer wedding with simple, classic florals and decor. They were the cutest!

Lauren and Josh met four years ago online. Josh popped the question at the Roanoke Star on New Year's Eve right at midnight on the first of the year! 

Lauren would describe her wedding as “romantic, timeless, and elegant”, and we completely agree! Their wedding had tons of candles and bud vases, and everything was light and summery. This look truly is timeless. 


The most important things to Lauren when planning her wedding were the photographer and the venue. We think she really nailed this one by choosing Raegan Buckley Photo and The Seclusion!

We asked Lauren what her favorite part of the day was, and she said, “The whole day was so amazing and went really smooth, and having our friends and family witness our wedding day was so special”. 



They chose the Wedding Day Management package and she said, “it helped our day run so smoothly, and having extra help on the day of was so helpful”. We are so glad we could ensure your day was smooth and stress-free! Her advice to anyone planning their wedding is, “Don’t let the little details overwhelm you and try to be present and in the moment”. We couldn’t agree more. 

Her dress: Lovely Bride, Made With Love

His suit: Men’s Warehouse

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Birdy Grey

Groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Photographer: Raegan Buckley Photo

Videographer: Brie Film and Photo

Venue: The Seclusion 

Florist: Petal and Pail

Planning: Julie Rupert Events

Makeup: Captivating Complexion

Hair: Hair by Kasey Renee

DJ: Dj Bobby Hash



We absolutely loved Lauren and Josh’s wedding and we wish them all the best!

Yummy Reception Cocktails

Luke and Ashley Photography

Need some inspiration for cocktails at your wedding? Depending on your audience, AKA, your guests, alcohol can be a big part of your wedding reception. Here are some of the biggest hits from behind the bar! Click on each one for an easy recipe to make it!

1. Old Fashioned 

2. French 75

3. Strawberry Moscow Mule

4. Bees Knees

5. Black Cherry Mojito

6. Paloma

7. Bloody Mary

8. Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade

9. Sangria

10. Wine Spritzers

There are tons of fun variations of these drinks! We tried to add in some super basic versions of some, and some fun remixes of some drinks. If you want to change up some more, add your favorite flavoring, like lavender, to drinks such as the French 75, to personalize it and make something different your guests might not have had before!

There are fun ways to personalize this even more! Have each partner pick one out and label it accordingly or name them after your dog. We see those all the time, so it's a super popular way to make it fun for your guests to order!

Happy partying! Enjoy responsibly ;)

Ray Photography

Basic Invite - Beautiful Wedding Invitations

In this blog, we wanted to showcase a company we really like and the sale they’re having right now – Basic Invite!

Basic Invite is one of the few custom stationary websites that offers almost unlimited color options with instantaneous previews! Once a design is selected, you can change the color of any and every element of the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite will be exactly how you want it! We truly think this is what sets Basic Invite apart from other stationery companies!

They also do custom samples, where you can order a printed sample of the invitation before placing your final order. This way, you get to see the paper quality and how it will print so that you can make sure your invite is perfect!

They also have over 40 different envelope colors, which is awesome. Their envelopes are also “peel and seal” so that it's super quick and easy to close, which I think is super cool. If you wanna add some extra flair, they have foil cards in gold, silver, and rose gold, either flat or raised. 

The coolest and most helpful thing about this company is the address capturing they offer. You can share a link on social media or text to your friends and family to request their addresses! They get stored in your account and then…the best part…they will print the recipient address on your envelopes for free. Literally can’t beat that!

So if all of that somehow hasn’t convinced you yet: Basic Invite is offering 15% off with the code: 15FF51

Click on the links below to check out their website and social media! 

Social Media Handle: @basicinvite

Links:

save the date wedding template

wedding card design online

Socials:

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

Twitter

Getting Ready Do's and Don't's

Getting ready for your wedding can feel never-ending. Hair, nails, spray tan, facials, pedicures, and more! It can feel like there are so many things you need to do. 

First– let's make something clear. You don’t NEED to do anything! And anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. If you don’t like spray tans, don't get a spray tan! If you don’t like facials, then girl, you don’t need a facial! Do what makes you feel beautiful. It’s YOUR wedding.

Now that that’s out of the way, let's get into our list of rules for getting ready for your wedding!

DO’s

  1. Have a hair and makeup trial

Hair and makeup artists know what they’re doing, but make sure you know what you want! Having a trial ensures you’re getting exactly what you want for your look. Something you thought you would really like could turn out completely different than you thought. Having a trial helps avoid this!

  1. Test out your spray tan a few times to find the right color for you

  2. Ask your hairstylist if you should wash your hair the night before or the morning of, or if it matters for them!

  3. Ask your makeup artist if you should come bare-faced or do your regular skincare.

  4. Eat breakfast

No if’s, and’s, or but’s. Eat. Something.

  1. Stay hydrated

Dehydration will be a party pooper. So drink your water! All day!

DON’T’s

  1. Wear a bra or socks, or anything that will leave indents

These will leave lines on your skin from the tightness of the straps. Sure, they’ll go away eventually, but you don’t want them in your getting-ready photos either!

  1. Try new skincare products

Stick to what your skin is used to. You don’t want to be broken out in hives the morning of your wedding!

  1. Finally, don’t feel like you have to do anything you don't want to do. As we’ve already said, it’s your day. Do what makes you feel most beautiful! 

Congratulations! You’re going to look fabulous.

Real Weddings: Amanda and James

Amanda and James got married on June 10th, 2023 at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA! They have been together for 8 years and met in college at Washington and Lee University, also in Lexington. They even lived down the hall from each other there!

When I asked Amanda how he popped the question, she said, 

“He timed it perfectly to be his over a girl's weekend (a couple of my college girlfriends were visiting us in Morehead). Because they were in town, I had a whole itinerary planned, including a sunset cruise on James’s family’s boat. Since the boat ride had been my idea, I wasn’t at all suspicious until we were heading back to the dock and James, who was driving, asked our other friend to take over for a sec. At that moment I was 90% sure it was about to happen but I was trying to act cool in case it didn’t. One of our friend's sons, who was just about to turn one, was holding himself up on the cooler, learning to stand. James said ‘Hey Charlie, can you grab the champagne out of the cooler? But we can only open it if she says yes’!

Amanda would describe her wedding as rustic and romantic. Their two-year-old black lab, Grady, was involved in the wedding too – he was on their napkins and a bunch of their props for the reception! 

They had the Silver Bullets as their entertainment for the night, and as always, they absolutely killed it! Another fun detail they had were some tambourines and fun light-up sunglasses from Pumpkin Seeds in Lexington. Amanda never took them off!

They had the partial planning package from us, so we worked with them for a while on their big day. When we asked Amanda what was most important to them when planning their wedding, she said,

“Hiring vendors who I could totally trust and who knew the venue well was key to being stress-free on the wedding day!”

Amanda’s advice for couples planning their wedding would be,

“Hire vendors you can trust. And to the extent possible, vendors that have worked with your other vendors and at your venue. That really helped ease my anxiety because I trusted people would pretty much know what motions to go through, etc”. 


She says the best part of their wedding day was, “eating dinner with James at the sweetheart table. It was the first time that day we got to totally relax together and talk. I was indifferent before the wedding on sweetheart vs large head table, and I’m glad we went with sweetheart!! Also, the dancing portion of the night- again, silver bullets were amazing!”

Venue: The Seclusion

“Since we met each other and so many of our friends in college at W&L, we really wanted to do it in Lexington, Va. We decided to do a rehearsal on campus but wanted a bit more of a scenic option for the actual wedding. I stumbled upon the Seclusion from researching venues around Lexington online (this was in 2019, years before we got engaged haha) and fell in love with it. Once we got engaged, I looked at a couple of other venues in the area but liked how so many things were included with the package (tables, chairs, flatware, etc), how beautiful it is inside, and the views are hard to beat!”

Amanda dress:

“Little White Dress in Denver Colorado (where my mom and sister live). We went just to look over Thanksgiving because my sister was about five months pregnant and wasn’t going to be able to travel to the east coast later that spring to look. I ended up falling in love with the second dress I tried on which I was lucky that they just happened to have on loan. The designer is Savin London (possibly rebranded to House of Savin now).”

James’ tux: local place in Morehead

Bridesmaids dresses: Anthropologies BHLDN 

Merch: Grady cups (their dog) and coozies were from “Sip Sip Hooray”! 

Invitations: Minted

Amanda and James were such a wonderful couple and had an awesome group! We wish them a long and happy marriage and we were so glad we got to help them make their dream a reality!

Wedding Songs You Should Have

We’re all well aware of the first dance at weddings and many of us know the difficult process of picking out the song song. Well, we’re here today to tell you that there are actually a lot more songs you should pick out for your wedding day! Yippee! 

In all seriousness, there is no rule that states that you have to assign songs for all of these wedding day traditions, but they sure can be fun to have!

Photo by Courtney Timms Photography

Songs to have:

  1. Processional - What song is the bridal party walking down the aisle to? The families? You?

  2. Recessional - What song is everyone leaving the ceremony to?

  3. Introductions - Song for parents, bridal party, and you. These can all be different!

  4. First dance as a couple

  5. Father-Bride dance

  6. Mother-Groom dance

(Or any variation of these two!)

7. Cake cutting - Having a fun song during cake cutting because … why not!

8. Song to open up the dance floor - Know a song that would get your crew hyped? Play that to start the night off strong!

9. Private last dance - While your guests are getting ready for your big exit, a private last dance is a very sweet moment to take in the day and talk to your partner privately and get excited about being married! These hold some of the sweetest moments we see on wedding days.


If there’s something scheduled on your wedding day, then there’s an opportunity to intentionally play songs. It can always be nice to have music playing while you’re having photos taken. Getting photographed can be awkward for a lot of people, so having music playing in the background can not only set the tone for the photos, but it can also ease any awkwardness so that you get the best pictures possible! This can include your first looks, sunset photos, getting ready pictures, or bridal party photos (it can also make it even more fun). 


Music is such a great way to enhance the vibes on your wedding day. It sets the tone for how you want your day to go, eases nerves, and helps you celebrate with your new spouse. Assigning songs like this can also help give your DJ an idea of the music you want playing all day. Great DJs will send you a questionnaire that does this too!

Need help planning your wedding? Book a free call with us to see if we can help you plan your big day!

Tips for a Great Wedding Speech

Photo by Julissa Martinez

Let’s be honest. We’ve all heard a bad speech at a wedding. It's always someone who got too drunk before their speech telling a story that makes no sense!!!  Well, we’ve got a few tips for you to give the perfect speech at your friend’s or family’s upcoming wedding! 


  1. Keep it around five minutes long

The welcome speech usually takes place before dinner, so remember that the guests are going to start thinking about the amazing food they’re about to eat if the speech goes on too long. If you’re giving a toast, people are about to dance. Tell your story and talk about how much you love the couple, but don’t overdo it! 


2. Introduce yourself

Always introduce yourself to the guests. Most people will probably know who you are, but for those that don’t, they’ll want to know how you know the couple. Your story could include how you first met one of them (unless you’re a family member… in which case it is probably a given). 


3. Don’t roast the couple the whole time

A speech where you are making fun of them the whole time can get a little awkward. Sure, make a joke or two about them, but don’t spend the whole time talking about past relationships, or completely embarrassing stories, and especially don’t get sexual. Please. It's awkward for everyone. If you’re going to roast the couple, do that at the rehearsal dinner! It's a much more laid-back dinner and that is the time for roasting.


Giving a speech at a wedding may seem really daunting, but don’t overthink it! You were asked to give a speech for a reason because you’re important to the couple. You are their closest people and they want you to give a toast to them. Don’t stress and just have fun!

Photo by Julissa Martinez

3 Ways To Include Your Furry Friend in Your Wedding Day

We all love our pups, right? However, it can be hard to incorporate our furry friends on our wedding day due to venue restrictions, logistical problems, or your pet not being able to leave the house. Here are three ways to include your pets in your wedding both physically and in spirit!



  1. Do a first look with them

If your furry friend can’t attend the wedding all day, find out if you can have your dog on site for an hour or two to take pictures! Doing a first look or portraits with your dog can help to document your bond for them with your partner.

Photo by Nikki Santerre

2. Have them walk down the aisle

To preface, we are in FULL support of your including your furry friend in your wedding. However, please please please do NOT actually give your dog the rings to bring down the aisle!!! Luckily, we have never seen it. But we all know the horror stories…. Anywho, having your dog walked down the aisle is such a fun and sweet moment that your, your guests, and your dog will enjoy! 

3. Include them in your details!

If your furry friend can’t be physically present at your wedding, have a cocktail in honor of them, include them on your cake, put them on your invitations, or more!

We love seeing your pups at your wedding! It always makes the day fun. Make sure you have someone to be your dog handler that day so that no one else has to worry about what your dog is doing and there’s never a question about who needs to be watching them. Enjoy celebrating your wedding day with your furry friend!

To Veil or Not to Veil

Have you been going back and forth between having a veil or skipping out on it? Trying to figure out what kind of veil to get? We’re here to show you some of our favorite looks with veils and without! 

Ray Photography | Blaire and Jeremy | 12-10-22

Blaire’s beautiful fingertip length veil

Emily Hancock Photography | Madi and Nathan | 10-1-22

Madi’s elegant cathedral veil with flower details

Whole Heart Studios | Emma and Dima | 8-27-22

Emma’s wispy cathedral veil with flowers on the edges

Courtney Timms Photography | Sam and Tim | 10-2-22

Sam’s super full and flowy cathedral veil

Austin and Austin Photography | Alyssa and Brennan | 6-11-23

A timeless veil shot of the beautiful Alyssa


There are SO many different kinds of veils. Try a few on and see what looks best with the style of your dress and what compliments you. Whether it's a blusher veil, an elbow-length, finger-length, chapel-length, or anything in between, you’ll rock it! You can even customize it with embroidery, writing, or flowers! New trends are popping up all the time, so you’ve got TONS of options! Just make sure your new partner knows to fix it all day! The wind made Tim’s job difficult ;)

The Stylish Groom

Want to be the most stylish groom of all? Here are some simple reminders for choosing the perfect wedding day fit! 

Coordinate the colors with the formality of the event.

If you’re having a more formal event, make sure your suit matches that. If it's more casual, consider different more laid-back styles of attire. This could include having a suit vs. a tux, the choice of having a pocket square, shoe style, tail vs. coat, or suspenders vs. a vest. 

Match with the bridesmaids' colors.

Make sure the bridesmaid’s attire colors coordinate with the color and style of the suits. This may seem obvious, but it can be easy to forget to put the colors and styles next to each other to ensure they’re cohesive!

Benjamin McLean Photography

Compliment their own personal “vibe”.

Everyone has a vibe that their typical attire matches. Your wedding should accentuate your own style, it should not feel like you’re being someone you’re not. Make sure you’re wearing something that you feel comfortable in! 

Julissa Martinez Photography

Add personal touches.

Personal details like special pocket squares, cuff links, socks, or a belt are great ways to incorporate family or sentimental pieces into your wedding attire. (Partners - they also make great wedding day gifts!) 

Ray Photography Co.

Your wedding is about you, so wear whatever makes you feel good! 

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

How to Incorporate Kids in Your Wedding

Do you have a lot of kids in your family and you’re wondering how you can incorporate them into your wedding? It can be challenging to incorporate children into a wedding, as some kids can be a handful. You may have your own kids, a lot of different cousins, or nieces and nephews that you want to be in your wedding. But, there are more ways to have kids in your wedding than having them be the flower girl or ring bearer. Here are a few fun ways to incorporate kids into your wedding!

Share a dance with them

If there is a child that means a lot to you, such as your own child or your new spouse's child, consider sharing a special dance with them. This is a great way to create a really sweet memory with them that will last a lifetime.

Take special pictures with them

This one is super easy. Take pictures of all the kids and take a picture with each of them so you can have a moment with each of them separately. 

Write them a note and read it to them

Get with your photographer and plan a moment when you could read them the note or they can read it themselves. This could be a really sweet moment that could lead to some great pictures and maybe a few tears! We don’t have a picture of this one but we want to see it!!!

Have them join the cake cutting

Cut the cake with them. If they have a big sweet tooth, they would love this! You will get some cute photos and lots of laughs from everyone!

There are so many other ways to include kids in your wedding, so don’t be afraid to try something out of the “norm”! Kids are such an important part of many people’s lives, so it is fun to find different ways to make them a part of your special day!

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

(All the photos in this blog were from Taylor and Gordon’s wedding last summer! They had the sweetest little boy that was the life of the party!)