Simple & Elegant Ways to add Details to your Wedding (or Event)

This blog was written by a wedding professional I follow -- thought you all would enjoy it, too!

Simple and Elegant Ways to Add Details to Your Wedding (or Event)

Get ready for some great ideas and inspiration!!

One major way to make your wedding simple, elegant, and fabulous is to have detailed surprises throughout your wedding and wedding-related events to dazzle your guests! I’ve included a few ideas for you to use some beautiful details in your wedding plans.

1. Your Wedding Brand:

You can hire a graphic designer, find beautiful creations on Etsy or choose from a vast number of other businesses to create an incredible design for your wedding. This can be a variety of fantastic designs. For example,  a funky pineapple (hospitality), peach or cotton (southern or Georgia wedding), or it can be as simple as incorporating your initial or monogram in a creative way. If you want something very traditional, monograms are always an excellent choice and many stationers offer a beautiful selection so that you do not have to fork out the expense of a graphic designer, if that’s not in the budget.

You can use your wedding brand in so many wonderful ways: Stationery, save-the- dates, invitations, thank-you notes, welcome notes, weekend itineraries, napkins, favors, menus, place cards, your guest book (or other guest sign in), send-off signage, animated lighting (on your dance floor, side of a building, tent), and cake “jewelry.”

Or if your look is like this wedding, you don’t have to have a specific brand. Just stay in keeping with the tone or theme you want to have underlying all events of the big day … or weekend!

2. Stationery:

Making your wedding as personalized and informative as possible can be much easier than you may imagine. Just get organized from the beginning when you have made your selections. All of your stationery should include your theme (color, tone and formality), starting with the very first printed mailing your guests receive (save-the-date or invitation) if you want to have a look that’s polished, pulled together and full of lovely details.

It’s also a nice touch to include a wedding invitation that contains all events of the weekend (if everyone is invited to all events, or specify the packet to only those invited to particular events). This way, your invitation tells more of a story of the weekend. Your guests will be delighted!

 3. Welcome Baskets and Bags:

There’s no nicer way to greet your guests as they arrive from travel than to present them with a beautiful basket or bag filled with treats. Also, make sure to include a personalized note and weekend itinerary and/or suggested shops, restaurants, sites and activities to enjoy.

4. Menu, Number Cards and Place Cards:

If you’re hosting a seated dinner or buffet with assigned seats, it’s always a nice touch to include personalized menu cards that also serve as a place card. This way they not only know where to be seated, but also what they’re about to enjoy for dinner festivities.

5. Thank-you Notes:

Always tie your thank-you notes into your overall wedding theme to make sure that the last thing a guest receives from your wedding (usually after the occasion) reminds them of how extraordinary and fabulous it was.

6. Well wishes:

Guests love writing you beautiful notes of wishes or congratulations, so why not offer cards (even slivers of left-over paper from other printings) for your guests to write you personal messages and include in your wedding album or scrapbook later. It will be fun for all involved!

7. Signage:

If your venue has specified parking areas, multiple ballrooms or can be difficult to locate, make sure to provide ample signage that is not only tied into the whole theme (use your brand or even as simple as the same font or wedding colors), but also very useful!

I hope this helps you in your planning process! 

Lexi

410-978-2048

lexi@eventsbylexi.com

Athens, Georgia Event Planner & Designer Natalie Bradley publishes the “Soirée Secrets” blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://NatalieBradley.com. Soirée by Natalie Bradley Events is an event planning and design company based in Athens, serving Athens, Georgia, Lake Oconee, Northeast Georgia mountains, Central Georgia and select wedding and event destinations.

Thinking about doing a Boudoir photo shoot?!

One of my brides did take the plunge and had boudoir pictures taken of herself for her fiance.  See below for thoughts from the bride and from the photographer who took the lovely pictures!


From Bride Alex:
I got the idea to do the boudoir photo shoot after going to a bridal expo, and my married friend told me she did them, and showed me her photos. I contacted Angie to see if she did them, since I had worked with her for the engagement shoot, and would be working with her soon for the wedding. She did them, so she set up the time and place. She set up getting a hair and make-up person, and the hotel where we did the photos.  

Leading up to doing the shoot, not going to lie, I was really nervous. I am not the most confident person, but I figured it didn't matter what I looked like really, it was more about capturing this time in mine and Brian's life because when would I be this age getting married to him ever again?!  Brian picked out the lingerie for the shoot. I figured that was a good way to give him some input, and build the anticipation. I brought quite a few options to the shoot; lingerie, a sheer robe, Brian's shirt, a skirt, stockings, a bathing suit, my veil, black heels, shoes for the wedding, and a corset from the renaissance festival that he loves. 

The day of the shoot getting my hair and make-up done, and the mimosa beforehand definitely helped give me some courage and helped me to have fun. We did some more 'bridal' photos, in a white robe, white lingerie, and some with my veil. Then we did some others mixing and matching some of the other pieces I brought. Some of the photos and outfits were more for me, while some were more for him. And I think that is really important if you do boudoir photos. They are just as much for you, as they are for your man (or woman for that matter). You will be able to look back on those photos are remember when you had the courage to have that much fun and be that free. I had so much fun doing the shoot, and loved how the photos turned out. I really loved the variety of photos that there turned out to be. Angie let me pick the photos for the album, and I gave it to Brian before the wedding, since I had gotten my gift from him beforehand. He loved them, and said the ones where I looked happy he loved the most. I would tell anyone who is thinking about doing boudoir photos, and is hesitant to just do them. You will have a blast, and you will always be able to look back on how amazing you looked (because no matter what, you will look amazing :) ).

From Angie, the photographer:

What if someone told you that modeling in a boudoir photo shoot would be one of the most empowering experiences you could ever do for yourself… Would you believe them?  The majority of women would probably laugh at the idea or say something like “My body is NOT ready for something like this!” or “I want to lose weight and work out first.” or just simply “I am not happy with my body.”  Yes there are some women who wouldn’t think twice and are all for it.  I’ve seen both types of women.  

I am a photographer who specializes in engagements and weddings.  I often have my brides request a boudoir session as a gift for their future groom.  This is a great way to incorporate elements such as your veil, your wedding shoes and your bridal lingerie.   When my brides express this interest I tell them that scheduling it around their hair and make up trial is a great idea.  This way they will see what their wedding look will look like in pictures, and you get to make good use of the trial. 

So how do you prepare for a photo shoot that puts you in a vulnerable state?

First off, any insecurities you have about your body share them with your photographer.  I used to tell people not to worry, that they were beautiful despite their insecurities.  While I believe this statement, I also feel like it’s important to know what your client is uncomfortable with before you ask them to bare it all.  It’s just as equally important is to ask them what they LOVE about their body.  This way you can focus on their strengths and be aware of their insecurities.  Think about this and talk it over with your photographer prior to your shoot. 

Then comes the question of what to wear!  It’s actually simpler than you’d imagine.  I usually suggest 2-4 outfits.  Think about comfort.  If you are in a relationship, grab one of your guys’ button ups or t-shirt or tie.   One of my favorite looks is an oversized sweater falling off of one shoulder.  It’s simple yet sexy.  You don’t need to go spend hundreds of dollars on new lingerie…unless of course that’s what you want to do.  A matching bra and panty set is always a hit and if you want to step outside the box think about a corset.  Statement jewelry is always a good idea to include as well as heels or boots.  I suggest going through things you already own and getting creative with it.  You can make just about anything sexy!

When your photo shoot begins always start with the outfit you are most comfortable in.  This will help loosen you up and ease into the session.   If you pick a good photographer, they will tell you exactly what to do.  I guide my clients and also read their natural movements.  By the time you are ready for your outfit change you will be ready to really work it.

My biggest piece of advice as a photographer is to have fun with it.  This is your time to show your sexy and sultry side.  These don’t have to be for a man, they can be for you! I’d say about 1/2 of my boudoir clients do it because they just want to feel beautiful.  And let me tell you, I am always hearing things like, “I felt amazing, it was such an empowering experience!”, “I can’t believe how comfortable I felt!”, “Thank you for helping me feel sexy.”

So what are you waiting for?! There’s no excuse, because everyone is beautiful. 

Be your own kind of beautiful.

“Beauty to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.  

That or a kick-ass red lipstick!”- Gwyneth Paltrow

Thank you Alex and Angie for sharing!!!

Photographer, Angie of  Frozen in Time Photography