Vintage Chic Nashville Wedding

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Oct 23rd

by: Carly

Today’s Nashville wedding is the perfect mixture of all of my personal favorite colors and wedding styles! The garden ceremony and flowers are beautiful, the pavilion and reception details incorporate just the right amount of rustic, and then you will note the preppy pieces – hello, pink and navy color palette and polka dot ties!

Laine and Devin met at Vanderbilt University, and Devin also proposed in Nashville. As a result, the two knew they would tie the knot in their beloved southern city. They welcomed their guests to the beautiful Cedarwood, and once you see the photos you too will be smitten with this stunning venue. In addition to loving their guests, the pair also adore their pups! Escort cards and table numbers both feature their furry members, and Laine and Devin also had a table for guests to create their own puppy chow mix as favors before leaving for the night! Everything about today’s wedding is so sweetly perfect, and I can’t wait for you to see the fabulous images captured by The Collection! Welcome to Nashville, y’all!

How absolutely adorable is the way that these two incorporated their pups into their wedding?! Are any of you planning on doing something to include your pets in your own wedding details?

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: The Collection//Caterer: A Dream Come True Catering//Reception Venue: Cedarwood Weddings//DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: designs in paper//Invitation Designer: designs in paper//Dress Store:Dillards//Lighting:Events Plus Nashville//Cake Designer: Patty Cakes//Officiant:Ralph Griggs//

4 Things You Don’t Want To DIY For Your Wedding

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 4 Comments

Oct 22nd

by: Emily

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[Editor’s Note: Happy Thursday friends! Today’s post comes to us from one of ELD’s contributors, Emily of Emily Grace Design. Emily is an amazingly creative wedding planner and designer, and you’ve probably seen some of her work featured here on ELD too! Combining her experience as a planner and lessons learned while planning her own wedding, Emily has some AWESOME insight, and I’m so excited that she’s sharing it with us!]

I know that Lauren has discussed what a “DIY wedding” is in so many ways before, and I think that at this point we can all agree that DIY in the wedding world is defined as performing a task or creating some element for your wedding which is traditionally done by a professional. But here lies the big question…

[Tweet “What elements of a DIY wedding should we just surrender and leave to the professionals?”]

I love my brides, and I love their super creative, detail-oriented, DIY brains! I absolutely love and embrace the idea of having a wedding that is totally and completely personalized with elements that have special meaning to the bride and groom, their friends, and their family. I am also completely supportive of a couple that is looking to save a buck where they can. Weddings can be expensive, and most DIY weddings are attempted with the idea of saving a few dollars along the way.

With a growing love for Pinterest, how-tos, and mobile wedding applications, the DIY wedding continues to be on the rise in more ways than just favors, invitations, or escort cards. However, there will always be some elements to your wedding that you should consider skipping the do-it-yourself route and go straight for leave-it-to-the-professional route.

Here are 4 important wedding elements that I recommend NOT doing as a DIY:

1. Planner/Coordinator

Sure, you’re organized, you know exactly what you want, you have tons of friends that are ready to help, and you have all of the checklists you could find online. It can’t be that hard, right? Whether you choose to hire a planner for the entire duration of the planning process or to just tie up the loose ends, it can mean the difference between a thoughtful, cohesive wedding that is warm and inviting, and one that feels disorganized and somewhat sloppy. A professional is there to dedicate themselves to execute your plans as you’ve envisioned, as well as form backup plans when something goes wrong (and something ALWAYS goes wrong).

[Tweet “A good planner will ensure that everything runs smoothly- from set-up to tear down. “]

They create detailed and structured timelines for the day, and in the days leading up to the wedding they ensure that every vendor knows what’s going on and that every detail is taken care of. They are there to ensure that you and your fiance have everything you need, and that your pregnant cousin doesn’t pass out because she’s had to wait too long to get dinner. Having a planner for your wedding day gives you the peace of mind that everything will be taken care of, and will take the pressure off friends and family that are expected to not only be guests, but to flawlessly execute the wedding you’ve envisioned.

Read more on this here: Six Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

2. Photographer

We are beyond the days that only photographers have top quality cameras and equipment. It seems that everyone and their brother has a “nice camera”, and with all of the Pinterest photo-taking and editing tutorials, a professional photographer isn’t such a big deal. But there are so many qualities that set a professional apart from your friend-with-a-nice-camera that volunteered to photograph your wedding.

First, the professional typically won’t know anyone in attendance at your wedding. This means undivided attention to capturing you and your wedding day. A professional won’t miss any important moments because they’re catching up with the family, waiting in line at the bar, or enjoying the delicious food! Also, a professional photographer understands lighting, with be aware of different images to capture (like the details!), and might have different ideas for photographing family and friends. Additionally, when you’re paying a professional, there is a sense of urgency. You’ve completed a contract with them, and you have an idea of what can be expected. You know when they will arrive, you know their conditions, you know when to expect digital copies of your images, receive prints, and have an album completed. These are images that you’ll treasure for years to come- consider hiring a professional to ensure that they’re perfect.

Image by Amalie Orrange Photography, designed by Emily Grace Design

3. Catering

People love to rave about how incredible the food was at a wedding, but they also love to complain when it’s bad. You might think that your mom makes the best macaroni and cheese in the south, and a great way to save a little money would be to DIY the food, but this is definitely something to leave to the professionals. I love the idea of having food that is meaningful and special to a couple and their families, but consider handing over some of your favorite recipes or having your menu created around these favorites.

A caterer has the knowledge of what foods are best for larger events, and knows unique ways to combine you and your partner’s different tastes. Not only that, but they can easily accommodate guest dietary restrictions, and will know the quantities to prepare to ensure that you don’t run out of food. Take time to taste the food of different caterers, check out the catering options for your favorite restaurants, and seek out reviews to make sure the caterer you choose is perfect for your needs and wants. Preparing, transporting, and setting food for 100 or so guests in the days leading up to your wedding will just add to your stress and outweigh any cost/benefit you might be thinking of.

[Editor’s Note: I recently helped out a family friend with a wedding in which they handled the catering themselves. There are SO many additional things involved with catering beyond just the food that you don’t think of right off the bat- some of which include making sure all food is served, busing tables, and more importantly cleaning up!]

4. Musician/DJ

I know this is a tough one for people. Music is cheap, and with portable speakers, iPods, and DJ apps, this seems like an easy item to DIY since it can be a big budget saver. The big difference is that a band or DJ adds more to your wedding than just some jazzy tunes- they add a layer of warmth, personality, and hospitality to your wedding. They are in tune with the energy and mood of the party, and play accordingly.

[Tweet “A good musician or DJ sets the pace for the event in ways that no other vendor can.”]

They ultimately dictate when things happen, and if they work well with your other vendors, your wedding is sure to run smooth regardless of what hiccups are thrown in. Considering all of these things, it’s pretty clear that an iPod will just fall short.

There are many, many other things that you can (and shouldn’t) DIY for your wedding, but I think the most important thing to take into consideration when determining what to do yourself and what to leave to a professional comes in form of this question:

Who will it impact and in what way?

Will it cause you additional stress during this fun and exciting time? Do you have the time to realistically take care of it, and is it feasible? Do you plan on using friends and family to fill in the place of professionals, and will this mean that they will miss out on some of the magic and fun of your big day? You have the commitment and passion for pulling off a perfect wedding, but will it put undue stress and pressure on your loved ones to perform up to your high standards? What happens if the day runs less than perfect – are you ok with it, or will you take it out on the person that flubbed?

Your wedding is one day of incredible love and celebration. If DIYing aspects of it will interfere with any element of that love and celebration, I urge you to reconsider what you’re choosing to DIY!

So are you planning a DIY wedding? What elements are you sure to leave up to the professionals?

Want to learn more about DIY Weddings? Click Here!

A version of this post was published in September 2013.

A Rustic Urban San Diego Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 2 Comments

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Oct 21st

by: Lauren

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Mixing an urban setting with a rustic and romantic style, this San Diego wedding is full of the most charming details and oh so much love! Lauren and Scott hosted a meaningful wedding day for an intimate group of 80 of their closest friends and family, complete with twinkling string lights, craft cocktails, and a confetti exit! Lucky for us Let’s Frolic Together captured it all, and Lauren is here with us today to share all about her day!

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

All of our family lives on the east coast, so we really had to rely on our bridal party and close friends for help. I wasn’t someone who had their wedding planned out since before their engagement, so I had to do a lot of catch up when it came to figuring out what I wanted our wedding to be like. Fortunately I had friends who aided me in the decision making process. What helped most was trying to stay organized and thoroughly communicative with vendors and the bridal party so everyone was on the same page.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

I choose vendors based largely on aesthetic. I spent time looking at the past work they’d done and I picked vendors who’s style I really enjoyed. This helped me feel confident that no matter what, I would like what they did on the day of.

What was your inspiration for your wedding details and/or design?

I wanted our wedding to feel romantic, rustic, and urban, but I also wanted it to reflect us and our style and personalities. From the woodwork that my husband made, the robot cake toppers, family antiques, and Nashville favors, we really wanted to incorporate pieces that were unique to us. With the color scheme I simply choose colors that I liked!

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

We choose to have a smaller wedding and ended up having about 80 people there the day of. The day went by so quickly, and even with 80 people it was a struggle to get to say hello to each person. But it felt more intimate and we were so happy to look around and see the faces of our guests and feel like everyone who needed to be there was there. Having all your favorite friends and family in one room celebrating your marriage is a wonderful experience!

And I can’t stop watching Lauren and Scott’s amazing highlight film from Amari Productions:

Scott & Lauren from Amari Productions on Vimeo.

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

Stay organized, be decisive, ask for help, and remember what the day is really about!

I love that Lauren and Scott chose to have a smaller wedding so they could spend quality time with their friends and family. If I could do it all again, that is absolutely what I would do as well. Oh, and how fun is that confetti exit?!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Let’s Frolic Together // Event Planner: Jenn Chin // Floral Designer: L&S Design Co. // Reception Venue: Luce Loft // Bakery: Baby Cakes San Diego // Caterer: Curiocity Catering // Equipment Rentals: Folklore Vintage Rentals // Ceremony Location:1st Presbyterian Church of San Diego // Equipment Rentals: Abbey Party Rentals // Cinema and Video: Amari Productions // Groomsman Attire: Asos // Hair Stylist: Cassie Bowerman // Specialty Foods: For Real Bartenders // Groomsman Attire: H & M // Tuxedo and Mens Attire: J.Crew // DJ: Jared Conrad // Makeup Artist: Salon Bordeaux // Dress Store: The White Flower // Dress Designer: Wtoo Brides by Watters

5 Reasons You Need An Engagement Session

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 1 Comments

Oct 20th

by: Ashley Daniell

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[Editor’s Note: Today’s bit of wedding planning insight comes to us from Ashley Daniell Photography and is all about the engagement session- and more specifically, why you need one! All to often, I hear, “Oh, we don’t need engagement photos, we have plenty of pictures together.” In reality, and engagement session isn’t about the photos- it’s about getting to know your photographer, being comfortable in front of the camera, and so much more. Read on to find out…]

5 Reasons You Need An Engagement Session

By Ashley Daniell of Ashley Daniell Photography

When “interviewing” photographers, most couples these days always ask if an engagement session is included in the wedding package. And many photographers, such as myself, have made it a priority to include an engagement session with each wedding package. But when it comes time to chat with a couple, I often realize that a lot of the time they don’t really understand the value behind the engagement session – it’s just one of those things that they’ve been told that they need to ask about. So let’s shine some light on the reasons why an engagement session is so important.

1. An Engagement Session allows your photographer to understand you.

First and foremost, I believe the most important reason for you to have an engagement session is for you to get to know your photographer better and, even more importantly, for your photographer to get to know you better as a couple. The engagement session is when your photographer is able to see how you connect with each other and how you interact in front of the camera. Of course, most people are naturally nervous being photographed, but some people need even more coaxing than others.

The engagement session is that time where your photographer can see if you fall into poses naturally and comfortably, whether showing PDA bothers you or not, and what poses work best for the two of you. Every person and every couple is different, so not every pose will look good with every couple. Also some couples need a little more coaxing to get their emotions to show naturally through the camera lens. These tidbits of information are vital to how your photographer does his or her job, and it’s so much easier to find them out through an engagement session rather than on the wedding day.

2. An Engagement Session will help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

As mentioned above, the engagement session is a time when you can get a better feeling for how you and your fiancé will interact with your photographer. There are a lot of questions running through someone’s mind when being professionally photographed for the first time.

“Will the photographer guide me or be hands off?” “Will the photographer be in my personal space?” “Will the photographer keep his/her calm if I’m not doing the ‘right’ thing?”

Being photographed can be nerve-wracking! The engagement session helps because it allows you to see how your photographer will interact with you. It alleviates these questions of uncertainty and, in turn, will help you feel more comfortable and confident on the day of your wedding.

3. Great for Wedding Details!

Pinterest has opened the door to so many wedding ideas and details that it can be overwhelming. But many couples stick to the tried and true ideas, such as save the dates and guest sign-in books. You may want to have a photo table or a large canvas displayed at your wedding, and having an engagement session will allow you to have beautiful professional images for those wedding details.

4. Make use of Test runs.

If you’re having your makeup professionally done, the engagement session is the perfect time for your test run! This will give you a chance to see what your makeup artist can do and how well the makeup will last while being outside for awhile. Of course a test run is common, but if you schedule it on the day of your engagement session, you’ll also have beautiful makeup for those photos… and be able to see what the makeup will look like from the camera’s perspective. Sometimes certain makeup looks beautiful from the eye’s perspective, but through the camera lens it changes. This will give you a much better idea of what your makeup will look like for your wedding photos. Then if tweaks need to be made, there will be plenty of time to get it right.

5. Just for fun.

Finally, an engagement session gives you and your fiancé some time to step back from the real world of jobs and wedding planning, and just enjoy each other’s company. And what could be more fun than that? :-) [Editor’s note: We particularly love the idea of really and truly making your engagement session part of a date! A picnic with wine and cheese in the park? Yes please!]

So tell us- what are your plans for your engagement session? Have you already had yours, or do you need to book your photographer still?