by: Lauren

{Wedding Planning Advice} Dont Stress Too Much! via TheELD.com

“Don’t stress too much! While there are so many things to plan, enjoy every minute of it, because in the end it’ll be worth it. Also, don’t forget to book your photographer early!”

Melissa Biador Photography

 

Melissa Biador Photography
email: info@melissabiador.com | phone: 619.800.5881 | website: http://www.mbiadorweddings.com/
twitter: Follow @melissabiador | facebook: “Like” Melissa Biador Photography!

location: California, Orange County, San Diego | type: Photographer | style: Vintage | price: $

 



by: Lauren

Hey there everyone! BIG news… I’m actually ATTENDING a wedding today! One of my best friends that I have known for 20+ years is getting married! I’m pretty excited- I haven’t attended a wedding that I wasn’t also planning/coordinating/working in a VERY long time. But okay, I lied- I couldn’t NOT do anything… I’m styling the tables beforehand- because I love it so much! And then after that, I’ll actually get to sit down and be a guest! Wish me luck! ;)

For today’s Tips post, I thought I would revisit wedding styles. It’s been a while since I’ve talked about wedding styles, and so I realized that some of you might not be too familiar with the concept of wedding styles. First off, let me just clarify that I’m not talking about “style” as in fashion… I’m talking about style as in a sort of “theme” for your wedding. Because weddings have styles too! :)

Knowing your wedding style is actually a pretty crucial part of knowing what you want for your wedding. It’s one of the huge factors that will help you come up with your own unique wedding details. Determining your wedding style is definitely one of the very first things that you should do when you get engaged. A wedding style can help you choose the right place to get married, help you in your search  for inspiration, and even help guide you along in the style of wedding dress you get. Having a wedding style will also help you stay a little more focused in your inspiration searches, plus it will help you convey to vendors what you really want for your wedding!

{Thursday Tips} Weddings Have Styles Too! via TheELD.com

Photo via ELV CA designer {Fabulously Wed}

If you’re already elbow-deep into your planning and don’t have a definitive wedding style yet, don’t sweat it! Chances are good that what you’re already envisioning has a style. It certainly won’t hurt anything to go ahead and define your wedding’s style though. It will most definitely help both you and your wedding vendors if you do this. That way, everyone can be on the same page. But the thing is, for everyone to be on the same page, they all need to be READING from the same book, right? Well, that’s why I created the ELD Style Dictionary! In the Style Dictionary, you’ll find definitions of all kinds of wedding styles, and it even links to weddings and inspiration shoots depicting those styles! Some styles are just descriptive adjectives, and some styles are full-out decorative nouns. You can mix and match styles, stick to one, or heck- make up your own! It doesn’t really matter- all that matters is that you and your vendors are on the same page, and hopefully using the Style Dictionary will help!

Speaking of styles, perhaps you’ve noticed that I usually state a style or two in all of the real wedding and inspiration shoot posts. And in an effort to keep things organized and easy for all of you to find inspiration, posts are categorized by style too. That way, if you’re looking for classic wedding inspiration, you know that you can search in the inspiration gallery for “Classic” and you’ll be able to see all of the classic weddings that have been posted! [I was a “classic and elegant” bride myself, and I always found it difficult to find inspiration that I could really apply to my own wedding among all the vintage eclectic weddings. Don’t get me wrong- I love vintage eclectic weddings, but it didn’t quite fit my own style, and so I often came up empty handed when searching for classic and elegant inspiration!]

{Thursday Tips} Weddings Have Styles Too! via TheELD.com

Photo via ELV FL planner {Shelby Peaden Events}

Well, with all that said, I don’t need to repeat myself over and over when I’ve already said everything else in other posts, right? So how about I just make it a little easier for you… go read these two posts: {Why You Need To Know Your Wedding Style} and {What’s Your Wedding Style?}!

Really and truly, just like I mentioned in last week’s post about details, your wedding should be a reflection of you. Which means that your wedding style will also be a reflection of you. But giving your wedding a definitive style just *helps* SO much, in so many different ways! So brides, I want to know… what is YOUR wedding style? Have you figured it out yet??

[PS: Thinking back to when I created the Style Dictionary, I also had a whole series of inspiration shoots that vendors all across the country designed around styles from the Style Dictionary. Definitely go take a look at them– they’re all awesome! In fact, I’ve been thinking of doing the series again- what do you all think?!] 

 



by: Lauren

Happy Wednesday everyone! This european-inspired, chic DIY wedding that I have for you all today comes to us from the ever-so-fabulous Kristen Weaver Photography! Inspired by their French and Irish backgrounds and pulling in chic, purple details, the bride and groom incorporated every moment of their lives together to create their gorgeous wedding! The beautiful bride, Caroline, was so kind to share some of her wedding planning insight with us too, so let’s get started with the gorgeousness!

Purple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.com

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

One of the main things that helped us plan our wedding day was delegating tasks to our family members so Gregg and I weren’t completely overwhelmed! I had envisioned many details for our wedding, so when I started to realized how much time they would all take, our families were right there to lend a hand!

Purple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.com

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

Quality of work and customization. When we were deciding which vendors to use, it was important to us that they were flexible about timing and also about their talent. I wanted to make sure they were able to do their job as artists but also understand the level of quality we expected! We couldn’t have been happier with the results!

Purple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.com

Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?

Our photographer, Kristen Weaver Photography, sent us a sweet thank you note and also one to our important wedding guests. I thought that it was an amazing touch and showed that she was truly grateful to capture our biggest day!

Purple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.com

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

Saying our vows to each other was truly amazing. Before the wedding, I thought the reception was going to be my favorite part. But, standing before God and vowing to be true to Gregg for the rest of our lives meant so much!

Purple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.comPurple European Inspired DIY Wedding via TheELD.com

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

Get organized early! If I could knock something off of my list, I wouldn’t wait. I also would suggest keeping an editing eye on all of your details. Being a wedding photographer, I see many weddings where there are gorgeous details that don’t always coordinate. It makes the whole evening a memorable experience for your guests and then you get to see how much they enjoyed it!

Excellent advice about keeping an “editing eye” on your details. It’s easy to get a little TOO carried away with details and decor elements sometimes! Oh, and the bride and groom are pretty fabulous photographers themselves… you may recognize this gorgeous wedding they shot that was featured here on ELD! A big thank you to Caroline for sharing her wedding planning insight with us, and of course to Kristen Weaver Photography for capturing such gorgeous photos of the wedding! :)

I am completely LOVING the table runners with the table numbers on them and the “euro-chic” style throughout the whole wedding! How about you- do you have a favorite detail from this beauty of a wedding?

 

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Kristen Weaver Photography / Reception Venue: Walkers Landing at Amelia Island Plantation / Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Bella Dia / Ceremony Venue: St. Michael's Church / Catering: Kelley's Courtyard Cafe / Bridal Salon: Wedding Angels


by: Lauren

This afternoon is ALL about inspiration! The lovely Abbey Hepner sent over this gorgeous little shoot that she put together as inspiration for a simple, spring-inspired bridal shower and oh-so-fashionable bridesmaids! It’s kind of like a two-for-one inspiration shoot! So if you like simple style and you like fashion, you’re going to love all of this inspiration- not to mention the gorgeous photos by Abbey! :)

Simple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.comSimple, Fashionable Bridal Shower & Bridesmaid Inspiration via TheELD.com

How fabulous are those dresses and their accessories! Such gorgeous looks for bridesmaids, don’t you think?! And I love the simple design for the bridal shower! Thank you so much for putting this wonderful inspiration together for us Abbey! :)

 

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Abbey Hepner Photography / Flowers & Decor: Love N' Bloom / Bridesmaid Dresses: Minuet / Bridesmaid Dresses: H&M / Bridesmaid Accessories: RUCHE / Bridesmaid Accessories: Forever 21 / Cake Baker: Frosted Cakes / Bridesmaid Accessories: Mignonne Handmade / Hairstylist: Bianca Marcy / Makeup Artist: Lorelai Hibbard