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Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda

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Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda

On your wedding day, organization is critical! It’s important to not assume your bridal party will remember all the details. We highly recommend you give your bridal party specific locations, times, & contact information to ensure everyone is prepared. By preparing in advance with our Chicago Wedding Blog Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda, your bridal party will be ready to go. Then, you can relax and celebrate your wedding day knowing you were organized in advance. Here are all the important details to prepare your bridal party for your wedding day.

On page one, include important phone numbers.

We recommend assigning a designated person, who is not the bride or groom, to be the problem solver. That could include navigating any lost people and troubleshooting any issues with schedules that may arise. The most important thing is to take as many responsibilities away from the bride and groom unless they want to, or absolutely need to, solve any bumps in the road.

Even though we are in the age of smartphones, it’s still important to include locations and addresses if people are unfamiliar with the area.

There are so many details that go into your wedding day, it’s easy for people to get overwhelmed. You don’t want people to get lost. Times are also very important. Aside from the wedding day times, the bridal party should have clear getting ready times. Likely, your beauty vendor will give you a more detailed schedule, but give your bridal party a range. This is important so they can be prepared and packed for the long day ahead.

It’s important to also include bridal party photo locations.

If anyone has to make a quick stop, or if they are taking their own transportation, you don’t want them to miss important bridal party photos. Even though, likely, the bridal party will be taking photos during cocktail hour, it’s also important to include the time. Then, the bridal party can more easily plan to meet up with their families or plus-ones.

Similarly, reminding your bridal party of the reception start time will help keep the day moving. You’ll then get to avoid waiting for the bridal party as you prepare for your reception entrances. While wedding transportation back to the hotels is optional, it’s important to inform your bridal party if it is an option. If you have transportation arranged, tell them what times the transportation will be available. Be considerate that some of them may have to coordinate cars with friends or family, inform them in advance.

Download Your Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda Here

Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda Page 1Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda Page 2

We hope our Bridal Party Wedding Day Agenda will make your wedding day organizing a breeze! Remember, giving more details is always better than not giving enough details. Your bridal party will appreciate the forethought and you will be grateful to have fewer mishaps. Enjoy your organized wedding day! For more wedding planning inspiration and tips, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

Wedding photos group of friends

Plan Your Wedding Photos

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Plan Your Wedding Photos

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Your wedding day is one of the only days you will have most of your loved ones in one place. Because of this, you must plan your wedding photos accordingly. While, of course, many of your wedding photos will center around you and your bridal party, you don’t want to miss out on photos with your other loved ones too. To accomplish that, you need to organize your guests by the connection they have to you and to each other in a grand list for your photographer. Here’s how you should start to plan your wedding photos with your special wedding guests.

Immediate Families

The immediate families include the parents and siblings of the newlyweds. These photos are usually not forgotten, but they are important to organize nonetheless. Some details to keep in mind are:

  • Is there an old family photo you’d like to recreate alongside your formal photos?
  • Are there any family dynamics the photographer should be mindful of?
    • I.e. Divorced parents, differently-abled or handicapped family members who may not be able to stand for long, etc.

Extended Families

Extended family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins. This group of people requires a lot of photos. This is often the most overlooked group of people for wedding photos. Being that this is one of the only times in your life you’ll have a photographer present, it’s so important to get photos with your aging relatives. That being said, keep in mind any physical difficulties your elderly relatives may have while taking pictures. Many couples also have special relationships with aunts and uncles. Therefore it may be important to get one-on-one photos with special family members too. The easiest way to organize this larger group is to divide them by individuals/one-on-one photos and large group photos. Some important photos for extended families may be:

  • Individual/One-on-One Photos:
    • Grandparents, together and individually. Also with the groom/bride together and individually.
    • Aunts & Uncles, together with the newlyweds, and potentially individually too.
    • If there are specific special cousin relationships you might also want individual photos with them too.
  • Large Group Photos
    • The entire side of the prospective families (just the bride’s side, then just the groom’s side) including grandparents, cousins, parents, and siblings
    • Grandparents group photo (bride’s side and groom’s side separately) with the immediate families
    • Grandparents group photo with the extended family (bride’s side and groom’s side separately)
    • Divided extended family, families the bride and groom may be close to (ex. Uncle John’s family with the bride and groom)
    • Just the bride/groom’s generation of cousins

Specific Friend Groups

Oftentimes newlyweds have friend groups from various stages of their lives. Just because they were not in the bridal party does not mean you cannot get special photos with them. An easy way to accomplish this is to have your wedding photographer coordinate with your wedding DJ. The DJ can call the various groups to the dance floor for group photos during any reception downtime. Here are some potential groups you may want photos with:

  • Elementary School Friends
  • Middle School Friends
  • High School Friends
  • Sports Team Friends
  • College Friends
  • Work Friends
  • Neighbors

All Your Wedding Guests

What is more fun than getting a ginormous group photo of all your loved ones together on your wedding day? This often-overlooked photo will be so fun to look back on. You’ll be able to remember who was at your wedding, even as years go by.

If you have this detailed list to give to your photographer you will surely not miss any cherished photos with your loved ones. You will never regret being organized in advance. Each couple has different family and friend relationships, so organize this photo list in a way that works with your relationships. We can’t wait to see your special wedding photos from your organized list! Tag us in your wedding photos or email them to hello@ChicagoWeddingBlog.com. For more wedding planning inspiration and advice check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

Romantic French Inspired Wedding@sephoryphotography

French Inspired Styled Shoot

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This French Inspired Styled Shoot brought a magical shoot to life by using a vibrant palette of blush pinks, pure white and rich greenery. Also, subtle details like macaroons and croissants helped create sweet, delicate French vibe. The result was a French-European inspired feel that showcased the love between two people. A perfect reminder for couples that everlasting love is about the small, kind gestures more than anything.

Romantic French Inspired Wedding

Photo Credit: sephoryphotography.com.au/

             Wedding Invitations: @invitationbweddings www.bweddinginvitations.com/

Photography & Concept: @sephoryphotography sephoryphotography.com.au/

Hair & Make up: @suzyselamakeup www.suzysela.com/

Menu & Place Cards: @adorninvitations www.adorninvitations.co.uk/

Stationery Design: Catsy Creative www.catsycreative.com.au

Printing: Inktank Printing www.inktankprinting.com

Flowers: @chloelashay_florist www.chloelashay.com/

Dresses: @raffaeleciucabridal www.raffaeleciuca.com.au/ and by @heleneconstancebride | @berta

Cakes: @maryeatscake www.maryeatscake.com.au

Jewellery: @loveonjewellery www.loveonjewellery.com.au/

Model: @oliviaa.williams from @giant_mgmt

Venue: @montdusoleil

First Look

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We discuss today the pros and cons of having a First Look on your wedding day! Most brides don’t let the groom see their dress until the wedding day. Some brides like to let their groom see them just before the ceremony for a great, intimate moment together before they walk down the aisle.

The Pros of having a first look:

  1. If you or your husband to be are feeling nervous before the big reveal it’s nice to have the first look to reassure each other. Not only will the photographer capture real moments, but it’s a great way to spend a little time just the two of you. You can take time to truly connect before the chaos of the celebration.
  2. The time of day can also impact your decision to have a first look. If you’re getting married in the winter the light fades pretty early. So, having a first look earlier ensures you can use natural light for great photos.
  3. Another reason is just practical. A first look gives you time to get those pictures out of the way so you can get to the cocktail hour and reception sooner.

 

The Cons of having a first look:

  1. If you are a traditional couple that can be the only reason needed to skip it. If you want the magic of the moment when you’re walking down the aisle that’s not a problem.
  2. Timing can be an issue as a con as well. If you get married earlier in the day then that means your time table will need to be pushed up as well. You may have to get ready earlier and that also possibly means your bridal party may have to get ready too. Some brides include their party after the first look too
  3.  It’s not as private as you think. The photographer and assistants or videographer may be far away, but they’re still there to capture the moment. If you’re camera shy you may not get the genuine moment you want.

Small Wedding Party

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As a new bride it’s tempting to rush out and tell everyone and invite all your friends to the big day but we’re giving away tips on how a smaller wedding party can make your life easier! Just because some friends are not IN the wedding doesn’t mean they can’t have a good time or enjoy the celebration with you.

We aren’t just talking about bridesmaids and groomsmen either. Having a small wedding party in terms of guests will help cut down costs. The average cost per guest for a wedding is $100 so multiply that by 100 guests and it adds up. Keeping your guest list limited is the first way to cut costs.

However, let’s address the small wedding party itself. Keeping your bridesmaids to three or four close friends will save you a lot of headache. For one, it’ll make things easier to stay organized. It’s hard enough to plan an entire wedding so be sure your bridal party makes things easy for you.

It’s easier to take photos after the wedding ceremony as well with a smaller wedding party. You can fit everyone in the same frame and have time to try fun pictures like goofy shots or even use props. Along with photo taking a smaller wedding party allows you to let your bridesmaids have more flexibility with their choice of dresses. If you are comfortable letting your girls pick their own styles the less people makes the “mix and match” look classy instead of messy. You could also give them the option to rent a dress instead of buy. Happy bridesmaids make for great photos!

A small wedding party will both cut costs and allow you more control over your big day!

 

2018 Wedding Theme Colors

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2018 Wedding Theme Colors

It’s never too late to start planning your wedding! We explore some of the color themes you should think about for next Spring.

  1. Dusty rose and Green. We love this color palette because it’s feminine enough if you don’t want pink. Rose can come in several shades from a romantic light to a dramatic, almost plum shade. You can dress these colors up or down. If you want a glamorous wedding the rose and green theme can work very well with the darker accents. We are also loving the natural look of a dusty rose and green if you’re a more rustic bride.

2.  Lavender and Lilac. For Spring 2018 we love this color theme because it’s so versatile. If purple is your favorite color then this is the palette for you! And if it’s not, you can still think about using a lavender accent. The shades of lavender run from a beautiful light, dusty color to a deep plum.

3. Dusty blue and red. This palette theme us usually used in the fall but they can work for spring as well! The dusty blue is more of a romantic shade than a sea/cerulean blue and won’t make your wedding look like something from Fourth of July or under the sea. The deep red is a very romantic hue. It can be used to accent your bouquet or bridesmaids dresses

Ideas for Announcing your Engagement

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Ideas for Announcing your Engagement

It’s the Holiday season and we have ideas for announcing your engagement! The holidays are a great time to tell family and friends your big news. It’s called the most wonderful time of the year so why not combine that with spreading the word about the engagement.

  1. We love the idea of surprising family. At a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner you could have guests write what they are thankful for on a leaf or festive paper. Then, at dinner, they can all read them a loud. Making yours about the engagement will be just the hint they need!

2.  Going out for pre-dinner drinks. If you and your new fiance don’t want all the attention at a family gathering consider going out for drinks and appetizers the night before. That way you don’t have the big announcement about your engagement putting pressure on the dinner. You can tell everyone at a local bar or favorite restaurant. You should be relaxed and enjoy telling people the news, not stressed and anxious about wedding planning.

3. We love taking a group photo as a reveal too! In the selfie age we don’t think it’ll be a problem to get everyone to agree to taking a picture. You can gather all the family and/or friends and as the picture is about to be taken hold up a sign that says “Save the Date” or “We’re engaged”. See who notices afterwards! If people are not noticing through their holiday drinking phase post the picture on social media.

4. Finally, we love giving gifts to everyone to announce your engagement! It doesn’t have to be big but if it’s near the Christmas season no one will think twice about receiving just a little something extra. We recommend buying one present in bulk like good quality chocolate, cheap cigars or jewelry for women. Inside the gift have a note presenting the save the date or engagement announcement.

Winter Wedding Ideas

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Winter Wedding Ideas

Most people don’t think of a winter wedding as romantic or even easy to do but we have some ideas for you! A winter wedding can be just as much fun as any other time of year. Think of cozy fires, warm drinks, comfort foods and friendship.

Many brides worry about where and how they want their wedding photos to be done. You will love some fun winter wedding ideas like big, fluffy blankets or how about a snap of your bridal party around a bonfire with snow in the background? You don’t need to be outside forever but it’s always fun to jump outside without a coat, grab a picture, and hustle back inside.

For decor at your reception we love putting together cinnamon sticks and mulberries. This is not only a great smelling decoration but also could function as a place holder or napkin tie. The red berries are very festive for a winter wedding and the cinnamon is a wonderfully nostalgic scent for your guests. They could even put the sticks into a mulled wine or cider if you are offering that kind of beverage.

Another winter wedding idea is cheap and easy but looks fabulous. We love using cotton balls in your bouquets or wreaths! The texture of cotton is natural and resembles those open seed pods that spread out in the fall. You could blend both autumn and winter into your decor for bouquets or table center pieces.

And finally, we are loving winter wedding capes! Who doesn’t want to look and feel like a superhero? We love capes and the winter variety are the best because they function as both a warm piece for you and a beautiful centerpiece for your photos. A winter wedding can be a great time to get out something like a cape that’s bold and unusual. Most brides don’t think of wearing capes but in winter this could be the perfect time!

photo shot list

Photo Shot List

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Photo Shot List

 

It is the job of your wedding photographer to create a photo shot list for your big day. That’s why you are hiring them! However, it’s good to understand what your photographer will want to cover and how you can help her get the best pictures on your wedding day.

It’s very important to work with your wedding photographer to make sure your wedding is captured in all its glory. Here’s a list of moments your wedding photographer will probably cover:

Bride Getting Ready
Groom Getting Ready
The First Look (if bride and groom are seeing each ot
her before the ceremony)
Ceremony
Posed Family Photos
Wedding Party Photos
Introductions as Mr. & Mrs.
Reception
Escort Cards and other Details
Wedding Cake
Toasts
First Dance
Cake Cutting
Bouquet Toss/Garter
Guests Dancing
Check out this list of“50 Must Have Wedding Photography Shots” for further ideas. We often think of photographers as documenting a wedding, but even the purest photojournalist has a special way of seeing the world. Once you have the right photographer, let them know what you like. We always recommend spending time with your photographer so they can get a feel for what’s important to you both. For example, some couples are very much into family photos, some love detail shots, some want a picture of their high school friends who flew into town from far away. Make sure to let your photographer know what you love.
It’s also nice to give them ideas of the images you favor or want to emulate. You want to provide them with as much context of your style and give them creative freedom to bring it to life. This way you can collaborate on the part of the photo shot list that is unique to your wedding!
pinterest pins of the week

Pinterest Pins of the Week

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Pinterest Pins of the Week.
Clothesline Slideshow. With beautiful Chicago weather upon us, we are loving everything related to the outdoors.  Chicago has so many beautiful green spaces, so we’ve been pinning a lot of outdoor-inspired ideas.  And this pin, well it might be one of our favorites.  Pictures have often been a part of weddings, and many couples choose to play a slideshow at their reception.  But for couples who celebrate with mother nature, a slideshow might prove to be challenging.  However, this gives couples a fabulous way to showcase special memories, while still keeping with the authenticity and vibe of an outdoor celebration.  So give us some twine and photos, and we’ll be on our way!

Photography: The Leekers

Instagram  Your Day.  Speaking of pictures, are you on the Instagram bandwagon yet?  We love this fun photo sharing site, and we are particularly smitten with how couples are integrating it into their day.  This pin gives you a great idea of just how easy this techie idea is.  Choosing a hashtag and letting your guests know the tag gives a great (and hip) way to collect your wedding day memories!  #countusin

Gold + White.  This pin is proof that sometimes simple is best.  Mix and match gold candlesticks with simple white taper candles for a sweet yet refined mood.  Grouped together they make quite the statement, and we can see this idea working for a garden party or an elegant celebration in a grand hall.  Want this look on a budget?  Scour thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales for mismatched candlesticks.

Photography: Julie Cate