Wedding Planning - Beach Bride

5 Must Ask Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before You Hire

By Bonnie

Hiring a wedding photographer is easy. Hiring a wedding photographer that you absolutely love, on the other hand, is very challenging! Use these questions to weed out the average photographers from the stellar ones, so that you can be thrilled with the finished photographs.

Five Questions To Ask Your Photographer In Person

Before meeting with your photographer in person, you should familiarize yourself with their work. Investigate the prices that they offer, and read the information provided through the their website. If you do this research before hand, you can use the in person interview as a time to dig deeper. Here are a list of questions to cover:

1. Can I see a full album?

You have already seen the portfolio that the photographer shares through their website, but this question will get you some more information. The portfolio is comprised of stand-out photos that the photographer is proud of. A full album will give you a glimpse into what a full range of shots looks like as a whole.

2. Who will be at the shoot?

Your photographer may arrive with one or two extra shooters. Be sure that you ask about all of the photographers who will be present, not just the lead photographer.

3. How would you describe your shooting style?

This question will help you determine if the photographer will be proactive and aggressive about getting shots, or if they will prefer to blend into the background. The mix that many couples prefer is a photographer who is kind, courteous, and comfortable with leading and directing so that necessary shots are accomplished in a timely manner.

4. What scheduling needs do you have on the wedding day?

Allow the photographer to explain what kind of a timeline will allow them to do their work the best. If a photographer is rushed, you won’t see the results that you hope for. Give them time to test the light, arrange beautiful compositions, and capture all of the colorful and fun details that fill your special day.

5. Do you have any advice for me?

This open-ended question can become a gold-mine of information. Wedding photographers have been to many weddings, and see the same mistakes or successes over and over. By asking for the photographers advice, you will pick up nuggets of wisdom, such as tips for brides and grooms about timing. For example, did you know that the best time for outdoor ceremonies is one to two hours before sunset?

Ask your wedding photographer these deep-digging questions so that you can sort out the average photographers from the amazing ones. In addition to finding the perfect match for your toes-in-the-sand wedding, you will also learn some valuable information in the process. Have you interviewed any potential wedding photographers yet? Did it go well, or horribly? Share in the comments below.

Your Destination Wedding: When To Pay For A Guest

By Bonnie

Are you stressed out about who and what you should pay for when it comes to your enchanting destination wedding? I want you to think of a seesaw (like you might see on a playground). On one side, you have your budget. On the other side, you have “etiquette”. Now that you have your seesaw in mind, imagine what will happen if you lean too heavily on either side. The seesaw will no longer work as it is supposed to! In order to make decisions about what expenses to cover, you need to understand that you must keep this seesaw balanced.

You Don’t Want Grumbling Guests

Your Destination Wedding: When To Pay For A Guest — Source: hvmag.com

Etiquette is a code of behavior that society has agreed on which has to do with being polite. If the word etiquette sounds irrelevant or intimidating, substitute it with “kindness” or “thoughtfulness”. Basically, rules about etiquette help us act in ways that are considerate of others.

Because wedding budgets vary so much, it is impossible to give hard and fast rules about what the bride and groom (and their families) need to cover. The rules of etiquette give us a starting off point, and then we have to wiggle and squirm until the rules fit with our budget.

Etiquette dictates that the couple needs to cover a welcome party, the rehearsal dinner, the reception, and a morning-after brunch. This is considered customary, and if you decide to leave your guests high and dry at one of these wedding time-line events, you might receive some raised eyebrows in the very least. Since no one wants to hear grumbling guests, I advise you to feed and offer refreshments to your guests at these times.

No one is telling you what to feed them! It could be an affordable pizza party rehearsal dinner on the hotel roof! You don’t have to break the bank in order to fill these obligations.

The Wedding Party Deserves Special Treatment

In addition, etiquette dictates that the bride and groom should pay for lodging for attendants. The bride and groom should think carefully about how many people they want in their wedding parties if they plan on paying lodging. Hotel room fees can add up quickly!

When you are deciding whether or not to follow this rule, try putting yourself in your bridesmaids or groomsmen’s shoes. Think about their individual situations and whether you think they can bear the financial burden that you will be asking of them if you don’t cover lodging.

Close friends who are struggling financially won’t want to let you down, and will likely foot the bill with a smile plastered on their faces. Is that what you want? If this perspective makes you see that it will be hard for them to pay, than scrimp and save in other areas, and foot the lodging bill for those special few who you have asked to be a part of your wedding party. Close friends are worth it!

Everyone Else Gets To Choose

You do not have to worry about every single guest that you invite, and whether they will be comfortable paying for the expenses that will come along with your destination wedding. Once you have carefully considered your VIP list (parents, perhaps grandparents, and your wedding party), you should stop there. If a guest is excited to come to your fun, exotic location to help you celebrate your union, they will make it happen! They are free to politely decline.

Keep your seesaw balanced between budget concerns and acting kindly. This way you will see that the choices you make have to keep both ends of the balance in mind! Think about costs from your guest’s perspective. Your guests, especially your wedding party, should be looking forward to your tropical-bliss gathering, not resenting you for the work-out you are giving their wallet.

Do you think these rules sound fair, or do you disagree?

“Just Us” Destination Wedding: 5 Reasons To Cut Your Entire Guest List

By Bonnie

Are you someone who loves alone time, and gets overwhelmed in crowds? A ‘just us’ destination wedding, or elopement, might be perfect for you. Not everyone likes to be the center of attention. For many introverts especially, a crowd can seem to take away the magic of the moment. Here are five reasons why eliminating all of your guests could be the perfect choice for you!

1. Focus On Romance

Just Us Destination Wedding: 5 Reasons To Cut Your Entire Guest List — Source: intimateweddings.com

Couples that host large weddings often spend more time greeting and socializing with guests than they do in intimate moments together. If you cut your entire guest list, your ceremony will be all about you and your man.

2. Budget Limitations

Destination weddings, as well as large events, can start to get expensive quickly! If you have a limited amount to spend, opting for a beautiful beach elopement could really ease your mind. Cutting your guest list will certainly free up some funds! Use your money to buy a gorgeous gown or travel to a really exotic and special location.

3. Less Stress

The daunting task of arranging every detail of a wedding party can paralyze some. Because of this, they put off their wedding and wait for that day when they will have the time and mental energy to plan it. Instead of putting it off, move forward with your relationship by keeping your nuptials simple!

4. Celebrate Later

If the thought of excluding your friends and family is weighing on you, consider this: you can always celebrate later. Parents who want to plan a big event for you certainly can. It will just be a celebration party rather than a wedding! This gives you a great way to include friends and relatives.

5. Intimate Event

A ‘just us’ wedding is inherently personal and private. If you value intimacy, this route could be much better suited to you than a wedding with guests.

These reasons may or may not tip the scales for you! I personally would have loved to have a ‘just us’ destination wedding, except for the fact that I always imagined hugging my sisters after saying my vows. Sometimes being surrounded by your tribe is worth the stress and cost of event planning. The joy of being with your loved ones can be more important that protecting intimacy. What do you think?

Is a ‘just us’ wedding the perfect solution, or do you think you would regret it later on?

Who needs guests anyways? Drop a comment below!

Super Sweet Wedding Idea Photos

By Rachael

Every bride wants to memorialize her wedding with the most amazing photos ever. If you’re looking for new and beautiful poses, these 5 may be right up your alley.

Short Bride

If you’re shorter than your future hubby, have him pick you up for a sweet smooch. Have the photographer snap a picture of your hubby’s feet and yours up in the air!

Super Sweet Wedding Idea Photos — Photo Source: jenniferbagwellphotographyblog.com

The Wedding Party

This is another one that involves a fun smooch; you and your hubby in the foreground, but out of focus, and your wedding party in the background cheering you on. It’s a great way to include everyone in the shot.

Cute Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

If you want unique photos of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, have your photographer snap shots like this one. The groomsmen are appropriately worshiping the bride while the bridesmaids blow kisses at the groom!

The Beach Silhouette

If you’re having a beach wedding, you must grab a sunset silhouette shot like this one. The bride and groom are snuggled close for a smooch while the wedding party celebrates.

Don’t Tell the Groom

If you want a picture of you and the groom before the wedding but you don’t want him to see the dress, this is a super cute pose. The groom stands with his back toward you and you can face the camera with a cute pose.

Through The Storm

The tropical storm Bonnie decided to crash Emily and Tommy’s wedding party, but the couple didn’t mind! In between the heavy rains with the storm, they even got to take some beach photos.

These are just a few of the great wedding photos you can have your photographer snap for the big day.

Most Beautiful Beach Wedding Color Schemes

By Rachael

A beach wedding will naturally be beautiful, with the view and the sunshine, but your colors can go a long way toward turning beautiful into breathtaking. Here are the best beautiful beach wedding color schemes found on Pinterest.

1. Teal and White

What goes better with the ocean than blue and white, right? This gorgeous scheme features a cool teal and clean crisp white combination that can be seen in the flowers and dresses. The pops of green makes it more refreshing!

Most Beautiful Beach Wedding Color Schemes — Lauren & Peter | Photographer: Brittany Rae Photography | Floral Designer: Bea and Company | Bakery: Bear Brook Bakery | DJ: Double Platinum Celebrations | Floral Designer: Fiddleheads | Favors and Gifts: Haven’s Candies | Makeup Artist: Jessica Candage Makeup Artistry | Transportation: L/A Luxury Limousine | Equipment Rentals: One Stop Event Rentals

Here’s another lovely set of teal and white from K. Engel Photography.

For this styled shoot, the photographer wanted to create a wedding that took inspiration from the sea in a rustic setting with a nod to vintage deals. She kept the colors and tones blues and greens to reflect both land and ocean.

2. Muted Peach, Teal, Green and Gray

This gorgeous, boho-themed beach wedding features muted tones of peach, teal, green and gray. While most brides are nervous to pick more than two colors, these are all tied together very well with the flower arrangements and tabletop décor. These muted tones are beautiful for a beach wedding and are a real treat for the eye.

3. Purple, Pink and White

This beautiful, bright beachside wedding features tones in purple and pink as well as gray and white accent colors. Numerous colors work well together if they’re tied together with certain multi-colored objects. Here, you’ll see the napkins, fans, flowers, and signboards do the trick.

4. Red and Blue

Most people don’t think of red and blue for wedding colors, but this one worked out very well. The blue was used as a muted foundation while pops of bright red were all over the place. It has a very vintage feel and is truly beautiful.

5. Pops of Color

In this beachside wedding, color was used very well, in bright and vivid pops. The bright green, blue, orange and yellow looked fantastic against the washed-out look of the beach. As you can see, the colors are tied together in the maracas and the bride’s lovely bouquet.

If you’ve settled on a beach wedding, but not on a wedding color palette yet, then this is the post for you. We’ve gathered some of our favorite wedding color palettes for a gorgeous beach wedding – see which one most appeals to you.

6. Teal and Lime Green

We love teal and lime green for a beach wedding. It’s such a tropical look, with colors pulled straight from nature; the turquoise blue of the ocean and the gorgeous green of trees and grass. Beautiful accent colors that go well with this palette include silver, coral, and red.

7. Coral and Yellow

Coral and yellow are fresh, vivid colors that look exceptionally beautiful when paired. As you can see, varying shades of these colors look great together, and green is a fantastic accent color. This combination is also very tropical, and the perfect bright pop for a beach ceremony.

8. Pale Peach and Gold

Warm, beautiful colors, pale peach and gold looks absolutely stunning together. The overall effect is subtle and feminine, but drama can be added with accents in navy blue, emerald or gray.

9. Rich Purple and Turquoise

We love this look, especially for an evening beach wedding. This royal combination is dramatic and beautiful; perfect for the bold bride. It’s still quite feminine and this palette looks great with silver and accent shades of pink.

10. Navy and Pink

Navy is a beautiful beach wedding color, as it already has that nautical look. Paired with shades of pink, it creates a gorgeous wedding palette that is not overly feminine.

11. Peach, Coral and Navy

This sun-kissed coral, white and navy combination has it’s own stunning impression. The radiant peach with the serene mood of coral and navy displays the vibrant hue of pleasure, excitement and femininity.

12. Magenta, Pink, Marigold, Ivory

13. Blue and White

We will certainly take full appreciation of this gorgeous color combination. A subtle blend of warmth, royalty and excitement! Best fit for nautical themed weddings and a common choice for beach destinations. A totally lovely inspiration for anyone’s dream wedding without a complicated color appeal!

These are our favorite beach wedding color palettes. Each palette is versatile and the look can be changed with the accent colors you choose. Which is your favorite color combination?