Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

New Trends in Wedding Photography

The stiff group portraits that were the standard in wedding photography for generations have become the exception rather than the norm. Here’s a little inspiration for your wedding photographs.

Wedding photography taken in unusual places is one of the hottest rising trends in weddings. Many of these pictures are taken as engagement photos before the wedding, but they are nothing like the posed studio shots of old. Urban backgrounds are particularly popular, ranging from black and white photos set against a towering city skyline to gritty scenes in front of graffitied brick walls. For couples who do not live in a city, popular backgrounds include seasides, natural locations, and even places like carnivals and zoos. These settings are also gaining popularity for day-of-wedding photography; the contrast between the wild setting and the bride in her exquisite bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry makes for an interesting juxtaposition which gives the pictures an edgy quality.

Another trend in wedding photography is to make pictures a part of the event itself, rather than just something to look over weeks later. The rise in digital photography has made this possible. For instance, you might have the photographer use the photos he took during the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour to project as a slideshow onto a wall during the reception. Digital photo booths are finding popularity instead of traditional wedding favors. The guests can go into the booth and have their pictures taken as an instant keepsake of the day. Some of the photo booths will even have a monitor on the outside which will show all of the pictures taken during the reception as a slideshow for everyone to enjoy. An added bonus is that the newlyweds can get a copy of all of their guests’s pictures burned on a disc for them to have as a souvenir.

Pictured here: Gina Cristine Photography out of Chicago shared these photos of friends of hers. Carolyn and Pat knew each other in high school and re-met at the Chicago South Side Irish Parade. Their first date was bike riding at the spot were these engagement photos were taken. Pat asked Carolyn to marry him in front of Chicago’s Buckingham fountain and they celebrate with drinks and chocolate covered strawberries at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.

The Wedding Proposal

Every woman dreams of that special moment where her man gets down on one knee.  But as we grow up, we tend to wish for something a bit more creative, something unique to share with friends and family and remember for a lifetime. We’ve found a few ideas for that big moment. So we encourage you to leave it open on your laptop or email him this link to read (hint, hint)!

Idea 1: Tie your proposal into a holiday

Valentine’s Day may be too expected or too easy, but oozes romance? Easter proposals could include a special Easter egg hunt that she’ll never forget – all leading up to the last “big egg” – her ring. Did you meet in a bar? Are you Irish?  Drop the ring into the bottom of a stein of green beer for St Patrick’s Day. Do you get dressed up at Halloween? Give her a treat she’ll never forget!  An unexpected holiday gift (on a date that doesn’t traditionally involve a gift exchange) can be a sweet surprise! If you go to about.com and search for “Special Holidays” it will give you more than you want, but you can easily find all the “special days” for each month of the year. (Daffy Duck’s birthday is April 17 … there are numerous cartoon and Disney characters that she might have attachment too!)

Idea 2: Make your own holiday
Any woman would LOVE to be swept off her feet and taken to a romantic destination.  Relax and enjoy for a few days, then a day or so before you leave plan an excursion and pop the question on location – and you still have time to celebrate!

Idea 3: Creative note
Spell out the big question somewhere she would never expect it: on the bathroom mirror when she gets ready for a night out together; glow in the dark stars on the bedroom ceiling; take one of her favorite weekly magazines and slip in a fake page for your proposal.  Even plan ahead with an art gallery to place a special work of art into a room for her to see – the question becomes a keepsake. If you’re good with prose, write it in poetry and wrap it with her favorite bouquet of flowers. (Kite Day is May 12. Go fly a kite together and pack a romantic picnic)

Idea 4: Take a trip down memory lane
Take your significant other to the place where you met, had your first date, kiss, or another location that has special meaning to you as a couple and recreate that first moment. Express your feelings from start to finish and take your courtship full circle.

Idea 5: Surprise her
Though it may seem spur-of-the-moment, pick a spot where you can completely catch her off guard. Maybe in a photo booth so you have pictures of her response, as an announcement in a public place (billboards, sporting events), or slip it in the advertisements before a movie you are seeing (tricky, but not impossible).

Spy Cameras
No matter where you ask, think about asking someone to capture it on film (would she love that? then do it!) Videography companies now offer proposal packages that allow you to capture the moment, her reaction and answer on camera. They will hide out, blend in and not be seen by your bride-to-be until the moment has past and you’ve got a keepsake to keep for a lifetime.

No matter what you do, be creative and make sure it’s right for her!  If she’s shy, don’t make a big scene at a ballpark; if she’s the outdoors type, consider an adventure; if she’s a Disney fan, take her to where her fairytale can unfold. Think of your soon-to-be fiancé when planning and the answer will surely be “yes!”

So You’re Engaged – Now What?

The First Steps in Planning Your Wedding

Congratulations on getting engaged. Are you happy or stressing out already about the wedding planning that has to take place? Take a deep breath. You may feel confused and out of control, but here are some tips of how to handle the first few weeks after you get engaged.

Stop and Look at the Diamond Sparkle

Take a moment and look at the sparkle of the ring on your finger. You’re engaged! While you may be married for the rest of your life, you only get that short engagement period. Enjoy it. Take some time to just bask in the glow of your engagement before you start getting stressed about your wedding planning.

Tell Family and Friends

Call your mom, dad, grandparents, and more. Let them share in your happy moment. Let them enjoy the ring and begin sharing ideas about the wedding. Give them a chance to catch their breath with your engagement. Remember, though, to tell your family first. Then you can tell your friends. Tradition dictates that you tell the parents of the bride first, but it is up to you as to the order of whom you tell.

Put Together an Engagement Announcement

One way to be sure you are focusing on your engagement and not worrying too much yet about the wedding planning ahead is to put an announcement in the paper, telling the world that you are engaged. If you are not into putting an announcement in the newspaper, then you may want to just send out formal announcements to family and friends.

Start Buying Organization and Idea Resources

Before you jump head first into your wedding planning, try buying a wedding journal, bridal magazines, and a wedding planner. This way you can start writing down how you’re feeling, cutting out ideas, and keeping things organized. Allow yourself to revel in the dream wedding before you start getting into the actual planning. Don’t just focus on the wedding day, but the entire marriage. That’s what being engaged is all about.

Plan the Perfect New Year’s Eve Wedding

New Year’s Eve is one of the best times of the year to pop the big question, and it can be an even better time to plan a wedding you’ll never forget.  Here are our suggestions on how to plan the perfect New Year’s Eve wedding:

Step 1

Reserve your ceremony and reception locations. Be aware many venues may be reserved for New Year’s Eve parties. Try to make reservations more than a year in advance, if possible. Schedule the times for night, starting your reception at around 8:00 so your guests will be there at midnight to ring in the new year.  If you’re still trying to decide on a venue, take a look at our Dallas wedding reception venues.

Step 2

Inform guests well in advance with a save the date notification before sending invitations. Because it’s a holiday, many people may have standing plans or reservations they’ll need to cancel. Do this as soon as you have officially determined the date, aiming for at least 6 months in advance. If you’re looking for help sending out these save the dates, try our Dallas wedding invitation partners.

Step 3

Plan your food and drinks. Since guests will be eating later, it’s a good idea to just stick with hors devours and dessert for food. Mention in the invitation that guests should eat something beforehand and you’ll be serving snacks and appetizers since they’ll be eating later than usual. (Our catering partners can help you plan out all of the details.)  Make sure you include lots of champagne on your drink list, as well as coffee.

Step 4

Decide on wedding colors and attire. Having a wedding on New Year’s Eve is a good opportunity to do a black tie event. Everyone will enjoy the chance to dress up to ring in the year. Black, gold and silver are the colors typically associated with New Year’s, so use those if you can.

Step 5

Send invitations to your guests. Do this around 3 months in advance instead of the usual 2 month timeframe used for wedding invitations. Our wedding invitation partners can help you send out the ideal invitations.

Step 6
Plan your decorations and flowers for the wedding. When doing a black tie theme, red and white roses are a great choice for flowers. Include noise-makers, confetti and party  hats. Have a big clock or TV for the countdown.

Step 7

Purchase party accessories and favors to go with the New Year’s Eve theme. Good examples are personal champagne bottles, fortune cookies, a CD with the songs which were a hit during the past year, bells which say ring in the new year with (your names) or personalized calendars for the year to come (do it yourself or use the local copy shop).

Rules of Engagement for the Holiday Season

LIKE “white Christmas,” “happy holidays” and “guaranteed delivery before Dec. 25,” the phrase, “Will you marry me?” is a familiar refrain this time of year.

December, traditionally a slow month for weddings, is by far the most popular month for engagements. It actually surpasses February, when marriage proposals are often tied to Valentine’s Day.

The harmony of jingle bells, wedding bells and the insistent jangle of change in one’s pocket rings clearly. Engagement ploys often have an over-the-top quality to them. And many would-be bridegrooms view the already crammed holiday season as a ready-made opportunity to stage a memorable event with plenty of witnesses. The parties are already planned, and the Christmas tree and a blazing fire provide the perfect setting for a proposal.

Whether you’re traveling to a special place or in familiar surroundings, the holidays lend itself to the romance of creating a “lifetime” memory. (Mine came on a bouquet of purple irises with a beautiful poem – the last one I got!)

Visit one of our partners to help you choose your engagement ring.