Fantasy Sports Weddings

Fantasy Isn’t Just For Football.

Source: magnetstreet.com

Now that the Big Game is history, it’s time to turn our attention back to the second most popular contact sport in America: wedding planning.  Just kidding, but occasionally the stress can feel like a blindside hit from Ray Lewis.  So relax, and think about throwing an All-American wedding using your favorite sport as your theme.

It all begins with a proposal on a football field, with a couple in jerseys and tennis shoes. If you’re at a major stadium, you can even arrange to have that special moment displayed on the Jumbotron for all sixty thousand of your new best friends to see.

Then the planning starts. Are you going to schedule the wedding for a game day? Not unless you don’t mind having most of the guests hanging out in the bar, glued to the TV.

If you so choose, your ceremony can begin with the national anthem, and there should be a field nearby so your photographer can take pictures of your wedding party playing football.  I’ve seen it done more than once, but you have to make sure you have enough attendants to make a game of it.

And if you want to go the whole nine yards (sorry), you’ll need football inspired wedding attire. The officiant should be wearing black and white stripes, the bride’s shoes could be sequined cleats and the garter can sport your team’s logo.  The groom will be wearing his lucky game-day socks, the same pair he wears every Sunday afternoon in the fall.

What better way to enter your reception than with a bride and groom touchdown dance? When you hit the dance floor, the DJ will rock classic fight songs.

But there is one big difference.  As a famous NFL running back said when asked about the Super Bowl, “If this is the ultimate game, how come there’s another one next year?”  For you, there really is no next season, so just get out on the floor and dance!

New Year, New Bridal Shows

So that most popular time of year to get engaged has just passed so many new girls have a sparkly ring on their left hand and now they are ready to start planning their big day.

Here’s a look at some of the upcoming bridal shows across South Carolina! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

 

CHARLESTON:

* Sunday, January 13th – The Charleston Bridal Show – The Marriott Hotel (Lockwood Blvd) – Noon until 5pm

* Sunday, February 17th – Southern Bridal Show – Charleston Area Convention Center – Noon until 5pm

* Sunday, August 18th – Southern Bridal Show – Charleston area Convention Center – Noon until 5pm

 

COLUMBIA:

* Sunday, January 6th – WNOK Bridal Expo – Columbia Metro Convention Center – 1pm until 5pm

* Sunday, February 24th – St. Andrews Woman’s Club Bridal Showcase – State Fair Grounds – Noon until 5pm

* Sunday, July 21st – 2013 Summer Carolina Bridal Showcase – Columbia Metro Convention Center – 1pm until 5pm

* Sunday, September 22nd –2013 Fall Carolina Bridal Showcase – Columbia Metro Convention Center – 1pm until 5pm

 

MYRTLE BEACH/FLORENCE:

* Sunday, January 6th – BRAVO! Bridal Expo – Florence Civic Center

 

UPSTATE:

* Saturday, January 5th – Weddings With Style – Hyatt Downtown Greenville – 10am until 3pm

* Saturday, January 19th – Anderson Wedding Festival – Anderson Civic Center – 10am until 3pm

* Saturday, January 26th – Spartanburg Wedding Festival- Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium – 10am until 3pm

* Saturday, February 9th – TD Wedding Festival – TD Convention Center, Greenville – 10am until 3pm

Just Engaged?

Labor Day has passed, autumn is almost upon us ….which means it’s the start of “engagement season”! (Yes, we have a term for it.) I don’t know about you, but my Facebook page is starting to blow up with engagement announcements! I absolutely love newly engaged couples because there is SO much love and excitement around getting engaged!

But then soon after that excitement wears off, you’re hit with the reality of the fact that you have to plan a wedding– something that you most likely have no clue about, right?! Sure, you’ve been in a wedding or two, or maybe one of your close friends recently got married, but things are different when it’s YOUR wedding! And if you’re anything like me, you have NO idea where to start. Well, don’t fret, because I am here to help you out! I have compiled the 10 things you need to do first to get started with your wedding planning.

1. Set a budget

You shouldn’t be doing anything before sit down and talk about & decide on a budget. Sit down with your parents, family members, or just the two of you, figure out who is contributing, how much they can contribute, and what your total budget will be Then you can move on to #2!

 2. Choose 2-3 possible dates

To be safe, choose 2-3 possible dates to have your wedding. Think of the time of year, the weather, work schedules/vacation time, holidays, and yes, even football season (or whatever sport your fiance/family is crazy about). Then choose your #1 preferred date, and have a #2 and #3 available in case your preferred date isn’t available. This is extremely important because venues book up fast…some even book up to a year and half in advance!

 3. Start your guest list

Of course you want to invite everyone you know to your wedding. But here’s my warning for you: the more people you have, the more you have to spend. (This is why you do your budget first.)

Example: You want to have 200 guests. Your budget is $20,000. This means that you will have $100 per guest. 

So as you see, starting your guest list and knowing your estimated maximum guest count early is super imporant! And keep in mind that guest counts usually go down by the time your wedding day comes around- and believe me… it’ll get really easy to cut the people you haven’t talked to in forever from the guest list.

Here are some ideas on how to control your guest list… or use this flow chart…

 4. Decide on your wedding’s style & colors

Vintage, modern, classic, eclectic, handmade, rustic… there are SO many styles out there! The beauty of “wedding styles” is that they also coincide with decor and details, and so knowing from the beginning will help you later on.  No need to design your whole wedding right now though- just know the general look and feel of how you want your wedding to be.  It’s also a good time to decide on what colors you may want to have incorporated into your big day… Once you know that, it’ll be easier to move on to #5… 

 5. Decide on your venue

So all of the first 4 steps can essentially be done all in one sitting. That’s easy, right? Well once you have all of those decisions made, you can start researching and visiting venues. When you’re researching and you find a venue that you like, I highly recommend contacting them and asking if they have any of your possible dates available. If they do, then go ahead and schedule a time to tour the venue. Give yourself a few (1 to 3 max) weeks to tour all of your possibilities (depending on how long you have before your wedding date of course), crunch numbers, envision your wedding there (or not), and then book your venue! Once you have your venue booked (meaning deposit made and contract signed), your date is secured… you are just steps away from getting MARRIED!

6. Research

First and foremost, if you didn’t already hire a wedding planner during the first 5 steps…I strongly suggest you consider one….They will be able to give you great recommendations and save you time & frustration!

Vendors:

Researching potential vendors is HUGE. There are so many great wedding professionals out there now, and you want time to be able to choose the right ones for you. You definitely don’t want to be rushed, but at the same time, time is of the essence. (If you don’t have a wedding planner, go to here’s what you need to know when hiring your vendors.)

When you’re researching, be sure to check out the vendor’s portfolio, bio, pricing info (if they have it available) and their blog. Feel free to do research on every single type of vendor you need, but the ones that are crucial and book up quickly are the photographer, florist, and caterer (if applicable).

Moving on, the next steps are going to pertain to these 3 things. [After you’ve completed the following steps for the previously mentioned vendors, then you’ll move on to your entertainment, event decor, rentals, invitations, videographer and cake. And then you’ll go on to hair and makeup, transportation, tux rentals, favors, and any extras.]

Part 2 of Research is…

WEDDING DRESS!

Yes, it’s in caps because it’s *that* exciting! Isn’t it pretty much the very first thing you wanted to do- look at wedding dresses?! I mean, come on, who doesn’t like wedding dresses? 😉 But in all seriousness, you want to be sure that you research the types of dresses you like and the stores that carry them.

7. Inquire With and Interview Vendors

So by now you’ve done your research and you know what vendors you like. Now it’s time to contact the vendor, find out if they’re available for your date, ask about pricing/cost (if you want to), and schedule a consultation. I recommend meeting with up to three of each type of vendor, one if you already absolutely love them and they sell you right away, two if you’re pretty set but want to know other options, and three if you’re not sure. It just really depends on you, your decision making skills, and your taste. 🙂

8. Hire Your Vendors

Of course the next step is to make your pick & hire one of those vendors that you’ve met and fallen in love with. After your consultations, try to let vendors know your decision a week or two from when they provide you with an estimate/proposal. And then hooray! You’re one step closer to your wedding day! Important note: Once you’ve hired someone, please let the other vendors that you met with know that you won’t be going with them. I know it sucks to do it and yes, you might feel awkward, but it has to be done- they have to know! A nice, simple email will suffice.

9: WEDDING DRESS!

Alright, so you have some of your vendors booked… now it’s time to take a break and go wedding dress shopping! I don’t think this needs much explanation.

10: Design & Detail Inspiration

Remember back in the first 5 steps when I had you decide on your wedding style? Well with the second round of vendors you will meet with next (florals, decor, invitations, rentals, cake) you’ll need to have a good idea of what you want your wedding to be like, so it’s time to focus on design and details! What do you want your wedding to look like? Design is more of a general term, and details is more of the specifics (and where your personality can really shine through too!). This too is something that requires lots of research… which in the wedding world we like to call INSPIRATION! 🙂 I’m sure many of you have probably already started saving photos of things that you like and are Pinning away for your dream wedding. After all, this big, beautiful wedding world here on the internet does almost solely revolve around design and details! But you want to make sure that you have enough inspiration to be able to accurately convey to your potential vendors what it is you want for your wedding. And then in the same breath, you don’t want to have too much inspiration either!

Don’t forget to bring your inspiration with you to your consultations! You can probably even just pull up your Pinterest boards in your meetings- which I think is absolutely amazing.

Once you get to the last step for your first set of vendors, then move on to the next set! Wedding planning is like a roller coaster- you’ll go really fast at full-speed, then you’ll slow down, and then you’ll speed up again. Yes it’s normal, and it’s okay to have a lull in planning. Basically that roller coaster ride just keeps going until you get married. 😉

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

I am a firm believer that the three elements you need for a successful engagement shoot are simply 1. a good photographer 2. a couple in love and 3. stylish outfits! I know that may sound a bit shallow, but when I looked back at my favorite engagement sessions they all contained those three key things. I am not a stylist, fashionista and definitely not an expert, but after a little research I found some great tips and pointers from the people who would know best, photographers.

1.  Coordinate Colors. This doesn’t mean matchy-matchy, it just means that you wear colors that complement each other and pieces that have common shades. Here’s a great example from Pinterst.

An easy way to pair colors is to choose one hue (like the pink blouse below) then combine it with a neutral.

2. Be bold with color. Black is slimming but it doesn’t always come out well in photos so try and pick a bright color that will stand out.

From Hazelnut Photography

3. Wear extra make-up! Your engagement session is a great time to try out your wedding make-up artist. So try and see if you can coordinate a trial on the day of your engagement session. If not, make sure you wear heavier make-up than your everyday look, and definitely wear lipstick! Be sure to bring your make-up with you for touch ups.

4. Don’t be afraid of prints. I know they may be a bit scary, but a head to toe print can look great in photos. Just make sure it’s one that is flattering and hits you in the right places! Also, stay clear of logos and designs on shirts, etc. To balance the print, have your fiance wear a solid color.

From Hazelnut Photography

5. Choose clothes that complement your surroundings. Try and wear an outfit that matches your location. For example if you are going to be shooting in a wheat field, then wear a casual sun dress with cowboy boots. But if your shoot is more formal, a cocktail dress or nice pair of slacks and sweater is the way to go.

6. Have an outfit change. It’s a good idea to have one casual outfit and one more formal one. And if you are unsure of what to wear, bring a couple options to your shoot and ask your photographer which one they think will work best.

7. Wear playful accessories. Play up your femininity if the outfit is edgy or choose edgy jewelry to balance super feminine outfits. If your outfit is pretty casual, try sprucing it up with a pretty necklace, high heels or cute flats.

8. Avoid anything too trendy. You want your outfit to be current and contemporary, but not something that’s going to be embarrassing in a couple months!

9. Wear layers. In my research, there were quite a few photographers who said that clothes photograph better when they are layered. So add a cardigan, blazer or jacket to finish your look!

10. Be true to your style. It sounds like a cop out, but really and truly the best photos are the ones where the couple is just being themselves. So above all, wear an outfit you’re comfortable in and that accentuates your style and best features.

 

Say “I Do” To These Things, Too

Everyone knows that weddings cost a fortune (regardless of your efforts to save), but there are certain things in your wedding you absolutely cannot skimp on! Set your budget, assuming you have one, around these three things. They are, arguably, the most important.

1. Photographer and Videographer

Here are just a few reasons why:

• A great photographer can anticipate what will happen next. You’ll never miss great moment in your wedding because your photographer wasn’t prepared.

Reason: They are very experienced and know good and well when something special is going to happen.

• A top-notch photographer can make an ordinary photo into something extraordinary.

Reason: The experience of photographing many brides has shaped their ability to understand what the bride is looking for. They are able to create the perfect photo you had in mind, and more.

• Hiring a friend can be scary! In other words, avoid hiring them!

Reason: Sometimes, the photos don’t turn out as you had imagined and there is some animosity between you and your friend. Who needs the extra stress? You just got married and had an amazing honeymoon and then come home to the real world and find out that your friend didn’t produce the photos you dreamed of. No one wants the confrontation or the elephant in the room when you go hang out with your girlfriends.

• Once it’s over, it’s over! You want to capture these moments forever!

Reason: You only have the photos and videos to relive the moment. With good photography and video work, you can look forward to sharing this moment with your friends and family who couldn’t make your ceremony, or even your children when they start asking questions about your wedding. It goes without saying that photos are fantastic keepsakes, but video will give you an immersive experience. Videographers can capture the true feeling of love in the air. Remember, a picture (or a video) is worth a thousand words!

2. Gifts

I know this isn’t one many people think about – that’s why I included it! When I say “gifts,” I am talking about gifts you might give to one another’s parents, as well as gifts you might offer the bridal party and groom’s party. Traditionally, in most American weddings that is, the bride’s parents will be paying for your special day. Don’t you think you should that deserves a gesture of gratitude?
• In 2011, the average cost of a wedding was $27,000 (excluding the honeymoon). Thanks mom and dad!

Reason: On top of paying a small fortune for the wedding, it’s tradition that parents give the bride and groom a gift. If you ask me, the wedding is a present in itself! With that in mind, it’s important to share how much you appreciate your parent’s hard work, financial support, and their willingness to take the time to give you the wedding you have always dreamed of.
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen give up time out of their busy lives to make your day special by attending all of your showers and parties, as well as the wedding itself. And a lot of the time they pay for their own dresses, tuxes/suits, shoes, and lodging. Thanks ladies and gents!

Reason: Of course they wouldn’t miss it for the world, but I’m sure they would be grateful if you showed your appreciation with a little somethin’ somethin’! Acknowledge that you’re aware of their support and that you recognize the sacrifices they may have made in order to make your day something special.

Courtesy: Photos By J.Kay

3. Your Unique Style

I’ve always heard the saying, “the marriage is for the couple and the wedding is for the parents.” Well, lucky for you, that’s not the case anymore.

• The wedding is not about pleasing your family or your guests! It’s about you!

Reason: Of course you want everyone to love it just as much as you and your bride/groom-to-be, but don’t forget this is a celebration for you! I know, I can’t say the word “you” enough. Now keep in mind, I’m not talking about becoming the infamous and dreadful bride-zilla. But, I encourage you to stay true to your style, whether it’s out of the ordinary or completely by the book! There are many ways to incorporate your style in your wedding.

 

Oh, one last thing: Problem with the folks? No problem.
• If you want to keep it simple but your mom wants an extravagant celebration and throws in the phrase, “it’s my money, shouldn’t I get a say?”

Try this: Split the cost of the wedding 3 ways. This is a new idea that consists of the bride and groom, bride’s family, and grooms family splitting the cost of the wedding three ways. Many couples have started using this strategy because they feel like it’s fairer to everyone. Plus, mom and pop don’t get to chime in quite as much. After all, it isn’t all your folk’s money anymore, is it?

With these things in mind your dream wedding isn’t out of reach. I promise you won’t regret saying “I do” to these things, too.

Reference: Two Birds, One Stone

Day After Wedding Day Shoot

Ever considered a Morning after/ Day after wedding shoot?

A morning/day after wedding shoot is a great way to capture your first day together of being married. More and more couples are choosing to have these as it gives them the chance to take more relaxed and low key shots. It also allows them to get images in different locations and/ or styles without worrying about the time schedule of their wedding day. Some people really like the idea, but believe that the shoot will delay their honeymoon, however planning one for when you and your partner get back is always a possibility.

When you start to think of the different elements, there are so many options to choose from when planning a day after wedding shoot. Maybe you didn’t have an engagement shoot and so would like to plan one for your first year anniversary together, just like this one featured on green wedding shoes.

Perhaps you’re planning a destination wedding, in which case you could get your photographer to shoot you and your partner touring and exploring a specific area of your destination. Many wedding destinations have beautiful scenery and historic sites and these can be used as backdrops – Take inspiration from this couple.

There are no wrong or right ways to do a morning/day after shoot, so whatever suits you and your partner’s personalities is what you should go for. After all you want to feel comfortable.

Couple snuggled up in bed (morning after wedding) still in wedding attire

Love this shot! Perfect for a hot destination wedding

The images can be as relaxed and playful as you want

You don’t have to wear your wedding attire….This shot captures the joy of ‘just married’

If you and your partner were thinking of planning a morning/day after wedding shoot, I hope I’ve given you a few ideas to get you started. Like I said, there are no wrong or right ways to do this….be creative and most of all do what you want as you’ll enjoy it and it will most certainly show in the pictures!

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 — Reposted from: Coordinated For You

First Looks For The Bride & Groom

This post’s title says, first looks are awesome! There’s just nothing else to it! First looks are something that have become more common in recent years. My husband and I decided on a first look and some of my most favorite photos come from our first look.

So here are some situations that could possibly happen on your wedding day that could possibly conflict with photo time if you don’t have a first look…

– Things can and most likely will not stay on schedule.  You’ll likely go over the estimated amount of time, especially things like a catholic mass.

– If you’re traveling from Point A (ceremony) to Point B (reception), there could possibly be traffic! Or just really stupid people who don’t know how to drive.

– You could get held up by a mob of wedding guests who are SO excited that you just got married!

– Family photos could take SO much longer than you anticipated because Uncle Bill decided to go smoke after the ceremony and he can’t be found.

And last but most importantly…

– The sun goes down. And therefore goes away. See ya sunlight!

And now for some fabulous reasons why first looks are awesome…

– You absolutely WILL GET that image of him seeing you for the first time. And it will be beautiful. And it will just be the two of you.

– You’ll be able to have some alone time together. Chances are that you haven’t seen each other since the night before at your rehearsal- you’re bound to be bursting at the seams because you have something to tell your best friend, right?! Oh, and there’s the fact that you’re going to be SUPER excited that you’re about to get married!

– You can cry, he can cry- each of you can show every bit of emotion that you’re actually feeling because it’s just the two of you (and your photographer).

– You won’t have to worry about rushing to take photos right after the ceremony.

– If the weather decides to act up after your ceremony (rain, snow, sleet, wind, etc), you’re not completely screwed.

– You won’t have to worry about whether or not your photographer got enough awesome photos of you and your non-photogenic now-husband .

– You’ll have more time to enjoy your wedding day. Hey, you might even be able to go to cocktail hour!

– Your photographer will for sure have time to capture photos of the reception decor before guests go in!

Oh and the most important one…

– The photos will be AMAZING!

Now I know what you’re thinking. You want to stick with the traditional route. You want to have the experience of walking down the aisle and seeing your fiancé’s face light up. BUT you’ll still have that experience. You’re not changing the fact that you’re still walking down the aisle, or that his face will still light up. You would just be eliminating the chance for stressing about photos.  When I was walking down the aisle, I was so concerned about not tripping and not crying that I could hardly even look up at my husband! Plus some guests may try and talk to you as you walk down, like telling you how beautiful you are!

I’m not saying you HAVE to do a first look. I’m just saying that it will make your day so much better- from a photo perspective and from a logistics perspective! So give it some thought. It’s a great opportunity, too, when you have 2 photographers, that way they are able to catch each person’s emotion.

For those of you have had gotten married already, please comment and share what you did! If you’re still trying to decide, we can help you- tell us why you’re on the fence.

Source: Kim DeLoach Photography

Source: B. Mullinax Photography

Having Bridal Portraits Done

Planning and coordinating a bridal portrait session is a favorite event most Southern Bride’s look forward to when buying their dress, selecting a bridal bouquet of beautiful fresh flowers, glittering jewelry, perfect make up and hair style and a photographer to capture it all. The completed professional framed portrait is usually set up on an easel at the wedding reception for friends and family to enjoy.

What purpose does a bridal portrait serve?

There are many benefits to planning and preparing for a bridal portrait session. It allows the bride to see her wedding ensemble all together and be able to change or tweak elements that may need attention so that her wedding day will flow effortlessly.

Traditionally, they were used as wedding announcements in the local newspapers (announcing the newly married couple), but engagement photos and/or a photo of the bride and groom are more common photography sessions today. Bridal sessions give brides an opportunity to have a formal portrait of themselves in their wedding gown, without the rush and hustle of a wedding day.

What are some ways a bride can prepare for her bridal portrait?

A bride must contact and coordinate with many professionals for this portrait date. The photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist, florist and venue manager must all be contacted and a date agreed upon that will work well for everyone’s schedule.

When should a bride have her bridal portrait taken in regards to her wedding timeline?

Several factors can determine when bridal sessions are scheduled. If you’ve ordered your dress, you need to make sure you allow plenty of time for it to come in and alterations to be made. If you’re planning on having a photo on display at the wedding reception, you need to communicate with your photographer and make sure you have plenty of time to choose and order a print or canvas and have it framed prior to the wedding. I highly recommend scheduling your session 1 to 2 months before their wedding.

 

Photos By JKay

Where should a bride have her bridal portraits taken?

I believe in taking your portraits somewhere that might be significant to you, like your college campus, the park you grew up playing at, maybe at the church your parents got married. I think it’s best to take your portraits somewhere other than your wedding venue. You’ll have some many photos from that place on your wedding day.

*If you are arranging for your bridal portraits to be taken at an inside venue (could be a good idea if it is going to be either roasting or freezing outside), keep in mind that the more natural light, the better.

*If you plan to have your bridal portraits taken at an outside location, remember that the weather is fickle and the light changes from season to season.

*If the location you have chosen has strong sentimental value to you, make sure you explain this to your photographer.

What about the wedding dress? How is it kept clean and new when the bridal portrait is being taken?

Of course, you’ll want to keep them as clean as possible, but it doesn’t always require that the dress never touch the ground. I’ve seen brides bring sheets to keep underneath their dress, and if you’re going out in the middle of a field on a farm, this might be helpful, but if you’re staying indoors, it’s unnecessary and can slow your session down. Sometimes, dresses do get a little dirty, but typically it’s only the underneath edges, which will never really show up in pictures or on the wedding day, and it can always be cleaned prior to your wedding. The best thing to do to keep your dress clean is to pick it up when you walk, and be sure your hands are clean.

Courtesy: Alyona Photography

Liz Roberts Photography

Dave Gilbert Photography

Pro Insight: Brooke Christl Photography

Since entering in to the world of wedding planning, I have been accepted by so many wonderful people who know what it’s like to start from scratch.  Luckily, I knew many of these people as I was planning my own wedding and they offered me lots of advice on the way so I figured that advice would be great to share. Let’s start with Brooke Christl of Brooke Christl Photography!

I met Brooke back in 2010 when I was in my friend’s wedding in Conway. Krystle & Joe had hired Brooke as their photographer and I loved her! I loved her personality, her attitude, her vibe and most of all, her kindness! Brooke recently got married as well and knows what it’s like to be on both sides of planning now.

Brooke Christl

How long have you been in the industry? I’ve business for 5 years here in Myrtle Beach

What made you get into the photography industry? I graduated Photography school from Brooks Institute of Photography in 2003 and moved to NYC to work in the fashion Industry.  After spending 3 years working in the city, I relocated to South Carolina and started my business here a year later.

What is your favorite thing about working with brides? I love being able to show pictures to clients that they saw in a different way at the time.  With different lighting and posing, you can make an ordinary thing look extraordinary.  I also love the interaction of couples and they direct how the shoot will go.

What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to weddings? My pet peeve would be not having enough time to capture the wedding day.  It is very important for a bride to be organized and have a good timeline and stick to it.  This is where having a planner becomes very essential…  To keep everyone on schedule 🙂

What is your favorite thing about weddings? I love almost everything about weddings!!!  But….I love being able to work as a team with other wedding vendor making sure the couple has the absolute perfect day!!!

What is your favorite wedding detail you’ve ever seen or created? 

One of my favorite details was a rock ceremony.  It was actually the couples 10 year vow renewal to the day.  because of the military they never had their big wedding until 10 years later.  They went to Aruba for their honeymoon and it’s tradition there to stack rocks (each rock representing a wish) and when the waves knock the rocks down the wishes are suppose to come true.  They brought some of these rocks back to incorporate into their vow renewal 🙂

Courtesy: Brooke Christl

Biggest piece of advice to brides: Plan ahead so you can enjoy the day.  It all goes by so fast and you want everything to run as smooth as possible.

To find out more about Brooke & Brooke Christl Photography:

Brooke Christl Photography
email: brooke@brookechristl.com| phone: (843) 685-9775
website: http://www.brookechristl.com
Facebook: “Like” Brooke Christl Photography

Getting A Good Deal

Everyone knows weddings can expensive. We all know that. So it’s always nice to find a great deal or multiple great deals.

There are so many social deal websites out there that offer so many deals to brides and many girls planning their wedding just don’t know about them. It’s especially hard to find out about all the deals that are available because sites like “Groupon” or “Living Social” make you sign up based on your city.  There’s a website out there that combines deals within your city from ALL the social deal sites as well as lets you know about the national deals. Even better, they have a whole section dedicated to weddings.

The website is Dealery.com.

On the site, you don’t have to worry about signing up by city if you’re not interested in that. Instead, you can click on the “Weddings” tab and sign up for all wedding deals! It includes deals for engagement, honeymoon, bachelorette parties, invitations, accessories, DIY, etc etc.

Dealery Weddings brings together wedding deals from all over the web, theknot, bachelorette.com, Groupon’s wedding section and much more.

If your just engaged, you’re probably obsessed with buying wedding magazines. On Dealery, you can get special deals on magazine subscriptions to “Brides” & “Martha Stewart Weddings” among other popular magazines.

When it comes to wedding planning, some of the deals highlighted today include 25% off custom wedding invitations, save on your centerpieces and photography packages… you can even buy your dress on Dealery.  (I’m not sure about my thoughts on that or the details in to ordering, but it’s available!)

The deal site also gives you some great ideas on bridal party gifts as well as wedding favors.

I highly recommend the sight and think you can get some great deals, which in the long run will you save you some cash. And we all like to save cash so we can shop more!