6 Wedding Day Moments to Plan for in Your Timeline

I heard it said a thousand times, and yet, I was surprised at just how quickly our wedding day flew by. From the moment I woke up, I felt like there was so much to do, so many people to talk to, so many photos we wanted…. Before I knew it, we were heading to our honeymoon cabin and it was all over. 

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way- I’ve heard so many past clients say something similar, like Kristin: “Thank goodness I hired you and Justin! So much happened so quickly that I don’t think I’d remember hardly anything without the beautiful photos!” 

With all that said, I can’t preach enough how important it is to PLAN time for all the people and moments you want on your wedding day! If it’s not on the schedule, unfortunately, it’s probably not going to happen. That’s why I’m sharing 6 of my favorite special moments that you should consider incorporating into your wedding day timeline- 

1) Saying your own vows

Your wedding day is THE day to say it all. There’s no opportunity more romantic to say everything you feel for your partner: how they better you, the things you love about them, your hopes for the future. If you feel nervous about saying your own vows in front of your guests, create a few minutes you can read them to each other privately. If you decide not to say your own vows or your church doesn’t allow it, we’d highly encourage you to, at minimum, take the time to write it in a letter you can exchange on the wedding day. This is a once in a lifetime moment, and planning it into your day is something you’ll truly never regret.

2)   A first look (with someone!)

If you’ve read our blog 5 reasons to consider a first look, then you know how special that time was to Justin and I (Truly one of my favorite moments of my entire life). That said, everyone should choose what feels right in their gut when it comes to seeing each other pre-ceremony or not! If you don’t decide to do a first look with your future spouse, we also love the sweet moments that unfold when a bride plans a first look with her dad, or a first look with her bridesmaids after she’s in her wedding gown. Any and all first looks are precious in our book!

3)    A final private dance

I’ll say it again- the wedding day is truly a whirlwind and flies by. Before you know it, your guests are lining up outside, sparklers in hand, to send you on your way to newlywed bliss! Why not plan a private last dance, just the two of you, before you run to that getaway car? Such a sentimental dance to truly take a last moment and soak it all in.

4)   Time to see your guests at cocktail hour

One huge benefit our first look couples really love is the opportunity to mingle with guests at cocktail hour! Everyone is truly SO thrilled to see the bride and groom, and I love photographing those candid hugs and pure excitement as guests get to congratulate the newlywed couple. Even if you decide not to do a first look, I’d highly encourage a 90 minute cocktail hour so you can catch the last 15 minutes and enjoy some casual time with your nearest and dearest.

5)   Quality time with the people who mean the most to you

From your parents, to your maid of honor, to your future in-laws, there are usually SO many people to thank for helping the wedding weekend come together. I love when brides and grooms plan time into the day to give hugs, gifts, or notes of gratitude to those who have supported them through it all. It’s truly always a beautiful and candid time full of emotion that we love to photograph.

6) A Reception room reveal

After all the time, money, and planning that went into creating a gorgeous reception for your friends and family, its so fun to get the first glance when it all comes together! Definitely plan for 5 minutes in that timeline before the reception doors open to see the space your dreamt up in all it’s glory (and give your wedding planner the hug she deserves!)

If you love candid, emotion-filled wedding photos, you really can’t go wrong by planning some or all of the moments above into your wedding day timeline! Making time for the people and memories that matter most, on the day that matters most, is something you’ll never regret. 

Want more wedding planning advice? Check out these family photo tips! 

XO 

Ashley 

How to Thank Your Parents After Your Wedding

Did your parents play a big part in your wedding? Whether they paid for all or part of the wedding, or just offered unconditional support and advice during the time you were engaged, I find many brides and grooms yearn to get their parents a sincere thank you gift after the wedding day. 

The trouble is, mom and dad are probably at a point in life that if they really want something, they’re going to buy it. “Stuff” just doesn’t mean a lot. Something that DOES mean a lot? The happiness of their kids. (It’s why they give so much when it comes to your wedding planning!). 

After years of watching couples search to find the perfect gift of gratitude, I’m sharing the three I’ve seen to be the most impactful:

1) A parent album

There’s truly no better way to thank mom and dad than a luxury book filled with images of friends and family on such an important day. Parent albums aren’t an inexpensive gift (although a fraction of what they paid if they funded the wedding!), but they’re truly an heirloom quality product that will bring your parents joy for many years to come. I know my mom proudly displays her album on the coffee table and is thrilled to re-live the day again and again, especially when guests come over!

From Molly who ordered parent albums: “Just talked to my mom and dad and they LOVE the album!!  My mom said the cover is beautiful and the pages are so sharp! She said every time she looks at the album makes her feel like she’s right there, again and again.” 

2) A wine subscription

This is honestly one of the better gifts I’ve seen a bride give her parents! Because, let’s be honest, they’re going to need some wine after that year of helping you plan and writing checks ;) I’ve heard great things about the Biltmore Wine Club, but if your parents have a specific place or brand they like, it’s definitely worth exploring a subscription service more tailored to them. 

3) A side by side print

I heard about this gift once from a past groom, and apparently his mom was a puddle when she unwrapped it! He printed a photo directly from the wedding gallery we sent, and put it in a side by side with a photo of his parents from their own wedding day. I thought this was such a cute memento to display on a shelf! There are a lot of two photo frame options to choose from, like this one. 

There you have it- my three best wedding thank you gifts for your parents! If you’re considering the album, be sure to see a few more images of our wedding albums on our Instagram highlight. 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our Valentine’s day gift idea blog!

Ashley 

The 5th Year of Marriage: Our Best 3 Wedding Planning Tips

If you are reading this right now, particularly if you’re engaged- can you imagine your life in 5 years? What you two will look like, where you’ll live, how you’ll feel about each other? 

I certainly couldn’t have dreamed up where Justin and I would be in our 5th year of marriage. I love him so much more than I did on our wedding day (people kept saying that was a thing- it didn’t really make sense to me until now) we WORK together full time(!), we’ve purchased our first home, and it seems like life just keeps getting better. 

As we’ve reflected back on our wedding planning, we wanted to share three pieces of advice. Our hope is that these will change how you think about wedding planning, and get you excited and ready for the adventure of marriage ahead. 

1) Do the first look

I did NOT want to do a first look, y’all! Since I was younger, I always loved that quintessential “aisle moment”, and couldn’t imagine anything else. While planning, Justin told me he was particularly passionate about the first look and asked if I’d reconsider. (Especially when I said I wanted a lot of time with him and to enjoy cocktail hour with our guests) Marriage is about compromise, so I went on with it. Looking back- I can’t imagine how little we would have seen each other that day if we didn’t do that first look! Our first look allowed us to spend the day together starting at 1:30 pm as opposed to 5:00. 3 extra hours of quality time with my husband on our wedding day is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. 

To read more about why I loved my 180 on this choice, see my blog “5 reasons to consider a first look” here. 

2) Plan out a ceremony that is meaningful

Don’t believe the lie that you have to “get through the ceremony” to get to the fun part of the day (the reception). Nothing breaks my heart more than when I hear this sentiment! 

Our wedding ceremony was sacred, and we look back on it still in awe at the sense of emotion that came along with the commitments we made that day. I love that we took the time to incorporate readings, a song our friend sang, communion, a ring warming ceremony, and writing our own vows. We had a friend officiate for us, and meticulously thought about each detail of this special time. It’s worth so much more to us than flowers, food, music, etc. It’s the reason we were all there that day and we wanted it to feel that way! Would highly recommend everyone take the time to create a ceremony that is meaningful. 

3) Hire the amazing photographer (and videographer)

Honestly, I’m not saying this because I’m a photographer. This isn’t a sales pitch. This is just me, a former bride, understanding ONLY post-wedding just how much our wedding photos and video mean to me. Many people assume Justin and I hired a friend, or got a discount on photography because he was a photographer too. NOPE! Justin and I hired our amazing wedding photographer Brett Heidebrecht (@brettheidbrecht) simply because we loved the quality of his work and felt connected to him after talking. In full transparency, he was more expensive than Justin’s wedding collections at the time. We happily paid every penny, and now looking back, my only regret is not paying for MORE time and another photographer on the team to have even more of his amazing images! Truly some of the best money we’ve spent in our life together has been on quality photography- we look at our images all the time and can’t wait to share these heirlooms with our kids someday. 

There you have it: our three best pieces of wedding planning advice as we look back on our day 5 years later. We hope these tips will be useful to you as you’re walking your own wedding planning journey. Congratulations- the best is yet to come!

If you want even more wedding planning advice, check out this blog on organizing your family photos! 

XO

Ashley 

Erin + Jack Oxford Exchange Wedding Day

How did you two meet?

Haha! Online....super romantic, right?! It took us a while to finally admit we liked each other enough to give the relationship a real "go" - Jack refuses to believe that I didn't like him all that much at first. LOL! We tell people we aren't super close to that we met at a bar though...which is *technically* true. The first time we ever saw each other in person was at the rooftop bar at Del Friscos.

Bride: What is the most important thing to you on your wedding day?

I'm really really really looking forward to the first look!! I think for both of us, having our closest friends and family there to share in one big party is what we're looking forward to most! also really love beautiful wedding details, so can't wait to see it all come together.

Groom: What is the most important thing to you on your wedding day?

Everyone celebrating our love and having a great time together.

It was so special witnessing these two families come together as one!

Tell us about the proposal!

Jack once told me while we were vacation in Italy (and I was getting mass amounts of texts from friends asking if he'd proposed yet), "Italy isn't our life...why would I propose here? I'm more likely to propose on a random Tuesday in the kitchen."

So imagine my surprise when he proposed on a random WEDNESDAY in the kitchen! He had gone to get the kids from a play date down the street and they all came back in carrying baby carrots and in unison, they said "how does a carrot ask a question?" Jack is notorious for his dad jokes, but I was so confused. Then my son walked to me with his carrot, which had the ring on it. The kids screamed "we have carrots and he has a question!" :) He then smacked my behind and said "Let's get married!"

We are so happy that we got to be a part of Erin and Jack’s special day, it was truly a wedding we will never forget! To check out more weddings head to our instagram (@justindemutiis) or take a look at some more of our blogs!

Top 10 Wedding Day Hairstyles

The wedding planning question every bride faces: How should I do my hair?!

There endless options available when it comes to wedding hair- from your wedding hair accessories, to your color... and every person you ask seems to have a different opinion. It’s why we’re coming at you today with ten of our all time favorite wedding day hairstyles – and WHY they’re our favorites! Scroll on to get some wedding day hairstyle inspiration.

1. For the bride who wants CLASSIC

When it comes to wedding hairstyles, you can NEVER go wrong with a classic bun. I love that Katie chose this hairstyle for her medium length dirty blonde hair, because having a lot of timeless elements in her wedding was important to her. I don’t think there’s any style more classic than this! She also loved that her wedding gown had an open back, and knew if she left her hair down that detail might be less pronounced. 

2. For the bride who wants to SHOW THE GOWN

Sheena has one of my all time FAVORITE wedding hairstyles for a gal who wants to show off her wedding gown. The beauty of pulling your hair off to the side is that you still show the back of your dress, but you get all the perks of keeping your hair long and curly. This hairstyle works for a dress weather it’s strapless, long sleeved, or strappy. Even if your hair blocks one side of the gown, you see all the intricate details on the other! I also love the way she pinned her long bangs to the side to keep the top of her hair sleek and classic.

3. For the bride who wants to be MODEST

Beautiful Renee knew just what she wanted for her wedding day hairstyle! She worried a little that her wedding gown was a bit too open in the neckline, so having her medium length curls cascade around her shoulders added a little more coverage to her dress. She also knew her wedding hairpiece, a greenery crown, would be better complimented with more visible hair- so it was a win win! 

4. For the bride who wants to showcase SHORT HAIR

With her chic signature bob, Jess knew she didn’t have a ton of options when it came to her wedding day hairstyle. I love that she added a twist and spring of florals by her ear to give the illusion of more fullness while still maintaining her sleek look! I think this was the perfect way to glam up her classic style. 

5. For the bride who wants to HIGHLIGHT THE VEIL

Alison’s wedding hair was the ideal look for her! By choosing to put some fullness at the crown of her head, she was able to really accentuate her hair vine and simple veil. Added bonus- by only putting some loose curls in the front of her style, you also got to admire the strappy back of her wedding gown! 

6. For the bride who wants TEXTURED, NOT MESSY

Chelsea absolutely nailed her wedding day hair. She had a very elegant wedding, so her gown and hair were no different. She wanted a classic bun without feeling slicked back, and that’s exactly what she got! By curling her bangs and the top layers of her hair, she was able to pin them back to create texture that led into her timeless low updo.

7. For the bride who wants a BEACHY UPDO

Shannon knew she wanted a way to show off the lace on her wedding gown while also maintaining a relaxed look that would fit with the beach-and she got it spot on. By layering braids in her hair instead of opting for a simple bun, it truly felt like a beach wedding. I also love that she left a few free flowing curls framing her face- her hair still moved with the breeze and made for the dreamiest sunset photos! 

 8. For the bride who wants to show off her FLOWERCROWN

Tricia knew her wedding day look was ALL about the flower crown, so she planned half up half down hair to accentuate the beautiful roses framing her face. The look of her wedding was very english garden meets boho, and I can’t imagine a more perfect hairstyle for the occasion.

9. For the bride who wants a CHIC UPDO

Tiffany works in fashion, and her entire wedding was very chic! Her hair was no different- she wanted the focus to be on her ruffled Hayley Paige gown made from striped organza- her sleek high bun allowed the full focus to be on her style without the distraction of ton of curls or poof. 

10. For the bride who wants CHIC AND DOWN

Last but not least- gorgeous Natalie. With her all white wedding and sleek crepe Oscar De La Renta gown, Natalie knew she had to keep her hair sleek and simple. Because she didn’t opt for a veil, she added a bit more teased fullness to the back of her hair and kept her bangs smooth and tucked back. This hairstyle was absolutely true to her personality and style! 

There you have it- ten of our all time favorite wedding day hairstyles! I hope you found this helpful and you’re inspired now to select your own wedding day hairstyle! Pro tip- ALWAYS do a hair trial before your wedding day to make sure you really love it on yourself, and not just in a photo. Looking for more top ten wedding inspiration? Why not check our ten favorite wedding day bouquets by clicking here! 

Five Wedding Exit Ideas

We LOVE wedding day exits! What better way to end your night than all your friends and family surrounding you, cheering you on and wishing you well (and possibly throwing things at you- ha!)?! This centuries old tradition is festive, fun, and creates magical photo opportunities.

Read four of our favorite ways for guests to send you off in style below!

1) Confetti

NOTHING says it’s a party quite like confetti! Confetti gives the look of the ages-old rice send off, without the feeling of getting pelted by hard little rocks of grain: we’d call that a win-win!

We suggest looking into eco-friendly confetti so it melts away post-exit and you don’t have to worry about cleaning it up! (Fun fact- we did a confetti exit for our very own wedding!)

2) Sparklers

By far the most popular send off- and we can see why! When you are heading off into newlywed bliss post-sunset, sparklers create a bright and glimmering light source that without a doubt ALWAYS creates fun and magical photos. Pro tip: get the extra long sparklers to ensure the entire line of people stay lit while you’re jogging through!

3) Flower Petals

Ok- so we know running through a line of people holding fire sticks after three cocktails isn’t for everyone. If you have fire-fear or the venue won’t allow sparklers, why not try flower petals? We love this option because you can utilize one of your wedding day colors to keep the theme consistent right up until the very end of the night- and because they’re larger than confetti the cleanup isn’t too difficult for the loved ones you leave behind!

4) Streamers

Whether attached to sticks or popped from guns- you can't go wrong. Even the most strict of wedding venues won’t turn down these colorful wands that can be adorned with ribbon, bells, or sparkle (feeling bold? Go for all three!) These are a great way to tie in your wedding colors and without a doubt make your exit look and feel like a true celebration.

5) Bubbles

Last but certainly not least- bubbles! For a more whimsical send-off, we highly suggest them! They don’t hurt, there’s no clean up, and they are seriously MAGICAL when used at nighttime because our camera flashes bounce off them to create a super bright and fun look! There you have it- five of our favorite wedding day exit ideas! We hope these have inspired you to create your own wedding day exit plan so you can start off your newly-wed bliss with smiles on your faces and confetti in your hair.

 In need of more wedding day inspiration? Check out some of our favorite wedding day bouquet ideas here! 

Why Hire a Professional Wedding DJ?

After photographing hundreds of weddings, we can tell you without a doubt- who you choose as a DJ can make or break your reception!

You want to find someone who doesn’t talk too much or too little, who knows how to mix music and stream songs together seamlessly, and who can get a crowd excited. You want someone professional, fun, and quick on their feet! (And you most definitely want someone who doesn’t start the party off with the chicken dance ;))

Finding a DJ who can check all of these important boxes is easier said than done- so we encourage you to always hire a professional with lots of experience!Eric from Grant Hemond and Associates was the DJ for our very own wedding, and we’ve worked with many of the DJ’s over at Grant Hemond on countless weddings! We can say first hand they have all of the qualities above and are definitely experts in the field, so we asked them to answer some questions below that should help you on your DJ search- keep on scrolling!

Q: Why do you think finding a good wedding DJ is so important?

A:   A good DJ makes the flow of the evening seamless- They serve as the face and voice of the wedding to your guests! They are the Master of Ceremonies, so they need to have a good microphone presence and a confident approach when speaking to a crowd of people. The disc jockey can make or break the event!  A good DJ will provide an atmosphere of fun and dancing through music and coordination skills. They can read the crowd regarding music, and know how to keep the party moving.

Q: What does Grant Hemond offer couples beyond the actual DJ?

A: One of the DJ’s most valuable assets is being a good coordinator between the bride and groom and all of their other vendors (The staff at the venue, the photographer, the videographer, the wedding coordinator, etc.). We keep the party moving without taking away from the bride and the groom – this is THEIR day!  We also offer services beyond emcee and music.  We offer uplighting, GOBO lighting (monogram), and photo booth services!

Q: What is one song you can play to get any party started?

A: Tough one! Some of the guys “go to” songs to get things started are “Uptown Funk” or “24k Magic” by Bruno Mars, “ I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston, “Yeah” by Usher, “Kiss” by Prince, “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire, “Want You Back” by Jackson 5 and “Don’t Stop “Till You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson.

A special thanks to Grant Hemond for taking the time to answer a few questions! We hope this is helpful information when it comes time to select a DJ for your upcoming wedding. If you are still in need of someone to DJ your wedding or event, be sure to check them out here! 

In need of even more wedding inspiration? Check out our top ten wedding day bouquet blog right here to get inspired by all things floral! 

The Ten Best Wedding Day Bouquets

The wedding day bouquet is such an important accessory that every bride must choose, and it can feel daunting! The options are endless, and there are also some questions to keep in mind- Is it winter, spring, summer, or fall? Do you want manicured, or wild? Simple, or extravagant?

We wanted to put together a list of our top ten bouquets of all time to hopefully provide you with some inspiration and get your wheels turning on what to choose- so keep on scrolling! 

 1) Cecelia’s round bouquet had to make the list, because it feels so elegant and timeless! This peony and greenery bouquet could truly fit any season, and the all white flowers are chic and simple. This winter wedding arrangement was the perfect accessory for her long sleeved lace wedding gown.

Florals: The Potting Shed

2) If you are looking for a colorful and springy look- search no further than Kristin’s crescent shaped bridal bouquet! The varying shades of peach, pink, and yellow peonies with roses accented by touches of greenery was eye-catching and smelled divine.

Florals and planning- Ashton Events

3) Jessica’s spring bouquet had to make this list because it’s one of our favorite hand tied yet classic arrangements. She kept it traditional with white roses and ranunculus nestled among springs of bright greenery to achieve this soft and feminine feel.

Planning: Tracie Domino  Florals: MMD events

4) Emma’s posy style tropical bouquet will forever be a favorite! This colorful and vibrant mix of coral, orchids, and pink and purple roses achieved the perfect accessory for her summertime beach wedding. This multicolored beauty was truly spectacular!

Florals: Boca by Design

5) Anna Lee chose a timeless and traditional tear drop style bouquet with tones of white, ivory and blush peonies and roses. This bouquet was simple, well made, and so lovely. You could truly carry this bouquet in any season!

Planning and Florals: Rachelle Youd

6) Caroline’s natural bouquet was a perfectly wild mix of roses, greenery, and deep purple accents that gave a stylish pop among her classic wedding details. It achieved that perfect hand-picked look without feeling too rustic!

Planning: Tracie Domino Florals: MMD

7) Skye’s crescent shaped bright bouquet was an eye-catching mix of bright pinks and reds accented with tropical greenery. These roses would be the perfect blend to carry for a spring or summer wedding!

Planning: Theresa Nicole Events Florals: Botanica

8) Maggie’s cascading white orchid bouquet was simply breathtaking. These hand-arranged blooms were the perfect compliment to her simple strapless wedding gown, and nodded to the tropical vibe of her outdoor wedding. This bouquet was truly a statement piece!

Florals: Botanica

9) Katie chose a round yet whimsical arrangement for her spring wedding! This seasonal mix of coral, pink, and white ranunculus and roses with touches of vine-y greenery felt like it was elegantly arranged straight from a garden.

Planning: Tres Chic Southern Weddings Florals: Greenery Productions

10) Tristan’s Hand Tied fall wedding day bouquet was bold and creative. Tons of lush greenery mixed with deep burgundy, white, and pink roses looked magnificent with her classic wedding gown. This unforgettable bouquet will always be a favorite!

Planning: NK Productions Florals: Victoria blooms

We hope you’ve felt inspired by these beautiful blooms and are ready to take on your own wedding day bouquet!If you’d like to see more florals from Maggie’s (Number 8!) outdoor wedding, check out her full wedding day feature here.

Katie + Bill