Favorite Wedding Movies

Whether you are spending an evening with your bridesmaids or a date night with your fiance, these movies will help you to keep the fun in wedding planning.  Which wedding movie is your favorite?  Please comment below.

Mamma Mia!

Your family drama will seem normal compared to this bride and her three possible fathers.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

This one will have you appreciating your family and how they shaped you into who you are now.

Father of the Bride

The 1991 remake of the classic is about a father letting go of his little girl.  For once, it’s fun to see Dad portrayed as the neurotic stressed out parent balanced by the level headed Mom.  And who doesn’t love the flamboyant wedding planner, Franck.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Best friends Michael and Julianne make a college pact to marry each other if neither is married by their 28th birthday.  When Michael announces his engagement to someone just before their birthdays, Julianne tries to break if off.  Great laughs and who can forget the karaoke scene and resurgence of “I Say A Little Prayer”?

The Wedding Singer

80′s flashback, cameo by Billy Idol and Adam Singer performing “Grow Old With You”.  What more can you ask for in a fun wedding flick?!

Wedding Crashers

No one wants a real life wedding crasher, but if they brought this kind of party, it might not be so bad.

Princess Bride

Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…as you wish

BridesmaidsWedding planning got you stressed?  Take a break with your girls for some comedy from the ladies perspective.

Runaway Bride.

If the thought of running away has crossed your mind, this movies love story will remind you to stay.

27 Dresses

You’ve been a bridesmaid how many times?!

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What is your favorite wedding movie?

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2013 Wedding Trends

A new year means big changes for weddings.  Here are some of the top 2013 wedding trends.

Lace is EVERYWHERE.

Lace adds a certain elegance and femininity to everything it touches and is a top trend for 2013 weddings.  The modern twist to this traditional material is that it’s not just for dresses anymore.  Lace designs will appear on wedding invitations,cakes, bouquets and more.  Whether in classic tones or dyed to match the wedding colors, lace will be big this season for rustic, vintage, formal and casual weddings.

Pockets on wedding dresses

For years brides have asked for a wedding dress with pockets and finally designers have listened.  These small pockets are perfect for lip gloss or your cell phone, for when you make it Facebook official.

DIY grows up.

While DIY elements will still be big for 2013 weddings, they get a decidedly more mature design.  Brides will still go to Pinterest for inspiration, but more brides are looking to professionals to help them create the look they want, freeing up their time.

(Thinking about which projects to DIY?  Click here.)

Old Hollywood returns

Movies like Anna Karenina and The Great Gatsby set the stage for the return of Old Hollywood glam and art deco elements.  Dropped waistlines, vintage jewelry, classic lace and shades of ivory and candlelight will be in fashion for 2013 weddings.  As will pearl and gold jewelry.  Art deco patterns featuring chevrons and black with gold accents top tablescapes for 2013 wedding receptions.

A Formal Affair

2013 weddings move to more formal events.  The glamour of the event is enhanced by crystal decorations, full length gowns and gold touches such as silverware and chargers.  Chandeliers and candelabras are popular for wedding reception decor.   Black and white patterns with pops of the 2013 color of the year, emerald, will be popular.

Plated dinners

As a nod to the increased formality of 2013 weddings, more dinners will be served plated.  While dinners may be smaller to save money (one entree rather than two) dinner is being served on more sophisticated plateware.

Fun with food

2013 wedding receptions will feature food presentations that make your wedding reception an experience for guests.  Creative food stations, snacks like s’mores and popcorn stations and food trucks add to the fun of your wedding reception.

Peonies

The flower for 2013 may be the peony.  Lush colors of oversized blooms tied with lace are sure to make their way down the aisle this year.  Bouquets will be compromised of one color, but still have lots of texture due to the use of berries, ribbons and other embellishments.  Peonies have a short bloom season; use garden roses as an alternative.

Love birds

Birds were popular in 2012 but are even more so for 2013 weddings.  Birds will be used on invitations, cake toppers, invitations, and bird cage card holders.  This year they also are showing up in jewelry and feather inspired decor.

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Announcing Your Engagement

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for engagements.  So, how do you share the big news without your announcement getting lost in the shuffle?  Try some of these ideas:

Post It!  Sure you can change your relationship status to “engaged”, but how about posting a video?  You can be serious and share the big news in a straightforward video, or you can “punk” your friends by giving the video a fun title like “At least it wasn’t a Christmas sweater”.

Say It In a Song.  Are you karaoke fans?  While out with friends, sing songs like “Going to the Chapel”, “White Wedding”,  and “Put a Ring On It”.  Wonder how long it will take your friends to catch on?

Kids Say the Darndest Things.  If you have a family gathering coming up, tell the youngest member of the group.  Not only will they feel special, but they’ll probably blurt out the big news in the cutest way!

Claim Your New Name Early.  If you’ll be changing your name, have a shirt printed that reads “Future Mrs. (your new name)”.  Next time your with friends, proudly wear your new shirt.  You can even change your profile image to show off your new shirt and declare your engagement.

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Tips For Pre-Ceremony Photos

Choosing the location for your pre-ceremony photos probably doesn’t appear on many wedding planning task lists, but it can make the difference for these important photos. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your pre-ceremony photos.

1. Location is important.

You’ll love your pictures when they are taken in a room that is orderly, not cluttered, and has some natural light options.  The light pouring in from a window is much more flattering that overhead fluorescents that can create shadows and tint skin with a yellow tone.  Ideally, you and your fiance will get ready in locations near each other, making better use of the time you have for your photographer.  Simply put, less travel time equates to more pictures.  The similar backgrounds and architecture help to create a cohesive feel in yourwedding album too.

2. Schedule the photographer for the right time.

When you are creating a photography plan with your photographer, discuss the type of images you would like captured.  It is recommended that your photographer arrive after your hair and makeup are completed (or nearly), but before you begin dressing.  It is important to note that most delays occur during the hair and makeup preparation, so you’ll want to plan accordingly and build some time into your wedding day timeline.  While your finishing touches are being applied, your photographer can capture your wedding day details like the dress, shoes, jewelry, and other items.

3. Have items to be photographed available.

Your wedding day is a flurry of activity, so planning in advance for the items you want photographed is essential.  It’s common to capture photos of thebride’s bouquet, jewelry, shoes, dress, handkerchiefs, invitation, something old, new, borrowed and blue  and other personal items.  The groom’s cufflinks, pocket watch, boutonniere and attire is also commonly photographed.  Any items you will give to your parents or bridal party attendant gifts are also photographed during this time.  It’s easier for you and the photographer if your getting-ready items are available and not tucked away in bags or left at another location.

4. Let the subjects know they are needed. 

When you have decided what images are to be captured during this time, let the subjects know.  It is common to get pictures of the you and your attendants, each of you with your parents and other important family members (such as siblings) during your pre-ceremony time.  It’s not uncommon for family members to begin visiting guests or attending to other issues.  Letting them know in advance that they will be needed for a few photos, keeps everyone on the same page.

5. First Look.

More couples are choosing to meet in private before the ceremony, allowing for some beautiful and intimatephotography and videography to be captured. It can be a private event for the couple or shared with close friends and family. This time is a low pressure, yet highly emotional, way to spend a few special moments as a couple before walking down the aisle. If your wedding day timeline is tight a first look session can allow you to create amazing images, without sacrificing time with your guests. Most often, the groom is positioned so that his back is to his bride.  Your photographer and videographer can then capture your approach to the groom and the moment when he gets the first look.  Another twist is to have the bride positioned on one side of a door way and open the doors for the reveal.  Some couples opt to keep the first look at the ceremony location by positioning the groom at the end of the aisle with his back to the bride as she approaches.  If you wish to involve close family or friends, they can be seated in the pews for this approach.

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