Fur Babies And Weddings
Tips on how to keep them safe and comfortable on your special day.
Photography by uriel-photography
We love our fur babies and they are a big part of our families. It’s becoming very popular to involve them in our weddings. And why not? They make everyone smile and look really great in a flower collar. Some couples decide to even use their pet as a ring bearer! It’s a great idea to involve your pet in your wedding. But weddings can be dangerous for pets. Taking a few simple steps can make sure that your pet is happy and healthy at the end of your wedding.
Photography by laylle digital media
Designate a handler
You’re going to have your hands full on your wedding day. It’s a good idea to choose someone to be responsible for your pet during the wedding. Make sure you choose a person that doesn’t have other wedding responsibilities so they can keep a close eye on your pet. I highly recommend hiring a handler. Not only are they professionals but you don’t want your guests baby sitting your fur baby do you? Too often I see family members forget about the animals and well that’s when the chaos starts. In general, you want to be sure that your pet doesn’t cause damage to the venue (so you can get that deposit back) or that your pet doesn’t get injured. Make sure to talk to your venue so you have a place where your pet can stay for most of the wedding. If you need help finding a professional handlers ask you're planner or even us!
Photography by care weddings
Be careful of toxins
For your pet to be comfortable, they need food and plenty of water. But you’ll also need to keep them away from things that might make them sick. That includes some wedding flowers! Lilies, anthuriums, holly, poinsettias, and tulips are all very poisonous to pets. It’s also common to treat wedding florals with hydration chemicals that are also toxic. Make sure your handler keeps your pet away from any and all wedding flowers (except for a floral collar designed for your pet – I always use safe flowers).
Photography by uriel-photography
Have an emergency kit
If the worst should happen and your pet gets injured at the wedding, will you be prepared? Give the handler the name, location, and number to your vet and a nearby emergency clinic. Pack a kit with a crate, pop-up water bowl, blanket, basic first aid kit, Benadryl, paw protectors, and a photo in case of separation. And include something from home to help make your pet feel safe and secure, like a favorite toy
Take photos!
It’s special to have your pet at your wedding! Make sure to capture the moment. Many couples choose to do a first look with their pets as well as their partners. It makes for a great photo holiday card later! You’ll always want to remember how your whole family was part of your special day.
We love our fur babies !! I know I love mine very much and want them to be comfortable and safe from harm. Im sure you do too! I hope this blog helped you with things you may not have thought about. I highly recommend hiring a professional so you don’t have to worry. Make sure to take lots of photos and talk to your designer about floral accents for your pets. like yours truly, I love making floral colors for pets . Talk to me about how I can make your pet look beautiful on your wedding day!
All About Bride Bouquets
Bride bouquets have been part of weddings since the beginning. Your bridal bouquet is the statement piece of the wedding. Bridal bouquets to florists and floral designers are the most important floral arrangement of the entire wedding. This one arrangement is featured in most of the wedding photos and is probably the only arrangement that is kept forever. Where does this tradition stem from? How many different style and trends exist ? Let’s talk flowers and bouquets !
History and meaning
Bride bouquets date back to Roman times. They were used for weddings as symbols of new beginnings, fidelity, and fertility. In the middle ages they used more herbs in their bridal bouquets. Especially herbs like Dill and garlic, Which were believed to keep evil spirits and bad Luck away. In Victorian times bridal bouquets were often used for a message, almost like secret code. Each flower sent a different message. For example:
Dasie: loyal love, gentleness, innocence.
Peonie : Happy marriage,prosperity, and bashfulness.
Sunflower: false richest
STYLES
Bride bouquets come in many shapes, designs, sizes and color schemes. They are tailored to each brides particular wedding style. Some brides like their bouquets small and delicate and other like their bouquets to be a statement piece. Bouquets can be really round, some very loose and some cascade flowers which give it a waterfall effect. Most of my brides Choose very loose bouquets. I have discovered that most brides want their bouquets to be “just right” for their particular body but yet still be a statement piece . The perfect marriage 😉.Make sure to tell your florist or floral designer how tall you are, send a full body photo or even a photo of you in your dress.
Trends
Bouquets have definitely become more trendy. In the 90’s cascading bouquets were the it thing. However I think this generation bride go for loose bouquets and have their bridesmaids boquets be smaller less elaborate versions of their bouquets. Flowers like the protea make for a statement flower brides love. For a more romantic bride peonies are a must! Dried flowers and dried grasses like pampas mixed with greenery is all the rage. Even though light colors like blush and creams will never go out of style, brides are steering more towards a “moody” look and feel. Often brides combine both which make for the perfect marriage of trendy and traditional.
Bridal bouquets are the cherry on top of the perfect bride. There are so many different styles colors and options how do you choose?! Maybe you can incorporate flowers that have meaning to you and your partner almost like the Victorians did. Try going with a bouquet that is proportionate to your body ( ask your florist ). Get to know your style as a bride, remember you are getting to know this part of you and your choices may surprise you. Make sure you have your designer make a bouquet you don’t want to toss. This is the arrangement you will hold as you walk down the isle to your fairytale and will remember always.
Trends, Traditions, and Themes: How to have a themed wedding (that’s not too cheesy)
We all see those cool themed weddings shared on Pinterest and think “wow how did they pull that off?” Well here's how. It's easy to take a theme and make it cheesy by adding so many elements it almost looks like a child's birthday party. In this photo shoot we were inspired by The Nightmare before Christmas. We took the theme and added trends and a splash of tradition to make a happy marriage and a stunning wedding concept.
Be trendy!
If you’re going after a theme, you’ll want it to look cool and current. We definitely had that at the top of our mind when we planned this photoshoot. Using a moody color palette is popular right now, so we decided to use those colors rather than using the bright purple and orange colors that are more closely associated with Halloween. Pampas grass is also very trendy and it signifies Autumn, and it matches the season of the photoshoot. No matter what, you want your guests to feel like they’re walking into a fresh experience that’s whimsical and fun.
Don’t be afraid of the old
Tradition might seem like it’s sooo yesterday, but it’s also a shortcut to instantly creating moods that are familiar to just about anyone. By using elements like a black lace gown, a black cast iron urn, a black iron gate, a crimson wax seal on the menus, and a low bun as a hairstyle we were able to immediately evoke a Gothic Victorian feel in this photoshoot. These are all symbols from hundreds of years ago that are still relevant today. These symbols ground the visual experience in something that is familiar and gives it a foundation.
But don’t be too obvious
It would have been too easy to just use the characters from Nightmare Before Christmas or use a lot of Halloween decorations and call it a day. So instead of using spiderwebs or fake gravestones, we referenced the feel of the movie by using colors and subtle hints, like the Nightmare Before Christmas cake topper, or using white pumpkins which are more understated than the orange ones. Less is more here – you only need one or two elements from the actual theme to drive the point home.
So if you’re going after a theme, don’t be spooked. There’s a classy and elegant way to showcase your passion. Just remember that when it comes to a themed event, less is actually more – just let your guests take the subtle journey into your theme with you, giving them an experience they’ll long remember.
LGBTQ+ And Getting Married in 2019
The wedding industry is evolving and becoming more diverse and inclusive. Ever since gay marriage became legal in all 50 states four years ago the LGBTQ+ community no longer is invisible. Over time, it became more common to see non-straight narratives in advertisements and more industries have shown their support, but unfortunately we still have a long way to go. This dawned on me one day as I experienced what it is like to feel uncomfortable while looking for a wedding vendor. Still, there’s a lot of positive things that have happened over the years so here’s a little of my experience. I also included advice for those of you who are in the industry on how to become a better LGBTQ+ Ally.
Photography by Juan Saco Mironoff
Mr. & Mrs.
One thing I always thought was tacky were the Mr. and Mrs. signs – at least until I walked into a store and saw Mr. and Mr. gift bags. I had never seen them casually displayed anywhere before. It’s nice to see how inclusive the market has become. Now, you see cards for same-sex couples, cake toppers, all types of merchandise that never existed before. But as great as it is to see more inclusive items, sometimes they can still make people uncomfortable. A venue I visited had a Mr. & Mrs. sign hammered to their wall. As a same-sex couple (speaking for Jeremy and myself) it’s not a problem to see something like this, but when it’s permanently attached to the wall it shows my partner and I that you never thought to cater to same sex couples. So if you yourself own a business, keep in mind if you have novelty bridal items such as Mr. & Mrs. and no same-sex selection it looks as though you are not an ally or comfortable working with same-sex couples. Just something to keep in mind – a little effort goes a long way.
Say yes to the dress
One scary experience for same-sex couples is showing up to a vendor meeting with your partner and having the vendor look at you in shock. I had an experience like this that I want to forget, but it happened to Jeremy and me. I made the mistake of not mentioning my fiancé was a man. Luckily, we have mostly had vendors greet us with open arms, and so have other same-sex couples we know. Jeremy’s cousin was afraid of poor treatment when calling to reserve slots for her and her fiancé Nicole’s wedding dress fitting. She wanted to mention that they were a same-sex couple on the phone to one bridal shop but before she could say it, the associate asked if they were and made them feel totally comfortable. This made them feel good, because there is always a fear someone might make you feel unwanted. No one wants to made feel different or ashamed for who they love.
Photography by Manolo Doreste
Gay wedding
Some people get so excited when they hear about gay weddings. Their curiosity gets the better of them. They ask things like: Who is the bride? The groom? Is it the same as a heterosexual wedding? The answer is none of that matters. All weddings are the same, it’s two people are taking a vow to be together forever. It’s not a gay wedding – it’s a wedding. Most traditions are the same but same sex couples tend to be a little less traditional. In the LGBTQ+ community we try and be inclusive with everyone. We try not to label everything and everyone in masculine/feminine terms. So let’s shy away from assuming it’s always bride/groom. Instead ask: Are you the bride? And your what’s your fiancé’s name? Do this instead of handing over a form to fill out with the words bride and groom printed on it.
Photography by laylledigitalmedia
The key to being an ally is simply showing a bit of support. Treat the LGBTQ+ community with the same respect as one would for any other couple. We are all human and I am a firm believer that we are here to love. Let’s break away from our old school thoughts of only man/ woman weddings. Not everyone is the same, and together we can make the world more inclusive and an overall better place.
How to deal with loss before your Wedding
Most of us have dealt with the loss of a loved one. No matter if we are prepared for it or not, it can be very heartbreaking. What does one do when you are planning a wedding and a family member passes away? It’s a nightmare turned reality for some unlucky people - one that I’ve seen happen a few times.
Ways to cope
There is no magic antidote or any medicine that can help you cope with a death of a loved one especially right before such an important time in your life. I think one of the best ways to cope is by making their presence known at your wedding. One of my brides had an ofrenda that is customary in her culture. An offenda is a table filled with photos, candles, and flowers for loved ones who have passed. Right before she walked down the aisle, she visited it and made a prayer. This helped her pay her respects and made her feel complete. Many people choose to do very similar things like having a photo of their loved one on a table where everyone can see. Some even leave an empty chair with a photo of them at the ceremony. You can even add a locket to your bouquet with a photo. These things won’t take your pain away but it will make you feel as though they are there with you and every little reminder of them helps.
It’s ok to cry
Let it out, it’s OK to cry. You are already going through so many emotions. This is a stressful and very happy time in your life. Losing someone you love is devastating for some. But remind yourself of the love that they had for you. Would they want you to feel this pain on your wedding day? Ask yourself this question and think about how happy they are for you even though they are unable to be there for you physically . This is the time when all of your family members will be together and even though there will be a moment of sadness you will all rejoice with happiness for the love and marriage that has been created.
They are always with you
I believe that the people you love stay with you way after they are gone. They live in our hearts and in our memories. I’ve lost a few people that I love very much and I’ve noticed over time that they have made their presence known to me in some way or another. I’ve had my grandparents visit me in dreams before birthdays, and photos appear in random places at times when I needed them the most. If you believe in life after death we must remember that they will always watch over us and send their love and blessings no matter where they are.
I never like to see my brides go through such a hard time right before an event they have dreamt of for most of their lives. I’ve had brides lose their loved one a day before her wedding. I have seen strength in these beautiful women and I have seen happiness in them too. Death is a part of life – it’s a new chapter and with all new chapters we must accept that they are moving on to a better place. Even though they are no longer with us physically they live in our hearts forever.
The Millennial Bride
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy
Members of Generation Y (millennials) were born between 1980 and 2000. This generation usually prefers to combine personalized and traditional wedding elements to create a unique wedding. For example some brides choose a unique way to display the tradition “something blue”. I’ve seen brides wear blue shoes , blue jewelry, even blue dresses making the tradition of something blue become a statement. The millennial bride knows that traditional never goes out of style but making it your own tailors it to you.
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy
Millennial Bride Fashion
The Millennial bride goes beyond just her wedding dress for her bridal fashion. Of course she has to look fly for all of her occasions (all for the gram ). From bridal bathing suits, bride bags, and wifey jean jackets, the millennial bride knows life is a fashion show. Her wedding dress tends to be romantic and timeless in style. This bride breaks all the rules that need to be broken while keeping things classic and chic.
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy
Millennial Music
The Millennial bride’s music choices may include anything from country to rock to techno music. The 90’s music culture made this bride one of the cool kids. She will definitely ditch the 90’s fashion (or maybe not) but the millennial bride wants to have fun and relive childhood memories with her friends and family. This bride digs the oldies but holds her dress up so she can definitely twerk too. Often times this bride will chose live music and a DJ too.
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy
Insta Bride
The millennial bride will likely find her wedding vendors through Instagram and if she doesn’t, she will definitely check their vendor’s insta handles for sure. The millennial bride is #BrideAF. She will make sure to #hashtag everything and have fun doing it too. What’s more fun than getting your #bridessquad matching shirts with a hashtag? This bride is tech savvy and will document everything via iPhone. She’ll also change her relationship status on her wedding night .
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy
This Millennial bride is more than just a generation. She is the one who will carry the torch to the daughter after her. She will teach them to be themselves but value their traditions. Often we hear the word Millennial thrown around in a negative way and I hope this has helped bring a positive view to this generation. I wonder what the next generation of bride will be like. For now, I am enjoying hearing Backstreet Boys with these Millennial brides.
Photography by Vanessavelezphotography and enuelvieraphoto
Model @Laurahelton
Apparel by @thebeachbride
Florals by @thebridecandy