Dec 28, 2022 | planning, wedding
The Inn at Longshore Wedding
Overview:
The Inn at Longshore is one of the best Westport, CT wedding venues you can find and one of the few CT shoreline wedding venues in the state. Its setting on the shores of the Long Island Sound make it one of the most sought after wedding venues for couples planning a summer wedding with a coastal vibe. If you are looking for wedding venues in CT on the water, look no further than The Inn at Longshore.
Category: Banquet Hall / Historic Inn
Features: Outdoor ceremony; outdoor cocktail; shorefront; water views; large capacity
Website and Address: The Inn at Longshore 260 Compo Rd S, Westport, CT 06880
Getting Ready Accommodations at The Inn at Longshore
The Inn at Longshore features a bridal suite upstairs in the Inn so you can have your hair and makeup done onsite as well as store away any of your personal items during the day. Having an on-site getting ready option is really nice convenience for brides and their bridal party making your logistics of the day much simpler and less stressful.
Ceremony at The Inn at Longshore
If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding ceremony in Connecticut with ocean breezes, The Inn at Longhshore is the perfect place for your nuptials. The Inn features a large lawn that stretches right up to the inlet of the Saugatuck River on the Long Island Sound – an ideal spot for an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Cocktails and Reception at The Inn at Longshore
The Inn features indoor/outdoor options for your after-ceremony celebration. The outdoor patio is perfect for an al fresco cocktail hour. Receptions are held inside the Inn’s ballroom which can accommodate up to 300 guests. But don’t let the large size fool you, The Inn at Longshore maintains a warm and intimate ambiance no matter the size of your wedding.
The Inn is managed by OntheMarc Events, one of the top event management and catering companies in Connecticut. Rest assured that you and your guests will be well taken care of throughout your experience at The Inn at Longshore – and their food is always outstanding!
Locations for Inn at Longshore Wedding Photos
The Inn at Longshore offers quite a bit of options for your bridal photos. You can have your pick of Long Island Sound views, beach front access, tree lined grounds, or even ‘tee it up’ on the nearby golf course.
Inn at Longshore Wedding Cost
The starting rate for peak season rentals is $500. Please inquire with The Inn at Longshore for more detailed pricing information.
My Take
Nothing says Westport, CT Wedding quite like The Inn at Longshore. It’s a staple in the local Westport/Fairfield, CT area. And for good reason. You can’t beat the setting – the perfect mix of elegant New England charm and relaxed beachfront vibes.
Personally, I love the intimate feel that the Inn embodies. It’s one of the few venues of its size in the state that feels like a warm, cozy living room … and with waterfront views to boot!
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Oct 18, 2022 | planning
Small Wedding Venues in Connecticut
Picking the perfect CT wedding venue for your wedding day can be a challenge, especially if you are planning a small wedding in CT. With so many small wedding venues in CT to choose from, it can almost make your wedding day planning feel like a chore instead of a joyful and fulfilling experience.
That is just one of the reasons I created this resource outlining the best small wedding venues in CT for your intimate celebration. Each of these wedding venues in Connecticut comes with some of the best ambiance, elegance, and beauty that one can find in the state.
As a wedding photographer in CT, even I had a hard time narrowing down this list. Beyond just the normal wedding day that your venue provides, each of these venues provides a warm and personal setting that will maximize that feeling of closeness and intimacy you’re looking for when it comes to your wedding day.
Although not an extensive list of small CT wedding venues, this list hopefully will serve as a launching point for you to tell your love story in the most authentic and unforgettable way possible.
*NEW* LUDINGTON HOUSE
Venue Type: Historic Inn
Address: 2 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT
Website: Ludington House
The Venue:
Ludington House is a new wedding venue located in Old Lyme, CT. Well, new to weddings that is. The house has been a Bed and Breakfast for years and has earned quite the reputation as a sought after New England destination for weekenders wanting to enjoy everything that the Connecticut shoreline has to offer. If Ludington House looks familiar that’s because the home served as the manor home in the 2018 Hallmark Christmas film, “Christmas at Pemberly Manor.”
Ludington House is everything you’d expect a historic New England home to be – charming, warm, and oozing with turn of the century design and decor. Inside, the house features 9 guest rooms (3 of which are large suites), sitting room, large dining room, a cozy library, and beautiful foyer complete with a grand staircase (great for those iconic bridal portraits!). Outside, the house has a gorgeous wrap-around porch (perfect for a small wedding ceremony), garden area, an expansive lawn, and meticulously maintained grounds that offer plenty of options for outdoor bridal portraits.
Logistics are a breeze with a wedding at Ludington House. Convenient to I-95, the house is less than 2 hours from New York City and Boston. It is also situated just steps from two of Old Lyme’s Historic District churches (should couples want a more traditional wedding ceremony). But, hands down, the most appealing aspect of Ludington House is its ability to host you and your guests for the weekend making it a true destination for your wedding day.
My Take:
Personally, I believe Ludington House is a breath of fresh air for the CT wedding venue market. Small weddings are here to stay and Ludington House is simply the perfect choice for couples looking for the best of all worlds – destination location, historic setting, intimate atmosphere, and weekend accommodations. If you are planning a small, intimate wedding with less than 60 guests, visit the Ludington House website and inquire about hosting your wedding there. You’ll be glad you did!
Brooklawn CC
Venue Type: Country Club
Address: 500 Algonquin Rd, Fairfield, CT 06825
Website: Brooklawn Country Club
The Venue:
Founded in 1895 and one of the earliest members of the United States Golf Association (USGA), Brooklawn has a rich history in the Fairfield County Community. The main dining room offers an elegant and intimate setting for your guests and cocktail hour on the patio features grand and sweeping views of Brooklawn’s pristine golf course. Brooklawn is an ideal choice for those couples looking for a warm and elegant setting for their wedding day. Accommodation for up to 120 guests.
My Take:
Country Clubs offer something no other wedding venue can – a sense of family. The couples who choose to marry at country clubs are often members themselves as are their family. So, for me, photographing a wedding at a country club is like photographing one big family session. And Brooklawn, being the institution that it is in Fairfield, knows how to take care of its family.
Roger Sherman Inn
Venue Type: Historic Inn
Address: 195 Oenoke Ridge New Canaan, CT 06840
Website: Roger Sherman Inn
The Venue:
Roger Sherman Inn is everything you envision when you think of a New England Inn. Historic, charming, quaint and the ideal setting for an intimate wedding. It’s one of the top CT small wedding venues for sure! Located in the town of New Canaan, CT, Roger Sherman Inn can accommodate up to 100 guests in it’s garden room. If you have a larger guest list, you can rent out the Inn’s additional dining rooms. The Inn also features 15 upstairs guests rooms as well as a separate guest house with additional rooms – perfect for onsite getting ready preparations. You can also have your ceremony onsite in the Inn’s garden.
My Take:
Roger Sherman Inn has a long list of amenities and conveniences like onsite getting ready, onsite outdoor ceremony, beautiful grounds, and an intimate ambiance. You won’t regret saying “I Do” at the Roger Sherman Inn.
Keeler Tavern
Venue Type: Historic Estate
Address: 152 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Website: Keeler Tavern
The Venue:
Keeler Tavern is the quintessential wedding venue for intimate weddings. Built around 1915 by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the Garden House at the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center in Ridgefield, Connecticut, is unparalleled in it’s charm. The Garden House space offers the ideal setting for an intimate reception and the English styled garden is hands down the most romantic spot in Connecticut to say “I Do”.
The Garden House can accommodate up to 80 guests. There is also a seasonal tented area located off to the side and above the main Garden House which can serve as an open air cocktail space or a ceremony location in case it rains.
My Take:
For me, Keeler Taverns ranks as one of the best small wedding venues in CT. You can’t find a more romantic outdoor ceremony location in the entire state! And you simply can’t beat the reception space for it’s historic charm. It’s my personal favorite amongst CT small wedding venues.
Update:
Since Keeler Tavern’s on-site bridal suite is, shall we say, a little on the cozy side, I would recommend booking the newly opened Fountain Inn right next door to Keeler Tavern. The Fountain Inn is an old historic bed-and-breakfast and would be a perfect choice for your accommodations.
Rock Ridge Country Club
Venue Type: Country Club
Address: 214 Sugar St, Newtown, CT 06470
Website: Rock Ridge Country Club
The Venue:
There are not a lot of wedding venues in Newtown, CT, but it is home to one of my favorite wedding venues in CT. Rock Ridge Country Club.
Rock Ridge is unique in that it doesn’t feel like your typical country club. It reminds me more of a summer beach home on the Cape. Not surprisingly, weddings at Rock Ridge have that same feeling – comfortable, relaxing, ‘go at your own pace’.
In keeping with the relaxed ambiance, the club’s main ballroom is an elegant space that can accommodate up to 150 guests. Just off the main ballroom, the open-air outdoor patio offers expansive views of the golf course as well as a large firepit for those chilly New England evenings.
When it comes to photos, Rock Ridge does not disappoint. The club’s tree-lined fairways, cart paths, and comfortable outdoor nooks offer plenty of options for outdoor photographs. If you are looking for a venue that has a relaxed vibe and can accommodate a small to midsize guest list, Rock Ridge is a great choice.
My Take:
I’ve lived in Newtown for over 10 years so I may be a little biased, but I love Rock Ridge and I love photographing weddings here. I just love its relaxed and elegant atmosphere. A wedding at Rock Ridge doesn’t feel like a day at the office for me. It’s an easy, go-with-the-flow kind a day that feels like a vacation. If that’s the type of wedding you are looking to have, then Rock Ridge is a great choice for your wedding venue.
The Townhouse
Venue Type: Restaurant
Address: 35 Church St, Greenwich, CT 06830
Website: The Townhouse
The Venue:
First of all, can we talk about the atrium! A two-story foyer with vaulted ceiling that features a sculpted marble double staircase, a limestone fireplace, and an entire wall of windows that floods the room with natural light. What couple wouldn’t want to say “I Do” in this room!? It’s simply stunning – and the only room of it’s kind … that I’ve seen anyway … in Connecticut.
Upstairs from the foyer, the architectural grandeur continues with The Penthouse, The Townhouse’s main ballroom. With marble floors throughout, a marble fireplace, exquisite chandeliers, and one of the biggest bars I’ve even seen, The Penthouse will wrap you and your guests in an intimate and elegant ambiance you’ll never forget.
The Townhouse can accommodate up to 100 guests.
My Take:
The Townhouse is the epitome of what great design can do for a space. On it’s own, The Townhouse serves a nice little niche as a small wedding venue. But the design makes it transcend its function into what can only be described as an architectural work of art. Think I’m being a little extra? Go see for yourself – The Townhouse is open for dinner until 10pm Tuesday – Thursday and 11pm Friday and Saturday. Check out the menu.
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Feb 8, 2022 | engagement, planning, wedding
5 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
I’m going to sound a little like Captain Obvious with this, but when you are looking for a photographer for your wedding day, you want to be sure that you choose the right person for the job.
I know what you are thinking – “Duh!”
There is obviously more that goes into choosing a wedding photographer (and we’ll get into that shortly), but photography is unlike any other service you’ll be hiring for your wedding day.
Professional photographs are an investment in your memories and give you something tangible to look back on in the years to come. That’s why it’s so important to hire a photographer who can not only capture the images you want, but, more importantly, make your whole photographic experience completely effortless – because, let’s be honest, you have better things to do on wedding day than to be preoccupied with your photos.
Okay, enough chit chat, let’s get to the tips ….
Determine your budget and what type of package you want
Before you start your search, determine your budget range. Prices for wedding photographers can range anywhere from $2,000 to over $20,000 depending on what market you are in, what type of wedding you are planning to have (large, small, destination, etc.), and what type of package you book. Having been in the local Connecticut market for over a decade, I can tell you that most experienced, skilled wedding photographers start in the $3,000 range for wedding day coverage and digital files. Most will have larger packages available as well with more hours, multiple photographers, an engagement session, a wedding album, etc. So, your final costs will largely depend on what you’re looking for.
Know what style of images you want
Every photographer has a different style. Are you looking for more candid, photojournalistic photos? Do you want more posed portraits? What type of aesthetic are you looking for in your photographs? The popular light and airy? The trendy dark and moody? Maybe you love the look of film? Or maybe you are more traditional and want more of a classic look to your photographs. Whatever you want, it’s important to know what style and type of images you’re looking for, so you can choose a photographer who can meet your specific needs.
*We tend to fall into that classic, traditional style with a mix of candid and posed photos. We like to think of our style as warm, candid, and elegant.
Can you see yourselves in the photos?
Looking at website after website, gallery after gallery, and Insta after Insta can cause some serious brain fatigue and make you feel drained, exhausted, and overwhelmed which can cloud your judgment when it comes to choosing a photographer. There’s a better way. As you are looking through a photographer’s photos, ask yourself “Can I see myself (and my fiance) in these photos?” “If I were in these photos would I look like myself?” Example – if you come across a photographer that has a lot of styled, posed, fashion-y type photographs and that’s not your style then you’ll know the answer to these questions really quickly.
Make sure you’re a good fit
Sometimes personalities mesh perfectly and you become instant friends. Sometimes you and another person are just too different to work comfortably together. If you and your photographer don’t mesh, your wedding day may be awkward or just no fun and that’s the last thing you want. You can tell a lot about a photographer in how they write. Be sure to visit their About page and read through it carefully. Visit their Instagram and browse through their posts paying special attention to their captions. Photographers share certain photographs and write about those photographs for a reason. Personally, I share a lot of ‘moment driven’ photographs of people having fun and celebrating as well as moments that tug at your heart a little. I do that because that’s what I love to shoot. Weddings are emotional and I love to capture all those rich, palpable feelings. I also love to photograph all the pretty details like the dress, the cake, etc. but moments are my jam. So pay attention to the photos a photographer posts. They will give you important insight into their personality and help you understand if they are the type of person you’d like to work with.
*I can’t emphasize enough how important fit is. Remember, you will be with your photographer ALL DAY on your wedding day and before you wedding day if you are doing an engagement session and even after your wedding day if you have an album in your package. Bottom line – you will be spending a lot of time with your photographer so make sure they are someone you have a good rapport with.
Meet with your photographer before you hire him/her
Hi, Captain Obvious again 🙂 I think this goes without saying, but I’m gonna say it anyway – make sure you meet with your photographer in person before you hire him/her. Obviously, nowadays meeting over Zoom or over the phone are acceptable options if an in-person meeting isn’t feasible, but, whatever the medium, make sure you talk to your photographer live before you hire him/her. There is no substitute for a live conversation when you want to get to know someone. The added bonus of an in-person meeting is having the opportunity to touch and feel the physical products that they offer that you may want in your package (items like wedding albums, engagement albums, prints, frames, wall art, etc.)
Our next article in this series will be “Questions to ask your photographer in your consultations”. Included in that, will be a tip on what NOT to say when sending your initial inquiry email to your photographer. That alone will make your photographer hiring process a lot smoother. We’ll be posting that tomorrow so check back for those so you can have a meaningful interview with your photographer.
Until tomorrow, Happy Planning 🙂
Feb 7, 2022 | engagement, planning, wedding
You’re engaged! Now what?
It’s that time again! The start of a new year – Hello 2022! – and the beginning of a new wedding planning season. Did you know that 7 out of the 10 most popular days to propose take place in the month of December accounting for over 19% of all proposals!? That’s A LOT of bending knees!
Since a significant amount of proposals take place during the holiday season, it stands to reason that those same couples are just now coming out of the starting gates for their planning – whether a 2022 wedding OR a 2023 wedding.
So, to all the couples reading this …. Congratulations on your engagement! You’re likely feeling all kinds of emotions and maybe a little overwhelmed by the wedding planning ahead of you, as well as the huge, exciting change about to take place in your life. There’s nothing wrong with being a little nervous—in fact, it’s totally normal! It can be daunting to know where to begin once you’ve said yes (or popped the question yourself), so we put together this little guide to help you take things step by step.
1. Celebrate!
Take advantage of all that excitement and start calling your peeps! Notice I said “call”. This is a monumental moment in your life and shouldn’t be relegated to a few lines of text. Call your parents, call your siblings, call your friends. Let those closest to you revel in this moment with you. You’ll likely be asked about a date or even where you are thinking of having your wedding day. To minimize the stress levels at this early juncture, we recommend responding with … “You know – we really aren’t sure yet. We’re just enjoying this moment right now. We’ll start our planning really soon and make sure you have all the details (obvi)!” This helps to ward off any potentially tense conversations about planning and any potential ‘opinions’ about the planning process as well … you know what I mean 😉
2. Take a deep breath
Before you start putting lists together or asking your friends for ideas, take a breath and enjoy this time. You will have PLENTY of time to plan, but only a short time to be engaged. Take advantage of it. Take a weekend get-away somewhere, make a reservation at your fave restaurant, or maybe just stay in with a nice dinner for two and a bottle of wine. Whatever you do, be present and enjoy this time.
3. Have your engagement ring insured
Maybe not the first ‘to do’ on people’s list, but make sure you get your engagement ring insured. It’s always a good idea to get your engagement ring insured, just in case it gets lost or stolen at any point in the future. Insurance is the only way to replace your ring without having to pay for an entirely new one, so you should definitely take the time to make sure your precious new piece of jewelry is covered. The peace of mind you will have is priceless.
4. Your wedding day vision and selecting your date
Naturally, the first question people will ask you after your engagement is When’s the big day? Since selecting your wedding date will dictate every planning decision thereafter, there’s a lot riding on it. To make choosing a wedding date a little easier, we suggest you determine what kind of wedding you want first. We call this your wedding day vision. Do you want a bright, colorful, outdoor summer wedding? A cozy, indoor fall wedding? Big guest list? Small guest list? Somewhere in between? Are you thinking of something more formal? Or maybe a little less formal? Once you have your vision set, your date will be easier to choose because you’ve narrowed it down to a setting and a season/time of year.
6. Securing your wedding venue
Okay. You have a couple of dates in mind – now comes the fun part, choosing your wedding venue! You know the saying “Location, location, location”, right? Well, it’s true for weddings as well. Your wedding venue is the cornerstone of your wedding day vision and will likely be the first decision you make in your planning process. It’s also the one vendor with the least amount of flexibility – there are only so many wedding venues available and most venues can only accommodate one wedding per day. So, choose your venue wisely, early, and quickly! Even if you decide to have a private home wedding, rental companies are in high demand (e.g. tents, tables, chairs, linens, etc.) so you’ll want to reach out to them as quickly as possible.
Once you have your wedding venue and your date reserved, THEN you can start to move down the rest of your wedding vendor list.
7. Selecting your wedding vendors
This is where the proverbial “rubber meets the road”. You could be looking a hiring over 10 different vendors for your day – Venue, Getting Ready Hotel, Planner, Day of Coordinator, Cake, Photographer, Videographer, Caterer, Florist, DJ/Band, Formal Rental, Church, Officiant, Transportation, Hair Stylist, Make-Up Artist, and any other vendor that you might be interested in hiring like dance lessons or a cigar rolling station at your reception or maybe a Food Truck or Pizza Delivery for late-night munchies for your guests. The point is that there are quite a few vendors that you’ll be considering for your big day.
So, what is the most efficient way to search for, interview, and ultimately hire your vendors?
There are a few ways to go about this …
- Google
- Knot/Wedding Wire
- Referrals from other vendors
- Referrals from your friends/family
Google
I like to call this the ‘at your fingertips’ option. Why? Well, Google is readily available to you right at your fingertips. So, in that respect, it’s a good option because you’ll get a list of vendors right away to start reaching out to. The downside to Google is that your results will largely depend on how up to date each vendor is with their SEO and, if I’m being honest, not all wedding vendor professionals are well-versed in search engine optimization nor do they have the time, as mostly sole proprietors, to keep up with the volume of content required to rank well on Google. So, bottom line, you’ll get a lot of options, but those options may not represent the whole market.
Knot/Wedding Wire
The Knot/Wedding Wire have been the market leader in online wedding vendor advertising for over a decade. The plus side of using the Knot/Wedding Wire is that you’ll have no shortage of listings to research. It’s also nice that you can tailor your search by vendor category and by your geographical location (similar to Google) and read real reviews by real customers. The downside is that there are a TON of vendors listed on Knot/Wedding Wire and sifting through the volume can be overwhelming. Plus, while the reviews can be helpful, should really rely on the opinions of someone you’ve never met?
Referrals
My personal favorite … and what I recommend to all engaged couples. Why take a stranger’s word over a trusted friend’s? Or a trusted vendor that you’re already hired? Referrals (i.e. word of mouth) are hands-down the best and most efficient way to secure your wedding vendors. You don’t have to wade through a bunch of google pages or Knot listings. Instead, you get a targeted, short-list of vendors to contact that have already been vetted by someone that shares similar style and interests as you do.
Which one is better, you ask? A referral from a friend or from another wedding vendor? I like both for different reasons. A referral from a trusted friend is great b/c you get their unadulterated opinion of their first hand experience being a client of that vendor. That’s priceless. A referral from another wedding vendor that you’re already hired (your venue’s preferred vendor list or a referral from your bridal gown shop or from your planner) is also gold because as industry-insiders we have worked with a lot of different vendors across all different categories and can provide our personal recommendations based on experience.
8. The importance of priority setting
As the Rolling Stones so eloquently said “You can’t always get what you want, but, if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.” As you begin your planning, it’s very important to determine what your priority areas/vendors are. Is having an amazing band at your reception a ‘must have’? Do you want the top of the line wedding gown? Do you want only the best wedding photographer to capture your wedding day? Knowing (and reminding yourselves) what is most important to you and where you want to prioritize your budget will help when it comes time to choose between competing wants or wishes in the planning process.
9. Pace yourselves and stick to your vision
Wedding planning is a marathon and not a sprint. Decision making can be stressful. If things get too much, then take a step back and do something fun to take your minds off of planning. It’s also important to stick to your vision for your wedding day. Remember, this is your wedding day. I can tell your from experience, the quickest way to wedding planning purgatory, is to try and please everybody around you and their opinions/ideas. Yes, of course, you want your friends and your family and your guests to have a good time at your wedding, but don’t let someone else push you to do something you don’t want. Stick to your guns!
10. Photography last forever
And lastly, a little shameless plug. The flowers wilt, the food gets eaten … so does the cake …, the music ends, and the dress goes into storage. All you have left of your one momentous day is your photographs. With the right photographer, you will have the power to relive your wedding day again and again. So, make sure you hire the very best photographer you can! We like to think we are pretty easy to work with and that our work isn’t half bad either. If you’d like to have a chat with us about photographing your wedding, send us an email at info@jefflundstromphotography.com or fill out our Contact form.
Happy Planning 🙂
Mar 12, 2019 | planning
When couples think of the getting ready portion of their day, they think of getting their hair and makeup done, spending some quality time hanging out, sipping on a cocktail (or two), and, of course, getting dressed for the big day!
And, not surprisingly, that’s pretty much how it goes.
But there a few ideas that I’ve seen couples do over the years that can really add a little something extra special on your wedding day.
Letters
One of the easiest and more sentimental gestures you can make to each other on your wedding day is to write each other letters and read them while you’re getting ready. It always results in some tears (both guys and girls!) and that makes for some really special moments to photograph.
Gifts
Exchanging gifts is another great idea for getting ready. Like hand-written letters, gifts are a great way to express your feelings to one another before walking down the aisle. And, like letters, gifts usually end up tugging on the heart-strings a little bit. Something that us photographers love to capture!
Barber Club
Girls have the salon, guys have the Barber Club! Barber Clubs are great because not only can you get a clean shave and a fresh cut, but you can also hang out with your boys and play a little pool before your big day (betting optional!). If you are thinking of doing a barber club for your getting ready outing, check out Kennedy’s with locations throughout Connecticut. (photo courtesy of second shooter extraordinaire, Seshu Badrinath)
Cards
Who doesn’t love a good game of cards!? Not an unusual thing mind you. I mean guys have had their poker nights for years, but you don’t see it on wedding day that often. Pro Tip – It’s always nice to have some spirits and cigars on hand to help really bring home that casino feel. Just don’t overdo it – you want to be at your best for your nuptials … and your bridal portraits 🙂
Parents
Some of the best moments I’ve photographed on wedding day have been when mom and dad pay a visit to the bride while she’s getting ready. And, not surprisingly, it’s a very emotional moment. Of course, it’s a big day for the couple, but it’s also a big day for the parents. Seeing your little baby in a wedding dress!? Yea, get the tissues ready!
Scrapbook
Arguably one of the best ideas I’ve seen for a getting ready gift was for Holly’s wedding when her bridesmaids all pitched in and created a memory book for her of all their memories over the years together. Even I got a little choked up watching Holly flip through the pages. PSA to all you bridesmaids – If you are looking for a truly unique and special gift to your BFF on wedding day, make a scrapbook. Not only will you make the bride happy, you’ll make her photographer happy too 🙂
Put some (or all!) of these ideas to use on your wedding day. You’ll have some amazing photo ops and some even more amazing, heartfelt memories to cherish from your big day!
Happy planning, everyone!
Feb 17, 2017 | planning, wedding
Take back your cocktail hour!
I see couples miss their cocktail hour all the time. It’s become an acceptable practice to have your bridal and family photographs during one of the more enjoyable portions of your wedding day.
It makes me sad.
Why? Because couples put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into planning their wedding and they end up missing out on the very fun that they planned in the first place!
What’s the point of having a cocktail hour if you are stuck taking photos during it? Isn’t the whole point of cocktail hour to mingle with your guests and celebrate your wedding with those near and dear to you?
I think so!
Bride: “I couldn’t agree more Jeff! But how do I plan my wedding day so we can actually be at our cocktail hour?”
So glad you asked! Here are a few ways to arrange your wedding day schedule to make sure that you attend your cocktail hour.
Early Afternoon Ceremony
The best way to ensure that you get to partake in your cocktail hour is to have an earlier afternoon ceremony, like 2:00pm or 3:00pm. Cocktail hours traditionally start around 5:00pm or 6:00pm so an earlier ceremony time would give you enough time for family photos, bridal party photos, and, of course, bride and groom photos.
I personally recommend about 90 minutes for family, bridal party, and bride and groom photos. That can vary depending on the size of your family and your bridal party, but that’s a pretty good rule of thumb.
Just make sure to budget in extra time for travel, if your ceremony and reception locations are different. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic while everyone is sipping on your signature cocktail!
First Look with family photos before the ceremony
If you want to sip mai-tai’s with your BFF’s and you have an evening ceremony, like 5:00pm or later, then you should definitely consider a First Look with bridal party and family photos before your ceremony.
This allows you to get all your photos out of the way before the ceremony which frees you up to enjoy those mai-tai’s!
If you are not familiar with what a First Look is, it’s pretty simple. You set a location (either your getting ready hotel or your reception venue), you place the groom in said location, and then you have the bride walk up behind him real ninja-quiet like and tap him on the shoulder. BOOM! First Look!
As a photographer, I love First Looks. They are great because of all the nervous energy and anticipation. It makes for some really authentic candid moments between the bride and groom.
As a couple, First Looks are great because, not only do you get some amazing images, but you also get to relax after your ceremony because there is no mad dash to squeeze in a bunch of bridal party and family photos – they’re already done!
Traditional Wedding Day Timeline
If you are not into the First Look idea and you are having an evening ceremony and you are determined to knock back a Negroni or two during cocktail hour, then be prepared to only make the tail-end of your cocktail hour, if everything runs on time.
Here’s why …
Let’s say your ceremony is at 5:00pm and your cocktail hour is 6:00pm with your reception entrance scheduled for 7:00pm. The average wedding ceremony is about 20 minutes. I’m talking average. There are exceptions, of course. Add in another 10 minutes for some well wishers and a quick glass of bubbly after your ceremony and you are looking at an hour and a half before you are announced for your entrance.
Remember above when I said you’ll need about 90 minutes for family, bridal party, and bride and groom photos? Yeah … that brings you right up to your reception entrance.
Can you cut a little time off the 90 minutes? Sure. If you have a small bridal party and you don’t have a ton of family, but still you are probably looking at a having maybe 15 minutes before your reception. And let me tell ya, after all those photos, you’re probably going to want to chill in your bridal suite to catch your breath before your grand entrance!
So, take it from someone who’s photographed 10 years of weddings – if you want to make your cocktail hour either have an early ceremony or do a First Look.
Feel free to sound off in the comments – I read ‘em all.
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