Washington, DC is home to some of the most stunning wedding venues in the U.S., offering couples the perfect blend of luxury and timeless elegance. From grand historic landmarks to chic modern spaces, the city is brimming with incredible options! But which venues are actually worth it for your big day?

As a live wedding illustrator who often works in DC, I’ve connected with some absolutely incredible wedding planners in the area who have worked at dozens of local venues. Together, we’ve curated a list of the best wedding venues in DC to make your search easier and ensure your celebration is nothing short of extraordinary!

Roberts & Co. Events’ Favorite DC Wedding Venues

Tabitha Roberts started Roberts & Co. Events in 2008 and has planned more than five hundred weddings since. Her accolades are endless, including being named “Top 50 Planners in 50 States” by Daily Meal and “Editor's Choice for Event Planners” by the Washingtonian for four years running! They offer event services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia and are an incredible source of inspiration for any couple in the DC area. 

Perry Belmont House 

The first wedding venue that Tabitha mentioned during our discussion was the Perry Belmont House. This venue has the iconic historic charm of a DC venue with versatile event spaces. Built in 1906, the building was designed by a French architect and heavily inspired by the chateaus of that time. The rich decorative detail of the artwork and design lends perfectly to a traditional or elegant wedding. We love their high fireplace mantles for beautiful florals and grand staircase for portraits. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that gives true homage to historical DC, this is the perfect venue. 

National Museum of Women in the Arts 

The recently renovated National Museum of Women in the Arts is an incredible art museum venue that will leave your guests speechless. Their two-story event space, lined with marble staircases and crystal chandeliers, is opulent and grand while still feeling modern. Tabitha noted that she loves that couples can bring in a variety of catering teams to build a custom event. Plus, the event staff at NMWA are some of the most welcoming and warm people we’ve had the pleasure to work with!

Best DC Venues According to B Astonished Events

De’Angela Calder is a lead planner with B Astonished Events, a luxury DC and destination wedding planner. Born and raised in Washington, DC, with 9 years of event planning experience, De’Angela is truly an expert in the DC wedding space. Her weddings have been featured in some of the top national wedding publications, and she’s an absolute joy to work with!

Dockmaster at the Wharf

If you’re looking for a unique venue for an intimate wedding, the Dockmaster building at The Wharf is the perfect spot. Located at the end of a 450-foot pier, it offers a stunning 270-degree view that we absolutely love! With both indoor and outdoor spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Dockmaster building is truly one of a kind and such an underrated venue in Washington, DC. 

Conrad Hotel DC

Another one of De’Angela’s favorite DC venues is the Conrad Hotel. From its modernist lobby interior to the elegant white marble details, this venue is a dream for contemporary couples. It’s the perfect venue for couples who love the ease of a classic hotel ballroom wedding but want an updated, stylish backdrop for their day. B Astonished Events frequents the Conrad Hotel at least once or twice a year for events and always enjoys working with their in-house team. 

Vida Events’ Top DC Wedding Venues

Megan Lentz is the owner and lead planner at Vida Events, a NOVA-based wedding planner who focuses on fun. She’s planned events in over 20 different countries, and her work been featured in dozens of publications, including British Vogue.

Pendry Washington, DC - The Wharf

Megan’s favorite DC wedding venue is the Pendry DC. This luxury hotel is located right on the water, in a popular area known as The Wharf. The ballroom has an incredibly unique design, with modern chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows that brighten up the space. And for couples looking for a fun and funky twist on the classic hotel wedding, their Moonraker North room used for cocktail hour is the perfect spot, with a geometric floor and rooftop views of the city. 

National Museum of Women in the Arts 

Megan also named the National Museum of Women in the Arts as a top DC venue, in agreement with Tabitha. If we haven’t already convinced you to check out this space, I don’t know what will! The combination of sleek architecture and incredible art is unlike anything else in the city. 

Best Venues According to Christine McFarlane Events

Christine McFarlane Events is based next door in Baltimore, Maryland, but she and her team plan dozens of events in DC every year. Christine launched CME in 2017 and has quickly become a respected figure throughout Maryland and the DMV, with accolades including The Knot Best of Weddings and Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Awards.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a gorgeous historic event space in downtown DC. Its charming outdoor portico offers one of the best views of the Washington Monument in the city, making it the perfect spot for a quintessential DC wedding ceremony. Indoors, the space boasts an arched ceiling and gilded details, adding stately elegance to any event. From the ornate hallways to the beautiful library to the charming portico, all areas of this venue embody classic DC beauty. 

Autoshop

Autoshop is a unique blank industrial venue just steps away from Union Market. Its exposed bricks and beams, paired with its tall ceilings and large windows, offer a raw, unrefined charm that perfectly complements its modern design. We love its rooftop terrace, which features a flower garden and a view of the Union Market sign, which serves as the perfect outdoor location for your ceremony or cocktail hour. 

DC Weddings with Samia Lynn Designs 

Although I travel all over the world for my wedding illustrations, DC weddings will always have my heart. From luxury hotels to historic mansions and museums, the wedding venues there are truly unique and I’m so grateful I get to experience them over and over again. If you’re looking for a live illustrator for your DC wedding day, I’d love to chat! Contact me for more information and to set up a call!

One thing about me is that I absolutely love to travel. When Amy and Jamie reached out about having me fly down to Mexico to create live guest sketches at their destination wedding, I was 100% on board! It was such a fun weekend filled with love and laughter in paradise! I’m so glad to share their incredible day with you. 

Amy and Jamie’s Mexico Destination Wedding 

Amy and Jamie knew from the start that they wanted a destination wedding in Mexico. Their blended family includes six kids (three from each side), and they’ve visited this resort on their family vacations. Between their love of the beach and the sentimental value the area holds, it was a no-brainer that they should say their vows here! They decided on Finest Playa Mujeres thanks to an amazing past visit, and I think they made a fantastic choice.  I absolutely LOVED this resort, and it would be amazing to go back one day.

The entire weekend was so beautiful. The resort itself was incredible, with delicious drinks, friendly staff, and gorgeous beach views. I truly felt like I was in paradise! Amy and Jamie started the weekend with an all-white welcome party, which was so much fun. I attended as a guest, and since they wanted to keep my illustrations a surprise until the wedding, I spent the evening chatting with guests who began taking guesses at my role! Many guessed dancing or singing, but they were pleasantly surprised to find out my real contribution to the wedding!

Personal Touches 

When planning their intimate destination wedding, Amy and Jamie knew they wanted to really personalize their wedding day. Even the smallest details were customized and well thought-out. Guests were welcomed to the resort with custom luggage tags, and custom shotglasses filled with tequila served as the escort cards! One of my favorite details was the cocktail napkins with their text conversations printed on them. And of course, I created a sketch of each guests’ outfit which served as both a fun activity and a wedding favor. 

Live Illustration with SamiaLynn Designs 

Jamie and Amy hired me for four hours of custom sketching, which was the perfect amount of time for their intimate wedding. They opted for hand-drawn sketches over digital illustrations, which always adds a fun personal flair. It was such a great day at Finest Playa Mujeres, and I’m so glad I got to enjoy it with them!

If you’re planning a destination wedding and want a unique, custom experience for your guests, let’s chat! I absolutely love visiting new places with my couples, and I would thrilled to be a part of your big day.

Cocktail hour plays such an important role in a wedding day. It is the transition between the ceremony and the reception when guests can greet each other and relax. It’s the period when guests need to settle in so they can fully enjoy the party! So, why is it often overlooked? As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve seen many weddings with phenomenal receptions and ceremonies but bland, boring cocktail hours. Many couples don’t put a lot of time or effort into their cocktail hour simply because they won’t be there. If you’re planning on taking a lot of family photos or portraits during this time, it’s understandable that you would choose to prioritize the reception or ceremony. However, if you’re planning an elevated wedding, you need to step up your cocktail hour to match. If you’re looking for some tips and tricks to elevate your wedding cocktail hour, here are some of our favorite ideas. 

Cocktail Hour Music 

When guests step into your cocktail hour, one of the first things they notice is the music. This first impression can make or break the vibe. I love it when couples opt for an elevated choice like a string quartet or jazz trio for cocktail hour. Live musicians are such a classy detail, and they really change the energy in a space. Plus, if you’re incorporating your culture or heritage throughout your day, you can opt for musicians that reflect that. 

Food & Drink

Of course, food and drink are the most important part of cocktail hour. While everyone loves passed hors d'oeuvres, there are so many fun ways you can elevate this experience! Here in the DMV/northeast coast, a great addition is an oyster bar! There’s nothing that shouts “Chesapeake Bay” more than someone shucking raw oysters for your guests. Or if seafood isn’t your thing, you can add a grazing table to your cocktail hour. Everyone loves fancy meat and cheese! In the northeast, I’ve seen a lot of fun coffee bars. These are an especially great option if you have lots of guests who don’t drink alcohol or are having a brunch wedding. Tea is another great option – I’d love to work a wedding with a Boba bar! 

Cocktail Hour Seating

If you ask guests what their least favorite part of cocktail hour is, many will talk about the lack of seating. Often, we see cocktail hours without any seating at all! When planning your cocktail hour, consider adding some luxury seating options in addition to your standard high-top tables. We personally love the trend of adding a lounge space with plush armchairs and couches for guests to relax on. 

Interactive Experiences 

The best way to liven up your wedding cocktail hour is with interactive experiences for your guests! This gives them something to do in addition to sipping and snacking. A photo booth is a classic choice, but there are many other great options. There are living champagne walls, interactive seating charts, and more! A personal favorite of mine is Beer Burros in Texas – live donkeys that come around and pass out beer to your guests! And, of course, I can’t forget live wedding illustrations.  A live wedding illustrator will draw or paint your wedding guests so they have a sweet favor and piece of art to take home. 

Wedding Cocktail Hour with SamiaLynn Design 

I love illustrating wedding guests during cocktail hour. The music is softer, the guests are excited to celebrate, and everyone is still looking fresh. Cocktail hour is such an underrated part of a wedding day, and I’m its biggest fan. If you’re looking for live illustrations or even custom pre-drawn illustrations for your wedding day, reach out to see if your date is available.

Wedding music sets the tone of your wedding day, especially the reception. Whether you opt for oldies, the latest hits, or everything in between – music is a critical part of your wedding day. So, who do you entrust with this important task? As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve attended dozens of weddings with both bands and DJs and have seen the pros and cons of both. Music is incredibly personal, so it’s important to sit down with your partner and figure out your top priorities. While you can’t go wrong with either vendor, here are a few tips to keep in mind while making your decision. 

Live Wedding Bands 

Having a live band at your wedding is a super fun luxury experience. If you love concerts, what better way to bring that vibe to your wedding day than with live music? Live bands are great at bringing upbeat energy to a wedding reception. However, with so many musicians involved, bands are a much more expensive entertainment choice than a DJ. In addition to paying all of the musicians for their time, you may also need to rent a stage and will have more vendor meals to pay for. Live bands cost, on average, around $2,400 more than a DJ, and that price can significantly vary based on region and experience. Overall, if you have the budget and want to prioritize a high-energy, interactive experience, a band is a great option. 

Wedding DJs

DJs are a classic wedding entertainment choice and for a good reason! A DJ has an endless library of music right at their fingertips. Good DJs are also trained to read a room, so they can adjust the music based on what you and your guests are enjoying most. Most DJs will double as emcees, making any necessary announcements during the reception, like parent dances and cake cutting. Since DJs usually work alone, they tend to be quite affordable. If you love dancing to the latest hits or simply just want to listen to the original versions of your favorite songs, a DJ might be the right choice for you. 

Wedding Music Playlist 

In the age of Spotify and Apple Music, couples have been questioning: Do I really need to hire someone to play music at my wedding? The answer is yes! While to an outsider, it may seem like you could just make a playlist and hit play, there is so much more that goes into your wedding day music and sound engineering. First, your music vendor provides all their own equipment that you would then need to rent, including microphones and speakers. You’d need to know how to properly set them up, have time to soundcheck, and have someone on hand who could step in to fix it if there were any issues. You’d also need someone to serve as an emcee.

While you may think that a friend or family member could handle this job, unless they are very used to speaking publicly, it’s better to leave this to the professionals. And finally, I don’t recommend using a playlist on your wedding day because you need someone there who can think on their feet. Any wedding vendor will tell you that weddings rarely go 100% according to plan. So when cocktail hour runs a little long, or your parent dances get moved up in the day, you will need someone there who can adjust the music accordingly. Just like any other wedding vendor, band members and DJs are trained professionals who will make your wedding day run smoother without you even knowing. 

East Coast Wedding Music 

As a live wedding illustrator, I’m fortunate enough to experience weddings up and down the East Coast with a variety of wedding music vendors. In Washington, DC, I always look forward to working with DJ Chris Laich or getting to experience live music by SoundConnection. When I’m up in Boston, DJ Matt Toto and DJ Valentina are my absolute favorites! It’s always a joy to illustrate wedding guests to the sound of their music. If you’re planning an East Coast wedding with an incredible music team and you want some gorgeous illustrations to go with it, reach out to see if your wedding date is available! 

As you browse the internet for wedding planning ideas, you may come across the term “wedding brand” or “branding your wedding”. And while in some cases this may be referring to a literal cattle brand with your initials – that’s not what we’re talking about. 

A wedding brand is similar to a business brand; creating something that would be recognizable as yours even out of context. More than just an aesthetic, these are often built around consistent motifs, whether that’s a crest, font, colors, or specific style of illustration. In the luxury wedding world, we’re starting to see these pop up more as people focus on custom designs.  

So whether you’re an engaged couple looking for ideas or a planner looking to expand into the luxury market, keep reading for everything you need to know on branding your wedding!

The Key to Wedding Branding is Consistency

A clear wedding brand should start well before the wedding day, and be continually reinforced. Simply putting a custom crest in one spot isn’t branding! Remember, the goal is to have someone see a design and know immediately that it’s connected to your wedding. While the visuals don’t need to be repetitive (we love seeing different versions of a single motif) they should be sprinkled throughout your wedding, starting with the stationery you send out before the wedding day. So, where exactly can you incorporate these branding elements? We’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite ways below. 

Ways to Incorporate Your Wedding Branding

Custom Stationery

Possibly the most important and easy way to incorporate your wedding branding is through custom stationery. Stationery is one of the few tangible items guests receive from your wedding, and it’s also the first preview that they will have of your wedding aesthetic, so it’s important that we introduce them to the brand at this step. You can incorporate illustrations, crests, fonts, and colors that are part of your branding before they even walk in the door. 

Welcome Boxes

Another great way to incorporate your wedding brand is through guest welcome boxes if you have guests coming in from out of town. These small boxes can be filled with anything you’d like – snacks, beverages, travel guides – and can be easily branded via the box itself or any stationery you may include inside. We’ve even seen guests order custom water bottle wraps with their branding on them! 

Signature Scent

A new element we’re starting to see in wedding branding is a signature scent. Whether you and your partner have a preexisting scent that you love, or you opt to create one together, there are so many places that you can incorporate your scene throughout your wedding! From adding a spritz to your invitations to lighting a scented candle at your head table and offering scented lotion in the restrooms – this is a great way to incorporate another sense into your brand experience. 

Signs & Decor

Wedding day decor is crucial to solidifying the wedding brand, but it’s also where things can start to feel too repetitive or overwhelming, so it’s important to be selective about your branding elements. For example, your bar menu can contain illustrations in the same style as your wedding invitations. A custom illustrated menu or signature drink sign can pull your food and drink aesthetic together. The fonts on your table numbers should match those on the seating chart and ceremony program. If you opt for a custom crest, order a custom vinyl for the front of your bar or dance floor! Working with a wedding designer will help make sure that all of these elements feel balanced and provide the aesthetic you’re looking for. 

Wedding Favors

The last way you can incorporate your brand into your wedding day is through wedding favors. We love seeing custom koozies or something edible with a custom design that matches your wedding. Or, if you’re looking for something to really stand out, you can hire a live guest illustrator! Whether the illustrations themselves fit your brand (the same style as your invitations and bar menu) or you add branding elements around the border or on the back of the card, these are favors that your guests won’t soon forget. Plus, they are incredible keepsakes that make the best wedding favors!

Brand Your Wedding with SamiaLynn Illustration & Design

At SamiaLynn Illustration we love working with our couples multiple times throughout their wedding planning process, from Save the Dates to Live Illustrations and everything in between. If you’re planning your wedding and want custom illustrations with consistent style throughout your experience, we’d love to work with you! You can head to our contact page to reach out. 

Wedding Stationery is one of the few tangible items from your big day that couples hold onto. And in our modern world where even photos are rarely printed, these small pieces of your day are something you’ll want to look back on fondly in decades to come. Whether you’re interested in a custom illustration or just trying to sort out what paper goods you need for your big day, this guide will walk you through all the most important stationery pieces for your upcoming wedding!

Pre-Wedding Stationery

A lot of your wedding stationery will be sent before your wedding even happens! Invitations and Thank You cards for your engagement party will be first, followed by Save the Dates (Couples love our Illustrations - It's a great alternative to a photo and is 100% custom to you both as a couple!), Wedding Shower invitations and thank yous, and finally, invitations for your bachelor or bachelorette parties. Additionally, you may want day-of paper goods for each of these events like signs or place cards. These small details really help elevate the design of all of your pre-wedding events. Keep in mind that items like these will add up, so it’s important to budget for these pre-wedding paper goods. 

The Wedding Invitation

Arguably the most important piece of wedding stationery is your wedding invitation suite. This sets the tone for your wedding design and gives guests a glimpse into what is to come. They also include all of the most important information for your guests! Your invitation suite is usually made up of multiple items, including the primary invitation card, details or insert cards, and an RSVP card and envelope, which are all mailed together in a primary envelope. When mailed, these invitations can cost more than a standard letter, so be sure to head to your local post office in person with an invitation so they can weigh them and let you know if they need to be hand-sorted. 

Wedding Day Paper

On your wedding day, there’s a variety of different paper goods that will help communicate with your guests and serve as decor. During the ceremony, you may want a welcome sign, ceremony program, and vow books. For the cocktail hour and reception, you’ll need escort cards or a seating chart, menus, bar signs, and even a guest book! The options are truly endless when it comes to adding little touches of stationery and paper throughout your day. If you are looking for paper that really stands out, check out all of our customized options! And if you have a vision you haven’t found yet, reach out. We love to create custom pieces!

Post-Wedding Stationery

Once your wedding day has come and gone, you’ll need one final – but incredibly important – piece of wedding stationery: Thank You cards! These are the final touchpoint most guests will have with your wedding day and the piece that will tell them just how much you appreciate their attendance. We recommend ordering these when you order your invitations, so you have them ready to go after your big day. That way, once you are home from the Honeymoon, you won’t have to remember to buy them. 

Wedding Stationery By SamiaLynn Illustrations and Design

Here at SamiaLynn Illustrations and Designs, we offer tons of options for custom wedding day paper and stationery. Whether you’re looking for an illustration of you and your partner, your rings, or your wedding venue, we can design the perfect piece of art for your big day. We also love working with full stationery designers for a truly bespoke experience! We can work with your designer to create one-of-a-kind artwork that can be used on all of your stationery products. For more about everything we offer, head over to our contact page to set up a free consultation. 

While endlessly scrolling through social one day (as we all do), I started coming across more and more videos (@lynea.daprix on TikTok) of how to turn movies or tv shows into wedding themes. And every time the video starts with something along the lines of “Spongebob wedding theme” and I think to myself “There is NO WAY she can curate wedding details related to Spongebob that won’t turn out cheesy and tacky”.

I’m here to tell you that I was so wrong. Every time. Because, ya’ll, no matter what the theme was, these details ended up looking ELEGANT and SOPHISTICATED and BEAUTIFUL. I knew I had to do a blog post on how they do this because it’s one of the most fun things I’ve seen in a while.

So, today’s blog is by Taylor Hana, and she’s on the team over at The Wedding Talk; the genius planning company who is responsible for these amazing videos. Taylor is going to walk us through the steps of how to incorporate these fun and nostalgic themes (read: TASTEFUL) into your big day:

Step 1: pick your theme

What is a movie, tv show, character, or even toy that you LOVE or that brings back memories of joy for you and your partner? For example, perhaps you both grew up reading all the Harry Potter books and it is something that you bonded over. Perhaps you LOVE Christmas and want to lean into your favorite Christmas movie Elf. 

Step 2: Write down and brainstorm your favorite parts of the theme

What makes you think of that theme? For example if we are leaning towards an ELF themed wedding we may write down (knowing that you will not use them all but rather lean into a few of them when brainstorming). Here are a few examples:

• Snowball fight

• Spaghetti

• Maple syrup

• Hot Chocolate

• Christmas Carols

• Ice skating

• Toy store and paper garlands

• North pole

• Snow

• Santa

Step 3: Hard theme, Soft theme, or hybrid?

Next up you will want to decide if you are wanting to subtly nod to theme, or pull a few harder theme elements. A few examples below:

A hard theme could include more obvious Buddy the Elf decor and colors, such as these cupcakes with a buddy the elf hat, and a literal candy cane forest.

Photo inspo is from Sweetwood Creative Co.

A softer theme would include these elements in a more subtle way. For example you could lean into the winter wonderland theme (using the blues and silvers, and sneaking the narwhal from the movie). A note when it comes to wedding colors- Start by determining the key colors of the show/movie/ character/ theme. You do not have to use them all but jot them down. From there you can lean softer or harder into the theme (see the example below) using the colors: Yellow, Green, whites, blues and reds.

Although we love both versions (whatever the couple likes the most!), one challenge we see a lot of couples who WANT a soft theme but struggle to bring it to life is being TOO literal with the colors. 

Step 4: venue and Outfits

Take into consideration your theme when selecting your venue and wedding outfits, however it is also important to note not everything has to be strictly “on theme” for it to work. For example, if theres a great community centre available for your date and on budget it is still a GREAT option for your wedding even if it is not directly related to your theme. 

In addition, when trying on gowns or tuxes, feel free to expand beyond what you feel is “on theme” to also try on other styles to find what you are most comfortable in. For most couples, this might be the most expensive thing you ever wear so you need to love it on its own!

For our Elf theme we may select:

Venue: An outdoor park with a view of a quaint outdoor skating rink (for the ceremony ft. heaters and blankets) followed by an old train station for the reception.

Gown: An A-line silhouette with details at the neck line (similar to Jovies dress when working at the toy store):

Step 5: turn your favorite parts into details

Brainstorm various ideas that go along with your favorite parts (knowing you do not have to incorporate it all, sometimes less is more).

Example 1: Buddy the Elf loves to add maple syrup to everything. Consider using mini maple syrups as a favor! (Especially if you’re in an area that has maple trees, win/win).

Example 2: To lean into Buddy’s love of spaghetti, you could opt for a pasta bar, spaghetti as an appetizer OR spaghetti pancakes (pancakes shaped like spaghetti) 

Example 3: Hot chocolate as a welcome drink during the ceremony or even spiked hot chocolate as your signature cocktail that could be called– WORLDS BEST hot chocolate (a nod to the “WORLDS BEST Coffee” sign that sucked Buddy in). Even more direct: have a coffee bar at the end of the night!

Example 4: Buddy LOVES Santa, therefore including Santa’s Naughty or Nice list as a guest book or escort wall, could help highlight that in a more subtle way:

Example 5: Engagement photos, grand exit, or first dance can include SNOW (or at least fake snow; there is biodegradable rice paper confetti that could be a great option). 

It’s important to remember that just because you might have a vision of your wedding being “timeless” doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with a theme that’s meaningful to you both. Subtle nods go a long way and bringing in something quirky will make your big day that much more memorable. So whether you’re Potterheads, anime fans, or Disney lovers, let it shine! No matter how many years pass, the day will always be more special when you put your personal touch on it.

Director of The Wedding Talk, Lynea, has created literally HUNDREDS of videos on social to help with themes and planning advice so be sure to follow her @lynea.daprix on Instagram and TikTok and if you’re looking for planning or wedding photography, check out the website www.theweddingtalk.com.

Happy planning!

Taylor Hanna, Author

10 weddings and DIY-ing her own wedding later, Taylor has first-hand knowledge of executing a lavish event and has a knack for seamlessly bringing your vision to life. Taylor is based in Canada with her husband, dog, and (coming soon!) daughter.

When working with my wedding coordinator he told me that one of the most forgotten wedding details is your send off. So to save you the headache close to the wedding, I wanted to share some ideas now to help make the decision easier. I also wanted to make sure there are ideas here for every budget because the priority you put on this detail of the wedding is totally up to you! 

1. the tradition alternate

   In every class movie wedding scene, you see people throwing rice. However, we’ve learned that rice can’t actually be digested by birds and other creatures so might we suggest bird seed? Same granular idea as rice, but nice to the wildlife.

2. other things to throw

These are all fun ways to create an arch around you and your new spouse as you run between your guests. Any of these will create such great photos with an almost halo effect. For this you will just have to make sure to have plenty of whatever you choose for each guest:

• Bubbles

• Flower petals, dried florals, or leaves

• Confetti (or confetti canons)*

• Streamer poppers

• Glitter* or sequins

• Paper planes

*Be sure to get the biodegradable version!

3. Things to hold

Much like the above suggestions, these ideas get your guests interacting with your exit. However, these are the objects they will be holding on to and NOT throwing:

• Flags (either custom with your initials/monogram or maybe the countries you’re from if you’re international)

• Glow sticks

• Ribbon wands

• Bells

• Sparklers (your planner will NOT be happy about this idea as drunk people + fire = usually not great things, but you need to know your options)

4. The release

Probably the most unique suggestion on the list: butterflies! Butterflies symbolize new beginnings and happiness.

5. Transportation

If you want exit photos that will really make a statement, rent a vintage car to have waiting out in front of your venue or (if you’re on the water) rent a boat! These are exits that you can also mix with ideas 1-3 to create a very memorable experience!

6. The party bus

Piggy-backing off the point above: For my recent wedding we bussed all of the guests back and forth from the hotel to the venue because we were in the backroads of Kentucky and I wanted a PARTY. There were 2 trips back and forth before the ceremony, and as many trips as needed for people wanting to leave anytime after the ceremony. The last bus left when the reception was over and that was the party bus! Everyone got on and my husband and I were the last people to get on this bus. That moment is one of my many favorite memories of the night! From there one group of people got dropped off at the hotel and the rest of us were dropped off at a bar downtown where we continued to dance the night away. I highly recommend this “exit” if you are wanting a fun way to continue the night with your people.

7. The show

Give your guests a last minute “wow” moment with fireworks, a light show, or air show (this one would have to be done in the daytime)! Just be sure to check with your venue first to make sure it’s permitted.

8. The irish exit

The introvert’s dream exit… leave without telling anyone! If you are already a little uneasy about all of the attention you are going to get for the ceremony, first dances, and speeches, feel free to sneak away whenever you are done. You are the couple, you make the rules!

One thing to remember is that from my experience (and hearing photographer’s recommendation), if you are wanting photos of your grand exit you are going to have to fake this exit before the end of the reception. Most photographers do not stay until the end of the night because there are only so many photos you want to pay for of your sweaty drunk cousin on the dance floor. It’s totally normal to gather everyone together during the party to take exit photos. 

Which grand exit are you planning to do for your wedding?

Lauren Allen, Author

Lauren is a wedding designer executive and self-published author, with a background in celebrity styling and bridal make up artistry. You can find her with an oat milk cappuccino in the morning, and a glass of Cabernet at night, her real passions. Lauren is based in Kansas CIty and her book “How to Be 23” can be found here

Hello! Samantha here 👋🏻

No, not the illustrator, I’m Samantha Curtis, the owner/lead planner/designer of Sarue Event Design! My event company is based in the US northeast coast and I adore the challenge of visually capturing clients' unique stories through exquisite design. Each event should be tailored to the couple and their guests and that starts with the wedding weekend.

Planning a wedding weekend requires a thoughtful, personal touch and meticulous attention to detail; it's a balancing act where you're coordinating many moving parts. The beauty of it, however, is in its experiential value - the memories, the stories, and the fun that linger even after the celebrations are over.

Immersive wedding weekends create the opportunity for not just a celebration, but a shared experience. Your wedding becomes a mini-vacation filled, love with laughter, and a lot of unforgettable memories. But, where do you start?! To successfully achieve this, here are some key components to consider:

1. location

Choosing the right venue is crucial. It should be large enough to accommodate all guests and activities, but also offer a sense of intimacy. The venue should also align with the couples’ vision for their wedding, whether that's a rustic barn, a chic city museum or a beachfront resort. All the while taking into consideration transportation and nearby hotels/accommodations for the appropriate number of guests.

2. Interactive Activities

Speaking from experience, the first key to an immersive wedding weekend is curating a series of events that feel personal and unique to both of you. Consider elements that reflect your personalities, shared interests, or even the story of your love. Are you both big foodies? Maybe a gourmet cooking class for your guests or a wine tasting adventure could kick things off. Or perhaps you are outdoor enthusiasts, a guided nature hike or a beach day with all of your loved ones is the perfect way to set the tone for the events to come.

3. timeline

Next, the schedule of events is crucial. The weekend should be well-structured but not overly packed. It's essential to balance group activities, such as welcome dinners or group tours, with free time for guests to relax and explore on their own. The wedding ceremony and reception are the highlights, but other events should also create memorable experiences.

4. Personalization

Personalization is another key element. This could include customized welcome bags, personalized itineraries, or unique gifts that reflect the couple's story. The goal is to make each guest feel special and involved in the wedding celebration.

5. Design

Lastly, consider the overall atmosphere and aesthetic. The decor, lighting, and music should all contribute to a cohesive theme. Whether it's modern elegance, beachy relaxation, or vintage glamour, the aesthetic should be consistent throughout the weekend to fully immerse guests in the experience.

Remember, the bottom line is to create an event that paints a beautiful picture of you two as a couple. A wedding is so much more than a ceremony—it's a celebration of your love story, shared with your closest friends and family. So why not make a weekend of it?

If you’re looking for a planner or just want to follow along for gorgeous wedding inspo, be sure to come say hi over on Instagram and TikTok @sarueeventdesign or feel free to reach out and learn more about Sarue’s services at www.sarueeventdesign.com.

Happy planning!

Samantha Curtis, Author

Samantha was first inspired by her grandmother, who was a wedding dress designer and seamstress. Her attention to detail and craftsmanship means each of her couples gets a tailored wedding unique to them.

Hey there, lovely couples-to-be!

I'm Latham Stevens, owner of Latham Stevens Events. As a destination wedding planner, I'm no stranger to the thrill (and occasional overwhelm) of orchestrating celebrations in new and exciting locations. One of my favorite parts of the journey? Navigating the maze of out-of-town vendor research.

Whether you’re from a town with limited options or have a specific vision in mind, finding the perfect out-of-town vendors for your wedding can be an adventure, but fear not! With the magic of technology and a little research, you'll be well on your way to assembling your dream team.

1. Get social

Dive into Instagram and TikTok to get a feel for vendors' styles and vibes. While their feeds showcase their best work, peeking into tagged posts gives you a glimpse of their collaborations and connections.

2. Explore Tagged Posts

Start with photographers—they're like the hub of the vendor wheel, tagging everyone involved in their events. Notice any recurring names? Those are the ones to check out. Browse through planners, venues, florists, videographers, and rentals to see who resonates with your vision.

3. Check Websites and Reviews

This might sound obvious, but take a virtual stroll through vendors' websites to learn more about what they offer and see if it aligns with your vision. And don't forget to read reviews! They're like little love notes from past couples, giving you insight into what it's like to work with them.

4. reach out!

After exploring their online presence, don't be shy—send a friendly message expressing your interest and explaining your out-of-town status. Most vendors are thrilled to chat and offer guidance. Let them know you're open to hopping on a call to chat further.

5. Schedule Calls

Set up phone or video calls with your top picks. It's like a first date but for vendors! This is your chance to see if your personalities click, if they truly get your vision (the most important!), and how their process works to have them come to your location.

6. Show Gratitude and Decide

After your chats, be sure to thank each vendor for their time and insights. And when you've made your decision (regardless of whether or not you’re hiring them), let them know—transparency is key!

By following these steps with a sprinkle of warmth and openness, you'll not only find the perfect out-of-town vendors but also make some new friends along the way. The wedding world is small, but the traveling vendor crowd is even tighter so you’re always in good circle for referrals. Be sure to follow me on social @lathamstevensevents and say hi!

Happy planning!

Latham Stevens, Author

Latham runs Latham Stevens Events with her amazing sister, Alex. She’s a Memphis native, but currently living in Alaska with her husband and 3 kids, and loves meeting couples wherever they’re at in the world!

One of the key parts of wedding planning that will stick with you from day one to last call is your color palette. You will have Pinterest boards and screenshots to show your wedding vendors, key family members helping you pull your big day together, and your Fiancé (although they will need constant reminders…). It can be overwhelming to narrow down your color selection for this big day, so we’ve put together some suggestions of things to think about when making this decision.

1. Think of your own color tones

   Think about it… the colors of your wedding will be surrounding you in all of your photos. You want to make sure that the pallet works with your and your partner’s skin tones to make for the most flattering photos possible! It helps to think about the colors that you each wear regularly.

2. Think of your dream home

Your wedding is only one day, but again, the photos are what lasts forever. You want to be happy having photos of your bouquet, decor, and venue hanging on the walls in your home and everything should look cohesive.

3. Think about the feel of the wedding

Colors can very much convey emotion, so think about how you want people to feel when they walk into your ceremony and reception. Are you trying to have a raging party, focus on the romance, or create a whimsical environment?

4. Think about the saturation of the colors

The color palette of your wedding can represent either the pops of color throughout the day, or it can be the predominant focus of the day. Typically the bolder the colors you choose, the smaller the elements in those colors will be. If you chose cherry red as one of your colors, maybe that would just be represented in a couple of flowers in your bouquet, but if you want to focus more on a baby pink then that can be the entire bouquet (accents vs main colors). However, this depends on how “loud” you’re trying to be with your color choices and if it fits your personality and design look.

5. Think about the time of year

If you want an easy way to decide your color palette , just go with the colors of the season (or weather) you’re getting married in. This makes florals easier as everything you want will be in season for your wedding.  Most importantly, pick a color palette that makes you smile. You will be referencing it for every wedding planning decision that is made, so it has to make you happy!

Pro tip (and non-sponsored): check out https://coolors.co/. It’s a free site that makes it super easy to see colors that go together and generate different schemes. They even give you the hex code (your stationer/designer will know what that is) and color names.

So, what colors are you doing for your big day?! Let us know!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

New Year, new trends!

To be honest though, I’ve never been a fan of “trend” lists as I’ve always believed that if you like something you should go for it regardless if it’s “in” or “out”. That being said, it’s great to stay in the loop of what people are gravitating towards each year and can be a source of inspiration. So, 2024 couples, are you ready? Here’s the ultimate trend list for everything you’ll be seeing this year in weddings:

For themes/aesthetic

• Retro. Think: disposable cameras, vinyl, film photography, and vintage decor

• Themed parties. Think: specific dress codes, themed entertainment, blow outs for welcome parties/rehearsal dinner

• Color, color, and more color! Think: glassware, decor, florals, and tablescapes

• Prioritizing the guest experience. Think: entertainment (like artists. Hi, it’s me), fashion switches, something special at cocktail hour

• European aesthetics. Think: French chateaus and Italian palazzos

For florals

• Like we said before: COLOR (the bold kind)

• Increase in texture and variety. Especially those sticking with more neutrals, variety will help give florals depth

• Non floral accents. Think: moss, fruit, veggies, and mushrooms (fruit patterns are also going to be big!)

• Modern vases in contemporary shapes with glass or ceramic

• Going truly all out with florals. It’s a great way to transform a space!

think green!

More and more couples will be opting for eco friendly options. We just spoke all about this in a previous blog post, so check that out here!

For food & drink

• Mocktails (Pro tip: do 2 signature drinks and make one a mocktail!). Also be sure to get a drink sign to go with that.

• Paired drinks per food course so the whole experience is curated!

• Personalized menus. Your food and drink experience should reflect each of your personal interests as well as your theme!

• Farm to table food. I say again: hello, sustainability

• Centerpiece desserts. Instead of one big towering dessert piece, couples are opting to go horizontal and have it double as decor

• These previous trends that will only continue to grow stronger: extensive dessert options and late night snacks

For your registry

• One of a kind items. Think: custom portraits (get that here!), personalized china, boxes, etc.

• Straight up cash

• Experiences. Either during the honeymoon (zip-lining, tours, etc) or in their town (cooking classes, concerts, etc)

• Brand items. Think: Dyson, KitchenAid, Caraway, Our Place, etc

• Pet items! The majority of couples now live together (and buy their homes) prior to the wedding so a bit of the registry can be dedicated to the other household members

We can’t foget: fashion!

• Bold florals. Mostly aimed at guest/wedding party outfits

• Back to classic wedding gowns. Think: satin A-lines, full tulle skirts, and beaded bodices

• Party dresses. Think: short beaded dresses, fringe, and bows

• Suits…for everyone!

• Custom grooms suits. Think: perfectly tailored, standout color from groomsmen, fun colors

• Evening gloves (all kinds). Think: long satin, tulle, beaded or with pearls

• Multiple outfits. Yes, this has been a growing trend for years, but now it’s more common than ever to have a different look for the ceremony, reception, and after party.

Happy New Year and engagement season! Let us know in the comments, which trend are you most excited about?

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Weddings, just like any other large event, produce a lot of “waste”. But like….a LOT of it. According to the Green Bride Guide, about 400-600 POUNDS (or 181-272 kg for you non-Americans) of waste is accumulated PER WEDDING and The New York Times estimates around 57,152 kilograms of CO2. This isn’t to say “skip the reception”, but there are ways to be more eco-friendly when planning. Here’s how:

Reduce the amount of paper goods

Weddings go through a ton of paper, from the invite suite to programs/menus to signage. The easiest thing you can do is simply reduce to the bare minimum of what you need (I mean, honestly, no one needs a ceremony program and your save the dates can be via email). However, if you insist on having a lot of each of these things, it’s recommended to print on “seed paper”. Yes, paper that is literally made of seeds so when it’s planted or thrown out, it’s reincarnated into plants or is at least biodegradable. For signage, you can rent chalkboards or glass and have a calligrapher write out what you need and then it can all be cleaned and returned post-wedding.

go local

A solid majority of wedding waste comes from importing. From food to flowers to vendors, there’s a lot going on. By selecting local (and seasonal) food, wines, flowers, and vendors, there’s less transportation and you get to support local businesses. Bonus: the food will taste better and the flowers will be prettier. Speaking of blooms, you can reduce the amount you need by taking the ceremony arrangements and reusing them at the reception. Win for the environment AND your wallet (flowers aren’t cheap, ya’ll).

Make it biodegradable

We already went over having seed paper for the paper goods, but we can do more. If you’re planning on having confetti or balloons (looking at you, bridal shower balloon arch), make sure they’re the biodegradable kind. There are even eco-friendly fireworks! Regular fireworks work up a lot of smoke contaminating the atmosphere, but the eco option is clean burning and uses a nitrogen based fuel which emits very little smoke.

Reduce fumes

Speaking of smoke, let’s talk about transportation. There’s a few different things that can impact this:

1) Provide a shuttle or a bus to/from the venue from your hotel blocks: less cars at the venue and everyone can drink

2) Have your ceremony and reception at the same venue (your guests will also appreciate this)

3) If you’re having a destination wedding (aka a location where you know everyone has to travel), keep the guest list as small as possible. Weddings produce 75 times the CO2 emissions of an average in-town wedding just off of guest travel alone.

rent & borrow

After you make a list of all the things you need for the wedding, go through and highlight everything you could possibly rent (your planner will have contacts for this as well) for your linens, decor, dishes/cutlery, or even outfits (tuxes and bridesmaid dresses). Next, see what you can buy second hand at a thrift shop. This could include welcome party/rehearsal dinner/after party outfits, decor, guest “book” options, or jewelry. Lastly, what could you borrow from a relative or close friend? This could usually be accessories like jewelry, shoes, or a veil. Or signage and decor (you would not believe the amount of stuff people accumulate from their own weddings and would be happy to let you buy/borrow!). Won’t know until you ask!

Interested in thrifting for your wedding? We have a whole blog post about it! Click here to read

give back

Lastly, find a way to off-set your wedding carbon footprint. First, use this calculator to determine how big your footprint will be. One bride I read about in the New York Times donated money to a non-profit that plants trees and others donate to other non-profit green organizations. You can choose vendors and venues that use more sustainable methods such as solar panels, insulated walls/window, biodegradable materials, and LED lights. Some companies even plant trees just for spending money with them (hello, Capital One Travel!). But my favorite (simple) way is to plant a tree for your unity ceremony. It’s the “greenest” thing you could do and it’s integrated into the wedding day. You know what they say about birds and stones.

So, go forth and plan…sustainably. Even if you’re not able to do much, every little bit helps. There’s about 2.5 MILLION weddings a year, so if each couple just did one or two things more eco-friendly, that’s a lot of impact. What will you do for yours? Let us know!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Weddings are (and should) be unique to the couple themselves. You choose your wedding party, who’s speaking or giving toasts at the ceremony or reception, the theme, etc. But in certain cases, to bring your vision to life, you have to involve the guests and give them direction. Do you want gifts? Is there a specific dress code? Are kids allowed? These are all things that need to be indicated in your invite suite, but can sometimes be awkward to write out. I’ve asked Kate Turner of Kate + Company (the QUEEN of luxury weddings) to help guide how to properly phrase certain requests in the most sophisticated way possible:

How to say "kid free wedding"

To communicate a "no kids" policy at your wedding, we recommend using your invitation envelopes to guide guests. You can use inner and outer envelopes, addressing the inner envelope to the family (Mr. and Mrs. John Smith) and the outer envelope with the couple's given names (Suan and John). By listing it this way, clearly without the kids names, it's a red flag that this is adults only! For your RSVP card, include a "number of guests attending" area. Most guests will understand and respect this rule. If needed, handle exceptions on a case-by-case basis. While you can include the phrase "Adults Only" on your reception card, we don't recommend it.

How to say "no gifts" or "money only"

It’s important to remember while giving a wedding gift is common practice, no one is actually required to buy you a wedding gift so indicating any registry details on a wedding invitation could be interpreted as rude and is a big etiquette no-no. We recommend allowing for word-of-mouth on your gift giving preferences. However, if you want to list something it's more appropriate to do so on your wedding website.  We recommend the verbiage, "Your presence at our wedding is a present enough! However, if you'd like to give well wishes with a gift, we'd appreciate you considering cash or gift cards to your favorite store. This will help us achieve our dream of turning our house into a home / taking a once in a lifetime vacation / etc. For your convenience, we've linked some of our registries below. Thank you! Sarah and Paul".

How to instruct color palette or specific themed dress code

We love being direct here so there's no confusion. Typically an attire preference is listed on the reception card. Typically you'd indicate "All Pink Attire Preferred" or "Black Tie". If you need to give more detail, we recommend moving this to an FAQ's section of your website! Two important things to remember here: (1) Black-Tie is only for events after 6pm and (2) part of being a gracious host is allowing your guests to be comfortable. Being too strict with a dress code may be a financial challenge for some of your guests causing them to forego attending your events. If that's okay with you - great! If not - make it easy on your guests! 

How to invite people for the reception only and not the ceremony

An invitation is technically two parts, the larger piece invites guests to witness your marriage at the ceremony. Then there is an insert that invites them to the reception. If you are inviting some guests to BOTH events and some guests to the reception only, you will first need a stationer that's good with variable data - that's key! Next, you'll need two variations of your main invitation. Variation One - follows standard protocol and invites guests to your ceremony, includes the date, time, location. Variation Two - the main insert will actually be an announcement and not include the time or location. Then these guests get the same reception insert. 

How to explain a "British style" wedding aka morning ceremony then evening reception

This is actually very common in our marketplace (midwest USA) because most Catholic weddings are similar - late morning or early afternoon ceremony followed by a gap and then evening reception. You'll simply use the main invitation to invite guests to the ceremony indicating the time, etc. Then a reception card indicating the details of the evening portion. If more explanation is needed, we'd suggest pushing this to your wedding website. 

Kate is a luxury wedding and event planner based in St. Louis, MO, although the company does execute events all over! As this boutique-style team specializes in the most luxurious of wedding experiences, they do only take on a limited number of events a year (aka your guest experience is guaranteed to be elite). Kate + Co has been featured in all the top industry publications, including Brides, Martha Stuart Weddings, and Vogue Weddings.

Kate prides herself with being surrounded by the best teams and has a true passion for creating gorgeous events that reflect the unique style of each couple. When she’s not commanding a room flip, you’ll find her playing tourist with her kids and husband.

Even if it’s just for gorgeous inspiration, be sure to follow Kate on Instagram @kateandcompany and check out her website at www.kateandcollc.com.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Trends can be fun and for those that have been married for a while, it can be even funny to look back on what you (initially) thought was important or looked good. So I asked people who have been married for 5+ years what details they still LOVED about their wedding day. Not everything will last the test of time, but these did for them! So if you’re in the middle of wedding planning and are probably a little overwhelmed, maybe one of these notes will help some of those decisions:

“We really made it ‘our vibe’! Classic vintage with a quirky twist. I also DIY’d a lot!

-Kate

“Spending 10 minutes alone, just the two of us right after the ceremony before greeting people. We also had a live band, lots of dancing, and an open bar! It was so fun!”

-Alison

“Instead of a guest book, we had folks write us letters that we would open in the future. We opened letters on year 1, 5, 7, and then the last will be opened this year at year 10. We’ve had so much fun on those anniversaries, popping open a bottle of champagne and reading wonderful notes from everyone who was there with us that night”

-T

“We did NOT do a first look. As much as I love them from the planning side, I’m glad we didn’t do it.”

-Mallory

“I tell everyone to do this (and our planner told us): While everyone was at cocktail hour, we had a private room overlooking the [cocktail hour] space where we were able to drink champagne and eat appetizers in peace for 10-15 minutes together. It was a way to see the decor and our guests celebrating without anyone knowing we were on the balcony above observing and taking a moment for ourselves”

-Jessica

“We loved doing a first dance, a garter toss, and a fun exit!”

-P

“Our wedding was in St. Lucia and we spent a week before and after the wedding there. People filtered in and out based on availability, but we got to spend real time with everyone instead of just the wedding day (when you really don’t spend time with anyone)”

-Jenn

“I had three flower girls and I don’t regret that. I loved them!”

-Candice

“We did our first look before the ceremony so all our photos were already taken. After the ceremony we spent 30 minutes together in private before joining the party. Being able to mingle with friends and family during cocktail hour was important to us. Almost 10 years later and it’s still the best part of the night outside of dancing!”

-Tara

At the end of the day, make your wedding your own and concentrate on what’s most important to you both. Remember to take even a few minutes to just soak in those special moments alone. Whether it’s during a first look, after the ceremony, or a private dance at the end of the night; because the entire point of the WHOLE THING is that you got married to your special person and the stress and adrenaline of planning can sometimes take from that.

If you’ve been married for over 5 years and have something to add, let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Weddings are such a special time for friends and families to come and celebrate a couple taking a huge step in their lives together. If you are invited to a wedding it means that the couple considers you to be an important part of their lives and a part of their future together as spouses. The job of the wedding guest is not hard, but it does have a few boundaries that you should be careful not to cross. We have listed some of the most important rules of (general) guest etiquette for you so there’s no guessing involved!

No white/ivory/cream

If I see one more TikTok with a wedding guest asking if her all white dress with a single black flower is wedding appropriate I might just become an internet troll. The rule of thumb is, if you have any doubt that your outfit isn’t appropriate, change outfits.

Always refer to the wedding website

Don’t know what to wear? Check the website! Don’t know where the couple is registered? The website has it! Don’t know where to stay for the wedding weekend? It’s on the website! I guarantee you, 95% of your questions will be answered on the wedding website. It’s literally what it was made for.

RSVP as soon as possible

From the second a couple sends out their invites they check DAILY to see who has responded. The sooner you can give them an answer the better. I know it can be hard if you think you cannot make it, but just know… there is a mini celebration every time a notification comes through saying someone cannot attend the wedding. Not responding doesn’t immediately mean a no, it means anxiety for everyone involved. So always respond and respond well before the deadline.

If the invite says "adults only" don't ask to bring your kid

Again, check the website. The general rule is always that the only people invited to the wedding will be listed on your invitation. Other than that your kids, auntie, and dog are not invited (sharing this from personal experience, not as a joke!)

Don't get in the photographer's way

The soon to be newlyweds have most likely spent thousands of dollars to photograph their big day. Your view is important, but not as important as the photographer's view! They are also not there to find your good side, so there’s no need for you to try to get into every photo possible.

If the couple says "unplugged ceremony", don't take photos

Again, thousands of dollars have been spent to memorialize the ceremony. Your iPhone photos are never going to be the photos that get printed and hung above the mantle. If the couple has asked for an unplugged ceremony it’s because they want you to be in the moment with them (and their ceremony photos to be devoid of hands with phones in the air). Let the professionals do the job they were hired for.

If you are married or are getting married soon, what are some pet peeves you have of wedding guests that we might have missed??

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

When it comes to wedding planning, there are countless decisions to make and I am here to add to that list!

Not only can you make decisions on what to do with your boutique, what gifts you give to your friends and family, what signature drinks to serve and how to decorate your wedding, but then you have the option to customize them! Don’t know where to start? We have made a list for you of just a few of the things that can be customized before, during and after your wedding! 

Turning your bouquet into resin art

• Cup Coasters 

• A block or shape used solely as decoration 

• Framed 

• Trays 

• Wine stoppers 

• Ring holder 

We have a whole blog post on this: click here

Wedding favors

• Custom labeled wine/champagne bottles 

• Cookies decorated with the wedding date/colors/names 

• Koozies 

• Shop from local bakeries and store in personalized bags

• Sweets with custom labels 

• Custom match books

Need more favor inspo? Click here for the blog post

Signature drink presentations

• Custom drink stirrers 

• Custom cups 

• Drink toppers 

• Water bottles with custom labels 

• Napkins with your name/ wedding date/ artwork

Wedding day decor

• Welcome signs 

• Signature drink signage 

• Escort cards/walls/tables

• Table numbers 

• Guests welcome bags 

• Food or drink menu

If you’re looking to inject more personal touches into your big day/weekend, I’m here to help you with all that artwork and leave the stress behind! Send me a message and let’s get started on custom drink signs, guest books, favors, or live illustration entertainment.

How are you going to customize your wedding?

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

As a bride, I know how many little details go into creating your wedding day. My mom likes to remind me that guests won’t remember 90% of these details that I started obsessing over well over a year before the wedding. She is probably correct, but we all know there are a few KEY parts of a wedding that, if gone wrong, guests will remember well after the DJ plays “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here”. Let’s talk about them now, so your guests won’t have to talk about them later. 

1. Uncomfortable chairs

   This is one I am having a hard time with because DID YOU KNOW renting chair cushions is just about the same price as renting the chair?! This is mind blowing to me. My initial thought was to skimp on the cushions because realistically I want people up and dancing or mingling all night, but after having to sit in a chiavari chair for a meeting recently, I’m going to splurge for the cushions. Don’t waste your time like me, just get the cushions. Your guests are going to have to sit through your lovey dovey vows and listen to your little sister’s speech in those chairs, don’t make their experience any more uncomfortable. 

2. Cold food

   There has not been a single wedding where guests sit down for dinner and think “wow, I could care less about what is about to be served to me.” Usually the cocktail hour food is just a little teaser for your hunger levels after spending half of your day getting ready, traveling to the venue, and sitting through the ceremony. Whether you have a buffet or a plated meal, the most important part will be making sure the guests bite into a nice hot bite of food. You can cover up even the most mediocre large group catering with the perfect steamy plate.  

3. Not serving alcohol

   Ok, Ok, OK I hear you! Alcohol is expensive, your church doesn’t believe in it, or you personally believe that your life is better without it. All of this is correct! But that will not stop your coworkers/family/friends from complaining on Monday morning about how they went to a dry wedding on Saturday night and it was the longest reception of their life. Unless you are truly only inviting guests that are of the same beliefs as you, I’d recommend at least having beer and wine available for guests who may want to partake in spicing up the party just a bit. 

4. A (too) long ceremony

   Growing up Catholic, I understand how long some ceremonies can get! These are the moments where you share your love for your partner and vow to stand by them forever. There is an argument for stating that this is actually the entire reason you have brought all of your favorite friends and family together. But let’s be honest with each other here, they showed up to celebrate you with food, drinks, and good music. That being said, sitting still for over 30 minutes is very hard, especially if it’s in an uncomfortable seat (see above!). Try to keep your ceremony to only the most meaningful necessities! A great way to do this is reading your personalized vows to each other during your first look and keep the ceremony more simple (this also is a great option for anyone with public speaking jitters).

5. Extreme weather

   Unfortunately this is one part of your wedding that is out of your hands, but there are ways to prepare for extreme weather! For the heat make sure to have water and fans for guests when they arrive (shade if you’re outdoors and a venue with AC for indoors). For cold weather make sure to add space heaters to your budget. You can always take them off your rental the week of your wedding if the weather ends up being nicer than expected. If any events are outside, cozy blankets make great favors! Everyone think of me in November in Kentucky as I pray to not experience the extreme cold and make my guests miserable. 

Have you experienced any of these misfortunes at weddings recently?? Give us all the tea!

Lauren Allen, Author

Lauren is a bridal consultant and self-published author, with a background in celebrity styling and bridal make up artistry. You can find her with an oat milk cappuccino in the morning, and a glass of Cabernet at night, her real passions. Lauren is based in Kansas CIty and her book “How to Be 23” can be found here

Want to know a trend that’s been gaining traction for quite a few years now?

Eloping.

It used to be viewed as “defiant”, done on a whim, or for those that don’t care about a big party. Well, that last one might be true for some couples, but if the pandemic taught us anything about weddings; it’s that some couples actually got to live out their intimate wedding or elopement dreams without being judged (FINALLY).

What is NOT true about all elopements, is that it doesn’t take planning. Some actually want to plan out their special day like any other couple: booking a photographer, scouting locations, and ordering your dream outfit months in advance. But, where do you start?

I thought the perfect person to ask would be Carrie Rogers of Carrie Rogers Photography, an incredible photographer who specializes in elopements and loves to travel with her couples wherever they want to be married. So here are some things you and your fiance should go over while planning:

let’s start with the legalities

Remember, legally binding yourself to another human is a requirement to being actually married. The “wedding” is the fun part. So, like any marriage, you need a license. These requirements vary by city, state, and country so be sure to check into this thoroughly and complete proper paperwork before the day of. Aside from any documents that might be required, you’ll also probably need:

• An officiant to conduct the ceremony

• A witness (or two) to sign the license

  Another option is to get legally married at a courthouse before jetting off to your elopement location. This is a much easier option for those that want to get married internationally. Even couples that have big weddings do this as well just for the convenience.

  Carrie says, “Even if your ceremony isn’t on the same day that you sign your license, it doesn’t mean your elopement is any less special or real. Your wedding day is more about committing yourselves to each other than signing a piece of paper!”

you need a budget

Or maybe you’re one of those lucky people that don’t and I love that for you. However, for the other 99%, do your research into the things & experiences you want and the places you’d like to go, how much they cost, and carve out a rough budget based on your priorities and what’s feasible for you both. Don’t rule something out just because you think it will be out of reach, get quotes first! Here are the major money points to consider:

• Flights, rental car / gas

• Accommodations

• Attire + Rings

• Location permits and fees

• Marriage license

• Vendors (Photographer, Videographer, Florist, Hair, Makeup, etc.)

• Food / Drinks

• Activities and Excursions

  Carrie says, “You’ll be surprised at just how amazing your day can be, while still spending less money than you would on planning a bigger, more traditional wedding. This is your WEDDING DAY. It deserves to be everything you want.”

imagine your dream day

When it comes down to it, you want your wedding day to be special and the whole point of an elopement is for it to be an intimate moment between the two of you (and possibly a few close loved ones), so why not make it exactly how you dreamed. Where do you feel your best and your happiest? What do you and your fiance like to do together or go together? Do what feels right for YOU.

Note: Want more tips on how to include your family/friends in your elopement? Carrie has a blog post on that right here.

Carrie says, “One of the biggest steps to planning your elopement is having a vision for the day that feels authentic and meaningful to you. Take this vision with you as you finalize all the details of the day.”

Choosing your location

Since elopement is all about NOT having the pomp and circumstance of a big wedding (which, TBH, is centered around guest experience), location and experience are the main parts of your big day. Do you want to go back to a place that is special or sentimental to you and your partner? Do you want to discover somewhere new together? Wherever you decide, make sure it’s your happy place. Here’s what to consider:

• Scenery: where are you? At the beach? On a snowy mountaintop? Hiking through fall foliage or red rocks?

• Accessibility: How strenuous do you want your wedding day to be? i.e. hiking up a mountain in a tight mermaid dress. If you’re inviting guests who might have mobility issues or are older, take into consideration when researching locations

• Privacy: if you’re outdoors and in a public space (hiking trails, parks, landmarks, etc), your intimate moments might be surrounded by strangers. This can be distracting and chip away at the romantic idea you had in your head. Carrie recommends choosing a weekday or sunrise time to avoid crowds and allow yourselves to have a more private ceremony.

• Weather and time of year: regardless of where your location is, seasons should always be a consideration. Even warm weather places have rainy or stormy seasons. Example: desert places are best during the spring and fall to avoid extreme temperatures. Definitely be a little flexible on the date so you can get your most ideal weather scenario out of the location you pick.

Carrie says, “Your wedding day will feel like a “full circle” moment as you add a significant milestone to all the other special memories of that place. On the other hand, choosing a location you’ve never been to before means your wedding day memories will forever include experiencing that place together for the first time. This adds a new element of excitement to planning that really can’t be beat!”

picking a date

Speaking of weather, this is a major factor when picking your elopement date (see case in point above). If you’d rather get married on a date that has more significance to you, pick your location around that instead! But if you want your wedding on February 14th and you hate the cold, I would not suggest picking the Northeast of the US as your wedding location.

Carrie says, “Make sure you consider all the other factors that go into your day when making your final decisions.”

the big one: vendors

Obviously, this will look different for everyone depending on how you want your day, but here are a few vendors that most couples will need to hire:

• A photographer: just as with any other niche market, picking someone who specializes in elopements is ideal. Ultimately, you want someone that you get along with, who makes you feel comfortable, and that you love their editing style. The whole point in hiring a professional photographer is to get your most special moments captured while you look and feel your best, so make sure they’re the right one for you. Remember, they’ll be with you ALL day (or more).

• An officiant: We discussed this in the “legalities” section at the beginning, but if you want to get legally married on your wedding day you need to hire an officiant. Otherwise, you’ll need to get legally married prior and then whoever you’d like can conduct the ceremony. Fun fact: Carrie is ordained and has officiated her couples weddings before!

• Hair and make up artist(s): It’s your special day, why not look your absolute best? You deserve it. We have a whole blog post on hiring for hair and make up, click here to read.

• Florist: Again, this will depend on what kind of day you’re planning, but having a bouquet is always lovely!

Carrie says, “I encourage you to think first about what your DREAM elopement day looks like, estimate the costs of that (reach out to vendors for quotes), and THEN compare that to your financial situation. If you need to adjust your priorities, that’s okay!”

Elopement attire

This one’s quick, but still wanted to emphasize that you should always pick your dream outfit! Just because you’re not getting married in front of 200 people or have a traditional venue, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to get married in something special. This is your wedding, wear what makes you feel your best and brings out your most confident self. It’s also important to note that you should consider location and weather when packing for before and after the ceremony: proper hiking boots, rain jacket, extra clothes, etc.

Carrie says, “These little details are pretty easy to take care of towards the end of your planning, but don’t forget about them.”

As we always say on this blog, you do you, boo. Your day is exactly that…YOUR DAY. I think one of the reasons I was so excited to do a blog post about Carrie is because of how much she encourages couples to do what’s best for them and makes them shine in the most authentic way. She says, “This is the day you and your partner commit yourselves to each other and you’ll look back on it for the rest of your lives! There are no rules here, so have fun with your planning and make your day exactly what you want it to be.”

Carrie is originally from a small town in Missouri, but is now based in Southern California where she lives with her partner and two adorable kitties. She frequently travels all over CA, as well as the Western USA and internationally, to capture those special and intimate moments for her clients. I highly suggest you follow her on Instagram @carrierogersphotography and grace your feed with all her gorgeous photos. If you’re looking to learn more or book her for a session, check out her website, www.carrierogersphotography.com.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Happy New Year!! It is officially wedding year for me and that means finalizing details and way too much time on Wedding TikTok. With that comes visible trends for the weddings coming up this year! Today we wanted to share the trends we have seen the most, but the biggest reminder we have for you is that this is your wedding and trends are fun to keep up with, but they are not required to follow. Make sure your wedding is a representation of you and not the year you are getting married in.

The 80’s are back

As someone who has always loved fashion, I grew up looking at my mom’s wedding dress and mocking her for her big hair and even bigger balloon sleeves on her wedding dress. Before I realized how much trends truly do always come back I never imagined the possibility of seeing a dress like hers again. Now that is the most up and coming bridal trend in 2023. Puffy sleeves come in all shapes and sizes from chiffon, tulle and lace, off the shoulder, on the shoulder, or anything you could imagine. 

Even if you go more basic with your neckline, dresses in general are starting to take a turn for a more modest look with classic laces. Think appliqués, tulle, and beading rather than soft lace and textures.

More is more

Similar to the bigger sleeves on the dresses, you will be seeing more of everything in 2023. This is especially true for florals. Many celebrity weddings last year had an increasingly lavish amount of florals and I have been seeing more and more conversations about covering your wedding completely in flowers but at a non-celebrity price point. You will be seeing floral chandeliers, full table garland rather than simple centerpieces, and aisles that look like gardens. 

This trend will relate to many parts of the wedding party. Instead of taking the simple route with any details, over the top thrill will be put in place. You may notice other details being cut in this place though. Not every couple is choosing to follow every tradition, but the ones they choose will be done to the best of their abilities.

Party over romance

Many people that are getting married in 2023 are doing it out of a choice to bring all of their favorite people together to celebrate their love for each other. A wedding is no longer an obligation for family to see the couple dedicate their lives to one another, but a celebration of their continued commitment. Ceremonies are now just a break in the party for tradition, surrounded by a welcome party, reception, after party, and Sunday brunch. Brides still want the beautiful dress (because why not!), but it’s not all just for mom and grandma to feel satisfied. 

Candid photos

Personally, I have a love/ hate relationship with this trend. Looking at wedding photos, we all know that the portrait style photos are necessary and they get the best details and everyone of importance will get a photo. In this social media age, it’s the candid photos that make the biggest impact though. They show personalities and tell the best stories. Blurry photos are even becoming the preferred story to tell in a singular moment in time captured. Can you imagine just a few years ago asking a professional photographer to take and send you blurry photos of your wedding?? My only problem with these candid photos is that in the past they have only shown my personal insecurities, and I can imagine that I’m not alone in those feelings. On your wedding day, just try to remember how special the story is that these photos are telling. (At least that’s what I’ll be telling myself!)

Are you a 2023 bride? What is your favorite trend that you will be incorporated into your big day?

Lauren Allen, Author

Lauren is a bridal consultant and self-published author, with a background in celebrity styling and bridal make up artistry. You can find her with an oat milk cappuccino in the morning, and a glass of Cabernet at night, her real passions. Lauren is based in Kansas CIty and her book “How to Be 23” can be found here