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!

Custom wedding (specifically bride) illustrations were the very first custom offering I ever started created. It’s now grown into all sorts of custom illustration offerings including couples, friends, family, etc and I love offering all sorts of options so everyone can find what they’re looking for! However, when it comes to custom, the process can be a bit more confusing than simply buying an art piece and I get the same common questions over and over so let’s do an official FAQ on how to order a custom wedding illustration:

who are custom sketches for?

Literally anyone and everyone as art should be! The whole point of ordering a custom piece is to have something special that you can connect with before or after the wedding day. And they make great gifts as well because who doesn’t love something custom made for them? Here at SamiaLynn we are inclusive and not here to judge. No matter who you married or who you’re gifting to, everything is an option.

can you sketch [insert your idea here]?

It’s the number one question I receive and my favorite answer this always: “when you can draw, you can draw anything!”. If you have a specific art style in mind, I always ask for example photos so I can let you know whether or not that’s a style I can accomplish. If you love the way I draw already then I can draw you anything you’d like! This is your vision, I’m just here to make it happen

does it have to be an exact photo of what i want?

Absolutely NO! If you do have an exact photo you’d like me to draw, that’s amazing. However, most of my clients want to “build” their custom piece so aside from the people/pets/background you want to be the focal point, feel free to send me any inspiration photos, or photos for specific poses, clothing, scenery, etc. These photos also, by no means, need to be professional, but if you’re getting a sketch of any clothing that has a pattern or embellishment (lace, beading, etc) on it then I will need clear/close up photos. If it’s a wedding dress and you know the designer, you can always let me know and I will look up the gown if you don’t know the exact style number or name.

how does the process work?

Like I mentioned in the previous question, we’re building this piece together and go through it step by step! After you send over photos, descriptions, ideas, etc, I will work on a super rough draft for you to approve the layout. If we’re working through multiple ideas, I will send those over at the same time so you can pick which one you’d like to go with. From there I’ll send you the final lines and you’ll approve it or request changes before I fill it in with color and details.

What if i don’t know what i want?

That’s totally fine! I love bring a vague idea to life! We’ll just go over what you’re generally looking for, who you might be gifting it to, and your “why” behind the order. Talking it out always brings the right answer to the surface.

Can i pick the illustration size?

The default size for custom wedding illustrations are 11x14”, but all sizes are certainly available and are custom quoted so feel free to ask!

What is the turn around time?

For custom illustrations, an approval of the rough draft is required before I will complete the order and ship out. The faster the approval, the faster the completion. Typically, I can ship out within 1 week of the order, however, if I have a number of orders to complete it could take up to 2 weeks. First class USPS domestic US shipping is included in pricing which (depending on where it’s going) takes roughly 3-7 business days. Rush rates for both creation and shipping are available for an extra fee.

where can i buy a custom sketch?

I sell custom illustrations through my website and Etsy. Items available through samialynn.com are only shipping in the USA and Canada right now, but hopefully will go international soon! If you’re not in the US or Canada, or would like to ship elsewhere, you can purchase through my Etsy shop here

how do illustrations ship?

All regular sized illustrations are shipped in a plastic sleeve with chipboard in a non-bendable envelope along with a piece of cardboard for extra sturdiness to ensure the paper stays flat. All custom, non-framed illustrations come wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon. Orders larger than 11x14” are shipped rolled up in a tube. Option to add a free gift message if it’s being sent directly to the recipient!

i have more questions!

I’m always here for you! Just send an email to samantha@samialynn.com and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Hope to hear from you soon!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Sam here! 👋🏼 I’ve been working in weddings for a long time and I will be the first to tell you that this industry moves SLOW when it comes to trends. AKA “new things” don’t pop up super often (and if they do, it was slowly forming from something else anyway).

HOWEVER, a few months ago I was sketching at a reception and met my first wedding content creator. If you’re like me and thought “Wtf is a wedding content creator?” then this is the blog post for you. Her name is Hannah Bruce and she graciously answered allllll of my questions so you can decide if having a content creator is right for your big day or weekend. Because I don’t know about you, but I was immediately intrigued, so let’s dive in:

What does a wedding content creator do?

As a wedding content creator it's my job to capture all the raw, candid, and unseen moments. I also capture all the details that the couple spent hours upon hours planning that they might not even see or fully be able to take in on their wedding day. I film everything vertically on an iPhone so it's perfectly formatted to share on the couple's social media. I deliver all the raw footage as well as edited videos the day after their wedding so all the couple has to do is hit post!

I think it’s also important to note that a content creator has no intention of replacing your photographer or videographer and should not be treated as such. They are there to capture moments for your social content and aspects of the wedding that you as the couple have missed (i.e. guests interacting with any entertainment, their reactions to dances/food/decor, cocktail hour, etc)

What value does this bring to a wedding experience?

I give couples another way to remember their wedding to the fullest. Having someone dedicated to taking videos for you to look back on allows your guests to be guests and you and your bridal party to be fully present. So often the day after the wedding, the couple doesn't have any footage from the day before and they have to wait several weeks for their photographer or videographer to send the final edits. And having edited videos to easily share on social media the next day is just icing on the cake!

Who is the ideal client for this service?

Any couple that wants those candid, behind the scenes moments and/or videos to share on Instagram or TikTok. I approach each wedding differently, so if you're into making fun/trending videos for social media, I'm here for you! And then I also have couples who are less interested in posting and just want to see their wedding from a different angle and have those memories captured.

What end product do couples receive and how long does it take?

The couple will receive all the raw video clips which are sorted into folders (ie. getting ready, ceremony, cocktail hour, ect.). As well as edited videos (between 2-3 depending on the package they choose) and before the wedding we decide what kind of edited videos they'd like to recieve. Everything is delivered via Google Drive the day after the wedding!

What’s the ballpark cost to hire a content creator?

Between $800-$2000 depending on how many hours, the season, and year.

(Note: this does not include travel fees)

Could vendors also hire you?

Yes!! I'm available for anyone and everyone's content creation needs!

(Fellow vendors: if you’re like me and find it next to impossible to get content of yourself working, this is your solution!)

Hannah is based in DC and is also a professional ballet dancer! She married her high school sweetheart in 2020 and has since built a social media presence sharing tips, tricks, and inspo about all things wedding related. This past year she launched “To Have & To Post”: her wedding content creator service. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and TikTok @hannahraybruce and her content creator page @tohaveandtopostweddings.

I recently made a reel using all video content from the wedding we worked together! Click here to check it out on Instagram

So, engaged couples, what do you think about this service and would you have it at your wedding? Let me know!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

The search for your wedding vendor team has begun and by that I mean the stress of sifting through the hundreds of caterers, planners, bands, and everyone else needed to throw your dream wedding. You’ve probably realized by now that you need to either up the budget a little or cut back on a few ideas.

The one place you shouldn’t cut from? Your photos.

(and the food, but I digress)

Meet Berit Bizjak (illustrated above):

She’s a luxury wedding photographer with 20 years experience in the industry. Her first photo job experience was as a sports photographer (the football fan in me is LIVING for this) in NYC after getting her BFA in Photography (honors, ya’ll!) and only after that did she start concentrating in fine art photography and assisting other photographers at weddings. Fast forward to after her kids being in school full time, she founded her business, Images by Berit. But, she didn’t stop there and proceeded to spend the next 2 years in intensive training so she could learn how to best run her business and photograph weddings. She has since become a Certified Professional Photographer and Berit says this is “a milestone that means that I can actually succeed in the unusual combination of technical and artistic skills, also known as fine art wedding photography”.

So much more goes into being a wedding photographer than people realize so Berit has given us a few reasons why it’s completely worth it to spend those extra bucks and go “luxury”:

1. They got the skills

By the time a photographer has reached the level of photographing high-end weddings, her skills will be second nature, allowing her to be fully present and creative on your day of celebration. You won’t have to worry about consistency in her documentation and portraiture, or having the proper equipment and back-ups to do the work

2. They can actually handle your wedding day sh*t

Calmness is key, as well as organization and professionalism. Your photographer should be accustomed to working with event planners and other professionals in high-demand environments that involve precise timing. She’s always got your back

3. They never stop learning

We continually take courses, seminars, and live training, as the industry is constantly evolving. This will cumulatively affect the results of your images

4. They understand the importance of a timeline

She understands the cadence of your wedding day, as most of us have photographed hundreds and hundreds of weddings. Your photographer should know how to multitask and know what to expect while welcoming the unexpected, too! If you live in the northeast, we also know how to work with and prepare for constantly changing lighting. From dark ballrooms to shooting on a sun-drenched beach, it’s all in our back pocket

5. They’re dedicated

Successful luxury photographers love their craft, and love humanity. She gets excited about learning new cultures and traditions, and studies them in detail prior to your wedding day. Her dedication and love of people should show in everything she does

6. No shortcuts. Ever.

She loves the work, and spends unlimited time with her clients before, during, and even after your wedding. The quality of her products and albums are the best in the industry, with every detail attended to

7. They take the time to make everything feel right

She takes the time to get to know you as a couple (engagement photo sessions are great for this), and it shows in your imagery. Couples should look and feel relaxed, and should have some fun, also! Creating unique portraiture that you are comfortable with is important

8. They get you the results you want

There is a reason you love her work, and you may not know exactly why, but I would say it’s because of all of the above. Experience does cost more, but photography is the only tangible from your wedding that grows more valuable with time

Just to drive #8 home: remember that when all is said and done, what you’re left with to remember your special day (besides your memories) are your photos/video, so make sure they’re the best they can be!

You can find Berit on Instagram @imagesbyberit or peak her BEAUTIFUL photos through her website, www.imagesbyberit.com. She’s not only a talented photographer, but is such a genuine person with a love for learning and passion for celebrating the differences that make us who we are.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn