The Wedding Session

While our wedding season, was rather unconventional, we were still able to enjoy some truly amazing moments with our couples during their weddings.

Listen in, as we share some of our favourites!

Notes:
Jana + Ryan

Welcome to our friends, Kelsey + Morgan MacLean, from The MacLeans. A local wedding photographer and videographer/husband and wife duo who we had the personal pleasure of working with this season. We met while working on our couples covid-wedding, and what a ride it was!

We dive into how they started as wedding photographer + videographer's (with a huge detour talking about traveling!!!), what it's like to work with your significant other and why having a real life couple (as your photography team) on your wedding is a good thing!!

NOTES
The MacLeans on Insta
The MacLeans on the Web

As we're booking Clients for the upcoming season, we were starting to notice a few common themes in what they were looking for. And we thought for today's episode, that we would dive into the wedding trends we think will be super popular in 2022. 

What do you think?:

• Outside events are going to be more common + Backyard weddings
• Boho theme + Dried Florals - Boho palms, pampas
• Neutrals, organic fabrics like linen/cotton + Sustainable table designs - potted plants you can reuse, dried florals, etc.
• Technology  
• Weekday events 
• Smaller wedding in general 
• More destination weddings + elopements, but even within your region
• Bridgerton/Garden theme + Lounges + all the Details 
• Using all the scents for design, food, etc.
• Smaller wedding cakes
• Tossing traditions out 
• Anni-Ception - the sequel from the Ceremony, now having the reception
• More non-alcoholic options 
• Edgier dresses + Rented or consignment dresses
• Vegan food

NOTES
We checked out some of these links for Inspo:
The 20 Biggest Wedding Trends You Can Expect to See in 2022
7 Wedding Trends That Experts Predict Will Be Huge in 2022
The Biggest 2022 Wedding Trends to Start Planning for Now
7 Insanely Unique Wedding Trends I’m Predicting For 2022

"Where do I stand"? 
"How do I hold the bouquet?"
"I just don't want to mess it up for the Bride!!"

We've heard every one of these, and there are many more reasons why it's important to have a Rehearsal for your wedding Ceremony. To put simply, the Rehearsal is done so everyone knows where they need to be, what they do and when they need to do it! It reassures you, the Couple!, and the rest of the Bridal party on how the Ceremony will flow. 

Listen in as we share some tips on who needs to be included, how the process should flow, and ways to keep it seamless and let's be real, STRESS FREE, as possible! 

I think we can all agree, that your wedding day is usually...a pretty long day! Starting in the morning with hair and makeup, making your way to the Ceremony, then photos and cocktail hour, then maybe more photos. All before dinner. It's safe to say, you're probably wilting or least losing steam by this point. And no one wants a hangry bride, or groom (poor fella's). 

Here are some of the top reasons why you need snacks:

• You're body is going through a lot of emotions, and you're body is going to crash once the nerves calm down
• You're bridal party will be a heck of a lot more accommodating if you feed them! One more photo....for a snack, heck yes!!
• If it's the summer, you need to have water on hand. Or you'll have the bridal party passing out on you

Here are just a few opportunities you're going to need to nosh:

• In the morning, whilst getting ready. 
• If you have a large gap from the time you have your hair + mua done and the ceremony. You don’t need much, but you’ll need something. 
• Post ceremony - this is usually when all the nerves leave your body and you realize hunger is a real thing
• Limo ride between photos and to the venue. Your bridal party will thank you! 

Listen in as we share some tips on the best types of snacks for the day. 

In Part 2 of our conversation of serving Wine at your Wedding, we discuss the logistical side of getting the wine to your glass! 

As former Caterers, our Clients used to ask us all the time about how to serve the wine at the tables, listen in as we talk about wine service versus table service and what might be the best method for your reception!

We'd be lying if we didn't say this is a favourite topic of ours. Mostly, we just love wine. And how it can absolutely enhance your experience in the best way, at a wedding. 

Listen in as we go into detail, some of the things you should consider when it comes to Wine at your wedding. How the time of year impacts your choices, what your menu is and how you can pair your wines, consider the demographic of the group (who likes wine, who doesn't), the differences with a Venue versus hosting your event at an offsite venue, and more. 

After a small summer hiatus, we're back to say we're sorry and we miss you. 

Now, back to what you want to hear, us talk about weddings! 

We go over our Summer season, but dive right back into giving you advice. VIBE, and why it's so important. At the start, if you hire your vendors based on energy, vibe and overall feeling, you're going to have that energy at your wedding. You want that vibe conveyed to everyone. 

Not only should you vibe with your vendors you've selected, but the experience is so much more enhanced if your vendors know each other, have worked together or are even industry friends! 

Follow your gut, go with someone that is professional but also someone you get along with and have a great energy and overall vibe. 

At least you know, we're out there in the trenches, getting some real world wedding experience for you all! And since wedding has been whoppin' our butts this month, we thought we'd bring back one our favourite and most downloaded episodes - "How to Fire a Wedding Vendor". 

We'll talk about some reasons you might want to select someone else, but here are some things to remember if you feel like you need to fire your vendor:

• Non refundable deposit
• Let them explain themselves
• Talk to 3rd neutral party - like a Planner
• Pull the pin! Decide sooner rather then later
• Conflict of interest

Listen in as we discuss another hot topic - whether you and your partner have a first look, or you wait until you see each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle. 

Let's break down what the difference is! 
         A first look is when you and your partner see each other privately before the ceremony. 

         A traditional ceremony reveal is exactly how it sounds, you see each other walking down the aisle for the first time. 

Maybe you're still stuck on what to do, here are some reasons why you might want to do either:

1st Look! - "Lemme see you're face"

• logistically - flow of the day
• only moment of peace before the day begins
• emotions are too much
• transportation 

Ceremony Reveal - "Ugly tears"

• drama as the doors open
• superstitious
• better lighting for your bridal photos
• you don't have to get up as early
• logistics + site

Here are some Tips for both situations:

• 1st Look: Ways to transform your look (no veil or florals at 1st look, then put them on when ceremony begins so still feel like a bride)
• 1st Look: Work with your planner + photographer to get all the bridal party pics done first, so you can enjoy the time with your friends and family after the ceremony
• Ceremony Reveal: Logistically (work with your Planner and transportation to make sure you and your partner arrive at staggered times so you don’t see each other before the ceremony)
• Ceremony Reveal: Touchups! Get your MUA to retouch after the bridal photos are done, and before reception
• Ceremony Reveal: The Photos you wouldn't normally be able to do (Girls and guy photos, dad reveal, mom and daughter) 

NOTES:
Kiana + Garrett 1st Look
Amanda + Rob Ceremony Reveal
Kelly + Riel 1st Look
Demi + Wayne Ceremony Reveal