All of the Lights

Lighting is one of my favorite aspects of a wedding. It totally sets the mood once the sun goes down, and can add a huge amount aesthetically while it is still sunny out as well. Lighting is crucial for photography and can make a somewhat plain space really sparkle!

 

It's all about finding the right type of lighting for your venue. Candles are inexpensive, romantic, and classic, but many venues ban open flames of any sort. Not to worry! There are so many electric and battery options out there that I don't think people realize. Simply browsing on Pinterest reveals the vast amount of options to match the vibe of your wedding. Your rental company should have a lot of these in stock, and if not try your florist/designer.

 

Photo: Claire Morgan                                         Photo: People Producciones             

 

I love this shot. See how much some simple string lights can make a difference? They add a glowing wall behind this lounge area, and so much dimension reflecting off the pool. Such an impact, and inexpensive! I found endless choices of string lights at Target, and these are obviously something you can keep for Christmases to come (or just rent from your rental company!). String lights are also my favorite when strung over the reception area, above all the tables and people, at an outdoor venue. It adds dimension and a "ceiling" of sorts that gives a special vibe once darkness hits.

 

       Photo: Raquel Reis                      The Hanging Lantern Company

 

I love lanterns! With a majority of weddings around the world happening during summertime, sometimes the sun does not go down until late. Lanterns are so awesome because they can act as a really fun and festive decoration before they are needed as lights (or just as decoration, no lights!). Again, these add dimension at varying heights, playfulness, and enchantment. And when they are lit up? Glowing orbs of fun overhead :)

 

Photo: Gustavo Fernandez

 

Uplights are everything. Above is a photo from an event my old company put on at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. I believe this building used to be an old financial building, but is now used exclusively for events. The inside is all a light grey stone, and while beautiful, totally lacks in any color. You can see how use of uplights on the side pillars totally transform this space. The ability to use any colors you want can really lead to endless possibilities. Uplights can simply give shape and color to a space, can highlight certain aspects of a space (trees, wreaths, an entrance), and can be used for dramatic purposes during a grand entrance or first dance. Even better? They are easy to install, inexpensive, and can come in any color you like.

 

 Photo: Sylvie Gil Photography                  Photo: Sarah Kate                  

 

 

This brings me to my very favorite form of wedding lighting: chandeliers! Chandeliers are the ultimate in elegant, classy, upscale lighting. They add romanticism to any indoor or outdoor space and just make everything feel fancy! Chandeliers do not always have to be crystals; they can be rustic, modern, and aerie. These don't come cheap, but are especially useful in an outdoor location where you want something elegant over your guest tables.

 

I really encourage my brides to explore their lighting options to add some noticeable extra flare and magic to their special celebration!



Four Habits of Highly Successful Weddings

In its essence, a wedding is the culmination of approximately 823940 factors, all coming together to create one really fabulous celebration. What are the makings of a great wedding, you ask? Here are some starting points, in no particular order:

1. Great Things to Look At
Nothing will make your guests' jaws drop more than beautiful sight to see. Beautiful flowers and special décor can go a long way. Everyone can appreciate a beautiful flower to look at, or a gorgeous wreath to adorn an, otherwise, plain space. Any additions to your space that are visually pleasing will keep your guests entertained, talking, and snapping photos. A variation on this point is to hold your wedding in somewhere very scenically pleasing: a surreal beach view, a majestic mountain view, an ethereal valley, in the middle of a forest... the options are endless and best of all: all are built into the price of the venue! No need to go overboard with décor or flowers in these types of settings. I went to a gorgeous wedding on Oahu a couple weeks ago, and the view itself was enough to make it a truly beautiful wedding. The couple used almost nothing else, nor did they need it!

Photo 1: Lisa Poggi             Photo 2: Max Wanger

2. Artistic Elements to Appreciate

Adding artistic elements to your wedding details cause guests to feel they are somewhere special and deserving of such art. Moving beyond simple flower arrangements and decor, a little extra artistry goes a long way. Given that your wedding day is the most important day ever, you want your guests appreciating even the smallest bit of creativity that you put into every aspect. Calligraphy is a big one for me. Calligraphy has few opportunities in which is it appropriate. Weddings are absolutely one of them. Use of calligraphy can make a simple word feel royal, elegant, fancy, and romantic all at once. An ancient art itself, calligraphy is a fairly simple way to make a plain detail glamorous. Unique floral arrangements, too, add this element of grandeur. Large, magnificent arches, intricate petal arrangements on the ceremony aisle, and living wall backdrops are all examples of ways you can spice up your florals with an artistic flair. Finally, gourmet food is a third way your guests will appreciate the extra attention to detail at your event. High-end caterers can do some really amazing thing with hors d'oeuvres and dinner presentation. Your food selections will be sure to show up on instagram with this approach!

Photo 1: Me! (A wedding I recently attended)  Photo 2: Buzzfeed    Photo 3: Katie Stoops Photography

3. Fun Activities!

To quote one of my favorite movies (Step Brothers), "there is so much room for activities!" Let's face it: weddings can be a 6 hour long affair! You want to keep your guests interested, entertained, excited, and smiling! First and foremost, make sure you have great music and a dancing floor. Haven't all the most fun weddings you've attended included a LOT of dancing? Make sure to test out your DJ or band before hiring them. Insist on videos of live performances, and take special note of how the crowd is reacting! You'll want a DJ or band that has people on their feet and singing along. Unfortunately, not all DJs/bands are good at playing the right music in the right sequence at the right time, so it's an important thing to look for. Photobooths are also always a hit, and there are so many variations now too! From props, to flip books, to slow motion video booths, the options are endless as well as endlessly entertaining. On this note, lawn games are also a big hit and have great variety as well. Corn hole is timeless and a great item to personalize according to your wedding theme. Horseshoes is inexpensive and easy to play as guests have a drink in their hand at cocktail hour. Another perk: great way to keep the kids at bay!

Photo 1: Flip Book America                       Photo 2: Best Photography



4. Open Bar

Possibly the most important on the list, I can't stress enough the important of an open bar. As the event hosts, you spend so much time planning every detail so that your guests are happy and comfortable, so this one should not slip to the wayside. When you face the facts, no wedding guest is happy when he or she has to pull out their wallet in order to join in the celebration. This is truly an integral part of "getting the party started" and I urge you to spend the extra cash for a hosted bar.

Finding great vendors to accomplish such a feat can be overwhelming! One perk of hiring a wedding planner is getting their expertise and industry knowledge of the best of the best wedding vendors in your area. Cheers!