DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER // TRAVEL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER // TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER // DESTINATION PHOTOGRAPHER // WEDDING PLANNING

It’s not the size of the venue or the number of guests that makes a wedding special; it’s the intention. Before any other wedding planning, sit down with your partner to discuss the elements that mean the most to you and what you want your wedding day to feel like. Really, really, really dig into it!

From there create a list of 3-5 priorities for your wedding. For some couples it’s feeding their family and showing the people in their life appreciation. For other couples they want to have alone time together and a dance party to remember with their guests. Whatever it is for you, center your planning around that. The intention you put into making this day yours is what will create an atmosphere of intimacy amongst your guests!

Listen, there are COUNTLESS ways to create a day that truly reflects who you two are as a couple, what you value, and how you want to celebrate. Today we’re only talking’ about a few of the big ones to help guide you throughout planning the large wedding of your dreams. Bold, whimsical, creative, or iconic — this is your day.

BOOK MORE HOURS WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

BUILD TIME TO CONNECT INTO YOUR TIMELINE

DO A FIRST LOOK

MAKE THE VENUE COZY

HAVE FOOD WORTH REMEMBERING

SHOW GUESTS LOVE THROUGH THE DETAILS

HIRE INTERACTIVE VENDORS

BUILD TIME TO CONNECT INTO YOUR TIMELINE

With larger weddings it feels like there’s a template for how things should be done and the schedule of the day in order to squeeze everything in— F THAT!  On your wedding day there are no rules when it comes to how and when you want to spend time with your fiancé(e) and guests! It’s kinda silly how traditional weddings are planned in such a way that you’re spending more than half of the day away from your partner and your guests. Let’s fix that, here are some special moments you can share…

DO A FIRST LOOK 

First looks are unbelievably special. They give you a chance to privately experience your emotions of seeing each other for the first time, to connect, and to center yourselves before standing up in front of everyone. Do you want all of that goodness AND to the grand reveal at the ceremony? I’ve got you! Consider doing a first touch or reading letters to each other. Hear your partners laugh, give their hand a squeeze, and take a deep breath all while preserving the reaction of seeing them at the end of the aisle.

MAKE THE VENUE COZY

The more guests the bigger the venue — luckily there are ways to create an ambiance of intimacy even in the largest rooms by creating a soft environment where it is easy for people to connect with each other. 

Ditch the tall extravagant centerpieces and opt for smaller ones so everyone at the table can see each other and engage in conversation. Keep the number of guests at each table small so they can truly connect with one another.

Choose a venue that has multiple seating areas like fire pits or lounges. If the venue you’re looking at doesn’t have that, create your own by bringing in couches and chairs to create little nooks where people can get comfortable and hang out. 

Candles, candles, candles. Turn down the overhead lights and introduce softer lighting throughout the space.

HAVE FOOD WORTH REMEMBERING

When it comes to weddings people always come hungry, so why not give them food AND a meaningful experience?! If you’re having a hotter outdoor reception, have beverage burros walking around with coolers for guests to grab their own drinks or have mini-popsicle cocktails being passed out along with hors d’oeuvres. There is something special about enjoying a meal with the people you love, infuse intention into this time spent together by: including traditional/family recipes, serving a multi course meal based on places you two have traveled, or having your favorite food trucks. 

Never underestimate the power of late night snacks. When the reception is winding down, bring in an ice cream truck, get pizza delivered, or have a buffet for your favorite fast food joint. Whether your guests are feeling ravenous from dancing or a little snacky after mingling for the past few hours they will be thrilled and thankful for the surprise spread. 

And listen… you better eat. Get out there and enjoy cocktail hour with your people, sit down to eat a meal with the love of your life, and converse between mouthfuls of food. 

SHOW GUESTS LOVE THROUGH THE DETAILS

A great way to bring people together, to feel connected to you, and to feel taken care of even when you aren’t in the room is by infusing sentinel details throughout your wedding. If you have a lot of moving pieces to your wedding, create cohesive and fun signage to direct your guests. If you display pictures of loved ones passed it gives a chance for some guests to reminisce and others to learn more about those people for the first time. If you name cocktails after inside jokes from your core group of friends it will have them laughing and sharing stories to bring family into the know. It’s the little things that make people feel seen and continuously remind them of the special connection you share throughout the day. 

HIRE INTERACTIVE VENDORS

When you think of hiring vendors, especially for large weddings, surely the list consists of florists, caterers, bar tenders, and a DJ. That’s pretty much it right? Lately, couples (like you) have been craving more for their guests and their wedding. They want vendors that reflect them as a couple, bring life to the day, and create a lasting impression on their guests!

Here is some inspo:

For the sentimental couple…. A watercolor painter doing mini portraits of guests 

For the artsy centric couple…Tattoo artist giving tattoos off of a custom flash sheet

For the outdoorsy couple… Flower bar where guests can create a crown or mini dried bouquet