How to Make Sure Your Wedding Photos Are a Success

May 14, 2019

Not only does everyone want their wedding to be perfect, but they also want their wedding to be captured perfectly. It’s incredibly exciting to receive the photos from your big day back from the photographer, and with any luck, you’ll fall in love with every picture that was taken! Here are a few tips to keep in mind. We’re not perfect and neither are you, so cut yourself some slack and have a little fun. Life is short and our expectations are often unrealistic, but these suggestions might help you stay focus on what matters to allow you to revere each moment of your wedding day. #liferevered

Practice Self-Care Now

To ensure that you’re feeling amazing when it’s time to take your wedding photos, start implementing small positive changes in your everyday life in the months leading up to the event. Real self-care goes well beyond drinking green juice and buying yourself a new pair of Lululemon leggings— it’s about checking in with yourself, both physically and mentally, and making adjustments to your habits and behavior as needed in order to feel your best.

Take up gentle exercise, like yoga or pilates, to help keep your body and mind in tip-top shape. Find your perfect skincare routine, and stick to it. Make a conscious effort to clean up your diet, and drink tons of water. If you feel as though you could be doing better emotionally, consider speaking with a mental health professional so you’re in an ideal frame of mind when the big day arrives. The more you do for your personal well being before it’s time to get in front of the camera and walk down the aisle, the more healthy and happy you’ll look in your photos!

Prioritize Comfort

For Brides, consider movement when saying yes to your dress. Similarly, consider two shoe options, one for looks and the other for practicality, especially if you’re not able to see them. If you’re feeling adventurous, as many of our couples are, we recommend a dress the bustles well. While you certainly want the dress to look beautiful, you’ll also want to make sure you can realistically sit, stand, walk, and dance in your dress for hours on end without getting too uncomfortable. The more at ease you’re able to make yourself feel while photos are being taken, the more natural the finished product will be.

Grooms, we recommend doing the sweat test. The last thing you want is to feel like a hot mess on your wedding day. Select breathable fabric and layers the prevent you from overheating. Do you hate it when you’re constantly having to tuck in your shirt? Me too! I haven’t tried them, but consider Tucked Trunks or something similar to have worry-free dress attire. We recommend purchasing your shoes instead of renting which allows you to break in your shoes in advance. I am a big fan of Taft shoes. Side note: We happen to really like kilts.

Reduce Unnecessary Stress

The last thing you would want is to have wedding pictures taken where stress is visibly etched on your face, making you look miserable and less-than-enthused about your new relationship status. One of the major culprits for this stress can be your financial situation. To rid yourself of this anxiety, it’s important that you make sure you’ve given your budget sufficient attention throughout the wedding planning process. That way, you can be certain that you’ve allocated funds in a manner that ensures that your wedding day stays on budget. If you’re not sure where to allocate your funds, ask people what they remember from the last wedding they attended. What are the things people remember? Spend time and money on these things, however, in the end, it will be your day and your memories are what matter most!

In the months leading up to the big day, keep a close eye on all of your expenses through wedding planning apps that monitor vendor payments or a mobile banking app that will provide a comprehensive overview of your finances. We personally use Mint for our personal finances. You’ll also want to be sure that you’ve prioritized the items in your budget so the components of your wedding that are most important to you— like great music or beautiful photography— have an appropriate amount of money allocated toward them. When you can be confident in the fact that your wedding money is going exactly where it should be, you’ll find it much easier to smile and relax on the day of your event.

Know Your Desired Aesthetic

Marshfield Wedding Photographer

When researching wedding photographers, some couples already have a clear vision in mind of what they want their photos to look like. If you belong to one of those couples, it can be helpful to seek out a professional who is capable of bringing your vision to life and whose photographic style aligns well with your wishes.

Are you and your partner more of the dark and broody type, staring into each other’s eyes with the intensity of a thousand suns? Or are you more lighthearted and silly, laughing in the sunlight with all of your friends and family? Whatever your preferred style may be, with enough research, you should be able to find a photographer who is able to fulfill your desired aesthetic and leave you with high-quality photos you’ll love for years to come. Katie and I have been capturing weddings for over 10 years (that ages us a bit), but we’re still hip… people still say that right? We shoot weddings for our clients like we would want them shot for ourselves. Our approach and aesthetic are simple and we lean towards classic and clean images that have a timeless feel from two different perspectives. We strive to capture raw emotion and focus on making our couples and their wild and fun friends feel as much like themselves as possible.

Be Yourself

Your wedding photos are something that you and your spouse will flip through fondly for the rest of your lives, so you should try to find a photographer that will help you take pictures that showcase the true nature of the relationships you have with each other and with your loved ones— the good, the unpredictable, and the funny.

Don’t worry about looking perfect in your pictures— focus instead on having the most fun you can at your wedding and letting the joy you feel at marrying your significant other pour out of you. The professional you’ve hired will take care of the rest! Not only will the photos be artistic and well-composed, but they’ll also capture that joy, excitement, and any other range of emotions you experience over the course of your special day, making them feel all the more real and meaningful to you as your reminisce.

4 Ways a Wedding Planner Can Help You Save Money

February 26, 2019

/ James Stokes

Do you think you can control your marriage expenses and stay within budget if you plan your wedding by yourself? Katie and I got married on a shoestring budget over 10 years ago. While we weren’t in school at the time, balancing life while planning a wedding can be challenging to say the least. We recall having to write checks to vendors the next morning with money we were gifted at our wedding. While we had the help of our family, much of the responsibility was on us. If we could go back and do it all again and plan our dream wedding, without a doubt, we would hire a wedding planner.

Over the years we have worked with some of the most talented wedding planners and event stylists right here in Wisconsin.

As photographers, we know that a wedding day well planned will allow us to do our best work and deliver the highest quality images possible. Time is the most valuable resource on a wedding day and planners not only make the day look incredible but help you be able to relax and just enjoy the day as it unfolds, knowing that someone totally has your back. Mom’s are great, but we want them to enjoy the day too!

Gree Bee Floral Designs

A professional wedding planner can help take a huge weight off you and your partner and also help you save money.
Here are 4 ways a wedding planner can help you save money:

#1. Negotiation Skills
Wedding planners have been in the business for a while. Through experience, they know the best of vendors and have the necessary skills to negotiate with them. When you hire them, they will use their network and negotiation skills to get what you want at a price you could’ve only dreamt of.

Planners have built relationships that allow them to couple services and save you money. For instance, we work with planners to deliver both wedding video & Photography services. They often will help with contact, contracts, and invoices to ensure you’re well taken care of. They also work with florists to ensure your vision comes to life. Special thanks to Green Bee Floral and Design for allowing us to capture her creations and designs during this styled shoot. Check out the wedding video!

#2. Realistic Budget Planning
You may have meticulously planned your wedding budget, but is it realistic? Have you prioritized the items and allocated funds accordingly? A good wedding planner by your side scrutinizes the budget and advises you on:

What you should be spending?
What you should be cost-cutting?
What you can do without?

Thus, helping you make the most out of your budget. Full Coordinator services we believe are the way to go. From scheduling to conceptualization, design, logistics, and more having someone’s feedback and professionalism every step of the way is a must if it can fit in your budget. Ask planners for examples of ways they helped save couples money in the past.

#3. Less Time off from Work
Hiring a wedding planner means you don’t have to take time off from work to plan your wedding. This also means that you’ll have no or less unpaid leave and more holidays to spend on your honeymoon. While many of our couples are either finishing up graduate school or working full-time, most are living outside of the area in which their wedding is taking place. This can really be tricky in planning vendor consults etc. Giving full creative freedom to your wedding planner will streamline your communication with just one individual instead of having to juggle conversations with dozens of individuals and businesses. In the past, we suggested task management software like ASANA and using a brand new email address set up for after your wedding. Similarly, a separate checking account that is linked to both parties personal checking. This can then become your joint checking account after your wedding. We use MINT to help us track our personal expenses.

#4. Cost You Less on the Emotional Front
Planning a wedding is a full-time gig. Comparing the prices and services, searching for a perfect venue, interviewing the vendors, making a to-do list, etc. take up most of your time. Everyone is different, we get it, but if you’re like us, you like simple and stress-free. No wedding is without a few stressors, but mitigating as much of it as possible should be one’s goal from the very beginning. How can you have one heck of a party that doesn’t lose all of its allure before the big day arrives? We’re a big fan of short engagements, so if you’re engaged and thinking of having a wedding two years from now, reconsider. Move things up! At the end of the day, what matters is that you marry your soulmate and of course you have beautiful photos and video to help remind you for decades to come!

A wedding planner frees you up from all your wedding planning responsibilities, thus leaving you less worried and stressed.
Although a wedding budget and your wedding planner will help you save money, they cannot guarantee the last-minute costs that may crop up during the final days leading up to the wedding. So, the best thing to do is keep an emergency fund ready to accommodate these last-minute surprises.

Things You Should Tell Your Wedding Photographer

September 27, 2018

/ James Stokes

What you should ask your wedding photographer

Your wedding day is one of the most beautiful celebrations in your life. Finally, all of those details that you’ve planned come together, and your friends and family surround you to celebrate this next chapter in your life. You want to make sure your wedding is how you imagined, while never missing a moment. This is why you should hire a wedding photographer.

Your wedding photographer does more than just take images of your special day. It’s your photographer’s job to capture all of the moments that make your wedding perfect. To make sure you’re on the same page as your photographer, it’s imperative to sit down and discuss what vision you had in mind for your wedding. From your ceremony itinerary to the decor you’ve chosen, the more information your photographer has, the better. Here are a few aspects of your wedding that could be important to discuss with your photographer:

Begin With Your Budget

Wedding planning always begins with a budget. Once you have planned your wedding timeline and begun looking at your various expenses, you should have an estimate for how much to spend on your wedding photographer. After you’ve decided on a budget, it’s important to meet with potential photographers and go over what budget you have set aside for wedding photos. Look at what packages wedding photographers offer, and be willing to discuss those package options when first meeting. Photographer’s expenses vary and depending on what you have in mind, adjustments to your budget may be needed. This is also the perfect opportunity to ask any questions about pricing, what your expectations are, and to see more of their portfolio.

Your Wedding Itinerary

Once you’ve finalized the order of your wedding ceremony, you should give a copy to your photographer right away. This allows your photographer to make a timeline for shots and plan where to be for those special moments at your wedding. Go through your itinerary with your photographer and explain what ideas you have, as well as ask any suggestions they may have. We include this with all of our collections and even created an online Bride & Groom Questionnaire to help us get all this necessary information from our clients.

The Venue

Saying, “I do” to the perfect venue, can be difficult. You want to make sure the decor will match your theme, the size will suit your guest list, and most importantly, will look stunning in your wedding photos. Taking your photographer to the venue is a great idea for making sure your wedding photos are a success. Express what ideas you have, ask what your photographer’s thoughts are, and explain your vision for your wedding day. Seeing the venue before the wedding gives your photographer the ability to plan for the best lighting, anticipate possible shots, and offer you ideas that you may not have thought of. While we often are not able to go to venues with couples, we like to schedule your engagement session in the same season and around where you will have your wedding to get a feel for all the possibilities we will have on your wedding day. We also like to do a lot of google hangouts!

What They Should Wear

After you’ve decided the dress code for your wedding, be sure to let your photographer know. You don’t want your photographer to show up in jeans and a t-shirt if your wedding is a black-tie event, just as you wouldn’t want your photographer to show up in a three-piece suit for a wedding that is casual. Keep in mind your photographer will be constantly moving so attire that is suitable but practical is more ideal.
This is a big one! We really try and match the guests at your wedding. So if it is a backyard wedding in July, you will likely see us in shorts and sandals. We shoot better when we’re most comfortable. Similarly, we like to dress up for Country Club weddings and the like.

Country Club Wedding

Any Guests with Restrictions

Look at your guest list and communicate with your photographer guests that might need special accommodations. From guests in wheelchairs to others that have seating preferences, make sure you inform your photographer so they can include these guests in the shots from your ceremony.

The Moments You Don’t Want Photographed

Most brides want all aspects of their wedding to be photographed, but there may be a few moments when you might request to not have a camera present. Whether it’s a private moment shared with a parent or friend, or transitions between the ceremony to the wedding, it’s essential to communicate which parts of your wedding you would prefer to keep more private. We totally get it if you want to spend a few moments without any cameras. Katie is a bit of an introvert, so of all people, she totally understands.

Hiring your wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you will make when it comes to wedding planning. After all of the planning and celebrating, it’s enjoyable to look back at the pictures of your special day and remember how warm those moments felt. A word of advice, don’t give your photographer a shot list don’t give your photographer a shot list instead, let them capture the sincere and beautiful moments that naturally unfold on your wedding day. On the day of your wedding, we want it to feel like your close friends just showed up with their really nice cameras.

Wedding Etiquette: Invitation Essentials and Timing

April 20, 2017

/ James Stokes

Rustic Wisconsin wedding photos - James Stokes

It all starts with the invitation, the centerpiece of your wedding stationery. But, what else needs to go in that ever important envelope? Your wedding invitation sets the tone for your wedding and tells the who, what, when, where of the day. It can be very confusing (since you only pick these out once in your life!) to know what parts you need to include in your invitation and why. I’ve broken down, below, what are the essential components of your wedding invitation and some optional items you may want to consider. We recommend checking out Basic Invite for everything from Wedding Invitations to Bridal Shower Invites.

Wedding Invitation

This piece is indispensable, the main component, which all of the other pieces turn. Information to include is the bride and groom’s names, the date, time, and location name with addresses at the minimum.

The RSVP Card

In an effort to make responding easier (and to gather a more accurate head count for seating arrangements and catering), RSVP cards became a popular inclusion to the wedding invitation. Also, don’t miss putting an RSVP deadline for your guests have a timeline as to when you need their response information. I recommend a deadline of no less than two weeks before your wedding date.

The RSVP Envelope

Some brides choose a postcard style RSVP. However, whether you choose a postcard or a card/envelope combo, don’t forget to include postage to make your guests’ job of returning it as easy as possible.

The Reception Card

The reception information should be on a separate card and list the starting time of the reception and the address of the venue (if it is separate from the ceremony venue).

Optional items to include with the wedding invites…could do without, but you probably shouldn’t.

A Directions Card

If most of your guests are from out-of-town, consider a directions card, which will guide them from the ceremony venue to the reception site. This card is also indispensable for locals if either site is in a difficult to find the area of town.

An Accommodation Card

For guests who are traveling, it is often helpful for them to know which hotels you recommend. If you’ve booked a block of rooms for your guests at a local hotel, be sure to include the hotel code on this card so the guests can get the reduced rate. Now that you have all your invitation components to get you started. You may be wondering when do I need to do all these things? Timing is so important and should not be ignored. Here are some answers to questions concerning wedding invitations and the timing you will need to know.

When should Save-the-Date cards be sent out?

This pre-invitation mailing officially announces your wedding date and lets guests know that they will, in fact, be invited to the celebration. Save the dates are a great way of letting friends and family know to keep a particular date free or organize any travel plans that may need to be made. These should be sent out six to nine months before the wedding day, especially if you are planning a summer wedding. Save-the-dates are usually just a single card or postcard containing very basic information (couple’s names, wedding date, and sometimes the location).

When should I start looking for wedding invitation designs?

Whether you are going to purchase a pre-designed invitation or design one yourself, you should start shopping or designing about 6 months before your wedding day.

When should I order my wedding stationery and how many?

Ideally order your invitations as soon as you have your wedding day schedule finalized. A good amount of time would be four to six months before your wedding. Each family/couple/guest will need their own invite. Order a few extras in case of inevitable mistakes.

When should I start to address my invitations?

Start addressing the invitations 3 months before the wedding. If using a calligrapher, they might need 4 months prior.

When should I send out my wedding invitations?

Wedding invites should be sent out no later than eight weeks before the wedding. I like to plan for 10 weeks especially if you have a large amount of family and friends traveling for the wedding. It gives them time to make travel arrangements. I, also, like to schedule the RSVP deadline to be two weeks before the wedding. This ensures that you have time before your guest count numbers have to be to the caterer. Inevitably you will need to give a few guests a call or email that have not RSVP’ed.

When should I expect my RSVP’s to be back?

Ideally, all RSVPs should be back two to three weeks before the wedding. It is appropriate to follow-up with any RSVPs not back before then with a phone call or email.

A couple last tips…

Postage. Please be aware when you are creating your invitations as to how much the invitation and all the added components will weight and the amount of postage it will require to send it out. I advise taking a sample to the post office and ask it to be weighed so you know the accurate postage it will require.

Numbering

I recommend to each of my clients to place a small (in pencil) guest number that refers back to your guest list. Unfortunately, just a few guests will return the RSVP card but forget to enter any of the needed information. This, in turn, will assist with knowing who they are and if you need to contact them to gather additional information.

Most of all, give yourself plenty of time and plan ahead! You do not want to rush through this part. So…get some help. If you would like some help, please give me a call. I can come alongside you and assist you with this stage of your wedding planning and much, much more. Or ask others to give you a hand and make it fun!

Happy Inviting!

Marsha VanArk, Wedding Planner & Owner

Distinctly Yours Wedding & Events, LLC

Stevenspointweddingplanner.com

Engagment Photos

February 10, 2017

/ James Stokes

From Minneapolis to Chicago & just about every region in between, we have captured couples this past year. One common thread that ties them all together is their mutual love for each other and thrill of a great adventure. Many of them have a great passion for the outdoors and enjoy taking in every moment of it together whether it be fishing, hunting, jogging, hiking, or camping. While some live in the big city, they often have roots here in the Northwoods or Central Wisconsin and it is their down-to-earth personalities that make them all so easy to get to know.

Katie and I are an open book. We may share with you much more than you ever hoped to know when it comes to life, marriage, and raising a family during one of our meetings; our story stretches back over nearly 20 years. Many of our couples met online or through mutual friends while in college or grad school. In our initial hangout dates with our couples, I like to ask how our couple met and more often than not, one will look at the other and hesitantly say, “Online!.” I then reassure them that they are not alone and it isn’t weird. We think online dating or long distance relationships are great! They’re often driven by strong communication and algorithms designed to match people based on their personalities and interests. Gotta love psychology!

Dating can be rough. I know that Katie and I wouldn’t know where to start. We’re so very thankful that God matched us when we were pre-teens to become best friends and it wasn’t until nearly a decade later that we would say, “I do.” It is so neat getting to have conversations with couples from around the country who are willing to open up and share a part of their story with us. Even more so, it is is an honor when couples entrust us to capture one of the most important days of their lives. We feel privileged to be able to spend our weekends with such extraordinary people who place a premium on their wedding experience and their marriages as a whole. They know this [marriage] is a once in a lifetime event and they want to embrace it for all it has to offer and hold dear to every passing moment; because they know it will fly by so very quickly.

You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Hold on to one another and invest as much time in your marriage as you will on planning your wedding day! Life is truly made up of all the little moments and you will remember the times that you slowed down and intentionally reflected. Make time, better yet, schedule time to be alone without your phones, screens and the like and simply be present with one another. Listen. Be quite. Just exist in one another’s presence. That feeling of complete comfortability combined with butterflies is what we all wish for in a soulmate. Take a walk, ride a bike, go on the trip you always wanted. Sometimes life gets a hold of us and once it does it is hard to step off the merry-go-round. If you’re the journaling type, which we hope you are, take a few moments out of your week to put pen to paper. Write it all down, the good with the bad. When you look back and reflect, you will want to be as true to yourself as possible – and to your future generations who read your words you will want to provide wisdom. Share your mistakes, your frustrations, your passions and your regrets. Life is short, but also precious – so cherish and revere it. #liferevered. Make memories and dream big!

“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”

― Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Farm Wedding Inspiration

September 12, 2016

/ James Stokes

You don’t get much more country than a rustic farm wedding. Your wedding venue doesn’t have to be an actual farm, think more along the lines of a farm themed wedding. Think rustic decor in natural surroundings with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Thoughts of bales of hay and red checkered picnic blankets come to mind as well. Imagine the smell of freshly cut grass and the sounds of birds happily chirping as you walk down the grassy aisle nature has provided. The image of old barns and wooden halls may come to mind as well. The countryside has so many beautiful, rustic venues to offer that would be perfectly suited to a farm themed wedding. In this article, you will be inspired to create the farm wedding of your dreams, plus there will be a few handy hints and tips for planning your farm wedding day.

Your farm wedding doesn’t need to be boring or 100% farm-like by any means. You can choose to incorporate certain aspects of the farm theme, or you can choose to embrace the theme and go all out with it. A farm wedding can be both relaxed and chic, luxurious and down to earth. It is the perfect theme to show off your country style with an elegant twist. Farm weddings are all about adding elements to create a look of rustic country charm.

www.james-stokes.com | James Stokes Photography, LLC

The Ceremony

If you are planning a farm wedding, you want to use that theme to your full advantage. The location is a huge part of creating the wedding of your dreams. If it is a farm wedding you are after, your venue should reflect that it is indeed a farm themed wedding. Your ceremony is best suited for the beautiful outdoors. Try to choose a venue that has both a beautiful outdoor area, as well as indoor options in case of bad weather.

Creating a gorgeous ceremony outdoors isn’t difficult if you have a beautiful setting to start with. Beautiful open land gives you the perfect opportunity to decorate according to your personal style to create the ceremony you envision. Be sure to visit your venue a year in advance on the exact date of your wedding to see what the ceremony site will look like at the time of day you are planning to say your I do’s. It is important that your guest’s comfort is taken into consideration. Have a look if there is shade for your guests to be seated under, if there isn’t, consider moving your ceremony to late afternoon so that you aren’t walking down the aisle in the heat of the day.

If you have always dreamed of a gorgeous indoor ceremony, whether it be in a rustic barn or a traditional chapel, you don’t have to compromise this for the sake of your farm wedding theme. You can create a lovely rustic atmosphere indoors as well. The time of day and weather won’t be an issue if you choose to have your ceremony indoors.

Another thing to consider is seating arrangements, is there enough space to accommodate your total number of guests? What will they be sitting on and does the venue provide it. Consider using rustic wooden chairs with pretty burlap ribbons tied to each. If you are looking for something a little more farm rustic, consider using bales of hay with a blanket or burlap draped over for comfort. If you choose this option you need to consider the length of your ceremony, sitting without a backrest will be tiresome for your guests if your ceremony is a long one. Seat your guests facing away from the sun, this is often overlooked. The sun should be behind your guests, not behind where you will be standing for your ceremony. Guests will not be comfortable squinting through the glare of the sun throughout your ceremony, nor is this ideal for your photographer.

Your aisle is your opportunity to create a grand entrance for yourself on the day. All of your guests, along with your husband to be, will be staring down the aisle waiting for that first glance of you in your wedding dress. Your chairs should be placed in such a way that it creates an aisle for you to walk down, throw fresh rose petals down the aisle for a whimsical effect as your dress sweeps over them. Place candles, lanterns and flowers down the aisle to create a beautiful runway leading to your groom. The alter is another place that you can decorate. Consider creating a raised platform if there isn’t one, so that your guests can all see you as you say your vows, and so that you can feel set apart from your guests. This also creates a stunning feature in all of your wedding photos. Create a canopy by draping soft fabric over branches, this will also protect you from the sun if you are outdoors. Use fresh flowers and soft fabrics to create something pretty over rustic wooden poles or branches. If you are having an outdoor ceremony, why not arrive in an old wagon or on a tractor to add some “wow” to your entrance. Speak to your venue about options that they may have.

The rest of the ceremony should be decorated and not left bare. Create a place where guests can enjoy a drink and chat before the ceremony starts. Use wine barrels, old milk cans and crates to create little places of interest throughout your ceremony. Fresh flowers can never go out of fashion or be used too much. Use wildflowers that you can find naturally in your surroundings to create that rustic charm you are after. For something less formal, opt for potted plants placed on crates, logs, and tables, or in rustic tin buckets down the aisle. These can be lovely gifts for mothers and special people at the end of the night. Use your surroundings to your advantage, place chairs and aisles strategically to show off the beauty of your surroundings.

Rustic and romantic farm wedding beautiful rustic wedding decor www.james-stokes.com | James Stokes Photography, LLC farm wedding wagon farm wedding ceremony loft-wedding-photo-inspiration-30 farm wedding - hay seating www.james-stokes.com | James Stokes Photography, LLC

The Reception

The reception is the main event of your wedding day. It is the time where guests can relax and enjoy whatever the evening brings. It is the time where you can let your hair down and enjoy your first evening together as Mr & Mrs. While the ceremony is an important and special part of your wedding day, the reception is the part where most of the decor and planning is done.

Your reception starts straight after the ceremony. On most occasions, your photographer will steal you away from your guests to capture those romantic shots that you will be displaying in your home for years to come. Your guests need to be taken care of while you are away. It is always a good idea to serve snacks and drinks while you are having your photos taken. Keep your guests entertained to avoid boredom, include fun yard games (if the weather permits) or have personalized quiz cards and word searches for your guests to fill out as they sit and relax. There are many farm-style games that you can incorporate into your reception, do some research and find ones that suit you as a couple. Include games from your childhood that bring back memories, or be daring and create your own new games. Don’t forget to include children if you have chosen to invite them. Have packs for them to color in or provide something creative and fun, like bubbles, to keep themselves busy through the reception speeches.

Your reception hall will most likely be in a rustic old barn or tent to create the ultimate farm wedding vision. You need to ensure that there is enough space to accommodate all of your guests comfortably, as well as your food, DJ or band, and dance floor. If there is space, use long farm-style tables instead of round tables to create that open family feeling. The dance floor is an important aspect of your reception and one that most guests look forward to. After all of the speeches, wining and dining your guests will want to hit the dance floor and let their hair down for the rest of the evening. If your reception venue doesn’t have space to have a dance floor, make do with the space that you have. You can create a beautiful outdoor dance floor for guests to dance the night away under the country sky.

Lighting and decor is crucial in your reception venue. Without these two elements, you will have an empty hall with no atmosphere. Soft fairy lights and candles create a romantic glow that is essential to most weddings, no matter the theme. Whether you are in a barn, a tent or a hall, there are always options to drape lights and fabric to create a romatic feel of the evening, as well as in your photos. Ask your venue about lighting for the dance floor, you want to create a relaxed but fun atmosphere and lighting plays a huge role in creating that.

Decor can be simple for a farm-style wedding. Candles and flowers are generally what is found on most wedding tables, but try change things up and create your own style. Choose wild, natural flowers and create little landscapes in the middle of your tables. Use natural moss and twigs as space fillers. If you love your formal flowers like roses and lilies, don’t compromise, but simply add some wild baby’s breath and sunflowers to the mix. Using Mason jars and glasses is another way to add rustic charm to your farm wedding tables. Don’t be scared to mix and match different size and shape jars and glass vases, this adds to the farm DIY look. Add elements of burlap and lace to your tables to create an elegant country look. Use different elements to display your table numbers, use wine bottles covered in lace or old rustic frames. Use beautiful natural tree trunk slices as bases for flowers and candles.

Your reception venue will have lots of little spaces that you can fill with interesting decor pieces. Stack old books and use them as a base for your flowers, use wooden crates, buckets, and other antique farm style pieces to stack and add flowers to. A trend is to have a photo gallery of sorts, you can create a gallery of your life together as a couple, or a gallery of all the wedding photos of your family. Be creative and create something interesting for your guests to enjoy. Make a focal point of your gift and card table. Use baskets or old wine crates to decorate for your cards. Make bunting flags from burlap to hang throughout your reception area, these will look lovely in your home after your wedding too. Another trend is to have your surname letter as a monogram throughout your reception. Use a big wooden letter and create a wreath around it, decorate it with paint or cover with fabric and place it on your gift table, use different textures to create that rustic look. Get creative and make a pretty DIY piece that will make a beautiful keepsake in your home for years to come.

A lovely way to end your evening is to have your guests join you outside to release lanterns or light pretty sparklers. Things like this are special to enjoy together and also create the most beautiful photos. A photo booth is another fun way to entertain your guests and create beautiful memories for your wedding scrapbook. Keep things simple yet classy and elegant. Combine rustic elements with elegant ones to create the perfect look of “relaxed luxury” for your dream farm wedding.

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Food & Drink

The ceremony reception and wedding dress are all important, but if the food and drink isn’t up to scratch your guests will be less than thrilled. Food at a wedding very important, you want your guests to be satisfied to the brim. A farm style wedding allows for a less formal approach to the food and drink. Meal time isn’t just time for eating, but a time for gathering and enjoying each other’s company as the formalities wind down.

You always need to have pre-reception snacks for your guests. Guests can enjoy small cocktail treats and a drink while they enjoy their yard games as you have your photos done. Simple is always better. Cheese and crackers, fresh fruit platters, cocktail size pastries and sandwiches are classic options to stick to. Fresh fruit juice, lemonade, and iced tea are excellent pre-reception drink options.

Farm to table dining is the popular trend with farm style weddings. Choose fresh foods straight from the farm, cooked in a simple but tasty way and served either plated or buffet style. Try and opt for seasonal vegetables and fruit and have a variety of colors to choose from. Another good option is to have cocktail style foods that your guests can snack on throughout the evening, although a good Sunday style roast meal is always the top choice for a relaxed farm wedding. Don’t choose fancy foods to try and impress your guests, farm weddings are simple and down to earth and the food should reflect that. Include some of your favorite dishes, choose classic comfort food dishes that still have a slight elegant twist to it. Coq au vin is a classic French dish, but is simple and comforting and will have your guests coming back for more. Aim for homestyle cooked meals with a touch of sophistication.

The dessert table is always a much-anticipated part of the evening. Homestyle pies and warm puddings are always delicious, comforting options, but a dessert table filled with miniature pastries, cakes and cookies are a huge hit. Once again, choose desserts that you love to eat yourself, stay away from anything that can melt or go bad in the heat of the day. A waffle or pancake bar with different toppings and perhaps an ice cream machine are fun dessert options that allow your guests to choose exactly what they want.

Your wedding cake should fall under the dessert category and is usually served after dessert with tea and coffee. If you have chosen very rich desserts, tone it down with your cake flavors and opt for French vanilla with buttercream frosting. If your desserts are not filled with chocolate and cream then your cake can be a more decadent one. Try to have a balance so that your guests don’t walk away feeling as if they have over indulged. Your cake can reflect your theme, have a look at the popular bare cake. Fresh flowers and buttercream frosting are perfect options for a farm wedding.

Instead of spending money on little gifts as wedding favors, have a candy bar for your guests to enjoy. Have a variety of candy and sweet treats along with little paper bags or boxes that your guests can help themselves too. This is both a fun and quirky little thank you gift that will have your guests feeling like kids in a candy store.

Drinks wouldn’t consist of fancy cocktails, but rather the same down to earth drinks you would enjoy in your own home. Champagne is a must have at any wedding for toasts and speeches, but a bar that has beer and wine will keep your guests happy. Provide a bottle or two of wint for each table, this can even add as decor if you simply tie a pretty piece of burlap around each bottle and place it on the table in rustic buckets. You should always have non-alcoholic options at your wedding, these could include pitchers of lemonade and fresh fruit juice, or a non-alcoholic punch for something a little more fancy. Having a bar area for guests to pick their drink and enjoy it at the bar is a great feature point of your wedding reception.

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Wedding Portraits

Consider doing “first look” photos. This is a modern trend where you meet your husband to be in an intimate setting before the ceremony. Your photographer will capture all of the emotion and love the two of you share in this special moment. These photos are always gorgeous keepsakes and really capture a special moment between the couple in the first treasured moments together on the wedding day.

If you have a later ceremony or a fall wedding, this is an easy way to fit in portraits without sacrificing time with friends and family. Lighting is key; we look for outdoor shaded light away from guests to ensure the most intimate moment possible. Not being seen before the wedding is still a must for most brides.

Use your surroundings to your advantage, it’s not every day that you can have photos taken in a rustic old barn with the soft glow of fairy lights, for instance. Consider the light and the time of the day. Your photographer can’t capture dreamy photos if there isn’t enough light. If you like the look of sunset photos, you need to aim to have an hour or two before the sun starts to set to capture enough photos and to get comfortable in front of the camera. Be creative, be fun and be natural. As photographers, we look for ways to see how the two of you interact when no one is looking. How do you hold hands? Practice holding hands, touching each other when you’re out in public. Scheduling an engagement session is the best way to ensure you feel the most comfortable in front of our cameras on your wedding day. It’s a conversation with a camera on the day you look and feel the most beautiful. We think you’ll nail it!

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Wisconsin Backyard Wedding Inspiration | Part 2

August 18, 2016

/ James Stokes

Country Wedding Photography

While a traditional wedding at a fancy retreat or resort with a quaint little chapel is very appealing, why not stay true to your country roots and plan a beautiful country wedding with a backyard style. Although not all backyard weddings happen in someone’s actual backyard, we have some beautiful tips and inspiration for planning the rustic backyard wedding of your dreams in nature’s backyard. Part 1

The Cake

The wedding cake is one of those much-anticipated features of the wedding. After a night of dancing, your guests need something to finish off their evening on a high note. A lot of couples also choose to cut their cake right after their ceremony so that guests can enjoy a cheeky treat before dinner. Your cake needs to be kept in a cool room or in the refrigerator if possible, to avoid any melting wedding cake disasters.

Your wedding cake is so much more than just an after-dinner treat, it also shows off your style as a couple. If an extravagant wedding cake is out of your budget, try go for cute little cupcakes that offer the sweet note that your guests crave. If you want to be totally original why not choose your favorite dessert as a couple to serve, even if it is a humble pie. You can also choose to have a smaller cake suited to your exact number of guests, instead of a lavish 4 tier piece of art. The backyard theme lends itself to a simple rustic elegance, giving you many beautiful cake designs to choose from. A bare cake is a very trendy option this year, instead of layers of fondant covering the cake, the cake’s layers show through the buttercream frosting. The top and sides of the cake can be draped with natural flowers and elements that complement the backyard surroundings. A classic frosted white cake with fresh flowers never goes out of fashion and is the way to go if you are undecided about the style you want for your cake.

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Wedding Day Decor

The decor plays a huge role in creating the wedding of your dreams. It can be the most stressful and also the most enjoyable part of planning your wedding. Backyard weddings usually involve a lot of DIY projects and upcycling. Learn to use the space and the surroundings to your advantage, if there is something that doesn’t look appealing to you in the garden, make it work to your advantage and use it as a decor piece.

Be inspired by nature. A backyard wedding is all about embracing the beautiful backdrop that the country outdoors provide, use that theme in your centerpieces. Beautiful rustic jars and simple glasses can be used as vases, filled with a wild variety of flowers. Lanterns are another beautiful rustic addition to your tables and can be used as thank you gifts for mother’s or can be used around your new home. What could be more country and rustic than Mason jars? Use Mason jars as vases on your tables or candle holders. These jars also make lovely wedding favors for your guests, filled with candy or a fancy dessert. Using elements from nature can look stunning as you draw the outdoors in with gorgeous tree bark candle holders and bases for flowers, and using natural greenery from trees and vines to drape in the center of your tables as a runner. The soft glow of fairy lights and candles never grow old, combine pretty twigs and branches with them to add that extra romance to the evening.

A popular decor choice for rustic weddings are sign posts with arrows pointing in the direction of the ceremony, reception and any other places of importance. These can be a fun DIY project and can be personalized according to your vision. Add an extra special touch by handwriting the sign information yourself. Keeping things simple with white and small pops of neutral colors and flowers are also great options for keeping things rustic. Use burlap and lace to create a chic rustic look, buntings are a cute and popular way to incorporate these fabrics.

A simple trick to dress up cocktail tables is to tie the bottom of the cloth with a ribbon or piece of yarn, this adds a chic look to your reception venue and also looks great outdoors for those who like to escape the reception for some fresh country air. Chandeliers, if you are lucky enough to be able to incorporate one or two, bring in gorgeous lighting and glamour to your reception. Using a chandelier under your ceremony altar space is also a beautiful option and will create amazing photographs. Have a display of your life together as a couple in photographs. Make use of items that you and your family have laying around the house such as old wooden ladders, crates or even wine barrels. A rustic wedding looks beautiful with many mixed elements and mismatched pieces, use what you have instead of buying shiny new things, if you don’t have it, then try finding it in nature or from family and friends, this adds to the rustic charm. Create interesting little decor pieces that show off your style as a couple and also creates unique room dividers and space fillers. Use heirlooms that you have, stack old suitcases or books and add some pretty flowers to add a memorable rustic show piece to your reception. Provide a table where your gifts and cards can be delivered, use this table as a decor piece and get creative.

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Wedding Day Attire

The wedding dress is undoubtedly the most important aspect for the bride. Choosing the right style and design is a huge decision, one that you will remember for many years to come and cherish through photo’s and video. A backyard wedding usually lends itself to a more simple wedding dress choice. Backyard bridal gowns are very seldom big ballgowns and are mostly figure fitted and lacey. Gorgeous low backs and lace detail add elegance to simple dress designs. If you plan on dancing the night away out in the country, dresses without long trains are a good choice. You can add your sparkle by adding a beaded belt or sash to your dress. Soft flowy dresses are a great option for you to enjoy your relaxed backyard reception. With that being said, there really are no set rules when it comes to choosing your dream dress and you should ultimately choose the dress that will make you feel your absolute best, even if it is an over the top dress not suited for a backyard style wedding.

Bridesmaids dresses are usually soft chiffon fabrics and short in the summer time, the focus is on the bride and bridesmaids are often understated but pretty. Dresses of the same color and fabric but different individual styles are a very popular choice and add to the mismatched charm of a rustic backyard wedding theme. Bridal jewelry often matches your wedding dress. If you have a simple dress you can add a bit of extra glam with pretty jeweled accessories. If your dress has a lot of sparkle, then choose minimalistic pieces. Family heirloom accessories are always a special choice for your big day.

Upswept hairdos are an excellent choice for hot summer weddings, if you prefer your hair down, choose an unfussed style with soft curls. Add fresh flowers or a pretty flower garland to your hair to create a beautiful rustic look. Makeup trends are currently less is more, which fits perfectly with a country style wedding. Choose pretty pinks and neutrals for your eyes and a bold lip color, or go for a subtle smokey eye with hints of shimmer and a neutral lip color. Gone are the days of layering on makeup and false lashes. Don’t forget to add a layer of sunscreen to your makeup regime, a sunburnt bride is not a happy bride. You will also see a lot of boots, ballet flats and pretty sandals instead of glamourous heels at country backyard weddings.

The groom can choose to ditch the tie and opt for a more relaxed wedding day look with a simple shirt to match his suit. Perhaps you prefer the formality of a tie but don’t want the formality of a full suit, choose a waistcoat instead of a suit jacket for a relaxed but classic look. Neutral colored suits is another popular trend for rustic styled weddings. Grooms and groomsmen sport earthy tones of sand and khaki, which also look great with a bow tie.

The flower bouquets and boutonnieres will usually match the flowers used as centerpieces. While roses are a wedding day classic, choose rustic wild flowers such as baby’s breath, sunflowers, and daisies to add to the country charm appeal. These flowers will save you money and match perfectly with the rustic chic decor, and mismatched vases.

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Photographic Opportunities

Photographs have to be one of the vital elements of a wedding. Yes, it could possibly be annoying having a camera in your space the entire day, but these are the memories you will fill your home with for years to come. These are the memories you will share with your children and hopefully grandchildren one day, as you relive that special day through the photo’s captured. A little bit of planning needs to go into taking your photo’s.

Look for special spots that you may want to include in your photo’s. Photographers should be accommodating in bringing your vision to life, as well as giving you advice on how to create beautiful photographic memories. Use the lighting to your advantage, different times of day bring different lighting; the lighting has to be even for the best images. We personally really like shade and overcast!

Sunset weddings can also create lovely dramatic photographs leading into the night. Use the gorgeous backdrop God has provided you with in the country outdoors you have chosen, use trees and water as features in your pictures. A lot of couples are choosing to have their portrait photo’s taken before the ceremony, this can be lovely as the photographer can catch that candid moment your husband to see you for the first time in your wedding gown. Try not to focus on the camera once your portrait and “posed” shots have been taken. It is lovely to have photo’s of you really enjoying your wedding day, looking back at them transports you back to the natural moments caught on camera. Have fun and enjoy every special moment. Golden Hour or Sweet Light is often when we will try and schedule your couple photos!

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The idea of a backyard wedding is to keep things elegantly simple. Don’t overthink or over do things, stay true to who you are as a couple and the finer details will fall into place. Don’t focus on pleasing everybody because that is impossible. Focus on bringing your vision to life and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The most important thing to remember with any wedding is to take everything in and enjoy every moment, this is only one day in the many days that create the rest of your lifelong journey together as husband and wife.

Wisconsin Backyard Wedding Inspiration | Part 1

August 18, 2016

/ James Stokes

Beautiful bride and groom photograph

When the words “backyard wedding” come to mind, there are usually some less than fairytale like connotations that come along with it. A backyard wedding can be a romantic and beautiful theme style wedding if done correctly. When one thinks of a backyard wedding the image of lawn chairs and a barbeque reception may be imagined, however, backyard weddings are so much more than what the name suggests. We have some beautiful inspiration and tips for planning a gorgeous, rustic country backyard wedding.

Choosing a backyard wedding

Weddings can be stressful and locating an open venue in Wisconsin can be difficult. Perhaps you are a couple in a hurry to get married and want to waste no time becoming Mr & Mrs, a backyard wedding has no waiting list and is an exclusive venue just for your special day. Backyard weddings are stress free and often have a relaxed atmoshpere. Guests are often not required to dress formally so that they can fully enjoy the down to earth style of the wedding. Backyard weddings are fun and can include yard games to keep your guests entertained. There are many opportunities for you to get in touch with your crafty side and create some beautiful diy pieces. Backyard weddings are fuss free and have a simple, yet rustic elegance about them. Whatever the reason for choosing to have this style wedding, the day will be as special and memorable as you choose to make it. Backyard weddings are more suited to the couple planning an intimate spring or summer wedding, and who are looking for the “less is more” approach.

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The Venue

Choosing the venue for your wedding day is a huge decision. If you don’t already have a special family backyard in mind, you may have to consider asking friends and family if they know of a suitable location. Living in the country gives you an advantage right away as the properties are usually large and picturesque and look just like some of the top wedding venues. Consider a venue on a lake or by a stream or one that has a beautiful rustic barn that can be turned into a fairytale reception area.

When choosing your venue, you need to take a few things into consideration:

-The outdoor area should be evenly grassed, you can’t have your guests seated on an uncomfortable slant throughout your ceremony and reception.

– The outdoor area needs to be big enough to perhaps have a tent if there is no other indoor option, you always need to plan for the possibility of bad weather.

– The venue needs to provide good photographic opportunities as well as be accommodating to your guests. Trees may look gorgeous in photo’s but if your guests can’t see past the trees at your ceremony it leaves a lot to be desired.

– There needs to be restroom facilities outdoors, whether the venue you choose has enough restrooms or whether you need to hire a company to provide adequate facilities, this is an important factor that cannot be overlooked.

– Are there electrical plug points and supplies for your outdoor ceremony and reception. Lights, DJ’s and bands, food warmers and other equipment all need a power supply.

– You may have to end your night time celebrations early. You need to make your neighbours aware of the function and take any noise restrictions into consideration.

– Visit your venue a year in advance if possible. This will allow you to see the location at the exact time of year that you are going to get married. Take note of the shade, will your guests be sitting in the sun for the duration of the ceremony? The light needs to be even for the best photo’s to be taken as well. Visiting the venue at the exact time a year in advance allows you to pick the best time of day or evening for your ceremony and reception to take place.

– Will there be enough space for your guests to park their cars? If the property doesn’t have space for your guests, consider hiring transport to fetch them from a safe location where they can leave their cars.

There are many factors that come into play when choosing a backyard wedding and it may not be as simple or as inexpensive as you had imagined. With proper planning and preparing, your backyard wedding dream is fully achievable. Hiring a wedding planner is an excellent option for backyard weddings, it takes a huge amount of stress and planning off of the bridal couple.

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The Ceremony

Your backyard ceremony needs to be carefully planned. Firstly you need to have a spot for the pre-ceremony gathering. Guests are most likely to arrive well ahead of time and need a space where they can relax and wait for the ceremony to begin.

The majority of backyard ceremonies happen in the beautiful outdoors. You need to take the season and time of day into careful consideration. If the garden is filled with trees and shade, then the time of day becomes less of a challenge. If your venue doesn’t have a vast amount of trees then you may have to consider moving your ceremony to late afternoon so that your guests don’t bake in the summer heat. If there are little or no trees, perhaps a few canvas umbrella’s will be practical and won’t take away from the beautiful setting. Use them to your advantage and add decor to them. Hang delicate tea lights and flowers from the umbrellas or wrap your favourite flowers around the base. The comfort of your guests is of utmost importance. Don’t forget to consider the direction in which you are facing. You don’t want your guests to be blinded by the afternoon sun, nor do you want to be squinting through the glare as you say your I do’s. Have a basket of cute fans for each if your guests to stay cool during the ceremony, these would also look lovely in your photo’s.

Consider planning a gorgeous evening wedding, what would be more romantic than saying your wedding vows in the golden glow of the sunset and dancing to your first song as a married couple under the evening stars. Use your surroundings to your advantage, if there is a swing in the way, use it as a focal point or a decor piece. Get creative and make the most of the beautiful setting that nature has provided for you. If the garden is one level, perhaps have a platform for you as the bridal couple to stand on. This will make it easier for your guests to feel part of the ceremony and will also provide the best photo opportunities. Create a pretty altar feature to stand under while saying your vows, this is a simple trick to add rustic romance to your ceremony. Drape a simple piece of fabric and add some flowers, or create a rustic little arch with wood and drape fabric or flowers over it. Have a backup plan for bad weather, although most guests can must a slight chill for a little while, most of them won’t be too happy sitting in wind and rain to witness your union. If there is no indoor option, then it is best to have a good supply of umbrellas for the day – just in case. Have a wooden crate with blankets in for those who may need to keep warm, this is also a lovely option for guests with small children who may enjoy sitting on a blanket during the ceremony.

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The Reception

The ceremony is over and you are stolen by your photographer for your first photo’s as a married couple, you guests need somewhere to wait for your return. An outdoor space is a good idea as it needs little planning and decor. Have a couple of tables and chairs with drinks and snacks for guests to enjoy while waiting.

Creating interesting things for your guests to do will help alleviate any impatience. Have a photo gallery or a place where guests can write special notes for you, if you are a whimsical couple, have some of your favorite games for your friends and family to enjoy. A photo booth is a fun option for both pre-reception and during the reception. Provide fun little props for your guests to use to create their own memories. These photos also serve as lovely thank you gifts for your guests.

This is what the guests have been waiting for! Food, drinks and a night full of laughter and dancing. You want to create the most romantic and memorable wedding reception possible with the space that you have. If there is no rustic barn or outbuilding, perhaps hire a tent company to create a whimsical tented reception. The fabulous thing about tents is that there are very little limitations. You can still have the fairytale draping and lighting that most brides dream of while enjoying the beautiful country night sky.

The reception area should have enough tables and chairs to seat each guest, as well as tables for catering and wedding gifts, and a spot for the DJ should you choose to have one. You don’t want to have your guests crammed into a small space, it is important to make sure that there is ample space for everything you need in the reception area.

Round tables are very generic for wedding day seating plans. Work with the space that you have. If you need to use long tables, make it work. Many couples are choosing to have long harvest style tables at their reception so that guests can better enjoy each other’s company. A dance floor is another important factor to consider. If there isn’t enough room indoors for a large dance floor, get creative and create a cute outdoor dance floor for the guests who want to dance the night away under the stars.

A huge bonfire is a fun and easy way to add another exciting element to your reception and works perfectly for those nights that get chilly out in the country. Creating a separate seating area is also another popular trend, use the outdoor space that you have to provide an area outside of the reception for guests to enjoy conversation and drinks.

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Food & Drinks

Catering for your guests is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. While your wedding day is an important and special day for you as the bridal couple, your guest’s comfort is of utmost importance. You don’t want your guests walking away from your wedding with anything less than magical memories and a satisfied palate. The food and drinks play a very important role in creating those memories.

Offer pre-ceremony drinks for the guests who like to arrive very early, a small glass of fresh juice or a glass of champagne are both great options for summer weddings. For the colder days have a coffee bar where your guests can enjoy something warm while they wait for the ceremony to begin. When the ceremony is over, you will be whisked away by the photographer to capture some of your dream wedding photo’s, don’t forget to take good care of your guests while you are absent from the scene.

Backyard weddings don’t often allow for a wide variety of food options. You have to take the weather and storage options into consideration. If there isn’t space to keep food warm or cold, opt for cocktail snacks that are great served at room temperature or cheese platters with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and preserves. Should you be fortunate to have enough space and heating options, a buffet is another great dinner choice. A buffet style dinner cuts down on catering costs and allows your guests to help themselves to a warm meal. Try choose foods that won’t spoil easily and that aren’t too dependent on the weather, for instance having a seafood buffet in the scorching hot summer isn’t the greatest idea.

Stay away from desserts that need to be chilled and go for tasty miniature pastries and cakes instead. A sweet buffet or bar is a classic this year, you can offer a variety of mini country treats, s’mores are one of my personal favorite’s and offer a fun experience for your guests to enjoy.

Offer drinks that complement the food, having a bar area is always a hit with your guests, or have bottles of wine on the table for your guests and incorporate it with your table decor, this is space saving and cost effective. Alcohol is always a good option as it doesn’t spoil and is easy to store and serve. Pitchers of lemonade and iced tea are really great and space saving too, be sure to have the pitchers topped up for your guests. Spa water is a very popular and refreshing drink, and they are so simple to make yourself.

Another cute idea is to have a picnic theme, your guests can enjoy their own little picnic basket of food, drinks, and treats. You can include a small bottle or Mason jar of a signature drink in the basket, and there will be no waste because guests get to keep their bottles.

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