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Advice and Tips from Wedding Photographers!
November 2, 2017

We know that planning a DC area wedding can be overwhelming, exciting, and full of questions that you need your wedding professionals to help guide you through. Whether you are at the beginning stages, picking those first HUGE vendors that set the tone for your big day, or wrapping up final details before the home stretch we’re here to help. We are beginning series’ over the next few weeks of advice and tips from some of our favorite United with Love family members! Today we have rounded up amazing DC wedding photographers to share insight on planning, styles of photography, and what to expect over the course of the wedding day!

Lisa Blume Photography from Ritz Carlton Georgetown wedding

Does your Photographer have a preference on having a First Look versus the couple seeing each other at the altar?

Apparently so! Out of the answers we received on our recent survey, 71% of photographers said that they prefer the ease and time considerations a First Look gives to the wedding day. 29% of photographers said that they did not have a preference to either, while no one said they prefer a more traditional First Look at the altar. Ultimately all photographers are going to do what makes you, the couple, happiest! But if you are planning on wanting an abundance of portraits, bridal party photos, and family formals I would consider a First Look to ensure you are not trying to cram everything into a cocktail hour! Also, if you are getting married during winter months with an early sunset consider how much daylight will be left for portraits if you put off seeing each other earlier in the day!

Love Life Images

What advice can you give to help couples to make a First Look go easily and be less stressful?

“Having a private first look is a great way to ease some of those wedding day jitters and for a couple to connect and spend a few moments together without the pressure of an audience. A wedding day is long, full of stress and will go by in a blur, so taking a few moments alone allows a couple to be in the moment and enjoy being together before the rest of the day begins. It’s important to keep it simple when choosing a good spot for the first look. Somewhere with good light and a simple background that is convenient within the timeline is the best. Save the fabulous location for portraits with the bridal party and more creative portraits of the two of you. ” Love Life Images

“Basically, trust your photographer! I always prefer to shoot a first look in private without the bridal party within sight. The moment is much more intimate without obvious onlookers. If there is a way that the bridal party, parents, etc. can watch from a distance or through a window, that’s great and I am all for it. Another first look to remember is the brides father seeing her in her dress the first time. When possible I wish all brides would allow time for this. We see some really amazing things happen at father/daughter first looks. ” Mike B Photography

“Don’t make it more complicated than it has to be. We always want to make it more of an experience for you than a photo-op but if we can make it both, win-win. In all of our years, we have had ZERO couples wish they hadn’t done a first look. We have had a lot who wished they had done one. The first look does not make seeing your fiancé walking down the aisle less special. You get 2 special moments instead of 1.” Connor Studios

Birds of a Feather Photography

What is your best tip or trick to staying within a wedding photography budget?

“I think working with your timeline and using the time as wisely as possible is the best way to stay within a photography budget. If you can’t afford to have your photographer stay until the very end, maybe do a cool “night time” shot instead. Or skip all the getting ready photos and just do a few at the beginning. You don’t need to document every hair and makeup moment and can use that time elsewhere!”  Hannah Hudson Photography

“Ask yourself what how much coverage do you want from your photographer? Are engagement photos important to you? Do you need your photographer to stay until the very end? Normally I recommend that clients put more time on the front end rather the end of the day because guest start looking a little haggard after dancing for long periods of time. Photos can also get repetitive after the first 45 minutes of free dancing.” Lisa Blume Photography

“If high quality photography is essential to you, it’s best to begin your photography search immediately. This way, you can give yourselves a little more wiggle room when it comes to your photography budget. If you haven’t decided on the venue yet, maybe you can let go of some smaller areas of your wedding details, to make room for the photography team you would most like to work with, even if they are above your initial photography budget.” Birds of a Feather Photography

“One of the areas that couples can save a little on their photography budget is to avoid over-coverage. I feel that a 2nd photographer is most important from the last hour of bride and groom prep through the first hour off the reception. This is the crunch time where you have prep, possibly a first look, the ceremony, portraits, table details, cocktail hour, etc… It’s tough to cover alone at larger weddings. Once you are an hour into the reception, things begin to flow at a slower pace and a 2nd photographer is rarely needed. They become more like paparazzi and can be a distraction. I recommend to my clients that they plan on having a 2nd photographer for 3-4 hours in most cases.” Mike B Photography

Love Life Images

What advice or tips do you have for planning a balanced photography timeline?

“Formal family portraits can be stressful on the day of your wedding for no reason other than the simple fact that everyone wants to enjoy the party and be with their friends and family, making it difficult to have their undivided attention. To manage this time wisely, make a very specific list of groups with everyone’s first and last name. The photographer can be more efficient when they have the names rather than just, “couple with parents.” Also, plan to lump all the family photos together during one time chunk of the day. Spreading them out can make it more difficult to gather people and get their cooperation. Remind guests that are needed for photos where they need to be and at what time. This can be done at the rehearsal dinner.” Love Life Images

“For couple’s portraits, our secret weapon is to split the photos up into 3 small sections throughout the day. Once following the first look, once again just after the ceremony, and a 3rd round of portraits at sunset. Each time we’ll only take 7 to 10 minutes of portraits, but it gives our couples a break and time to enjoy the day as it’s happening. This also adds variety to locations, lighting, and backgrounds. “ Birds of a Feather Photography

“Your portrait list does not need to be every single combination of 6 variables. Think of what you want hanging on your walls and that’s what you want. ‘Shot Lists’ are a no-no. I don’t need to be told that you want your first dance photographed or how to specifically photograph it. What I would like to know is if you are planning a special lift or dip in your 1st dance or if you are doing something different and special, or a surprise so I am prepared to document it. “ Connor Studios

Love Life Images

DC Landmarks and Monuments: friends, foes, and tips to go with shooting there!

“We love to take advantage of the iconic scenery that DC has to offer and we know how to expertly navigate getting those photos. Most monuments do require a permit, and it’s easy enough to get one that it doesn’t make sense to risk it without one. Even though it might be crowded with tourists, they like to see wedding parties and there tends to be lots of cheering and congrats which can really boost the spirits of a wedding party. Traveling and parking at the monuments can be tricky, so the key here is hiring transportation and traveling together with your photographer and bridal party. If you are planning a wedding during the cherry blossoms, be prepared for big crowds and leave plenty of extra time for getting around, but it can really be worth it. “ Love Life Images

“If you want to take your 26 person bridal party to the Jefferson Memorial… we can do that! But we have to warn you that it’s going to take a long time, you must do a first look, and your bridal party needs to be patient with the process. The monuments are gorgeous and always worth the effort… but it does take quite a lot of effort. Don’t forget the permits! YES, you really do need them especially on your wedding day. Most professional photographers understand the legal consequences of shooting without a permit, and will not move forward without one in place. As long as you have a permit, and have a clear expectation of the time it will take to get these monument photos… it can happen very smoothly!” Birds of a Feather Photography

“Do not work with a photographer who agrees to photograph you at the monuments without a permit. If they are willing to let you get hassled on your wedding day, what other short-cuts are they taking? We don’t want to be fined or detained or have images taken from us on your wedding day. The permits are a hassle and aren’t the cheapest thing so if you don’t want to deal with it, talk with your photographer and find locations that don’t need them. “ Connor Studios 

“If you are in wedding attire, you are sticking out. Period. You’re much more likely to be noticed by Park Rangers. For that reason, I always have couples get a permit to shoot at these locations. One negative about shooting at DC landmarks or monuments is that most of the time weddings are on Saturdays which are the busiest tourist day for these locations. Doing a day after shoot is a lot easier if your couple is dying to get these shots and allows for a more relaxed and easy environment.” Hannah Hudson Photography

Mike B Photography

What Photography details do most couples forget about? What items should I remember to make your job easier?

“Please remember to have a pretty hanger on hand for your wedding dress- the one it comes on is probably not very photogenic. We like to be introduced to everyone in the room when we first show up and start shooting. That way we know who all the important people are in the room! Please bring comfortable shoes to walk in for photos. Some of the best locations require a bit of walking. If there is rain in the forecast for your wedding, buy clear umbrellas in case we can pop outside for a few shots. The clear will let in light where the solid colors will make your faces darker.” Love Life Images

“A huge time saver is to have the couple have their invitations, rings, jewelry, flowers, shoes, dress, etc… ready and available when I arrive for prep photos. I also suggest that the groomsmen be dressed when I arrive and that the groom is wearing his shirt and pants. This way I am not spending valuable time waiting for the guys to stop watching the football game and get ready. If the groom is dressed as requested it’s quick and easy to shoot him putting on his tie, cuff links, jacket, shoes, etc. If the couple are going to exchange gifts, wait until I am there to photograph it. Another thing is to remember to include space for your photographer in your shuttle, car, or limo, if you will be traveling to different locations for photos before or after the ceremony. This is especially true in DC where it can be easy to get separated by traffic or parking issues. Stick together!” Mike B Photography

“As photographers we love to use available, natural light in the getting ready space. Our biggest hurdle is always a dark, small, and cluttered getting ready room for the Bride. Choose your getting ready space with photography in mind! There are many gorgeous hotels in the city with beautiful, light filled hotel rooms and suites. The best trick is to have hair and makeup done in any available room, NOT the prettiest. The hair and makeup clutter the beautiful space. Instead, save one room, possibly that evening’s bridal suite or a parent’s room as the space where the bridal details can be photographed, and where the Bride can get dressed without the clutter.” Birds of a Feather Photography

“For detail photos and styling accessories  I recommend having pretty ring boxes ready and maybe even some loose fabric to style with.” Lisa Blume Photography

“Know how to tie those bowties! I can’t tell you how many times, especially grooms and groomsmen, have bowties that they don’t know how to tie. So they are getting ready and realize at the last minute that no one knows how to tie them and everyone runs late. Also, have someone who knows how to pin bouts. Lastly, have a point person who knows all the family member and who can wrangle family members for quick family photos!” Hannah Hudson Photography

Birds of a Feather Photography

Give us your best or worst wedding photography story!

“Thinking about all the stories we could tell was fun. Crazy things we’ve come across include hurricanes, epic snowstorms, irate priests, cicada infestations, too much alcohol, broken down transportation, overzealous church volunteers, passed out groomsmen, drunk wedding toasts, broken ankles, lots of family arguing and even hospitalization. Knowing how to handle these situations calmly and professionally navigating them to get photos we need takes practice. We once had a very tall cake that was about to fall over, so we convinced the caterer to move the cake cutting from the end of the night to right after the first dance. But not all of it is disastrous. There are some really wonderful and beautiful surprises that we never could have anticipated happen at weddings. There was a wedding at Congressional Country Club that the parents of the couple surprised them with fireworks over the golf course, which made really fabulous photos! Our job is much more than just taking pictures.” Love Life Images

“Well I wouldn’t call it my best story, most definitely it would be the worst. I photographed a destination wedding two years ago in Annapolis. The bride’s father had passed away two years prior to the wedding I believe. The brides mother walked her down the aisle to the altar in place of her father. The ceremony took place and it was gorgeous and very emotional with the brides father being mentioned several times during the ceremony. As soon as the ceremony ended we started portraits with the immediate family on the alter. The first photo was of the bride and her mother. I got the shot and offered a hand to the brides mother as she stepped down off the alter, she went limp and slowly fell to the floor. She suffered a massive heart attack and passed away within minutes. It was shocking and heartbreaking beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. Everyone was a wreck and as the mother was transported to the hospital with bride, groom, maid of honor and a couple of other close friends, I became the liaison between the family and the guests who were all from out of town, as well as the remaining vendors (catering, venue, DJ, etc..). The reception was held but it became more of a somber family meal and reunion. When the bride finally arrived from the hospital she helped to turn it into a celebration of her mothers life. I did not expect that I would be going home after the wedding that night and editing her mother’s wedding portrait for use as a photo on her prayer card and obituary. It was huge reminder to me about the power of photography and how important out job is. One of the best good stories occurred at a waterfront private estate wedding near Williamsburg, VA, the same year. The couple was surprised with a very large fireworks display during the reception. I had no idea it was happening and when I saw the size of the fireworks display, I had to capture it. I was able to scramble quickly (in about 30 seconds) set up a couple of lights, grab a different camera suits to capturing the moment, and squeezed behind the couple to capture them viewing their private fireworks display. The shot I captured is now one of my signature photos and one of my favorites to date. Another great moment occurred when a couple I was working with during an engagement session decided to jump into one of the reflecting pools near the Capital from opposite sides. They ran towards each other and met in the middle, he picked her up and they kissed in the middle of the reflection pool with the capital centered in the background. It was unexpected but it’s now on my business card. I have shot weddings in hurricanes with no electricity, only candlelight, and also in blizzards. The key is to be prepared for anything and be ready to react immediately. “ Mike B Photography

“Recently I had a bride who was getting married in Old Town Alexandria, so we headed to our favorite first look spot and got a few portraits around town. At some point the bride looked down at her feet and her Manolo Blahnik satin white heels were soaked in blood. Apparently they had been rubbing on her toe and help….. it wasn’t a pretty sight. I immediately found a local floral shop (the Enchanted Florist) and they were able to give us some hydrogen peroxide, paper towels, and band-aids which was so sweet of them! A couple of years ago I was photographing a rehearsal dinner on the top floor of the Hay Adams Hotel and while the sun was setting I noticed that the White House was lit up with wonderful rainbow colors! What a surprise!! Then we found out that the Supreme Court officially passed a law allowing same-sex couples nationwide to marry. The White House was illuminated in rainbow colors for the evening as a nod to the achievement of the gay rights movement! It was an incredible moment that I will never forget. Everyday I’m reminded how lucky I am to live in our nation’s capital.” Lisa Blume Photography

Hannah Hudson Photography via DC Fairmont Hotel Wedding

“One of the moments that has always stuck with me was a bride who was supposed to have a beautiful outdoor Fall wedding in the country. That day, it was down pouring and then hailing with lightning. There were also tornados in the area. You could have COMPLETELY forgiven her for having a small moment to freak out. Whenever anyone asked her that morning if she was ok, she just smiled and said she was getting married and her husband-to-be had just made it back from active duty in Iraq safe so what more could she ask for. I tell that story a lot to brides I meet. It’s about perspective and it can make or break your day. If your flowers aren’t the exact shade of lavender you wanted, you need to decide if you are going to let it ruin your day. (PS – I would suggest you don’t!) ” Connor Studios

Connor Studios via Maryland Country Club Wedding

Thank you so much to our wonderful DC wedding photography partners for sharing their best tips and advice for navigating wedding day photos! To see additional DC wedding vendors check out our Vendor Guide. For more help look through our DC wedding tips and advice!

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ceremony and reception  / planning and budget  / Tips & Advice

Budget Advice: Splurging and Saving
May 19, 2016

credit: Kristen Gardner Photography

Credit: Kristen Gardner Photography

Budget planning for an event as large as your wedding can be overwhelming and daunting to say the least. We asked a few of our favorite DC area wedding planners for some words of advice to hopefully help in planning for the unexpected, and where to splurge a little. The one advice that we hear most from our featured DC real wedding couples is, to prioritize what aspects of the wedding are most important to you as a couple and shift your budget to accommodate. Thank you to our wonderful United with Love vendors who helped give insight in planning a great budget!

……….

Question: What wedding budget item do you feel is most forgotten about, or under estimated by brides? And why is it important to remember?

“For tented outdoor weddings, funds needed to execute a rain plan.  Understandably, brides don’t like to confront the fact that it might rain on their wedding day.  However, it is so important to think about plan B and to set aside funds needed for extra equipment and services that might be needed in the event of rain.  For example, rain might mean additional tenting for the ceremony and cocktail hour.  Rain also might require marquees, or tented hallways, running from the catering tent to the dinner tent and from the dinner tent to restroom facilities.  Sometimes, heavy rain can make flooring an absolute necessity, depending on how water drains at the wedding site.  Heavy rain can also complicate vendor load ins, making it impossible for heavy trucks to move across soaking wet grass without getting stuck or tearing up the property. ”  Allison of Pineapple Productions

Credit: Connor Studios & Sugarplum Tent Company

“Don’t forget about all the little detail items! These include all of your day-of signage and frames, any cocktail napkins or drink swizzle sticks, table numbers, ribbon for welcome bags, etc.  All of the components for these pieces can start to add up and a lot of couples underestimate the true cost! Secondly, don’t forget about wedding insurance. Even if your venue doesn’t require it, for a few hundred dollars, it’s always a good investment for the unknown! “ Kelley of Kelley Cannon Events

“I think many folks forget to plan for gratuities. We live in a culture that tips service providers who meet or exceed expectations. When it comes time, often in the last few weeks before one’s wedding, creating a tally of all those folks can become a list of dozens of people, resulting in up to thousands of dollars in tips or gifts. I always have my clients plan for this in advance within their initial budget!” Janice of Bellwether Events

“Rentals are often underestimated when making budget plans. Stand alone venues allow you to customize and bring in your own rentals, especially if working with a catering company. Many couples don’t realize how many glasses are really needed for an open bar, or extra tables for service and miscellaneous decor like gifts and the guest book. These items add up quickly, and can fluctuate depending on your final numbers so make sure to leave room in the budget to accommodate.” Kristen of Roberts & Co. Events

…………….

Question: Beyond photography/videography, what is one or two items or vendors that you think are always worth the investment when allocating wedding funds?

“Lighting!  Lighting does so much to set a warm, welcoming atmosphere.  It can transform an event space, even a drab one. Plus, proper event lighting allows guests to see and appreciate all your wedding decor, from large statement pieces to the smallest table top details.  Most importantly, good lighting will enhance your wedding pictures and ensure that they are as beautiful and vibrant as they can be.” Allison of Pineapple Productions

“End of night transportation for the couple is always worth the money.  It’s easier to avoid having to wait on an uber or cab, especially if you are having a special send-off, a hired, dedicated vehicle for the bride and groom is the way to go. Transportation companies offer one way transfer town cars, which is a great way to avoid hour minimums on limos or buses. ” Kelley of Kelley Cannon Events

credit: Ralph Alswang Photoraphy

credit: Ralph Alswang Photoraphy

“With all the rain we’ve been having recently I can’t help but immediately think that a tent with a platform floor sounds like a great investment right about now. My clients who have invested in good tents and raised floors have never had buyer’s remorse, and those un-sexy budget items have often saved the day in the event of inclement weather. “ Janice of Bellwether Events

“A wedding planner or wedding coordinator, and I’m not saying this just because I happen to be one. I have been told by so many clients and friends of clients, that the one vendor they were so happy to have was a wedding planner/coordinator. And conversely, have been told by people who didn’t have a planner/coordinator, that they regretted that decision come the wedding day. A coordinator will save the couple so much time and energy and really allow them to fully celebrate and be present day-of, they will also be able to work with all vendors and provide experienced event management to carry out their clients dream wedding. A good planner, among so many things, will provide invaluable advice and guidance and keep their clients on track throughout the process. A good wedding planner or coordinator is not the venue contact, caterer or friend who dabbles in event planning. You get what you pay for, so choose someone who is a professional wedding and event planner!” Margo of Bright Occasions

“A textured upgraded linen over a plain twill-cotton linen is always worth the splurge. Typically only $12-15 more per table will help elevate your entire reception room and make it more personalized and lux looking. If you don’t have the budget to do all of your guest seating tables, upgrade dessert tables, and auxiliary tables such as escort card and bar tables. Secondly, welcome items for your hotel guests is a delightful treat that starts the wedding weekend off. From a simple combo of cookies and a hand written note with the wedding itinerary to a curated box from Marigold and Grey, guests appreciate you putting in the extra touches to appreciate their time for the weekend.” Kristen from Roberts & Co. EVents.

 

 

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planning and budget  / Tips & Advice

It™s All A Wedding: Wedding Planning Advice From Real LGBT Couples
August 26, 2015

The Supreme Court’s ruling in June said that same-sex couples can marry nationwide and that states can no longer deny marriage to couples based on their sexual orientation. Yes! Married same-sex couples will now have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples in all states. Here in the DMV, we have been celebrating and honoring same sex marriages for a few years. Same sex couples have been marrying in the District of Columbia since 2009 and in Maryland since 2013.

beautiful-brides-washingto-dc-wedding-Jessie-Mary-Photography

Photo Credit: Kelly Prizel Photography of Alex and Kate

Now that same sex couples can marry in all states, I’m wondering is there any difference between planning a marriage for a same sex couple as for a heterosexual couple? Are there any specific challenges or things that LGBT couples wish they knew before getting started in their wedding planning process? Here at United With Love, we’ve taken the approach over the years that it is all just a wedding, straight or same-sex, and each wedding poses its own unique challenges regardless of the sexual orientation of the couple. We try to give general wedding planning advice specific to the Washington DC area so that couples can then apply that advice to their own marriage in they way they see fit.

For more on the subject of LGBT wedding planning challenges (or not!), I turned to Candy at Candy+Co. Events. Candy reached out to a few of her past wedding planning clients who are same sex couples who were married in Washington DC. What did they have to say on the matter? Was their wedding planning experience different or more challenging because they were a same sex couple? What would they advise current LGBT couples planning a wedding? What should they look out for? Here’s what they had to say about their wedding planning experience as it specifically relates to being a same sex couple¦

THE MARRIAGE

The two best pieces of advice someone gave me was: 1.) Hire a professional, even if it is just to coordinate the event on-site. This is your special day, you want to be able to experience it, enjoy it and remember. And not be worrying about whether Uncle Warren is going to remember to pay the caterer. 2.) When planning the wedding, schedule and devote time to NOT TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING. The closer you get, the easier it is to let the final decisions and planning take over every moment. Take some time to let in some oxygen and allow you relationship to breathe. – DJ + Mike

My advice to any couple is make sure you are getting married because you want to and not because you are trying to make a statement. I wanted to be married where I live; not to travel to another state to do it. It just wouldn’t have felt right. My partner and I are not real religious so getting married in a church just didn’t feel right. It is your wedding and your special day so get married where ever you want and find that right person to marry you; not someone that feels obligated because of the new law that was passed. – Jeff + Jim

My husband and I thought about how we wanted ourselves and guests to feel at the wedding to make up a mission statement. We decided we wanted it to be fun, elegant, relaxed, with some Southern (me) and Midwestern flair (him). We gave those ideas to our wedding planner along with our budget and she compiled lists of websites and contacts for us to visit. We found our wedding planner through a referral by a friend.  – DJ + Mike

THE PLANNING

Given that we lived in a jurisdiction that legalized gay marriage back in 2010, we didn’t have as many issues. Our wedding was also not right after the legislation passed; a good 18-months went by until our wedding day. We still did run into instances where people asked about the ˜bride’…and then apologized. We found ourselves using the term ˜bridal party’ and ˜bridesmaids dresses’ a few times as a slip of the tongue. I could only imagine planning a wedding in a location before gay marriage was legalized nationwide. I could also see challenges with some foreign destinations. There were minor things that came up, ˜traditional elements of a wedding’ that did not make sense to be part of a gay wedding. Overall, it was nothing major.  – Bill + Harry

The main thing that made my wedding day easier than I hoped was knowing that I had a dedicated wedding planner and team of close family and friends that were going to do everything to make the day run smoother. I felt that I had a good idea of who was going to show up, how the day was going to run and felt I’d be able to be emotionally, mentally and spiritually present. Also, knowing that my wedding planner had talked to each and every vendor, from the venue to the caterer to the limo drivers, to make sure they had no issues with serving a wedding for two men. I’m lucky to live in Washington, DC, which has been pretty open to weddings of same-sex couples even before the district legally recognized out-of-state weddings in 2009, and then full marriage rights within the district in 2010. I was fairly confident most businesses would be accepting, but given how people all types of political leanings are in DC, you never know how a business might react.  – DJ + Mike

large-wedding-party-DuPont-Circle-DC-Kelly-Prizel-Photography

Photo Credit: Jessie Mary Photography of Bill and Harry

THE VENDORS

For the most part, we didn’t feel like we were planning anything more unusual than a wedding. We did, however, make sure that our vendors had worked with gay couples before (this mostly involved scouting websites to see if there were photos or examples of same-sex couples). One of the photographers we talked to had never shot a same-sex wedding, and we ended up going with someone else partly because of that. We also faced some family drama around the fact that we were two women getting married, but we figure every wedding has its family drama, so that was just our particular flavor. – Kate + Alex

Frankly, we never paid much attention to weddings before we got engaged. Once we started the planning process, we discovered the size and scope of the wedding industry and that many vendors are not up to par…Seek those who want your satisfaction, not just your money. With that being said, being in D.C. or the nearby suburbs, we never felt any of our negative vendor experiences were due to our sexual orientation. Do not assume that those who might treat you poorly are doing so because you are LGBT. In fact, we met with an openly gay caterer who was late, unfriendly and left bridal magazines all over the tasting room. Meanwhile, the straight caterer we ended up hiring (Spilled Milk) wowed us with delicious food and incredible hospitality. Our sexual orientation was irrelevant. Also, realize that a lot of the marketing, advertising and branding has not caught up to the laws or culture. You might have to spend a little extra time or money to find LGBT-inclusive or neutral cake toppers, cards, etc. As an interracial gay couple, we got creative or made a couple of DIY items because of this lack of representation. For example, we bought love birds for our cake toppers because the pre-packaged statues only featured straight couples or they looked nothing like us. – M and T

Separate from the services they provide, it is critical to get a sense of the wedding ascetic that the vendors work with. We met with (and sampled) a lot of really good vendors but it was clear which vendors would fit best with our vision of our wedding day. Thinking about the caterers in particular, most prepared really good food, however, some were very traditional in their service and conceptions about wedding menus. For us, that was not a good fit  I never really thought about this until after the fact. Would have saved us and them a lot of time. – Bill + Harry

For my wedding, I did not feel I ran into any unusual challenges that prevented me from planning my wedding. Even though everyone wants to be treated equally and have the same wedding as a straight couple, there are some differences with a gay wedding and some of your challenges will be with people and businesses who do not want to be part of your day, and frankly why would you want them to be? Look for the people and businesses that are at least gay friendly and/or gay owned and that will hopefully alleviate some of the stress and challenges you might face. Be upfront with them from the start; you are looking for someone to be a part of your gay wedding. You will know if they are worthy of your business. – Jeff + Jim

I did get married in Washington, DC, so gay life is very much recognized and I feel most businesses that we could have chosen from, caterers to flowers to venues and even your officiant, was not difficult to find. In other states, this may be an issue. I felt that every business and all of the staff we worked with were very comfortable with us and our guests from start to finish. I could not have been more pleased. After all, it is your special day and you will find all of the right components, otherwise you won’t be choosing that particular person, venue or area. – Jeff + Jim

THE CEREMONY

Focus on the ceremony – for us, that was the part that mattered. The reception is just a giant party we wanted to have it planned out well enough that people would have a good time, but didn’t want to stress too much about the details. – Kate + Alex

Don’t skip out on the pre-wedding couples counseling. No matter how long you have been together, getting married is a life changing event. Working with a professional or spiritual adviser to put that all into context is very important, and also helping you paint a picture of how your relationship will and should change as a married couple is critical.  – Bill + Harry

THE TRADITIONS

The only two challenges we faced dealt with tradition. First, my husband and I needed to decide which traditions from our families, or heritage we felt were appropriate for us. Were we going to jump a broom? Hold it in a church? Have our parents walk us down the aisle. And the other challenge was that my family didn’t really know how to react to a wedding for two men.  This was the first time many of them attended. To find traditions that felt us, we did a lot of reading, talking to other married friends and thinking about other marriage ceremonies we’d seen that touched us. We decided to start with a social happy hour to get our families interacting. We decided to skip the church, but have a close friend who is a former minister do the ceremony. We didn’t jump the broom, but did have other mother’s light candles that we then each used to light a unity candle right before exchanging rings and vows. As for my family, I had some one-on-one conversations to remind them that they should treat this wedding just like any other wedding they had attended: Congratulate us, send back the response card and don’t bring extra uninvited guests. On the day of, my family had some touching, heartfelt moments that was more meaningful than I could’ve ever imagined. – DJ + Mike

THE GUESTS

Our primary challenge was deciding on our strategy for inviting wedding guests – particularly extended family members – who we knew or suspected did not support marriage equality for same-sex couples. With friends, we were more selective. But ultimately, we chose to invite all family members, putting the onus on them to RSVP ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Others may decide to do otherwise or may feel uncomfortable doing this, but we did not want family members who wanted to attend (and did indeed attend) to feel slighted or insulted that their mother/brother/etc was not invited as well. We also did not want anyone to claim, down the road that they would have attended if invited. Perhaps, and hopefully soon, this won’t be an issue. – M and T

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Wow, thank you so much to Candy and to all of the couples who provided such amazing and personal wedding planning advice for having a same sex wedding here in the Washington DC area. For more from Candy and her incredible team of wedding planners in DC, be sure to check her out at Candy+Co. Events.

In the meantime, be sure to check out all of the other DC area wedding advice that we have put together for you or look through our list of the best Washington DC area wedding vendors!

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planning and budget  / Tips & Advice

Best of 2014: Tips & Advice
December 26, 2014

Did you know that we are more than just pretty pictures here?! Oh yes, United With Love is loaded with of wedding planning advice from the professionals in the Washington DC area. We’ve featured advice and tips on everything from how to pick a wedding venue to questions to ask your catering vendor to local bachelorette party ideas. Basically, we give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know to you plan your local wedding in Dc, MD or VA the kind of info that you won’t find anywhere else! For this next round up of the best of Washington DC weddings, I picked a few of my favorite tips and advice that we’ve featured throughout the year. (And, don’t worry, we will have plenty of advice coming your way in 2015!)

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What To Do If You Hate Planning Your Wedding

Do you hate planning your wedding or are perhaps in a wedding planning funk? You are not alone. We featured “What to Do if You Hate Planning Your Wedding” this year. So many couples get engaged and soon find out wedding planning isn’t always a party. Founder and editor Juli offered some of her best advice on what to do to get through planning your wedding with ease.

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Photo Credit: Lelia Marie Photography

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What To Do Between Your Ceremony and Reception?

If you’re anything like me, you crave organization and structure at a wedding. If you’re getting married and aren’t sure what to do between your ceremony and reception, and don’t want to leave guests hanging with nothing to do, we got you covered. Our advice “What to Do Between Your Ceremony and Reception in DC?” had plenty to offer as far as ideas for what to do in this beautiful city we live in. Bride-to-be Christy wrote in to United With Love and asked what to do about an awkward time gap between her ceremony and reception. Bring on the experts!

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Photo Credit: Kurstin Roe Photography

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Champagne Taste On A Beer Budget Wedding Advice

This is piece of advice came out of our annual reader survey! So many of you told use that you had hopes and dreams for your wedding, but couldn’t afford the price tag. We went to some of the wedding pros in the Washington DC area and asked their advice for “How to Have A Wedding With Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget.” What would they tell a client who has a champagne taste, but only a beer budget for their wedding in DC, MD or VA? And, did they deliver with lots of tips and advice for how to spend wisely and make the most out of your wedding dollars?

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Photo Credit: Lisa Boggs Photography

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What To Do If Your Wedding Vendors Are Late…Or Don’t Show Up!

After local wedding planner Tiffany at Simply Breathe Events wrote to Juli with a horror story about how a wedding cake baker didn’t show up at one of her recent weddings, we were inspired to feature “What to Do If Your Wedding Vendors Are Late or Don’t Show Up?” What do you do if one of your vendors is late? What happens when the wrong inventory is delivered? All of your most important questions are covered!

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 Photo Credit:  k. thompson photography

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How To Plan A Destination Wedding in the Washington DC Area

Being the nation’s capital, we are the ultimate tourist location! DC is home to many destination weddings. If you’re from out of town and trying to plan your wedding in this great city, we featured an article on “How to Have a Destination Wedding in the DC Area?” Rebecca from Blue Canary Events gave us the scoop on how to plan your destination wedding in the DMV. What were the best spots to feature for your wedding? What are great ways to plan a destination wedding on a budget? Rebecca tells us everything!

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 Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Shelly Guberek Photography

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How To Create A Perfect Wedding Website

Living in Washington DC area means that you tend to have friends and family living not only all over the country, but all over the world. We here at United With Love we totally understand! This year, we featured advice on “How To Create a Wedding Website“. Wedding websites are great ways to reach all those friends and family, especially those that tend to misplace your pretty mailed invitations! We asked Margo from Bright Occasions for tips on how to create the perfect successful wedding website for all of your guests from out of town.

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 Photo Credit: Kristin Gardner Photography

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Everything You Need To Know About Wedding Flowers

What’s a wedding without flowers?! This fall we featured a wedding flower week. It was chock full of advice on how to best use the florals in your special day. In fact, it was so successful that we came back in December and had a whole second week of advice! That’s right, two whole weeks dedicated to nothing but weddings, flowers and education! We talked to the best wedding florists in the DMV and got their opinion (and expert advice) on everything from when to have your first meeting to the pros and cons of DIY wedding flowers to why wedding flowers are so expensive. Yup, we pretty much covered it all in our wedding flower week parts one and two.

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 Floral Design: Serendipity Bridal & Events

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OK, so those are some of the most popular wedding advice posts that we’ve had on the blog this year. What are you favorite wedding advice topics that we covered this year? More importantly, what do you hope to see covered in 2015? Lay it on us in an email to hello@unitedwithlove.com! In fact, most of our best wedding advice posts come from you, our readers, so let us know your biggest wedding planning questions and we’ll do our best to answer them in the new year.

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miscellaneous  / Tips & Advice

Advice for Washington DC Area Wedding Engagement Sessions
May 15, 2014

Welcome back for more wedding pro advice on engagement sessions in the Washington DC area! (Did you miss our post this morning on how to choose a wedding engagement location??) Wedding engagement sessions are such an exciting time, especially considering that this is most likely the first time you both are having pictures taken of you professionally. So what do you need to know? Once again, some of the top Washington DC area wedding photographers are here to offer their pro advice and guide you along the way. Before you read on, make sure to check out advice for choosing an engagement session location!

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Photo Credit: {a}strid photography from Tina + Kyle’s Old Town Engagement

“If they want some photos that have that iconic Washington feel, I try to do that for the engagement shoot rather than rushing around to monuments on the wedding day when time is tight.” Deb, owner of Deb Lindsey Photography

“I always recommend that clients keep a digital tear sheet or a private Pinterest page.  That way, anytime they see an image that speaks to them they can add it to the sheet – like a visual journal.  When they share that visual journal with me, I can dial in my own style with their developing aesthetic in order to come up with some ideal locations.   After all, a photo is worth at least two thousand words…  right?”  Drew, owner of Drew Bird Photography

“Some of my favorite engagement session locations to photograph in are cafe’s or restaurants.  These locations combined with my couples lend themselves to more of a photojournalistic feel, rather than just super posed and pretty.  The interaction between my couples at a cafe or restaurant is much like it would be if I was not photographing them, so I really feel like I’m glimpsing who my couples are on a day-to-day basis.  Just a few pointers though: Call ahead to these locations and confirm it’s okay for you to photograph there!  I do recommend an outdoor table over indoor to minimize the attention of other patrons.  However, as long as the cafe or restaurant is on board with what you are doing, you are good to go!” Lisa, owner of Lisa Boggs Photography

“I think couples should choose engagement session locations based on their personal story. I have my couples tell me about themselves, their personalities and their own love story. Through that we find a location unique to them. Whether it be a winery because they both appreciate good wine, or maybe the coffee shop were they first met, or even the location where he proposed, the engagement session should be another small piece that reflects who they truly are as a couple.” Astrid, owner of {a}strid photography

“The magic hours of the morning or before sunset are my favorite times to shoot. It’s beautiful and the photos look warm. But any time during the day will work just fine. Worried that it’s cloudy outside? Worry no more! Cloudy days make for beautiful photos!” Hannah, owner of Hannah Colclazier Photography

“Keep in mind that in many spots photography is not allowed without a permit (and fee) and in some spots photography isn’t permitted at all!  It can be a little frustrating but it’s better to go through all the paperwork to legally be there than to get kicked out.” Lelia, owner of Lelia Marie Photography

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Thank you so much to all of the awesome Washington DC area wedding photographers who helped us out! And special thanks to our lovely reader who was brave enough to ask us a questions! (We love our readers, so ask away!!)

Are you looking for more local wedding ideas? Be sure to look through our DC area wedding idea galleries and find wedding advice from local DC area pros. If that isn’t enough, check out our collection of local DMV weddings from the real world and the best DC area wedding vendors who make it all happen.

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planning and budget  / Tips & Advice

Advice For (Or Not!) Having Children at Weddings
April 3, 2014

Did you know that this week is unofficially “kids week” on the United With Love? We kicked it off yesterday with a pretty awesome free kids wedding activity book download. Now, it is time for some advice. We’ve all seen those cute pictures of kids at weddings, but not every wedding is a kid friendly event. Will you have an “adults only” wedding? Or, are you having kids at your wedding? If you are still debating the issue, we have you covered with one of the experts in the area, Lisa of Nannytainment.

Nannytainment offers wedding and event babysitting and child care in the Washington, DC area. As you try to decide about children on your wedding day, be sure to read below, because Lisa offers lots of advice that I would have never thought about! (And, I have two kids, myself!) Take it away, Lisa…

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Photo Credit: Amie Otto Photography  from Lindsay and Andrew’s wedding in Virginia

Envision how you want your wedding day; are flower girls, ring bearers, and other children in that picture? Or, do you worry about tantrums, tears, and things that could go wrong when kids are around?

If you don’t want children there, make it clear in the invitations, conversations, and other communication used for wedding planning and preparation.

If you do want children there, know that with proper coordination you can manage them. It begins with budgeting and the kids in mind.

#1 Choose a child friendly venue.

You can never predict how children will function. Parents do forget to keep track of their kids as they socialize and celebrate. Some settings carry potential liabilities, like water, historic homes, stairs, balconies, gardens, and windows. Some venue owners really don’t like children, so you must talk about kids when you go on site visits before booking and making a deposit.

If your venue is not kid friendly and you are dreaming of being married there, have an adult only wedding. Consider other locations nearby where the children can be safely kept.

#2 Choose a child friendly menu option.

Select tasty meals, snacks, and beverages that are familiar and formal wear friendly to children. Should they get hungry or dehydrated, it can impact their moods. Decide if you want plated meals for the kids, or when it comes to the buffet line have finger food for the children.

#3 Consider timeline with the children’s day in mind.

Kids sometimes need naps and early bedtimes. They might not wait late to have a dinner served to them. Children do need a chance to move around to burn off excess energy. Think about when you want them to be part of the festivities and when it’s better for them to be excluded. Boredom often leads to  undesired behavior. At Nannytainment, we often care for the kids from cocktail hour to through the completion of first dances after dinner.

#4 Contract a high-quality, insured childcare company.

Hired professional insured caregivers, like Nannytainment. (Venues require this.) Use an experienced company fully prepared with toys, games, crafts, and other activities of interest to all the children for the entire time they are in care. This is vital in creating the trust that the parents need to have in order to leave the children with people they have never met while they go off to relax and have fun at your wedding.

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Thank you so much, Lisa! So, what about you – are you having kids at your wedding or are you having an adults only wedding day?

For more info and even more advice for having children at weddings, be sure to check out Nannytainment. Their website and blog is full of loads of good tips and advice. And, if you are looking for a babysitter or child care entertainment for your wedding, be sure to check them out for that too!

Are you looking for more local wedding ideas? Be sure to look through our DC area wedding idea galleries and find wedding advice from local DC area pros. If that isn’t enough, check out our collection of local DMV weddings from the real world and the best DC area wedding vendors who make it all happen.

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ceremony and reception  / Tips & Advice

Fashion Advice for Bridesmaids
February 28, 2013

Fashion is certainly a favorite of any guest attending a wedding. From the happy couple to the wedding party, all eyes are on the wedding day attire once the ceremony begins” but, no pressure! Today, we’re talking bridesmaids and how to style your leading ladies. Local stylist Tyler from FashionStyler is back with more professional advice on your wedding day style! (You’ll want to check out Tyler’s last post on engagement ring styling, too!) Take it away, Tyler¦

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Photo Credit: Megan Beth Photography from Elleni + Jason’s wedding

When it comes to your bridesmaids: create a trendy troop. Rarely has a bride become a bride without putting in her time as a bridesmaid. We love to complain about the duties and the dress, but there is no better feeling when your bestie pops the question (Will you be my Bridesmaid, duh!). Speaking of the dress, how do we avoid saying this one you really will wear again knowing in the pit of our stomach we’ve told a big white lie?

Not only do we want to get our gaggle of gals more dress for their money, we want them to look their best. Remember, the commander is nothing without an army. Making your bridesmaids feel of the moment with current fashion trends will help extend the life of the dress. Better yet, choose a timeless silhouette and add on current trends in an accessory way to end the war over the dress. Use these helpful tips below:

Fashion Followers

The best way to get your girls on board with their dress is to make it something they would want to buy themselves. Check your favorite fashion channel, blog or magazine, for the trends coming for the season of your big day. Spring/Summer 2013 will focus on the classic chic black/white pairing, print-on-print dressing, and the accent ruffle be it at the neck or on an asymmetrical hem. Whilst the runway shows these trends quite literally, find fun ways to tie your girls into the trend. Give them each their own print as a belt on their dress or ribbon their bouquet.

No More Ducks in a Row

As weddings become more contemporary and brides are personalizing the experiencing for all involved, we are seeing bridesmaids with their own dresses normally tied together by a single theme (color, mini or maxi, etc.).  Traditional brides, do not let this deter you! Finding a single dress for your ladies sure makes things easier. Put in the effort though in finding a dress that your girlfriends can accessorize and make their own. Shorter lengths will allow for fun shoes or simpler silhouettes mean adding their own belt or scarf.

Ritzy Rental

Utilize websites like Rent the Runway to get your bridal team glammed up for the big day. Gone is the question of if they will wear it again because you are cutting ownership out of the deal. Rent the Runway certainly offers a more contemporary selection so be creative! Find a mixture of solid and print options that will make your ceremony line up pop and tell a story as they stand by your side.

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How do you plan to style your leading ladies? We would love to know! Thank you for sharing all this great info, Tyler!

If you’re looking for more wedding fashion advice or a wedding-day stylist for you or the rest of your wedding party, be sure to check out more of Tyler’s services at FashionStyler!

From fashion and beauty to planning and budget, we’ve got it all covered, so take a look around the blog and read more tips and advice from local wedding pros in the DC area!

Photo Credit: Megan Beth Photography

** This post contains affiliate links.

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fashion and beauty  / inspiration  / Tips & Advice

Best of 2012: Wedding Advice
January 2, 2013

This blog is full of pretty pictures and also loads of wedding planning advice from the professionals in the Washington DC area. We’ve featured everything from venues to catering to bachelorette party ideas help you plan your local wedding in Washington DC – the kind of info that you won’t find anywhere else. For this next round up of the best of Washington DC weddings, I picked a few favorite tips and advice from local wedding pros!

Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to meet and speak with some local bride readers at a bridal show. And, after our fun talks, we were inspired to share a list of popular DC area wedding venues that we heard about from the couples we met!

Photo Credit: jan michele photography at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club

You can see the full list of favorite DC area wedding venues according to local brides and grooms. And the tips and advice for wedding ceremony and reception doesn’t stop there. Here are some more highlights from 2012:

  • Ideas for unique wedding ceremony traditions
  • What you’ll need to know about attending a South Asian wedding
  • Five wedding venues in Charlottesville, Virginia and popular wedding locations in Baltimore

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We talked lots of beauty and fashion this year too! One of my favorite pieces of advice– tips for wedding dress cleaning and preservation in the DC area. After your find your dream dress, taking care of your gown after the big day has come and gone is a smart move!

Photo Credits: Elisa B. Photography from hanging wedding dresses

You can read the full article on wedding gown cleaning and preservation in the Washington DC area. For more fashion, beauty and wedding party advice, here are some more favorites from the year:

  • We loved getting our custom blended makeup
  • How to consign or sell your wedding dress
  • Tips for surviving a sample sale

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Calling all bridesmaids! One of my favorite posts from this year was all about the bachelorette party! We rounded up a few ideas for traditional bachelorette parties in the Washington DC area that you don’t want to miss!

Photo Credits: Studio Juno from Stylish Lingerie Inspiration

You can see all of the DMV bachelorette party ideas. For more tips and advice about the other wedding day-related festivities, check out these posts:

  • Even more fun bachelorette party ideas
  • Ideas for DC-area bridal showers
  • Local spots for romantic mini-moons
  • Unique rehearsal dinner ideas

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Yum, yum and yum!  This year we caught up with a few of the top local caterers and asked about the food trends for weddings in 2012! Now that the year is over, it is fun to see all of these trends playing out throughout the year at different weddings.

Photo by Maria Vicencio Photography courtesy of Truffles Catering

You can see all of the wedding food trends of 2012. Here are a few more fun posts on food and entertainment:

  • The must-ask questions for choosing a wedding caterer
  • How to have a packed dance floor
  • Check out our series on wedding song suggestion playlists

I’m so tired from rounding up all of these fantastic posts! What are you favorite wedding advice topics that we cover this year? Check back tomorrow because we’ll have more of the best of Washington DC weddings!

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miscellaneous  / Tips & Advice

Best of 2011: Tips and Advice
December 27, 2011

This week we’re taking some time off to celebrate the holiday with our families and get some rest before coming back strong in 2012.  We’re revisiting some of our favorite content from 2011 including tips and advice from local DC-area wedding professionals!  We had a jammed packed year of advice on everything from selecting a dress to how to make your makeup natural to our rehearsal dinner series last week.  For today’s installment, I’ve highlighted some of the top tips to help you plan your wedding.

Ahh, photography week!  This was such a special week on the blog this year.  We’ve come across some of the most talented and generous photographers who call the DC area home, and being able to share their work is a true joy for us each day.  We also know that selecting just one photographer to document your wedding is down right impossible.  We polled all of the top photographers in the DC area and put together enough advice to educate you and help make your selection easier.

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Photo Credit:  Love Life Images

Here is a list of what we covered during photography week:

  • What is your photography style?
  • How many photographers should you interview
  • The best questions to ask your photographer
  • Get the most out of your wedding photos
  • What if you are unhappy with your pictures
  • The real costs of wedding photography

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Photo Credit:  Michelle Lindsay Photography

Another highlight in the advice category this year came from one of our bride readers.  Liz shared her venue search story and provided tips based on what she learned searching for the perfect venue for her wedding.  We’ve heard time and time again that finding the right venue is no small feat in the DC area.  (Check out our guide here for a complete list of DC area venues or our virtual venue tours.)  Liz’s advice is spot-on and undoubtedly helped lots of couples in the same venue search boat!

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Photo Credit:  Paired Images Photography

The timeline is a difficult part of planning a wedding, because on paper everything seems so simple.  Until you get to your wedding day and the disasters just start flowing!  This past year we had a great two-part series from Paul at The DJ Connection about time management.  He describes a real-life wedding that happened while he was DJing, and then provides the solution for how all of these issues could have been avoided with proper time management.  A must-read for couples planning a wedding in the DC area!

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Photo Credit: Sweet Tea Photography

Last but not least, a two-parter from Janice of Bellwether Events.  This was a very popular post this past year, enjoying quite substantial traffic.  No doubt because of its practical, honest advice about when to hire a wedding planner and when not to hire a wedding planner.  Sometimes knowing the reasons not to do something can be the most helpful!  After reading Janice’s advice, you’ll know for-sure if hiring a planner is the right fit for you.

So, there you have it!  Hope you enjoyed this round-up advice from the past year on the blog.  (And, just one more because I can’t help myself, be sure to check out this post on avoiding disasters; it’s a good one!)

This past year is going to be hard to top, but we are looking forward to much more advice and tips from the wedding professionals in the DC area in 2012!  As always, you can find all of these tips and much more on our advice page.

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miscellaneous  / Tips & Advice

Expert Advice on Wedding Ring Shopping
August 30, 2011

The bling! Quite possibly one of the best parts of becoming engaged is the ring or rings.  Well, that and the fact that you get to spend the rest of your life with the one that you love! We are talking engagement rings – that pretty little sparkler you get to wear everyday. (I still remember the first time that I put on my engagement ring and how strange it felt to have something on that finger!) Today, we have Matthew Rosenheim, president and part owner of Tiny Jewel Box, to give us some tips for wedding ring shopping. Tiny Jewel Box is an iconic jewelry boutique in the heart of downtown DC and the Rosenheim family has owned it since it’s inception over 80 years ago. Take it away, Matthew¦.

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Photo credit: Cassidy Duhon Wedding Photography from Krista and Jonathan’s wedding

The Diamond.
There are many shapes and sizes that diamonds come in, but the most popular today are round, cushion, square and rectangular.  Each shape can come in a variety of facet arrangements that will alter the appearance of the light reflections so it is best to work with a professional jeweler who can show you the various shapes and cuts and explain the differences.  Diminutive differences in the color, clarity, cut or weight of the diamond can make significant differences in the price without altering the appearance of the stone.  Seek the guidance of a trained jewelry professional to find just the right diamond for your budget.

The Mounting.
There are a wide variety of styles available for your diamond, but for both beauty and durability we always recommend platinum as the metal of choice.  In selecting just the right mounting remember that there is no other item of jewelry that you will be wearing every day for the rest of your life so a more classic style will always stand the test of time.  Additionally, if you want your band to fit next to your diamond ring then make sure you take that into consideration when you make your selection.  You would be surprised at the number of engaged couples who go to select a band and find that there is an unacceptable gap between the rings.

Nothing Replaces Touch and Feel.
The internet is a wonderful place to do your research on diamonds and mounting styles but pictures and certificates don’t tell the whole story.  How your diamond looks in various lighting conditions and how your mounting of choice looks on your finger can only be experienced firsthand.

Visit the Store.
When having a firsthand experience at a store with a seasoned professional, you can assure yourself that you can get exactly the ring that will make your heart beat a little faster.  Generally, mountings can be customized so that you can achieve exactly what you want, not just what is in the jeweler’s showcase or website.  A skilled professional can gently lead you through what can be a confusing process and make suggestions that can allow you to even exceed the fantasies you began with.

Timing.
Rarely does a couple walk into a store and walk out with the ring of their dreams on the same day.  Finding just the right diamond and just the right mounting can take some time.  Once the diamond is selected it can take anywhere from a few days to six weeks to finish the mounting depending on your special needs.  At Tiny Jewel Box, we will always advocate to get you your ring at the desired time but it’s best to plan ahead and allow for the process to be unrushed.  Our utmost desire at Tiny Jewel Box is for your experience to go smoothly; to be enjoyable; and to always be memorable.  GOOD LUCK!!

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Thank you so much!  If you are in the market for a wedding ring, be sure to check out Tiny Jewel Box on Connecticut Avenue in DC. They also have a great bridal section on their website as well as a buying guide for more information.

For more advice, check out our full list of tips and tricks from the local DC, MD and VA wedding professionals.

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fashion and beauty  / Jewelry  / Tips & Advice

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