Wes Roberts Photography

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Wedding Tip Wednesday

So my thought today, as with every day is how to save money. If you asked Meg, she would say sometimes it's almost like I'm obsessed with it. But hey! Saving has its positives, like you can pay your bills next month or buy diapers next week. All this being said to make the point that for families and couples planning their big day, you don't have to break the bank in order to have an amazing wedding. Think this, "More money does not equal better". Well, I take that back. If you want to hire Nickleback to cover your wedding, I'll come rock out with you and I'll bring my camera. Other than that "higher cost does not equal better". What does save money is thinking outside the box for your venues, decorations, gifts. I'm sure you've picked up magazines and wondered "how did they do that without blowing the doors off". I love Southern Weddings Mag and the weddings they spotlight. These couples (and you can too) take the things they love whether it be about their personality or the area they live in our revolving around family and incorporate it to make a wedding that is one of a kind and that leaves your guests saying it was the wedding of the century. So ideas…

1. Think about yourself, what you like and what you love.
2. Use things around your home, your parent's home or grandparent's home
3. Don't be afraid to ask to borrow, especially from neighbors
4. Think antique or retro. Old knits or fun board games you played growing up
5. Use a color palette. Bold colors or muted.
6. It's in the details, the little things that catch the eye. Mason jars used as lanterns, or those big paper folding things that look like something your teacher used during holidays (I've got no idea). Maybe old antique tea cups you picked up.

So where do you get started? And you're probably thinking, "I can barely dress myself so where am I supposed to get ideas like that". Well check out decorating sites such as the awesome ladies at Grey Likes Weddings, or try contacting a wedding planner who might offer suggestions (if you have one in your family even better). Either way, you're bound to come up with some great ideas. So kick the door off the cardboard box and get to planning an awesome wedding.

Wedding Tip Wednesday!!!

I've wanted to do this for a while because I know everyone needs tips, right! I know around my house I definitely need tips, how to keep the house clean with 2 pets, a baby and two people that are always on the go (how do I get those clothes put away that have sat there for a week). As we get to going on these tips, please don't take them as "have too's" for perfect etiquette (heaven knows I don't have that). They are purely a suggestion and feel free to add to it or if you have a topic suggestion, shoot it to me and I'll post on it. So, to my first tip…

Communication (def. – when there is dialog and expression of feeling towards a subject or event) (I know this is not Webster's, it's Wes's)

In this case, it your wedding and everything that surrounds your white wedding day. There are so many relationships that have to be maintained and feelings that have to be kept in check and it's your job to do it, right? Now that you are thinking about it and your head is spinning and your heart is beating really heard because you have to, in some way, tell your mom or aunt to please step back and let "ME" make the decision on which fluffy cake you want to use for the 6^th tier of your wedding cake (man that's a big cake). The only way to overcome this is to be open and up front.

For family, remember that's what they are, family and they mean well; communicate your needs and enlist help. Be up front about your expectations. Sometimes even in the most joyous events feelings will be hurt and have Aunt Sally sobbing outside in the parking lot, but it's ok. Keep the goal in mind, and what is it? Not a flawless wedding, (I've shot enough weddings to know that doesn't happen) but that you get married, right?

Communicate with your vendors! Again let them know what you want but keep in mind the reason why you hired them; they are professionals for a reason and you hired them based on talent, or charming personality ;). On the other side of this, get to know your vendor. From a personal side, I love getting to know my couples. It's always interesting to hear how each couple met or what they do for a living or their plans for life after the wedding. This is the reason why I like to do engagement sessions. It is a chance for us to get a glimpse into your personality while at the same time you get to know us. Think about this, would you want someone you just met taking pictures of you while you are in your skimpies, or someone you felt comfortable with? Either way, as you see, communication will be the key to any lasting relationship, especially your marriage. I guess you could say, it's the oil that keeps the engine running smoothly. So don't be afraid to communicate your feeling, it's not public speaking! At this point I would queue up a sample from Public Enemy "Express Yourself" and say have a great Wedding Tip Wednesday!