1. Pinterest Dreamin’

We get it. The wedding dress images on Pinterest are endless and awe-inspiring. It’s hard not to pin every single beautiful image you scroll past. Consider this while you’re pinning away with hearts in your eyes — You have to choose one. Just one. Try deciding on a general style and only pin dresses that fit within that, making notes on what you like and dislike about each dress. You can then show your consultant your newly organized and detailed Pinterest board at your bridal salon appointment. She’ll thank you and you will find the perfect dress in no time.

2. Embarrassment

Even if your mom can keep the naked baby photos to herself, you’re bound to have an embarrassing moment or two at your bridal salon appointment. I ripped a slip with my large tush, walked out of the dressing room with a dress completely unzipped and flashed my boobs to my consultant about 20 times. I survived (and found a great dress). If you run into similar situations just remember that it’s your day and to have fun! Finding a wedding dress (while important) is a matter best dealt with while wearing a smile.

3. Indecision

And you thought cleaning up your Pinterest board was difficult! Just wait until you’re at your bridal salon appointment with five top favorite dresses. Mom has a favorite, your sister has a favorite, your bff has a favorite and you have a big decision to make. Too many opinions can make your decision difficult so take that into consideration when choosing who to take with you to your appointment. When it comes down to it, try on accessories with your favorite dresses. As a very visual person, this helped me visualize the final product and make a final decision.

4. Clarity

When you finally decide what dress will be the dress, emotions can run high. For me it was just a relief. So while I didn’t cry and my mother certainly didn’t cry, I knew I made the right choice. Most bridal salons will make a special announcement of some sort that will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something huge (and you kinda have). At this point you should be feeling confident in your choice and happy that you are one step closer to marrying the man of your dreams!

5. Cold Feet

That clarity you felt at your bridal salon appointment may eventually waver. What if you didn’t try enough on? Should you have gone with the first one? Is there a better dress out there that you haven’t seen yet? These are all questions that will race through your mind amidst the stress of wedding planning. You may call mom. You may have a short cry. It’s probably nothing a little reassurance from mom can’t help. If you have these thoughts consistently though, don’t be afraid to reach out to your bridal salon to see what your options are.

6. The Big Day

The emotional rollercoaster you went through will all be worth it when your soon-to-be spouse see’s you for the first time on your wedding day. You will likely never wear something more expensive, beautiful and special so soak it up! It’s not likely you will wear this dress again so hire a photographer you trust to capture all the beautiful moments of your special day.

Did you experience any of these emotions while buying your dress? What was your favorite part of wedding dress shopping? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below!

1. Comfort Food

Have you ever thought about how great Fall food is? For example; caramel apples, pies, popcorn and even donuts. It’s like a build up to Thanksgiving! These comfort foods make for great wedding desserts and cocktail hour snacks.

2. Warm Color Palettes

The warm, deep colors of Fall just can’t be beat. It’s not all burgundy and burnt orange, though! Below are some of our favorite and fresh, warm color palettes.

3. Soft Lighting

Soft, warm lighting will really set the mood for a Fall wedding and there are so many ways to achieve the look! You could incorporate candles in your centerpieces, string some fairy lights or go as far as booking a venue with a fireplace!

4. Autumnal Alchohol

Gone are the spritzers of Summer! Your guests will jump at the chance to warm up with a cup of hot apple cider. Spike it with some rum for a fun kick! And those fall themed cocktails? They’re as tasty as they are Instagramable.

5. Cozy Up

Sometimes we sacrifice our warmth for a super stylish outfit (even though you don’t have to). Regardless, whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid or a guest, we’ve got you covered (literally). Below are some unique and stylish ways to cozy up at a Fall wedding.

Are you planning a Fall wedding? What cozy touches will you sprinkle into your big day? Let us know in the comments!

WEDDINC:  First of all thank you so much for agreeing to an interview with Weddinc. We absolutely LOVE Astrophotography and everything about it.  We’re here today with Robert Paetz, Astrophotographer with Robert Paetz Photography.

Let’s start with a little about you.  How did you get into Astrophotography originally and have you always been interested in the cosmos?

ROBERT:  I didn’t have a particular interest in the cosmos, but growing up, there were lots of camping trips with my family, and I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I love the feeling of awe and wonder when I look up into a dark sky full of stars.

The very first Astro-session I ever shot was in 2012 when Felicia (my wife and partner, who was shooting with me at the time) told me that a client wanted to their engagement session in Joshua Tree in the middle of August. The thought of being out in the 110 degree heat made her ask, “Can’t we just shoot at night?!”

Then I sat there and thought about it for a second, and said “Wait… maybe we can…”

I had been already been reading a lot about Astrophotography by then and was proficient with off camera lighting. Giving it some thought suddenly made things click in my brain that it might just work.

We are thankful to that first adventurous couple who took a risk on us when we told them to meet us by the vending machine at a desert motel at 2am and let us drive them into the darkness of Joshua Tree.

WEDDINC:  Did you stumble upon shooting the Milky Way in the background of one of your shoots or did you set out to shoot it?

ROBERT:  At the beginning I wasn’t too aware of celestial movements. During the second shoot we did in Death Valley, the Milky Way rose over the background by glorious happenstance. Since then, I have taken time to learn a bit more about it and use an app called PhotoPills to help me track these.

WEDDINC:  What are the challenges you face when shooting the Milky Way or a star-lit night in a photo?

ROBERT:  They do involve a bit of planning as these can only be shot a few days before or a few days after a new moon and it needs to be photographed at least 100 miles from a major city to avoid light pollution ruining our view of the night skies. Secondly you need to worry about weather, that’s why the desert works the best: rain clouds blocking out the skies can be a real downer after everyone went to great distances to get out under the stars.

Most importantly though, it’s about having amazing clients who will follow any crazy idea you may have, even when it comes to standing in the freezing desert wind in complete darkness while I rush around adjusting lighting, camera placement and a number of other technical things. I couldn’t do any of this without the trust of my clients.

WEDDINC:  How many times have you been able to capture a ‘lucky’ shooting star as in the photo above?  Would you say the couples in your photos with a shooting star have had any significant “luck” after the shoot?

ROBERT:  Surprisingly, shooting stars actually aren’t as rare as I once thought. I think almost all the couples that have been out under the stars have seen at least a few. That said, the shooting stars work on their own schedule so it’s more sheer luck for one to end up in an image.

WEDDINC:  How often do you get requests for Astrophotography and what’s your favorite location for a shoot?

ROBERT:  I get many of requests from couples interested in the process of making this happen, but once I educate people on the distance, scheduling restrictions, time and effort it will take for these images to happen (because of the many factors described above) it narrows it down to the most adventurous couples that end up under the skies with me. I don’t set a limit, but I shoot about 6 of these sessions a year. I do not have a favorite spot, because I am always on the look out for new locations, but most of the time I shoot in Death Valley or Joshua Tree.

WEDDINC:  What is a Meteor Shower?

ROBERT:  “A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories.”

I borrowed that from Wikipedia, but essentially a meteor shower is LOTS of shooting star burning through the atmosphere in a short period of time. I’ve never photographed one, but I did spend a few hours watching the Perseids shower with my nieces who were equally spellbound.

The Perseids shower is the most regular and happens from mid July to mid August each year and I would be thrilled if someone want’s to schedule a shoot around then in 2017!

WEDDINC:  For our photographer enthusiasts out there, what are some of the techniques you use to capture such beautiful skies?

ROBERT: First and most importantly, check on the moon; before you get into anything else you want to make sure the moon is not in the sky before you set out to photograph the stars, otherwise you (and your camera) just won’t see all that much. Next, bring a flashlight, coat, food, extra water (and maybe a couple beers if you’re not working) – the Eagle Scout in me always tries to focus on the essentials and safety first.

Once you are sure you are not going to get lost in the dark without any light or supplies, then remember to bring your tripod. From there, there are literally hundreds of online articles which would describe step-by-step processes to create amazing nighttime images.

One of my favorite articles is at Luminous Landscape, which covers most of the basics of Astrophotography (https://luminous-landscape.com/landscape-astrophotography)

WEDDINC:  If couples are nervous about doing the shoot what is your one trick to make them feel at ease in front of the camera?

ROBERT:  For my photography sessions I put the emphasis on having fun and relaxing. I carry on conversations while we shoot and do my best to keep things light-hearted. Most people are worried that they won’t know how to pose or how to be a model, but I always let them know that I will take care of all those details and they just need to focus on their partner.

WEDDINC:  What other types of photography do you do besides wedding photography and Astrophotography?

ROBERT:  Before I became seriously involved in wedding photography in 2010 I spent about 3 years traveling the globe and taking pictures. I’ve visited approximately 60 countries and I am currently planning to spend 5 weeks in Myanmar and Southeast Asia over the holidays and throughout January. My biggest regret about life in general is that there will never be enough time to see everything, and more importantly, try all the world’s food.

WEDDINC:  Have you been able to shoot the Aurora Borealis?

ROBERT:  I haven’t made it that far north in the middle of winter just yet, but if anyone out there is looking for an epic adventure, I am totally game to head for Iceland, Norway, Alaska, Finland or anywhere else near the Arctic Circle and create some astounding Aurora Borealis images for you.

WEDDINC:  Is there one shoot or one photograph that you are especially proud of?

ROBERT:  Photography for me is about constant growth and new challenges. Every time I reach an accomplishment or discover something new in my photography I try to raise the bar for myself. Sure, there are a couple images that gets me super excited about some aspect of photography, but they are not seen as an end point, more likely they are the beginning of something new that I can build on. When I look back over the millions of pictures I have taken over the last 12 years, it’s the images I didn’t create that keep pushing me onward.

WEDDINC:  What is next for you career wise?

ROBERT:  In 2017 I still plan to photograph weddings, but I also plan on shifting the direction of my photography career to include more travel images as well as documentation of various NGOs and volunteer causes around the world.  As I get older I am looking to find ways to give back and telling worthwhile stories through photography seems the obvious way for me contribute.  My goal is to start creating some unique images for great causes and projects that could be used to show the fascinating work being done, as well as to create striking visuals to raise awareness and much-needed funds.

If you would like to inquire about a photoshoot or would just like to reach out and chat with a really neat guy, please contact Robert Paetz at www.RobertPaetz.com

Just like any other wedding venue and theme, a beach wedding takes a lot of planning and dedication. Although, planning a beach wedding may seem like a simple task it can become overwhelming to find the proper essentials you will need to make your wedding the magical day you have always dreamed of. For this reason we have decided to put together beach wedding essentials that you will need in order to plan.

1. Beach Wedding Essential- Permits

Photocredit- www.glozine.com, www.weddingchicks.com,www.stylemepretty.com, 

Those of us who dream of a beach wedding dream of a relaxing day at the beach in a beautiful setting surrounded by loved ones. However, that can all be quickly ruined if you do not have the correct permits. Yes some beaches don’t require permits but they may have size restrictions and tent restrictions not to mention other things to consider. 

We recommend getting into contact with the local government of the beach you would like to use. This will save you time and heartache as well as give you an idea as to what you will need to have the wedding you have always dreamed of.

2. Beach Wedding Essential- Lighting

Photocredit- www.glozine.com, mydarlingflowers.com, www.colincowieweddings.com

Unlike a reception hall or a restaurant that comes with already installed lighting. When it comes to a beach wedding, you will have absolutely no light but natural daylight. This can become a challenge as you will need to find a way to add the proper lighting to your wedding while still keeping the beach feel. The good news is sand is a great form of covering up pesky electrical cords that may have to hang around the floor.

One way to add lighting to your beach wedding is by using lanterns or candles that will add personality and dimension to your wedding atmosphere.

3. Beach Wedding Essential- FootWear

Photo credit- www.ownza.com, www.indulgy.com, www.etsy.com

At a traditional wedding, you would have your footwear all sorted out. People arrive in formal attire with their shoes on and enjoy the rest of the evening. However, at a beach wedding your guest and you will have to get excited about experiencing sand between your toes. One way to enjoy the sandy moments is by offering your guest a shoe area where they would be able to remove their shoes if they chose to and enjoy the night. Or offering a flip flop station where there are flip flops for all the guest to change to once they arrive.
For the bride and bridal party, it can be a great idea to wear barefoot sandals to keep their look bridal and put together through the entire wedding.

4. Beach Wedding Essential- Wedding Dress

Photocredit- www.californiaweddingday.com, www.weddbook.com, collegegirlwithpearls.tumblr.com

When it comes to a beach wedding finding the perfect wedding dress can become a little bit more of a hassle as certain fabrics do not do so well in the beach wedding atmosphere. For example, thicker fabrics will not work for a beach wedding as it will become too warm for the bride. As well as heavier wedding dresses will not work neither because it can become very heavy for the bride to carry while walking on sand.

We would recommend a light fabric and more simple fabric such as lace. Lace will allow the bride to travel freely among her guest and wedding party.

5. Beach Wedding Essential- Photography Planning

Photo credit- www.indulgy.com, www.glamour.com, www.indulgy.com

Much like lighting wedding photos, your beach photos will require careful planning and thoughtfulness.  The reason being that you will not have the built-in lighting that a ballroom or church would have. This may make taking candid photos a bit more difficult as your photographer waits for the sun to pass through the clouds. It is sometimes very favorable to take beach shots during the overcast morning hours, however for that soft glow which can be very hard to achieve with canned light.  However, with a little bit of planning ahead you can achieve the photos you have always dreamed of and you may be surprised at how beautiful they can be without the direct sun.

We recommend finding a location at the beach that is well lit with natural lighting and/or lighting that you may install. The key to great photos is always having excellent lighting and it doesn’t hurt to hire an excellent photographer as well.  You want to make sure that you choose a photographer who understands natural light and has the right filters for his camera and be sure that he also has experience shooting a beach wedding successfully. You may also want to take advantage of appropriate beach props and include your wedding party as well.

6. Beach wedding Essential- Prepare for the Heat

Photo credit- theblisslifeblog.com, colincowieweddings.com,  www.bellethemagazine.com

Unlike having a wedding in a ballroom or banquet you will not have the luxury of having air conditioning or air ventilation at your wedding. Which may be somewhat of an inconvenience to your guests. For this reason it is important to prepare for the heat. There are ways you can make your guests feel more comfortable without compromising your decoration or wedding theme. Having umbrellas at your wedding as part of your decoration can add a cooling shade while maintaining a contemporary look.

You can also add woven fans to your guest seating. Woven fans will allow your guest to fan themselves whenever they feel the need to do so. If you are trying to find a way to maintain your wedding cool from the heat at all times you may want to consider a draped tent. A draped tent will keep your guests under shade the entire wedding while adding a mystical feel to your wedding theme, also consider boho tipis.

When it comes to planning a beach wedding considering these essentials while you plan can save you a lot of time and headaches. Have you planned a beach wedding? If so tell us below what tips would you give other brides that are planning a beach wedding.

1. WHITE ON WHITE  We love the classic look of a white tie on a white shirt, mixed with the modern look of a succulent boutonnière! We’d say she hit the mark here — he’s smiling ear to ear!

2. THE CLASSIC–  Sometimes the best route is to stick with the classics! This softey went with a traditional tuxedo. We’re guessing there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when this duo
danced down the aisle.

3. DECKED OUT–  From the gorgeous greenery in the boutonnière, to the light silver vest and cravat tie, this dad is decked out in decadent detail. 

4. BEACH CASUAL-  Take it from this dapper dad, beach causal isn’t cause for boring fashion. We love how he dressed up his un-done white button-up with a tan sport coat. Final fabulous touch? The gorgeous emerald green pocket square!

5. GIFT HIM SOME SWAG-  If you’re looking for a father of the bride gift, consider some arm candy he can wear on the big day. Attach a sweet note and he’ll forget about all those times you came home past curfew (ok, probably not).

6. PERSONALIZE IT-  When picking out the perfect tie, consider personalizing it with an embroidered note. It will be as special on your wedding day as it will be 10 years later (because you know he’s going to wear the same dress clothes until your mom throws them out).

7. ELEGANT CHARCOAL-  Don’t worry dads, you don’t have to empty your pockets to look this good.We love the charcoal, three piece suit and the powder blue tie and light pink tulip are easy, elegant touches.

8. OH, THAT SMILE!-  When it comes down to it, the best thing your dad can wear is a smile. Whether or not he knows his half windsor from his full windsor, sport jacket from suit jacket, or oxfords from wing tips, he should be confident and comfortable on the big day.

Have you thought about what your first love will wear on your wedding day? Which of the above eight were your favorite looks? Let us know in the comments below!

The evolution of bridesmaid dresses has been rapidly changing since the beginning of the 21st century. Bridesmaid’s have now taken center stage and are sharing the spotlight with the entire bridal party. We can all remember the time we were asked to be a bridesmaid for one of our friends and our first thought was “here we go again with the matchy-matchy dresses”. Today, that may no longer the case for some brides.

Although the symmetrical look is here to stay many brides are choosing the slightly-rebellious deconstructed look, giving their bridesmaids carte blanche as far as dress style and design goes.

A symmetrical look is achieved when the basic silhouette or shape remains consistent, like the girls on the left.  For example the fabric such as chiffon and the color or hue will remain the same but perhaps just the shoulder strap or the waistline may change slightly.

A deconstruct look is the opposite of symmetry as shown in the photo on the right..  If we compare the look to an English Garden where all the lovely flowers are different, yet they all blend together achieving a variegated and colorful look.  This trend screams confidence and trust in one’s bridesmaid’s giving them full control of their choice and can result in very dramatic effects.

We have put together our favorite Symmetry vs Deconstruct looks. Please tell us which bridesmaid dress style is your favorite in the comments below.

Photo credit-meet-your-match.info

There are many ways a bride can create a symmetrical look when it comes to her bridesmaid dresses, the image on the left is the perfect example.  Our favorite part about this look is the fact that the bride kept everyone, even the flower girl in almost identical dresses and in a beautiful shade of mint. However, she gave everyone their very own unique twist by slightly changing the top structure of the dresses. Just imagine this look at a vineyard or a beautiful garden wedding.

Our favorite part about the look on the right is the fact that all the dresses are different. However, all the hems hit perfectly symmetrical above the knee and the way they are lined up creates a perfect arrow pointing directly to the bride.  This look would be perfect in a country setting, such as a rustic barn.

Photo credit-vowslove.wordpress.com

The blush dresses above create a symmetry between the bridesmaid’s and the bride and is our favorite part about the look on the dresses on the left. The bride and bridesmaid’s are all wearing very similar dresses but a stylish cut that looks great on everyone.  It’s the perfect detail for an enchanted forest look or country estate.

The look on the right is for the bride who breaks all the rules and wishes to be more creative on her wedding day which is what we love.  A wedding in the garden at a 5 star hotel? No problem,  this look is slightly laid-back but with a touch of class.

Photo credit-us-exchange.info

Grey is a color that has quickly become a bride’s favorite, it comes in various shades, styles and finishes. The bride and bridesmaids on the left showcases the perfect example of symmetry. Every detail is exactly like the last and played out to a tee, the bridesmaid’s are all dressed identical from head to toe and even the placement of their flowers is on point. This makes us love the look even more. This look would work great at a mansion or private estate.

The bride on the right is the whimsical bride. She chose a flowy style of dress for her bridesmaid’s and for herself. This look is enchanting and whimsical from the colors to the style it all screams enchanted forest. This look would be perfect for a enchanting forest or magical garden wedding.

Photo credit-www.dressedupgirl.com

Yellow is the perfect color for a spring-time wedding. It is ideal for the bride that wants to bring pops of color to her wedding color palette.  The bride on the left is a lover of all things bright and beautiful. She chose a symmetrical bright yellow look for her bridesmaid’s to wear while she kept it simple. We love the symmetry in this look as everyone is cohesive and simple at the same time. This look would fit well at a 5 star hotel where everything is elegant and put together just like the bride.

The bride on the right is the edgy bride, the bride that is creative and into art. We love the creative look that this bride has given her bridesmaid’s. It is the perfect look for the bride that is edgy and likes to have fun. This look would be amazing for a city wedding or even in a library. They do say the greatest love stories are stored there.

When it comes down to planning a wedding it can be difficult finding the exact look that you are going for. However, we have broken down our favorite symmetrical and deconstructed looks for you. Which look has caught your attention the most? Which look would you use on your special day.

Each year, the Pantone Color Institute has released a set of colors to the public, specifying one as the “Color of the Year”. While each year’s colors are meant as a representation of what that year will, hopefully, hold.

Pantone’s goal is both to capture and to set the mood for the year, this year’s being mindfulness and well-being. The delicate shades of Rose Quartz, which looks to be more of a blush/lemonade pink than rose, and Serenity, a soft shade of almost lavender or periwinkle.

This 2016 colors duo is not a surprise with the rise in stress and anxiety among our generations as years, and technologies, have advanced. Who couldn’t use a bit of relaxation and mindfulness with the constant notifications, not to mention the almost endless ways our bosses can get a hold of us now?

Is there anything more stressful than planning your life? A wedding is not merely the exchanging of vows, but the molding of two lives into a single coexistence. That takes major time and energy. So, take a note from color psychology as the realms of marketing and advertising certainly have and find a way to incorporate these colors of connection, serenity, and calmness into the one day that you may need it the most.

Here are some sterling examples of the use of Pantone’s colors for 2015.

The cover of Harper’s Bazaar.

A periwinkle blue wedding cake with pink cream piping and ornate Blue Birds.

Periwinkle Wedding invitations  with a fanciful pink ribbon.

A dazzling diamond encrusted watch of Rose Quartz adds style to any occasion.

Or, plan your wedding around Pantone’s expertly choreographed shades – Hey, if the work has already been put in, why not take any help you can get? – and design your bridesmaids’ dresses to either incorporate or fully present these lovely hues.

The man in your life or the groom to be can indulge their wardrobe with these beautiful and serene colors.

Whatever your decision, it cannot be wrong. With these colors present, the caterer could show up with fish instead of chicken, the decorator with petunias instead of peonies, and your mother-in-law in white, and you would calmly think, “I still get to marry the love of my life.”