60 Pictures to take on your Wedding Day

Your wedding day is one of the most special days in your life.  You want every detail, every special moment, and every special person that took part in your wedding captured so you can look at your wedding album, and remember it perfectly.  Here is a list of 60 pictures that my photographer captured. Hopefully this helps you prepare for your big day.  Look it over, print the checklist at the bottom, and bring it with you when you meet with your photographer.

1.     Bride's Bouquet/Bridesmaids Bouquets

Wedding Band on open hymnal

2.       Bride's Shoes and Jewelry

3.       The Rings

4.       Bride and Bridesmaids with their hair and make-up done before you get into their dresses

5.       Bride getting ready- putting on your dress, shoes and jewelry on

6.       Groom and groomsmen getting ready

7.       Having fun with your bridesmaids using a mirror.  

We bought a nice mirror at Marshall's Home Goods, used it for pictures, and returned it (guess it didn't go with our home decor ;-) )

8.       With your siblings at your parents house. 

We climbed up onto the big rock we played on growing up. Talk about memories!

9.       Getting into the limo.

10.   Girls in the limo on the way to the ceremony.

11.   Walking into the church

The Best Man covering the Groom's eyes while the Bride enters the Church!!

When we pulled up to the church the limo driver pulled up to the side door. I'm not sure how we forgot to let Matt know to stay clear of the hallway near the parlor 20 minutes before the ceremony, but we did..We walked up to the church, opened the side door, walked in, and there is Matt and his brother putting on their boutonnieres!  Without even thinking my famous last words before getting married to Matt were "douchebag!" The groom should not see the bride before the ceremony! Matt's brother quickly covered his eyes with our Marriage License.

12.   Bridesmaids in the parlor

13.   Bride and her parents in parlor

14.   Bride with her Dad before walking down the aisle

15.   The church (all decorated, before guests there)

16.   Pastor leading the ceremony

17.   Readers

18.   Singers/Piano player

19.   Saying Vows/Putting on the rings

Have to capture the first kiss as husband & wife!!

20.   The Kiss

The Bride's parents reaction is priceless!

21.   The guests reaction/crowd during ceremony

22.   The couple after the vows leaving the ceremony

Artsy Picture of Bride and Groom (could be cool to print on a canvas and hang in your house)

23.   The send off after the ceremony

24.   Formal shot of Bride and Groom with the Groom's family

25.   Formal shot of Bride and Groom with the Bride's family

26.   Bride's extended family

27.   Groom's extended family

28.   Bride and Groom in front of the church

29.  Bride and Groom doing a dip kiss

Bride & Groom walking

30.   Picture of Bride and Groom walking away into a beautiful life (we were walking down a tree lined road)

31.   Thank you card

32.   Bride with the bridesmaids

33.   Bride with the groomsmen

34.   Groom with groomsmen

Black & White: Groom with Groomsmen

35.   Groom with bridesmaids

Bridal Party Jump Shot- Photographer shouts 1, 2, 3 and everyone jumps on 3!

36.   Bride and Groom with entire bridal party - serious

37.   Bride and Groom with entire bridal party - silly, jumping, etc.

Bridal Party in Church (photographer is standing in the balcony)

38.   Entire bridal party toasting with champagne or drinks

39.   The bride having her dress bustled

40.   Bride and MOH

41.   Parents of Bride and parents of Groom getting introduced

Time to celebrate and drink!!

42.   Each bridesmaids and groomsmen being introduced

43.   The Bride and Groom being introduced

44.   First dance

45.   Father daughter dance

46.   Mother son dance

47.   MOH giving her toast

48.   Best Man giving his toast

49.   Cutting the cake

50.   Feeding cake (or shoving!)

51.   Group shots with your group from High School

(I am so glad we had our photographer take a picture of our swimming friends, little did we know it would be our last time together as a group because our dear friend Chris passed away a year after the wedding) Take a serious and silly picture

'Feeding' each other cake

52.   Group shots with your group from College

53.   Throwing your bouquet or giving it away

54.   The place cards

55.   The gifts (card holder, presents, and party favors)

56.   The reception room before guests arrive (centerpieces)

57.   The guest book (maybe while someone is signing)

58.   Candid shots of cocktail hour

59.   Candid shots of dancing

60.   Send off after the reception

Printable checklist [Right click, save image, paste into a word document, and print]

7 Beauty Tips for the Bride

Tip # 1: Get a spray tan 3-4 days before the wedding day.

I had a lady come to my house. She had a spray tan tent and it only cost 40$. A spray tan is a good way to go if you aren't a fan of tanning beds/booths.  If you are getting married in the summer and think I will just lay out the week of the wedding! Guess what, it won't happen (not being a debby downer, just realistic. It will either rain, be cloudy or you will be busy doing last minute things for the big day!) A spray tan won't take care of major tan lines, but it will even out a tiny tan line (I got a sun burn in 3 months before the wedding and still had a light line from my bathing suit) 

It gave me a bridal glow!

Tip # 2:  Wear a button down shirt when you are getting ready so your hair and makeup don't get messed up when you go to put your wedding dress on.

Button down shirt getting ready is a must!

Tip # 3: Apply waterproof mascara over your other mascara so when you cry your makeup doesn't run.

Tip # 4: Buy the lip gloss your makeup artist uses so you can reapply before pictures.

Last minute fixes before walking down the aisle

Tip # 5: Don't wash your hair the day of the wedding. Most stylists recommend you wash your hair the day before.

Tip #6: Carry extra bobby pins in your purse. That way you can quickly fix your hair and get right back to the party.

Tip # 7: Don't forget to put on deodorant! Your nerves will make you sweat a little more than normal, don't be a smelly bride! 

I knew I had applied deodorant after I showered in the morning, but when we got in the limo, I freaked and said "oh my gosh, I don't remember if I put deodorant on after I put my dress on!" Luckily Mandy (Matt's sister and a bridesmaid) said "I have some!" So of course I put it on in the limo, while driving to the church. I think 3 other bridesmaids applied as well; Laughing the whole time!!

 

Don't want sweat stains!

DIY Wooden Letters

I can't tell you how many times my mom and I drove by the church picturing my big day.  Most churches and venues have gorgeous landscaping and aesthetic value, but dressing it up makes it uniquely personalized.  I remember going to a wedding at our church, just to see what the church looks like when a wedding is going on.  We drive up, look at each other and think are we at a funeral or a wedding? Now ask yourself, do you want your guests saying that?

• You don't need an invitation to go to a church ceremony.  It's a worship service and most churches have an open door policy.  I recommend going to at least 1 wedding at your church to you can figure out how you want to decorate the church. (Please don't use this as advice for every church, check their website, bulletin or ask).  Also, dress up for the occasion, don't wear jeans.  You will stick out like a sore thumb!

DIY Wooden Letters

I bought our initials (2 each for the front and back of the door, that way if the doors are open or closed you can see the letters) (A for Amanda and M for Matt) and 2 inch light blue ribbon at Michaels and borrowed my dad's staple gun for the project. You could also use a hot glue gun to attach the letters to the ribbon.

Step 1: Sand the wood (optional, the wood may be smooth enough to paint)

Step 2: Paint the wooden letters ( I noticed foam brushes worked best )

Step 3: Figure out how long the ribbon should be ( since most churches don't allow nails or pins we draped the ribbon over the top of the door )

Step 4: Cut the ribbon

Step 5: Staple or hot glue the letters to the ribbon

Step 6: Bring the decoration to the church, hang and boom, you have a beautiful personalized church door!

DIY Wooden Letter Decoration

Pre-Wedding Girls Day

     Visiting with out of town guests and extended family on your wedding day can be hard.  It is a busy day. Aside from hugging everyone and thanking them for being there, there isn't much time to 'catch up' with people you haven't seen in 6 months or sometimes more. You struggle with knowing they spent a lot of money and time to be there for you, and knowing you will be busy getting ready, saying vows, getting pictures taken, eating, and dancing. So how do you catch up with these wonderful people you dearly love?

     Luckily weddings aren't just one day, it's a whole weekend. Think about it, there is the day before where you are prepping/decorating, and having the rehearsal dinner.  The day of the wedding you get ready, have the wedding ceremony, wedding reception, and typically an after party at the hotel bar.  Then the day after you have a brunch with all the out of town guests and extended family.

Pew Bows

Decorations at the front of the church

     The day before my wedding we had a girls day. About a month before I emailed my mom, sister, grandmothers, Matt's mom, his sister, his grandmothers, my aunts, cousins and the bridesmaids, and gave them the plan. I knew they all wouldn't be able to make it, but the important part is that everyone knew what was going on, and they felt included (which was important to me.) Keep in mind to invite close friends that aren't in your wedding, but who are traveling, to events like these.  My good friend Danielle was flying in so I made sure to invite her to lunch and nails. You want people traveling to feel welcome, enjoy their time, and look back and say 'that was a great wedding! I am so glad I went!'

Girl's Day Schedule:

French Manicure

Decorating the church from 9:30am-11:30am

Lunch at 12:00pm

Nails at 1:30pm

Not only did this allow me to spend time with family and friends, but the mani/pedi gave me a chance to relax, which is important on such a busy/exhausting/exhilarating weekend.

Bathroom Basket

Wedding Bathroom Basket

A small element in the grand scheme of things

that can help a grateful guest out in time of need   



Wedding Bathroom Basket

This is another project you can tackle early on and set aside.  It takes about an hour to buy the basket and supplies and about 30 minutes to make the basket look pretty and assemble it.

How to put together a bathroom basket

Step 1: Print your list of needed supplies

• Tampax Tampons
• Carefree Pantyliners
• Hair Elastics
• Bobby Pins
• Singer Sewing Kit
• Safety Pins
• Spray Deodorant (because no one wants to share a gel or solid)
• Hair spray
• Advil
• Mints/Gum
•  Dental Floss
• Tums
• Clear Nail Polish
• Lint Roller
• Lotion
• Perfume/Body Spray
• Bandaids
• Tide to go pen

 Step 2: Take your list to the store (Walmart, Target, Kmart) and buy supplies (keep in mind, if the supplies aren't used up, you will be stuck with them so don't go crazy & try not to spend too much)

Step 3: If you don't have a basket (or 2, depending on how many bathrooms are at the reception) Look at JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, AC Moore, Tuesday Morning, etc. for baskets. (Again, get something you like because once the wedding is over you can use these somewhere around your house!)

Step 4: If you don't have craft supplies to make the sign for the basket, buy some ribbon, cardstock and craft paper while you are at the store.

Step 5: Type up or write out the saying for the sign

So happy you’re here sharing our special day
But just in case something should go astray:

Please help yourself to the contents within
Band-Aids, hairspray or ibuprofen

Use what you need, and just leave the rest
For it may be useful to some other guest!

Repair the damage that may have been done,
Then hurry back and join in the fun!

Step 6: Jazz up the sign

I printed mine on cardstock and backed it with light blue paper and then on black and white swirly paper.

Step 7: Weave the ribbon through the basket

Step 8: Attach the saying to the ribbon/basket (double stick tape works wonders with projects like this)

Step 9: Assemble the basket with all the supplies.  Take everything out of the plastic and packaging (your guests will be more likely to use them) Place tallest items in the back and try to configure everything so it can all be seen.

Step 10:  Don't forget to bring the bathroom basket to the reception site with you when you set up or to the planner (depends on who sets up)

Tip- If it is a Men/Women's bathroom, you don't need women's body spray and tampons in the men's basket ! ;-)

Table Name/Number Banner

Table Name/Number Banner

Table Number/Name Banner

This is a perfect way to incorporate your theme. 

I went to my cousins wedding where all the tables were named after cities in Texas, where they were going to be moving to. I thought 'what a creative idea!?' So much better than 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. Since Matt and I met swimming we decided this would be our theme.  Early on in our planning phase we thought it would be fun to name our table numbers after swimming events. Not only would this be different, but it would possibly start a conversation at the table. The table numbers fit perfectly with our swimmer ribbon place cards.

Once we had the table names figured out, we had to find a nice way to display them.  I had heard of people 'jazzin up' dollar store frames, but when I went to look at them, they looked soo cheap. 

After looking online and racking our brains during an afternoon of wedding planning my mom found a banner coming out of the centerpiece. Can you say perfect!?

Banners/flags are all over the place in swimming.

DIY Table Number/Name Banner

** One thing my mom and I learned while planning was to always toss an idea out there.  If we didn't use the original idea, it got the 'wheels turning' and came up with a greater one.  There were so many times one of us would say something and the other person would say "umm no, oh but what about this?" **

HOW TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE TABLE NAMES

Ask yourself questions

&

 

Tie it in with your theme and interests

• Are you a couple that travels? Name your tables after cities you have been to.
• Do you love a sports team? Name your tables about players with their number or football stadiums. Love golf? Name the tables about holes and have holes on flags.
• Did you meet at college? Name your tables after the halls.
• A fun spin on number 1, 2, 3, etc. is framed pictures of the bride and groom at that age. Talk about a conversation starter!
• Love to read? Name your tables after books and incorporate this into your centerpiece. It is so easy to get your hands on cheap books! *DIY project* love it!
• Run marathons or do triathlons? Name your tables after all the races you have done. Rock N' Roll Marathon, Pittsburgh Marathon, etc. Then make little number bibs for place cards!
• Love gardening or flowers? There are hundreds of flowers you can use to name your tables after. Each centerpiece could be a bouquet of that flower.
• Love dogs? Name your table after breeds.
• Are you getting married at an art museum? Name the tables after famous pieces of art.

DIY Table Number Banners

Table Number/Name Banner

You will need a computer with photo shop, a printer with ink (make sure you have enough, you don't want it to look faded), cardstock, scissors, thin sticks of wood, wood stain, brush, and double sided tape. The cardstock, thin sticks of wood, and double sided tape were from Michaels.

Step 1: Find an image of a banner you like on www.dreamstime.com

Step 2: Edit the banner in Photo Shop. Play around with the banner to make it look 3D.

Step 3: Print several pages to make sure you like it.

Step 4: Add the table numbers/names ((100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, etc.) *Print 2 copies (so you have a front and back to glue together)

Step 5: Carefully cut the banners.

Step 6: Stain the thin sticks of wood. Wait for them to dry.

Step 7: Once the sticks are dry, put the banners at the top using double sided tape.

Step 8: Make sure the banner isn't too heavy on the thin wood stick. We brought the banners to the florist along with the wood boxes (the week before the wedding)

Newspaper

One of the reasons I love Pinterest is the ideas it gives you. 

One night I found a pin with wedding rings on the newspaper and thought great idea! I immediately pinned it and added to the comment 'get the newspaper on wedding day, on the To Do List!' Even with a million things going on, on the morning of my wedding my brother was running out to get milk from the store and asked "Does anybody need anything?" "Yes!!" I shouted. "Grab today's paper!"

15 minutes later..He comes back and we burst out laughing...

Grab a Newspaper On Your Wedding Day

YUP, Pot Raid on the front page of the newspaper.  I thought "guess we won't be getting any nice pictures of our rings with this newspaper."

It's a great idea for a fun picture with your wedding rings. Grab a paper on your wedding day and if it's a nice front page, ask your photographer to get a picture like this pin I found...