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Month: April 2023

What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened at a wedding?

Q: What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened at a wedding?

VIDEO SUMMARY

This is one of my favorite questions to get asked. Okay, beautiful couple, beautiful wedding day. Grand ballroom. Everything is going swimmingly. We’re doing ballroom shots with photography. The photography team tells my couple to back up a little more and get closer to their sweetheart table so they can take in all the glorious ambience. So they do. They back up closer and closer, and as they look lovely, I smell a horrifying smell. The back of her dress is on fire. Yes, it is. Whole train on fire. When they backed up, my couple, my couple backed up right into the candles in front of their sweetheart table that were not placed in the appropriately sized container. Votive. Candles and a long train are not friends. I had to stomp on her dress, jumping up and down, getting the flames out. I did damage control as much as possible. I had to stitch over her train in a small panel to make sure that the burnt portions were covered for the remainder of photography. And then while they finished photos, I went through every square inch of the remaining venue space to make sure that all of the other candles were not the same kind of misused height. If you think that’s nuts, it’s not the only time it’s happened. Different couple, different wedding. Still, beautiful day. A new photography team is taking a picture of the couple in front of a grand staircase by their steaming chart and their welcome area. Beautiful details. They go in for a dip. He holds her. He dips her, and she goes up like a lightning bug. When they dip her. Her train went into candles again, not in the correctly hided container this time. We just had to bustle her. There was nothing else I can do, nothing to stitch and cover. Candles need to be in the right sized home, well underneath the top rim. Otherwise you could do this, too. So craziest day is also lesson learned. Check your candles, check your heights. Maybe have a fire extinguisher around there.

Do you include photo on your wedding invitations?

Q: Should you include A photo on your wedding invitations?

VIDEO SUMMARY

Hey, guys. So pictures and wedding invitations. Let me first tell you it is okay. And you do whatever you want to do because it’s your wedding. Don’t let grandma or mom or whoever it is telling you know that you can’t do it, because you actually can. If you have a very traditional wedding, I understand that this might be not be the traditional way, and I get it. I understand a lot of traditional weddings. I wouldn’t really go this way. But if you’re contemporary, if you’re paying for this yourself, do it. There’s nothing wrong with it. Hey, you paid all that money for those engagement photos. Why not? You don’t just have to use them on your website. You can definitely use them in your invitations. There is nothing wrong with it. So, hey, if this makes you happy, do it. It is okay. Don’t let anybody tell you any other way. Okay? So go for it. We have actually had a couple of couples that asked us and we absolutely did it. Why not? So one couple we had, they put their picture and it’s simply tied along with their front of it. So the background blends very lightly, but it goes with it. And that’s okay. You can even go a step further with this. Flood the whole thing with your picture. Put at the bottom of it your website. It’s one good way too, to cut costs and to save money on those rsvp cards and envelopes and stuff. It’s helping the environment put at the bottom. To rsvp, visit our website. For more information, details, accommodation, whatever, visit our website. Put that website on there for our love story. Put that website on there. Why not, right? You could do it. It’s okay. Another couple still use their engagement photo, but they put a really nice prayer on the side. This is a nice way to bless it. bless your wedding. It ties in with your religion. I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world. Why can’t you, right? It’s really nice. It’s really sweet. Again, you paid that money for those photos. You can absolutely use it. Do what you want if it makes you happy. So can you put photos on your invitation? Yes. Is there anything wrong with it? No. Is people going to talk? Maybe. But again, it makes a nice little touch. It’s really sweet. whichever makes you happy, go ahead and do it. Because you can actually do that.

How can I cut floral costs?

Q: How to cut floral costs?

VIDEO SUMMARY

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How much time should I plan for hair/makeup services?

Q: How much time should I plan for hair/makeup services?

VIDEO SUMMARY

1 hour per service is your sweet spot. And here’s why. I have a team of over 20 artists. We have played with every timeline known to man. Yes, we can do a service in 30 minutes. We can do a service in 45 minutes. However, the 1 hour sweet spot is perfect, because what it does is it allows a little wiggle room in case something goes wrong. It allows for someone being a couple of minutes late to the chair. It allows for being thrown a curveball and somebody wanting a more intricate look. It allows time for us to wash our brushes and reset in between. And also, it helps you to feel pampered, because you are not just a number to us. We want you to feel pampered. We want to give you the time and attention that you deserve, that you’re paying for. And each service, in addition to obviously doing the upstyle or doing the makeup look, we have to do a proper consultation with each person, talk about what their comfort level is, what they’re envisioning. We like to go through their inspiration photos and discuss what it is they like about the inspiration photos because there’s a little time that needs to be allotted for that, because the picture can say a thousand words. So we need to make sure that we’re clear what you’re communicating with us. It also allows ample time for those foundational techniques. So if you have an artist that’s like, no, I can whip it out in 30 minutes, and they’re trying to cram as many people as they can, probably so that they can make some more money, then what you run is the risk of that look not holding. Because there are certain things that take time. There are certain foundational techniques we need to do to make sure that curls hold, that pins stay, that makeup lasts. There is one caveat if you are desiring a more intricate style, you have hair extensions. You want a Hollywood glam wave? You want that instagram makeup. Then you’ll want to allow some more time, probably an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes, even 2 hours. Whatever your artist suggests, go with that. But again, be forewarned. If they’re saying they can do people and 30 to 45 minutes, that to me, would be a red flag.

Should I get a spray tan before my wedding? When? Dos and don’t?

Q: Should I get a spray tan before my wedding? When? Do's and don’ts?

VIDEO SUMMARY

Another benefit of being spray tanned is that your teeth look whiter.

Listen. I know we all love a good, healthy glow, right? Most of us feel pretty good with a little extra color in our skin. However, I have seen spray tans gone wrong too many times that it’s not worth the risk to me.

Spray tans are one of those love em or leave em type of things. I personally love them.

It’s a no for me dog. But here’s the thing I get People like to be tan sometimes. So what I will say is, if you’re going to do it, go to a professional spray tanning person and not into a spray painting booth.

How do I talk to my mom, who never wears makeup, about her hair and makeup for the wedding? I would like for her to get hers done but she doesn’t think she needs it.

Q: How do I talk to my mom, who never wears makeup, about her hair and makeup for the wedding? I would like for her to get hers done but she doesn’t think she needs it.

FILM YOUR ANSWER
 
VIDEO SUMMARY

What kind of space, and what do I need to provide, for hair and makeup on the wedding morning?

Q: What kind of space do I need for hair & Makeup? What else do I need to provide on the wedding morning?

VIDEO SUMMARY

This is a question you definitely want to ask your individual artists, but the fact that you’re clicking on this question that you even care tells me you are the exact types of brides that we like to work with. So thank you. Thank you from whoever your artist is. I love that you’re already thinking about this. Some of the things that we ask our brides to keep in mind are to make sure to have plenty of table space for the makeup artists. Coffee tables don’t necessarily work because it’s really hard on our backs to keep reaching down. I mean, if you think about how many times we’re grabbing for products, that would mean we’d be reaching down like, 50 to 60 times throughout the day. So they need to be counter height. Our team, we bring our own chairs and our own makeup lights, so really that table space is key. And then also something to think about for both hair and makeup is just ample space. I think a lot of times our brides don’t think about how many people are actually going to be in the room, so just allowing extra space and access to outlets. And then another thing to think about is to provide an area that’s away from exit or walkways, because that can be a little tricky. And then here is my little pro tip for you. I highly recommend choosing someone who is going to be responsible for answering the door. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to step away to let somebody into the room, because we’re polite people and we’re going to serve. So if there’s a need, we’re going to meet it. But it really can interrupt the flow of the hair and makeup for the big day.

How much do custom invites cost?

Q: How much do custom invites cost?

VIDEO SUMMARY

I’m not really a huge fan of programs, especially if you’re having like a quick 1520 minutes ceremony and, like, your best friend is officiating. If you are having more of a religious ceremony at like a place of worship or you’re infusing different cultures or traditions that people aren’t super familiar with, then that’s the exception. When I think you should have a program, I think it’s nice to have just something that gives some context so that people can follow along and know what’s going on and why. But otherwise, I think you can forego that. I think it’s just an extra expense and people tend to just leave them behind anyway.

Do I need custom stationery, or can I use a template?

Q: Do I need custom stationery, or can I use a template?

VIDEO SUMMARY

Hey, guys. So pictures and wedding invitations. Let me first tell you it is okay. And you do whatever you want to do because it’s your wedding. Don’t let grandma or mom or whoever it is telling you know that you can’t do it, because you actually can. If you have a very traditional wedding, I understand that this might be not be the traditional way, and I get it. I understand a lot of traditional weddings. I wouldn’t really go this way. But if you’re contemporary, if you’re paying for this yourself, do it. There’s nothing wrong with it. Hey, you paid all that money for those engagement photos. Why not? You don’t just have to use them on your website. You can definitely use them in your invitations. There is nothing wrong with it. So, hey, if this makes you happy, do it. It is okay. Don’t let anybody tell you any other way. Okay? So go for it. We have actually had a couple of couples that asked us and we absolutely did it. Why not? So one couple we had, they put their picture and it’s simply tied along with their front of it. So the background blends very lightly, but it goes with it. And that’s okay. You can even go a step further with this. Flood the whole thing with your picture. Put at the bottom of it your website. It’s one good way too, to cut costs and to save money on those rsvp cards and envelopes and stuff. It’s helping the environment put at the bottom. To rsvp, visit our website. For more information, details, accommodation, whatever, visit our website. Put that website on there for our love story. Put that website on there. Why not, right? You could do it. It’s okay. Another couple still use their engagement photo, but they put a really nice prayer on the side. This is a nice way to bless it. bless your wedding. It ties in with your religion. I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world. Why can’t you, right? It’s really nice. It’s really sweet. Again, you paid that money for those photos. You can absolutely use it. Do what you want if it makes you happy. So can you put photos on your invitation? Yes. Is there anything wrong with it? No. Is people going to talk? Maybe. But again, it makes a nice little touch. It’s really sweet. whichever makes you happy, go ahead and do it. Because you can actually do that.

Does my design studio need to be local for my wedding stationery?

Q: Does my design studio need to be local for my wedding stationery?

VIDEO SUMMARY

I’m not really a huge fan of programs, especially if you’re having like a quick 1520 minutes ceremony and, like, your best friend is officiating. If you are having more of a religious ceremony at like a place of worship or you’re infusing different cultures or traditions that people aren’t super familiar with, then that’s the exception. When I think you should have a program, I think it’s nice to have just something that gives some context so that people can follow along and know what’s going on and why. But otherwise, I think you can forego that. I think it’s just an extra expense and people tend to just leave them behind anyway.

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Ready to answer our couple’s burning questions?

Here are some tips and tricks to film a great video that stops the scroll:

1

Start with a hook.

You’ve got 3-5 seconds to stop the viewer’s scroll. Be creative… start with a phrase like:

  • Oh hell no, just no…
  • Absolutely not…
  • Yes, yes, yes! You should do this…
  • It depends on one very important thing…

2

Give a super quick intro.

We’ll put your name and bio in the title and links, so you can say something more general like:

“I’m Robin, a photographer in Chicago and after shooting 500 weddings…”
Or
“I’m not only a wedding planner in Chicago, but a newlywed myself…”

3

Answer away!

Give them your hot take, and don’t hold anything back.

Examples of what we are looking for:

check out how Sal nailed it in this video and so did Megan in this one and Nichole told it straight (from her car).

Tips for filming

Filming vertically on your phone.

TikTok is vertical for good reason - Gen Z have spoken!

Good audio is more important than good video.

Find a quiet room (that isn’t an echoey bathroom!).

Make sure your face is bright enough.

Standing near a large window or lamp is helpful - You want to be brighter than your background.

Nothing works better than a good story.

If you have any experiences you can share to help answer the question, go for it!

Bring
the energy!

Down an espresso, pump yourself up, and let the answers pour out! Our couples want as much honesty as they can get.

Featured Question

Q: Is there really a wedding mark up?

Do you feel like the industry charges more “because it’s a wedding” and they know it’s an emotional purchase?

Do companies think that they can charge more for weddings since the bride and groom may be willing to spend more on their dream wedding?

Hey wedding pros – is this higher price tag justified? Why? Do you charge more for your service if it is a wedding?

This is a taboo topic, whispered but not discussed… until now.

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