Welcome to the Blog!
I’ve had the privilege to be part of so many incredible days and here you’ll find a collection of them as well as some tips and suggestions for making your best day ever come true — with a few personal posts sprinkled in every now and then too! Take a look around and find inspiration for your best day!
location guides
6 Ways to Include Your Dog on Your Wedding Day
You may have to be creative with how to include your dog on your wedding day, but with a little intentionality they will have a place of honor in your plans!
Wedding Website Information To Include
If I’ve ever had the pleasure of connecting with you to chat about your wedding it probably took all of 0.001 seconds for you to realize that I’m a details-loving-gal. I try to reign this in a bit during initial conversations with couples, because the process of moving from being engaged to married and the intricacies of wedding planning are meant to be experienced in phases — and it’s so overwhelming to have all of the questions at once. However! While I may not be a planner, and you don’t have to share everything with me (or your respective photographer) right away, I know that your guests appreciate the details just as much as vendors do, and one of the best ways to share them is through a wedding website!
Simply Ohana - Family & Event Gourmet Food
I first “met” Stephanie on a phone call about 6 years ago when I was booking a limousine with Joshua’s Limousine for my own wedding. Over the years we’ve gotten to know each other and I’ve had the privilege of photographing her beautiful family and collaborating with Joshua’s Limousine for this coastal wedding styled shoot in Mystic, Connecticut.
Fast forward a bit to today and I think we can all agree that life has changed significantly in the last year and a half and the way we buy food and interact with local businesses and shops has also been drastically affected due to living in the world of a global pandemic. COVID-19 changed everything. Though much of these transitions have been traumatic and the lives of sos many rocked, we have also admired the resiliency of humanity, the loyalty of friendships, the kindness of strangers, and the importance of hard work, communication, and the ability to adapt. Many of these shifts in the world aligned just right for Stephanie to begin a company that focuses on the creation of gourmet food items and luxury service - a journey that really started with the chocolate dipped strawberry and has expanded from there. So today I’m excited to be introducing you to the Southeastern Connecticut business, Simply Ohana.
Behind every small business is a story of the person who had a vision and worked hard to have it come to life, and Stephanie’s story is particularly significant and moving and gives so much meaning to the heart she brings to her endeavor. Read on for her story…
7 Ways To Elevate The Guest Experience At Your Wedding
Your wedding is absolutely your special day, but it’s also a chance to create a memorable and meaningful event for your friends and family. After all, they're taking time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with you — why not thank them for showing up by giving them a guest experience they'll never forget? Fortunately, there are tons of thoughtful ways you can elevate the guest experience at your wedding that can help make your big day feel special for everyone. Read on to learn all about the top seven tips for crafting a unique and unforgettable wedding experience for all of your favorite people.
Important Considerations When Hiring Your Wedding DJ
I’m thrilled to be sharing these tips and tricks from Jeff and Amy, owners and masterminds behind Mystic River Entertainment, offering entertainment services throughout New England. Jeff and Amy are two of the sweetest souls and their passion for music, party planning, and helping others is apparent in every conversation I’ve had with them. Best part? These two are dang good at throwing an awesome party with thoughtful music choices and their skill for creating a warm and positive environment for your guests is incredible - I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I can confidently tell you that the DJ you select will directly influence the way your guests remember the party. SO. Without further ado, take it away Jeff!
5 Date Ideas for the Engaged Couple During COVID-19
Are you recently engaged? Did you get engaged before the global pandemic, began planning a wedding and are now looking around wondering what the next year will hold?
I have a lot of feelings about this season, and I can’t imagine as an engaged couple all of the feelings you are working through, but I hope no matter where you are in life, if you are next to the one you love, you are supported and encouraged that in the chaos of the moment we become stronger. Stronger as individuals, stronger in our relationships - increasingly aware of the things that really matter in this life.
Awhile back I’d posted “5 Date Ideas for the Engaged Couple,” but I realized that I should maybe revisit and modify this list for those of you engaged during this season and looking for inspiration to lean into joy and dedicate time your significant other. So here goes!
How to Lovingly Un-Invite Wedding Guests
I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with my existing couples and inquiring couples and, understandably, everyone is feeling a lot of emotions. I don’t know how many times I can say I’m grateful for the people I get to work with, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop shouting it from the rooftops or writing it on every little corner of the social media world that will listen, but it’s true. Because of this job of capturing some of the sweetest New England love stories I have also seen and experienced endless kindness, compassion, and grace. I am a firm believer that the “worst of times” can show the best of people. And I think that’s what this pandemic has done in several ways.
Standing on the foundation of conversation that there are a lot of serious things happening in the world, I also believe that we are all allowed to feel all the feels and we should all have a community of people who allow us to do this and don’t immediately tell us that there are worse things happening than having to reschedule a wedding. Are there worse things happening? Absolutely. Is it also a bummer that you have to make adjustments to the wedding day you had originally envisioned? Also definitely yes.
OK, so let’s jump into one of the things I’ve found to be causing couples stress (on top of everything else). What about the amazing people who have already invited (because you want them to be there celebrating with you) that because of state and local guidelines you now have the dreaded task of choosing who you will need to ask to stay home - essentially the dreaded un-invitation?!
Saying Yes to Your Dress
Choosing a dress - the dress - can come with some questions. Here are some helpful tips to walk you through the process and leave you empowered to look and feel your best on your wedding day!
How To Pin A Boutonnière
There are 3 main things I see the gentlemen struggle with on their wedding day that can be easily avoided with a little bit of pre-wedding prep. After all, no one likes to add any more stress or reasons for sweaty palms on their wedding day! What are these tricky day of activities you ask?
Pinning Boutonnieres. Folding Pocket Squares. Tying ties or bowties.
Always and forever.
Without fail, at every wedding, someone is on their phone looking up tutorials, graphics, and videos about how to do these things. Learn them beforehand and you will be well on your way to being a well-prepared Groom. Promise.
The more control you feel you have over the little things that happen during the day, the more you will be truly in the moment enjoying the celebration.
Trailblazer - Boston Voyager
Awhile back I had the privilege of being interviewed by Boston Voyager. Instances like this are such an honor and also a wonderful opportunity to be able to look back and see where I was, both personally and as a business, and what’s changed since. I wanted to share the contents of the article here on the blog to make sure I don’t lose track of it!
2 Things to Consider When Planning Your Honeymoon
Chances are if you’re Facebook status currently reads “Engaged” you’ve likely spent so much time bogged down by invitation lists, seating charts, and floral choices that you’ve forgotten there’s even such a thing as a honeymoon. I’m here to remind you that after all of the celebration with friends and family you can make the decision to celebrate just you and your forever! Here are two simple things to think about that will hopefully make planning your honeymoon a whole lot less stressful.
Healthy Skin Leads to Better Makeup
Worried about your skin and looking for advice about how to better prepare for your wedding photos? Mercedes is a talented makeup artist and esthetician with some amazing tips to consider to help you look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day.
6 Tips for Wedding-Day Hair
Wondering what to consider when trying to make a decision about your hairstyle for your wedding day? Overwhelmed when you look to Pinterest to help you narrow your choices? Look no further! This guest blog post from Lauren, owner of The Traveling Comb, is full of great information to help you decide your perfect wedding hairstyle.
Gourmet Galley Catering | Wedding Tasting - North Stonington, CT
A snapshot of what you can expect at a Gourmet Galley Catering tasting event: a detailed description of the magic of it all and a visual narrative sure to make your mouth water. No matter where you are in life I have a feeling it'll leave you with the desire to plan an epic party.