Tag Archives: wedding

DIY Wedding Planning: Tips for Creating a Personalized and Unique Celebration

There’s an abundance of events planning companies out there offering to make the most magical day for any couple. But let’s admit it – the planning process can also be a significant part of the entire experience. From finding the right decorations to the perfect dress, taking it upon yourself to create your dream wedding can be incredibly rewarding.

It’s your most special day, and you have every right to be in full control of how it looks, feels, and flows. So, here are our top tips to help you bring the one-of-a-kind event of your dreams to life…

Start With Your Vision

Before diving into the details, start with the big picture. What kind of vibe do you want for your wedding? Is it romantic and elegant, or fun and quirky? Getting clear on the atmosphere you want to create will help you choose every detail, from decorations to music. Why not create a board or Pinterest page where you can collect together all of your ideas and inspiration? Once you have your vision in place, all other decisions will become much easier.

Get Creative With Your Venue

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and choose an unusual spot for your most awaited day. Look beyond traditional venues like churches, banquet halls, and summer gardens. Explore outdoor spaces, art galleries, or even a family barn that can be transformed into something completely stunning.

Choose Your Theme

And mind you, there’s no right or wrong way to go here. Whether you’re picking a color scheme or going for something more specific like boho, vintage, or classic – it should represent both of your personalities and be consistent throughout the entire celebration.

Choose a Ring That Fits Your Style

It’s not just a ring, it’s a token of your commitment and connection. Make sure to choose a style that captures your relationship and expresses both of your personalities. You don’t always have to go the traditional route. Whether classic or unique – find something that speaks to both of you and will be cherished forever.

Don’t Forget About the Little Things

When it comes to creating a unique wedding, the details matter. You can make your event truly personal and unforgettable by integrating custom touches throughout. Consider incorporating meaningful symbols such as photos or items that represent cherished moments in your relationship. You could also use a treasured family recipe for your cake or signature cocktail or even design custom coasters or stationery as thoughtful favors for your guests!

Celebrate Your Personality and Heritage

Add a touch of your cultural heritage or personal values to the big day. Incorporate unique traditions, like a first look with family and friends. Or celebrate with food that has been passed down through generations. Even if your wedding is small or intimate, these reflections of where you come from will add a level of significance to the joyous occasion.

Create Your Own Playlist

Music is a powerful way to set the tone. Put together a great selection of music for both the ceremony and reception (the father-daughter dance, the bouquet toss, etc.). Choose a mix of classic favorites, meaningful songs shared throughout your relationship, and the latest tunes you’ve both grown to love. You can even create an online playlist for everyone to contribute their favorite songs!

Hire A Photographer

Photos are one of the most treasured aspects of any event, especially a wedding. Make sure to hire a photographer who understands your vision and can really capture the beauty and emotion of the day. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and trust to produce stunning images that will last a lifetime.

Make Your Own Invitations

DIY wedding invitations are a great way to show off your creativity and set the tone for the entire event. Whether you’re the crafty type or not, plenty of templates are available online to get started with. If you have the time and resources, why not have a go at making them yourself? This way, you have the freedom to customize and make them exactly as you’d like.

Get Everyone Involved

Ask your closest friends and family to help out with the planning process. Set up a fun day for creating decorations or brainstorming ideas, or assign tasks such as catering, flowers, and entertainment. It’s not only a great way to save money but also a fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together for the big day.

Write Your Own Vows

Writing your vows is a beautiful way to express the depth of your love and commitment to each other. Take time over the weeks and months leading up to the wedding to write down what’s in your heart. Reflect on your relationship, the love you share, and the future that lies ahead. Then, share these special words during the ceremony for an unforgettable moment that will be cherished forever.

Enjoy the Process

Planning the wedding can be an extraordinary chance to bond with your partner and embrace the excitement of putting the pieces together for your special day. Above all else, don’t forget to enjoy the journey and savor every moment.

And here’s a bonus:

Don’t Stress About Perfection

Even with careful planning, something may not go as imagined on the big day – but it’s important to remember that perfection is overrated! You can have a wonderful wedding without everything being 100% spot on, so don’t let minor hiccups overshadow the joy of the experience.

Wrapping Up

Orchestrating a DIY wedding is a great way to get creative, have fun, and make it all about you. With these tips, you’ll have the foundations in place to start planning a personalized and unique event that celebrates your love and leaves everyone with beautiful memories. All the best to the happy couple!

What are your thoughts about these tips? Have you got any of your own? Share them with us in the comments section!

Thank you for reading!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Did you like this blog post? Keep an eye out every week for new tips and tricks about how to make your wedding planning fun and fabulous!

Author Credit: Katie Pierce – Content Writer

Photography Credit: This blog’s photography has been brought to you by the staff at KS Studios Photography. This photography company services the Greater Toronto Area & GTA, York Region, Durham Region, and Malton Region. They also offer destination and travel services. For more details, check out their website:
https://www.ksstudios.ca

Prevoius StoryKS Studios Featured in ShutterTurf : )
Next Story

Things to Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding

10 Things to Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding

Are you up for the challenge of planning a destination wedding? Wherever in the world you choose to get hitched, there are logistics to consider and difficult decisions to be made. Make planning a wedding away from home easier with these ten tips.

Consider The Weather

You can plan as meticulously as you like, but you can’t control the weather. For summer weddings, a wool three-piece suit and princess gown may not be the best options. You want to be as comfortable as possible on your big day so you definitely want take the temperature of your location into consideration.

For example, you can keep warm with a shawl in colder climates or stay cool with thin linen materials in hot climates. Another idea is getting matching leather jackets with your bridesmaids or matching fedora hats for your groomsmen. Keep in mind that the train of your dress may get dirty at an outdoor wedding so you may, or may not, want one. Also, consider your shoe choice for beach weddings versus grassy outdoor areas.

Book an All-inclusive Resort

Getting married at an all-inclusive resort will make your life a whole lot easier. After all the wedding planning you’ve done, having everything right at your doorstep will be just what you need.

Your guests will also appreciate the facilities they offer. Restaurants, bars, a swimming pool, airport transfers, and a tour desk right at your doorstep. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Find a Great Wedding Photographer

Wedding photographers showcase different styles of photography. You’ll have these photos for the rest of your life, so it’s important to choose one with your style preference.

Many wedding photographers will travel to shoot a wedding. You will be expected to cover their accommodation, flights, and transport on top of their editing fees. Be sure to allow room for this in your budget.

Send Invites in Advance

Give your guests sufficient notice so they can plan their trip and budget accordingly. Generally, 8-12 months is considered appropriate for a destination wedding.

Accept that attending a wedding overseas may not be possible for everyone. Consider setting up a live stream so those who cannot attend can still be a part of your day.

Choose Local Suppliers

Choosing locals suppliers will not only save you money, but they will also take away the stress of transporting your goods overseas.

For flowers, consider the destination and the season. While olive trees and bluebells suit Tuscan summer weddings, tropical islands are abundant in frangipani and hibiscus.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Wedding planners work wonders. Destination weddings call for a lot of planning and with that comes a lot of stress. They’ll lift the weight off your shoulders and scout out the best vendors for you.

Look for a wedding planner who specialises in destination weddings. They’ll know the tricks of the trade including overcoming a language barrier or planning location logistics.

Visit The Location in Advance

Always check out the location before you book. It’s difficult to visualize whether the space will work for you without having visited.

A general rule of thumb is to view the venue before booking, then again before the wedding. If this is not feasible, set up video calls with the venue and your vendors. Alternatively, you can arrive a week earlier to inspect the venue.

Meet With Potential Vendors

When you make a trip to visit the venue, you should also plan to meet potential vendors. Visit caterers, florists, officiants, and don’t forget to do some cake tasting!

Research Local Wedding Requirements

Legal wedding requirements differ from country to country. Research carefully and prepare your required documentation well in advance. A certificate of no impediment, expression of marriage intent in the newspaper, or a blood test may be necessary. You may also be required to reside in your destination country for a period leading up to the wedding.

Keep in mind a translator will be necessary for the ceremony if you do not speak the language of the country in which you choose to tie the knot.

Have a Plan B

Always have a ‘Plan B’. You’ll never regret good preparation! A wet weather alternative for an outdoor wedding is an absolute must.

Bring flat shoes, an umbrella, a first aid kit, and some tissues for any just-in-case moments. Have back-up contacts for a florist, tailor, taxi, photographer, officiant, and baker.

At the end of the it all, you want to make sure you cross your t’s and dot your i’s so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. You want to be able to look back on your destination wedding and say “Wow! That was the best day ever!”.

Thank you for reading!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Did you like this blog post? Keep an eye out every week for new tips and tricks about how to make your wedding planning fun and fabulous!

Author Credit: Harper loves destination weddings – from the thrill of visiting a new place to the opportunity to gather with close family and friends to celebrate a beautiful union. Get to know more about Harper through her personal blog, Harper Reid.

Prevoius StoryThe Latest Wedding Flower Blooming Chart And Guide
Next StoryKS Studios Featured in ShutterTurf : )

The Latest Wedding Flower Blooming Chart And Guide

Wedding Flower Blooming Chart And Guide

Beautiful florals can brighten up your wedding day and make your photographs come to life. While florals are a popular addition to most weddings, the cost of fresh blooms can add up fast.

According to Zola, the average couple can plan to spend anywhere between $700-$2500 on their floral budget.

One simple and easy way to save money on floral is to buy fresh, seasonal flowers. In addition to saving you money, buying fresh blooms also helps you reduce your carbon footprint and is one way to make your wedding more eco-friendly. Since seasonal flowers are already in bloom during your wedding, florists can purchase the bulbs from local farms rather than shipping them in from out of state.

While it’s true that spring and summer are the more popular flowering seasons, every month has its own beautiful bulbs that you can take advantage of. Further, there are also tons of year-round blooms that you can get every season at low cost and low environmental impact.

Bookmark this seasonal blooming guide so you’ll have it on hand when you head to the florist. It breaks down the blooming seasons of popular wedding flowers and plants so you’ll never have to wonder what’s in bloom!

Thank you for reading!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Did you like this blog post? Keep an eye out every week for new tips and tricks about how to make your wedding planning fun and fabulous!

Author Credit: Zola.com & Siegemedia.com

Photography Credit: This blog’s header photography has been brought to you by the staff at KS Studios Photography. This photography company services the Greater Toronto Area & GTA, York Region, Durham Region, and Malton Region. They also offer destination and travel services. For more details, check out their website:
https://www.ksstudios.ca

Prevoius StoryTips for Pulling off DIY Elements for Your Wedding
Next StoryThings to Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding

How To Help Your Photographer On Your Wedding Day

Things You Can Do to Help Your Photographer on Your Wedding Day

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially if you are doing most of the work yourself! Your day of vendors are often just as stressed about your big day, trying to make sure that everything goes according to plan. For one vendor in particular, there are a lot of things that fall on his/her shoulders, such as, keeping track of time, organizing people, making sure things happen on time, and so much more. As we’re sure you probably already know, this vendor is your photographer. Here are some tips that you can do in advance to make your day go as smooth as possible for yourself, your families, and your photographer.

Have a schedule for your wedding day:

Do you have multiple locations for your wedding day? Do you have different ceremonies or cultural events happening at different times? Maybe you’re doing a first glance before the ceremony? Whatever the case might be, it is extremely important that you communicate with your photographers, before the wedding, what you would like your day to look like. This gives your photographer the opportunity to plan accordingly in terms of travel and time management. Sending the confirmed locations and addresses, along with a rough day-of timeline, is one of the best things you can do for your photographer. Typically, your photographer will use this information as a reference when going from one place to the next. Your photographer might even make some helpful suggestions before the wedding day to help avoid stressful time constraints or confusion. You should also provide your photographer with your contact information and/or the contact information of someone responsible in your bridal party. This ensures that your photographer can keep in touch in case something changes over the course of the day.

PortRaiture:

Many important people will be coming to your wedding day and most likely, you will want to take photographs with these people so that everyone can remember your special day forever. Making a list with specific names for your family/friends group photos will help make your family portrait time fly by! Providing your photographer with a list of family photos, allows your photographer to call out specific people, organize them, and capture each shot you want without missing anyone. This list is extremely handy!

Likewise, ask your photographer if it is ok to provide them a list of specific bridal part and bride and groom shots you would like to have. For instance, have you seen some really cool shots on Pinterest that you would like to recreate? If your photographer is open to seeing some of these ideas, save those photos and share them with him/her in advance so that they can keep them as reference while shooting. While your photographer may or may not replicate the shot exactly, he/she might create a photograph that is similar or even better!

Theme music:

Are you thinking of having a same day edit played at your reception? Make sure to provide you photographer with a list of music before the wedding day. This way, your photographer can have it downloaded and ready to be included the day of. Photographers often like to spending their time editing your same day edit instead of scrambling to download the correct version of your song or trying connect to the venue wifi to find the music. While your thinking about music, if you have any other slideshows, highlight reels, or videos, find out from your photographer/videographer if you need to provide them with any other music. Typically, if you have multiple types of edits, you will be asked to provide up to 10 or more song selections for their editing team to choose from. Get it done before the wedding and you won’t have to worry about it after!

Communication:

ALWAYS try to respond to/confirm with your photographer in a timely manner. Photographers understand that things happen and they are often times good with working on their feet, however, photographers are always under a lot of pressure to get the right shots and to keep things in time – believe it or not, they get stressed about your big day too! Before the wedding day, if your photographer sends you an email to confirm some details for the day, don’t ignore the email. Respond to your photographer as soon as you can. On the day of, if there is a dance or a cake cutting that needs to be moved up ahead of schedule, let your photographer know as soon as you realize it needs to be moved. This ensures that your photographer will be ready for it when it happens rather than being caught completely off guard.

Your photographer will be one of the few vendors who spends the larger part of the entire day with you. Make sure that you communicate him/er, no matter how big or how small the change or information may be. At the end of the day, your photographer needs to get those special shots and create those day of productions. If your photographer knows where to be and when, it will ensure that every special moment and memory is captured for you to enjoy for the rest of your lives!

Thank you for reading!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Did you like this blog post? Keep an eye out every week for new tips and tricks about how to make your wedding planning fun and fabulous!

Author & Photography Credit: This blog post and all its photography has been brought to you by the staff at KS Studios Photography. This photography company services the Greater Toronto Area & GTA, York Region, Durham Region, and Malton Region. They also offer destination and travel services. For more details, check out their website:
https://www.ksstudios.ca

Prevoius StoryHow to Budget for Wedding Flowers and Bouquets
Next StoryHow To Budget For Your Wedding

KS Studios’ 5 Tips to Help You Look Amazing in Your Wedding Photos

If everything progresses as per plan you should look your absolute best on your wedding day. The tricky part is making sure you look just as good in your wedding photos. Not everyone is naturally photogenic. Also, you will find yourself in front of the camera for most of your wedding day and it is not easy to smile and look great in every shot. At KS Studios, we understand how important it is that you look amazing in your wedding photos and there are a few things you can do to help make sure this happens!

KS Studios and Bridal fashion experts at Best for Bride, recommend the following measures for brides and grooms to look their best in their wedding photos.

1. Practice poses
Although all your photos will not be posed, you can prepare for those that will be. Take a look at previous photos and identify your best profiles and poses. Practice them in front of the mirror, so it is easy to settle into these poses when you are being photographed. You can also ask your photographer to suggest poses and angles that look best on camera. Typically a professional photographer will have an arsenal of tips and tricks to make you look your best!

2. Make sure your wedding hairstyle and makeup are photogenic
Just because your hairstyle and makeup look great in person, that doesn’t mean it will be the same in your photos. For example, some bronzers and fake tans look unnatural and harsh in photos, while some glitters can make you look sweaty. You can often avoid such disasters by scheduling a trial hair and makeup session before your wedding day. At KS Studios, we recommend booking this trial for your engagement photos. This gives you the chance to see whether the look you chose translates well in pictures. If you’d like some more information on things to avoid, take a look at this article on the Huff Post for a whole list of possible wedding day beauty mistakes.

3. Think of lighting
Lighting plays an important role in determining the quality of your photographs. Natural lighting is best for capturing beautiful photographs. Keep this factor in mind when planning your photography sessions into the wedding schedule. Have your wedding ceremony when the venue is bathed in natural light, and your pictures will be perfect. For outdoor shots, a few hours before sunset is the best time for your photos. Also, don’t be scared if it’s a little cloudy on your wedding day – a cloudy day makes for the best portraits outdoors!

4. Freshen up between shots
Your wedding day will be long, and your makeup and hair may not stay fresh throughout. Pack a touch-up kit with all your hair and makeup essentials, to use during the day. Freshen up every once in a while, and especially between locations and shots, so you look picture perfect throughout the day.

5. Relax and enjoy your photo sessions
As your wedding day carries on, don’t be surprised if you are too tired to smile at the camera after a while. When stressed or exhausted, don’t fake a smile. Instead, feel happy and it will reflect in your eyes. This natural expression will look much better than a forced grin. Make sure to schedule enough time for your photo sessions, so that they move at a relaxed pace and so that you can enjoy and be involved in it. Don’t be afraid to have a little fun – candid moments are always the most memorable!

Author Bio: Best for Bride is Canada’s leading bridal dress chain, offering an impressive wedding dress collection and range of wedding services for the modern day bride. With four stores in Canada, they also offer a reliable online shopping experience for brides from around the world. Check out Best for Bride on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestforbrides and Twitter: https://twitter.com/bestforbride

Photography Credit: All of the photography has been brought to you by KS Studios Photography. This photography company services the Greater Toronto Area, York Region, Simcoe Region, Durham Region, and Malton Region. They also offer destination and travel services. For more details, check out their website:
https://www.ksstudios.ca

Prevoius StoryKS Studios: 5 Things You Can do to Help Your Wedding Photographer Capture Your Wedding in an Amazing Way!
Next StoryEvent Videography

KS Studios: 5 Things You Can do to Help Your Wedding Photographer Capture Your Wedding in an Amazing Way!

5 Things You Can do to Help Your Wedding Photographer Capture Your Wedding in an Amazing Way!

KS Studios

At KS Studios, we know that the excitement of your wedding day will be over before you know it. Fortunately, your wedding album will serve as a lasting reminder of the beautiful moments of this special day. A professional photographer understands how special this day is, and will be able to capture it beautifully in his/her pictures. Nevertheless, there are few things that you can do too, to help your photographer do an even-better job.

Best for Bride, Canada’s premier bridal destination, has the following tips for prospective brides and grooms to ensure their wedding photographs are as good as they can possibly be.

1. Discuss your must-haves in advance.
You may have certain expectations for how your photos should look or what it should include. Don’t assume that your photographer will naturally know this. Discuss all relevant details in advance and he/she can make sure he/she captures it. You can make a shoot list of must-haves, so nothing important is overlooked.

2. Tell him/her about the special little-things.
Your album will appeal more to you, when it includes the special little things that you are fond of. This could be details like a special feature on your wedding dress, an heirloom that you wear on the day or special moments like your parents’ expression when they see you in your wedding dress. Tell your photographer what you are particularly fond of, so he/she can capture these personal things.

3. Assign a bridesmaid or groomsman to assist with group shots.
Although you can give your photographer a list of who should be in which pictures, gathering them may not be an easy task for him/her unless he/she knows who they are. Choose a bridesmaid or groomsman who is familiar with the guests at your wedding, to help him/her with this. They can help him/her identify who is who, and gather the right people for each photograph, so the sessions progress smoothly.

4. Plan a relaxed schedule for your photos
Your wedding day will be a frenzy of activity. Nevertheless, plan it well so you have enough time for your photos. You should be able to relax and enjoy each photo session, so it turns out well. Discuss with your photographer and come up with a realistic plan for the number of shot locations and how much time will be required for each set of pictures. Plan your day accordingly.

5. Prepare in advance
Prepare for your wedding day photography by practicing your poses in front of a mirror. Although many of your pictures will not be posed, you can plan for ones that will be. Practice smiling, so it looks natural in front of the camera. Identify your best poses and practice them, so you can automatically default to position during your photo shoot. Booking an engagement photo session can also really help with preparing for those intimate and candid moments on the big day!

Author Bio: This post was brought to you by Best for Bride, Canada’s one-stop bridal dress destination. This bridal chain operates from four locations in Canada and offers an online shopping experience for wedding dresses, accessories, dress for the entire bridal party and essential wedding day services. For more details, check out their website: http://www.bestforbride.com

Photography Credit: All of the photography has been brought to you by KS Studios Photography. This photography company services the Greater Toronto Area & GTA, York Region, Durham Region, and Malton Region. They also offer destination and travel services. For more details, check out their website:
https://www.ksstudios.ca

Prevoius StoryValentine’s Day Boudoir Special
Next StoryKS Studios’ 5 Tips to Help You Look Amazing in Your Wedding Photos

Ashley & Evan

Engagement sessions have always been very exciting for me because no two couples are alike during a photoshoot – it i a new adventure every time. With Ashley and Evan, it was as if we had known each other forever! I had such an amazing time taking photographs of these two and today I would lke to share some of my work with all of you.

Our photoshoot started at the high school where Ashley and Evan first met. It was such a windy day! Ashley had gotten her hair done specifically for this session and we were so worried about the wind blowing it everywhere. Luckily, however, we were able to get some sentimental shots that were not affected by the wind.

After the school, we headed over to a beautiful street location to do some photos with the fall leaves. This street, I found out while we were shooting, was actually Evan’s grandparents’ street. In talking about that, Evan had suggested that we could look at his grandparents’ property for some potential spots to shoot and in doing so, we found a little forest of beautiful trees that had all turned a vibrant yellow.

Simply perfect!

Our next stop for photographs was by a lake. This lake was near where Ashley and Evan had lived, once upon a time,and it was a place where they both spent a lot of time together. The sky was so beautiful and the sun peaked through just enough to highlight some of Ashley and Evan’s special little moments

The final spot that Ashley and Evan chose for their engagement photography was a trail area called 99 Steps. It was a forest full of beautiful fall colours and A LOT of leaves! After doing so many photos, it was time to have a little fun and relax – who said photoshoots weren’t allowed to be fun?

The two lovebirds had a full on leaf-ball fight, and let me tell you, no one held back!
No hard feelings were left as they ended with a hug.

After some walking around and climbing down 99 steps, we got some more beautiful photo – if only we could post them all!

Of course, we can’t forget the ring! Unfortunately, we didn’t forget to take a picture of the ring but we did forget the ring, inside the crack of a tall tree. After Ashley realized her finger was bare, there was a rush back with panic but luckily, the ring was still there. Note to self, DON’T LET YOUR CLIENT FORGET THE RING!

After 99 steps, we were supposed to be done, however, Evan asked me if I had any other ideas. Consequently, on my way too meet Ashley and Evan, I saw this gorgeous corn field on the side of the road and I thought “Oh if only I could take them there.” So, with that, Evan opened the door for me to offer! Ashley and Evan were very excited to try it out and it ended up being worth every second.

As a photographer, it easy to tell when two people are truly, madly in love, and, with Ashley and Evan, it was quite clear that they were!

We ended the shoot with a “We did it!” photo that just seemed to tie it all together.

This engagement session with Ashley and Evan was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end. It is extremely important that you pick a photographer that you get along with and it is just as important that we, the photographers, pick clients who we enjoy working with.

Thank you Ashley and Evan for being such good sports and for allowing me to capture your special memories together. Congratulations again on your engagement – I can’t wait to shoot your wedding day!

– Ksenia Sachewsky –

Prevoius StoryWelcome to KS Studios
Next StoryTeddy Bear Children’s Foundation Dinner Dance Fundraiser 2015