3 of our favorite trends for 2019

2019 is in full swing and while we are still waiting for our Wedding Season to pick up here at Like the Dazzling, there are new trends that are already popping up and you can expect to see them all over the place in the coming months. There are always a ton of new ideas trending each year but instead of listing them ALL out for you, we’re just going to share with you the ones that we are most excited about.

OH BUT WAIT. Before we break that down, here’s a little PSA:

For an industry that is constantly evolving, it can be difficult to keep up with trend … SO DON’T. Let’s SET trends. We love couples that are willing to think outside of the box, go their own way and personalize their wedding experience for their guests.

Okay, we just had to mention that … here goes!

1. VELVET AND LUXE LINENS

Yup, we’re obsessed. In previous years, Farm Tables have risen in popularity and while we still love that look as well, we are so excited to see more Luxury Linens edging their way in. Such a great way to make a statement.

Savan Photography

Elicia Bryan Photography

2. FLORAL ACCESSORIES

Yes, moms have been wearing corsages on their wrists for some time but we’re talking floral pocket squares, necklaces, bracelets and anklets. The artistry of these florists is AMAZING and such a fun way to step outside the box on your wedding day.

Weddings Online

Amanda Dumouchelle

3. GOING MINIMAL

From attire (thanks Megan Markle) to Invitations, we are starting to see brides go for a more minimal look and hey, we really don’t mind. You’ll see more brides reverting back to a timeless, classic and yes even simplified look for their wedding attire. Y’all, simple is not a bad thing. We think more brides will focus on incorporating those eye catching, wow-worthy details among the simplicity and we’re huge fans.

Invitations and paper goods we see going one of two ways and nothing in between….

• Over the top with illustrations and eye catching details

  -OR-

• Minimalistic with Bold Fonts and Modern Typography

  Which do you prefer?

Abby Waller Photography

So that’s it! Short and Sweet. Again, we’ll be seeing so many trendy things hitting this year such as the color Coral (thanks to the Pantone color of the year), copper (goodbye mercury glass), statement cakes (naked cakes are a thing of the pasts), and SO MANY MORE but we wanted to hit you with what makes us all giddy inside :)

Stay Tuned as we’ll also soon be sharing trends that we are ready to say goodbye to this year as we make room for fresh, new designs.

10 Tips for your Stress Free Wedding Morning

The morning of your wedding should be fun, relaxing and a memory that you look back upon and think, 'yes, that I will always remember.' Being surrounded by your favorite ladies as you brunch, sip champagne and prepare for a... well, truly life changing event.

There's coffee, champagne, Hair and Makeup, lunch, letters to your love, that dress that requires an army of bridesmaids to get into, not to mention the bridesmaids dresses that all need to be tied in varying forms as to not repeat. Oh, photos! You need photos in your robes, candid shots of the makeup process, one with all ladies toasting to the big day.... you see where I'm going with this?  Before you know it, you're rushing out the door to the ceremony! 

I am here to let you know that it can also be incredibly busy! Fear not, I'm sharing a few tips to help you get organized and stress free come time to walk down that aisle. 

Christina Pugh Photography

1. WEDDING MORNING TIMELINE

     The morning truly flies by but with a good preplanned timeline of what should be done when, including time for breakfast/lunch, a hair and makeup schedule, when ladies should be in their dresses, getting ready photos and your departure time for the ceremony location or if you're getting ready at the venue, a firm photography start time or end to the getting ready process, you'll find yourself less worried about all the things that need to be squeezed in and more able to savor each moment. 

2. HAIR AND MAKEUP

Having a timeline specifically for H+MU is a huge time saver on the morning of the wedding. If your HMUA does not provide you with this, check with your coordinator to ensure a well laid out plan is in place for who is getting Hair and Makeup services and in what order. Brides H+MU is best wedged somewhere in the middle to end time slots as to be picture perfect. Furthermore, laying out the specific order of those getting Hair and Makeup saves on time, as well as the thought process as to whose gone and hasn't. Let's face it, nobody wants to be the first one getting their makeup done on the wedding day but somebody has to. You're H+MU schedule should look something like this.... 

8:45- 9:30 Madison Hair,  Sheila Makeup

9:30- 10:15 Susan Hair,  Madison Makeup 

10:15- 11:00 Sheila Hair, Bride Makeup

11:00-11:45 MOB Hair, Susan Makeup

11:45-12:30 Bride Hair, MOB Makeup 

*note that there are names here not just bridesmaids 1 , 2 or 3 

Laura Anne Watson Photography

3. PRE GATHER DETAILS

Have the things you want photographed together and ready for the photographer's arrival. These include things like invitation, jewelry, shoes, veil, rings (his, hers and engagement), perfume, etc. 

Same goes for the guys. Groom details often get overlooked but make great detail shots as well. Grooms, have your cufflinks, shined shoes, bowtie, boutonniere, handkerchief, etc. in a location easily accessible to the photographer to snap a few quick shots before getting suited up. 

Which brings us to...

4. GET EVERYTHING READY THE NIGHT BEFORE

DO NOT pack the morning of your wedding. Have the things you need pre packed or already out for ease. Ladies, this includes the hanger for your dress, robe or jammies for getting ready, comfortable shoes for the morning, wedding shoes, garter, cosmetic bag, undergarments, other wedding day essentials and your pre packed overnight bag for post reception. Don't stress over where you put your bra cups when you should be thinking about which fruit you'll have in your mimosa! 

Christina Pugh Photography

5. IF IT NEEDS DOING, DELEGATE

Again...you, a mimosa, feeling excited and getting pampered. If it needs doing, you have a bride tribe at the ready. One important something to note here is to have the room you are getting ready in looking good for those touch up photos and candid moments. I've seen many a getting ready room look like an explosion went off when all is said and done. Have a small task force to help tidy and stay organized. A few simple reasons for this: you don't want empty champagne glasses and breakfast crumbs in your wedding photos and your bridesmaids will be thankful to not have to sift through this war zone at the end of the evening to collect their belongings. 

6. YOU MUST EAT

Its easy to get wrapped up in all that is going on and forget to eat. You will need the energy so even if its just fresh fruit or a pastry, don't forget to eat something. You don't want your stomach rumbling during your vows or all that champagne to g straight o to your head. 

Christina Karst Photography

7. PUTTING ON THE DRESS

Your bridesmaids, mom and whomever else will be present for this and helping you should be 100% dressed, made up and ready before you put your own dress on. 

Leave enough time + a bit more. It's really not as simple as jumping in and zipping you up. 

8. YOUR DEPARTURE

If you are getting ready at a location off sight from the ceremony, you'll want to build in travel time to your pre wedding timeline. We always build in pre travel time + a bit. Sometimes traffic is heavier than anticipated, a bouquet gets left behind or someone gets lost. It's OKAY to run a few minutes behind, its actually quite normal but lets not get overly stressed. Try to leave time to sit down and relax before that walk down the aisle. 

Shannon Ford Photography

9. EMERGENCY KIT

If you have a coordinator, chances are they'll have one of these on sight but many a bride will pack their own full of essentials.  Having a bag of essentials will give you piece of mind.

10. DO YOU

It's your day. Make it memorable. Some brides wake early to have a moment to themselves or choose to have their hair and makeup done away from the rest of their bridal party. Whatever is going to make you feel best on your wedding day is what you should do. 

Designers + Photographers = BFFs

Back in April, Kandi Daniel invited me out to speak at her workshop series, Simply Create. These workshops are instruction based and focus on the details of the wedding day. As a wedding designer, I was thrilled to put together a short presentation and chat about what role we as designers play leading up to and on a wedding day, as well as the relationship between planner/designer and photographer. Hint: It's an important one! 

For the purpose of this post, I want to focus on the importance of the planner/photographer relationship. 

As a photographer, whether you’re working with a planner that has done Full Service planning & design or even just a Coordinator, we are there to work WITH you on a wedding day. Even a day of coordinator has to do their due diligence to get to know all the pieces of a wedding that the bride and groom have planned over the previous months to adequately build out a timeline, familiarize themselves with vendor commitments, ensure proper placement of décor pieces and personal items, the list really goes on to ensure a seamless event. 

We as planners get to know over our communications with our clients not only how the bride and groom want their event to look but how they want it to make people feel. Things like song selections, floral installations and lighting can all elicit different feelings. The design of a wedding can be a very personal journey for a couple and the details often help tell a story. Together we can ensure that their story is properly portrayed...and then captured! 

We see all too often sentimental items as brides something borrowed, a necklace passed down by a grandmother, or a photo of a deceased friend attached to the bouquet. Just as the songs that a bride and groom choose for their first dance, the story of their relationship is often in the details. 

I had the grandmother of one of my brides hand me an envelope the morning of the wedding. Inside was a piece of paper and a handkerchief. As I took it from her, she explained to me that it was from the mid 1800’s and generations of women in their family had carried it on their wedding day. Just, WOW! That is certainly an important message to pass along to the photographer so that story can be documented.

If you are a photographer reading this, I encourage you to get to know the planners that you’ll be working with, they’ll be able to help you determine what details apart from the obvious rings, invitation suite and shoes are important to the bride and groom. Use us as a resource. And for the Designers + Planners, a photographer not only helps capture the beautiful details you helped to plan and bring together but freezes the memories of that day in time. Their job is incredibly important. Let's help them :) 

All photos taken by Christa O'Brien Photography