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5 Tips for a Cozy 2021 Winter Wedding

Tis the season of cozy cuddles, warm blankets and smokin’ hot cocoa. If you think your upcoming winter wedding is going be challenging, think of these things and relax. After all, such a romantic occasion calls for all things romantic like these. Love is all you need, they say and cuddles, blankets, and hot cocoa are indeed all things love!

However, apart from these things, there are a few others that you can embrace to have a perfect and romantic winter wedding. We have shortlisted the five most important factors that you need to keep in mind while planning your winter wedding. Read to know more.

Bundle up

Whether it’s you, your partner, or all your guests, ensure that everyone is dressed keeping in mind the weather conditions. You could remind them about it via the invite, hinting at the climate and its Dos and Donts. It is advisable to invest in a cozy pair of tights that you can wear underneath your dress, in case your legs aren’t exposed by it. Another great idea would be to opt for a wedding dress with long sleeves to keep away from the chill. Let’s remind you that at times, silhouette makes all the difference, and sleeves do not always matter. You can look as sexy as you want to look despite being fully clothed. Pick a silhouette that flaunts your body while keeping you warm from the inside.

Say hello to winter wedding accessories

You have heaps of winter accessories and you don’t repeat them often. But did you know, those winter accessories can help you get through that chill on your wedding evening? Yeah, that chic cape or that glam faux fur throw that you saw at Nordstrom will prove to be your perfect companion. You could also be a trendsetter wearing denim or leather jackets over your wedding dress. A fuzzy warm scarf would also do the trick, you could also opt for a glitzy one and take the glam quotient a notch up. For a winter wedding, do not hesitate to add dark and bold colors. They add an elegant touch to your wedding and the effects of it on your wedding photography are spectacular.

Take care of your guests

Given the chill, do not forget to ensure that your wedding venue is a comfortable cozy place for your guests to enjoy every moment of your wedding. Start with a coat check right as they enter. Inform them well about the coat check (maybe through the wedding invite) so that they do not hesitate to wear coats and land up sneezing at your wedding. Pick a nice hot drink for your guests on arrival, like a hot toddy bar, cocoa, soup, or hot chocolate. For outdoor weddings, you could add an ample stock of pashminas and blankets for your guests so they can beat the chill with ease. You could also keep heaters or fire features at convenient gaps. Candles are another great way to add mild heat, romance, and light to an outdoor wedding.

Pay attention to the timing

We all know that with winters come early dusks. Getting your wedding photography in natural light might be a challenge. Therefore, remember to get your wedding portraits done before the dusk strikes. Another challenge would be getting an outdoor shoot, however, with well-thought-of plans, that can be achieved perfectly. Dress keeping in mind the climate conditions, wear proper shoes in case you are planning to shoot in the snow and do it before the night falls. You don’t want to pose while freezing yourself away. The wedding videography should also be timed carefully.

Prepare for all things winter!

Winter brings with it chill, extreme chill at times, snow, blizzards, and what not! As romantic as it feels, winter can be really harsh at times. Keeping all that in mind, you should do all the needful preparations like the arrangement of parking in close proximity of the wedding venue only, well-heated smoking zones for those who want to go out for a smoke and other such things. Have back up plans regarding your photoshoot or videography in cases of blizzards. And do not forget about plan Bs for suppliers or contractors for specific purposes.

These are pretty much all the important stuff that you really need to care about while planning for your winter wedding. If you are cautious about these things then you are all set for a memorable wedding, which everyone would be able to enjoy and cherish. For more inspiration on weddings check out the rest of our blog.

Wedding Planning During COVID-19

You get to hear so much about quick fixes and crisis aversion while planning a wedding, don’t you? From a tear in your train to a broken heel of your bridal shoes, everything can be fixed and saved. But what do you do when a pandemic hits just when you are in the thick of wedding planning? No wedding magazine or bridal blog quite prepares you for something like this. Because this is not exactly something that happens so often and for sure not something that even occurs to us to prepare for!

But one day, in the middle of switching color samples for your wedding decor and cake tasting, you hear the news. That Covid-19 is here, and here with a fury which is taking countless people in! Between your own share of, ‘Oh, this wouldn’t impact us’, and waking up in cold sweat in the middle of the night in a red hot panic, you have made peace with inevitable-COVID-19 has made itself comfortable and is here to stay for a while! This also means that you’ll be wedding planning during COVID19.

Understood that a lot of intricate thoughts, planning, and love has already gone into making this day truly special, there needs to be a reiteration to your wedding planning-and fast! Things have not gone south yet, and if managed smartly, you will still be able to have the most amazing wedding day, just the way you planned to! Listed below are some pointers to keep in mind as you combat the uncharted territory of these uncertain times. Breathe, refocus, and read!

Postpone or Cancel?

Postpone (Please):

A wedding to look forward to next year is still better than no wedding to look forward to! Don’t be disheartened by the turn of events and don’t give up on your big day! Rather, try to postpone the wedding to late 2020 or 2021. This will give you something to look forward to and plan towards in the current day and will make more sense in the grand scheme of events.

Half and Half:

Couldn’t wait? We understand! How about half and a half and having a small courthouse ceremony now with no party and postponing the reception until a safer date? This way, you will be technically married, but will still have something exciting and celebratory to work towards! Now isn’t that exciting?

Cancel:

If you don’t want the pandemic even remotely tainting your special day, we get it! Canceling is a valid choice, however, it might be wise to have a timeframe in mind as you cancel. This will give your mental clarity, and will not be disheartening for you and your partner.

Reschedule Norms

Vendor loyalty:

Do not let your wedding vendors go, as they might have also put in a lot of work into your wedding planning. Arrange for a meeting with your photographer, videographer, caterer, florist, etc. and work out rescheduled dates and availability. If there is a change in plan, they should be the first to know and should be given the first preference for the rescheduled date. It is fair that way only!

Flexibility:

Flexibility is encouraged when you are already in the midst of uncertain times and the options are scarce. Trying to meet midway and work out dates and choice which are feasible for both parties. We understand this is a special day for you and your partner, but sometimes, things are just not in our control and it is a good virtue to take things by the stride.

Breaking the News

Go Virtual:

When physical contact is cut down, it is the internet that comes to the rescue. Send out e-vites, virtual save the dates, schedules, and reschedules. This way, everyone in your guest list is in the loop without you having to call them personally. Trust us, nobody will hold it against you, especially at a time like this. Go for convenience rather than etiquette.

Mass Communication:

Want to break the news in a way that feels a little more personal, go for live streaming, or a video conference. This way, the guests will feel a personal connection to the message and will take it in sportingly. Also, for older members of the family, this might be the safest yet most personal way to communicate your plans.

Search for the Silver Lining

More time to plan:

As you are entering a new timeline with a revised wedding day. A few extended months of planning window is only going to help you make your wedding day even more perfect. Now is the time you can consume as much as content you can relate to wedding planning, go through inspiration blogs, and nail down what you exactly want.

Delayed gratification:

We guarantee that your guests will be highly onboard with the reschedule and will be ready to party by the time the wedding day finally rolls in. Having a social gathering to look forward to is equally rewarding to your guests as it is to you, and the wait is only going to make the occasion sweeter!

We understand these are uncertain times and we are still trying to find our foot as things are changing every day. There might be a storm of emotions brewing inside you, and it’s okay to feel as you do. We understand that it breaks your heart a little as you wrap up your dreams for a date much further away, but we reassure that we will be out of this soon enough and when we do, there will be no black cloud looming over your head, threatening to rain on your special day. That day will be truly yours, and no pandemic will steal your thunder! Now, isn’t that a heartening thought?

6 Wedding Trends for 2020 You Can Look Forward To

The ball drops and another year rolls in. What a year, huh? We will soon be stepping into a brand new year, and also a whole new decade. As 2019 comes to a glorious end, 2020 comes at us with the whole new box of wonders. If you have set a date to tie the knot anytime next year, we are here to give you a fresh breeze of inspiration which holds promises to be big trends in the next year.

2020 seems to be the perfect balance of going inwards and keeping your conscience happy and going all out with opulence, drama, and a peppering of mystery. The duality promises to be thrilling and we can’t wait to see what these trend predictions play out. Let us take a close look at how 2020 will look like in terms of wedding trends.

The Right Cause

If there was ever a time to care for a cause, this is it, because the world sure has a lot of causes which could use some attention. And what better way to share the joy and steer the focus to some cause which is close to your heart than using party favors as your charity? Give back to the community by adding a charity to your wedding registry or thank your guests for celebrating with you by donating to a charity of your choice.

Opulent Photo Booths

Photo booths are great, and even more so when the photo booths are no less than the set of a period drama backdrop. The experience is elevated by several levels, and are more artful in a Kardashian-meets-Shakespeare way. The effect is deliciously opulent like all your guests are posing for a luxury magazine cover. Bring in the moody tones and metallics and take the cute high school photo booths to a whole another level. Bonus? Your guests will love and cherish the perfectly captured and edited portrait of them delivered right to their doorstep following the wedding!

Unveil the Drama

Veils are going to sport a strong presence, come 2020. They are either going to be supersized by triple-fold or be unmissably bold in its presence or not be there at all. There is no mid-way here. Think along the lines of the dramatic veil sported by Priyanka Chopra and Nicky Hilton- that’s the effect we will be going for in 2020. The veil is either going to be blown out of proportion (quite literally) or be non-existent in the coming year.

The Allure of Unknown

There is definitely a wave of spirituality and mystical in this troubled time, and it has certainly trickled down to weddings as well. People have an allure for the unknown and weddings are certainly a great place to explore the same. Not only is it a great way of entertaining and keeping your guests busy, but it is also an inclusive way of passing on that feel-good around, irrespective of faith, creed, deco, and vibe of the wedding. 2020 predicts tarot and palm readings, crystal healing, and aura paintings.

Cheese Galore

‘Let there be cake!’, they said. But next year will surely see something called the ‘cheese hour’, a more interesting and decadent version of the traditional sweet table. Mounts of cheese, crackers, nuts, relishes, and fruits, which you can’t possibly say no to! Think of a charcuterie board, lux it up and multiply it seven folds in proportions, and there you have it- a phenomenal cheese table!

Sustainability

Caring for the environment is the need of the hour and certainly cannot be stored in the box labeled as a trend. However, the sustainable wedding is certainly bringing the right kind of attention to the issue at hand. It encouraged one to get closer to nature and keep technology and artificial materials at bay. Sustainability is certainly a strong presence in the current year and is anticipated to be more so in the coming year. Sustainable weddings are extended from food to flowers, decor to waste management, and everything in between. This is certainly a nice ‘trend’ to exercise.

The ebb and tide of trends are dynamic and can shape the overall evolution of any industry at large- be it fashion, wedding, or decor. What is in trend certainly does not direct the way you should be planning your wedding, but it surely gives you a fresh wave of perspective on what you could be considering. 2020 comes with a whole bunch of amazing reasons for us to be excited for the year ahead when it comes to weddings. Are you excited? Because we sure are!

Why You Should Consider Filming Your Rehearsal Dinner

By now, it’s pretty standard to hire a talented videographer to capture your wedding and incorporate it into a gorgeous film. But, have you ever considered having a videographer there to film your rehearsal dinner too? This is an add-on option that is quickly growing in popularity here at byDesign! Here are a few reasons you might want to consider adding a rehearsal dinner film to your package:

Candid Moments

Because the rehearsal dinner is less structured and hectic than your wedding day, it’s a great opportunity to capture candid moments between loved ones. All of the important people in your lives will be there, including your wedding party and closest family. It’s the perfect chance for everyone to get to one another ahead of the big day, and you will really value getting to look back at some of those moments.

Important Speeches

Oftentimes, the rehearsal dinner is when some of the best speeches come out. It’s a more casual event, and your guests probably will feel more comfortable opening up in front of a smaller group of people. Think funny memories, loving sentiments, and all sorts of future well-wishes. Having the ability to watch these back at a later time will be absolutely invaluable.

Pre-Wedding Bliss

The Rehearsal Dinner is “the calm before the storm.” There are few opportunities to document this incredible moment, when everything is suspended in pre-marital bliss. Everything has already been planned, you’re surrounded by loved ones, and everyone is giddy with excitement for the upcoming nuptials.

How To Choose A Great Wedding Videographer

Not all videographers are created equal, and of course it’s essential that you choose the best one for your wedding day! Follow these 5 steps to hire an experienced professional to capture your wedding day on film.

1. Make It A Priority

For some reason, videography doesn’t seem to be at the top of everyone’s priority list when booking wedding vendors. But as couples start to realize the value in watching their big day back on film for years to come, top videographers are booking years in advance. So in order to land a talented videographer, make it a priority, right up there with booking a photographer and venue!

2. Browse Local Videos

Resources like The Knot and WeddingWire are great for finding local videographers. Also, don’t be afraid to check out local wedding blogs for great examples, or browse Vimeo for inspiration. You may even be able to find a film from your venue, which is a great opportunity for you to picture your day.

3. Read Reviews

The best way to gain insight into what it will be like to work with a videographer on your wedding day, is to read the reviews from others! Again, The Knot and WeddingWire are great places to look, but also reference Facebook, Google, or even Yelp! Look for detailed reviews that mention how it was coordinating together before the wedding, interacting on the wedding day, and accomodations post-wedding.

4. Ask Questions

Do NOT be afraid to ask your videographer tons of questions! These are some of our favorites!

5. Choose Someone Who Matches Your Style

Most importantly, the best videographer will create films that you absolutely love. When you’re watching different videos, try to pick up on things such as music, audio quality, video quality, and transitions. Jot down notes about what you like (and don’t like) as you watch!

Things To Keep In Mind For Your Wedding Day Timeline

Everything starts to get a little more real when you start building that wedding day timeline. But it’s important to keep in mind all of the logistics of your wedding day and vendors in order to build a timeline that will be perfect for you and your guests! These are a few of the essentials that we work on fine tuning with our couples when going over the breakdown of their wedding day!

Published Mar 29, 2019

LOCATIONS

Are you having your ceremony and reception at different locations? Don’t forget to build in ample travel time between the two! If they’re in the same location, how do you plan on filling dead time in between the ceremony and reception?

PHOTOS

Usually, your videographer will tag along for photo sessions to capture some great footage of the bride and groom with their loved ones, so this one is important to us! When do you plan on taking family, wedding party, and solo photos? (Hint: this is when many couples decide to do a first look – allowing you to take a ton of your photos before the ceremony!) We always encourage couples to pad photo sessions with extra time so you don’t feel rushed and can enjoy the process!

TOASTS AND COORDINATED DANCES

During the reception, you’ll probably have a lot of “activities” to plan around. The most important of these are the toasts and coordinated dances. Make sure everyone involved in these mini-events know when they are expected and how much time they will have. This is also where having a great DJ/MC comes in handy! Making clear announcements for the big moments ensures that no one misses out!

RECEPTION ENDING AND/OR GRAND EXIT

If your wedding has a hard stop time (many venues do), you’ll need to have a tighter timeline. Will you be doing a grand exit and if so, what time? Do you want your photographer and videographer to stick around to capture the sparkler procession or your decorated getaway car?

Of course, every wedding is unique and yours will have specific elements that are unique and special. Start by building a general timeline and keep adding details as you go. If you’re working with a planner or day-of-coordinator, they will be a huge help when it comes to developing a successful timeline. Remember, the goal is to create as little stress as possible on the day of, so the more time you can build in, the better!

These Are The Questions You Should Ask Wedding Videographers

When you’re trying to find someone to capture the most important day of your lives, it’s so important to ask all the right questions. While your assessing and comparing different videographers, make sure you’re able to hop on a phone call or meet with them in person to learn more about them and get the answers you need. We’re giving you a list of great starter questions and some of the answers you may want to look for!

How many filmers will be at my wedding?

Think about all of the different things you want captured on film on your wedding day. Bridesmaids getting ready, groomsmen getting ready, details, guests, first dances, speeches, and of course the entire ceremony! During your ceremony, do you want a filmer to capture your soon-to-be-husband’s face as he watches you walk down the aisle? Or do you want a filmer to capture your beaming face as you walk hand-in-hand with your dad? Why should you have to choose! Have 2 filmers and they will be able to capture every detail and every angle to make your film complete.

How many hours will you be filming? Is this flexible?

Hopefully, each videographer you speak with provide you with different package options detailing how many hours each filmer will be there. As you think about your timeline, consider how long your day might be and how much of it you want captured on film. If the videographer doesn’t offer a package that perfectly fit your day, ask if they can be flexible or offer add-on hours!

Can I give you a list of requested shots?

Yes, a great videographer should know the big moments to capture on film. The kiss, the first dance, the cake cutting, etc. However, you may have some unconventional details or special moments planned that you definitely want to remember. An experienced filmer would LOVE for you to provide a list like this (and may even request it!)

How often will we be in communication?

It can be a little concerning to book a wedding vendor a year ahead of time and not hear from them until the day of your wedding! Feel free to ask videographers how often you’ll be in communication and if it’s okay for you to check in from time to time.

What happens if you can’t make it on my wedding day?

Emergencies happen, and God forbid it happens on your wedding day, but it is possible. Every great wedding vendor will have a backup plan in place if something were to come up. Ask videographers about their contingency plan!

How To Connect With Your Clients Online

Published Jan 29, 2019

DEMONSTRATE A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

In order to connect with clients online, they first must be able to find you! In order to be discovered, you must have a strong presence where couples are looking – Google and Social Media. This means a mobile-friendly website, with stunning visuals and examples of your work, including search-engine optimization and utilizing Google Adwords. Your social media presence needs to be professional yet personal, featuring real-time updates and highlighting your partnerships within the industry.

Differentiate with distinctives

Now that couples are able to find you online, they’re going to start the comparison process. This is your time to shine amongst your competition. Set yourself apart by highlighting your unique niche or focus right off the bat with a compelling description that allows your couples to picture exactly what it will be like to have you by their side on their wedding day. Pair that with authentic reviews, transparent pricing, and comprehensive visuals that tell your story as a company. In the age of information, people want to know everything up front in order to make an educated decision, so the more they know about you, the better!

DEVELOP TRUSTED ONLINE CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Once your couples decide to contact you, it’s essential to make it as easy as possible! Ensure that it’s simple for them to contact you from a mobile device since 42% of couples are planning via mobile/tablet. And considering that they are probably contacting multiple wedding pros at one, a quick response can be a make or break factor in booking. Couples love inviting yet succinct communication with vendors that gets straight to your unique product offering. As they move through the commitment process, keep your value proposition top of mind and be prepared to offer a call to action at each stage by keeping the lines of communication open.

DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISE

Yay! The clients have booked YOU to contribute an essential element to their big day! Now is the time to deliver on every expectation you set up until this point. Prioritize the highest level of client service, maintain consistent communication, and provide quality assurance every step of the way. Once all is said and done, encourage online feedback so that you can perpetuate the cycle of providing an exceptional online experience for your couples.

5 Ways To Remind Wedding Guests To Put Away Their Phones

While cell phone photos admittedly have come a long way over the past few years, they have no business capturing the main event at your wedding! Your guests will probably want to capture their own footage during your wedding ceremony (who can blame them, you’re gorgeous!) And although they mean well, the cell phones (or digital cameras, or even iPads…) they use while trying to get the perfect amateur shot can get in the way of the professionals you hired to capture beautiful photos and videos of your special day. The last thing you want is a guest blocking the stunning frame of your first kiss from the people you paid to do it! This can be awkward, but don’t worry, there are nice ways to tell your family to put their phones down and leave it to the professionals.

Signs

Putting signs at the entry points is a quick and easy reminder for guests to put their phones down as they walk in. You could also include something on your wedding website or in any announcements you sent out prior to the wedding.

Announcements

You can have the officiant remind everyone to keep their phones put away during the ceremony before she/he begins. You can also have the DJ or MC mention it as they are telling guests to find a seat for the ceremony.

Programs

If you are handing out programs for guests then you can include a note about putting cell phones away during the ceremony because the professionals have got it covered.

Seats & Benches

If your guests didn’t read the signs at the front or forgot what they said by the time they find their seats this would be a great reminder. Leave a note on each of the seats (or spaced out on a bench) so they have to pick it up before sitting down. You could even attach it to a favor bag or find a sassy pun to convey the message. Guests will think it’s fun and remember to keep their phones hidden away.

Aisle Phone Bowls

For those guests that just can’t control themselves, you could incorporate a jar, bowl or container into the decor at the end of each aisle for people to place their phones in. As long as the container isn’t clear, it could fit right into the ceremony decor and you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s a bowl full of cell phones for those naughty guests.

To be honest, it might not be a bad idea to do all 5 of these! We have heard (and unfortunately seen) some real well-intentioned horror stories. Ready to hire a professional to capture your wedding day on film? We have filmers in your area (not a cell phone in sight!)

4 Steps To Prioritize Your Wedding Budget

Congratulations! You said yes and now you’re super excited to jump right into wedding planning, but where do you start? The single most important thing to do first is set a realistic budget. Of course you won’t be able to account for every single professional that you hire to orchestrate your wedding at this point, but you can estimate an approximate cost for each one and refer back to it throughout your wedding planning process. But how do you know what to prioritize? How much should you allocate for each vendor or detail? We’ve broken down a few simple steps to get you started!

1. Estimate a total budget

First, figure out who is contributing what and the total amount you have to spend on wedding festivities. Don’t forget to include outlying wedding events such as your rehearsal dinner and honeymoon!

2. Envision your wedding and prioritize what’s most important

In order to stay within the total budget you set, you’ll need to stay on track with each vendor you hire. Every couple has different priorities. Some find it essential to have beautiful and elaborate invitations, while others favor a stunning multi-tier cake. Most importantly, don’t forget to consider what will be left behind after you’ve said the “I do’s” and all of your guests have gone home. Having high-quality photographs and cinematic-level films of your day will ensure that you can enjoy it for years to come. (Psst… did you know that couples #1 regret is not hiring a videographer?)

3. Research average local costs

There are so many great tools out there to estimate the average cost of each wedding service in your area. It’s important to something localized vs. a national calculator, as you can imagine the prices vary greatly depending on where you live. The Knot is a great place to start! Also consider that you will probably end up spending above the local average on what’s MOST important to you, while you may end up sacrificing and spending below average on the less-essential details. At this point, don’t be afraid to reach out to your favorite local wedding pros and request a price list!

4. Find ways to save on the not-so-important stuff

Now that you have your priority list laid out and you know the average costs of what’s most valuable, you may need to make some room in your budget. Maybe you don’t have your heart set on a custom cocktail and you can do just beer and wine instead, or favors are an easy item to cut because you’ll have lots of guests traveling in for the celebration.

If something is really important to you, it’s worth re-examining your budget to see if you can make room to splurge! The earlier in the process you lay everything out, the more you can allocate for your top priorities – so get in touch with us today to cross a videographer off your list!

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