Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! Instead of posting ideas about how to incorporate red, white, and blue into a party theme, let’s do a blog paying homage to the true meaning of Memorial Day. This is the one holiday where we can remember and honor the fallen men and women of the United States military. The holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day, and was first enacted following the Civil War. Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer with Labor Day as the end.

We hope these photos inspire you whether you’re married into the military or just curious as to what a military wedding looks like!

Not many brides get to experience the traditions that come with a military wedding, so we encourage brides who are marrying military to embrace it and incorporate it into your theme.

There is just something extremely romantic about a retro-military themed photoshoot! This is a great idea for a couples portrait engagement shoot if you adore the pinup look.

Living in San Diego, we are surrounded by a few military bases so it’s quite easy to be inspired by the traditions and romance of military weddings. We welcome all military brides to inquire within our wedding planning services! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Photos provided by (from top to bottom): Nicole Benitez Photography, heidi & stacey, Danny N Photography, David Champagne Photography, Andrea Dexier Photography, Brandon Kidd Photography

New Trends in Wedding Photography

Wedding photography allows couples to show off their romantic and creative sides. It’s one of the first steps a couple can take to say, “Here we are world! Mr. & Mrs.!” Lots of people tend to use special locations or coordinating outfits to center their photo shoots around, but this can easily come off as “boring” or “simple” sometimes. We found this great article on new and unique ways to jazz up your photo shoot!

This next photo was taken the day after the wedding. Some couples opt to have the photo shoot after the wedding as opposed to during the cocktail hour. This allows for them to be more relaxed and fun during the shoot.

I love how fun and different their take is on “balloon” shot! How adorable!

For more pictures and information, read this article.

Indian Weddings: Mandaps

Indian weddings encompass tradition and grandeur by bringing in bright and luxe details to their decor. One of the most recognized features of an Indian wedding is the “mandap.” A mandap is a covered structure with pillars, similar to a canopy or gazebo, used during wedding ceremonies. Traditionally they’re made of wood and adorned with garlands of mango and banana leaves, coconuts, kalashas (pots filled with water) and other natural elements. Now mandaps can be constructed with other modern and high-end materials. Within the mandap are two royal chairs for the bride and groom, side chairs for the parents, and a pedestal for the sacred fire.

Not many people are familiar with the rituals and celebrations involved with Indian weddings, but the fascination is growing. Just recently, an Indian wedding was featured in the CW hit TV show, “90210″!

A screenshot from the 90210 episode!

Although mandaps are used in Hindu weddings, you can get inspiration from the elaborate details and use something similar in your own wedding!

We love the different ways people decorate mandaps. The detail, colors, and elements used help to celebrate the union between the couple.

Photo credits from top to bottom: Wikipedia, personal screenshot image, Alankar Decors, Balamani Bride, Celewire, Maharani Weddings, Singh’s Production, The Wedding Travelers, Weddings by Georgia, Mandaps Maker, Wikipedia

Summer Weddings: Pros & Cons

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for traveling and weddings. Everyone wants to get married on a picturesque day, but that also means it’s harder to land the date you want at the venue you desire. So if you’re thinking about having your wedding during the summer or in another season, Wedding Elegance has some great tips and pros & cons to watch out for when you choose a summer wedding!

WEATHER

Pros:

-Summer weather is amazing, especially in San Diego! The temperatures are hardly extreme and there isn’t much humidity out here.

-Another great way to take advantage of the weather? Have your wedding in the mountains! You can cut down expenses when you host your wedding in locations such as Big Bear, CA because the weather is mild. So there’s no need for heaters or canopies.

-There are also more venues available during the summertime than the winter. You wouldn’t have been able to choose a mountain location or beach front hotel if you had opted for a winter wedding.

Cons:

-The weather is unpredictable at times in the summer! The sun can be blinding for you and guests, so a canopy is a must.

-If you choose to have it during the summer, you’ll have to consider various factors like the time of the day the ceremony will take place as to avoid peak hours of UV exposure and heat.

-We advise you to keep the ceremony short if it takes place in the outdoors because guests might get sunburnt or dehydrated (be sure to provide lots of water for your guests that day!)

-MAKEUP! Avoid using airbrush makeup because it will melt in warm conditions, especially if humidity is a factor.

-Avoid spray tans at all cost because you run the risk of transferring any brown stains onto your white dress if you’re going to be standing in the sun for a while.

-August is normally the hottest month of the summer season; we suggest having the ceremony either really early in the morning or late in the afternoon (around 5-6pm).

TIMING

Pros:

-Days are longer = longer celebrations!

-Easier to plan around guests’ schedules since people are more apt to take vacation time during the summer. Kids will be off from school so parents can attend.

-Luncheons. Instead of a dinner, you can opt for a luncheon during the middle of week. It’s an effective and unique way to cut down on costs, and it’s easy to plan since most people can take time off in the summertime.

Cons:

-Reservations. Beaches and state parks will require you to have a permit and reservation for the location ahead of time. Popular spots are sometimes reserved 6-12 months in advance!

-You can’t predict weather anymore than you can predict ocean occurrences. If you’re having a beach wedding, watch out for seaweed that gets washed up along the shore, bugs, or any unwanted guests.

-Summer season typically means higher rates for rooms and venues because of vacationers and wedding season.

Getting married in the summertime can be fun and romantic, and hopefully these tips will prepare you against any surprises!

Pictures provided by www.jaycyn.com and www.maggievalleyweddings.com

Hollywood Has Wedding Fever!

Everyone knows spring and summer are the most popular times to get married, so of course Hollywood would release movies about getting hitched around this time. Romance comedies are fun to watch, but rom-coms about weddings–yes, please! We definitely recommend checking these movies out if you’re still riding off of the royal wedding high.

Something Borrowed

Based on the best-selling novel by Emily Griffin, the storyline follows Rachel, a single and successful attorney, who after celebrating her 30th birthday realizes she’s still in love with her law school crush, Dex, the future husband of Rachel’s best friend, Darcy. Like any delightful romantic comedy, “Something Borrowed” is full of laughs and intertwined relationships. After watching the movie, you might be inclined to go and read the actual book and the whole series of “Something…” by Griffin! The film is directed by Luke Greenfield and stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski, Colin Egglesfield, and Steve Howey. Out in theatres now.

Jumping the Broom

The latest film by Salim Akil, “Jumping the Broom” shares a story of how two African American families from different socioeconomic worlds come together for a weekend in Martha’s Vineyard. The term “jumping the broom” actually comes from a custom practiced in Wales, by Romani people (also known as “Gypsies”) and in some African communities. In African communities, the couple would end their ceremony by jumping over the broomstick together or separately. This symbolised the wife’s commitment to her new household, which might be why this movie has been cleverly named “Jumping the Broom”.

Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) falls in love with Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso) and decides to marry him before meeting his side of the family. After meeting Jason’s mother for the first time the weekend of her wedding, problems arise between Sabrina and Jason because their families cannot get along. Sabrina must now decide whether she can overcome these issues and commit to her new family or leave Jason at the altar. Movie is currently in theatres.

Bridesmaids

From the producer who brought you “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” comes a new movie just for us ladies (and men) to enjoy! “Bridesmaids” centers the story on Annie (Kristen Wiig”} who is asked by Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid of Honor. Being not-so-lucky in love and broke, Annie must pull her act together to show her best friend and the other bridesmaids she can carry out the job of MOH, while battling some hilarious hiccups along the way! The cast includes Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Ellie Kemper. Movie is out in theatres now.