I think I’ve found yet another favorite photographer! This Georgia wedding from W. Scott Chester combines a bit of elegance with some great Anthropologie style. It’s quite fitting that I feature this wedding today too, since yesterday’s Shabby Chic inspiration board was created for a wedding with Anthropologie style!

The flowers are absolutely awesome! I think they really complete the whole Anthropologie look in weddings. And I just love all of the shots of the bride and groom. Such modern and intimate photographs! A huge thank you to W. Scott Chester for sharing this awesome wedding!

I created today’s inspiration board for one of my old friends who is recently engaged. I’ve been talking to her about her wedding, and she wants to use peacock feathers and their colors of purple, blue, and green. Throw in some Anthropologie style, and you have the epitome of Shabby Chic!

Row 1: Centerpiece, Tablescape, Bouquet

Row 2: Dress, Necklace, Centerpiece

Row 3: Boutonniere, Decor, Bouquet

I must admit, I’m usually not a fan of Shabby Chic, just because it’s used all the time to describe wedding styles. But this is definitely a Shabby Chic style, and I can’t wait to help my friend bring her vision to life!

I think featuring great photography has become sort of a Monday “thing” for me.  This engagement session definitely falls under the category of “great photography”.  The photographer, Anissa Rahali, is based in the South of FRANCE!  I get so excited about featuring photographers from other countries! I think it allows us to see how beautiful the world is and that photography is such an amazing art form. And now, let’s see how beautiful Anissa’s photography is…

Gorgeous. For some reason, I think these photographs evoke a sort of calm and natural feeling. That’s great photography- when you can feel some sort of emotion from the photos. Thank you for sharing these with us Anissa!

Get excited, I have another Friday Freebie for you! The lovely Bronwyn of Cinnamon Toast New Media sent over these stylish and chic beauties. These gorgeous escort cards have a blank space for your guests’ names and table numbers. You can print on them or you have them written out by a calligrapher. I’m a huge fan of escort cards, and I thought it would be nice to give you all something better than plain old white escort cards.

Ornate Escort Card Download

Damask Pink and Black Escort Card Download

A big thanks to Bronwyn for making these for {ELD} readers! I hope some of you are able to use them!

This week has just flown by! I can’t believe it’s already March! I hope you all had a great first week of March, and if you missed any posts, here they are for you! I thought I would add some photos this week, because everyone loves photos!

A Rockin’ Trash The Dress Session by Tab McCausland :: Tab is awesome at these shoots! You have to see this one!

Inspiration Board: Vintage Southern Charm :: An inspiration board made for a reader who is having her wedding in Texas!

Real Ohio Wedding by Bobbi+Mike :: I’ve been wanting to feature one of Bobbi+Mike’s wedding for quite some time. Their work is awesome, and their weddings always look like so much fun!

{Thursday Tips} Consider A First Look :: Some brides I talk to are like I was, and don’t even want to consider doing a First Look on their wedding day. Reading this may give you some perspective into a First Look.

{Friday Freebie} Chic Printable Escort Cards :: I love these escort cards! They’re blank, so you can print or write your guests’ names on them, and still have some chic style for your escort cards!

Some great things around the blogs:

Wedding Planning Tip: How To Enhance Guests’ Experience :: Some tidbits to remember about your guests, from Fresh Lime Events.

How To Choose Your Wedding Colors :: Insight into choosing your wedding colors, from April Foster Events.

One of the things that I wish I had been told as a bride was to seriously consider doing a First Look. It’s definitely something that I regret not doing.

I immediately shunned the idea, reminding myself that I wanted to see my husband’s face light up when he saw me walking towards him. But I wasn’t thinking about the fact that when I reached him, I wouldn’t be hugging him or kissing him. The reality was that I turned to face the priest and the wedding started. I couldn’t talk to him and be all giddy and excited. I just stood there next to him, sneaking glances and holding in my excitement. And then, although we planned for a good amount of time for photos to be taken after the ceremony, the Florida weather had a different plan. Thus, we only have a few photographs of the two of us. If we had done a First Look before the ceremony, this would have been completely avoided, and the afternoon thunderstorm wouldn’t have been a problem at all! (Florida brides: don’t forget about our those thunderstorms from May to October!)

A First Look isn’t for everyone, and it’s not the “traditional” thing to do. But if photography is important to you, then you should seriously consider a First Look. Some of the absolute best wedding photos I have seen have been when the bride and groom have a First Look.

Photo by Jeremy Gilliam

I asked around for some pros and cons of a First Look to share with you all.

Cons

- If you’re extremely traditional, a First Look could take away from the build up and suspense of walking down the aisle.

- Your guests won’t be able to see that “first look” you and your groom have when you’re walking down the aisle. (This con and the previous are thanks to Aleah of The Good Life Event Specialists. I really couldn’t think of any.)

- Chances are good that you might cry when walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time (yep, happened to me…resulting in, you guessed it: the ugly cry).

Photo by Jason Angelini

Pros

- You can revel in seeing each other for the first time, soak it up, and enjoy some quiet moments alone with each other. Cry, laugh, do a little dance- whatever you want to do!

- You will get some awesome photographs of you and your soon-to-be husband and have ample time to do so. The emotion captured by your photographer is truly a once in a lifetime emotion. Don’t you want photos like this? (see photo below)

Photo by T2 Photography

- Having a First Look will allow you to have most of your photos done before the ceremony. Then you can enjoy your cocktail hour and have fun with your new husband and the bridal party.

- You won’t feel rushed getting pictures taken after the ceremony.

- Melanie of La Dolce Vita Studio said, “Often our couples finish all their photos, have time to go touch up hair and make up if need be, hang out with their wedding party, have a drink and relax in those last few minutes before the ceremony.  They also love being able to mingle with their guests at the cocktail hour because we only shoot the formals after the ceremony.”

Photo by Kristen Weaver Photography

- And I’m pretty sure anyone who has done a First Look has never regretted doing it.

As you can see, there are A LOT of pros to having a First Look. Doing a First Look is completely your decision, just as everything for your wedding should be is. I’m just here to share some insight and personal experience. And that insight and personal experience is that I regret NOT having a First Look. As a bride I didn’t give it much thought because I wanted to be traditional, but now after the wedding, I definitely wish I had done it! Just some food for thought for all you brides out there!