Photo by ELV photographer, BRAUNphotography

So at first, you’re SUPER excited to start planning your wedding, right? And yeah, you know weddings can cost a good chunk of change… but when you start getting the proposals and quotes from people, THAT’S when it really hits you. I think a HUGE part of it is that you don’t really have a good *idea* of what things cost beforehand. Whenever I give brides a ballpark range of what to expect for what something would cost, it’s always so much easier for them. There’s just something about knowing ahead of time, right? Well in regards to pricing, I have something in the works for you all, coming VERY soon! Here’s the thing. Yes, when I was planning my wedding I did always wonder why things cost so much. But I was so focused on the COST that I never really considered or bothered to find out the WHY.

1. Making it happen.

What does it take to make a wedding happen? Wedding professionals. I don’t know what it is about weddings, but for some reason, lots of people don’t consider working in the wedding industry as a “normal” job. Maybe because weddings are such happy and fun times, so it’s hard to think of any “work” being associated with them. Or maybe it’s because there are indeed a few “hobbyists” in the wedding industry providing services to brides. Whatever it is that’s causing this thought process, it’s wrong. [Confession: I was one of those brides who thought this!] Wedding professionals aren’t charging what they charge just for the heck of it. They charge what they charge because it’s their livelihoods. Their career. How they put food on the table for their families. Sure, some charge less and some charge more, but it’s what they think they’re worth and what they need to live their lives. Oh and let’s not forget about experience, which is also a huge factor of wedding professionals’ costs too. And also, their TIME. They work during the week, and then they still have weddings on the weekend. Half the time, they’re not even being paid enough for the time they put in, but it’s what has to be done to make awesome weddings happen.

And wedding professionals don’t charge more because the word “wedding” is attached. This might be true for those who *aren’t* in the wedding industry, but don’t think it’s true for those who are. Let’s kill that myth right here and now.

2. The *Things

Yes, there are *things* that are needed for your wedding. Lots of them. And these *things* are also what “cost so much”. Rentals, purchases, food, alcohol, flowers, linens, etc etc. They’re all *things*, and are a HUGE part of the wedding costs. These *things* usually have to be purchased (or rented) FOR your wedding, so they can be functional AT your wedding. [Get ready for a baking/cooking analogy because that's all I can think of right now...] Think of it this way: You want to make cookies to bring to a party. But before you can make your cookies, you have to buy all of the ingredients. That’s what the *things* for your wedding are. They’re the elements, the ingredients, of your wedding. These things still cost money- they don’t just appear out of thin air. And trust me- you don’t want to buy them yourself. So that’s where wedding professionals come in, because they know/own/make/have access to those *things*.

Via ELV floral designer, FH Weddings & Events

3. Guests.

Yep, the guests. THAT my friends is really why weddings cost so much. I probably say it once a month. The more guests you have, the more money you’ll have to spend. It’s more food, drinks, tables, linens, centerpieces, etc etc. And it’s something that YOU can have control over. If you don’t want to spend much on your wedding- keep it small. That is the key!

4. What YOU Want.

You can be your own worst enemy when it comes to what your wedding costs. I know I was! So a wedding costing “so much” could just be the results of what YOU want! But hey, it’s AWESOME to know what you want! :)

I was actually inspired to write this post because of something I saw on a local photographer’s blog. She had seen a bride’s posting on Craigslist about photographers costing too much money, and she wrote a little response to the bride. It’s SO informative and something that not everyone realizes- definitely go and read it! Oh and after I wrote this whole post, I forgot that I wrote a Thursday Tips similar to this last year. It’s a little bit of a different breakdown though, so be sure to read it next! :)

Okay, so out of all of the things above, which is the most IMPORTANT to you? It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting your planning, halfway through, almost done, or already married- I’m sure one of these things is/was what you absolutely have/had to have! And I would love to hear from those of you who are fairly into your planning or already done- in what area did you spend the most? You know I love your comments, so tell me tell me! :)

It’s TIME! In honor of Every Last Detail’s 2 year Blogiversary, I’m doing a GIVEAWAY! It’s true, I usually don’t do giveaways here on ELD, but this time it’s special. I want to thank you all for being such awesome readers, and so I’m giving away 15 of these acrylic table numbers!

The font of these table numbers is a modern block, in white. The winner of this giveaway will receive 15 numbers- and if you have more than 15 tables, no worries- we’ll work something out! ;) So if you think these table numbers would be perfect for your wedding, or even for a friend’s wedding, go ahead and enter!

I have a few different ways to enter. When you complete each, just leave a comment on this post- each comment will count as an entry!

1. Comment on this post with why you love Every Last Detail, how it’s helped you in planning your wedding, and/or what you hope to see more of on ELD in the future!

2. If you tweet, follow me and @ELDBlog and tweet, “Happy Blogiversary to @ELD_Lauren! I want to win these table numbers! http://ow.ly/7RXJi”

3. If you’re a Facebook-er, Like ELD, and then tag Every Last Detail in a status saying, “Happy Blogiversary to Every Last Detail! I want to win these table numbers! http://ow.ly/7RXJi”

4. And just for the heck of it, if you don’t already, go ahead and follow me on Pinterest and pin an image from this post!

So there you have it- 4 chances for entries to win these table numbers! For the methods that require you to go elsewhere and tweet, Facebook, or pin, don’t forget to comment here saying you did it! :) So now go on and get your entries in and tell your friends! A winner will be announced on Monday the 12th!

With all of that said and all the good, exciting things out of the way, I’m on to devastation. The string of tornadoes that hit the south last week was unimaginable. I’m so thankful that my friends who were in the area are okay, but there are many other people who are not. All weekend, I’ve had this want to help in someway. I’ve been trying to think of what little old me could do to help those affected by the tornadoes. And then I saw a wedding planner’s tweet about a blog post of hers. And I knew I just HAD to share it with you all so we could help. So please, watch this quick little message from Kelly McWilliams…

Kelly McWilliams Service Announcement from iheART Films on Vimeo.

More from Kelly:

The images in the video are real, and they are 1st hand images from what is left of her home.  Her wedding jewelery, to her red wedding boots, to the ladies handkerchiefs and doilies she had been collecting were all taken away with the Tuscaloosa Tornado.

First, if you can, please donate to the American Red Cross.  There are so many thousands of people who need shelter, support, and food.  Secondly, if you have the ability to help us to create Martha’s Southern Heirloom wedding and be some light in the midst of this tragedy, we would love to have your help.  I know how amazingly generous the wedding industry is, and this is hopefully a way we can all reach out and make one brides wedding wonderful despite the devastation.

Here are the “southern” items we are looking to gather and/or replace for her summer wedding:

Items can be sent to:
Weddings by Socialites
Attn: Southern Heirloom Wedding
5971 Silver King Blvd, No. 207
Cape Coral, FL 33914

Please be sure to include your name and return address so that we can offer a proper southern thank you.
For more information, please feel free to contact us by email Info{at}KellyMcWilliams.com

I cannot even imagine. If you’re planning your wedding, I’m sure you have collected and purchased things for it. And to lose all that and also lose EVERYTHING that you have- heartbreaking. So, if you have ANY of these items left over from your own wedding or just hanging around, please help. I’ll be going through all of my crazy things I have laying around to see what I have that I can contribute!

Martha is busy helping rebuild Tuscaloosa. While she’s doing that, let’s help her out and rebuild Martha’s wedding!

[Please feel free to repost this on your own blog, Twitter, or Facebook! We need all the help we can get to rebuild Martha's wedding!]

For the first table, we used a runner made out of gauze and chicken wire, a bevy of vases as the centerpiece, and had an egg caddy filled with sweet treats.  For the guests’ favors, we had little boxes made out of stiffened muslin fabric, topped with the star anise. They turned out to be one of our favorite details of the day!

The second reception shot incorporated several more details.  We knew we wanted to feature the mantle of the fireplace.  We used roofer’s edging to make the L + L (Lydia + Levi), and added a few sprigs of stock to soften the contrast.  Then on the shelf, we added a row of books covered in fabric that had the wedding date stamped onto it.

Wow, awesome. Talk about details and using new things! The chicken wire incorporated into everything was an awesome touch- even in the bouquet and boutonniere! This was definitely a unique style dictionary shoot- love it! A huge thank you to Matthew R Photo and Ashton Events for putting together the whole shoot!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photography: Matthew R Photo | Planning & Design: Ashton Events | Florals: Events In Bloom | Invitation and Stationery: A Fine Press | Dress: Anglo Couture | Cake: Sweet Cakes | Makeup: Beauty Marked Design | Hair: Sid Cohen @ Salon PuraPura | Location: Versaggi Properties

In case you missed the vintage, indie, bohemian Style Dictionary inspiration shoot here on Every Last Detail this week, you MUST see it! It can only be described as EPIC- absolutely gorgeous photography and inspiration!

BRIDEfinds goes behind the scenes at Bridal Week with THEIA designer Don O’Neill to dish on Kate Midleton, winter wedding style, and more!

Yo mama…needs an awesome dress that will make her feel like a star mother of the bride, not a frumpy hausfrau, and The Broke-Ass Bride has got you covered!

Do you love the idea of paths lined with wedding luminaries as much as Honey Living does?

bWed Exclusive put a spin on the traditional wedding inspiration board this week! This one is made with a specific piece of the wedding vision in mind instead of the whole. This one is made by and for BRIDESMAIDS only!!

You might adore this Devil’s Thumb Ranch Colorado Wedding over on Wedding Chicks. The dress was to-die-for and we have all the details of the wedding from the Bride herself.

At Celebrity Wedding Reporter, Stacie Francombe is bringing you the latest in this year’s bridal gown trends, plus inspirational pics of real brides in colorful wedding gowns!

Have a TGIF (Thank the GROOM It’s Friday)! 7 Tips for Grooming the Groom is featured on Ok, Now What Bride.

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready to start their week off great! I know I am- I have a little announcement to make tomorrow! :)

This week’s Thursday Tips continues the little series I started last week, “5 Things To Know About…”! In case you missed last week’s post, I started off generic with a few things to know about vendors in general. This week I’m diving into the world of Event Designers. I myself had no idea what an event designer was when I was planning my wedding. I had one, but I didn’t know that’s what he was. I just thought he was the florist. And now I’m an event designer. Go figure.

1. Be prepared to talk about your budget! It really helps give designers boundaries and allows them to create a vision and design within your cost, instead of something that you’ll fall in love with but can’t afford.

2. Every designer’s vision for your wedding is going to be different. If you’re shopping around, let each designer create their own design for you based on what you tell them. Don’t force them to replicate something that another designer has already created for you.

3. An event designer isn’t always a planner. Some planners do design as well, but some designers just design and don’t plan. Confusing, I know. Ask them- if they don’t do planning, they’ll most certainly have a few planners they can recommend to you. But it doesn’t mean you have to choose to use one or the other… planners and designers play well together. :)

4. Having your wedding designed by an event designer will keep your wedding cohesive and consistent, versus “pieced together” with different design elements. They think of every single element of your wedding and how it all will come together to form a “whole”. Which is why it takes HOURS of research, creative design time, and talent for an event designer to design your wedding. They’re not just copying and pasting the “Roses and Glitz Package” and sending it to you. :)

5. An event designer wants to design your wedding to be unique to YOU and your fiance- not a replication of Susie and Jim’s wedding on “Blah Blah Blog” or your cousin Betty’s wedding that took place 3 years ago. Of course be inspired by  everything and share it with your event designer, but know that designers never like to replicate things.

[A big thank you to event designers Nico Cervantes, Ashton Events and Lara Molettiere for tweeting with me about this last night!]

So now go and find yourself an event designer! Seriously, it will make your life a lot easier. :)

Other blogs also posting Thursday Tips today…

Awesome, right? I’m still so enthralled by that dessert table backdrop. I’m SUCH  sucker for cool, unique backdrops! A big thank you to Mark Brooke Photographers for sharing this wedding with us!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photography: Mark Brooke Photographers | (full vendor list coming soon!)

Well, did you see what I love? Those table numbers! Having unique details like those table numbers is such a great way to add in some personality to your wedding! A big thank you to Next Exit Photography for sharing this fab wedding with us!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photography: Next Exit Photography | Venue: Private Estate | Florals: Untamed Floral Designs | Tenting: Kumba Entertainment and Events | Officiant: Mark Wheeler, You May Kiss the Bride | DJ: Senor Amor | Ceremony and Cocktail Musicians: Willie McNeil | Hair/Makeup: Nicole DeAnne | Bride’s Dress: Winnie Couture | Bridesmaid Dresses: Two Birds Bridesmaids, Bella Bridesmaid | Groom’s Suit: Duchess Clothier | Invitations: Bella Figura | Wedding Cake: Jamaica’s Cakes

I thought this would be the perfect time to record a video because today is the day of the launch of the Every Last Detail Wedding Style Dictionary! So now WATCH the video to find out about what the {ELD} Wedding Style Dictionary is all about!

(What a wonderful place to capture a screenshot of the video! Thanks YouTube! NOT!)

So go ahead and take a look through the dictionary! The words are all alphabetical, and if there’s a word that you think should be included, just comment, send me an email, or tweet me about it!

Sam and Ashley explained things to me about photography that I had never even thought about. A little too often, I found myself thinking, “Wow, I wish I had known this when I was looking for a photographer!” I wanted to share some of this valuable information with you all so you can be more informed and knowledgeable when looking for your wedding photographer!

Ashley and Sam want others to be informed about photography as well, and they are always posting helpful information about wedding photography on their blog. The following is a post from Ashley and Sam’s blog about Photo Retouching. Take a look at the video as well!

Retouching-what does it mean from ashley brockinton on Vimeo.

There are a lot of terms that get thrown around in our industry: many of them have completely different meanings to different photographers. Some of those terms include: second photographer, lighting assistant, photo re-touching, book/album, coffee table book and rights. Today, we want to look at photo re-touching.

For us photo re-touching is a three step process that takes about 10-30 minutes or more per image.

Step 1 – Basic lighting adjustments – color correction (white is white, skin tones are natural), cropping, overall exposure and highlight recovery (technical term meaning that with digital the whites sometimes get so white that you can’t see any detail – this brings back that detail)

Step 2- We make you look great – skin re-touching is done here. We also clean up any dirt or distracting areas in the photo that just take away from the overall feel.

Step 3 – Image is stylized. Now we add the feel to the image – editorial, vintage, black and white, high contrast, etc. Now, it’s a piece of art – ready for the album, blog, website or your wall – either Facebook or your home ;-)

One thing we find terribly important is CONSISTENCY. Ask your potential photographer to see their last few weddings, a whole wedding that they recently shot AND check out their blog. Beware of several things:

1. Really touched up, great images on the website and average images on the blog.

2. Website pics from workshops. We should all be pushing ourselves professionally but one of my pet peeves is when photogs post on their website pictures from a workshop because someone else arranged most of the variables – location, model, hair, makeup, lighting and maybe more. Look for images that don’t look like they’re from the area and just ask where they photographed; I encourage everyone to share these images but my personal feeling is that these should be put on blogs telling about how the workshop was and where it was, etc.

3. Is that your work or their work? If you are looking into a studio that has multiple shooters and shoots multiple weddings, make sure you get to see the portfolio of the person who is shooting your wedding. Who does the re-touching; will they look like the albums you saw and the web galleries?

3. Online Galleries – they’re almost always password protected. We have the ability to hide our sites as well as password protect, BUT we choose NOT to unless asked because we want prospective brides to view the real deal; that’s exactly what we delivered last week, last month, last year, etc. If that’s what you want, we can do that or better. Nearly all the weddings we’ve shot in the last 2 years are available or were available (they might have expired) online at www.ashleybrockintonclients.com – engagement sessions too! These galleries contain un-retouched proof images so you can see our consistency IN camera. To view consitency with our finished product check out our blogged weddings.

One last note: Professional printing makes a HUGE difference. Our monitors are callibrated to our pro lab. The colors and the consistency are awesome! This is so important because many clients are now receiving digital files and printing on their own. Every printer is different. Printing a digital negative file that has been fully re-touched and stylized on a drug-store printer is like buying the sports car of your dreams and never leaving the 35 mph roads in the suburbs. Wow great car, but if you really want to enjoy it you’ve gotta get on the open road.

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Ashley Brockinton Photography

A Hip and Chic Photography Boutique

Specializing in Wedding and Engagement Photography/Portraits for the Fashionista in LOVE!

Location: Bonita Springs, FL

Servicing SW Florida and Beyond

The raw and retouched images compared to each other is amazing to see! I never had any clue about the extent of what can be done with a photograph.

A huge THANK YOU to Ashley and Sam Brockinton for sharing this information with us! Be sure to check out more of their exquisite work on their phlog! And you just HAVE to watch their “Meet the Brockintons” video! It’s the cutest thing ever!

I hope this post leaves you more informed about what goes into photography. If you have any other questions or topics you would like covered, let me know!