Wedding Tip Of The Week With Guest Writer AND Newport Beach Wedding Bride; Ashley Drake

Happy Friday from Huntington Beach everyone!  It’s just about time for a fun weekend in the sun and I have a special Wedding Tip Of The Week to share with you today.  It’s from a good friend of mine & Newport Beach Bride that is getting married in October; Ashley Drake.

You might remember her previous article; From One Bride To Another back in February before I left to attend & shoot WPPI as a Pictagerazzi for Pictage & then to host my Workshop in Hawaii.  Well she’s back & has some incredible first hand experience that she would like to share with you.

There are some fantastic pointers that Ashley covers in the article that you won’t want to miss.  Things like; bridal shower, wedding shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties.  Along with resources that are right at your fingertips to help ensure a much more fun experience too.

But before you check out today’s Wedding Tip Of The Week and you’re thinking to yourself…  Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer in Huntington Beach, California that wants to enjoy life to the fullest, feel free to get in touch with me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

I hope you’re having a great start to your weekend & check back very soon.  I’ll have some scrumptious photos to share with you from Keren & Pete’s wedding tomorrow at the UCI University Club – cheers!

Timing Is Everything
By Ashley Drake

We are often told as both children and adults, that timing is everything; good things come to those who wait; and my favorite:  it will happen when the time is right.  Well, when planning a wedding—I’m here to tell you that the time to plan your wedding is NOW.  My fiancé and I are getting married in October, and our goal is to have everything 100% completely planned by the end of June—that deadline is fast approaching, and it looks like we will be done.

Setting things in place this far in advance may seem like overkill, but its not.  Remember, you are going to have lots of parties leading up to your wedding.  There will be bridal shower, wedding shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties—these are once in a lifetime events, where you get to be the star.  Lots of people will have questions about your wedding, and if you plan ahead—you will be able to answer all of their questions; as well as enjoy your days as the guest of honor—without having to worry that on Monday after work, you really need to get to the rental shop to pick out your linens.

Planning ahead is a key component to realizing the vision of your dream day.  Your planning stages will take a while.  Make sure that you plan and book crucial components of your big day as far in advance as possible.  First, make sure that you have an officiant, and book the place of your dreams to have you ceremony—this is the cornerstone of your wedding, and if you – make sure you get him/her on the books well in advance, to avoid any timing conflicts down the line.  Many venues can only accommodate one wedding per day—so make sure you book early.  This will ensure that you have the right date and time, well in advance—and you will be able to cross the most important part (the ceremony) off your to-do list for your big day.

The next stage is planning your reception.  Let the internet help you here—I know I have.  Look up places that you might like to have your reception.  We looked at dozens online.  Plan a day to go look at places.  Once you find the perfect place, book it on the spot!

Let the internet help you.  You can find great deals, and cut down on running around—as long as you allow yourself shipping time.  I found disposable cameras for my reception and wedding favors for a great price online, but they were backorder for 2 months.  That’s no problem for me, my wedding isn’t until October (I found the cameras in February!).  My cameras and favors will be here in plenty of time for my big day—because I planned ahead.

Don’t procrastinate, and use your wedding party to their fullest extent.  This will only lead to a stressed out wedding day. Planning ahead will allow you to have a stress free and budget friendly wedding.  Make sure that everyone knows their place.  Have a meet and greet with your bridal party well ahead of time, and explain their duties.  Best Man—you get the tuxedoes, Bridesmaid 1—please make sure the centerpieces are correct; Groomsman 3—You are in charge of coordinating the chairs for the ceremony… etc.  Dole tasks out early, these are your closest friends, and they want to help you.  The more other people help you with, the more you and your fiancé get to enjoy the best day of your lives.

My recommendation is to finish planning your wedding, have all of the deposits down on everything, all of the attire chosen, and the reception completely planned, and hotel rooms reserved for out of town guests no less than 3 months before your big day.  This will allow you plenty of time to handle any last minute fiascoes that may come up.  There is a lot to do, and not a lot of time to get it all done.  Make sure that you are able to enjoy the weeks leading up to your big day, rather than stress about not having picked out your napkin color.

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