Didn’t hire a planner
I did it alone and with family help. A planner could have saved us on our budget and directed us as we planned. On the day of our friends and family were running around like crazy setting everything up. I was alone many times in my bridal suite because everyone was so nice and helping. If we had hired a coordinator we could have enjoyed the full day knowing everything was being handled professionally.
2. didn’t let our venue work for me
We had a tented outdoor garden wedding that for some reason I wanted to turn into a glitzy new year’s Eve lookin’ event. So much gold. Gold foil, gold streamers, gold everywhere. I wish I had leaned into our beautiful venue instead of trying to change it. It was pretty, but this is one thing I would do differently if I had the chance to turn back the clock.
3. Too much outside influence in our timeline
I allowed outside voices to dictate which songs should be played, what formalities should be done, and our overall setup and so forth. I wish I had spoken up and put my foot down on things that were important to me.
4. Rushed to book vendors
It’s common to want to get all the main vendors booked quickly. I wish I had explored photographers and videographers more as well as flowers (I chose a strip mall florist- ahh!) I just didn’t know how many excellent vendors within our budget there were. Something a planner could have helped us with too.
3 things we did right
Made invitations a priority.
I chose the custom route for invitations and I’m so glad I did. People have strong opinions on invitations but I like looking back and remembering how much effort I put into them. For our Save-the-dates I used vellum envelopes with little pastel colored confetti’s. (Again with the New Year’s theme…?)
I loved them so much.
Had a playlist of dance songs when the band took breaks.
This was key for our reception. We had an oldies band who were phenomenal. To bring life to the dance floor when they band took breaks, we had playlists full of our favorite songs. I liked the contrast.Had a welcome party the night before.
Another thing we did that was a great idea. All guests were invited to my in-law’s house after rehearsal for a welcome party. This gave out of town guests something to do while it let us get all the small talk and chit chat out of the way so we could more thoroughly enjoy our reception.
Warmly,
Michelle
Mama Mondays. 7 tips for family photos with toddlers.
Welcome back to Mama Mondays! Today I’m sharing a few of my favorites from our session with Shannon Oleksak while we were down in Charleston last month as well as 7 tips for family sessions with toddlers. Enjoy!
Book with a photographer who consistently works with families.
There are all kind of photographers out there, but to ensure an experience that goes as smoothly as possible your best bet is to go with a family photographer. Their experience with young children will feel priceless when you are stressing because your 2 and 3 year old are just running around like crazy people (not that I know from experience or anything-hah)
2.Coordinate but don’t be so matchy.
This is my opinion, but I feel that when going super matchy in family photos can be distracting in your images. I like to go coordinating and complimentary. Neutral colors is also a personal fave of mine again, to not be distracting. The main focus of your photos is your sweet family not the bright pink sweater. You know what I mean?
3. Feed kids beforehand.
This is probably a obvious tip, but when your mind is on getting yourself ready and the kids dressed and out the door, it may slip your mind to feed the kids before you leave! Not a mistake you want to make with toddlers.
4. Leave early.
Especially if you are going to a new location. Give yourself time incase you get a little lost, there’s traffic, and not rushing will help your kids be more willing to participate. Plus you will be less stressed which is a huge win for everyone.
5. Go with the flow.
Let the kids be kids. Don’t panic because no one is looking at the camera at the same time or there’s a meltdown mid session. Some of the most precious photos are those candid moments that you think will turn out terribly. (you picked a photographer that works with young kids all the time, remember)
6. Bribe bribe bride
Your photos are an investment so a little bribing is totally allowed. Want to know how many times I offered Caleb and Caroline “A HUGE PIECE OF CHOCOLATE” if they listened to our sweet photographer? Probably 3 thousand.
7. Take your hair tie off your wrist!
Hah. Such a pet peeve of mine and such a common “mistake”. It would be such a pain in the butt to photoshop the hair tie off your wrist in every photo. So don’t forget the hair tie on your wrist! Okay? Okay.
Warmly,
Michelle
Mama Monday’s. Sharing an article I heard today.
Welcome back to Mama Monday’s. I had a different post planned for today, but I decided to scratch that and instead share something that I heard today. I’d just a short article by a mom named Bethany Jacobs and it is titled “To the mom hiding in her bathroom.”
Here we go…
To the mom hiding in her bathroom.
To the mom hiding in her bathroom, needing peace for just one minute, as the tears roll down her cheeks...
To the mom who is so tired she feels like she can't function anymore and would do anything to lay down and get the rest she needs...
To the mom sitting in her car, alone, stuffing food in her face because she doesn’t want anyone else to see or know she eats that stuff…To the mom crying on the couch after she yelled at her kids for something little and is now feeling guilty and like she is unworthy…
To the mom that is trying desperately to put those old jeans on because all she really wants is to look in the mirror and feel good about herself…
To the mom that doesn’t want to leave the house because life is just too much to handle right now…
To the mom that is calling out for pizza again because dinner just didn’t happen the way she wanted it to…
To the mom that feels alone, whether in a room by herself or standing in a crowd...
You are enough.
You are important.
You are worthy.
This is a phase of life for us. This is a really really hard, challenging, crazy phase of life.
In the end it will all be worth it. But for now it’s hard. And it's hard for so many of us in many different ways. We don't always talk about it, but it's hard and it's not just you.
You are enough.
You are doing your best.
Those little eyes that look up at you -- they think you are perfect. They think you are more than enough.
Those little hands that reach out to hold you -- they think you are the strongest. They think you can conquer the world.
Those little mouths eating the food you gave them -- they think that you are the best because their bellies are full.
Those little hearts that reach out to touch yours -- they don’t want anything more. They just want you.
Because you are enough. You are more than enough, mama.
You. Are. Amazing.
The End.
Warmly,
Michelle