What's worth splurging on!?
No matter the budget, couples are always bumping up against it. With bigger budgets come bigger expectations. Sound familiar? What’s worth the money and where would we say to splurge?
Below is a list of the best things we think are worth splurging on.
Photography
If there is one thing that really bums us out it is bad photos! This is one of the most important days of your life and it will go by in a flash, so it is well worth splurging on a talented, experienced photographer that will let you relive your special day over and over again. Not only will you be able to reminisce on the memories, but the gorgeous décor as well! Photos are a great way to share your day with those who were unable to attend as well such as aging grandparents. If you can make videography work into the budget - even better!
Entertainment
We love a band for the energy it brings, but if a band isn’t in the budget, there are some awesome (and some not so awesome) DJs out there. A bad DJ kills a party. Spend the money to get your pick of DJ!
Décor
Nice chairs and floor length linens are a must in our book and take any event and elevate it 10x! Banquet chairs just don’t cut it! Add fresh, beautiful florals and candles, and your event will turn heads! Having the proper lighting to highlight your venue is also important.
Statement Décor
It's also important to incorporate at least one show-stopping, jaw-dropping focal point to your wedding. Whether it be the backdrop to your ceremony, dressing up the head table or creating a gorgeous ceiling installation, spending a little extra here takes your décor to a whole new level! Stun your guests with a piece that makes them go, “WOW!”
You!
For how special this day is and will be to you for years to come, splurging on yourself is of course on this list. You want to feel and look your best (don’t forget you will be looking at these photos and showing them off for generations). Your dress, hair, and makeup are no place to skimp! You want to look back and think, “I deserved that” (Because you DO!)
Day-Of Planner
Of course a Day-of Planner! Even if you don't have room in your budget for a full-service planner, hiring a Day-Of Planner {like us!} will allow you and your family members to be stress-free while taking advantage of every moment! We hate the thought of the bride having to lay out linens or set up escort cards - or worse yet - strike the decor at the end of the night! The couple, wedding party, and family should be able to let go of all of the logistics of the day and be able to 100% kick their feet up and have fun!
Naomi & Jeremy // The Machine Shop
Our whirlwind of a wedding season kicked off with a most amazing couple - Naomi & Jeremy. I instantly was drawn to this couple for so many reasons. They have the loveliest, laid-back, calm personalities and always expressed so much gratitude for others. Though the bride is from MN, they currently live in NYC where she works as a nurse in NYC hospitals. The groom was so involved in the planning in the best way possible - which is so lovely to see - and they met in a mathematics class. {Since my undergrad degree is in mathematics - I thought this was pretty cool!}
Naomi & Jeremy have impeccable style. When we first started working together in 2019, we were way ahead of the trends when we picked the mauve inspired color palette and wicker fixtures we had Phos purchase just for us {or at least we thought we’d be the first to use}! The collaboration with Naomi & Jeremy was a lot of fun and once COVID-19 hit, that really didn’t change. They were real troopers as we reworked and reworked again their wedding. They never seemed to let the stress get to them. Need to cut the list way back? Cut away they did. Seated cocktail hour required? Okay - let’s rent lounge groupings for everyone so at least they’ll be comfortable! Even when the seated mandate was lifted and we could cut back on the lounge grouping order, we kept the new vibe. All in all, the day turned out beautifully and I could not have been more excited to see these two get married!
This event was a great kick off to our 2021 wedding season - full of color, excitement, and pure love throughout the entire day. We can’t wait to show you more over the coming months!
Naomi & Jeremy’s Machine Shop Wedding Full Gallery: Here
“Rachelle,
Thank you so much for helping us plan our dream wedding. You gave us so much peace of mind throughout this process. This was especially true for all the planning and replanniNg related to COVID-19. You were a pleasure to work with and we had so much fun planning with you. We will certainly recommend your services to family and friends in the future.
Naomi & Jeremy”
Full Service Design & Planning: Style-Architects Weddings & Events | Photography: Russell Heeter Photography | Venue: Machine Shop | Catering: D’Amico Catering | Floral: Ashley Fox Designs | Lighting: Phos Events | Linens: BBJ Linens & Apres | Band: Rock with U/Fusion | Copper Stand: Collected & Co. | String Quartet: Lake Minnetonka String Quartet | Hair: Maguy Rosen | Make-up: Andrea Holton | Paper: Jill Elaine | Transportation: Eclipse Transportation | Ready Space: Harriet Place | Cake: Farina Baking Company
Not A Veil-Loving Bride?
It's not uncommon that modern brides aren't sold on the idea of wearing a veil {or even having a train}. Finally, there is a new trend surfacing as an alternative. It might not hold the traditional significance of a veil, but bridal capes are a fashionable and sophisticated addition to your wedding style. From princess and boho-inspired capes to sheer mid-length capes and capelets, this chic accessory is here to stay in 2018.
Not fully convinced you should complete your wedding gown with a chic cape? Just check out the gorgeous images below and find more inspiration on our Pinterest board {BridalCapes}.
Credits {Left to Right, Top to Bottom}: Peaches & Mint | In 2 Weddings via Pinterest | Sophie Epton via Style Me Pretty | Inga Avedyan via Davie & Chiyo | Eileen Meny Photography via Junebug Weddings | Etsy | Wedding Dresses via Pinterest | Grace Loves Lace | Oscar de la Renta | Wed Luxe | Winsome and Wright via Leanne Marshall | Berta | Etsy | Berta via The Wedding Scoop | Pinterest | Deer Pearl Flowers | Etsy | Weddings Online
Lose the Guest Book!
Oh yes we know {and completely agree}, you need a "guest book" to document all your family + friends who came to celebrate your special day!
But let's be honest, what are you actually going to with a book filled with names? You guessed it... read it, pack it away, swear you'll adore it forever, but forget it exists after a couple of months. So, we have a few solutions!
In lieu of a guest book, have family and friends leave you a note, advice, {or even better} an idea for an adventure on something that you can enjoy! Combine your style with their messages to create something you could use as home decor. Showcase your guests' notes on a bench for your backyard, a globe to keep in your office or a reclaimed wooden piece to display in your living room! As long as you can write on it, it works!
If you prefer to skip the home decor, we still love the idea of having a book but spice it up with your wedding images or Polaroid images of your guests to go along with their notes! Another alternative to a guest book is having family and friends leave messages on a video, which you can piece together later to make one special file! These options allow you to truly cherish the love you receive on your special day.
See more inspiration on our {Guest Book} Pinterest board!
Credits {Left to Right, Top to Bottom}:
Wanelo
Martha Stewart Weddings via Wedding Venues
Via Artifact Uprising
Charming Endeavours via Wedding Venues
One Love Photography via Wedding Venues
Etsy
Kelly Benton photography via Oh Best Day Ever
Spring Smith Studios via Style My Pretty
Via Oh Best Day Ever
Via Confetti Daydreams
Whitney of emilie inc. via Style Me Pretty
Via Deer Pearl Flowers
Flower Garlands and Decor
We think flowers are the most beautiful thing at a wedding {next to the bride of course!} so why not play them up and create a gorgeous focal point for your wedding. With so many colors and varieties to choose from, the opportunities to get creative are endless. Rather than sticking with typical floral centerpieces, wow your guests with flower garlands. These garlands can be placed on railings, draped over chairs, run across tables, or even hung from the ceiling. Using this decor not only adds color to your wedding, but it also draws attention to architectural features and other details you wish to bring to attention. Below are some flower garlands + decor we have used in our weddings as well as some Pinterest-inspired flower garlands we love.
Ashley and Patrick's Wedding Photography: Photogen, Inc.
Hayley and Luke's Wedding Photography: Pixel Posey Photography
Karla and Tim's Wedding Photography: Graddy Photography
Wedding Pinspiration: Aquamarine
At the Style-Architects office, blue is in heavy rotation year-round. Let’s be real, no matter age, skin tone, blonde, brunette or red head, it’s a color that flatters everyone.
This wedding season, one particular shade of blue seems to be exceptionally inspired. With fluid fabrics and a cooler tone, natural elements like your floral's greenery and wooden tables seems to go seamlessly with aquamarine, a multi-seasonal beautiful blend of blue and green.
These cool blues pair beautifully with other blues, make whites pop or create a striking statement all on their own. And while a blue bridesmaids dress is often the cool quintessential staple, we love the season’s creative plays with accessories that add depth and texture to your wedding day, such as your cake, tablescape and florals. So what do you think? Enough proof that this wedding season, cool blues are red hot?
