He asked the big question, and you said YES!
But who should you ask to join you on your big day? Here are some things to consider before you choose your bridesmaids:
Numbers
Most wedding planners recommend a bridesmaid for every 50 guests in attendance. If you have a small wedding, it might look odd to have four or five bridesmaids next to you. On the other hand, for a big wedding, it might look less formal to only have one maid of honor. Either way, it’s always nice to have a matching number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, so take your fiancé’s expectations into consideration as well.
Etiquette
Once you have a number in mind, be sure you don’t ruffle any feathers. If you have sisters, they should always be included, even if you don’t get along that well. It’s perfectly okay to have your best friend as your maid of honor, but it’s rude to leave family members out of the bridal party.
Reliability
You probably have lots of dear friends that you would love to share your big day with, but keep in mind that you will rely on them for many things—least of all looking polished for pictures and the ceremony, and most of all—moral support. If you have friends that are chronically late, will insist on casual footwear or tend to get excessively tipsy, think twice about including them in your day. (You will regret it.)
The Proposal
You have chosen your special friends who will stand next to you on your big day, but it’s still appropriate to ask them to honor you in this way. After all, it is a big commitment of time and money for them, so a more formal request goes a long way. Consider inviting them all to a special night out, or giving them a personal gift like this one.
Something Turquoise.com – They’ll be sure to say yes!
http://somethingturquoise.com/2011/1…my-bridesmaid/
Gifts
While it’s common for bridesmaids to buy their own dresses, it’s a thoughtful gesture to buy their jewelry for the wedding day. You can choose something that coordinates with the dresses, which will also make a great gift for them to remember the occasion.
Use a personalization option to use gemstones that coordinate with your wedding color.
http://personalize.kay.com/kay2.html…stone_pendants
Other Friends
If you couldn’t include everyone you wanted to, don’t forget that there are other ways for them to be involved in your big day. They could do a reading during the ceremony, perform a musical number during the reception, hand out programs, and of course still take part in the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
Lillian + Wes + {Bliss} 2.0 | San Diego Wedding Photographer
We had a few more images that we had to share with you from Wes and Lillian’s wedding! The beach images were sooo fun!
Proud father of the bride!
Yep, she’s spoken for!
Oooh, lah, lah! What a cool bride – she WANTED to be on the beach in her dress – even BEFORE the reception!
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Lillian + Wes = {Bliss!} | San Diego Wedding Photographer
Meet our latest Mr. and Mrs! They had an intimate ceremony at the Presidio park. Since they were okay seeing each other before the wedding, we were able to get lots of wonderful bride and groom images before hand! Then after the ceremony, we squeezed in a quick session at La Jolla beach! Our bride was just glowing, and she was soooo wanting to jump in the water. Of course, we weren’t complaining with a bride who was more than willing to walk in the sand and even lay down on it in her wedding dress the day of her wedding!
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Stefanie + Jerry = {Bliss!} | San Diego Wedding Photographers
This will have to be a two-parter, there’s just too much good stuff! Like this, for example:
So – if you follow our blog, you know that we were delighted to be the official photographer for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado – a wedding giveaway to a fantastic couple, Stefanie and Jerome. We got to know Stefanie and Jerry from their engagement session, and we love how in love they are! We were blessed to work with some amazingly talented wedding vendors, as well:
Venue/Dining: The Prado at Balboa Park Wedding Gown: M Bride Salon, La Jolla, CA
Rings: Robbins Bros. Hair: Dario Salon, La Jolla, CA Make-Up: Christy Stevenson
Flowers: Magnolia Flower Shoppe
Cake: SweetCheeks Baking Co.
Invitations/Paper: Get Carded
Linens/Event Decor: Concepts Event Design
Entertainment: Bollotta Entertainment
Video Production: Taylor Films
Rehearsal/Pre-Ceremony: Se Hotel, San Diego
Event Production: The Henley Company
Gown Cleaning: Hangers Cleaners
And we’d also like to thank Nick Lamb and Tyler for assisting us throughout the day! Thanks, guys!!
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Stay tuned for Part II of Stefanie + Jerry!
The Prado | San Diego Wedding Vendors
If you live in San Diego, you are probably aware of the fabulous restaurant in the heart of Balboa Park, The Prado. The Prado offers fine dining, and hosts many weddings throughout the year. Weddings are held outdoors near a quaint wishing well, and there are several rooms available for a reception. Next month, The Prado will be hosting NBC Throws a Wedding for Stefanie and Jerry! The viewers and YOU will get to vote on the menu selection for the wedding guests. Below are a few images of each menu offering! (Please try to restrain yourself from trying to eat through your monitor!)
This dinner features charbroiled filet mignon with 2 jumbo prawns skewered with a rosemary sprig, over mashed potatoes, all atop wilted grazing greens. The first course is a butternut squash soup with foam and crushed walnuts. The meal includes a small, potted creme brulee!
This dinner features grilled yellowtail and charbroiled chicken, over sweet potatoes and greens. The first course includes grilled asparagus and frisee salad with tomatoes.
The final selection is quite the conversation piece, featuring beef short ribs and a lobster pot pie, accompanied by mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The first course is a baby spinach salad with sliced strawberries, and shaved parmesan, drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
Hungry? Well before heading to the kitchen, click here to vote for your choice! (Voting begins after the Friday morning news, 9.25.09.)
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Dario Salon | San Diego Wedding Vendors
We met up with Stefanie at Dario Salon in La Jolla while they created 3 separate, beautiful hair styles for voting, for NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado. Dario and the girls, Jamie and Shannon, worked tirelessly, and their attention to detail was impeccable – seriously, not a single hair out of place!! Dario Salon is modern, yet comfortable, with comfy chairs and sofa, and plenty of fashion magazines. They offer a full line of services (cut, style, color, extensions, makeup, etc.) for complete pampering!
Stefanie was sooo cute – there were a couple times I noticed her looking into the mirror, or at the back of my camera, and she was REALLY seeing herself as a bride. It’s one of those moments that hits brides, and I never get tired of witnessing it. One time I noticed Stefanie looking down after she saw herself, and she had this huge smile on her face. I just let her have the moment. Then she looked up and said Jerry is just going to be blown away. I teared up for her (yes, I’m a HUGE sap)! It’s so great when we get to see the excitement and anticipation, and how tickled brides get at the idea of surprising their grooms!
Here are a couple of photos from each hair style. To view more on NBC’s wedding website, and cast your vote for your favorite hairstyle – click here. Voting begins after the NBC morning news on Friday, 9.18.09.
Style 1 – This style is mostly down – soft, flowy, and romantic, and accented with little white flowers in the back.
Style 2 – This style is half up and half down, with a little Spanish flair. The back is swept to the side, and comes over Stefanie’s shoulder.
Style 3 – This one is a traditional up do, with a very classic style.
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Stefanie + Jerry | San Diego Engagement Photography
So we finally got to spend some time with Stefanie and Jerry for their engagement session. What a fun couple. They are very much “into” each other (translation: lots of “unauthorized” smooching) – haha! too sweet!!
We started at La Jolla for some lovely ocean blues, and Jerry was happy to be at the beach. He hasn’t been surfing in some time, and the sound of crashing waves and scenery was a welcome sight. It was exceptionally hot, muggy, and breeze-less (strange, but true) – so there were no complaints when the waves came up and got us all wet – well, Nikkie may not have been jumping for joy!
Then we did a quick switch, and headed to the Gaslamp Quarter. Stefanie and Jerry cleaned up real nice – and looked like supermodels walking the streets!
NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado – Update 2.0
Friday, August 21, 2009 – Well if you caught the NBC7/39 San Diego morning news this morning, you witnessed the announcement of the winning wedding dress for the wedding giveaway. Our bride, Stefanie will look just lovely in the gown by Anna Maier Ulla-Maija, furnished by M bride salon in La Jolla, CA.
Voting this week will focus on invitations. Don’t forget, voting ends 8/27/09. We’ve had the opportunity to meet with the invitation vendors, and each of them is featured on our blog: Get Carded, Dolldine Designs, and Seaside Papery. After reading a bit about them, click here to go to NBC’s site to view the actual invitations for Stefanie and Jerry, and vote for your favorite (go to “Cast Your Vote”)!
Coming up next week: Bridesmaids/Tuxedos
Golden Girl
Madi Rae came back to see us, and she’s as cute as ever! She whizzed through several outfit changes, and we got some really fun images! Mom was a great sport, as we all made funny faces and noises to coax a smile out of Miss Madi. Here are a handful of our favorites from the day. Enjoy mom and dad!
Stacks of Love!
This couple has to be one of the funnest couples around. We were in stitches at their consultation, and as we got to know them, we learned that she’s a librarian and he’s a chef. So, we started percolating ideas for a fun and creative engagement session. I’m always online, admiring talented photographers, and getting fresh inspiration. I had seen a wonderful classroom engagement session, by the fabulous @millieholloman. We ran the idea past our couple to see if we could get access to the library. They loved the idea! Our groom here is a bit of a prankster, so we played up on his mischief . . . and so the story unfolds. It’s a tale of love in the “stacks” (a library term, if you’re not familiar).
He was totally complaining about the “acting”, since the book was illustrated!
Thanks you two! You were wonderful sports!! See you soon!
(Comment love appreciated.)
J Loves L!!
Jessica and Lewis are such a fun-loving couple! They had a great time during their engagement session, and so did we. We headed down to our favorite spot at La Jolla Beach, and then did a little “up-town” shooting.
The clouds are water were just amazing that morning!
We love feedback – comments are welcome below!
Brides Against Breast Cancer 2009
Hello to all our beautiful brides!!! I know you all have been anxiously and patiently waiting to view the images we photographed of all of you at this years Brides Against Breast Cancer 2009 San Diego Event. Well they are all ready to be viewed, but to keep prying, soon to be husbands’ eyes, from sneaking any peaks of you before the big day, we have posted them to a username and passcode protected site. Obviously posting the login info here kinda defeats the purpose of this covert operation, so we ask that each of you email us at info@blueflairphotography.com to receive this top secret information. We’ll email you back a link and the login info for you to see yourselves in all your breathtaking glory. From the event site you’ll be able to email links to your pics to anyone and everyone you want to, just be sure they know not to let the cat out of the bag to you know who.
We want to make sure and thank the vendors that helped make you look like the beautiful brides-to-be that you are:
Our first BIG THANKS goes to Allison Stevens of Magnolia Flowers who’s generous donation of this unique bouquet, which turned out to be the brides’ favorite, was much appreciated. Allison is one of our preferred vendors and has become a really good friend. She was trained in France and thrives on creating unique and dynamic arrangements that stretch the imagination…kinda like our photography, so it’s a match made in heaven. Thanks Alli, you rock!!!
We’d also like to give a big THANK YOU to Willem-Aidan who provided not just one, but THREE different bouquets for our lovely brides to pose with for their portraits. This florist went out of his way to make sure each bouquet was elegant and perfect. Stefanie and I haven’t had the pleasure of working with him directly, but we can’t wait to get the chance! Here’s just one of the lovelies he provided…
And last but certainly NOT LEAST, we’d like to thank Teresa Skeen and Maggie Meredith from Mary Jane Salon for doing up all the fancy up-do’s that gave each of our brides that special wedding day look. You both were AMAZING, and fast too…something we photographers REALLY appreciate from stylists on the day of the wedding. It is a true sign of professionalism. Here’s a quick capture of the action reflected in a mirror…this bride (who was a personal favorite of mine) didn’t end up getting this particular dress so I feel o.k. showing this image as it’s not really giving anything away to you know who…
A Rockin’ Wedding Idea
This was one of the coolest (and most original) ideas we’ve seen all year, and others seem to think so too! For this wedding, the bride and groom used smooth, flat stones and a sharpie for guests to sign the stones. SO – instead of a regular guestbook, guests could sign, write messages and well-wishes on the rocks, which were then saved in a hurricane jar. What a perfect idea for San Diego beach weddings, or any wedding with a tropical theme! 
What’s one of the most original wedding ideas you’ve seen?
