Category: Wedding Planning

Most brides and grooms say that one of their biggest priorities is planning a really fun reception for their guests. They want it to be a great party that everyone will remember as being a phenomenal event.

It makes sense that couples want their family and friends to have a good time while celebrating their marriage. We totally agree it’s important to make sure guests enjoy the whole evening.

But I will let you know that certainly does take some planning and work. It’s doesn’t just happen on it’s own. Chris talked over on Corridor Wedding Guide about how the Cheeky Booth photo booth can help keep guests happy and entertained. It’s a great article- check it out!

Brides and grooms are very busy on the wedding day. They are the guests-of-honor and usually the hosts, too. They may not even realize how fast the time is flying by for them because they have so much on their minds and have so many people to greet.

Unfortunately, they might not notice if some of their guests are getting bored. They might not see that people have finished dinner and are sitting, twiddling their thumbs (do people really do that?), waiting for the next “thing” to happen.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some advanced planning, couples can have entertainment ready for guests to fills that time between cocktails, dinner and dancing. It’s also nice to have that entertainment available in case not all your guests enjoy getting out on the dance floor, but still want something to do. (And trust me, as crazy as you might think it sounds, there has never been a wedding reception where every single person has gotten out on the dance floor!)

Photo booths are a popular way to entertain guests of all ages. They are perfect for getting a photograph of everyone who attends your reception, because even camera-shy folks seem to have no problem hopping in the booth for a silly photo-op!

Of course, there are other options, too. Craft tables filled with paper, crayons, and other art supplies will occupy young guests. Providing board games or trivia games can help the adults fill time in the evening. Outdoor weddings can easily incorporate yard games, like bean bag toss or yard-sized Jenga.

The point is, if you plan ahead of time, you can ensure that your wedding guests will have plenty of fun options and will enjoy the whole evening.

And please do check out Chris’ interview on Corridor Wedding Guide. We are quite happy with how it turned out! We’d love to hear what you think!

It was time for a “refresh!”

It had been a long time since we updated our wedding photography packages! I’m thinking maybe 6 years? Admittedly, I like to go with the idea that “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” I don’t want to tinker with things just for the sake of doing it- there needs to be a good reason.

And I had a good reason to update our Wedding Photography Collections.

People like to have options. That is why we used to always have an album credit, so brides and grooms could pick the album that they liked best. It was also very important to us that our couples had a beautiful album to show off their favorite photographs from their wedding.

However, what I was finding was that couples trusted me to guide them with their album choose. They knew I was working to design an amazing layout to best show their day, so they didn’t need 6 different album sizes or styles. As long as I was picking the best quality album and I was designing their images into a beautiful story, they were thrilled. As a matter of fact, the easier I made it on them to decide, the happier they were.

We are still keeping the options, but now we have simplified the choices.

We have collections that include everything a bride or groom could want, but we have also added collections that give a little more wiggle room. For couples that don’t want an album or couples that don’t need an engagement session, we have full-service wedding day coverage that fits their needs and budget.

As always, all of our collections include the full-size digital files, so there is never a need to worry about printing additional photographs later.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Give us a call at 319-382-0744 or 608-280-8845 or drop us an email and we can chat!

All remaining 2017 dates are $200 off any Appleby Photography wedding collection! And if you need a photo booth rental for your wedding reception, it’s $100 off any Cheeky Booth photo booth rental package!

Your wedding should be filled with happy moments and memories. You plan and shop and craft for a year ahead of your important day. And you’re going to marry the love of your life!

So what could you possibly regret afterwards? Well, it turns out that there are a lot of newly married couples who have after-wedding regrets. A few of the same big regrets tend to pop up over and over. Luckily, If you know what those disappointments are, you can plan your day a bit better and avoid them.

3. Skipping a videographer.

Maybe you cringe when someone asks if you’d like to see their wedding video, so you think this would be a good place to save money. Unfortunately, not having a wedding videographer is among the biggest wedding day regrets. The whole day passes by in a blur and a wedding video records things your brain doesn’t even have time to process!

As much as photography captures your whole wedding day with still images of all its events and details, there is still something to be said for capturing the action while it’s happening. A video of the entire ceremony, word for word, even if you stumbled over your vows, can be cherished long after the rings have been exchanged. And photographs can never do justice to the amazing music from the band you were super excited to book for the reception or your father’s toast, filled with awkward jokes and tears that you want to hear again. The whole day will fly by and it’s hard to remember everything, so having a video of special moments will be special for you.

2. Not getting a great photographer.

Weddings can get expensive and couples try to balance their budget where they can. So, if a dear friend offers to photograph the wedding, you may think that’s a good thing. Or maybe instead of that really great photographer you loved, you settle on the one that is a lot cheaper, but whose images are just “okay.” And then after the wedding, you have no photographs that you like enough to show off to family and friends. Skimping on photography is another huge regret.

An experienced photographer will be a huge blessing on your wedding day. They know how to schedule your photograph sessions to make sure you get to the reception on time. They’ll also know how to best use your locations to get fabulous images and make sure all those important family photographs are taken care of. Professional photographers knows how to pose you at the most flattering angles, how to light portraits even in dim locations, and how to get the whole wedding party to cooperate, smile for group photographs and stay on schedule.

You only have one chance to get beautiful photographs. If you don’t have gorgeous photographs that you love from your wedding, it doesn’t matter if the cheaper photographer threw in free prints or albums. If you can’t afford the package of your dreams, ask your photographer if they’ll do a custom package for you. You may be able to save money now and have the option to add an album later. At Appleby Photography, we are always willing to customize a package for our brides and grooms.

1. Forgetting to slow down to enjoy the day.

You think you’ll have time. After all, you planned everything out. But, weddings are always busy and chaotic and rarely run on schedule. This is especially true if you are doing a lot of DIY with decorating, which requires both set-up and clean-up at the end of the night. Not having enough time to really enjoy the whole experience of the wedding is probably most couples’ biggest after-wedding regret.

You want to be able to relax and spend time with your family and friends and all your wedding guests. The best way to do that is by having a wedding day schedule. Ask an experienced wedding professional to help you with your timeline before the big day to avoid any scheduling snafus.

If you don’t have a wedding coordinator, ask for help from your other wedding professionals, such as your photographer, wedding DJ and reception coordinator. They’ve worked many events and can give you an accurate estimate on how long everything will take. Once you have your schedule planned out, let all your vendors know. Also, it may be helpful to ask a friend or family member (preferably someone not in the bridal party, perhaps your personal attendant or an organized aunt) to help keep you–and your event–running on time.

Weddings should never be filled with regret. Consider getting a videographer, choose the best photographer you can afford and plan time in your wedding day to really enjoy being with your family and friends. Some thoughtful planning before your wedding will ensure you avoid disappointment and have tons of happy memories!

There’s a LOT to think about when you’re planning a wedding! Suddenly, you’re expected to be an expert in everything. Just because you’re engaged, you now have to learn about the quality of diamonds, etiquette for formal invitations and how to throw a huge dinner party, flawlessly.

It can be a little overwhelming!

Luckily, there’s help. There are professionals that have been working with brides and grooms for years and have smart tips to offer those who are new to planning their wedding. I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of these amazing local wedding professionals within the Corridor and then I share their advice on the Corridor Wedding Guide website.

Some timely advice I’ll share today is about wedding receptions. Of course, picking a wedding date goes hand-in-hand with choosing a ceremony and reception site. Until you have those locked in, your wedding date is still just an idea. And, deciding on your reception location can really set the tone for your event.

These articles offer advice on everything from choosing the location and getting the right amount of food for dinner to decorations and wedding day timelines. Here is sampling of the expert tips and advice:

“Before a couple starts looking at reception sites, it’s important to have a good estimate of their guest list, says Tazia. Every location has a capacity. Knowing how many people you would like to invite can help with choosing the location large enough to hold everyone. Or, if the spot you love is smaller than your guest list, you’ll know if you have to limit the number of guests.” Read more advice from Tazia and the Shores Event Center here.

“Ellen says couples should have a clear vision of what they want for their wedding day and share that with everyone. It helps her to meet- and hopefully exceed- those exceptions, which can be hard to do if the couple hasn’t expressed them. ‘It’s your big day and you’ll be spending a lot of money. You want to make sure you get what you want, that they “get” your vision.'” Read more advice from Ellen and the Clarion Highlander Hotel here.

“There are many details to consider and items you may have to rent when planning your reception. Luckily, some wedding locations, such as the Marriott, make it stress-free because the hotel can take care of most everything for the wedding couple. In addition to the room and catering, Marriott offers linens and dishes, extra tables, centerpieces, lighting, “pipe and drape,” dance floor, and even a microphone and sound system. Since they provide so many options that they can do for you, this is less worry and stress for you.” Read more advice from Kerry and the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel here.

“Trends that are big right now are “rustic,” DIY, and quality, simplistic decorating that’s not over done. Ruth says to have fun with all the DIY wedding projects you see online. ‘Save money with ideas that you find on Etsy or Pinterest. Use the money that you save on decorations and spend it on better food because that’s something you want your guests to remember well.'” Read more advice from Ruth and A Touch of Class Banquets and Convention Center.

I love interviewing these wedding pros and hope the advice they share can help you with all your wedding planning! Happy reading and happy planning!

Wow, being engaged is a lot of WORK, right? Luckily, wedding expos are a huge help, saving you time, money and effort–as long as you prepare!

I recently wrote an article for the Corridor Wedding Guide’s website, sharing tips and advice so you can get the most out of attending a wedding expo.

Much like speed-dating, a wedding expo gives you the chance to meet many wedding professionals in a short amount of time because they brings a variety of businesses together in one place. In one day, you’ll have the opportunity to taste an array of cakes, smell fresh flowers and see different photography styles. Larger events often include a fashion show of the latest styles and trends in bridal and formalwear.

Prepare Before You Go

It’s a good idea to do a little homework ahead of the wedding expo to ensure that you’ll get the most out of the event.

“Take advantage of this opportunity of having a variety wedding professionals in one location by planning ahead,” says Nicky Wilkinson, publisher of Iowa’s Corridor Wedding Guide. “The more you know about how you want your wedding will help determine which wedding professionals you’ll want to talk with at the show.”

Helpful things to consider before you attend a wedding expo include:

• figuring out your wedding date;
• an overall wedding budget;
• the type of wedding venue or location you like;
• your wedding style.

Know what you want to get out of the wedding expo and plan which wedding professionals you would like to meet. “Research and read reviews of the vendors you are interested in,” says Nicky. “If you like what you see, add them to your list of vendors to talk with at the show.” If you need suggestions for questions to ask, here are lists you can print out.

To get the most out of attending a wedding expo:

• If there are particular wedding professionals you want to meet, let them know you’ll be stopping by their booth. Some wedding professionals may even let you make an appointment;
• Plan on taking the decision-makers. Wedding expos are a fun way to bond with your mom, bridesmaids and even your groom;
• Wear comfy shoes;
• Remember to take a notebook and a pen or Sharpie. Some glossy business cards or brochures can be hard to write on, so a fine-tipped Sharpie can come in handy;
• Take preprinted labels with your name, wedding date and contact information to save time when signing up for special drawings that exhibitors may have at their booths;
• Take a bag to carry your accumulated materials, in case the bridal show does not offer one.

At The Wedding Expo

• Wedding expos are usually pretty busy. If you’re not a fan of big crowds, plan ahead to avoid them as much as possible. Crowds are usually heaviest near the fashion show and right when the expo starts.
• Be open to visiting new wedding professionals you didn’t know you wanted. A huge benefit to attending a wedding expo is seeing all the different options that are available.
• “Aim to engage in good conversations with the wedding professionals while at the expo. Ask questions and try out their products,” says Chris Appleby, owner of Cheeky Booth Photo Booth Rentals. “If you’re just picking up business cards or brochures, you’re not getting any more value than you would with a Google search. Make it your goal to accomplish the things you can’t do electronically.”
• Don’t feel pressured to sign up for every free offer or giveaway–decide if you really want to win what that business is offering.
• Ask before you take photos with your cell phone. Having a photo to jog your memory of who you talked with at the show can be helpful when you get home, though you’ll want to get permission before getting snap-happy at an exhibitor’s booth.

After The Wedding Expo

• Immediately after the show, make notes if you didn’t do so while you were at the show.
• Plan how you’ll use the information that you gathered.
• Follow up with any additional questions or to set up appointments with the wedding professionals that you liked. If you found a wedding professional that you absolutely love, don’t wait to book their services. You don’t want to lose out to other brides thinking the exact same thing.

With some preparation, you’ll get a lot of your wedding planning done at a wedding expo. Which leaves you plenty of time to browse Pinterest for more ideas!

A fuller, more detailed version of my article first appeared on Corridor Wedding Guide- read it there!