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How to Make Your Wedding Day NOT About Photography

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Wedding photographer and directory member, Bree Woolliscroft shares how Bridechillas can make their wedding days more about them and less about the photography - while still capturing amazing images. 

I feel that I should preface this blog post with a statement of permission for all of you reading this that are feeling the weight of instagram, family, or any other societal pressure:

You have FULL permission to make your wedding day about YOU and your love story. Your wedding day does not need to be about photography, and in fact - it shouldn’t be. You have full permission to not feel the need to be or do anything for a few pieces of glass, a mirror, or some digital files.

I can feel the rest of the industry angry-glaring at me for this, and that’s really okay with me. Really and truly your wedding day is about the fist fight of love that you and your partner have gone through to get to the altar. It’s about the promises you make, about celebrating with your loved ones or running off to elope intimately. It’s about you and only you.

You have FULL permission to make your wedding day about YOU and your love story.

Unfortunately right now, there is a toxicity in the wedding industry that is pressuring couples to need to feel, look, or be a certain way. To be a ‘boho bride’, or get married on a mountain top via helicopter, or have a pinterest styled wedding that costs 100k.

Here’s a little secret: it doesn’t really exist. 90% of the imagery that you all find on platforms like Instagram, or Pinterest didn’t really happen, they were curated by either a photographer, a planner, or someone in the industry for the aesthetic. Because they were

‘Blog feature worthy’. We call this a styled shoot.

Don't allow imagery to have control over your timeline

The most powerful thing about a memory is that we don’t always need an image to find it. You have an INCREDIBLE story that you know well because you are MADE from it, and that in itself is WAY more important than some empty and beautiful image you see on Instagram. Even if all of your images were stolen from you, your computer crashed - your house burned down, you still have your memory. You won’t forget the way you felt on your wedding day, I can promise you that. You won’t forget the bundle of nerves in your chest, the shaky hands as you poured your first mimosa of the day to settle you. The way the world fell away around you when you finally, finally saw your beloved. The ache in your legs the next morning from dancing the night away surrounded by everyone you love.

By not allowing your imagery to have control over the timeline of your day, you become free to celebrate the reason you are there in the first place and to be fully present.

Here are a few really, really important tips that will get you through the day without feeling the need to be anything for the camera, to not plan your day around your pictures, and to make sure you feel like you really experienced the day you’ve been waiting your entire life for.

It's about you and only you. 

Plan to authentically create moments with your photographer AHEAD OF TIME

If your photographer is a good one, they will know that communication with you before the wedding is VITAL to knowing you as a couple, and not forcing you to be anything that you aren’t. All of my brides have 24/7 access to me, and know that I will treat them like a friend. We have discussions about the relationships that mean the most to you, how to make a first look with dad happen authentically, how to make sure we get the shot of the way your new spouse-to-be looks at you as you walk down the aisle, the reaction of your mother as she takes her first look at you after buttoning your dress.

I was recently told a story of how a bride was getting in to her dress, pulling it up over her chest and holding it up for her maid of honor to tie her in, and as her mother turned around, she covered her mouth and gasped - her eyes welling up with tears. All she could say was “My baby! My baby!” as she realized that the little girl who danced in the kitchen all those years ago was no longer her little baby. At this moment, the photographer abruptly stepped in and tried to direct mom to stand in a certain place so that ‘the light was better’, and completely ruined the moment for mom. She completely shut down. You just can’t recreate this kind of moment, so your photographer should know WELL to just shut up and shoot regardless of conditions when those moments are happening. I KNOW my brides, and therefore I know exactly where to be and when so that when the moment comes, I don’t have to THAT GUY by making you re-enact the scene a second time. No one likes a moment-ruiner.

Make sure you are taking moments to soak it in every now and then

Your wedding photographer should first and foremost be a documenter of your truth, not a curator of your moments. I am here to document these moments for you as a nostalgic aid to look back on, but not to be relied on as the only way to remember the day. Make sure you are taking time to slow down, take mental snapshots of the day. What did it smell like in your bridal suite once the flowers were delivered? How did it feel to sit at your kings table surrounded by your bridal party? What was your first thought when you stood at the end of the aisle, finally married? How did grandma smile at you when she saw you for the first time? You get married once, and so being intentional about enjoying the work you’ve put in to your relationship and day by pausing throughout the day to ask yourself questions like this will help you create mental snapshots that won’t go away.

Put your phone down and be present

I can’t stress this enough. Unplugged weddings in my book aren’t for the photographer, they’re for you. I recently attended a workshop where we weren’t allowed to have our phones for three days. And you know how we spent dinners, and free time? We talked and connected. Imagine this for your wedding day, how much more present people will be. Maybe even considering a phone-check would be a good move for your big day so that the people you love as well as yourself will be focused on connecting. You only get these people that you love and adore all in the same place ONCE in your life, for ONE monumental event. Focus on that. Instagramming your day can wait.

Plan your portrait time around YOU

I will be honest here and let you know that there is no place for my art on your wedding day. You have a story that existed before me showing up to your day, and your story will continue to unfold and develop in a beautiful way LONG after I leave your wedding. When planning your portraits, instead of asking your wedding photographer how long THEY need, consider instead how much time YOU want to spend away from your family and friends? How much time would you like to escape the crowd and focus on connecting with your beloved? Your portrait session is less about the pictures, and more about the time that you two get to spend one on one reveling in the excitement of everything that has happened that day, and everything that is to come. It means not making you show love in a way that is foreign to you, or choosing how you show affection. You show who you are - go grab a drink from your bar, and wander off for a bit. I’ll be in tow capturing the truth of those moments instead of forcing some fake-beautiful instagram worthy images.

Your photographer should be an advocate for your day, and there to document what is seen, not what it could be. I believe wholeheartedly that a wedding day should never be about your pictures. There are infinitely grander motifs going on, bigger stories to tell. Better truths to be witnessed. Live in them, and give them your full attention.

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Bree Woolliscroft- Destination Wedding Photography

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

When a creative passion takes hold and you realise you have found your true calling, you must act and that is what Bree Woolliscroft has done. Within the past year, Bree has made the leap to leave her career in Landscape Architecture to pursue her passion for wedding and elopement photography. Bree says that she's come to understand herself and her surroundings better by looking at the transformation of moments into memories thanks to a camera.
I'm absolutely delighted to welcome Colorado based destination wedding photographer Bree Woolliscroft to the Bridechilla Directory!

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

I've been in the photography world for about 10 years, back when I was fifteen I would spend my hot and sticky summers in South Florida running barefoot through the neighbors yards down to the lake to take self portraiture to tell a story. I followed through with photography through high school and in to College where I got my BFA. After college however, I was on my own and needed a career that would pay the bills. I fell in to Landscape Architecture, packed up my little Toyota and moved out to Denver and even began a masters degree. But it wasn't 'right'. I was getting the grades, excelling, but something was missing and I ended up fighting a hard battle with depression and anxiety. Ultimately, that led me to turn back to my camera for creative relief when I realized that photography was exactly where I needed to be.

 I often refer to myself as a wedding photojournalist - I think that really resonates with my brand and the thing I love most about capturing wedding days: The honesty.

What drives your work?

My heart was in storytelling, and I suspect it always has been. There's nothing that gives me joy as much as capturing the biggest day of my clients lives - I mean that. I hit the ground running with destination wedding and adventure elopement photography, quit my 9-5 in January and being full-time wedding photographer has meant that I get to wake up every day the happiest I've ever been. I refuse to be some impersonal vendor stepping in to stage a couples day for a feature blog, or for Dirty Boots and Messy Hair. Instead, I always go in to it as a witness - I believe wholeheartedly in capturing your love for exactly how it happened: all candidness, tears, laughs, and emotions. The REALNESS of the day and the empire love story you've built leading up to the day - that's what makes it worth it. Jokingly, I often refer to myself as a wedding photojournalist - I think that really resonates with my brand and the thing I love most about capturing wedding days: The honesty.

I'll never refer to myself as a 'wedding vendor' because it's way more important to me that my couples feel a deep connection and relationship with me - they trust me.

Tell us a bit about who your ideal clients are

​I love the real bride and groom. The ones who aren't afraid of getting a little dirty, of crying their makeup off, who isn't afraid of the emotions they're going to feel on that day. My couples understand that we are friends FIRST. They understand I'll never refer to myself as a 'wedding vendor' because it's way more important to me that my couples feel a deep connection and relationship with me - they trust me. And the photographs of their day are the most important thing to them because they know that when all is said and done, that's all they are left with to pass down and to hang on their walls. They know that these images are what they'll have to remember where they started - in good times and in bad. That those close to them will look at them ten years down the road, and say "wow, they still love each other THAT much.". Even when marriage gets hard -the first thing they know they will reach for are their wedding images. My brides value their story and the heirlooms we're going to create together.

Trends are going to fade, but knowing that I've taken the time and effort to build a friendship with my couples first so that they will allow me to capture their day in truth, THAT makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

I believe to my core that as a wedding photographer or wedding professional of any kind, the day is not about us. It is not about 'getting the shot', it is not about staging something that is going to be blog-worthy or take time out of the biggest day of their lives to create portfolio work- Instead, I believe deeply in being a witness. They built a love that got them to the top of the aisle, and they have a story worth telling. I really believe that by not telling that story exactly how it happened, I wouldn't be doing the work they've put in to their relationship justice. It's just not about the publications for me, nor is it about the 'instagram worthy' image. Trends are going to fade, but knowing that I've taken the time and effort to build a friendship with my couples first so that they will allow me to capture their day in truth, THAT makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

It's kind of a funny story but my husband is from the UK and I'm from the US, and we got engaged October 1st 2016, and married with 65 people in attendance from all over the world on October 22, 2016. Yes - 22 days later I pulled off an international wedding. We were just two kids who had no business planning a wedding - knew nothing about how to do it but our love was bigger, we were really crazy about each other and there was never a doubt in our mind so we cared about very little during the planning process. It was so meaningful for us to have our friends and family there from all over the US and UK, but I think the most meaningful thing of all was finally seeing my husband at the top of the aisle - crying. That was the first time I'd ever seen him cry and I just about lost it. Everything else fell away, and none of the decor, meals, or outfits mattered. It was just me and him. I realize it now, it really was always just me and him.

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding planning as a whole or your specific role in the wedding?

I feel a bit like a broken record, but it's so important that you have a deep connection to your photographer. You spend 90% of the biggest day of your life with them in tow. There really aren't limits of what I'll do for my brides and grooms. I'll hold your dress while you pee, pin boutonnieres for the groom or groomsmen, dance with your bridal party AND your grandparents at the reception - you name it. *hip thrusts*

As far as the planning process - I'm very hands on and believe that we should be! I want to help you with whatever you need. Don't feel like once the contract is signed and the deposit is paid that I don't want to be involved - text me all the details, send me pictures of your dress!

I love feeling like you're excited for me to be a part of your day - because I'm INCREDIBLY honored you chose me!!

Share 3 fun facts about you and/or your business!

  1. I shoot ALL OVER the USA and am working on building myself a place in the international market! WOOHOO DESTINATIONS!
  2. I can't say no to wedding cake --- ever.
  3. I'll probably lose it and start blubbering during your daddy daughter dance, I do every single time.

How do you help your clients "keep their chill" during the wedding planning process?

​I'm there every step of the way. Need a step-in planner for an elopement? I'm there. Need someone to go scout locations? I'm your girl. Do research on portrait locations for your destination wedding? I have you! I remind all of the brides that when it comes down to it - the only thing that will ultimately matter in getting married is your love story, your promises and your marriage certificate. You don't need anything else really - and if you WANT more, do what is feasible and comfortable and reflects YOUR personality. I'm going to treat my brides as if I'm another bridesmaid because I deeply believe they don't need another person to worry about on their big day - they need someone who will be worried about THEM.

A lot of my couples opt for an elopement where we can craft their day to be an experience - and this often is SO relieving for them. Whether that's getting up at 2 AM to hike to a summit where you change in to your dress or suit, or spending the day skiing or rock climbing, or just exploring a new city in your best dressed - adventure elopements are ALWAYS an option!

Also, I make sure that my bride and groom get quiet time just for them, especially if they're having a traditional wedding. Whether that’s sharing a plate of chicken wings tucked away on the staircase with a beer in secret after the ceremony, or a quiet few moments alone for your first dance in a beautiful and remote location - the entire day is about you and I think it's easy to forget that amongst the noise of planning a wedding. Take time for you. I have my brides and grooms make a playlist of their favorite songs to listen to during our portraits, we treat it like a mini-date. Just you two and all the feels.

Want to work with Bree? 

Connect with Bree via her website and be sure to check out her Bridechilla Directory listing. Bree is also a member of the Bridechilla Community, so you can connect with her there too!

Connect with Bree on the Socials

Instagram | Facebook |

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Generation Tux- The right look. The right fit. The right choice for your wedding.

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Groomchillas, it's your time to shine!
Grooms and groomsmen attire shouldn't be an afterthought or something that is decided in a 30 minute whirlwind visit to a rental store, where they're kitted up with a boxy suit that's been worn by hundreds of other dudes (which also didn't fit them either). It's time to ditch the stereotype of men not taking an active interest in what they're wearing to their own wedding because we know that's just another wedding myth and boy do we love slaying stereotypes at Bridechilla!

It is always an absolute pleasure to welcome new Bridechilla Directory members into our directory family. We are delighted to feature a Groomchilla-centric company, Generation Tux, who offer super stylish suits and tuxedos delivered straight to your door. With free home try-on and with thousands of color combinations and 21 suit and tux styles, you're guaranteed to find what you need AND look freaking amazing.

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

Well, we started this company to make it easier on couples to order their suits or tuxedos AND situate their groomsmen. Guys are lazy. And stores are terrible. We take care of both!

How do you help your clients "keep their chill" during the wedding planning process?

We take care of everything. Free swatches, Free home try-on and a free suit or tux for the groom. Mix that with our service team that wrangles all the groomsmen and you get all the chill.

How do you ensure that you will get the ‘right fit’ with an online rental?

They say a guarantee is only as good as the person that stands behind it. George Zimmer, our founder and CEO, has been dressing grooms for 40 years.

He has had the honor of playing a role in millions of weddings and is now revolutionizing the entire wedding rental experience.

With a handful of measurements, custom technology, decades of suit rental knowledge and an award-winning customer experience team you are in excellent hands for your wedding

What’s the difference between Generation Tux and other suit rental businesses?

“Looking good has never been this easy", means something to us. It means you will look and feel great in our suits and tuxedos. It means you can lose the measuring tape. It means you will be dressed in the finest fabrics in the rental industry. And most importantly, it means you can relax and enjoy your wedding. We understand this is a rental suit or tuxedo for one of the most important days of your life. That is why Generation Tux will ALWAYS innovate to ensure you are receiving the best possible quality and service.

Slate Blue Notch Lapel Suit

Do you really give Grooms a free rental?

Sure do! Whether it’s a groomsman, ring bearer, father of the bride or just an old friend; five paid rentals qualify for a free groom’s suit or tux rental. Celebrate your big day with a free rental, on us!

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

Our quality and our service. Award winning and super awesome.

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

We got to dress an entire wedding party who was not allowed to use the venue they wanted because they were gay. We like to do good.

Black Notch Lapel Tuxedo

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding planning as a whole or your specific role in the wedding?

Picking the suits or tuxes up the day before the wedding is dangerous! And you don't have to! Use us. We will put the suit or tux on the doorstep of every person in the party 14 days before the wedding.

Share 3 fun facts about you and/or your business!

  1. We LOVE dogs. And we donate to the ASPCA to support our fur friends.
  2. We were founded by the former CEO of Men's Wearhouse, who is super fun and knows EVERYTHING wrong with rental.
  3. And we never turn down a chance to make a bride smile.

Looking for suit inspiration?

Looking for suit inspiration, check out the Generation Tux Gallery, featuring hundreds of real life Groomchillas!

Cement Gray Notch Suit

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Meet the Vendor- Brittany Finkle from Happily Ever Borrowed

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha
Happily Ever Borrowed - Bridechilla Wedding Partner

Meet Brittany Finkle from Happily Ever Borrowed

Brittany Finkle is a Chilla Graduate, friend of Bridechilla AND the founder of Happily Ever Borrowed, her bridal accessory rental service, that partners with high-end bridal designers to loan out veils, sashes, and combs.

Always drawing and designing, she graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Fiber Science &  Apparel Design. She was lucky enough to work in planning, merchandising, and  buying for top luxury companies such as Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermes and most recently Chanel.

She launched Happily Ever Borrowed in 2012 to help women to rent their bridal accessories for their wedding day. She continues to juggle her life in the luxury fashion industry with helping brides find their dream accessories every day! She lives with her husband Ben and enjoys spending as much down time as possible in their dreamy Brooklyn apartment together.

Brittany and Ben were married at The Inn At Erlowest on the shore of Lake George in Upstate New York.

“For years, every summer we invite a group of our friends up to the Lake for a weekend, so we wanted it to feel like just another Lake George weekend…just a little more dressed up!” 

Brittany and Ben on their wedding day image by Amy Anaiz Photography

Listen to Brittany's Episode Of Bridechilla

Brittany was a guest on an episode of Bridechilla prior to her own wedding. Brittany shared their proposal story, how she (like me) juggles a full time job and her side hustle AND wedding planning. We also talked about parental expectations. Brittany shares a hilarious story about her Mom's deep interest in her hair length for the wedding (and knowledge of updos) and also being a very efficient Bridechilla Brittany and having had lots of details already planned, how Brittany struggled to give her family and friends things to do to help out.

Happily Ever Borrowed Blog Bridechilla

Brittany wore a Happily Ever Borrowed piece- Sugary sweet floral headpiece on her wedding day

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

I have 3 older sisters, and when I was helping them to plan their weddings I couldn't BELIEVE how expensive accessories were! After my sisters spent their entire budget on their gown and then realize they still needed to spend nearly $1000 to finish the look, they were crushed. I knew I had to do something, the idea was conceptualized and a few years later, I launched!

My FAVORITE part of working in the industry is hearing from our brides who felt beautiful on their big day without breaking the bank. Whether it's for financial reasons or just wanting to create less waste with your wedding, we're so happy to make our brides be able to look the way they want on their wedding day.

Happily+Ever+Borrowed+Amy+Anaiz+Dew+Drop+Comb
Happily+Ever+Borrowed+Amy+Anaiz+Dew+Drop+Comb

Brittany wears The Grecian /Dew Drop Comb- Image by Amy Anaiz

Who do you love to work with?

Literally any bride. We love changing minds! Even "platinum brides" who are spending a ton on their wedding find value in renting their accessories! It just makes sense not to own something you can only wear once!

Our entire ethos is about keeping your chill. The mere idea of spending $1000 on a veil can make any bride turn red, so we're here to help brides keep calm and borrow on.

A stunning raw edge veil with scattered crystals & pearls- Luella Veil

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

Honestly there are no other companies out there who are renting just bridal accessories like ourselves. We're working directly with top designers and have exclusive agreements with them to only rent with us as they know we're loyal to keeping both our vendors and brides happy! We've been up and running for 7 years and have rented to over 1000 brides, so we've got this down pat! Brides and vendors alike can feel safe with our brand and our mission.

Say Bonjour! to this French dotted tulle lace veil- Dot Veil

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

Well my own wedding of course! My husband had written the most incredible vows, which still make me cry every time he reads them to me. (On our anniversary...I don't make him bust them out after dinner every night).

Silk and Beaded Circle Rose Cape

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding planning?

I wish Bridechillas and Groomchillas knew it doesn't all have to match and make sense. Seriously. No one will remember nor care. All your guests care about is not being hungry and having a good time. Anything outside of that is just icing on the cake!

An amazing Winter Wedding Addition- The York Fur Shawl

Share 3 fun facts about you and/or your business!

  1. My accessories from my own wedding are up on the site available to be rented! 
  2. We're working on our OWN accessory line which will be launched soon!
  3. You can take a style quiz on our site which can help you figure out what your bridal style is! All of our accessories are categorized so you can easily shop by your style!

Get Your Send Before You Spend Box!

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11 Experience-Based Gift Ideas for Your Registry

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

In this article, Annabelle (from Bridechilla Directory friend Evergreen Lane Productions) talks about the traditional pillar of the wedding planning experience: the registry. The place where your future mother in law insisted you must request china, luxurious bed sheets, and a KitchenAid mixer. While there is nothing wrong with these gift ideas, more and more of us are eschewing the collection of more things we need to store and or keep clean. Enter our hero, the experience-based gift.

When you don't need more stuff...

I’m a recent Bridechilla grad myself (and guest on The Bridechilla Podcast). My husband and I were married on a lovely beach in Belize and spent 13 months of our engagement and newlywed season traveling around the United States in an RV. We did not have room for a bunch of stuff, to say the least. The experience-based gift ideas in this article are all things we either included on our registry or wish we did.

Photo by sept commercial 

Gift Registry Ideas For Creative Date Nights:

  1. Flytographer session - This company has professional photographers all over the world that will come take photos of you and your partner as you explore the city. We really value having pictures together, and sometimes selfies don’t do the trick. Plus, we had a destination wedding and missed engagement photos, so we don’t have pictures together in our hometown of Denver. A mini photo session would be a fun date option, and you could knock out your Christmas cards at the same time!
  1. Sip and Craft night - almost every city around the world has a paint and sip place where you can drink a beer or glass of wine while creating a piece of art for your new married pad. Increasingly, there are options Upstairs Circus for couples who would prefer to create with a hammer and nails instead of a paintbrush. My husband and I had a date day at a paint-your-own pottery spot where we decorated a Christmas ornament together. For crafty couples, research a local option that inspires you and add a gift certificate to your registry.
  1. Couples massage - Need a little stress relief after all the excitement of wedding planning? You’re not alone. Registering for a couples massage or spa day is an experienced-based gift that’s great for your relationship AND your mental health.
  1. Admission to a sporting event, concert or amusement park - We put a cash fund for baseball tickets on our registry since it’s my husband’s favorite sport, but you could just as easily customize this based on the interests of you or your future spouse. Concert tickets or amusement park admission make for unique date night gifts, or could add some variety to your honeymoon activities, depending on your chosen destination!

Photo by Toa Heftiba 

Gift Registry Ideas For Foodie Couples:

  1. Gift certificate to a meal kit service - My husband and I received a gift certificate to Blue Apron, and we were able to get several weeks of new recipes to try. Typically, my husband does the cooking in our house (I know, I’m lucky!) but it was so fun to learn something new together. We poured a glass of wine, put on a playlist, and had a date night in. This is an excellent gift for both couples who are more experienced chefs who want to try some unusual ingredients and for those who are new to the whole cooking for themselves routine. Plus, there are many meal kit options to choose from based on your location and dietary restrictions.
  1. Collection of family recipes - If you’re in search of a bridal shower idea that won’t require you to add another 50 knick-knacks to your registry, consider gathering family recipes. Invite everyone to bring a favorite recipe and store the cards in a keepsake album or box. Having recipes from my husband’s grandmother back in the Philippines sitting right next to the one for Texas baked beans my aunt would make in the summertime is something I cherish and serves as a symbol of our blended family.
  1. A Passport Program - Many cities have initiatives to help residents get out and explore the culinary scene. The Passport Program is one of those, serving US cities like Denver, Washington D.C., Minneapolis and more. Essentially a fancy coupon book, the passport provides 2-for-1 specials on drinks at a wide variety of local restaurants and bars. This is the perfect gift for foodies who love exploring local haunts, and as a bonus, it’s a budget-friendly registry addition.

Annabelle and her husband, Christian. Photo by Alicia Lewin Photography

Gift Registry Ideas For adventurers:

  1. City tour - one of the best gifts my husband and I received was a food and street art tour in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami through Cloud9 Living on Zola (also, make sure when you sign up to Zola, you use this link and codeword BRIDECHILLA, for $50 credit).
    The walking tour meandered through the arts district, and we sampled from 5 different restaurants while learning about the artists and murals throughout. Adventuring with your partner and learning about the culture and history of a new place can be so much fun. Pick your local city to explore or choose an area that you’ll be traveling to for the honeymoon.
  1. Honeymoon Film - Are you heading on the trip of a lifetime after the wedding? Bring home a souvenir you don’t have to pack in your suitcase with a keepsake honeymoon film. One of my favorite things to do is take all our iPhone or GoPro video footage from our travels and edit them together into a vacation film my husband, and I can watch over and over again. Don’t worry if you’re not a professional video editor either - that’s precisely why I created my heirloom honeymoon film offerings. Find me on the Bridechilla Wedding Directory!
  1. Membership to a local museum - We’ve supported both the local botanic gardens and the art museum, but there are tons of options depending on your area of interest. Since my husband and I travel a lot, we chose the level of membership to the Denver Art Museum that included reciprocity with 70 other museums across the United States. We’ve visited at least 10 of these museums for free thanks to this gift! Museum membership is a great way to support the arts and/or sciences, your local museums, and get some travel perks too.
  1. National Parks Pass - More into the outdoors than museums? Add an annual parks pass to your registry. Whether you’re in Australia or the United States, the park service has various levels of park membership. You could pick a favorite park that’s close to home so you can explore it in depth, or choose a regional or national level pass if you plan on lots of adventuring as newlyweds (you’re my kind of people!).

Photo by Joanna Nix

I hope this list inspires you to add experience-based gifts to your registry. Some of these ideas require a little extra research up front, but they pay dividends when you and your future spouse get to fill up your first year of marriage with incredible experiences that strengthen your relationship and create memories that you’ll be talking about for the rest of your lives. When my husband and I set up our registry, we were a little worried about ruffling the feathers of our more traditional guests. In the end, however, the experience-based gifts were some of the most popular items on our registry overall, and the KitchenAid mixer we thought we had to have is still there, un-purchased. No regrets!

Listen to Annabelle's Bridechilla episode

Resources

Check out Annabelle's awesome blog post about how to take amazing video without missing out on your vacation. 

Subscribe to Annabelle's free travel course. Join Annabelle for a 5-day email course on how to capture the magic of your adventure in video.

Evergreen Lane Productions

Annabelle's Instagram

Annabelle's Twitter

Annabelle's Facebook

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Create Heirloom Honeymoon Video with Evergreen Lane Productions

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Meet Annabelle of Evergreen Lane Productions

Annabelle creates Honeymoon Films from footage you take on your trip, using gear as simple as your phone if you want! The process is simple, you take the videos, send them to Evergreen Lane Productions, and Annabelle edits your videos into a beautiful, heirloom honeymoon video. Her love of travel and filmmaking shine in this unique service! 

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

It was my own experience planning a destination wedding that made me realize that my travel films would be a perfect fit for honeymooning couples! For me, the wedding day is just the start of an amazing adventure + I love that the honeymoon is the first traveling you do as newlyweds. Travels with my own husband are some of my own most cherished memories, and I want to help others document those treasured memories as well.

Who do you love to work with?

My favorite couples are the adventurers, the ones who are more excited about planning the epic honeymoon than the wedding day itself. The couples I have the most fun with are ones who have more experiences than kitchen appliances on their registries and who love collecting new passport stamps. You don't have to have a lot of creative experience or fancy gear; we go over exactly what you need and spoiler alert: you can use the camera or phone you already have.

How do you help your clients "keep their chill" during the wedding planning process?

Planning + dreaming of your honeymoon is a nice break from wedding planning and a friendly reminder that life will go on after this One Big Day...in fact, it's kind of the best part!

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

I don't know of any other videographers or editors who are doing honeymoon films, but every one of my clients has been SO thankful, even watching their vacation films years later with tears in their eyes because they're such beautiful memories. Plus, I keep things down to earth: no fancy gear to buy (unless it's your thing!), no complicated tricks to learn (I have a printable pocket guide you can take with you), and no stress when you come home (all your footage gets sent to me so you can focus on recovering from jetlag).

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

My husband and I got married on an island off the coast of Belize. The whole trip was amazing from start to finish, but my favorite memory was when my wedding planner rescued us from the airport after a flight delay. We'd missed the last water taxi to the island but she found us a private boat captain who was willing to take us (in the rain, in the dark) and 12 of our other wedding guests secretly to the island. Thankfully, the weather was perfect on our wedding day + everything else went so smooth!

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding planning?

It's ok to have the wedding you want to have. And it's ok to ask for experiences on your registry or ask for money for your honeymoon. The stress of "making everyone happy" is not worth it!

Share 3 fun facts about you and your business!

1. I currently live in an RV with my husband and our cat - we're traveling around the US!

2. I've visited all 7 continents - Antarctica was my last and we set foot there a week before my 30th birthday.

3. I got started in filmmaking because of an obsession with Lord of the Rings in high school - my friends and I even recreated our own version: acting, shooting, and editing the whole thing!


We hope you have enjoyed getting to know more about Annabelle and her heirloom honeymoon video editing service,  Evergreen Lane Productions. Visit their profile in the Bridechilla Wedding Directory or their website to learn more! 


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Heirloom Stationery Design by Wild Joy Studios

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Meet Allison of Wild Joy Studios

Allison is the self-described "ginger, mermaid, unicorn, and graphic artist" at Wild Joy Studios, a custom heirloom stationery design studio. Allison's bespoke paper goods will not only impress your guests and set the tone for your wedding, but they will also be a keepsake for your to display, and cherish for years to come. Not sure you want something fully custom? Allison has you covered with her semi-custom collections of stationery designs! 


Learn more about Wild Joy Studios in this interview with Allison!

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

I’ve been doing graphic design professionally for about 7 years now, and playing with graphic design for over a decade. I realized I loved wedding design in 2015, when one of my amazing friends asked me to help design their stationery set. I was hooked. I’m always honored when a couple lets me contribute to their wedding day. It is, very often, one of the happiest days one has, and it means so much for you to let me be a small part of that. I love what I do, I love paper, I love design, and I love weddings.

Who do you love to work with?

I love adventurers, boho couples, and people obsessed with nature as much as I am. I have three collections: Celestial (space, stars, night skies,) Botanical (leaves, trees, blooms,) and Wanderer (hiking, travel, wanderlust inspired.) Really all three of them boil down to a love of the outdoors and nature.

I try to make the process of taking care of all their wedding paper as easy and stress free as possible.

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

I offer pretty, custom maps that can compliment your wedding suite, or that can be printed large to be kept as a reminder of your special day. I think that combined with my focus on nature themes makes for some lovely, unique stationery pieces.

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

My entire wedding day was perfection! It's so hard to pick a specific memory from the day, even the parts I had worried about being stressful were lovely. I have a picture of my and my husband during our first dance being silly, with my mom in the background smiling at us, which is forever my favorite photo memory. I lost her a few years ago, and looking at that picture of her always cheers me up.

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding stationery?

Paying a little more for keepsake worthy paper products is not a waste! People always use the "well people are just going to throw them out." They aren't for those people though, they are for you, and when you end up with paper that you adore, it becomes one of the few things from your wedding that you can keep forever, and pull out one day, and show to your family along with any other of your wedding heirlooms.

Share 3 fun facts about you and/or your business!

  1. My office buddy is a corgi named Carl Sagan, who in my humble opinion, is the cutest dang pup in this entire world. Go ahead, search #carlsaganthecorgi if you don't believe me.
  2. I'm obsessed with astronomy and space (hence the pup name, and the Celestial collection.) One of my favorite lines from the original Cosmos series was “The surface of the Earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean. On this shore, we've learned most of what we know. Recently, we've waded a little way out, maybe ankle-deep, and the water seems inviting. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return, and we can, because the cosmos is also within us. We're made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.” I don't have any tattoos, but one day I want to get one that somehow embodies this quote.
  3. I didn't find out about Bridechillas until a couple of years after my own wedding, but I like to think that I was somehow channeling my inner Chilla without even knowing it existed. I love the community and one of my favorite things is seeing all of you lovely Chillas on your wedding days.

We hope you have enjoyed this interview with Allison of Wild Joy Studios. To learn more, check out her profile in the Bridechilla Wedding Directory and visit her website.

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Vivid & Energetic Wedding Photography with Kivus & Camera

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Meet Elyssa & John!

Elyssa & John Kivus are the husband & wife team behind Kivus & Camera,  wedding photographers in Durham, NC. Elyssa and John bring their enthusiastic, joyous, and fun-loving personalities to your wedding through their vivid and energetic wedding photography. Check out our interview with Elyssa & John to learn more about their business, and philosophy about wedding photography!

Tell us a little about how you got started in Wedding Photography

Elyssa: My background is in journalism. I went to college wanting to be a photojournalist and interned at great papers, just waiting for my opportunity to land a staff position. But, this was 2009 and the only thing newspapers were doing was firing people. I ended up in law school (mock trial had also been a passion), but I still loved taking pictures on the side. A couple years into my law career (which I hated), a good friend was getting married with basically zero budget, and I offered to bring my camera. I fell completely in love with documenting weddings, started the business, and was able to take it full time about 2 years later. My favorite thing about working in the wedding industry is experiencing vicarious joy. I love getting to be around so many happy people and learning what makes them smile.

Who do you love to work with?

The Kivus & Camera couple knows that weddings are meant to be enthusiastic and joyful. One of your top priorities is having a great time, whether you're inviting just a couple witnesses to a courthouse ceremony or maxing out the occupancy allowance at a ballroom. There will probably be good beer available after the ceremony, definitely some yummy dessert, and, more often than not, dancing (good and bad). You're probably super nerdy about at least one thing (comics, sports, biology, wine, whatever) and we can't wait to talk to you about that thing.

How do you help your clients keep their chill?

Sending them to Bridechilla! But mostly I just make myself available to provide advice, be a sounding board, a joke machine - whatever's needed in that moment. I've been to a lot of weddings. I planned my own wedding. I've got a lot of knowledge to share and I love to help. I also love to make people laugh, so I will always be striving to do that.

What do you feel makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

Sometimes it feels like the wedding photography world is divided into two styles: "light and airy" and "dark and moody". We're not either of those. John & I have decided our style is "Vivid & Energetic." So from a photos perspective, our look is different than a lot of what you'll see. We embrace color, bring our own lights, aren't afraid of bright sun or dark rooms, etc. Aside from the photos perspective, I think our backgrounds set us apart. This is a second career for me (I was an attorney first, a divorce attorney no less), and John is still a practicing intellectual property litigator. It takes a certain set of skills (dedication, problem solving, self-loathing, craziness) to succeed in law school. I'm recovering from the self-loathing part, but I am bringing some serious passion for the business of weddings.

Do you have a favorite wedding memory? 

My favorite wedding memories are always moments that really highlight who this couple is. When the groomsmen serenade the bride with Backstreet Boys and she joins right in, when the couple have customized their vows independently and both have the same pop culture reference, when "their song" comes on and it's Who Let The Dogs Out.

What do you wish more people knew about wedding planning?

I wish more couples knew that they can make their wedding whatever they want. There's no specific timeline you have to follow - have your "reception" from 4-10 with the ceremony somewhere in the middle. There's no reason you have to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. There's no reason you have to carry a bouquet or cut a cake. Just do you. From a photography perspective: Great photos take time. Those awesomely lit couple portraits are a lot harder to get when all we have is 3 minutes at the end of cocktail hour after all of the family photos are done.

Meet Kivus & Camera - Durham, NC Wedding Photographers - The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

Share 3 fun facts about you and your business!

  1. Kivus is our last name. It's pronounced Key-vuhs. You can remember this by calling us Kivus & Butthead (you decide which of us is which).
  2. We shoot on two different camera systems! I shoot with Nikon equipment, but John uses a Sony mirrorless system. Depending on what Nikon comes out with toward the end of this year, I may be shifting to Sony too though.
  3. We go to Disney World as often as possible - multiple times a year. I may even edit your wedding photos from one of the parks. I've been known to pull out my laptop at Animal Kingdom's Nomad Lounge.

To learn more about Kivus & Camera and their photography, visit their profile in the Bridechilla Wedding Directory and check out their website!

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Meet Sharma Shari – Geek Wedding Photographer

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha
Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

Meet Sharma Shari!

Sharma Shari, geek wedding photographer extraordinaire, is both a member of the Bridechilla Wedding Directory and one of our community admins! Sharma is based in Florida, but shoots weddings all over the southeast US & Puerto Rico, she loves to travel and is happy to go wherever you want to be married! 

Read on to get to know a little more about Sharma and see some of her delightful geeky wedding photography!

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

Tell us about how you got started in the wedding business and what you love most about working in weddings!

I got into wedding photography kind of by accident. I wanted to try it but wasn't sure. Another photographer in my area invited me to assist her on one of her weddings... and just like that I was hooked. I love when the couple is having fun, I love to capture that their expressions!

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory
Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

Who do you love to work with?

My ideal clients are couples that are not afraid to express themselves on their wedding day. They would add any nerdy/geeky element if that is what they love. And more importantly, they will plan their day as they want. Traditions or not.

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

How do you help your couples "keep their chill" during the wedding planning process?

I like to remind them that the most important thing is that they are getting married. Everything else we can fix or have delivered to the venue. They are marrying each other!

What makes you unique and different from other wedding pros?

I am very open. I love celebrating their uniqueness no matter what. I will be there for them during the day, not only taking photos but making sure they are having fun. If they are having fun, I can capture it!

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

What is your favorite wedding related memory?

Seeing one of my couples throw the best "Hallowedding" ever. She wore a very fitting and beautiful black dress, they walked themselves down the aisle with the White Stripes song, and had the party of the lifetime at their favorite brewery! They did it their way...and even the mothers were jumping on the dance floor!

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

What is one thing you wish more couples knew about wedding planning or wedding photography?

Before contacting any vendor, sit down and talk about money. How much do you want to spend? Look around and research the reality of the type of wedding you want with the amount of money you want to spend. That will help with the price shock while asking for quotes. As far as Photography goes, I wish they would be true to themselves and acknowledge the importance of photography for them instead of just telling the potential photographer you are too expensive. In my case, I take care in planning my pricing, I know how much my work is worth. It is ok if photography is not your priority and you decided to have a low budget for it. But don't tell a vendor, any vendor, you are too expensive! I better way to approach this is by telling: Your work is amazing but you are out of my budget. Thanks! Also, always let the vendor know that you are going with another one. We really appreciate that you are taking the time to let us know!

Meet Sharma Shari - Geek Wedding Photographer | The Bridechilla Wedding Directory

Share 3 fun facts about you and/or your business!

  • I am a geeky and nerdy person. If you are having a wedding full of fandom puns, more likely I would understand all of them. And will dress accordingly to your fandom.
  • I love books, coffee and wine (with no particular order of preference)
  • The more details about your wedding I know, the more excited I get. I love geeking out with the couples, especially when I see them excited about planning their day!
  • Bonus - I am Puerto Rican, so I speak Spanish!

If you want to learn more about Sharma and her photography, visit her profile in the Bridechilla Wedding Directory and check out her website!

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7 Ways to Make Your Wedding More Geeky

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

There is this big misconception that adding geeky touches or doing a fandom themed, geek wedding means tacky or cheap looking wedding. I strongly disagree. I believe first and foremost that it is your day, and it should represent you in every sense and form. Luckily, these days it’s becoming far more popular and common to see details or full themed weddings. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, to science or just your favorite irrational number, there is no detail or idea too crazy to showcase your favorite things.

As a wedding photographer who specialize in these kind of weddings, I had the chance to see these ideas first hand. Today I want to share with you some of my favorite ways my couples have incorporated these details into their day.

Are you ready? Allons-y!

Save the Dates

Save-the-Dates are a great way to be creative without interfering with the theme of the wedding. You can use them as a teaser of what it is to come for your super-theme-wedding or just to add that touch of geekiness.

Shoes

When I got married 9 years ago, I wore blue shoes and I thought I was such a rebel. Today, couples use their imagination to come up with different ideas for shoes on their day. Like these wedges that the bride herself “Star Wars-ified by taking a piece of fabric and modify the wedge and adding some rhinestones.

Converses are becoming more common for geek weddings these days but how about matching with your companion and embroider them with your names or last names.

Accessories

This is the easiest way to add the geeky touch, specially if you are wearing a suit. Now days you can find accessories to match your fandom obsesion easy, thanks to places like etsy or just by doing a little research online.

Boutonnieres/Bouquets

The cool thing about adding that geekiness in your boutonniere is that it doesn’t clash with the rest of your wedding. You can get as creative as you can, and it would add the perfect touch to your day.

And as for the bouquets, there are no rules anymore (don’t let you be told otherwise). You don’t want flowers? How about a wire bouquet with charms representing your favorite things or loved ones. Or if you are like Ariel, the little mermaid, and have a lot of thingamabobs or whozits and whatzits galore, how about creating your bouquet out of it!

Cake

If you are into the decadent goodness, consider a geek wedding cake! Let your cake show off your fandom and theme. There so many creatives cake artists than the possibilities are endless. Like this Lego Cake and topper:

Or if you love Doctor Who and his blue box, how about this amazing cake stand? All custom made by the bride and groom out of scrap wood and thrift store finds!

If you don’t want to go all out with the cake, you can also have just a detail of your favorite fandom or character peek out from your cake, like these two guys...

I know there are supposed to be the bad guys but aren’t they adorable? Darth Vader is made by combining a Pez head with some molding chocolate and the Stormtrooper is completely made from scratch!

First Dance

Who said that the first Dance have to be a waltz or a slow song? It is your first Dance as a married couple and, darn it, it should be whatever you like. If you are not much into slow dancing, maybe invite your guest over for a group dance of Time Warp (from Rocky Horror Picture Show)

If you don’t care about dancing at all, how about a Lightsaber duel using the Duel of Fates as a background music for your epic battle…

Thematic Decor

You can add little details to honor to your favorite things through elements like the seating chart or guest book.

This couple had a Pi Number Seating Chart for their ultimate Pi day Wedding (it was actually on 3/14/15!).

Or the periodic table if you are into Science and Research!

As for guest book, really there are no wrong thing. If they can write on it, it can be a guest “book”, like this One-of-a-kind Lego sculpture. Guest are welcome to pick a brick, write it and place it anywhere. You can display it in your mantle or coffee table and sure will be a great conversation topic!

Or go all out and transform your venue into the geek wedding of your dreams!

7 ways to have a Geek Wedding - The Bridechilla Wedding Planning Blog - Guest Post by Sharma Shari of Sharma Shari Photography

Whether it is a full blown theme wedding complete with cosplay or just including special details, the important thing is that you remember it is your day. You can have your geek wedding, no matter what everybody else have to say!

Live Long and Prosper!

About the Author:
Sharma Shari is a wedding photographer who loves to capture geeky, creative and offbeat weddings, portraits and editorial. She serves Florida, Atlanta, Puerto Rico and galaxies far far away... She loves to travel!

You can find Sharma at Sharma Shari Photography | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Contact Sharma

We know planning a wedding is complicated, so where do you begin? Right here.
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