Seriously, I can't find my favorite photo of these two because I loved them all! They made the "job" easy! . . . . . #twobrides #lgbtweddings #gayweddings #samesexweddings #loveislove #equality #lgbtweddingphotographer #equalmarriage #equalrights #lovecantwait #lesbianswithstyle #gaypride #instagay #gaycouples #samelove #mrsandmrs #engagementphotos #marriedgaycouples #handhweddings #lgtbq #gayweddingideas #lovewins #engayed #forusbyus #lesbiancouple #lesbianwedding #lesbiansofinstagram #lesbianfunhouse July 21, 2019 at 06:00PM via Instagram https://ift.tt/2y2YCEo
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We didn't get that famous Sierra Vista sunset but these two still rocked their portrait session! #radcouples #belovedstories #elegantwedding #couplegoals #yourockphotographers #coupleshoot #marryme #weddingday #weddingphotography #weddingphotogrpher #weddingportrait #love #junebugweddings #weddingblog #bohowedding #loveauthentic #truelove #weddinginspo #iloveyou #lovestory #gettingmarried #bridetobe #happilyeverafter #instalove #mrandmrs #newlyweds #bridalstyle #weddingseason #wedding July 20, 2019 at 11:01AM via Instagram https://ift.tt/2Sqq1JP Sweetness! ? . . . #Virginiawedding #virginiaweddingphotographer #weddingphotography #virginiaisforlovers #instawedding #weddingideas #bridalfashion #instabride #weddingfashion #marriage #bridesmagazine #weddingphotography #futuremrs #marryme #tyingtheknot #wifetobe #thatsdarling #heputaringonit #soloverly #brideandgroom #ohwowyes #flashesofdelight #realwedding #aisleperfect #theknot #theknot #weddingday #picofthe #weddinginspiration #thedailywedding July 19, 2019 at 06:00PM via Instagram https://ift.tt/32DjgsD article originally published on Bride.com
The music world sure is full of lovey-dovey ballads, but picking one that exemplifies your relationship for your first dance is a certain type of challenge—but this lengthy list of gender-neutral first dance songs might just simplify the process. Celebrating your love with a first dance is a classic part of any wedding. You’ve likely imagined the embrace, the candlelit room, and how you’ll waltz—or break dance—with your new spouse to kick off the reception. The only thing missing from that day dream? The perfect first dance song. You want the lyrics to make sense with who you are and how your relationship has played out. If only we could all be songwriters! Then, there is the fact that an overwhelming number of tunes are about a boy and a girl, and that might not fit you or your marriage. Luckily, there are plenty of love songs that don’t denote specific gender pronouns and musicians that praise “love is love.” For all couples, it’s about finding music that feels personal and expresses their tastes. The Best (and Worst) Best Man Speech EverNeed inspo? We checked in with some pros—planner and event designer Jove Meyer, DJ Brian B, and Nate Nelson of LeForce Entertainment—to share their top gender-neutral first dance songs. From Etta James to Beyoncé, here are 25 love songs perfect for same-sex and LGBTQ+ weddings. 25 Perfect Gender-Neutral First Dance Songs “At Last” by Etta James “Love on Top” by Beyonce “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith “A Perfect Day” by Holley Maher "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne "Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding "I Am Yours"Jason Mraz "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles "Latch" by Sam Smith "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden "Halo" by Beyonce "It Had to Be You" by Billie Holiday "How Long Will I Love You"by Ellie Goulding "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele "Love Someone" by Jason Mraz "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran "Boom Clap" by Lennon & Maisy "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green "By Your Side" by Sade "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King “I Like Me Better” by Lauv “Clearly” by Grace VanderWaal “So Into You” by Childish Gambino “Butterflies” by Kacey Musgraves ???. . . . . . VA Wedding #virginiaweddingphotographer ##theknotvirginia #instawedding #weddingideas #destinationweddings #instabride #weddingfashion #bridesmagazine #futuremrs #marryme #tyingtheknot #vsco #thatsdarling #heputaringonit #soloverly #brideandgroom #ohwowyes #flashesofdelight #realwedding #aisleperfect #theknot #realweddings #weddingday ##ig_photooftheday #weddinginspiration #thedailywedding #weddingphotos June 20, 2019 at 01:19PM via Instagram http://bit.ly/2MZjoz6 Beach session done before the rain started! I’ve known Forrest and Amanda for 10 years. From the engagement session, the wedding, two maternity sessions, newborn sessions and multiple family sessions theses two have been awesome customers who turned into wonderful friends along the way. . . . . #weddingphotographer #obxphotographer #obxweddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotographer June 11, 2019 at 04:31PM via Instagram http://bit.ly/2WxOgWT 7 Romantic Readings for an LGBTQ+ Ceremony
Article originally posted on the knot.com We love these thoughtful, moving and loving readings for LGBTQ+ wedding ceremonies. by Brittny Drye Readings can infuse personality and romance into a ceremony but, admittedly, it can be tough to find writers who waxed poetic in a gender-neutral manner. We pulled seven ceremony-worthy readings from our favorite poems, children's books and even court rulings, that celebrate love, give a nod to the LGBTQ+ community and reflect couples across the spectrum. 1. On June 26, 2015, US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy read a majority opinion that changed the lives of millions of Americans, bringing marriage equality nationwide. Not only was this ruling historic, it was downright poetic. "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right." --Justice Anthony Kennedy, Hodges v. Obergefell 2. Speculated to be gay or bisexual, Walt Whitman's works were labeled as provocative for their time. But the last stanza in his "Song of the Open Road" evokes an incredibly romantic adventure—and what's more adventurous than happily ever after? "Camerado, I give you my hand! I give you my love more precious than money! I give you myself before preaching or law; Will you give me yourself? Will you come travel with me? Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?" —Walt Whitman, "Song of the Open Road" 3. Mary Oliver's work entwines love, nature and observances, and she was greatly inspired during walks around her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts, which she shared with her partner, Molly Cook, for 40 years until Cook's death in 2005. "When we are driving in the dark, on the long road to Provincetown, when we are weary, when the buildings and the scrub pines lose their familiar look, I imagine us rising from the speeding car. I imagine us seeing everything from another place-- the top of one of the pale dunes, or the deep and nameless fields of the sea. And what we see is a world that cannot cherish us, but which we cherish. And what we see is our life moving like that along the dark edges of everything, headlights sweeping the blackness, believing in a thousand fragile and unprovable things. Looking out for sorrow, slowing down for happiness, making all the right turns right down to the thumping barriers to the sea, the swirling waves, the narrow streets, the houses, the past, the future, the doorway that belongs to you and me." --Mary Oliver, "Coming Home" 4. Before the 2015 SCOTUS ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that made the state the first to legally recognize same-sex marriage was the most popular reading during gay wedding ceremonies. It still remains at the top of the reading list, particularly for couples who like to highlight the history of equality in their ceremony. "Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of legal, financial, and social benefits. In return it imposes weighty legal, financial, and social obligations....Without question, civil marriage enhances the 'welfare of the community.' It is a ‘social institution of the highest importance... Marriage also bestows enormous private and social advantages on those who choose to marry. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.... Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution, and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life's momentous acts of self-definition." --Judge Margaret Marshall, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health 5. Taken from the popular YA novel Wild Awake, this excerpt can be interpreted as a celebration of individuals' identities, and the journey of becoming yourself, no matter where that may be on the gender-identity spectrum, and finding that special person who loves you for being you. "People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn’t know were there, even the ones they wouldn’t have thought to call beautiful themselves." —Hilary T. Smith, Wild Awake 6. This reading from children's book The Velveteen Rabbit is particularly popular amongst LGBTQ couples, thanks to its non-gendered verbiage. We love the idea of a child reading this, for an extra touch of "awww." "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nanna came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn’t how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn’t happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." —Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit 7. There are several quotes and poems we could pull from legendary poet and gay rights activist Maya Angelou that would feel at home in a ceremony, but the themes of bravery and love in her "Touched by an Angel" prose are a beautiful, and obvious, choice for LGBTQ couples. "We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free." —Maya Angelou, "Touched by an Angel" Brittny Drye is the founder and editor in chief of Love Inc., an equality-minded wedding blog that celebrates both straight and same-sex love, equally. Happy #pridemonth to all of our past and present #lgbtq couples. We are thankful for each of you and honored that you trusted us to cover your wedding day. To our upcoming lgbtq clients we can’t wait to work with you on your special day. ?? . . . . #samesexwedding #gaysofinstagram #twogrooms #lesbiansofinstgram #wifeandwife #twobrides #lgbtweddings #lesbianlove #gaypride #marriageequality #lovewins #destinationwedding #richmondweddingphotographer #marylandweddingphotographer #washingtondcweddingphotographer June 01, 2019 at 03:45PM via Instagram http://bit.ly/2XlvkeY You're a week away from saying "I do"—and trust us, we know you're soready. But with seven days to go, there are a few seemingly small but important tasks that need to be checked off your list so they don't fall through the cracks. You don't want to be at the altar ready for your groom to break the glass and then realize that there's no glass, right?
1. Overcommunicate With Your VendorsTo make sure everyone is on the same page (so they don't need to call you or your point people on the day-of) call every single wedding vendor and confirm, then re-confirm each arrangement you have with them, including, but not limited to:
4. Schedule Any Beauty AppointmentsYour fingers will likely be texting all week, which makes it even more crucial to keep your nails fresh. Make any minor beauty appointments you want done that week. Think: a mani-pedi, waxing, massage, blowout and facial. This goes for your groom too—make sure his hair is trimmed and face is shaved (if that's the look he's after). Any experimental beauty treatments (like facial peels, lasering, hair coloring and drastic cuts) should be done a few months in advance, just in case they don't turn out as expected. 5. Arrange Help for Any Guests Who Need ItIf you have any ill or elderly guests coming to your wedding, it will be meaningful for them to know you're so glad they can attend. Show your love by making sure they have proper transportation to and from the airport and your wedding events and that they have a comfortable place to stay. You can ask family members, friends or attendants to help with any pick-ups and drop-offs. 6. Hand These Items OffGetting married also means having a lot of important things to distribute among your family and attendants.
8. Deliver Welcome BasketsWhether it's you or an attendant, deliver your welcome baskets for guests to the hotel concierge. Make a list of names, delivery instructions and any additional information you have to prevent any mix-ups. This article originally published on The Knot.com What’s the difference between an event stylist and a wedding coordinator? We tapped a Maryland-based wedding planner for a rundown of every type of planning service you should know about (before you hire someone).
by Maggie Seaver Think there’s only one type of wedding planner out there? Think again. From day-of coordinators to destination event designers, you have a wide range of pros and services to choose from to bring your celebration to life. If you’re overwhelmed by the abundance of vendor options, services, price points and unfamiliar terminology, relax—you’re in the right place. Here to clarify all your questions and offer helpful industry expertise is Danielle Couick, owner and principal planner of full-service event planning and design firm Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events based in Rockville, Maryland. What are the various types of wedding planning pros a couple can choose to hire for their day?Planner: “This pro is organized, efficient, timely and logistically minded—budget development and tracking, timelines, floor plans, contracts, deadlines and production schedules are second nature to them,” Couick says. “They recommend, procure and manage your wedding team. They’re on-site from start to finish to coordinate and execute the logistics and all the finer details.” Designer: “A designer is a creative, a dreamer, and aesthetics are their strength,” she says. “They see both big-picture and small details. They should listen to your needs and desires, assess the logistical parameters of your wedding, view your space and understand your ideal budget. They’ll develop a cohesive and stylish look, feel, mood and overall aesthetic of your wedding day in a realistic way.” Event Stylist: “I find an event stylist’s point of view is that of a camera lens or magazine spread,” Couick says. “They can work independently or with your planner or designer to develop the overall aesthetic and create the mood of your wedding. On-site, an event stylist will style and stage your attire and accessories, invitation suite, tablescapes, props, bars and more for the most aesthetically pleasing photograph or guest experience.” Couick also stresses how important is to factor in function along with style. “Just because it looks great in a photo doesn’t mean it’ll work realistically or logistically,” she says. If you’re set on hiring a stylist to stage those print-worthy shots, communicate this wish to your planner and photographer (and/or videographer. You might need to hire more shooters—or hire your photo team for an extra day—to capture both those styled detail shots and your organic real-life wedding moments. It’s a lot to snap in one day. Coordinator or On-Site Event Manager: “This pro is organized and focused on logistics and will often step in closer to your wedding day (anywhere from four to eight weeks out). They review final vendor contracts; finalize day-of needs (such as your various details, payments due and gratuity distribution); schedule and conduct the final walk-through; finalize your day-of timeline, floor plans and guest count; manage your vendor team on-site; and execute both the wedding rehearsal and actual day,” she says. How do types of services differ among various pros? And what’s the best way for a couple to decide if it’s the right fit?“As a planner and designer, I want to learn about you, your needs, goals and budget to determine if we (my company, our values, services, vision and skill set) are the right fit for you,” Couick says. “This should be mutual and true for the company you hire as well (you shouldn’t just hire a ‘yes man’). I’ve listed the five most common levels of planning service from least to most comprehensive.” Styling ($–$$): “Consulting on the creation and design of the aesthetic and visuals of your wedding day or day-of details. Styling can be limited to full-scale creative design to on-site visual styling.” Why you’d hire a stylist: “If you want to enhance your chances of having your wedding published. You obsess over the details. You want the extra-special finishing touches without the worry of making them happen.” Month-of Coordination or Day-of Planning ($–$$): “Don't let the name fool you. Coordinating your wedding effectively and professionally requires experience, skill, time and some advanced planning, so month-of coordination usually starts four to eight weeks from your date,” she says. “You’ll plan and procure all your vendors, needs and details, then a coordinator steps in to finalize the outstanding elements, troubleshoot as necessary, manage your vendor team and execute your wedding rehearsal and wedding day.” Why you’d hire a month-of coordinator: “Because you know the ship won’t steer itself on your wedding day. You want a pro to handle the details, troubleshoot any problems without you knowing and keep your timeline [flowing] for a stress-free and happy day.” Partial Service—Two Ways ($$–$$$):1. You could hire a planner to tap them for vendor recs, but you would do the contacting, negotiating and managing. Your planner would be there to provide design support and on-site execution. “It feels like a win-win because you’ll get good referrals from a trusted source, plus your planner’s creative eye,” Couick says. “What it lacks is the professional, real-time guidance of someone managing and negotiating these elements on your behalf with big-picture focus.” 2. You could hire a planner to assist with coordinating a few, versus every, detail. “You get the professional support you need where you need it most, [but] it lacks a more cohesive bird's-eye view of your overall wedding,” Couick says. Why you’d hire a partial planner: “You want a little more support beyond just your wedding day, and you know you need a pro to get you there.” Full-Service ($$$–$$$$):“A full-service planner (also called a turnkey or bespoke planner) helps you plan everything from start to finish—for the wedding day only or for a weekend of events,” Couick says. “They help [craft your] budget, create and manage your planning timeline, recommend, procure and negotiate with vendors and review, facilitate and attend site selection and walk-throughs. They also help manage your guest list, timelines, floor plans, event design, etiquette and on-site management.” Why you’d hiring a full-service planner: “You see the value in having a professional guide you through the process and handle all the details. You understand the myriad of moving parts, trust the process and know an experienced pro is the best way to plan wedding weekend without losing your mind.” Destination ($$$–$$$$):“In addition to the full-service scope of planning, this pro can help you scout the perfect location, venue and vendors; support your guests with travel and accommodations; design trip itineraries; and navigate cultural differences, laws and regulations.” Why you’d hire a destination planner: “Because getting married on a pristine shoreline or at a centuries-old manor across the pond is the most beautiful vision you can think of—but travel itineraries, customs, language and cultural barriers, and logistics for a weekend of events for your entire guest list is not. You want the entire experience to be as flawless as the wedding itself.” Can one pro offer more than one type of service? “The short answer is yes—these roles are not mutually exclusive,” Couick says. “Planners can be designers, but not all designers are planners. Planners and designers can be stylists, but not all stylists are planners or designers. Planners can be coordinators, but not all coordinators are planners. Planners can be a designer, stylist and coordinator, but the reverse is not true.” We know it starts to sound a bit like a riddle—but all of this is due to the fact that the role of a planner is by nature a more comprehensive one than say, a stylist, whose services are very specific. What are some common misconceptions couples have when looking for the right type of pro for their wedding?“Between Instagram and Pinterest, we live in a highly tailored and curated world—but remember, your wedding is real life, not a cropped studio shot,” Couick says. “Also, as the wedding market becomes more saturated with novice planners, designers, stylists and coordinators, I’m finding couples are buying into something that sounds good or checks the boxes, rather than relying on a trusted, experienced professional to guide and elevate their experience. There’s truth in the sayings ‘you get what you pay for’ and ‘time is money.’” So make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting. |
About CrystalCrystal Vandegrift is a wedding photographer covering Virginia, D.C. NC and Maryland. Interested in being a guest blogger on our site? Contact us below!
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Pictures were one of my top priorities for my wedding. I spent a lot of time reading through photographers and even contacting some. I was also pretty nervous, I had never been professionally photographed before. Crystal and her team were SO easy to work with and immediately took away the nerves. I trusted her completely and I am so happy I did. Cannot recommend enough! Ellen - Yorktown VA
If you're looking for an amazing photographer who is relaxed, has experience, and knowledge look no further. Crystal took our engagement and wedding photos. Not only were her photos amazing, but she is extremely responsive to messages and will even help you when planning your big day. It was important to us to work with a photographer who has experience with same sex couples, and Crystal and Casey did a great job capturing everything for my wife and I. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. - Emily - Nellysford, VA
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