Unplugged vs Plugged-In; Top Tips for Technology Etiquette at Weddings

This is one question couples 20, even 10 years ago didn’t have to consider.

But nowadays, with the potential for your big entrance to have made it to Instagram before you’ve even made it to the end of the aisle, technology at your wedding is something that needs to be considered.

Photo by Paul Blackfield  via Bridal Musings

One of my friends just loved sitting on Facebook the day after her wedding looking at all the pictures her guests had snapped, while another hated the idea of less-than-perfect shots of her dress making it out on the internet, before she’d a chance to share the professional pictures.

And now, even wedding photographers, who would normally take weeks, or even months to process the images, race home and try to get a small selection of shots ready so the bride and groom can share them online straight away.

Photo by W&E Photographie via Southern Weddings

With wedding apps, specialised sharing sites, and hashtags, sharing your wedding photos has never been easier.

So we’ve come up with a few tips for sharing your pics. And what to do if you’d rather your guests took mental pictures, more than physical ones, at your wedding.

Photo by Danny Weiss Photography via A Little Lavish

The Stats

Purveyors of pretty paper goods, Wedding Paper Divas, conducted a recent survey on Digital Etiquette at weddings. They found that 65% of those surveyed felt it was important to ask the couple before sharing online, but 40% thought it would be rude not to share their pictures after the wedding.

Facebook is the favourite, with 76% of guests choosing to share their images on the original social network, while 54% use Instagram, and 40% Twitter.

4 in 10 weddings encouraged the use of social media, with a hashtag provided, while 5 in 10 guests said they’d “checked in” to weddings while in attendance. 33% of guests were requested not to use phones or cameras during the ceremony.

The downside? 31% of those surveyed found out they’d not been invited to a wedding through social media.

I Spy Printable by Splash of Silver on Etsy

The Pros

Sharing photos and stories of your wedding is lots of fun. Not only will you get great candid snaps of you and your other half, but you’ll get to catch up on all the wedding gossip you perhaps weren’t privy to on the big day.

Your great aunt doing shots of tequila, or your work colleague hooking up with your best man – how could you miss out on these gems?

It’s also a great way to add to the atmosphere on the day. Encourage social media sharing, with a table photo scavenger hunt (create a list of must-have pictures for each table to capture and share!). This will get people talking, and may even help people stay in touch after your wedding. (This is particularly nifty for your single friends!)

Photo by W&E Photographie via Wedding Chicks

Most professional photographers and videographers are awesome at their jobs, but accidents, and full-on disasters do happen. With the quality of photographs from phones improving all the time, encouraging your guests to capture your day on their own devices will safeguard you with crowdsourced shots if you’re not too happy with your professional pictures.

If some of your friends and family live overseas or can’t make your nuptials, allowing them see all the shared images lets them feel involved in your day from afar.

Photo by Anna Delores Photography  via Bridal Musings

The Cons

If you want your wedding to be a private and intimate affair, perhaps keeping your guests in the moment, is more important to you than having your images on Instagram.

Phones and cameras can be distracting, and really take from the sense of occasion, particularly during the speeches or the ceremony.

If you’ve had a hard time juggling the politics of your guest list, you don’t want to cause any friction with those not invited, when they find out on Facebook who did make the list.

While it’s nice to have everyone on Twitter tell you how gorgeous you are, do you really want an unflattering picture of your new husband trying to find your garter under all that tulle, doing the rounds on the internet?

We’re not sure how it caught on, but lots of people consider large tablets to be suitable camera substitutes. We’ve lost count of the amount of gorgeous moments which have been ruined by the appearance of a massive screen in the bride or groom’s face!

Photo by Rodger Obley Photography via Wedding Wire

How to Share

Hashtags are the simplest way to share your wedding online, whether you go with a classic #mrandmrsjones or #sarahandtomgethitched to something a little more distinct to your day like #somersetbarndance or #rowdyontherooftop. These can be used across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to collect images and videos from your day.

Wedding Party App, Wedding Snap, Capsule and Wed Pics are all really nifty apps for sharing photos and videos from your wedding. With a variety of features between them, these apps allow users to share their images privately with each other and the happy couple.

This is a great option for couples who’d rather keep the images within the party. Let your guests know with your invitation or with table cards what they need to do to get the app and sign in to your wedding.

Photo by Lauren Reynolds Photography via Every Last Detail

Photo sharing sites like Flickr and Photobucket, along with specialist versions like Wedding Photo Swap, are a great way to share your photos after the day, allowing guests time to curate which ones they share (rather than posting in the middle of the party), and giving your less-plugged-in guests a chance to upload their camera shots.

A number of websites, like Appy Couple offer both app and website sharing, so guests with both cameras and phones can share with ease.

Photo by Jodi Miller Photography via Style Me Pretty

How to Unplug Your Wedding

Really, with this one, all you have to do is ask nicely, and your guests should be happy to adhere to your tech-free policy.

Let them know whether you’d simply like them to stay offline for the day of your wedding, whether you’d just like no cameras at the ceremony, or if you want an all-out embargo of photos being taken or shared online.

Include a note in your invitations, or dot signs around your venue to let guests know your feelings.

Ask your photographer to take lots of candid guest shots on the day, or perhaps request a second shooter, so no one is left out of the pictures if they’re leaving their cameras at home.

If your budget allows, perhaps have a photo booth at your reception so you’ve still got lots of fun snaps of your guests at the party, without them being distracted with taking their own on the day.

Photo via Johnny Was

Guest Etiquette

It’s safe to say that you should respect the couple’s wishes on the technology front.  And if you are sharing images or videos on the day, do remember some simple rules:

• Only post flattering pictures of the bridal party, they’ve spent a lot of time, and probably a lot of money, to look their best on the day, so please respect that.

• Adhere to cultural traditions as well as the couple’s own policy, don’t take photos during prayers or rituals. Likewise, avoid using your phone during dinner.

• When posting to apps or social media, do so quickly, then put away your phone. You don’t want to be that person in the corner commenting on photos instead of enjoying the party.

• See our point above about the tablets, please try and refrain from blocking everyone’s view of the first kiss/cake cutting/sparkler sendoff with your 6×9 tablet screen!

Photo by Vivi Courtin via Instagram

Don’t forget to share your thoughts and tips on wedding hashtags, photo sharing, and unplugging your wedding in the comments below.

Sumptuous & Sequinned; Peach and Gold Wedding Inspiration Board

This week’s inspiration board is pretty blooming gorgeous.

The utterly-inspired Rose Murphy, of Rose and Ruby Paper Co, has delivered once again, with a dreamy combination of glistening golds, dreamy pinks and fresh peaches.

And it is beautiful.

This one has us lusting over lavish ballrooms, luxe gowns and lucious dessert tables.

Take it away Rose…

Peach and Gold Sequins Wedding Inspiration Board

Glamorous and pretty! Peaches and golds are as popular as ever in the studio at the moment for weddings.

Super romantic or more whimsical and rustic, this palette is gorgeous with nudes, ivories and flashes of coral and pink.

Clockwise from top left: NBarrett Photography via Inspired By This | Melissa Tuck Photography via Glamour & Grace | Photo by Rafael Stahelin| Jessica Lorren Organic Photography via Every Last Detail | Lisa Lefkowitz via Snippet & Ink | Source unknown | Ryan Ray via Wedding Chicks | Erin Hearts Court via Inspired By This              

To Recreate: 

– This gorgeous palette is perfect for a naked cake. Decorate with lots of fresh flowers and a sparkly topper!

– Go all out on shoes and accessories – gold shoes and bright ranunculus toned nails, floral crowns and of course sequins will look so chic! It’s the perfect excuse for a sequinned wedding gown!

– Romantic and opulent, Paris is the perfect backdrop, especially for photos. If you can’t wed in Paris, bring it to you with tiny golden Eiffel Tower keychain favours or peach and golden macaroons at each guest’s setting. Super cute and will look lovely as design details for your tables.

Photo by Rafael Stahelin

And if you’re looking for even more inspiration to cram into your weekend, we’ve been working away all week to bring you just that.

This week’s real weddings couldn’t have been more different, but both were entirely gorgeous.

Eileen and Andres married in a succulent-laced al fresco affair with Mexican food and a California feel, while Georgie and Andy’s Shoreditch, London wedding was romantic, intimate, and utterly cool. 

Ryan Ray via Wedding Chicks 

We got people talking with our hot debate on technology at weddings, we got people swooning over one of the most stylish engagement shoots ever, and we got people pinning over these pretty bridesmaid gift guides.

And finally we (eeek!) unveiled our very lovely photoshoot, with some of our very favourite people.

Thanks again to Rose for injecting a little sparkle into our weekend. If you’ve missed any of Rose’s fabulous inspiration boards so far you can find them all here.  And follow all the pretty musings from Rose and Ruby Paper Co. on Sewdress, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Have a wonderful weekend folks!

 

Orchid and Watercolour Wedding Inspiration

Today’s inspiration shoot has got it all.

Fabulous wedding gowns, dreamy bridesmaid dresses, pretty paper goods, glorious florals, pewter tableware, rustic edibles, quirky wedding cakes, beautiful ceremony decor and of course, a gorgeous setting.

Photographed by the wonderful Ellie Asher Photography this shoot draws feelings of a dreamy day filled with stylish details and vintage touches.

Featuring a troop of spectacular vendors, this wedding inspiration shoot has been styled with precision by Ira & Lucy Event Design with the pretty backdrop of Blackhawk on the River Lodge, Idaho.

Incorporating this year’s the colour of the year Radiant Orchid, the fuchsia shade gets an overhaul as it’s blended with subtle, but no-less dreamy watercolour hues.

This is one innovative colour combo that we’ve fallen hard for. And we reckon you will too…

Gorgeous, don’t you think?

I love the pewter tableware, the blooms are fabulous, and that watercolour cake is so pretty. (And how fab is the bride’s hair, serious case of tress envy!)

Thanks so much to Ira & Lucy, Ellie Asher Photography and their dream team of vendors, for sharing this spectacular shoot.

And if you’d like to see even more, you can watch a beautiful film of all the details here by TK Productions.

Brides with Bangs; Wedding Hair Inspiration

So I was perusing bridal hair boards on Pinterest (as you do!) and I thought to myself, do you know what you don’t see very often?

Brides with bangs. (Or fringes, as we call them on this side of the Atlantic).

It seems while us gals are fringetastic the rest of the time, as soon as we get engaged, the bangs are banished.

I found this old post Elizabeth put together back in 2011 (great minds!) and I figured it was time brides with bangs got another airing…

Photo by Amy Nicole Photography via Ruffled Blog

Fringed brides rock!

We often see brides with stiff up-dos or big glam curls, when that’s nothing like their every day style. But really we just love when brides work an utterly gorgeous, super polished version of their own awesome every day style.

After all you want your other half to recognise you as you make your way down the aisle!

Now while we’re not advocating you cut a fringe in the week before your wedding, (please don’t do that!) we are saying that if you’ve rocked your bangs for the duration of your relationship, why not keep them for the start of your marriage too?

Fringes can be just as versatile, and add a cool, relaxed feel to more formal wedding hair styles.

Pair your bangs with a beehive, low pony, ballerina bun, or fishtail plait and you have the makings of totally awesome, entirely beautiful wedding day tresses.

Don’t believe us? See for yourself…

Braided Bun

Photo by Ciara Richardson Photography via Hair & Make-Up by Steph

Pony Tail

Photo by KT Merry Photography via Style Me Pretty

Tousled Tresses

Photo by KT Merry Photography via Style Me Pretty

Banging Beehive

Photo by On Love and Photography via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings

Fishtail Plait

Photo by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty

Retro Updo

Photo by Lucy Birkhead Photography via Bridal Musings

Just Natural

Photo by Yuna Leonard Photography via Bridal Musings

Backcomb Pony

Photo by Anna Munro Photography via Magnolia Rouge

Flower Crown Fringe

Photo by She Wanders via Ruffled

Rocking Bob

Photo by Julian Beattie via Bridal Musings

Bouffant Braid

Photo by We Are The Parsons via Ruffled

Casual Elegance

Photo by Whitney Heard Photography via Burnett’s Boards

Half Up Halo

Photo by Feather & Twine via Style Me Pretty

Aren’t they just fabulous? Do let us know what you think!

Spain the the Spring: Vintage Wedding Inspiration

When you think of a wedding in Spain, you think of a chic beach club bash, or a romantic church wedding in the piazza of an old town.

You don’t often think of a vintage wedding in a castle with ornate accessories, dramatic dresses, pretty pink florals, and antique adornments.

But this wedding inspiration shoot by Luca Studios has all of that, and then some.

Luca Studios have called this shoot, Pasión Vintage de Primavera (that’s Spring Vintage Passion to you and me!). 

Captured in the fabulous Palacio del Marqués de Casa Estrada in the picturesque region of Asturias, this shoot captures the lesser-spotted romance and beauty of Northern Spain. 

Keep your eyes peeled for hair accessories by Lola Sevares, they’re pretty gorgeous!

So gorgeous. I feel Asturias may have just earned itself a spot on the bucket list! And how beautiful are the dresses and accessories? 

Thanks so much to Luca Studios and their talented gang of wonderful vendors for sharing this vintage wedding shoot with us.

Floral-Filled Woodland Wonderland Wedding Inspiration

If you’re as obsessed with beautiful blooms as we are, then you’re going to be head-over-heels for this dreamy wedding inspiration shoot.

English roses, radiant orchids and pretty peonies all take centre stage, along with a glorious watercolour wedding dress, moss and ivy decor, a tea party in the woods and a rather special bodice.

Beautifully captured by Cristina Rossi Photography, this shoot was perfectly styled by Aruna of Perfecto Mundo Events (and includes some serious hair inspiration too!)

Before we let you feast your eyes on the woodland wedding gorgeousness, we’ll let the wonderful Cristina Rossi tell you a little more about the crack team of vendors behind the shoot.

The concept and design for this beautiful shoot was put together by Aruna of Perfecto Mundo Events. She wanted a bridal shoot with a flower theme with a twist.  

We had two looks, one with our gorgeous model Megan wearing one of the exquisite gowns by the super talented Federica Bruno and the second look a creation by Charley of London Flower House who crafted a bodice entirely made of flowers complete with matching flower crown.

Aruna and Charley also created the table scape by the river, using a stunning flowery table-cloth, which I fell in love with, from Over the Top Rentals and the crockery by Classic Crockery which finished the look perfectly.

Megan looked dreamy and oh-so-beautiful thanks to the immense talent of Ana Ospina for make-up and Kasia Fortuna for her incredible hair sculpting skills. It has been a joy to photograph this fabulous shoot.

Isn’t it just sumptuous? That floral bodice is out of this world!         

Heart Shaped Florals & Sweet Treats: Behind the Scenes At A Bridal Musings Styled Shoot

Boy are we excited to share this one with you guys!

It was a rainy Wednesday in London, and we gathered with some of our very favourite UK wedding vendors at the rather regal Institute of Contemporary Arts to create a rather special Bridal Musings photoshoot.

It was filled with sweet treats, beautiful blooms and dreamy hues of red, coral, pink and gold.

Styled by our friend and stylist extraordinaire, Louise Beukes of B.loved Weddings, with luscious florals from Liz at Blue Sky Flowers and photographed by the wonderful Marianne Taylor Photography, we were joined by a superstar beautification team, with Sev of Hepburn Collection on hair and Mariam Jensen on make-up.

We were just thrilled when the lovely Sophie of Her Lovely Heart agreed to come along to snap some candid shots as we primed and prepped for our day.

We don’t want to let you in on too much just yet, (the full shoot is to follow next week!) but feast your eyes on these sneak peak shots behind the scenes…

Make up artist Mariam is such a perfectionist, she stopped at nothing to ensure we looked and felt gorgeous for our stint in front of the camera (or as gorgeous as bloggers who spend most of their days devoid of sunlight, behind their computer screens can look, at least).

Oh so talented hairstylist Sev asking, in his charming French accent:

So girls, which hair brush is prettier?

(Because these things matter in styled shoots. And yes, we went with the brush to the left.)

There were lots of smiles that day (plus more than a few wardrobe dilemmas!) and, fun fact, the Queen was even in attendance!

She happened to be visiting Buckingham Palace so there was lots of crowds and excitement as she rode the royal carriage through St James Park. Yep, that is how awesome the location of the Institute of Contemporary Arts is – overlooking some of London’s most iconic sights.

Claire adopting the typical blogger pose, iphone in hand, tweeting and instagramming away till her fingers hurt.

Louise doing her styling thang, she is one talented lady with a penchant for the prettiest of details!

Elizabeth getting stuck into a floral DIY project. (She won’t be quitting the day job anytime soon to run off and be a florist!)

Sophie caught some really great moments, and was so discreet, we barely realised she was snapping away!

Thanks so much to Her Lovely Heart!

Doesn’t it all look so pretty? We can’t wait to show you the rest!

(Until then, you may just spot some more pretty shots on our brand new About Pages.)

An Elegant Barn Wedding with a Blue Ridge Mountain View

We don’t normally feature real weddings on the weekend.

But we just had so much gorgeousness to pack into this week that it literally overflowed into Saturday.

But this pair of high school sweethearts are worth the wait.

Ryan and Lauren were married in an elegant barn wedding in picturesque North Georgia, and their day was photographed by the wonderful Allie of ABH Fine Photography.

We’ll let the lady behind the lens tell you a little bit more about this intimate family affair…

The wedding was nestled in the heart of North Georgia’s mountains at a location names White Oaks Barn.

Between the mountainous view offered from the barn itself, to the tall grasses amongst the property and the at-home feel of the venue, the location was nothing short of perfectly stunning.

Add in the unbounded passion and excitement that came from a traditional first site at the start of their indoor ceremony (beautifully backlit and supported with an uninhibited view of the Blue Ridge Mountains), glitzy and sophisticated floral and table details, I just knew this was a glimpse of heaven!

Our Wedding

We both wanted a beautiful view and when we came across White Oaks Barn we thought it was perfect.

We did not want the typical rustic barn wedding with cowboy boots, burlap and hay bails. We wanted it to be beautiful and classy.

Navy blue and silver seemed elegant with a touch of pink. Ryan wanted to look different with an all black tux (like Johnny Cash).

Special Moments

We wanted to have people that we special to us to be a part of the ceremony.

My godmother sang as I walked down the aisle, my godfather did the readings and Ryan’s uncle married us. The ceremony ended up being funny and sweet.

It was very special for both of us. 

Favourite Moment

The rain.

It ended up making a perfect day and we loved the indoor barn wedding with a view.

So pretty! I love how they embraced the rain and said it actually added to the atmosphere on their day, it’s so important to have a little perspective on your wedding day – whatever the weather!

Thanks so much to ABH Fine Photography, and of course to Ryan and Lauren for sharing their day with a view with us.