Yellows, whites, blues, and greys match really well together.

This is probably the most asked question I get when planning photo sessions. Rightly so! You’re packing for your trip, you want to make sure you bring what you need, I get it!

So here are a few suggestions with examples of what you can wear to make your session yours.

WEAR OUTFITS THAT CAN ALSO DOUBLE AS VACATION OUTFITS

The last thing you want to do is bring EXTRA luggage. I would suggest you bring outfits that work with your vacation wardrobe as well as for our session.

When we’re out on the beach, keeping it light usually helps. So any sundress, shorts, or button-up, etc will work for your session as well as lounging by the pool or a day trip in town.

This is not to say you shouldn’t or can’t bring something just for your session, I’m all for it! I’m just saying that you don’t have to either ;).

SAY NO TO SHOES

Unless we’re going to be walking around exploring the city, I would suggest you bring your comfiest sandals. We’ll most likely take them off once we hit the sand anyway.

I understand too that some people might have aversions to the sand and THAT IS OKAY! Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable during your session the better. If that’s the case, make sure your sandal is a bit more polished than say a flipflop.

COLOR SCHEMES OR MATCHY-MATCHY

I prefer that you coordinate color schemes. Warm blues with mixed grey, reds, beige, and black for example. Pastels work great against the blue of the ocean and sky.

If you can coordinate your family with colors rather than a set outfit, you’ll look more put together as different jeans have different washes.

However, being matchy also works if that’s the look you want! Again these are YOUR PHOTOS and I want you to have exactly what you’re looking for so if matching outfits is what you’d like, then I’m all in!

When it comes to bigger families, I would suggest you coordinate within individual families and then as a whole group. This way each family can stand out but also be a part of the whole group.

I wrote a more in-depth post on multi-family sessions and you can read those tips here.

IN THE END, EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT

At the end of the day, everything tends to look pretty great against the beautiful background of Puerto Vallarta!

I would say don’t worry about it too much as long as you’ve followed these tips and feel comfortable in what you’re wearing.

If you are going for multiple outfits, please let me know so we can time the session accordingly. We’ll need more time for you to change outfits and coordinate which will look best at what time.

Other than that I hope this article helped you get a better idea of what to wear!

If you need more examples, I suggest that you head to my Instagram and check out my client’s photos and outfits. It’ll give you a better idea of what you’d like to wear and how it all looks put together.

Hey friends! I’ve got a great guest post for you today with amazing creative ideas of how to incorporate wall art into your wedding decor from ELEPHANT STOCK. Use these ideas for your ceremony site, cocktail areas, and reception decor! Let me know what you think in the comments and as always - share with other couples getting married so they too can incorporate these ideas into their wedding decor and theme!

I am not receiving any payment for the article nor am I affiliated with the company. They reached out to me offering to write a guest post that I believe is helpful and aligns with you, my audience! Thank you for reading and I hope to bring you more articles like this in the future. :).

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Are you planning a wedding and are you wondering how to decorate the walls at your wedding venue? If you answered yes, then creating a wall art decor is perfect for your wedding. A new unique trend making its way into all weddings, both micro and large.

Your wedding is unique to you and a special day, so every decoration should be according to your mood, style, and wishes. Wall art is a great way to display and express your feelings and sentiments towards your family on this special day.

When people enter your wedding, food and music are not the only things to set the tone of your wedding Venue ambiance plays a vital role in creating the perfect wedding mood on your day. Creating a custom wedding day wall art piece can really help you express your feelings and set the tone of your wedding all to match your current wedding scheme.

Here are some wall art ideas for weddings that you can try in 2021:

Family Photos Collage

A creative display of family photos is a beautiful way to personalize your wedding day. It is an affordable and exciting way to enhance your wedding venue decor.

You can tailor the family photos display depending on which memories you wish to share with guests. There are many family photo wall ideas that you can use on your wedding day. It is a great way to relive memories and wow your guests with this unique decoration style. 

Whether you choose to display your childhood photos or select pictures of yourselves, guests will love to see photographs displayed throughout your venue and wedding day.

You can also create a collage of your photographs to create an interesting wedding focal piece.

Floral Wall Art  

Source: ElephantStock 

If you have a special place in your heart for flowers, you can decorate your wedding with creative and beautiful flower wall art. Using natural flowers can also create a unique floral art piece if you like real flowers.

Floral wall paintings can also add a unique charm to your wedding day without actually using natural flowers. 

You can cover the big wall with floral canvas prints to make your stage look royal and attractive as well. Whether you choose between a more creative and out-of-the-box idea or keep it simple and minimal, both of which will showcase your own wedding personality and style!

Wall decoration with flowers is ideal for outdoor day-time weddings. It’s also a great way to incorporate more eco-friendly decor into the details of your day. 

Frame your Shades of love

If you want to tell your relationship story, you can add photo frames with photos displaying your pre-wedding shoot. In that, you can tell your relationship story in a cute and quirky way to guests.

You can add different photos of how you met, fell in love, and got engaged. Add a legacy element by displaying wedding photos of your parents’ and grandparents’ wedding on the wall too. It is a unique and affordable way to decorate the venue walls.

Wall Decoration with Lights

Lights create a romantic ambiance for wedding decorations. It gives a gorgeous look to the walls and wedding venue, especially at night, creating a muted and intimate feeling to your wedding.

You can use lights on the wedding stage to create a welcoming wedding venue. Consider hanging wall arts with good lights to create a unique and interesting wedding decor. 

Lighting also can be used alongside the walls of the bar or catering section. The colorful lights will create a memorable as well as intimate atmosphere on your wedding day. 

Gallery Wall

A gallery wall or set up is a beautiful way to infuse color and pattern into a wedding area. It is a simple yet creative way to spice up your space. With a wedding-themed gallery wall, you can display amazing elements of your love. 

You can display a collection of you and your family photographs on the gallery wall. It is an impressive way for wedding decoration to turn a wall into a stylish as well as a noticeable focal point. 

You can use pics of different sizes and shapes that can demonstrate your unique ideas. For example, you can include a framed print of your pre-wedding shoots, a canvas print of your engagement, or any other memory. 

Match art to your wedding style with a wall painting or hand-lettered sign

You can paint walls to decorate the wedding venue with a variety of art. Paintings related to music, celebration, love, and marriage quotes complement most wedding venue walls.

Wall paintings also depend on the style of your wedding. For example, if you are going with a more romantic style to your wedding decor consider using calligraphy in the painting or a beautifully hand-lettered sign.

Whichever vibe and feel you’re going for, be it romantic, vintage, or more modern, choose a wall painting that compliments your style perfectly.

Use the wall paintings as a background for the cake, for example, or behind the sweetheart table.

Green Wall Decor 

Source: ElephantStock

If you are looking for a unique wedding decoration idea, consider the green walls for wedding venue decoration. You can cover the wall with all green plants or can hang botanical wall arts as well. This will bring a different charm and freshness to the wedding decor. 

Further, the green wall also serves the purpose of a perfect photo backdrop. It is a unique way for eco-friendly wedding decoration. 

No matter whether your wedding venue is indoor or outdoor, greenery looks great in every space. The best part is that this type of decoration is not too expensive. 

Your wedding is yours to create

Your wedding is very special for you as well as your family. So, wedding decorations should also be unique and special. Wall art for wedding decor is all about personalizing your wedding with something unique that will wow your guests.

Will you try any of the ideas above? Let us know in the comments!

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Thanks for taking the time to read our guest post by Elephant Stock and be sure to check out their art on their site.

I have been a photographer for about 13 years. When I was first starting out, Photoshop was getting into mainstream photography, along with digital. This meant that people, myself included, were editing photos like it was going out of style.

And then, it went out of style.

Over editing photos is not something I do anymore. I stopped over processing photos about 4 years ago because I just felt like the smoothing of skin and over editing colors and adding filters was just TOO MUCH.

My editing style is pretty close to the original image! This is because it keeps the photo timeless.

I also realized that filters are part of trends, and that means that when a trend goes out of style, that editing also goes out of style. And then you’re left with photos that are out of style.

Of course, to each their own. Each photographer has their own particular style and I’m not here to say that it’s wrong or out of date or anything, it just isn’t for me or my clients.

I like to stick to a nice elegant and timeless look with the photos that I create. I feel like editing this way means that your photos will never look dated or out of style.

What do I do then? I color correct, bump up the warmth, take out blemishes, clean up the skin a bit and brighten and add contrast. It’s very minimal and takes me less time to edit which also means your photos get to you sooner.

Editing this way has revolutionized my time in front of the computer and lets me focus more on the creative part of my photography.

I love letting my clients see exactly firsthand what they can expect to see when they get their final images. So, I’ve pulled together some before and after photos so you can see exactly how I edit the photos!

What do you think? What kind of look do you like to have for your photos?

Getting your family portraits taken while on vacation is a wonderful time spent because your family can hang out, have fun, and get some meaningful and one-of-a-kind memories captured.

However, there are some things you should prep before visiting and getting photos taken. I’m gonna delve into some of the best tips to consider so that you feel really prepared and don’t have to worry about a thing!

By the way, a portrait session only takes about an hour and half and doesn’t carve too much time out of your vacation so if you’re interested in booking a session, let me know! We’ll get it booked!

WARDROBE

I get this question a lot and it can feel like an overwhelming decision because you definitely want your photos and family to look class and timeless, yet you don’t want to have to worry about over packing or packing something that will take up space in your luggage.

Let me be the first one to tell you: WHATEVER YOU WEAR WILL LOOK GREAT! The beach makes for the perfect background that really lets you shine against the beautiful blue waters and setting son.

As long as you don’t use any patterns that are distracted. Using color schemes instead of trying to be too matchy-matchy can work really well. Follow your kids’ lead and if they feel comfortable in something you can try and keep that look for the session for everyone.

In the end, you’re on vacation and your vacation wardrobe works well for your portrait session because I’ll make sure you look and feel comfortable in anything you decide to wear!

WHEN TO VISIT

This is also the biggest factor in getting portraits taken. The best weather here in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas is from October to May. This is when the heat subsides and the humidity as well.

However, during this time, it is also high season and the sun sets closer to 6:30 pm. High Season also comes with more festive days in Mexico and more visitors to the area than the rest of the year. So the beaches might be crowded or there might be people in the background… don’t worry because I’ll be able to retouch them out ;).

In the summer months, it rains off and on and so it can put a damper on your session. Usually, it rains heaviest during August and September. The good thing though, is that the sun sets at the latest time of the entire year - close to 9 pm! So sunset can always happen after the afternoon showers and we can still get great photos taken!

BUY WHAT YOU CAN HERE INSTEAD OF BRINGING IT

The best thing about visiting a high touristic location is that many of what you can get in your country, you can get it here, especially products from the US. We have various pharmacies for things like bug repellent (the green OFF brand is the most effective one!), Walmart, Sam’s and Costco, and many other various supermarkets that will have anything you need.

Like wipes, diapers, and sunblock you can also get it at these stores. So if you can save yourself some weight and worry, just get it here. Many hotels also are equipped with stores that have lots of the basic things that you’ll need. Super handy just in case you forget something too!

I have to focus on bug repellent for a moment: BRING BUG REPELLENT. It’s a must, especially if you’re going to be staying at a location that has luscious gardens or lots of vegetation. The mosquitos usually come out right before sunset, which is when most of my photo sessions take place.

Usually, during the summer, it is more saturated with bugs, winter we get a little bit of a break, but still, because of the hotel’s greenery, the mosquitos are really annoying so bug repellent is really important.

I usually carry some with me but sometimes, I also tend to forget! There are a few natural made bug repellents as well so just look for the ones that have more essential oils than the OFF brands.

SNACKS, DRINKS, TOYS & EXTRA CLOTHES

I think I put this tip in almost off of my posts that offer tips for better photo sessions because I can’t stress enough how snacks, an apple juice, some toys, and extra clothes can make a huge difference in a kid meltdown or a kid having the best time of his life.

You don’t have to bring these with you from home unless you have a specific diet, the hotels offer snacks and drinks for kids that can make the session run more smoothly. It seems like I have to give snacks every 15 minutes of my life so I make sure to carry snacks when ever I leave the house. It also works for bribes in getting real smiles!

Toys are another thing you don’t have to necessarily bring from home. Most shops in the hotels or surrounding areas have sand toys that your kids can have a blast playing with during the session.

And last but not least, bring extra clothing. If you’ve chosen carefully what you’re going to wear, bring another outfit that also works. Because kids will run into the water, get sandy, drip juice, and well, you know the drill ha! So extra clothes make for an easier transition rather than having to cut the session short.

Luckily, I can come to you for the session and photograph your family at your hotel’s beach area so we are close to all the things you’ll ever need. I hope these tips prepare you for the best portrait experience yet! If you are wondering how you can book a session with me, email me hello@jackielamas.com.

This year has been one for the books, hasn't it? That being said, the boarders have reopened and flights are coming in and out of the city. And with winter coming in now, you'll probably want to get outta the snow and into some good ol' sunshine.

Current pandemic status:

Right now, Puerto Vallarta has had a low index of people who have been infected by the virus. That being said, hotels have been restricted to only 30% capacity so it might be a little difficult to find a room at one of the more popular resorts, thankfully, Puerto Vallarta has plenty of great hotels both big and small that offer so many great amenities.

Regulations, requirements, and restrictions:

Hotels are being regulated and the Secretary of Health has been inspecting and certifying hotels so that they follow the new regulations. This means you'll see employees in masks and face shields, some will wear gloves, and at almost every corner you'll find some hand sanitizer. Also, all rooms are subject to the same regulations and you'll find them taped shut with a seal of sanitation to make sure that each and every room has been sanitized according to the new regulations.

All guests are required to wear masks upon entering the hotel and to keep their distance as they enjoy the pool, restaurants, and other hotel amenities. You won't find gyms open or kid’s clubs, but you can still enjoy a relaxing vacation by the pool and the beach.

Downtown areas are being restricted and you'll find lots of shops, bars, and restaurants closed. However, you will also find lots of local spots open where you can grab lunch, enjoy the sunset by the boardwalk - the famous Malecon - and walk around Old Town Vallarta.

Clubs and nightlife have been restricted again during this second lockdown and so you might find your hotel a better place to socially distance nightlife - but if you can, stay away from others and keep your distance with your mask on for safety.

Be mindful and keep to pandemic "rules"

We love having people come and enjoy our beaches, boardwalk, sights, and sunsets, however, I've seen many tourists come and not wear masks while out on the town and just plainly disregarding regulations for the pandemic.

Wear your mask, use it along with a face shield, and respect the locals. We would hate for you to get covid or bring covid into our country just because you didn't want to stay home and follow the pandemic rules.

Yes, it’s safe to visit!

Together we can get through this and once again enjoy vacations as a whole but for now, keep to your own pod/group, wear your mask whenever possible, and respect the country and local regulations.

And... if you feel comfortable, get a portrait session with a socially distancing, regulation following, friendly photographer - me!

Here’s the thing, it’s not easy getting kids to cooperate. Much less get them to smile and stand still long enough to not have a huge meltdown. This goes even for kids who are in the pre-teens and teen years. They just happen to be more vocal about the fact that they’d rather be boogie boarding.

In my 10 plus years photographing families, I’ve pretty much seen it all and let me tell you if your photographer isn’t helping the situation, then they are part of the problem! I personally like to tell my clients that I’ve got their backs when it comes to children because honestly, it can be unpredictable how they will react to someone new.

Don’t fret, I do have your back and I’m outlining how you can give your children an awesome portrait experience that requires really little to no effort. Win-win in my book!

CHOOSE A TIME THAT WORKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Here’s the thing, not all children are great morning kids. Some go through witching hour right as the sun dips (hello, my son does almost every day and he’s 3 already).

The best way to get your kids to enjoy the whole portrait situation is to schedule it when they are often the best in terms of energy, attitude, and vibe. We want them to enjoy every bit of the fun and not be forced or feel like they’re not doing something right.

Luckily, I’ve been doing this a long time and have photographed families at all times of the day and all times are great times for portraits. We can usually find cover on a hot day, use the calm of the early morning, or create some cool photos with the dipping sun.

The point is, we’re on their schedules (aren’t we always as mamas? ha!) and the same goes for portraits. If you think that they are okay during sunset, then let’s do it.

You know them the best and you’ll know when they will be great to enjoy and have fun. Which brings me to my next point…

LET THEM HAVE FUN

Yes, this means getting sandy, rolling in the grass, and exploring. Allowing kids to be, well, kids, will make the whole experience more fun for them and for you too!

Don’t worry, I’ll get all of the shots that are a must in between finding the perfect walking stick. I’ll get them to pose with you much easier if we let them dig in the sand a bit before.

Children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings, even if they were at the same beach earlier in the day.

Giving them a chance to just be in the space and have fun will naturally help them to just follow instructions when I ask them to stand next to mommy or daddy.

LEAVE EXPECTATIONS AT THE DOOR

This is a hard one for parents, and I get it! You’re paying for photographs that are going to stay in your family for a long time. They’ll be hung up in your home and shown off when someone asks you about your children.

Trust me, I know that it can be hard to leave expectations at home. However, let’s be real, children are children and the best way to get them to take those yearly portraits is to give them a fun experience the first time around!

A three-year-old who can remember having fun getting pictures taken is going to want to go the next time. Once they get to pre-teen, that’s a whole different story lol.

The smiles, the fun, the experience is really all up to me. So parents, just show up ready to play and have fun with your kids. I’ll do the rest to get them to smile and get those photos you’ve always wanted.

The smaller the children, the more we’ll play and make sure they have a good time. The older they are, the less we’ll force them to smile and try and get more genuine expressions out of them.

BRING SNACKS, DRINKS, EXTRA CLOTHES

Children get dirty. I’ll be surprised if they last more than 10 minutes without wanting to splash in the water. So, as you would normally do, bring snacks, juice or water, and extra clothes.

The great thing is that while they’re having fun, I’ll be there capturing every moment, every smile, every authentic laugh. Which is why we’re taking portraits: to capture your family just as they are!

Being prepared with snacks, drinks, and extra clothes will help big time in keeping the session light, fun, and real.

Also, snacks can double as bribes!

IN THE END, IT’S ABOUT CAPTURING REALNESS

It’s always a good time when kids can just be kids during a portrait session. I hope these tips help you to keep in mind that getting photos of who these little people are right now, at this time and age of their lives, is more important than the standard look at the camera and smile.

And I’m all about capturing the realness of families. The, let’s-walk-along-the-shore-and-tell-fart-jokes. Or let’s splash and wet daddy because that’s always fun!

All about the tossing in the air, tickling, and giggles. All of it, sign me up for the fun.

If you want to know more tips, reach me at hello@jackielamas.com or via Instagram and I’ll help you as best I can to prepare you for your best portrait experience ever!

Baby Moons have taken a much-needed spotlight when it comes to family vacations! It’s basically a vacation that you take while pregnant to enjoy before the baby arrives. Best to make it around 5-6 months otherwise you might not get the OK from your doctor ;).

Baby Moons have been especially popular here in Puerto Vallarta and since many are already on such a beautiful beach they take advantage of getting maternity photos taken.

It doesn’t have to be a stressful session, you’re already in such a beautiful place! Just a few things you should prep so that your session goes off without a hitch!

Find a local photographer

Finding a photographer that already lives in the area will help you choose the best beach, time, light, and angles to make sure that you’re looking fabulous!

Local photographers know the area best and can help you make the most out of your session without you having to stress on finding a location on Google maps, which let’s face it, is usually really outdated.

Pack easy, light, and flowy outfits

For baby moon portrait sessions, you don’t need much! Pack a couple of outfits that you already plan on wearing while on vacation that can also be used during the session.

For example, a long maxi dress, cute swimsuit, and hat, a cover-up for a few beach swimsuit photos, and maybe a cute beach wrap.

Don’t add unnecessary weight to your luggage if you don’t need to. Just pack what you think could double for your vacation and for your session!

Bring small props for your session like these shoes. They don’t take up lots of luggage space and are a cute addition!

Book your session within the first 3 days

Most people who go to the beach on vacation will usually get some color, or sunburned, within the first couple of days after arriving.

Book your session as early in your stay as possible so that you can get a little color without having to worry about getting too much sun and also so that you can get your session out of the way and you can enjoy the rest of your vacation without having your session looming over your activities.

Have your session at your hotel

If it’s at all possible, arrange to have your session at your hotel. This way, you don’t have to worry about transport, arranging taxis, having cash on hand, or anything that can cause you to feel stressed.

Investigate if your hotel has a problem with letting a photographer onto the grounds. Some hotels might not want outside vendors to come into the hotel and there is a way to get around that. Just have your “friend” (the photographer) come pick you up or visit you at your hotel. Most of the time other hotels will allow friends or outside transport like Uber to pick up guests or come onto the grounds.

Go to reception and ask before hand. If they do allow photographers to come in, then great! Just set the time and date for your session.

The great thing about having your session at your hotel is that most hotels have pools, beaches, and really nicely decorated rooms to make the most out of your session.

Take advantage of the manicured lawns, gardens, fountains, and beaches!

And always have fun!

Both your vacation and session are supposed to be fun! Don’t stress too much about your bump, wardrobe, or anything else. I know that as a photographer, I’ve got you!

You’ll feel great, fabulous, excited, and beautiful! I will help you with planning your session, finding the best location whether it’s at your hotel or somewhere else, and anything else you need either photo related or not!

Let’s capture this amazingly unique and special moment for you and your family with a session.

Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Hi Friends! Today I have the pleasure of having James Barnes, a wedding planner expert, give us a few tips on planning your dream wedding at a beach location, like Puerto Vallarta. Read on to learn his helpful tips and make sure you share with a bride who is planning her beach dream wedding!

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Many women dream about having their dream weddings on a beach, however, this also means that beach weddings are not like regular weddings. As such, brides who want to get married on the beach should think about some specific details when planning their beach wedding.

From my experience as a wedding planner, I can say that these weddings, and details, require timely planning and arrangement so that way, brides and grooms can avoid potential stress and mess. 

So, here’s what I suggest to my clients who want to get married on a beach. 

 Set the dress code

When it comes to traditional weddings, people already know what to wear. They either wear smart or semi-formal clothes. It’s known that no one comes to a traditional wedding reception dressed in shorts. 

However, a beach wedding could cause some confusion for many guests. Some people might still think that they should wear a tuxedo or high heels and others might dress too informally and wear bikinis at your wedding reception. 

To settle any confusion, I recommend that you set a certain dress code so that you can inform your guests on what to wear and what is appropriate attire for your specific wedding. You can include these helpful  instructions in the invitation card, as well. It helps guests know how to arrive dressed properly for your wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception.

 Plan the cocktail hour

I have seen many different warm-up arrangements before the wedding ceremony as a wedding planner. Some couples don’t like to let their guests wait for too long. So, they don’t leave too much time for the cocktail hour. While others want their invitees to mingle and spend some time together before the ceremony. 

I believe that your decision should take into account on the type of guests, location, and overall feel and look of your wedding.. However, I would always encourage my clients to plan a cocktail hour for a beach wedding to set the mood and allow guests to enjoy the sites and sounds of the beach you have chosen.

You can arrange so many beautiful fish hor d’oeuvre and drinks for such an occasion. Don’t forget the cocktails, of course!

When your guests get into the right mood for the wedding, the wedding reception can begin. 

 Find the place for valuables

Organizing an outdoor wedding ceremony always raises some safety issues. The brides and grooms for whom I have planned beach weddings have expressed concerns over valuables. 

I have found that finding a secure place for valuables like purses, cameras, and other items guests have on hand with the venue manager. They can suggest or even have a special place for such things so nothing gets left or goes missing.

For instance, if you’re going to have the ceremony at a beach bar, you can install a safe inside the bar. This is where you can keep the rings before the wedding. Also, your guests can leave some of their personal belongings there. 

Even then, you should find a trustworthy person who can stand by the safe during the ceremony. Hiring a professional security officer is another practical way to keep the eye on the valuables. 

And if you’re organizing your beach wedding where you don’t know anyone, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.

Ensure accommodation for the guests

Since most of us don’t live on the beach, organizing a beach wedding usually includes some travel. What’s more, it also includes providing proper accommodation for your guests. 

Having guests stay at the same place where the wedding is being held can be really convenient.

If possible, find a venue that also has rooms and suites for your invitees. That way, you’ll kill two birds with one stone (or a pebble from the beach). 

On the one hand, it’s convenient since all of the wedding activities will happen in the same place. I also know, in my experience, that many couples don’t like guests having to drive after the festivities or having to find transport to another location. This way, you and your guests are in the same location for the duration of your wedding.

On the other, you might be able to negotiate lower prices for the venue and the accommodation. Many managers of venues are ready to modify their offers if you opt for the whole package. 

Arrange the post-wedding period 

Brides and grooms sometimes forget to plan the initial period after the wedding. This is an important thing to do because it takes some planning to cover all the bases here, as well. 

For starters, set your honeymoon budget. Many couples use money from gifts for their honeymoons. My philosophy is somewhat different. I think that you should travel with the money that you already have so you’re not betting on a budget that you might not reach. The money from the wedding can then be used when you get back from your honeymoon.

Moreover, choose one or more places that you’d like to visit. Think about spending a few days with your best man and your maid of honor or even a group of friends. For instance, the Annex events complex has all sorts of wedding and post-wedding deals for their guests. 

After that, you can continue your honeymoon and your journey alone, as a newly wedded couple. 

If possible, buy all the tickets in advance. Also, I think that you should be straightforward with your guests on this travel. So, let them know what expenses you’re going to cover and what they’ll pay alone. 

Conclusion 

When I talk to my clients about a beach wedding, they see that it looks different in practice than on TV.  Since it includes several more features than a traditional wedding, it requires different planning, as well. 

What’s important is to inform all the guests in advance about the type of celebration, costs, accommodations, and general planning that guests will have to either pay for or arrange on their own.

Finally, you should decide before the wedding how and when you’ll travel after the ceremony. All these things will ensure that you organize your beach wedding in a relaxed and breezy way. 

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Gust post author James Barnes is an experienced wedding organizer and blogger at theannexevents.com. He specialized in organizing outdoor wedding events. When he isn’t writing about weddings and marital life, David usually goes swimming or playing squash.

If you’re looking to be a guest post author, please email me at hello@jackielamas.com

Writing tips for you has been such a great way for me to prepare you for your next portrait / wedding experience!

Not all photographers are the same, not all have the same style, personality, or way of doing things and these tips are where I explain a little of my process, shooting style, and you can get an idea of what the experience will be like.

I love helping clients to feel very comfortable and since many of my clients come from different countries on vacation, it also serves as a way for them to get to know me a little better ;).

I’m doing a master post so that you can view and click through the different tip posts that I’ve written over the years. I hope that they help you!

I have been a photographer for about 13 years. When I was first starting out, Photoshop was getting into mainstream photography, along with digital. This meant that people, myself included, were editing photos like it was going out of style.

And then, it went out of style.

Over editing photos is not something I do anymore. I stopped over processing photos about 4 years ago because I just felt like the smoothing of skin and over editing colors and adding filters was just TOO MUCH.

My editing style is pretty close to the original image! This is because it keeps the photo timeless.

I also realized that filters are part of trends, and that means that when a trend goes out of style, that editing also goes out of style. And then you’re left with photos that are out of style.

Of course, to each their own. Each photographer has their own particular style and I’m not here to say that it’s wrong or out of date or anything, it just isn’t for me or my clients.

I like to stick to a nice elegant and timeless look with the photos that I create. I feel like editing this way means that your photos will never look dated or out of style.

What do I do then? I color correct, bump up the warmth, take out blemishes, clean up the skin a bit and brighten and add contrast. It’s very minimal and takes me less time to edit which also means your photos get to you sooner.

Editing this way has revolutionized my time in front of the computer and lets me focus more on the creative part of my photography.

I love letting my clients see exactly firsthand what they can expect to see when they get their final images. So, I’ve pulled together some before and after photos so you can see exactly how I edit the photos!

What do you think? What kind of look do you like to have for your photos?