Originally published Jan 8, 2016

Good morning!

Engagement season is here!  This is one of my favorite times of the whole year because it's when the bling starts to make it's appearance on social media!  From around Halloween all the way to Valentines day, couples are getting engaged all over the world!

To you I say, CONGRATS!!! Being engaged is such a wonderful time for a couple because of the excitement and emotions that go into being more than just a boy/girlfriend.  The whole idea of creating a home and a life together is pretty darn exciting!

Then... the pressure kicks in.  Wedding date, wedding planning, the children talk with people everywhere, and so on!  I get it, I was there!  And I'm here for you :).  I'm going to share some links with you that will hopefully take a little bit of that pressure off your shoulders.  

Rock your engagement session
http://www.jackielamas.com/blog/201585-tips-to-rock-your-engagement-session

Real Wedding Inspiration P. 1
http://www.jackielamas.com/blog/20157real-wedding-inspiration

Real Wedding Inspiration P. 2
http://www.jackielamas.com/blog/20159/real-wedding-inspiration

Should you plan for a destination wedding?
http://www.jackielamas.com/blog/201512/why-its-a-good-idea-to-have-a-destination-wedding

Why do you need to invest in quality photography for your wedding?
http://www.jackielamas.com/blog/20159/investinphotography

Kate Moss’ wedding - For inspiration
https://jackielamas.com/blog/2011/08/holy-mario-testino-kate-moss.html

Martha Stewart Weddings Blog, seriously this lady thinks of it all!
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/382131/wedding-planning

and, if it weren’t enough that her blog is magic, here is a PDF of her workbook for all of your wedding planning needs!
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/wedding_workbook.pdf

If you have any additional tips or links that would help, share them in the comments below! We gotta help our newly engaged couples really be excited, not stressed :).  I'll be doing another post soon on the Do's and Don'ts for your wedding day.  Gonna be loaded with a ton of info, so stay posted!

Below are recent engagement sessions I've photographed... click on the photo to view more from each session :). 

Seriously, what could more intimidating than getting your portraits take, as a family?! Probably traveling with a baby comes close.  

I hear you, it can be really hard on parents who try to get their family portraits taken and suddenly you're dealing with a melt down because your toddler doesn't want to wear that dress and hates those shoes, on the day of your session.  Trust me, I've been there.  And it can be so stressful that you want to call your photographer and reschedule, which let me tell you, is completely in your right! 

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel! These quick and easy steps will all lead to a melt-down free session and lead to a happy post session!

DON'T SAY NO. 
This is really the only real rule that I have when I photograph families.  Especially out on the beach.  It's really easy to try and be on your best behavior as a family, but we all know that on the day of the session, your kid is gonna want to push their limits, set the new rules, and act a little goofy.  

I say, let them.  Let them get it all out of their system, let me take over and have fun.  The more they see this as a fun activity, the more willing they'll be to cooperate.  And this means, not saying "no" to running, climbing safely onto a tree, or even throwing sand and getting all wet.  Keeping things light and fun are going to change the whole experience for you!

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BRING EXTRA CLOTHES
Being that we have just let these kids wild, you'll need to be prepared in bringing more outfits.  Always choose clothes that the kids feel most comfortable in.  And if that day they are particular about a shirt, bring it,  we'll use it and then I'll convince them to change later during the session.  Usually this works because I'm a stranger and they don't know that I'm a complete push over.  Plus, we're having fun and so they'll go along with it even more if we turn it into a game.

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BRING SNACKS / TOYS
Kids are hungry all.the.time!  I'm sure that you are constantly bringing snacks and juices everywhere you go; sessions are no different.  Make sure you bring those favorite snacks and we'll give them to the kids through out the session so that they can keep their energy up and keep giving us those cute smiles!

Bringing toys is another great way to give your kids a break during the part of the session where we focus on mommy and daddy.  It's a great way to keep them entertained and sometimes, we can get cute photos like this one below; this photo captures who she truly is at 3 years.  

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SMILING POSING MAY NOT HAPPEN
Just know that at your session, depending on your children's age, they may not be willing to be still enough for photos.  Take a 2 year old, they constantly run from the camera and don't like to sit still.  As where you have teens who don't like to smile at all but will stand there limp and bored.  So that's where we try to play, run, jump, through the baby in the air, maybe jump onto your teens back, or tell a funny joke - anything to get the energy flowing. 

I'll capture those interactions and sometimes, they make the best memories because they are natural, authentic, and real.  

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DON'T BE AFRAID TO RESCHEDULE
Portrait sessions, thankfully, are always able to be rescheduled if your kid is having a really bad day or isn't up for anything.  Call me and we'll reschedule for a later date.  It's happened where we're in the middle of the session and we'll reschedule for a different day, and it's totally ok!  Sometimes this happens and it's quite alright.  I'd rather not force the session because we'll definitely see it in the photos.  

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Having fun is always the best part of your portrait experience! Don't forget to bring on the bad dad jokes, run, jump, and be willing to play.  I guarantee everyone will have a wonderful time and we'll get the shots that you'll be able to treasure.  

I photograph in many of the same locations again and again. Here in Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta, this means that I photograph many sessions at the same beach.

However, it has always surprised me that I could photograph two sessions on the same day at the same location and each session will be SO different from the other. No two sessions are ever alike and this is because of YOU.

You, my clients, are the ones that make each session unique and truly one of kind. Yeah, I know that sounds cheesy but it’s 100% honest truth. The way that you approach the session is what makes it YOURS AND ONLY YOURS.

I’m using caps because I need to emphasize that each session is tailored to you and that each portrait experience is not like any other.

I never get tired of photographing portrait sessions at the beach. The sunset, sometimes at noon with the beautiful blue sky reflecting the blue water. The vastness of the shoreline and always, the fun that splashing in the warm water brings.

Each portrait session experience depends on what you enjoy. Like to be romantic during engagement photos, we’ll be romantic. Like to be playful for family portraits, let’s have fun. Want to mix in a little bit of both for your anniversary session, we’ll do both.

Your experience in front of my camera is important to me and I hope that you enjoy it to the fullest because moments are fleeting and as cheesy as it sounds, photography is all that is left to remember your life by.

So enjoy the session, don’t be nervous, I got you.

Book your Mexico Sunset Portrait Session. Click here.

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Getting your portraits taken while on vacation can seem a little overwhelming because you have one chance to get everything right…

I’m here to make sure our session goes as smoothly as possible and so I’ve rounded up some things that maybe you have or haven’t thought of yet and want to make the most out of your time with me.

Schedule your session two or three days before your return

Planning your session a few days before your return flight is the best way to ensure that if anything goes wrong, the weather doesn’t allow for great photos, we still have a couple of days to reschedule your session to a more ideal time.

It rains a lot and sometimes the weather can be unpredictable or the location can be closed off, especially right now with COVID where the world is still taking its time to open fully.

The sessions last about an hour and so really it’s quick and won’t take up much time from your vacation.

Bug Repellent

Bugs are really common here - especially mosquitoes. And they are a pain in you know what and having bug spray or cream works wonders.

I recently had a morning session, we’re talking about 730am! and there were mosquitoes like no other! I get bit and it seems like they look for me honestly so I always put on bug repellent in order to make sure that I’m not uncomfortable during the session.

Off and Fly Away are great ones to consider. If you forget this at home, don’t worry, the shop at your hotel or a local pharmacy will have what you need.

Baby powder

Okay, hear me out… I learned this trick through a deep rabbit hole on Pinterest and it absolutely works! Baby powder is great for getting wet or stuck sand off your feet and anywhere on your body.

Just sprinkle it on, wait a few seconds, and then rub off with a towel. It’s that simple!

Foot powder works too just make sure the mint isn’t irritating to your skin. Getting a small bottle of this can help if you don’t like sand or want to get the sand off without getting wet.

I literally never go to the beach without baby powder now and it’s saved us a lot of sand in the car and keeping sand off of faces without having to get wet. A true lifesaver if there ever was one.

Hat & sunglasses

It can be hot, especially here in Puerto Vallarta and while in the shade it’s perfectly comfortable, while out on the beach and in the sun, it can be harsh. The beaches here generally don’t have any cover or trees at the shore so it’s best to bring some sunglasses or a hat so that when I’m photographing details or other members of your family you are not uncomfortable.

They also work as great props for the session too!

Don’t be afraid to add ideas

I love it when my clients have ideas for poses and setups that help the session give them exactly what they want. If you see a great location at your hotel that you’d love to have as the backdrop to our session, let’s do it! If you see a great wall with pretty flowers you want for photos, let’s do it! If you want a photo of you sipping a great cocktail poolside, let’s do it!

Let’s do all the photos that you want! Because, and if you’ve been reading along for quite some time here, you’ll see that I repeat often that THESE ARE YOUR PHOTOS, NOT MINE.

Sure it’s cool having them to post on my website and on social media, but they aren’t going on my walls. They’re going on your walls. They’re going to sit in an album on your coffee table, they’re getting framed for your college student to hang in their dorm.

So you have full authority to tell me what you want and where and all the things. I’m here to give that to you - the best photos you want!

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Making the most out of your vacation beach portraits doesn’t have to feel like more work or overwhelming, it can be easy and smooth like an extension of your vacation. An added bonus, if you will!

Let’s do it!

This is probably the biggest thing that my clients worry about: What to wear.

Let me preface this by saying that whatever you do wear, as long as it doesn’t have large prints or really close stripes, you’re all good! Seriously, just about anything looks pretty darn great when a professional is taking your photos.

Color Combos

Having said that, let’s get into some really great color combos that work together for portraits. The key is to combine colors that match and are in the same color scheme without really matching exactly.

Matching

Matching is another way to go and it does look great when you want the photos to have a cohesive look. It’s also more timeless in that patterns and styles will all look uniform and won’t clash with each other.

This looks great when you’re thinking about printing the photos large and the background isn’t distracting so you all stand out nicely!

Mix and Match

Mixing and matching colors, textures, styles is a great look too and although you wouldn’t think so, it can really bring out the personality of the family members.

This might mean mixing patterns as well and keeping things very individual. Trust me, it all works and through my lens, your expressions and emotions are more important than what you’re wearing. ;)

What NOT to wear

A lot of colors, textures, and combos work really well together so it’s actually really difficult to tell you what to wear. Instead, it’s much easier to tell you what not to wear or to stay clear of during your portrait sessions.

• Really narrow striping, sometimes this can give a weird effect when looking at the images on a computer screen. In print, everything looks good! :)

• Large writing on shirts. Especially if they have any kind of message. Unless the writing is part of the shoot, like a t-shirt with the family name or other meaningful clothing, avoid really large writing. Or any writing or brand names on clothing. It can distract the viewer from what is most important - you!

• Anything that is uncomfortable. When you’re uncomfortable, it completely shows. It shows in facial expressions and body language. Wear something that you feel absolutely comfortable wearing because that will make you shine and you’ll be more confident rather than focusing on your discomfort.

• Socks. It’s not that you can’t wear socks, I just want to highlight that socks can make or break certain poses and so just make sure that your socks are matching the pants. For example, white socks stick out like a sore thumb, it’s best to go beige or black or even patterned. We really don’t have much of a sock issue here on the beach, but it can still make or break photos.

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I hope these tips will help you choose the best outfits for your next portrait session. Of course, when you’re on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, pretty much anything goes!

When it comes to taking your photos, I can’t be completely sure of what you’re thinking but I can definitely tell you what I’m thinking during your session, and it’s not at all what you might think!

During your session

During your session I’m not worried about anything but three things:

• Exposure

• Posing

• Getting it near perfect in camera

Mostly, I’m worried about getting the exposure right in the camera which makes editing go quicker which therefore lets me deliver the images to you faster! Short turn around time is my main goal.

Posing is the next. I’m not really looking at your body shape or outfit or much of that. What I am really concerned about is that because digital photography is two-dimensional, I have to make sure that lighting, composition, framing, and all of that makes you look like a million bucks. Posing can change the way the photo looks as a whole and thankfully. I have lots of experience with knowing what works, what doesn’t, and what is comfortable for you as well.

It’s really about having all of the elements that makes your portrait stand out in the sea of selfies and amateur photography is making sure these three elements are important.

We all feel insecure when looked at through a lens and while we might think the camera can see all of them front and center, it really isn’t what we’re thinking about as photographers.

Behind the camera it’s about all the other things! Plus, trust makes those insecurities disappear and when you find a photographer you trust, you know your photos are gonna be fab!

Editing/Retouching

Digital photography has allowed us to do photography in a much faster, cleaner, and less bulky way but it also comes with it’s downsides - like editing lol. I neither like nor dislike editing, it just is what it is and while you might be nervous I’m editing your images at 200% looking at all your pores, I’m here to debunk this idea!

You pores are safe and perfectly porish. I’m definitely not editing your photos that closely. I try and get the images as close to perfect right out of the gate. I also don’t edit or retouch like I used to in 2010, ha ha ha.

I don’t soften the skin. I don’t remove anything - unless it’s requested by the client.

What do I do while retouching?

• Color and exposure correction

• Straightening the photos - I’m horrible at getting my crops straight in camera so this is always something I have to fix. I’ve gotten better after 12 years - somewhat ha ha ha.

• Taking out temporary blemishes like mosquito bites, blemishes, on children it would be scratches and cuts or ouchies.

• Removing people from backgrounds - which I do zoom in to make sure it looks flawless.

I’m also adding presets so that the photos look amazing and pop, then adding a little magic here and there to make sure the photo is print ready. Then I save it and convert it to jpeg and send it off to the gallery.

That’s it!

Definitely not looking at your body any closer than that if it hasn’t been specifically requested. You can read more about my editing process in this blog post

After I deliver the photos

After I deliver the photos I’m anxiously waiting for you to reply that you either loved them or hated them! Yes, even after 12 years I still wait and hope that the photos were what you wished for!

Making sure you have the best photos of your life (until our next session ;)) is the best feeling in the world. Being able to deliver on the promise that professional portraits are essential and irreplaceable is the most satisfying feeling ever.

Photography is essential and worth its weight in gold… but that’s a separate post altogether!

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So, what did you think photographers are thinking during your session? What were you most worried about? Comment below!

It’s a good problem to have when you just love all of the photos from your session!

However, it can seem a bit overwhelming having to choose only a select few to frame or print. I’m here to show you some really great options for printing many, or all, of your favorites so that you can display them throughout your home.

IMAGE CUBES

These cubes offer 6 sides of the photo display. Choose a different side to display each day or get a few an mix and match the designs and photos.

It’s like having a mini gallery in your home that doesn’t take up too much wall space but gets your favorites to shine.

Ask about different design templates ;).

PHOTO BOXES

There are two different boxes that I currently offer, one is a fabric box with a photo printed inside and the other is a wooden box.

Both can hold up to 100 loose printed images. Matted images occupy more space but they are a bit more elegant in the way they look and feel.

In either 4x6 or 5x7, you can have all of your favorite images on your coffee table, entrance table or bookshelf and they’ll look neat and organized in their beautiful box.

ALBUMS

Needless to say that Albums hold a special place in the home. Photo albums have been around since the 1800s when photography saw a boom in photo studios.

What has changed is being able to fit more photos into one album in a beautiful design that tells the story of your family in a unique way.

It’s a great coffee table item and children love to look through albums and see themselves and all of the people they love.

MINI ACCORDION ALBUMS

These mini albums open up accordion style and offer two different sides to display all of your favorite images!

The best thing? They come in sets of 3 and protective slip so that you can keep on in your bag, give one to grandma, or have them extended on a shelf in your home.

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There you have it! Some favorite display items that can fit your favorite photos! Which one will you get? Personally I love the image cubes an boxes!

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