photo by Corbin Gurkin
Since we are in the height of Spring wedding season, we’re sharing some takeaways on a variety of subjects that will hopefully make your wedding planning process easy and thoughtful.
photo by Corbin Gurkin
One thing we’ve started doing (and our photographers are thankful for it) is nicely tying off the ceremony aisle, and seating guests from the outside. Of course, we don’t ask which side anymore and guests are seated evenly on both sides of the aisle. But, we are having our ushers seat from the outside in- it’s easier to fill in, you aren’t having to step over people already seated, and keeps the aisle in pristine condition for the wedding party and bride’s entrance.
photo by Corbin Gurkin
Speaking of wedding parties, we are also seeing the thought that both sides have to match up is ending. People are asking the ones they are closest to to standup with them, whether their partner has an equal number or not.
photo by Perry Vaile
Another big factor couple take into account for during their wedding ceremony is music. Some of our very favorite musicians, Charleston Virtuosi offer many different instrument combos, and are able to play a wide array of music from Classical/Traditional to Jazz to modern Pop covers. Some of our non traditional favorites for ceremony music – Don’t Stop Believing by Journey, All You Need is Love by The Beatles, and Viva La Vida by Coldplay.
photo by Perry Vaile
Another more popular musical component we see for a lot of our Southern weddings are gospel choirs and singers. From cheerful praise songs celebrating the end of the ceremony, to as seen here a vocalist singing an a capella version of the Lord’s Prayer during the ceremony. It’s a stunning and moving way to add more to the emotion of the day.
photos by Melanie Mauer
Also, we’ve learned to embrace obstacles… for this wedding on the couple’s farm with wide open space, instead of spending money trying to create a big ceremony focal point, we turned the barn on site into a backdrop.
photo by Liz Banfield
It also doesn’t have to be a father that walks a bride down the aisle… for this bride, it made more sense for her mother to walk her down the aisle… For some it’s a brother, grandparent, etc.
photo by Liz Banfield
One last takeaway for you… We have done this trick for a couple of our weddings with large guest counts, to avoid a line or perhaps missing the “guest book” we place bags with the printed ceremony programs, a blank card, and pen for guests to write a note to the bride and groom. We’ve hung birdcages from branches for guests to drop the notes in, or designed custom boxes for the notes, but it’s a great way to ensure everyone has the opportunity while you are waiting for the ceremony to start!
