Mason jars, mason jars, MASON JARS!! We see them EVERYWHERE (I admit, I use them more than I would care to admit) Pinterest has a million and one ideas for creative ways to use mason jars. One of those million ideas is using them in wedding decor. Now here's the catch; where do you find 100+ mason jars without breaking the bank? I'm going to tell you where I get mine; thrift stores! You heard right. I said thrift stores. I've seen them for as little as 15 cents a piece!
Now for decorating with mason jars, you are on your own! But here's a few photos for inspiration :)
Wedding Wednesday: How to save money on your venue
Hello everyone! We are right smack dab in the middle of one of my favorite seasons right now; WEDDING SEASON!!!! I know a lot of couples got engaged over the holidays, which means a lot of you ladies are trying to plan your weddings right now. This can be absolutely overwhelming to do! Especially when trying to stay within a budget. So I've decided to help lighten your load a little! One of the most major expenses involved in wedding planning is the venue. It can also be one of the most overwhelming decisions! There are so many details involved in just finding a venue. Does it include tables for the reception? Does it include table linens? Plates? Chargers? Silverware? Catering? Decorations? DJ? Sound system? Cake? Chairs for the ceremony as well as the reception? Can I have my ceremony and reception in the same venue? Can I bring in outside vendors? Is there a fee for bringing in outside vendors? Is there restrictions on outside vendors?
Wow. Did you know there were so many things involved in just this one aspect of wedding planning? Because until I started photographing weddings, I sure didn't!
So here's my advice to you future bride; pick your battles. Meaning decide what details you want to worry about.
For example, if the thought of finding table cloths and place settings for your bare tables scares the living daylights out of you, find a venue that offers to include them! If you don't want to worry about chair rentals, ask for them to be included! If you want to bring in all of that yourself, then make sure your venue allows outside vendors and doesn't charge a fee for bringing in your own. If you don't think about these hidden costs beforehand, your venue could end up costing you a lot more than you initially planned on.
Now I'm not saying that just because it's included it will be the best deal. I would recommend doing a little bit of research before meeting with your venue to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Ok, so to wrap all that up and simplify: do research on what's included, and ask about any hidden vendor fees. These two little things could save you thousands!
Just in case you are still looking for a venue, here are a few photos from The Elegant Barn in Gilbert!
How to find the perfect family photographer for YOU!
The holiday season is almost upon us! For some people, that means scrambling around to find "the best deal" on family photos to send out for Christmas cards. Let me tell you, I have been there and done that! Thinking to myself "wow I got a steal of a deal on this photographer!" And then.....I get the photos back........and I understand exactly why I paid so little.
Let me be clear, I do not want to put down another photographers work. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I definitely did too! Here's what I want to convey to you; it is so very important to consider more that just a photographer's pricing!! You should be searching for someone who will capture a memory, not just snap a few photos. You want to be looking at a photographer's body of work, not just their pricing. Trust me, there is ALWAYS a happy medium! There are so many incredibly talented photographers out there, and they come in EVERY price range!
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you find the right photographer for you and your family.
- Do I want my photographer to capture my family interacting with each other naturally, or do I want the photos to be posed? Or do I want a little of both?
- Do I want my final product to be digital, or would I rather have physical copies (ie canvases, framed photos, a photo album, small prints, etc) or a mixture of both?
- How do I want my photos edited? (ie-crisp, clear, and bright, or vintage/rustic, or dramatic, or maybe with a matte finish)
- Do I prefer a more intimate feel (ie-more close up) or do I prefer to see a lot of the location in the backround? Or do I like a mixture of both?
- Are the photographers photos edited consistently? (ie-is the quality the same throughout their body of work, or is there a definite difference from one photo to the next?)
Now here are a few questions you can ask your potential photographer.
- Do you have any specials or mini sessions running for the holidays?
- What is your turnaround? (So you can make sure you have enough time before the holidays!)
- How do I get my finished product? (Do we have to schedule an in person sales session? Do I get them via digital download? Do I get them via USB drive? Are my prints mailed to me?)
- What is your availability?
- Can I change outfits?
- How many people does the session include?
I know it can seem like a LOT to think about! But trust me, when you get your photos back this year, you will be glad you took the time to find the right photographer! Post your FAVORITE photo of yourself or your family below, I would LOVE to see them! And don't forget to credit your photographer ;)
This is one of my personal favorites taken of my oldest daughter :) The credit goes to a really great friend, who took our family photos in 2012.