MarieSamSanchezPhoto

Question: Do You Have to Pay a Fee to Use a Travel Agent? Answer: According to agent Wendy H. of Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of BDW: "Depending on the agent and agency individual policy, there may be a service fee for using a travel agent. Agents are paid a commission by the Cruise lines, tour operators, and hotels they book for their clients at the completion of travel. Often agent/agency fees (if charged) are dependent on the complexity of the itinerary being worked up for a client. I personally have not ever charged a fee, as I have not found it to be necessary, however for an agent who is working on planning a month long European trip, including transfers, individual hotels, train, and sightseeing for a client, the investment of the agent's time can be quite considerable and an initial request for deposit to be credited towards the trip or even a pure service fee would not be out of the ordinary or unusual." Agent Patty J. also of Wright Travel Agency adds: "We do not charge any service fees for our services and we're paid by the supplier once travel is complete. This means we are basically working for free up until a client travels. If a client should happen to cancel we typically do not make something on the booking or for our time." Looking for a Travel Agent? Try one of the BDW Travel Agents who specialize in destination weddings. You can contact Wright Travel HERE! - - - If you have a question you'd like us to "Ask the Expert" message me (MarieSamSanchezPhoto) and we'll feature your question and answer on a future post! "Ask the Expert" features commonly asked questions by brides and grooms with answers and insight provided by our very own Best Destination Wedding Forum experts.

I spent more than two years planning our destination wedding -- I lived it, breathed it, dreamt about it and pretty much spent every waking moment thinking about it. So when our Big Day was done and in the books and we came home from two blissful weeks of the most perfect wedding experience, I fell into a bit of a funk. The baby -- aka my wedding -- I had created and cared for, was over. And I was depressed. I found myself still visiting my wedding photographer's blog even weeks and months after she had already blogged our wedding and my husband often had to remind me, "babe, you know we're not going to magically appear on her blog again right?" I soon realized, I was obsessed with looking a beautiful wedding photos, even if they weren't my own LOL. So six months after we said "I Do," I bought my first DSLR and over the course of the next half a year, I took a self-taught crash course in photography -- my new obsession became photography. My camera became my new post-wedding baby and I was addicted to learning everything I could about the craft. Before I knew it, I was being asked to shoot a ton of portrait sessions and eventually even taught my husband how to shoot. And those sessions ultimately led to shooting events, and that ultimately led to booking our first wedding -- which happened to be a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic. I know, right? And now here I am five years later, having shot close to 100 weddings. Needless to say, the way I got out of my post-wedding funk was to cultivate my love for weddings through a career -- which initially started out as a hobby -- that still allowed me to exist within the wedding world. So if you're feeling a bit depressed now that the wedding has come and gone, here are a few tips that can help get you out of the post-wedding blues: 1) Sell all your leftover wedding stuff: If you plan to sell your dress -- do it right away. All those extra wedding items you never got around to using? Sell it immediately. Get those things out of sight and don't leave any unwanted remnants behind. Cleaning house will give you a sense of a fresh new start beyond the wedding world. 2) Start on those thank you cards right away: Don't let this task go by the wayside. Get started on those thank you notes ASAP. You'll not only feel good about getting this task done, you're guests will appreciate the quick and thoughtful turnaround from what I'm sure was the best wedding they've ever gone to! 3) If you didn't order an album from your photographer, create one: This one is my biggest regret. I decided to NOT order an album from my photographer filled with all my beautiful wedding photos because I planned on making an album myself. Well guess what? It's now been 6.5 years since I've been married and I still haven't gotten around to making an wedding album -- and I'm a freaking wedding photographer so it's not like I don't have the software and ability to make an album. I just haven't done it. *sigh* So number one, I'd suggest ordering an album from your photographer -- it will be worth the money and time you save. Plus the quality of album a professional can provide you with will far outweigh what you have access to as a regular consumer. BUT if you're determined to save money and DIY, then do it right away. As soon as you get your photos, start designing that album and get that sucker ordered ASAP. Or else you'll find yourself 5+ years later regretting that your photos still only exist in a Facebook album or on a disk your photographer gave you 4) Start a new hobby: This was the magic that helped me. I discovered a love for photography and never looked back. A new hobby will allow you to put your post-wedding boredom into a new obsession, and who knows what that could lead to! I speak from experience 5) Let the gym become your new "wedding": I wish I would have stuck to my pre-wedding workout regimen because ughhhhh I was in such great shape for my wedding! Don't let the post-wedding blues let you forget how good it feels to be in shape, keep that routine up. It will not only help you turn your focus away from any post-wedding depression, you'll feel and look better because of it! 6) Become a volunteer: Whenever I have felt like I was down in the dumps, volunteering for a good cause or an event has always been a good wake up call for me. Giving your time and efforts to others in need is not only good for the spirit and soul, it helps keep things in perspective of what's truly important in life. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

For many brides, the Wedding Day look includes more than just the dress, it's also all about the shoes! But your shoe choice also depends a lot on your wedding location, obviously heels aren't the best idea if you're planning on getting married on the sand. So there's plenty to consider when you're planning your shoe game in terms of setting, style and comfort. Here are some Wedding shoe photos (taken by yours truly of MarieSam Sanchez Photography) to connect you with your inner Carrie Bradshaw! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

* This article was written at 11:30 a.m. PST on Oct. 23, 2015 Hurricane Patricia is expected to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast on Friday, October 21, 2015, prompting the closure of airports in Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, where resorts have also begun to evacuate their guests. The Category 5 storm is expected to be one of the worst storms in Mexico's history and is threatening to batter popular resorts and small fishing villages along the nation's central Pacific coastline, according to the World Meteorological Organization. In Patricia's path are the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero, including the resort towns of Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta, according to the Los Angeles Times. The hurricane will make landfall along the coast of Jalisco state -- which includes the Puerto Vallarta and is also close to Manzanillo and Colima -- between 6 and 7 p.m. EST, according to reports. People in the area have been told to brace for its 200-mph sustained winds and torrential rains. Authorities have already declared a state of emergency in several municipalities and have closed airports in the affected regions. More than 7,000 tourists in the state of Nayarit will have been evacuated to the city of Guadalajara, about 125 miles east of Puerto Vallarta, by the time the storm hits land, according to officials. Destination brides and grooms planning to travel to the affected areas in the coming days, should immediately contact their travel agent, airline provider and/or resort for an update on the storm's impact on their travel plans.

They say you can never truly thank you parents for all they've done for you throughout the years, but on your Wedding Day -- when you officially "leave the nest," and begin your life with someone else -- you can sure try to express your thanks with a special gift they will love. Here are a few gift ideas to give mom and dad on your Wedding Day: Frame one of their old Wedding photos: Celebrate their love by preserving one of their own Wedding Day photos in a beautiful frame. A Wedding Day parent album: Cherish the memories from your Wedding Day by creating a parent album just for mom and dad. They will love being able to remember the special moments of your Big Day with a beautifully put together album. You can either create one on your own or ask your photographer if he/she offers parent albums -- chances are, it's an option and it's always better leaving it to the professionals. A special slideshow: Old photos and video clips set to music is sure to set the tone for tears of joy and laughter. Your parents will love taking a trip down memory lane with a visual display of your life and family through the years. A special toast: Declaring your love and thanks to your parents is always appreciated. Take a minute or two to thank them publicly for all their love and support, hearing "thank you," will never get old. A special trip or getaway: If you've got a bigger budget to work with, send your parents on a weekend getaway. They'll appreciate the time away to relax and make more memories together! A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or fun excursion: Who doesn't love the gift of delicious food? Get them a giftcard to their favorite restaurant, or maybe a giftcard to use toward an excursion -- the movies, the theater, a museum, a winery tour, etc. Give them the freedom to enjoy a fun outing together. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Dear Men, If you're in a serious long-term relationship, then trust me when I say, your sweetheart has definitely thought of the possibility of you popping the question one day. It's just kind of a thing we girls do -- we dream of the perfect proposal filled with surprise and romance. And that's exactly why you should hire a photographer to secretly photograph the special moment when you finally ask her to marry you. The practice of hiring a professional photographer to document surprise proposals is becoming a growing trend, and as a wedding photographer, I can tell you -- these moments are absolutely meant to be captured on film! There's nothing more beautiful than seeing the look of surprise and raw emotions from both the soon to-be-bride and groom during the proposal. And trust me when I say, the moment will overwhelm the both of you so having it captured on camera is a good way to remember what actually happened Here are a few tips to consider when planning your proposal to ensure the moment is picture perfect: Unless you intentionally want a very public setting and quite possibly an audience, pick a location that gives your moment a sense of intimacy. Consider the time of day and what type of crowd may be at your location. Pick a location where your photographer can essentially "hide," or at least not stick out like a sore thumb, therefore ruining the surprise. Consult with your photographer on the best time of day to create gorgeous photos. If you want something done at sunset, talk to your photographer about the ideal start time -- he or she will appreciate your consideration. Talk specifics with your photographer so he/she knows exactly what to expect and what cues to look for when you're ready to pop the question. If you want awesome photos, planning the details out with your photographer will help immensely in ensuring he/she captures the moment perfectly. Do your research and pick the right photographer. Someone who has experience in capturing unexpected moments and someone equipped with the right type of lenses do the job properly. If this is a surprise proposal, then you'll want a photographer who has long lenses so he/she can document the moment from a distance. For a moment like this, it's not worth going the cheap route -- you want to make sure you hire a person who can do the job beautifully. Remember the saying: "cheap aint good, and good aint cheap!" Best of luck and I hope these tips help you document this special moment in the perfect way! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Looking for a unique way to ask your closest friend to be a bridesmaid? Don't settle for just a simple phone call, email or a text -- there are plenty of sweet little trinkets that you can give to pop the question! From personalized wine glasses, specially labeled wine bottles, to beautiful custom necklaces to coffee mugs -- asking your best gal pal can be done in a beautiful way that she will never forget! Click here to view a plethora of "asking your bridesmaid" gift ideas offered by Etsy creatives. * Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Wedding dresses can be expensive -- yes, we're talking down payment on a house expensive. But your Wedding Day attire certainly doesn't have to break the bank because these days, there are tons of resources and options when it comes to finding "the dress" aside from the standard bridal shop or bridal boutique in town that everyone goes to. Here's a list of other places where you can go searching for your dress at a fraction of the cost, and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home: -- Nordstrom.com: Yep, it's no longer just your go-to-spot for shoes. Nordstrom has it's own section dedicated to all things wedding attire and the prices vary and the designs are fabulous. Best of all, all purchases included free shipping and free returns, so if you don't like it, it doesn't take more than a trip to the post office to send it back. Click here to check out the retailer's Wedding Suite section. -- Etsy.com: Want something truly unique and custom made just for you? Try searching through Etsy and you'll be amazed at the options. The prices on Etsy are totally reasonable and you'll be purchasing a gown made just for you! Click here to check out Etsy's Wedding dress section. -- JCrew.com: These dresses are simple but beautiful and you can easily find something gorgeous for less than $500. From gowns to little white dresses to stylish separates, JCrew creates with the fashion-forward bride in mind. Definitely worth a peek! Click here to check out their stylish threads. Where did you buy your Wedding Dress? Did you find a great deal? Share your experience in the comments section! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

As a little girl I grew up with the traditional notion that my Dad would walk me down the aisle on my Wedding Day. But in reality it ended up both my parents that stood by my side as I took that last walk as a single woman. And honestly, I wouldn't have had it any other way. If you haven't already learned by now, being a destination bride means the concept of "tradition" kind of goes out the door and you should wholeheartedly embrace that! Walking down the aisle with both of your parents creates such a special moment that you will always get to share with the two people who brought you into this world, and it also gives way for beautiful imagery filled with lots of emotion. So if you plan to have both mom and dad walk you down the aisle, here are a few important things to keep in mind: Make sure your wedding aisle is suitable for three people to walk down side-by-side together. Make sure to practice with both your parents by your side during your Wedding Ceremony rehearsal Make sure you give your photographer a heads up that you will have both your parents by your side. Your photographer will appreciate being able to plan for this moment ahead of time to ensure he/she is standing in the best location to get the perfect angle. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Let's face it, a huge part of weddings focuses on the bride, her bridesmaids and all the pretty details. And while that's commonplace, every groom and his groomsmen should also get some shine too. An easy way to give some love to the groom and his groomsmen is by going the untraditional route when it comes to the boutonnieres. Instead of opting for the usual fresh floral bouts, consider getting customized boutonnieres using untraditional materials, fabrics and textures made to perfectly compliment the groom and groomsmen's attire and color palette. By straying from fresh flowers, your groom will also end up with a great keepsake to remind him of the day you shared your I Dos. Click here to view a variety of wedding boutonnieres by Etsy creatives -- perfect for every style and budget! * Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Want to bring what is sure to be an already perfectly romantic Wedding Day to a whole new level? Then why not send the love of your life a special surprise on the Big Day? Here are a few ideas how to make your sweetheart swoon on your Wedding Day -- and remember to have these items delivered while he/she is getting ready for the festivities: Send he/she a special handwritten note or card. Spill your heart out, share your excitement and let him/her know just how happy you are to be tying the knot. Love letters will never go out of style and are priceless, inexpensive gifts that your soon-to-be spouse will cherish forever. For Brides: Send your groom a special trinket or piece of jewelry he can wear on the Wedding Day. A special pair of cufflinks, a beautiful watch, a bracelet or maybe a cool pair of shades he's been eyeing that he can wear at some point during the day. If possible, get it inscribed with your wedding day or maybe a few words to remind him just how much you love him. For Grooms: Send your bride something she can wear on the Wedding Day -- jewelry is always a winner! A beautiful pair of earrings, a simple but special necklace or bracelet, maybe an anklet or perhaps some diamond earrings you know she loves. Send your favorite photo in a beautiful frame. If you're planning on not seeing each other until your First Look or ceremony, sending a photo of the two of you is a beautiful reminder of why you are getting married. A picture perfect moment that you've shared is sure to put a smile on your soulmate's face. Want to shock your groom and get his heart to flutter? Brides, plan to do a boudoir session ahead of time and create a beautiful album that he can open on the Wedding Day. Imagine how thrilled he'll be to see your sexy gorgeous self in an album made just for him. Maybe even give him a sneak peek of something you plan to wear during your Wedding night or honeymoon -- I'm sure he'll approve! For the tech-savvy, text or email a special video message or collage of your favorite photos/adventures you've shared during your time together. And obviously, this is something you'd have to create ahead of time. Can you imagine seeing something so personalized and thoughtful on your Wedding Day -- tears galore for sure! Send he/she something you can use on your honeymoon! Perhaps a brand new camera to document your newlywed adventures, or a go-pro for the all the water fun you'll be encountering. If you're planning an active honeymoon, he/she will love a new pair of hiking/running shoes. Or maybe share with him/her that you've planned a special activity for your honeymoon -- a diving adventure, a dinner at a special restaurant, a hot-air balloon ride, etc. Let him/her know, there are adventures and fun to look forward to -- together of course! Whatever you decide to give or do, make sure to give your photographer a heads up that a surprise is coming your bride/groom's way so that they can document the moment when the "big reveal" happens! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Gone are the days when every aspect of a wedding must be "traditional." In fact, these days it seems that plenty of brides are looking to take the untraditional route -- and that goes for wedding attire as well. When I was planning my own wedding, I went back and forth with the idea of wearing veil because I didn't want to be too traditional and feel weighed down but I wanted something light and airy. These days another alternative to the wedding veil is a flower crown, which gives brides a very natural, bohemian inspired touch. This would have been perfect for me back then! Plus who doesn't love flowers in their hair? Click here to view a variety of Bride Flower Crowns offered by Etsy creatives. There are tons of choices perfect for every style and budget! * Wedding Finds is a BDW feature that will highlight special little finds or ideas that may help you along during your wedding planning journey. If you have a special wedding find to share, feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

I don't know what it is about the Wedding Cake, but it's one of my favorite details to photograph on the Wedding Day. And well, frankly, cake is just awesome in general Wedding cakes come in all shapes, sizes and designs -- from simple to intricate, to colorful and beautifully simple. Wedding cakes are simply pieces of art with a whole lot of deliciousness to boot! And for many couples, the wedding cake design is a crucial part of the Wedding planning process. Here are some Wedding cake photos (taken by yours truly of MarieSam Sanchez Photography) to give you a sweet little slice of inspiration! (Take a peek at Part 1 and check out Part 2!) - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.