MarieSamSanchezPhoto

One of the decisions brides often make early in the planning process is choosing their wedding colors. After all, one's color palette plays a huge role in setting the tone of a wedding in terms of attire and decor. Back when I was planning my wedding -- almost 6 years ago -- I remember stopping by Home Depot's paint section and perusing through the color swatches. After basically camping out in the paint section for hours and drowning in swatches, my sweetheart and I chose a very earthy combo of ivory, canary, taupe, terra cotta and accents of red for our Wedding. Luckily couples today can save a trip to the paint section and opt for one of several online tools to create and test color combos to see what works best for their Big Day. Here are a few popular websites that can help you create the perfect palette for your Wedding Day. Colour Lovers Kuler Color Palette FX Big Huge Labs NearlyWeds Wedding Color Chooser Brides.com Color Studio How did you pick you wedding color palette? - - - 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. I am the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife Wedding & Portrait Photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

I have a confession to make. After spending about two years planning my wedding and having the most wonderful wedding experience I could ever imagine, coming home to the reality of the end of wedding planning mode was uite an adjustment for me. Honestly, I went into a period of depression and sort of stepped away from anything wedding-related. I was sad and "missed my wedding," if you will. And as a result, things like getting my wedding dress cleaned and preserved in a beautiful box as a special keepsake for my children didn't ever happen. In fact, (here comes the confession part) my dress is actually still in the garment bag I brought home from Mexico almost 7 years ago -- Unwashed. Dirty at the bottom. Probably has sand on it from my Day-After session on the beach. And yep, there are probably a few champagne stains on the dress. I honestly couldn't tell you because frankly, I never opened the bag again. For all I know, someone on the plane could have pulled a switcharoo and I could be carrying a white boa and an astronaut's suit in there Hahahaha jokes on me! I say all this because I probably should have gotten my dressed cleaned immediately and considered selling it. It was a beautiful dress and frankly, now that I think of it, I would have loved for it to have been worn by another bride and hey I would have been happy getting a little return investment on top of it as well. With the ease of the internet these days, selling your wedding gown after the Big Day is really common. And when you post your dress online it's virtually getting eyeballed from potential buyers from all over the world. Some of the most popular sites to sell wedding gowns include: eBay, Craigslist, Wore It Once, Nearly Newlywed, Once Wed, PreOwned Wedding Dresses, Tradesy, Smart Bride Boutique and Still White. But before you sell, it's always good to comparison shop on the sites, taking into account their listing and commission policy before picking what site is best for your needs and profit expectations. Here are five important tips to consider when preparing to sell your wedding gown, according to DailyFinance.com: Timing: Wedding dress sales peak in February and March, the best time to list your dress online, according to Terapeak, an e-commerce data tracker for eBay. Slowest period for wedding dress sales is between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Dress condition: Time is not on your side if you want the best price, so list dresses as soon as possible while they're still in style. Some brides even pre-sell their gowns before their wedding day. Never-worn will reap the best price, while once-worn with no damage is a close second. Dresses older than three years are a tough sell, while vintage dresses from the 1980 and 1990s are popular. Listing info: Include designer, size, original price and a detailed description of style and extras like beads, pearls, crystals and sequins. Be honest, which informs buyers and reduces return rates. Pictures: Buyers want to see what they're getting, so don't skimp on pictures. Take photos of the dress in its entirety on a hanger; close-up photos of detailing like lace, sequins or unique pattern; back views including labels, zippers and clasps; and shots of damage, if any. Keep the background plain so your dress and details stand out. Best-Sellers: Typically, plus-sized, short, lace, white and ivory gowns are top-sellers. When you write a description, use those keywords in the headline or listing body. - - - 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. I am the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife Wedding & Portrait Photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Let's face it, for a lot of people, pets are simply a part of our families. They are part of our every day home life, they are there with you to enjoy the holidays, they are there to share special milestones and they are truly the best snuggle partners when you're having a rough day. But what happens when you're having a destination wedding? It's obviously a lot tougher to make your fur baby a part of your Big Day. Here are a few ways you can make your beloved pet a part of the wedding festivities even when you're thousands of miles away from home. Use your pet in your proposal. Obviously, this is something you have to do before you even start thinking "destination wedding." But consider making your fur baby the bearer of the big question, by having him/her carry the proposal note. (Check out this adorable example!) Include your fur baby in some of your engagement photos. Yes engagement sessions are special because they capture the excitement and love you and your sweetheart share leading up to the Big Day. But why not include your pet in some of your photos? After all, a marriage is the bonding of two families right? Consider doing your engagement session in a location where pets are welcomed. But also run this idea by your photographer first, so if need be, you can make proper arrangements to accommodate your furry model And make sure you have a friend on standby to watch your pet once he/she is done being in front of the camera. Showcase your favorite framed photo of your pet at your Wedding reception. Maybe it's a photo from your engagement session (see suggestion above) or perhaps it's a photograph of your fur baby all dressed up. Put that beautiful photo on display at the party and know in your heart your little guy is there in spirit celebrating with you! Include your pet in your vows. I love this idea from Pawnation.com! "If you want your guests to know how important your dog is to you and your spouse, add a few lines into the vows. This is an easy and touching way to show that the bridge and groom see their pet as part of their special bond." Create a pet-themed Wedding cake topper. Add your dog or cat to your wedding cake by way of a custom wedding topper! Check out these amazing pet-themed cake toppers on Pinterest. Click here for cake toppers that include the bride and groom and your adorable pet! Did you include your pet in your Wedding? Please share your ideas, experience and/or photos with us! - - - 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. I am the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife Wedding & Portrait Photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

After picking our destination wedding date and location, we really focused in on setting the tone of our Mexican paradise themed event. So we decided to brand it with the moniker “El Verano del Amor” aka Summer of Love. We loved the way the words rolled off the tongue and how it made our wedding sounds so sexy, beautiful and exciting — the exact elements we envisioned our wedding to be! Once our theme was set, we went even further and decided to create a logo/monogram that we could use on all our save-the-dates, invites and other little wedding touches. I wanted to “brand” our event with symbols and words that would forever echo the love, laughter and joy shared during our special day. As a sibling to one of the most talented artists I’ve ever known, it was only common sense that I ask my brother to create our monogram. He spent the next couple weeks drafting our design on his computer sketch pad and after plenty of color, style and format modifications — mostly due to my slightly bridezilla complex — we finally had our logo! I will always remember seeing the final product because it made my heart leap with joy. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome because it was custom made to our taste and perfectly embodied the tone of our wedding ~ relaxation, nature, and love in a blissful paradise. We used the logo on our Boarding Pass Save-the-Dates as well as our Passport Invites created by Ana de Roux (also a former BDW bride). It gave our paper products and decor the perfect little touch and whenever someone saw our monogram, they would get excited and think of our wedding. Since our logo was circular, it didn’t always fit in the format of our paper goods. So, we decided to have a second more simpler monogram made to allow us more freedom to decorate our wedding decor and guests’ handouts. After a little research, we decided to enlist the services of a former destination bride who now designs logos — Allurements by Rebecca. She was offering a design special at the time, and once again, after a little fine tuning, we had another beautiful creation that blended in perfectly with our wedding theme and decor. It’s been almost seven years since we married, but seeing both of our logos still gives me goosebumps and makes me smile! I know not everyone is lucky enough to have access to an artist who can draw your design, but with a little patience and creativity you can either make your own monogram or use the services of one of the many wedding logo design companies that are out there. Some tips to ensure that your logo brands your wedding to perfection: – use your wedding color palette – if you have a particular theme or design to your wedding, try to find a way to include it in your logo – make sure your logo is clear and legible – brand your wedding by using your logo in your paper products, stationary, and decor – LOVE your logo! And on that note, happy branding! - - - 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.

When you're planning a destination wedding, picking the right kind of wedding favor to give your guests can sometimes be challenging. Here are a few simple but important tips to keep in mind when you're trying to decide the perfect way to let your guests know you appreciate their presence with a present. 1. Pick a favor that is somehow tied to the area where you're getting married. Give your wedding an extra special touch by choosing favors that are local. For instance, if you're getting married Mexico consider giving beautiful maracas from one of the local shops. Or maybe a bottle of hot sauce or tequila to give a nod to the local flavors. Perhaps you're tying the knot in a beach town, how about seashells or starfish purchased from a local vendor? What makes your wedding unlike any other is the location you've chosen, celebrate that uniqueness and think "local." 2. If at all possible, purchase your favors at your destination location. With most airlines charging the extra fees for baggage, buying your favors once you get to your location (or having your wedding planner do so in advance), can save you a ton because you don't have to worry about shipping or traveling with your little trinkets. You also don't have to worry about any hassle when you enter customs if you're coming in from another country. And of course, the locals will love you because you're also helping boost the area's economy, which is always a welcomed gesture! 3. Pick a favor that offers a dual purpose. While I have loved the little picture frames and inscribed gifts I've received as a guest at past weddings, the best favors were always those I could use almost immediately. If your wedding is going to take place in a sunny and warm area, think about gifting a handfan that could also serve as the holder of your ceremony program (extra points for being a super multipurpose example!!). Or perhaps give away flip flops if your ceremony is taking place on the beach so your guests can get comfy -- these will also come in handy for achy feet, during the dancing at your reception! A parasol is another great idea if your celebration is taking place in the hot sun, and I can guarantee your guests will LOVE you for it! Another great gift especially for your female guests is a shoulder wrap to keep them warm if you expect the festivities to carry on deep into the night. 4. Consider an edible favor. I think the one thing every bride and groom hates to see is a favor that is forgotten or goes unused because that's just money down the drain. But if you're gifting something edible, there's a good chance, something that's tasty, won't go to waste. Perhaps your destination is known for its yummy candies or a delicious cookie. For my wedding, the local bakery was well-known for its cakes. So instead of a big giant wedding cake, we had cupcakes made in different flavors along with little to-go boxes and our guests LOVED them! And of course, we didn't mind that there were leftovers because we got to enjoy cupcakes for the rest of our two week stay. (I think my personal trainer back home was the only one who thought this favor was a bad idea hahahahaha ). 5. Last but not least, be practical and don't break the bank. Don't go crazy on wedding favors and stay within your budget. I know as destination brides, we sometimes experience a little guilt that our guests have spent so much time and money traveling to our weddings that we often try to make up for it by giving them the sun, the moon and the stars to say thank you. But remember, if they didn't want to be there, they wouldn't be. Show your gratitude by spending time with your guests, making great memories together and letting them know how much you appreciate them being there. The best gift you can ever give is time. - - - 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 women we’ve all envisioned it … the dress perfectly embracing the curves of your body, every strand of hair in its rightful place, and lest I forget, you’re donning a flawless face. Ahhhh yes, the makeup is so perfect, you’ve got Kim Kardashian frantically searching for a touch-up. And with all your fabulousness, your first step down the wedding aisle is greeted with harmonious awe-filled sighs of admiration from your circle of family and friends. But even better? Your gaze meets your soon-to-be-husband's eyes for the first time and you can literally see his breath being taken away — you are simply a vision to behold. And, he even sheds a tear, because yes, you are the most beautiful bride in the world!! For the longest time, that’s how I imagined it would be on our Wedding Day. Time would stop as we saw each other for the first time at the aisle, and dozens of snapshots would be taken to capture that moment. But this isn’t what happened. It was actually better than I dreamed. We decided to see each other for the first time — in private — about 90 minutes before the ceremony. And … It. Was. Beautiful. (Yes, sometimes things carry so much meaning, each word warrants its own sentence!) Never in a million years would I have thought to see my husband-to-be prior to the ceremony, because like I said, I’ve always envisioned that “gazing into each others eyes with everyone in awe,” moment. But then we sat down with our photographer and she asked if we wanted to see each other before the ceremony for a ‘first look’ session. I think I blurted out “NO” before she even finished the sentence. In fact, I think I said it so abruptly I’m sure she thought she accidentally asked me if I wanted to take family formals in the public restroom, LOL. But weeks later, my mind started to shift after seeing so many incredibly gorgeous “First Look” photos and reading countless photography blogs and articles about the benefits of seeing each other beforehand. Fast forward almost seven years later to today ... my husband and I have been shooting weddings as a husband & wife photography team for about 5 years now, and while we have some couples who like to stick to the tradition of not seeing each other until the ceremony, we also have plenty of clients who opt for a First Look session -- and frankly, we love it! Here are some of the advantages in breaking the “see you at the aisle” tradition and opting for a First Look instead: This is a private and special moment shared between just the two of you. Weddings can often be chaotic, filled with guests who want to greet you, endless “come on, let’s take a picture together” moments, and a timeline that seems to fly faster than you can say “I Do.” Most of the time, a couple never has a moment alone, so the First Look sometimes ends up being the only time you and your sweetheart will share something that is completely private and all your own without any extra eyes watching (except for your photographers of course!). And because of this, this special moment carved out before the Ceremony often makes it the most precious sliver of time during the entire Wedding Day. There’s more time for romantic photos of the couple! Time blocked out for a First Look allows us super giddy photographers to be more creative with location, poses, etc. By doing a First Look we can choose the perfect location for you to meet and situate ourselves to capture the moment your eyes connect. And yes, be prepared for tears! Sometimes this moment can be so powerful it will draw out all sorts of emotions … awe, utter joy, excitement, and an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude … for each other, for love, for this special day After the First Look, we can then set aside about 30 to 45 minutes to do romantic photos where we’re not racing for time or light, but simply focusing on capturing beautiful images in the most incredible settings! Family members as well as the Bride and Groom can enjoy the cocktail hour together. Because you're opting to take care of a bulk of the romantic portraits and possibly even family and bridal party photos before the ceremony, there's now more time for everyone to party together AFTER the ceremony! *WOOT WOOT* There is no sense of rushing while doing pictures after the ceremony. If you can take care of family and bridal party photos before the ceremony, you can focus solely on taking a few more romantic portraits after the ceremony, allowing you to capitalize on the golden hour if your ceremony takes place a couple hours before sunset — when the light is deliciously fabulous and super flattering, giving that special glow to each image! Make-up and hair look “fresher” in images shot before the ceremony, especially during summer weddings when you’re dealing with heat. Brides you will be beautiful throughout the day, but there’s no better time to catch your look at its freshest than right after you’ve gotten primped and pampered. Doing a First Look allows your photographer to capture you at your best. And if you shed a few tears when you see each other for the first time, no worries, you can always get some touch ups before the ceremony! It helps the nervousness and anticipation of the day subside. If you are feeling a little anxious during the day's preparations, seeing your sweetheart helps put aside some of those wedding jitters before the ceremony. Who better than to calm your nerves than the one you love? And now, let me add my own two cents to the list … First Looks create some of the most amazing wedding pictures I’ve ever seen!!! And I’m not just talking just regular amazing, I mean goosebumps all over your body amazing! The private moment you get to share with the one you love is like the first flower he bought you that is now dried and pressed between the pages of a thick book — it makes your heart flutter every time you see it and brings a smile to your face that no one will ever truly understand. I have no regrets at all seeing my husband before the ceremony. In fact, I would not have done it any other way. Seeing each other for the first time alone was more special than I could have ever imagined because it was a moment all our own that we shared with no one else, just us (and our amazing photographers with our daughter peeking nearby!!) And guess what? When you see your sweetheart down the wedding aisle, it's still just as special. It's an entirely different feeling of excitement because you also see your family and friends surrounding you -- so instead of one instance of seeing each other for the first time, you actually get two and both are equally wonderful. You get the best of both worlds! Whatever it is you decide, do what your heart tells you, make sure it fits with your timeline and make that moment your own. Soak in his gaze and let your heart flutter, because it is a fragment of time that you’ll always remember. So make it special! MarieSam Sanchez Photography is a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Before I got married almost seven years ago, my husband -- then fiancé -- joked how he was going to put a flat screen TV and PS3 game console on our Wedding gift registry to balance out my infinite registry additions of "really soft" towels, 1000-count thread sheets and matching his and her coffee mugs. His remark was of course, followed by a smirk to let me know he was totally joking. But little does he know, that Best Buy just made his dream a reality by offering its customers the ability to sign up for a wedding registry. (And now I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks better of my vow renewal idea HA! ) Known mostly for its electronic-based items like computers, stereo systems, televisions, music and DVDs, Best Buy also sells various small and large home appliances like refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, washers, irons and dryers, etc. So while the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer may entice your future spouse to add that video game console, rest assure you can also add that new sewing machine or juicer you've been eyeing to balance out your registry list. As part of its new wedding registry service, Best Buy will also offer a 10% off coupon should the couple decide to purchase remaining items left on their registry after the Big Day.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost seven years since I became a member on the Best Destination Wedding Forum. I don't really remember how I came upon the site, but I do recall scouring through endless internet search results in hopes that I would find some magic elixir AKA insightful article or website to help me plan my dream destination wedding. Because let's face it, planning a wedding thousands of miles away from home is really hard, especially when you want it to be just perfect. Thankfully, one of those hundreds of internet searches led me the right way and I happened to click on the BDW site. Now here I am, on the cusp of celebrating my 7-year wedding anniversary this summer and I still look back at my wedding photos every few months, remember and missing what was truly the best experience/vacation of my life. A huge part of what made the planning process so much easier was being able to rely on reviews and shared insight from past brides and grooms. I relied on this information to book my lodging, venue, caterer, planner, hair/makeup artist, photographer and videographer, etc. etc. -- pretty much all key components to making my wedding vision come to life. Think about how many times you've looked at reviews on Yelp before you dine at a restaurant, or how you rely on reviews before purchasing something off of Amazon. Honestly, I'm not sure how I survived without online reviews in the past, but these days they are a huge catalyst when it comes to guiding your decisions as a consumer. That said, it's always important to also look at a vendor or venues overall reviews, because let's face it, there are some people in this world who are simply hard to please no matter the circumstance. So if you see a vendor you really love, but come upon a bad review, look at their ratings overall -- especially their most recent ones. And don't hesitate to ask that vendor about any negative or less favorable reviews -- it is your right as the consumer to voice your concerns if you're potentially going to give them your business. In the same breathe, it's also important to consider what you're going to say when you post a negative review. Remember, once it's on the internet, it's usually there to stay and if warranted, there can be some legal repercussions taken against you. Here are some awesome tips shared on the Off Beat Bride website by a former bride who went through a harrowing experience after posting an angry vendor review that actually resulted in her facing legal action. Tips before posting a "crazy mad review": Think long and hard. Be sensible. Be aware of your wording — saying that they "stole" from you is a defamatory statement. If this is true, chances are you've already notified the authorities. If they broke the contract, make sure you have proof and are already seeking legal assistance. Most importantly, don't air your dirty laundry on a blog. The tips go on to suggest that warning other potential clients about a vendor, should be done with style and grace. But one must also be careful of accusatory statements — "posting that you were displeased with the services rendered is one thing; whereas posting that they stole your dress or car or grandma's walker is a serious accusation and you should really be following up with the police, not a wedding blog." Remember, "if a vendor is serious about pursuing legal action, they will do so." (To see the Off Beat Bride article in its entirety, click here.) So while this forum is an awesome resource to lean on as you plan your wedding, once you're back from your dream wedding, don't forget to post a photo recap and write up your honest and detailed review -- quick or long. Your opinion is valuable to so many current and future destination wedding couples, plus we wanna know how fabulous your day was too!!! To add your post-wedding reviews to the BDW site, add your reviews to these sections: Resort Reviews Vendor Reviews If you planned your wedding with the help of the BDW community we would love to hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in sharing your wedding experience with us. Your story and photos will be added to the site's Real Weddings section.

Every few years there comes a song that seems like it was put on this earth to be played at millions of weddings. These days, anything that John Legend sings is pretty much wedding-worthy. But have you ever dreamed of having Legend serenade you and your sweetheart with "All of Me" during what would obviously be the most epic wedding celebration known to mankind? If so, then listen up: The Grammy award-winning artist is offering the chance to sing at your wedding for $10. No your eyes do not deceive you, I said $10 -- as in the amount you would probably pay to download his entire CD to your iPod. Through a charity raffle with his foundation, the Show Me Campaign, Legend is donating a private show at your wedding, or, if you're already married, during a special anniversary celebration. The performance can take place pretty much anywhere -- an engagement party, bridal shower, birthday party, going away party, or even a party just because is welcomed! The only caveat -- it must take place in the continental United States. "I'm here to celebrate love and music with you, and it's going to be one of the best days of both of our lives" the singer enthusiastically says in a . ( to watch the video). By donating $10 to the campaign, you will receive 100 opportunities to win. Increase your donation to $50 and you'll have 500 entries in the raffle. Your donation must be received by March 26, 2015 at 11:59pm PST to be eligible for the raffle. The funds earned through the raffle will help Legend's cause to bring music education to children, specifically toward rebuilding the auditorium at his alma mater, South High School in Springfield, Ohio. To enter this incredible opportunity, go to omaze.com/legend. (Terms and conditions are also available on omaze.com/legend. Event must take place in the continental U.S.)