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I hv been with my girl for 3 yrs, I am going to propose to her, and I want to choose an engagement ring for her in secret, but brand engagement rings are at a very high price. so I wanna know if there's an affordable brand? Girls care about the brand? -
Did the holidays bring you much more than just gifts this year? Did you also happen to get engaged over the holiday season? If so, share your proposal story with us! And tell us what you and your sweetheart have envisioned for your Wedding celebration! To find out more information about booking a dream honeymoon or destination wedding, contact the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I 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 am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
KyraBridal worked off pictures and drawings I had sent them and did a great job, especially because I am not a seamstress and had no pattern to send… they did a great job and were wonderfully flexible. :) The sweetheart neckline is heavily beaded and scatters as it continues down the torso to the asymmetrical dropped-waist line.The front of the skirt has no beading save for two diamante details, one on each hip and one dropped lower than the other. :lol: -
I love reading everyone's engagement stories on this topic so I had to share mine! Here's my FI's point of view from our website: "From the start my engagement plans seemed like a disaster! They messed up the ring to the point where I only got it a week before we left, even though I had ordered it six months before. I was freaking out days before I knew I was gong to ask, and to make it worse our flight was delayed and we sat in the airport all day, and I struggled hard from being so nervous! (My parents and sister will concur). Waiting at the airport! The morning I was going to ask I was in a panic and freaking out. From trying to figure out the exact moment when I'd ask her, to trying to figure out how someone was just gonna put it into my pocket while we were walking hand in hand. In the end, it all worked out, and even though there were a ton of people around when it happened, I wouldnt have it any other way...Im pretty sure she enjoyed it also, because she once told me that if I asked in a crappy way that she would say no and make me do it again another day." My turn! I'm a total Disney freak, and Princess Belle is my absolute favorite--I own dolls, figurines, suitcases, shirts, everything I can get on with her face on it! When we visited Disney World, the ONLY thing I wanted to do was see Belle's and Beast's castle, so I dragged everyone there as soon as we got the the Magic Kingdom. Of course, I wanted our pictures taken in front of the stained glass window. As soon as Corey and I posed, his entire family was holding a camera or cell phone in their hand, and I wondered "Why does everyone want to take this picture?" He turned to me and said "Do you want to start this vacation right?" And my heart started to race. I yelled "Are you messing with me?!" a little louder than was perhaps necessary, but sure enough, he plopped down on one knee and popped the question! Everyone else passing by the window froze and watched until I said yes, and then started cheering. It was truly magical! To say I was SHOCKED is an understatement! Of course, a cast member ran up right away with our "Just Engaged" buttons ready to go, and right away, they swept us and our entire family straight over to Story Time with Belle, where we got to go straight to the front for her to give us her congratulations: (As a five year old at heart, this was amazing!) Even though I was still in shock, was ready to start milking this for all it was worth--I asked the cast member who brought us our buttons veeeeery nicely if there was any way we could have dinner at the Be Our Guest restaurant (you have to make reservations EIGHT MONTHS in advance to get in for dinner....we didn't even know we were going 8 months prior!), and sure enough, they got us a reservation for 7 pm! (The Grey Stuff really is delicious!) For the rest of the week, cast members were throwing fast passes at us (we even got to go straight to the front of the line on Splash Mountain to make sure we made our dinner reservation on time!) and everyone we encountered told us congratulations. I really got to feel like a princess! Not to brag, but I think I picked myself a good one
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If you and your sweetheart are one of the many couples that got engaged over the holiday season, you're probably wondering, what do we do now? Here's a list of to-do's to help get you started on the journey toward the wedding of your dreams! 1) Call family and close friends: Start making those phone calls or sending those messages to let those closest to you know, you are to be wed! 2) Make it social media official: Once you've let your closest circle know the good news, make it social media official. Post a photo of the proposal or perhaps one of you and your spouse-to-be with your new bling. 3) Get ring resized if need be: If the ring doesn't fit the way you want it to, make plans to get the ring properly sized as soon as possible. And if you have the means, get your ring insured. Always better to be safe than sorry. 4) Begin looking at dates: Sit down with your sweetheart and begin the discussion on when you'd like to get married. It doesn't have to be an exact date right away, but at least start thinking about the season and year you plan to tie the knot so that you can start planning accordingly. Your wedding date will help determine your timeline for the rest of your wedding to do's. 5) Decide on a local wedding vs. a destination wedding: The location of your wedding is typically dependent on how big your guests list will be. Do you want it to be a huge celebration? Or do you prefer a smaller more intimate wedding? Keep in mind, destination weddings tend to weed out a lot of people on your guests list simply because some won't be able to travel, take time off work, or afford the trip. So bear in mind that when it comes to planning a destination wedding, your guests will be incurring their own costs to attend. But most importantly, plan your wedding at a location you both agree on -- this is your day to celebrate your love. 6) Start an inspiration board: When it comes to weddings, there are tons of details involved. And whether you plan on having a wedding planner or not, you can start the planning process by creating a vision board of what you want your wedding to look or feel like. Pinterest is the most popular option for creating an inspiration board. So start searching for those ideas and pin away! 7) Wedding planner vs. self planned: Wedding planning is hard work. So if you can, invest in a planner/coordinator who can take care of the big details -- or at least hire a day-of coordinator at the very least. You'll find that having someone to organize and take care of the overall planning will help a ton when it comes to alleviating wedding stress. If you don't have the means to hire a planner or coordinator, then invest in a good planning book and ask your friends/family for help. Keeping yourself organized is most important if you plan to do it on your own! 8) Create a wedding budget: Determining your wedding budget is often the hardest and most stressful part of wedding planning. Sit down and talk with your sweetheart about wedding finances and also take time to determine whether you will have any financial support or help from your parents. And always keep in mind that there are typically unexpected expenses that will come up during the planning process so plan to set aside extra money as needed. 9) Start saving $$$: Planning for your wedding can be a huge expense. So after your plan your wedding budget, set aside some time to determine how you plan to save along the way. Perhaps it means cutting back on other expenses in your life, just remember, saving up for your wedding is temporary. Also don't go broke planning the wedding of your dreams -- a wedding only last for a day, make sure to plan for your marriage and life together as well after the Big Day. 10) Start booking priority vendors: If you've had your heart set on booking a particular vendor (i.e., photographer, entertainer, caterer, venue, florist, hair/makeup stylist, etc.), it's important to reach out to those vendors right away to secure your date. The earlier you book these important vendors the better, as vendor pricing can often increase without notice. 11) Ask for parents' input on guest list: Once you've decided on a venue and budget, it's time to start drafting up your guests list, consult with your parents on their thoughts as well. Take into consideration their input when it comes to who gets invited, and then make it a joint effort with your spouse-to-be to decide on who makes the cut. It's normal to have various revised guests list and keep in mind that the location of your wedding may affect who attends your wedding as well. 12) Go dress shopping: Some brides likes to go dress shopping early, some like to wait till later. But at the very least, start looking at the different styles and designers of wedding gowns that catch your eye. Remember that some designers will require that you order your dress months in advance, also keep in mind that styles change, so if you don't plan on getting married for a year or more, it may be better to wait. And don't forget, to set aside time and money for alterations! Most importantly, enjoy the process of wedding planning. It can be a stressful process, but just remember that in the end you'll end up marrying the love of your life. So enjoy the journey! To book or inquire about any destination wedding venue/resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or visit our website at www.wrighttravelagency.com - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I 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 am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Was your 2016 holiday season extra special because your sweetheart proposed? If you happened to get engaged over the 2016 holiday season, we'd love it if you shared your proposal story with us! And if you've already got started on your wedding plans, we'd love to hear those details too! -
My fiance asked me to marry him on his birthday, January 15, 2016. Hands down, the best surprise I have ever experienced. We have been together for about 4 1/2 year (we have a 3 year old son) and have always talked about having a beach wedding. Almost immediately after he slipped the ring on my finger, I started googling destination weddings. I have always wanted to visit Jamaica, so what would be better than making my first visit, MY WEDDING? I googled best places to get married in Jamaica and found an article that detailed about 12 resorts. Iberstar Rose Hall Suites was #7 on that list but after visiting a dozen websites, I kept going back to the Iberostar wesite. We chose the Suites because they are kid friendly and it is very important to us that our son be apart of our day and that he can also have some fun while we are there since we won't have a summer vacation in preparation for the wedding. We are currently working our travel agent to get everyone who has RSVP's booked. I think we are up to about 20 guests right now which is such an amazing thing to me. I am honored that our friends and family are willing to use their time and resources to enjoy our day with us. We have sent electronic save-the-dates using greenvelope.com. They were a big hit, easy to design, and cost effective. I will be attaching some screenshots of them. This process is time consuming but I am enjoying planning!
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Did Santa bring you more than just gifts this year? Are you one of the many who just got engaged over the holidays? Share your Engagement story with us in the comments section! We'd love to share your experience with the other BDW members! -
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. -
Hi! Need a small advice here. I’m going to propose my girl after 3.5 years long relationship! For past 8 months it’s been a long distance relationship and she is coming to visit me this October for a week. We have a lot of plans and the best part is she’s not expecting me to propose and I can imagine how happy and excited she will be once I propose her. I got her a pretty antique engagement ring from Vancouver. I am deciding between 3 places, top of the CN Tower maybe in the skydome, somewhere in the royal gardens, or niagara falls. Thing is, I’ve never been there before so if anyone has and can shed some ideas on where would be perfect. Help please!
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Hey everyone, I have a beautiful Donna Morgan "Donna" strapless belted chiffon dress size 14 in "Candlelight" color available. The gold belt is removable as well! I originally bought it for my AHR, and possibly for the rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid dress or even a short wedding dress! I love this dress but found another dress that suited me more! This dress is brand new with the tags still on. I have seen it online for $60-$189 depending on the store. Willing to sell it for $45 plus shipping - hoping to find someone to appreciate it! Let me know if you have any questions! THe last two photos (of the dress hanging) are the actual dress.
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Are you a bride who is looking for someone to hold your hand during the wedding planning process without paying thousands of dollars? I will be offering 10 complementary Sessions, to the first 10 people to comment and say yes I need to talk to you to help me feel less overwhelmed about planning my wedding! I tell all of my clients that if you aren't having fun, we're doing something wrong. Because Wedding Planning can be stressful, but it's also supposed to be fun. I have been a Destination Wedding planner for many years now and let me tell you, on a daily basis I receive endless emails from Brides not looking for a planner, Dj or to discuss their budget or the flavor of their cake. But simply to have conversations and create a safe space, free of judgments and expectations. The Bridal coach. My GOAL is to be there for you and to focus on your emotional wellness, and peace of mind, so you can enjoy your engagement. Also to help you reduce stress, build confidence, and ultimately plan your wedding without feeling overwhelmed. MY MISSION is to get you results on anything you may need clarity on, when it comes to planning a wedding, because I love seeing you enjoy this moment to the fullest. COACHING Fortunately, I don't actually experience this too often because the whole point of hiring a wedding planner is to avoid that sort of situation. It is always brides who specifically looking to talk to someone on wedding tip, things to avoid etc. A lot of what I'm hearing from you is that you are just too overwhelmed, for various reasons. You counted on friends, or occasionally hired a not-too-fabulous wedding planner or relied solely on the services of the hotel/resort, and by the time you call me for guidance, you're in an all-out panic. I am making this experience available for you as a Bridal Coach. Through a one or two hour, one-on-one Coaching Session, I will talk with you about your ideas and plans, and assist you on where to save money and guidance on vendors create a personalized Action Plan that will make planning your own day much smoother. Top 3 things you can expect: 1. I will be your "source of support" for your ideas - Friends are often good at this, but may lack the wedding experience to know what will and won't work. Worse yet, if they're a past bride, they may simply be recommending a clone of their own wedding. As a bridal coach I will listen to your ideas, provide advice and often suggest other ideas that have worked well at other weddings. 2. Check the run sheet for your day - There are so many things that occur on a wedding, and each takes longer than you think. Plus you may have 100 guests to take into consideration. As Your Bridal Coach I will step you through each part of the day, and assist you in understanding how much time is needed for each activity, as well as the order that will work best. 3. Save you money - One bad decision can not only ruin your day, it can also cost you a lot of money! You don't need everything and often there isn't enough time to do it all. By providing a list of good quality suppliers that provide Value for Money! PS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE, I ´VE GOT YOUR BACK! Happy Planning! Joyce weddingsinplayadelcarmen@@gmail.com
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This is 2nd round of engagement photos. You can visit my gallery and see the story behind the first photos that necessitated a second shoot. For this shoot, we went to Las Vegas, the place where we got engaged and will be married, to get some great photos. I decided to make some props for sharts & giggles! Tickled at how they came out. I actually left them with the photographer because I didn't want to haul them back to Cali! Bunnting Banner.docx DIY-Photo-Shoot-Props-Printable.pdf ME too!.docx She said YES!.docx
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Hi all I just wanted to share some of my favorite engagement pictures from the talented and awesome Juan of Del Sol Photography. We had our engagement photo shoot back in October in Playa Del Carmen but i've only just had a chance to really sit down and post them. We loved how the pics came out so much that we also booked them for our wedding. My fiance and I just love their work and knew they were worth the splurge. If you can fit them into your budget I highly recommend them.
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We're at 11 months until our wedding and figure that it's time to have our engagement photos done. I love photos and so I'd really love to have engagement photos taken. Plus, we wanted to have pictures of us with our two-year old puppy and have a picture of the three of us displayed at our cake table. That way, our puppy can be a part of our wedding. So I've contacted a few local photographers and have received a few quotes ranging from $300-600 for two hours, all edited digital files on a disk. I've asked a few of my friends what the average price is for engagement sessions so I at least have a base price to compare the quotes to but most had their session included in their overall wedding photography package. I figure that the best to ask would be my fellow destination brides. So ladies, what did you pay for your engagement session and what was included? -
As a wedding photographer, it is without a doubt one of the questions I get most asked by my brides and grooms when it comes to their engagement photos, "What should we wear and bring to our engagement session?" Here are a few tips I share with my couples when it comes to prepping for their engagement photos: HAIR + MAKEUP: Get your make-up and hair professionally done. A clean finished look can really "complete" your photos, which should be a treasured keepsake for years to come! But make sure your hair and makeup are styled in a way that you feel comfortable. Don't do something extravagant and so completely "not you" -- any worry you carry will show in your images. If there's anything I am a strong proponent of when it comes to makeup, it is making sure you wear lashes. Lashes can make such a huge difference in making your eyes pop in the photographs. But because most women aren't prone to wearing fake lashes daily, it's good to have a "trial run" if possible to ensure you are comfortable wearing them and most importantly, to make sure you aren't allergic to the lash glue. Also, if you'd like to showcase your fabulous engagement ring in any of the photos, having clean or manicured nails is important. CLOTHING: You don’t have to settle for the matching jeans and tops look, instead wear something that reflects your personalities and style but again, make sure you are comfortable. Bringing 2 or 3 outfits usually gives you a good mix for a session last about two to three hours. Some quick tips … Think about layering your clothing – this will give you different looks in a single outfit. Wear outfits that are complimentary in style, color and level of dressiness, but not too matchy. Most couples bring two outfits to change into – one dressy look, one casual look. Remember that busy patterns go out of style quickly and your background will usually have enough textures and patterns to fill your photograph. Wear shoes you love. For the ladies, colorful shoes always make photos pop and of course a great pair of heels always compliment a cute dress! But if you plan to wear heels, make sure you are comfortable wearing them because you may need to move to different locations OR bring an extra pair of comfy shoes just for walking, like flip-flops or sneakers. Bring and wear accessories!!! Dressing up is always fun and accessories can really make a difference – whether it be jewelry, different shoes, hats, scarves, or flowers for your hair. Accessories can add that special little touch to your photographs. STYLED SHOOTS + PROPS: Styled shoots are awesome, so if you have a theme you’d like to streamline throughout your session, do it to your heart’s content! To help portray the style or theme you’ve chosen, bring props, backdrops, décor, etc. If you serenade your sweetheart with a guitar every night, incorporate it in a few shots. Or if you consider yourselves a bit quirky, romantic or fun, you could bring a bunch of balloons, cupcakes, a picnic baskets, your own cameras, a suitcase, books, a kite, a bouquet of flowers, a bicycle built for two - the sky’s the limit! It's always a wonderful addition when people infuse their personalities into the session. IN A NUTSHELL … Just love each other and have fun! This session is all about capturing your love -- so relax, smile, laugh and enjoy this special time with your sweetheart. - - -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. -
A Few Ways to Include Your Pet in Your Destination Wedding
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
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. -
The holidays have come and go, but for many couples, the holiday season brought more than just: extra calories (yes, I admit, I ate my way through the holidays. I have no willpower when it comes to anything sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg or sugar for that matter LOL ) red and green EVERYTHING (I even bought red/green toothpicks, I know right?) and shopping galore (gahhhh maybe my dog really didn't need all those winter sweaters ). Tis the season for engagements! Were you one of the many across the globe who found themselves welcoming in 2015 with a shiny new ring on your finger? Did your sweetheart make your holiday season sparkle even brighter this year with an epic proposal? Would love to hear your proposal story and, of course, don't forget to share a photo of your bling!! -
Hi! I'm still undecided about my photographer, I'm deciding between Estefania Flores and Photoshoots Vallarta. The reason is because photoshoots exceeds completely my budget and I like Estefania's work it's more in my price sheet area. I was wondering if anyone has actually booked her and what was their experience? -
FH and I are trying to cut down some costs so that we can splurge on the photographer and videographer for the wedding (among other things). We live in Canada so really the person taking our engagement pictures would not be the same as the one taking our wedding ones. What do you ladies think, are engagement sessions completely necessary or should we just skip that and pocket that money for more necessary expenses on the wedding day? The only use I thought we could give them was to put them on our wedding website but really that's it. We don't like STD or invitations with our picture on it. Thanks for your opinions! -
This Picture Is From The First Day We Met! Frédéric and Jennifer met on Wasaga Beach in June 2013. Frédéric and his friend had approached Jennifer and her girlfriends while on the beach. Right away Jennifer recognized his French-Canadian accent, as one of her girlfriends who was with her, was also from Quebec. Finding that to be a "small world" coincidence, Jennifer welcomed the guys to sit down and join the ladies. After hours of chatting and getting to know each other (and magical sparks beginning) Jennifer asked if Frédéric would like to join the ladies for dinner. Both of Jennifer's friends were actually married (and one pregnant as well) but they were amazing "wing women" and came along so Jennifer & Frédéric could spend some more time together... As chemistry grew while they ate, it was decided that telephone numbers needed to be exchanged to keep getting to know one another. Over the next week & after many long talks, the two knew that they needed to see each other again and soon. They decided since they were long distance (Frédéric lived in Borden and Jennifer lives in Kitchener - over 2 hours apart) to take a trip together to Grand Bend Beach for the Canada Day long weekend. Despite the fact the they were practically strangers, and nerves were showing, they took the chance. Off to the beach they went, any nervousness melted away and a fabulous time was had. Dinner, dancing and of course continuing to learn about one another - and those sparks, turned into flames. As the months went on, the two spent every weekend together, it was obvious that they had something special and their love as well as their friendship was growing. The conversation of travel was brought up and a dream vacation was planned to the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Jennifer & Frédéric chose a beautiful Iberostar resort where they spent a week in paradise and ultimately fell in love. For the next year they were inseparable! They enjoyed activities such as hiking in different conservation parks and trails, picnics & BBQ's, camping, bicycling, golfing, zip lining, beach trips, pool parties, the museum, amusement parks, dancing, tobogganing, board game nights with friends, visiting family, and SO much more! However, the best and most important trip, was when Frédéric & Jennifer went to Niagara Falls for the Labour Day long weekend in 2014... Frédéric had completed his basic training in the Canadian Forces and was being transferred to CFB Petawawa (over 600kms away from Jennifer). He asked Jennifer to go on a fun & romantic trip with him to Niagara Falls for the last weekend before his departure. The couple packed their own picnic with fine meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, veggies & fruit (and of course a couple bottles of wine!) and off they went to see the wonder of the Falls. They spent the entire day exploring the town and went back to their "Junior Presidential Suite" to have a snack, before heading back out for more sightseeing. After their meal, the couple went onto their private balcony, to enjoy a drink with the beautiful view they had. Frédéric began talking about all of the wonderful times & memories the couple had shared together in the past 1+ year and how they only brought out the best in each other/both of them became a better person with each other - and on August 1, 2014 Frédéric dropped to one knee with a ring (and a huge smile) and asked Jennifer to be his wife, which of course, the answer was YES! The couple went back out into the town, just soaring with excitement and love. They went into different attractions throughout the evening and had decided to ride the "skywheel", a 175-foot tall Ferris wheel overlooking the Falls, before heading to the fireworks show. The line for the wheel took much longer than expected and when Frédéric & Jennifer finally boarded the ride and made it to the top, the amazing fireworks over the Falls began - this is where Jennifer presented Frédéric with his own engagement ring, as a symbol of her love and commitment to him. After getting to see the beautiful show from the best seats possible they headed to the Keg Steakhouse, both wearing their rings, to have a wonderful celebration dinner together. Now just over two years later, they will be returning to Mexico, to unify their love and hope their friends & family will be able to join them on their special day!
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This is 2nd round of engagement photos. You can visit my gallery and see the story behind the first photos that necessitated a second shoot. For this shoot, we went to Las Vegas, the place where we got engaged and will be married, to get some great photos. I decided to make some props for sharts & giggles! Tickled at how they came out. I actually left them with the photographer because I didn't want to haul them back to Cali!
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Flipping the Proverbial Bird to Tradition by Miranda Lightstone When he finally gets down on one knee and pulls out that diamond-encrusted engagement ring you’ve been fantasizing about since you were a little girl and knew the significance of a diamond ring, it’s time to make a decision equally large as answering yes or no. Do you want a traditional, at-home wedding or do you want something a bit more unique, a bit more “out there”? It seems that choosing the “out there” option has become more and more popular, and for good reason. Destination weddings (or “out there” weddings if you will) are quickly becoming the norm over traditional, church-based ceremonies. Now, that’s not to say that brides around the globe are kicking religion to the curb, just that hey are are choosing to make their day even more special by making their wedding day an overall experience for themselves and all of their guests. Usually, a destination wedding refers to a wedding that takes place away from the area in which the bride and groom live. It could be another city, another state/province or even another country. Most think of a celebration on the beach in some tropical paradise, however, a destination wedding could take place in a castle in Ireland, a Masai village in Africa or even a whale-watching boat in Alaska -- it can be whatever your bridal heart desires. And that’s the beauty of it. Traditional weddings have so many restrictions: find the church, book the hall, find a DJ, make sure you have all the meal courses in order, don’t forget the wedding favors, and for God’s sake don’t forget to invite every single person you’ve ever met in your entire life. On the other hand, destination weddings let you be a bit more original, creative and free. A destination wedding ceremony can take place anywhere at anytime with anyone present (or not!). Destination brides also tend to take creativity and DIY projects to a whole new level. Because their weddings usually require guests to travel, OOT (Out Of Town) bags are the norm and usually contain anything and everything from hangover cure kits (for those all-inclusive resort wedding celebrations) to homemade wedding programs and fans for the wedding ceremony. DIY invitations and home-bought and prepared centerpieces and wedding decorations are also common. The atmosphere of a destination wedding is also much more relaxed. And really, how can you not be as you stroll down the white-sand beach towards your husband-to-be who’s wearing comfortable linen pants and a brightly colored shirt and sandals? And the guests tend to be much more relaxed as well -- there isn’t the pressure of a traditional wedding. You’re all there to enjoy the location, the atmosphere and the celebration of the marriage. Destination weddings also give friends and family the unique opportunity to get to know one another in a relaxed setting that lasts for more than a few harried hours. Spending a week together on the beach is a sure way to build strong family bonds and new friendships. Exploring and discovering a new country is incredible, and doing it with close family and friends makes the experience even more fantastic. A wedding is already a heartwarming event that’s sure to bring those gathered closer, but put the event in an exotic setting and the atmosphere of the whole ordeal changes entirely and becomes that much more intimate. And when it comes to cost, well a destination wedding really is the better option. Because you usually don’t have to worry about all the small details (DJ, flowers, hall, decorations), that means less to worry about on the budget side as well. For the brides who choose to get married at an all-inclusive resort somewhere down south, the cost is even lower. Wedding packages are often free once a certain number of people are booked at the resort for the wedding. Flowers, food, the officiant and decorations are all included in the package so the only expense becomes your ticket down there and your gown. Ah, the gown. There’s another interesting twist on the traditional. Destination weddings allow for so many different wedding gown options and wedding attire in general. Because you’re not bound to the church/hall set-up, your location choice greatly influences your dress choice. Getting married in the sand on a hot, Caribbean beach? Consider lace, chiffon and light, airy silhouettes. Getting hitched in an ice hotel in Sweden? Make sure you get a warm, fur stole and opt for a heavier fabric and skirt. The style options are endless. It’s not that traditional is passe, just that destination weddings are so much cooler -- especially right now. There’s so much freedom in how you want your ceremony to be, where you want it to be, how you want it to look and who you want to experience it with. It seems like a pretty obvious decision for future brides-to-be -- you may have that decision made before you decide whether to answer yes or no. -
Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any great ideas for engagement photos in Toronto. Since we're doing a destination beach wedding, we wanted to keep that theme. Our photographers had suggested Centre Island (since there's parks, beach, Centreville) so there's variety for photos. We also live near High Park which would be nice. I don't really love the whole park thing, I wanted to do something more creative. My fiance wants to do them at the airport! Anyone have any other suggestions? I don't mind paying permit fees if it's the right location.
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Has anyone had engagement photos taken in playa del Carmen? What photographer did you use and do you recommend them? Please help!
