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Houston Weddings can be expensive! Let’s remember they are technically a luxury, and as fun and incredible as they can be, you don’t NEED a big wedding. Often times I hear my brides tell me how much they have had to spend or they wished they had the money to allot for X. This blog is going to give you some ideas on ways to save money without lowering the quality of your day – because in this industry you get what you pay for. Harsh… but I can only be honest, and want the best for my people!
One of the easiest ways to save money on a wedding in Houston is to have your wedding during an off-peak season, such as during the summer months, or on a weekday. This can result in significant savings on everything from venue rentals, to catering, and floral arrangements.
Another way to save money on a wedding in Houston is to choose a “budget-friendly” venue. When I say “budget friendly,” let me explain… There are many beautiful and affordable wedding venues in Houston, (such as The Homestead Tx, pictured in this blog post) that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. From decor rentals, chairs, tables, catering, etc, choosing vendors who provide more than one component often results in a cheaper total. Think of it as same quality, but less “middle men” and less labor costs since bundled services typically only include one set of labor costs vs the labor costs for 4 or 5 different companies.
One of the biggest expenses of any wedding is the cost of feeding and entertaining your guests. To save money on your wedding in Houston (or anywhere, really), consider limiting your guest list to only your closest family and friends. This can significantly reduce the cost of catering, venue rental, and other expenses, while still allowing you to have a memorable and meaningful wedding celebration. The money saved by having a smaller guest list can be put towards decor, premium wedding vendors, or even your savings account!
Hear me out… if your “all in” budget for photo and video is 5k, I always recommend to my clients to pick one must-have instead of splitting your budget in half and hiring two mediocre companies to get both. I know, I know… it’s a hot take, but I promise you won’t regret investing in one must-have photographer or videographer. The videographers here are not going to like what I have to say… but I obviously vote on investing in a great photographer over a great videographer. Your photos will last forever! In addition to being digital, they are tangible items you can print, hang or create albums of, and pass down through the generations. One thing I love to suggest to my clients is to create a dropbox folder for your guests to drop videos into and create your own slideshow together of your big day as a date night.
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Houston Wedding? Contact me to learn more!
Every year I try to create a new Houston engagement photo session tip blog. Alas here we are. A new year and a new engagement season. Houston Texas seriously has some of the BEST engagement session locations. From Downtown Houston, to open fields, Galveston beach, LOTS of public park filled with greenery. So honestly the skies the limit. Enjoy some of my favorite tips for planning and having the most successful engagement session in Houston.
Pick a location that has a lot of coverage options! The more scenery the location has the more places we have to play around with shots. I also would encourage verifying if the location requires a permit fee. We love a good park but downtown comes at a price. Not open to paying a permit fee? Thats totally fine I have lots of options out of the city with the same feel without a permit fee.
Choose a day that will be less busy! Houston Texas engagement season will be in full effect! So the less people there are out and about. The less likely they’ll be in the back of your photos & you can be more comfortable without worrying about people during your session.
Make sure the location you chose is the best that suites your personalities! If you love trees, let’s explore those woodsy areas!!! Or if you love downtown, let’s hit the streets!! Met at your favorite restaurant (i love food and trying new things) let’s do it! Honestly the skies the limit when it comes to location.
Bring a “prop” of some-sort. When I say “prop” i mean like a blanket, your favorite drink, a mini picnic, something to utilize at your session’s location. Things that you enjoy doing together or to enhance your outfits are always a plus! They also can add a pop of color to your session while showcasing your personality. (PS cowboy boots and hats count) we love a good Houston engagement session with cowboy boots.
I am always here to help you plan your Houston engagement session outfit ideas. I love using Style & Select to help show you what your complete outfit would visually look like. As well a help come up with a cohesive color scheme. I always! recommend staying away from patterns or logos. Neutral is always better. Beige, grey’s, ceam, natural tones always work best together. With that I always advise you bring one more “Casual” outfit, and one more “fancy” “done up” outfit.
When you book hair and makeup for your wedding often times it comes with or has the option to add on a trial run. I always like to recommend using this trial run for the day of your Houston engagement photo session. You can see how the makeup will last, do you like it, do you love the makeup artist etc!
Let’s talk pets, If you’re bringing your adorably lovable furry friend, bring a (human) buddy too! This way your human friend can take care of your pet while we capture other shots. Often times we think our pets are the best behaved animals ever. Well Ish happens and instead of you getting frustrated or feeling overwhelmed you have someone who can help out. And we get to take advantage of all that extra time and yummy light without getting flustered, or worried.
Drop in the comments the prop you would bring to you engagement session! I’d bring a quilt or blanket.
Want to chat about the possibility of me photographing your Downtown Houston, Engagement session? Contact me to learn more!
Today is This couple’s TWO year anniversary and I said hey! Why not make an incredible anniversary blog! So were going to say a big Happy Anniversary to one of the weddings that took my business farther than I ever expected!
Let’s talk outdoor weddings… Something we are either like yes! or HELL no. Personally…… as a nature OBSESSERRRRR, I say Hell YES!
Some awesome tips I can give as a photographer might be helpful in your decision of if you make the jump to have an outdoor wedding.
What time of year is your wedding? If you live in a hot climate state and you want to get married during the hottest months of the year…. maybe reconsider. OR you can provide some cute gifts on every chair like a fan, or awesome Disney misting machines (obviously a cheaper version) have them monogrammed and they get to keep them!
Do you have a lot of older family members coming? Sometimes wanting to get married is this field 1 mile away from your cousin’s mountain house might be a little difficult for grandma to join and enjoy.
Does your outdoor venue have a plan B. in case of rain, snow, whatever type of weather that could come?
This is so important! to your decision of if you want to truck all these guests out to have a wedding in the rain. Maybe if you see bad weather in the forecast you can get some awesome umbrellas, clips for women’s dresses and say lets do this! rain or shine! And have a sheltered area for anyone who wants to watch from afar or not get dirty and can enjoy the party with you later!
Make sure your ceremony location is facing the right direction for pictures. As this can make or break your outdoor wedding. The sunsets in the west so if you have your back to the east, you won’t get that incredible sunset light during your ceremony, OR even worse you will be directly in the sunlight and your faces and wedding party will be completely blown out and uncomfortable. This wedding is an amazing example of incredible light during their sunset wedding.
Ask your photographer for advice on your timeline! Every photographer is different but something we have in common is shoooting a bunchhhh of weddings. We are here to help guide you with how much time you need what time you should have your ceremony to give you that awesome light and prioritize what is important to you!
Is an outdoor wedding something you have always dreamed about? Then do it! That’s all it comes down to. :]
Vendors
Venue: Swank Farms
Hair and makeup: DG Pro Muah
Event and Floral Designer: Justglam Events
Photographer: Rkm Photography
Caterer: Mississippi BBQ
Rentals: ECP Event rentals and Design
LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR EPIC WEDDING? CONTACT ME HERE!
But i am here to help you make the best of a stinky situation. Your wedding doesn’t have to be boring and lame, due to a lame situation. Some of my favorite weddings have been small, intimate, and emotional. Let’s look at some ideas that can help you plan the most epic backyard small wedding.
Tip 1.) inviting fewer people allows you to have more fun! When you invite a small number of guests it allows you to spend more on each of those guests, making them feel special and loved just as they make you feel attending your small intimate wedding.
Tip 2.) Now that you have spent less on your number of guests ( food prices, table settings etc. Spend more on your decor, photographer, vendors, etc. The vendors can make or break your day. Get that video you’ve been eyeing or that incredible photographer who is out of this world but you just couldn’t afford with a big wedding.
Tip 3.) Rely on your vendors to help you plan and organize and enjoy! With way less people and way less moving parts, you can just sit back and enjoy! I always like to help plan epic locations or the timeline for my clients and with a small wedding you tend to have more time to play with!
Tip 4) Pick an epic location and ask them about their offseason, or days during the week to get a better deal!
let's make magic together!
