Hello my beautiful bride!

I have a serious question for you… How is your wedding shoe shopping going? Do you find a new pair of shoes that you absolutely love every three weeks? Are you going back in forth between a subtle, strappy nude, the classic, fun pump or that pair of Mexican embroidered wedges that you have been obsessing over since before you got engaged?! Do you change your mind five times a day? Have about 100 pinned photos and still can’t decide what will go best with your dress?

Trust me on this when I say, I understand completely! I personally love shoes. All shoes. I don’t discriminate. There hasn’t been a shoe I have seen and not loved. So, I get it, how do you decide?

Shoe shopping for your wedding can be insanely overwhelming, that is why, I have created a list of my YP Sharp shoe shopping rules to live by!

1. Research right away! Do not wait!

   So this is what you should do… even before you go wedding dress shopping, even before you pick out the flowers, jewelry and your something blue, create your Wedding Shoe Pinterest Inspiration Board. Look to see what is out there. Find the shoes and styles that speak to you the most and THEN go shopping for your dress. With all your favorite options pinned, it will be a heck of a lot easier to make a shoe-dress combo that is your match made in heaven!

2. Keep it Consistent

   Don’t get too adventurous for your big day!  I know sometimes are imaginations can run wild, especially when it comes toyour wedding plans, but keep your shoe choice consistent with who you are and what you are comfortable with on a normal bases. If you are a normally a 5-inch stiletto kinda gal, go for it. If you are never caught in anything besides sneakers or sandals, keep it simple and find a pair of gorgeous flats that will keep you moving and dancing all night long!

   

3. Your venue matters

   Always ensure that your shoe choice works well with the venue. Is your ceremony in a garden? on a beach? On a cobblestone pathway? Indoors? Outdoors? Is your reception taking place in the dead of winter or under the blazing sun? Keeping the place and time of year in mind will make you that much happier on your big day.

   

4. Wear them in

   Seriously though, your feet will thank you!

5. Make sure they make you feel like the princess that you are.

   It is your wedding day for crying out loud! You should feel like the beautiful, special princess that you are! Even though your wedding dress will probably hang all the way to the floor and therefore, hide your feet, your shoes will still be seen. Between the dancing, walking and the bustling your shoes will definitely grab your guests attention. So don’t just settle for a boring pair that you are fine with… make sure they make you feel like the incredible person that you are all day long!

   

6. The Sky is your Limit!

   This one is my favorite! Who says you need just one pair of wedding shoes!? For all those shoe lovers out there, I feel you. Choosing just one is like choosing just one chocolate out of the assortment box! How can you choose!  If you find two shoes that you absolutely adore, bring them both! One for the ceremony and one for the reception. It will make you that much happier : )

And there you have it ladies! Now go on, get on Pinterest, get inspired and find yourself the perfect style for your wedding!

xo,

Yael

“Look at all these flowers!” one of my brides said as we walked around the park during her engagement session. “We should just pick some flowers from here for our wedding!” she joked as she looked over at her fiance with a big smile.

“Do you know how much flowers cost!?” The groom said as he turned to me. “It’s literally insane!” He said picking one of the flowers and handing it to his beautiful bride-to-be. My heart melted…

Mix it up: For all the bride and grooms out there who are on a budget but are dreaming of a wedding day with beautiful flowers and petals all around. I get it, and I will be the last person to tell you to nix your flowers. Flowers are some of my favorite wedding details myself! It is your wedding day and you deserve to have everything you want! How do you get the flowers of my dreams? Three simple words. Mix it up!

Instead of sticking to just one floral centerpiece on all of your wedding tables,  ask your florist to create several arrangements at a variety of sizes.  Size variety = different price points. Different price points = more flowers! Instead of 20 tables with $800 floral centerpieces, you can have 5 tables with $800 centerpieces, 5 tables with $600 centerpieces, 5 tables with $400 and 5 tables with $300. This way, you stay in your budget and get to add a little bit of flair You will still have the WOW factor and your wallet isn’t hating you! Can you say, “bring on the flower!”

Thank you, thank you, thank you… and a million more times, thank you!

I am so excited to announce that Yael Pachino Photography has received yet another incredible award, “WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Awards” and again, it is all because of you! Because of your love and your support. Because you continue to cheer me on and lift me up every single day. And because you were kind enough to share your YP experience with the WeddingWire, so thank you!

I am beyond touched by your words, your kindness and your hearts.  I couldn’t be doing what I love, with the people I admire and with the art that I obsess over, without all of you!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the incredible people who have supported me throughout my journey as a person and as a wedding photographer! My dreams are coming true because of you.  I cherish every moment I spend with my amazing clients and my loving support system. So, thank you.

Cheers to all the amazing Ypbrides and Ypgrooms of 2018 and here’s to all my 2019 Ypweddings! I cannot wait for what is yet to come!

Thank you to each and every one of you!

“What is your new year resolution?”

“I don’t believe in them?”

“Why not?”

“It shouldn’t take the beginning of a New Year to get you to want change or improve. It is just another day…”

We have this conversation every year and every year I think, “Ya… Robert is right.” I shouldn’t just want to be better because 2018 is long gone. I know that I’m not magically going to drink less coffee and sleep better hours. I know that my six pack abs and savings account aren’t going to appear out of thin air. I know that my personal goals and my business goals aren’t going to change over night.  But I also know that I love New Year Resolutions for one reason and one reason only. They are a friendly reminder that I am a person and I can change. I can be better, I can become stronger, I can work towards a goal and I can succeed. That’s right, I can succeed.

When I look back at how much has changed between January 1st 2018 and January 1st 2019, I am proud.

Don’t get me wrong, some of the big things have stayed the same (and I wouldn’t want them to change for the world).  Same City, same business, same house, same coat and same amazing and wonderful boyfriend.  It’s the little things in life that have changed and when you add them all up, they make such a difference.

Now, in order for me to stay accountable, I can’t just write down my New Year Resolutions and think that will work, I need to share it with the world! So here they are! Yael Pachino’s big New Year Resolutions 2019! Let the transformation begin!

Work- Life Balance.

As a small business owner, my business is always on my mind. I can always be doing something to promote myself, to learn more, brand better, engage with my audience more. Basically, my business can sometimes be all consuming. This year, I want to make sure I have a much better Work-Life balance because the people in my life, including myself, deserve my complete and total attention.

Become a morning work-out person.

I love working out, I really do. I have always envied those people who have gotten in a full work out, shower, had a hearty breakfast and make in to work on time. I may work from home, but it is my goal this year to be able to wake up, hit the gym, come home and get to work all before 8am! That way, the rest of the day is focused on my work, my friends, my Robert and myself.

Remember to bring my Reusable Grocery Bags while shopping

When I really think about how awful we treat our environment as a whole, it makes me worried for my future children and my future grandchildren! The least I can do is remember to bring my reusable big bag to the grocery store every week!

Read more.

The most successful people in life read and read a lot. This year, I am joining in on the fun and have become an active member of Sydney Marie Event’s Book Club for Entrepreneur Women… and I am actually going to read the books this time. Already half way through January’s book!

Double the number of weddings I photograph.

I am so proud and grateful for the amazing couples I photographed this past year and I want nothing more than to continue to capture weddings and meet incredible humans. My heart is so full of love and happiness from all the couples I worked with in 2018 and I can only imagine how awesome 2019’s couples will be!

Drink more water.

Self explanatory.

Be more mindful.

In what you may ask? In everything! When it comes to what I say, how I say it and who I say it to. When it comes to what I spend, how I spend and why I am spending it. When it comes to what I eat, what I drink, how much sleep I am getting etc… When I do things with intention and thought, the outcome is always better!

So there you have it guys! My New Year’s Resolution, now… which one of you is going to call me in March and see how I’m holding up?

Let’s hear your Resolutions! Comment below : )

Cheers to the New Year and to this beautiful new beginning!

x0,

Yael

“I just don’t know about the dress” she said as she looked down.   “I just can’t tell if it is the right look for me. ” My friend said as she twirled around to see the back in the mirror.

I just stared at her, in awe. My eyes watering, my mouth wide open. “Are you serious? It is perfect!” I said.

She put her hand on her chin and started squinting “I just don’t know”

As I watched her all I could think was… She looked incredible. It was the perfect dress. It was everything she described all wrapped up into one beautiful white dress. How could she not see how gorgeous she truly looked! 

Then it hit me. Her hair was in a messy bun on the top of her head. She was wearing her big, round glasses. Her bra-strap was showing and her sneakers were peaking out at the bottom. She needed to feel confident in herself before trying on  wedding dress….

“I love it!” I said, ” I think we should put in on hold.”

“What? Why!” She asked as we start unbuttoning the dress.

“Trust me on this one” I said.

A week later, we went to her favorite hair salon, got her hair and make-up done… on me of course. Once we were done, we went back to the bridal boutique, tried on the dress again. When she turned around to see herself in the mirror. We were both in tears.

“This is THE dress!” She said.

Primp First, Shop Second.  Bridal Boutiques are great when it comes to having the best lighting, great mirrors and incredible customer service. But, and there always is a but, you will be much happier with the experience if you felt confident and beautiful walking in already! Dress shopping can be a little intimidating and you are the bride for crying out loud! You deserve to feel beautiful and gorgeous so, instead of showing up with your usual shopping hair and glasses on, primp a little. Walk in feeling your best! You won’t regret it : )

There is a lot to do for your wedding day, so many big decisions and small details. It can get super overwhelming. You are going to want to procrastinate. I hear a lot of couples say things like “I’ll just get this done the week before the wedding” or “this can be put off for a few months.”

Get that to- do list done early: The small details that seem easy now, will not be so stress-free a few weeks before your wedding day. You don’t want to be using a glue-gun at 2am four days before your big day in an attempt to finish your centerpieces. You don’t want to be praying that Amazon Prime will arrive on time before your wedding because you JUST ordered your bridesmaids gifts. And you definitely don’t want to be running around trying to put together your Wedding Welcome Bag for all of your out of town guests.

What you will want to do the week before your wedding is relax. You will want to have time to enjoy your mani-pedi appointment. You will want to take a breath as you go and get your engagement ring cleaned and shined.  And you are going to want to spend some quality time with your beloved grandma who is in from out of town.

In other words, get that to-do list done early! Make sure you don’t just run around like a chicken without it’s head the last week of your single life. Make sure all the small details that can wait until the last minute, don’t actually wait until the last minute. Let’s be honest, of course some small things will pop up, but it will all be ok, because you got the rest of your to-do list done already!

“Cake or cupcakes. CAKE OR CUPCAKES?” I read as I was walking Ziggy Goldberg (Robert’s family dog) around the neighborhood. As Ziggy paused to stare at one of the neighbors, I had the chance to respond to my text.

“Well, there is no real right answer to that one! Which one do you like the better?” before I could even put my phone away I felt it vibrate.

“I love ALL desserts, how can I choose?!”

And with that, I realized that many of you out there planning a wedding might be having the exact same sugary dilemma. Wedding Cupcakes are one of the latest Wedding trends, but, is it right for you and your fiance?

Unfortunately, I cannot make this decision for you, but what I can do is this… I have put together the YPP Pros of both Wedding Cakes and Wedding Cupcakes for you to help make this delicious decision…GOOD LUCK!

The Big Debate:  Wedding Cake vs Wedding Cupcakes

Wedding Cake Pros:

• Timeless:
  Let’s face it, every little girl who dreams about her wedding day envisions a BIG white, delicious cake. It is timeless, it is elegant and it is always a crowd pleaser!
• The Classic Cake Photo:
  You’ve seen your grandparents’ cake photo, your parents’ cake photo and even your Aunt and Uncle’s cake photos…. now it is your turn!
• Wedding cakes can have different shapes to mix it up: Cakes are great and the bakers who design your wedding cake are even better! They can make each tier whatever shape you want it! The shape can really add to the decor of the room and be a great way to highlight your wedding theme!
• Wedding cakes are definitely prettier: Wedding cakes are stunning all on there own. They are works of art… not saying cupcakes can’t be beautiful too, but there is something about a wedding cake that really screams WOW!
• Traditional: If you are planning a more traditional wedding, a cake is definitely a must!

Cupcake Pros:

• You can offer more flavors with cupcakes:
  There are so many delicious flavors, how can you choose just one! I mean really, who doesn’t want the option of Lemon cake with Lavender frosting, Triple Salted Caramel and Swiss Fudge Chocolate?
  BONUS: You can deviate from all the cliché flavors the vast majority of guests are expecting, I mean hey, if you like vanilla, go for it, I am not knocking it down. But, if you are more of a Peanut butter swirl kinda bride, I am all about that too!
• Cupcakes are so much easier to deliver:
  Enough said!
• Cupcakes are easier to eat:
  I love any dessert that I can eat with my fingers and not dirty a fork!
• Cute cupcake display:
  Adds a little bit of fun to your desert options! Kids and adults love checking out the different flavors and picking their favorite!
• Cheaper:
  Some times, your budget speaks for itself  and there is nothing wrong with that!

Still not sure? Why not have your cake and eat it too!

Literally. Feature a three-tier display with a small cake (6-8 inches) as the top tier and a mix and match of different cupcakes on filtering down tier 2 and 3! It will elegant, it will smell delicious and it will make everyone happy!

So there you have it, my take on the “Wedding Cake vs Wedding Cupcake” dilemma. Let me just say this, whatever you decide, your wedding is going to be beautiful, fun and full of so much love so pick the right desert for you and your fiance, you two are the guests of honor : )

“I want to have at least five minutes alone with him before our wedding day ends! But I am not so sure how to ensure that!” one of my brides expressed on our phone call a week before her wedding.

“I just saw the cutest thing!” I said excited to share this adorable idea.

“Do tell!” She said intrigued

“Well, have you thought of having two first dances?!”

“What do mean?”

“Well, everyone knows about the classic first dance in front of all your family and friends, but what do you think of this? What if you had everyone move into a different room to grab some dessert and coffee, and you two love birds can have the entire reception room for yourself. Pick a second song, to slow dance to, just the two of you!”

A second first dance might not be the right choice for you and your fiance, but you get the idea! This is your wedding for crying out loud, it should be all about you and your SO, but sometimes, with all your friends and family around celebrating and loving you, you don’t have a chance to be alone. So even before the day has started, plan to take 10 minutes to yourselves. Excuse yourself from the reception for a nice little walk alone, be the first to try the double scoop from the ice cream truck before the guests come out or take 10 minutes to escape all the fun and get some night portraits done. Whatever you do, make sure you spend a few minutes at the end of the night alone. You will thank yourselves!!

All I can say is, WOW and thank you!!

What a year it has been! From the bottom of my heart, I could not be more touched and honored, so thank you!

I am excited to announce that Yael Pachino Photography won “The Knot Best of Weddings 2019” and I could not have done it without you guys. This is all because of you. Because of your support. Because of your encouragement. And because you were kind enough to share your YP experience with The Knot, so thank you.

Not only do your reviews earn YPP fun awards, but your words also help future brides! Testimonials speak louder than radio ads, Facebook boosts and even magazine spreads. 84% of people trust online reviews just as much as they trust their friends. That means that you have an impact on others. You have the chance to help future brides who are just like you find the perfect wedding vendors for them. So, thank you.

I am overwhelmed by the love I get on a daily bases. I could not be where I am today without all of you. I cherish every moment I spend with my amazing clients and my loving support system. So, thank you.

Cheers to all the amazing Ypbrides and Ypgrooms of 2018 and here’s to all my 2019 Ypweddings! I cannot wait for what is yet to come!

Thank you to each and every one of you!

“Kipper is shivering! Let’s finish these photos inside!” Brittany said. We all looked at Kipper in his adorable, yellow raincoat shaking from the cold. “That’s a good idea!” I said worried about their sweet, little dog. As we walked back toward Brittany and Will’s Fairfax, Virginia apartment in the rain, I smiled. Brittany and Will only adopted Kipper a few months prior to our session and they were already so in tune and such good care-takers. They had all the Kipper essentials and than some. It was clear, that they put Kipper first and were happy doing so.

Once we got into their homey, warm apartment, Brittany took Kipper’s raincoat off and they all began to play. All three of them looked so happy and content just hanging out together, throwing and catching a stuffed bunny. It made me think,  this is what it is all about. Togetherness, happiness, love. And love there was! In every detail of their apartment, in every word spoken and in every joke made, you could see that their life was full of love and admiration for each other…. and of course Kipper too.

Brittany and Will have been together since before Instagram was a thing and I absolutely admire their commitment and connection to one another. It is evident that they are best friends, partners and each others biggest support systems. Brittany and Will’s personalities complement each other. From High School to College, all the way to moving to Fairfax, Virginia together, they have been a united front that can take on anything and everything.

These two are such a unique couple, and their puppy engagement session was no different! Once we realized that Kipper was not a happier camper outside, we moved our engagement session inside. It was no longer just an engagement session but a session about the home they built, the puppy they adopted and the life that they had created.

Brittany and Will, you have found it. The happiness, the love and the excitement for your future that everyone searches for and I hope your happiness and love grows until the end of time! I cannot wait to photograph your wedding! July is too far away!!