You have spent months, maybe even years choosing every last detail of your bridal look. From the shoes and flowers, to the beautiful earrings your Mom picked out and all the way to the necklace that every woman in your family wore on her wedding day. Every detail counts. Every detail is important. And every detail deserves to be photographed in the best way possible.

This week, I want to share with all of you the “YPP top 5 tips for your wedding day detail photos!” When you go to check out your bridal suite, or talk to your venue florist and Maid of Honor, these are the top things to consider!

Windows, Windows and more Windows

Whenever I walk into a bridal suite and see natural light flowing in and big, beautiful windows all around, my heart does a happy dance! Windows are a photographers best friend, especially in the Bride and Groom getting ready rooms! The natural light is the best light! It will make your rings shine like no other, your flowers pop and your dress look stunning and elegant all in one. Before your big day, take some time and talk to your venue or hotel to make sure there are plenty of windows in both the Bride and Groom getting ready rooms! We want to photograph your details with the best like as possible!

Put it all together!

You have a million and ten things going on the morning of your wedding, getting all the bridal details together shouldn’t be one of them! Sometime the week before your wedding day, put all of your bridal details together in a box (besides the dress of course)! This should include everything you want photographed! Here is the YPP List of Details to consider:

• Invitation
• Perfume
• Rings
• Shoes
• Earrings
• Bracelets
• Necklaces
• Other Jewelry
• Veil (maybe not actually in the box, but near it)
• Hair pieces
• Keepsakes
• Gifts

Bridesmaid Dress

If you are anything like me, you absolutely love color and tones, that is why your wedding colors are essential in telling your bridal story! Ask one of your bridesmaids to volunteer her dress while we photograph your details! It will add that little extra something to tie it all together!

Bouquets and Extra Petals

You can never have enough flowers on your wedding day! They are elegant, fresh and beautiful! Have your florist deliver your bouquet to your getting ready location! This will give us plenty of time to photograph the incredible bouquet you will be holding as you say “I do!” When you chat with your florist the week of your wedding, ask them if they can include some extra petals or the flowers that they clipped off when finishing your bouquet! The petals and extra flowers will be an incredible accent for your detail photos!

Enough Time

I always suggest at least 45 minutes for the bridal detail photo portion of the morning! I know, you might think it sounds like too much time, but those 45 minutes fly by and your bridal details deserve to be captured and forever remembered! You carefully selected each and every bridal detail, let’s make sure we have plenty of time to feature them!

There is something so special about capturing a woman’s bridal details. It is so personal, intimate and incredibly touching. Your details deserve the best light, the best care and the best love we can offer and if you ask me, these five tips will let you love your details in the best way possible!

The second I walked through the door, Rachael and Micah’s personalities were evident. The floors were recently stained the perfect shade, the dog bed was in the perfect spot and the throw pillows matched the blanket. Even though they had only moved in a few months ago, you can tell it was their home and their home was full of love.

“We treat our dog like a child.” Rachael said as she got little Badgely ready for our big photo session and with that, I knew that Rachael and Micah were my kind of people.

As we walked around Queens Village with Badgely trotting along next to them, I couldn’t help put think that Rachael and Micah’s relationship should have a RomCom made after them. Not only are they incredibly sweet and amazing individuals but their relationship is nothing short than inspiring!

I felt like they were in on some big inside joke and I was lucky enough to witness it.  When Micah takes Rachael’s hand, you could just tell that he loves her more than anything in the world and would do anything to make her happy. And when Rachael looks up at Micah, you could see that she wants nothing more than to hang out with Micah for the rest of her life. These two are not only partners and fiances, they are best friends in every way. I don’t think I have ever had two people laugh as much as they did during their engagement session! It was truly amazing!

Rachael and Micah, I could not be more touched by the love you share with each other. It is beautiful, pure and incredibly sweet. I wish for you to always have that inside joke and laugh with one another til 150 years old!

 The cocktail hour is the glue between the ceremony and reception. It might seem like a small detail but planning an amazing cocktail hour will really bring your wedding to the next level. The ceremony is beautiful and meaningful, the reception is lively and fun and the cocktail hour gives your guests a chance to mix, mingle and relax. It is up to you to create the perfect cocktail hour vibe. Here are YPP’s top 8 tips for the ultimate wedding cocktail hour!

1. Be Interactive!

   This is where you can get creative with your food and beverage stations! Whiskey tasting, create your own cocktail stations or even a wine and food pairing set up can be super fun and great for your cocktail hour. It will give your guests a chance to move around and mingle instead of  standing around a high top. And come on, who doesn’t like a good food pairing?!
   Bonus tip: Provide sweet and savory options!
   Bonus Tip x 2: bite-sized appetizers are always a big hit. Easier to eat and less of a mess!

2.  Keeping it Cozy and Comfortable!:

   As I stated before, the cocktail hour is the most relaxing and casual part of your wedding day, a cute and comfy lounge area can make the hour fun and unforgettable! Lounges are great for guests who are a little bit older and guests who need to give their feet a break in their high heels! Low chairs, coffee tables and tabletops with bar stools is a great combination to give your wedding cocktail hour the ultimate lounge feel. Want to go even a step farther?? Great!  Armchairs, rugs and vintage end tables are a great way to go!

3. Games & Entertainment!

   Ok, let’s be real. We are a generation that loves games. From Jenga to corn hole, from bocce ball to lawn croquet or even a big connect four set up! We love having something fun to do as we  catch up and sip our cocktails. Pick your favorite games and monogram it with your names, it will be adorable and fun all in one!

4. The music sets the mood!:

   You have the entire reception to dance the night away, so let’s turn the volume down low and keep the vibe mellow for the most casual part of your wedding. You want your guests to be able to chat easily without shouting “Eh what did you say!?” over and over again. Let your DJ finish setting up in the reception area and allow a jazz trio or acoustic guitarist set the mood for your cocktail hour. Trust me, you will be thanking yourself!

5. Themes, themes, themes:

   The great thing about cocktail hours is that they are usually not in the same room as your reception which means one major thing, you have two rooms you can decorate! There are two ways to go about decorating your cocktail area. (A) Keep it consistent! Make your cocktail hour area just a continuation of your reception! It can give your guests a sneak peek into the rest of the evening and allows you to have even more fun with the theme you already fell in love! (B) Or, if you want, your cocktail hour can give off a totally different vibe than your reception! You can have drinks served out of coconuts or ice cream carts during cocktail hour and not have it clash with your wedding cake or centerpieces. It is a win win win!

6. Mr. & Mrs. EVERYTHING!:

   The details matter. Monogrammed napkins and barware, can make a gin and tonic so much more personal. The guests can take home the barware as a keep sake and the wedding signages can be a great decoration in your home!
   Bonus Tip: Hand out your wedding favors during the cocktail hour. It is a great way to keep the room buzzing with your own special touch. PLUS, your guests be more inclined to remember to take it home!

7. Mocktails and cocktails!:

   Having some unique non- alcoholic options, or mock-tails if you wish, will make all those DD Drivers, and anyone else who isn’t drinking, feel like they are not missing out on the fun (besides a wicked hangover the next day)!

8.  Enough to go around!:

   YPP’s Rule of thumb:  One server for every 12-15 people. You do not want your friends and family to be waiting for that one appetizer plate to come around. You want food and service to be quick, easily attainable and always right there!

So who is ready to create the ultimate wedding day cocktail hour that everyone will be talking about for years to come?!

I hope with all my heart that you will not need to use your Wedding Day Emergency Kit and I know you are probably thinking “why did you just put these awful thoughts in my mind!”  Don’t worry! Your wedding day will be incredible but I am a strongly believer in being prepared! Think of your Emergency Kit as insurance. Just in case a hair falls out of place or if a hemline so happens to fall, your bridesmaids will be ready.

So grab yourself a cute little tote or make-up bag, take a trip to Target and put together your own DIY Wedding Emergency Kit! Here is the essentials (but feel free to add things that you know YOU will want on your big day).

Although most men haven’t been dreaming up their wedding day since they were five years old, might not know what an Arbor is or have any idea how to pin his boutonniere on correctly, your groom still wants to be involved. It is their special day too. They want the planning to be as easy as possible for their bride. They want to help but may not even know where to begin! Here are the Yael’s top 10 ways your groom can assist and contribute to make things a whole lot better for you!

1. The Guest-list and keeping track:

   He is going to know his side of the party way better than you! It is up to him to figure out his side (and parents side) of the guest list, find the addresses, follow up and make sure he knows who wants chicken or salmon!

2. Guest Accommodations:

   This one is something he can totally do and it will make you the happiest of brides! Give him the responsibility of reserving the rooms for the out of town guests and making sure they have all the details. Even if your venue has rooms as part of the package, some guest might need different price points. Your future-hubby will totally be able to handle these logistics!

3. Pick the Wedding Music:

   The music you request for your wedding can really set the tone. The process can be long, overwhelming and very time consuming. Giving your groom this task will make him feel like the king of the party! When he sees his friends and family having a great time on the dance floor, he will feel amazing! But between you and me, I would write down your favs too!

4. His side of the family:

   Wedding planning can make things a little tense and uncomfortable with your future-in-laws. To navigate through all the chaos as smoothly as possible, make sure he is the one communicating with his family. He knows how to best talk to his parents, so let him handle it!

5. Learning how to dance:

   Enough said…

6. Groomsmen Gifts:

   Boys will be boys which means one thing, let him pick the gifts for his friends. They have inside jokes and interests that you and no one else will ever understand so let him take this one for the team. Just smile and nod with whatever great idea he comes up with!

7. Vows/ Letter to the Bride:

   No matter what you do, let him be in control of what he says, how he shares and what he promises to you on your wedding day. This is for both of you! You will thank me!

8. Planning the Honeymoon:

   No matter when the honeymoon is, right after your wedding, six months into your marriage or even a few years down the road, let your man plan the details! He will have such a great time imagining you laying on the beach in Mexico or hiking up the mountains in Colorado, it will make him feel like a hero!

9. Don’t forget to say ” I love you”

   Make sure he knows to up the cheese-factor! With your busy schedules, everyones opinions and advice about your marriage and the insane amount of decisions you two will have to make during this season of your life, make sure he knows to say “I love you” in every way he can. On post-it notes, grocery lists, even on a top of a cake or using those HUGE letter balloons. Keep the love alive and strong!

10. Make your engagement as fun as possible

    If you are anything like me, you stress and over-analyze everything! Let your fiance know that you are going to need his help making this engagement as fun and as easy as possible. You are a team, you are going to need him to help you blow off steam by practicing your first dance in your kitchen or by turning center-piece decorating into a drinking game. He will know exactly how to calm you down and make things fun again!

There you have it ladies, the ultimate guide to making both of you happy! Now go on, hand over some of the responsibility to your eager and amazing fiance! You both will be so happy and so excited to be able to contribute to your big day in a big way!

Bridesmaids, they are like sisters (or are sisters). Your bridesmaids mean the world to you. I mean, let’s be real, you asked them to be your bridesmaid for a reason! You want your girls to be as happy as possible but you cannot get Katherine Heigl from “27 Dresses” out of your head!

The idea of finding dresses and a color that works for everyone is a little overwhelming… “What if they can’t agree on a style? What if they don’t feel comfortable in their dress?! “First off, I just want to say, you are a sweetheart for being so concerned about your ladies! Secondly, don’t you fret! With the right attitude, time and communication all your bridesmaids will be excited to put on their dress!

1. Talk about the budget!

   I know, I know, talking about finances is never easy, but trust me on this one. Your bridesmaids will feel a lot better knowing that you are being mindful of how much time, effort and money they are investing in your wedding day. Being a bridesmaid is such an honor, and they are SO excited to be a part of your big day, but let’s face it, it can get expensive. So talk to your bridesmaids, remember they are like family. They will appreciate it more than you know!

2. Pinterest and Instagram are your best friends!

   I am a huge fan of research! Knowledge is power! Know what you are getting you and your bridesmaids into before you walk into the bridal shop! Make yourself an excellent source for your ladies. Have opinions, come up with ideas and offer advice as you and your girls are sifting through all the lace and chiffon!

3. Don’t forget about YOUR dress!

   This one seems like an easy one, but I just had to put this one out there. Sometimes, we can get caught up in the excitement of shopping with our girls and forget that your wedding dress is important and must be considered! So before your girls say yes to their dress, ask yourself this “does this compliment my wedding dress?”
   

4. Bridesmaid Dresses are not on Amazon Prime!

   I know, in our instantaneous world, we forget that sometimes, we are actually going to have to wait! Bridesmaid dress shopping should be done 7 – 8 months out! I know what you are thinking… you can’t be serious? Most dresses are actually made-to-order and have a shipment time of 12 -16 weeks. Think about all the necessary steps that have to be taken between finding the dresses and actually putting them on. You have to make sure you have the correct measurements, correct order, have the dress actually made, pick it up (or wait for it to be delivered), make alterations and then finally have it all ready and perfect for the big day!

5. SALES

   Yes you read that correctly! Bridesmaid dresses do go on sale and more often than you think! There are always sales on the major annual shopping days like Black Friday, Memorial day and Labor Day… but there are also sales through out the year. Get on email lists, check websites every so often and keep your eyes pealed for the Magic word “SALE.” Your bridesmaids will be SO appreciative!

Ok, so now that you have some tips, GO have a great time! Sip the bubbly, get lost in all the amazing texture! Shopping with your best friends is supposed to be fun!  Let the stress melt away and enjoy this bonding experience with your girls!

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!”

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 : )