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There is a month of the year in which the timing and designer selections are great for every bride-to-be and it’s the month of January. Yes, that’s right, January! Are you shocked? I know I was! To me, January has always been the month of New Years resolutions, tons of hot coffees and warm fuzzy socks. New clothes and especially a wedding dress has never been something I associated with the first month of the year. Yet, now that I know this, it totally makes sense and here is why.

New Collections

The start of the year is the perfect time for boutiques to restock their rails and put all the latest styles and trends on display!

BONUS: New arrivals = discontinued lines = sales = get them while they are still there!

Sample Sales!

Who doesn’t love a good sample sale?! What’s a sample sale you may ask? A sample sale is when bridal boutiques and designers sell the dresses brides try on in store. How great is that! All your favorite styles and all for discounted prices!

When you find a designer you absolutely adore, keep sample sales in mind! Many beloved and well-known designers tend to host two sample sales a year and the first one is usually in January (the second one is in the summer)! So put those Sample Sale dates in your calendar and set about a gazillion reminders!!

BONUS: Sample Sales can be chaotic and pretty overwhelming (check out the episode of friends: The one where Monica is looking for her wedding dress). I suggest doing some ‘normal shops’ with your besties before the big sample sale! This way, you will have the chance to try on different styles, silhouettes and materials and know exactly what you are looking for before you hit the chaos!

Just Engaged!

Ever wonder why you see sooo many more Facebook Engagement Announcements over the Holiday Season?! Well, over 100,000 proposals take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas! 100,000!!! How amazing is that!

With 100,000 newly engaged brides planning, researching and shopping for their dream wedding, it could only mean one thing… The wedding dress stores are busy with excited new brides! I mean, let’s be real, what better way to turn the cold month of January into a fun, exciting one!

Vintage and Second Hand Dresses

For the brides who are looking for a more vintage feel to their wedding dress, January is still the best month to shop! Why? Well, to put it simply, “NEW YEAR, NEW ME!”

January is one of the most popular times of years to clean out our closets, get rid of things we no longer wear and make room for our new, favorite outfits! This includes former brides and their wedding dresses! So get out your snow-boots ladies and let’s go shopping for your hidden treasure!

For all those brides out there who can’t wait until next January to buy their wedding dress, due to time constraints or maybe just because you are just bursting with giddiness, do not fret! There really is no bad month to go shopping for your wedding dress. No matter if you start in August or even March, you will find a wedding dress that looks amazing, makes you feel like a queen and will get your groom’s jaw dropping to the floor! Remember, you are beautiful in every way!

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You are on cloud nine! Your best friend in the whole wide world just proposed and he pulled it off  better than you could ever dream of. You are happy. You are planning your future and you are absolutely loving the engagement bubble that you are living in. You are sporting a shiny new ring that fits perfectly on your left hand and you feel like the luckiest girl in the world! But what if something happens to the ring? God forbid it gets stolen or falls out of your bag while you are at the gym. Although diamonds are a girls best friend, diamonds have their own best friend named Ring Insurance. Here are YPPs top tips to Insuring your ring for the just in case situations…

 

  1. Get your ring Insured ASAP:

    Your soon to be groom can get your ring insured as soon as it is purchased, which, if you ask me, is awesome news! That means you won’t even have to worry about it! But, in the off chance that he was too busy planning the big moment instead of insuring the beautiful sentiment, pick up that phone ASAP and call your insurance provider!

  2. Think outside of the house

    Many couples put their engagement ring under their home owner or rental insurance, and that can definitely be helpful but a lot of those riders do not cover your ring outside of the house, and we all know you are planning a big honeymoon away!

  3. How much are we talking??

    Good question! The estimated cost for your engagement ring insurance will be between $1 to $2 for approx. $100 your ring is worth. I know what you are thinking, that sounds like a lot! But trust me, it is worth it! The cost will ultimately be determined by a few different factors such as the value of your ring, where you live and the theft rate in your area, and whether or not your policy has a deductible, but the good news is it will protect that ring! Remember, this is your engagement ring for crying out loud! It is a symbol of love and nothing says love like protection!

  4. Get an appraisal.

    Now ladies, this one is important! You can’t protect it with out knowing what you are actually protecting!! This is what your appraisal should include: (a) the carat weight, (b) cut, (c) color and (d) clarity of your diamonds. (e) The carat weight and (f) shape of any colored stones, (g) the metal type and (h) fineness or karat, as well as any (i) identifying marks, (j) hallmarks, or (k) stamps. BONUS: Make sure you trust your appraiser! Look at their online reviews, chat with them on the phone and find someone who earned a graduate degree in gemology AND is a member of a national appraisal society. We mean business when we are talking about our diamonds!

  5. Get a Diamond Certificate or Grading Report: The 4 C’s

    The 4 Cs are my favorite C’s! Color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. In other words, A diamond certificate or gradating report. While this is not an appraisal, A Diamond Certificate is often provided by your jeweler if your ring is around a half a carat or larger. The 4 C’s are great for your appraiser and super important to track down your stone if anything happens to it!

  6. Reappraise every few years!

    Your groom made a good investment. The value of your ring will increase over the years and that is why it is super important, for insurance purposes of course,  to get your ring appraised every few years. BONUS: If you go back to the same appraiser time and time again, they will already have a lot of your rings information and therefore, can cut costs! BONUS x 2: Don’t forget to bring a copy of your last appraisal with you. Always better to be safe than sorry!

 

This ring is way more than a ring, it is a symbol of your love for each other, it deserves to be protected! So now, go get that beauty insured and step right back in that engagement bubble! I know you want to!

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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!

 

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 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?!

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“This is actually where my Dad proposed to my Mom!” Crysta said with a huge smile on her face as she pointed to the park behind Independence Hall. And with that, my heart sighed. I was reminded of how important family is to this amazing and sweet couple. They wanted nothing more than to share their love story with their friends and family. They wanted nothing more than to spend their special day with all the people that matter the most. And they wanted nothing more than to laugh with each other for the rest of their lives.

As we walked around Philadelphia, Crysta and David sunk into each other with such ease and grace that it was obvious they are one heck of a match. In every move, in every touch and in every laugh, there was an abundance of love and admiration. The way Crysta’s eyes smile every time she looked at David made my heart turn to mush and my finger click the shutter as much as possible. Our session was even during the second half of the Eagles game and David didn’t complain once, that is how much he loves Crysta!

Even with the craziness of their work and school schedules, David and Crysta make one another a priority. They are a team, a united front to take on the world together and if you ask me, nothing is going to get in their way. They are both ambitious, extremely personable and kind in every sense of the word and I know they are going to have one amazing marriage and go on to have the most incredible family of their own.

Crysta said it best “your humor matches mine perfectly.” and what could be a better recipe for a happy life together?!

                

 

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One new message.

When I opened up LinkedIn to see who messaged me, I smiled immediately; it was Sarah. Sarah, was the first person to really give me a chance as a college intern. She was the first person who took interest in helping me refine my skills and make me a better, more attractive professional. She was the first person who made me feel like I was a true asset. As I read through her message my jaw dropped “wedding photography packages.”  I couldn’t believe it! It was a dream come true! Sarah was asking me to be her wedding photographer. Sarah, once again, made me feel like a true asset.

I remember it like it was yesterday, after our morning meeting, Sarah stopped by my tiny, intern desk and I could tell she was excited. “What’s going on?” I asked. Sarah smiled and started to tell me all about her first date with this guy named Al. She was trying to play it cool but it was obvious that is was way more than just a good first date, but this could be the real deal.

A few years later, I find myself driving down 95 to DC on my way to Sarah and Al’s engagement session. Spring had FINALLY sprung. The cherry blossom’s were peak bloom, the weather was starting to warm, and I couldn’t have asked for a better day! I was eager to see my dear friend Sarah after all these years and finally meet her fiance, Al, whom I have heard so much about.

When I arrived at their apartment, Al met me at the front and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. He was just as wonderful, just as kind hearted and just as sweet as I knew he would be. I knew the man who was going to be Sarah’s partner in crime had to be incredible and Al definitely fell under that category.

As we walked around DC, there was one thing that really stuck out to me. Sarah and Al are just totally and completely in sync. It’s pretty incredible to witness. They get each other, they respect each other and they are aware of each others wants and desires. Watching them together was like watching a beautiful love story come to life right in front of me. I feel lucky to have been there in the beginning, and now, after all these years, I get to be a part of their engagement and their wedding! Their commitment to one another is an inspiration and I have loved every second of getting to know Al and getting to reconnect with Sarah again.

 

Sarah, Al, I cannot wait to be there on your big day!

            

 

 

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The Bromfield family has a way to make you feel welcome and loved from literally the second you meet them. When I met Sydney at a Love from Liam event we instantly connected. She mentioned that her sister was looking for a wedding photographer and I could not have been happier to get an inquiry from Brittany Bromfield within an hour! A few days later, we were on the phone chatting and I knew that this family was something special. Brittany and Ciaran have been together for 6 years, they have been through highs and lows, they have counted on each other, loved each other and proved time and time again that nothing could bring them down. You can see how big their love truly is with every glance and soft smile.

Brittany knows exactly what she wants and has a smile that shines from miles away. Ciaran is super sweet and easy to get a long with. The two of them together are an unbeatable team. The moment you walk into Brittany and Ciaran’s house you can feel the love and care that went into creating their home together. It’s in every small detail, every nook and cranny and every piece of furniture. The love is real and so beautiful to witness.

 

I cannot wait to photograph their wedding day!

Here’s to you Brittany & Ciaran. Thanks for making your love shine through.

   

 

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It was 12:30 am on, Saturday, Sept. 17th (which is also Brooke Prince’s birthday), when I received a text from Pam, “Are you coming?” I was driving back to Philadelphia from Cape May after second shooting a 12 hour wedding with Mike Allebach. Pam has been like family since before I could remember. Her son, Tani, who is only a year younger than me, was having an engagement party in Baltimore the next day and Pam wanted to hire me to photograph the festivities.

First off, I cannot believe Tani is getting married! And secondly, I WOULDN’T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD. I mean, it was Tani! I used to drive him to school every day when I was 17 (sorry for making us late almost every day Tan!). I remember shooting baskets with him at like age 7. It was basically a no brainer…

So after working two weddings Friday and Saturday, the next day, I found myself driving down I95 from Philadelphia to Baltimore in the rain to Tani and Jordy’s engagement party. When I walked in, I not only saw a crowded room filled with familiar faces, but I also saw the amazing buffet of treats Pam had put together. It was truly a celebration and I felt honored to be a part of it.

The weather cleared up just in time for everyone to circle around the backyard and listen to some heartfelt, amazing and hilarious (thanks Ma’ayan) speeches. It was pretty cool to see Tani and Jordy together. I cannot wait for them to have a beautiful, happy and plentiful life together.

Thank you Pam. Thank you Tani. and thank you Baltimore community for being so supportive of my dreams.

 

Till next time,

-YPP

Work With Yael

My mission is to not only craft images, but really celebrate the unique spirit of Jewish love. I'm here to honor our culture, capture the magic of your love, create family heirlooms for your future and do it all with a whole lot of heart and soul.