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Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, keto, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free, carnivores, dairy-free, are just a few of the dietary options that come to mind as I am sitting at this cafe across from the five different alternative milk options.
I am proud to be a part of a generation that is so mindful and cautious about what we put into our bodies. Gone are the days in which we can order a Big Mac and be happy; we want to know what’s in our food, how it’s prepared and where it’s coming from.
Even though your guests are there to celebrate you and the beginning of your beautiful marriage, just having a vegetarian option will no longer suffice. There are so many different dietary restrictions out there and I know, if you are anything like me, you want to accommodate them all.
If you know for a fact that cousin Sarah just started Keto, your maid of honor has been dairy free for five years and little cousin Joey is gluten-free, you already have at least three dietary restrictions that you need to accommodate. It might sound overwhelming to you, but most caterers have had plenty of experience with just this so ask!
Ask them about it! Before you hire a caterer, ask them about their experience. If you know that a bunch of guests are gluten free, hire a caterer who is known for their gluten free options. You don’t want any surprises once you sign the contract!
The best way to get any information, is to ask the source. So, instead of having “Chicken or Fish” as the two options on your RSVP card, ask them if there are any further dietary restrictions you should know about. Once your guest RSVP, you, your spouse-to-be and your caterer can call sit down and design the perfect, most accommodating, menu possible!
Label everything! Thank God signage is such a wedding trend these days! Use it to your advantage. Now that you have spoken to the caterer, seen all of your guests requests and designed the perfect menu, you want to make sure you keep them separate! You don’t want your baker to create a nut-free dessert option just so it’s placed right next to the peanut butter mousse on the serving table! Keep things separate! Your guests will be forever grateful!
BONUS: Have hand sanitizer available on all serving tables, just in case.
You have done everything you can to accommodate all of your guests so don’t over think it on your wedding day. If Aunt Margie really doesn’t like onions, that isn’t on you. If cousin Sarah has given up on keto and has decided to go vegan without telling you, that’s on her! You have done enough! Once you wake up and start getting ready to walk down that aisle, your guests food restrictions should be the farthest thing from your mind!
I know keeping up with everyones food restrictions and allergies seems like a daunting task. It seems like a new dietary lifestyle appears on the scene every month, but all you can do is ask the right questions and give them the best options!
Cheers to you and the amazing caterers out there!
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You love your bridesmaid and groomsmen. I mean there is a reason why you chose these humans to stand up there next to you during one of the most important moments of your life! You want your bridesmaids and groomsmen to feel their best, look their best and have the best time celebrating your big day! YPP does too! And that is why, I am excited to share with you YPPs quick and easy tips to help keep your bridesmaid and groomsmen portraits looking everyones best! Keeping it classy and awesome, just like what you all deserve!
If you are anything like yours truly, you have three hair ties on your wrist at all time! There is nothing that bothers me more than not having a hair tie when this Jewfro gets in the way, but trust me on this one. Take the hair ties off. Make sure your bridesmaids leave them in the getting room or put them in their clutch, it makes your bridesmaid portraits look that much more put together and elegant!
Most bridesmaid dresses are sleeveless, it’s a fact. As a woman, who does everything she can possibly do to tone my arms, I am still extremely self conscious of showing them off and I don’t think I am alone in this! Whenever I do wear sleeveless (probably once a year), I have the tendency of squeezing my arms to my body, as a way to make them smaller. I find other women do the same thing. But here’s the thing, in photos, the way to make your arms look your best is to put at least a little bit of space between your arms and your body. Think about it like this… if your arm is pressed to your body, you’re essentially flattening your arm against your body and it will look wider. If you put even just a little space between your arms and your body, gravity takes it’s role and creates a more toned look! So bridesmaid, when your photographer says “bend those elbows,” you know they are looking out for you!
Your groomsmen are going to look sharp as anything in those suits. I know it. You know it. They know it. As a society, we are all VERY attached to our phones. I am no exception! But, to make your groomsmen look even sharper in those suits, have them leave the phones in the room, on the trolly or even just literally behind the photographer. It is truly amazing how much you can see the outline of a phone in a pants suit and your boys deserve to look as GQ as possible!
Groomsmen are one of my favorite groups to photograph. I love seeing the camaraderie and bromances between the groom and groomsmen. The energy is incredible, the humor is fun and the love is a live! There is nothing thats screams friendship more, but as I remind all of my groomsmen, hands need to be consistent! If one persons hands are in their pocket, all hands go in the pocket. If one person has his left hand over the right, everyone has their left hand over their right. It gives the photo a little extra something that screams “If I was in a boy band, these would be be my band members” and honestly, what is better than that!?
BONUS: Keep the suit buttons consistent too! If the groom has his suit unbuttoned, everyone should have their suit unbuttoned!
These four quick and easy tips might sound like minute details, but they make such a difference when it comes to your bridesmaid and groomsmen portraits! So remember, hair ties off, phones down, arms out and hands consistent!!
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I know what you are thinking, “Of course Yael. Of course I am going to try on my wedding dress and shoes together to make sure it all looks exactly the way I want it!”
It may be a no brainer for you, but as a Type A Personality, I like to be 120% confident that every bride and groom out there knows to do exactly this! I personally don’t like surprises, especially when it comes to wedding day attire! I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible for you the morning of your wedding, that includes knowing exactly how to secure your wedding dress and how to pin his own boutonnière!
I like to be sure. Sure that your wedding shoes are broken in, the earrings match perfectly and the groom knows exactly how to tie his wedding day bow tie! I want you to feel relaxed and ready to go. I want you to be confident that things will run smoothly when it comes to your wedding day get-up. The best way to do this is simple. Try it on. Try it all on! All of it! Don’t leave anything for chance!
For my beautiful brides, make sure you know how to climb into your dress without messing with your hair and that you know exactly how to fasten your wedding day jewelry.
For all my awesome YP grooms out there, if you do not already know how to properly secure your suspenders, cufflinks and tie, learn how to do it sometime prior to your wedding day! It is amazing what YouTube can teach you these days. Plus, if you let it slip to the future Mrs. that you are trying on your wedding outfit, she will beyond touched and excited… I like to think of it as a win, win, win!
Trust me on this, there is nothing better than having everything fit perfectly and run smoothly the morning you say “I do!” So trying on your wedding day attire before your big day, can never hurt! Plus, you chose this outfit for a reason, making sure it all works and fits correctly should be fun!
BONUS: Helpful Links for the Groom:
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I know, without a doubt that you love your family. I also know that you are going to love your wedding photography and, of course, love your wedding day itself. Putting it all together can be a lot to handle, to say the least. Family photos can be overwhelming. So many different combinations, unique family dynamics and a ton of coordination. Even though it might feel like the longest part of your wedding day, the family portraits end up being some of the most cherished photos. Family comes first. Family is everything. Family photos are a must. Here is the best way to prepare for your wedding day family portraits!
Having a first look or waiting to see each other as you walk down the aisle has a direct effect on when we will capture your family portraits! If you want to enjoy your cocktail hour as much as humanly possible, but also want to make sure you have plenty of time for family portraits, I suggest doing a first look! This way, you can have your family arrive before the ceremony and have all of the family portraits completed before you say “I do!” PLUS: No one has started crying yet, so everyone’s wedding day look will be on point!
This is a game changer! Take an afternoon, sometime before your wedding day, and write down a list of all the family combinations you want to capture. Once you have your list, ask your mom take a look and make sure there are no other combinations she is dying to have! I know, it sounds strenuous but trust me on this one, when you see your photographer reading off the list and being 100% sure that they got every family combination you could possibly want, you will feel a whole lot better! PLUS: It takes the pressure off of you on your wedding day… who doesn’t want that?
If your family is anything like my family, they run 15 minutes late to everything, and I mean everything. This is the perfect time to pull the tell them it starts 20 minutes earlier than it actually does so they make it on time strategy. And don’t you dare feel guilty about it! This is your wedding day! You and your photographer have put a lot of time, energy and consideration into your wedding day photography timeline, as much as you love Aunt Margie, she must be on time!!
Every family has a busy bee, someone who likes to take charge and who can actually get Uncle Harry to stop telling his jokes and pay attention. Do you have someone in mind? Great! Give them a call! Ask them to be the Family Wrangler and they will not only feel important, but kick some major ass doing it!
I have nine nieces and nephews. The oldest is twelve years old, the youngest is not even two months old. There is a big difference between how much time you can have a twelve year old and a two month old stand there and smile. Be mindful when you consider which combinations go first! The same thing goes for the older generations! If Bubbe has a hard time standing, make sure there is a chair nearby to use, if Grandpa is recovering from hip surgery, make sure he gets in and out of his photos as quickly as possible. Your family is going to be grateful that you thought of it all!
It is your family and you know it best! Your family deserve to have it captured in whichever way best represents who you all are, that means, keep your photographer in the loop! As a photographer, I assure you, that we want your wedding day experience to be as pleasant as possible and if that means keeping Mom and Dad away from each other, we will do it!
These are the photos that are shared and loved by all generations. These are the photos that get framed and hung up on all of your walls. These are the photos that matter because the people in them matter. Make sure you are prepared to get everything you possibly can from your wedding day family portraits. No one loves your family as much as you do!
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It’s the day of your wedding. All your girls are there. The smell of Hairspray is in the air. Lip sticks and brushes are every where and the sound of the blow dryer is going strong. You are in complete and total awe that your big day is FINALLY here. Everyone is giddy, excited and getting ready for your wedding!! You may have one too many butterflies in your stomach to eat but your girls might get hungry!
Here are YPP’s top 6 best things for your bridal suite spread!
For the bridesmaid who loves fresh fruit as much as I do! A fruit platter puts a smile on my face no matter what kind of event I am at! It always gives me a fresh burst of energy!
No explanation needed!
For the bridesmaid who loves the crunch of a protein bar and would rather grab a bar over a plate any day of the week! Having a choice of Quest Bar or Cliff Bars may be the perfect snack to keep her satisfied until the cocktail hour.
For the bridesmaid who LOVES starting the morning off with a fresh croissant or blueberry muffin. It is easy, delicious and filling! Plus, pastries make any food platter look incredible!
For the bridesmaid who love the idea of a fruit platter but wants something a little less sweet! Carrots and celery make for great dipping veggies! They are tasty, fresh and don’t make you bloat!
This one is for ALL of the bridesmaids and you!! Every one needs to stay hydrated. Offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will keep all of your ladies happy! From mimosas to orange juice, champagne to water bring it all! I promise, you won’t be sorry!
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You had your engagement photos done. You’ve got your wedding dress fitting scheduled for next week. Your hair and make-up trials were even dreamier than you expected and the big day is coming up! Next up, your nails! Although your wedding day manicure might not be on the top of the list when it comes to your wedding day beauty look, it still shouldn’t be overlooked!
First things first, the best time to get your wedding day manicure is one to two days before your wedding.
Here are a few other important things YPP suggests to achieve your wedding day nail dreams!
You get your wedding hair and make-up trail, you have a rehearsal dinner and you go for your foot tasting, so why wouldn’t you also go for a nail trail run! I would suggest scheduling your trail run two months in advance. This way you can enjoy the look and make sure it is exactly what you want!
BONUS: Try as many shades as you would like: You try on different dresses, you taste different cakes and you check out dozens of wedding shoes (at least if you are anything like me), add different nail colors to that list! Try as many different shades as you would like, make sure it exactly the correct look you want for your big day.
I’m not saying go dark red just because your wedding falls out in Autumn but if you are struggling with your wedding nail color vision, use your wedding season as your nail-spiration!
I personally LOVE gel manicures. As a photographer, I always make sure I have my nails done, usually lavender. Since I am always holding a camera, gesturing, or holding something, I am constantly aware of my hands. I get gel manicures every single time! They look smooth and chip less easily. Plus, your wedding nails will remind you of your special day all through out your honeymoon!
I know, you may want to be creative, you may want to be unique, and you might have seen some really cool nail art on Pinterest, but you also want your wedding day look to be timeless. I don’t mean to say that if you are the friend who always has fun-art on her nails, you should tone it down for your wedding, but I do suggest, for those women out there who haven’t tried nail-art before, you may want to keep the adventure for a different day!
If you have closed shoes or a long enough dress, you may not be worried about showing of your toes, but don’t forget, your wedding day is being photographed from start to finish! Your toes may make a surprise appearance as are getting into your dress or taking your robe photos!
BONUS: Many brides paint their toes blue for their something blue.
Your wedding day is going to be fabulous and just in case something disastrous happens, which I don’t think it will, you should buy a bottle of your wedding day nail polish and put it in your handy dandy Wedding Day Emergency Kit! Better be safe than sorry!!
The question you should be asking yourself is, what am I comfortable with? If you don’t usually get long extensions, I would suggest avoiding that for your big day too. You don’t want to feel clumsy, awkward or uncomfortable! If you have short fingers like me, aim for a medium-length oval-shape nail, this will look not only look elegant but also elongate your fingers! If you have shorter nail beds, try a shorter, more square tip! Consult your manicurist to help you decide what the best look is for your finger type!
And on a final note, don’t forget to moisturize! Your hands will be touched, kissed, photographed and looked at all day, make sure you have that bridal glow, even on your fingers and toes! Now go on, go book yourself a manicure, grab your maid of honor, and dream about your wedding!!! If you fiance asks, it’s Yael’s orders!
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“Do you know how to do this?” the Best Man asked me as he held up his boutonniere in confusion. I smiled. This is a question I get asked at every wedding I photograph. No matter how many groomsmen there are or how many weddings they have all been to, this (along with the pocket square) is always a question and a debate. There is always that one guy who knows how to do it.
Do you want to be that guy??!
Great! Here is how to properly secure a Boutonniere!
First thing is first… Boutonnieres go on the left.
Follow these 5 steps to ensure that all the boutonnieres look on point and consistent!
The boutonniere should be pined in the middle of the lapel, above the pocket square and lower than the tie or bowtie. If you are pinning the boutonniere on to someone else, it should be to the right of the tie. People are going to ask you “Are you sure it goes on the left” YES, you are sure!
I like to call this “the taco move.” Once you have the boutonniere in the correct place on the lapel, hold the flower in place and fold over the lapel. The lapel should form a taco-like shape, hence “the taco move.” The boutonniere is the beefy delicious substance and the lapel is the shell that holds it all together.
Once you have your flower taco, take the needle, (which should have been supplied with the boutonniere), and insert the pin into the back of lapel and boutonniere in a downward angle.
You want to make sure that the pin is going through the thickest part of the boutonniere, which will be the stem flower. Remember, the thicker the more sturdy it is!
The best way to ensure the boutonniere is securely fastened is by inserting the needle at a downward angle. Check to make sure it is secure by moving the boutonniere from side to side. Use a second pin if necessary.
With these 5 easy steps the bridesmaids, and more importantly the bride will be insanely impressed by your fabulous boutonniere skills!
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“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 : )
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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!
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“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!
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 : )
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.