Today I'm sharing with you 5 reasons why you don't want to leave your Wedding Day Photo and Video Taking to the Guests on your wedding day ~ the day that you only get one-shot at

With everyone taking snapshots all day long with their mobile devices these days - you may think "why not just let our guests take the photos at our wedding?". Well, I'm here with 5 reasons why you do not want your wedding guests taking the photos and videos of your wedding. And, I have to give a big thank you shout-out to Focus Productions for letting me showcase their photos {and the most amazing video} in this article. {Focus Productions is a VIP Wedding Member in my wedding directory}

1. Photo Memories

When you have a pro photographer capturing your wedding day, you don't have to think twice about the moments that are so special not being photographed. And, if you have particular photos you want taken - simply let your photographer know. Having the perfect moments captured at just the right time is what the professional photographer is there for. Having gorgeous photos of your special day, makes it easy to relive your wedding again and again.

2. Live Motion Memories

Having photos in an album is wonderful to look back on your day - but having a video is just as special. I mean, just look at this video below - it's absolutely outstanding and certainly not a video that can be put together by a wedding guest. This type of video creation takes professional skill to put together and is such a beautiful keepsake of all the wedding day highlights.

3. Equipment + Lighting

Whether your marrying in a church {where some don't even allow flash} or outside in the bright sun on a beach - the professionals will know the exact equipment and settings for the lighting current lighting situation. I'm almost certain you wouldn't want all dark photos from the church or all washed out photos because of the sun's glare if you let your guests take the photos. The professionals will always know the right equipment for the light that is happening at the current time of photo taking. And, as the lighting situations change as the wedding progresses - the pros are ready for anything and everything.

4. Unobtrusive

You've seen those photos where the photographer is taking a photo and you see all the wedding guests with their iPhones {and iPads sometimes - yikes!} being held in the air to capture the moment too, right? Well, the professionals know the tricks and will be unobtrusive when photographing or videotaping your wedding moments.

5. Unplugged

This last one goes along with number 4, as you don't want your own hired professionals being blocked by a wedding guest trying to jockey for the same photo, do you? The easiest was to avoid this happening is to have an unplugged wedding. Let your guests be want they were invited for - a guest at your wedding. And, of course you can give them access to the wedding gallery after so they can select their own photos that they love - the ones taken from a professionals point of view. Maybe you even gift your wedding guests with photo credit as the wedding favor so they can have the keepsake photos they love.

I'd love to hear from you - whether you're planning a wedding or you are a professional - are there any other reasons to share why you want to hire a professional wedding photographer and videographer?

Thank you again Focus Productions for providing the photos and video to include in this wedding article

I have an amazing Bridal Shower to share with you today where the bride-to-be's mantra is “feminine with a twist of edge”. There's lots of black and white stripes - reminiscent of Kate Spade - and lots of bright pink. It's a modern NYC Bridal Shower designed by GLDN Events and it's absolutely stunning. I even have the bride joining us after the photo gallery with a little behind the scenes story on the creation of her bridal shower day at Gramercy Park Hotel and her engagement story.

Wondering about Elyse's amazing fashion style for her bridal shower? Here's what she wore:

• A Zimmermann Floral Print Corset Laced Dress {floral print, gold bead embellishments and lace-open back}
• Neutral grey leather Saint Laurent platform sandals
• Ivory Rockstud Valentino Clutch

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Shop this Bridal Shower Look Here:

From the Bride to Be Elyse . . .

Every bride to be has a story - this is mine and I am so happy to share it with all of you! March 20th was my bridal shower and it truly was one of the most beautiful and memorable days thanks to my family, close friends, bridesmaids & GLDN Events! It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more - a room filled with nothing but love, happiness and well wishes, really making me feel like it was my special moment! Let’s go back to the beginning when I first started searching for a venue. I had been to various places around New York City, but as soon as I saw the terrace at the Gramercy Park Hotel, I immediately knew it was the spot for me! All of the other locations I had seen were not comparable to this unique garden setting- I knew it would make the perfect backdrop for my day with the ladies! Fast forward, after months of preparation, my vision totally came to life and I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome thanks to Meredith, founder and CEO of GLDN events. It truly was a picturesque day and one that I will never forget!

It all began one fateful summer night in May 2012, when Scott and I crossed paths in West Hampton in the basement of a mutual friend. Although neither one of us was looking for love, it was then that we both realized "love at first sight" truly does exist. After parting ways, we could not forget the undeniable chemistry that we had and made plans to meet up in Manhattan a few weeks later. From that night on, we were completely inseparable and knew that there would be big things in store for our future! 

After getting engaged to Scott this past October and embarking on a new year, I felt it was the perfect time to start documenting my outfits, experiences and inspirations as I go through this exciting journey! Always obsessed with fashion, I found myself having a constant urge to share my personal style with others which lead me to one thing…Leather and Lace! I am so excited to finally have an outlet to display the styles and trends I am currently coveting as well as my experiences as I go through the special journey of marriage this year!

Wedding Vendor List:

Photographer: Andrew Morales - Life in Reverie // Venue: Gramercy Park Hotel Terrace // Event Planner, Event Design Tablescape, Printed Materials + Favors: GLDN Events  // Floral Design: Gramercy Park Flower Shop // Cake: I Ada Cake

this post contains links to several affiliates

It's time to Cue the Confetti because my festive-fetti™ is getting a new look and I’m giving away 3 surprise packs {one to you and two of your friends}. This confetti is perfect for adding to gifts, using as photo shoot props {think engagement photos or wedding couple shots}, or simply tossing in the air.

Head on over to my Instagram account to Follow Me and Tag 2 of your favorite party loving, confetti tossing friends. It's that easy!

PS: The giveaway is open to US Residents only and ends on Friday April 29, 2016 at 11:59 pm est. If you're account is private, you must make it public during the giveaway period in order to have a chance at winning. Real accounts only please, giveaway accounts will not be considered. The winner will be announced on this post by Monday May 2nd, 2016 and the winner has 48 business hours to claim the prize or it will be forfeited and another winner will be announced.

GIVEAWAY!!! If you love #confetti this one’s for you. My #festivefetti is getting a new look and I’m giving away 3 surprise packs {one to you and two of your friends}. This confetti is perfect for adding to gifts, using as #photoshootprops, or simply tossing in the air Super Easy Entry Rules 1️⃣ Like this photo and be sure you’re following @weddingsites 2️⃣ Tag 2 of your favorite party loving, confetti tossing friends The giveaway is open to US Residents only and ends on Friday April 29, 2016 at 11:59 pm est. If you're account is private, you must make it public during the giveaway period in order to have a chance at winning. Real accounts only please, giveaway accounts will not be considered. The winner will be announced on this post by Monday May 2nd, 2016 and the winner has 48 business hours to claim the prize or it will be forfeited and another winner will be announced. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram. By entering, you are confirming you are 13+ years of age and that you release Instagram of responsibility and agree to Instagram's term of use

A photo posted by Brenda's Wedding Blog 💍 (@weddingsites) on Apr 27, 2016 at 6:26am PDT

A wedding celebration is always a bit better with a little bubbly.

Today on the blog, Freixenet Brut {makes of a quality wine that’s affordable} joins us with three creative DIY tips to make your wedding celebrations stylish while still coming in under budget.

Gifts for your bridesmaid:

When it’s time to ask your BFFs to be in your wedding party, it can be overwhelming to come up with a way to pop the question that's unique and affordable. A fun idea is to grab a bottle of Freixenet Brut for just $12 and a gold pen - then simply write the words “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on Freixenet’s chic black bottle. On the other side of the bottle, you can write a personal note to each friend for a sweet and sentimental touch. To complete the entire look for popping the question - you can package up the bottle of Freixenet Brut with a pretty handmade card and some other fun goodies - like a coffee mug, some chocolate and maybe even a pair of earrings.

Place cards that pop:

Spruce up your place cards whether it's a seated dinner at the reception or a rustic-style bridal luncheon by using adorable Freixenet Brut minis (SRP $4) as a fun alternative. You can personalize each mini black bottle with a gold pen and place one at each table setting to instantly elevate the look while leaving your guests with a treat to take home. {Wedding decor that serves two purposes are always a favorite of mine}

Not-your-ordinary-guestbook:

Surprise your guests with a unique guestbook to sign by using a magnum of Freixenet Brut (1.5L, SRP $18). Simply place the magnum bottle in the center of a table surrounded by fresh flowers and have gold pens ready for guests to use to sign their names. This extra-large bottle of Freixenet Brut will look elegant and inviting at the reception and will give the couple a fun keepsake to hang on to after the wedding.

Today I have the perfect way to celebrate mid-week - it's a romantic garden inspired bridal inspiration shoot from Diana of Spark Photography that was put together for under $100. This was Diana's first styled shoot and she envisioned getting a model {Bethany} in a beautiful wedding dress and traipsing through gardens, holding lots of wild flowers, wandering in fields and capturing every minute of it.

The bouquet was handmade by Diana herself with seeded eucalyptus, berzillia brunia, coxcomb, football mums, and a few red carnations wired together to look like peonies. The ribbons were from a local craft store and Diana wanted long, wide ribbons to blow in the wind. She chose maroon and black to give the shoot a moody and mysterious feel. LOVE this little fact that Diana shared - Bethany, the model, was getting married ONE WEEK later, so no, she didn't purchase the rose-gold diamond ring for the shoot.

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I'm loving the wispy twisted & braided up-do hairstyle and since Diana had foliage left over, she decided to do a flower crown for the fun of it.

From Diana . . . "I love these stunning images of her in the wintery branches. It makes me think of something from a Pre-Raphaelite painting."

For the veil, Diana bought 2.5 yards of ivory tulle from Walmart and trimmed the edges and sewed it to a simple comb to make a chapel-length veil.

Finishing this lovely shoot with words from Diana . . .

I call this an inspiration shoot, because that's what I want it to be. I want this to be an inspiration to brides: you CAN create an amazing, fine-art and unique look for your wedding, for an amazing price! You just have to be open-minded and creative. Search e-bay and thrift stores for amazing deals. And, hit the wholesale places for flowers and details. Remember that if you give your photographer some creative control, and even set aside a separate day just for bridal portraits, you can get some stunning bridal images in really amazing settings!

Vendor List:
Photographer: Diana of Spark Photography
Venues: Birmingham Botanical Gardens / Oak Mountain State Park
Wedding Dress: Taryn by J.Crew {found brand new on ebay for $35}
Shawl: Mercury Bloom Capelet by BHLDN {from Diana's own wedding}
Florals: Davis Wholesale Florist {$50}
Accessories: Gold slim hinge bangle from Baublebar
Gold chunky bracelet and gold hoop earrings: WalMart, $6 for both
Veil: tulle, comb from WalMart, $6 {Handmade}
Florals, Hair & Makeup: Diana Martin
Bethany is wearing eye makeup from TooFaced and Stila and lips by OCC

This post contains affiliate links - your purchase through these links help support future blog projects + free downloads for your wedding planning. You will not be charged any more by using these links and I often have savings that I can pass along directly to you via these links :)