Hey there love bugs, your friendly neighbourhood Okanagan wedding photographer Hillary, from Hillary Eve Photography, here.
As beautiful as they are, weddings can very quickly turn into a day of chaos that pulls you in every which direction leaving you feeling like you were hardly able to spend any time together as a couple. It's important to remember that your love, the beautiful relationship you and your partner have built together, is why everyone is there celebrating and it is worth making space for.
Whether you're planning a Penticton wedding, a wedding in the Okanagan, or even a wedding elsewhere in the world, try infusing your day with these eight tips to foster all the feels and create memories that will leave your heart singing.
Here's how to sprinkle some extra love into your Okanagan celebration:
Prioritize time for just the two of you.
While your trusted Okanagan wedding photographer focuses on capturing all those magical candids of your guests celebrating your love, steal away moments of alone time with your new spouse. This can be a quick five minutes after dinner, 10 quiet minutes to dig into that delicious cake privately or even 20 minutes alone before heading up to the reception.
One of my 2023 wedding couples actually took close to 30 minutes up in their hotel room after their couple's portraits (and before heading down to their reception) to spend some private time together. I was able to take photos of the reception space and their guests enjoying the cocktail hour while they were able to relax, refresh and get in some quality time before joining the party again.
Embrace the time dedicated to your couple's portraits.
At Hillary Eve Photography, we recommend spending 60-90 minutes on your couple's portraits. I know, this can seem like a lot, but most couple's find it's the perfect opportunity to wind down and bask in those precious moments with their new spouse while not having to rush through such a beautiful part of the day. Plus, if you're getting married in the Okanagan, the views you'll be surrounded by don't hurt to really take in.
Incorporate a GoPro or camcorder.
You have a wedding photographer and maybe even a wedding videographer, what could you possibly need a GoPro for? This unique idea is a great opportunity to create a video message for your spouse to watch later. Take the time to make a video together at the end of the night talking about your day. Talk about your favourite moments, all of the emotions, what you're most looking forward to in married life.
Hillary Eve Photography also highly recommends giving the GoPro to your guests (or to a trusted individual) to see the day through your guests eyes.
Consider a first look or even a first touch.
Not big on expressing all the feels in front of others? Plan a first look and feel the butterflies flutter as you share a private moment before the ceremony. If you want to keep the first look for the ceremony itself, a first touch is also a beautiful and soft moment to read each other a special love note or your vows while just the two of you.
Walkie-talkies!
A playful way of staying in touch during those hours leading up to the ceremony. Share sweet nothings, inside jokes, and words of excitement with your very soon to be spouse. Not that you'll need it on your wedding day, but this is a fun way to build up extra anticipation between the two of you.
Stay together.
Make like super glue and stick together. It can be really easy to get pulled in different directions with so many people and things going on. After the ceremony, spend your wedding day glued to your new spouse. After all, your wedding day is about celebrating the love the two of you came together to create.
Get ready together.
I know this one is going to be controversial but break tradition and get ready together. Those soft and intimate moments leading up to your declaration of forever love in front of all of your family and friends is really beautiful when spent with one another.
Love notes.
They don't have to be long and thought out for days, possibly even weeks, like your vows may have been. Write a sweet little love note for your partner to read during a first touch, first look, or have it delivered by a loved one.
Your wedding day is your day to shine as a couple, and with Hillary Eve Photography by your side, every moment of pure magic will be captured authentically. Soak it all in, cherish every smile, and let your love story unfold in the most beautiful way possible. Don't forget, this is your day, and it's going to be absolutely unforgettable!
xx Hillary
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