Stylized Wedding

Wedding Essentials Checklist | Wedding Resource | Olympia Wedding Photographer

November 16, 2017 in Wedding Resources

Hello! Congrats on your engagement! Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days of your life but it's going to take some planning to get there. After all, if you've never planned a wedding how do you know everything you'll need to do?? This is a simple checklist to keep track of the tasks that need to be completed before your big day. So don't let it scare you! Take charge, start planning and have fun with it!

Browse below then download you PDF copy HERE.

Wedding Essentials Checklist

Engagement

Insure ring
Set wedding date
Throw an engagement party
Get engagement photos done

Apparel

Wedding dress
Dress bag
Alterations
Wedding Shoes
Backup flats
Veil/tiara/headpiece
Garter
Reception dress
Reception Shoes
Undergarments (bra, corset, slip, nylons, panties)
Getting ready robe for bride or Button up shirt (So you don’t mess up your hair)
Earrings
Necklace
Hair accessories
Something old
Something new
Something borrowed
Something blue
Departure outfit
Groom's Tuxedo
Tie
Tie clip
Cufflinks
Vest
Suspenders
Belt
Shoes
Watch
Getting Ready Robes
Bridesmaids dresses
Flower girls dresses
Ring Bearer tuxedos
Groomsmen tuxedos
Groomsmen shoes

Rehearsal Dinner

Venue
Caterer
Bartender
Liquor/beer/wine
Non-alcoholic beverages
Decorations
Music
Parking
Dishes/glassware/silverware
Linens
Food
Servers
Signature drink

Getting Ready

Make-up artist(s)
Hair dresser (s)
Mani/Pedi
Champagne/OJ
Snacks
Emergency Bridal Kit

Find a Makeup Artist

Ceremony

Officiant
Marriage paperwork (bring on day of)
Alter/aisle decorations
Guest book + pen
Pillow or ring box for ring bearer
Basket for flower girls petals
Aisle runner
Ushers
Transportation to reception if at different location
DJ
Playlist

Find a Venue

Reception

Venue
Table decorations
Venue decorations
Sign
Cake table decorations
Guest book table decorations
Card box
Guest book + pen
Photobooth
Caterer/food
Signature drink
Dishes, glasses, silverware
Toasting glasses
Napkins
Table Clothes
Menu
Cake
Cake Knife
Plates and silverware for cake
Musician or DJ
Playlist
Bar Tender
Liquor/beer/wine
Non-alcoholic beverages
Appetizers for cocktail hour
Chairs
Tables
Parking
Bubbles/rice/sparklers
Transportations
Designated person to round up family for family portraits

Find a DJ

Rings

Wedding band
Groom’s ring
Engraving
Sizing
Insurance
Pre-wedding cleaning

Flowers

Bridal bouquet
Floral headpiece
Toss bouquet
Wedding party bouquets
Groom boutonniere
Groomsmen’s boutonnieres
Mother of the bride corsage
Mother of the groom corsage
Father of the bride boutonniere
Father of the groom boutonniere
Grandparent’s corsages/boutonnieres
Special guests corsages/boutonnieres
Petals for flower girls
Table center pieces
Arch decorations
Flowers for cake
Decorations for aisle

Find a florist

Stationary

Announcements
Save-the-dates
Invitations
Envelopes
Stamps
RSVP cards
Address Labels
Maps/direction cards
Registry cards
Wedding programs
Calligrapher
Newspaper announcement
Thank you cards
Rehearsal dinner invitations
Bachelor/Bachelorette party invitations

Find a Calligrapher

Gifts & Favors

Thank your or reminder token for your guests to take home. Handmade or store bought (optional)
Gift for groom from bride
Gift for bride from groom
Bridal party gifts
Groomsmen’s gifts
Flower girl gift
Ring bearer gift

Find Gifts

Photography/Videography

Discuss below details and expectations with your photographer

Engagement portraits
Bridal Boudoir portraits - Set up a bridal boudoir party with your bridesmaids. Super fun day and you can get an album for a wedding gift for your fiance
Getting ready
First look - Decide if you want to stick with tradition or do a first look. Ask your photographer if you aren’t sure
Bridal portraits - List several important shots
Family portraits - Who is important and specific group shots if you have a preference
Ceremony portraits
Reception photos
Bridal Session
Albums, canvases + prints - Think wedding thank you gifts, wall art and heirloom albums

Discuss wedding day details and expectations with videographer

Find the Perfect Photographer

Honeymoon

Plane tickets
Hotel
Rental Car
Entertainment
Lingerie
Appropriate clothing

Miscellaneous

Apply for marriage certificate
Wedding planner
Hotel for out of town guests
Printed copies of wedding day timeline

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

BabeSeattle: Styled Halloween Themed Wedding | Olympia Wedding Photographer

October 17, 2017 in Stylized

Here are a few of my favorite images from a fun Halloween themed styled wedding I did withsome super fun and talented photographers! Feels good to let loose and be creative.

What are your Halloween plans??

Got an idea for a fun or creative styled wedding?? Message me!!

Models: Kari Rae, Andy Rodriguez, Chalayia Fuller

Hair + Makeup: Urbanista Weddings
Florals: Busara Floral
Rentals: Balancing Balloons
Invitation Suite: Ink+Sable
Desserts: Scarlet Nantes

Coordinators: Beginning and End Photography, Jackie Rose Photography

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Romantic + Moody Styled Winter Wedding | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

March 09, 2017 in Wedding, Stylized

I recently joined a group of talented photographers and vendors to pull together a dreamy stylized winter wedding and what a great time we had! The original plan was to shoot outside at Auburn's Flaming Geyser Park but since we caught a standard Seattle winter day we were forced to switch to the Tacoma Graffiti Garages to stay dry. Although I missed the rich greens of the park the dramatic light of the Graffiti Garage set a very romantic and rich mood to the day.

One of my favorite parts of putting together this event was all the incredible vendors I was able to meet! There is so much local talent and creativity in the PNW that I am frequently in AWW at the amazing creations that I photograph. A custom ring box, carefully designed invitations, handmade barn tables and s'mores bar, elegant and detailed dresses, rich and textured floral arrangements, a unique and delicious cake, a rustic wooden sign and professional hair and makeup are just a few of the items designed and created for this event. We absolutely could not have pulled off such an amazing event without the help of these hard working companies. Special thanks to the following companies!!

Ring Box and Wood Decoration/Cake Toppers: Lee Six Laser & Design

Invitations, Menus, S'mores sign, Paper Table Decorations: Sandpaper Custom Stationary

Wooden Table, Benches, green goblets, S'mores Bar: Puget Sound Farm Tables

Wedding Dresses, Veils & Headband: Country Bridal

Flowers: JNJ Floral

Cake: Delicately Sweet Confections

Wooden Welcome Sign: Happy Heart Design Co

HMUA Couples: Alisa Clark

HMUA Single Bride: Brenda Beauty Guru

For more vendor information please see Sarah Gonia Photography's Preferred Vendor List or contact me if you have specific needs.

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Marionette + Cory's Pt. Defiance Boho Elopement | Tacoma Wedding Photographer

January 24, 2017 in Wedding, Stylized

When a session gets rescheduled and you have a day "off" what do you do? Collaborate with a fellow photographer and an AMAZING florist to set up a phenomenal stylized elopement!!! As a Pacific Northwest Wedding Photographer January and February are my slow months and setting up an event like this is a dream!!!

Samantha Ek of Picturesque Art and I decided to put out a model call to shoot a couple. Well, one Facebook post, two Pinterest boards and a message to a florist later and we were in business! Since both Sam and I love doing wedding that is exactly where our Pinterest mood boards took us and the results are just stunning!

I would like to talk about Shannon of Floral Noir for a moment and recognize what a talented florist she is. I worked with Shannon on another Wedding Shoot and not only was she super nice and personable but she brought these incredible floral arrangements that just took my breath away! I could not stop starring at them! Her use of texture and color gives every hand designed bouquet a wow factor that will command feelings of 'Awe' and 'Wonder.' I know this isn't the first time I've gushed over her work but she continues to surprise and impress me.....and as a wedding photographer I see a lot of flowers!!! To all you lovebirds getting married - if you want floral art instead of just flowers and you want them to be dreamy and Pinterest worthy - Send her a message!

Ok, Shannon, I'll stop talking about your wonderfulness now and get back to your part in the planning of this amazing stylized elopement. Shannon took one look at our Pinterest boards and the wheels were spinning! We left full control of the bouquet and floral crown in her hands and she completely nailed what we were looking for! Sam and I spent nearly a half an hour just photographing the flowers and if we didn't have the couple waiting for us it probably would have been longer. :) Shannon, you rock!

Seems that the date was a perfect pick too since we had clear skies and sunshine, how often does that happen in Washington in January?? A sunny Sunday is completely unheard of - I'm pretty sure Mother Nature has a sense of humor and only plans sunny day's on Monday's during the hours of 9 and 5 when everyone is at work. HAHA. Thanks for the sunshine MN, you're my girl, blue.

Both Sam and I wanted to explore Pt. Defiance Park more so location was an easy decision. From the Rose Garden to the Pagoda to the romantic wooded area and nearby Owens beach - Pt. Defiance is a diverse and ideal location to do portraits AND/OR get married. *hint hint* MESSAGE ME, I'm awesome lol!!! :)

Sam, you're a treasure. So glad to have a friend that shares the same tastes and loves to put together these events as much as I do. I can't believe how easily we rolled this all together and turned a rescheduled session into an amazing adventure.

Marionette + Cory - you two are so stinkin' cute! Thanks for getting all fancy and stepping in front of our cameras. It can be hard to relax when you have a camera in your face and let your true emotions shine but you two have such a strong connection that it made it easy to capture your love.