It's a Shore Thing | Full Service Destination Wedding Coordinators

5.1.13

Sarah & Nick: That’s What’s Up

Sarah & Nick are the epitome of hip and awesome all rolled up into one adorable little nugget of love. From the first meeting, we knew these two were going to be a welcomed addition to our fabulous little wedding family. We also knew it’d be one heck of a party once we started getting down to planning this amazing shin-dig. And we know amazing shin-digs. This group did not disappoint. There were even backflips, a second line, tears of joy, wicked cool shades for all the guests, a first dance to Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros {uh huh. yup. told you they were cool}, and fancy heaters to keep this group shaking their groove thangs – literally – non-stop.

Oh. Yeah. Heaters. In Florida. In March. That happened. {For the record, that’s not typical in these here parts.}

Thanks to our friends over at Pure 7 Studios, we’re able to share the awesome images that capture all the hip/awesome/nuggets of love with you!

Love the feeling of anticipation these images generate. Also, Sarah’s drink looks really yummy. We like that, too.

LOVE Sarah’s pretty blue/green color combo. Not only were these girls GORGEOUS, but they were also really darn sweet.

Kind of obsessed with the guys just being in vests. Super-cool. Also, the faces are a great foreshadowing of the awesomeness that ensued at the reception. Rock stars. For real.

Something we’re seeing more and more of is the “first look” between a father and daughter. Hello, tear-jerker.

You guys. This is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever seen. Like, EV-AR.

And then – POOF! – just like that, they were married. We’re not kidding when we say we’re able to create magic on a wedding day. We’ve got more tricks where that came from, too. {Also, see aforementioned wicked cool shades adorning the pretty faces of their guests}

…And after they were married, they danced their very first dance to “That’s What’s Up”, by Edward Sharpe, etc., etc. {they have a really long name and my carpal tunnel is acting up}. It was super-fun and currently taking over my Spotify playlist.

And then … this happened.

…And then this happened, too {I was in the corner gnawing on Xanax upon realizing there were groomsmen catapulting themselves into the air upside down}. But then I just thought it was really fun and cool and awesome. And then I laughed. And everyone clapped and hollered and climbed the walls of the tent in excitement. Ok, not really. But that would have been pretty hilarious, no?

Congratulations, Sarah & Nick! Adore you two to pieces!

XOXO

Jen2

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May 1, 2013 - 9:47 pm

erica - yes! love this post and love this couple. and love your images captions, jen! you’re da bomb. thanks for a fabulous wedding for our team to photograph! xo

May 1, 2013 - 9:58 pm

lindsey - we’ve absolutely loved having this awesome, beautiful/handsome duo as one of our pure7 couples! they’re celebration was so incredibly fun and wouldn’t have been such if it weren’t for your talented self. xo

4.29.13

Monday Funday: Keep Your Guests Entertained!

Who likes Jordan almonds?

:::crickets:::

No? Me neither. But hey, in like, 1952, they were all the rage at wedding receptions. So was the community punch bowl. Both of which we will still happily incorporate into your happy day; we’ll just put a big, fat, fancy twist on both since, well, we like to put a big, fat, fancy twist on everything we touch.

For the record, I do like almonds. And I suffered a slight obsession with Jordan Knight {hello, NKOTB reference} circa 1988-ish; however, the two don’t really float my boat as a duo. But I digress…

Things have certainly evolved in the pretty little world of weddings, and I’m here to tell you that F-U-N seems to be the name of the game these days. While it’s certainly not necessary to go over the top entertaining your guests at your wedding {because really, they’re most likely going to have three priorities: bar, dance floor, hug your neck – and not necessarily in that order}, we absolutely LOVE to help you find ways to bring some personality and fun flair into the day. Stuck for ideas? How about:

The PhotoBooth. Endless hours of awesome, seriously.

Image courtesy of FaceTime PhotoBooth {and our very fun/awesome/sweet couple, Kelly & Matt}.

Have a bunch of wee ones attending? Want to keep them from knocking over centerpieces and accidentally doing shots with the groomsmen? Give them some fun things to do! Games and activities and things that will keep them entertained for hours on end will allow mom and dad to boogie down and maybe even sleep in on Sunday. We’ll put a money-back guarantee on that one. Want to take it a step further? Hire a nanny service and create your very own kid corral at the reception! Now that’s what we call fun!

Photo courtesy of your resident expert iPhone photographer, Jen2. Kid awesomeness provided by Celestine’s.

Or, ya know, when all else fails, load them up on sugar:

Image courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography. Amy & Ken | Rosemary Beach | May 5, 2012

Another sweet Paul Johnson Photography photo {get it? sweet? ha! so clever.}

Another new trend we’re seeing more and more of {thank you, Pinterest!} are lawn games. Yep, you better be brushing up on your cornhole, croquet, bocce ball, and ring toss skills, ’cause things are heating up in the world of wedding lawn games. We do advise against things like mud wrestling and beer pong, however. Too messy {and grandma Betty tends to frown on things of that nature. Unless, of course, your grandma is Betty White, in which case, you’re basically the luckiest person ever and we would like to plan your wedding NOW}.

See? Told you Pinterest was the lawn game authority.

Another Pinterest masterpiece.

So, question of the day: Aside from doing the Wobble and busting out some Gangnam Style {which I totally Googled for correct spelling, by the way}, what fun component are YOU adding as a way to entertain your guests?

XOXO

Jen2

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4.23.13

Wedding Wisdom: The Great Spray Tan Debate

We get it: Everyone likes a little bit of a “healthy glow”, especially on their wedding day. And we’re often asked for local hot spots where brides are filled with promises of stepping into their wedding dress as bronzed little beauties. While we don’t want to steer you away from something you reallyreallyreallyreally have your heart set on, we also want to be sure we give you the God’s-honest, no holds barred truth. We’re kind of reallyreallyreallyreally honest.

So, here goes. Our two cents (or five, whatever) as far as spray tanning is concerned:

1. Try before you buy! We suggest stepping foot into that big capsule of mysterious bronzing wonder for a little trial run at home. If you wait till the week of your wedding, you might consider buying a Brillo pad in the event it goes terribly awry.

2. If you decide spray tanning really does tickle your fancy, then we suggest tanning a few days in advance – NOT the day before your nuptials. Why? Because we said so. And, well, because brownish-orange arm marks up and down the side of your dress is probably not Photoshop-able. It also may be a little distracting. People might laugh at you. And we don’t want people to laugh at you.

3. Don’t go too dark! We’re not sure how it happens, but a too-dark tan somehow, sometimes, tends to morph itself into this bizarre shade of purple-y brown . . . something. No scaring your wedding guests, please. An audible gasp from the groom is also a little embarrassing.

4. Use a reputable salon. There are lots of great, new spray tan products on the market that won’t actually leave you looking Oompa Loompa-ish, so be sure to do your research beforehand.

5. Last but not least, if you decide to go the old fashioned bake-on-the-beach route, be liberal with the sunscreen . . . and consider a strapless top to avoid the pretty “hi, I have a tan” tan lines that will likely take center stage on your wedding day.

But really, we generally recommend going au naturale and showcasing your pretty self sans-sun damage and/or blasted with bronzing spray. Provided you’ve not hired a circus clown to do your makeup (which we tend to avoid), your professional makeup artist will know the best ways to highlight your features with colors and shades suitable for your skin tone, and which will be most flattering in photos. And of course, if you’re working with a legitimate, experienced wedding photographer (please, please, please do that), they’re going to work with the lighting, time of day and surroundings to capture you at your best.

So, cast your worries of being pasty aside and enjoy your pretty self on your very awesome wedding day (your groom will still kiss you, your guests will still “ooh and ahh” over how stinking pretty you are, and you won’t be covered in gauze from the aforementioned Brillo pad incident).

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April 23, 2013 - 8:48 pm

Rae Leytham - OH THANK YOU!!! Let’s compile some images for you so we can show exactly what you are talking about.

April 23, 2013 - 9:10 pm

admin - Yes, please!! XOXO

11.15.12

Fun Little Wedding Facts: The Sunset Ceremony

Considering a ceremony after the sun goes down? While we agree there’s nothing more gorgeous and romantic than our amazing sunsets on the beach, there are also some things to consider before committing to your nocturnal nuptials. Unless your venue is on a football field, it’s likely going to be, well, dark. Thank you, Obvious Ollie. What’s the big deal, right?

Unless you’re handing out headlamps in lieu of programs, your guests are going to have a tough time seeing {whether they’re trying to read your programs, or just want to gaze at your smiling faces, it’s going to be a little more challenging post-sundown}.

Consider the key players during your ceremony: the officiant, your ceremony musicians, readers?, soloists? … If they’re bats, then they can probably read in the dark. If they’re not, they should probably be prepared to have a reading light of some sort. Because no one really wants bats fluttering around their wedding ceremony.

Group photos. This is the biggie. Are you and your soon-to-be-spouse OK with seeing each other before your ceremony? Bride: Are you cool with being ready super-early? 99.999999999% of the time, you’re going to need to schedule all of your group photos before your ceremony. {If my mathematically-challenged brain serves me right, that that number could technically be rounded up to 100%, but I’m not a photographer, so I felt it necessary to leave a slight margin of error}.

Ceremony photos. Another biggie. Seeing a trend with this photo thing?

This time of year, our sun likes to disappear earlier than most of us would like to see, but darn it, it sure is pretty! While these aren’t the only things to consider in determining your ceremony time if you’re set on reciting your vows after dark, they’re definitely some of the most important. So, be sure your photographer is comfortable shooting in this type of light, your designer considers and is able to provide some fabulous lighting, and your planner talks you through ALL the things you’ll need to think about other than the few we’ve already highlighted. The bonus about an earlier ceremony time? A longer party! And we like {ok, love} parties. :)

XOXO

Photos courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography and Michael Newman Photography. Wedding courtesy of us and our amazing wedding peeps. In other words, please don’t steal these without giving proper credit. Thanks!

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November 15, 2012 - 4:08 pm

erica - GREAT advice. Well done, friend! xo

November 15, 2012 - 9:23 pm

Wesleyann - Where’s the like button?? I’d like to hit it twice!!!

November 16, 2012 - 12:37 am

admin - Awww, thanks, ladies!! xoxo

9.25.12

Oh Happpy (Wedding) Day: One Year Later

Exactly one year ago today, we had the overwhelming pleasure of helping make Missy & Lorin’s Watercolor wedding more than they could have probably hoped for. From their mutually tearful first look photo session, to Missy’s nephews surprising everyone with a ridiculously amazing on-stage performance, to the tear-jerker speeches, and everything in-between {um, most amazing party ever}, this wedding was one for the books. Emotion and excitement and sheer joy was the running theme of the day, and the feelings seemed to be almost contagious among the guests and even us wedding peeps.

There’s something very special about Missy & Lorin, and they’ve honestly become really great friends to us both. And holy smokes, are they ever IN LOVE. Like, totally, utterly, gives-this-single-girl-hope kind of love. It’s obvious when they’re together that they’re just supposed to be together. We adore the heck out of you two, and wish you a million and one more years of true, sickeningly-sweet love and happiness. Your wedding is one we’ll always remember {and still brag about!} ~ y’all are one of a kind, for real. Happy anniversary, you two lovebirds! We love you guys!!

That’s not all we have for this wedding though … We have a very fun post coming soon to a blog near you detailing all the behind-the-scenes insanity that took place that caused us to utter, “So who does this when we’re not here???” more than once that day. So, stay tuned. You’ll likely rethink having Aunt Betty coordinate your wedding day.

To be continued…

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September 25, 2012 - 2:38 am

Missy Munchick - Oh, that was the sweetest!! Lorin and I will never be able to thank you both for making our wedding the most wonderful, happy, warm and seemingly stress-free time ever (stress-free for us, at least….thank you again and always!!). We love the Jens and owe so much of the magic to It’s a Shore Thing!! Love always, Missy and Lorin

October 23, 2012 - 8:13 am

Deepak - Wow, from very early on in our wedding painnlng process, the two of you made it incredibly easy to trust you. With watching some of your other posts, our anticipation in working with you grew and wedding anxiety faded away. We are absolutely thrilled with the highlight video, and can’t stop watching it, over and over, and over!! You captured all the raw emotion and energy from the day in your work and we can’t thank you enough!!Be in touchDan & Michelle