by riley | Aug 9, 2021 | Wedding
Matching wedding party baseball jerseys, furry friends in flower collars, and epic bridal fashion complete with a fringe wedding dress and seriously killer bridal pantsuit–what more could you ask for in a wedding? Whitney and Haley’s Union On Eighth nuptials were focused less on trends and more on details that they loved. The results were stunning, to say the least.
With the help of planner Simply XO Events, the couple transformed the old mechanic shop into a wedding venue. The building was filled with bold florals from Ida Mayes Floristry, romantic table settings, and a huge hanging neon sign from Brite Light Tribe. But enough about the decor, the fringey free-spirited Tara Laurenwedding dress looked dazzling paired with the clean-cut Rime Arodaky and Kira Kouture bridal suit combo.
The photos captured by Map + Compass Photography are sure to inspire more boho “I do’s,” so keep scrolling and get ready to save every last photo.
The Couple:
Whitney and Haley
The Wedding:
The Union on Eighth, Georgetown, Texas
Memorable Wedding Gifts
I did a boudoir shoot and gifted Haley a leather book of the photos. I wanted this to be something that we could look back on when we are older and remember who we were at this stage in life. Haley gifted me a ring that she had custom-made for me. She took a few stones from one of my Nana’s rings and had a jeweler create the most perfectly dainty gold ring. My Nana was my favorite person in the whole wide world, and unfortunately, she passed away years ago. She wasn’t able to attend our wedding or ever know Haley. So Haley wanted me to always have a piece of her with me, especially on such a special day. One of the stones was a blue sapphire, which made it my “something blue” too.
Shop similar bridesmaid dresses:
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by olivia | Aug 7, 2021 | Wedding
Bold is an understatement when it comes to Badger and Jess’ Farmin’ Betty’s wedding. Top to bottom, their ceremony was drenched in unique details—disco balls, a retro movie sign, vintage chairs for the sweetheart table, and a cube-shaped altar arch! Even their wedding day fashion was bold. Jess wore a black and white print two-piece wedding gown paired with tall black cowboy boots. Badger opted for an emerald green suit—two colorful choices! Then, let’s pause to enjoy the perfectly mismatched wedding party looks.
We love what their photographer–and Junebug member–Erika Diaz Photography had to say about this day:
“Jess and Badgers’ boldness to embrace their personal styles and creating a day that highlighted something viewers will be excited and inspired by. I admire their willingness to infuse their wedding day with personal touches, fashion, and details that were completely unique to them.”
The Couple:
Badger and Jess
The Wedding:
Farmin’ Betty’s, Columbus, Wisconsin
Planning A Wedding During A Pandemic
After being engaged for two and a half years, we made the decision early in the pandemic to become husband and wife on September 26—even if it was just us. We originally planned to have 250 guests, but after a series of COVID-19 restrictions forced us to reduce our guest list to 50 loved ones, we were left reimagining the entire day. We called each guest and vendor to discuss what we could do to make them feel safer in a COVID-19 environment. For example, we changed our formal sit-down dinner to a cocktail-style lounge space so guests could distance themselves based on comfort level.
Taking COVID Precautions
We often questioned whether having a wedding during a global pandemic was even the right thing to do. Though all vendors and guests remained safe and healthy after our nuptials, we were emotional wrecks waiting for the fourteen days to pass afterward. For couples who face similar decisions, we hope you can force yourself to see that the real magic of the wedding day is the commitment you make to one another through marriage. Any resemblance of a wedding after that is just icing on the cake.
Advice For Nearlyweds
Just do you! That’s our advice. Our wedding strayed from tradition in so many ways, making it hard for others to envision how our wedding day would turn out. There were countless times Jess would share her latest ideas, and they’d be met with raised eyebrows and well-intentioned skepticism. However, without trusting in our shared vision, we would’ve never had the things that made our day special, like including our fur babies in the ceremony or having our wedding party in mismatched attire.
A Farmin’ Betty’s Wedding
When we got engaged, the big question was where we would tie the knot since our families were not centrally located. Knowing that many of our guests would need to travel regardless of where we chose, we decided on a location that was special to us. In 2018, we purchased our first home together in Columbus, Wisconsin, and felt that this area was perfect to begin our union. Vintage Fields at Farmin’ Bettys had everything we needed and we instantly gravitated to their charming refinished barn nestled in the countryside. The beautiful outdoor space allowed us to hold our ceremony on the grounds before moving to the rustic barn to dance the night away!
Personalizing Everything
Badger is a romantic at heart and frequently writes creative short stories, so we knew right away that we would personalize our ceremony by writing our vows. The rest of the ceremony magic we really owe to our co-officiants, Jace and Mikaela—our college best friends. Since we went to different universities and didn’t meet until after our wild college years were over, Jace and Mikaela had the challenge of writing a wedding script together without ever meeting before. And they crushed it! There were so many tears, laughs, and even a well-placed Meatloaf song reference that had Badger commit that he would love Jess and would love her forever.
Congratulations to Badger and Jess on their bold Farmin’ Betty’s wedding. Major shout out to Junebug member Erika Diaz Photography for capturing and sharing this beautiful day with us. To see more of Erika’s work, check out her profile in our directory of wedding photographers from around the globe!
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by kailey | Aug 5, 2021 | Wedding
Location, decor, catering…oh my! There are many big decisions that go into bringing your dream wedding to life. For all the foodie couples, we’ve got you covered. From plated meals to food trucks—get ready to feast on endless wedding day catering options. We’re taking the stress out of planning by explaining all the info you need to know about wedding catering in one place.
Before choosing your caterer, you’ll need to have your venue booked and understand any limitations that they’ll have on the vendors you’ll be able to hire. If you’re unsure about how to find the perfect venue for your wedding, check out our venue guide. Then, come back and read through all of the options available to feed yourselves and your wedding guests.
Different Meal Styles
Once you’ve selected your venue, consider the type of meal you’d like to entertain your guests with. Keep these in mind on your catering journey to ensure that there’s no confusion between you, your wedding dream team, and your guests.
Plated Meals
If you’re looking for a formal, served meal, this option is for you. Plated meals typically include three courses: appetizer, entree, and dessert. Though this adds an intimate nature to your wedding, keep in mind this type of meal comes with extra planning and preparation—from formulating a seating chart to collecting guest’s food choices and dietary restrictions (typically from their RSVP). Then, you’ll need to communicate these to your caterer.
Passed Appetizers
Couples wanting a more relaxed reception—without sacrificing plentiful and delicious foods—should opt for a passed appetizer option. Typically passed appetizers are combined with the cocktail hour and include bite-sized snacks that are served by catering staff.
Hors D’oeuvres
From charcuterie tables—also known as grazing tables—to sliders, hor d’oeuvres have become a popular wedding food option. This is a perfect meal selection for couples looking to combine food presentation and taste to enhance their reception. Usually set in a buffet style, guests can come and go as they please and have the choice of endless food options. This is sure to add a relaxed vibe to any wedding day, without having to sacrifice mouth-watering foods.
Cake and Punch
A fun and budget-friendly catering option is a “cake and punch” reception. Instead of serving your guests a full sit-down meal, you jump right to wedding cake and drinks—we’re all for skipping straight to dessert. This is a perfect option for late-night weddings or short and sweet celebrations.
Catering Styles Vary
You’ve selected the meal style fit for your wedding vibe and theme, now it’s time to determine execution. There are catering styles fit for every couple and every wedding size. Whether you’re wanting a hands-on catering experience or wanting to assemble a team of industry professionals to take the reins, you’re sure to find a catering style here that is perfect for you.
Venues With In-House Catering
If you’re searching for ways to simplify your wedding planning process, some venues offer in-house catering. This style of catering means the venue takes full reign of the catering duties from setup to tear down, and everything in-between. No extra time needed to coordinate between the caterer and the venue—it’s already done for you. Of course, you’ll still be able to work with the in-house catering team on the menu.
DIY Catering
With weddings getting smaller, more couples are opting to DIY major elements of their weddings—like decor and food. Maybe you love cooking and want to prep the meal yourselves, whatever the reasoning may be, do it yourself catering is always an option. By going with a DIY approach you’re able to directly control the flavor and outcome, without having to sacrifice quality.
Hire a Caterer
Hiring a top-notch caterer is one of the easiest ways to reduce your wedding planning stress. A professional caterer will take care of the procurement, planning, cooking, and cleanup. The caterer will also impact your reception experience by limiting your wedding day work. This way, you can be present and soak up all of the memories.
Consider reaching out to your favorite restaurant as a fun way to show off local dining to your guests.
Food Trucks
Options, options, and more options. If you’re dreaming of a relaxed reception vibe with a variety of food options, food trucks are an ideal catering option. This can also be an easy way to appease many different dietary restrictions and preferences. Whether you’ve got vegans or gluten-free guests, there are trucks for everyone.
This style of catering also adds fun to any styled reception, not to mention the endless food options that are offered on wheels nowadays.
Cocktail Party Reception
A cocktail party reception means skipping the meal and instead indulging in a variety of hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Cocktail party food opens the door to creativity. This can mean an oversized charcuterie table or passed appetizers. This reception food option is perfect for couples looking to customize every part of their reception—from the food options, to the decor—and for couples that want their reception bar to be the main event.
There is no better way to kick off your marriage than with a reception that is authentically you. From the wedding catering options to the reception drinks, every element should be a reflection of you, your partner, and your union. If you’re searching for ways to make your reception unique without breaking the bank, you won’t want to miss these tips for decorating your reception space on a budget.
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by International Associations | Aug 4, 2021 | Marketing
Email Helps Make Your Content King!
Email Energizes Your Content Marketing Strategy
A dedicated digital marketer will send out an email marketing campaign or work on a content piece for future Email Marketing while they wait for their coffee to brew in the morning.
When you combine email and content marketing strategies, it guarantees having a productive morning because it’s the perfect combination. Content marketing and email are like chips and salsa. You can’t just have one without the other. Why do you think that’s true?
Your Email Driven Content Marketing
It sounds like a huge challenge, let’s look at what research shows us that other Digital Marketers rely on to succeed. An Ascend2 research study examines how combining email and content marketing is the bedrock to build your Digital Marketing Strategy on.
The survey was done to determine what an effective email-driven content marketing strategy looks like. The survey was fielded the week of August 27, 2018, and a total of 224 marketing professionals participated.
Email Leads Your Digital Effectiveness
Email is clearly considered an effective channel for marketing content to prospective customers by 82% of marketing professionals. The next most effective channels are social media and a company’s website or blog for 54% and 51% of marketing professionals, respectively.
Email’s importance is consistent in various research studies on content, email, data, and technology.
Establish Your Content Priorities
Define Your Content and Email Priorities
Improving the quality of leads is a top email-driven content marketing strategy priority for a 54% majority of marketing professionals. Increasing conversion rates and the number of leads or subscribers generated are also top priorities for 49%.
When considering your content & email priorities, you should examine your content.
- To improve the quality of your leads and increase conversions, you need high-quality content.
- Content needs to be laser-focused on your audience. Determine who you want to reach. Just like you segment your email list, segment and personalize your content.
- What content types should you create? Here is what the research study revealed that works best for marketing professionals.
What is Your Most Effective Digital Content for Email
Videos or motion graphics are considered the most effective types of digital content used for marketing purposes by 44% of marketing professionals.
Almost as effective are webinars or events, and research or eBooks for 43% and 41% of marketing professionals respectively.
Optimize Your Digital Content for Email
High-quality content creation is difficult, so when you create awesome content, be sure to optimize your results by generating a variety of content types. For example, a research study could produce the following content types:
- Report: Create a report that is easy to scan and answers the readers important questions.
- Video: Many people would rather watch a video than read a report. So give them what they want with a video format of your research.
- Webinar: Your research is ideal to set the stage for the topic of your webinar. Your research helps to identify a problem or opportunity and your speakers can provide expert advice on that topic.
- Blog posts: A quick review of a research chart will inspire a blog post. If you have eight research charts, that is eight blog posts.
- Infographic: A picture is worth a thousand words. Use your research to tell a story visually.
You do the math:
1 research study = 1 report + 1 video + 1 webinar + 8 blog posts + 1 infographic
Emails and Content Marketing Achieve Priorities
More than half (54%) of marketing professionals consider an email-driven content marketing strategy to be successful at achieving priorities.
Email and Content Marketing Are a Winning Combination
So keep combining email and content marketing, it is a great combination!
by riley | Aug 3, 2021 | Wedding
Like most other couples of 2020, Daniella and Nelson had a small family wedding planned in the Dominican Republic before a pandemic changed the wedding world as we know it. But rather than let that stop them from tying the knot, the couple moved their ceremony to the Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Boston. After saying “I do” in the courthouse, the newlyweds went to lunch, cheered to their future with champagne and cake, and throughout the process took some stunning photos around the city with photographer Scarlet Roots.
Although their special day was small, every detail was well-thought-out–especially their fashion. Daniella looked beautifully casual in her Staud short wedding dress, Jennifer Behr birdcage headband, and Refine chunky headband–all of which accentuated her colorful bouquet from Central Square Florist. Meanwhile, Nelson opted for a more traditional look in a linen guayabera, a button-up shirt typically worn in the Dominican Republic. Who says courthouse wedding fashion has to be boring?
The Couple:
Daniella and Nelson
The Wedding:
Consulate of the Dominican Republic, Boston, MA
Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Elopement Planning Checklist
Making Sure The Day Was COVID-Conscious
It was important for us to keep in mind the true end goal–our marriage and life together and not necessarily the day. Since everything came together very quickly, we didn’t have much time to plan. To keep things as safe as possible, we had our ceremony with two witnesses, snapped some pictures, and then went to lunch together. Back home, we called our families and shared some cake and champagne.
Shop similar headbands:
Laidback Vibes At The Romantic Courthouse Wedding
We decided to elope after COVID-19 complicated our plans for a small family wedding at home in the Dominican Republic. It was important for us to have a relaxed and fun day, so we kept everything laid back. My look was an easy linen dress from Staud with block heels. I couldn’t decide between the Refine satin headband or the Jennifer Behr veil, so I wore both. Nelson wore a linen chacabana or guayabera that’s traditional in our country. I ordered my bouquet from our local florist the day before.
Recommended Reading: 16 Elopement Ideas to Make Your Small Wedding Special
Congratulations again to Daniella and Nelson on their romantic courthouse wedding. We’re so thankful Scarlet Roots was there to capture the love of the day! If you’re planning your own courthouse “I do’s,” be sure to check out these courthouse wedding dresses that are simple yet special.
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