Hi y'all today we are talking about Unplugged Ceremonies...and yes they are still a thing but with a twist sometimes.  Recently we had a couple take 2 minutes at the beginning of their ceremony where the officiant said "please take all the photos you want now."  Guests took photos for 2 minutes then the officiant asked "please put away your phones and enjoy the special moments of this ceremony."  And the rest of the ceremony was unplugged.  Friends got their photos for social media and the ceremony was still respected....Interesting isn't it!

If you want a more traditional Unplugged Ceremony check out these tips below!

Unplugged Ceremonies: Are they Still a Thing?

When you're planning your wedding, one of the decisions you'll have to make is whether or not to have an unplugged ceremony. This is a newer trend in weddings that is growing in popularity. An unplugged ceremony means that guests are not allowed to use their cell phones or any other electronic devices during the ceremony. So, why would you want to consider having an unplugged wedding? There are several reasons!

One of the biggest reasons to consider an unplugged ceremony is that it allows your guests to be fully present in the moment. With everyone's attention focused on their electronic devices, it can be difficult to truly be present and soak up all the emotions of the day. When cell phones are banned, guests are forced to put down their devices and be in the moment. This means they'll be able to fully experience your ceremony and will likely remember it more vividly afterwards.

Another reason to consider an unplugged ceremony is that it can create a more intimate atmosphere. When guests are focused on their devices, they're not really interacting with the people around them. This can make your ceremony feel more like a performance that everyone is watching rather than an intimate occasion shared between you and your loved ones. By banning cell phones, you're encouraging your guests to interact with each other and with you, which can make for a more intimate and memorable experience.

If you're worried about guests missing out on important photos or videos of your ceremony, don't be! More than likely you will have paid good money and hired a professional photographer  and/or videographer to capture the day's events. Imagine receiving your beautifully edited wedding video and seeing nothing but cell phones in the air, or even worse, a guest in the middle of your aisle with an iPad. Yes! It happens!  An unplugged ceremony ensures that your professional photos and videos will be the only ones worth keeping.

So, there you have it! These are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider having an unplugged wedding ceremony. If you're looking for a way to create a more intimate atmosphere and ensure that your guests are fully present in the moment, an unplugged ceremony is definitely something to consider!

Photos courtesy of:

Sunny Lee Photo

Munoz Photography

Hi Y'all...it's really wedding time.  And we are incredibly excited to share Alyssa and Max's wedding with you.  It was a 3-day celebration of love, light and laughter.  Two families came together to celebrate an incredible couple.

Max and Alyssa met at Duke University.  She was a star tennis champion and Max was a nationally ranked golfer, who now plays professionally.  They were together all through college and after getting their careers off the ground, they decided to get married.  Their wedding in December 2022 was emotional, fun, and full of AFTER PARTY fun!

A huge thank you to the entire team who helped create such amaze-balls weekend.

The Ben Hotel, West Palm Beach

Simply Events Design

Sunny Lee Photo

Pineapple Films

Kiss This Make Up

Rock with U - Ceremony Music and Reception Entertainment

THE WELCOME PARTY

THE CEREMONY

THE DETAILS

THE AFTER PARTY

Hey everyone! We are launching our summer series of blogs with topics related to all things wedding!

As those wedding invitations arrive in the mail, it's time to think about what the etiquette and responsibilities when attending a wedding. We have compiled a list of  things to consider when you're a guest at a wedding, such as what to wear and how to behave. Being a wedding guest is both an honor and a responsibility. It's vital that you show your respect for the bride and groom by following some basic etiquette rules. 

1. Do dress appropriately for the wedding. This means avoiding anything that is too casual or too formal. The invitation or wedding website should indicate wedding attire.
2. Do RSVP in a timely manner. This lets the couple know how many people to expect and helps them with their planning.
3. Do arrive on time. If the ceremony is at 5:00PM, try to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This gives you time to find your seat and settle in before the ceremony begins. 
4. Do turn off your phone during the ceremony and reception. 
5. Do be respectful of the religion and traditions of the wedding. 
6. Do be considerate of the other guests. This means not talking too loudly, dancing inoffensively, and being generally mindful of others. 
7. Don't wear white or anything that could upstage the bride. 
8. Don't get too drunk. It's fine to have a few drinks, but don't overdo it. 
9. Don't take photos during the ceremony. Wait until after the couple has had their moment and be present in the moment. Don't forget they paid for a professional photographer. Leave the photos to them.
10. Lastly, don't be a diva. This day is not about you. Leave your drama at home!

At the end of the day, the wedding is all about the bride and groom. Make sure that you keep them in mind throughout the entire process. Be respectful, be considerate, and most importantly - have fun!

Your turn: Have you ever been a wedding guest? What are your best tips for being a great one? Share in the comments below!

Photos courtesy of:

Ambrosio Photography

Aurora Photography

Gloria Ruth Photography

Maggie Stolzberg Photography

Hey Y'all!  We hope you are all well and taking the recommended precautions to stay well!

At this time, we have rescheduled any remaining March weddings and all April weddings.  May weddings are being evaluated on a case by case basis at this time.  We wanted to share a few tips on how to navigate this difficult time.

We are working with all of our couples to navigate through this process.  

All client interactions are via telephone, Facetime or Skype for the foreseeable future.  We are rescheduling weddings for Summer 2020, Fall and Winter 2020 and into 2021 depending what dates work for you all.

We highly urge you to postpone and not cancel.  You have put your heart and soul into your wedding day.  You will still get to celebrate your love and commitment with your friends and family...it just may be a different date.  Your friends and family WANT to celebrate with you...they want to share in your joy.

If you have friends who are getting married and they don't have a planner, please share these tips with them...

1.  Contact your venue - questions to ask

a.  What is your policy on date changes, postponement and cancellation as it relates to the Coronavirus?

b.  Will I still need to meet my food and beverage minimum if I have a smaller guest count than anticipated?

2. Room Blocks

a.  If you signed a contract guaranteeing a set number of rooms to be booked, can that guarantee be waived?

b.  If I schedule to an off season time will my room rate reflect the lower costs?

3.  Contact all other vendors and ask about rescheduling and transferring deposits or refunds if they don't have your new date available.

4.  Marriage licenses - They are good for 60 days from the date which you apply (go to the clerk's office and get the license).  If you have to reschedule and your new date is beyond those 60 days you will need to obtain a new marriage license from the County Clerk's office.  As of this time, you will need to pay another $93 fee.  The clerk's office has not announced plans to waive fees for expired licenses and rescheduled weddings.

5.  Try to stay calm - It is perfectly normal to feel sad, disappointed, angry, and frustrated.  This is uncharted territory for all of us.  None of us knows how to feel from one minute to the next. And that is OK. 

We got to ring in 2018 with the gorgeous and totally fun wedding of Emily and Alex at the West Palm Beach Hilton. 

They celebrated the New Year in style with so many unique and fun elements!  And the gorgeous evening ceremony was so full of love and tradition.  The whole weekend was a blend of the traditional and modern.  

A huge thank you to:

Hilton West Palm Beach

Atlas Event Rental

Tropics Entertainment - Entourage

Fabuluxe Events

Celebrations by Kathy

Creations by Blanca

Chris Kruger Photography

Calypso Wedding Films