Wedding Planning is Hard, But Picking Custom Wedding Invitations Just Got Easier // Emily Frock Graphic Design

Wedding Planning is Hard, But Picking Custom Wedding Invitations Just Got Easier // Emily Frock Graphic Design

Emily Frock is a New Orleans-based graphic designer whose Etsy shop is full of custom invitation suite designs at incredibly affordable prices. Emily offers couples the option to pick a design that fits their personal style and choose which parts of the invitation suite they want to include, like RSVP cards, Thank You’s, and Save the Dates. You can also choose to either print your invitations at home or have them professionally printed by Emily and shipped straight to your door. With LGBTQ-friendly designs and prices starting at just $35 for a custom digital design, how can you say no?!

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Real Couples // A Caribbean Love Story in NYC: Jason + Sylvia

Real Couples // A Caribbean Love Story in NYC: Jason + Sylvia

I met Jason on a online dating site; when I saw his gorgeous profile pic I jokingly said to myself, "Hmmm, he could be my future husband." I read his profile and decided to message him but he ignored me. He continuously checked my profile but would not respond to my message. Eventually he messaged me back and we began chatting. after about a two weeks or so Jason asked me out but my schedule was so busy because I was in my entering into my second year of graduate school. Eventually I agreed to a date and we went mini golfing at 9 AM! We dated for about 3 months. I had my guards all the way up because he was just too nice... a complete gentleman overall, but he seemed too good to be true. I came up with every excuse possible—school was too overwhelming, I didn't want to settle down; however Jason assured me he wouldn't be a distraction and to trust him and trust my heart. His kind heart and consistency essentially broke my walls down, and I allowed myself to fall in love. He would tell me randomly I would be his wife... just wait.

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Real Couples *Video* // A Magical Farm Wedding in Asheville: Amy + Lindsay

Real Couples *Video* // A Magical Farm Wedding in Asheville: Amy + Lindsay

Amy and I met at the hair salon! Let’s just say she gave me a haircut that changed my life. Literally. We had a mutual friend who went to Amy for really awesome haircuts, and she had told me to go see Amy. It took me almost a year to walk in that salon, but I was so glad that I did. She had me mesmerized: she was beautiful and absolutely stunning! Plus she gave me the most awesome haircut ever. The sparks were flying and I had not felt this way before.

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Real Couples // A Childhood Love Story: Ashlee + Mike

Real Couples // A Childhood Love Story: Ashlee + Mike

We met at church; his mom was my Girl Scout troop leader. He was always trolling and dropping in on our Girl Scout meetings. We were like kindergarteners. I'm pretty sure he picked on me because he was so in love, lol. We became really close friends and remained that way through college.

He popped the question while we were on a surprise anniversary trip to Lake Tahoe. I had no clue! When we started dating Mike always loved to write poems for me. There was a poem that he wrote for me when we first started dating that he hadn't finished, and he named it "untitled." So after dinner we went back to the hotel, and he asked if I could record him reading a new poem. Come to find out it was the unfinished poem he had written, except this time it had an ending... he asked if I'd be his wife! He retitled it "Lucky Number 7" in honor of it being our 7th and final dating anniversary. Not only that, he proposed at the same time he'd asked me to be his girlfriend 7 years ago. I still have no clue how he pulled all that off.

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Real Couples // Intimate Same-Sex Wedding on a Boat in Hawai'i

Real Couples // Intimate Same-Sex Wedding on a Boat in Hawai'i

Kate and Jo were married on a boat just off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, surrounded by a small group of loved ones. After the ceremony, Kate and her sister performed slam poetry as a surprise for Jo, and there wasn't a dry eye to be found. They finished up the day with drinks and cookies at a local bar.

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Real Couples // New Year's Eve Family Wedding: Matt + Ashley

Real Couples // New Year's Eve Family Wedding: Matt + Ashley

Family is extremely important to us as a couple and we wanted to find different ways to honor family members who have passed. While having a memorial table is a fantastic and obvious way to honor lost loved ones, I wanted to take it a step further. Matt's grandfather was an artist and while going through some of his work, we came across a sketch of a dancing man and woman. I loved the sketch as soon as I saw it and knew we had to integrate it into the wedding somehow. We ended up using a modified version of the sketch on the invitations and cannot be more pleased with the way they turned out. Our amazing florist Nancy Liu Chin came up with the idea of integrating butterflies into the overall decor and we ran with it. There were touches of butterflies everywhere — the escort cards, in certain bridesmaid's bouquets, the seating chart, signage and even on menus. They added a fun, romantic and whimsical element to the wedding.

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Real Couples // Intimate Same-Sex Wedding on the Beach in Cancun: Corina + Corynn

Real Couples // Intimate Same-Sex Wedding on the Beach in Cancun: Corina + Corynn

"We met in high school and were friends, but we ran in different circles. We fell in love nine years later when we ended up working for the same company. It was only a week into dating that we both knew: this is it!

Our proposal was a complete shock to me. I just didn't think that Corynn could do all of that behind my back. She completely surprised me, proposing at sunset on our first trip to Cancun. She even called my mom before getting the ring and asked her for my hand in marriage! I'm so proud of my engagement ring. Corynn did excellent. I told her I wanted something unique with lots of bling, and boy did she listen.

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Real Couples // A Castle Wedding in South Wales: Jodie + Hasan

Real Couples // A Castle Wedding in South Wales: Jodie + Hasan

Jodie and Hasan were married at a relaxed nautical themed wedding at Norman Manorbier Castle in South Wales. The couple first met while playing in St John's Deaf football club. Jodie played for the women’s team and Hasan for the men’s. "It was on a football trip in 2004 to Stuttgart in Germany that we really noticed each other properly," said Jodie. "But nothing came of it till Hasan's house party after Christmas in 2007 when romance began to blossom."

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Real Couples // Vintage Glam in the Summer Heat: Keisha + Larry

Real Couples // Vintage Glam in the Summer Heat: Keisha + Larry

The heat was impossible, but Keisha and her girls handled it like champions for pictures before the ceremony, and although we didn't get to shoot outdoors with the guys, Larry and Keisha's outdoor portraits make it hard to believe it was so hot outside! Watching Larry with his family and friends, it is easy to see why he is liked by everybody, and he could hardly make it down the aisle for his ceremony because he made sure to acknowledge everyone and say hello.

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Real Couples // A Multicultural Indian Wedding in Washington State: Patrick + Trupti

Real Couples // A Multicultural Indian Wedding in Washington State: Patrick + Trupti

Trupti and Patrick met a few years ago at work. They got to chatting over Star Wars, and the rest (as they say) is history. Their friendship grew into romance, and eventually they adopted a cat and a fluffy white puppy. Getting married was in the stars. We had the honor of photographing their wedding. It was extra special to us, as the bride and groom are friends of mine. The rain came and went during the day, and a few thunder rumbles added a bit of extra drama to the tented outdoor ceremony. But nothing could ruin this day (not even a terrible mishap with a safety pin in the bride’s sari). Just look at their faces, and it is plain as day: these two are madly in love. Their wedding was beautiful, the food was amazing, and it really was difficult to pick a favorite between Trupti’s traditional Indian attire and the stunning white wedding dress she changed into for the reception.

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5 Guidelines for Attending Your Ex's Wedding and Avoiding Fallout

5 Guidelines for Attending Your Ex's Wedding and Avoiding Fallout

It’s not an uncommon occurrence to stay friends with an ex, especially if it’s someone you dated in high school or college, or if you dated for a long time and have lots of mutual friends. So that means it’s not uncommon to end up in a situation where you are invited to the wedding of an ex. It can be hard to attend a wedding of an ex, especially if you’re single, but if you want to stay friends with your ex after their wedding day, here are a few guidelines to follow.

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Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Nathan and Marcella met in their early twenties while they both worked at the same place. While it started out as a friendship, they were no denying there was true love blossoming. The two dated for a few years before Nathan proposed to Marcella and they began wedding planning! Marcella and Nathan are so kind, genuine and their hearts are so full of love for each other and their families.

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The Pros and Cons of Asking a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding // River and Root

The Pros and Cons of Asking a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding // River and Root

The good news is that it is possible to take the pressure off of your friend to prepare a perfect ceremony for you, while still allowing them to lead the celebration and legally marry you and your partner. Life-Cycle Celebrants are trained ceremony and ritual professionals who can work with you and your officiating friend to create a ceremony that feels comfortable and meaningful to all of you. We are skilled and trained in blending and incorporating elements of different faith traditions and backgrounds into secular (but possibly spiritual) ceremonies.  

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How to Make the Most of a Rainy Day Wedding // Advice from Vivian Chen's Couples

How to Make the Most of a Rainy Day Wedding // Advice from Vivian Chen's Couples

Vivian Chen considers herself a "rainy day photographer" because she loves the unexpected delights and the sense of adventure that rain brings on a wedding day. If you think you may have rain on your wedding day, find tips, encouragement, photo inspiration, and advice from three couples who have been there below.

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6 Ways to Reduce Anxiety & Stay Present on Your Wedding Day

6 Ways to Reduce Anxiety & Stay Present on Your Wedding Day

Dear Quyn,

Our wedding is just around the corner, and everything’s starting to pile up! We’re nervous, stressed, and, worst of all, worried that all of this anxiety is going to show up in our photos. How do we stay sane throughout all of this?

Help,

Bundle of Nerves

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Real Couples // Finding a Home in Each Other: Nick + Luis

Real Couples // Finding a Home in Each Other: Nick + Luis

I’m going to be honest for a second. As a photographer, while I always feel a connection with my couples, I don’t feel every story and couple equally. It is safe to say I got a little extra emotional at Nick and Luis's wedding. Starting during the ceremony I became aware of a different depth to the day. Luis was looking at Nick, and his eyes said it all: love and gratitude.

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Ask a Wedding Planner // Cutting Costs for Budget-Friendly Weddings

Ask a Wedding Planner // Cutting Costs for Budget-Friendly Weddings

Dear Ciera,

My partner and I are recently engaged and can’t wait to get started planning our big day! We are hoping to buy our first home soon, so we’d like to keep our wedding budget under $15k. Any tips on how to manage this budget?

Sincerely,

Newly Engaged & Economical

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Real Couples // Married in the Spotlight: Mitch + Erynne

Real Couples // Married in the Spotlight: Mitch + Erynne

Mitch and Erynne are a special kind of special, man. Mitch met Erynne at a show they played together at Chicago's Double Door, and the rest was quickly history. So it seemed only fitting they'd marry in a place where they met: onstage. They wed at the Bottom Lounge, a venue in Chicago's West Loop, surrounded by over 200 of their closest friends and family. 

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