Congratulations to Mandisa & Godfrey on their marriage at The Smithville Inn on August 12th, 2022! Their wedding was magical and romantic! As the warm sun was setting on their skin through the floor to ceiling windows, they danced the night away surrounded by family and friends from both near and far.

Mandi and Godfrey chose to get ready in The Barn at Smithville. The decorations are rustic and really match the entire vibe of their Romantic Smithville Inn Wedding. They were both surrounded by their favorite people, and they helped them with everything they needed in order for both of their days to be perfect. When Mandi put her gown on, it was simply perfection. She looked radiant! Godfrey was in his room, getting his finishing touches and the anticipation was brewing! He could not wait to see his beautiful bride.

The ceremony was fantastic and everyone was so excited to see them both. When Godfrey saw Mandisa walk down the aisle with her father, it was very emotional. You could feel the love when they read each other their vows, and their first kiss was nothing short of romantic.

Surrounded by close friends and family, it was only natural that they had to have multiple toasts, song, and dance for their reception! They danced the night away and Mandi even had a dress change to get more relaxed as the night went on.

Congratulations again to the happy couple! I wish you both all of the love, luck and happiness for your marriage!

“I got married at Smithville Inn August 2022. Lauren did an amazing Job! She went above and beyond! The organization and her beautiful personality helped me and my husband to feel so comfortable and relaxed!! The memories she took was breathtaking! I am so happy I chose Bokeh Love Photography to capture such a great moment in my life… Lauren Thank you so much!!! We highly recommend Lauren!!!” – Mandisa , Review from The Knot

Are you planning your Romantic Smithville Inn Wedding? We would LOVE to be there to capture all of your beautiful memories! Reach out today to schedule a free consultation to see if we are a good match for each other!

Lauren Adams
Bokeh Love Photography
www.bokehlovephotography.com

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Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! I have compiled my favorite wedding planning books for you to take a look at. They go over things like wedding etiquette, timelines on when to send out invitations, book your vendors, and more! Check it out below!

1. 1. Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette – Emily Post was a phenomenal woman, who knew about all things etiquette. If you’re going to learn about it, she is the one to learn from! This is an amazing book that will go over everything you need to do or plan from your engagement up until your wedding day. It goes over engagement announcements, how to word invitations, what to wear and when to wear it, traditions, parties, your ceremony, reception and even the thank you’s and so much more.**Also, if you’re interested in history, Emily Post is the 19th cousin 2 times removed to Charles William Post, Founder of Post Cereals, and also, the person who my college was named after – C. W. Post University, now known as Long Island University!
   2. Erin Condren Wedding Planner – I adore Erin Condren. Her agenda’s are LIFE and her wedding planning books are so much more than than just a planner! It comes with custom stickers that say “I DO” “CELEBRATE” “IMPORTANT” and “REMINDER”. Throughout the planner, you will also see quotes that will light you up! I save these and frame them on my walls! It also had both the calendar view and the weekly view, and enough space for you to write notes, mark dates, make note of your rehearsal meal AND reception meals, the types of alcohol you will be having, a wedding planning timeline to follow etc.
   3. OH, SH*T JUST GOT REAL – Okay, sometimes wedding’s are so stressful that you just need to open up and let that humor fly in. This planner does an amazing job at having making you giggle, but the inside is all business! A ton of spreadsheets at your fingertips to fill in like mad libs! Because let’s be real, who doesn’t love filling in mad libs? You can write your ideas for theme, venue, colors, music, reception, etc. You can also fill in categories with budget, actual cost, and balance owed. It even has a wedding contact list for your vendors (Only thing I dislike is they don’t have Photographer written in… so you’ll have to write photographer in yourself. I recommend a pink sparkly gel pen so I stand out, because of course you’re booking me, right? :::wink wink::: ) But seriously, this is a cute planner and does the job if you’re too busy to make your own spreadsheets. it even has a ton of pages for your guest list, and blank lined pages for you to write all the notes your heart desires!
   4. Essentials Wedding Planner Stickers – Yes, I added stickers to the list haha. The reason why, is because sometimes you just want to play with stickers. You’re planning a wedding, and these are wedding themed! So yes, buy them, and have fun, because you’re allowed to have fun and these little things make us smile and ALSO, really do help stay organized! 
   5. Storied Weddings – This book is absolutely gorgeous. If you want to be swept away with emotions, and what kind of images you could have on your wedding day, then this is the book for you. Actually, if your child is getting married, if you aren’t getting married, or if you know someone who is getting married and just love weddings, then this is also the book for you. It looks nice on the coffee table, and had the content to blow anyone away between great typography and dreamy images, ya know and fabulous tips to help you on your way to planning your big day! 
   6. Wedding Planner & Journal Organizer – I know I have quite a few planners on here, but I am hoping you find one that meets your needs. This one is really special. It is not only beautiful, but it comes with 20 labels to propose to your wedding party, two wedding day cards for you and your fiance to write each other love notes (complete with envelopes), and even a guestbook section. It works as a nice gift and a keepsake of your wedding day. There is even a page about dresses and the cut of each neckline (sweetheart, scoop, illusion, off shoulder) and the skirt style as well (trumpet, a-line, tea-length, mermaid). 
   7. Equally Wed – There are so many books out there for planning weddings that are centered around the “bride and groom”. This book, of course has the to-do lists that every engaged couple needs, in addition to very important resources on how to handle certain challenges that an LGBTQ+- couple may face, like how to deal with less than supportive family members. 
   8. His & Her Vow Book – This is a very simple his & her vow book for your wedding day. These photograph so nicely, and it’s a lot better than holding a folded piece of paper. They are wonderful memories to look back on, and will easily slip right into your nightstand to re-read over and over again the words your husband/wife read to your on wedding day. 
   9. 3 Pc Rose Gold Diamond Pens – With so many things to write down, you should probably enjoy writing with this fancy diamond pen! Yes, there is a huge diamond on the end of the pen! I actually own these, and I’ve been married since 2013. No shame here, I love them! 
   10. A Great Party – One of the wedding planning books that you need to read, is this one right here! Bryan Rafanelli has been voted one of the best wedding planners in the world, by Vogue. He’s planned tons of events and weddings for high profile clients and is known for throwing parties that you will never forget! (Including Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and many events for President Obama!) Even if you don’t was a huge party, you will definitely pick up one or two things (or 10 or 20) from this book!

 

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Wedding Planning Books’. Subscribe to our mailing list and be sure to come back every Tuesday for more amazing Top Ten’s!

 

*Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

 

I met Gyllian and Francesco at Renault Winery for their photography consultation and fell in love with them instantly! They are such an amazing couple and they definitely know what they wanted for their special day, A Fall Wedding at Renault Winery! Although the weather wasn’t very “fall” (a scorching 95 degrees!) she was absolutely stunning in her custom wedding gown and their matching Christian Louboutin shoes.

The beginning of the day was calm and collected, but once Gyllian popped her confetti champagne bottle, everyone was ready to party! This was the day they had been waiting for, and although Gyllian was nervous, after their first look Francesco reassured her that she was absolutely stunning! (And she really, really was!)

Gyllian and Francesco, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your memories! I had an amazing time at your wedding and can’t WAIT for you to see your beautiful images! You two are the best!

If you are planning your wedding, you should absolutely consider a fall wedding at Renault Winery. Between the vineyards, the fountains, the gorgeous landscaping you are sure to have an amazing collection of portraits for your wedding album and to display proudly in your home!

Contact me directly to book your wedding: lauren@bokehlovephotography.net

I remember watching TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress and seeing Lauren, and hearing her story. I remember laughing and really enjoying the show! I also said out loud, “Call me!” hoping she would somehow find me on the internet, and book me for her wedding. She sounded like the kind of bride I would love to work with. Well, as it turned out, I received an email from her! Out of the blue, and she booked me! She loved me and I loved everything about the wedding she was describing! She told me her wedding would be at a church, where she dreamed of getting married in since she was a little girl. Our Lady Star of the Sea. She told me she would have an amazing party (and she totally did) at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ. She told me how much she loved her fiance (now husband) and how perfect they are for each other. I developed a beautiful relationship with Lauren (we even share first AND middle names).

As I mentioned, Lauren was featured on Say Yes to the Dress on TLC. If you don’t recognize her, you could do a quick good search for “Say Yes to the Dress Classy Porn Star” or click here. You do have to purchase the episode since it’s been a few months since it’s aired, or if you own the dvd’s, etc. you could just watch it there. Anyway, to clue you in, Lauren wanted to look like a classy porn star, but all of the dresses she picked out looked like gorgeous ball gowns. She ended up with the dress she is wearing, and it doesn’t say classy porn star in my opinion, it says beautiful bride! Her wedding was also featured on another episode of Say Yes to the Dress, and you can find that by clicking here. It’s exciting because we get to relive her wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ, and you get to see some video from the day!

Lauren is the kind of girl who lights up a room, it’s no wonder that Anthony fell madly in love with her! Lauren’s smile is so contagious, I found myself laughing behind the camera. The emotions in the room made me cry, made me feel like I was right there in the moment along side of her. Maybe I was extra emotional because I was 6 months pregnant, haha but I am totally going to go with the fact that they are amazing people! Lauren & Anthony’s friends and family are so lucky to have them both in their lives, and they are lucky to have so many people that love them in their lives as well. I felt nothing but love and support in the room. And when it was time to party, wow. This is a crowd that knows how to party! We had the SnapBooth there, and boy did it get used! So many people in such a small space, but they made it work and wow it was a blast! I stopped in a few times and couldn’t believe how much fun everyone was having!

Congress Hall is seriously one amazing venue. Lauren and Anthony had their wedding while it was decorated for Christmas! It is a tradition of theirs that they always have photos taken by the Christmas tree. Well, they had one heck of a large Christmas tree to take a photo in front of! I love Christmas, and Congress Hall, does Christmas RIGHT! It’s a serious winter wonderland inside. Even the doormen dress like toy soldiers. It’s adorable. I can’t help but mention that the staff is beyond amazing. Everyone is so helpful and kind. Lauren and Anthony had their dream wedding here, and it was SO worth it! If you want to have a wedding here, I highly recommend it! It’s definitely a phenomenal place to party your night away!

Lauren and Anthony, I wish you nothing but love, success and prosperity in your future together! Thank you so much for trusting me, and allowing me to take part in your special day, and for sharing your memories with me! I will forever cherish you both in my hearts! xoxo

Cape Resorts – Cape May
Lady Star of the Sea – Cape May
Kleinfeld Bridal – NYC

Sara Jean and Nick were married at Blue Heron Pines in Egg Harbor City, NJ on a beautiful crisp night in November! It couldn’t have been a nicer fall night! The air was cool, the sunset was gorgeous, and in the evening everyone gathered around a fire on the patio to stay warm. It was the kind of night where hanging out with close friends, dancing the night away and eating yummy cake was the best thing EVER!

If you couldn’t tell from their pictures, Sarah & Nick are Irish! Their wedding colors were ivory and kelly green! They are so many beautiful touches to their wedding that respresent their heritage, like their wedding rings in particular! They’re so beautiful. Nick had her engagement ring custom made in Ireland, as well as the bands! Instead of the typical diamon, they went with an emerald with diamond accents. I love when the ring is custom to what the bride likes, it makes it so much more personal and meaningful! (Good job, Nick!)

Blue Heron Pines is a local venue, 15 minutes from where I live, and where my studio is. I absolutly adore the people that work there, and enjoy photographing gorgeous couples on their property! Their willow tree is to die for, and their golf course goes for miles! I have never had a bad experience there and hope I get to keep going back! Sara & Nick really did pick an amazing place to say their vows and join their familes. This venue will always hold a special place in their hearts as it was the location that they joined as one.

Congratulations Sara Jean & Nick, and thank you for trusting me with your memories and allowing me to share this moment with you both! xoxo

Click here to visit the venue’s website.