A lot of times a bridesmaid or MOH will deliver bride's letter to the groom and vise versa.  Even in the video below, we have beautiful footage of the couple reading their letter after they were dressed for the wedding.  It always brings a lot of emotion to the surface (and we love emotion!!).

I saw this picture on Adam + Allie's Photography website and I LOVED the idea.  Not only is it sweet, but it is building the anticipation of being able to turn around and see your bride or groom.  Can you imagine the butterflies!!!

Want the YouTube version?

But what I love more than photo booths are the PROPS!!!  Signs, chalkboards, mustaches, silly hats, yes, YES, please!

Here is fun wedding photo taken from The Wedding Chicks!  Photo credit goes to True Photography.

This is a great wedding trend that I hope we continue to see in 2012 and years to come!

Thanks to Picky Palate for their photo!

Thanks to Pretty Chicky for their photo!  

So many wonderful things about this. The first is that you don't have to worry about having enough guests to "fill the picture" at the end of the reception.  Everyone knows that your guest count will dwindle as the evening progresses.  I say that your older guests tend to leave right after you have your 1st dance and cut the cake.  

For your photographer and videographer, they (we) will be excited because the lighting will be excellent if you leave after the ceremony!  

And although I don't recommend this, but we have done it a couple of times in nine years, it does allow you to stay and continue to party and have shorter hours for your photog and videog.  The times when we have done this is when the couple is not planning on a traditional going away from the reception, their reception could even be at a hotel and they just plan to ride upstairs.  They might have tons of friends and family from out of state that they don't get to see very often and really want to stay and play.  (or go to the hotel bar afterwards)  

We like to tell the story of the wedding day so having a formal going away at the reception helps with the natural flow of the video.  But our solution is to do a great "last dance" before your vendors leave.  It is a perfect way to end the day!

Here is a gorgeous picture taken from Style Me Pretty of a couple doing the formal leave from the ceremony.  A special thanks to The Studio B Photography for their picture.

For this shoot, J Ross with Norton's trasforrmed the venue into a garden oasis.  You can see all of the pictues in the 2012 Alabama Weddings Magazine.  Here is the behind the scenes video that we did of all of the fun that goes along with a photo shoot!  A special thanks to Jerrod Brown Studios, Olexa's, Bella Couture, Mr. Burch Formal Wear, Melissa Moore Bogardus (makeup), Bromberg's, Andy Tolar with Design Productions and The Garage.  

from Vimeo:

 from YouTube:

Our favorite welcome kit had homemade buscuits and jam!  I never tasted anything as good at 2:00 a.m. when the wedding ended.  Gifts that are unique to the city are great for out of town guests too!  Here in Birmingham we have a lot of neat options - have fun with it.   

Here is one example I found of welcome kits.  It is from Martha Stewart Weddings, by Olivia Leigh Photographie.  

One of the cutest things that we have seen recently at weddings is when the bride embroiders her new name and wedding date in blue on the slip of her wedding dress.  I found a great shot of an example on Martha Stewart Weddings.  Please give the credit to photographer Lauren Kinsey - check out her other pictures from this real wedding.  And we LOVE the venue, Cabana Blue/Bentley's on the Bay! 

Sweet Spot Confections
The White Room
Misty Smith
Bama Balloons
Double Oak Community Church
The Historic Pumping Station
Hart & Soul Cafe

And here is the youtube link, for those who prefer.