If you’re in the throes of wedding planning, then we don’t need to tell you how hard it is to know when you’ve found the one[s]. The planner, the photographer, the venue. Every day, you find yourself further and further down a rabbit hole. And every time you think you like something, you find yourself second-guessing, “Do I like these photos, or do I like the wedding design?” “Do I like this venue, or just the way it’s photographed?” We know cuz we’ve been there! Planning a wedding is like planning the ultimate collab. It’s a whole bunch of creative geniuses all coming together to create one cohesive vision—yours.
So we talked to some of our industry faves—over a photoshoot, obvi. We picked their brains about how they work and how they know when they’re a match for a couple. Here’s what they had to say…
P.S. You may recognize our cover model, Alexa Santamaria, and her hubby from Netflix’s Love Island. They just tied the knot, so stay tuned for more on their epic Italian destination wedding!
Meet The Pros: Photography & Videography
Photos and videos, the only pieces of your wedding day that will outlive you. Wow, just sit in that for a moment. Finding the right photographer for your big day is probably the most important decision you will make and probably the hardest. To help put things in perspective, when you’re looking at photos of other people’s weddings. Ask yourself, “What do I like about this photo? Do I like the flowers, or the lighting? Do I like the venue or the vibe?” Make sure that you are falling for the aesthetic of the imagery and not the subject—so, the feeling, not the flowers. The same goes for video. And if you’re on the fence at all about whether or not you need a videographer, trust us when we say, YOU DO.
How would you describe your perfect couple?
“My perfect couple fully trusts me to capture everything they’ve hired me to do.” Ariel—Magnolia West Photography
“They are very much in love, understand the value of video, and love to party. They’re down with the vibes and the energy and love being in love with each other.” Maleka—The Siren & Co Films
What’s one thing you wish couples knew about what you do?
“I would want them to know that I’m not simply documenting how their wedding looks. I’m trying to preserve how it feels.” Ryann—Ryann Lindsey Photography
“I care a lot. The reason I do what I do is because I don’t have wedding photos myself. I have one photo taken on a disposable camera by my husband during our reception, and that’s what I have framed. I like to give people what I don’t have.” Ariel—Magnolia West Photography
“I wish couples knew that what I’m doing is building a legacy. I got into this because of my parents’ wedding video, which I saw when I was a little kid. My tagline is “Not your parents’ wedding video,” because I want you to create your own legacy and your own wedding video that you can rewatch with your parents or your own kids, like my parents did with me.” Maleka—The Siren & Co Films
What wedding trends are out right now?
“Recreating someone else’s Pinterest board; designing a wedding that feels more performative than it should be; and designing a wedding for the internet rather than what you want as a couple.” Ryann—Ryann Lindsey Photography
What wedding trends are you loving right now?
“Personal details, photographs that feel like the moment you were in, and being fully present on your day.” Ryann—Ryann Lindsey Photography
“I love the authenticity that’s super popular right now. It’s less about the posed, perfect photo and more about authentic moments between the couple and their guests—real interactions. I love it. I’m here for it.” Ariel—Magnolia West Photography
Meet The Pro: Planning
From designing layouts and negotiating contracts to holding your hand through the ups and downs, a wedding planner does so much more than just plan. They take your vision, your love story, and turn it into an immersive once-in-a-lifetime event for you and your favorite people. When you’re choosing your planner, ditch your Pinterest board. Look for a planner whose aesthetic already reflects your personal style. Most mistakes come when couples hire a pro and try to force them into a box. Once you find “the one,” put your trust in them, and just let them cook…you can thank us later.
How would you describe your perfect couple?
Our perfect couple cares more about how their guests feel than how the photos look. They’re hosting, not just getting married. They want the welcome dinner to feel like family, the wedding day to feel effortless, and the farewell brunch to feel like a hug goodbye. They know what matters to them, and they trust us with the rest. Taste helps, but trust is everything.
If you had to boil your brand down to two words, what would they be?
Guest-centered.
What’s the one thing you wish couples knew about what you do?
Everything we do comes back to the GIAN Six-Second Rule. Every person who walks into your wedding gets six seconds to feel it, and we plan every one of those moments.
For the bride: when the doors open and she sees her reception for the first time, those six seconds have to take her breath away. It’s everything she dreamed of, finally in the room.
For a guest: six seconds after walking in, they should feel welcomed and taken care of. A cold drink is in their hand, a warm hello greets them, and they already know where to go.
For a vendor: six seconds after walking into the room, they should know exactly where to go and what’s next. Nobody is lost or wandering, and nobody is looking for help.
Your guests will never know we planned it. But those six seconds, for every person in the room, are what make the whole day feel effortless.
Give us 3 trends that are out (or you’re over) and 3 that you would like to see them replaced with.
Out: Champagne walls. They look great for five minutes, then the champagne gets warm.
In: Champagne poured cold and handed to guests as they walk in. Hospitality over a backdrop.
Out: Thin paper menus.
In: Details guests get to experience. Make the menu interactive, or go big on a keepsake escort card guests take home. Small details make guests feel thought of.
Out: Cramming everything into one day.
In: The wedding weekend. Spread it out, slow it down, and actually be with your people.
Meet The Pro: Content Creator
We can remember a time when couples would rely on their wedding guests and a shared album to capture all of those beautiful, fleeting moments in the inbetween. But times have changed, and a new wedding vendor category was born: the content creator. At first they seemed like a luxury add-on, but now, after working with them ourselves, we’re convinced it’s a MUST.
If you had to boil your brand down to two words, what would they be?
Personal and nostalgic.
What’s the one thing you wish couples knew about what you do?
It’s about so much more than making TikToks. I’m capturing the little moments happening all around you—the ones you experience and the ones you might miss. The way your mom looks at you, your friends cheering you on, or a quiet moment with your partner. You get to wake up the next morning and relive it all while it still feels so fresh. I want you to feel like someone who cares about you is holding the camera.
So, there you have it, straight from the pros who live this, day in and day out. Now all that’s left to do is curate your very own dream team. Who knows, maybe you’ll even work with one of the incredible artists from this very shoot… peep the vendor credits below for all their deets.
For even more wedding planning tips, make sure to follow us @weddingchicks on IG.
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