Category: Inspiration

Preppy weddings capture the laid back elegance of a New England summer. Imagine the finer things in life, without all the fuss. A preppy theme takes inspiration from both weekend clambakes and the most sophisticated soirées. Think clean lines, classic florals, and nautical décor elements that capture the beauty of the Atlantic.

PartySlate reached out to Kait Leahy, Owner of By Kait Elle Events, for insight into the preppy wedding aesthetic. She tells us, “Preppy weddings are in! Our idea of a preppy wedding is one filled with whites, blues, or a light color palette with pops of blue, a sailcloth tent, simple yet defined lighting, and impeccable (dare I say perfect?) layouts for both ceremony and reception. In our eyes, perfectly straight rows of chairs and tables scream preppy! Our favorite type of wedding to design currently…the preppy, garden-inspired wedding!”  

We’ve searched through thousands of real weddings on PartySlate to find our favorite preppy wedding theme ideas. From tranquil blue wedding hues to fresh seafood straight from the ocean, here’s 9 ways to elevate your wedding day with a classic preppy style. 

1. Go With a Preppy Blue Wedding Palette

Your wedding colors set the mood and tone of your celebration. Capture the understated elegance of a preppy wedding with a blue color palette that ranges from pastel to navy. For couples exchanging vows on the ocean, discover how to bring a preppy twist to your nautical wedding colors.

2. Incorporate Fresh White Wedding Florals

Keep the vibe cool and classic with fresh white floral décor. Some of our favorite white blooms include carnations, ranunculus, roses, gladiolus, and hydrangeas. You can also mix in fresh greenery for a softer look. Lastly, don’t forget to use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find an available wedding florist near you. 

3. Create a Classic Vibe With Striped Patterns

Clean-cut patterns are a preppy staple. Bring this refined look to your wedding celebration with pinstriped linen tablescapes, bow tie embellishments, and striped lounge areas. You can also incorporate stripes into everything from your wedding invitations to signage.

4. Pitch a Preppy Wedding Pole Tent

Take your celebration outdoors with a tented wedding. Pole tents, especially, lend a preppy vibe to your surroundings. These soaring pitched roofs create unique opportunities for décor such as suspended greenery or lanterns. Use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find tent rentals near you. Make sure to click into a company’s PartySlate profile to see real examples of their work.

5. Take Your Celebration Seaside

Take your celebration to the coast — be it lake or ocean — with an outdoor ceremony and reception. Seaside nuptials and al fresco dining turn every moment into a picturesque photo op, especially come sunset. Make sure to take a few moments with your beloved (and wedding photographer, of course) to enjoy the sand and surf.

6. Make Waves With Nautical Décor

Sailboats, steamboats, and yachts evoke the preppy feel of New England. Bring this nautical vibe to your wedding décor with everything from nautical-themed invitations to wedding cake toppers. We especially love how one of the ceremonies below recreated the main mast of a ship as the backdrop for their wedding ceremony. 

7. Engage Guests With Competitive Lawn Sports

Keep guests engaged with preppy competitive lawn games such as croquet, spikeball, and cornhole. Lawn games are also a great way to get photographs of your guests having fun off the dance floor. You can even incorporate games into your wedding party photos, like one of the couples below.

8. Satiate With a Seafood Spread

From clambakes to plated lobster dinners, nothing says preppy like a seafood spread. Add unique details to your catering display with a giant ice-filled canoe or custom signage instructing your guests how to properly eat lobster. You can find the best caterers for your preppy wedding through PartySlate’s curated vendor directory. Make sure to filter by location and services for the best fit.

9. Say Thanks With Preppy Wedding Party Favors

Show guests how much you appreciate their love and support with thoughtful party favors that reflect your preppy theme. Some of our favorite ideas include custom-made tote bags and classic shawls. Use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find a favors and gifts company near you. 

People Also Ask…

How can a couple find their perfect wedding style?

“We help a couple determine their wedding style simply by getting to know them,” Kait Leahy, Owner of By Kait Elle Events, tells us. “That sounds like a simple answer, but in order to design a client’s wedding we need to know their likes, dislikes, and absolute heck no’s. Sure, Pinterest design photographs help, but designing a wedding requires many calls and meetings where we talk not only about the wedding, but also life. Does my client love cooler weather, the ocean and whales, but also dislike sand, the color orange, and the rain? If this is the case, then we probably need to find an indoor venue on the water in the Northeast (or the southeast in late October and early November), and definitely not choose a wedding date that falls during the week of Halloween.” 

Where can I find a venue for my preppy wedding?

Head to PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find the perfect setting for your preppy wedding theme. Use the filters to narrow your search by location, guest count, amenities, and more. For an intimate preppy celebration, we especially recommend pursuing the “yachts and boats” category within “venue type.” “Historic estates and mansions” are also a great match for a classic New England-style wedding. 

Where can I find vendors for my preppy celebration?

Find everything from your wedding planner to live entertainment with PartySlate’s curated vendor directory. Use the filters to search by vendor type, location, services, and more. Make sure to click into a preferred vendor’s PartySlate profile page to see examples of their work from real wedding celebrations. You can also contact a vendor straight from the directory.

Where can I find more inspiration for my wedding?

PartySlate is here to connect you with the latest wedding trends, as well as classic ideas that never go out of style. Click on the following for even more curated wedding inspiration.

Meet the Expert

Kait Leahy
Owner
By Kait Elle Events

Contact Vendor

featured planner

Sara Kovel Events

We love how this full-service event planner manages every aspect of perfecting your event. Sara Kovel Events create events that are both unique and beautiful — all while taking the stress out of the planning process. photographer: Ricky Rodriguez Photography

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When you plan a destination wedding, you’re not only preparing for your nuptials; you’re also planning a trip for all of your loved ones. You have the opportunity to transport your guests to a place of meaning to you as well as take them on a beautiful adventure.

A destination wedding is often more complex to plan; it means coordinating multiple gatherings and keeping track of many little details to help your friends and family prepare for the weekend, or weeklong, celebration ahead. In addition to hiring a skilled event planner, it’s important to communicate plans with your guests.

There’s no better way to get your family and friends excited for the journey ahead than by sending a well-designed invitation. We love the custom destination wedding invitation suites below because, in addition to conveying vital information, their designs nod to far-off locales. Whether it’s a watercolor painting of a vineyard or layered laser cut cacti for a desert wedding, these invitations beautifully inform and excite guests.

Read on to get inspired by destination wedding invitations for real weddings at gorgeous locations that include domestic and European spots, cities and beaches, as well as deserts and mountains.

European Destination Wedding Invitations

1. Intimate Italian Wedding

Ferentillo, Umbria

Guests at this destination wedding in Italy  were invited by colorfully elegant invitations from Gourmet Invitations. They set the scene for an intimate soirée in the hilly countryside of Umbria.

Click through to see how a long king’s table laden with lavender hydrangea and sprigs of rosemary created a feast for the senses in a dreamy courtyard.

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2. Chateau Celebration in France

Condécourt, Île-De-France

The planners at Fête in France say of the chic chateau venue, “The orangerie has beautiful light during the day, and in the winter, it is full of lemon trees being stored away from the cold. These deep green leaves and citrus colors were used as inspiration for the unforgettable décor.”

We can’t help but notice how the hues inspired the greenery-infused destination wedding invitations from French Blue as well. Click to see unique water-color inspired cookies and striking green tables.

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3. Italian Destination Wedding – In Palm Beach

Palm Beach, FL

We adore this Italy-inspired wedding so much that we dedicated an entire article to it. The old-world European mood began with the luxe invitation suite from HH Design. Each custom letterpress card featured a gold icon and each envelope, an elegant lining.

Click through to see how towering trees made for wow-worthy centerpieces and a wedding cake that recreated (in edible elements) details from the invitations.

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Desert Destination Wedding Invitations

4. Palm Springs Soirée

Palm Springs, CA

This custom-illustrated and designed destination wedding invitation suite featured a laser cut band holding all of the glorious pieces together. Who Drew NY provided custom illustrations including a tropical crest and deeply hued map on stunning invitations from Méldeen.

Click to see the wedding’s beautiful use of on-trend millennial pink.

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5. Elegant Palm Springs Wedding

Palm Springs, CA

According to the planners at Michelle Garibay Events, “The accordion-style invitation suite design centered around shimmering pool water to build excitement for a vacation-vibe weekend celebration in Palm Springs at the Avalon Hotel.”

We adore how Méldeen created a chic suite in a California-perfect palette. Don’t miss how desert inspiration found its way onto the tabletops and in the bouquet at this clear-tented wedding.

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6. Delightful Desert Design

Palm Springs, CA

This modern tropical wedding began it’s pink and rose-hued mod vibe with its gorgeous custom invitations from Swell Press. We adore everything from the cool font to the letterpress desert-chic graphics.

Don’t miss all the fun boho details like pink and maroon velvet lounge areas, wicker thrones for the happy couple, and an so-clever-you-have-to-see-it place card display.

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7. Chic Cacti

Palm Springs, CA

We love the three-dimensional detail on these invitations from (fittingly) The Detail Department. And what’s more evocative of a desert-set soirée than cactus and undulating sand?

Make sure to see other clever details like a live cactus seating chart, fresh citrus place cards, and wood slab chargers.

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8. Bright & Bold Bash

Scottsdale, AZ

This colorful intimate wedding set a luxe desert tone starting with custom invitations from Idieh Design. We adore how the invitations combine dusty blue a bright pink and desert icons like cacti and horned skulls.

Click through to see a truly stunning king’s table (one long table for all guests) with its own arch of bright bougainvillea.

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9. Succulent Soirée

Phoenix, AZ

We adore so many details at this outdoor desert wedding, from the wow-worthy succulent-decked wedding cake to the mini terrariums for each guest.

Don’t miss how the custom invitation suite from Be In love Designs inspired a totally original bar design, seating chart, and menus.

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Beach Destination Wedding Invitations

10. Luxurious Tropical Wedding

Noord, Aruba

This stunning wedding featured bright green palm fronds and white floral décor that popped against the deep blue sky. Lucky guests were invited with truly tropical invitation from the team at VS Invitations.

Don’t miss how the wedding arch perfectly frames the couple, sky, and sea for epic photos.

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11. Bright Beach Wedding

Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mexico

We can’t get enough of how this invitation suite from A Good Day evokes turquoise water, tropical florals, and miles of beachfront sand.

Don’t miss how a bright orange menus create a chic focal point at each modern table setting.

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12. Tropical Palm Beach Setting

Palm Beach, FL

When you’re getting married in as gorgeous of a locale as Palm Beach, in as iconic of a venue as The Breakers Palm Beach, it makes sense to get guests dreaming early. We love how Alpine Creative Group used the tropical beauty of the historic venue, along with gold print to set an elegant tone.

Don’t miss the couple’s stunning oceanside nuptials and unique wedding arch.

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13. Magnificent Mexico

Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

We adore how aqua ocean spray served as beachy inspiration for this destination wedding invitation suite from My Urban Invites.

Don’t miss a unique polished wood aisle stretched across soft sand leading to the sea and the couple’s fun entrance — by boat.

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14. We Heart the Hamptons

Bridgehampton, NY

This Hampton’s wedding combined a modern black-and-white palette with pampas grass and other beachy elements. We love how the invitation suite from Minted evoked the rolling ocean waves.

Click through to see this Fourth of July weekend wedding and its clever beach-inspired place cards and driftwood and floral centerpieces.

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City Destination Wedding Invitations

15. Artistic City Soirée

Chicago, IL

Ashley Frye Studio evoked Chicago’s iconic skyline in an artistic way to set the scene for this beautiful city-set wedding that took place in a glass art studio.

Click to see how glass art formed a colorful backdrop to this couple’s ceremonial chuppah.

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16. Chicago Charm

Chicago, IL

We love how this Chicago wedding employed the city’s skyline as inspiration for the invitation suite from Bella Figura. The motif is carried through every card, creating a cohesive design.

Click through to see the city-perfect locale, rich with history, and the clever seating card solution.

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photographer: Cristina G | event planner: Big City Bride | décor: Blumgarten & Co | venue: Chicago History Museum | linen: BBJ Linen | print goods: Bella Figura

Vineyard Destination Weddings

17. Wine & Dine

Hollister, CA

This intimate wedding included only close family and friends, but that doesn’t mean that every little detail — including the invitations — wasn’t grand. Heart Paper Soul created a custom invitation suite that featured rolling vineyard hills and nods to its California setting.

We adore every single boho accent (think velvet lounge areas on the lawn), and you should definitely click to see the outdoor moonlit dinner with candles that seem to flow right off the edge of the table.

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18. Vineyard Vines

Charlottesville, VA

Virginia plays host to not only hilly vineyards, but also lush weddings. This rustic-chic vineyard wedding invited guests with custom invitations from Just Write Studios, featuring leafy elements.

Don’t miss the charming barn reception featuring foliage and candle table runners and high and low floral centerpieces.

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Mountain Destination Weddings

19. Mountain Magic

Beaver Creek, CO

These winter wonderland nuptials were held at the happy couple’s favorite mountain in  Colorado, and their wedding invitations from Sarah Drake Design set the snowy scene months in advance. We love how the custom suite beautifully pictured the special locale.

Don’t miss the stunning reception décor, with its suspended floral installations and birch trees surrounding the whole room — and all of the bridesmaids donned in icy blues. Winter wonderland, indeed.

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20. Lovely Lodge

Bend, OR

This stunning wedding was beautifully set at a resort nestled against the majestic Cascade Mountains — and the picturesque invitation suite from Katie Hoffman Ink makes that perfectly clear. These destination invitations feature evergreens, water, and fields that get guests dreaming.

Other not-to-be-missed details from this mountain wedding include its unique cake with mountains and trees rendered in white frosting and a clever guest book/photo album combo. Click to see now.

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People Also Ask…

How can I get started planning my destination wedding?

A destination wedding requires an especially high level of planning skill, attention to detail, and responsiveness. We suggest beginning your wedding planning by hiring a top wedding planner. An event planner will advise you every step of the way from lodging blocks to selection and coordination of your vendor team. Ideally, choose an event planner who has experience in curating destination celebrations, or look for a local planner on the ground at your dream destination.

Also see some of PartySlate’s destination wedding resources below.

The Best Time to Get Married — and the Worst — in 11 Top Destinations

What is a Destination Wedding & Should You Have One?

44 Honeymoon Destinations That Also Make Perfect Wedding Venues

How to Choose a Destination Wedding Photographer According to an Industry Expert

Wedding Arch Ideas for Every Venue & Destination — Find Your Perfect Match

Best Destination Wedding Planners for Your International Nuptials [Top List]

Your wedding day will go by in a blink of an eye. Make sure your memories live on forever with a wedding video keepsake. Trust me, I only have one regret from my wedding day: I wish I had hired a wedding videographer.

I made the same mistake many young couples make by assuming that I only needed to hire a wedding photographer. While I love looking at my wedding album, I now wish I had live footage from the celebration. I think of my father’s toast or our officiant’s story of how I met my husband. These moments now live in my memory—but nowhere else.

If I could share one piece of advice with engaged couples, it would be this: hire a wedding videographer. With that in mind, I reached out to seven wedding videographers to find out everything you need to know about wedding videography. 

Keep reading to learn inside tips on how to choose a videographer, decide on a wedding video style, and more. Plus, you can watch real wedding videos to see which styles and techniques suit your tastes.
Your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life. Make sure you can revisit it again and again with a beautiful wedding video.

1. Why should I hire a wedding videographer?
2. Popular types of wedding videos
3. Wedding video packages
4. Number of videographers needed on site
5. What footage to include
6. Long versus short wedding videos
7. Raw footage inclusions
8. What to communicate to your videographer
9. Important questions to ask
10. Wedding videography budget

1. Why should I hire a wedding videographer?

If a picture paints a thousand words, a video paints a million. Dave McQueen, Owner of Amari Productions, walks us through why it’s so important to hire a wedding videographer in the above video:

• Tell the full story
• Elicit an emotional response
• Timeless keepsake
• Preserve audio

Plus, hear from real couples on why choosing to hire a wedding videographer was one of the best decisions they ever made.

2. What are popular types of wedding videos?

“There are so many incredible styles of visual storytelling,” Kenny Hopkins, founder and lead cinematographer of Kenneth Cooper Films tells us. Additionally, Naomi Raiselle, co-owner of GENERATIONS cinemastories, explains, “Every videographer has his or her own style.”

Styles range all across the spectrum. Amanda Gosselin and Jeff Brouillet, co-founders of Ready Set Film, tell us, “Some styles, like ours, are very natural and unobtrusive, whereas others may take a more directive approach.” In those cases, “they’ll pose you or have you re-enact scenes for the video.” 

It’s important to choose a type of video that “resonates with your style and preferences,” Raiselle adds. Gosselin and Brouillet agree. “Choose the style that you feel most connected to, and a style you’ll still enjoy watching on your 50th anniversary.”

Check out some common wedding video styles below:

Classic and Timeless Style

Styles come and go. Fashions change. Go with a classic videography style for a look that never ages.

Don’t confuse classic with boring, however. Hopkins describes this style as “a joyful, romantic, and kickass-capture of the day you have put so much love, energy, and hard work into creating.” 

Cinematic Style

“You may see the word, ‘cinematic’ used by various videographers,” Raiselle tells us. “The word simply means ‘like a movie.’ Some videographers use it to refer to drone footage or slow motion shots.” 

Expect angle shots, atmospheric lighting, filters, and seamless transitions.

Documentary Style

Documentary videos continue to evolve. Raiselle tells us, “‘Documentary’ used to mean that the videographer simply filmed the day as it happened, and edited out what was unnecessary, so the wedding film was in chronological order as the day unfolded. A more recent and creative approach was to use time shifting, so that sound — be it from a toast or the ceremony — might appear with shots of the first look or first dance.” 

Experimental Style

Experimental wedding videography prioritizes mood over a linear narrative. This type of videography is highly edited and features layered scenes with a heavy focus on lighting, sound, and varying pacing.

See how alternating between aerial shots and close up, intimate moments can capture the breath and scope of your wedding day.

3. What’s included in a wedding video package?

“This answer will be as unique as each videographer,” Hopkins of Kenneth Cooper Films, tells us. However, according to Hopkins and Dave of Amari Productions, you can generally expect packages that include some variety of the following:

• Time spent on site (usually 6-10 hours)
• Wedding film (creative film anywhere from 5-15 minutes)
• Full length films of the longer parts of your day (ceremony, toasts, formal dances, etc…)
• Editing services

Hopkins also shares some typical add-on features:

• Additional hours on site
• More videographers onsite
• Full weekend coverage
• Longer films
• Shorter films
• Raw footage
• Wedding film albums
• Drone footage

Pro Tip from Ready Set Film: Keep weather and location limitations in mind when considering drone footage.

For couples looking for more flexibility, consider custom videography packages. Hopkins tells us, “We begin with a minimum investment level and then a fully-customizable proposal to perfectly fit the unique wedding film needs. This allows our couples the flexibility to have their rehearsal dinner or Sunday brunch incorporated, expand their coverage hours, or have our fast turnaround social share films that we are known for.” 

See how speeches can be layered over music for increased emotional depth and poignancy. 

4. Do I need more than one videographer onsite?

While the answer is open to interpretation, there is a general consensus that you want the ultimate amount of opportunities to capture footage.

“It’s really about cameras,” Colin Lyons, Owner of Colin Lyons Wedding Photography, shares. “One videographer with one camera is too few cameras. However, one videographer with two cameras is often acceptable. Two videographers with two cameras is an improvement, but not critical. Two videographers with four cameras is ideal.” You get the idea.

Bailey Knippa, Wedding Consultant for ​​Reverent Wedding Films, believes that two onsite videographers is always preferable for the following reasons:

• Different angles can be captured from one scene
• The videographer can be in two places at once, if needed
• There are more backup cameras on hand
• There is more footage for editors to work with

Omar Atilano, Owner of Atilano Productions, also believes two videographers are essential when multiple events are happening at the same time. He tells us, “It’s imperative to have more than one videographer to ensure there are different perspectives from the same event.”

There’s another benefit to having an extra videographer onsite. “It can also lead to more creative shots on your wedding day,” Atilano says, “because one of them will document your entire day, while the other will focus on capturing more cinematic-style shots.

See how the videographer oscillated between the bride and groom’s wedding vows to recreate their love story from start to finish.

5. What kind of footage should a wedding video include?

“Almost every part of the wedding day, from start to finish, is important,” Bailey Knippa, Wedding Consultant for ​​Reverent Wedding Films, shares. “After the major events are established, it’s time to add in shots of all the details that make the day come alive!” 

Atilano of Atilano Productions shares the top wedding day moments to include:

Atilano reminds couples that it’s not just what’s included, but how it’s included. “In our videos, you can see that we do not create a video that is cookie-cutter style. Instead, we tailor each video based on what makes you and your wedding special.”

Knippa also suggests using a voiceover to “incorporate the emotion and cinematic aspect in the film.” She explains, “We take either voiceover from the officiant, personal vows/letters, or toasts. This allows us to create a timeless and emotional film.”

6. What is the difference between long and short video footage?

“There is a big difference between the long videos that use the sound from the event and the shorter videos that use music overlaying the footage,” Lyons of Colin Lyons Wedding Photography tells us. 

“While you see the shorter videos trend on social media, it’s the longer documentary videos that let you relive your wedding day,” Lyons states. He also explains that shorter, highlight videos require a high-skill shooter and moving camera called a gimbal camera.

7. Do wedding videographers provide raw footage?

Some videographers, like Ready Set Film, provide raw footage at no charge. This, however, is becoming increasingly rare. Raiselle of GENERATIONS cinemastories tells us, “Most studios film with multiple cameras and angles, so that a 6 hour day might result in a dozen hours of raw footage.”

She goes on to say, “If your videographers are filming for a creative edit, there will likely be multiple angles of the same event, shot with several cameras. If the studio were to supply the unedited media of the ceremony, for example, there might be 3-4X more media than the length of the ceremony, so that a half hour ceremony might have 2 hours of unedited media.”

See how the personalities of the couple, and their loved ones, shine through at every moment of this beautiful wedding video.

8. What do I need to communicate to my videographer?

First, and foremost, tell your love story. “It is crucial to get to know each couple in advance in order to create a memorable wedding video,” Atilano of Atilano Productions explains. “It’s also important for couples to get to know their vendors, have a conversation with them, and ask them questions.”

In addition to your love story, you’ll want to communicate the look and feel of your celebration. Atilano says, “In order to create a video that is unique, we need to know what kind of vibe you would like at your wedding

The team at ​​Reverent Wedding Films takes the initiative and sends out a form for their couples to complete. “We want to know their story, what is important to them, their style/vibe, and the type of music they like. This will allow our team to have a great understanding of the couple and allows us to create a film catered just for them.”

Atilano suggests telling your videographer the following:

• Why you choose your venue
• Your proposal story
• Fun things about your relationship
• Pre-wedding schedules and locations
• Any unique family arrangements
• Any recent losses in your family

“As you can see, these kinds of topics are also very important to discuss in your consultation call. This way, on the wedding day, everything will just be perfect,” Atilano says.

Pro tip from Colin Lyons Wedding Photography: Let your videographer know if you are writing your own vows and whether you are willing to read part of your private letters aloud into a camera’s microphone. 

See a wedding videographer in action as he shoots real wedding footage — and learn tips on how to get the perfect wedding video.

9. Top Questions to Ask Your Videographer

Just as it’s important for your videographer to get to know you, it’s important for you to get to know your videographer. Gosselin and Brouillet of Ready Set Film tell us, “It is important to ask who your videographer will be, because many companies use sub-contractors whose work may not match what you’ve seen in their demos. Ideally you’ll want to work directly with the company owner or an employee with many years of experience.” 

They also tell us that it’s important to ask how many years they’ve been filming weddings and how many weddings they’ve filmed.” Lastly, Make sure to view a selection of their films so you know what to expect for your end product. “For example, if they are editing together the full ceremony for you, then ask for some samples so you can see if the image and sound quality matches up to your expectations.” 

Hopkins of Kenneth Cooper Films agrees. “By asking someone to share some of their favorite works, it will tell you two things. One, how much they love what they do; and two, if their style is a good fit for your wedding. At the same time, if the overall style and vibe of their shared work is how you want your own day to be captured, you know you have found the perfect match.”

Pro Tip from Amari Productions: Ask your videographer if they have any example films from your chosen venue.

GENERATIONS cinemastories and Amari Productions share some additional questions to ask:

• What is your videography style?
• How many weddings do you film a year?
• How many people are on your team?
• What does a typical wedding day look like for you?
• Are you stationary or do you move around to follow the action? 
• How do you dress for the wedding? 
• How do you capture audio of our vows and/or toasts?
• How do you decide what music to use in the wedding video?  
• What equipment do you use?
• What is your editing process?
• When should we expect to receive the final product? 
• How and when will it be delivered? 
• What is the basic cost? 
• What if we want to add hours or products to the original package? 
• How much of a retainer do you require?  
• Do you carry liability insurance?

Lastly, Hopkins of Kenneth Cooper Films reminds couples to ask whether a videographer is willing to travel. “If you love someone’s work and they are not in your immediate venue location, ask if they travel,” he says. “We frequently travel all over to tell the love stories of our couples, and know that it’s totally worth it to bring them along once you’ve fallen in love with a style and film company.

10. How much should you spend on wedding videography?

According to The Wedding Report, Inc, couples allocate an average of 6.3% of their wedding budget to wedding videography.

“Every studio has its own packages,” Raiselle of GENERATIONS cinemastories says. “Generally, the hours spent filming the day and the length of the finished product will determine the final cost.” 

“The more cameras, the longer the editing, and that is reflected in the cost,” Lyons of Colin Lyons Wedding Photography adds.

Add-ons such as drone footage, full-weekend wedding coverage, and other additional bells and whistles will also increase your overall wedding video costs.

People Also Ask…

Where can I find a wedding videographer?

Head to PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find the best wedding videographers near you. Use the filters to narrow your search by location, event type, services, and more. If you see a videographer you like, make sure to click into their PartySlate profile to see real examples of their work and learn more about their business.

You can also scroll down to the “Meet the Experts Section” to reach out directly to some of our favorite videographers. 

Where can I find additional wedding vendors? 

You can also use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find your entire team of wedding vendors. Search for planners, photographers, caterers, entertainment, and more. Again, make sure to use the filters to narrow your search and find your best match.

Meet the Panel

Dave McQueen
Owner
Amari Productions

Contact Vendor

Gosselin and Brouillet
Co-Founders
Ready Set Film

Contact Vendor

Bailey Knippa
Wedding Consultant
Reverent Wedding Films

Contact Vendor

Omar Atilano
Owner
Atilano Productions

Contact Vendor

Naomi Raiselle
Co-Owner
GENERATIONS cinemastories

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Colin Lyons, Owner
Colin Lyons Wedding Photography

Contact Vendor

Kenny Hopkins
Founder
Kenneth Cooper Films 

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Summertime brings sunshine, endless blue skies, and most importantly — the height of wedding season. There are plenty of reasons why summer weddings are eternally popular: reliably-sunny weather, inspiring summer color palettes, and lush summer wedding centerpieces.

With no shortage of blooms or foliage, summertime wows with fresh, seasonal décor. Summer centerpieces range from bright floral blooms to lavish organic greenery. We’ve searched through thousands of real wedding photos on PartySlate to find our favorite summer wedding centerpiece ideas. 

Whether you’re looking to brighten your tablescape with pops of gold or cool off with tranquil blue hues, you’ll find the best summer wedding inspiration — along with the vendors who know how to pull off the look.

1. Make it Colorful and Eclectic

Summer is the time for bright colors and varied designs. From multi-hued florals to bright beach cabanas, summer décor is meant to pop against bright blue skies and lush green backdrops.

Bring a playful summer vibe to your wedding centerpieces with a colorful and eclectic style. In addition to bright summer blooms, use colorful candles and pottery to accent your tablescape. We also love how floral linen extends a fresh floral theme to every corner of your wedding reception table.

Bright Table Décor

Colorful Summer Blooms

Fresh Floral Patterns

2. Cool Off With Tranquil Blue Hues

Keep the hotter temperatures at bay with a tranquil blue wedding color palette. Blue florals are a rarity in nature, making them all the more stunning on your tablescape. Some of our favorite blue blooms include hydrangea, blue delphinium, sea holly, and cornflower.

We also appreciate how blue glassware contrasts with warmer floral hues, evoking a summer scene in all its glory. For a more classic look, consider muted blue table linen with neutral florals and tableware. 

Blue-Hued Blooms

Beautiful Blue Décor Elements

3. Brighten Your Tablescape With Golds and Yellows

There’s so much to love about summer. After months of dreary winter skies, and just-as-dreary spring rains, the sun finally comes out to stay. Best of all, the daylight hours increase, so sun-drenched celebrations stretch on long after evening.

Keep the sunshine at the forefront of your wedding reception with yellow summer wedding centerpieces . We love how a few golden blooms brighten any tablescape — while also complementing a variety of color palettes. For a wedding aesthetic that completely embraces a sunshine vibe, use fresh lemon décor as well as blooms.

Fresh Lemon Décor

Sunny Floral Touches

4. Opt for an Organic Vibe

Sunny days lead to lavish growth and vegetation. Wildflowers wander into tended gardens. Sprigs of grass find their way into sidewalk gaps.   

Utilize berries, moss, or wildflowers to lend an organic vibe to your celebration. We love how you can maintain classic appeal with select floral accents. For a more whimsical look, lean toward everything from mushroom accents to felled wood.

Berry Accents

A Bed of Moss

A Dash of Wildflowers

5. Go With Lush Greenery

Envision a summer day, and you’re likely to imagine bright green lawns and treetops covered in emerald green leaves. Foliage is a summer staple — and a unique summer décor element. 

No longer relegated as a filler, foliage wows on its own. Bring a fresh twist to your wedding reception tables with greenery table runners, real tree centerpieces, and sleek topiary designs. Believe us, weddings without flowers are trending — and it’s easy to see why.

A Forest Canopy

A Twist With Topiary

Greenery Table Runners

7. Soften the Scene With Dreamy Details

Is there anything more romantic than twilight? Evoke a dreamy summer evening with softer details. 

Go beyond traditional wedding centerpieces with wedding ceiling décor. Wedding drapery, as well as billowy seating, lends an ethereal touch to any tablescape. We also appreciate how textured table linen and clusters of white florals add additional romance. 

Billowy Drapery

Dreamy White Blooms

8. Take it Tropical

Who needs the four seasons when you can experience the tropics all year round? Tropical centerpieces for weddings have us dreaming of summer months that never fade.

Cue the tropical wedding vibes with wicker details surrounded by bright tropical blooms. Some of our favorite tropical florals include orchids, birds-of-paradise, and protea blooms. Of course, greenery can happily steal the spotlight. Create a dramatic effect with towering palm leaves and lavish fronds.

Wicker Details

Palms and Fronds

9. Use Your Tablescape as a Floral Vessel

Have you checked out the latest wedding trends for 2022?  We predicted couples would forgo the vase and choose to cover their entire table with florals. But truth be told, we hope this trend continues for many summers to come.

We love how an abundance of florals captures the lush bounty of summer. This unique trend is perfect for king’s tables as well as traditional reception tables in the round. Best of all, you can include many variety of blooms when you cover your table from end to end.

Elegant Kings Table

Traditional Tables in the Round

People Also Ask…

Where can I find a wedding florist for my summer wedding centerpieces?

Choosing your summer wedding centerpieces (and wedding florals in general) is one of the most enjoyable tasks on a wedding to-do list. Use PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find a wedding florist that can bring your unique vision to life. 

Make sure to share your favorite summer wedding centerpiece ideas from this article with your design team. Moreover, check out our Best Wedding Centerpieces [Guide] for even more centerpiece inspiration.

Where can I find a wedding venue for my summer wedding?

Wedding venues book up fast. Head to PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find the perfect venue for your summer soirée. Use the filters to narrow your search by location, guest count, amenities, and more. You can even search for summer-specific venue types like rooftops, outdoor venues, vineyards, and yachts.

Make sure to click into a venue’s PartySlate profile page to see real wedding albums from celebrations held at the event space. You can also use the directory to reach out directly to a preferred venue. 

Lastly, check out PartySlate’s top recommendations for some of our outdoor wedding venues across the country:

Where can I find more inspiration for my summer wedding?

The editorial team searches through hundreds of real wedding albums each week to find our favorite ideas. We look for upcoming trends as well as timeless inspiration that never goes out of style. Click on the following to start planning your dream wedding. Whether you’re a bohemian at heart or classic and refined, you’ll find everything you need to bring your wedding vision to life.