LOOKBOOK NO.1
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the
engagements & budgets issue
06 ... LOVE YOUR FUR BABIES 10 ... THE PERFECT OUTFIT 14 ... SHOW OFF THAT BLING 16 ... TOP-10 LOCAL OUTDOOR SHOOTS 19 ... LOCATION CREATION
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24 ... MONEY TOPICS TO DISCUSS
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26 ... PLANNING TIMELINE
lookbook no. 1
from the publisher
So, he “popped the question� and you said yes. A few Google searches later and your head is swimming with questions and information overload! As fast-paced as the wedding industry is, keeping up with the trends is no easy task. Brides & Weddings brings you the latest looks as well as planning information to help you pull together your big day! Our commitment to engaged couples is to make your journey to your wedding day as smooth as possible by providing ideas, resources and a bit of inspiration for your celebration. This is the first day of the rest of your lives. What matters is that you are creating not just a day, but a lifetime together! Rebecca Barnes Publisher, Brides & Weddings 4
www.BridesandWeddings.com.
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love your
fur babies Your puppy is probably all over your Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. So why not include them in your engagement photos, too? The key to a great shoot is to capture the essence of your life together, so if your pooch is a big part of that, don’t hesitate to add them when announcing your special day! photo by OLLI STUDIO
photo by Gabriel Gastelum
photo by Jon Reindl Photography LLC
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photo by DG Photography
photo by Dailey Alexandra
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One of the first things that pops into a bride’s head post-engagement is what she and her fiance are going to wear during their photoshoot. Will they match? Color coordinate? Change clothes part-way through? As your head spins with all the different possibilities for clothing during your shoot, check out these ideas for styling your engagement shoot with your soon-to-be better half.
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photo by Dailey Alexandra
the perfect
outfit
1. PREPARE ALL OUTFITS AHEAD OF TIME Talk with your partner to determine what outfits you want to wear so that you’ll know exactly what to bring with you to your shoot. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last second to find things that will go well together on the day of. 2. MAKE SURE YOU’RE SEASON-APPROPRIATE You wouldn’t want to wear a spaghetti-strap dress in the middle of winter or a long cardigan and scarf in August. Think about the season, the weather and your audience when choosing what to wear.
photo by Gabriel Gastelum
3. BE YOURSELF Everyone has their own personal style, and that should be one of the first things noticed when looking at an engagement shoot. Choose pieces from your wardrobe that really express who you are.
photo by Candice Adelle
photo by Custom Portraits by Charlene
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photo by Hellen Oliviera
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photo by Britani Edwards
show off that
bling
It’s no secret that your ring becomes one of your most-prized possessions after you get engaged. That’s why it’s so important to capture its beauty with a great ring shot during your photoshoot (and a cute manicure doesn’t hurt, either!) Check out these examples of brides showing off their bling.
photo by John Branch IV
photo by OLLI STUDIO
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best areas and ideas for
outdoor shoots
in Northern Virginia
photo by John Branch IV
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MANASSAS > Historic battlefield > Manassas Regional Airport
OCCOQUAN > Riverfront > Shops QUANTICO > Marine Corps Museum > Downtown ALEXANDRIA > Riverfront > Shops MCLEAN > Great Falls National Park
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VIENNA > Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
SHENANDOAH > Skyline Drive
WHITE POST > Dinosaur Land
MT. VERNON > Waterfront
FAIRFAX STATION > Burke Lake Park
www.BridesandWeddings.com.
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The making of a perfect wedding day.... The love of your life and a gorgeous gown from Labella
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New as well as select designer consignment gowns Bridesmaids and Prom dresses Expert, onsite alterations and custom design Beautiful accessories and special occasion dresses Latest styles in formalwear Call today for your consultation 703.494.2929 labellabridalboutique.com Located in Old Town Occoquan 313 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA
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Tues-Wed: 11-5 Thurs: 11-8 Fri: 11-5 Sat: 10-6 Sun & Mon by appt. www.BridesandWeddings.com.
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location consideration
photo by John Branch IV
photo by Custom Portraits by Charlene
photo by Candice Adelle
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You’ve gotten engaged, chosen a photographer, picked out your outfits and are ready to start your engagement photoshoot. But you’ve forgotten one very important factor — your location! The location of your photos plays a major role in setting the tone of your shoot, so make sure to choose one (or more) that really suits you and your partner and check out these possible ideas.
in a field
photo by Darian Getzinger
at home
photo by John Branch IV
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in the woods
photo by Callie Riesling
at the beach
photo by OLLI STUDIO
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downtown
photo by Krystal Balzer
with a unique backdrop
photo by Hellen Oliviera
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essential money topics to discuss before marriage By Bennett Whitlock | Whitlock Wealth Management
When couples tie the knot, they make a commitment to stand by one another, for richer or poorer. Despite this earnest vow, money is a common source of marital strife at all economic levels. Money is so central to our daily lives that conflicting financial beliefs and behaviors can spill into all areas of married life. Communication is key to avoiding surprises, promoting cooperation and creating harmony in your new financial life together. Before reciting your marriage vows, take time to understand the state of your pending economic union. A joint household will fare better when both of you are open and honest about all of your money matters. As you learn more about yourself and one another, you’ll be better able to manage your own expectations and respect the choices of your new spouse. Here are three money topics that deserve discussion before you walk down the aisle: 1. What does money mean to you? This is a big, broad question, but it can uncover what’s at the heart of many financial disagreements. Examining closely held beliefs about money is a healthy part of personal development. You can assess your financial values by answering smaller 24
questions like these: Do you equate money with success? Is your bank account a measure of your mood or self-worth? Do you prefer to spend or save? Is it ever okay to borrow money? What’s your philosophy about giving? Explore where your thinking differs and try to find common ground. The value you each attach to money will affect how much time you dedicate to earning, how much you set aside for the future and how you approach spending. In a similar way, what you believe about gender roles and responsibilities can influence your financial behavior and what you expect from your partner. 2. What’s your financial history: Income, savings, debt and credit rating? It’s important to know what the other person will bring to the marriage. Both parties should fully disclose any obligations that will affect your household’s creditworthiness or interfere with your financial goals. Even modest debt or a substandard credit rating can affect your ability to purchase a house or obtain a car loan. The revelation of adverse credit or a ballooning college loan can be a deal
photo by John Branch IV
breaker for some, but more commonly it provides the opportunity for couples to work together to correct past mistakes and move forward. By rolling up your sleeves and tackling debt together, you can start your married life with a renewed commitment to financial responsibility.
about your financial aspirations will go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals. While it’s important to have small and large goals, it’s equally important to be flexible. Strong relationships endure when people are able to compromise and adapt to changing circumstances.
3. What are your financial hopes and dreams? Entering into a lifelong relationship is exciting, but also a little frightening. Soon you will be accountable not only to yourself, but also to your spouse. Do you both want the same kind of future? Big questions such as whether to have a family, where to live and the type of work you pursue will affect your financial goals. Smaller questions about things such as how much you spend on your hobbies or what kinds of vacations you take can reveal gaps. Again, ongoing conversations
Remain committed to financial honesty. Keep the lines of communication open to prevent financial matters from derailing your marriage. Sit down often to review income, savings and spending, and make time to talk about your financial hopes and dreams. Meet with a financial advisor who can help you create a plan for your financial future. Annual or more frequent meetings with your advisor can help you stay on track over the years as your needs and goals evolve. The more collaborative and mindful you can be about your money, the stronger your relationship will be. lookbook no. 1
happiness is...
being organized 26
Whether you’re two months away from your wedding date or 12, plan each stage with confidence! Our free wedding planning checklist guides you through 12+ months of the planning process, helping you to manage your time and to-do list — right up until your big day and beyond. Mark off your to-do’s and writein your own. If you’re organized, you’ll have more time to enjoy the process and each other! So be happy. Use our Wedding Planning Timeline.
it’s time to get
excited While it’s completely normal to get overwhelmed with everything that comes with being newly engaged, don’t forget to sit back, relax and enjoy! You’re about to spend the rest of your life with your best friend, so take this time to really reflect on what exciting things lie ahead.
photo by Gabriel Gastelum
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W H A T ’ S the C O M I N G planning & venue N E X T ? issue SETTING THE DATE CHOOSING A CATERER PLANNING YOUR THEME PICKING THE VENUE
and more! lookbook no. 1
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