Tag Archives: wedding

Nerd Chic: The Top Wedding Trends of 2023

September 26, 2023

In 2023, weddings have taken a wonderfully nerdy turn.

No longer confined to traditional themes, couples are embracing their inner geeks and incorporating their favorite fandoms into their big day. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, superhero sagas to video games, the world of nerd culture is making its mark on the wedding scene. If you’re a fan of all things nerdy and planning to tie the knot, here are the top wedding trends of 2023 that you won’t want to miss.

Sci-Fi Spectaculars

Science fiction has always been a beloved genre among nerds, and it’s now making its way into weddings. Couples are opting for space-themed ceremonies complete with starry backdrops, futuristic décor, and even astro-inspired wedding attire. Don’t be surprised if you see a Darth Vader officiant or a Starship Enterprise cake at your next wedding invite.

Fantasy-Inspired Elegance

Fantasy worlds are a favorite escape for many, and in 2023, they’re taking center stage at weddings. Think enchanted forest settings inspired by Tolkien’s Middle-earth or majestic castles reminiscent of the wizarding world in Harry Potter. Brides and grooms are donning medieval-style attire, and you might even find wedding rings with Elvish inscriptions.

Superhero Soirees

Superheroes have captured our hearts on the big screen, and now they’re swooping into weddings too. Couples are embracing comic book aesthetics with superhero-themed décor, cake toppers, and invitations. Some are even exchanging vows in full superhero attire, making for epic photo opportunities and unforgettable memories.

Retro Gaming Romance

For couples who grew up with video games, a retro gaming-themed wedding is a dream come true. Think 8-bit pixel art, Tetris-inspired seating arrangements, and wedding invitations that resemble old-school game cartridges. Retro gaming-themed photo booths and arcade-style games are also popular additions to keep guests entertained.

Comic Con-Inspired Favors

Favors have gotten a nerdy makeover as well. Instead of traditional trinkets, couples are giving out custom-made action figures, collectible trading cards, or mini comic books featuring their love story. These unique keepsakes are sure to delight guests and provide a lasting memory of the special day.

Cosplay Couples

Cosplay enthusiasts are taking their love for dressing up to the altar. Couples are choosing to exchange vows as their favorite characters from movies, anime, or video games. Whether it’s Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask or Mario and Princess Peach, these weddings are a delightful celebration of shared passions.

Geeky Gourmet

Nerdy wedding cakes are a must-have in 2023. Bakers are creating intricate designs inspired by beloved franchises, from Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Castle to Game of Thrones’ Iron Throne. Couples are also incorporating themed food and drink menus, such as butterbeer for Harry Potter fans or a “Hobbit Feast” inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.

Virtual Reality Guest Experiences

With the rise of virtual reality (VR), some couples are opting for hybrid weddings that allow remote guests to participate in the celebration through VR headsets. This trend is particularly popular among tech-savvy couples who want to include friends and family from around the world, creating a truly global celebration.

Nerd culture is taking the wedding world by storm in 2023, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Couples are infusing their love for all things geeky into every aspect of their special day, creating memorable and personalized experiences for themselves and their guests. Whether you’re a Star Wars superfan, a gaming geek, or a fantasy enthusiast, there’s a nerdy wedding trend in 2023 that’s sure to capture your heart and imagination. So, embrace your inner nerd and let your love story shine in a galaxy far, far away or a fantastical realm of your choosing!

Carnival Themed Wedding

April 11, 2023

I’ve spent the better part of 2 months helping my son’s school plan a Spring Carnival. As the carnival is nearing (and because I’ve had carnival on the brain) I thought it would be fun to share some carnival themed wedding ideas.

The most important thing to remember when theming your wedding, whether it’s Harry Potter themed or Starry Night themed, is subtlety. Take your theme and water it down. You can use hints of color to make your point or small elements. When you take a theme and water it down so it’s not so blatant, you create a more elegant wedding design.

The Entertainers: Hire some entertainers for your reception/cocktail hour. Any of the following entertainers would be a unique & fun experience for you and your guests:

Fire-eater
Contortionist
Balloon animal artist
Petting Zoo
Trapeze artist
Clown (though they can be scary for children & adults alike)
Have some carnival games for guests

The Decoration: Decorations can make or brake a wedding design. As I stated above, you would want to take your theme and water it down a little. That means, if you want red & white striped fabric (very carnival-esk) either have only one small area that’s red & white striped or have some red and some white in different places but never together.

Drape white fabric from the ceiling like the inside of a carnival tent. You can even pair it with twinkling lights for a more romantic tone.
Colorful balloon arrangements either hanging like chandeliers or in vases like flowers.
Gold silverware or miss matched plates and glasses.
Paint some toy animals gold and use them to decorate tables or even as a cake topper.
Rent a fog machine to fog the dance floor
Send your guests admission tickets with their invitation

The Food: You could have a lot of fun with food options.

Carnival Themed Food Trucks
Candy Apple’s & assorted candy in jars and Cotton Candy
Popcorn Bar
Funnel cake or any sort of fried treat
Peanut bags (be weary of allergies)
Meat on a stick!

Santos & Ana’s Backyard Wedding

September 27, 2022

Santos & Ana’s small backyard summer Houston wedding photography.

As a fellow backyard wedding bride, I really felt drawn to Santos and Ana’s wedding. They enlisted friends and family to make their wedding truly special.

After going through such a hot, dry July it was crazy that the sky finally opened up and started raining, just before Santos and Anna’s wedding. This happens. Mother nature has her own plans. I tell all of my couples getting married on rainy days that rain is good luck on your wedding day. I actually have a whole blog about it. The couple bounced back and forth with the location of the ceremony, but the rain cased just before their wedding and they were able to hold the ceremony and reception outside.

I was in awe at the full island charcuterie spread, the adorable decorations and the floor seating style. The cute coffee table seating was so unique to experience at a wedding. It felt like everyone sitting on the floor had a closer connection to each other because of it. Those who didn’t want to sit on the floor or couldn’t, walked around or sat outside by the bar.

Probably my favorite decoration from this wedding was the golden retriever with cake in it’s mouth by the wedding cake. The couple had pictures of their golden retriever all over including as table numbers. I just love it when couples can incorporate their fur-babies into their wedding, whether they bring them along or they are there in spirit as a cocktail name or place cards.

Also, the bubble gun was an amazing trick for a wedding photographer. I’ll have to get one to use in the future.

See all the photos from Santos & Anna’s wedding below.

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Kelly Urban Photography — Houston wedding photography

My Favorite Wedding DJ’s

September 7, 2022

Vendor Highlight!

Music is an important part of your wedding day. Whether you are only using music only for your reception, or plan on having a string quartet play Bridgerton style music all day long, music sets the tone.

As a former marching band nerd, I’m a little partial to music. Over my years as a wedding photographer, I’ve worked with all sorts of DJ’s and bands. Today, I wanted to talk about my favorite DJ’s.

It’s important to first figure out what you want and need before you choose a DJ. Are you looking for someone with extensive knowledge in music from your culture? Are you looking for someone who will help to get the dance floor hoppin’? Maybe you’re looking for something a little softer, like delicate background noise for your wedding.

DJ’s who get the party started (Dance & interact with the guests)

What are your thoughts? Have you worked with an amazing DJ or know an amazing DJ? Leave a comment below with their information!

How to Address Dress Code for your Wedding

March 8, 2022

Wedding dress code can be a touchy subject to try to get across to your guests. Some are more than happy to be told what to wear while others may need a little more encouragement, or even visual cues.

Weather you’re trying to encourage guests to dress appropriately for the condition of your wedding (ie: a forest wedding with no concrete, or an outdoor winter wedding) or you want to encourage your guests to dress in a theme, I’ve got some helpful tips for you.

Step 1:

Polity indicate on your invitations what the dress code is. Don’t get creative, just be straight forward with your instructions, but make sure to word it as a suggestion and not a demand. for example, if you’re getting married on the beach in the summer, you could indicate on the bottom “PS the wedding will be on the beach. We suggest wearing appropriate footwear for sand.” Use words like Suggest, Encourage, Consider.

Step 2:

Reinforce your dress code on your wedding website. Here is where you can be creative with your suggestions and instructions. You have the space and time to indicate on your wedding website why you are suggesting a certain dress code or what the look you’re going for is. Again, be polite and never force any of your guests into a dress code.

Some things you can do/say on your wedding website:

Inform your guests of what the look is you’re going for. If you want to have a “Red wedding” you can tell your guests that you are suggesting they wear red because the theme of the wedding is “Red Wedding” and you want the photos from your wedding to look amazing!
you can use imagery on your wedding website to help show guests what they should consider wearing to your wedding. Have a bunch of inspiration photos from Pinterest or the internet and show some examples of what you’re looking for.
If you’re having a costume party wedding, you could also inform the guests that you’re having a costume contest at your reception and the winners get a prize. Make it fun for them and give them incentives to have fun with the dress code. This technique could also work for a black-tie wedding or an “out-do-the-bride” dress code. You could have a runway show with your guests and crown the winner afterwords.
Most importantly, be polite. No one wants find out their wedding website wound up on an “Am I the Asshole” site.

What are your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions you would add?

Private last dance at your wedding

December 7, 2021

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen trends come and go. One of the latest trends making its rounds in the wedding circuit is the private last dance.

It’s exactly what you would think it is. At the end of your wedding reception, as guests are instructed to head outside to set up for your grand exit, you and your spouse are in the venue having one last dance. It’s just you two, the DJ or band and your photographer left.

Obviously it’s not completely private. Because the only other people left are wedding vendors it feels private.

There are many things I love about the private last dance. Getting to see the last bits of quiet intimacy between the happy couple before they join the bustling real world. I love that these precious moments spent between the couple also give the wedding party time to set up. It feels like a well oiled machine. Everything is timed so nicely for the couple. After their dance they walk right out to their getaway car to end their magical night.

What are your thoughts? Would you have a private last dance at your wedding?

Logan & James’s Lakeside Austin Wedding

May 25, 2021

It was a beautiful afternoon in Austin on Lake Travis when Logan & James promised eternity to each other. The couple chose to rent some property with a two story dock for their intimate wedding.

The wedding party gathered and prepared in the house that overlooked a small canyon and the lake. After hiking up and down the equivalent of 21 floors (I had to check my fitbit), the wedding party was seated and ready. James and Logan walked down the isle escorted by their mothers. What a special pre-Mothers Day Gift!

The wedding was helped put on by all the couple’s friends and family. They arranged flowers and officiated the wedding. Their officiant, a friend, was funny and poised. She was the best officiant I have had the pleasure of listening to.

After the ceremony, the guests cleared the deck so they could party and dance on the water. The joy was contagious as Logan and James danced well into the night.

Congratulations!!

Vendors

Casa Costa Bake Shop

Freda’s Seafood Grille

Gabe & Katy’s White Oaks on the Bayou Wedding Photography

March 30, 2021

On a warm spring day, Gabe and Katy got married under swaying chiffon as the Texas sun was setting. It was such a romantic and magical wedding to photograph. The birds were chirping, there was a slight breeze and the sun was setting perfectly behind the happy couple.

One of my favorite wedding photography moments is the first-looks. I love the raw emotion that I capture during first-looks, and Katy had two! One with her Father and one with Gabe. The moments were so special to capture.

Some of my favorite parts of their wedding were taking photos of the joyful couple on the swing after the sun had set and seeing all of the sweet, sweet dance moves. So many guests were really cutting rugs that night.