BG Productions

Megan Shares her DIY tips from her BIG day!!

My advice for any bride and groom that have the creative energy (and limited funds) would be a DIY wedding! For us, it was an easy decision after a nightmare consultation with a site that we desperately wanted, but that would not work us within our budget. It really woke us up to the fact that weddings are apart of multi billion dollar industry, and at the end of the day, to some, it’s a just a business. To us it was so much more! It was an opportunity to celebrate our love with our family and friends, and we wanted our special day to speak volumes about our style as a couple. From the beginning, magazines are jumping out at you with luxurious gowns and smiling brides on the cover promising new ideas regarding fonts and color combinations. But after buying a few of them, I realized they were all the same. That’s when I decided that wedding magazines were the devil. Okay, not really, but they can pull you away from your own sense of style by placing too many contradicting ideas in your head. After reading a few magazines, you start questioning yourself, “What kind of bride am I?” Am I a princess bride? A vintage bride? A modern bride? A bridezilla? The answer is, I didn’t know. I knew I certainly was not a tiara-wearing princess bride or a demanding bridezilla, but I was caught somewhere between the old and the new. Honoring old traditions and creating new ones. That’s when I decided I needed to become a DIY bride! After deciding to organize and plan the wedding ourselves, the wedding slowly became about preservation. We chose two things that were really important to us (the wedding cake for me, the music for Brad), and were willing to spend on those two things. Brad and I knew we didn’t want paper mache birds and flowers (very in style now), flashy invitations, or ceremony programs. This was just too much paper waste! We did send out save the dates, but they were on recycled paper and had the wedding website listed, where guests could RSVP in a paperless way. Our wedding website (at mywedding.com) was a free site that was very user friendly and customizable. Guests could not only RSVP, but they could also get updates and view photos, leave comments, or even make music requests. It was a fun and interactive way to get the guests involved. The website also listed coupons and deals on local vendors as well. Doing this alone helped us save a pretty penny! After our nightmare consultation, we had to do our research, so it was back to the computer. We contacted so many reception sites that it made my head spin, but eventually it paid off. We found a reception site that didn’t charge a site fee and worked within our budget to create our whimsical and fun brunch menu. This included adult beverages and kids meals (a cheaper option for smaller guests). That’s the key – if a caterer or a reception site isn’t willing to work with you (especially in this economy) it’s not the place for you. Any site should be able to do some type of scaled down version of what they offer, but at your price point, even if it’s just cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

I also recommend working your contacts! Reach out to friends and family and see if they can or are willing to help. A photographer I befriended at a model shoot was willing to do our engagement photos for free (we did give him a tip)! One of our best friends had a contact at a limo company. They gave us a terrific deal on a limo for the bridesmaid party. They also gave us a great deal on a party bus that took all of our guests from downtown Philadelphia to the ceremony and reception sites, and then back. It allowed guests to mingle and talk to one another, and gave them safe transportation after a few cocktails. The groom’s mother had also been a florist. After we chose the flowers (local and seasonal flowers which are much less expensive) she ordered them wholesale. She designed all the florals, from the church to the bouquets to the centerpieces. It not only saved hundreds and probably even thousands of dollars, but it was so special carrying a bouquet that my new mother in law had made just for me! There were also little details that we made ourselves. Our card box/money holder was so easy to make and probably cost seven dollars. I found a great seating chart online etsy that cost $35, and was downloadable and easily printed, and later made a great keepsake. And instead of favors, we offered guests candy from a local candy store and made a favor donation to one of our favorite charities. These are little things that pack a big punch, but don’t cost much! I guess what I am trying to say to all the brides and grooms out there, is stay true to your values and your own personal sense of style. Streamline your thoughts by thinking about what is truly important to you, and you won’t regret it when you do have to spend money.

check out our Real Wedding on The Fab Bride~

Friday, August 20, 2010
Real Wedding: Karina + Jerry
We are sure these pictures will take your breath away. Maybe it’s the gorgeous couple, or the whimsical details, or maybe it was the beautiful outdoors and intimate setting?! Everything was perfect and BG Productions did an amazing job!

Happy Friday we hope you enjoy these fabulous photos!

The Fab Bride

A perfect Audubon Wedding!!!

What an AMAZING site!! Karina and Jerry were married at the Audubon Center outside of Philadelphia (in Audubon, PA) on June 25th, 2010. This was the perfect setting for these two outdorsy folks! When we met them the first time we knew we were a perfect match! This was certainly solidified when we did a walk through of their site with them looking for all the best places to take pictures. This place was a virtual wonderland- and we had such a great time talking and walking the back paths together. On their wedding day the weather was gorgeous and she looked totally stunning! and who doesn’t love a bride who will go traipsing through a field in high heels!

They were taking their pictures as a couple and with their families before the ceremony so we helped set a “first” site picture. Jerry stood on the balcony of the house and we let him know when to turn around. The huge smile on his face said it all. He fell in love all over again!!!

The ceremony was a family affair with their siblings at their side. The reception was catered by Jeffery Miller with a beautifully decorated pavilion and an excellent buffet! I loved the cake having all that green behind it!
We thank Karina and Jerry for letting us be such a part of their BIG day and we wish them years of love, happiness, and of course ADVENTURE!!!

Erika and Brent’ s William Penn Inn Wedding

a few weeks ago I posted just the candy bar from Erika and Brent’s wedding on July 17. They are just the cutest and sweetest people. We felt so honored to be a part of their BIG day!! Here are some more images of the day.

a Vintage view of sailing

This is in addition to the recent sailboat engagement photos. I love all things vintage. I always have. During college all of my clothes came from vintage stores (I was an 80’s punk rocker!). Now I wear mostly 50 inspired dresses with a flair from the 20’s and 40’s and put hints into it through out our wedding! But back to the shoot-! lol!!

Kerry and Adrianna bought this 1967 (i think thats what they said) sailboat and have done ALL of the work on it themselves. So they wanted an engagement shoot that was reflective of the period. So in between me laying on the deck (in my red retro 50’s style bathing suit) I took these shots.

I hope you enjoy! check us out on facebook to see more about us!