I got engaged December 11, 2023 in St Maarten and we got married June 20, 2025 in Toronto at Hotel X! It gave us (aka me) a year and a half to plan the wedding and prepare everything we needed. Here is a glimpse of the things I bought and wore for the big day 🤍

Hey there! I'm a professional Portrait & Wedding photographer located in College Station, Texas that specializes in Aggie Senior/Grad Portraits and Wedding Photography. I'm sharing a list of the exact gear I own and use at every session and wedding that I photograph. I've been a photographer since 2013 and have learned so much in the last decade. If you'd like to see the beautiful image I create from using the following recommended gear, please visit my photography business website at laurylharvey.com . I hope my recommendations help you create beautiful art too!

Weddings can be a big investment. That is how my (now) husband and I saw it because this was likely the only time all our friends & family would be together. We had people traveling from all over the US, including ourselves. Planning a wedding from out of state is stressful but I was so lucky to have great family and vendors to support us. This wasn't just “MY big day”. It was about having fun and sharing love with our favorite people, and this is how we made it possible. This page contains affiliate links, If you click and purchase I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used.

All things Bridal! Here is everything wedding related including bridal outfits, decor, bachelorette, gifts for special people! Here I will provide mulitiple sections for all wedding events!

With spring/summer in mind all of these pj’s are perfect for a bride wanting an elevated + timeless look.

Whether you're printing your own invites, or just looking for a way to add some style to your printed invitation suite, these simple ideas will take your invites up another notch!

All types of dresses for all types of weddings or events: black tie, prints & patterns, mini dresses, lace, dresses under $100, comfort, etc. Check them out ☺️🫶

Just call me the Hostess with the Mostess lol. One of my favorite things to do is host friends and family for gatherings. These items help make sure they are gatherings to remember.

I have a handful of weddings coming up that are very formal and these are the dresses I’m considering!

This year I got engaged, and I got really passionate about finding the perfect engagement ring… so here are some engagement rings I would say “yes” to! All these rings are under $300 🤗

As a bride on a budget I am going to add everything I have gotten/will get for my Oct. 2026 wedding from Shein and Amazon!!

This “He Popped the Question” bachelorette theme is all about bubbly energy, flirty fun, and that unmistakable soda‑girly aesthetic. Think silver accents, heart‑popping details, and a whole lot of fizzy charm inspired by the bride’s favorite drink.. It’s sweet, sparkly, and perfectly on‑theme for a crew that loves a little carbonation with their celebration. From decor to bach bags to outfits, every detail is designed to feel refreshing, playful, and totally bride‑approved.

Here is some inspiration for a colorful whimsical wedding! Especially since summer is coming up, I know wedding planning is a huge thing:) here’s some affordable decorations and food ideas!

The suite still has four wire hangers and no steamer. That is how portraits start 40 minutes late. These are the things I tell brides and planners to set up in the hotel so the dress is hung, the irons stay in the closet, and nobody is steaming over a toilet at 9 a.m. Not the day-of emergency kit. That list is shine, stains, and a dead phone.

I had a year between engagement & my actual wedding. Within that year there was so many different events (family party, bachelorette, photos, etc) and I found myself circulating these websites the most for some bridal looks. Note: I wasn't strict about always wearing all white, I'd mix with other colors or wear a nude, etc.

Looking for options? These beautiful designs let you truly customize your special day!

Looking for the best dress to wear to a wedding? I spent months scouring the internet looking for dresses for my nephew's wedding this spring for both my daughter and myself. There are so many options out there so this list is some of our favorites we saved. Hope you enjoy them too! #ad This list contains affiliate links.

As a 2027 bride, here are some venues we toured! Located in NJ and PA Adding some prices but can provide more info for anyone looking 🤍

After all the work of planning the wedding, there's also gifts for others to consider. There are some ideas I used to thank my girls and parents for being a special part of my day.

As a 2026 bride who doesn’t want to go into debt for a one day event, here are my favourite affordable recs that will still make your wedding day feel like your Pinterest board!

Everything I’m packing for my bach weekend in Scottsdale, AZ 👰🏻‍♀️🍾

Enjoy an elegant Valentine's Day affair with your gal pals this February with the help of this on point collection of stationery, decor and party favors. With a champagne tower theme and other hand drawn doodles, this collection truly sparkles. Personalize all the details of the invitation, thank you card and envelopes. And create memorable gifts by adding a guests' name to their very own champagne glass. Let the party begin!

I recently got married and I used these South African based sites to order some of my gifts. So here is my ultimate plug, especially if you don't want to order from overseas. :)

It's a love story and she said yes! If you're like me, you cried finding out that Taylor would finally have her fairytale. And you also probably started daydreaming about incorporating Swiftieism into your own big day! Here are some picks to help you do just that, sorted by era. I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase with one of these links - thank you for your support <3

No steamer, no suite, no wedding party. Just you two, the clerk, and a short window before portraits. This is the clutch bag I tell Vegas courthouse couples to carry so they look ready, survive the Strip walk, and do not lose the license or the rings.

Planning a party soon? These are some must have products to decorate! Adding a few pics of ways I have used some of these products in my parties!

Are you also trying to plan a wedding without blowing your budget? Been there, done that. As my wedding day passed amazingly, I want to share some of the tips and recommendations to make your life easier. These are the affordable, easy-to-use finds that save money, time, and stress, from planning tools to DIY décor and day-of emergency fixes. Perfect for brides, grooms, and maids of honor on a budget.

Planning a bachelorette party in Montreal? Here is a list of the cutest supplies for a “poutine a ring on it” theme that the bride will love!

I love a custom gift I can remember the day by that I can use later down the road too. I curated a list of the BEST ones that anyone would love to take home with them!

These are items that my husband and I added to our wedding registry! Some items were gifted, some items I went and purchased with gift cards that were given to us, but we love all of them! I am all about making my home cozy and inviting and I feel like all of these have helped achieve that goal!

As a Swiftie it's fun to imagine what her wedding would look like so this list includes her wedding dress, his suit, venue, cake, decor, bridesmaids dresses, and everything in between!!

I’m hosting a little bachelorette at my house! Our theme is “Last Sail Before the Veil” We’re going on a little tiki boat ride and a beautiful sunset dinner. Here’s to our bride!

Beautiful, budget-friendly, and everlasting! These faux flowers are giving us the autumnal wedding look we were looking for - without the hefty price tag. A perfect way to save without sacrificing style! All the flowers included have been tried and tested by me for my own wedding!

This is a list of everything I used/had at my wedding in the fall of 2024! I DIY'd a lot of things, had wood sola flowers, had a very small guest list to make it feel cozy & more manageable to talk to everyone, and I made most of the signs with Canva!!

As a wedding officiant I've had been fortunate enough to visit some of the most extravagant wedding venues in the Central Florida area! Future brides enjoy!

You can't go wrong shooting engagement photos in Maine, there are so many beautiful places. Here are some of my favorite spots to shoot couples!

Choosing a theme for a bachelorette party is hard! Whether you are the bride and looking for ideas for yourself or the maid of honor planning it all out; I made the perfect guide to a pink beach theme bachelorette party with decorations, outfits and themed gifts!

Fall weddings are so beautiful! Here are a few dresses I will be wearing this fall and other options as well!

Planning a wedding on limited time or low funds? This is the list for you! As a 2026 Bride who planned a small wedding in a week, these are the things I would recommend getting! You don't have to break the bank to make your dream wedding happen!

Everything you need to host a luxe wedding on a budget and have your guests asking “YOU made this?!” (While also not going insane) ;)

Hi!! I often find the best places for natural/relaxed family and engagement sessions are locations that mean something to you; hence why I love photographing people in their homes and yards - especially kids. But if you're looking for somewhere a little different, then I have some suggestions below. I've also tried to include links to my blog posts in most of the descriptions, so that you can see more photos. As always, for more general info please click here - darcytroutmanphotography.com

A list of the favorite locations in Kansas City for your engagement / wedding portraits.

Valentine's top picks for surprising your significant other. There is a section for sellers and teachers, anyone who needs a large fulfillment of people around these days.

Brides on a budget! Sharing my GREAT finds that I actually used in my 2025 Valentines wedding! I hope this saves you time in your searching and also saves you money! When you’re planning a wedding, every penny counts! :)

Here is my guide to the perfect witchy event down to the cobweb 🕸️🐈‍⬛ This was the perfect party as a September Libra celebrating with an October Libra ♎️

You are finally about to get married. Your friends and family thought it would never happen. Neither did you. Get prepared because you and your fiancé are in for it. Planning, fittings and whatever else comes your way before you say,"I do." Eventually it will all work out.

Look, I’ve been to my fair share of weddings—some in vineyards, some in Vegas chapels, one in a barn that smelled faintly of hay and regret. And every single time, the same question pops up: “What on earth do I wear?” This isn’t some stiff, rule-heavy manual. It’s a friendly, no-BS roundup of dresses that actually work—whether you’re dealing with a “cocktail” invite that means nothing, a destination wedding in July, or your cousin’s ultra-formal church ceremony. Plus, real photos, real price ranges, and a gentle reminder: please, for the love of all things holy, skip the white.

As a 2025 bride, I decided to add my recommendations for decor for my bridal shower and wedding that I have ordered and will be ordering especially for some brides on budget!

I’ve picked out the most affordable bride jewelry options that don’t sacrifice style! From stunning earrings to elegant necklaces, these pieces are perfect for brides who want to look gorgeous without breaking the bank. Check out these budget-friendly bridal jewelry ideas for your big day!

Here's what I would put in a gift basket for the bride to be.

Every wedding season I used to panic-buy generic gift cards because nothing felt personal enough — then I started giving customized honeymoon gifts and suddenly I was the friend people actually thanked months later. If you're tired of your present ending up in a closet, this is the lineup that gets you handwritten thank-you notes. Grabbed most of these over three wedding seasons so you don't have to stress-scroll at midnight before the shower.

This this is the ultimate wrapping list to get everything essential to wrap your gifts year round.. I am definitely jealous of the wrap cutter. I feel like Im super disorganized with our pile of wrapping paper so lets come up with some solutions.

Chic graduate photo announcements plus matching graduation party decor, desserts, and favors

Galentine’s Must Haves to make your night unforgettable 💕✨

There’s nothing like dark, moody colors for a gorgeous fall wedding. My wedding was in October and these were my favorite picks!

Take a look at everything I bring to a wedding as a wedding photographer. Wedding days require a lot of equipment and a lot of back up equipment. There are some fun things I like to use on a wedding day as well!

Adding some of my favorite gifts I gave to my bridal party, as well as things I’ve received and loved 💗 if you are ever going to spoil the girls you love the most, it might as well be on your big day!

I have had the joy and honor to officiate hundreds of interfaith Jewish/Christian ceremonies and this is my curated list of elements you may need for your ceremony!

This list is for anyone planning a “Last Toast on the Coast” bachelorette party! You’ll find cute decor, pool party necessities, and fun activities to do with the girls! *This list includes affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my recommendations!*

Getting married? Here’s all of my loved recommendations 💕💍

This list has recommendations for easy and affordable finds for celebrating occasions. Gifts, decor, etc.

I spent over 10 years working as a wedding photographer, and in 2024, I got to experience my own special day. Here, you'll find the wedding dress inspiration I once searched for, and I hope these stunning gowns inspire you too!

Are you getting married at the beach? Then check out this list for all the best outfit inspo for your beach wedding! Beach weddings are some of my favorites to photograph and the bridal outfits are the most fun to find inspo for!

I have been happily married to my partner for three years now. We had so much fun planning our wedding and I wanted to share some of the pieces that made it feel extra special. Maybe this will help give inspiration for future newly weds!

Out with anything that says Bride or Miss to Mrs, in with thoughtful, curated engagement gifts! Here’s a basket I put together for my friend (it was a hit!)

Getting married soon? Check out my must haves from Amazon that I immediately added to our registry! These items are going to help us stay organized and will keep our counters clear for more cook prep.

LOVE LOVE this trend of brooches as boutonnières for the groom and groomsmen. Did you notice them at the 2026 Oscars! They are budget friendly. Last forever (nice keepsake) And so much easier to attach to your suit than pinning on a flower-that gets crushed with every hug.

Ideas and inspirartion for a Roaring 20's party theme. So bring the 1920's into the 2020's, and see how they partied 100 years ago.

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be! This curated collection of wedding planning templates is designed specifically for DIY brides who want to stay organized, reduce stress, and enjoy every moment of their planning journey. I am sharing with you my list of templates I recommend a bride to use.

Celebrate the start of an age with these stunning party ideas and decorations to celebrate her birthday era in style 💖✨

As a recent 2025 bride, here are all the things that came in super handy (or that I wish I had) on my wedding day!

Things I bought for my wedding weekend that made our day a success (All linked products are affiliate links)

Finding the perfect anniversary gift can be difficult. Here are a few niche ideas, traditional to modern themed, to solve indecision—Or spark some unique ideas, at the very least

You can find anything for your upcoming wedding on this list - shoes, veils, decorations and more!

We had a destination wedding in February 2025 and while we were able to purchase most of our stuff for the wedding through the resort, there were some personalized items we brought for our own personal touches!

Between my elopement and my reception, here are all of the products I used to make both of my days easy, stress-free and memorable!

Wedding dress shopping in Southern Ontario inspo

My go to supplies as a floral designer

Planning a beach wedding or reception? We just had a vow renewal on the beach so take my advice and check out these must-haves and good ideas for a beach wedding event!

Your go-to list of wedding-guest dresses for any season or dress code — chic, timeless, and perfect for every type of celebration.

I put this list together because planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, and it helps to have all the little details in one place. These are the pieces that I think truly make a difference for a bride — from beauty and style to comfort and peace of mind. Some are practical must-haves, like an emergency kit or comfy shoes, while others are special luxuries, like bridal lingerie, jewelry, or a signature perfume, that make the day feel unforgettable. Altogether, this list reflects the mix of essentials and meaningful touches that help a bride feel prepared, beautiful, and fully present on her wedding day.

AFFORDABLE wedding decor I purchased from AMAZON/SHEIN to make your special day beautiful 🤍 All recs will have actual photos of the items I purchased and used on my wedding day!

Everything I found myself buying throughout my bridal era.

Need help with finding the perfect wedding guest dress based off the wedding type. I am talking that garden/outdoor, beach wedding. formal/black tie wedding, city modern wedding. I got you!

Sharing with you our beautiful wedding. It couldn't have been more perfect. We decided to make it a family and close friends holiday with the wedding in the middle of the week. We were skeptical booking the Vila online but OMG, it was everything it advertised and more the scenery was just stunning everywhere you looked!

All things my wedding!!! No gate keeping when it comes to my wedding. I’ll show you my getting ready outfit, decor, and all things day of!

For non-traditional couples getting married in the St. Louis, Missouri area.

Engaged the same time as Taylor Swift? We're so lucky!! Here's a list of amazing dress options for all the wedding occasions you'll need a new outfit for. Engagement parties, Bridal Shower, Bachelorette, Rehearsal dinner etc. broken down in different price ranges! As well as some accessories, a few casual options anddd honeymoon outfits at the end!! Let me know if you'd like to see more!

the best trneding holiday cards that use letterforms as their main design element

Everything I gifted my 5 bridesmaids in their proposals!🥰 I spent a total of $389.40 on the supplies and each box is valued at $76.15 as there were a couple extras left💕

Wedding guest dresses and jumpsuits from my favorite brand! I own at least 6 of these. Lulus never disappoints! Their fabrics are luxurious and flattering, and the styles they release are never boring or plain. Even the most simplistic dress has small details that make it stand out.

Pro wedding dress flipper since 2016 ~ Only sharing tried and tested products ➕ Details & Tips in the CommentsI use all of the following to care for my gowns & refurbish worn dresses.Although I am a professional, these are all household-level items that perform at a professional level and can benefit you in other ways.I also try to keep things budget-friendly and cute ~ because let's be real, no one wants to put their wedding dress in an ugly overpriced bag or outdated box. Some people are SO scared of preserving, cleaning, or even steaming their wedding gowns, but with a little bit of know-how, you don't have to be! Save the bank, steam it yourself the night before your wedding. Clean at home - it's eco-friendly and cost-effective. Pack yourself for peace of mind. I hate to say it, but no one cares as much as you do about your wedding dress. Sadly, some dry cleaners don't at all.Bonus for the brave budget brides ~ BUY USED and then use these tips and tutorials on my website to bring that wedding dress back to brand new. If you're one of my lovely colorful brides, GET OUT OF HERE. Just message me, gown cleaning is on the house, I got you covered to keep that work of art prime.

I recently got married and struggled to find a dress within my budget. Going to bridal boutiques was always so stressful, but one day I thought to check small businesses. I ended up purchasing my dress on Etsy from a seller in Ukraine and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful dress. This lists is curated of so many beautiful dresses from small business owners.