As wedding photographers, we often get asked what products our couples can buy in order to make sure that they get the best exit photos. Here are some of our best tips and recommended products!

💍 Wedding Affordable Essentials and DIY Needs: From a 2024 Bride on a budget! 💍 ✨ Provided links are affiliate links. I may make a small commission from customer purchases. ✨

I have always adored a beautiful, personal invitation and am cognizant that it's the first impression your guests have about your wedding. I found myself incredibly overwhelmed selecting my own invitations, but I also found it an incredibly creative and fun process once I narrowed down my style. Here are some of my favorites - I hope they inspire you! Note: may contain affiliate links where I get a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products I love!

Wedding season is upon us! I’ve curated a list that’s practical gifts and things that will definitely be in my future registry!

Not every shower has to throw up the theme. Here's a curated list of trending Wedding Shower themes that are tastefully done.

Looking for some versatile gifts at a variety of price points? Look no further. Surely something, somewhere on here will be at least a little bit interesting to you. There are gifts for music lovers, friends, partners, newlyweds...the list goes on.

Thinking of asking for their hand in marriage? Check out this list of resorts that will be perfect for that unforgettable moment! If you need assistance or have more questiosn about these resorts feel free to contact me!

As the owner of an award winning bakery in the Bend, Oregon wedding industry, I have an overwhelming experience working with all of the local small businesses and vendors! I’m here to verify who will impress without a doubt so you can chill on your wedding day knowing everything is taken care of!

Tossing the clichéd floral bouquet and coffee mug is a necessity at this point. Moms everywhere can now get it in one guess what they will be gifted for a special occasion like Mother's Day - the horror! The last thing you want is to become so predictable that your mom is now outsmarting you! There is no time like the present to shake things up and keep her guessing about her gift, one that also has just the right touch to convey a strong "I love you to bits" message. These gift ideas may very well be on her wishlist!

went on my first bachelorette trip… let me tell you EVERYTHING needed for a successful trip. seriously perfect for going out, getting ready, reviving and celebrating the future mrs. this is a rookie list but hopefully helps someone

From the "yes to the dress" spiral straight through the last dance, here's every bridal shoe and accessory I'd actually put on a bride — comfortable flats for getting ready, statement heels for the aisle, something blue for tradition, and the bags, jewelry, sunnies, and little extras that pull the whole look together. New England sentimental, Nashville practical.

Curated list of items perfect for a Muted Monster Truck Party

Spring barn wedding ideas that I used for my own May wedding! We loved how the colors pulled together with our assortment of spring flowers and the outdoorsy vibe!

Everything (literally) I've used, tried on, bought, and DIY'd for the parties during this bridal era!

Hi girlies! I am a 2025 destination bride (Italy) and I wanted to share some of my favorite recs so far! I love to travel so a destination wedding was a MUST. This list incorporates everything bridal + travel

my bridal era, curated 💍✨ everything that made wedding planning a little prettier, easier, and more fun - from DIY details and bachelorette finds to fit checks, honeymoon looks and all the little bridal extras in between

Planning a destination wedding can get overwhelming fast. For my Panama wedding on 26-2-26, these are the decor pieces, guest favors, bridal details, and wedding extras I bought or seriously wish I ordered earlier.

I'm venturing into wedding collections, which is kind of fun…This is a suite of watercolor ivory flowers and sage green leaves designs. I painted the flowers and greenery myself, so it's a totally homegrown effort!

Based on my own wedding prep, I don't have much time or room for buying mistakes, so I compare options, read reviews, and check what other people say before I spend. I haven't tried these myself, so this is research, not a testimonial. Here's what kept making the cut for a bridesmaid proposal box, from a silk sleep mask to the card itself, plus a few small things that save the day, like blister cushions and a stain pen. Tell me what you'd add!

This is a list of dresses you can wear to your formal event or wedding without breaking the bank AND still looking like a million bucks. I love originality and wanted to link pieces I necessarily haven’t seen before!

I've rounded up the most gorgeous bridesmaid dresses in every color — from timeless black to sunny yellow! Whether you're dreaming of soft pastels or bold hues, I hope you find the perfect dresses to make your bridal party shine.

As a newly Bride-to-Be I am focusing on finding the things that make me feel my absolute BEST during this new season of life. Since it can bring stress in so many ways these are the things I do in my daily life to look good and feel good as I prep for the aisle!!

✨💖 The PERFECT Party Favors, Extra Touches and Unique Ideas That WOW!!

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

Choosing a theme for a bachelorette party is hard! Whether you are the bride looking for ideas of the maid of honor trying to start planning… you know your bride best! Here I gave outfits, decorations and gift ideas all thought you in advance to make your planning process either! This theme is for cabins, camping, outdoorsy, national park loving people and there is endless opportunity with this theme!

I was inspired by these Pastel Boho Rainbow items and had to make a list to pull them together into a fun party plan! This theme would be so cute for a baby shower or birthday party!

everything i bought, loved, and actually used for my bach weekend 💍✨

Wedding dress shopping in Southern Ontario inspo

The ideas will help the diy Bride. Plus there will be places to order everything from invitation to venue decor. So many things to do! I got you.

All the essentials needed for a wedding hair supply kit, from bride to MOB and groomsmen as well.

As a 2025 bride, I've been on the hunt for all the white dresses. I'm trying to mainly find pieces I can rewear again and again, even beyond my wedding!

A totally random mix of things I’ve loved for myself and gifted to others, this list is a little bit of everything

Because Sanctuary Boudoir LOVES our Bridal Boudoir Babes - from white lingerie to nothing but your veil and wedding shoes!

These are my tried and true gifts that I always fall back on giving during birthdays, engagements, you name it! These are mostly personal and customizable that you don’t want to miss

✨ My wedding-day favorites and bridal gems. I said “I do” to these finds, and I bet you’ll say yes too!

With Valentine's Day next weekend, I have curated some last-minute valentine's gifts for your significant other. Whether he's a new beau or a husband, you will find something for him here. My list includes personalizable gifts too!

Celebrate another fabulous year with Aging Like Fine Wine birthday party ideas—featuring chic outfit inspo, wine-themed decor, classy cake toppers, balloons, table settings, and photo-worthy party details. This board is packed with elegant, trendy finds for milestone birthdays, girls’ night celebrations, and luxe wine-inspired parties. Perfect for women who want a stylish, Instagram-worthy birthday aesthetic that feels classy, fun, and confident.

When I asked my friends to be my bridesmaid I made them all gift bags. Here are some of the items I included in my bridesmaids proposal bags. They were a huge hit and everyone loved them!

Unless you ARE a DJ, just know music can make or break your wedding or event. Don't setle for guests leaving early - hire a DJ that gets your style and let them do what they do best!

Here are some of my favorite recommendations for items I have given as gifts.

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!

our wedding day was on Valentine's Day 2026 and yes, i am a perfectionist! a firm believer in “if you want something done right, do it yourself” so here is a list of some of the tools, vendors, crafts and ideas that have helped me along the way thus far from an engagement dinner to the big day and every special event in between. from custom printed paper goods to party favors and decor. i hope that you find this list helpful and please feel free to reach out in you are in need of a designer! (i am an artist with a knack for this and have been designing all of our own custom invites, menus, programs, stickers, etc.) best of luck! xo PS: you can read all about our wedding in the New York Times here: nytimes.com/2026/03/13/style/remy-banks-ashley-condina-wedding.html

Giving gifts to loved ones is certainly a must to please them, it has become a tradition in all circles, giving gifts is usually done during birthday celebrations, anniversaries, wedding anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Year or at important events such as engagements, weddings, important family gatherings, here I recommend some gifts that are suitable according to the event so you don't need to be confused about what gift to give to your loved ones

✨ The Best Wedding Guest Dresses You Can Shop Now ✨ Looking for the perfect outfit to wear to your next wedding? This curated list of wedding guest dresses has you covered for every dress code and season. From chic cocktail dresses and elegant midi styles to floor-sweeping gowns and flirty floral minis, these pieces are hand-picked to make sure you look stylish, appropriate, and effortlessly put-together.

Everything you need to make beautiful formal wedding invitations on a budget. Don’t pay a calligrapher hundreds of dollars to do this for you! I made these invite suites and purchased all the postage I needed for less than $400!

I’m newly engaged and here are some essentials that I’m looking into it have already bought! Most of these products you can find on Amazon.

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 someome who has attended at least 5-6 weddings a year for the past few years, here is the current in my clost list of recommendations. It's been so hard to find a balance in your 30s on what your style is! Im a lulu's girly, what can I say.

If you're a Swiftie, or need to plan a party for a Swiftie... here's some fun ideas to get you started with the latest album theme 💚🧡

Your man popped the question and now it's your turn? Here are some ideas to gift your bridal party.

highly recommend eloping with the love of your life :) we got married on our 7 year dating anniversary in las vegas, a place that's very special to us. we called this time our wedding week & we spent 3 days in las vegas & then had a mini honeymoon at disneyland for 3 days. saved our money for our 2 week honeymoon in greece then a down payment for our home! :-)

Sometimes confused to find a gift for your loved one on a special day. Below I list my favorite best gifts

Starting your venue search in north NJ? Check out my list of venues as a bride who is not into the typical banquet hall aesthetic!

A jewelry box reflects one's particular flair. A sleek leather box communicates modern elegance, whilst a classic oak chest oozes timeless appeal. These boxes frequently have sentimental value, becoming mementos as they secure important memories and gifts.

Here's to making wedding planning a little easier with decor pieces I've purchased to decorate my ceremony and reception! PLUS I am decorating my wedding on a BUDGET! Check out my section on custom vases to see how you can incorporate a budget DIY that looks EXPENSIVE!!!!

Not sure where to start with your wedding registry? Here’s a list of everything I included on mine—and a little extra inspiration to make it your own!

This collection is made for brides and grooms who want their big day to feel like a love story set to music. Think soft pastels, vintage-inspired details, sparkling accessories, and heartfelt touches that make every moment unforgettable.

From engagement rings for her (& him) to jewelry insurance and buying guides.

I’m a wedding photographer who shoots across the U.S. and internationally. This is the exact gear I depend on to capture weddings - from camera bodies to lenses, flashes, and all the small essentials that keep things running smoothly! 🤎

Want a unique and fun party theme for a birthday, graduation, or just for fun? I love a good theme, so here are 10 ideas I have to get your creative juices flowing.

Makeup/Fragrance/Essentials for weddings. Especially in the summer so that your makeup lasts all day and you can party all night while still looking and smelling amazing

Incredible disco ball pieces proven to spruce up an event or room!

These are my favorite trendy wedding decor finds for creating a beautiful, elegant, expensive look on a budget.

I got engaged back June 2024. It was in beautiful Banff, specifically Emerald Lake. It was so unexpected and I was so shook because we had just seen a black momma bear with her cubs. Any who, I just recently got married and was engaged for over a year and a half. So I wanted to created a list for my engaged girlies !! This is an amazing and fun season ! Enjoy every second of it as the next chapter will be even better ❤️❤️

Here’s some things I used to plan my wedding! I’d like to help out some other ladies by recommending BUDGET FRIENDLY options. :)

Vegas heat, dry air, and a schedule that does not wait. These are the day-of items I tell couples and planners to pack so portraits stay on time and nobody panics over shine, a stain, or a dead phone. For destination weddings and elopements where the Strip or the desert is part of the day.

Valentines is coming up! I know some couples roll their eyes and call it commercial, but it's still special to my husband and I. And don't let the title fool you, I LOVE chocolate (and flowers). However, I know that a little thought goes a long way. Here is a list of things that are thoughtful gifts that will hopefully bring a smile.

Do you like to shop for trendy and unique products (e.g. special occasion invitations, gifts and home decor items) that can be personalized to make them unique. I know I do, so I often browse and shop for products on demand at Zazzle (zazzle.com). See my lists below for some of their cool offerings. (P.S. They have wonderful wedding sets and party invitations!)

I loved my wedding, but the planning was not for me. Keeping it as budget friendly as possible was super important to me! I found so many cute wedding gifts/ accessories for myself, my bridesmaids & groomsmen that didn’t break the bank!

An equestrian wedding is a dream for passoniate horse riders. If you identify as one, or if you're simply seeking a wedding that stands out from the norm, then take a moment to explore this wedding list filled with equestrian wedding inspiration.

Destination guests land fried, then they hit 110-degree sidewalks and a 2 a.m. after-party. These are the things I tell couples to drop in the hotel-room bag so people actually show up on time and still look human in group photos. Not the couple’s day-of kit. That list is separate.

wedding season is REAL. when everyone around you is getting married (i literally have like 15 weddings this year), these are the looks I’m actually wearing as a guest⭐ marked with a star ⭐ are budget friendly

Everything you need to throw a memorable Island-Themed party! We throw a lot of these at our home because we built a tiki bar in our backyard as our pandemic project the summer of 2020. We even had a tiki-themed rehearsal dinner for our wedding this year!

As a recent 2025 bride, here are some of the most important things that came in handy (or that I wish I had) on my wedding day! 🥰🫶🏼

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!!

Gift ideas for the bride in your life for her engagement, bachelorette party, bridal shower or just because!

Weddings move fast — your gear has to move faster. This list is packed with the tools I rely on at every event to capture clean audio, smooth video, flattering light, and all the moments that happen in between. Compact, reliable, and creator-approved, these essentials help you work efficiently while delivering the cinematic quality couples actually feel. Whether you're shooting BTS, vertical content, or full wedding films, this is the kit that keeps you ready for anything.

I have made a list of some of my favorite venues that I have had the pleasure to officiate some amazing wedding at!

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

We just had our wedding and here is everything that I’d totally buy again if we did it all over. Outfits that are affordable but still look phenomenal in photos. We did the bare minimum for decor since our venue was stunning on its own but Polaroids and guest book was 100% worth every penny!💍💕

As a wedding planner, this is what is in my wedding day emergency kit! Anything you can think of, it's in this list!

When registering for items to create your lives together you always think about what you're currently missing, but not about how the quality will stand up over time. This list has items that we have been using for years now as well as what we wish we had registered for in the first place.

Timeless elegance meets modern romance—bridal attire designed to make every bride shine on her special day. Looking for the perfect fit for your engagement party, bachelorette, or bridal shower? Look no further!

for your wedding day (and the days leading up to it) Day of emergencies, bachelorette goodie bags, decor and more. These are all the small things you wouldn’t normally think about packed into one

After planning a wedding in 2025, I learned quickly that not all registry items are created equal. This list is filled with actually useful, high-quality pieces we registered for (and loved), plus a few things we didn’t know we needed until married life started.

Step into the enchanting world of fall weddings with our carefully curated collection of guest outfits. This season, we've gathered a range of styles that effortlessly capture the essence of autumn's beauty. From rustic elegance to layered sophistication, our outfits are designed to ensure you shine as a guest while celebrating love amidst the changing leaves. Rustic Elegance: Fall's warm and earthy tones take center stage in this collection. Think deep burgundy, rich emerald, and rustic mustard - colors that harmonize with the season's backdrop. Textured fabrics like tweed, lace, and velvet provide a tactile charm that complements the rustic wedding themes often seen in autumn. Layered Sophistication: Fall weather can be unpredictable, but our outfits have you covered. Explore tailored blazers, shawls, and wraps that transition seamlessly from outdoor ceremonies to indoor receptions. With layered sophistication, you'll stay comfortable and chic, no matter the venue or temperature. Browse our fall wedding guest outfit collection and embrace the elegance of this magical season.

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!*

If you have a wedding on the calendar and nothing to wear with the dress yet, this is your shortcut: pearl and crystal earrings, small beaded clutches, hair pieces and bridesmaid gifts from Kendra Scott, Mejuri, Etsy and Anthropologie. Pick one statement piece, one pearl piece and one hair accessory, and the outfit is finished without a single extra shopping trip.

Taylor and Travis are tying the knot. I’m just here having fun pretending to organize it all. It is all about vibes, love and a little extra sparkle

A guide to help you be the best dressed guest @ any upcoming wedding! (For all seasons)

Elegant wedding guest dresses for women over 50: draped satin, velvet, lace and feathers from Valentino-level ateliers like Oscar de la Renta, Elie Saab, Victoria Beckham, Safiyaa and Brunello Cucinelli. Mother of the bride and black-tie looks, edited by a creative director.

From engagement celebrations to bridal showers, bachelorette trips, and everything in between, these are the clothes, shoes, and accessories I’m loving throughout this special season. Whether you're looking for the perfect white dress, comfortable yet chic shoes, or the finishing touches that elevate every bridal look, I've rounded up my favorite finds to help you feel confident, stylish, and celebration-ready.