Fierce + Fine is a styled Brooklyn brownstone elopement planned and designed by Mari Daniels of Elle Events. It was photographed in fall 2025 at Atrium82, a historic brownstone at 82 Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn. It pairs a ceremony in the front bay window, under strings of suspended pink blooms, with an intimate reception on fuchsia velvet. Then it takes the couple outside after dark, in a second look, for portraits on the brownstone stoops.

I love a planner who picks one color and refuses to thin it out. Mari called the palette “vibrant, unapologetic pink,” and she meant it. Fuchsia shows up on the envelopes, the linens, the shoes, and the flowers, and every heavy note gets answered with something light. There are sheer sleeves against a strong silhouette, one nerine on a black tuxedo, and a pleated sugar tier sitting on a mirrored gold block. That push and pull is where the name comes from.

Mari Daniels of Elle Events planned and designed Fierce + Fine, and she brought together eleven other vendors to build it. She wrote the concept around the strength and softness a partnership asks of two people. Then she held every piece to it, from the calligraphy on the envelopes to the velvet on the table. The palette never wavers once in twenty frames, and that discipline is the planning.

The idea was contrast: saturated pink paired with airy details at every turn, staged inside a brownstone that still has its stained-glass transoms. Mari wanted the space to feel modern and sophisticated while still leaving room for tender moments between the two people at the center of it.

The ceremony took place in Atrium82’s front bay window. The stained glass stayed in the frame and white chiffon was swagged across the top. Craisy Daisy Studios hung dozens of pink blooms on near-invisible strings at different heights, making a hanging flower ceremony backdrop that reads like a slow pink rain. Outside the glass, the Sixth Avenue trees had turned copper, which did half the styling for free.

The bride wore a strapless pleated gown by Alexis Levan. The bodice is finished with a raw, feathery ruffle at the neckline. The skirt opens over a panel of floral lace and then falls into a long pleated train, which pooled across the floor of the window seat. Sheer tulle sleeves, worn separately and bunched at the wrist, bring the softness, along with a sculpted bow veil.

She wore her tattoos in full view. The floral piece on her upper arm reads almost like one more panel of lace. Elena Art of Makeup kept her skin luminous and her lip soft.

For the night portraits she changed into a white satin mini with a beaded high collar, a white blazer, and knotted ankle-strap heels. Earlier in the day, a pair of hot pink satin platform Mary Janes turned up in the flat lays, and they are the whole mood of this shoot in one object.

The groom wore a black shawl-collar tuxedo from Threadbury with a satin bow tie. His boutonniere was a single stem of pale pink and fuchsia nerine, wrapped in blush ribbon. After dark he switched to a navy windowpane jacket, charcoal trousers, and horsebit loafers.

This anthurium wedding bouquet by Craisy Daisy Studios uses two anthuriums, one coral and one fading from pink to green, with pale nerines and a deep magenta anemone tucked in around them. It’s small and sculptural on purpose. The reception centerpiece goes bigger, with hot pink roses, blush anthurium, snapdragons, and trailing greenery. Single nerines in clear bud vases carry the same shape down the table.

This fuchsia wedding tablescape starts with velvet edge to edge, then grounds the color with warm neutrals. There are cognac leather chargers, gold-rimmed ivory plates, and matte gold flatware. Cordless gold lamps stand in for candlesticks, and dark bentwood chairs sit around the table. Each menu carries the guest’s name in black calligraphy, tied with a blush ribbon and a small monogram charm.

The dessert table held a three-tier cake, chocolate truffles, and pink macarons from Cakes by Xenia and La Maison du Chocolat. The cake is stacked slightly off rhythm: a plain blush top, a wider pleated middle tier, and a narrow ivory base. It sits on a mirrored gold block, crowned with sugar anthurium, a ruffled sugar peony, and burgundy leaves. The truffles and macarons sit in glass teacups beside it, and a hand-painted watercolor sign names every dessert on the table.

The invitations by Humble Hands carry the whole palette in miniature. The invitation is ivory with rounded corners and a hand-painted pink wave along the top and bottom. It’s tucked into a fuchsia envelope addressed in white calligraphy, sealed in gold wax, and lined with a pale stripe printed with pink bows. The reply card has a loose watercolor ribbon painted across the top.

My favorite frame is the last one. It’s the two of them on an iron bench on Sixth Avenue after dark, with leaves everywhere and her head tipped into his. After all that pink, the night is just the two of them.

Is Fierce + Fine a real wedding?
No. Fierce + Fine is a styled Brooklyn brownstone elopement planned and designed by Mari Daniels of Elle Events.

Who planned the Fierce + Fine elopement?
Mari Daniels of Elle Events planned and designed Fierce + Fine.

Where is Atrium82?
Atrium82 is a historic brownstone at 82 Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

Who designed the wedding dress in Fierce + Fine?
Alexis Levan designed the strapless pleated gown with the lace skirt panel and long pleated train.

What flowers are in the bouquet?
Coral and pink-to-green anthurium, pale pink nerines, and a magenta anemone, arranged by Craisy Daisy Studios.

Who photographed Fierce + Fine?
SHair Photography and Reese Brucker.

The couple is Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, the climbers from Skywalkers, the Netflix documentary, who scale skyscrapers for a living and film all of it. So before anyone calls this a stunt for clicks, sit with that part for a second. This is what they do. This is who they are. For them, climbing the tallest thing in the city and proposing at the top might be the most them thing imaginable. The most insane thing you could picture, and to them, probably the best.

Was it also dangerous and very much not legal. Yes. They came down to a charge sheet eight deep, burglary and reckless endangerment and possession of burglar’s tools among them. Fifth Avenue closed. An arrest. I’m not handing out a how-to, and please do not climb a building.

But the part that stuck with me isn’t the climb.

We are all posting everything right now. The proposal, the dress reveal, the first look, the reception exit, the flat lay of the invitation suite laid out on somebody’s kitchen counter at 7am. And that’s fine. I love a good share. I run a whole network on people wanting to see something beautiful and feel something.

For Angela and Ivan, it lines up. The content and the truth are the same thing. Scaling a tower is their actual life, so filming it isn’t a performance, it’s a Tuesday. When who you are and what you post are the same, there’s no line to cross.

You’ve seen it by now. Everybody has. If you haven’t check it out below.

For the rest of us, it gets blurrier. You start planning the proposal around the angle the videographer needs. You pick the venue because it photographs, not because it’s yours. You catch yourself writing the caption in your head before the moment has even happened. Nobody decides to do this. It creeps in, one Pinterest board at a time.

So here’s what I tell couples who ask me how to keep the day theirs.

Pick one moment that belongs to just the two of you and put every phone away for it. The proposal itself, your first look, the ninety seconds right after you say your vows. One moment, no lens, nobody filming. When you know one part of the day is yours and only yours, the pressure lifts off all the rest of it, and you can hand the reception over to the cameras completely, because you already kept the part that mattered.

For everything else, use the drawer test. Would the moment still have been the moment with every phone in a drawer. If yes, post all of it. Film it, share it, let it be beautiful for the whole internet. If no, that’s worth knowing before the day, not after, because you still have time to change it.

Two more things. Book the photographer whose work makes you forget they’re in the room, not the one with the trendiest grid, because the whole point is to stop performing for the lens. And decide the guest list, the vows, and the food before you touch a single thing about how it looks. A wedding built around the shot and a wedding built around the two of you can look almost the same online. They feel nothing alike in the room, and the room is the part you actually get to live in.

One of my favorite things we’ve ever run on Brooklyn Bride is Ayanna and Sully’s wedding. Two brides on the granite steps at Brooklyn Bridge Park, twenty-five people in person the perfect size for a micro-wedding. Ayanna in a satin gown with a light blue corset from Pantora, the Black-owned salon. Sully in a white ASOS jumpsuit. Both of them in Pride sneakers by the after-party. Burnt orange and light blue everywhere you looked. None of it built for a feed. That’s the feeling. Them first, and everything else after.

You don’t have to climb a building. You don’t have to hide from the camera either. You just have to know, before you plan the shot, that the moment would have been yours even if nobody was watching.

Images from couple @angela_nikolau @beerkus and Video from NBC News

Affiliate links used in this post

A working ballpark in Coney Island, hundreds of couples renewing their vows on the field, and a wedding fair in the stands. That is July 8 at the Brooklyn Cyclones.

We are partnering with the Brooklyn Cyclones to bring the wedding fair to their Love and Marriage Day, and we built it for the couples who do not always see themselves at the front of the room. Every body, every love.

Here is what the day looks like, how couples get in, and how vendors get a spot.

Love and Marriage Day is the Brooklyn Cyclones’ celebration of couples and commitment at Maimonides Park in Coney Island. On July 8, 2026, the team attempts a Guinness World Record for the largest vow renewal, with hundreds of couples renewing their vows together on the field.

The day is co-hosted by Love Island USA winners Hannah and Marco.

The record attempt and the celebrity hosting are the Cyclones’ headline. Our piece is the wedding fair that runs inside the day, where engaged couples meet the people who will plan and create their weddings.

The fair is built on one idea that runs through everything Aisle Society does. Audience match beats audience size. We put couples in front of the vendors who actually serve them, the plus-size bride, the queer couple, the multicultural wedding the mainstream blogs skip.

For couples planning a Brooklyn wedding, it is a chance to meet photographers, planners, and designers face to face, in one place, on one afternoon. You walk the fair, you talk to real vendors, and you leave with a shortlist instead of a hundred open browser tabs.

This is the part of wedding planning that screens cannot do. You get a read on a vendor in person that no portfolio gives you.

The day works for two very different people walking through the same gates.

If that is you, the fair is the reason to come early and stay all day.

We are curating the vendor roster with a focus on businesses that serve every kind of couple. The promise is alignment with the right couples, not a guarantee of bookings.

Two paths into July 8, depending on which side of the table you are on.

Couples, get your FREE tickets. Grab your spot for Love and Marriage Day by signing up here. Come for the fair, stay for the record attempt and the celebration on the field.

Vendors, apply to exhibit. Spots are limited and curated. Apply HERE. The earlier you apply, the better your placement and the more lead time you have to plan your setup.

Plan around July 8, 2026. The event is at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Confirm gate times on the official event page before you go.

Follow Brooklyn Bride for updates. Vendor announcements, schedule details, and behind-the-scenes from the day will run on Brooklyn Bride and across the Aisle Society network.

July 8 is one day, and both tickets and vendor spots are limited.

Couples, Your FREE ticket gets you in. Vendors, gets you a table in a curated room built for the couples you actually want to reach.

The wedding fair is part of Love and Marriage Day at the Brooklyn Cyclones on July 8, 2026, at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Confirm exact gate and start times on the official event page before you go.

Sign up for FREE tickets as a couple planning their wedding HERE. Your ticket covers the day at Maimonides Park, including access to the wedding fair, the vow renewal record attempt, and the celebration on the field.

The Brooklyn Cyclones host the day and the Guinness World Record attempt for the largest vow renewal, co-hosted by Love Island USA winners Hannah and Marco. Aisle Society and Brooklyn Bride are partnering with the Cyclones to present the wedding fair inside the event.

Vendors apply for a curated spot through the vendor application page. Aisle Society selects a roster focused on businesses that serve couples across the full range of bodies, identities, and traditions, so apply early for the best placement.

No. The fair is built on inclusive luxury, which means every body and every love. Plus-size couples, queer couples, and multicultural couples are at the center of the room, not an afterthought, alongside every other couple planning a Brooklyn wedding.

The Brooklyn Cyclones are attempting a Guinness World Record for the largest vow renewal, with hundreds of couples renewing their vows together on the field on July 8, 2026.

Let us be direct about something.

Most wedding shoes are picked under duress. You have spent months making hundreds of real decisions, and somewhere around week fourteen of planning, someone asks about shoes and you pull up a tab, scroll for twenty minutes, and add something ivory to a cart because it looks fine and you need to move on.

This is not a judgment. This is a description of what happens to almost every couple who does not build shoe shopping into the actual planning process. And the result is almost always a pair of shoes that feel like a footnote to the rest of the look.

We want to make the case for doing it differently. Because the right wedding shoe is not just an aesthetic decision. It is a comfort decision, a personal statement, and honestly, one of the more interesting choices you get to make in this whole process. And Kailee P. makes that choice worth making.

The question we would ask about any wedding detail is the same one we ask about shoes: is this actually serving you, or are you serving it?

A shoe that looks incredible in photos but destroys your feet by hour three is not a good wedding shoe. It is a prop. And you are not a prop.

Kailee P. builds from the opposite direction. They start with shoes that are designed to be worn all day, and then they make them beautiful. That is a different philosophy than most of the bridal shoe market, and it shows. Block heels that do not wobble. Flats that do not sacrifice style for function. Sneakers, yes, bridal sneakers, that are exactly as charming as they sound.

At Brooklyn Bride we are skeptical of brands that describe themselves as intentional without anything to back it up. Kailee P. backs it up.

Every element of their shoes, the materials, the silhouettes, the embellishment choices, and the customization options, exists because someone made a real decision about it. This is a design-driven brand. You can see it in the restraint of the pearl applique. In the way the satin bow is placed. In the fact that their block heels are actually stable.

These are shoes built by people who thought carefully about what a bride actually needs on her wedding day, and then made that beautiful. That is what design-driven actually means.

Here is the thing about wedding shoes that nobody says out loud: most of them look the same. Ivory or white, some variation of a heel, maybe a crystal or a bow. The default settings.

Kailee P. breaks from that. They offer genuine customization: different ankle strap styles, bow options, pearl versus satin details, color choices that go beyond the obvious. This is how you end up with a shoe that actually fits your look instead of approximately matching it.

If your dress has crochet lace detailing, you can find that in the shoe. If your venue is a Brooklyn loft and your aesthetic is modern and editorial, they have that too. If you want something blue that feels like a design choice and not a superstition, their Something Blue collection is legitimately beautiful.

The Wearability Argument

The most practical thing we can say about Kailee P. is this: their shoes were designed to be worn again.

For couples who think carefully about consumption, who do not want to add a pair of shoes to a closet to be worn once and stored forever, this matters. Kailee P.’s timeless silhouettes and restrained embellishment mean that the shoes you wear on your wedding day can go to a cocktail party, a dinner, a gallery opening, without signaling that they came from a bridal collection.

That is not a coincidence. That is intentional design doing exactly what it should.

Your shoes are one of the last things people mention when they think about wedding planning, and one of the first things you will feel all day. Choose them like they matter. Because they do.

Kailee P. is at kaileep.com. Take the shoe quiz. Browse the customization options. And for once, make your shoes the decision and not the afterthought.

This is a sponsored conversation written by Brooklyn Bride on behalf of Kailee P. The opinions and text are all ours.

Garden Rooftop Wedding

“When touring a venue, ask whether they’ve hosted culturally diverse or LGBTQ+ weddings—and how they supported those couples,” says Kate Stevens of The Lake House Inn in Bucks County, PA. “It’s not about checking a box; it’s about whether their process respects identity from day one.”

Kathy Gibson of Occasions at Laguna Village in Laguna Beach, CA, encourages couples to think beyond visual beauty. “Make sure your layout works for every guest, from shaded ceremony spaces to accessible restrooms. Great design honors both form and feeling.”

Music sets the tone, but so does everything around it. “Ask your DJ how they’ll approach transitions, special announcements, or pacing,” says Aly Raddatz of Elevated Events in Chicagoland. “We curate not just what plays, but when and why it plays—it’s storytelling through energy.”

“When you only host one wedding per day, the couple gets the full canvas,” shares Ian Dinnall of Sea Cliff Manor in Long Island, NY. “Ask your venue if they can accommodate your schedule and traditions without rushing. That flexibility is what makes personal touches possible.”

“Couples should ask their officiant how much input they’ll have in crafting the ceremony,” says Rev. Dr. Walter Hrycaj of Wah Joy, serving Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis. “A good officiant listens more than they speak during the planning process—that’s how real connection happens.”

“Inclusivity includes mobility,” says Greg Carlyle of the Millennium Event Center in Winston-Salem, NC. “As you plan your flow, picture a guest using a walker or pushing a stroller. Ask how the venue supports that reality—not just in function, but in comfort.”

Walter McClellan of Toast Entertainment, with teams in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, South Texas, Long Island, and New Orleans, says, “Your DJ should know how to navigate a South Asian wedding or bilingual crowd without a crash course. Ask how they prep—if they’re seasoned, you’ll know right away.”

“At The Shire Wedding & Events, we always say yes to what’s meaningful,” says Katy Storry, who co-owns the Huntsville, TX venue. “If you want a cultural tea ceremony or a barefoot first dance, ask your venue if they support those expressions. That question reveals a lot about their values.”

“Ask your caterer or planner how they’ll coordinate with your other vendors,” advises Jeff Miller of Jeffrey A. Miller Hospitality Group, which serves PA, NJ, and DE. “Inclusivity breaks down when the team isn’t on the same page—especially around dietary needs or ceremonial timing.”

“Ask how your AV team ensures every word of the vows is heard—on site and remotely,” says Matt Kays of Mountain Event Services in Fort Collins, CO and Southern WY. “That’s not a luxury—it’s basic respect for guests who want to witness your moment.”

Becky Beeson of Experience Oakhaven in Pelham, near Greensboro, NC, says couples should consider how overnight options foster belonging. “If you can, offer guests a place to gather before and after the main event. Weddings aren’t just days—they’re experiences that live in shared space.”

“Ask how your all-in-one venue coordinates behind the scenes,” says Cathie Ransom of Los Willows in Fallbrook, CA. “When AV, catering, and planning are aligned, couples don’t have to manage details on the day—and that frees them up to be fully present.”

“When couples ask me if I’ll ‘allow’ a change to the timeline, I tell them: it’s your day,” shares Lisa Ivler of Lisa Ivler Events in Caldwell, NJ. “Make sure your planner listens to your priorities before selling you on a set structure.”

Peter Mitsaelides of Brooklake Events in Florham Park, NJ reminds couples to ask about everything from kosher meal prep to prayer break space. “A five-star event isn’t just about chandeliers—it’s about whether grandma has a soft seat and everyone can eat.”

The best weddings aren’t just well planned—they’re purposefully planned. When couples partner with inclusive professionals who consider every guest’s needs, identities, and joy, they create more than a beautiful day—they build a celebration where everyone belongs. These are the pros making that possible, one detail at a time.

About the Author:

Known for his heart-led approach to marketing, Brian Lawrence helps wedding professionals build inclusive, accessible brands. In 2025, he launched the Inclusive Wedding Summit and continues to push for a more welcoming wedding industry online and off.

Stylish Tropical-Inspired Wedding in Brooklyn

We spoke with inclusive wedding DJs from across the U.S. Here’s what they want every couple and planner to know about the power of inclusive wedding entertainment.

DJ Hercules (William Sanchez) of Hercules Entertainment in Woodbridge, VA, doesn’t just think about what song is next. “If I misgender someone on the mic or use heteronormative language, I’ve disrupted a moment,” he says. A truly inclusive DJ considers every announcement, toast intro, and entrance with sensitivity and accuracy.

Allen “Big Daddy” Walker of Big Daddy Walker Productions (Cincinnati, OH) believes assumption is the enemy of inclusion. “Every couple is different,” he says. “That’s why we ask about cultural traditions, guest needs, and family dynamics. We don’t guess.” This approach makes him a standout, inclusive wedding DJ in the Midwest.

Carlos of Don Carlo Events in Chicago emphasizes that bilingual wedding DJs serve an emotional role. “I’m not just translating,” he shares. “I’m helping people feel included in the celebration.” Whether during toasts, transitions, or introductions, being bilingual helps connect everyone.

In Richmond, VA, Steve Anderson of BlendMasters DJ Services provides interactive planning tools for his couples. “It allows them to build a soundtrack that truly represents who they are,” he says. This is especially meaningful for multicultural weddings that mix genres, languages, and family traditions.

DJ Kenny from Sound Storm DJ Service in Central Minnesota believes inclusion is also physical. “If someone can’t hear the vows clearly or is overwhelmed by volume, they’re excluded,” he says. His setups reflect a commitment to ensuring every guest can enjoy the moment fully.

In Gettysburg, PA, Heather Laughman leads HD Entertainment – an all-female DJ company. “When couples see someone who looks like them behind the booth, they feel safer, more celebrated,” she says. Her team is known for its work with LGBTQ+ weddings and clients with nontraditional plans.

Jose De Leon of LEM Entertainment (Union, NJ) believes that heritage should never be an afterthought. “We ask about cultural practices in the first meeting,” he says. “That sets the tone for an event that honors both partners’ backgrounds.”

Chicago’s Jay Ejercito, aka DJ JayFunk of Momentz Productions, balances hype with humanity. “You don’t need to scream into the mic to lead a dance floor,” he laughs. “Sometimes, the best move is knowing when to hold space for the moment.”

Seth Michaels of Michaels Entertainment (Troy, MI) sees inclusion as both physical and digital. “Some people can’t travel or are immunocompromised,” he says. “Livestreaming, photo booths, and hybrid setups keep them included.”

With offices in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC, Richmond, VA, San Diego, CA, and Bozeman, MT, Bunn DJ Company has built inclusive practices into its brand DNA. “It’s not performative,” says owner Joe Bunn. “It’s how we operate—every timeline, every toast, every client.”

When every guest matters, every detail matters. From how a DJ greets grandma to how they introduce your pronouns on the mic, these things add up. Hiring an inclusive wedding DJ can be one of the most meaningful decisions you make, because how people feel at your wedding will last far beyond the final dance.

About the Author:

Known for his heart-led approach to marketing, Brian Lawrence helps wedding professionals build inclusive, accessible brands. In 2025, he launched the Inclusive Wedding Summit and continues to push for a more welcoming wedding industry online and off.

We often get asked about the first steps to take after saying “Yes!” to the proposal. Getting engaged is an exciting time and can be one of your life’s most heart-warming, romantic, and memorable occasions, but it can also be overwhelming with all the decisions and planning ahead. It is one of the most significant steps to take on this trip we call life. To help you navigate the first few months of engagement, here are 10 must do things we suggest doing once you get engaged:

Take a moment to enjoy the excitement of being engaged! Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or a gathering with close friends and family, celebrate your new chapter in a way that feels right for both of you. This is a moment to savor before diving into wedding planning. This is one of the main things we recommend because so often couples go right into planning and then they regret not truly celebrating this monumental event. 

Let your loved ones know the big news! Call family and friends before you post on social media to give them the chance to hear it from you directly. Afterward, share the excitement online with a cute engagement photo, tag your fiancé, and let the world know you’re officially on the road to forever!

And you can also have a chance to win some amazing prizes in a contest from Lovebird because they want to celebrate your proposal story! The popular wedding destination website is hosting a fun contest to recognize the most creative, sweetest, most unexpected, and most memorable proposal moments. Whether your proposal went off without a hitch, took an unexpected turn, or had a reaction that still makes you smile, Lovebird wants to hear about it. 

Share your story for a chance to win $500 and be featured on Lovebird’s site! 

Whether you’ve bought an engagement ring, watch or signet ring, do buy insurance for it. This is a special item that will be worn throughout your lives together, so it should be protected. Check with your homeowners or renters insurance to see if the item will be covered, or if you need to take out an extension of that plan. There are companies that specialize in jewelry insurance, and your jeweler may have their own plan. Do shop around and compare policies before choosing one. 

Now’s the time to start thinking about the style and vibe of your wedding day. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn wedding, a glamorous ballroom celebration, or a beachside ceremony, discussing your vision with your fiancé will help guide your venue and vendor choices. There’s nothing like dreaming about your most epic wedding vision. Looking for inspiration, check out some of Lovebird’s wedding invitations here to get your creative juices flowing. 

Before diving into any wedding details, talk to your partner and families about the wedding budget. Being clear on your finances from the start will help guide your planning decisions. And honestly some couples don’t want to talk about budgets but it’s one of the things that NEEDS to discuss because it will set expectations so you can plan a wedding that aligns with your priorities. 

Once you’ve settled on a rough budget, make a general timeline. When do you want the wedding to take place? Will it be in a year, two years, or sooner? Having a timeline will help you set milestones for each phase of the wedding planning process. It really is more than just a checklist of tasks, it will become the backbone of your wedding planning journey. 

A structured timeline will help ensure that everything falls in place, and whether you’re a DIY bride or have the help of a wedding planning team, a timeline keeps you on track, provides clarity and makes sure you don’t miss any important details. 

A wedding website is a practical and elegant way to keep your guests informed. You can share engagement photos, wedding details, digital wedding invitations, RSVP links, and even your story. Plus, it’s an easy place to communicate with guests about the details of the big day. And don’t forget, when you’re creating your wedding website, upload a few photos of the proposal. 

Engagement photos are popular, but there are other pre-wedding shoots to think about too. A “save-the-date” photoshoot or even a fun bridal shower shoot can give you beautiful memories before the big day. These photos can also be used for wedding invitations, thank-you cards, or social media to share your excitement with your followers. They can also be used for decor and favors on your wedding day.  

Talk with your fiancé about who you’d like to have by your side on the big day. The next step is to ask your closest friends and family to be part of your wedding party. There are so many different and unique ways to ask your wedding party to be a part of your big day. We have seen some amazing ideas, like having a dinner to pop the question, creating goodie bags with all your favorite things for them, or even personalized wine bottles.

Once they say yes, you can start planning the bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and all those special moments leading up to the wedding.

Lastly, don’t forget to take a breath and enjoy the engagement period. Wedding planning can get busy, so take time to appreciate the excitement of being engaged. Spend time with your partner, reflect on how far you’ve come, and remember that the wedding is just one part of your journey together.

A new trend that is emerging is a romantic getaway that newly engaged couples take before their wedding, either right when they get engaged or right before their wedding to celebrate their love and commitment. It’s a chance to enjoy each other’s company and take a break from the stress of wedding planning.  

And don’t forget…..

Lovebird wants to award you for your proposal story. The wedding website is holding a contest for the most creative proposal, the sweetest proposal, the proposal plan gone wrong, and the most memorable proposal reaction.

Send them your wedding proposal story, and a judging panel will pick the top proposal from each category. You and your fiancé can win $500, and a chance to be featured on Lovebird.* 

* This promotion will run twice before the end of the year:

This is a sponsored conversation written by Brooklyn Bride on behalf of Sincere and Lovebird. The opinions and text are all ours.

This post contains affiliate links

Julia Wade Photography

Just because the reception is winding down doesn’t mean you’re ready for the night to end! Wedding after-parties have become a popular way to extend the celebration beyond the time allotted at the venue, with many couples seeing it as an opportunity to plan a lively gathering without the formalities of a wedding. You can ditch the heels and kick back with your guests without stressing about timelines or logistics.

You can expect that some guests will not attend the after-party, allowing for a more intimate affair for those who want to let loose without feeling constrained. As a result, you can treat it like a 180-degree vibe shift, whether that means embracing a silly theme that may not be appropriate for the wedding or leaning into a low-key, cozy atmosphere.

“The after-party is a liberating space for the couple, providing a unique opportunity to have a blast and showcase their personalities without the pressure of conforming to family expectations,” confirms Sarah Chianese, owner, planner, and executive chef of Mangia and Enjoy!. “The elders have gone to bed, and now it’s time to celebrate with your peers in a way that best reflects you both.”

If your wedding venue or accommodations have an onsite bar, that’s a natural starting point for a fun, relaxing after-party with loved ones. Everyone can attend, there’s no need to commute, and you might even get a special rate for hosting it on-site. 

Hellen CO Photos

But if you’re looking for a more memorable experience than sitting at a bar, here are a few of our favorite after-party ideas:

“You can rent out a bowling alley and have guests bowl, eat pizza, and drink beer and soda. There will be competition and camaraderie. You can even have prizes for the best score or the best team score. And imagine the fun photos you’ll get in your bowling shoes!” — Jamie Chang, destination wedding planner and owner of Mango Muse Events

“Head out to a late-night barcade. Having an activity-based after-party also allows those who don’t always want to keep drinking but do want to keep celebrating to keep the good times rolling.” — Megan Breukelman, wedding photographer for Megan & Kenneth

“Get your guests involved and throw an after-party, karaoke style! You can find a local karaoke bar or move your party to a secondary space at your venue and bring in a private karaoke DJ. This will keep all your friends and family singing at the top of their lungs until the last call.” — Tracy Autem, owner of Tracy Autem & Lightly Photography

Mandee Johnson Photography

“Move the party to an area that can provide a more intimate vibe. A bonfire on the beach, a cozy hookah bar, a dueling piano bar, or an acoustic guitar hangout are great places to explore for your after-party. Shifting the tone can help invite intimate conversations and meaningful interactions with your guests.” — Mary Angelini, founder of Key Moment Films

“You can have a casino-night-themed after-party, with different tables and stations for poker, blackjack, and roulette, giving your friends something unique to do. This can also make room for a cigar-rolling station, as cigars and poker tend to go hand in hand.” — Colton Simmons, owner of Colton Simmons Photography

“If your wedding venue or hotel has a pool, see if you can make arrangements to have the after-party there, weather permitting. After a long evening of dancing, cooling off in the chill water is an excellent way to end the day. Make it more special by shopping for fun pool floats, towels, and robes. Set up an outdoor speaker and create a playlist. Set up a bar with tropical drinks and late-night snacks. Or pizza and beer always work!” — Monica Garcia, co-owner of Story Alley Photography

Depending on the size and makeup of your guest list, expect less than half of your wedding guests to attend the after-party. If you’re hoping to get face time with more people, consider hosting a farewell brunch the following morning for a final celebration with the early risers in your group.

Whether you envision a laid-back evening by the pool or a spirited night of karaoke, your after-party can be as unique and memorable as your wedding day. Enjoy creating more unforgettable memories with your loved ones, and have fun entering your newlywed chapter on a festive note!

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.