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Wedding Planning Tips From Taylor Swift

Anyone that hangs around me for any length of time will come to find out that I am a die-hard Taylor Swift fan. I’ve been a fan since her Fearless album (I was a little too young to fully appreciate her debut album, though I do vaguely remember jamming to “Our Song” with my older sister).

Taylor is known for her diary-like songwriting, focusing on topics like the flutters of a new crush, personal rivalries, tough breakups, or ex-boyfriend revenge songs. But with a little creativity (and a dash of T-Swizzle loyalty) I have come up with 13 tips (that’s right, her lucky number) to learn from her for your wedding planning!

  1. Fight the urge to be a people pleaser.

    Look What You Made Me Do

    “I don’t like your kingdom keys
    They once belonged to me

    You ask me for a place to sleep
    Locked me out and threw a feast


    Have you ever watched “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC? I used to watch that show all the time with my mom growing up, and I can’t tell you how many times Mom and I were yelling at the mother of the bride on the tv or the opinionated best friend who talked the bride out of what was obviously her favorite dress.

    At the end of the day, when your wedding is in your rear view mirror, the last thing you want is to regret big decisions because you erred on the side of pleasing others over your own vision for how the day should go. Don’t give yourself an opportunity to say, “Look What You Made Me Do,” to any of your wedding guests. Remember, you’re the bride. Don’t let “people pleasing” lock you out of your own party or take away your ability to make your own decisions. And as Taylor later teaches us, “I’ve learned a lesson that stressin’ and obsessin’ ’bout somebody else is no fun (You Need to Calm Down, 2019).”

  2. Choose your bridal party WISELY.

    This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

    “So why’d you have to rain on my parade?
    I’m shaking my head, I’m locking the gates
    This is why we can’t have nice things, darling”


    Bridal parties can really make or break the wedding day (and wedding planning) experience. Choose friends/family that not only have your best interest at heart but those who are more about championing you and your future husband’s relationship above championing their “time in the limelight.” I’ve seen and experienced so many bridesmaids (and even groomsmen) who make it more about having their 27 Dresses story than celebrating your marriage. You know those movies with the jealous Maid of Honor or the controlling bridesmaid?

    Friends like that are best kept at arms length to begin with; so don’t ask them to join your bridal party if you know deep down they won’t make it about your marriage. Take a little from tip number 1 and don’t choose your bridal party just because you have been friends since you were in diapers! That’s a people pleasing mentality. Choose them because you honestly want them by your side on the most important day of your life. As you go through the wedding planning process, start taking note of how your potential bridesmaids/groomsmen react to the news of your engagement… note how they treat you, the other bridesmaids / groomsmen, and your family.

  3. Keep the invite list short, sweet, and to the point.

    I Forgot That You Existed

    I forgot that you existed
    It isn’t love, it isn’t hate
    It’s just indifference


    One of the most hefty costs of your wedding day is your head count!! Some venues/catering charge upwards of $85 a head. If you have a list of 100+ people, that adds up FAST. Do you really want or need each one of those people at your wedding? Ask yourself a few key questions before sending those invites:
    – Are they immediate family?
    – Are they close friends?
    – When’s the last time you saw them?
    – When’s the last time you spoke to them (beyond quick Instagram DMs in response to their stories)?
    – Would they travel over an hour if they had to for your wedding?

    Weddings are intimate events. For some, that means you legitimately have 150-200 guests that you really care to have present. But for others, you have an unnecessarily large list of third cousins or college friends you haven’t kept up with in a long time. Time to cut those names from the list. And take one from Taylor… it’s not personal!

  4. Practice compromising and saying that you’re sorry.

    Afterglow

    “I blew things out of proportion, now you’re blue
    Put you in jail for something you didn’t do
    I pinned your hands behind your back, oh
    Thought I had reason to attack, but no”


    Your fiancé and you are two different people. You’re likely to have different opinions about some of the wedding details. The engagement period is a great way to try out some of those conflict resolution tactics and compromising practice you’re going over in pre-marital counseling. As silly as it sounds, fights actually can break out over napkin colors or cake flavors. Remember that details are just that — and compromise with one another. The stress of wedding planning can heighten emotions and cause heated arguments, but keep centered on why you’re even getting married in the first place! Stick to that foundation.

  5. Don’t ignore those gut feelings.

    I Knew You Were Trouble

    “‘Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in
    So shame on me now”


    This more so applies to choosing your vendors wisely. You are probably meeting with tons of different vendors, some in person, some over the phone or e-mail. If you have this gut feeling that they just don’t click with you or aren’t able to deliver what you’re asking for, cut that cord quick! I can’t tell you, even as a vendor myself, how many leads I actually turned down myself because something felt off and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to make that client happy. Clients should be happy with what their vendor’s provide, so if you feel off, ask questions and don’t be afraid to go with another option that feels more comfortable.

  6. Plan more for your marriage than for your wedding day!

    Lover

    “We could leave the Christmas lights up ’til January
    This is our place, we make the rules”


    I could go really deep here, but honestly Taylor’s example gives us a wide spectrum of things to get excited about in marriage. Prepare for it all! Anticipate making memories together in marriage. Dream up new family traditions. Learn how to fight fair. Learn how to love and honor one another.

  7. Getaway cars are severely overrated.

    Getaway Car

    “In a getaway car, oh-oh
    No, they never get far, oh-oh-ahh
    No, nothing good starts
    In a getaway car”


    Ok, I hope by now it’s obvious how loosely I’m translating these lyrics. If you’re on a strict budget, or you want to allocate more towards a certain aspect of your wedding day, think of silly little costs you can cut. Not all details are important to all brides. Just because your best friend had this gorgeous vintage car to take them from the venue does not mean you need to book Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. “Getaway cars” (insert any detail you don’t really care that much about) are overrated and won’t give you the dream day you’re hoping for. You’d be surprised how dreamy simple weddings can be! Don’t get caught up in all the itty bitty details.

  8. You bring it in, you take it out.

    New Years Day

    “But I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day”

    Parties are messy. Weddings are no different. Remember for every detail you bring in that does not come with your venue or is brought in by your caterer is your responsibility to also pack up and bring home (and then find a place for). Usually this responsibility falls on poor Mom or your Maid of Honor… or if you’re not leaving for your honeymoon right away, it will likely become your job (at least to delegate where things go after the big day). Tie this in with tip 7 and don’t let details become more of a burden than they’re worth.

  9. Don’t knock the classics, but add your own flair if you can.

    Style

    “You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
    And I got that red lip, classic thing that you like
    And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
    ‘Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style”


    Some wedding traditions are just too good not to try! Obviously, plan a wedding that you would enjoy. But traditions exist for a reason too! You’re only a bride once. Unity candles not your thing? Get creative! I’ve seen rope braiding, sand mixing, wine mixing, even one unity ceremony where the bride and groom watered a potted tree to plant in their backyard. Want a first look, but want to make it more meaningful? Have your dad’s first look first… then let him escort you to the first look with your to-be husband… just like walking you down the aisle!

    We all know how good Taylor is at giving her own spin on classic looks (I’ve yet to master a red lip like she does).

  10. Give grace to the unexpected.

    Paper Rings

    “I like shiny things, but I’d marry you with paper rings”

    At EVERY wedding I’ve photographed, without fail the number one request I have gotten is this: DON’T LET THE GROOM / BEST MAN FORGET THE RINGS!! Cue the huge pressure…

    Has this ever happened in wedding history? I’m sure it has, but how often does it truly happen? Why is this such a huge concern? Maybe I’m just super laid back, but if something unexpected like this happened, I think it would just be the cutest, most redemptive thing if the groom then just ripped a piece off of a guest’s wedding program or pulled a long piece of grass and tied it into a ring and moved on with the ceremony. You’ll get the rings later, but how sweet would it be to show how you two are able to go with the flow and marry one another even if everything is not absolutely perfect?

    So if it rains, let it pour. If the flower girl is having a fit, laugh it off. Groom says “Rachel” instead of “Emily” in his vows … wait … no that would be bad … (If you don’t watch Friends then that just went over your head). All this to say — be as prepared as you can be in the wedding planning process; but remember nothing is truly in your control to begin with. Roll with the punches and don’t let anything steal your joy!

  11. Take a break!

    The “T-Swift Radio Silence” of 2016

    No song lyric for this one… I remember being absolutely DEVASTATED when Taylor did not keep to her pattern of releasing new music every 2 years in October/November. Her 1989 album released in 2014, and every album before that had a steady 2-year gap in between. So when fall hit in 2016, I was ready for new music. But she just about fell off the grid. The entire fandom was pretty confused.

    Until her album release the following year. Like most of us, country/pop star Taylor Swift had the nerve of needing to take a break. And she came back stronger and better than ever (in my opinion).

    If you’re planning a wedding, you might understand how many expectations are placed on you. Everyone you meet is asking if you set a date yet. Did you find your dress yet? What are your colors? Where are you getting married? It seems like people are in more of a rush than you are to have all of these details finalized, and it doesn’t even really matter to them.

    Take a breather. Yes, some vendors need a set amount of advance notice. But that doesn’t mean you have to stress your entire engagement season over due dates and timelines! Take it slow, start early, plan steadily. Don’t let other voices dictate how soon you need to finalize every little aspect of your wedding day.

  12. Slow down and spend time with your family.

    Never Grow Up

    “Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
    Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
    Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
    And all your little brother’s favorite songs
    I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone”


    Not to get overly emotional on you all, but at every wedding I have photographed, there are two parts that always get me all choked up… it’s the father of the bride’s first look at his daughter in her dress or their father-daughter dance. This is the moment it becomes very real to good ol’ dad… his daughter is growing up and will no longer be his to protect the way he has her entire life. He’s handing that responsibility off to her husband.

    The season of your life before you get married is so sweet and special for many reasons, but my favorite part of my not-yet married life is that I am able to soak up every minute of still being dad’s little girl and mom’s best friend. Not that it all changes after you get married, much of it will always be the same… but right now your family is your ONLY family. You have precious time to make memories with them and only them, before branching off into a family of your own. While that will bring joy of its own, don’t neglect this time. It’s fleeting fast for you engaged ladies.

  13. Soak up every moment.

    Long Live

    “I said remember this feeling
    I passed the pictures around
    Of all the years that we stood there on the sidelines
    Wishing for right now”


    They say your wedding day goes by so fast and feels like a blur. I’ve never been a bride so I can’t personally attest to this yet. But as a photographer, I want to be proactive about creating moments for my couples to soak up their wedding day and take inventory of every feeling, every memory being made, and everything they’re seeing and experiencing. Remember, it’s your wedding day. Take hold of this precious moment… you’re marrying your best friend!! Congratulations.


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Planning your wedding in Savannah, Georgia, provides you with so many options in a city full of Southern charm, historic elegance, and breathtaking low-country beauty. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic garden ceremony, a grand ballroom reception, or something in between, Savannah seems to have wedding venues for every taste. As a Georgia wedding photographer, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

Savannah wedding venues, list of the best venues from a SAV wedding photographer who shoots light and airy style wedding photos | side by side images of Spanish moss at a Savannah wedding venue

Why You Should Consider Savannah Wedding Venues

Savannah is a city unlike any other. With its oak-lined streets, historic homes, and timeless coastal views, it’s no surprise that couples flock here to tie the knot. Savannah wedding venues offer something for everyone—from intimate settings surrounded by nature to grand estates steeped in history. Plus, its mild climate makes it a perfect choice for weddings year-round.

Top Savannah Wedding Venues to Consider

Hotel Bardo (formerly, The Mansion on Forsyth Park)

For couples seeking a venue that provides a fun vintage aesthetic amidst classic Savannah landmarks, Hotel Bardo is one of Savannah’s crown jewels. This venue combines historic charm with mid-century modern sophistication, offering everything from intimate indoor spaces to a picturesque garden courtyard.

Wormsloe Historic Site

For those who want to embrace Savannah’s natural beauty, Wormsloe Historic Site provides one of the most iconic backdrops in the city. The long driveway lined with towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss is a bride’s dream. It’s a serene, ethereal setting perfect for a romantic outdoor ceremony.

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

If waterfront views are your vibe, The Westin Savannah Harbor offers a stunning riverside backdrop. With expansive lawns overlooking the Savannah River, this venue blends elegance and nature seamlessly. Plus, the convenience of on-site accommodations makes it ideal for your out-of-town guests.

The Savannah Yacht Club

Couples who envision a sophisticated coastal wedding will fall in love with The Savannah Yacht Club. This venue offers sweeping views of the water, nautical charm, and an air of exclusivity. It’s perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings or grand celebrations with a coastal flair.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum

For history buffs and lovers of unique spaces, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a standout option. This venue features a lush garden courtyard and historic exhibits that add personality and charm to your wedding. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces offers flexibility for your big day.

Bethesda Academy

Bethesda Academy boasts one of Savannah’s most stunning natural landscapes, featuring majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss and rolling green fields. Its historic chapel and beautiful outdoor spaces create a dreamy, intimate setting perfect for a romantic Low-Country-inspired wedding.

The Mackey House

Tucked away in a private estate surrounded by nature, The Mackey House is a venue straight out of a fairytale. With a grand Southern-style mansion, lush gardens, and a peaceful lake, it’s the perfect place for an outdoor wedding full of whimsy and charm.

The Ford Field & River Club

Located just outside Savannah in Richmond Hill, this venue exudes refined Southern elegance. The sprawling estate features scenic views of the Ogeechee River, romantic oak groves, and luxurious accommodations, making it a perfect choice for an intimate yet grand wedding experience.

The Harper Fowlkes House

The Harper Fowlkes House is a historic and elegant mansion nestled in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. With its Greek Revival architecture, sweeping staircase, and lush gardens, this venue exudes timeless sophistication and charm. The courtyard garden is ideal for an intimate outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour, while the mansion’s interior offers a beautifully preserved space for receptions with intricate details like antique furnishings and grand windows.

The Kehoe House

The Kehoe House is a stunning, historic mansion located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. Built in 1892, this stately home is an exquisite example of Renaissance Revival architecture. Known for its ornate ironwork, grand interiors, and warm Southern hospitality, the Kehoe House is ideal for couples seeking a venue with timeless elegance and charm.

Savannah wedding venues, list of the best venues from a SAV wedding photographer who shoots light and airy style wedding photos | side by side photos, left side image shows a long rectangle table set for a wedding reception amidst live oak trees draped with Spanish moss; right side photo shows a set of gold wedding rings next to a strand of Spanish moss

Tips for Choosing Between These Savannah Wedding Venues

  1. Consider Your Guest List Size
    Savannah wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes. From intimate gardens to sprawling estates, ensure the venue you choose comfortably accommodates your guest list.
  2. Think About Your Wedding Style
    Your venue should reflect your wedding vision. Are you dreaming of timeless elegance, coastal charm, or a whimsical outdoor affair? Savannah has venues that can bring any aesthetic to life, but the wrong venue can make your details and decor appear out of place. Make the most of that investment (and wedding photos) by choosing a venue that harmonizes with your style!
  3. Factor in Logistics
    From transportation to accommodations, Savannah is known for its hospitality, but it’s wise to consider the proximity of your venue to hotels and local attractions for your guests’ convenience. Consider traffic, city events on or around your wedding day that may cause disruption, and other logistics your guests may face. A wedding planner will help you navigate all the unexpected challenges with ease!
  4. Book Early
    Savannah is a popular wedding destination, especially in spring and fall. To secure your dream venue, book your Savannah wedding venue as early as possible! Then secure primary vendors on your list such as photographer, videographer, planner (if you don’t yet have one) and more.
Savannah wedding venues, list of the best venues from a SAV wedding photographer who shoots light and airy style wedding photos | photo shows a wedding couple kissing under the Spanish moss, wearing a light grey linen suit (groom) and an off-the-shoulder satin wedding gown (bride)

Making the Most of Savannah Wedding Venues

Choosing one of Savannah’s stunning wedding venues is just the beginning. Personalize your celebration with touches that reflect your interests and love story. Whether it’s incorporating local cuisine like shrimp and grits, offering your guests trolley rides through the historic district, or having your photos taken under the iconic Spanish moss, Savannah is full of ways to make your wedding day an unforgettable experience for all.

Planning a wedding is no small task, but having a photographer who knows and loves the charm of Savannah can make all the difference.

I specialize in creating artful images out of your favorite memories. Booking me ensures you’ll have a wedding gallery that represents the essence of your love and legacy in every image. Learn more about my services and approach here.

If you’re considering a wedding in Savannah, I’d love to capture every moment for you. Let’s connect and discuss how I can create timeless art from your most cherished memories.

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