#weddingplanning

When Lisa from Nightingale Events invited me to model in her stylized photo shoot, I leapt at the chance. I knew she'd have something special and unique up her sleeve. She decided to go back to the classic white wedding and add in a modern twist, with varying textures, soft greens, and just a hint of earthy textures to provide some contrast.

On a rainy February day, we gathered at the Keeler Tavern Museum to bring Lisa's vision to life. The moment I stepped in the building, I knew it would be a shoot I would never forget. For one thing, I got to wear incredible diamond and pearl jewelry *and* I wore a bridal gown! (I live in concert black, so when Lisa asked me to to step in to a white lace bridal gown, I did a double take!) Plus size models are so rarely represented in the wedding industry, so I'm honored that I was able to take part.

The hair and makeup team from Upstyle Co. made me feel so welcome and we became fast friends. Our photographer, Joanna Fisher, made me feel like a supermodel! That's one experience you definitely want on your wedding day: To feel like your vendor team are your new friends who have your back.

Check out the incredible images by Joanna Fisher Photography and from this wonderful vendor team below.

Vendor Team:

Event planning: Lisa of Nightingale Events

Photographer: Joanna Fisher

Jewelry: Becker's Diamonds

Bridal Boutique: The Persnickety Brie

Cake: Lovely Cakes CT

Flowers: Flowers by Justine

Venue: Keeler Tavern Museum

Bar: Lifted Spirits

Musician/Model: Ariana Strings

Rentals: Ryan Designs RI

Stationary: Cat Wilcox

Hair & Makeup: Mia and Brittany of Upstyle

Tabletop: Borrowed Blu

Dress designer: Justin Alexander

Rentals: CT Rental Center

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Let's be real: Wedding planning is stressful enough already, never mind amidst a global pandemic.

Photo credit: Stop Go Love at The Wadsworth Mansion at Longhill Estate, Middletown, Connecticut

So how on Earth can we celebrate love despite it all?

With careful planning and support from a fantastic team of vendors, you can safely marry and celebrate your union just like my 2020 couples.

First, find your local state representatives and get in touch:

Subscribe to their emails
Like them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter
Follow them on Instagram

Not every state representative uses the same platform, but when you follow a few (I follow 3), it helps me truly understand the picture of what is happening in my state. Many representatives send out pandemic updates and summaries of changing state rules and guidelines. This is an invaluable resource! It means you can safely plan, knowing that you have the most up-to-date information.

Second, reach out to your vendor team:

Make sure that they have all the big details about your event. The key factors are guest count and whether you plan to be indoors or outdoors. If you planned a church ceremony and an outdoor reception, make sure that all your vendors (ceremony and reception ones) know your plans. The more that we know, the better we can help you.

I've been watching the news like a hawk and I know most vendors are the same. We know we are your most valuable resource in planning your event and can easily step up to help you. If government rules change suddenly and your wedding is affected, we want to be the first to reach out and help you make sense of it all.

We also know the rules like the back of our hands and are there to help you have a safe event. For example, from a performer's standpoint, we're going to make sure that your layout includes safe social distancing from the audience.

During a normal year, we perform at about 70 events. For our 2020 wedding season, we played for only 20 events, but we had at triple the number of phone calls as we normally would! On the bright side, it meant I got to know my couples even better, so when they walked down the aisle I was that much more emotional!

Third, be flexible:

Did your state suddenly shut down large events 2 weeks before your 150-person wedding? You can still get married on your original date. We can perform for your small ceremony this year and then for your vow renewal and reception next year. Many of our couples chose that and were happy they did! (Look below, that's what Allison & Chris, Marina & Rob, and Liz & Dan did.)

Our 2020 couples had to change their dates, ideas, and plans many times. While it was stressful, they all got to have brilliant and safe events, celebrating their love amongst their closest friends and family. Here's a glimpse of our 2020 wedding season: