Thanks — A Lot

BRIDAL SHOWER THANK-YOU NOTES BY Polka Dots and Daisies (www.polkadotsanddaisies.com)

WEDDING THANK-YOU NOTES BY Ann Elizabeth Invitations (www.annelizabeth.com)

SAGE ADVICE Thank-you notes!

There's one trend that will never go out of style — the art of the thank-you card. Kindly and promptly send thank-you notes to your guests (of both the bridal shower and wedding reception variety). It's a classy move, it is. 

And while you're at it, send thank-you notes (or even flowers!) to both sets of parents the day after the wedding. They've worked so hard to make your wedding dream a reality, and they deserve to be showered with a little praise.

Men In Black

PHOTO BY Sweet Memory Garden (www.sweetmemorygarden.com)

WHAT TO LOVE It's raining (grooms)men!

WHAT TO LEARN Too often, the groom and his manly men don't get the photo love they deserve. Give your men some of the lights, camera, action. 

Get Crowded

DEARLY BELOVED DETAIL The crowd!

Capturing those group shots may not happen in a snap — but they're worth every extra minute they take. Trust us — you won't be able to get enough of these charming faces as you flip through your album in years to come.

BRIDE & GROOM Ashleigh and David

PHOTO BY Dan Hixson Photography (www.danhixsonphotography.com)

BRIDE & GROOM Jenni and Ronnie

PHOTO BY Lindsay Jane Photography (www.lindsayjanestudios.com)

Cowboy Take Me Away

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Lindsay Jane Studios (www.lindsayjanestudios.com)

BRIDE AND GROOM Holly Culverwell and Michael Murphy HOMETOWN Herriman BRIDE’S OCCUPATION Medical Claims Adjuster at Farmers Insurance GROOM’S OCCUPATION Service Manager at Petersen Marine WEDDING LOCATION Wadley Farm in Lindon HOW YOU MET We rode the school bus together since elementary school. To tell you how much we liked each other … he threw a battery at me on the bus in fifth grade. FIRST DATE He turned me down when I asked him to senior dinner dance in high school, so we didn’t go on a date until the summer of 2004. He took me to a rodeo. DATED FOR Five years ENGAGED FOR Four months THEME Rustic/Western FIRST DANCE We practiced before the wedding, so it went pretty well. It was, however, my first dance with my dad. He chose the song “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw — good choice, Dad. FAVORITE MOMENT Right after the ceremony I had my DJ crank up the song “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. I was relieved and excited at the same time. UNEXPECTED MOMENT About three minutes before the ceremony, the zipper on my dress broke. It’s pretty funny ... now. SIGNATURE DETAIL I decorated with pinecones. HONEYMOON Road Trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Park

Cruise Control

PHOTO BY Bryant Livingston Photography (www.blphoto.com)

SAGE ADVICE Whatever you do, hide your car from your plotting compadres (and from the looks of things, maybe even hide yourself!).

As fun as it is to have your getaway car, ahem, decorated, save yourself a honeymoon trip to the car wash by keeping it undercover. 

You might even try planting a decoy car — now there's a fun twist of events.

All Dressed Up

BRIDE Colleen

PHOTO BY Jon Woodbury Photography (www.jonwoodbury.com)

DRESS BY The Balcon (www.thebalcon.com)

One of our featured brides, Colleen, relied on glorious glamor for her Provo wedding. Her groom donned a camera-loving top hat and coattails, and she had her dress made by designer Emily Nelson, who specializes in modest couture and is the owner of The Balcon in New York City.

For more on Colleen's wedding and courtship, click here and head to page 46-47.

Close Call

BRIDE & GROOM Jenna and Jake
PHOTO BY Kenneth Linge (www.kennethlinge.com)

WHAT TO LOVE The pure joy on their faces gets us all verklempt (we really are just a bunch of softies). And the black and white feels classic — not overdone.

WHAT TO LEARN You can't get enough close-ups! The stunning emotion just can't be beat when you invite the camera into your closest, most beautiful moments.