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2026THE EDITORIAL ISSUE VOLUME IWWW.AMARIMARIE.COM AMARI MARIE
The INDEX A M A R I M A R I E | 0 2 WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS DEFINE YOUR VISION BRIDE, GROOM, WED PARTY FASHION 07 03 05 Guest Attire14 The Power of Chairs18 Upgrading Linens19 Wedding Morning22
WELCOME If there's one thing I've learned after photographing weddings over the years, it's that the most beautiful celebrations aren't always the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones where every decision feels intentional. From the fashion and florals to the lighting, music, and atmosphere, it's often the smallest details that quietly shape how a wedding feels. Before weddings, my background was in fashion and editorial photography, and it completely changed the way I approach this work. I don't just see a timeline or a venue. I'm constantly noticing the fabrics, the way candlelight changes a room, how guest attire contributes to the atmosphere, or how a simple change in chairs can completely transform a space. Those details have become just as important to me as the photographs themselves. Over the years, I've found myself having the same conversations with couples again and again. Not about camera settings or shot lists, but about creating a celebration that feels thoughtful, personal, and true to them. This guide is a collection of everything I've learned along the way. Some ideas are simple, some take a little planning, but none of them are here because they're trendy. They're here because they genuinely make a difference. Think of these pages as everything I'd share if we were sitting down over coffee talking through your wedding together. Take what inspires you, leave what doesn't, and remember that the goal isn't to create someone else's Pinterest board. It's to create a celebration that feels unmistakably yours.SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE. A M A R I M A R I E | 0 3xo,Amari
A M A R I M A R I E | 0 4 ‘THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHS ARE CREATED LONG BEFORE WE EVER PICK UP THE CAMERA.
A M A R I M A R I E | 0 5 Start with the feeling. Before choosing flowers or colors, decide how you want your wedding to feel. Every design decision becomes easier once you have a clear vision. Build one story. Avoid designing your wedding one Pinterest photo at a time. Beautiful details only feel elevated when they work together. Choose three words. Pick three words that describe your wedding and let them guide every decision, from fashion to florals. Look beyond weddings. Some of the best inspiration comes from hotels, restaurants, fashion, architecture, and travel. Great design is everywhere. Pinterest is the starting point. I love a good mood board, but the goal isn't to recreate someone else's wedding. Use it to discover what you're drawn to. Trust your team. Share your vision, then let your creative team build on it. The best ideas often come through collaboration. DEFINE YOUR VISION Before choosing flowers, colors, or décor, define how you want your wedding to feel. Good work takes time. If you rush the process, you’ll get rushed results—and nobody wants that. Let me do my thing, and I promise it’ll be worth the wait.
BUILDING your VISION Y O U R B R A N D | 2 4 01 02 03 / SAVE WHAT MAKES YOU PAUSE / LOOK FOR THE “WHY” / LET YOUR VENUE LEAD Don't overthink your inspiration. If an image makes you stop scrolling, save it. After a while you'll start noticing patterns in what you're naturally drawn to, whether that's warm candlelight, tailored fashion, old stone architecture, or soft neutral palettes. That's where your style begins. Once you've built a collection of inspiration, stop looking at what is in the photo and start asking why you love it. Is it the lighting? The atmosphere? The styling? The emotion? Understanding what you're actually responding to makes it much easier to recreate the feeling without copying someone else's wedding. Your venue is already telling part of the story. Instead of designing against it, lean into it. A coastal estate, an Italian winery, or a modern art museum all call for something different. The most beautiful weddings feel like they belong exactly where they are. A M A R I M A R I E | 0 6
A M A R I M A R I E | 0 7 Fashion SETS THE TONE Before your guests notice the flowers, the tables, or even the venue, they notice the people. Fashion is one of the biggest contributors to the overall atmosphere of your wedding, and thoughtful choices here elevate every photograph that follows. WHY IT MATTERS
After years of designing wedding dresses, here’s what I wish every bride knew before she started shopping. Issue 27 | 234 A M A R I M A R I E | 0 8 The bridal FASHION DON'T LET BRIDAL BOUTIQUES RUSH YOU Bridal boutiques often recommend ordering six to nine months before your wedding. While that's absolutely necessary for couture gowns or dresses with extensive hand beading, it's far more flexible than many people realize. Before photography I spent years designing and manufacturing wedding dresses, and production timelines are often used as a sales tool to create urgency. Don't settle for a dress because you feel like you're running out of time. If you've found the one, amazing. If you haven't, keep looking. ORDER THE SIZE YOU ARE TODAY I've seen too many beautiful gowns lose their shape because they were altered far beyond what they were designed for. I see is brides ordering a dress a size or two larger "just in case." It sounds like the safe option, but it often creates bigger problems during alterations. Bust cups, waist placement, and proportions are designed for a specific size. While dresses can usually be taken in, they're not designed to be completely reshaped. Order as close to your measurements as possible and try to maintain your weight leading up to the wedding.
Issue 27 | 234 A M A R I M A R I E | 0 9 DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE CITY If the designers you love aren't carried nearby, don't settle simply because it's convenient. Everyone dreams of finding "the dress" during one magical appointment, but that's not how it happens for everyone. Some of the most beautiful gowns I've ever seen were ordered online from designers the bride couldn't try on in person. Research carefully, order fabric swatches if available, and don't be afraid to expand your search. ETSY ISN'T JUST FOR BUDGET WEDDINGS This one surprises almost everyone. Etsy has become home to some incredibly talented independent bridal designers creating made-to-measure gowns. The benefit isn't necessarily the price. It's the ability to customize a dress specifically to your body. Like anywhere online, quality varies dramatically, so do your homework. Read reviews, study real customer photos, and communicate directly with the designer before ordering. And a few more tips... Don’t buy your shoes first. Bring the right undergarments to try with the dress before buying it. Try the dress on after eating lunch. Walk down the hallway (and sit!) Have someone film you walking around. Stand near a window to see it in natural lighting. Don’t buy a white wedding dress, buy ivory. Otherwise it’ll photograph blue! If you’re constantly pulling it up, don’t buy it. Consider the vibe of your venue. Think of the bustle, it often changes the shape of the dress. Don’t overlook alterations. Go wedding dress shopping on your own at least once. Don’t chase trends. Buy your veil on etsy if you’re after a plain one. Leave room in the budget for tailoring. It’s often $1000 or more. Make sure you feel your absolute best!
Y O U R B R A N D | 2 4 THE GROOM A M A R I M A R I E | 1 0 DON’T FORGET One of the biggest missed opportunities I see is couples spending months perfecting the bride's look while the groom rents the first black suit he tries on. The two of you should feel like you're attending the same wedding. Your fashion should complement one another and tell the same story. If the bride is wearing an editorial silk gown with dramatic styling, a standard rental suit rarely feels like it belongs beside her. Don't be afraid to push beyond what's expected. Whether that's a tuxedo, a dinner jacket, a unique fabric, vintage accessories, or something completely non-traditional, your wedding is the perfect excuse to wear something you may never have another opportunity to wear. IVORY OVER WHITE Bright white shirts often photograph cool or slightly blue, especially in natural daylight. An ivory or soft off-white shirt photographs much more naturally against skin tones and blends beautifully with wedding dresses. Before the wedding, take your shirt outside and test it with the undershirt you plan to wear. Some fabrics become surprisingly transparent in direct sunlight, and it's much easier to solve that weeks beforehand than on the wedding day. (Bring a back-up shirt if you’re getting married in a location where you might sweat) The groom shouldn’t feel like an afterthought.
SET the VIBEBlack lapel detailing Open silk button down for tropical locations Classic black and white tux T H E R E ’ S M O R E T H A N O N E W A Y T O W E A R B L A C K T I E Bold colors with lux fabrics
TOUCHES THE FINISHING 01 / DON'T OVERLOOK EBAY One of my favorite places to browse for groom fashion is eBay. Not because it's inexpensive, but because it's full of incredible vintage tuxedos, dinner jackets, bow ties, and formal accessories that simply aren't made anymore. Search terms like vintage dinner jacket, shawl collar tuxedo, ivory tuxedo jacket, or specific brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Canali, Brioni, and Armani. Start shopping early so you have time to exchange sizes if needed. Some of the best groom looks I've photographed cost less than a standard rental. 02 / THE DETAILS MAKE THE LOOK Accessories are where personality really starts to show. Vintage brooches make beautiful alternatives to traditional boutonnières, heirloom watches add meaning, and classic cufflinks instantly elevate a look. I especially love bow ties. They have a timeless, nostalgic feel that photographs beautifully and bring so much character compared to a standard necktie. The goal isn't to wear everything. It's to choose a few thoughtful pieces that feel intentional. Y O U R B R A N D | 2 4A M A R I M A R I E | 1 2
Y O U R B R A N D | 1 3 Your wedding party becomes part of the overall design of your day. Whether you choose matching dresses or a thoughtfully curated mix, the goal is cohesion, not perfection. Some of my favorite weddings have had every bridesmaid in the exact same dress, while others have mixed silhouettes beautifully. Neither is better. The magic is in making it feel intentional. If I could encourage couples to invest in one thing, it would be the fabric before anything else. Beautiful satin, silk, crepe, or high-quality matte fabrics instantly elevate the look of a bridal party. The color matters far less than people think. Even the perfect shade can feel underwhelming if the fabric lacks movement or texture. Matching dresses create a timeless, classic look, while mismatched dresses can feel effortless and fashion-forward. If you decide to mix styles, keep something consistent. Whether that's the color, fabric, length, or overall mood, giving the eye one common thread makes everything feel cohesive. the WED PARTY Fabrics I Love ✓ Satin ✓ Silk ✓ Heavy Crepe ✓ Matte Satin ✓ Charmeuse ✓ Linen (for the right wedding)
Y O U R B R A N D | 1 4ATTIREGUEST Your guests become part of the atmosphere just as much as the flowers, music, and décor. A thoughtful dress code helps create a celebration that feels cohesive from the moment guests arrive to the last dance. The goal isn't to tell people what to wear, but to invite them into the world you're creating.
PROVIDE INSPOYOUR GEUSTS BECOME PART OF THE DESIGN One of the biggest contributors to the overall feel of a wedding isn't the florals or the tablescape. It's the people. Your guests will appear throughout your gallery, from the ceremony to the dance floor, and what they wear plays a surprisingly large role in the atmosphere of your celebration. Think about your wedding as one complete scene. Beautiful guest attire creates an incredible backdrop for every moment, whether it's cocktail hour, your ceremony, or a packed dance floor. The goal isn't for everyone to match. It's for everyone to feel like they belong in the same story. Y O U R B R A N D | 1 5 SHOW, DON’T JUST TELL Instead of simply writing "Black Tie" on your invitation or wedding website, include a small mood board or a few example photos. Everyone interprets dress codes differently, and visual inspiration removes the guesswork while helping guests understand the atmosphere you're creating. I pulled the ones below straight from Pinterest.
Y O U R B R A N D | 1 6 Italian Summer Garden Party Black tie Modern Editorial Color Story European Summer GUEST DRESS CODE INSPIRATIONThe right dress code doesn't just tell guests what to wear. It helps create the atmosphere you want them to be part of. Think linen, citrus tones, vintage jewelry, relaxed tailoring, silk scarves, and Amalfi Coast dinner party energy. Soft florals, pastel tones, airy fabrics, romantic silhouettes, woven textures, and comfortable elegance. Timeless, elegant, and effortlessly sophisticated. Floor-length gowns, tuxedos, polished shoes, and refined accessories. Monochromatic looks, sculptural silhouettes, minimal accessories, fashion-forward tailoring, clean lines. Choose a palette instead of a dress code. For example, shades of olive, champagne, espresso, and black. Neutral linens, effortless tailoring, straw accessories, silk dresses, loafers, and understated luxury.
ATMOSPHERE IS DESIGNED. A M A R I M A R I E | 1 7 Every thoughtful decision becomes part of the feeling your guests remember.
THE POWER OF CHAIRS If I had to choose between upgrading florals or upgrading chairs, I'd probably choose chairs almost every time. The best chair isn't the most expensive one. It's the one that feels like it belongs in the space. The goal isn't to notice the chair. It's to notice how complete the room feels because of it. The next time you're saving inspiration photos, pay attention to the chairs. You might be surprised how often they're doing the heavy lifting. Likewise, if there's a photo you can't quite put your finger on why you don't love it, look at what's underneath the guests. More often than not, it's the chairs. Y O U R B R A N D | 1 8
Issue 27 | 234 Y O U R B R A N D | 1 901020304 Floor-length linens Wrinkles Texture Napkins Nothing elevates a reception faster. Most guests will never consciously notice them, but everyone feels the difference. And you will notice them in photos! Linen, washed cotton, velvet, and layered textiles create depth that flat fabrics can't. One of the easiest ways to introduce color and texture without overwhelming the table. LINENSJust like chairs, linens quietly appear in hundreds of photographs. They aren't meant to steal the show. They're meant to make everything sitting on top of them feel intentional.
One of the biggest misconceptions in wedding design is that luxury comes from adding more. More flowers. More candles. More signage. More décor. Luxury isn't about filling every space. It's about knowing when to leave one empty. Issue 27 | 234 A M A R I M A R I E | 2 0 Less but BETTER GIVE YOUR DETAILS ROOM TO BREATHE Whether it's a dessert display, escort card table, welcome drinks, or your guest book, resist the urge to fill every inch of space. A few thoughtfully placed elements almost always feel more intentional than dozens packed tightly together. THINK IN LAYERS, NOT QUANTITY Height, texture, and spacing create far more visual interest than simply adding more pieces. A smaller arrangement displayed beautifully will often have a bigger impact than a table overflowing with décor. MAKE A STATEMENT One of the easiest ways to elevate a wedding isn't by adding more décor. It's by giving yourself permission to create one truly memorable moment. Whether that's a dramatic floral installation, an incredible ceremony backdrop, a beautifully designed escort display, or a candlelit reception, one intentional statement piece will almost always have a bigger impact than spreading your budget evenly across every corner of the day.
THINK BEYOND FLORALS A statement piece doesn't have to be flowers. It could be: A dramatic candlelit aisle Custom draping An incredible escort card display Architectural lighting A beautifully designed bar An unforgettable ceremony backdrop One spectacular floral installation The goal isn't to impress your guests with quantity. It's to create one moment they'll never forget. And lighting plays makes the biggest impact on atmosphere! Y O U R B R A N D | 2 1
Y O U R B R A N D | 2 2 the WEDDING MORNING Finish hair & makeup 30–45 minutes early. I'd rather spend thirty minutes creating beautiful photographs than thirty seconds photographing lipstick being applied. Treat your suite like a photo set. Keep one area clean, tuck luggage away, and clear countertops before everyone arrives. Play music. It completely changes the energy of the room and helps everyone settle into the day. Choose one beautiful area of the room for getting ready. Keeping everyone in one clean, well-lit space makes the entire morning feel calmer. Invite everyone into the suite. Too many people create unnecessary noise, clutter, and distractions. Keep the morning intimate. Assume your planner or photographer knows what's sentimental. If something matters to you, point it out. I'd rather style one meaningful heirloom than another pair of shoes. Spend the morning on your phone. Vendor questions, Instagram, and texts can wait. Be present with the people in the room. Select getting ready robes made of slippery satin that don’t properly fit/close on your wedding party. I absolutely love higher quality lingerie or PJ sets, and they allow for more comfortable and fun photos because everyone is comfortable. DO MORE OF THIS DO LESS OF THIS The way your wedding day begins often shapes the way the rest of it feels. Eat a real breakfast. It's a long day, and adrenaline isn't a meal.
FROM ARI If you've made it this far, you've probably realized I have a few opinions. Some of them might even be considered hot takes. Every one of them comes from years spent designing wedding dresses, photographing weddings, and seeing firsthand what truly elevates a celebration. If there's one thing I hope you take away from this guide, it's that there are no rules. Your wedding should feel like you. The most memorable celebrations are never the ones that followed every trend. They're the ones that felt authentic to the couple. One final piece of advice: hire vendors because you already love their work, not because of the potential you see in them. A portfolio should reflect the work you expect to receive. Choose people whose style already aligns with your vision, then trust them to do what they do best. Most of all, have fun with it. The details matter because they shape the experience, but at the end of the day, the best weddings aren't remembered for one perfect centerpiece or floral installation. They're remembered for how they made people feel.LAST THOGUHTS A M A R I M A R I E | 2 3xo,Amari
CIAOTHANKS FOR READINGT H E E L W E D D I N G P R O D U C T I O N S @ G M A I L . C O M A M A R I M A R I E . C O M I'm only an email away. If you're stuck between two ideas or simply want another set of eyes on a design decision, I'd genuinely love to help.