Today is Friday! YAY! Its #knpvowrenewal day! Every Friday here on the blog up until July 25th, 2014, I will be sharing inside looks into my planning, ideas, DIY projects and more. This by no means is a full on “redo/repeat wedding.” Its a family reunion, meets family/close friends event with amazing food, wine, music and friends. Its also a chance for my husband and I to reconnect, write our own vows and have our two little boys be present to watch a portion of their mommy and daddies love story. I shared more about the day here.

But today is update day, and if you follow my Instagram here, you will be able to see some behind the scenes that are NOT featured on the blog. I attended a bridal fair as A BRIDE for the first time with a whole group of #KNPBRIDES this past weekend! It was the coolest thing ever. My brides are my friends and even while there to wrap up vendors for themselves, or some just there for support since I already shot their days, they are all friends with each other and have welcomed me so warmly as so much more than just their photographer. I am loving how supportive and sweet my brides….clients….and fans are. You all sure know how to make a girl feel loved!

So, before going into the whole planning process I planned on treating this vow renewal with a”debt free” mentality: Anything that I can not pay for in full up front, I do not buy. So, first up….my photographer is 100% paid off. She was the one person I never had the first go around because I put unnecessary things before my own memories. But not this time! I hired the best photographer and her adorable husband before ANYTHING else. Now, I just need to convince her to bring Bokeh so he can walk with my boys down the aisle and up the CUTE factor. KJ, he would totally have to rock a pink bow tie to match my boys though : P

The other day…..I was thinking about the other vendors I wanted on board. I was fiddling with the idea of flowers….I plan on carrying a broach bouquet (I am obsessed over them!!!) ….so were they necessary!?!?! Before planning started,  I had a budget that was directed towards the following top 5 vendors:

1) Photographer (if my budget only allowed for Katelyn and Michael to come and shoot me in front of White Castle…then so be it….they were my number one ticket item : P)

2) Venue/Food

3) DJ

4) Details/Dress

5) Florals

Here is what I discovered about planning this go around….THERE IS ALWAYS a budget for what you can’t go without. Meaning…if you want something bad enough, we as humans, do everything we can to make that happen….even if sacrifices have to be made. You begin to realize what is the most important part of the whole experience…not just for guests…but for you as a couple as well.

Choosing Petals as my florist was one of those, I will sacrifice here and there and maybe NOT get the $200.00 card box AND 75.00 cake server, so that I can have some fresh florals scattered throughout the winery, because it was important to me. THEY were important to me. The team that work at Petals are my friends! They have done weddings and events with me and my company before, and their kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail is what made them a part of my TOP 5. I know without a doubt the florals will be gorgeous, add life and beauty to the event and will be captured perfectly by my photographers. I know they will stylize everything with precision and perfection….and truthfully…thats what you want when you hire a vendor…complete trust! So, Petals is my florist/stylists for the day and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them on board!

Just look at how gorgeous their store is!!! Gorg!

My Venue was the second thing I booked after booking Katelyn. The first time I ever walked into Willow Creek Winery in West Cape May when it had its grand opening…I said to my husband…WHERE was this when we got married!?!?! OMG…its the most beautiful spot! He concurred. When we talked about 30th birthdays…any events….we always said, lets just rent out Willow Creek. Its laid back for him, classy glam for me. Its a glammed up blank canvas, far off the main road and its the best spot for us to leave our mark on. With dripping willow trees, an on site gorgeous chicken coop, lush vines and some of the most gorgeous buildings and MASSIVE chandeliers you will ever see….we KNEW we had to get this spot for the renewal. So we did : )

Here is a sneak peak into our venue:

It feels so great to get so much crossed off the list before my wedding season starts tomorrow….and I cant wait for it to get a bit warmer so I can show you what is going on in terms of DIY behind the scenes : P Thank you all for sharing in this journey with me….its still 4 months away and I already cant wait for the pictures….spoken like a true photographer! ahahah

xoxo, Kaitlin Noel

Photographer: Katelyn James Photography

Florist: Petals Floral Design and Gifts

Venue: Willow Creek Winery

Photo Credits: Robert Mayer Photo