Men's Boutonnieres Tip | Bridal Advice | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Roses are not a man’s Best Friend

Roses are a classic look in the wedding world and I know a lot of couple’s gravitate towards them for the groom and groomsmen to wear on the wedding day.
I am here to tell you although they are a timeless choice, they are not the best. Here are a couple of things that make Roses hard to work with:

Roses are SO top heavy. You need at minimum two flower pins to secure them in place. I have had many weddings where I would have to go and turn the flower back straight. Lots of times you just end up with a flower that looks like it had a few too many before the ceremony and can’t stand on it’s own stem.

This flower is THICK. If the stem breaks there is no turning back. You will need to order backups from your florist just in case. I was pinning a rose on a groomsman at a wedding and it is a thick stem to poke through and the whole top of the flower broke off. There was nothing I could do so we had an usher go without a flower because they didn’t order a backup. Another common issue with this boutonniere type is it bends the pins if not done exactly right. After your florists to leave extra pins behind as backup.

Here is an alternative suggestion if you RRREEAALLLY love that rose look. I would suggest doing a mini rose flower. They have the same look but are much smaller and lighter. I believe they can be the the solution to making your man’s wedding day a little better improved! So he will only be thinking back on the good things and not battling his flower all day.

How to Prepare For My Minnesota Winter Engagement | Minnesota Engagement Photographer

Tips to Keep Warm for Your Minnesota Winter Engagement Photography Session!

Minnesota in winter is Magical. I am not the first person to think so! I LOVE snow and the whole season is one of my all-time favorites. If you are from the Midwest/ Minnesota, you KNOW it can be SO COLD.

I have some tips for you to make your Minnesota Winter Engagement Session more enjoyable overall!

1) Bring Hand and Feet Warmers - This is the biggest blessing I try to remember ever winter engagement session or wedding. They are so cheap there is no reason not to have an extra one or two packed in your purse for your photos.

2) Dress in Layers - I feel like the biggest advantage Minnesotans have against the harsher winters is knowing how to dress so you are comfortable. This should not be left behind when you are planning your engagement session in the winter months. Many couples have two outfits for their engagement photos. Use a cute winter aesthetic to add in a nice winter hat and gloves to make the time together more enjoyable.

3) Bring on that Coffee - Any hot drinks will feel like a godsend when you are bracing for those cold days. Don’t be afraid to bring a thermos of your favorite hot beverage to warm your soul between photos.

4) Plan a small warming break if possible - Depending on if you are at a local park or in the city, try taking a small break in a local coffee shop or jump in your car to warm your fingers up. There is nothing wrong with taking a small warmup break so you can feel your face again.

5) Bring a cozy blanket to cuddle up in - I love this there is something to cute about cuddling up with your fiance for your photos! This could be just an extra prop to be able to add to the variety of your photos while still keeping you warm!

Bonus!: Really lean into your engagement session being in winter by choose a really fun winter activity like Ice Skating, Skiing, Snow Shoeing, or enjoying a small bonfire together! They photos will be SOOO worth it!

Books To Make Your Marriage Better | Marriage Resources that Have Been a Blessing to My Marriage | Personal

Marriage Books Recommendations That Have Been A Blessing In My Marriage!

This is for my past, present and future brides. I believe your marriage is important. As you are excitedly planning for your dream wedding day you will be constantly told how important your wedding day is. Although your wedding day is important, it is less important than the marriage between you and your partner that will begin on that day. Marriage can be one of the most amazing things in your life. If you focus on prioritizing your marriage and building up your partner, your life will be a happy one. But a good marriage does not happen on its own.

A couple of years ago, I started really desiring improving my own marriage and didn’t know where to start. You know when you see something and you REALLY want it? This is how happy marriages looked to me. I felt on the outside looking in and I just couldn’t find the front door. Like any relationship, there were times when I was left reeling, not knowing what I did wrong or how to fix it. The frustration was a real thing and led to a lot of prayers asking God what I should do.

So I started with books. I rented marriage book after book to really see what could help my marriage blossom into something even more beautiful. Through these books, I have been able to better understand how to love my husband well, resolve and talk through conflict in a constructive, loving way, and be more open about my needs because goodness knows my husband is not a mind reader! (And he was never meant to be!)

Can I be honest, friend? We are two imperfect people and there are days when we still fight or disagree. But listening to these books, it helps soften my heart towards my husband. I know for me it was a humbling experience to put down my pride and pickup loving him well instead. It is my earnest prayer that whatever stage you are in your relationship with your spouse (soon to be, or have been for a long time) that these books will bring as much blessings in your marriage as they have in mine.


Books I recommend to bless your marriage:

Cherish by Gary L. Thomas

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The Passion Principles: Celebrating Sexual Freedom in Marriage by Shannon Ethridge

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From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Gary Smalley, Ted Cunningham

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Choosing Marriage: Why It Has to Start with We>Me by Debra K. Fileta

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10 Thins a Husband Needs from His Wife by Erin Smalley

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Sacred Marriage by Gary L. Thomas

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The Naked Marriage by Dave & Ashley Willis

I would ALSO GREATLY recommend their podcast! also named The Naked Marriage

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I recommend renting these books/ audiobooks for free from your local library using a library app! This is an awesome way to get these amazing resources without killing your bank account.

Two library apps that I use: Hoopla and Overdrive

I am always trying to build on this list. If you have any marriage books that changed your marriage for the better please comment your recommendation below in the comment section. This will help other brides know other books to help their marriage! Share the love! I am also cataloging my reading material on goodreads. If you would like to follow along my book journey my account is under Molly Sanchez

My real hope is that this brings blessing abundantly to your marriage so you can love each other well and strengthen your bond for the rest of your lives here on earth.

Warmly,
Molly