When most brides talk about “braving” the weather on their big day, they usually are referring to wind, rain, and possibly a bit of snow. But, when you’re in Hawaii, it’s a totally different ballgame. Case in point: One incredibly brave Hawaiian couple, Lauren and Alex Michaels, and wedding photographer Jenna Lee braved insanely hot temperatures and actually stood next to a volcano spewing molten hot lava for their bridal portraits.

A month after her June wedding, Hawaiian wedding planner Lauren Michaels and her husband, Alex Michaels, told Jenna of Jenna Lee Pictures that they wanted to do something “different” to capture a few more shots of themselves as bride and groom. So after their nuptials at a private residence in Kauai, they planned a bridal portrait session (think: trash the dress on the ultimate level) with wedding photographer Jenna Lee on Kalapana on the Big Island. But an adventure photographer at heart, Lee had bigger plans for the Hawaiian natives: a bridal portrait session on top of an actively flowing volcano, complete with hot lava flowing in the shot, which she shared exclusively with BRIDES. “I am obsessed with adventure wedding photography — taking couples on incredible adventures and capturing wedding photos of a lifetime. I’m pretty much down for anything,” Lee explained.

Excited about the idea, Lauren and Alex agreed to shoot with Lee on July 23, but unfortunately they had to reschedule the shoot due to a major tropical storm (which closed the side of the island with the active volcano). Instead, the couple ended up hiking 5.5 miles into a secluded black sand beach with wild horses which was an amazing shoot in itself.

Still, Lee wanted to make the lava wedding portraits happen while the lava was flowing and active which is a very unpredictable and sporadic occurrence.

Finally, on August 11, the day came. The trio hiked out at 3:30 in the morning — several miles through a lava field (complete with headlamps to navigate the pitch-black darkness at that hour of the morning!). As if it were fate, there was also a meteor shower that night, adding to the intense skies and setting.

Once they reached the flowing lava, the couple posed for what now appears to be bridal portraits that have never been done before in the history of wedding photography — but not without a bit of danger mixed in. Says Lee, “As you walk across the ground you can see the magma glowing from cracks beneath your feet — with each crunch you feel like you could fall through the solid ground and get swallowed by the lava at a moments notice. But luckily we survived to talk about it!” And if most pictures speak a thousand words, these wedding portraits speak about a million.

See More: Unique Wedding Photo Ideas from Our Favorite Photographers

Says Lee, “It becomes unbearably hot if you’re downwind and too close,” (just a casual 1600 degrees Fahrenheit). We had to move away from the lava river after a few frames because the heat became too intense. But they were actually barefoot!” she shared in astonishment. “I really wanted them to connect with the earth, be grounded for the shoot, and when we felt the earth’s surface it was cool to the touch — absolutely bizarre as there’s molten lava just below the surface.” Turns out, however, that it was easier to gauge with their feet the stability of the ground and how close to the surface the lava was. A win-win in photography-world.

While many would say these photos are one-of-a-kind, Lee shares that they were more than just the ultimate photo op. “Lauren and Alex’s love blossomed in Hawaii so this was a very special way to capture that.” The couple actually began talking during their first meeting because they both knew sign language; Lauren is hard of hearing and wears a hearing aid, and Alex is the child of a deaf adult. “During the shoot, they could actually communicate with each other from across the beach by signing which was really beautiful,” she shared.

As far as her dress, the bride was totally down with getting a little lava soot “And being the adventurous beauty that she is, she [the bride] wasn’t worried [about her wedding dress] at all! We had already taken the dress on a 6-mile hike in a tropical storm to a secluded black sand beach and her AMAZING dress held up wrinkle-free!” They packed it in a backpack… and when she put it on for this shoot it still looked absolutely perfect!

The bride held a protea bouquet with ferns and tropical accents created by Grace Flowers Hawaii, and on her head she wore a flower crown of the same aesthetic. Says Lee, “Pele the Hawaiian goddess of fire, was honored with gifts at the end of our shoot, and she consumed all flowers the lava consuming her haku [flower head piece].”

While Pele definitely received some great gifts, it seems that the true gift was seeing this bride and groom’s love for one another amidst the most stunning and jaw-dropping background, ever. See below for the video footage shot by Makai Creative.

This may be the most adventurous bridal shoot I have been a part of. These newlyweds did the 3 mile hike in, walked barefoot on sharp lava rocks, withstood the intense heat and got THE most amazing bridal portraits. Congrats Lauren and Alex. @abcweddings Stay tuned to @jennaleepics for the photos. #makaicreative

A video posted by Makai Creative (@makaicreative) on Aug 16, 2016 at 11:11am PDT

Love + Lava ????????????????????

A photo posted by Jenna Lee (@jennaleepics) on Aug 20, 2016 at 9:59pm PDT

On a scale of "1 – adventure", where are you? Well, these newlyweds fall well into the adventure level. Frame grab from the video up on Facebook. Little strike mission with @jennaleepics and @abcweddings #makaicreative

A photo posted by Makai Creative (@makaicreative) on Aug 16, 2016 at 12:06am PDT

Lauren + Alex may have ended up with some of the most epic bridal photos of all time. These two and their adventurous spirit trusted me on an epic adventure miles through the lava fields to curate their amazing love story in a way most true to them. Hawaii raised, Hawaii met, Hawaii love-born, how fitting to honor Pele and their marriage as new Hawaiian earth is created before us. Simply beautiful. ???? See the awesome video by @makaicreative

A photo posted by Jenna Lee (@jennaleepics) on Aug 20, 2016 at 9:28pm PDT

Remember Ciara and Russell Wilson’s fairytale wedding earlier this summer? Yep, we’re still not over it. (Are you even surprised?) From the singer’s Roberto Cavalli lace wedding dress to the honest-to-goodness English castle wedding venue, the nuptials were the definition of a fairytale wedding. But, as it turns out, the big day almost never came to be. What?! Yes, apparently we were almost denied the delight of fawning over Ciara’s gorgeous gown and picture-perfect wedding photos. In fact, the now-newlyweds had actually canceled their wedding twice before their July ceremony in England. But the reason might surprise you — and make you love these two even more…

Postponing a wedding is never fun. Obviously, right? With so many logistical things to worry about — from informing friends and family of the pushed-back date to vendor contract battles — most brides would never think to postpone their nuptials unless it was super duper necessary. That’s why we find Ciara and Wilson’s wedding postponement so admirable, as they cancelled their wedding — the first time around — in response to the North Carolina bathroom laws. A bride who sticks up for what she believes in? What could be more awesome than that?

The couple’s wedding planner, Mindy Weiss, recently shared that the wedding between the sultry singer and football player was originally to take place in North Carolina. “I did the whole thing — three times,” said Weiss (poor girl!). “They were first getting married in North Carolina, but they called it off due to the transgender bathroom laws,” Weiss shared, explaining how they to-be-wedded couple cancelled the nuptials in protest of the state’s controversial law that mandates that transgender citizens must use the bathroom that corresponds with their birth gender.

So next up after North Carolina was a no-go was Paris. After all, what could be more romantic than Parisian “I do’s?”

“It ended up being [Couture] Fashion Week,” explained their wedding planner. “And it was really difficult.” Oops! Well, on to round three…

The third time really was the charm, as the couple’s third go-around at wedding planning was a sweet, sweet success. “We ended up in London,” said Weiss of Ciara and Wilson’s beautiful July nuptials. “They wanted to be away. And we found a castle that was an hour out of Liverpool and they had about 110 guests.”

And judging by how totally stunning the big day ended up being, we couldn’t envision a more perfect ‘happily ever after’ for this (kinda crazy) wedding planning journey!

See More: Ciara’s Custom-Made Wedding Shoes Are EVERYTHING

The thought has crossed more than one former bride’s mind every now and then… can I wear my wedding dress again? You LOVE how you look in it, plus it was probably the most expensive piece of clothing you ever purchased, but you find yourself without an excuse to put on that bridal gown once again. Spoiler: You’ve got one, and it happens every year. Millennial Love Expert and Brides.com contributor, Samantha Burns, is a Relationship Counselor and Dating Coach working with couples to create love lives that thrive — and she plans to proudly put on her wedding dress every year. Here’s why.

As my husband and I wrapped up our wedding celebration, I did not want take off my dress. I had looked forward to the day for so long and couldn’t believe in a matter of hours it was over. It was in that moment that I turned to my husband and told him that I intended to wear my wedding dress for every anniversary as long as I could fit in it! I envisioned myself doing the activities we enjoy as a couple, frolicking around restaurants, parks, and ice cream shops in my white gown. As we embarked on our happily ever after, I felt giddy about the idea of celebrating each milestone with such a fun and sentimental tradition.

For our first anniversary, my husband planned a surprise weeklong getaway. I threw the dress in our car and told him that whatever he had in mind to make sure I could do it sporting my gown. Let’s just say no one had ever seen someone play golf in a wedding dress before! I made quite the impression at the driving range, sampling fudge in the ma and pa candy shop, and while eating chocolate chip pancakes at a casual brunch spot.

For year two, I zipped up the dress (with a slight struggle) and headed out into the rain for a sunset dinner cruise around the Boston harbor; no way was I letting the weather stop my fun. Just as we pulled away from the dock, the storm cleared and like out of a movie scene, we watched the sherbert colored skyline melt away under the cotton candy clouds. After a champagne toast and some sunset selfies, of course, we tore up the dance floor, which we had to ourselves because it was a Wednesday night. We twirled, laughed and reminisced. It was magical.

Three days after my two-year anniversary, my dress is still laying on my bedroom floor. It’s collected some stains on the bottom, but I much prefer this than keeping it in a pristine box that will never see the light of day, or my husband’s adoring eyes. I smile when I walk past it, the light catching the sparkles, as if it’s winking at me, saying, “I’ll see you next year!”

I hope my wedding dress tradition inspires some brides to do the same. But, if you still need a little convincing, here are five reasons why you should say yes to your dress once a year:

1. Get your money’s worth
You paid and arm and a leg for it, so you may as well get as much use of it as possible! No sense of letting it collect dust in the back of your closet, only to resurface for a retro Halloween costume in 30 years.

2. Fitness motivation
You always hear women talk about sweating for the wedding, well what happens after that? The daily grind and having babies aren’t the kindest to your figure. You busted your butt to look and feel great on your big day, so why not use this goal as an annual inspiration to stay fit? Think of it as a yearly challenge to keep you on track.

See More: 5 Anniversary Date Ideas That Are Anything But Ordinary

3. Rekindle romance
Hugging, kissing and dancing in that dress again is a surefire way to reminisce and rekindle the romance in your relationship. Your biggest priority is no longer wedding planning and honeymooning, and your relationship may have slipped to the back burner now that you’re settled in. to married life. A unique anniversary tradition like this is an extra special way to make your relationship a priority for the evening. Plus, anytime you do something new and adventurous, your brain’s reward system gets activated and that burst of dopamine makes you feel excited, giddy and even more connected.

4. Create new memories
The first time your spouse saw you in that dress it was the happiest day of his life. Why not add to these fond memories, but this time in a way that’s less stressful, more carefree and easier on your wallet? Go out dancing, get competitive with bowling, or head to a sentimental spot. Be silly, let lose, and love each other. You can capture the night with some great photo ops, then add these to the back of your wedding album, or use the pictures as a thoughtful gift for future birthdays, holidays, or even anniversaries.

5. Feel like a celebrity for an evening
If it’s a seemingly random night and you’re strolling around looking gorgeous in your gown, you’re bound to get loads of attention and congratulations. It’s a great endorphin rush that makes for fun stories and laughter with your mate. Let these well-wishers know that this is your annual tradition to celebrate your anniversary, or roll with it and pretend you just got hitched. Spontaneity is sexy. Enjoy it as your spouse shows you off and gleefully recounts to the passerby about how you met. You’ll probably bump into that wise, old couple that gives the most valuable advice. Plus, cool perks such as complimentary champagne, comped dessert, or an invitation on stage at a concert make you feel like a total rockstar.

The Duggar family is just getting bigger! Just a few months after the exciting news broke of another Duggar wedding in the works, former 19 Kids and Counting star Jessa (Duggar) Seewald and her husband Ben Seewald have their own happy news to break — they’re expecting their second child!

“We are overjoyed to announce that Spurgeon has a new title in life as ‘big brother!'” the stars of the TLC spin-off Counting On, who are parents to 9-month-old Spurgeon Elliot, told People. “We are so thankful that God is adding to our family.”

The couple added that “2017 is shaping up to be a wonderful year already, and we know Spurgeon will do a great job in his new role. Having Spurgeon has been such a wonderful blessing, and we cannot wait to see the face of this sweet new baby (or babies!).”

Jessa, 23, who married Ben, 21, in a televised religious wedding in November 2014, is one of 19 children from the TLC-famous Duggar family. Every child in the controversial clan has a name that begins with the letter “J”, so when the Seewalds announced the unique name of their baby boy back in November, we were slightly shocked that it wasn’t in line with the family’s tradition. The origin of Spurgeon Elliot’s name comes from a British Baptist who was considered the best-known preacher in England, Charles Spurgeon. “One guy that has really impacted my life is a great preacher of the past, Charles Haddon Spurgeon,” Ben revealed to People at the time. Jessa added that the couple wanted to choose a “strong name, with a lot of meaning,” that favored, “heroes from the Christian faith.”

See more: WATCH: Get a Glimpse of Jessa Duggar in Her Wedding Dress Moments Before She Walked Down the Aisle!

The finalization of Baby Seewald’s exclusive title, came after a whirlwind pregnancy — and the result of being a two-day labor — having taken over 100,000 suggestions from eager fans on ideas for the name of the newest Duggar grandchild. Shortly after Baby Seewald’s birth, the new parents revealed that they were already thinking about baby number two but “would love it if [their] next baby is adopted,” a source told People. “When I was in labor, I told Ben, ‘Babe we are not having any more kids after this,'” Jessa confessed, only to laugh about the “teasing” later saying, “we will have more kids. But in that moment of pain, I believed it!”

I'm couldn't be more excited to hear about this! Congrats Jessa and Ben! #babynumber2 #jessaseewald #benseewald #jessaandbenseewald #19kidsandcounting #jillandjessacountingon #theduggars #theduggarfamily

A photo posted by TheBatesDuggarFamily (@thebatesduggarfamily) on Aug 23, 2016 at 6:36am PDT

And Jessa’s not the only Duggar who’s basking in the “new mom” glow. Jill Dillard, Jessa’s older sister, gave birth to a baby boy, Israel David Dillard in April 2015, after marrying husband, Derick Dillard, in an on-air “Duggar I Do!” special the previous year.

Happy Easter….one day late! Jesus is alive! 🙂 #dillardfamily www.dillardfamily.com

A photo posted by Jill Dillard (@jillmdillard) on Mar 28, 2016 at 1:34pm PDT

In a sneak peek video of Counting On‘s second season, we learned that, not so surprisingly, Jessa and Ben won’t be the only Duggars looking to expand the family this year. At one point in the series, Derick tells Jill that he’s set on “trying to have another baby before next year.” Twin pregnancies for these two sisters? It’s always a possibility with the Duggars!

And, of course, that’s not the only exciting news for this ever-growing family! Daughter Jinger Duggar is set to wed soccer player Jeremy Vuolo after only a one-month-long official courtship. Jinger, 22, announced that she was being courted — the Duggar family-approved form of dating that consists of no sex, no kissing, chaperoned dates, and side-hugs only — by Vuolo earlier this summer after meeting the pro athlete in May 2015 and attending a mission trip together. The bride-to-be shared the celebratory news that her beau popped the question in July, stating, “I cannot believe that I’m engaged to the man of my dreams, the man that I’ve asked God for. God is so kind and I just cannot believe it!” But can her parents? After all, they’ve only been courting for a month. Was that enough time for Jim Bob to get to know his future son-in-law during those chaperoned dates?

So excited about this next chapter in our life together?????? #engaged

A photo posted by Jinger Nicole (@jinger.n.duggar) on Jul 26, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

See More: The 4 Most Tearjerking Moments from Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald’s Wedding

Most Miami brides we know are confident and unique when it comes wedding day style and aesthetics. But even the most organized and resourceful of brides needs a little help from the pros from time to time. To help you out, we’ve gathered a list of Florida’s top wedding experts, from floral designers to caterers, so that you can create the Miami wedding of your dreams. Here are 10 wedding experts every bride in the 305 needs in her phone book.

1. Jessica Lorren
Known for capturing life’s most beautiful moments through the eye of her lens, this Florida maven derives inspiration from natural elements and natural light to create forever moments captured in a single photo. Read real brides’ reviews here!

2. Tom Mathieu & Company
Stemming from his natural passion for the beauty of flowers, this established floral design expert has been adored by Florida brides since establishing his renowned floral company in 1996.

3. Julia Rohde Designs
One of Florida’s most celebrated floral and event firms, this expert in all things design incorporates organic aesthetic using eclectic elements such as berries, fruits, and vegetables to inspire every clients personal vision. Read real brides’ reviews here!

4. Elegant Temptations
Quickly becoming one of Florida’s premiere cake design teams, lead designer Rosie Cunill continues to transform traditional wedding cakes into personal works of art using custom components — from wedding invitations, personal color schemes, and overall themes. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More:Explore All of Our Favorite Miami Experts on Our Local Vendors Page

5. Eggwhites Catering
Experts in guiding brides through big menu decisions, Chef Gary Lampner is a leader in the South Florida catering industry. Through his catering company, he brings the highest standards of excellence to every personal event. Read real brides’ reviews here!

6. Creative Edge Parties
Dedicating themselves to over 25-years of culinary excellence through flawless event management, it’s no surprise that this innovative tool in the world of catering frequently finds inventive ways to present high-quality food through unforgettable events. Read real brides’ reviews here!

7. Ever After Wed
This full-service event design and planning firm offers a wide range of wedding planning services and wedding necessities for every busy Florida bride. Read real brides’ reviews here!

8. Carolyn Jones Makeup
Having spent 15 years helping Miami brides look naturally flawless on their wedding day, this celebrated beauty company is essential for brides looking for a wedding day look inspired by high-profile editorial spreads.

9. Chirp-Paperie
One of Florida’s top stationery design studios, Chirp-Paperie customizes personal wedding invitations and day-of stationery that help set the tone for any bride’s essential wedding day style. Read real brides’ reviews here!

10. Amanda Uprichard
Miami’s premiere bridesmaid salon, Amanda Uprichard is equipped with a variety of feminine, daring, and elegant styles for every type of bridesmaid. Regardless of your girl squad, the salon will help you create the perfect aesthetic for your best girls that goes seamlessly with your wedding palette.

Need a wedding planner to get the ball rolling? Check out our Local Vendors page!

This is it… The final countdown to your big day. And along with settling those last few details — figuring out where to seat your eccentric Uncle Carl, firming up the flowers — you’re likely also making one last push to make sure the body that will be wearing that gorgeous white gown looks as good as it possibly can. You and nearly every other woman with an engagement ring on her finger. In fact, research shows that an overwhelming 91 percent of brides-to-be are anxious about their weight. But from here on out, you won’t have to be!

Whether you want to drop those last few pounds or look more toned — or both — we’ve got a month’s worth of daily tips (none of which require starving yourself or working out nonstop!) that will help you feel stunning and confident when you walk down that aisle. You know where to send the thank-you card. Let’s get started!

Day 23: Sip This A-List Approved Belly Flattener

“A week before a big event, I have all my clients sip parsley broth — and they’re obsessed with how effective it is,” says Rachel Beller, R.D., of Beller Nutritional Institute in Beverly Hills and author of Power Souping.

That’s because parsley is a diuretic, and Beller’s beloved concoction has the added benefit of eliminating gas and bloating, too.

See More: Beauty Foods: What to Eat for Pretty Hair, Skin and Nails

Here’s what to do: Put a bunch of parsley in a pot with three cups of water and a tablespoon of fennel seeds. Add a few slices of fresh ginger root and simmer the mixture for 20 minutes. Strain the solids and sip one cup of the broth.

Bonus points for nibbling on the ginger — it’s amazing for digestion. Save the extra servings and enjoy them either chilled or reheated.

“Have this broth once a day every day until your wedding and you won’t believe how flat your stomach will feel,” says Beller.

Just getting started on our 30 Day Wedding Shape-Up? Kick off your journey from Day One, here.

Finding the right wedding dress may be trial-and-error, but finding a bridal salon shouldn’t be. Our editors polled more than 1,500 brides to discover the places with the prettiest dresses (from the designers like Carolina Herrera, Mira Zwillinger, and Houghton, just to name a few!), nicest consultants, and chicest spaces from coast to coast. Every single shop on this list is a true standout in style, service, and atmosphere whether it’s the white dress mecca in your state or a gem in the middle of nowhere (we didn’t judge!). Get ready for our curated, tested, and fully endorsed list of The Best Bridal Salons in America. Here, our editors narrow down the best bridal salons in the Northeast. Happy shopping!

A Little Something White, Darien, Conn.
If you’re the sentimental type, make an appointment with Ashley Krauss, who adds a personal touch to each gown — like sewing in your married initials as your “something blue” or adding lace from your mom’s veil — to yours.

Everthine, Madison, Conn.
Here, dresses are ruled out by sudden death: “You’re allowed two at a time, and you have to choose between them before you can see another. It sounds restrictive, but it works,” says one bride.

Ceremony, Boston
You get this industrial-chic loft in Beacon Hill to yourself, so go ahead and blast the Beyoncé while playing dress-up in romantic, easy-to-wear looks from cool designers like Rose & Delilah and Rue De Seine.

L’élite Bridal, Boston
Fashion types head straight to this Newbury Street salon for the latest looks from Monique Lhuillier and Amsale. Bonus: The consultants are rock stars. “I tried on my dress at the designer’s boutiques in NYC and L.A. but ended up buying here because I knew they would guide me through the entire process,” says one devotee.

Elizabeth Johns, Morristown, N.J., and Ardmore, PA.
You don’t have to hit Manhattan to find familiar names (Reem, Lela). Beyond the labels, brides dig the pristine samples and in-the-know stylists who’ve worked for our sister mag Vogue.

Bridal Reflections, New York
Want a “Big Salon Experience?” This Fifth Avenue mecca has endless options and an actual red carpet for the reveal — plus an out-of-this-world seamstress, Zizi. “She knows her stuff,” says one reviewer. “Even when you think you know better, you don’t.”

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, New York
At this SoHo hot spot, the honest, genuine stylists feel like true partners in the selection process. And heads up: They’re known to crack a good joke or two, so don’t forget to bring your sense of humor.

Mark Ingram Atelier, New York
Ladies fly in from across the country to shop industry heavy Mark Ingram’s collection of right-off-the-runway designs from the biggest first names in bridal (Vera, Carolina, Oscar).

Wedding Atelier, New York
This intimate boutique near Madison Square Park is for city brides who want to get their zen on while shopping. Yes, that is possible even in NYC. One smitten client says, “They had the most exceptional customer service I’ve ever experienced, and I work in the customer-service industry!”

Lovely Bride, Philadelphia
Most reviewers discovered this gem on Instagram and were glad they did; it has a mix of nontraditional and classic styles at a wide range of price points, plus amazing accessories, like Twigs & Honey headpieces.

Glitter & Grit, Pittsburgh
Erin Szymanski’s Lawrenceville shop is filled with gowns that are romantic and sparkly but slightly less traditional. (She calls it a balance of glitter and grit.) If that’s your style, book a one-on-one with the boss, who reviewers describe as “inviting and relaxing, just like her salon.”

Andria Bird Bride, Newport, R.I.
Tons of Rhody brides tie the knot in Newport, but even those who don’t make a beeline for this seaside shop selling only made-in-America gowns. After you find yours (from up-and-coming designers like Rebecca Schoneveld of Brooklyn and Lindee Daniel of Santa Monica), owner Andi Sperl will custom make any silk flower crown you dream up to wear with it.

Subscribe to BRIDES now for the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration.

See More: 50 Things to Know About Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress

Those beautiful shots of you and your wedding party cheesing for the camera are essential, but many brides find the natural, not-posed photos better capture the pure happiness of their wedding day. “The photos that I feel the most connected to are when the couple isn’t even really looking at the camera,” says Julia Franzosa, a wedding photographer in Chicago and San Francisco. “They’re connected to each other, and you can actually feel that joy.” In theory, that sounds all sorts of romantic — but what if you feel awkward and stiff when the spotlight is on you? We turned to Franzosa for tips on how brides (and grooms!) can loosen up in front of the camera.

1. Connect with your photographer.
Feeling comfortable with your photographer will come through in photos. Set up an initial consultation and meet for drinks or coffee so you can get to know one another, Franzosa suggests. “I spend more time with the bride than the groom does that day,” she says. So it’s important that you find a photographer that jives with your style and makes you feel at ease. Franzosa also recommends booking an engagement session, so you and your guy can get used to having your photo taken and won’t stumble over any what-do-I-do-with-my-hands awkwardness on the big day.

2. Hire a wedding planner.
It’s tough to sit back and let the sparks fly when your mind is overwhelmed with all of the wedding details, like whether the cocktail napkins are set up at the bar or your parents are where they’re supposed to be. The fix: Hire a wedding planner, Franzosa suggests. “If you have a planner, they’re going to handle all the details,” she says. “That can make a huge difference if you’re trying to get natural and relaxed photos.” You’ll be free to enjoy the day and take it all in.

See More: 50 Must-Have Wedding Photos

3. Focus on the moment.
If you feel your face getting stuck in a forced smile (it’s bound to happen by photo No. 400!), take a breather. Walk off with your groom and have that “Holy crap, we’re getting married!” moment. Not only will stepping away reset your face, but your photographer will also be able to capture shots of the two of you interacting. “Being in the moment that day, when you’re just focused on each other, is going to be authentic, when you’re not worried about what photos I’m taking and just allow it to happen naturally,” Franzosa says.

4. Book your photographer for an extra hour.
When you’re signing contracts and plotting out the day-of timeline, err on the side of having too much time for photography if budget allows. That way, you won’t be pressed to squeeze every shot on your shot list into a tight timeframe. “If you add one extra hour, in the grand scheme of your entire wedding budget, that’s nothing, and you won’t feel that pressure or stress that everything has to be done right now,” Franzosa says. “All you should have to worry about is yourself and having a great time on your wedding day.”

I’m a huge advocate of the do-it-yourself generation of brides and grooms. It’s more difficult to DIY a destination wedding because you probably won’t have the same resources you have at home, but that doesn’t mean that planning your own wedding at home is all that much easier. Hometown weddings are usually bigger than destination weddings. And bigger weddings tend to require bigger budgets… and bring more drama.

Just because you CAN do something yourself, doesn’t always mean it’s the best idea. I mean, face it — we can’t all be experts at everything. And you want a certain level of expertise creating all the different elements of your wedding. It’s okay for guests to look at things and admire the personalization, but you don’t want it to look like a kindergartner made your cake pops or place cards. A successfully DIY’d wedding should look like it was planned and executed by professionals. That’s the whole point.

I always remind DIY brides and grooms that there’s no rule that says you can’t hire professionals to execute as many parts of your wedding as you like. No reputable wedding vendor would claim to be able to be a wedding photographer and a wedding planner at the same event because we can’t be in all places at all times. If professionals can’t multitask beyond a certain point at the same event, what makes you think it will be easy for you at your own wedding?

See More: When You Shouldn’t Do It Yourself: An Epic DIY Wedding Fail

Some things can be done well in advance. You can have all the décor prepped that doesn’t include live flowers. You can make wedding favors a week ahead if you package them properly. But some things require entirely too much time and attention on the day of the wedding for the bride to do them herself.

Hair and Makeup
A bride with a free afternoon can do her own hair and makeup if she’s a stylist, or has practiced a lot in advance. But even a bride who is a professional hair and makeup artist should not try to do the hair and makeup of every member of her wedding party, and the moms. If you’re DIYing other aspects of your wedding, you’ll hardly have time to do your own.

Photography and Videography
Whomever is taking the pictures cannot be part of the party, or in the pictures. Using a friend who isn’t a wedding photographer means you’re unlikely to get the detail shots a professional wouldn’t miss. If you must DIY your videography for budget reasons, consider using a service like Wedding Mix so that the results look almost professional.

Catering
Unless it’s a family potluck in the backyard, the bride cannot coordinate the food and beverages at her own wedding, and still have any fun at all. At the very least, do as much prep as you can on the food, and hire a catering company to finish and serve it to the guests. Nobody at the wedding should be doing dishes.

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC’s reality show Wedding Island, about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques.

Ashley Salter, The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise alum, had her bridal shower over the weekend, and, spoiler alert, it looked like her bridal party used all of the best Pinterest decor tips.

Salter shared a series of photos on Instagram, which you can see below, and we couldn’t decide whether to love her outfit or her shower decor more. It’s unknown where Salter and her guests were celebrating, but all of the photos she posted were taken in front of a gorgeous fireplace with black, pink, white, and gold tassels strung across a mantel that was topped with a very Etsy-esq wooden “Mr. & Mrs.” sign. Salter gave off major wedding dress vibes by wearing a simple white tea-length dress with thick spaghetti straps. Her accessory of choice? A bouquet of bows from her shower gifts, of course!

Salter and her fiancé, Austin Brannen, attended Auburn University and were college sweethearts before her appearance on The Bachelor. The pair reconnected when Salter returned to Georgia to film season 2 of Bachelor in Paradise and got engaged last September. Reports claimed that Brannen popped the question after taking Salter to Atlanta’s W Hotel helipad with a bundle of roses and a gorgeous view of the city. They even took photos from the helipad and shared them on Instagram!

See more: 3 Common Bridal Shower Questions (And Answers!)

Shortly after announcing their engagement, the couple revealed that they were expecting in February of this year, and a few months later in April they welcomed their son, Brooks, into the world. It has certainly been an exciting and eventful year for Salter and Brannen!

We may not have any details yet on their upcoming nuptials, but if Salter’s style and wedding decor are anything like what we saw at her bridal shower, it is bound to be a chic and Pinterest-worthy affair!

Great day thanks to all of you! Xx #saltertothealtar #austingotthefinalrose

A photo posted by Ashley Salter @clearwatervodka (@absalt) on Aug 21, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

So glad you came @stephbarger love you!

A photo posted by Ashley Salter @clearwatervodka (@absalt) on Aug 21, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

Bridal shower! @kelseyrosebentley @sarahgricius @brittnett1189 @lexiw1031

A photo posted by Ashley Salter @clearwatervodka (@absalt) on Aug 21, 2016 at 2:25pm PDT

Fridays with the family #brooksbrannen @agbrannen

A photo posted by Ashley Salter @clearwatervodka (@absalt) on Aug 12, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT