2018 Ayres Photography Client Gift Boxes

Each year we take the time to carefully curate beautiful gift boxes for each of our incredible Ayres Photography couples for the new season. This is the third consecutive year we’ve done it and we have to say, each year we have more and more fun with it! It’s really exciting to seek out these amazing locally made items that we think our couples will absolutely love. The thought of each couple receiving this special surprise on their door step after a long day of work puts a huge smile on our faces and (we hope) a huge smile on theirs as well!

These boxes are no small feat. In fact, they are quite a labor of love! Believe it or not, it takes us a few months to create these bad boys from start to finish. From brainstorming our ideas, to reaching out to the generous and talented Buffalo makers, chatting with each company to collaborate on our ideas of what will fit with the style and overall feel of the box each season. Then there’s the pick ups and drop offs of LOTS and LOTS of goods. Trying desperately not to eat all the treats ourselves as we carefully package each gift box, placing each item strategically for fit as well as keeping it all aesthetically pleasing upon opening. And then there’s the carting of 30+, 12 x 12″ boxes to the post office… we leave that part to Ben :)

But, after all is said and done, not only have we made our couples’ day but we’ve also made lots of new friendships with some seriously incredible and talented Buffalo entrepreneurs. To say that it’s all worth it would be an understatement. Between the opportunities it gives us to network within our community, the exposure it gives to the small locally owned shops, and the love and gratitude it shows to our couples (without them we’d be nothing!! This is all for YOU!), it is 100% worth every second and every cent.

We do have to say, this season’s couples are SUPER lucky – not only did they get an extra gift (we usually include 7 items but this year we just couldn’t make up our mind, so 8 was the magic number!), but the makers we chose this year were ON POINT! Seriously, our minds were blown with the amazing goods we received! Also, apparently at Ayres Photography this year we all had a major sweet tooth, and because of that, this year’s boxes ended up with the theme of sweet indulgences. You’re so very welcome, 2018 couples. We love you so!

Please read on to learn more about each of these thoughtfully chosen goods and their 716 makers!

These are the gifts (and amazing makers) that we chose to include in our 2018 client gift boxes:

The first four makers have quickly become our tried and true. Each year we’ve included offers from Butter Block, Linwood Candle Co., Zandra and Rust Belt Love. While we think it’s important to keep each year’s boxes fresh, new and exciting, we just can’t break away from these four because they are truly just THAT wonderful!! So, once again, here are our staple items…

1. Pop Tarts from Butter Block. Yes, you heard me. Homemade. Pop tarts. They are absolutely delectable. Flaky, buttery, soft and delicious. Colleen (the owner of Butter Block and a wildly talented and lovely lady) makes these little beauties herself and we’re pretty much obsessed with them. From unique flavors such as Lemon Poppyseed, Chocolate Mint, and Key Lime to the childhood classics like Brown Sugar Cinnamon and Strawberry, this girl’s got you covered. IG: @butterblockbuffalo

2. Sweet Grapefruit Soy Candle from Linwood Candle Co. We can’t exactly describe what it is about this particular candle that has us coming back for more every single year. Maybe the fact that it smells EXACTLY like a deliciously sweet grapefruit. Maybe because it completely permeates the air with it’s intoxicating scent. Or maybe because Amy, the owner of Linwood Candle Co., is just as sweet as her candles. We can’t really pinpoint it but we can say with confidence that Amy and her candles are the bomb dot com. IG: @linwoodcandleco

3. Big Balm from Zandra. If you aren’t familiar with Zandra, her name may still sound familiar to you, as she’s recently been on the Today Show and was even nominated for (and received) several young entrepreneur awards. Zandra is an amazingly talented young woman from Buffalo who, get this, started her business when she was just 10 years old! I don’t know about you, but when I was 10 years old I most definitely was not creating homemade, all natural beauty products and packaging them up to be sold to the public. Maybe I had a lemonade stand with a poorly drawn sign made out of poster board and used my profits to go by myself a New Kids on the Block cassette tape. But not Zandra. She had a dream and a hope and a goal, and she set out and made it happen. Not only is her story amazing but her products are incredible as well. AND she donates a portion of each purchase to support girls’ education. There are just way too many reasons to love her and we’re honored to be able to include her in our boxes each year. IG: @zandrabeauty

4. Buffalo Themed Letterpress Card from Rust Belt Love. Alyson has an insanely adorable shop located in the historic Market Arcade building downtown. She’s definitely your go to girl for beautifully designed stationary, cards, invitations and more! She’s just one of those people with a heart of gold and a knack for creating lovely things. She hand draws every single image that is printed on her products! If you’re looking any kind of paper goods for your wedding, this is the girl you want to go see. IG: @rustbeltlove

And now, on to the exciting newcomers…

5. Bonbons from Whimsy Confections. I wasn’t kidding when I said we all had a sweet tooth this year. Michele, owner of Whimsy Confections, definitely picked the right name for her business, with flavors like Strawberry Pop Tart, Cereal Milk, Mimosa, and Blueberry Pancake (just to name a few). She also hand paints each little chocolate candy herself!! Mind. Blown. We highly suggest you go check out her shop on Main Street in Buffalo. But don’t expect to leave empty handed because it’s basically impossible. IG: @whimsyconfections36

6. All Natural Soap from Spruce Up Soap Co. We were SO excited to work with these guys this year. They are insanely nice men and create some really amazing handmade soaps. Their mission statement is “A Simple & Clean Ingredient Skin Care Apothecary” which we totally love. Their products are cruelty free (yay animals!) and made in small batches right here in Buffalo, New York! These men have a clear passion for what they create and hold themselves to very high standards and it shows. Their soaps really made our gift boxes smell amazing!! They also make some really awesome all natural skincare and beard care products for men, so be sure to check them out for all the great guys in your life! IG: @spruceupsoapco

7. Macarons from Blue Eyed Baker. Yes, another sweet! Who doesn’t love a great macaron?! They’re just so dainty and pretty! We were really pumped to have Alexandra on board this year. Her desserts are crazy!!! Hop on over to her website or IG to see what we’re talking about. Be prepared to drool, though. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. She studied in Paris so you just know she knows her stuff, especially when it comes to a French Macaron. Chocolate Hazelnut, Espresso, Salted Caramel, Pistachio… are you drooling yet? Well, we sure are. IG: @blue.eyed.baker

8. Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans from Overwinter Coffee. These guys are cool guys. Period. They roast their beans weekly in very small batches right in Orchard Park, New York so you know the coffee you’re getting is about as fresh as can be. They actually special roasted beans specifically for these gift boxes!! If that’s not love and attention to detail then I don’t know what is. We officially love these guys, for real. As of May 12, 2018 they’re officially open for biz on Genesee Street in Downtown Buffalo! So congrats to them on their brand new store front!! You can also order your freshly roasted beans right from their website! They even offer a coffee subscription for the avid coffee drinker looking for perfect beans and serious convenience. Sign up for weekly, biweekly or monthly shipped, at no additional charge, right to your door! See, I told you they were cool. IG: @overwintercoffee 

And that’s a wrap for the 2018 Ayres Photography Client Gift Boxes! What did you think of this year’s gifts??

Click here to check out the gifts from 2017 and 2016 :)

3 Reasons Why We LOVE (and highly recommend) First Looks

The “First Look” has gained a lot of momentum in the last 5-7 years, to the point where it’s almost more common than going the traditional route of seeing each other at the altar. More than half of our couples choose to do a “First Look,” and it makes us SO HAPPY. Wedding traditions are evolving and couples are making more conscious choices about how to spend their time on their wedding day. One of our favorite things about doing a “First Look,” is that it allows for more quality time with family and friends later on, and we are all about making that happen!  We’re sharing the top THREE reasons why we love and encourage our couples to do a “First Look,” so if you’re on the fence about whether or not to do one, or just want to learn more about them, read on, my friend! :)

1. Calm your nerves. There’s a reason why you’re marrying the person you’re marrying – and most likely part of that reason, in some way, shape or form, is because of the calming effect they have on you. Because the sight of them after a long and stressful day at work is just what you need to bring you back down. Because their touch is the one thing that keeps you grounded when tensions are running high. Because they are your everything, your heart, your home, and your comfort. There’s a lot of pressure on a wedding day and sometimes the best way to relax your nerves is to break tradition and simply have a moment, before the big moment, with the one you love.

2. Have a private moment (possibly your ONLY private moment) together on your wedding day. As much as your wedding day is all about you, it’s really not. Sure, it’s about celebrating you and your fiance and your beautiful love, but often with lots (and lots!) of other people. People who are going to be around you ALL DAY LONG. People who can’t wait to have your ear for just a minute to tell you how beautiful you look and how happy they are for you, (as they should!). Because of this, it can get pretty tricky to grab a moment alone once the ceremony commences. Want to enjoy your wedding dinner with your new husband and have a quiet moment to yourselves to discuss this incredible day? Hate to break it to you, but your conversation together will be short and sweet because your cousin Steve, who doesn’t stop talking and flew in from across the country to celebrate with you, has decided that dinner time is the perfect time to pull up a chair and have a long overdue chat. Want to tell your fiance how amazing they look when you meet them at the altar? You can! – sort of. But you better keep it to one quick line because the congregation is ready for the ceremony to start and the officiant likely isn’t going to wait for you guys to have a quick convo about how happy you are in that moment. That fleeting moment. That moment you will only have once in your life. That amazing, incredible moment where you see the person you’re about to marry for the very first time, all dressed up just for you in the most beautiful wedding attire. You’ll be filled with so many incredible emotions that will overflow and you’ll want to laugh and cry and hug each other and share everything you’re feeling in that moment. But, without a first look,  you’ll be sharing it with 100+ of your closest friends and family and the officiant, who are all ready to get on with the show.

3. Time. Doing a First Look gives you many more opportunities for photos with each other and with your wedding party. If you do a First Look then all of your photos can be done before the ceremony. While your guests are at home getting ready for your “I dos”, you can be location hopping, taking your leisurely time and relaxing during your photos with everyone, instead of running to get them all done between the ceremony and reception. Your guests will be grateful that they don’t have to try and find a local bar to go to to waste time (and money) during the 2 hours between the end of your ceremony and the start of your reception, all while you and your new hubby race around trying to make the most of the brief time you scheduled in for not only your portraits but all of your group photos (and family photos!) as well. And, if that isn’t enough incentive, when you do a First Look you can actually go and ENJOY YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR!!! That’s right! You’re paying for it, so you might as well reap the benefits. Attending your own cocktail hour will also give you time to mingle with your guests instead of having to make rounds to all the tables during dinner, which in turn gives you time to actually EAT YOUR DINNER! Amazing! We believe so strongly that a wedding day is as much about the people you love as it is about you. It’s about all of the people you love most in the world coming together under one roof for a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable night. Your friends and fam will come from all over the globe to be there for you, so spending as much time with them as possible just makes sense!

If you’re still on the fence after reading all that then please, let me assure you: A First Look will in no way take away from your walk down the aisle. In fact, it may enhance it! Many of our brides have said that doing a First Look allowed them to truly experience the moment of seeing each other for the first time and be themselves together in that moment. But, the second those church doors opened and they stepped out into the aisle, they still felt that enormous rush of emotion at the sight of their future husband up at the altar waiting, with friends and family looking on. Nothing you do can take away from the emotion of your wedding ceremony. Those feelings of excitement, anticipation, and overwhelming love will stay with you for the entire day, whether at the altar or during a First Look. There is something so special and sacred about walking up to meet your love at the altar, regardless of whether or not you saw them before hand. The two photos above of Sarah and Ben’s First Look, and the one below of their first moments at the altar are a perfect example of this.

Read on to hear what a few of our couples had to say about their First Look experience!

“I was a bit torn over the whole First Look business since it’s not necessarily traditional. Sabrina was really pushing for it so I conceded.  I think I was actually a bit speechless when I saw her.  It definitely took the edge off and put me at ease before we got into the ceremony. It reminded me that it was just us, nothing else, other than some fancy clothes.” – Aaron + Sabrina

“The first look was definitely one of the most memorable moments of not just the wedding but of my life. There is a certain nervousness that comes along with the first look. In all honesty, I wasn’t too keen on doing a it when we first started the process of wedding planning. I had heard of them before but wasn’t very enthralled by them. I always had this notion that the first time I would see my bride would be when she walked down the aisle. As it turned out, doing a first look was one of the best decisions we made. I knew exactly where she would be coming from but there was so much nervous excitement regardless. When Stacey tapped me on my shoulder and I turned around I was absolutely blown away by how stunning she looked. She’s always beautiful but on that day, in that moment, I’ve never seen someone so beautiful in my life.” – Brad + Stacey

“Initially, we weren’t planning on doing the first look, but Jenn convinced us that it would be a really beautiful moment where it was just the two of us before we began the day of craziness. I have to say, it was such a special moment. I will carry every detail with me for a very long time from the tap on the shoulder to the look on Chris’s face when he turned around. Having the amazing photos to remember it by and a few moments with each other was priceless and I absolutely would do that all over again. Thanks Jenn!” – Kristin + Chris

“The first look was really incredible. I admit I was pretty nervous, especially waiting to see Laura, but once we were together all the nerves just went away. It was great to enjoy the moment: just the two of us, surrounded by trees, and away from all of the craziness. Just to see how happy Laura was – that was probably my favorite moment of the day.” – Nathan + Laura

“Tom and I always knew we wanted to do a First Look. I think it was more about the timing of the day than anything else. We were excited at the idea of being able to enjoy our cocktail hour with all of our guests and not having to rush through photos between the ceremony and reception, or making our guests have to go find something to do to kill time in between. We were, however, both a bit concerned that doing a First Look might take away from the ‘big moment’ of me walking down the aisle.  After all, we only got one shot at a wedding day and we wanted to be sure that we did it right. Luckily on the morning of our wedding, our First Look was absolutely perfect. To be able to see each other privately, to hug, to laugh, to share our feelings about the day and how our mornings went, to just have a moment together to breathe before the chaos of the day set in, was just everything. I honestly don’t think that my day would have gone as smoothly if we hadn’t had this opportunity. It calmed my nerves and really helped both of us to just relax and soak everything in, together. Once we got to our ceremony space we went our separate ways until it was time for our wedding to start. The second Tom left my side I felt emotion welling up inside me – a nervous and excited anticipation of what was about to happen. It didn’t matter in the slightest that we had just spent a couple of hours together, or that he had already seen what I looked like in my dress and veil. When those doors opened out to the aisle and I saw him standing up by the altar… words simply can’t describe that feeling. There is truly nothing that could have taken away from how we both felt in that moment. Needless to say, tears began flowing and didn’t stop until long after our ‘I Do’s’. Thinking back on everything now, nearly 4 years later, I am still so overjoyed that we did things the way we did.” – Rachel + Tom

So the moral of the story is, if you’re considering a First Look in any way then you should absolutely go for it!! You’ll be calmer overall, you’ll be able to truly feel all of your emotions (instead of trying to maintain your composure in front of the 150 people whose eyes will be glued to you as you walk down the aisle), and you’ll be able to spend more time with all of the people who came from far and wide to celebrate your love.  I feel that it’s SO IMPORTANT to clarify, though, that there’s no wrong answer here. Whether you decide to do a First Look or not, your wedding day will be one of the most incredibly amazing days of your entire life!  Over the years we have seen all of the many ways that this option can enhance the wedding day experience, so we wanted to share! :)

Married friends: Did you do a First Look on your wedding day? Are you glad you did?! We’d love to hear all about it in the comments!!!

Ever think about doing a First Look with your dad?? Well, we did. And we think they’re AWESOME. Here’s why!