The Bridal Guide by Christy Nicole

THE

Wedding

E X P E R I E N C E

#CNPBRIDES A Guide for Get the most out of your

WEDDING EXPERIENCE

CHRISTY NICOLE

Brides

Welcome!

HELLO BRIDE TO BE AND WELCOME! THIS IS SUCH an exciting time for you! I’m sure your mind is racing with all that needs to be planned. Its all very exciting but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life and yet you only get one shot at it! By the time you get the hang of it, the planning is over! My goal as a wedding photographer is to make this one aspect of the planning process simple. Photography is more than just images, its a real part of your day. Not only do you deserve beautiful images, but you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. The goal of this guide is to help you plan your wedding day in a way that will allow me to provide you with the BEST experience possible. Since we’re official, the next step is to plan your engagement session and then start chatting about wedding day details as we get closer to your date! I’m beyond excited to be working with you!! I cannot wait to get to know you two during your engagement session and be a part of your journey to marriage.

GET TO K NOW

W EDDI NG DAY

Favorites You m ay not re a l i z e t h i s but e ver y photog r apher h a s pa r t s of t he we dd i n g d ay t h at t he y f avor! B e low you c a n re a d t h rou g h t h re e of my f avor ite pa r t s of t he we dd i n g d ay a nd w hy t he s e moment s a re c los e to my he a r t !

YOU M AY H AV E A L R E A DY G OT T E N A H I N T of t h i s ... I t r u ly L OV E w h at I do! D o c u ment i n g you r we dd i n g d ay i s suc h a n honor ! ! Si nc e we’ l l b e sp end i n g a lot of t i me tog e t her on t he bi g d ay, I w a nt to m a k e su re you re a l ly fe e l l i k e you k now me ! S o, here’s s ome b a sic s ...

T H IS IS M E , C H R IS T Y ! YOU C A N S AY I ’M A Jer s e y g i rl w it h a S out her n he a r t ! I ’m m a r r ie d to a h a nd s ome Nav y m a n a nd we move a rou nd t he c ou nt r y a lot ! We e lop e d on Ja n 3, 2 012 ju s t 10 d ay s a f ter b ei n g en g a g e d but we h a d ou r d re a m r u s t ic b a r n we dd i n g Ju ne 2 2 , 2 013 i n Vi r g i n i a . Two ye a r s l ater, we f i n a l ly went on ou r hone y mo on to Ic e l a nd ! We don’t h ave k id s but we h ave t wo C av a l ier K i n g C h a rle s n a me d C o op er Hen r y & Pa i s le y Ja ne ! I love a l l t h i n g s r u s t ic c h ic a nd rom a nt ic w h ic h i s w hy I sp e c i a l i z e i n t he s e t y p e of we dd i n g s ! I re a l ly enjoy s ho ot i n g we dd i n g s t h at a re l a id b a c k , u n ique , p or t r a it s t h at a re outdo or s su r rou nde d by n at u r a l b e aut y ! I love ba r n wo o d t a ble s w it h f i ne c h i n a , v i nt a g e f l at w a re , & or g a n ic f lor a l s ! ! Pe on ie s a nd euc a ly pt u s a re my a b s olute f avor ite a s you c a n te l l f rom ou r re c ent a n n iver s a r y s e s sion. S ome of my f avor ite t h i n g s a re.. Cr a f t B e er.. Va n i l l a L at te s .. C o ok i n g.. Tr ave l i n g.. T he c olor M i nt .. C ou nt r y Mu sic .. & B on f i re s .. 3

BRIDAL DETAILS I L OV E S TA RT I NG OF F t he d ay w it h b e aut i f u l de t a i l s ! I c on sider t h i s my “w a r m up” t i me . Sho ot i n g t he s e de t a i l s a l low s me to b e c re at ive f rom t he moment I b e g i n s ho ot i n g on you r we dd i n g d ay. I love h av i n g t h i s t i me to pre p a re for t he re s t of you r d ay !

BRIDE & GROOM PORTR AITS

BRIDAL PREP

P ORT R A I T TIME W ITH W H E N I A R R I V E ON t he br ide a nd g ro om i s h a nd s we dd i n g d ay s , I re a l ly dow n my f avor ite p a r t of t he enjoy g e t t i n g to me e t d ay ! T h i s i s w hen I pro duc e you r br ide sm a id s a nd my b e s t work a nd w hen my f a m i ly memb er s w h i le c ouple s re a l ly g e t to enjoy t hei r you’re g e t t i n g you r h a i r we dd i n g d ay. I e sp e c i a l ly love & m a k eup done. I love t he moment w hen t he g ro om c a pt u r i n g a l l of t he s e e s h i s br ide for t he f i r s t t i me ! e xc itement a s you r l a d ie s I f I c ou ld photog r aph Fi r s t he lp you s tep i nto you r L o ok s a l l d ay lon g , I wou ld g ow n a nd put on t he re s t b e c au s e it’s t r u ly a n a m a z i n g of you r br id a l de t a i l s . moment .

TA BLE OF

Con tents

E n g a g ement S e s sion I nt ro

T he Da ddy Dau g hter Fi r st L o ok

E n g a g ement Prep

C eremony Prep & Tips

Out f it I n spi r at ion & Tips

T he C eremony Unplu g g e d

E n g a g ement C he c k l i st

101

De st i n at ion We dd i n g s

We dd i n g Day Ti mel i ne

104

T he Fa m i ly For m a l s L i st

We dd i n g s & S e a son s

105

You r R om a nt ic Por t r a it Ti me

Pre C eremony & Br id a l Prep

109

Tr u st i n g t he Por t r a it L oc at ion s

Br id a l De t a i l s

111

R a i ny We dd i n g Day s

Ti m i n g Tips

115

R e c ept ion Pl a n n i n g

Groom De t a i l s & Prep

119

T he C ont rol le d E x it

Br id a l B ouque t & Flor a l Tips

121

Hei rlo om We dd i n g A lbu m s

T he Fi r st L ook

123

You r On l i ne G a l ler y E x pl a i ne d

WHAT EVERY

Bride

NEEDS TO KNOW NOW T H AT YO U H AVE PI C K E D A DAT E ,

YOU ’R E G OI NG TO BE M A R R I E D FOR

a p h o t o g ra p h e r, a n d p ro b a b l y a ve n u e a s

over f i f t y ye a r s , but you on ly g e t to b e

we l l , yo u c a n c e l e b ra t e ! T h o s e a re s o me o f

en g a g e d for t h i s s hor t p er io d of t i me. I ’m

t h e t o u g h e s t de c i s i o n s i n we ddi n g p l a n -

s o e xc ite d to c a pt u re t he on ly t i me i n you r

n i n g a n d yo u c a n c ro s s t h e m o ff yo u r l i s t !

l i fe w hen you g e t to b e e a c h ot her’s f i a nc é s .

Ho o ra y ! ! Now o n t o t h e fu n s t u ff. . . . l i k e

You r en g a g ement s e s sion c a n b e s c he du le d

yo u r e n g a g e me n t s e s s i o n ! T h i s i s o n e o f my

a ny t i me b e fore you r we dd i n g d ay. I nor m a l ly

fa vo ri t e p a r t s o f o u r t i me t o g e t h e r b e c a u s e

su g g e s t b o ok i n g it at le a s t 3 - 6 mont h s i n

i t g i ve s yo u b o t h a c h a n c e t o b e i n fro n t o f

a dv a nc e to avoid s t re s s . B e c au s e my we e k-

my c a me ra b e fo re yo u g e t ma rri e d, w h i c h i s

end s a re f i l le d w it h we dd i n g s , I g ener a l ly

g o i n g t o ma k e yo u r we ddi n g da y e x p e ri e n c e

s ho ot en g a g ement s on we e k d ay e ven i n g s or

fe e l s o s mo o t h , s e a ml e s s a n d c o mfo r t a b l e .

we e k end d ay s t h at I don’t h ave a we dd i n g ,

I i n c l u de e n g a g e me n t s e s s i o n s i n T h e We d-

nor m a l ly f rom 5 -7pm dep end i n g on t he

di n g Ex p e ri e n c e b e c a u s e I t r u l y b e l i e ve t h a t

l i g ht a nd t he t i me of t he ye a r. I n t he w i nter

t h e y a re a VI TA L p a r t o f t h e e n t i re p ro c e s s .

mont h s , 3 -5pm i s a nor m a l t i me f r a me for

Du ri n g yo u r e n g a g e me n t s e s s i o n , yo u’l l h a ve

a n e - s ho ot ! A s you s t a r t to pl a n for you r

t h e c h a n c e t o g e t t o k n ow me , e x p e ri e n c e

en g a g ement s ho ot , you w i l l ne e d to s t a r t

h ow I s h o o t a n d h ow I h a n dl e p o s i n g a n d

br a i n s tor m i n g a b out lo c at ion ide a s . I L OV E

l i g h t i n g . T h i s s e s s i o n w i l l ma k e a H U G E

it w hen c ouple s pic k a lo c at ion t h at i s sp e -

i mp a c t o n h ow t h e we ddi n g da y fl ow s . I ’l l

c i a l or s ent i ment a l to t hem i n s ome w ay ! I f

a rri ve o n yo u r we ddi n g da y a l re a dy k n ow i n g

you c a n’t t h i n k of a ny w here sp e c i f ic t h at you

h ow yo u t w o i n t e ra c t , w h a t yo u r b e s t p o s e s

wou ld l i k e to s ho ot , I c a n he lp you de c ide

a re a n d h ow t o p h o t o g ra p h yo u i n a g e n u -

on a lo c at ion. A s lon g a s t he l i g ht i s g re at ,

i n e w a y ! W h a t I w i l l l e a rn a b o u t yo u du r-

I c a n m a k e A N Y lo c at ion lo ok awe s ome ! I

i n g yo u r e n g a g e me n t s e s s i o n i s i n va l u a b l e !

s ho ot at f a r m s , c a mpu s e s , dow ntow n a l le y s

Yo u w i l l fe e l l i k e s u c h a p ro o n yo u r b i g da y

a nd e ven on t he side of t he roa d ! I ’m s er iou s !

b e c a u s e o f t h e g re a t p ra c t i c e yo u h a d du ri n g

D o not s hy aw ay f rom c r a z y ide a s ! T he more

yo u r e n g a g e me n t s e s s i o n a n d t h a t’s h ow i t

c re at ive , t he b e t ter !

should be! 8

Your ENGAGEMENT

Session

SELCTING THE RIGHT

Location

T H E L O C AT ION OF YOU R E NG AGE M E N T SE S SION IS U P TO YOU ! T he b e s t lo c at ion s f rom my e x p er ienc e a re pl a c e s t h at a re sp e c i a l to you r re l at ion s h ip. T h i n k of a me a n i n g f u l pl a c e you b ot h enjoy sp end i n g t i me tog e t her. D o you l i k e to h i k e ... He a d dow n to t he s hore... E njoy w i ne t a s t i n g or h ave a f avor ite bre wer y... Ta k i n g w a l k s i n you r f avor ite p a rk ... I s it w here you f i r s t me t or w here you h a d you r prop o s e d ... ? You r lo c at ion w i l l a l s o mo s t l i k e ly b e t he de c id i n g f a c tor i n f i g u r i n g out t he b e s t d ay for you r s e s sion. I f it s a lo c at ion t h at i s nor m a l ly ver y bu s y on we e k end s suc h a s p a rk s , g a rden s ,

LOGISTICS:

dow ntow n c it ie s or pl a c e s t h at ho s t e vent s , t hen you r s e s sion w i l l h ave to b e s c he du le d on a we e k d ay to avoid c rowd s w h ic h c a n ver y e a si ly t a k e up pre c iou s t i me of you r s e s sion a nd c a n d ic t ate w here we c a n s ho ot at .

- I love s ho ot i n g at g or g e ou s lo c at ion s . I re c om mend t wo lo c at ion s m a x for en g a g ement s . A g ener a l r u le of t hu mb i s t he more lo c at ion s a nd out f it s , t he le s s i m a g e s but t he more v a r ie t y you’ l l h ave . - I c a n do we e k d ay su n r i s e s e s sion s i f ne c e s s a r y ! I re qu i re su n r i s e s ho ot s for t ho s e w ho w a nt to t a k e p or t r a it s i n ver y c rowde d lo c at ion s suc h a s t he C her r y Blo s s om Fe s t iv a l i n D.C . or A n n a p ol i s , e tc . - I f you wou ld l i k e to a dd i n a ny “prop s” for you r s e s sion, suc h a s we dd i n g si g n s , e tc ., I re c om mend h av i n g no more t h a n t wo s o t h at it do e sn’t t a k e aw ay f rom p or t r a it s i n pre t t y l i g ht . -Fu r r y Fr iend s ! I f you wou ld l i k e to a dd i n you r dog for a fe w photo s du r i n g you r s e s sion, we w i l l ne e d a f r iend /f a m i ly memb er t h at i s w i l l i n g to t a g a lon g a nd he lp out a nd we w i l l ne e d t re at s ! T h i s w ay we c a n e a s e you r dog i nto photo s onc e you’re w a r me d up i n f ront of t he c a mer a a nd i f t here s a ny d i s t r a c t ion s ne a rby we h ave a p er s on to he lp. I f t h i s i s s ome t h i n g you wou ld l i k e , le t me k now a nd I c a n he lp pl a n it out ! I a lw ay s su g g e s t h av i n g a n ic e le at her le a s h s o t h at it do e sn’t s t a nd out i n photo s .

Tip:

My we e k end s do f i l l up f i r s t a nd f a r i n a dv a nc e. You c a n g e t a Fa s t Pa s s to t he f ront of t he l i ne by s c he du l i n g m idwe e k . 12

OUTSIDE OF THE

Box

T H IS IS T H E T I M E TO T H I N K OU TSI DE of t he b ox ! I enc ou r a g e you to br a i n s tor m u n ique lo c at ion s t h at you m i g ht h ave sp e c i a l a c c e s s to t h at mo s t p e ople do not . For e x a mple , m ay b e you , or s ome one i n you r p er s on a l or profe s sion a l ne t work , c a n s e c u re p er m i s sion to a lo c at ion t h at wou ld ot her w i s e b e of f-l i m it s , l i k e a b e aut i f u l pr iv ate e s t ate , c ou nt r y c lub or a b e aut i f u l prop er t y. M ay b e it’s a f a m i ly r a nc h, up s c a le hote l or e ven a n a i r pl a ne h a n g a r. T he s k y i s l iter a l ly t he l i m it ! Sp end a fe w m i nute s t h i n k i n g a b out it a nd c he c k i n g a rou nd . You’ l l b e su r pr i s e d w it h w h at you c ome up w it h . Plu s , i f s ome t h i n g s e em s out of re a c h, ju s t rememb er ; you ne ver k now u nt i l you a s k ! My c ouple s h ave s e c u re d p er m i s sion to s ome pre t t y a m a z i n g pl a c e s i n t he p a s t .

Destination ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS YOU R

E NG AGE M E N T

SE S SION

f rom c oa s t to c oa s t , s o i f I ’m a l re a dy

i nc lude s

a ny w here

g oi n g to b e i n or ne a r a n a re a you’ve

w it h i n a n hou r of my of f ic e s . I f you’ d

a lw ay s d re a me d of doi n g you r photo s ,

l i k e to g o s ome w here out side of t h at

a nd I c a n c o ord i n ate ou r s c he du le s;

r a n g e , I ’m up for t he a dvent u re a nd we

le t’s s e t it up! I ’ d love to m a k e it work !

t r ave l

t i me

c a n d i s c u s s t r ave l fe e s ! I f you wou ld m ajor

I f you’ d l i k e me to me e t you i n a

c it y suc h a s D.C ., B a lt i more , N YC ,

de s t i n at ion out side of VA , M D, N J for

Ph i l a de lph i a , R ic h mond , e tc ., ple a s e

you r en g a g ement s e s sion w here I don’t

c ont a c t me for a c u s tom t r ave l quote .

a l re a dy h ave pl a n s to v i sit , ju s t le t me

you r

s e s sion

done

k now a nd I c a n bu i ld you a c u s tom t r ave l

I love t r ave l i n g a nd I ’m a c t u a l ly on

quote . D o you h ave a ny lo c at ion s on

t he roa d qu ite a bit t h rou g hout t he

you r buc k e t l i s t ? Na s hv i l le ... S av a n n a h ...

ye a r. I ’ve done en g a g ement s e s sion s

C h a rle s ton...

C h ic a g o...

C a l i for n i a ...

Natural LIGHTING I BE L IEV E THAT NATU RAL LI GH T FRO M T H E SUN AN D ITS RE FLE C T IO NS cre at e s ph o togr a phs tha t feel fres h, ti m e l e s s an d tr u e to yo u as a c o u p l e . I b e g i n all e ngage ment sessions tw o hours b e f o re the s c he d u l e d s u n s e t d u r i n g “the g o l de n h our,” wh en the light is the d rea m i e s t. Us e a s u n s e t c al c u l ato r o n l i n e to d e te r mi n e t h e s ch e du led sunset for the d a te an d l o c ati o n yo u’d l i ke to d o yo u r s e s s i o n . T h e n , jus t s ubt ract two hour s to figure o u t yo u r s tar t ti m e . Re m e m b e r, the s u n s e ts m u c h e arlie r dur ing the cold er months o f the ye ar an d m u c h l ate r d u r i n g the w arme r m ont h s , s o ma ke sure to fa ctor that i n w he n c ho o s i n g yo u r e n g age m e n t s e s si o n dat e , e s p e cia lly if you’re ta king ti m e o f f w o rk o r have e ve n i n g p l an s af te r w a rd. To ge t t he most out of your se s s i o n , p l e as e p l an a b u f f e r w he n g e tti n g rea dy s o you can a r r ive a fe w minute s e ar l y. I am o n l y ab l e to s ho o t w he n n atu ra l li gh t is s till in the sky, so I w an t to take ad van tag e o f e ve r y m i n u te we h a ve t oge t he r before the sun goes dow n . If yo u’re we ar i n g tw o o u tf i ts , s ave yo u r f avori t e one for the second ha lf, an d i f yo u’re we ar i n g o n l y o n e , ar r i ve i n t h a t . 17

Approximate START TIMES Winter

Dec-Mar 3-5pm D u r i n g D e c emb er t h rou g h M id-M a rc h you c a n pl a n on you r en g a g ement s e s sion t a k i n g pl a c e a rou nd 3 -5pm. Howe ver, t he t i me c h a n g e s i n M id-M a rc h a nd s o t h at w i l l m a k e t he s t a r t t i me one hou r l ater.

Spring

Summer

Jun-Aug 6:30-8:30pm Su m mer en g a g ement s , ju s t l i k e a l l en g a g ement s , t a k e pl a c e t wo hou r s b e fore su n s e t . T h i s w i l l hop e f u l ly me a n t h at t he s ho ot w i l l b e du r i n g t he c o oler p a r t of t he d ay.

Fall

Apr-May - Varies

Sep-Nov - Varies

T he su n s e t t i me d r a s t ic a l ly c h a n g e s t h rou g hout t he c ou r s e of t he s e t wo mont h s a nd s o ou r s ho ot i n g t i me s c h a n g e a s we l l. You c a n pl a n on a pprox i m ate ly 5:3 0 -7:3 0 i n A pr i l a nd 6 : 0 0 8: 0 0 i n M ay.

T he su n s e t t i me a l s o c h a n g e s d r a s t ic a l ly du r i n g t he s e t h re e mont h s . I n S e p, you c a n pl a n on 5:3 0 -7:3 0 u nt i l t he t h i rd we e k a nd t hen you c a n pl a n on 5: 0 0 -7: 0 0 u nt i l M id- O c t . A f ter t he f i r s t we e k of Nov, 3: 0 0 -5: 0 0 pm .

ENGAGEMENT

Prep

IT ’S A LWAYS A L IT T L E I N T I MIDAT I NG TO H AV E YOU R PIC T U R E S TA K EN... Even if it s ju st a photo on a n iPhone t hat is t a ken by a f riend, we st i l l wa nt to look nic e, ma ke su re not hing is in ou r teet h a nd t hat ou r ha ir is behav ing! I rea li z e t hat prepa ring for you r eng a gement se ssion c a n be a lit t le over whelming. T he nex t fe w pa ge s have t ips for out f it s a nd acc e ssorie s t hat w i l l ma ke t he e-shoot prepa rat ion a lit t le bit more ma na g able!

- D on’ t t ry to MATCH... Tr y to p i c k o u tf i t s and accessor ies tha t coor d ina te i n s te ad . If e v e ry one wor e the sa me exa ct col o r at t h e ir e - s hoot, how bor ing w ould tho s e i m age s be ?

- Most often, couples like to have one casual, everyday outfit and then one outfit that is dressier! This will give your shoot two totally different “looks”.

- D on’ t be a fr a id to be BOLD! Acc e s s o r i z e and m ake your outfits your ow n! Sc ar ve s , bold ne cklaces, fun shoes a nd flor a l c r o w n s are alway s w elcomed !

- Make sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. And ladies, if the top is super low cut or t he d re ss is super shor t, that will limit the amount of angles I can shoot from.

- M OST P AT T ERNS a r e a ctua lly o k. . . H owe v e r, gr a phics a r e not fa vor a ble f o r port rai t s . If you’r e wea r ing a pa tter n , m ake s ure i t ’ s no t over whelming a nd d istr ac ti n g .

- BE ON TIME! The sun is only out for so long! The later you arrive, the less time we have to shoot! And nobody wants that!

- Be s ure t o check out my P inter es t b o ar d s f or m ore inspir a tion if you’r e ha vin g tr o u ble ! www.p int e rest.com/chr istynphotog/

- Relax! You don’t have to be a pro at this. I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together and make a date out of it.

- Em pt y y our pockets! Liter a lly. Yo u d o n ’ t want t o h ave key cha ins or phones sho w i n g t h rough y ou r pockets. (This is for t he g u y s e s pe ci ally !)

Outfit

I N S P I R AT I O N

WHEN CHO O S ING C OLORS FOR YOUR OUTFITS I reco m m end selecting lig hter tones and more muted shades. By avo idi ng ultr a- br ig ht, bold color s , it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye f o cus o n t he w ay you feel about each other. The camer a loves shades o f soft pink and muted blues , mixed with so phisticat ed ligh t neutr als like heather g r ay, creams , leat her brow n and white. That s ofter color palette fits beaut if ully into almos t all natur al outdoor environments .

D ress

it Up!

H AV E YOU T HOUGH T A BOU T

p er m a nent pie c e to you r c ol le c t ion, a

ro c k i n g a s e qu i ne d g ow n, t u l le s k i r t ,

lot of my br ide s love R ent t he R u nw ay

or f lower c row n but ju s t ne ver h a d a n

for t hei r en g a g ement photo s b e c au s e

o c c a sion for it ? T h i s i s you r c h a nc e

you don’t h ave to sp end a lot to fe e l

to do it up! R ememb er, t here i s no

l i k e a m i l l ion buc k s . Plu s , you c a n

suc h t h i n g a s “to o d re s s e d up” w hen

s end t he out f it s b a c k w hen t he s e s sion

it c ome s to you r en g a g ement s e s sion,

i s over. O t her br ide s ju s t love h av i n g a

s o don’t b e a f r a id to h ave s ome

g re at e xc u s e to br i n g a ne w p er m a nent

f u n ! I f you don’t w a nt to a dd a ne w

pie c e (or t wo!) i nto t hei r c lo s e t !

T here’s no suc h t h i ng a s too d re s sed up!

One o r Tw o? It s up to!

MOS T OF M Y BR I DE S W HO C HO OSE T WO OU T F I TS W I L L BR I NG one “wow ” d re s s , a nd t hen a not her s hor ter su n d re s s or c o c k t a i l d re s s for a more c a su a l “u s on a d ate” fe e l. But i f you w a nt to br i n g t wo “wow ” d re s s e s a nd for g o t he more c a su a l d re s s a ltog e t her, g ive you r s e l f p er m i s sion to do it ! T he c a mer a love s r u nw ay- e s que app a re l a nd s o do I ! R ememb er, you don’t h ave to br i n g t wo lo ok s i f it s to o s t re s s f u l or you’ d r at her ju s t s t ic k to one f a bu lou s lo ok . Ju s t one out f it t h at you love w i l l b e s o muc h b e t ter t h a n one out f it you l o v e p a i re d w it h a not her you’re not ver y e xc ite d a b out . S o, one or t wo? It’s re a l ly up to you !

L ONG , F L OW Y DR E S SE S A N D SK I RTS L O OK A M A Z I NG ON C A M E R A BE C AUSE t he y br i n g e x t r a movement to t he photo s . E sp e c i a l ly w hen ju x t a p o s e d w it h n at u re , l i k e a f ie ld , fore s t , l a k e , or b e a c h . Cute , s hor ter-len g t h d re s s e s photog r a ph b e aut i f u l ly a s we l l. Dre s s e s a nd s k i r t s tend to lo ok mo s t s t u n n i n g on c a mer a b e c au s e t he y re a l ly f l at ter t he fem a le b o dy — w h ic h i s prob a bly w hy t he re d c a r p e t i s a lw ay s f u l l of s o m a ny d re s s e s a nd not m a ny p a nt su it s ! I re c om mend avoid i n g p a nt s a nd s hor t s for you r s e s sion, a nd s ay i n g ye s to a d re s s or t wo!

C O O R D I N AT I N G T H E

A S YOU A R E C O OR DI N AT I NG you r out f it w it h you r f i a nc e’s , k e ep i n m i nd t h at you r out f it s w i l l lo ok t he mo s t c ohe sive on c a mer a w hen t he

c olor

p a le t te s

c o ord i n ate ,

but do not ne c e s s a r i ly “m atc h .” You s hou ld e a c h a i m to we a r a d i f ferent

dom i n a nt

c olor,

but

s t ay w it h i n a si m i l a r c olor p a le t te f a m i ly. S o i f you’re we a r i n g a blu s h d re s s , s of t blue e a r r i n g s a nd nude he e l s ( blu s h b ei n g y o u r dom i n a nt c olor), t hen he c ou ld we a r a n av y c oat w it h g r ay p a nt s , p a i re d w it h brow n le at her s ho e s a nd m ay b e e ven a blu s h p o c k e t s qu a re. Now he h a s h i s o w n dom i n a nt c olor (n av y) w h i le s t i l l i nc or p or at i n g a fe w touc he s of you r c olor p a le t te . Mo s t of my br ide s c ho o s e t hei r d re s s f i r s t , a nd t hen put tog e t her t hei r f i a nc e’s out f it ba s e d on t h at . T h at’s w hy we h ave a s e c t ion for e a c h of you .

Looks

F L AT T E R I N G YO U R

Features

I N M Y E X PE R I E NC E , E V E RY WOM A N, R EG A R DL E S S OF H E R s h a p e h a s a n a re a of her b o dy t h at s he’s s e l f- c on s c iou s a b out , s o re c og n i z i n g w h at a re a t h at i s i n a dv a nc e i s k e y. C ho o si n g f l at ter i n g si l houe t te s a nd c olor s t h at c omplement you r n at u r a l fe at u re s i s t he b e s t w ay to en su re you’ l l love t he w ay you lo ok i n you r photo s .

T H R E E - QUA RT E R L E NG T H SL E E V E S

H E E L S E L ONG AT E WOM E N ’ S L EGS

c re ate a n awe s ome s l i m m i n g e f fe c t on a l l

m a k i n g t hem lo ok f a bu lou s . C lo s e d-to e s

a r m s , s o b e on t he lo okout for a n opt ion

he e l s i n p a r t ic u l a r lo ok g re at on c a mer a

w it h a lon g er len g t h s le e ve . You c ou ld a l s o

b e c au s e t he y c a r r y out t he l i ne of you r le g

br i n g a c ute ja c k e t , bl a z er or c a rd i g a n

a l l t he w ay dow n to you r to e. I f you r to e s

a lon g , to o. Sk i n ny s t r a p s or s t r a ple s s

a re s how i n g i n a p e e p -to e he e l, you m i g ht

d re s s e s h ave t he opp osit e e f fe c t on a r m s on

w a nt to s c he du le a p e d ic u re b e fore you r

c a mer a , s o I re c om mend avoid i n g t ho s e

s e s sion s o you don’t re g re t le t t i n g you r

w hene ver p o s sible i f you r g oa l i s a s e t of

fe e t s how. T he s e l it t le t r ic k s m a k e a l l t he

s l i m mer-lo ok i n g a r m s .

d i f ferenc e !

Tip: 31

Br i n g a p a i r of f l at s to we a r w hen mov i n g f rom pl a c e to pl a c e . You r fe e t w i l l t h a n k you l ater !

Make a STATEMENT

PA I R I NG A N AC C E S SORY OR T WO W I T H YOU R OU T F I T C A N R E A L LY

Add a PERSONAL TOUCH

HELP

A DDI NG I N PE R SON A L DE TA I L S C A N BE A F U N WAY TO S T Y L E YOU R

br i n g s ome e x t r a d i men sion to you r i m a g e s . Bi g s t atement ne c k l a c e s br i n g a lot of p op

s e s sion a nd s howc a s e you r p er s on a l it ie s . I f you a re pl a n n i n g a t heme d we dd i n g , t h i s

to t he photo s , w h i le t he sm a l ler, de l ic ate one s a re not a s not ic e a ble on c a mer a . B e lt s ,

c a n b e a g re at w ay to s e t t he tone i n you r S ave T he D ate s . Fre s h f lor a l s i n a c row n

b ow t ie s , br a c e le t s a nd e a r r i n g s br i n g g re at v i su a l i ntere s t , s o c ho o s e one or t wo t h at donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

or b ouque t c a n b e a re a l ly rom a nt ic touc h a s we l l.

c omp e te for at tent ion.

Hair & Makeup

PROFE SSION A L H A I R & M A K EU P IS ON TOP OF MOS T of my br ide s’ c he c k l i st s b e c au s e it lo ok s a m a z i n g a nd remove s t he st re s s of g e t t i n g re a dy on you r ow n. From l a sh e x ten sion s to blow n- out h a i r, profe s sion a l h a i r a nd m a keup w i l l g ive you a n e x t r a b o ost of c on f idenc e i n f ront of t he c a mer a , a nd it a lw ay s photog r aph s l i ke a d r ea m. I f you’re work i n g w it h a m a keup a r t i st , h ave her apply you r m a keup i n n at u r a l l i g ht , i f p os sible, so t h at it lo ok s f re sh a nd not to o he av y. Plu s, t h at’s t he t y p e of l i g ht I’ l l b e sho ot i n g i n, so it’ l l g ive you t he b e st e x p e c t at ion of how it w i l l t r a n sl ate on c a mer a . Most of my br ide s fe e l l i ke t hei r m a keup i s “to o muc h ” at f i r st , si nc e it s more t h a n you wou ld we a r on a nor m a l d ay, e sp e ci a l ly w hen it c ome s to f a l s e l a she s, so i f you fe e l t h at w ay at t he b e g i n n i n g , don’t wor r y ! G o o d m a keup a r t i st s k now how to g e t it ju st r i g ht for t he c a mer a — a nd my br ide s a lw ay s love t he f i n a l re su lt s. I f you ne e d a re c om mend at ion for h a i r a nd m a keup, I work w it h t he b e st i n t he bu si ne s s a nd h ave a g re at g o -to te a m ! T he y ’re s we e t a s pie, t a lente d a s he c k, u nb e l ie va bly profe s sion a l s a nd wonder f u l p e ople. You’ l l L OV E t hem ! Ju st le t me k now a nd I’ l l s end you t hei r i n for m at ion. I k now t he y ’ l l t a ke g o o d c a re of you ! ENGAGEMENT STYLE GUIDE | 5

A LITTLE EXTRA

Polish

D on’t for g e t , you r r i n g w i l l b e c enter s t a g e , s o g ive you r s e l f p er m i s sion to g e t it c le a ne d a nd you r n a i l s done , to o! Mo s t je we l r y s tore s w i l l e ven c le a n you r r i n g for f re e to o!

Skip

T H E S P R AY TA N SE E M

it tend s to photog r a ph or a n g e e ven w hen it’s

c ou nter-i nt u it ive , I re c om mend t h at

a ppl ie d subt ly a nd by a profe s sion a l. You r

you do not g e t a spr ay t a n b e fore you r

a c t u a l s k i n tone w i l l photog r a ph t he mo s t

s e s sion, e ven a fe w d ay s pr ior, b e c au s e

b e aut i f u l ly a nd n at u r a l ly.

A LT HOUGH

M IGH T

PREPARING THE

Groom

PREPARING THE

Groom

I F YOU ’R E A BR I DE T H AT IS A

c a n do to he lp you r g ro om k now w h at

l it t le a n x iou s a b out how you r g ro om

to e x p e c t . Fi r s t of a l l, I h i g h ly re c -

i s g oi n g to re a c t to t h i s w hole “pic -

om mend sit t i n g dow n w it h you r g uy

t u re” t h i n g , you’re not a lone . I

a nd s how i n g h i m 2 -3 of you r f avor ite

re c eive s o m a ny em a i l s f rom br ide s

en g a g ement s e s sion s t h at I h ave pho -

w ho a re wor r ie d t h at t hei r g ro om

tog r a phe d . Sp end s ome t i me tog e t her

won’t b e i nto it a nd I h ave g re at ne w s

s c rol l i n g t h rou g h my web site , Fa c e -

for you .... you b ot h a re more photo -

b o ok & I n s t a g r a m. T h i s w i l l a l low

g en ic t h a n you t h i n k ! I ’m c on s t a nt ly

h i m to g au g e w h at h i s e x p e c t at ion s

su r pr i si n g c ouple s by d i s c over i n g

s hou ld b e . I a l s o re c om mend t h at

t hei r h idden mo de l i n g s k i l l s a nd t he

you a l low for plent y of t i me to g e t to

mo s t c om mon re sp on s e f rom my C N P

you r s ho ot ! T here i s not h i n g wor s e

g ro om s i s , “ T h at w a sn’t a s b a d a s I

t h a n w hen a c ouple s how s up l ate a nd

t hou g ht ! It w a s a c t u a l ly f u n ! ” B o om !

t he y h ave b e en a r g u i n g i n t he c a r !

M i s sion a c c ompl i s he d ! W hen t he

T h at i s de f i n ite ly g oi n g to put you r

g ro om s ay s t h at t a k i n g pic t u re s w a s

g ro om i n a b a d mo o d . L a s t but not

F U N, I h ave done my job we l l ! You r

le a s t , rememb er to h ave p at ienc e w it h

en g a g ement s e s sion i s supp o s e d to

h i m a nd don’t a s su me t h at he’s not

b e f u n a nd re l a xe d a nd not forc e d or

g oi n g to h ave a g o o d t i me... I t h i n k

aw k w a rd . A s you pre p a re for you r

you’ l l b e su r pr i s e d how muc h you

s ho ot , t here a re a fe w t h i n g s t h at you

w i l l b ot h enjoy you r s e s sion w it h me ! 40

For Him THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE

for a

WELL-TAILORED SUIT

F R O M JAM ES B O ND T O DON DRAPER, MEN LOOK MOST st r i ki ng in a w ell-tailo red su it. I f he does n’t have one, now’s the per fect t i m e to inv est in so m et hing he’ll wear for the r es t of his life! The bes t p a r t ? It ’ s a lo t less ex pensive than you mig ht think! W hile cus tom s uits c a n co st tho usands o f do llar s , s ome of the mos t well- known br ands ha v e o f f -the-rack suits in their s tor es for a fr action of the pr ice. Solid sha des o f gray o r nav y are a s tr ong compliment to mos t women’s o ut f i ts, w hereas pinst ripes or plaid patter ns tend to dis tr act the ey e.

Mix it up! M A N Y O F M Y G R O O M S L O V E T O M IX A SU IT C O A T, BL A Z E R o r s p o rt c o a t w i t h d i ffe re n t p a n t c o lo rs. It a d d s s o m e e x t r a v i s u a l i n t e re s t , a n d c a n b e m o re fu n t h a n w e a ri n g t w o fu ll s u i t s i n a r ow. I’m a b i g fa n o f t h i s fre s h t a k e o n a t i m e le s s c la s s i c .

Layered Looks

N E X T T I M E YOU WA L K by a s tore l i ke J. Cre w, you’ l l

not ic e

m a n ne qu i n s

t he a nd

m a le mo del s

a re a lw ay s we a r i ng s e ver a l l ayer s at onc e . L ayer s on men lo ok g re at on c a mer a , so

e ven

w hen

it ’s

hot

out side , t r u s t me w hen I s ay t h at it ’s wor t h a n hou r or t wo of d i s c om for t for photos t hat w i l l l a s t you b ot h a l i fe t i me . Add i ng a not her l ayer w i l l br i ng e x t r a d i men sion a nd v i su a l i ntere s t to you r photos . Bl a z er s , ve s t s a nd c o at s up t he le vel of a ny lo ok . I f t he temp er at u re p er m it s , he

c ou ld

e ven

c on sider

add i ng a v-ne c k s we ater w it h a p op of c olor f rom a long-s le e ve d c ol l a re d sh i r t a nd t ie u nder ne at h . D on’t b e a f r a id to ge t a l it t le c re at ive w it h l ayer s!

I T â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

A ll

THE

De t ai ls

L ONG PA N TS A N D C L OSE D -TOE D SHOE S A R E T H E MOS T SOPH IS T IC AT E D

T I E S , BOW T I E S , P O C K E T SQUA R E S , C OL OR E D SO C K S , BE LTS , T I E C L I PS ,

a nd m a s c u l i ne lo ok s for men. T he y d r aw at tent ion aw ay f rom h i s le g s a nd fe e t a nd

su sp ender s , ve s t s a nd w atc he s a re s h a r p c ompl i ment s to a ny su it . I f you br i n g t wo

pl a c e it w here you w a nt it : on t he f a c e you fe l l i n love w it h . S o, for you r s e s sion, it s

su it s to t he s e s sion, you c a n s t a r t w it h a t r a d it ion a l ne c k t ie a nd b e lt , t hen s w itc h

b e s t to le ave t he s hor t s , s a nd a l s a nd je a n s at home , to o. Su it p a nt s , d re s s p a nt s or

to su sp ender s a nd a b ow t ie for you r s e c ond lo ok . I f t wo su it s a re to o s t re s s f u l,

c olore d p a nt s work b e s t , e sp e c i a l ly w hen p a i re d w it h c lo s e d-to e s ho e s . Brow n le at her

no problem ! One lo ok w i l l do t he t r ic k ! You c a n s t i l l m i x a nd m atc h a c c e s s or ie s

d re s s s ho e s c ompl i ment a l mo s t e ver y lo ok , w he t her heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s we a r i n g a f u l l su it or a bl a z er

to c ompl i ment b ot h of her d re s s e s w it hout doi n g a f u l l c h a n g e du r i n g t he s e s sion.

a nd c olore d p a nt s .

S o, eit her w ay, you w i n.

E NG AGE M E N T SE SSION CH ECK L IS T SE T DAT E , T I M E A N D L O C AT ION R E V I E W GU I DE FOR S T Y L E T I PS SC H E DU L E H A I R A N D M A K EU P A PPOI N T M E N TS C HO OSE YOU R OU T F I TS GE T YOU R N A I L S DON E C L E A N YOU R R I NG PAC K A BAG W I T H:

Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots

Outfit two (including shoes and accessories)

Touch-up makeup

Water bottle (for warmer sessions)

Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)

After the Session D on’t for g e t to pl a n a d i n ner d ate ! You’re a l re a dy g oi n g to b e a l l d re s s e d up! W hy not t a k e a dv a nt a g e of it ? I k now t he we dd i n g pl a n n i n g pro c e s s c a n fe e l a l l- c on su m i n g , s o t a k e s ome t i me a f ter t he s e s sion ju s t for t he t wo of you to re l a x a nd h ave

PIC K A F U N POS T- SE SSION DAT E N IGH T SPOT

s ome f u n tog e t her. You de s er ve it !

Your

WEDDING Day

Here’s t he p a g e t h at c a n b e s ome w h at i nt i m id at i n g ! T he T I M E L I N E ! I k now t h i s i sn’t t he

SAMPLE

Timeline

mo s t e xc it i n g a sp e c t of t he we dd i n g d ay but t h i s i s t he one t h i n g t h at c a n m a k e or bre a k you r photog r a phy ! T he ne x t t wo p a g e s w i l l out l i ne a n ide a l we dd i n g d ay work i n g of f of a 6 pm c eremony t i me f r a me . T h i s ide a l t i me l i ne i s a l s o b a s e d of f of a we dd i n g d ay t h at i nc lude s a Fi r s t L o ok . 9 0 % of my c ouple s c ho o s e to do a Fi r s t L o ok a nd you c a n re a d more a b out t h at opt ion on p a g e 81! R ememb er t h at a l l we dd i n g d ay s a re d i f ferent a nd you r

A f t e r t he d e t a i l s , h a i r a nd m a k e up

t i me l i ne m ay d i f fer due to t r ave l t i me s a nd u n ique sit u at ion s .

h ave b e e n photo g r a phe d , it’s t i me f or t he br id e to g e t i nto he r d re s s !

Bridal Details

1:30-3:00PM

T h i s i s a bi g mome nt ! I u s u a l ly a s k

Bridal Party Portraits

Portraits

t he mot he r of t he br id e a nd a l l of

4:15-5:00PM

t he br id e s m a id s to b e d re s s e d by

5:00-5:30PM

t he t i me t he br id e i s re a dy to g e t

to g e t he r ! A f t e r br id a l p a r t y

e ve r yone w i l l lo ok n ic e i n t ho s e

p or t r a it s a re c omple t e , t he

i m a g e s . A f t e r t he br id e i s i n he r

br id e w i l l g o i nto h id i n g s o

g ow n, s he c a n put on he r je we l r y,

t h at e a rly g u e s t s don’t sne a k

s ome a d d it ion a l br id a l p or t r a it s !

A f t e r t he br id e a nd g ro om t a k e t he i r t i me w it h t he Fi r s t L o ok ,

t a i l s . It’s a n i mp or t a nt p a r t of t he

I w i l l b e g i n t a k i n g a f e w ro -

s tor y a nd I love h av i n g s ome t i me

m a nt ic p or t r a it s of t he t wo of

to s ho ot t he d re s s , s ho e s , je we l r y,

t he m w h i le t he i n it i a l e xc it-

T he s e s hot s a l-

me nt i s s t i l l pre s e nt ! I w i l l f i nd

low me to g e t w a r me d up f or t he

f or t h i s p a r t . W h i le I ’m s ho ot-

t he lo c at ion s f or t he s e s hot s a s

3:00-3:45PM

Bridal Prep

T h i s i s one of my f avor it e p a r t of t he we d d i n g d ay ! I w i l l f i nd

i n g d e t a i l s , I ’m a l s o c a pt u r i n g

t he p e r f e c t lo c at ion f or my c ou-

s ome s hot s of t he br id e a nd he r

ple ’s “Fi r s t L o ok ” pr ior to t he

g i rl s g e t t i n g re a dy ! I f t he g ro om

g e t t i n g re a dy p or t ion of t he

i s g e t t i n g re a dy ne a r by, my 2nd

d ay ! D on’t s t re s s a b out t h at one

s ho ot e r w i l l b e g i n photo g r a ph-

bit . I w i l l m a k e s u re t he lo c a-

i n g t he b oy s c lo s e to 4 0 m i nut e s

t ion i s pr i v at e a nd a s s e c lud e d

b e f ore t he Fi r s t L o ok si nc e it a l-

a s p o s sible .

w ay s t a k e s t he m le s s t i me to g e t d re s s e d !

b e g i n t he i r dut ie s .

4:00PM

b e aut i f u l s hot s of he r br id a l d e -

l i k e to a l low at le a s t 45 m i nut e s

a p e e k a nd t he u s he r s w i l l

First Look

Eve r y br id e love s h av i n g t ho s e

re s t of t he bi g d ay. I nor m a l ly

g i rl s b ot h s e p a r at e ly A N D

i nto he r d re s s . T h i s e n s u re s t h at

ve i l, s ho e s , e tc , a nd I w i l l s ho ot

i nv it at ion s , e tc .

....g re at s hot s of t he g u y s a nd

we l l ! R e me mb e r, t he L IGH T

Now it’s t i me f or Br id a l Pa r t y s hot s !

d e t e r m i ne s w he re we s ho ot a nd

I bu f f e r i n e x t r a t i me t h rou g hout

s o I c a n’t d e c id e on p or t r a it lo -

t he d ay ju s t i n c a s e we h ave s ome

c at ion s u nt i l t he d ay- of.

u ne x p e c t e d t h i n g s t h at hold u s up !

we s ho ot t he s e p or t r a it s , t he

One w ay to m a k e s u re we s t ay on

br id a l p a r t y c a n s t a r t m a k i n g

s c he du le f or br id a l p a r t y p or t r a it s

t he i r w ay to u s f or Br id a l Pa r t y

i s to h ave s ome one put t he b outon-

p or t r a it s !

n ie re s on t he g u y s BE FOR E t he y

5:30-6:00PM

Bride in Hiding

a r r i ve f or p or t r a it s . D u r i n g Br id a l Pa r t y p or t r a it s , My 2nd a nd I w i l l m a k e s u re to t a k e s ome .....

I i nc lud e 8 hou r s of c ove r-

THE TIMELINE Reception Details 5:30-5:50PM

Continued...

It’s t i me to g e t m a r r ie d ! ! Mo s t

a g e s o t h at I c a n b e pre s -

c e re mon ie s

a re

e nt f or t he m a i n e ve nt s of t he re c e pt ion a nd a b out a n hou r of d a nc i n g ! I u s ua l ly s t ay t i l l c a k e c ut t i n g.

Family Portraits 6:40-7:00PM

m i nut e s lon g. I f you r c e r-

Fa m i ly f or m a l s nor m a l ly t a k e

e mony i s lon g e r t h a n 3 0

pl a c e i m me d i at e ly f ol low i n g

m i nut e s ,

t he c e re mony. It’s b e s t to s ave

we ’ l l

make

a d-

ju s t me nt s to t he t i me l i ne !

a l l of t he f a m i ly f or m a l s u n-

C he r i s h

t i l a f t e r t he c e re mony b e c au s e

t he s e

mome nt s !

You r c e re mony w i l l p a s s by

A L L f a m i ly me mb e r s w i l l b e

s o qu ic k ly !

pre s e nt at t h at t i me .

A Few “Just Married” Reception Begins! Portraits 7:00-7:10PM

7:30PM

GR E AT s uc c e s s w it h t h i s a nd t he p a r t y ne ve r s top s ! You c a n re a d more a b out t h i s on p a g e 118 .

lo c at ion a s t he c e re mony, I

d ay f or p or t r a it s i n t he l at e

l i ne s up f or i nt ro duc t ion s a nd

w i l l u s e t h i s t i me to s ho ot

s pr i n g , s u m me r a nd e a rly

t he p a r t y b e g i n s ! ! By t h i s p a r t

t he re c e pt ion d e c or U N -

f a l l ! T h i s i s w he n t he s u n

of t he d ay, my t i me l i ne i sn’t

TOUC H E D. I f t he c e re mony

i s g low y a nd g old e n . I love

a s s t r ic t . I work of f of t he

a nd re c e pt ion a re i n d i f f e r-

h av i n g a f e w e x t r a m i nut e s

n at u r a l l i g ht a nd s o a f t e r t he

e nt lo c at ion s , I re c om me nd

w it h t he br id e a nd g ro om to

s u n i s s e t , my p or t r a it t i me i s

We ’ l l ne e d a b out 3 0 m i nt u e s

t a k e a f e w “Ju s t M a r r ie d ”

ove r a nd I b e g i n f o c u si n g on

f or f a m i ly f or m a l s a nd I w i l l

p or t r a it s r i g ht a f t e r f a m i ly

t he re c e pt ion e ve nt s !

s e nd

f or m a l s !

a re a i f p o s sible s o t h at I c a n

6:00-6:30PM

qu e s t ion n a i re

b e f ore

g r a b s ome g re at s hot s of you r

t he we d d i n g w he re you c a n l i s t

re c e pt ion b e f ore t he n i g ht

out t he s hot s t h at you w a nt . I

b e g i n s a nd g u e s t s s t a r t l ay-

re c om me nd s ho ot i n g p or t r a it s

i n g dow n pu r s e s a nd c o at s on

out do or s i f p o s sible s o t h at t he y

DE TA I L S & PR E P: 2 HOU R S

t he i r s e at s !

re s e mble more n at u r a l f a m i ly

F I R S T L O OK & P ORT R A I T S: 45 M I NS - 1 HOU R

p or t r a it s , e s p e c i a l ly i f t he c e re mony lo c at ion i s d a rk !

t h i s ! You c a n e it he r a d d a d-

you r br id a l p a r t y ! I h ave h a d

T h i s i s w he n t he br id a l p a r t y

sid e of t he m a i n re c e pt ion

t he re a re s e ve r a l opt ion s f or

or pl a n a f au x e x it w it h ju s t

7: 0 0 i s t he BE S T t i me of

Ceremony

i n g you r e x it photo g r a phe d ,

d it ion a l c ove r a g e t i l l t he e nd

I f t he re c e pt ion i s i n t he s a me

h av i n g a c o c k t a i l hou r out-

I f you’re i nt e re s t e d i n h av-

Controlled Exit 10:30PM

A P P ROX I MATE

BR I DA L PA RT Y: 2 0 -3 0 M I NS FA M I LY FOR M A L S: 2 0 -3 0 M I NS E X T R A P ORT R A I T T I M E : A S M UC H T I M E A S YOU ’ L L GI V E M E !

Weddings &

SEASONS WINTER, SUMMER, FALL & SPRING

Winter

Wi nt e r we d d i n g s a re g or g e ou s ! Howe ve r, t he y do

Su m me r we d d i n g s a re a m a z i n g ! I love t h at t he re

t a k e s ome a d d it ion a l pl a n n i n g si mply b e c au s e of

i s s o muc h d ay l i g ht ! I n s ome mont h s , t he l i g ht

t he s u n s e t t i me . T he h a rd p a r t a b out a w i nt e r

w i l l l a s t u nt i l 8:3 0 pm . S o, i f you’re h av i n g a s u m-

t i me l i ne i s t he f a c t t h at t he s u n s e t s a rou nd 4pm .

me r we d d i n g , you’ l l ne e d to pl a n on h av i n g a f e w

T h i s me a n s t h at a l l of you r p or t r a it s h ave to b e

m i nut e s to s l ip out of t he re c e pt ion f or you r s u n-

done b e f ore t he n ! T h i s i sn’t a proble m i f you’re

s e t p or t r a it s . You w i l l NO T re g re t t h i s ! T h i s i s

h av i n g a l at e a f t e r no on we d d i n g. Howe ve r, i f you’re

t he a b s olut e b e s t l i g ht of t he d ay a nd you’re g oi n g

pl a n n i n g on h av i n g a l at e e ve n i n g we d d i n g , you

to w a nt to h ave p or t r a it s du r i n g t h i s t i me p e r io d .

m ay h ave a bit of dow n t i me f rom 4pm u nt i l t he

Us u a l ly t he s e p or t r a it s h a pp e n du r i n g d i n ne r or

s t a r t of t he c e re mony. You w i l l a l s o ne e d more

op e n d a nc i n g s o t h at no one e ve n not ic e s t h at

c ove r a g e t i me a s we l l .

you’re g one f or a f e w m i nut e s .

Fall

Summer

Spring

Fa l l we d d i n g s a re my f avor it e ! I love t he t e mp e r a-

Spr i n g we d d i n g s a re wond e r f u l b e c au s e t he y a re

t u re a nd t he c olor s . Mo s t of my f a l l br id e s wor r y

t he p e r f e c t t e mp e r at u re ! Howe ve r, I re c om me nd

a b out c olor a nd I ju s t w a nt to e nc ou r a g e you t h at

h av i n g ple nt y of C l a r it i n a nd Zy r t e c on h a nd

a l l I ne e d i s one t re e w it h s ome c olor i n ord e r to

ju s t i n c a s e a l le r g ie s s t a r t to f l a re up du r i n g

m a k e it lo ok l i k e f a l l ! A l it t le bit of c olor c a n g o

p or t r a it t i me . Spr i n g we d d i n g s nor m a l ly me a n

a lon g w ay ! ! You r p or t r a it t i me w i l l v a r y d e p e nd-

t he p ot e nt i a l f or s ome blo om s ! I f we h a pp e n to

i n g on you r we d d i n g d at e . We ’ l l b e s u re to d i s -

f i nd a ny t y p e of blo om i n g t re e or pl a nt , it w i l l

c u s s t h i s w he n we a pprove you r f i n a l t i me l i ne .

b e wor t h it to g i ve u s a f e w m i nut e s f or a f e w p or t r a it s w it h it ! You’ l l L OV E t he re s u lt !

PRECEREMONY Let the day

begin!

T H IS P ORT ION OF T H E W E DDI NG E X PE R I E NC E re a l ly s e t s t he s t a g e for t he ent i re we dd i n g d ay. T he ne x t fe w p a g e s w i l l s h a re t ip s a nd t r ic k s t h at w i l l ensu re a s e a m le s s mor n i n g of br id a l pre p a r at ion a nd b e aut i f u l p or t r a it s !

BRIDE

Getting Ready

I T ’ S T H E MOR N I NG OF YOU R W E DDI NG !

Wi l l you a nd you r g ro om b e e xc h a n g i n g g i f t s

Hop e f u l ly a l l of t he l it t le d e t a i l s a re t a k e n c a re of

du r i n g t h i s t i me ? I f s o, w ho wou ld you l i k e to

a nd you’re re l a x i n g w it h you r b e s t f r ie nd s w h i le

d e l i ve r t he m ? A re t he re c e r t a i n wome n i n you r

you r h a i r i s b e i n g done . I f c e r t a i n it e m s h ave n’t

l i f e w ho wou ld a ppre c i at e s e e i n g you g e t i nto

b e e n c he c k e d of f of t he to - do l i s t , it’s t i me to

you r g ow n ? S ome br id e s w a nt ve r y f e w p e ople

h a nd t he m ove r to s ome one e l s e . D e le g at ion i s a

a rou nd f or t h i s mome nt . O t he r br id e s love h av-

k e y p a r t of a s t re s s -f re e we d d i n g d ay. I k now it’s

i n g au nt s a nd g r a nd m a s pre s e nt ! It’s tot a l ly

h a rd to h a nd ove r t he d e c or at i n g dut ie s a nd a l l of

up to you ! A f e w ot he r t h i n g s to c on sid e r...

t he l a s t m i nut e t h i n g s t h at ne e d to b e done but

a s you g e t re a dy to put you r d re s s on, re f r a i n

it s re a l ly i mp or t a nt to re l a x t he mor n i n g of you r

f rom put t i n g a ny je we l r y on . I love s ho ot-

we d d i n g. T he re s t of t he d ay i s g oi n g to b e f a s t

i n g a l l of t ho s e f i n a l s t e p s onc e you’re i n you r

p a c e d a nd f i l le d w it h a lot of e mot ion s . Ta k e a d-

g ow n ! Sp e a k i n g of t he g ow n, i f you r g ow n i s

v a nt a g e of t h i s dow n t i me ! T he re a re a f e w t h i n g s

on a pl a s t ic h a n g e r, t r y to m a k e a not e to br i n g

to c on sid e r a b out t he “g e t t i n g re a dy ” p or t ion of

a wo o d e n h a n g e r a lon g f or pic t u re s s a k e . I f you

t he d ay. D o you w a nt to s h a re a “Fi r s t L o ok ”

f or g e t , no bi g d e a l ! I ’m a pro at f i nd i n g wo o d-

w it h you r d a d or a ny ot he r p e r s on w ho pl ay s a

e n h a n g e r s at ve nu e s ! K e e p re a d i n g a lon g f or

hu g e role i n you r l i f e ?

more “g e t t i n g re a dy ” t ip s to he lp you pre p a re !

Tip:

I f you don’t w a nt you r l ip s t ic k / l ip g lo s s to r u b of f du r i n g p or t r a it s , I h i g h ly s u g g e s t a pply i n g a l ip s t a i n . T he g lo s s m ay r u b of f but t he c olor w i l l b e lon g l a s t i n g a nd it won’t c ome of f on you r g ro om !

THE

W I N D OW Effect

BY H AV I NG W I N DOWS I N T H E br id a l prep a re a , I a m a ble to create be aut i f u l por t r a it s w it h sof t l ig ht. I pre fer n at u r a l l ig ht so t he more w i ndow s, t he be t ter!

Every

L I T T L E D E TA I L

B O U Q U E T, R I N G S , S H O E S , J E W E L S . . .

D E TA I L T I P S E V E N I F YOU A R E N ’ T H I R I NG A C A L L IGR A PH E R

T H E W HOL E DAY BE GI NS W I T H T H E DE TA I L S ! T H I S I S ON E OF M Y FAVOR I T E PA RT S

f or you r we d d i n g i nv it at ion s s u it e , c on sid e r h av i n g ju s t

of t he we d d i n g d ay b e c au s e it a l low s me to pre p a re a nd g e t my c re at i ve sid e w a r me d up f or t he re s t

one of you r out e r e nve lop e s d e si g ne d to a d d to you r

of t he d ay ! I photo g r a ph a br id e ’s d e t a i l s i n a w ay t h at m atc he s a nd s howc a s e s t he s t y le of t he e n-

br id a l d e t a i l photo s . T h i s w ay you c a n s t i l l g e t t h at

t i re we d d i n g d ay. S o, i n s ome w ay s , t he d e t a i l s s e t t he s t a g e f or t he lo ok of t he w hole we d d i n g a nd

pre t t y lo ok a nd no one w i l l e ve r k now ! B e s u re to i nc lud e

I love h av i n g a mple t i me to s t y l i z e a nd s ho ot e ve r y t h i n g f rom t he d re s s , to t he je we l r y, to g r a nd-

you r n a me s a nd ve nu e a d d re s s ON LY i f s o (no p e r s on a l

m a’s h a nd k e rc h ie f ! To t he r i g ht you’ l l f i nd a l i s t of t he mo s t c om mon d e t a i l s t h at I s ho ot . I a s k

a d d re s s e s ple a s e)! C on sid e r a s k i n g you r f lor i s t i f t he y c a n

br id e s to g at he r a ny d e t a i l s t he y h ave BE FOR E I a r r i ve s o t h at I c a n w a l k i n, s ay he l lo, g i ve you a

le ave b e h i nd a f e w lo o s e s t e m s w he n t he y d rop of f you r

hu g e hu g a nd t he n b e g i n w it h a l l t he g o o d ie s ! ( Ple a s e e n s u re you r p a re nt s t h at I w i l l t a k e GR E AT

b ouqu e t s , t h i s w ay I c a n u s e t he m to s t y le you r d e t a i l s .

c a re of t he d re s s , I prom i s e !).

R i n g b oxe s s uc h a s “ T he M r s . B ox” w w w.t he m r s b ox .c om c a n a l s o b e pre t t y l it t le a d d it ion s to you r d e t a i l s .

W H AT TO B R I N G

{

dress veil / hair pieces rings (all three!) shoes bouquet & boutonniere any jewelry perfume invitation suite borrowed & blue heirlooms 64

W H E N YOU ’R E PL A N N I NG A W E DDI NG DAY T I M E l i ne , t he b e s t a d v ic e I c ou ld g i ve i s to A DD C USH ION T I M E ! S ome t i me s t he mo s t si mple t h i n g s c a n t a k e a n e x t r a 2 0 m i nut e s a nd t he n a l l of a s ud d e n, t he w hole

TIMING

mor n i n g i s t h row n of f. Ple a s e m a k e s u re you r h a i r s t y l i s t a nd m a k e up a r t i s t a re F U L LY aw a re w h at t i me you ne e d to b e done s o t he re ’s no c on f u sion ! I a l s o h ave s e e n “g e t t i n g

Tips

t he br id e i n he r d re s s” t a k e a l mo s t 4 0 m i nut e s b e c au s e of a but ton m a l f u nc t ion . I f you r d re s s i s c or s e t or h a s a lot of but ton s , I h i g h ly s u g g e s t pr a c t ic e put t i n g you r d re s s on b e f ore t he we d d i n g d ay w i l l w ho e ve r w i l l b e he lpi n g you i nto you r d re s s t h i s w ay on t he we d d i n g d ay it w i l l g o muc h f a s t e r ! It’s a s m a r t id e a to a d d i n a n e x t r a t e n m i nut e s he re a nd t he re s o t h at we h ave s ome w i g g le ro om to work w it h . T h i s w ay, i f one p a r t of t he d ay g e t s t h row n of f by 2 0 m i nut e s , I c a n he lp you c omp e n s at e t h at t i me i n ot he r a re a s . T he re a re s o m a ny d i f f e re nt t h i n g s to t h i n k a b out w he n you’re pl a n n i n g a we d d i n g d ay a nd s o he re a re s ome t ip s f or t he pre c e re mony t i me l i ne ! I re a l i z e t h at e ve r y si n g le we d d i n g d ay i s d i f f e re nt a nd s o not a l l of t he s e t ip s w i l l a pply to e ve r y we d d i n g d ay s c he du le . S ome t h i n g e l s e to c on sid e r i s t h at not E V E RY T H I NG w i l l g o a s pl a n ne d , a nd I promi s e you , t h at i s c omple t e ly nor m a l ! ! Ple a s e k e e p t he a re a ne a r t he w i ndow F R E E of t r a s h, b a g s ,

BOUQUETS AND BOUTS

TRAVEL TIME

HAIR & MAKEUP

GETTING IN THE DRESS

CREATE A CUSHION

B e s u re to t h i n k a b out

I ’ l l i n s t r uc t you to g e t i nto

A 10 minute cushion

You w i l l ne e d you r

I e nc ou r a g e br id e s to h ave at

you r d re s s c lo s e to a w i n-

ever y now and then is a

B ouqu e t & B out s ! H ave

t he t r ave l t i me a nd

le a s t t he i r m a k e up a l mo s t done

T R A F F IC to a nd f rom

dow a nd it wou ld b e f a bu-

GREAT idea! It’s amazing

t he m d e l i ve re d to t he

b e f ore I s t a r t s ho ot i n g b e c au s e

lou s to h ave you r br id e -

how fast time slips away

ro om w he re t he br id e i s

you r g e t t i n g re a dy lo c a-

w ho w a nt s a ton of s hot s w it h-

t ion a nd you r ve nu e !

m a id s d re s s e d w he n you’re

the day of!

g e t t i n g re a dy.

out t he i r m a k e up on ?! Nob o dy.

g e t t i n g i n you r g ow n !

DAY- O F

Reminders

Gather

IF POSSIBLE, COLLECT ALL OF YOUR DETAILS BEFORE I ARRIVE so that I can begin quickly and have more time for some “getting ready” shots of you and your girls!

Extra

S OM E T I M E S , DE PE N DI NG ON T H E T H E M E A N D “L O OK ” OF T H E we d d i n g d ay, t he re m ay b e s ome e x t r a e le me nt s t h at you c ou ld i nc lud e w he n you g at he r you r d e t a i l s . For e a mple , i f you’re h av i n g a c ou nt r y t he me d we d d i n g , you c ou ld i nc lud e a pie c e of bu rl a p or l a c e . I f you’re h av i n g a r u s t ic t he me d we d d i n g t h at i nc lud e s s ome wo o d e n e le me nt s , m ayb e s ave a s m a l l pie c e of wo o d f or me to u s e w he n I ’m s ho ot i n g you r r i n g s a nd je we rly. T h i s R E A L LY m a k e s f or b e aut i f u l, c on si s t e nt a lbu m s pre a d s !

the goods.

elements.

Keep

all three rings.

Bring

the bouquet. 67

T H E MO S T C OM MON DE TA I L M I S SI NG W H E N I A R R I V E A R E T H E r i n g s ! Mom s , of f ic i a nt s a nd pl a n ne r s w i l l t e l l you to h a nd ove r you r we dd i n g b a nd to t he b e s t m a n b e f ore t he d ay b e g i n s . Howe ve r, it’s a c t u a l ly b e t t e r to h a nd it ove r du r i n g t he br id a l p a r t y p or t r a it s s o t h at I c a n s ho ot s ome g re at r i n g s hot s w it h t he re s t of you r d e t a i l s i n pre t t y l i g ht n at i r a l l i g ht !

D ON ’ T FORG E T T H E B OUQU E T ! H AV E T H E B OUQU E T S A N D b outon n ie re s d e l i ve re d to t he br id e & g ro om b e f ore t he Fi r s t L o ok s o t h at you h ave t he m i n you r p or t r a it s . No wor r ie s , i f it’s hot , we ’ l l b e s u re to k e e p t he m i n w at e r a s muc h a s p o s sible b e f ore t he c e re mony ! 68

W H I L E I ’M W I T H T H E BR I DE I N T H E BR I DA L S U I T E , my 2nd s ho ot e r i s u s u a l ly w it h t he g ro om s ho ot i n g h i s d e t a i l s & pre p. T he d e t a i l s a re t he f i r s t t h i n g my 2nd s ho ot e r w i l l s ho ot w he n t he y a r r i ve . I f t he Gro om c a n h ave a l l of “ h i s” m a n ly d e t a i l s to g e t he r a nd re a dy to g o pr ior, it wou ld b e s up e r he lpf u l ! It’s i mp or t a nt t h at t he g ro om hold s of f on put t i n g on

The

GROOM

t he s e l it t le d e t a i l s u nt i l a f t e r t he y a re photo g r a phe d . O t he rw i s e i f t he g ro om w i l l b e f u l ly d re s s e d up on a r r i v a l, he w i l l b e a s k e d to re move t he s e it e m s of f to b e photo g r a phe d . My 2nd w i l l a l s o t a k e not e of a ny not a ble t he me s , l i k e m atc h i n g s o c k s , s ho e s , a nd a ny pre s e nt s g i ve n to t he g ro om s me n . I f t he br id e s e nd s you a not e or a pre s e nt , t he y w i l l c a pt u re you r re a c t ion i n t h at mome nt . W h i le t he d e t a i l s a re b e i n g photo g r a phe d , t he g ro om s hou ld a l re a dy h ave on h i s u nd e r s h i r t a nd s l a c k s . A s you f i n i s h g e t t i n g d re s s e d (ne a r a w i ndow), my 2nd w i l l photo g r a ph you but ton i n g you r d re s s s h i r t , buc k l i n g t he b e lt , t y i n g you r s ho e s a nd put on t he re s t of you r d e t a i l s (c u f f l i n k s , w atc h, e tc .). A l l of t he s e a c t ion s a re f a i rly si mple a nd you w i l l b e i n s t r uc t e d on w he re to s t a nd . I f t he re a re si g n i f ic a nt f a m i ly me mb e r s i n t he ro om, l i k e d a d or brot he r, t he n we c a n e n l i s t t he m f or t he i r he lp w it h t he t ie , ve s t , a nd t he ja c k e t b e c au s e t h i s w i l l e n h a nc e you r s tor y. Ple a s e k e e p t he a re a ne a r t he w i ndow F R E E of t r a s h, b a g s , sn a c k s , e tc .

W H AT TO B R I N G Suit Jacket Suspenders Tie or/ Bowtie Shoes Cufflinks Boutonniere Wa t c h & B e l t Cologne Bottle Any Groomsmen Gifts Letter/Gifts from the Bride

{ 69

GROOMSMEN PREP My s e c ond s ho ot e r w i l l photo g r a ph t he g u y s g e t t i n g re a dy i f t he y a re g e t t i n g re a dy i n t he s a me lo c at ion a s t he br id e or w it h i n 10 -15 m i n s .

GROOM

Prep

I F YOU ’ V E N E V E R T I E D A FOR M A L T I E

H ave you r g ro om s me n g e t d re s s e d i nto

or b ow t ie b e f ore , don’t m a k e you r we d d i n g

t he i r d re s s s h i r t , s l a c k s a nd s o c k s . K e e p

d ay t he d ay to le a r n, pr a c t ic e b e f ore you r

t he d r i n k i n g to a m i n i mu m ! L o ok , I k now

we d d i n g d ay. I f you h ave a ny p o c k e t s qu a re

you w a nt to h ave a g o o d t i me at t he we d-

f or you r s u it s , you w i l l w a nt to i ron t he m

d i n g. H av i n g a to a s t b e f ore t he c e re mony

BE FOR E t he we d d i n g d ay. I f you r we d d i n g

i s one t h i n g , but w he n t he f o c u s b e c ome s

w i l l b e i n t he s u m me r w he n it s s up e r hot ,

f i n i s h i n g t he c a s e of b e e r t h at s ome one

I H IGH LY s u g g e s t p a c k i n g a lon g a n e x-

brou g ht , e ve r y t h i n g e l s e t a k e s a b a c k s e at .

t r a d re s s s h i r t s o t h at you c a n c h a n g e i nto

T he w i ndow of t i me t h at my 2nd s ho ot e r

du r i n g t he re c e pt ion . A f t e r b e i n g i n t he

w i l l c a pt u re a g ro om g e t t i n g re a dy i s n a r-

hot s u n, you w i l l f e e l muc h b e t t e r h av i n g a

row…a nd you r w i f e i sn’t g oi n g to w a nt 3 0

c le a n s h i r t to c h a n g e i nto. H ave you r s u it s

m i nut e s s p e nt t a k i n g photo s of you a nd t he

pre s s e d ! T he re ’s not h i n g wor s e t h a n c re a s e s

g u y s c hu g g i n g b e e r s . A l s o no one w a nt s

a nd w r i n k le s on you r s u it . I f you’ve re nt e d

a ny blo o d s hot e ye s i n t he i r photo s or to

a s u it or t u xe do f rom a lo c a l s hop, i n s p e c t

h ave p or t r a it t i me t i me e x t r a lon g. D u r i n g

t he c lot he s b e f ore you le ave to m a k e s u re

photo s , you r c e l l phone s , k e y s , & w a l le t s

t he y we re pre s s e d . G e t a h a i r c ut a we e k

s hou ld a l w ay s b e pl a c e d i n sid e you r ja c k e t

pr ior (not t he d ay b e f ore)! H ave a l l of you r

du r i n g p or t r a it s . Ple a s e D O Not pl a c e t he m

g ro om s me n a l mo s t re a dy. It’s a lot e a sie r to

i n you r f ront or b a c k p o c k e t s ot he r w i s e

c o ord i n at e g u y s g e t t i n g re a dy w he n t he y ’re

t he y w i l l s how up i n photo s !

a l mo s t re a dy t he m s e lve s .

THE BRIDAL

Bouquet

THERE A RE S O MANY EXPENSE S W H N IT C O M E S TO W E D D IN G P L AN N IN G . Many bri des ha ve to pr ior itize what the y w an t to i n ve s t i n . I ju s t w an t to gi ve a l i t t l e t ip t hat ca n sa ve money a nd ma ke a hu g e i m p ac t o n the w ay yo u r i m ag e s tu r n o u t. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re h av ing trouble ma king a d ec i s i o n ab o u t yo u r f l o r al s , he re i s w hat I s u gge s t. I re ccom e nd ma king your br id a l bouqu e t a b i g p r i o r i ty ! W he n Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m p ho to gr ap hi n g a weddi ng, if t he br id e ha s a gor geous bo u q u e t, I c an m ake the e n ti re d ay l o o k l i ke the re we re be autiful flor a ls ever yw here! I c an u s e the b r i d al b o u q u e t to s p r u c e u p b r i d a l de t ai ls , re ception d eta ils AND even b r i d e an d g ro o m p o r tr ai ts as we l l ! T he b r i d al b o u q ue t i s a f o ca l point for me when it c o m e s to yo u r p ho to gr ap hy an d s o I hi ghl y re c omm e nd ge t t ing your DREAM bouqu e t an d i n ve s ti n g l e s s o n the b r i d e s m ai d s b o u q ue t s s i nce t he y will not be photogr a phed n e ar l y as m u c h! Tr ad i ti o n al ti ght, ro u n d b al l s o f bloom s are a trend of the d ista nt pas t. Now a d ay s b r i d e s are o p ti n g f o r l u s h, re a l l y loos e bouquets w ith more or ga nic f o r m s that te n d to b e b i g ge r an d w i d e r than yea rs pas t . Th e s e Or ga nic styles tend to p ho to gr ap h b e tte r an d w i l l l o o k m o re ro m an ti c i n ph ot ograp hs. To give a unique finis hi n g to u c h, attac h l o n g s i l k r i b b o n s aro u n d yo u r bouq ue t . 73

F lo r a l s t h at photog r aph wel l!

T H ERE A RE A LWAYS CERT AI N FLORALS T H AT T E N D T O P H O T O G RAP H B E T TE R an d s t and out mor e tha n other s beca sur e o f the i r s ty l e an d s hap e . H e r e ’ s s o m e f l o r al s th a t I L O VE ... Pe oni es, Ga r d en Roses, Da hlia s , C af é au l ai t D ahl i as , Ran u n c u l u s , W hi te An e mo n e , C h ina M um & P oppy... Gr eens a r e r ea ll y i n r i g ht n o w an d y o u c an n e ve r have to o m u c h . T h e y al s o look way better tha n ba bys br ea th to o . So m e o f m y f avo r i te gr e e n s an d f i l l e r s ar e . . . E u c a l y p tus , Dut y m iller , Astilbe, Ca lcynia , Sc ab i o s a P o d s , H y p e r i c u m B e r r i e s , B r u n i a, Am ar a n t h , A m arant h us , La vend er & Wa x flower s.

37 76

Wedding Greenery

I F YOU ’R E A BR I DE T H AT D OE S N ’ T WA N T TO I N V E S T A L OT I N TO W E DDI NG f lor a l s , a g re at a lter n at ive i s a dd i n g i n g re ener y t h rou g hout you r we dd i n g d ay. Ju s t a l it t le bit of g re ener y c a n g o a lon g w ay a nd it m atc he s pre t t y muc h a l l c olor c hoic e s . It a dd s a more or g a n ic a nd u n ique fe e l to a ny we dd i n g d ay s t y le or t heme . You c a n a dd g re ener y to t a ble r u n ner s , f r a me si g n s , c re ate lon g g a rl a nd , u s e it i n you r b ouque t s , de c or ate you r c a k e , a s you r c eremony b a c k d rop, t ie it on c h a i r s or e ven h a n g it f rom c h a nde l ier s , e tc ... Gre ener y c a n t r a n s for m a ny sp a c e i nto fe e l i n g more d r a m a nt ic a nd b e aut i f u l. T he p o sibi l it ie s a re t r u ly end le s s . It s p er fe c t for t he m i n i m a l i s t ic br ide or e ven t he br ide t h at w a nt s it a l l. No m at ter w here you r we dd i n g i s t a k i n g pl a c e , or t he s e a s on, g re ener y i s a lw ay s i n. It s a l s o ver y c o s t-f r iend ly s o you won’t h ave to wor r y a b out bre a k i n g t he b a n k eit her. S ome of my f avor ite g re ener y t h at you c a n u s e a re , Ja sm i ne Vi ne , Euc a ly pt u s , Ol ive Br a nc he s / le ave s , It a l i a n or I sr a e l i R u s c u s , Suc c u lent s , My r t le a nd Pit to sp or u m Tobi r a .

Veil

OPTIONS

SI NC E 9 0 % OF M Y C OU PL E S OP T FOR A F I R S T L O OK , YOU h ave opt ion s for t he br id a l vei l ! I re c om mend t h at t he br ide on ly we a r her vei l w hen s he c ome s dow n t he a i s le a nd I re c om mend t h i s for t h re e d i f ferent re a s on s . 1. T h i s i s s ome t h i n g ne w for you r g ro om to s e e w hen you’re w a l k i n g dow n t he a i s le ! 2 . A lot of t i me s , du r i n g a Fi r s t L o ok , t he g ro om i s s o e xc ite d to s e e h i s br ide t h at he a c c ident ly pu l l s t he vei l out w hen he t h row s h i s a r m s a rou nd her ! A nd 3. S av i n g t he vei l for t he c eremony en su re s t h at I w i l l g e t s ome “Ju s t M a r r ie d ” p or t r a it t i me w it h t he c ouple b e c au s e E V E RY br ide ne e d s to h ave a “ Vei l Blow i n g i n t he Wi nd ” s hot of t hei r ow n ! T h i s i sn’t a r u le t h at I a s k a l l br ide s to fol low, it’s si mply a su g g e s t ion t h at I m a k e f rom my e x p er ienc e !

Your

FIRST LOOK

YOU R F I R S T LO O K IS AN AM AZI NG PART o f yo ur we dding day! If yo u arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t s ure about t hi s t r a di t i on, t he nex t f e w pages will explain w h y i t w o u ld be a ro m ant ic addit ion to your we d di n g d ay celebrat io n that no t only adds to t he e x p e r i e nce but also reduces stres s . Pleas e kn ow t h a t I w o uld never w ant any of my couples t o f e e l p re s sured to go w ith t his option. Howeve r, I do w a nt t o m ak e sure t hat I s hare all of the b e n e f i t s o f a First L o o k because t here is a reas on 9 0 % o f m y co uples do it and LOVE it!

THE

FIRST LOOK

Explained I HAVE CONFESSED MY DEEP LOVE FOR “FIRST Looks” numerous times. There is a reason for this. They’re AWESOME. However, not ever yone is aware of how awesome they are because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is and they immediately write it off. I can talk about those brides because I was almost one of them. I wanted a REACTION….I wanted Rob to be so surprised and overcome with joy when I walked down the aisle that he bawled at the first sight of me! Isn’t that EVERY girl’s dream? Who doesn’t want that reaction? Luckily, I was able to have the best of both worlds because Rob and I decided to share an intimate “First Look” moment on our wedding day AND he still was blown away when I came down the aisle. He had the biggest smile on his face and so was ever yone who was watching him!! YESSS!! I felt like a million bucks. Walking down the aisle on my wedding day was a moment that I will treasure for a lifetime!! After experiencing my own wedding and shooting other weddings... I’ve come to this conclusion. Some brides love “traditions”... but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her groom seeing her for the first time is a REACTION. Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose par t of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found (this is star ting to sound like a research paper) is so ironic! Ever yone knows that wedding days are a bit stressful for the bride and groom. 83

The whole day is focused on them, they need to look their best, they need to be on time, the groom has no idea what side the boutonniere is supposed to go on and little by little… the tension grows. It’s before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen star ts to sink in and the calm, collected groom who was playing golf just a fe w shor t hours ago is now star ting to feel a little an xious. So what happens next? The groom waits in a little room some where for his que from the coordinator. It seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find?... he finds anywhere from 80300 people and they’re all looking where? Right at his face… because ever yone has expectations and anticipation about his first reaction. This is the far thest thing from a private, intimate moment. Sure, it’s SO power ful and SO wonder ful. … I already said that walking down the aisle was one of the BEST PARTS of my WHOLE wedding day!! It’s magical!!... But when I walked down the aisle… Rob wasn’t a ner vous wreck… he had spent the morning with me and our best friends and the pressure was OFF. By the time our ceremony rolled around he was ready to ENJOY our beautiful day! The ner ves were gone and when the ner ves are gone… tr ue emotions are free to be expressed. And OH were they expressed! (Seriously!). So if I were to condense what I just wrote… basically, Grooms normally become incredibly ner vous on wedding days…. even if they seem cool and collected.

For most grooms, the ner ves kick in before they see their bride because when they see her, ever ything becomes VERY real! So when the ner ves star t creeping up, instead of keeping the groom in a secluded space until his time to enter the ceremony, what if you took him to a private place… no people, no on-lookers, no distractions... and you let his beautiful bride, the love of his life, quietly call his name and have him turn around to see her for the first time. He would turn around and finally get his first look at his stunning bride and not only would he get to see her… he could embrace her... cr y with her... kiss her… and ENJOY that moment with her for as LONG as they wanted. As she shows him her dress, twirls a fe w times and then asks him what he thinks… his ner ves star t to diminish. After all, she’s the one who can make him most comfor table anyway.

There aren’t any guests waiting impatiently at the cocktail hour and there isn’t a DJ coming to find the photographer to get a time check. It’s wonder ful!

Because they aren’t on a time cr unch… they casually move into their romantic por traits. No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing “15 minutes left,” and there is no pressure. It’s just the two of them and their photographer... capturing the excitement and the joy of their wedding day. This is their time to be TOGETHER… and to be ALONE. When does that happen on a wedding day? Without a First Look... it doesn’t. After their romantic por traits are done, they meet up with their best friends. Their bridal par ty joins them and because they still have plenty of time to spare… The bride touches up a little makeup while the boys act like boys. After a fe w minutes the bridal par ty por traits begin and they’re FUN. They’re FUN because there is time to make them FUN.

Now let me put a disclaimer on here before we continue…my clients are not required to do a First Look by any means! I used to feel bad for sharing this option with couples who were against it because I didn’t want to push anyth ing on them. However, I’ve seen the benefits of a First Look over and over again and so I only share this because I want the BEST for my couples!! It’s totally ok if couples choose not to share a First Look! It’s just my preference to do one for many reasons.... Keep reading to find out more of the benefits of sharing your first look privately! For brides not interested in a First Look, lets star t chatting soon about how we’ll create a special timeline to fit ever ything in between the ceremony and reception.

After por traits are done, the girls and guys separate and prepare for the ceremony. The guests begin to arrive and the ushers are in place. Pretty soon it’s time for the processional music to begin and one by one, the bridesmaids make their way down to the front of the ceremony. As the groom clasps his hands… they aren’t clasped out of ner vousness but excitement. The music builds, the mother of the bride stands and all of the guests follow her lead. The groom looks up and here comes the BRIDE!!! His best friend, his companion, his sweethear t….. she’s stunning…. ABSOLUTELY stunning. The closer she gets, the bigger he smiles.

FIRST LOOK |

Why it’s Worth It

40% MORE PORTRAITS

Yo u’re i n ve s t i n g a l o t i n t o yo u r we ddi n g p h o t o g ra p h y. Wi t h a Fi rs t L o o k , you’ll receive 40% MO R E p o r t ra i t s o f t h e t w o o f yo u … a n d t h o s e a re t h e i ma g e s yo u w i l l de cora t e your h om e wit h ! ( Be l i e ve me , o u r h o u s e i s PAC K E D fu l l o f o u r p o r t ra i t s ! ) Wi t h a Fi rs t L o ok , you m a k e t h e m ost o u t o f t h i s l a rg e i n ve s t me n t a n d g e t t h e mo s t fo r yo u r mo n e y.

ENJOY THE SURPRISE FREELY

Yo u a c t u a l l y g e t t o h a ve i n t i ma t e t i me o n yo u r we ddi n g da y w i t h yo u r ma n. Most brid es d on’t re a l i ze t h a t w h e n yo u c o me dow n t h e a i s l e a n d t o t a l l y S H O C K h i m w i t h your g org eous-ness… h e c a n’t e ve n t e l l yo u h ow a ma zi n g yo u l o o k . He c a n’t t o u c h yo u , e mb ra c e you or even S PEAK t o yo u . Yo u h a ve t o w a i t u n t i l 3 0 mi n u t e s l a t e r w h e n t h e c e re mo n y i s ove r for h im t o rea ct a nd t ell yo u h ow a ma zi n g yo u l o o k . A n d a ft e r 3 0 mi n u t e s o f t h e c e re mo n y, t h e re act ion isn’t t h e sa m e a s t h e i n i t i a l fi rs t g l a n c e .

EXTEND YOUR DAY BY 3 HOURS

Fi rs t L o o k s a l l ow yo u t o e x t e n d yo u r we ddi n g da y. No rma l l y t h e we ddi n g d a y would st a r t wh en yo u c o me dow n t h e a i s l e , t h e n t h e c e re mo n y w o u l d e n d, yo u w o u l d r u s h t hroug h por t ra it s so t h a t yo u’re n o t l a t e fo r t h e i n t ro du c t i o n s a n d t h e n i t’s re c e p t i o n t i me . Wi t h a First Look , your wed di n g da y i s e x t e n de d by a l mo s t 3 h o u rs ! In s t e a d o f b e i n g r u s h e d fo r yo u r brid a l pa r t y por t ra it s… yo u a c t u a l l y g e t t o e n j oy t h e m a n d h a ve fu n h a n g i n g o u t w i t h yo u r B E S T friend s on your wed di n g da y. T h e W H O L E fi rs t h a l f o f my c l i e n t’s we ddi n g a l b u ms a re fi l l e d wit h im a g es j ust from t h i s t i me t o g e t h e r b e fo re t h e c e re mo n y.

YOUR ONLY ALONE TIME

Fi rs t L o o k s a l l ow yo u t o b e TO G E T H E R a n d a l o n e o n yo u r we ddi n g da y. W h en Rob a nd I sa w e a c h o t h e r, n o t o n l y w a s i t i n t i ma t e , i t w a s o u r o n l y t i me t o b e a l o n e t h e wh ole d a y! We cried a n d l a u g h e d a n d c ri e d s o me mo re … a n d t h e n t h a t p u t u s i n t h e PE R F E C T m ood for our rom a nt i c p o r t ra i t s . No rma l l y p o r t ra i t s a re a l i t t l e r u s h e d a ft e r t h e fa mi l y fo rma l s a nd it ca n be h a rd t o re a l l y g e t b a c k i n t o t h a t “ l ove y dove y” mo de . . . e s p e c i a l l y w i t h fa mi l y a ro u nd ! W h en you h a ve j ust s h a re d yo u r fi rs t l o o k , yo u’re R E A DY t o l ove o n e a c h o t h e r a n d I a l w a y s c a pt ure som e super sweet i ma g e s du ri n g t h o s e mo me n t s !

DIMINISHES NERVES Yo u g e t ri d o f yo u r n e r ve s ! I ’d s a y, l i t e ra l l y 1 / 2 o f my c o u p l e s w h o h a ve decid ed t o d o a First L o o k , t h e g ro o ms we re n o t fa n s o f i t a t fi rs t . Howe ve r, b e c a u s e t h e y h a ve never ex perienced t h eir we ddi n g da y b e fo re , t h e y di dn’t k n ow h ow n e r ve ra c k i n g i t c a n b e . I h a ve t est im onia ls from so ma n y g ro o ms w h o i n i t i a l l y we re n’t a fa n o f t h e Fi rs t L o o k . . . b u t a ft e r w a rd s a d m it t ed t o being S O mu c h mo re re l a xe d a n d re a dy fo r t h e c e re mo n y ! 43

FOR THE BRIDE

First Look

E X P E C TAT I O N S B R I DE ’S , I F YO U H AVE NEVE R S E E N YO U R ma n c r y o r g e t e mo t i o n a l , yo u c a n’t e x p e c t h i m t o b e ove rl y e mo t i o n a l o n yo u r we ddi n g da y. So me g u y s j u s t e mb ra c e t h e i r b ri de s a n d n e ve r c r y. . . . a n d t h a t’s O K . So me g u y s s h ow ve r y l i t t l e e mo t i o n w h e n t h e i r b ri de i s c o mi n g dow n t h e a i s l e a n d t h a t’s o k t o o. Ju s t e n j oy t h i s a ma zi n g da y a n d t r y n o t t o p u t a n y e x p e c t a t i o n s o n h i m. If yo u t a k e t h i s a dv i c e t o h e a r t , I c o u l d p o t e n t i a l l y b e s a v i n g yo u a l o t o f di s a p p o i n t me n t o n yo u r da y. On e t h i n g I h a ve n o t i c e d a ft e r s h o o t i n g we ddi n g s i s t h a t t h e s t re s s a n d n e r ve s t h a t c o me w i t h a we ddi n g da y c a n s o me t i me s ma k e i t h a rd fo r s o me g ro o ms t o t r u l y e x p re s s t h e i r e mo t i o n s du ri n g t h e c e re mo n y.

It’s j u s t a l o t

t o t a k e i n a l l a t o n c e . T h i s i s a g re a t re a s o n t o s h a re a Fi rs t L o o k a n d a l s o a g re a t re a s o n t o g i ve s o me g ra c e t o yo u r g u y ! Su re , yo u de s e r ve t o fe e l b e a u t i fu l , b u t my e n c o u ra g e me n t t o yo u i s t o e n j oy t h i s t i me t o g e t h e r, n o ma t t e r w h a t h i s re a c t i o n i s l i k e !

F I R S T L O O K | From the

Brides & Grooms

“Ou r f i r s t l o o k w as 1 0 0 % w o r th i t. We tho u ght havi n g o n e w o u l d e as e the e m o ti o n o f the d ay an d the p i c tu re s w o u l d b e awe s o m e . Wi tho u t q u e s ti o n , f u tu re b r i de s s ho u l d ALWAYS c o n s i d e r a f i r s t l o o k. T h e m o m e n t w as m o re than I e ve r e xp e c te d . T he e m o ti o n o f the d ay hi t m e s o m u c h hard e r than I tho u g ht. I c r i e d an d f o r an yo n e that kn ow s m e i t’s a r ar i ty. T he m o m e n t I s aw Ke l l y, i t c o n f i r m e d e ve r y thi n g I kn e w f ro m the d ay I f i r s t l ai d e ye s o n he r. She l o o ke d g o r g e o u s .” - Di e go

“ I t h o u g h t i t w o u l d b e a n i c e me mo r y t o h a ve . I l ove l o o k i n g a t Fi rs t L o o k p h o t o s o n b l o g s ; t h e re i s s o me t h i n g ve r y s p e c i a l a b o u t t h e m. So w h e n my we ddi n g da y c a me I k n e w I w a n t e d t o h a ve o n e t o o. I fe l t l i k e i t w o u l d h e l p c a l m my n e r ve s a b i t b e fo re w a l k i n g dow n t h e a i s l e , a n d i t di d. We we re r u n n i n g a b o u t a n h o u r b e h i n d b u t l u c k i l y we we re a b l e t o fi t i t i n . A l l t h e s t re s s me l t e d a w a y w h e n I s a w Ga rre t t a n d we we re a b l e t o l a u g h , t a l k a n d b e w i t h e a c h o t h e r fo r a fe w mi n u t e s b e fo re t h e c e re mo n y.” - - Mo l l i e

“ Th e f i rs t loo k to us w a s a specia l mo m e n t th at t ook p lace a t our wed d ing. While I w as wait ing t o see my br id e for the fi r s t tim e , I was f eeling a nxious a nd excite d . Jus t k nowing tha t our wed d ing wa s a b o u t to t ake p lace a cross the la ke a nd ever y th i ng was happening so fa st. But the mi n u t e I s aw m y br id e to be I felt a r ush o f c o m f or t and I kne w then ever ything was g o i ng t o go as pla nned . I would sa y th e f i rs t look was w or th it from sta r t to fin i s h. It gave us m ore time to spend w ith eac h o t he r be f ore becoming husba nd a nd wi f e .” -Carm e n

Do i n g a f i r s t l o o k al l owe d u s to s hare s u c h a m e m o r ab l e , am az i n g m o m e n t w i tho u t al l the ad d e d s tre s s an d an xi e ty o f 1 5 0 we d d i n g gu e s ts s tar i n g at u s . We we re re al l y ab l e to e n joy the m o m e n t and the p i c tu re s take n are s o m e o f o u r f avo ri te . Af te r the f i r s t l o o k, we go t to e n joy e ac h o the r an d o u r we d d i n g p ar ty, taki n g p i c tu re s to ge the r. We have m u l ti p l e ti m e s s ai d o u r f avo r i te p ar t o f the d ay w a s l au g hi n g w i th e ve r yo n e d u r i n g the p i c tu re s ! Al l o f the p re s s u re w as o f f an d we e n joye d the w ho l e e ve n i n g! - - Ky l e 89

“At fi rs t I w a s a g a i n s t a first look . Bu t a ft e r a l l w a s s a i d a nd d one, I w a s s o h a p p y t h a t I c h ang ed m y mi n d. T h e w a ve o f e m ot ions a nd t h e fe e l i n g o f b e i n g b l own a wa y by h ow a ma zi n g my w i fe l ook ed wa s i n c re di b l e . I ’m s o h a p py I wa s a ble t o s h a re t h o s e e mo t i o n s a nd feeling s w i t h o n l y h e r, a n d n o t a ll of our g u e s t s .” - - Va u g h n

I h a d b e e n a dv o c a t i n g for a first look from t h e b e g i n n i n g b e c a u s e i t t a k es pressure off t h e t i mi n g o f y o u r c e re mo n y a nd a llows you t o e n j o y t h e c o c k t a i l h o u r. W h a t I d id n’t ex p e c t w a s t h a t i t w o u l d a ct ua lly ca lm a ll of m y n e rv e s t h a t I h a d b e e n feeling a ll d a y. I wa s p ra c t i c a l l y v i b ra t i n g w i t h a nx ious energ y up u n t i l s h e t a p p e d me o n my sh ould er - a weig h t l i ft e d, my n e rv e s c a l me d , a nd I could rela x . I t a b s o l u t e l y ma de t h e t im ing of t h e d a y EXT R E ME L Y e a s y t o o a n d we h a d ph enom ena l l i g h t fo r t h e s e i ma g e s . O v era ll, it wa s a g rea t i n v e s t me n t i n t i me a n d energ y - ev ery couple s h o u l d s t ro n g l y c o n s i de r it . It m a k es t h e rest o f y o u r da y fl o w a n d y o u ca n concent ra t e on e n j o y i n g y o u r v e ry s p e c i a l d a y! --Ja m es

“Rob and I loved the idea of having a First Look from the ver y beginning. We kne w how much activity there is was going to be on our wedding day and we didn’t want to miss our cocktail hour or have to cut down drastically on our time with our guests after the ceremony. In addition, after a mountain top ceremony, I was glad that we did the majority of our photos beforehand when my hair and makeup were still fresh and not exposed to the sun and wind! Those advantages from a logistics standpoint did play out really nicely on our wedding day. In addition, from the emotional perspective of the day, I was SO, SO glad to have this special time with Rob. Once I finally saw him on the covered bridge where we did our first look, I instantly felt so much calmer and happier that we could now be together for the rest of the day and experience all the love of our wedding day together. It was fun to surprise him during the actual “first look”. Just having a private moment (with the photographers, of course) was really nice and I just felt like that was the real star t for the wedding day when we could be together from there on out and share those initial smiles, laughs, and happy tears together.” - -Sara

“I’m ver y traditional and I actually didn’t think a first look was a good idea. Thought it might be bad luck but Katie wanted to do it. She said it was a time just for me and her to see each other before ever yone else at the wedding would see her walking down the aisle at the ceremony. I liked that we would have pictures of that moment of just the two of us. It got rid of all of the ner ves of the wedding day seeing her before. I was more excited about ever ything rather than ner vous after we saw each other. It’s a day just for the two of us so I think it was good to have that moment to share together for OUR day. I think it’s definitely beneficial and a nice moment during the crazy day to just be with each other. I didn’t realize how ner vous and anxious I would be the day of. After the first look ever ything just felt better. I was much more calm and we were able to both enjoy that time together.” --Matt

“I have to say, at first, I was ver y skeptical of the “First Look” concept and like many other brides, I was absolutely stuck on the idea of having that magical moment take place when I was walking down the aisle towards my groom. However, the more I read up on the experiences of other brides and the reasons why photographers recommend doing this, I became much more open and receptive to the idea. Because our venue imposed a strict one hour cocktail reception and a four hour wedding reception (we weren’t able to add any additional time) and because more than half of our guests were flying in from abroad, our primar y concern was being able to spend as much time as possible with our guests and enjoying/being present for all of the wedding activities. And after all, there were cer tainly many other aspects of the wedding that were not traditional. For example... there was me (a fair-skinned, blonde, Catholic, Polish/ Italian girl who gre w up on the Jersey Shore) about to marr y a handsome, dark Indian fellow (who is Hindu) who was born and raised in London! So all things considered, I was finally able to make peace with the idea of us seeing each other before the wedding ceremony, as I kne w this would be a major time saver for us and for our photographer. And I couldn’t have been happier with our decision. Seeing each other before the ceremony not only allowed us to free up some time for us to enjoy our cocktail hour, it also allowed us to rid ourselves of all the ner ves that you naturally experience before seeing each other for the first time. We were so excited to see each other and to get married, that it definitely showed in all of our wedding por traits - it was our ver y own private moment to enjoy, just the two of us (plus our photographer and videographer!), without any crowds of family and friends watching. I was also afraid that seeing each other beforehand might “take away from” the emotional experience of walking down the aisle towards him but that was far from the case - even though we had already seen each other, as soon as that music star ted to play and before I had even taken my first step into the ceremony room, I was overcome with emotion. Also, by having gotten rid of all the ner ves of seeing each other already, we both agreed that doing so allowed us to be more focused and “present” during the ceremony, and able to tr uly absorb ever ything that was happening in that moment. Choosing to do a “First Look” was one of the best decisions we made throughout our wedding planning process and I highly recommend it to ever y couple tying the knot!” --Stacey

“My husband and I decided to have a First Look for many reasons. We are an unconventional couple and decided to have our ceremony un der a beautiful tree at our reception location. We wanted all of our guests to relax and enjoy ever ything in one location. We wanted to spend as much time as possible with our friends and family so the First Look gave us the chance to do that. Looking back, we were ver y happy we got a chance to have an intimate moment before the festivities star ted. We would recommend it to couples who want to have an intimate moment and those who want to enjoy ever y moment of their special day with their closest friends and family.” --Allison 92

The

Daddy Daughter

FIRST LOOK

T H I S I S F O R A L L O F T H E B R I DE S W H O H AVE A s we e t s p o t i n t h e i r h e a r t fo r t h e i r da d. I h a ve t o a d mi t t h a t Da ddy / Da u g h t e r Fi rs t L o o k s ma k e me a l it t le t e a r y. Fo r a l o t o f da ds , t h i s i s w h e n e ve r y t h i n g f eels re a l a n d i t h i t s h i m. . . “ My b a by g i rl i s g e t t i n g MA RR I E D! ”

T h e s e a re p re c i o u s mo me n t s t o p h o t o g r a ph

a n d I h i g h l y e n c o u ra g e a n y da ddy’s g i rl t o ma k e tim e i n t h e i r t i me l i n e fo r t h i s mo me n t . It do e s n’t t a k e long a t a l l ! T h e h a rde s t p a r t i s ma k i n g s u re da d s h ow s u p on t i me ! If da d do e s n’t s h ow u p o n t i me , t h e w h o l e t i m el i n e c a n g e t t h row n o ff o r we’l l h a ve t o s k i p t h e da dd y/ da u g h t e r Fi rs t L o o k . A n o t h e r s we e t i de a I ’ve s e e n is h a v i n g t h e fa t h e r o f t h e b ri de e s c o r t t h e b ri de t o h er Fi rs t L o o k !

THE

Ceremony

H E R E I T IS ! T H E MOM E N T E V E RYON E H A S BE E N WA I T I NG FOR T he mu sic i s pl ay i n g a nd t he g ue s t s h ave b e en s e ate d . Us her s m a k e t hei r w ay to t he b a c k of t he c hu rc h or venue a nd t he c o ord i n ator i s l i n i n g up t he br ide sm a id s w h i le g iv i n g t he mu sic i a n s a 5 m i nute w a r ni n g. T he br ide i s a b out to w a l k dow n t he a i s le to t he love of her l i fe..... a nd i f s he’s l i k e mo s t g i rl s , s he’s d re a me d a b out t h i s moment for a lon g t i me ! Vow s w i l l b e s h a re d a nd prom i s e s w i l l b e m a de ... t h i s i s w h at it’s a l l a b out ! ! I n a world f u l l of we dd i n g blog s , Pi ntere s t a nd br id a l m a g az i ne s , it’s e a s y to b e over w he l me d a nd c on su me d by t he “pre t t i ne s s” of t he e vent . W h i le de t a i l s do m at ter a nd pl a n n i n g i s ne c e s s a r y, it’s i mp or t a nt to ne ver lo s e si g ht of t he re a l pu r p o s e of t h i s a m a z i n g d ay !

LIGHTING

ORDER OF S E RV I C E

PROGRAMS & D E TA I L S

C O O R D I N AT I O N

C E R E MON Y L IGH T I NG I S R E A L LY

I H AV E SE E N S O M A N Y C OU PL E S D O

T H E BE S T A DV IC E I H AV E FOR T H E

HIRING EITHER A FULL EVENT PL ANNER

i mp or t a nt . I f you g e t m a r r ie d out do or s at

s o m a ny A M A Z I NG t h i n g s du r i n g t he i r

pro g r a m m a k i n g pro c e s s i s to re me mb e r

or just a day-of -coordinator is SO impor tant!!

12pm, t he l i g ht i n g w i l l b e e x t re me ly h a r s h

c e re mony. I ’ve photo g r a phe d c ouple s w a s h-

t h at not E V E RY g u e s t ne e d s a pro g r a m !

Brides realize ver y quickly that if they do not

a nd not on ly w i l l t he re b e h a r s h l i ne s of l i g ht

i n g e a c h ot he r’s f e e t , s y mb ol i z i n g t h at t he y

We pr i nt e d a pro g r a m f or e ve r yone at t e nd-

have someone in charge of the coordination of

on you r f a c e s , you w i l l a l s o b e s qu i nt i n g.

w a nt to s e r ve e a c h ot he r f or t he re s t of t he i r

i n g ou r we d d i n g but qu ic k ly re a l i z e d t h at

the day, that responsibility will automatically

I s u g g e s t pl a n n i n g a n out do or c e re mony 2

l i f e . S ome c ouple s s h a re i n c om mu n ion

mo s t f a m i l ie s on ly to ok one . We e nd e d

fall on the mother of the bride... the photogra-

hou r s b e f ore s u n s e t i f you a re h av i n g a Fi r s t

w h i le s ome l i g ht a u n it y c a nd le . I ’ve s e e n

up w it h a ton of e x t r a pro g r a m s ! Yi k e s !

pher... or the BRIDE! When a photographer is

L o ok . I f you a re not i nt e re s t e d i n s h a r i n g a

s a nd c e re mon ie s , rop e c e re mon ie s a nd t he

A l s o, b e f ore ord e r i n g you r pro g r a m s , h ave

in charge of the coordinaiton of the day, the im-

Fi r s t L o ok , t he n I wou ld s u g g e s t h av i n g you r

si g n i n g of t he f a m i ly Bible . T he opt ion s

SE V E R A L p e ople c he c k it f or s p e l l i n g a nd

ages will suffer. All of my most stressful wedding

c e re mony 3 hou r s b e f ore s u n s e t to e n s u re

a re l i m it le s s ! ! A s you pl a n you r c e re mony,

g r a m m at ic a l e r ror s . Pro g r a m s a nd t he

situations were caused by a lack of organization

t h at you w i l l h ave ple nt y of t i me f or a l l of

m a k e s u re you d e si g n it to b e e x a c t ly w h at

c e re mony d e c or a re t h i n g s t h at t he br id e

and coordination. It’s so impor tant to make

you r p or t r a it s a f t e r w a rd s . T he lowe r t he s u n,

t he t wo of you e nv i sion it to b e . T h i s i s

c a n pl a n i n a d v a nc e but t he n d e l i g at e t he

this a priority. Though I help my couples cre-

t he more rom a nt ic t he l i g ht i n g. I f you a re

you r d ay ! ! I f you h ave t he f re e dom to b e

a c t u a l job of s e t t i n g it up to a f r ie nd or

ate a wedding day timeline before the wedding,

h av i n g a n i ndo or c e re mony, it i s a l w ay s b e s t

c re at i ve , t he n by a l l me a n s , b e c re at i ve ! !

c o ord i n ator. T he l a s t t h i n g a br id e ne e d s

this should not replace the job of a coordintor.

to h ave E V E N l i g ht i n g at t he a lt a r. I f t he re

to b e doi n g t he mor n i n g of he r we d d i n g i s

If you need any recommendations on wedding

a re t wo s p ot l i g ht s on t he br id e a nd g ro om,

r u n n i n g a rou nd s e t t i n g up f lor a l a r r a n g e -

coordination ser vices I would love to share some

I w i l l not b e a ble to e x p o s e t he re s t of t he

me nt s ! T h i s le a d s me i nto my ne x t c olu m n !

of my favorite vendors with you!

br id a l p a r t y. It i s b e t t e r to h ave s of t , e ve n 97

l i g ht a c ro s s t he w hole a lt a r.

The Ceremony

UnP lugged

YOU R C E R E MON Y IS A ONC E I N A L I F E T I M E E V E N T. T H IS SHOU L D BE A N I N T I M AT E moment b e t we en you a nd you r hu sba nd , s ome t h i n g t h at you w i l l c her i s h fore ver. It c a n’t b e re done or s t a g e d i f s ome t h i n g i s m i s s e d ! W hen you g o “u nplu g g e d ,” you’re a l low i n g you r g ue s t s to sit b a c k a nd enjoy you r c eremony i n s te a d of e x p er ienc i n g t he sp e c i a l moment s t h rou g h a v ie wf i nder. One of my f avor ite t h i n g s du r i n g a c eremony i s c apt u r i n g c a nd id re a c t ion s of you r f r iend s a nd f a m i ly. T he c eremony i s t he on ly t i me t h at I a s k for it to b e u nplu g g e d ... a nd onc e it s over you r g ue s t s c a n sn a p aw ay ! I f a ny of you r g ue s t s wou ld l i k e a ny of t he s e sp e c i a l c eremony mo ment s , le t t hem k now t h at you wou ld b e h appy to s h a re you r on l i ne we dd i n g g a l ler y w it h t hem s o t h at t he y c a n h ave a c c e s s to a l l of you r b e aut i f u l i m a g e s ! W hen you g o u nplu g g e d , g ue s t s w i l l fo c u s t hei r ener g y more on t he br ide a nd g ro om . S e ei n g f a c e s t h at a re nor m a l ly h idden b e h i nd c a mer a s c re en s w i l l br i n g more l i fe to you r c eremony. It w i l l fe e l l i k e e a c h p er s on i s t here to w it ne s s a nd c e lebr a re t he love b e t we en you b ot h, w h ic h i s w hy t he y were i nv ite d to you r we dd i n g i n t he f i r s t pl a c e ! T h i s m ay s e em l i k e a m i nor i s sue but I h ave p er s on a l ly w it ne s s e d we dd i n g g ue s t s ... k ne e l i n g dow n i n t he m idd le of t he a i s le ... “Unc le B ob s” g e t t i n g i n t he w ay... Blo c ki n g or a c t u a l ly le a n i n g t hei r b o d ie s on t he h i re d photog r apher s ... a nd a s e x t reme a s blo c k i n g t he g ro om a s t he br ide i s w a l k i n g dow n t he a i s le . I f you r c eremony i s i ndo or s , t here’s not h i n g I c a n do to c ombat a f l a s h f rom g ue s t photog r a pher’s c a mer a or phone s; no re p o sit ion i n g w i l l c h a n g e t he outc ome of it ! W hen you lo ok ba c k at you r we dd i n g photo s , you s hou ld b e a ble to s e e a l l of you r love d one s f a c e s enjoy i n g t h i s sp e c i a l moment , not s t a r i n g dow n at t hei r s c re en s . S ome he lpf u l w ay s to g o “U N PLUG GE D”... Po s t it on you r we dd i n g web site , i nc lude it i n you r i nv it at ion s su ite or i n side you r prog r a m s , d i spl ay a c ute si g n at you r c eremony a s a rem i nder or h ave you r of f ic i a nt m a k e a n a n nou nc ement b e fore s t a r t i n g. 99

100

Destination WEDDINGS

I F YOU A R E PL A N N I NG A DE S T I N AT ION we dd i n g , a lot of t he de t a i l s i n t h i s g u ide w i l l not apply to you ! You r de t a i l s , you r t i me l i ne a nd e ven you r prep a r at ion for t he bi g d ay w i l l b e muc h si mpler. Howe ver, it i s a g o o d ide a to s t a r t t h i n k i n g a b out a fe w k e y c omp onent s of t he d ay suc h a s you r c eremony t i me a nd you r c eremony/p or t r a it lo c at ion s (s ome de s t i n aton we dd i n g s re qu i re s ome pl a n n i n g to f i nd p ort r a it lo c at ion s w it hout tou r i s t s i n t he b a c kg rou nd). B e su re to c he c k t he su n s e t t i me at you r we dd i n g lo c at ion b e fore s e t t l i n g on you r c eremony t i me. A s you r we dd i n g d ay d r aw s c lo s er, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; l l b e g i n to c h at a b out t he t i me l i ne of t he d ay a nd t he t r ave l a r r a n g ement s . G e t e xc ite d ! ! T h i s i s g oi n g to b e a m a z i n g ! !

101

102

Sample List for

Family Formals I A B SOLU T E LY L OV E M E E T I NG M Y C OU PL E ’ S FA M I L I E S ON T H E we dd i n g d ay ! Fa m i ly for m a l s a re nor m a l ly my f i r s t i nter a c t ion w it h t hem a nd I love to h ave a g a me pl a n for t h i s p a r t of t he d ay ! 3 mont h s b e fore t he we dd i n g , you’ l l re c eive a que s t ion n a i re f rom me t h at w i l l a s k you to l i s t out t he f a m i ly for m a l s you w a nt me to c a pt u re . Here i s a s a mple f a mi ly for m a l l i s t to he lp you s t a r t pre p a r i n g w it h w h at s hot s you ne e d . We do h ave to l i m it t he f a m i ly for m a l t i me i n order to en su re t h at we h ave plent y of d ay l i g ht for you r rom a nt ic p or t r a it s . Howe ver, a ny l a r g e f a m i ly g roup s hot s t h at we don’t a c c ompl i s h du r i n g f a m i ly for m a l s , we c a n b e su re to c a pt u re at t he re c e pt ion ! B& G w it h Br ide’s I m me d i ate Fa m i ly ( Pa rent s , Sibl i n g s /Sp ou s e s , Gr a ndp a rent s , Nie c e s , Ne phe w s) B& G w it h Br ide’s Pa rent s B& G w it h Br ide’s Sibl i n g s Br ide w it h her Pa rent s Br ide w it h Mom, Br ide w it h D a d B& G w it h Br ide’s Gr a ndp a rent s B& G w it h b ot h s e t s of Pa rent s B& G w it h Gro om’s I m me d i ate Fa m i ly ( Pa rent s , Sibl i n g s , Gr a ndp a rent s , Nie c e s , Ne phe w s) B& G w it h Gro om’s Pa rent s B& G w it h Gro om’s Sibl i n g s Gro om w it h h i s Pa rent s Gro om w it h Mom, Gro om w it h D a d B& G w it h Gro om’s Gr a ndp a rent s B& G w it h a l l f a m i ly memb er s i f t i me a l low s

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Romantic Portraits I F W E’R E BE I NG HON E S T, A L L OF T H E W E DDI NG DAY i m a g e s a re i mp or t a nt but t he re a l f avor ite s a re a l mo s t a lw ay s f rom my t i me w it h t he Br ide a nd Gro om !

T he s e rom a nt ic

p or t r a it s of ju s t t he t wo of you w i l l b e t he i m a g e s t h at you f r a me b e side you r b e d or over you r m a nt le a nd t he y w i l l a l s o b e t he i m a g e s t h at w i l l f i l l you r a lbu m for g ener at ion s to enjoy. T he s e i m a g e s a re a lw ay s my f avor ite , not on ly b e c au s e of t hei r b e aut y, but b e c au s e t h i s i s suc h a s we e t p or t ion of t he d ay. For t h i s br ie f moment i n t i me , you w i l l b e a lone w it h you r g ro om on you r we dd i n g d ay. You w i l l h ave a c h a nc e to love on e a c h ot her a nd re a l ly c on ne c t b e fore t he c r a z i ne s s b e g i n s ! R om a nt ic p or t r a it s a re nor m a l ly done b e fore t he c eremony (a f ter t he “Fi r s t L o ok ”) a nd t hen I L OV E s ho ot i n g a fe w “ ju s t m a r r ie d ” p or t r a it s a f ter t he c eremony a s we l l ! T h i s i s w hen t he l i g ht i s low a nd g olden ! It’s suc h a rom a nt ic t i me for br ide a nd g ro om p or t r a it s ! I f you’re not i ntere s te d i n a Fi r s t L o ok , we w i l l m a k e su re to i nc lude a lot of t i me a f ter t he c eremony for t he s e p or t r a it s ! You m ay ne e d to e x tend you r c o c k t a i l hou r i f you’re not s h a r i n g a Fi r s t L o ok i f you r c eremony a nd re c ept ion w i l l b e at one lo c at ion.

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107

108

Trusting

P O RT R A I T L O C AT I O N S O NE O F MY FAVO R I T E PA RTS O F MY J O B I S TAK ING s o me t h i n g s o o rdi n a r y a n d ma k i n g i t l o o k a b s o l u t e l y a m a z ing ! T h i s h a p p e n s mo s t o ft e n w h e n i t c o me s t o p i c k i n g p o r t ra it loc a t i o n s ! If t h e re i s o n e t h i n g t h a t I l ove a n d a p p re c i a te a bout my c o u p l e s , i t’s t h a t t h e y t r u s t me ! So me t i me s I s e l e c t por t ra it l o c a t i o n s t h a t mo s t p e o p l e w o u l dn’t c o n s i de r a t t ra c t i ve . For ex a mp l e , t h i s i ma g e o n t h i s s p re a d w a s a c t u a l l y t a k e n down by a ri ve r n e a r t h e ve n u e . T h e b ri de re me mb e re d t o h i de h e r snea k ers u n de r h e r s we e t h e a r t t a b l e s o we c o u l d s h o o t t h e re . We h ik ed dow n a s ma l l h i l l t h ro u g h a p a t h o p e n i n g i n t h e b u s h e s beca use t h e l i g h t w a s j u s t p e r fe c t ! T h e re w a s n o t h i n g s p e c i a l a b out t h is p l a c e . It w a s g r u n g y a n d s e e mi n g l y “u g l y” fro m e ve r yone else’s p o i n t o f v i e w e xc e p t mi n e ! Howe ve r, b e c a u s e my c o u p l e t r ust ed me a n d t h e y we re w i l l i n g t o b e a l i t t l e a dve n t u ro u s , t hey now h a ve t h e mo s t a ma zi n g p o r t ra i t s !

So my e n c o u ra g e ment is t o

j u s t t r u s t me ! Yo u do n’t h a ve t o w o rr y a b o u t a t h i n g ! Tr ust m y l o c a t i o n s a n d I p ro mi s e yo u , yo u’l l LOVE t h e re s u l t s !

THE CASE OF A

Rainy

W E D D I N G D AY ON E OF T H E MOS T F R EQU E N T LY A SK E D QU E S T IONS T H AT I R E C I E V E DU R I NG we dd i n g s e a s on i s “S o o o o, w h at do you do i f it R A I NS?! ” I w a nt to re a s su re you t h at e ven i f it r a i n s , you w i l l s t i l l h ave b e aut i f u l p or t r a it s a nd BR IGH T c olor s i n you r i m a g e s ! O verc a s t s k ie s me a n v ibr a nt c olor s ! I k now t h at r a i n i sn’t ide a l a nd no br ide wou ld w i s h for r a i n on t hei r bi g d ay but i f it h a pp en s , it h a pp en s ..... a nd it’s g oi n g to b e J US T f i ne ! ! S ome of my b e s t we dd i n g s h ave b e en on r a i ny we dd i n g d ay s ! Here a re a fe w t h i n g s to rememb er : 1. A l l I ne e d to c re ate n at u r a l l i g ht p or t r a it s on a r a i ny we dd i n g d ay i s a p orc h ! Ju s t one p orc h ! 2 . L e t me wor r y a b out t he pic t u re s . You h ave enou g h to t h i n k a b out . I f t here i s a c h a nc e of r a i n, I ’ l l b e su re to do s ome e x t r a s c out i n g to f i nd a c overe d lo c at ion or t wo for me to u s e for you Fi r s t L o ok , rom a nt ic p or t r a it s a nd br id a l p a r t y p or t r a it s . 3. Ta k e it one s tep at a t i me. D on’t t h i n k a b out you r ent i re d ay a nd w h at w i l l h app en i f it r a i n s . T h at w i l l on ly over w he l m you ! D e f i n ite ly h ave a r a i n pl a n for you r venue but t hen le t you r vendor s do t he work of h a nd l i n g t he re s t of t he d ay i f r a i n i s i n t he fore c a s t .

111

T h i s w a s t he l a s t s hot of t he n i g ht a nd it s o p er fe c t ly s how s t h at t he r a i n c a n’t k e e p u s f rom t a k i n g b e aut i f u l i m a g e s ! D on’t le t t he fe a r of r a i n s te a l you r joy. You c a n’t c ont rol it a nd I prom i s e I w i l l m a k e t he b e s t of it ! ! ! 112

YOUR

Bridal Party!

L E T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S C H AT A BOU T YOU R BR I DA L p a r t y ! T h i s i s w hen t he f u n R E A L LY b e g i n s ! I k now f rom e x p er ienc e t h at a l l br ide s w a nt t hei r c lo s e s t f r iend s to h ave a n A M A Z I NG t i me du r i n g t hei r bi g d ay a nd I w i l l m a k e su re t h at h a pp en s ! Br id a l p a r t y p or t r a it s s hou ld b e a ton of F U N ! A f ter you s h a re you r Fi r s t L o ok , de p end i n g on t he lo c at ion s a nd t he t i mi n g of t he d ay, you r br id a l p a r t y w i l l joi n u s for p or t r a it s ! I f a l l g o e s we l l, we w i l l b e a ble to a c c ompl i s h A L L of you r br id a l p a r t y p or t r a it s BE FOR E t he c eremony. T h i s me a n s t h at you r g uy s a nd g a l s w i l l b e f re e to m i n g le at c o c k t a i l hou r i f t he y w i s h !

I f t here a re f low-

er g i rl s a nd r i n g b e a rer s i nvolve d , t he y c a n eit her joi n u s for t he pre - c eremony p or t r a it s or we c a n t a k e one f i n a l g roup photo a f ter t he c eremony b e fore f a m i ly for m a l s . B e su re you r g ro om smen a r r ive w it h b outon n iere s a nd you r br ide sm a id s a rr ive w it h b ouque t s !

114

The

Reception

T HE PA RT Y IS HERE! ! RECEP TI ONS CAN B E A B L AST ! H OW EV E R, ITS IM P O RTA NT to mak e s ure t ha t you ha ve your event we l l tho u ght o u t. T hi s i s the jo b o f yo u r c o o d i n a tor and your D J /Ba nd . Your ca terer will al s o p l ay a b i g ro l e i n the d e s i g n an d s e t u p o f your e ve nt . Ever y a spect of your recepti o n af f e c ts the ove r al l o u tl i n e o f the e ve n i n g. Fo r ex am p le , if you’re not ha ving a pla ted me al , yo u r re c e p ti o n w i l l n e e d to b e s e t u p i n a w a y th at allows m ovement. Guests w ill need to b e ab l e to f i n d the f o o d s tati o n s e as i l y an d th e re w i l l be a m ix t ure of d inner ta bles a nd h i ghto p c o c ktai l tab l e s . T hi s w i l l e n c o u r ag e gu e s t s to mi x and m ingle. If you a re ha ving a pl ate d d i n n e r, yo u w i l l m o re than l i ke l y n e e d e s c o r t c a rds , f ull p lace settings a nd spa ce for al l o f yo u r gu e s ts to b e s e ate d c o m f o r tab l y. W hat e ve r th e s t y le of your event, ma ke sure tha t yo u p l an o u t al l o f the as p e c ts o f the e ve n i n g. Yo u r c o o rdinat or and DJ /Ba nd ca n help you s e t u p the e ve n i n g s o that gu e s ts w o n’t l e ave e ar l y o r ex pe rie nce long per iod s of w a iting for t he n e xt thi n g to hap p e n . 115

Mu c h l i k e t h e c e re mo n y, yo u h a ve t h e fre e do m t o ma k e yo u r re c e p t i o n your own! It’s yo u r p a r t y, i t s h o u l d b e e x a c t l y h ow yo u w a n t i t t o b e ! He re i s a l i s t o f som e k ey event s t h a t h a p p e n o ft e n a t re c e p t i o n s : -

Bri da l Pa r t y In t ro du c t i o n s Fi rs t Da n c e Da ddy - Da u g h t e r Da n c e Mo t h e r- So n Da n c e A n n i ve rs a r y Da n c e Mo n e y Da n c e Tra di t i o n a l Re l i g i o u s Da n c e s

We l c o me by Fa t h e r o f t h e Brid e Bl e s s i n g C a k e Cu t t i n g To a s t s B o u q u e t a n d Ga r t e r To ss L a rg e g ro u p p o r t ra i t s wit h friend s T h e e x i t o f t h e Bri de a n d Groom 116

RECEPTION

Tips

T H E F U N H A S BEGU N ! I T ’ S T I M E TO R E L A X , DA NC E A N D C E L E BR AT E ! ! You r re c e pt ion s hou ld b e a BL A S T ! T he l a s t t h i n g you ne e d to b e wor r y i n g a b out i s you r t i me l i ne. You r c o ord i n ator a nd DJ/ B a nd s hou ld t a k e c a re of m a k i n g su re t h at e ver y t h i n g s t ay s on s c he du le s o t h at you c a n enjoy you r n i g ht . Here a re s ome he lpf u l t ip s t h at w i l l he lp you r re c e pt ion f low smo ot h ly. - GU E S T C ONSI DE R AT ION. Ta k e you r g ue s t s i nto c on sider at ion w hen pl a n n i n g you r t i me l i ne. I f you h ave a lot of e lderly g ue s t s t h at w i l l not b e s t ay i n g u nt i l t he ver y end , m a k e su re you s c he du le t he c a k e c ut t i n g at a re l at ive ly e a rly t i me s o t h at t he y c a n b e a p a r t of it . Gr a nd m a s love s e ei n g t h i s s we e t t r a d it ion ! - K E E P I T MOV I NG . C h at w it h you r c o ord i n ator a b out how you c a n pl a n you r re c e pt ion i n a w ay t h at w i l l k e ep g ue s t s en g a g e d a nd mov i n g a l l n i g ht ! - M A K E I T YOU R OW N. I f you w a nt to h ave a sp e c i a l d a nc e w it h you r g r a ndp a rent s , do it ! M a k e you r re c ept ion a re f le c t ion of w ho you a re a nd don’t fe e l t ie d to t r a d it ion s . A l s o, m a k e su re you g ive you r DJ or B a nd a “D o Not Pl ay ” l i s t i f t here a re s ome s on g s you re a l ly don’t w a nt to he a r du r i n g you r re c e pt ion ! - D ON ’ T GE T C AUGH T U P. E sp e c a i l ly w it h t he for m a l it ie s a nd t he de t a i l s . Su re , de t a i l s a re pre t t y a nd f u n to photog r aph, but t he y c a n s te a l t he joy of t he d ay i f you g e t to o c au g ht up i n t hem ( ju s t sp e a k i n g f rom e x p er ienc e here). Pl a n you r c enter pie c e s , we lc ome t a ble , e tc . we l l b e fore t he we dd i n g d ate a nd te a c h you r c o ord i n ator or f a m i ly f r iend how to s e t t hem up s o t h at you a ren’t e ven t h i n k i n g a b out t ho s e t h i n g s t he d ay of ! - R E C E P T ION C OV E R AGE . I f you h aven’t pu rc h a s e d enou g h c over a g e t i me for you r photog r a phy to l a s t u nt i l t he e x it , t h at’s ok ! I h ave s e ver a l opt ion s ! (S e e ne x t p a g e !) I re c om mend pl a n n i n g you r t i me l i ne s o t h at you c a n h ave at le a s t one hou r of d a nc i n g photog r a phe d . T he g ue s t s w ho d a nc e du r i n g t he f i r s t hou r w i l l s t i l l b e d a nc i n g i n t he t h i rd hou r ! One hou r of d a nc i n g w i l l b e enou g h t i me to re a l ly c apt u re t he joy of you r re c ept ion !

117

RECEPTION

Controlled Exits E X I TS ! I F YOU C OV E R AGE E N DS BE FOR E YOU R E X I T, YOU H AV E t he opt ion of pl a n n i n g a mo c k up e x it w it h you r br id a l p a r t y ! T h i s i s more c om mon t h a n you m ay t h i n k . I n s te a d of s av i n g you r e x it u nt i l t he ver y end , you c a n pl a n a f au x e x it w it h ju s t t he memb er s of you r br id a l p a r t y a nd a fe w f a m i ly memb er s (a b out 15 -2 0 p e ople)! T h i s a l low s u s to h ave more c ont rol over t he s e s hot s a nd t he p a r t y N E V E R h a s to s top! T h i s pre vent s i njur ie s a nd you r g ue s t s w i l l b e more s ob er w hen h a nd l i n g f i re . I n mo s t c a s e s , no one e ven not ic e s t h at t he br ide a nd g ro om a re m i s si n g for a fe w m i nute s ! A l s o, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a l mo s t i mp o s sible to te l l t h at t he w hole we dd i n g p a r t y i snâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t t here w av i n g sp a rk ler s a nd s end i n g of f t he h appy c ouple ! T h i s ide a a l low s my c ouple s to s ave mone y a nd s t i l l h ave a l l of t he s hot s t h at t he y d re a me d of ! 119

120

Heirloom

ALBUMS

I H AVE A LWAYS S AI D THAT I WO ULD G RAB O UR W E D D IN G ALBUM IF O U R hous e was on fire! Could I a lwa ys b u i l d an o the r we d d i n g al b u m i f s o m e thi n g hap p e n e d t o t h i s boo k? Yes. However, there i s s o m e thi n g s p e c i al ab o u t c re ati n g yo u r f i r s t h e i rloom . Having d igita l ima ges is w ond e r f u l b u t havi n g a p r i n te d ke e p s ake that te l l s a v i s ual s t or y of our wed d ing d a y is pr i c e l e s s ! If yo u have nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t al re ad y i n ve s te d i n a he i r l o o m album of your own, you ca n a lw a ys c o m e b ac k to m e at an y ti m e an d o rd e r o n e . Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m n o t a ph ot ogra phy business tha t pushes p ro d u c t s al e s at al l . Howe ve r, the s e al b u m s are i mp or t ant not j ust for my couples to have . . . b u t f o r the i r gr an d c hi l d re n to e n joy as we l l .

SI Z E OP T IONS:

4 x4, 8x8, 10 x10, 12 x12 S AY T H A N K YOU W I T H A PA R E N T A L BU M : Your p arents d o so much to ma ke yo u r we d d i n g a d re am c o m e tr u e s o w hy n o t s u r p ri s e t h e m w ith their ver y own a l b u m s o n Chr i s tm as m o r n i n g ! Af te r the we d d i n g chaos i s over a nd life retur ns to no r m al , i f yo u w an t to s u r p r i s e yo u r p are n ts w i th t he i r ve r y ow n a lbums from your we d d i n g f o r Chr i s tm as , p l e as e l e t m e kn ow b e f o re Oct obe r 1st so we ca n get them o rd e re d ! 121

DOW N L OA DI NG PHOTOS:

You w i l l b e a ble to dow n loa d you r e d ite d i m a g e s d i re c t ly f rom you r on l i ne g a l ler y a nd t he y w i l l b e h i g h re s olut ion ! T h i s pro c e s s i s ver y si mple ! A l l you h ave to do i s c l ic k t he “ dow nw a rd s a r row ic on” a nd you w i l l b e prompte d to enter you r n a me a nd em a i l. Onc e you enter you r n a me a nd em a i l, you w i l l b e a s k e d i f you w a nt to dow n loa d ju s t t h at one photo or i f you wou ld l i k e to dow n loa d a l l photo s ! You r photo s w i l l dow n loa d d i re c t ly to you r “D ow n loa d s” folder. I f you opt to dow n loa d t he ent i re g a l ler y, you w i l l b e not i f ie d v i a em a i l w hen you r ent i re dow n loa d i s re a dy. It t a k e s a fe w m i nute s to pre p a re for hu nd re d s of i m a g e s to b e dow n loa de d !

AC C E SSI NG YOU R PHOTOS ON YOU R PHON E:

T he on l i ne g a l ler y s y s tem t h at I u s e a c t u a l ly h a s a mobi le A pp t h at i s f re e to dow nloa d ! I f you pu l l up you r g a l ler y i n you r brower on you r i Phone /i Pa d , you w i l l b e prompte d to dow n loa d a F R E E A PP! I n t h i s f re e a pp, you’ l l b e a ble to a c c e s s you r g a ller y ( b ot h we dd i n g a nd en g a g ement g a l ler ie s) a nd you c a n dow n loa d i nd iv idu a l i m a g e s to you r i Phone to u s e for c le a r, c r i sp i n s t a g r a m photo s !

OR DE R I NG PR I N TS:

You c a n a c t u a l ly order profe s sion a l a nd a f ford a ble pr i nt s f rom w it h i n you r on l i ne g a l ler y a nd h ave t hem s h ipp e d d i re c t ly to you r hou s e ! Pr i nt si z e s a re a l l u nder $10 a nd a re pr i nte d i n a profe s sion a l l a b to en su re c olor a nd c ont r a s t a c c u r a c y ! You a re more t h a n we lc ome to pr i nt i m a g e s on you r ow n. Howe ver, I wou ld w a r n you to avoid Wa l m a r t , Ta r g e t a nd C o s tc o. I c a n not prom i s e t h at you r c olor s w i l l pr i nt t r ue -to -l i fe i f you c ho o s e to pr i nt at t ho s e s tore s . I f you don’t pr i nt t h rou g h you r g a l ler y, I re c ommend u si n g Mpi x .c om !

G A L L E RY E X PI R AT ION:

Your Online

GALLERY

Y EARS AGO YOU HAD TO O RD E R P RIN TS O F T H E IM AG E S T H AT you w a nted to ha ve foreve r. T hat i s n’t how I w o rk aro u n d he re ! I w an t you to ha ve ALL of your m e m o r i e s i n yo u r p o s s e s s i o n f o re ve r an d e ve r ! I a lso wa nt you to sha re yo u r i m age s f re e l y an d w i tho u t an y he s i tati o n . This is w hy I d eliver your i m age s vi a an o n l i n e gal l e r y ! T hi s m e an s that you d on’t ha ve to w a it on a p ac kage i n the m ai l an d yo u’l l have ac c e s s to t hem w herever you a re! I ’ve l i s te d s o m e i m p o r tan t i n f o r m ati o n that w i l l h elp you und er sta nd your o n l i n e g al l e r y an d al l that i t c an d o o n the n e xt pa ge! Enj oy! 123

I h ave g re at ne w s ! You r g a l ler ie s w i l l not e x pi re for 10 ye a r s ! I sn’t t h at a m a z i n g ?! You w i l l h ave k id s r u n n i n g a rou nd e ver y w here b e fore you r we dd i n g g a l ler y e x pi re s ! Howe ver, e ven t hou g h you w i l l h ave a c c e s s to you r i m a g e s for a lon g t i me , I wou ld s t i l l re c om mend dow n loa d i n g t hem a nd s av i n g t hem i n mu lt iple pl a c e s for s a fe k e epi n g !

SH A R I NG, WAT E R M A R K I NG & E DI T I NG:

You h ave t he f re e dom to s h a re you r i m a g e s i n a ny w ay t h at you c ho o s e ! T he s e a re you r i m a g e s a nd I w a nt you to love t hem s o muc h t h at you c a n’t he lp but s h a re t hem ! I don’t b e l ie ve t h at it i s ne c e s s a r y to w ater m a rk my i m a g e s . A l l I a s k for i s s ome t y p e of c re d it w hene ver you u s e a n i m a g e on s o c i a l me d i a ! I on ly h ave ON E r u le w hen it c ome s to w h at you c a n a nd c a n not do w it h my work . I a lw ay s enc ou r a g e my c l ient s not to re - e d it t hei r i m a g e s . L e t me do t h at h a rd work ! Howe ver, i f you h ave a n i m a g e or t wo t h at you w a nt to pr i nt at a ver y l a r g e si z e a nd you f i nd a n i mp er fe c t ion, I w i l l g l a d ly p er fe c t it ! 124

Thank You L as t , but ce r ta inly not lea st, THANK YO U f o r tr u s ti n g m e w i th yo u r s p e c i al d ay. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m s o h onore d to be the one ca ptur ing yo u r m e m o r i e s an d I c an n o t WAIT to c e l e b r ate alongs ide of you! Enj oy this sea son o f p l an n i n g b u t al s o re m e m b e r that yo u r M ARR IAGE is m o re impor ta nt tha n the we d d i n g . T he we d d i n g w i l l c o m e an d go i n a m at t e r of h ours but your ma r r ia ge need s to s tan d the te s t o f ti m e . Co n ti n u e to m ake ti m e f or one anot her, even w ith a ll tha t nee d s to ge t d o n e . As yo u c o n ti n u e to p l an , p l e ase f e e l f re e t o conta ct me w ith ANY ques ti o n s yo u m ay have al o n g the w ay ! De p e n d i n g on your dat e, our next step would be to f i n al i ze an e n gage m e n t s e s s i o n ! Al s o , b e f o re t he we ddi ng, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive a n online q u e s ti o n n ai re that w i l l p rovi d e m e w i th e ve r y t hing I ne e d to know for your big d ay !! I ho p e thi s gu i d e has b e e n he l p f u l as yo u c o n t i nue t o p lan a nd prepa re for your wed d i n g d ay !

xoxo,Christy