Details

Jay and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary last month.  I always get nostalgic and bust out the wedding pictures whenever the 18th of September rolls around.  Some of the details of that day have faded from my memory, so I'm glad to have the photos to remind me.  My biggest, really my only, regret about my wedding was that I didn't bother with the details.  When I was planning my wedding, nine years ago, I felt that things like fancy flowers and stylish shoes were a waste of money.

 

But now?  Well, let's talk flowers.  Flowers are HUGE!  I so wish I had stepped onto the color wheel and incorporated colorful bouquets and bright centerpieces into my wedding like these smart brides did.

 

 

If I had it to do again, I'd get married outside.  Rain?  A white tent backup plan has been a beautiful alternative for many brides.

Details!  They matter to your guests.  A little personal touch goes a long way to make everyone feel welcome on your special day.

I wish Jay and I had done an engagement session.  Being engaged can be stressful at times, and an engagement session is the perfect opportunity to just enjoy being engaged.  No planning.  No input from friends, family, co-workers, random people in a bridal shop...just you and your man.  Plus, guests love seeing your engagement pictures in a guest book on your wedding day.

 

 

Sometimes the details are a surprise to even the bride and groom.  Wonderful guests and a thoughtful bridal party decided to have some fun with sparklers at two weddings I shot this year.  The end result?  Happiness and laughter from the bride and groom.

This bride decided to surprise her dad with his favorite Pink song.  They were having their nostalgic father/daughter moment when suddenly they busted out some mad dance moves.

I recognize that ring - it's mine, so Kelly must have taken this picture.  This Welsh love spoon was a nice way to celebrate the groom's heritage.  Again, details.

I thought about having my bridesmaids wear different dresses, but in the end I found it easier just to have them wear the same gown.  This bride chose a dress that could be worn eight different ways.  Each girl tied her dress in a unique way.  As the night wore on, however, we learned that there were way more than eight ways to wear the dress.  The straps became bows atop the girls' heads, capes for flying, and lassos.  :-)

If a groom wants to wear Converse, why shouldn't he wear Converse?!?

A totally unique veil.  The power went out five minutes before this wedding was set to begin.  No sign of nerves on this bride.  Beautiful!

A short dress.  Genius!  I'm totally wearing a short dress when Jay and I renew our vows someday.

The most important thing on your wedding day?  Have fun and don't forget to smile. :-)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my wedding day.  It was perfect for us.  But, now that I shoot weddings professionally, I am so much more in tune with all of the sights, sounds and feelings that surround that magical day. 

There is one thing I don't regret about my wedding day: the guy who was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.  Eight years, three kids, and countless memories later I'm still living my happily ever after.



Behind the times

It's August 2nd.  It's August 2nd?  It's AUGUST 2nd!!!! Yikes.  I'm a bit behind on blogging this wedding season.  Luckily, it's not a lack of material that is keeping me from the good ole blogspot.  I'm not naming names (Leo, Jake & Bode), but there are three little munchkins who need some momma time after a long week and/or weekend of shooting.  Anyway, I hope to get my summer weddings up before the end of this month, but I'll be happy to get them all posted by the end of this year. :-0
Here are some of my favorite images from Joey and Lauren's June fairytale wedding in St. Charles.  Yes, I said June.  I realize it's August.  Don't judge. ;-)

Joey had his tux custom made for Lauren's pink wedding palette.

The ceremony was at Baker United Methodist Church.  I had never shot there before, but now that I have I hope to get back there soon.  The stained glass windows were so beautiful!

The getaway car...awesome!

Riding off into the sunset...well, they were headed west so that's where the sun would have been had it been shining.

You know I love me some wedding cake.

The flowers were exquisite, but what do you expect when Elizabeth Wray is the designer? Gorgeous!

I could go nuts posting flower pics, but I'm saving that for a separate post. 

A little snuggle time before the guests entered the reception room.

The only thing Kelly and I enjoy more than dessert at weddings is a photo booth.  Combine the two and we're golden! I may or may not have eaten Kelly's chocolate covered strawberry. You can't prove a thing. ;-)

Are you ready for some football???

You won't hear a complaint from me when this H-O-T summer concludes and the sweet, cuddly weather of fall rolls in.  I love the changing seasons, particularly autumn.  The leaves.  The colors.  The pumpkins and the ghouls.  Love it!  Which is why I had so much fun shooting some awesome Cali Girl Creationz for their NFL line.  Are YOU ready for some football?!? (I know I am).

 Grrrrrr!

 A little sibling rivalry?

 Enjoy the rest of your summer.  Football season is only 48 days away...but who's counting?