I absolutely love looking through photographer’s blogs to see engagement photos.  The love that you can see radiating from the eyes of each of the couples just makes me all warm & fuzzy inside.  But then, there’s something more.  There’s always something unique about each couple’s particular photos, besides the actual couple themselves… there is the outdoor lighting that just makes a photo standout.  That one moment in each day where the PERFECT lighting is available for photographer’s to take advantage of.  Sometimes it’s a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, looking like the gates of heaven are opening at the kiss of a couple.  Other times it is the beautiful heat lightning that streaks the sky before a storm.  Whatever it is, there is always something beautiful with natural lighting, even if it is just the particular shadows that it is casting at that moment.  So, below are a few of my fave photos using natural available lighting. 

First through third image is Melody Smith of Twilight Images.  Last image by Rothwell Photography.

One of my friends from high school in Virginia has just gotten engaged, and I couldn’t be happier for him. What a small world, as it turns out, that he & his fiance have selected my favorite photographer (the photographer from my own wedding), Melody Smith of Twilight Images. I was so excited to see their photos from their engagement session. It looks like Melody had a ton of fun with them! What a great looking couple… congrats again!!

All images copyright of Twilight Images.

Have you ever met someone who is just striking?  I mean, literally, just stunningly beautiful?  Well that is my friend Abbie.  We first met when we moved into condominiums on the same street in Cincinnati, and we both had small dogs that quickly became boyfriend/girlfriend.   The most amazing thing about Abbie is that besides being naturally gorgeous, she is one of the sweetest, most down to earth, caring & loving individuals I have ever met.  Total package.  Seriously.  And after 2 years of being neighbors, trips to Cabo and Lake Tahoe together, we’ve now both met the loves of our lives and gotten married.  

I’ll feature Abbie’s wedding on here soon, but until then I wanted to share some shots of her modeling for amateur photographers in the Dallas area.  She was a model for a bridal workshop, where various budding photographers took plenty of pics showing her beauty… and her wedding dress.  That’s right, the gown she has on in these photos is her actual wedding dress that was worn last summer.   I love these pics and I know you will, too!

There are loads of beautiful wedding photos out there and many we love and use for inspiration and others… well we just can’t forget. Here’s the top 10 wedding photos you will remember (for whatever the reason).

All photos seen here first.

Hot Pink Brides did a poll from Brides to Be to find out what order brides chose their wedding vendors. It was fascinating – I was shocked with the results.

1) Wedding Dress & Attire

2) Venue for Ceremony

3) Venue for Reception

4) Photography

5) Catering (If it was NOT included with venue)

6) DJ

7) Wedding Cake

8 ) Flowers

9) Videographer

10) Officiate (if not including by church venue)

11) Ceremony Music (if not provided by DJ like a harpist or guitarist)

12) Coordinator

13) Grooms Cake

14) Lighting and Favors

15) Transportation (Limo services)

I am not surprised that the dress was chosen first, as that is what most girls dream about. But I am really surprised that coordination was so low because it is SO important to have a good planner/coordinator.

What better way to announce you’re “taking the plunge” than to do so, literally? Check out this awesome save-the-date announcement inspiration from Steep Street where the bride & groom-to-be donned wedding gear and jumped in feet first, so to speak!

(from Bridal Association of America)

Even the brightest, most on-top-of bride or groom can make mistakes during the planning of there wedding. Below are the 10 things you should keep an eye on before saying I do.

1. Blowing off your budget.
It costs a lot of money to throw a wedding. Excited brides start booking vendors and making purchases without having a real budget and then are shocked to discover they’ve already spent all of their money (or parents’ money) and don’t yet have half the things they need. If you bounce checks or don’t have the money to pay your deposits or make your final payments on the wedding day, your wedding will not happen. Trust us — the band is not going to play all night if you don’t pay. Planning a wedding is serious business. Make a budget and keep track of your expenditures so you won’t be walking naked down the aisle.

2. Messing up the marriage license.
There are so many rules surrounding marriage licenses that brides are always botching up this one. For instance, if you get your license 61 days before your wedding in Pennsylvania, you won’t be able to legally marry on your wedding day because a license is valid there for only 60 days. Go to obtain your license the day before your wedding, and you may not get it in time because some states have a three-day waiting period. A common mess-up for those marrying for a second time is not bringing official divorce papers when you go to get the certificate. Don’t let this happen to you — search for marriage license information far in advance

3. Ordering your wedding gown too late.
If your heart is set on a couture gown, be sure to order by the six-month mark since your dress will be custom-made and, many times, made overseas. In addition, most off-the-rack dresses will require alterations, so make certain that you have enough time to get the gown fitted properly. You’ll want to leave plenty of time for shipping and for your fittings. The same goes for the bridesmaid dresses.

4. Booking hotel rooms too late.
Brides often leave blocking out hotel rooms for out-of-town guests until the last minute. If you’re marrying during a busy time and you don’t investigate hotel availability in advance, you can end up with literally not a single room for your guests to stay. Your wedding will go on — but no one will be able attend. Reserve rooms as early as possible. Begin your research up to year in advance, and make sure your block is booked at the eight-month mark. Be sure to include hotel information in your save-the-date cards or invitations. This doesn’t mean you will have to pay for the rooms, you are just setting them aside — your guests can put down their credit cards when they call to book their rooms.

5. Inviting too many guests.
Make sure your guest list and your reception site capacity match up numbers-wise. You can’t invite 400 people assuming only 250 will accept, because if you end up with 300 acceptances, you may have to turn 50 guests away at the door. Most reception sites can’t just add 10 more tables — fire laws limit the maximum number of people allowed in any room at one time. Analyze your guest list from the get-go, assume 80% will respond yes, and limit your guest list accordingly.

6. Partaking in last-minute beauty treatments and crash diets.
Many brides think that scheduling a facial the day before the wedding will leave their skin looking angelic on their big days. Thinking of tanning the day before your wedding? Think again: you may end up with blisters instead of sun-kissed skin. Last-minute beauty treatments can lead to breakouts, mistakes or, even worse, serious infections. Same goes for crash dieting in the weeks leading up to the wedding — after all those gown fittings, your dress may not fit! Stick to a long-term beauty regimen with lots of rest, a good diet, and safe over-the-counter beauty products like sunless tanners. Save the heavy-duty beauty treatments for at least two weeks before the big day or you could risk ruining all the hard work you’ve done to make your wedding — and your photos — perfect (never mind putting your health and happiness at risk for the most important day of your life)!

7. Underpaying invitation postage.
You’d be surprised how many brides just stick a regular stamp on their invites and drop the whole batch into a mailbox. All but a few wedding invitations require additional postage — sometimes up to .55 cents. The postal service will not take pity on you — your invites will be returned, rubber-stamped with that ugly “insufficient postage” sign, and it will take at least three weeks (never mind the additional $$) to get those invitations back out the door. Get one invitation weighed — at the post office — before purchasing your stamps. Note: square invitations require additional postage not only because of the weight but the shape — so don’t try to figure this out by yourself.

8. Ignoring religious restrictions.
Inappropriate attire for the church or temple, or skipping the pre-canae, may keep your officiant from marrying you when the big day comes around. Take your religious restrictions seriously. To avoid any day-of disasters, be sure to meet with your officiant within one month of getting engaged. Your house of worship may perform ceremonies only on specific days, so settle on a date with your clergyman before you start to book vendors and put down deposits. Be sure to ask him or her about religious rules, such as: Do you need to complete a pre-cana course? Can you write your own vows? Do you need to cover your shoulders? Is secular music permitted?

9. Trying to go it alone.
If you are a bride lucky enough to have been offered help by friends or family members, by all means take it! Too many brides try to do it all — and this isn’t a good idea. Delegate and use all the resources that are available to you (The Knot magazines and books, not to mention our website, offer lots of help and information on different topics.) When people offer to assist — like your mom, your future mother-in-law, or your best friend — find something for them to do, like researching a vendor or addressing invitations. On that note, it’s important to keep in mind that these volunteers are not hired help — be sure that you accept their contributions graciously.

10. Forgetting to focus on what’s important.
Keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together, not just planning a wedding. Brides, be good to your grooms. And grooms, be good to your brides! Some tension between the two of you (and among members of your family) is inevitable due to the sticky topics that weddings stir up, but don’t ever let things get out of control. Remember why you decided to take this leap in the first place!

Bonus Tip: Band Vs. DJ
As a general rule, DJs cost less. The songs that they play will sound exactly as you remember them. Also, a DJ can be more versatile — they can go from pop songs right into country, disco, or big band without any problem. If your reception area is on the small side, a DJ may be better than a band because there equipment will take up less room than a band. If the need arises for them to take a break, say for a restroom call, etc. (they, do not as a rule, take breaks!) there won’t be a break in the music! they just pop in a mix CD or program there decks and the party continues without a pause.

A band is very likely to be more expensive — as a rule because there are more people to pay!

You probably will not get to hear every song you want, because most bands may not know everything off the tops of their heads.

Songs will sound different than you remember them, because they are the band’s interpretation.

A band will need to take breaks, so there will be pauses in the action. But as some say, there’s nothing like live music!

If your decision is to go with a band, consider a DJ too! Many have done this on occasion serving as the MC and filling in music during band breaks.

Do they suffer from narcolepsy?  Do they love Romeo & Juliet? I can’t figure it out…

photo seen here first

First looks … to see each other on this momentous day, before that walk down the aisle …

Now, you know that one of the questions you too will face when planning your wedding photography is whether you do (or don’t) want to have that first look alone. Seeing each other before the wedding is a hot topic. Some couples are vehemently opposed to it while others have now started thinking, hmmmm, well, maybe…?

Before you decide, talk to your photographer and really listen to the pros and cons. Talk to other couples who have taken the high road and decided to experience this moment privately. I seriously doubt that you will find many, if any, who wish they hadn’t.

 Below are a few of my favorite first look moments captured on film.

Claire & Shai are my new neighbors that I just recently met.  We had a little get-together with another set of new neighbors and found out that we’re all the same age, and have all gotten married within the past year!  Claire & Shai are the ‘old married couple,” as they are coming upon the 1 year anniversary of their nuptials, while the other 2 couples (including myself) have gotten married within the past 6 mos.  So I wanted to wish them a Happy Anniversary and share some of their fabulous photos from their Florida ceremony & reception.  Enjoy!