What Most Brides Don’t Know About Choosing A Photographer

Remember in “Father of the Bride,” “Runaway Bride,” “Bridesmaids” -remember those brides selecting a photographer?  Do you remember seeing the photographer?

Hollywood doesn’t really prepare us as brides for what to expect on our wedding day.  That’s okay -it’s not their job.  It’s their job to be the lens capturing the love story -and what’s what we fall for, over and over again.

The LOVE STORY.

So your job as a bride is to enjoy the moments of your day.  Your job is to make sure the day is planned according to what will provide the best celebration of your love story.  And it’s my job to capture it.  To be Hollywood for you as you star in the biggest romantic feature of all-time.

But before you start focusing on the timeline and the finer details, can I share a little secret with you that most brides don’t know?  And it’s a little secret that makes ALL the difference.

Photographers?  They follow you around nearly every second of your wedding day.  They play a key role in orchestrating where you stand, how you stand, who you stand with, when you actually get to eat, shepherding your family and bridal party, and otherwise staging and capturing moments.  They’re pretty much your shadow for every significant moment of your Hollywood romance.

And your relationship with your photographer is not far off from selecting a best friend.  At least that’s the way I approach my relationships with my brides.  Why?  Honey, your best friend is intuitive to your needs.  They know by your body language when you’re thirsty, when you need a break, when you’re uptight, etc.  Your best friend is ready to assist when you need them, available to help and truly cares about you.

Just think about the difference between having your best friend as your wedding photographer.  And then… think about having the indifferent desk jockey at the DMV for your photographer.

You see the difference?

Not all photographers approach their couples and their work in the same manner.  And how your photographer serves you, especially on your wedding day, is something that will flavor the entire experience.  There are plenty of photographers out there.  Plenty that can offer a great deal.  Plenty that can provide a lovely final wedding album.  A few that can make the day a bit more fun than you thought it could be.  But the little secret to avoiding a DMV experience while being overjoyed with your final wedding photos has an easy bit of math involved.

(Photographer)Personality+Art+Responsiveness = Happy Bride

If you click with your photographer, if they’ve been attentive and helpful through the process and you simply love their work, THEN you know you’ll have a Hollywood Love Story to show at the end of the wedding.  You’ll have a beautiful experience and be able to look back on your day with pictures that make you fall in love all over again.

If you’re trying to fit the various vendors into your budget, don’t scrimp on your photographer.  You won’t remember the food, flowers, decor, etc. nearly as much as you do the photographs or the experience of your day.  In the end, all that remains are your memories and the photographs.

And those?  They’re priceless.

Would you like to talk?  I’d love to hear about your wedding vision and love story!  Fill out the contact form below and let’s visit!

For the latest weddings and portraits, visit http://kellycameron.net   -WARNING:  Get cozy and grab your favorite beverage -you might be there awhile.

Big Hugs,

Kelly

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Unplugged Wedding? | Can Your Guests Ruin Your Wedding Photos? | Photographer Kelly Cameron

To have an unplugged wedding or not?  Know what an “unplugged” wedding is?  It’s where you actually confiscate your guests phones and cameras and make them sit there and enjoy your ceremony without trying to document it.  You’ve hired a photographer, you’ve hired an videographer.  You’ve got your bases covered -and covered by professionals- so now you’ve asked your guests to *celebrate* with you, not work during your wedding.

True.  Many family and friends want to capture each moment for themselves.  Then they post it immediately to facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, yada yada.  Before your professionals have a chance to show the gorgeously polished, high quality version of YOU on YOUR WEDDING DAY.   TADA!!  Now the whole world sees you, eyes half closed, in mid-speach, and that’s online.  Immediately.

Congratulations…?

Even as a photographer, I have mixed feelings about guests photographing during a wedding.  You’ll hear in the video below of “combat guests” who try to compete with your professional photographer in getting the best shots during your wedding, only to get in the way and compromise your photos.  BUT, if you love someone and you are soooooo excited about their special day and want to capture it for yourselves -I understand that.  Are you *HELPING* the couple?  Or are you being selfish?  Honestly, what are your thoughts on it?

If you’re getting in the way of the people the couple hired to take beautiful pictures, I lean towards selfish.  If you’re staying on the sidelines, not throwing your flash around and messing up their photos, I say: Go for it, sister/mister.  You’re totally entitled to take pictures, especially of people the photographer is NOT taking photos of.  Take those casual group shots of relatives and friends you haven’t seen in ages.  Take as many as you’d like of you and your sweetheart all dressed up and looking gorgeous for this special occassion.  But get in every shot of the couple during their first dance because you want to expand your “wedding photography portfolio” on facebook?  You’re ruining your friend’s wedding photos trying to capitalize on their expense.  If you can do it from your seat?  Awesome.  If you hop up and down, distract people during the formal portraits, yell at the couple to look at you while their photographer is working, then get in every key shot (cake cutting, first dance, coming down the aisle, toasts, etc.)…?

It’s not about me, it’s about my clients.  When guests -well meaning or not- cram in to monopolize a key shot, it compromises the photos they’ve hired someone to take.  That’s why I think it’s FABULOUS to tell your guests in THREE DIFFERENT WAYS to keep photo taking restricted to their seats and to be mindful and out of the way of the professionals.  Sure, they can take photos, but do so sparingly and focus more on CELEBRATING with YOU, not trying to Blair Witch Project your wedding, right?

Ways to communicate to your guests to leave it to the professionals:

1) Email all the guests a specific note regarding photography/filming during your wedding day.

2) Post it in the program.

3) Have the officiant announce before the bridal party walks out during the ceremony -THIS IS A MUST if you feel strongly about having your guests stay in their seats and photograph.

4) Write a song about it and have Justin Timberlake sing it as guests are being seated.

5) Have the officiant announce it before the bridal party walks out during the ceremony.  Oh, I mentioned that already?  It’s a good one.

Bottom line, it’s all up to you.  You’ve heard it from a professional’s perspective, now you decide how you want to handle it for your unique, beautiful wedding, Dear One!

You’re the Expert on Your Wedding Vision

Who’s bossing you around with your wedding plans?  Your mother-in-law-to-be?  An older sibling?  A well-meaning friend?

Listen, Honey, do you recall those same types of folks who told you how to proceed after you graduated from high school?  Now they’re all up in your wedding plans, right?  Just wait until your pregnant.  You’ll see the same folks dishing out their “expert” advice.  And it’s still going to drive you bonkers.

What I want you to do is this:

Politely smile and nod.  Respond with an, “Oh, that’s an idea.”  And walk to a quiet room where you can lock a door, close your eyes, look deep into your heart of hearts and connect with what YOU want for your wedding.

Drama’s for the birds.  You don’t need that ship.  Yep -I just said ship.  What you need is stress-free goodness, a sense of humor and resolve to stay true to your wedding vision.

And maybe dancing a few times to this song.  It’s a favorite.

If you need a wedding planning bouncer, shoot me a line.  What’s most important is that YOU get to live your wedding dream.  Not someone else’s.

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When Bad Weather Happens To Good People’s Weddings

Texas needs rain, ain’t no denying that.  But what happens when it rains on your wedding day?

I know.  I can already see the panic widening your eyes, your shoulders tense up.  “Oh Lord, please not me!  Not my wedding day.  It’s going to be beautiful and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky!  It’s MY WEDDING DAY!”  Girl, take a deep breath….  We’re going to talk about how to divert disaster.

Always have a contingency plan.

I know you don’t want to hear this.  BUT.  Make a full plan for just in case it rains.  If that means renting a tent to hold everyone, do it if the forecast shows a change of precipitation.

Does your venue have a “rain plan”?  Talk with the venue coordinator and have a solid conversation about “truly, what if…”  Think about your pictures.  Are the Rain Plans pretty? Or pretty enough?  Where will you take the group photos?  And the reception -if you’re planning outdoors, where will decor and tables be relocated in case of showers?

You’re not allowed to freak out about this -but you are allowed to plan ahead.

I’m heading to Galveston this weekend to shoot a beach wedding.  Yes, a morning beach wedding -so perfect, so beautiful.  Except, now it’s forecasted to rain all weekend.  I’m bringing a pretty, white umbrella, but -as a photographer- that’s all I can do.  Crossing my fingers that it’s a dry morning, but otherwise we’re going to have beautiful, rainy pictures.  And that’s just the way it goes when you cross your fingers and hope for good weather.

Yesterday I shot bridal portraits.  Fortunately we were shooting at a stunning wedding venue and there were lots of beautiful indoor spots, because as soon as we began the sky opened up and the rain poured down.  It was impossible to shoot outside.  Had we planned to shoot outdoors, we would have had to cancel.

Again, if it’s your wedding day, have a Rain Plan.  It doesn’t mean it will rain on your parade, but it does mean that JUST in case, you will have peace in your heart if the dark clouds come park over your celebration.  

More planning, less stress.  Divert disaster and come up with a contingency –And that’s how good people do things when bad weather comes.

Small Weddings Trending, Life On Set, And How I Skillfully Lied To My Children

I really should be editing.  And I will.  In juuuuuust a minute.  But it’s been too long since my last little note and I needed (keyword: *needed*) to bring you up to speed on how ridiculously cool, wonderful and busy life has been since -er- whenever I last wrote.

Where to begin…

Anthony.  Let’s start with him.  So, Edith (Edie) Henry, stylist extraordinaire, Kelsey James, hair and make up goddess, and I teamed up to shoot 15 year old Anthony’s model portfolio.  What’s a model portfolio?  It’s a collection of varied looks/outfits/styles that shows off a model, creating a body of work that helps them book an agent and modeling gigs.  Anthony was a solid rockstar.  Hands down, THE EASIEST GUY I’VE EVER PHOTOGRAPHED.  See these hands?  They’re down.  For the count.

I’m still working on his edits, so these are just two of about 15 amazing looks Edie styled and we shot all day.

Elopements are booking up like crazy and I’m seeing a strong trend towards smaller, more relaxed weddings with guest lists ranging between 25-75.  I’m a huge fan of small weddings -Brian and I had roughly 30 close friends and family at our low-key celebration in Alaska and we wouldn’t change a thing.  So why are so many brides opting for smaller weddings?

1) Less Stress

2) Smaller Budgets

3) Less Stress

4) A whole lot less stress

That’s basically it.  You take your dream wedding, pare it down to the core -what you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want- and build up from there.  So many brides start planning based on assumptions and general expectation of what a wedding should be without thinking through WHY.  Why go big?  Why is it necessary to have 300 guests?  Why is my budget going to be this stretched?

Now, big weddings are wonderful!  I’ve shot countless large celebrations that had happy brides, grooms and family!  Size matters only if size matters to you.  If you’ve always dreamed of having a huge wedding, lots of people dancing to YMCA, and cutting a massive cake, girl, you need to go for it.  But: If what really matters to you is having a few key people that are invested in your life surrounding you, go for a small wedding and save a few bucks while you’re at it.

Okay.  Elopements booming, small weddings, yada yada yada… Oh!  So, back to the craziness here.

Besides being a full-time photographer, I’m also an actress and what’s been a slow summer has turned into ridiculously busy-ness.  I’ve shot three commercials in the past week -one as the spokesperson for Pillsbury’s new Heat-N-Go mini pancakes and, man, that was a fun one to shoot!

I’ll share the link when they have them edited and up. I was actually paid to throw pancakes at people.  Well, toss them.  In the package.  No one was harmed during the filming of this set of commercials.  Plus, I’ll be shooting my first music video in a few weeks playing (ahem) a *new* type of role for me: an undead/zombie woman who comes back to murder her husband and a team of paranormal experts.  Yeah, so not my usual gig, but I’m excited for this deviation from the norm.  I’ve gotten to submit multiple taped auditions for a new hospital TV show shooting in Albuquerque and have a voice over audition I’ll be taping this week for the DC Comic franchise that’s I’m very jazzed about.

One of the spots we shot this past week offered the first opportunity for me to act with both of my little rascals.  It was a family affair as Brian was on set with us.  I loved that he got to see “what I do” and witness how great the kids did.  Honestly, I was *so* nervous that the kids would be uncooperative.  It’s hard enough for them to take direction from me, let alone a stranger.  In prepping them for being on set, I told Wilder, “You know how Mama makes the moneys?  Well, on Tuesday, YOU and Waverley get to make the moneys with me!”

“Then, I can buy more games?!?!”

“Yes!  If you listen and obey [the best way I could explain taking direction], you can make the moneys and get a new Star Wars game!”

So that started a countdown, “Mama!  Four more sleeps ’til I make the moneys!!”

On the morning of the shoot, Wilder runs downstairs, “MAMA!  NO MORE SLEEPS TIL I MAKE THE MONEYS!  I CAN BUY MY GAAAAMES!!!”

I’d call that motivation.

Though I was still nervous, all they really had to do was fall apart and cry, and they ended up being rockstars.  The scene was a mother (me) driving to HEB’s pharmacy for a refill and the kids are crying their eyes out in the back seat, then they get a lollypop and the tears stop.  Easy peasy. The car they used had huge car seats (my kids have small boosters) and to prevent a “No, I don’t want to sit in that” fit I told a “story” (we don’t lie in our family, we just make stuff up…) that this Subaru was actually a SPACESHIP CAR and these were SPACESHIP SEATS.

They were in awe.

Waverley actually cried on cue -it helped that it was 9-10pm.  All in all, a very full, crazy, satisfying and exciting experience.

I had an amazing opportunity to do a portrait/boudoir session pre-op for a courageous woman who went in this past week for a mastectomy.  I’m shooting one of my favorite senior’s this evening for her senior portraits.  I’ll be headed to Houston tomorrow to shoot a cool, off-beat engagement session in the city.  And I’m talking with Papa Murphy’s International about shooting one of their newly designed buildings opening soon in Austin.

Of course, the editing never stops.  I just wrapped a gorgeous boudoir session that involved a body-painted jersey as one of the looks (totally rad, totally rad) and am currently working on Kimberly+Jason’s two day wedding celebration at The Vineyard at Florence.

Bzzzzz, bzzzzzzzz -now this little bee’s got to get back to editing, before this evening’s shoot (and cleaning the house, cause, you know, it’s a wreck) but I am so glad I got to visit with you first!

TTFN, Ta-ta-for-now!

Bridal Show at The Vineyard at Florence | August 11th, 2013

Guess what’s happening this Sunday?

The Vineyard at Florence’s Bridal Show!

Sunday, August 11th, 2013

Noon- 3pm

Featuring their handpicked vendors, amazing giveaways and delicious nibbles.

This is one of my absolute favorite venues to visit.  Brian and I actually went there for a date last week -so peaceful, so delicious, simply amazing to sit and soak in the ambiance of Italy.

These photos are from the morning ceremony of Kimberly and Jason in late July.  She got ready at one of the beautiful villas, they had a First Look in the vineyard, then headed to one of the beautiful outdoor ceremony sites followed by a brunch by The Vineyard catering.  So fabulous!

Whether you’re looking for a venue for a large wedding or a site for an intimate elopement, The Vineyard at Florence offers incredible options, a phenomenal staff and -of course- scrumptious wines.

Come see us and get some goodies this Sunday!

 

5 Ways to Stay Sane While Planning Your Wedding -and the best lesson my mother ever taught me.

“Use your words.”  That could be heard about 100 times a day in my house while growing up.  There were a lot of us, so you needed to be clear with what you needed.  There wasn’t spare time to let anyone guess what you had floating around in your brain.  You had to use your words if you wanted anything.

This translates to all areas of life.  First, you have to define what your need is, then you have to communicate it to others.  If not, the result is major FRUSTRATION and lots of ASSUMING.  (Not a pleasant end.)

Did you know you can avoid a whole lot of grief by “using your words” while planning your wedding?  Yeah, I knew you did.  But just in case, here are some gentle reminders on how using your words will help you -and your loved ones- immensely as you prepare to celebrate on what should be one of the happiest days of your life.

Define and communicate your needs.

“Marcy, I need you to be in charge of the gift table and getting everything in our getaway car at 10:30pm before our final exit.  How many other hands do you need to help you with that?”  Clarifying and delegating duties help make sure things get done.

“Girls, the bridal dressing room is super tiny, so I’m going to need you all to be dressed and ready before you get to the venue.”  Thus reducing the stress, mess and chaos before the ceremony.

“I wanted to make sure you received the wedding day timeline and confirmed your arrival time at the venue, Mr. DJ.”  Have your vendors check in; making sure everyone has the key details for the day is imperative.

And even before all of the small things, make sure you know your main goals for the wedding first.  What does that mean?

1) Identify your top 5 most important aspects/details of your wedding day.  What things are absolute musts in order to make this day your dream come true?  And don’t be general -be very specific.  If you nail all 5, then you should be delighted, even if minor hiccups occur (which they always do.)

2) Have a clear budget and stick to it.  You’ve identified what’s most important to you for your wedding, now budget accordingly so you get what you want.  Don’t wiggle around on this unless new funds have appeared.

3) Delegate. Whether you hire a coordinator (always a good choice) or your family and friends are teaming up to make this wedding happen, kindly delegate duties to responsible people.  Also -and I know I’ve said this before- don’t make your mother do it all.  It’s just not nice.  Put your bridesmaids to task or create a “TEAM BRIDE” -a group of friends who have volunteered to be your decorating/undecorating crew and gophers for the last few days leading up to and on the day of the wedding.  And be sure to have thank you gifts for them.

4) Get what you need to stay sane.  Personally, my getting ready routine is like meditation time.  In order for me to have a solid start to my day, it’s best if I have a peaceful 30 minutes to do my hair and make up.  I’m getting centered, getting in the zone, psyching up for the day. Shakespeare said, “know thyself.”  This means you need to identify what you need to stay in a peaceful, joyful mindset particularly on your wedding day.  For me, it was getting ready by myself on my wedding day.  For you, it may mean something different -but be sure to identify your unique -and very valid- needs.  It will keep you a happy girl 🙂

5) Confirm, confirm, confirm.  Make sure your guests, bridal party, family and vendors have all the information such as wedding weekend timelines, addresses, payments covered, invoices updated, etc.   And, particularly, a contact person who will have their phone on them all day to answer questions and check in.  (Pst, this shouldn’t be you.)

Sometimes I forget about this lesson.  I neglect to use my words, I beat around the bush, I am afraid of being too direct because I think it will offend others, or I just haven’t taken the time to figure out what I really want and therefore can’t articulate it.

It’s a refreshing -and empowering- reminder, though, when I re-learn this valuable lesson.  It’s the best lesson my mother ever taught me and has helped me in every aspect of my life whenever I remember it.  So, Honey, identify what you need and then ask for it.  10 minutes set aside for uninterrupted reflection and thinking time is your first step, the rest will fall in to place.

Happy Planning, Dear!  And I know this little lesson will help ensure a successful wedding day AND marriage.

 

 

 

The Best Ways To Use Your Wedding Pictures: Prints, Cards, Albums & Gifts

So, you’ve received your final edited images, you have the printing rights -now what?

How do you make the most of your wedding pictures?  And do so within the first 6 months of getting married, because -let’s face it- anyone who’s been married, or had a baby, knows that the rush of life takes over after the big event and it’s nearly impossible to find time to get prints made and decorate.  Except for those type A people (that we all secretly admire and envy at the same time.)  They get it done in no time flat -and with their gorgeously manicured nails.  (Another thing I wish I could have, too.  My self-manicures look like a 13 year old boy did them.)

Notice I said “within the first 6 months of getting married.”  Girly, if you don’t do anything with your pictures before your 1st anniversary, it ain’t never gonna get done.  Trust me.  Been there, done that -and know many o’ brides with the same sad story.

I’m here to help.  Throw you a few tips so you can plan ahead.  And for those of you who have an anniversary coming up or want to get started on your 2014 resolutions, grab ’em and go.  (If you haven’t noticed, today is an ‘apostrophe’ kind of day.  I’m slangin’ it.)

Tangent Alert:  You may know I have an affinity for sparkling water.  Well, have you tried La Croix’s coconut flavor?  I feel so fancy saying “La Croix” even if it’s just in my head.  “La Croix.”  Ooooh, where’s my baguette and arrogant expression?  And beret.  You need a beret with La Croix.  Anyway, coconut flavored sparkling water.  It’s um… not my favorite.

Where To Print

Not W——.  Not W——–.  Not any one hour photo place.  WHY?

Printers have their own calibrations.  Many of your instaprint places will give you waaaay over-saturated prints.  What does that mean?  It means the photos your photographer slaved away editing to look perfect will end up VERY dark, with colors far too loud and contrasts that yell at you.  Basically, they’ll look like a crap.

The photos I give my clients have innuendo, have subtlety.  I’ve seen my clients print their own engagement photos from our session to have displayed at their wedding and I nearly cried and hid in horror because what they printed did NOT represent the true edited image because the instaprint’s color calibration was ALL OFF.  That is often why many photographers will not release their printing rights, will not provide digital images.  They want to ensure that the final photo their clients display represents their artistic expression.  Instead of holding on to my art with a death grip, here are just a few places I feel confident sending my clients to have their prints and gallery wraps done.  (This isn’t a definitive list, just my personal recommendations.)

Shutterfly,  Costco,  FullColor.

The first two are easily accessible for everyone, the last is a little trickier -but you can do it, and I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend using FullColor for your prints.  It’s who I go through for all of my display prints and they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  Excellent quality, tremendous customer service, cheap shipping (which, sorry to say, other online print companies will happily screw you on.)

WARNING:  When you’re selecting your print size, here’s a tip.  Digital images are slightly longer than film images, so that means that you’re going to have to significantly crop a digital image if you’d like it to fit an traditional print size, like an 8×10.  I suggest finding the correct ratio of the image as it was edited and then custom matting it to fit a slightly larger frame.  Hobby Lobby and Michaels, as well as your local framing expert, will be able to take care of this for you with no trouble at all -and you’ll have the picture displayed as it was meant to be.

Where to Make Your Own Albums

I LOVE that there are so many options available for you to create your own books.  Here are a few tried and true places that I suggest for DIY books.  (They make excellent Christmas presents for the relatives, by the way.)

Blurb.com     Shutterfly    Costco

BE SURE to use TOP QUALITY PAPER.  You’ll have options on what to print on.  Personally, I love matte or linen finish, uncoated paper.  You want it thick so the photos don’t show through the pages and will stand up through the countless times it’s adored by you and your loved ones.

Order a spare for back up.  I know that Blurb.com gives you the option (at least it’s currently being offered) to purchase additional books for 30% off once you head to checkout.  That’s some nice savings, sister!  Consider it insurance.  Save it in a special place just in case your original copy falls into the paws of Fido or one of your bouncing babies in the future.

Where To Make Your Own Cards

Whether it’s for Thank You’s, Christmas, or a stack of “From Us” notecards, you can custom create your cards with your photos.

Minted.com,  Overnightprints.com,  My Own Labels

Minted, if you haven’t been there yet, is a site you will get lost in, enjoying all of the adorable stationery options.  Seriously.  Bring bread crumbs, Gretel.  It’s also fabulous for wedding and shower invitations.

Overnightprints is my personal go-to shop for my business cards and postcards.  If you want to cut costs on your TY’s, Christmas, etc. cards, I highly recommend making 4×6 postcards.  You can make them double sided and each one is a fraction of what you’d pay for notecards.  It’s my top choice when it comes to budget and quality.  Order a month before you need to get them out since fast shipping will cost you an arm and a leg and your first born.

MyOwnLabels is soooo fun!  (You’ll be hearing more about this company in a minute.)  You can create custom stickers, gift tags, cards, CD labels, wine and beer bottle labels, coasters, etc. with your photos and they also have a marvelous blog filled with really fun ideas for custom hand made gifts, favors and uses for your new labels.

Note:  Proof read.  PROOF READ. PROOF.  READ.  If you’ve added words to something and you’re going to order it, proof read 8 times before you press “PURCHASE.”  (Note based on personal experience.  Sad, embarrassing story.)

Where to Make Custom Gifts

Ho, ho, ho, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(I just had to do that.  Christmas in July.  I’m kinda feelin’ it.)

I have a really bad story about custom Christmas ornaments I ordered for my mother-in-law from an instaprint store (starts with a “W.”  I’ll leave it at that.)  I ended up with 1 crappy looking ornament with a picture of my son and another ornament with a picture of SOMEONE ELSE’S DAUGHTER.  I can only imagine where my daughter’s ornament ended up.  The quality was so bad, it was embarrassing.  Needless to say, my mother-in-law is not the proud owner of said ornament of my son and the strange little girl that doesn’t belong to me.

Here are places that shouldn’t disappoint you like my situation did.

Zazzle.com   myownlables.com   FullColor.com

Zazzle is where I ordered my custom buttons for my bridal shows.  Love ’em.  My bride and coordinator friend, Bailey, order her custom-made wedding coordinator folder there.  Love it.  Again, you’ll be lost browsing the endless possibilities of what you can make with your wedding and engagement photos for you, your family and friends.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Especially if you’re a crafty, homemade kinda gal, you are going to LOVE MyOwnLabels for their endless ideas of gifts you can create.

FullColor offers great quality and customer service you won’t find at many of the big online sites.  And they have some amazing ways to customize gifts and prints that I absolutely adore.  From iphone cases to vibrant metal prints in custom cut-out shapes, this biz is rockin’ with great options for alternate ways to use your wedding and engagement photos.

You’re ready, you’re set, You GO, GIRL!

Use them photos, ladies!  Display those memories.  Gift those best friends, mamas, grandparents, and second mothers (you know, those ladies who’ve played major roles in your life, even though they aren’t related.)

You’ve got all the tools you need.  And now you know exactly what to do with next Saturday: Pot of coffee, credit card, disc of pictures, “Dirty Dancing” on DVD, computer = conquering your photo to-do list.  Happy Creating, Dear!

 

 

 

 

 

6 Tips On Buying the Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding dress.

Kind of a big deal, right?

Right.

I was talking with one of my new brides, Sally, on the phone yesterday.  She’s going dress shopping with her mom and a few special ladies after she gets off work.  She’s done a little research and today is the big day.  She’s diving in, taking the plunge and all geared up for wearing yards and yards worth of gorgeous gowns.

Our conversation got me thinking.  How many girls have gone gown shopping before?  If this is your first wedding, most likely this is the first time you’ve ever gone to bridal stores.  Goodness gracious, you have to be prepared if you want a successful adventure in selecting the gown of your dreams.  So, sisters, here’s the skinny on how to be a smart, stress-free wedding dress shopper.

1)  Know your budget

How much are you willing to spend on a dress?  Okay, so now you have that number in your mind.  Now, know what stores and boutiques to go to that will have options within your budget.  If you step into a high end boutique in a big city and you only have $800 max for a dress, you are going to end up heartbroken.  Do some homework from the comfort of your own electronics and search online to find the designers and stores that will find you a winner that fits with your numbers.  There are a heck of a lot of gorgeous dresses out there for any budget.

2)  Look Purdy

You’re going to try on the world’s most gorgeous dresses, right?  Now get dolled up so the prettiest thing in those stores is YOU.  That way, when you try on the gowns, you will match and won’t be distracted or discouraged.  Do you know what I mean?  I’ve rewritten this part about 8 times trying to come up with a non-neurotic way of saying it.  But, maybe I’m neurotic.  When I go shopping, if I don’t do my hair and make up, wear an outfit I feel attractive in, the chances of me having a good, productive  shopping experience are close to 2%.  I spend the majority of the time distracted by the fact that I don’t look good, then it makes the shiny new clothes I’m trying on accentuate the fact that -no- I’d never go out in this outfit looking like this, blahdy blahdy blah…  Even more so when you’re trying on wedding gowns.  Also, when you take pictures of the dresses you try on, you won’t constantly be telling your friends, “Oh, but I look a mess here.  And here.  And here.  Okay, just don’t look at my face, look at the dress.”

3)  Hydrate and Eat

Don’t shop hungry, don’t shop thirsty.  Enough said.

4) Bring A Variety of Undergarments

Yep.  I just said that.  Bring along strapless bras, a strapless bra/corset combo, spanks, etc. to make sure you can try on any dress those lovely shop ladies bring you.  And, for heaven’s sake, wear some pretty panties, sister.  (Refer to #2.)

5)  “I’m Just Browsing” -Three Words That Will Save Your Sanity

It’s your mantra.  Say it with me, “I’m just browsing.”

You may feel right now like you’re on the warpath, hunting down the perfect wedding dress.  BUT.  That isn’t the way you want to play this.  I want you approach your dress shopping like you were buying a car.  Or dating.  Here’s the scenario:  You walk into the bridal salon.  The saleslady asks if she can help. You accept her help, but tell her, “I’m just browsing.”  She doesn’t pressure you -and if she does, simply repeat your mantra.  You go back home, grab a glass of wine and browse the pictures on your phone of the dresses you tried on.  You look online at other dresses, make some notes and let everything settle.  Revist the store the following week and make your decision when your gut and your head both agree.

IF you have that magical moment that we women all hope to have where you try on a dress and angels sing, cherubs with big, round cheeks flutter in showering you with Hershey’s Kisses, and Etta James pops out singing “At Last” -buy the gosh darn dress.

6)  Keep The Entourage To a Minimum

Personally, I think 2 is the magic number.  Two other opinions, two people to help you get in and out of all those gowns, two to help put the gowns back on the hangers, two to help pull dresses for you, etc.  If you have a group of women that REALLY want to be included in your dress shopping experience, have a Wedding Gown Viewing Party instead.  Go shopping first with your two right hand ladies, then download the pictures you take to your computer, buy a few bottles of champagne and a huge tub of strawberries and invite your friends over to look at the dresses with you and cast their votes.

Now, my Dear.  You are armed with knowledge and prepared to be a dangerously good wedding dress shopper.

Go get ’em, Gorgeous!

Featured on Delightfully Engaged | Houston Engagement Session

A physicist and a cellist get engaged  -and have their sweet session featured on Delightfully Engaged one month before their wedding!

We shot Natalie and Will’s engagement session rather surreptitiously at a smanshy smartypants university Will is going to grad school at  (shhhh, don’t tell on me) and at the beautiful Hermann Park nearby.  It’s an often used location for engagements, but I feel Natalie and Will made it quite their own.  And what a lovely place to stroll!

To view more of their session featured on Delightfully Engaged, click here.

To see their feature on my website, click here.

To enjoy a mid-day dance guaranteed for a quick pick me up, click below.