Friday Bride Day: Who do I need to feed?

This week's question is a common one: Do I have to feed my vendors? It's a question every bride has to think about... do you feed your photographer, dj, musicians, etc?

A wedding day can be a very long day- especially for a photographer. The photographer is with you when you get into your dress until the last dance... of course we are having a blast, but we do get hungry too! I would suggest anyone who is going to be working at your wedding for four or more hours is probably worthy of a meal. I'm pretty sure it's a known fact- people that have full bellies are happier workers than hungry workers! If you aren't sure, just ask! Some vendors actually require meals or they may leave your wedding to get a meal- better to just ask before the big day so everyone is on the same page.

Cheers to delish wedding food and happy vendors <3

South Jersey Children Photographer: 9 Months Old

About one year ago, Lauren contacted me to take her maternity photographs. I was delighted- she was an absolutely stunning momma-to-be! Who would have thought that almost a year later I would be photographing her 9-month-old and I would be the pregnant one?! Oh the irony! Meet Autumn. She's nine months old and JUST as happy and smiley as her momma! She's a photographer's dream- happy and keeping constant eye contact with me- unheard of!

Seeing how adorable Lauren, Tony, and Autumn were made me sooooo excited for my little girl! What more could you want except a happy little family?

About one year ago....

This makes my heart melt

Friday Bride Day: To bring the pup or not?

This week's question is close to my heart: Can I bring our dog to our engagement session? You're getting married and the two of you are starting your own family. Well, maybe you already have another family member or two- pets! My last two engagement sessions included pups and to be honest... I LOVE it! How could I not? I have a little, furry man at home that stole my heart, Pixel. My husband and I included Pixel in our own engagement shoot.

I think the answer depends on your photographer. I always tell couples that I would love if their pet could join us at the beginning of the engagement session for about 20 minutes and that their pup comes accompanied by a handler that can take the pup home while we finish the engagement session.

My Pixel

Cooper River Two-Year-Old Session: Holden

Holden is turning two. Feels like just yesterday I was photographing his first birthday- turns out it was a year ago :) This year, he moves much faster, talks more, and is even more adorable with his cute little hairdo (if that's possible!). We met at Cooper River to have some fun, which included: playing with a trash truck, a soccer ball, a chalkboard, and let's not forget chasing me around like a dinosaur. In conclusion- a totally fun evening! Holden is a happy little guy and I think we totally captured that!

This is Holden last year- now look at him!

I'm not sure what was so funny- but this makes my heart smile!

This is what getting chased by a dinosaur looks like!

Such a cute & happy family!

New Jersey Children Photographer: Alaina is two!

On a Saturday morning, I went over to Alaina's house to capture her adorableness at two-years-old in her backyard. Alaina is a sweet little girl who loves her mama, pups, and playing with her dad. I'm so thankful for sweet little girls like her because it helps me imagine what my sweet pea could be like- and it's so comforting! We got some shots on a turquoise chair that Candice (Alaina's mom) thrifted and painted- absolutely adorable! We had fun blowing bubbles, playing with a chalkboard, and playing with the pups. Enjoy!

Friday Bride Day- Wedding Day Schedule

How can I make sure my wedding day goes as smoothly as possible? All brides want a flawless wedding day with no disasters. One way to avoid disaster is to make a schedule. Sounds silly right? We get ready, go to the church and go to the reception- so what is there to schedule? Face it- a bridesmaid forgot her shoes at her house, the boutonnieres weren't delivered to the correct place, the best man is missing and your uncle is late! I find that sitting with my brides and creating a schedule for their big day really helps to avoid disasters (and sometimes even hiccups) on their big day. I also encourage the bride to share the schedule with their bridal party and family. It is so important to let the key players of your day know your expectations prior to the day of the wedding. I'm not saying to print out a copy for each member in the bridal party and have them take an oath to memorize it- but to at least take a look at it before the wedding day. I have an assistant with a watch and the schedule printed out to help keep us all on time!

Here's a sample schedule below.

12:00 PM • Photographer arrives to bride (Bridesmaids should have hair and makeup finished. Bride should be finishing up.) • Photographer arrives to groom

1:00 PM • Groom and Groomsmen leave for church

1:15 PM • Bride and Bridesmaids leave for church

2:00 PM • Ceremony Begins

2:45 PM • Formal Exit- Rose Pedals (Photographers will assemble guests)

3:00 PM • Family Formal Portraits at Church

3:30 PM • Leave for Reception Venue

4:00 PM • Bridal Party Portraits (All Bridal Party meet in the front entrance of venue directly after exiting limo)

4:30 PM • Bride and Groom Formal Portraits

5:00 PM • Bride and Groom leave to enjoy remainder of cocktail hour

6:00 PM • Reception Begins

10:00 PM • Reception Ends

Even with a schedule, there might be times throughout the day where things are running ahead or behind, but I find that working with a schedule tremendously helps the flow of the wedding day. I would love to hear about your thoughts on a schedule. Are you planning on having one? Why or why not?

Friday Bride Day- Pinterest Inspiration

Do photographers like when you share your Pinterest boards with them? I LOVE Pinterest. I'm actually sorta sad because it didn't exist three years ago when I was a bride! I think Pinterest has definitely stepped up the game in DIY weddings and I love it! Many of my brides share their Pinterest boards with me and I think it's great because it gives me a better idea of their style and if they are photography pins- a better idea of the type of photographs they would like.

On the other hand, it can also hinder a photographer's creativity if you give them a 10-page printout of your pins and you want every shot on the page. Compromise is the way to go in this situation. Pick a handful of your absolute favorite pins to share with your photographer, and let your photographer put their own creative spin on it! That way they are not being put into the uncomfortable place of recreating someone else's work and they can use their own creativity, to give you something unique!

Here's an example of a Pinterest inspired shot with my gorgeous bride, Jess, and her groom, Justin. P.S. She MADE this sign- so creative!