Wedding Blog

  • Wedding Cake Alternatives

    wedding cupcakes

    The wedding cake, traced back to the traditions of the Roman Empire, originated as a loaf of barley bread. The groom would eat a piece of it, and then break the rest over his brides head. This symbolized the breaking of the hymen and the dominance of the groom over his bride. Ummm...yeah. Obviously this ritual did not stick around.

    Go to full post
  • Sharing the Love, Part 1: Donating Your Bridal Gown

    I am ashamed to say that I have a few things in my closet that have been worn only once. Among them are a pair of leg warmers (a cruel trend for those of us who are “vertically challenged” because they’re not supposed to go all the way up to your crotch), every bridesmaid’s dress that was I was promised would be “something that you’ll wear again…for SURE”, and a pair of rock-star skinny jeans that were an impulse purchase after I had had the stomach flu for 4 days and consequently lost 2 dress sizes worth of water weight. I wore them out the night of purchase, but after having 2 large glasses of water and a beer with my dinner, the jeans and I were no longer meant to be and we’ve yet to rekindle our friendship. Every once in a while I eat old grocery store sushi and expired dairy products during the week, in hopes of squeezing into them by Friday night, but so far no luck.

    Go to full post
  • Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer

    couple being photographed
    Photography by Cameron Ingalls - see more at www.cameroningalls.com

    When planning your wedding, your photographer is one of the most important vendors that you will consider. Make sure that you take your time and choose wisely. Go online and look at many photographers to get a sense of the kind of photos you like. Do you like a more posed, traditional style, a more photojournalistic (hands off approach), or a mixture of the two? Do you like artsy pictures, hand painted masterpieces, black and white or color images? Answering these questions will help direct you to the 3-4 photographers that best fit your stylistic desires.

    Go to full post
  • Going Green? Win 2 iPods!

    eco chic contest

    Are you planning a Green Wedding? If so, check out Emily Anderson's blog, Eco Chic Weddings, for great environmentally friendly tips and ideas.

    Go to full post
  • Merging Two Lives Into One

    Couple staring lovingly into each other's eyes
    Photography by Cameron Ingalls - see more at www.cameroningalls.com

    When Ms. Shannon Brooks and Mr. Luke Johnson decide to marry they cause a shift that reverberates through both of their families. Up until the day of the wedding Shannon was recognized as "Shannon Brooks," a member of the Brooks family. She spent years absorbing the beliefs, customs and habits of her family (as well as resisting and rejecting some). The same story is true for Luke and his family identity.

    Go to full post
  • One Wedding Photographer Can Feed a Village

    Like most individuals, wedding photographers can easily fall into the rut of “playing it safe.” When this happens, we lose the sense of urgency and passion that inspired us to photograph people and their life stories in the first place.

    Go to full post
  • Eat, Drink, & Be Marry!

    Table of appetizers

    “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride!” [Processional song begins]

    Go to full post
  • Long Distance Wedding Planning

    I am no longer amazed when I'm called to plan a wedding for two people who live on different sides of the country, or even in different countries for that matter. Whether the separation is due to work, school, or military obligations a surprising number of couples live apart before and even after marrying. Maintaining a long distance relationship requires a good deal of flexibility.

    Go to full post
  • Marital Advice That Stands the Test of Time

    Authors bedside table
    Photography by Cameron Ingalls - see more at www.cameroningalls

    Planning a wedding is a lot of work, but after you say, “I do,” that’s when the real work begins.

    Go to full post
  • Choosing the Right Officiant for You

    Occasionally a couple looking to interview me for the role of officiant will express their fears about choosing the wrong person to do the job. The concerns are typically based on a previous wedding one of them had or an experience shared by a friend. These stories usually involve an officiant who imposed their own beliefs and said things during the ceremony that were unexpected and unwelcome.

    Go to full post
  • Help Make Your Wedding Guests Feel Special

    The wedding ceremony is the cornerstone your day. After all, it’s the ceremony where you are actually married. Sometimes it seems this important event gets overlooked, as if it's just a stopping point on the way to the reception. Here are a few ideas to help your guests keep the focus on the most important part of your wedding day:

    Go to full post
  • The Secret Sauce of Great Wedding Photos

    Bride and Groom hands
    Photography by Parris Whittingham - see more at www.pswhittingham.com

    So good you can taste em’

    Brides and grooms often ask me, "How can you ensure my wedding photographs will be as good as the photos on your site?" The simple truth is...I can't. No photographer can or should make such a promise. At the end of the day, every wedding is unique and each experience brings its own set of difficulties and accomplishments. I can promise that developing a positive relationship with your wedding photographer is vital to the outcome of your wedding photos. Most of us feel awkward having our picture taken and let’s face it; you don't want to discover you hired the wrong photographer on the day of your wedding.

    Go to full post
  • Je Réponds, Merci

    I love wedding reply cards. There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about them. You can’t call. You can’t e-mail. Heck, you can’t even verbalize that you’re attending the wedding. You must write and mail your response. The only other time in my life when I get to do this is when I’m fighting a parking ticket, and that rarely includes a choice of entrée.

    Go to full post
  • Extreme Bachelor Party Adventures: Beyond the Strip Club

    Party guy in red sequenced suit
    Photo from www.buytaert.net

    For guys, there are a few fundamental bachelor party basics that are universally understood: Either the participants should be in great danger of becoming seriously injured, small animals should fear for their lives, everybody should end up wasted, or all of the above. These parameters come into effect sometime during high school, and apparently never expire. Therefore, if you are one of the many bachelors who are looking for an alternative to the traditional drink-till-you-puke-on-the-stripper stag party, consider these options that incorporate some or all of the aforementioned rules.

    Go to full post
  • Tips for Planning an Engagement Party

    Engaged couple lovingly starting at each other
    Photography by Cameron Ingalls - see more at www.cameroningalls.com

    Congratulations you’re engaged! Now what? Thinking about hosting an engagement party? It’s the perfect way to celebrate and announce this exciting news! Traditionally, the bride’s parents host this shindig. If that is the case, the party is typically thrown like any other dinner party. Family members of the bride and groom, as well as close friends of the family are usually invited. Most people at the event become part of the wedding party. Champagne and dinner is served. Dad raises his glass for a toast and unexpectedly announces the engagement to all! Next you’ll hear, “Ooohhs, Ahhhs and Congratulations,” all around.

    Go to full post