Tweet

July 27th, 2002.  16 years ago, my guy and I got married (how has that much time passed?!?!)  Because this was ‘all the way’ back in the archaic days of film, I had to scan some photos to share with you. (check them out below!)  Look at these babies! I also thought I’d take the opportunity today to share a little ‘wedding wisdom’ having been there before and having recently gone through some of the planning ups and downs with both my sister and brother in planning their weddings.

Be Present

Man, this is hard.  So hard!  But as much as possible, soak up all the joy you can on your day.  Enjoy the moment (easier said than done I know).  Have your maid of honor or best man literally plan to ask you at some point if you are soaking it all in and enjoying it because it flies by!

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Again, easier said than done.  Weddings are all about the details (mostly found on Pinterest) these days.  Though I think its worthy (and fun!) to be creative and decorate in a way that reflects you as a couple, at the end of the day, these details are not the most important thing.  You may say, “Katie, I’ve looked through your wedding photos below and I’m not sure I can take this advice from someone who had a ‘Precious Moments’ cake topper.”  Ok, that’s fair.  But in all seriousness, no matter how much you plan for your wedding to look identical to the best that Instagram and Pinterest have to offer, something that day may not go or look exactly as planned.  Life isn’t 100% perfect every day and neither are wedding days.  Don’t let little-unexpected things or ‘glitches’ ruin your day.  Remember that first tip about being present?  Own the fact that on this day your life changes completely!  You become ‘one’ with the person who completes you.  A table decoration that is not exactly what you wanted, a flower that’s not the exact shade of purple that you hoped for, and a cranky flower girl is not going to change that!

Work on the Marriage

So much goes into the planning of a wedding.  SO MUCH.  Quite often, I do not believe that as much effort goes into the marriage itself.  Marriage is tough!  Eventually, the honeymoon phase is over.  What’s your plan to invest in your marriage?  Can you get pre-marital counseling from a pastor or trusted counselor?  Do it!  Relationships take work.  Marriage takes work.  It’s an awesome gift from God – cultivate it.  Sixteen years later I can tell you – it’s worth all the effort!

Wedding Photography

How can I share wedding wisdom and not touch on photography?  Besides the marriage itself, your photos (and video if you have it) are really all that you have to preserve memories from your day.  Go with a professional photographer who has wedding experience. Someone who knows the ins and outs of BOTH natural light and flash photography.  Some may boast of being ‘natural light’ photographers but stick them in a dark reception hall and they are lost!  Meet with photographers from a few different studios and make sure you connect well with the individual you are hiring (What is their personality like?  Are they a ‘people person’?  Are they going to be kind to your guests?)  Lastly, wedding photography is an investment.  If you want quality work and quality images, you can’t shop based solely on cost.  I did that and I regret it.  I’ve shared with you the best of our 149 images from our day.  Evaluate what your budget is and do your research.  You may find you are on target for the photographers you like and connect with, or you may find that you need to adjust some to properly invest in your memories. If you are reading this and you are already married, am I right?  Share your own advice in the comments. If you are planning a wedding, contact our Delaware photography studio if we can help and/or answer any questions.  Having worked as a wedding photographer in Delaware myself for over 10 years for a studio that has served brides and grooms for over 40 years (!!!), we’re also here to connect you with other local vendors. Congrats and ENJOY this time!

Tweet

From flower girl fairies and flower crowns, to bagpipes and kilts, this June wedding was uniquely wonderful.  As with their engagement session, Diana and Josh were not afraid to make their wedding day reflect who they are as a couple – and I believe the day reflected them beautifully.  They exchanged their vows in the small amphitheatre at Brandywine Creek State Park in Wilmington.  This tree covered space was just right for a quiet, intimate, outdoor ceremony. (ok – the bagpipes weren’t quiet, but I don’t think anyone minded because that was just amazing)  A reception followed at the Blue Ball Barn (in Alapocas State Park).  It was a great space to enjoy a sweet toast from Diana’s brother, beautifully designed prayer cards (made by another family member), their first dance, and all that went along in celebrating with their family and friends.  Diana and Josh, it’s been such a pleasure, congratulations!

Tweet

Chris and Jillian’s wedding day was filled with smiles and laughter.  These two.  They are continuously making each other and those around them laugh.  It’s contagious.  Needless to say, Aaron and I had a pretty good time with them.  And as if our bride and groom aren’t already wonderful enough, I am also so impressed by their families.  They both come from homes with a strong faith in Christ, devotion to each other, and yeah – they all love to have fun.  The love Chris’ family has for Jill and Jill’s family has for Chris was really beautiful to see.  Highlights: Chris’ reaction when he first saw his bride, the couple traveling to their reception by plane, using that plane as a backdrop for photos, and that time they staged a cake wipeout.  Scroll through the photos for a small taste of their day!

​​

Tweet

A wedding day is full of emotion.  FULL of it!  That is, I think, something that makes my job such a privilege.  I have the opportunity to ‘freeze’ these wedding moments so that they can be remembered and treasured.  So much has been building up to the moment when a bride walks down the aisle with her groom waiting for her.  Usually months and months of planning, of course.  But there’s so much more than that.  Years and years of growing up, learning about relationships, meeting the right person, and gathering your closest friends and family members to celebrate with you. 

Jenn and Tyler’s ceremony was this past weekend.  So many sweet moments.  Love is a powerful emotion and sometimes the best way we know to express it is in tears, nervous laughter and awed silence.  Like when Jenn saw Tyler at the end of the aisle and Tyler smiled back.  And the sweet look that Jenn’s father gave her right before giving her away!  Time to pray together.  Laughter when trying to get that ring on his finger.  Near the end, Jenn and Tyler chose to do a sand ceremony to symbolize their ‘oneness’ as husband and wife.   Grandparents laid the foundation the night before by being the first to add sand to a personalized shadowbox.  Tyler’s parents and then Jenn’s parents each poured sand in during the ceremony.  The bride and groom finished up by putting their colors (gray, blue and white) on top.  (side note: a sand ceremony is a really great idea for an outdoor wedding in lieu of a unity candle!  Sometimes the wind is just too much for candles to stay lit!)  This was a beautiful representation of what was actually happening during their ceremony as they said ‘I do’ and became one.

Scroll through and enjoy the range of emotion from this outdoor ceremony at Liberty Mountain Resort.  Congrats, Jenn & Tyler!