Wedding Tips for the Newly Engaged

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... for the wedding business! Did you know that 19 percent of all engagements take place in December? (according to data from the Fairchild Bridal Group) I know of two newly engaged couples! Well, lucky for you brides & grooms to be, I have a few tips for those just starting to plan their weddings. If this is you check out my blog post: I'm engaged, now what?

Other helpful posts for those just starting to plan a wedding are:

Venue Rental Packages

Inspiration Boards

Choosing Vendors

ME & MA coastal wedding locations

When to ask Attendants

What does a wedding really cost?

Sending a "Save the Date"

 

Enjoy! On a side note, aren't Carrie & Pat (pictured above) adorable? I can't wait to photograph their April 2011 destination wedding!

Engagement photo ideas

Shirts at: http://www.thelovetees.com
Photo by: http://cheyenneschultzphotography.blogspot.com


It's wedding Wednesday, so I have this tip for you. Make your engagement session your own! I was inspired to write this when I saw "The Love Tees." Seriously, how cute is it that this couple made these love t-shirts for their photos? So, when it comes to engagement photos, don't worry about following any certain set of rules! Take risks, bring up any crazy ideas, you can do the formal 'safe' photos that your mom will like later.  ;)

We did Abby & Chris's photos outside, in the winter, in Syracuse. Not an ideal time/place for photos -- but they turned out to be unique and so much fun!

With Bret & Anna I tried some unusual angles to add variety to their shots.



So don't be afraid to lay in the grass like Mike & Colleen...

 

go sight-seeing like Lindsey & Ryan...

Or, like one of my favorite unusual shoots, just go singing in the rain!

And if you want to try your luck at the carnival like Jessica & Thomas...

I say, go for it! This last shot was photographed by my friend Gwen Tunderman.

Rain, Rain, go away?

Or perhaps next time I'll be wishing for rain! Jenn & Mike's wedding is coming up and we planned a combination site walk though and engagement shoot. We had already rescheduled once because of weather so we decided to just go for it in the rain. As it turns out, rain can make for some pretty sweet shots! :)



Ingredients for a Rainy portrait session:
1) adventurous Bride & Groom
2) adventurous photographer with waterproof bag
3) nice looking plain black umbrella
4) extra golf umbrella (for photographer)
5) RAIN!

Big Weekend!

Two weekends ago I did double duty shooting Kiele & Jay's engagement photos and Nicole & Andy's "Ever After Session." Kiele even helped me come up with the fabulous name "Ever After Session." I was suprised when she was a bit nervous at first, but her sweet and super romantic fiance was awesome at helping her to relax and have a good time. As I told them - this is a big part of why an engagement session is a good idea! Most people aren't used to being photographed, so it's better if the first big session is a practice run like an engagement shoot instead of wedding day. They're doing pretty well for a practice run aren't they?




Andy & Nicole, on the other hand, are old pros! They've been married just over a month and this was their "Ever After Session." First, you may be asking what is that? Well, the "Ever After Session" is a post-wedding shoot that allows you to get all dressed up again. Also, having one allows you the chance to have a second set of couple photos in a totally different location than your wedding. Or, should it do the forbidden 4 letter R word (ahem, rain) on your wedding day - then you get to wait it out for perfect weather for your 'Ever After Session." And yes, I was of course thinking of Cinderella and prince charming living happily ever after when I named this session. Kiele thought that 'ever after' was better than 'happily ever after' - more sophisticated. I agree. :) So, Andy and Nicole got a chance to have even more fun with this shoot - as did I.

Jim & Dee

After posting that preview teaser a while ago, it's about time to add more photos! I'm playing around with my new favorite toy, online slideshows.

Jim & Dee Preview

More photos of Jim & Dee to come... but for now a quick preview! As hard at work as I've been - I wanted to post something for them. More soon!

Lots of engagements!

So many engagement shoots... so little time! All within the last month, and I'm shooting Jim & Diane's engagement photos this weekend!

Kristin & Chris
see more photos @ Http://www.pictage.com/680472











Kristin says "Katie is an excellent photographer! She really listened to how we wanted to take our pictures instead of making us "pose" in ways that wouldn't be natural for us. She was able to now where and how to take the pictures that captured the best light and background. It was just a great overall experience and that was just for our engagement shots. I am even more confident now that our wedding pictures will be wonderful!"

Colleen & Mike
see more photos @ Http://www.pictage.com/692010











Colleen says "Thank you SO much for these photos!! I cannot stop smiling! I love them all, especially the ones I wasn't so sure of. I know we will have these for a long, long time, and I can't wait to share them with my friends and family. You definitely went above and beyond what we had in mind, in terms of background and poses. You definitely captured Mike and I in these photos and we just love them!"

Lindsey & Ryan
see more photos @ Http://www.pictage.com/690359











Lindsey says "Oh my goodness, I don't know what to say!!!! We're so incredibly happy with the photos and of course you're timing is just amazing! I'm so excited to have such amazing and natural pictures of the two of us. Thank you thank you thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!"

Bret & Anna's Engagement Shoot

Bret and Anna are getting married in February at the Wentworth by the Sea (New Castle, NH). Since it will be cold out on their wedding day - it was great to take advantage of the Wentworth's beautiful grounds for their engagement shoot. We made a lot of great photographs, and I've chosen a few to share. To see the whole shoot visit: Http://www.Pictage.com/667918 (available Monday 6/8)





















For your engagement shoot planning - the first photo was taken at 12:15 and the last at 1:09. It took us almost exactly an hour; which is what I suggest each couple sets aside for portraits. This way we have time to wonder around to a bunch of great locations, and try some fun things! Note to self... put sunblock in my camera bag!

Wedding Tip #1 - I'm engaged, now what?

In an effort to do more blogging I've decided to post a series of wedding tips. Most of these tips come from conversations I've had with brides-to-be while answering their questions. If you have a wedding or photography question - YES YOU blog reader - please ask! I'm happy to help in any way I can. To ask comment here or email me at: katie.m.ring@gmail.com



"Katie, I just got engaged, what should I do first?"

1) Celebrate! Yay - you just got engaged!

2) HIRE ME! Just kidding ;) Everyone's priorities are different. If you have your heart set on a particular wedding venue, photographer, or other vendor call them first to see their availability! If you're still deciding what you want to do proceed to step #3.

3) Discuss a preliminary budget, guest list, and time of year you'd like to get married (Don't forget to check for graduation and friend/family wedding dates)

** BREATHE, enjoy being newly engaged! Tell your fiance you love him/her! **

4) Choose the date. (This usually means booking a venue, but if you choose a date before booking a venue you will want to start looking for a location right away.) With a wedding date chosen you can start to plan the other details. I don't mean plan everything right away ... choose a date and then devise a 'plan' for what you'd like to do next.

5) About that 'plan' if you feel lost (or just want help) consider a wedding planner! Did I hire a planner? No, but I did hire a "day of coordinator" and I think you MUST have someone to follow through on your wedding plans for you. What's the difference?

• Wedding Planner: She helps you with all of your wedding plans! From selecting vendors to making sure things go off without a hitch - she will help you start to finish. Many planners also do the job of a day of coordinator.

• Day of Coordinator: You plan your wedding and then get her up to speed. She will help you with organizing the final details and make sure you haven't forgotten anyway. However, mostly the job is all about seeing that your plans come together as you expected. If there are any minor wedding-day issues she will handle them, ignorance is bliss!

It's a wedding planner's JOB to know about all things weddings and all of the best vendors. Hiring one will certainly make life easier for you! Yes, this will cost a bit more but saves you stress and piece of mind. Often times planners know of bargains or can get discounts you never would have found on your own.

If you don't hire a planner be honest with yourself and what you can and can not do. You do not want to be calling the reception hall, wedding band, limo driver, pastry chef, and the florist to make sure they'll all where they're supposed to be! While a professional is always best make sure to at least ask someone, a close friend or family member, to help you with pulling together the final details. What about calling the photographer - wondering why I didn't mention that? Well since you'll have hired me - wink wink - I'll be with you taking some 'getting ready' pictures that morning and you won't need to worry about where I am! :)

Happy Planning!

Congratulations Abby & Chris!

This weekend my friends Chris and Abby got engaged. Chris asked Abby to marry her while we were all visiting Syracuse for the SU vs. Georgetown basketball game. Not only was I thrilled for them but I was also relieved to not have to worry about ruining the surprise anymore! Yes, I knew he was going to ask and I couldn't wait for Abby say yes! And since I knew Chris's top secret plan I just happened to have my camera with me. (ok, ok I always have a camera) So, we took some engagement portraits at Syracuse. Since this photo session was somewhat spontaneous and not over planned I had the freedom to just wander around campus and shoot where ever inspiration struck. Have I mentioned how much I just love taking pictures? :)






As Chris said, we had to stop by Faegans to get a shot at the scene of the crime!