West Palm Beach Florida Wedding - Arielle & Mike

Arielle & Mike had the most gorgeous beach front wedding in West Palm Beach. We went out the night before the wedding and did a session at The Breakers. It was phenomenal.

Tim + Juliya

This shoot, styled, at sunset was.. spectacular-spectacular. It’s everything I could’ve dreamed, and planned in just three days!

🌿 Floral : @kissmekatecustomfloral 💄 Hair & Makeup : @beauty_by_bre_e 👰🏼 Dress : @aw.bridal

7 “Getting Ready” Ideas for Your Wedding Day

The first moments of your wedding don’t start at the first look.  The whole vibe and tone is set by those first few hours where you are getting ready for your BIG DAY.  It’s SO important that you feel comfortable and fresh the morning of what will be THE BEST DAY of your LIFE.  We all know you’ve got to get a good night sleep the night before… but what else?  How can you make your “getting ready” photos the best they can be?

Here are some ideas!

ONE : Bring the floral into the Bridal Suite

Whatever is in your bridal suite is going to be… in your photos.  It is really hard to get stellar photos when the clutter is unreal.  Maybe brief the girls, you know? Let’s keep it tidy.  One way to draw the attention off of the massive amounts of stuff scattered throughout is to bring in some décor.  The flowers are the BEST BET. 

Look how chic this looks?

TWO : Get Action Photos, but All Done Up

So, some people think the photographer needs to be there taking photos the whole time the bride is getting makeup and hair done.  This is NOT true.  You really aren’t going to want photos with your makeup half done.  The best way to do it is to wait until the bride is almost 100% and just “pretend to put on mascara” or “hold the lipstick up to her mouth.” 

This is key!

THREE : Detail Shots

Detail shots are best done during that “getting ready phase,” as… you don’t have your jewelry and shoes ON when you are getting ready.  It’s the first thing I typically shoot.  It is super important to have all of these things in the same spot.  Rings, shoes, jewelry, earrings, necklace, perfume, your paper invitations (bring two), and even some florals.  Make sure your dress is also handy!

FOUR : Take off the leggings

Okay, I get it.  It might be cold outside and you wanted to be modest running in and out of your car and to the venue… but once you get to the venue, remove those leggings.  It looks so much “fresher” and more intimate.  Also, when all of your brides are in robes getting ready, it creates more of a uniform look.  When you get your make up getting ready photos done, it just looks better!

FIVE : Know who will put you in your dress

This is critical.  You don’t want any tears from people who thought they would be helping you get into your dress on your special day.  Typically the Mother-of-the-bride is the go-to, but if that isn’t your style, don’t feel pressure to.  Just do what makes you feel best, but also let the photographer know beforehand.  Also (this is big), let that person know they need to be ready when you are and you are usually the first one ready (as a bride).  I like to call bridesmaids the “least helpful people at a wedding” despite “maid” being in their name.  It’s crazy.  I have never seen girls take so long to get ready!

SIX : Take a silent moment to recoup

What can you do to re-center before your big day?  You can look over your vows.  Journal.  Just sit on the bed and have a glass of champagne.  If you feel tense, shoot, you can even call a loved one or your soon-to-be spouse who will no doubt make you feel better.  Just make sure you don’t get all frazzled and are taking time to chill out!

SEVEN : Have a strict timeline

If everyone needs to be ready by 3… make it 2:30.  Tell people an earlier time so that there is wiggle room.  I’m telling you, things take longer than you think!

Well, folks.  I hope you got a little out of this.  I really think these photos are a precious, important part of your day… so take them seriously!

Xo

Chelsea

Austin + Destiny

Wow. Indescribable. God really does work wonders and He clearly had planned for these two to be in my life and in my images. Back in October, I got a text "I need to talk to you, I have a surprise for my girlfriend," and my heart sank. Austin was going to propose mid photoshoot. I got butterflies watching them. I still do. So, here we are, just months later.. 1,000 miles away and they *spontaneously* needed a photographer when their original plan had changed. I had originally planned to only be in AZ until Tuesday but I was compelled to extend it and guess what.. I'm so glad I did. Austin and Destiny have a true *joy* that you can only achieve when you have a real, authentic love in front of you. Hearing their vows made me tear up. These two are going to do amazing things together. I'm so glad I got to be a part of their special day. <3 Here are some of my favorites

Colin + Kelsi

What a day. I knew that whatever ensued in the rural Adirondack mountains (upstate New York) would be an adventure... no matter what. I've loved getting to know the crazy, sweet, passionate, fantastic people that have been staying at the "llama house" here in town.

I'm so happy for these two. Here are some of my favorite shots from the night.