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Category Archives: Weddings

How to prep for your wedding:: Wedding Party photos

Continuing on in this week’s mini series, I am so thrilled to address yet one other question I get asked when I meet with couples in planning their wedding day.  When should my wedding party be ready for photos?!  As discussed on Tuesday, it is really up to you as the coupe to decide when all this should happen, but in my professional opinion, here are some of the key times when your wedding party will be needed::

Getting Ready photos.  Honestly these are some of my very favorite photos and ones I see personalities shine through. If you have robes for your bridesmaids, make sure you are able to get a photo of everyone toasting together. And then, have your attendants in dresses before you put on your dress. These make for gorgeous photos, and honestly some you will want to use in your album.

Wedding Party photos, traditional and non-traditional.  These are your best friends, making time to share in the day and have fun with them are a priority to me as I also hope, to you as the couple.  These are friends that have watched you grow through the years and those that will keep you going throughout the day. Again, these are some of my very favorite photos.

After Ceremony Photos.  Are you deciding on heading to your favorite spot in the city for photos?  Bring your friends with you.  Travel on your trolley make for great photos, as do photos once arriving at your destination.

Dance photos.  As fun as the day is, the reception is where the party comes alive.  Photos on the dance floor are some of my favorites.  Grab your bridesmaids and dance along with them to get more of your favorite photos!

As for the shot list?  Here are some of my go to groupings I do for my couples::

Groom and Groomsmen
Groom and Groomsmen and Ushers
Groom and Ring bearer
Groom and Groomsmen separately
Bride and bridesmaids
Bride and personal attendant
Bride and flower girl
Bride and bridesmaids separately
B&G with flower girl and ring bearer
B&G with wedding party formal and informal

 

 

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    Classic Hall Wedding:: Laura and Bob

    What do ice fishing, loads of laughter, central Minnesota, and a love of family all have in common?  Bob and Laura!  Both were a bit skeptical as they both entered the world of Match.com.  Not really thinking they would meet their future spouse, both Laura and Bob signed up around the same time and were matched quickly with one another.  Neither one could believe how amazing it was until they met each other.  After a few dates, finding a common love for family and their faith, the two were instantaneously friends. Bob instilling a love for fishing into Laura, and Laura bringing laughter and joy to every situation, it was easy to see how this match was flawless!

    When Bob took Laura up north to go ice fishing, she thought nothing of it.  They loved their time together on one of Minnesota’s great lakes and talked into the wee hours of the night as they enjoyed this common sport.  On this particular night after one more great conversation, Bob got down on one knee to ask Laura to be his wife and they started planning their summer wedding not long after!

    Bob and Laura’s August wedding was incredible.  A perfect summer day with a slight breeze and friends and family from all over came to celebrate with them.  Being that they both love the lake, they decided to do most of their photos on the land that at one time held Laura’s family cabin in Annandale. Because so many wonderful memories happened here, and now the home was rebuilt as Laura’s parent’s home, it was the perfect location.  All her bridesmaids wore classic lace black dresses from David’s Bridal and Maple Lake Floral brought the bright and vivid colors Laura wanted to incorporate into her day. Rejoice Lutheran Church in Cleawater held their ceremony and the Classic Hall in Annandale was where their unique ceremony was held.  Guests loved the old town Hollywood style vibe while they danced the night away to music provided by CP Entertainment.

    Laura and Bob, thank you for including me in your day.  It was incredible and I can not wait for you to start this beautiful adventure together! Congratulations!

    Ceremony:: Rejoice Lutheran Church // Reception:: Classic Hall// Caterer:: Cutting Edge Catering // Florist:: Maple Lake Floral// Baker:: Coborns Bakery // Wedding Dress:: Mestads // Bridesmaids Dresses:: David’s Bridal // Men’s Ware:: Knights Chamber//  Rings:: DJ Bitzan// Stationary:: Shutterfly// DJ:: CP Entertainment //

     

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      Wedding Details Checklist

      I love shooting weddings and one of my very favorite parts of the day is photographing the details of the day.  Reason being is that they tell a more intimate story of the day.  Details are the things that you, as the bride, have thought through, pinned profusely, and made the day unique to you.

      I love these details so much that in the past few years I give my brides one an extra hour of my time.  What does that mean?  Well because I am contracted hourly, I typically come an hour earlier than contracted time to photograph these details.  Why? Because these details help tell your story, they create more content for an album and if you are wanting your wedding to be published anywhere, editors are looking for loads and loads of details to show off to those potential next year brides.

      So what are these details?  Today I am going to give you a quick checklist of the amazing and super easy details you can bring to your wedding day to help tell your wedding day story years after the day is past.

      Dress, shoes, and veil– Obviously you will have your dress there, but what about adding your dress and shoes there as well?  Many times I photograph these all together, but other times will use parts of your dress and veil to add texture and highlight parts of your dress that are just too gorgeous to miss!

       

      Rings and Stationary Suite– Having both rings makes for great photos right away and having your entire stationary suite (envelope, table cards, place cards, etc) make for a great photo separate as well as put together!

      Mens attire –(Tie clip, cufflinks, shoes, flask, cigars, watch, phone, etc)- Don’t forget about your hubbie.  His details make the story just as valuable as yours.  Bring along one or all those details above and you will be amazed at what we can photograph!

      Wooden Hanger– Most venues have hangers, or even your wedding dress comes on a hanger, but your dress will photograph so much better with a beautiful wooden hanger rather than the plastic one that comes with your dress!

      Perfume or Cologne – Our minds have a way of remembering events when they are related to smells.  Why not bring that new bottle of perfume you have been wanting to purchase and use it for your wedding day?!

      Flowers – If possible, having your bouquets and the mens boutonnieres delivered by your florist early is an added bonus.  Photos of flowers while they are still fresh make amazing photos to pair with all the above items.

      A plate or serving platter– I know this is a super crazy one, but this past year, I had a planner bring a beautiful serving tray to the wedding and it just made detail shots even prettier.  It added elegance to the shot that wouldn’t otherwise be there.  Bringing something that is part of your family’s history is even more meaningful!

      Jewelry besides the rings– Earrings, your belt, hair pieces, floral crowns, bracelets, extra rings, and necklaces are all beautiful to photograph, even more so when they have significant meaning.

      Bridesmaid Dresses and Robes– Photographing your dress with all your maids dresses can be a beautiful shot.  Especially when there are multi colored dresses and styles that you will be highlighting!

      Your garter, Grandma’s handkerchief, etsy purchases are all other items that you can plan to bring to have photographed throughout the day.  I tell my brides if you have thought through it and there is special meaning to you, then bring it and I will photograph it!

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        Rochester Art Center:: Mark and Mary

        Multiple mutual friends knew they would be good together, so over Facebook they connected not really knowing what was in store for the both of them. Oh a whim and a prayer, and after chatting for a few months, Mark drove 45 minutes to meet Mary at a ball game.  While they were there, they couldn’t stop talking and the two naturally hit it off.

        After a few months of phone calls and chatting, Mark decided to move to where Mary was living and shortly after the two started dating.

        Mark talked to the couple’s mutual friend to set up an “engagement photoshoot”, or what he told Mary it would be.  In reality it was to take photos of Mark proposing to Mary.  Mary was clueless and didn’t think Mark had purchased the ring yet which made or a very stressful and discouraging week leading up to the proposal date.  A romantic and quiet afternoon at the Plummer house was where Mark had planned to ask Mary to be his wife, but instead of the quiet, they arrived at exactly the same time as the hordes of prom couples and parents photographing their kids.  Not knowing what to do, Mark texted the friend helping him out, and she was kind enough to find a quiet spot for the proposal.  When they arrived, Mark got down on one knee to ask Mary to be his wife and with a resounding yes, photos were taken of the newly engaged couple!

        Their Rochester Art Center wedding was beautiful.  Light, airy and elegant, Mark and Mary stated their vows among close friends and family.  Being that the two of them live and work in Rochester, the parks were a perfect place for photos and for family from out of state to visit.  They chose a palette of pinks, maroons, whites and greens to accent the pastel pink bridesmaid dresses from David’s Bridal.  Because it was a late July wedding, Mark chose Joseph Abbound vests and ties for his groomsmen to stay cool in as they celebrated outdoors.  Wildflowers and roses for Mary and baby’s breath for her bridesmaids added to the simple elegance of the day.  Guests celebrated with a mouth watering meal from Catering by Design and ushered Mark and Mary out with a beautiful sparkler exit!

        Mark and Mary, it was a true honor to spend your day with you.  You are kind, loving, and gracious individuals.  I praise God, with your friends and family, that you have found one another.  You honor and respect one another deeply and that is a true testament to of God’s love for His Church to the world. Blessings to you both as you start this beautiful path of marriage together! Much love!

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        Ceremony and Reception:: Rochester Art Center// Caterer:: Catering by Design // Florist:: Katie Cachiaras// Baker:: Hyvee // Wedding Dress:: David’s Bridal // Bridesmaids Dresses:: David’s Bridal // Men’s Ware:: Joseph Abbound from Men’s Warehouse // Brides Shoes:: Coloriffics // Rings:: Lasker Jewlers// Stationary:: VistaPrint//

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          St. Paul Hotel Wedding:: Jordan and Jessica

          The back of a party bus didn’t seem like a likely place to meet a future spouse, but for Jordan and Jessica it was the place that set their wedding day into motion.  Neither one of them were interested in dating seriously, but for some reason after the night, the two exchanged numbers and days after, Jordan could not get Jessica out of his mind. When he finally mustered up the nerve to ask her out, she took a “rain check” because she was busy with school. But Jordan was persistant and after a few other “rain checks” Jessica took him up on his offer and the two went on their first official date July 10th, almost 2 years before their wedding date.

          After a year of dating Jordan knew he wanted to make Jess his wife.  The two had talked about it, but when Jordan asked Jess to pick up his brother and his family from the airport because he had a business meeting, she thought nothing of it.  As she greeted his family, Jordan’s nephew passed her a letter. Her heart began to flutter when she read “The Past” in Jordan’s handwriting.  As she read the inside of the card, a riddle leading her to their first date spot- Hola Arepa- appeared.  Her good friend escorted her to the resturant where she found her sister and brother-in-law waiting there to greet her with yet another card.  This one held the handwriting of “The Present” on the outside which led her to a favorite coffee house-Spy House Coffee- next to the church Jordan and Jess attended together and had spent many a mornings at.  With coffee in hand, Jordan’s mother and sisters greeted Jess with another card in hand that read “The Present Continued….” This card took her to their favorite breakfast spot- Sunset Breads.  Inside her parents were waiting for her with the last and final card… “The Future.” Jess was to meet Jordan on the bridge of the creek near her parents home where he’ d be waiting for her. Her father drove her to the creek where Jordan met them.  Taking her by the hand, he led her to a spot near the water, read a sweet note and then got down on one knee asking her to be his wife.  Afterwards the couple drove to her parents nearby home where the rest of the family had set up a small engagement party with food, champaign and cake.

          Their wedding day wasn’t much different.  Celebrating joyously with family and friends at her parents church St. Albans Episcopal Church in Edina the couple exchanged their vows.  Jess’s elegant Enzoani Blue dress highlighted the blush and white bouquets from KMB floral.  The soft gray Bari Jay bridesmaid dresses were a perfect mix of glamour and beauty and each one held a different personality that was unique to the bridesmaid wearing it.  Jessica made sure to include personal touches in the entire day. Everything from Jess’s father’s cuff links Jordan wore to the something borrowed veil that Jessica’s sister wore in her own wedding. Jessica’s mother also gifted Jess with the ring her father had given her mother on the day she was born of her to wear.  Because Jess and Jordan love both Minneapolis and St. Paul, we headed to the Stone Arch Bridge after the ceremony and the reception was held at the St. Paul Hotel where Jess and Jordan were able to get photos in both cities they adore with their incredibly fun wedding party.  Benji from Instant Request had the party going and a perfect ending to an incredible day.

          It was a beautiful day to be a part of.  Thank you Jessica and Jordan for allowing me to be a part of it, you are both truly kind and encouraging people and I wish you much love and happiness in the years ahead.

          Ceremony:: St. Albans Eposcopal Church // Reception:: St. Paul Hotel // Hair and Make up:: Creative Beaute Agency // Bridal Hair and Make-up:: Caroline McGuire of Caroline McGuire, LLC // Caterer:: St. Paul Hotel // Florist:: KMB Floral // Baker:: Lunds/ Byerly’s in Roseville // DJ:: Benji of Instant Requst // Video:: Laura Sukowatey // Wedding Dress:: Enzoani Blue purchased from Effe’s Bridal Trunk // Bridesmaids Dresses:: Bari Jay purchased at The Wedding Shoppe // Men’s Ware:: Calvin Klein from Men’s Warehouse // Brides Shoes:: Badgley Mischka // Rings:: Shane Co and R&M Jewelry //

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          • Caroline McGuire

            Gorgeous photography, Karen! You did a beautiful job!

          • Jackie Nornes

            Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!

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