Great engagement pictures start with a great location. Like the ones of Jordi and Derrick taken at her Grandparents Farm. Jordi pulled together a great sundress and khakis for Derrick and it all just simply works together.

Really think about what you wear. Colors and accessories. We’ve even had some couples use the wedding colors for inspiration knowing they want a custom guestbook that coordinates.

Don’t worry about anything the day of your session. We will get great images. I promise. It works best if you relax and let me see the soft cuddly sides of your personalities. Your quirky sense of humor, your inside jokes. Just relax and fully be yourselves and focus on your heart and your feelings and you will see this translate into amazing engagement pictures!

http://www.wgallerie.com 319.266.3618

Are you searching for something unique to give the bride to be? Check out this custom hanger from Esty. and BONUS! It would be a killer photo op!

So you’ve been asked to give a wedding toast. Maybe you’re the maid of honor, or the best man, or father of the bride, or some other poor soul who’s going to be put on the spot on the bride and groom’s important day. Need some help? Here are some tips for writing a beautiful and meaningful wedding speech.

A wedding toast is a ceremonial speech, and the trick to ceremonial speaking is this: make it personal. This speech should be written specifically for the couple. If anyone else could substitute the names and deliver it at a different wedding, then your speech is too generic. Think for it this way: there will be guests at the reception who do not know the couple very well. These people should be able to listen to the speech and learn a little bit about the couple. You want to make everyone in the audience feel included and special, so write a speech that makes the event meaningful for all in attendance.

Here are some ideas for writing a personal and unique wedding toast:

•Tell stories about the bride and groom. Don’t just tell the audience how special these people are. Show them by telling stories about their lives that encapsulate who they are. Tell a funny story about how the bride volunteers at an animal shelter, or how the groom made his mother a dandelion bouquet for Mother’s Day when he was three years old. Be creative! And don’t be shy about asking other relatives and friends to suggest stories for your toast.
•Tell stories about how the bride and groom as a couple. What makes this couple unique, special, and interesting? Talk about the marathon they ran or how they like to play on swing sets together. If they met or became engaged in a memorable way, include that in your speech.
•Mention other relatives and friends in your stories. Everyone likes attention, and the parents and siblings and friends of the couple will be touched that you included them.
•Avoid inside jokes. Remember, this speech is for everybody. Inside jokes might be funny for the people who understand them, but other guests will feel excluded.
•Be appropriate. This isn’t a good time to talk about the couple’s former lovers, or how the bride has been a witch during the wedding preparations, or Uncle Jasper’s drinking problem. Use common sense. It’s probably not a good idea to talk about sex. Grandma Bertha and her friends will be embarrassed.
•Be nice. Don’t say anything mean about the couple, or anyone else, for that matter. If you tell stories that make fun of the bride or groom, do so in moderation, and make sure you do so in an endearing way.
•Don’t talk about yourself. This is boorish. If you mention yourself at all, do so in moderation.
•Avoid cliches. Remember, this speech should be personalized. Phrases like “they’re perfect for each other!” or “today she married her best friend!” are lame.
•Thank everyone for sharing this day together. Everyone appreciates being acknowledged, especially when they’ve taken the time and expense to go to an event like a wedding.
Relax, be yourself, be creative, and try to have a good time. Best of luck!

http://wedding-planning.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_great_wedding_toast

Are There Wedding Favors You Can Make Yourself?

This article has many great ideas for adorable wedding favors that are memorable and won’t break the bank.

Jill and Kevin took me out to a plot of land they are planning on building their dream house one day.  How cool is that?  Gotta see the place where they got engaged, underneath the tree where he popped the question.  Their May Wedding is coming up quickly.  Looking forward to meeting  their family and friends.

Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the perfect pieces of the puzzle. It will be the biggest fashion statement and investment you’ll make in your entire life. Check out this article.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/choosing-wedding-colors.aspx?cm_sp=TK_Green-_-3-_-20100125

Click the link above to see some of the coolest color combinations. I already know my 4 year old daughter would kill to have a pink and purple wedding. Some really great ideas here on how to choose and personalize your colors for a very special event.

Your wedding photography will be one of the only lasting items from your wedding day, so it just makes sense to find photographers who understand your vision for the day. Amy and Alex in the hammock above wanted to stop at her parents house before the reception. They had a beautifully landscaped yard complete with a putting green.

Keith is a football coach in the Chicago area, so having him hike the ball the Brittny, (everyone knows the woman in the relationship is the QB anyway just made for a fun image.

This image from Ann and Lee’s wedding is just classically beautiful and plays off the amazing architecture of the church. This is a romantic image they will never get tired of looking at.

To make sure you end up with images that are truly you, during the interview process talk about locations, things you do on date night, hobbies, anything that will help us personalize your coverage. That way when you view your images for the first time you will walk away from the experience saying, “You captured US.”

Woody and I had the major privilege to photograph Colleen and Dr. Jerry Hepnar’s Wedding in Dubuque in April. The Grand River Center has amazing modern architecture. Even though it rained on their day and outside pics were tough, the interior has beautiful light.
Colleen’s dress had this beautiful beaded lace overlay and was 2 toned, very elegant. I love this shot of just their hands and the pearls. A classic.

While she was getting ready in the green room with her best friends. A toast was made with 2 bottles of wine. One labeled Monogamy and one labeled Relax. So the catch phrase for the day became, ‘Relax, it’s monogamy.” This shot below was captured with the make up lights in the small dressing area and is one I love.

Colleen and Jerry love each other so much and it brought tears to my eyes watching them see each other for the first time. Doesn’t she look so happy here?

Right before the reception started we were able to duck outside for a few minutes to get a couple great shots to end the album with. I love the misty quality of this image and the sunset over the river on the bottom.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your day! Woody and I are so glad you found each other. It’s a perfect fit.

Woody and I get the priviledge to work with Jason and Sarah in a few weeks for their wedding in Cedar Falls. Since they live in Connecticut, we haven’t met in person a lot, but just the hour I spent photographing thier engagement session gave me a glimpse into their relationship.

These are a couple spreads from their custom guestbook. The guestbooks have been a hit with our clients who are looking for a way to incorporate all the images they love from their engagement session into an amazing keepsake that they will cherish forever.