I know it’s not Wednesday, but since I can’t wait to post this until next week, I have decided to jump the gun and give you this week’s Wedding Wednesday today! I am so overly excited to share a very inspiring story from one of my fabulous brides from last year’s wedding season. Courtney has been on an amazing journey for the last year to reach a goal I believe is so incredible…100lbs! She made the decision last spring to set herself up on the right track to a better and healthier life and I must say she looks amazing! Courtney was a gorgeous bride just the way she was, but when she approached me to share her story and give some tips to her fellow brides to be, I thought it was a fabulous idea! I can’t tell you enough how wonderful Courtney is in person, but I hope you get a little sense for her passion through her story and tips to a healthier bride. Happy Friday!

Courtney shares, “I want to start by saying that I am not a dietitian or a nutritionist. I am a woman who is undergoing the biggest change in my life. I have recently (since last August) lost over 70 pounds (58 of that with Weight Watchers) and completely overhauled my lifestyle. I became a licensed Zumba Instructor and now teach 5 classes a week. I am licensed in four Zumba Specialties and dream of, one day, changing the world!

If I’m being very honest, I wasn’t really one of those girls that had always dreamt of my wedding day. I didn’t have it all planned out
with just a need to “drop the groom in”. However, when I went on that first date with, my now husband, Aaron I knew that we would get married. I started planning. I thought about my dress, and my shoes. I dreamt about the flowers and what I would have the bridesmaids wear. I thought about it all, except for my fitness.

That’s not entirely true. Aaron and I had purchased bicycles about a year before our wedding. I can remember excitedly jumping on our bikes and riding around town. Over the rush of the wind I yelled “THIS IS HOW I’LL GET FIT FOR THE WEDDING!” it never really happened for me. Between work stress and planning a big wedding with my mom, I never took time for myself. I never took a little time during my day to plan meals or sit and relax, let alone exercise. That’s my one regret from my wedding day. Don’t get me wrong, our wedding couldn’t have been more perfect to us, but I regret not taking the time to get a little healthier before our big day.

If you are a bride or maid who is looking for ways to tone up or get healthy for your big day, you can follow some easy guidelines. First of all, don’t make any drastic changes for or before your wedding. There’s a common idea among brides-to-be that you don’t need to change your hair drastically – like adding bangs or dramatically changing your hair color – before your wedding. Follow those same rules when it comes to food and fitness. Adding some activity to your day such as walking or pilates, yoga or even a Zumba class will lessen your stress and add some excitement. Also, those activities can be done at home and fit into a few moments if that’s all the time you have. Try to add 30 minutes a few days a week. There’s no need to go overboard in this area. There are lots of books on the market (like Buff Brides and Bridal Workout) that will help you target certain areas like arms and shoulders or your tummy.

As far as eating goes, I have seen that brides usually fit into two categories. Eating to much or eating too little. It’s so important
to strike a balance with what and how your eating. Up your green veggies intake and stick to whole grains. When I started eating dark green veggies (spinach, asparagus) my usually very flimsy and weak finger nails started growing and became strong. I took meticulous care of my skin, hair and nails in the months leading up to our wedding. I went religiously to appointments and indulged in spa treatments. It was AMAZING. You can do that same with your body – treat it well. Try your best to get plenty of rest. Drink water. If you always have water with you, you are more likely to drink it. It’s a good idea to lighten up on the soft drinks and replace that with water, add a glass of milk too if you can. By adding more water you will hydrate your body, keep your immune system up and flush out toxins. Sometimes people don’t want to drink water because of the constant need to run to the restroom – your body will adjust after just a few days of upping your water intake. Give yourself some time
and drink, drink, drink, that water.

The last tip that I have for you, is to really have a heart to heart with your photographer. I was genuinely concerned about looking
overweight in my wedding portraits. I talked with the photographer about this and she did amazing. I never felt so beautiful in my
entire life and it shows in my pictures. She made me glow in the pictures and even though I’ve lost almost a person since our wedding day last May, I still LOVE my wedding pictures and have them hung about the house joyfully!”

To follow and read more about her incredible journey head on over to her website to see her amazing progress!

She has infectious smile and he’s head over heels for her. They laugh, tease, and play fight which makes for a fun and never boring type of relationship. You can tell when the two are together that they truly love each other and support one another entirely. The beauty of a relationship is to find your best friend and these two have found their soul mate. I had such an amazing time hanging out with Sanda and Brandon that I am even more excited for their upcoming wedding day in July. So here’s to the celebration of love, life, and fun relationships!

Last week I shared some advice on the blog about getting a “piece of the pie,” in your local market. After several positive emails, I have decided to make this segment a regular post. Now, I can’t promise that I will post every week, but I will certainly try my best! In one the emails I received last week, Angela asked, “Where or how do you go about finding your locations.” Well, for Angela and those of you who have asked in the past here are just a couple of the things I do to scout my locations.

For me, finding a new locations for a couple is just as much fun as the actually session. It’s kind of like shopping and getting a great deal…You know the thrill I am speaking of right? Well finding a location and making it unique for each person is very important to me. So, when talking with my clients I always take the time to ask them “what do you love?” Getting to know your clients personalities and likes are key for finding the perfect location. When a bride tells me she love to be outside and open fields, it’s my job to find the most beautiful field for her and her fiance to be captured in. After getting to know what my clients likes are the search begins. For me sometimes it’s just taking a drive in the right direction while listening to good tunes. Once I find what I am looking for, I search for the light. Lighting is key for me as I mostly shoot with natural light. Even skin tones with a creamy reflection is the best kind of light to find. The best way to be prepared to achieve this is to go out during the time of your shoot. This will help you in finding the most complimentary light for your subjects. I tend to see the best lighting about an hour or two before sunset. Another great time to find light is about two hours after sunrise. Learning to find this light takes time, but eventually you will see it everywhere you go. Trust me, my husband looks at me like I am crazy when I tell him to look in a direction of some dreamy light…He’s like what your a nut!

So now that you have prepared for your session, it’s time to rock it out!

Just a couple of key note…

1) Your light may change from day to day, so make sure you are ready to think on your feet and possibly have a backup solution.

2) I don’t use them too often, but it’s always good to come prepared with a fill light such as a reflector or on/off camera flash.

3) If your lighting does change, don’t freak out, stay in control and just take a moment to find or change your camera settings to fit the best light for your clients.

4) Most important, sometime you may not have the opportunity to come prepared and that’s ok. I am constantly put in this situation on a wedding day and for me I have made it my priority to train the eye to seek the best light.

So there you have it! Be creative and continue loving what you do! Oh and because every post ins’t complete without a photo, here is my personal assistant helping me scout out our last location engagement session coming soon!

I know things have been slightly quiet here on the blog, but with good reason…I promise! I have taken the last month to coordinate some amazing features for the blog, starting with the NEW Wedding Wednesdays. For me as a wedding photographer, I truly believe it is important to share inspiration and ideas from others in the industry so that future brides and grooms to be can be inspired to plan their wedding day and know what may or may not work best for their special day. I am so excited to start this new spin with Allison Hart of Occasion’s Unlimited. Allison has a fabulous gift of designing, planning, and executing a bride’s vision of her day. She has been in the wedding industry for over ten years and has a great passion for what she does. Thank you so much Allison for sharing some great advice and tips!!

Tell us a little about you and how you came about getting into the wedding industry?
When I was a little girl, my mother was a Florist. I would always marvel at the special event and wedding flowers and imagine my own versions of the arrangements my mother and her coworkers would create. Later, after the Floral business was sold, and my mother pursued and started a successful catering business, I was again brought back into the wedding industry. This time, I had ideas and aspirations of my own, and I began dabbling in planning and coordinating some of the weddings that my mother had contracted to cater. Next thing you know I purchased a local event rental company, and have fully committed myself to this wonderful and crazy industry! I find myself scowering the isles of local book stores!! Searching daily for that one new idea or that one new unique event décor that will set your event apart from your cousin or friend. I love to find new and challenging ideas that will set each and every wedding apart from the last!!!

As a wedding planner, what do you see this years wedding trends to be?
Rustic Chic! Romantic, vintage, unique blends of old barn wood, exquisite fabrics, crystal…. A fabulous blend of country and elegance… Oh…and Gold is back ladies! New ideas and modern twists on romantic classic arrangements!!! I love this industry and love to watch the evolution of classic traditional ideas become infused a modern contemporary flair for over the top drama.

What has been one of your favorite weddings to plan and coordinate?
The idea of taking traditional ideas and adding a modern flair with a unique contemporary style gives me a thrill. I love to mix romantic classic ideas and add the personal flair of each individual bride to personalize each event. If a bride loves sunflowers, gerbera daisies or tulips I love to give a bride exactly what she has in mind with the perfect flare. After planning my own wedding I realized the importance of helping a bride plan and organize her own event. When a bride has her heart set on a particular aspect of the event, it is my job to ensure she gets exactly what she envisions. I pride myself on giving the bride a version of her perfect day through flawless planning, decoration, and the perfect menu. She is to be the center of attention and should get exactly what she wants because today is her day to share with the rest of the world the love she has between her and her love.

If you were to plan your wedding all over again, what would you do differently?
Haha…I joke often but truly, I would have gotten married at the church I wanted, with the flowers I wanted, on the day I wanted, and the linens I wanted!! Looking back I would not have compromised on my wedding day!

What is the importance of working with a wedding planner?
A wedding planner has been there before, and is there day in and day out. They will inevitably be able to think of things that you may not think about. In addition, a wedding planner allows you to relax and enjoy the creation of your day. You have dreamed of this since you were a little girl… Let a wedding planner be your advocate and make that dream a REALITY!

Can you share any secrets for a bride preparing for her special day?
Bigger is not always better. Make smart decisions that make the day YOURS! Don’t compromise, but at the same time be open to any and all ideas. There are ways to find inspiration in all aspects of everyday life… Find what YOU like!

What is one piece of advice you would give your bride before she walks down the isle?
BREATHE!!! Seriously… don’t take it so seriously! Your day should be EFFORTLESS! It should be the ONE time where you don’t have to worry about anything but saying I DO…Small piece of additional advice. “Make sure you have a wedding planner that makes sure your day goes JUST like I described!”