Time and Planning



Every wedding has its own personality… its own distinct qualities. The mood, ambience and details are exclusive, not only to the day, but to the location and to the couple.  The wedding day, therefore, is unrepeatable, one-of-a-kind and most importantly ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME!

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Embrace your day!  This is the day you have spent the last year (or more) planning.  Regardless of the weather, last minute changes, or small hiccups in the process, it is still your wedding day, one that you will look back on for years to come. Enjoy it!

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Our wedding day advice to the couple centers around … what else but … time and planning.

  • A well thought out plan is always best… however, the best laid plans are bound to change.
  • Be flexible.
  • Delegate… delegate… delegate.
  • Plan for the unexpected… and then some!
  • Make sure your timeline has “scheduled” photography time

As for time… Benjamin Franklin says it better than we ever could…”You may delay, but time will not.  Lost time is never found again.”

undefinedWe do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesear Paverse



Engagement Session 411



When it comes to engagement sessions, there are a few questions that seem to get asked more often than most.

  • What should I wear to my engagement session?
  • Where should we shoot?

Hopefully this post will help with both!

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  • Coordinate your outfits, but don’t wear the exact same thing. Stick to the same color family or complementary tones and bear in mind that darker colors are most slimming on women.
  • Think about wearing an outfit that matches your surroundings. Floppy summer hat for a beach session: YES!  Floppy summer hat for a snowy session on the ski slopes: MAYBE NOT.
  • Give your shoes as much attention as your shirt. They will be in the pictures and may even be highlighted in a few. Heels are great with jeans, pants, or skirts, if you’re comfortable in them. They make the legs look longer.
  • Wear something that you feel defines your personal style.
  • Wear something you can sit, walk, run, lay down, jump, kick, and spin in.

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  • Beware words, logos, loud colors and patterns that might distract from the truly important aspect of the pictures: you! The human eye will locate familiar words in pictures and put them together, taking away from the true subject.
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately. No matter how cute you look in that flirty tank top, you’ll be completely miserable when you wear it in thick fog. Wool sweaters and wellies can be just as awesome. When in doubt: LAYERS!

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  • We absolutely encourage outfit changes. So consider wearing something dressy and bringing along something more casual/everyday.
  • Accessorize with your favorite jewelry, scarves, hats, belts, shoes, and even pets (well-behaved, of course). And yes, even balloons & umbrellas… be creative!

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In the end, be true to yourself. If you are not comfortable, it will be obvious in your pictures. If these suggestions don’t feel like you, break all the rules and show up in something that is completely, and totally you.

 

More to think about:

  • Bring a small mirror, makeup, and brush for any touchups.
  • Unless you want it in the pics, don’t bring a purse; you’ll just be putting it down every few seconds.
  • If you’re particularly concerned about something, mention it to us so that the photographer can keep an extra sharp eye out for it. (examples: that cowlick you’ve had since you were 5, the necklace that is constantly flipping around, more cleavage than grandma would appreciate, etc.)

 

Now on to location… location… location!

Choose a location that means something to you as a couple (these are always by far the best sessions)!

  • Where you got engaged
  • Favorite weekend getaway
  • Are you a beach fanatic or drawn to the urban landscape?
  • Don’t discount alleys and graffiti… they can truly be amazing backdrops!
  • Looking for something completely unique?  Ask your photographer where they will be in the upcoming months.  It could be anywhere from New York to Las Vegas to Hawaii, who knows… Italy may even be an option!  Doesn’t hurt to ask:)and it could be a completely unforgettable experience!

Regardless of where, the most important thing to remember is an engagement session is about photographing your relationship… relax, have fun and enjoy each other!



Cline Cellars- Sonoma, CA



Located in Sonoma, CA, Cline Cellars is the one of the most beautiful venues for your wedding and reception.  If you are still looking for the perfect location, be sure to add them to your list of possibilities!

They have it all… gorgeous property, beautiful barrel room, all that you could want …and more!

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Coordinated by Heather Holliday of Holliday Weddings (415) 446-8130

Cake by Fleur de Lisa Cakes (707) 544-5581

Venue contact Jennifer at Cline Cellars, Sonoma, CA (707) 940-4001

Catering by Wine Valley Catering (707) 256-2900

Floral design by Bonnie of Dragonfly Floral (707) 433-3739

Ceremony performed by Officiant Ema Droullaird (415) 382-8494

DJ by Chris of  AMS Entertainment (707) 478-3788

Hair Stylist / Makeup by Jennie of It’s a Date at the Powder Room (707) 888-0901

Photography by  Lily Rose Photography (916) 204-3708

 



Trust Your Photographer… Amazing Things Can Happen!



Couple’s hire their wedding photographer based on any number of factors, or a combination of several.  Regardless of what these may be … my advice … trust them, … listen to them.  You hired them for a reason, and amazing things can happen when an “artist” is given the freedom (and time) to create!

Here is the rule of thumb…in order to have ample time for photography, typically, the bride should be putting on her dress at least two hours prior to the ceremony as her portraits and her bridesmaid’s pictures, will take place immediately after the bride is dressed. The groom’s pictures with the groomsmen will begin approximately one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the ceremony. Guests WILL start arriving one hour prior to the ceremony, which is the perfect time to tuck the bride safely away awaiting her entrance.  This allows the bride and bridesmaids time for touch-ups to hair/makeup, etc. prior to the start of the ceremony.

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During the wedding day the photography emphasis changes from ‘creating moments to cherish’ (i.e. bride/groom portraits, romantics, family) to ‘capturing unfolding events’ (i.e. ceremony, first dance, cake cutting). For this to occur at an enjoyable pace, the two hours prior to the ceremony and the hour immediately following, should be dedicated solely to photography. If viewed as “scheduled photography”, one is less likely to be influenced by others to give up that precious time.

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The sequence of the wedding day all comes down to the time-line, and how that time is allocated surrounding the ceremony and reception. Couple’s choose specific times for these main events to occur, and in general, there is very little wiggle room with their start times as it effects church/venue staff, catering, …not to mention all the guests.

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Keep in mind, if anything runs late or does not start according to the planned timeline; i.e. hair, make-up, travel time, ceremony- the entire day’s schedule is not adjusted, … unfortunately, time is just taken away from photography, …the only thing the couple has after the wedding!

undefinedSo, I guess I owe a huge THANK YOU to Danelle and Casey for allowing me to “create”  during their wedding on September 9, 2011.

 

 



Greek Orthodox



Michelle and Justin say “I do” during a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony on September 4th, 2011.

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Ceremony: Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church

Reception and Catering: Wine and Roses

Florist: Country Shelf

Cake: Wine and Roses

DJ: Elite Entertainment

Photography: Lily Rose Photography

 

 



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