Three Tips for having a No 'First Look' Wedding

One of the things I will forever love about our job is how unique each and every couple is. From learning the story of how they met, to learning the friends and family most important to them, all the way down to the wedding day details they decide to choose, we love getting to know the couples we serve :) That said, one major detail that we find varies from couple-to-couple is whether or not to have a first look. While many feel they have to have one, others prefer not to and feel it’s just not their style. 

Today’s blog is for the couples in camp no first look!  Rather than try to convince you of the reasons I think you might love a first look (I already wrote a blog on that here!) today I’m going to walk you through three must have tips for a relaxed wedding day timeline WITH the traditional “aisle moment”. By the end of this blog, you’ll be more prepared to make an informed decision that is best for you and your significant other.

1) Take all possible photos before the ceremony

Most people know that you might take photos with your bridesmaids pre-ceremony, but something many don’t consider is taking individuals with family, too! Any images you want of just you with parents, siblings, and grandparents can be taken before the ceremony along with bridal party and individual bridal portraits. This way, your post ceremony to-dos can look a bit like this:

5:00- Ceremony begins 

5:30- Ceremony ends > Recessional > Cocktail hour begins 

5:35- Immediate family photos 

5:55- Full bridal party together 

6:05- Bride and groom portraits 

6:25- Portraits end > Get bustled and ready for introductions 

6:30- Cocktail hour ends 

2) HIGHLY consider a 75-90 minute cocktail hour

After reading the prior timeline if you are thinking, “20 minutes? That doesn’t seem like much!”, you are totally right! Compared to an engagement session that lasts one to two hours, 20 minutes is a super fast window. We can make magic happen in 20 minutes if we need to for sure, but if you like the idea of a more relaxed and enjoyable portrait time with your hubs-to-be, a longer cocktail hour is just the ticket. This allows you to have more variety in locations, posing, and simply more bride and groom portraits to choose from in your final gallery! BONUS: With 90 minute cocktail hours, you can even sneak a drink or two in at the end with your guests! 

3) Make sure your ceremony start time leaves light for photos

Often we’ll hear people say they don’t want a first look, and that they also want their ceremony just before sunset so their guests can enjoy the view while at cocktail hour. Now, you can absolutely take all of your photos in the dark (and we have all the most up-to-date flashes and equipment to do so ;) ). But if you find yourself liking the the images you see showcased on our portfolio/Instagram then having sunlight is an absolute key ingredient. Let’s say the sun sets on your wedding day at 6:00. In a perfect “no first look” timeline world, the timeline would look like this:

4:00- Ceremony begins 

4:30- Ceremony ends > Recessional > Cocktail hour begins 

4:35- Immediate family photos 

4:55- Full bridal party together 

5:05- Bride and groom portraits 

5:40- Portraits end > Bride and groom grab a cocktail with guests 

6:00- Sun sets > Cocktail hour ends 

This way all of your photos are in daylight and your guests can still see a gorgeous sunset before they head into the reception. 

There you have it- our three must do tips to use when not doing a first look. I hope this provided you a visual of what a “no first look” wedding could look like in an ideal world to get both your traditional aisle moment AND dreamy photos! That all said… check in with yourself to see if you are having one of these thoughts now:

• But this is still not enough time for portraits of just me and my groom/bride

• I would like to be able to fully attend & enjoy my cocktail hour with friends & family

• I get nervous at the idea of not seeing my person until 4:00 or 5:00 pm on a day that’s supposed to be about the two of us

 If this is you, be sure to check out our blog that specifically focuses on why you might love having a first look. After reading both, you can compare the pros and cons to see which feels right for you. But please remember this- no matter what you decide in the end, your wedding is sure to be one of the best days of your entire life. And when you get down to it, celebrating your love is all that really truly matters.

Happy Planning!

Ashley

Backing Up Your Wedding Day Images

Imagine this: Your 10th wedding anniversary is coming up for you and your husband. (Not me freaking out that Justin and I are already halfway there…!) You never got around to making an album or prints after the big day and thought it would be cute idea to collect some of your images to use for an anni gift. The only problem is you can’t seem to find ANY of the photos. You no longer recall where they were backed up (if they were at all?) and the panic begins to set in.

 This is just an example of many could-be scenarios that show why backing up your wedding images is SUCH an important step after you receive them! 

Today, I want to share with you tips that will leave you knowing without a doubt that your images are safe & secure (in multiple places). And for those of you who are not as technologically savvy, I promise to make this as easy to understand so you too feel your images are properly stored (Bonus- you will also acquire some new skills!) 

To start, we’re introducing you today to your new best friend- the 3-2-1 rule. This rule originated in the IT world as a practice for backing up computer data. Now many photographers (including Justin & I ;) ) follow it for safeguarding images. The rule simply states saving three copies of your data, in at least two different ways, and one of them as an offsite copy. Ultimately, the big idea behind it is to have your images stored in various, different places. This way if your internet crashes or you misplace your album, you can rest easy knowing you were proactive and still have a copy or two of your images safe & secure!

Ansley and Sean embracing after their first look.

Suggested place number 1: Online storage providers 

There is a multitude of providers to choose from! A few we can recommend are Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox, and Google Drive.  A storage provider is a relatively inexpensive option and is usually pretty straightforward for uploading your photos to :)

Charley and John strolling down the aisle.

Suggested place number 2: External hard drives

An external hard drive is another place we’d highly recommend backing up your photos. Having an external hard drive ensures your photos are doubly secure in a place beside an online platform! While more expensive than storing with an online storage provider, external hard drives are great in that they usually come with even more storage capacity. In addition, many are water-proof, drop-proof, and have high speeds making them a quick, easy, and safe option for putting images on. All you have to do is plug them into a computer. We’ve linked one of the most popular hard drive options that photographers and others alike love here. You can also store this at a loved ones home so if there were a fire, flood, or some other crazy scenario that might compromise any prints or albums in your own home, you’ve got everything safe and sound somewhere else! 

Ragan and Barrett’s bride and groom portraits.

Suggested place number 3: Albums & Prints

I can give so many reasons as to why purchasing an album is always the best choice (and I do in my album blog linked here) but just the simple act of storage is another one. Having an album as a final location to keep your images is the most special place of all because owning a physical copy of your most important day that you can hold in your hands and relive over & over again is truly priceless. (Our wedding day album is sitting right on the coffee table where I often find myself flipping through it and appreciating the memories of the best day ever!) Prints are also a nice alternative to put in frames and place around your home to enjoy every day. Either way, nothing beats having a physical copy of special moments from your wedding. They are right at your fingertips and come without all the hassle of technology. 

Alex and Billy preparing to make their exit.

So there you have it- the 3-2-1 rule for having multiple copies of your photos. Three copies, at least two of which are different types, and one stored somewhere else. 

This is the final and most important step to make sure your precious wedding day images are kept safe and sound forever! 

XO,

Ashley 

3 tips for selecting Pinterest-worthy beach engagement session outfits

Saying yes to your fiancé when he proposed was easy. Choosing a beachy and meaningful engagement session location was also probably pretty easy (no shortage of beautiful beaches here in Florida). But choosing the perfect outfit for that engagement session? Well I think I speak for all woman-kind when I say this part is not so simple ;) 

That’s why today I’m telling you my three best tips for choosing the perfect styles for your tropical or beachside engagement session. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a solid starting point to take with and run as you’re dreaming up those perfect Pinterest-worthy outfits! (Bonus- as a photographer, these tips take into account what looks good on camera, too!) Keep scrolling:

1) When in doubt, go for pastels and neutrals

The number one thing that can make engagement session outfits look awkward is a mismatch of patterns and colors. We recommend simple outfits- Pastel and neutral colors often photograph best! It’s better to coordinate outfits with complimentary colors, rather than matching, and to go for a mix of solids and patterns.

For example- don’t both wear blue pants and a white shirt. If you go too matchy-matchy it can start to look like a 1999 family Christmas card (anyone else besides me have to do the matching family photo shoots?!). Instead, if you’re wearing a white dress patterned with blue flowers, put your beau in a solid blue shirt to tie in the colors of your dress without matching completely. 

In terms of colors, the beautiful beaches here in Florida have white sands, various shades of blue waves, soft green plants in the dunes, and tan grasses blowing in the breeze. Wearing bright red or purple is probably going to distract from the natural beauty of your location, whereas pastels and neutrals will compliment it. 

2)   Skip the blue jeans

This probably goes without saying.. but when was the last time you actually wore jeans to the beach? Make sure when you’re choosing your outfits the vibe of what you’re wearing fits the scene. If you’ve chosen a coastal park or beach, play up the space! Try to think of what you might actually wear to those places, and then take it up a notch (it’s an engagement session, after all!). Avoid things like jeans, heavy/thick materials, or black. 

3)    Choose two different outfits and styles

Our engagement sessions are two hours long, so I always encourage our couples to choose two totally different outfits and styles for the session to have a little variety. A more formal outfit might be great for your save the dates, but it’s also nice to have something in more casual attire to print and frame in your home, or use for the wedding website. 

Beach formal? This is where it gets tricky. If your guy absolutely wants to wear a suit, I always suggest navy, or a blue blazer mixed with khaki pants to perfect that beachy formal look. To compliment this, I find a maxi dress always looks formal enough without being overdressed or stuffy. If a suit is too dressy for your fiancé, I also say khaki pants and a white button down is forever a classic combination that looks good on everyone, and also compliments a dress for you!

In terms of your casual outfit- stay true to yourself! Our engagement sessions involve a lot of walking, twirling, or sitting. Choose something you can move in without constant readjustment or fear of getting dirty. Many of our clients will choose a shorter, more casual dress paired with khakis and a nice t-shirt or navy shorts and a short sleeved button down on their groom-to-be. 

4)   Bonus tip!

Ladies, choose something that moves with that ocean breeze! When you’re looking at fabrics, it’s always a fun idea to select something light and billowy for those sunset pictures right next to the ocean. As you’ll see below, it makes for really fun motion and movement in your images. 

There you have it- my best three tips for choosing the perfect beach engagement session outfits. If you haven’t chosen a photographer yet for your engagement session, we sure would love to be a part of telling your story! Inquire here. 

Still looking for more inspiration? You’re in luck! Bridget and Will, who I featured above, got a whole blog dedicated to their engagement session! Check it out here. 

Happy planning!

Ashley 

6 Wedding Day Moments to Plan for in Your Timeline

I heard it said a thousand times, and yet, I was surprised at just how quickly our wedding day flew by. From the moment I woke up, I felt like there was so much to do, so many people to talk to, so many photos we wanted…. Before I knew it, we were heading to our honeymoon cabin and it was all over. 

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way- I’ve heard so many past clients say something similar, like Kristin: “Thank goodness I hired you and Justin! So much happened so quickly that I don’t think I’d remember hardly anything without the beautiful photos!” 

With all that said, I can’t preach enough how important it is to PLAN time for all the people and moments you want on your wedding day! If it’s not on the schedule, unfortunately, it’s probably not going to happen. That’s why I’m sharing 6 of my favorite special moments that you should consider incorporating into your wedding day timeline- 

1) Saying your own vows

Your wedding day is THE day to say it all. There’s no opportunity more romantic to say everything you feel for your partner: how they better you, the things you love about them, your hopes for the future. If you feel nervous about saying your own vows in front of your guests, create a few minutes you can read them to each other privately. If you decide not to say your own vows or your church doesn’t allow it, we’d highly encourage you to, at minimum, take the time to write it in a letter you can exchange on the wedding day. This is a once in a lifetime moment, and planning it into your day is something you’ll truly never regret.

2)   A first look (with someone!)

If you’ve read our blog 5 reasons to consider a first look, then you know how special that time was to Justin and I (Truly one of my favorite moments of my entire life). That said, everyone should choose what feels right in their gut when it comes to seeing each other pre-ceremony or not! If you don’t decide to do a first look with your future spouse, we also love the sweet moments that unfold when a bride plans a first look with her dad, or a first look with her bridesmaids after she’s in her wedding gown. Any and all first looks are precious in our book!

3)    A final private dance

I’ll say it again- the wedding day is truly a whirlwind and flies by. Before you know it, your guests are lining up outside, sparklers in hand, to send you on your way to newlywed bliss! Why not plan a private last dance, just the two of you, before you run to that getaway car? Such a sentimental dance to truly take a last moment and soak it all in.

4)   Time to see your guests at cocktail hour

One huge benefit our first look couples really love is the opportunity to mingle with guests at cocktail hour! Everyone is truly SO thrilled to see the bride and groom, and I love photographing those candid hugs and pure excitement as guests get to congratulate the newlywed couple. Even if you decide not to do a first look, I’d highly encourage a 90 minute cocktail hour so you can catch the last 15 minutes and enjoy some casual time with your nearest and dearest.

5)   Quality time with the people who mean the most to you

From your parents, to your maid of honor, to your future in-laws, there are usually SO many people to thank for helping the wedding weekend come together. I love when brides and grooms plan time into the day to give hugs, gifts, or notes of gratitude to those who have supported them through it all. It’s truly always a beautiful and candid time full of emotion that we love to photograph.

6) A Reception room reveal

After all the time, money, and planning that went into creating a gorgeous reception for your friends and family, its so fun to get the first glance when it all comes together! Definitely plan for 5 minutes in that timeline before the reception doors open to see the space your dreamt up in all it’s glory (and give your wedding planner the hug she deserves!)

If you love candid, emotion-filled wedding photos, you really can’t go wrong by planning some or all of the moments above into your wedding day timeline! Making time for the people and memories that matter most, on the day that matters most, is something you’ll never regret. 

Want more wedding planning advice? Check out these family photo tips! 

XO 

Ashley 

How to Thank Your Parents After Your Wedding

Did your parents play a big part in your wedding? Whether they paid for all or part of the wedding, or just offered unconditional support and advice during the time you were engaged, I find many brides and grooms yearn to get their parents a sincere thank you gift after the wedding day. 

The trouble is, mom and dad are probably at a point in life that if they really want something, they’re going to buy it. “Stuff” just doesn’t mean a lot. Something that DOES mean a lot? The happiness of their kids. (It’s why they give so much when it comes to your wedding planning!). 

After years of watching couples search to find the perfect gift of gratitude, I’m sharing the three I’ve seen to be the most impactful:

1) A parent album

There’s truly no better way to thank mom and dad than a luxury book filled with images of friends and family on such an important day. Parent albums aren’t an inexpensive gift (although a fraction of what they paid if they funded the wedding!), but they’re truly an heirloom quality product that will bring your parents joy for many years to come. I know my mom proudly displays her album on the coffee table and is thrilled to re-live the day again and again, especially when guests come over!

From Molly who ordered parent albums: “Just talked to my mom and dad and they LOVE the album!!  My mom said the cover is beautiful and the pages are so sharp! She said every time she looks at the album makes her feel like she’s right there, again and again.” 

2) A wine subscription

This is honestly one of the better gifts I’ve seen a bride give her parents! Because, let’s be honest, they’re going to need some wine after that year of helping you plan and writing checks ;) I’ve heard great things about the Biltmore Wine Club, but if your parents have a specific place or brand they like, it’s definitely worth exploring a subscription service more tailored to them. 

3) A side by side print

I heard about this gift once from a past groom, and apparently his mom was a puddle when she unwrapped it! He printed a photo directly from the wedding gallery we sent, and put it in a side by side with a photo of his parents from their own wedding day. I thought this was such a cute memento to display on a shelf! There are a lot of two photo frame options to choose from, like this one. 

There you have it- my three best wedding thank you gifts for your parents! If you’re considering the album, be sure to see a few more images of our wedding albums on our Instagram highlight. 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our Valentine’s day gift idea blog!

Ashley 

5 Reasons You Need a Wedding Album

“Wedding albums are so expensive, and I really don’t see the point of spending all of that money when we have our pictures online to look at whatever we want.”- Me.

Yep, I said that exact sentence, years ago, right after Justin and I got our wedding images and he wanted to order an album. I’m the Sally saver in our relationship, and to be honest I had a little bit of sticker shock when I looked into purchasing a wedding album; I quickly decided it wasn’t worth it. 

Well, marriage is about compromise, so eventually Justin convinced me, and he did everything on his own when it came to ordering our wedding album and getting it on the way. When it came in, it sat in the box for days because I really didn’t care that much about looking at it. Fast forward to the night Justin and I finally sat down on the sofa to flip through it- and cue the waterworks. It was the first time I actually cried looking at our wedding images! Since then, I’ve reflected a lot on why the album made me feel the way it did, because let me tell you, I went from album scrooge to album believer in about 5 seconds.

Knowing what I know now, I truly feel it’s my responsibility to share with you the 5 reasons I firmly believe every person should own a high quality wedding album- scroll on! 

1) Re-visit your wedding day cuddled up in bed, not huddled behind a computer screen

Recently, I polled our followers on instagram about wedding albums… Did you know that 75% of people who don’t have a wedding album have to pull out their computer every single time they want to look at the images from their big day? This honestly and truly broke my heart. One of my all time favorite moments on Justin and I’s anniversary is when we crack open a bottle of wine, get in bed or sit on the sofa, and slowly reminisce on our wedding day as we flip through the pages of our album. I don’t know about you, but enough of my day is spent behind a glowing screen- I love having something I can physically hold and touch anytime I want to look back on our wedding day, and I know you will too.

2) Create a family heirloom

Ok- this was the cry moment for me. When we opened our album for the first time and I burst into tears, I immediately told Justin “Oh my gosh- Our grandkids are going to hold this someday”. That really hit me hard. Maybe I’m an old soul, but in today’s world of fast fashion and disposable everything, it seems like no one thinks about the future or invests in quality anymore! Sure, you can make a shutterfly book of your wedding images…. but I promise you it’ll be faded and ripped and thrown away someday. I didn’t realize until I held our album in my hands how sturdy and luxurious it felt, and I can honestly say I have confidence that this book will outlive us. I’m so excited we had the opportunity to create an heirloom that our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids can enjoy. 

3) Don’t rely on technology alone

Social media apps come and go, and yet the other 20% of people (that I polled online that don’t have a wedding album) said that that’s how they re-visit their wedding day. I have a hard time believing that at 75 years old, when you want to take a look at your wedding pictures, you’ll whip out your iPhone and scroll back on your instagram by 50 years. 

Computers fail, hard drives fail, the ‘it’ social media app is ever changing…. but a tangible wedding album is truly timeless and outlasts technology trends. 

4) Design a beautiful statement piece for your home

If nothing else- wedding albums are beautiful! Justin spent years sourcing the absolute best album company in the country, because we believe our clients are deserving of the best. Each album is designed from scratch, and made completely custom for each couple we work with. From the fabric and color, to what’s printed or debossed on the cover, you can choose something that fits your personal style so that you can proudly display your wedding album on a coffee table, bookshelf, or bedroom accent table. 

Our albums are all crafted by hand right here in the united states and truly have an un-matched quality and luxurious feel. You’ll be proud for any guest in your home to flip through it’s pages as they’re transported back to your special day! 

5) Tell the story of your wedding instead of combing through 1000+ images

Did you know that 50 years ago, most people typically only received a small handful of images from their wedding day? I’m talking… for sure less than 100. Goodness, how times have changed! Depending on the number of hours booked, most of our clients receive close to 1000 or more images from their wedding day! As great as it is to have all of those pictures, you don’t exactly have an hour or two to spare every time you want to look at your wedding photos. I love wedding albums because we design a concise story that showcases the wedding from start to finish- no overwhelm involved. 

That’s all I have for you today, friend. I’ll leave you with a quote I love: “Sometimes you never really know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”. And I sincerely hope you’ll invest in a way to re-visit your wedding memories. I can promise you’ll never regret it <3 

Bridget + Will Engagement Session

Tropical palm trees, beautiful beach front sunsets, the iconic Gasparilla Inn…. what more could you want in an engagement session? Bridget and will are getting married in Boca Grande this December because it’s meaningful to them. They have so many special memories as a couple in this Florida paradise, so it was only natural that we captured their engagement session in Boca Grande doing all their favorite things: bike riding around the island, playing backgammon at the Gasparilla Inn, taking a cruise on Bridget’s boat, and watching sunset together on the beach. This session was too good not to blog- scroll below to see some of our favorite images, and read a little more about this couple and their story. 

How did you two meet?

“Bridget's family has been coming down to Boca Grande since 2005, and Will's family bought a home there in 2015.  We ran into each other on Christmas Eve in 2015 at The Pink Elephant, and Bridget decided to set up the parents because she thought they'd make good friends.  Bridget invited the Morrison family over for a boat ride (or what she calls the "parent date") and Will quickly developed a crush.  Flash forward to Christmas 2016, where we spent more time together in Boca Grande.  After flirting at the Boca Bande Bash (a party that a group of families organized), we shared our first kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve at Miller's Dockside.  And the rest.........is history.”

Tell us about the proposal!

“Will proposed on the first night of summer in 2020 in Cotuit, MA (where Bridget's family spends their summer).  Will was "going up to New Hampshire" to golf with his dad for Father's Day, when in reality he picked out the ring in Boston.  He then picked up Bridget's older sister, Lizzie, from the airport (she had just flown in from San Francisco) and drove back to Cotuit.  We grabbed a drink and went out to the patio overlooking Cotuit Bay, and Will got down on one knee and popped the question.  Bridget (obviously) said yes, and then they celebrated with Bridget's family afterwards! “

What is one thing that gets you excited about your wedding weekend?

“The weekend will kick off with our rehearsal dinner for the wedding party and immediate families at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, followed by a welcome party for the rest of the guests.  We're so excited to welcome everyone to the island, especially first timers!”

We’re counting down to be back with these two for their wedding in beautiful Boca Grande. In the meantime… follow us on instagram to see our day to day adventures (@justindemutiis) or take a peek at another favorite blog, BLANK.