Three Engagement Session Tips

When it comes to planning an engagement session, there are a lot more moving parts than most people think! You only get these photos taken once, so you want them to be perfect. (And so do we!)

It’s why we decided to compile three of our BEST engagement session tips into this blog that will take your session from good to great! When you’re prepared and relaxed, it’ll absolutely show in the photos! (Making for an enjoyable session, and dreamy images, of course) Keep on reading to make sure you don’t miss a thing while planning your session.

1) Plan plenty of time to get ready and arrive

NOTHING stresses me out quite like running late. Can anyone else relate? If you’re waving your hands in the air right now, this tip is super important for you.Plan more time than you think you need to get ready, account for traffic, and give yourself a few extra minutes to find the location if you've never been there before! We plan our engagement sessions a little while before sunset, so starting late just typically means less overall time in your session. While we can still make magic happen in a short amount of time, we want to make the most of every moment! Plus, you don’t want to begin your session feeling stressed or frazzled because you had to rush.

2) Wear something you are totally comfortable in

The number one question we get for engagement sessions: What to wear?!We always tell our clients to stick to their personal styles, but maybe take it up a notch! We recommend simple outfits- Pastel and neutral colors often photograph best. It’s better to coordinate outfits with complimentary colors, rather than matching, to go for a mix of solids and patterns, and to make sure the color and style of your clothing will fit in well with the location we’ve picked out for your photos. Most of all, wear something you both look and feel great in, and also true to who you are. For the sake of time and ease, most engagement sessions have two outfits, but if you can’t choose, feel free to bring a few options and we will give suggestions at the shoot! Finally, and MOST importantly, good engagement photos (in our opinion) involve a lot of sitting on the ground or on potentially dirty surfaces, walking, running, twisting, hugging, etc. Don’t wear something you’re constantly having to readjust, or something you’re afraid to get a speck of dirt on!If you want more advice or inspiration, check out our pinterest page here.

3) Come prepared

Our engagement sessions range from two to three hours, so you should definitely prepare for anything you might want during that time! Some good things to remember would be a jacket, walking shoes (in between locations... ladies, don't keep your heels on the whole time!), treats (if you are bringing your dog), makeup, hairbrush, hair spray, and water. We also love encouraging couples to bring props like champagne, a guitar, bikes, or anything else that really speaks to who you are! These personal touches always take an engagement session to the next level (plus we love getting to learn even more about you as a couple and your hobbies!)

There you have it- our three best tips to keep in mind before your engagement session! If you take these things into account, you’re guaranteed to have a more fun, relaxed session (and that will definitely shine through in your images)! We can’t WAIT for the opportunity to photograph you for an engagement session and capture this sweet time for you both. 

Want to get inspired for your own session? Check out Eric and Katie right here, who decided to use their session at their favorite places around the city. It was so personal and unique!

Florence Engagement Session Inspiration

We’ve heard it said that Florence, Italy is a city of love. After this Florence photoshoot, we couldn’t agree more!Though this is truly amazing inspiration for Florence engagement photos, Jill and Grady were actually having these photos taken on their Italian honeymoon! Jill works for the amazing Along Came Stephanie and happened to be in Italy the same time we were, so it was truly fate to work together on this beautiful session. We felt so inspired by the architecture, the weather, and the sights around the city- it was a place unlike any we’d ever been... We couldn't help but photograph this session 100% on film!It would be such a unique destination engagement location for those who like the hustle of a big city, but the feeling of old world architecture and history! This sweet historical town was definitely crowded on a Saturday, but keep on scrolling to see the magic that can happen, even in a bustling city like Florence.

Thank you, Jill and Grady, for trusting us with such special images! (And for not laughing at the evil eyes we got from Italians waiting as we stood in the street to take the perfect pictures...)Next time you’re in search for a Florence photographer, look no further! We can’t wait to make it back to this beautiful country and photograph more couples in love for an Italian engagement session, wedding or honeymoon.In need of more destination engagement session inspiration? Check out this sunrise NYC session here. It's forever a favorite!

Fall 2021 Mini Session Locations

Scroll on to see a few samples of our mini session locations for fall of 2021!

PICNIC ISLAND- 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616

Picnic Island is a gorgeous park in South Tampa that features some mature, lush trees and greenery as well as a beautiful white shell walkway. Please note- we do not photograph on the beaches at this park. We’ve found they’re crowded and less photogenic than the areas with greenery!

KAPOK PARK- 2950 Glen Oak Ave N, Clearwater, FL 33759

Kapok Park is a favorite because it’s never crowded! This is a simple park with manicured grasses and trees. It’s perfect for smaller kids who are easily distracted since there’s never too much hustle and bustle happening close by.

HYDE PARK VILLAGE- 1602 W Snow Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

Hyde Park Village is a city feel that offers a variety of photo backdrops. From the fountain, to the brick walls, to the benches and grassy areas, we will always take advantage of the areas with the best light when we photograph your family here. (Morning sessions are all we suggest in this location to avoid crowds)

SWANN CIRCLE PARK- 4428 S Swann Cir, Tampa, FL 33609

Swann Circle Park is conveniently located in the heart of South Tampa! It’s a simple park but photographs well with gorgeous trees and a unique bamboo area.

There you have it- you can’t go wrong with any of this years mini session locations! Can’t wait to document your family this fall.

Click here to book now!

Tuscan Villa Wedding Inspiration

Are you in need of destination wedding ideas or locations? Do you just need a little inspiration as you plan your wedding overseas? Maybe you just have a love for all things Italy? Then look no further! This Tuscan wedding was absolute perfection all the way from the colors, to the wedding gown, to the theme. Along with some talented vendors, we crossed oceans to capture this STUNNER of Italian wedding destinations- Cortona, Italy.

You can’t go wrong with a destination wedding location in Cortona, Italy. We truly felt like we were in a movie! The scenery, restaurants, gorgeous weather and once in a lifetime views would be a treat for any wedding guest. Fun fact- they filmed the movie Under the Tuscan Sun here!

We highly recommend La Corte Dei Papi for your Italy wedding venue. The service, location, and hospitality was one of a kind. This unique Tuscan villa has been in the same family since the 1800’s!

Can we be Italian wedding photographers all the time? This spring destination wedding was one for the books. Watching these two exchange sweet words as the sun set in the Italian countryside was a moment that brought tears to our eyes.

Although the sun has set on our first Italian wedding, we certainly feel confident it won't be our last. Cannot wait to capture another Tuscan wedding very soon! If you'd like to see the film from Kenneth Cooper Films, click here!

To see another favorite destination wedding we've photographed on the island of Mustique, make your way over to Eric and Nicole's gallery here. 

Huge kudos for planning and designing goes to Along Came Stephanie | Venue: La Corte Dei Papi | Florals: Fiorista Cristina | Dress: Ti Adora from Malindy Elene Bridal | Paper Goods: Script me Pretty | Rentals: Preludio Divisione Noleggio 

Three Rainy Day Date Ideas

There’s nothing worse than planning out a beautiful date on a warm summer day, only to have your plans ruined by RAIN! (Especially in Tampa… it’s raining as I write this! Welcome, summer!)

If a rain out happens- Don’t scrap the day, just turn it into a rainy day date! See below for three of our favorite date ideas to do when skies are grey.

1) Sur La Table

To be honest, we’d suggest Sur La Table rain or shine- it’s great for a date night any time!

The building is nestled right in the middle of Hyde Park Village, which is an adorable shopping center you could explore for a whole afternoon. The shop is a full cooking supply store with a kitchen in the back for their classes, and weather you like to cook or not it’s easy to get lost in here! Though you have to park in a garage or the street when you go to the village, they have the cutest umbrella baskets floating around so you can snag one to keep dry!

Once inside you can begin your class with some wine (BYOB) and usually a snack, and then they’ll dive into the prepping! They walk you through the meal step by step and at the end, of course, get to munch on all you’ve created! They also send you home with the recipes and a discount you can purchase supplies in the shop with. The perfect (yummy) indoor date!

2) Oxford Exchange

Oxford Exchange is truly a Tampa gem. Any time we take someone new here, they ALWAYS fall in love with the diverse options and unique aesthetic. In the building you'll find a coffee bar, tea bar, full restaurant, bookstore, and shop- making it the perfect rainy day hangout. Usually we’ll start an OE date with brunch in the restaurant (if avocado toast is on the menu, you can never go wrong). Then we head to the bookstore and each pick out a new read! (Easier said than done because they have so many amazing options). From there we usually grab a coffee from their buddy brew bar and cozy up on one of their leather chairs or comfy couches to read together. It’s easy to spend hours cozied up in this downtown Tampa favorite- no sunshine no problem!

3) The Dali Museum

The Dali museum is located in downtown St. Pete and is always one of our go to date spots! Between the artwork, rotating exhibits, and snack bar, you can wait out the rain in this uniquely shaped space. We always love seeing Dali’s take on oil paintings- they are unique and always seem to spark a good conversation between us as we peruse them! Highly recommend. 

There you have it- three rainy day date ideas! This summer when the drizzle (inevitably) happens, we hope you’ll remember our favorite local spots and give them a try for date day! A rainy day date is ALWAYS better than no date at all!

Want to dream of sunny days? Click here to see Eric and Katie's outdoor LA engagement session!

Five Wedding Exit Ideas

We LOVE wedding day exits! What better way to end your night than all your friends and family surrounding you, cheering you on and wishing you well (and possibly throwing things at you- ha!)?! This centuries old tradition is festive, fun, and creates magical photo opportunities.

Read four of our favorite ways for guests to send you off in style below!

1) Confetti

NOTHING says it’s a party quite like confetti! Confetti gives the look of the ages-old rice send off, without the feeling of getting pelted by hard little rocks of grain: we’d call that a win-win!

We suggest looking into eco-friendly confetti so it melts away post-exit and you don’t have to worry about cleaning it up! (Fun fact- we did a confetti exit for our very own wedding!)

2) Sparklers

By far the most popular send off- and we can see why! When you are heading off into newlywed bliss post-sunset, sparklers create a bright and glimmering light source that without a doubt ALWAYS creates fun and magical photos. Pro tip: get the extra long sparklers to ensure the entire line of people stay lit while you’re jogging through!

3) Flower Petals

Ok- so we know running through a line of people holding fire sticks after three cocktails isn’t for everyone. If you have fire-fear or the venue won’t allow sparklers, why not try flower petals? We love this option because you can utilize one of your wedding day colors to keep the theme consistent right up until the very end of the night- and because they’re larger than confetti the cleanup isn’t too difficult for the loved ones you leave behind!

4) Streamers

Whether attached to sticks or popped from guns- you can't go wrong. Even the most strict of wedding venues won’t turn down these colorful wands that can be adorned with ribbon, bells, or sparkle (feeling bold? Go for all three!) These are a great way to tie in your wedding colors and without a doubt make your exit look and feel like a true celebration.

5) Bubbles

Last but certainly not least- bubbles! For a more whimsical send-off, we highly suggest them! They don’t hurt, there’s no clean up, and they are seriously MAGICAL when used at nighttime because our camera flashes bounce off them to create a super bright and fun look! There you have it- five of our favorite wedding day exit ideas! We hope these have inspired you to create your own wedding day exit plan so you can start off your newly-wed bliss with smiles on your faces and confetti in your hair.

 In need of more wedding day inspiration? Check out some of our favorite wedding day bouquet ideas here! 

Why Hire a Professional Wedding DJ?

After photographing hundreds of weddings, we can tell you without a doubt- who you choose as a DJ can make or break your reception!

You want to find someone who doesn’t talk too much or too little, who knows how to mix music and stream songs together seamlessly, and who can get a crowd excited. You want someone professional, fun, and quick on their feet! (And you most definitely want someone who doesn’t start the party off with the chicken dance ;))

Finding a DJ who can check all of these important boxes is easier said than done- so we encourage you to always hire a professional with lots of experience!Eric from Grant Hemond and Associates was the DJ for our very own wedding, and we’ve worked with many of the DJ’s over at Grant Hemond on countless weddings! We can say first hand they have all of the qualities above and are definitely experts in the field, so we asked them to answer some questions below that should help you on your DJ search- keep on scrolling!

Q: Why do you think finding a good wedding DJ is so important?

A:   A good DJ makes the flow of the evening seamless- They serve as the face and voice of the wedding to your guests! They are the Master of Ceremonies, so they need to have a good microphone presence and a confident approach when speaking to a crowd of people. The disc jockey can make or break the event!  A good DJ will provide an atmosphere of fun and dancing through music and coordination skills. They can read the crowd regarding music, and know how to keep the party moving.

Q: What does Grant Hemond offer couples beyond the actual DJ?

A: One of the DJ’s most valuable assets is being a good coordinator between the bride and groom and all of their other vendors (The staff at the venue, the photographer, the videographer, the wedding coordinator, etc.). We keep the party moving without taking away from the bride and the groom – this is THEIR day!  We also offer services beyond emcee and music.  We offer uplighting, GOBO lighting (monogram), and photo booth services!

Q: What is one song you can play to get any party started?

A: Tough one! Some of the guys “go to” songs to get things started are “Uptown Funk” or “24k Magic” by Bruno Mars, “ I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston, “Yeah” by Usher, “Kiss” by Prince, “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire, “Want You Back” by Jackson 5 and “Don’t Stop “Till You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson.

A special thanks to Grant Hemond for taking the time to answer a few questions! We hope this is helpful information when it comes time to select a DJ for your upcoming wedding. If you are still in need of someone to DJ your wedding or event, be sure to check them out here! 

In need of even more wedding inspiration? Check out our top ten wedding day bouquet blog right here to get inspired by all things floral! 

The Ten Best Wedding Day Bouquets

The wedding day bouquet is such an important accessory that every bride must choose, and it can feel daunting! The options are endless, and there are also some questions to keep in mind- Is it winter, spring, summer, or fall? Do you want manicured, or wild? Simple, or extravagant?

We wanted to put together a list of our top ten bouquets of all time to hopefully provide you with some inspiration and get your wheels turning on what to choose- so keep on scrolling! 

 1) Cecelia’s round bouquet had to make the list, because it feels so elegant and timeless! This peony and greenery bouquet could truly fit any season, and the all white flowers are chic and simple. This winter wedding arrangement was the perfect accessory for her long sleeved lace wedding gown.

Florals: The Potting Shed

2) If you are looking for a colorful and springy look- search no further than Kristin’s crescent shaped bridal bouquet! The varying shades of peach, pink, and yellow peonies with roses accented by touches of greenery was eye-catching and smelled divine.

Florals and planning- Ashton Events

3) Jessica’s spring bouquet had to make this list because it’s one of our favorite hand tied yet classic arrangements. She kept it traditional with white roses and ranunculus nestled among springs of bright greenery to achieve this soft and feminine feel.

Planning: Tracie Domino  Florals: MMD events

4) Emma’s posy style tropical bouquet will forever be a favorite! This colorful and vibrant mix of coral, orchids, and pink and purple roses achieved the perfect accessory for her summertime beach wedding. This multicolored beauty was truly spectacular!

Florals: Boca by Design

5) Anna Lee chose a timeless and traditional tear drop style bouquet with tones of white, ivory and blush peonies and roses. This bouquet was simple, well made, and so lovely. You could truly carry this bouquet in any season!

Planning and Florals: Rachelle Youd

6) Caroline’s natural bouquet was a perfectly wild mix of roses, greenery, and deep purple accents that gave a stylish pop among her classic wedding details. It achieved that perfect hand-picked look without feeling too rustic!

Planning: Tracie Domino Florals: MMD

7) Skye’s crescent shaped bright bouquet was an eye-catching mix of bright pinks and reds accented with tropical greenery. These roses would be the perfect blend to carry for a spring or summer wedding!

Planning: Theresa Nicole Events Florals: Botanica

8) Maggie’s cascading white orchid bouquet was simply breathtaking. These hand-arranged blooms were the perfect compliment to her simple strapless wedding gown, and nodded to the tropical vibe of her outdoor wedding. This bouquet was truly a statement piece!

Florals: Botanica

9) Katie chose a round yet whimsical arrangement for her spring wedding! This seasonal mix of coral, pink, and white ranunculus and roses with touches of vine-y greenery felt like it was elegantly arranged straight from a garden.

Planning: Tres Chic Southern Weddings Florals: Greenery Productions

10) Tristan’s Hand Tied fall wedding day bouquet was bold and creative. Tons of lush greenery mixed with deep burgundy, white, and pink roses looked magnificent with her classic wedding gown. This unforgettable bouquet will always be a favorite!

Planning: NK Productions Florals: Victoria blooms

We hope you’ve felt inspired by these beautiful blooms and are ready to take on your own wedding day bouquet!If you’d like to see more florals from Maggie’s (Number 8!) outdoor wedding, check out her full wedding day feature here.

Lilly Pulitzer Themed Bachelorette (or bridal shower) weekend!

We’re here to give you proof that Lilly Pulitzer does not go out of style!

Due to the popularity of any and every Pinterest pin we seem to post from this shoot (if you don’t follow us, check out our Pinterest profile here) , we’ve decided to re-blog a favorite past photo shoot of ours!

Whitney, the owner of Tres Chic Weddings, approached us with this Lilly Pulitzer inspired bachelorette weekend that would take place at The Don Cesar beach resort (it would also be such a unique, colorful, and tropical bridal shower theme!) and we needed no convincing. See some of our favorite shots from this shoot below! 

See the original feature on brides.com here.

Hope you enjoyed re-living the details on this throwback shoot as much as we did! For more beachy inspiration, why not check out Eric and Nicole's wedding on the private island of Mustique?! Click here to see more! 

Venue: Don Cesar | Planning: Whitney with Tres Chic | Florals: FH Weddings | Linens: Wildflower Linens | Stationary: Sprinkles Design | Dishes: Dishie Rentals | Paper Flowers: Katie Franklin | Hair and Makeup: Destiny and Light | Cookies: Cookie Cousins