It's All In the Details: Wedding Day Photography

Must have photo: A shot of the bride & groom with as many wedding guests as possible

After your wedding day is over and you start to get back in the swing of everyday married life, chances are you'll be excitedly awaiting the day that you get your pictures back from your photographer and relive the day through their camera lens.  To ensure that you're happy with your overall wedding photography experience, you'll want to take a few important steps along the way:

Planning:

Must-Have Photo: First Look before the ceremony, or a meet-up where the bride & groom don't see each other (if you're going for a more traditional approach) 

1. Choose your Photographer(s): 
   Make this decision together with your significant other, considering first the recommendations/references, style, value, price and availability of the photographer(s), and then (after meeting) their portfolio/work and personality. After all, their camera isn't the only thing that should 'click' on your big day. You want to know them, like them, trust them and feel comfortable knowing that you'll be with them for a majority of your wedding day. They'll be coordinating the photos of the 2 of you, but also of your families and wedding party members. Can they take charge? Are they confident? Will they get the job done the way that you want it?

Note: There are many extensive lists online of questions to ask a photographer before booking. I like this one, but feel free to Google more if you'd like!

Must-Have Photos: Creative, fun and beautiful wedding party pictures

2. Sign a Contract: 
   Once you've found your photographer(s) and the right package, you're ready to sign your contract. You'll want this contract to include the location, the date and the times that you're hiring the photographer(s). How many hours are included? How many shooters (do you want 1 person shooting everything or 2 so that you can split up the bridesmaids and groomsmen for some shots and get a few different angles for each important part of the day)? Ask important questions, including whether the photographer you're meeting will be your main shooter on your wedding day, and what would happen if he/she were to get sick or be unable to fulfill the agreed upon duties? Do they bring extra batteries, lenses, cameras, etc.? What do/should they wear? What is included in your package for the price you're paying? Will you get prints, an album, a disc with digital images, an engagement session? Hash out all of the details, get everything in writing, sign it with your photographer and keep a copy for your own wedding planning file. You'll want to book your photographer(s) as early as possible, but don't rush into it. You want someone you really feel comfortable with and excited to have on your team.

Planning your Engagement Photo Shoot? Check out these links!
Engagement Photo Session Pinterest Board
Engagement Photo Session- The 5 W's post
Engagement Shoot Ideas- friends & family post

Must-Have Photos: Clever, Silly and Gorgeous Bride & Groom Shots

3. Start Dreaming: 
   Consider what you'd like your photos to look like.  Do you have a vision for a fun wedding party picture with props? A glamorous formal shot of just the two of you? A whole board of pictures on Pinterest that inspire you? Collect your thoughts, dream and envision!
   As you plan, think about whether you'd like to do a First Look or First Reveal with your significant other before the ceremony. This is a chance to see each other, one on one, the day of the wedding. It allows you to get some beautiful photos together without the time constraint that comes after a ceremony, and in turn gives you more quality time with your guests during the party. It also gives you time together to exchange words, notes, gifts, hugs and prayers, if you wish. You can go from the First Look into the Wedding Party photos and family photos, giving your wedding party the chance to enjoy the entire Cocktail Hour (if it comes immediately after the ceremony) and giving you the chance to join as soon as you're ready.

Looking for ideas and inspiration? Not sure where to start?
Wedding Day- Bride & Groom Photo Ideas Pinterest Board
Wedding Day- Wedding Party Photo Ideas Pinterest Board
Wedding Day- Kids' Photo Ideas Pinterest Board
Wedding Day- Pet Photo Ideas Pinterest Board
Wedding Day- Parent Photo Ideas Pinterest Board
Fun Other Pictures Pinterest Board

Have you thought about whether you want to crowd source photos from your big day or leave the capturing to the pros? Consider the options, then find a way to communicate your wishes to your guests.
Want friends/family to take as many pictures as they'd like? Consider a Supercharged Wedding.
Want to make things easier for your photographer? Consider an Unplugged Wedding.

Must-Have Photos: Kids doing whatever they're doing. They could literally be doing anything in those adorable outfits and it'd be precious!

Must-Have Photos: Guest appearances from your favorite pet(s)

4. Prepare & Communicate:
   As you get closer, you'll want to prepare yourselves, your family/friends, and your photographer(s) for the photos that are most important to the two of you. If there are props you need, get them well in advance. If you want everyone to bring along a pair of sunglasses or an umbrella, you'll have to communicate that to them. If you need your Grandmother to arrive at a certain time to take photos, you'll want to figure out how she will get there and let her know when you want her to arrive. It all takes a little coordination, but once everyone knows where to be and when, it ensures a smooth, enjoyable wedding day!
   As the wedding day comes closer, share your vision with your photography team.  Share your favorite Pinterest boards, your theme/scheme inspiration, and open the lines of communication for any questions and shared ideas. Get together and come up with a list of 'Must-have' shots (no more than 15-20), as well as a list of all the important little details you want captured in addition to the important people.
   Consider how much time you'll need for each set of photos and each part of the day. Start thinking about a Timeline and putting it together, based on your schedule, which may include (but not be limited to):

Getting Ready (Move your stuff to one corner of the room so it's not in all the photos)
The Bride, the Dress (Bring a non-plastic hanger for your dress shoot)

First Look

Ceremony (Hold those flowers down near your belly button, look up and smile!)
(Gap between Ceremony & Cocktail Hour? Travel Time?)

Cocktail Hour

Family, Wedding Party, Kids & Pets Photo Time

Reception (Dinner, Dessert, Dancing)

Details

The Golden Hour (Sneaking away within the hour before sunset, when the natural lighting is at its best)
Night-time pictures (Sparklers, Chinese lanterns, outdoor lighting, pools and ponds are great for these)

Farewell

Must-Have Photo: The Golden Hour before sunset is the perfect time to get out and take some quick yet unforgettable photos.

Some Timeline Tips:
- Plan more than enough time for each part of the day
- If you're having a Receiving line after the ceremony, plan at least an extra 30 minutes.
- Consider trying to sneak away during the Golden/Magic Hour. Not sure when the Golden Hour will be on your wedding date? This site makes it easy to find out!
- Start your Timeline with Girls' Hair & Makeup Appointments, or even breakfast before that, if applicable.
- Plan a specific timeframe for couple shots, wedding party shots, family shots, and important friend shots. Decide approximately when they will start and end, and how long they will take.
-  If your venue does not include a Coordinator, you may want to consider hiring one while you plan and/or for Day-of Coordination. This person will connect all of the vendors and keep everything running smoothly, so you don't have to worry about the timeline (or even what time it is!)- you can just enjoy the celebration!
*Note the tips in pink above, which came from a great post by a Photographer-turned-Bride. Read more at 15 Wedding Tips

Check out this awesome post on my friend Steph's blog, The Event Crashers, written by 2 photographers about 10 Things Most Couples Don't Think About Regarding Wedding Photography. Amazing tips and a few more things to think about.

Must-Have Photos: Night-time outdoor shots

5. Help Prepare Them: 
Be sure your photographer has been to your venue before. If not, offer to meet there in advance and show them around or suggest that they meet the coordinator if there is one. If possible on the day of the wedding, they should plan to arrive early to get situated, learn the layout of the photo spots and start photographing some of your details, as well as the venue itself. Most good photographers will do this, but you may want to suggest it and confirm their arrival time with your venue.
   As the big day approaches, you'll want to share your Timeline with your photographer, as well as your other vendors, your wedding party and your close family members. For the photographer, you may want to make a map or a Cheat Sheet of who's who in the wedding party and your families (mainly MOH, best man, siblings, parents, grandparents, and their significant others). You can add pictures of each person if you'd like to help them get to know everyone faster. You can also share contact info for a few of them, in case the photographer needs to get in touch with somebody on the way or throughout the day. This is all especially helpful in family situations including past divorce, remarriage, loss of a loved one, etc. as it will help the photographer piece everyone together and show sensitivity to your family dynamic.

Yes, No, Maybe So?:
  There may be certain rules for where, when and how photographs may be taken at different points in your day. Find out the rules for photography in your place of worship if applicable and let your photographer know asap if there's anything that could make their job difficult (i.e. They aren't allowed to take photos during the ceremony, They can't use flash photography, etc.). Your reception venue may also have certain areas where photos may be taken, and others where they mat not. For example, the venue where I work has a Photo Trail right around the clubhouse where beautiful pictures can be taken, but wedding parties aren't supposed to go out onto the golf course (as it's a private club) or in certain parts of the clubhouse (for the same reason). If your photographer has this information in advance, he/she can plan a path and photos accordingly.

Must-Have Photos: Intergenerational family love, In Memory photo, first look with parents

Wedding Day:
When it comes to photography, there's not a whole lot you need to do on your wedding day. You've communicated all of your wishes, shared the Timeline and now you can just enjoy the day.
  You may want to appoint a go-to person ahead of time who can help corral people for a picture or two if needed, and who can share any changes in the schedule as the day goes on, but otherwise, your main job is to get married and have fun! You make the memories, and the photographer(s) will capture them.
  That being said, keep in mind that candid photos are sometimes so much better than posed shots, and your photographer has a great portfolio because he/she knows how to photograph those special moments best. Allow your photography team to make photo decisions and be the judge of the best setups. Remember that the photos you love on Pinterest probably didn't happen because of another photo on Pinterest; They probably just happened and the photographer was in the right place at the right time with the right tools and skills to capture them that way. Trust them and relax. Oh, and don't forget to feed your Photographer(s)!

Bringing Photos to the Wedding:
Having worked almost 100 weddings in the past 2 years, I've seen some incredibly creative brides & grooms and, in turn, some beautifully clever weddings! There are so many ways to incorporate photos into your wedding day, but here are just a few:
1) Include a framed picture (or a bulletin board of photos) at your Place Card Table
2) Display framed photos from your parents' and grandparents' weddings. Just be sure to include a little note saying who's who! You can also take a photo holding a framed picture from your parents' weddings, or (even better!) recreate their picture with the same pose, same angle, same facial expressions, etc.

Just for Fun: Recreate parents' wedding photo

3) Print and display photos from your Engagement session.
4) Include photos in your Centerpiece plan. I love when the table number corresponds to a picture of the bride and a picture of the groom at that age. I've also seen pictures of the bride & groom in different places for a Travel theme, or a pictures of some of their favorite spots to visit in a College/University theme.
5) Hang pictures across a string to make a sweet decorative banner.
6) Include cute bathroom/bathtub baby photos of the bride with the bathroom basket for the ladies' room and the groom for the mens' room.
 7) Last, but not least, was the wedding with the photo place cards. The bride found a picture of each couple attending the wedding from their own wedding day and put it on their place card. For single friends, she took a favorite picture of them individually. She turned all of the pictures black and white and put them on a long table with a beautiful flower arrangement.

Just for Fun: Incorporate photos into your wedding reception decor! 

After the Wedding
Article from Offbeat Bride- What to Do with Wedding Photos after the Big Day

Have any other ideas about what to do with photos after the big day or how to incorporate them INTO the big day?!? Share them in a comment below!

Engagement Shoot Ideas

Wait...Did you read the 5 W's Post on Engagement Sessions? If not, go check that out here.


SOME BEAUTIFUL ENGAGEMENT SESSION SHOTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:
Planning your own engagement photo session? Get (p)inspired. Do these shots look like love to you? Do they speak to you in some way? Do they remind you of yourself and your significant other? Save them, love them, pin them, share them, and recreate them in your own way. Here are a few shots that I LOVE from some of our friends and family members. All photos have been posted and pinned with permission from the bride & groom, and the photographer(s)!

Amber & Dave got their engagement photos taken in Valley Forge Park in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

They used Fuller Photography, their wedding Photographers, and got some BEAUTIFUL pictures. 

Check out the Fullers' Blog for pics from Amber & Dave's wedding this May!

You should also check out Amber's awesome blog, Busy, Bold, Blessed 

for healthy living inspiration, recaps from their wedding weekend and much more. 

Oh, and there's a photo of Amber, Dave and their dog Puddin' in the previous post! 

Christine & Josh also used Fuller Photography, and since they are wine lovers, they had their engagement session at a local vineyard. So beautiful, romantic and fun! 

Did you see the photo of Christine & Josh in their sports jerseys in the 5 W's post? 

Jackie & Rick live in New York City, and a loving family member offered his photography skills for their engagement shoot. The couple is absolutely adorable, and we wish them nothing but the best for their August 2014 wedding and beyond! Did you catch Jackie & Rick with their hands up in LOVE formation in the last post? We LOVE it!

Nicole & Andrew are getting married in Spring 2015 and have followed positive feedback and recommendations to hire Fuller Photography (who didn't pay me for this post, I promise!) for their recent engagement session in Gettysburg and their wedding in Southeastern PA! Check out these gems, and how cute are the pics with their dog?!

Nick & Kathy got married in June of this year in Reading, Pennsylvania. Their engagement session took place around Shillington, their home town. The first one (which is the sweetest!) was taken at the Borough Hall. Their photographer, Sean Reilly, runs Bearded Photography and you can check out his work here. 

I call this one a Pinterest win :) 

Kristen & Bill got married in Central Pennsylvania and since they are lovers of the outdoors, they went for a photo shoot in the woods. How sweet are these pictures? Their photographer preferred to remain anonymous as she typically goes by word of mouth and takes pictures on her family farm. 

Sandy & Russ got engaged while vacationing in Jamaica and they were fortunate enough to have a professional photographer from the resort there at just the right moment (nice work, Russ)! The next day, they scheduled an appointment with another resort photographer to take pictures, which was a free service (you just pay for the pictures) and they know the best locations! The pictures turned out great and helped to capture all of the beauty of Jamaica and that special trip. Can't wait for their wedding in September, since Sandy is my mom and I couldn't possibly be happier for her!

Steph and Stu are college friends of ours who have been together forever, or so it seems. They are perfect together and their engagement pics show their level of comfort, happiness and love.  Their engagement shoot was taken at Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and their photographer, Reena Rose, wrote all about their session on her blog, which you can read here.

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful engagement shoot photos with me, with the readers of Wediquette and with Pinterest! I wish you all the very best in your relationships and would love to feature any other aspect of your wedding that you'd like to share! Congratulations and happy planning (to those of you who are still in that stage)!

I would love to feature and share more Engagement Sessions! Have 3 favorite shots from your own? Let me know and I'll tell you how to send them! I just need to know:
- Where your photos were taken.
- Who your photographer was (and a link, if they'd like to be acknowledged on Wediquette).
- Whether you have the rights to share the photos.
- and something about you, your photo shoot, or the inspiration for your favorite shots.
* Note: I'd be happy to accept submissions from photographers as well, with permission from the bride & groom!

Check out and follow this constantly-changing board on Pinterest for more Engagement Session (p)inspiration!

By the way...

Do you love themed parties? The Roaring 20's Are Making a Comeback!

Are you ready for Halloween?! Something scary is right around the corner- Find ideas and inspiration now! 

Want to amaze your dinner guests this holiday season? Check out this post about napkins, and learn some cool folds while you're at it!

Do you know a Proud Nittany Lion? Share this post about throwing a great Penn State bash and bringing little pieces of Happy Valley into the happiest day of your life!

Want to check out some great wedding tunes? Check out this post, which is updated often!

Putting together bathroom baskets for a wedding or celebration? Click here for great tips and inspiration! 

Are you in a wedding party and not quite sure what to do next? Check out this post to get prepped and rock it! 

Changing your name post-wedding? Click here for the long and short of it. 

Check out the most popular posts along the sidebar (scroll up!), including Weddings Across the Board- a series devoted to the cultural & traditional awesomeness that goes into wedding celebrations around the world- with coordinating Pinterest boards, of course!

Do you have a request for a wedding, holiday or party-related post? Leave a comment anytime! 

Engagement Photo Shoot- the 5 W's

SMILE! You're engaged, and that's cause for celebration and merriment and the kind of happily-ever-after excitement that makes you want to jump for joy, sing from the highest mountaintop and grin from ear to ear...which is great, because a very common part of getting engaged today is going for an engagement photo shoot, and with the twinkle in both of your eyes and the smiles you're both sporting non-stop, you're going to be lovestruck stars! Okay, so here's the engagement shoot run-down...

WHO? 

Of course, this session will focus on the two of you, but you also need to consider WHO the photographer will be. Maybe you've already decided on your wedding photographer and the wedding package includes an engagement session- that makes things easy! Maybe you haven't decided yet, but you like that idea- ask around, get some recommendations, and find some options. The photographer plays a very important role in capturing your big day, and you may want to seize the opportunity to start bonding with him/her (and vice versa) at the engagement session.  Not necessarily set on using the same photographer for both sessions? Find a camera-loving friend, family member, or local photographer you like and set up a time to meet before booking your session.
   If you have children, include them in your photos. Remember that this shoot should focus on the two of you, so get some couple shots in there, but if your kids are your life, get them involved, too!
   Another WHO consideration is any special furry/slimy/scaly/feathered friends you may have! Do you have a special pet who is a special part of your relationship and who will really ham it up for the photos? Make arrangements so that you can get a few pictures together! If you need someone to keep your pet entertained for the rest of the shoot, you may want to bring a pet helper along as well (or if you're close to home, you can bring your pet back before you journey on)!

WHAT (will we use them for)? 

Alright, so you're getting married and you want to have engagement photos done. You've decided who you're marrying, who your photographer will be, and who to bring along, and now you're trying to figure out exactly WHAT this is all about. When couples get their engagement photos back, they may use them for a variety of purposes throughout their engagement and beyond. This is, for many couples, the first time they've had a professional photo shoot together. This photographer is going to make you two look amazing- I mean, even better than you already look, if that's possible! Once you see the results, you're going to be wowed, and then you're going to try and figure out what you should do with these amazing shots of you, without seeming too self-centered and overwhelming about it. Oh by the way, you will look good, you are getting married (which is an incredibly special thing), and you have every right to share these pictures and love them :)  So WHAT can you do with them? Here are a few ideas:

- Print them and put a few up around your place and on your desk at work. Prints aren't included in your session package? Mpix.com is a great site for printing quality photos at a good price! Remember, these are professional photos, taken with a professional-grade camera. Make sure you do them some justice in printing or they'll lose something, especially with the hour-printing technology at places like Walmart and CVS. 

- Give a few favorites to your parents, siblings, grandparents, the friend(s) who introduced you, whoever wants them. Remember that these people love you, love seeing you two so happy, and probably love these photos as much as you do!
- Use them for your Save the Dates, a calendar sticker to help you and your guests literally Save the Date, and even your invitations!

- Feature a favorite shot in your engagement/wedding announcement for the local paper where you live and where you grew up.
- Make them available to your bridal party. They may want to tie a few favorites into your bridal shower, bachelorette party and gifts in some way. 

- Use them for the Sign-in Board/Book, Card Box, Centerpiece design and other Decor at your wedding. 

- Share them online! If you have a wedding website, feature a few favorites on there! If you have a few that you're thinking of using for your Save the Dates or invites, hang onto those, but share the others with loved ones online. Share them on a blog, on facebook, in an email to best friends and family members, or on a photo sharing site such as Picasa.  Put them up on Pinterest- you may (p)inspire other brides-and-grooms-to-be! 

- Make a book on MyPublisher, Snapfish or another photo project site.
- Print one and feature it on a Wedding Countdown in your place. Then get excited- the big day is coming!

 I LOVE this locking Card box- found for $79 on Amazon.

WHAT (should we wear)?
Another big question in planning your photo shoot is WHAT you should wear. There are lots of posts online and ideas all over Pinterest, but the most important thing is to wear something that makes you comfortable- something that is you- and to keep in mind that you're never fully dressed without a smile! If you're not a big fan of having your picture taken, it sounds silly, but you should sit down and practice your smile with your fiance/fiancee, in front of a mirror, or for your phone/camera. If you're having a photographer at the wedding itself, you need to be prepared for LOTS of pictures in the not-so-distant future, so you might as well overcome it now! A few key points and suggestions are:
- If you have a place to change during your session, 2-3 outfits are recommended, so that you can get some casual shots and some more dressy ones. This way, you can use your photos for a variety of purposes with ease.  This post is great for planning your outfits, and has some great tips for preparation.
- Avoid really busy prints, especially at more colorful times of the year.
- Try to wear different colors from each other, and to bring in a pop of color on your shirt or shoes.
- Wear what you would normally wear, in the way that you would normally wear it. You want to feel comfortable, so that you look comfortable. If you want to go splurge on a new outfit, go for it, but try to wear it at least once before the day of the session to make sure you like how it feels and looks!
- Ladies- arms are often more flattered in sleeves, but feel free to wear whatever you love and feel good in.
- Wear something you can move in (photographers have great envisioning skills and sometimes request that we do crazy- but awesome- things for pictures)!
- Wear your favorite sports jerseys if you have a team (or opposing teams) that are a big part of your lives.
- In the Armed Forces? Put on your uniform!
- Wear a hat, a scarf, a pair of gloves, a nice coat, earmuffs, boots, sunglasses, etc. based on the season for a few (but maybe not ALL) shots.
- Try everything on and make sure it's clean, wrinkle-free, feels good and is in good shape.
- Ask a loved one for his or her opinion if you want/need some assistance.

WHAT (should we bring)?
Bring some props to show who you are and what you love!
- Do you play the guitar? Bring a guitar, a blanket & a picnic basket, then create that scene.
- Do what makes you happy! Bring an instrument if you play one! Bring a bike or rent a tandem bicycle (aka a Bicycle Built for 2!) if you love to ride.
- Car aficionados? Bring along your car, or ask someone you know if you can use their car for your session. Bring a motorcycle and helmets if that's your jam.
- Do you two play golf? Bring some clubs, a golf bag, some tees and balls, a marker to write your wedding date on the balls, then tee them up for a shot.
- Consider how you met! Were you in college together? Bring pom poms or something to represent that. Did you work together at the post office? Make little signs that say 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' and 'I'm Yours' and hold them up for a few shots! Be creative and have fun!
- Consider where- and who- you are now! Represent your professions, your hobbies, your favorite foods/drinks, and yourselves- together and individually in some way, and have fun!
- The Ring- Want to show off your bling? Find a special way to photograph your engagement ring!

WHERE?

This is easy, and so much fun, to figure out! Consider WHERE you love to be together. Did you meet somewhere in particular, have your first date somewhere that you love, get engaged at a special (and fairly local) place? Does your family vacation in a certain spot? Do you have a special memory that jumps out at you when you think of the two of you together? If so, that's where you should go for your engagement photo session!  If not (or if it's not easy to get back to your special place), that's okay. Find somewhere local and convenient, beautiful and meaningful to you, and go there! This photo session is about you, so wherever you go will work! Go to a park, to a lake, to the ocean, the beach, the boardwalk, the mountains, the city, a winery, a brewery, a berry patch, a carnival/fair, a sporting arena/field/park, anywhere that speaks to you.
   If you're feeling like you're up for  a little adventure on your shoot, you can bring an activity into the mix! Play paintball (or for a little less OUCH, throw colored powder on each other), go for a jog, go to a sporting event, jump off a bridge (just don't get hurt!), do whatever makes you happy!
   Note: If your special place is not close by but you do want to go there for your photos, consider bringing your photographer on a trip, asking if he/she would meet you there (you may have to pay their travel expenses), or find a photographer who is local to that area who will meet you there.     Another Note: Try and stick to one general area for your shoot. This will make things easier on you, your photographer, and your feet!

WHEN?

Most photographers will set up a date with you, and they will also most likely set up a rain date. If your photo location has a nice covered area of it's indoors, and you would still like to go rain or shine, verbalize that beforehand! Maybe you want a picture under an umbrella in the rain. Maybe you want pictures in the snow, and the roads are safe between you (and the photographer) and your location. Pictures in the snow can be absolutely GORGEOUS, so know that weather does not have to be a show stopper. Just be sure to check the weather and dress for it, whatever it is!
   Consider the time of day, season and accompanying scenery that you're envisioning for your photos. Are you morning people? Get up with the sun and take some early-in-the-day shots. Afternoon/Night people? Luckily for you, shoots are often scheduled starting in the afternoon, through the "Magic Hour" (right around sunset) and into the night to get the best angles and lighting. Are you getting married in the Fall? You may want to take engagement pictures in the Fall. It may seem out of place to use a picture from a winter photo shoot on a card box or sign-in board at a wedding in the middle of the Summer.
   Think about these things ahead of time and decide when you want to have it, when it works best for your photographer, and when you'd like to have them back. Then make some decisions and try to have everything prepared for your session a few days in advance. That way, if you need or want anything last minute, you won't scrambling the night before or the day of.

WHY? 

The wedding and the wedding-planning process is a part of your journey together. You're working together, making decisions- some bigger, some smaller- and sort of figuring out and adjusting your relationship roles as you get ready to become husband and wife. This is huge! It seems easy and fun, yet sometimes planning can be a little crazy and overwhelming. Just take a breath and know that it is all about the two of you coming together, committing to each other forever-- and that. is. awesome.
   If you want to have engagement photos taken, do it. If you don't want to, don't have time, don't have it in your budget, or can't for some reason, no worries.  If the two of you do your wedding and your planning your way, it'll be perfect.
   If you decide to have an engagement shoot, I hope that this post, and the next one- featuring engagement photo ideas from friends and family members of mine, as well as some of the most popular pins from Wediquette's Engagement Photo Session Ideas board- are helpful to you! Have fun, be creative, allow your photographer to be creative, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results. 

   Congratulations and Happy Planning! 

Check out more Engagement Session inspiration in the next post, featuring images from my friends! Click HERE! 

By the way...

Do you love themed parties? The Roaring 20's Are Making a Comeback!

Do you love Halloween?! Something scary is right around the corner- Find ideas and inspiration now! 

Want to amaze your dinner guests? Check out this post about napkins, and learn some cool folds while you're at it!

Do you know a Proud Nittany Lion? Share this post about throwing a great Penn State bash and bringing little pieces of Happy Valley into the happiest day of your life!

Want to check out some great wedding tunes? Check out this post, which is updated often!

Putting together bathroom baskets for a wedding or celebration? Click here for great tips and inspiration! 

Are you in a wedding party and not quite sure what to do next? Check out this post to get prepped and rock it! 

Changing your name post-wedding? Click here for the long and short of it. 

Check out the most popular posts along the sidebar (scroll up!), including Weddings Across the Board- a series devoted to the cultural & traditional awesomeness that goes into wedding celebrations around the world- with coordinating Pinterest boards, of course!

Don't forget to check out, follow & share the Wediquette Pinterest page!  

Do you have a request for a wedding, holiday or party-related post? Leave a comment anytime!