Blog
Love stories and more
Look for my favorite wedding planning tips and tricks, behind the scenes tidbits about my life, and, of course, features of many of the beautiful couples who spend time in front of my camera.
I promise it’s worth your while.
Late Night Wedding Photography
One of the challenging things about choosing a wedding photographer is deciding which wedding package makes the most sense for you. Every photographer offers something a little bit different, so it’s no surprise that it can be a confusing journey to figure out exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you aren’t sure how long you want them to stay into your dance for late night photos.
How to Look Good in Wedding Photos
By investing in quality wedding photography, you’re ensuring that the moments and memories from one of your most important days are documented and will stand the test of time. But it’s fair to say that if you want to display your favorite images on your walls and get out your wedding album when your grandkids ask you to tell them about the day you got married, you want to feel like you looked your absolute best in those pictures!
How can you make sure that happens? Well, I’m going to let you in on the secret.
Why Choosing the Right Venue Matters So Much
There’s a saying that we wedding photographers are QUITE familiar with, but I don’t know that it’s something that most couples hear while they’re wedding planning.
Your venue becomes your photos.
To some it may be obvious. But it’s honestly so easy to overlook (and I almost missed it while planning my own wedding!) that I want to make sure you put some thought into it, friend.
The First 4 Wedding Planning Decisions to Make
Wedding planning checklists can get craaazy long, so it’s no surprise that many of my couples tell me they feel overwhelmed even as they’re just starting the planning process!
It can be hard to know where to begin, so here are four of the big ones that I have found to be key to making my wedding clients feel like they’ve got a handle on things.
3 Wedding Traditions to Skip
We’re living in an incredible time. We’re finallllly seeing this incredible shift in the wedding industry that allows couples to THRIVE and create a wedding experience that truly reflects the day that they want to share…not one that was born out of the pressure to do everything in a certain way or to please the people around them. This is honestly the best time for you to be planning, because we’re all rooting for you and are ready to jump on board and support the uniqueness of your relationship - and therefore the uniqueness of your wedding!
Planning Your Walk Down the Aisle
In my experience, if there’s something about weddings that lives up to the hype (well, okay, there are actually quite a few things that do, but this is a big one), it’s your walk down the aisle.
A truly magical moment that you’ll never forget.
It’s not a moment I realized I needed to plan anything special for when Kevin and I were making arrangements for our own wedding, but now I know better - and want to make sure you’re prepared too!
Choosing Where You Propose
To quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, “…when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
When you’re lucky enough to find your person and want to make your proposal extra special, here are four suggestions for choosing the perfect location.
What Your Wedding Photographer Needs to Know
As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to capture the moments - big and small - that make up your wedding day. No two weddings are the same and, while I do love the variety, there are a few things you can tell me ahead of time that will help me be prepared to make sure your wedding is documented exactly how you hope it will be.
Minneapolis Lakeside Engagement
When they told me they wanted to have a little fun with their second outfits, I had no idea just how much fun they meant. Let’s just say my stomach hurt by the end of our session from laughing so hard!
Wedding Cake Alternatives
Traditionally, weddings feature a cake that the couple cuts together before it is shared with the guests. But if cake isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other options to consider! Here are just a few of my favorites to get you started…
Creating a Wedding Day Photo List
Let’s face it - planning a wedding isn’t always a complete walk in the park.
But your photos don’t need to be a source of stress!
In the weeks leading up to the big day, your photographer will likely ask you for your preferred shot list.
3 Most Important Things to Look for in a Wedding Photographer
Choosing a wedding photographer is a big freaking deal! You’re going to be spending as much time with them on your wedding day as you will with your new spouse…seriously. It’s worth finding someone you love!
When you’re on the hunt, here are my three recommendations for what you should keep in mind…
How to Have a Relaxing Wedding Day
Your wedding day should be joyful and fun, not stressful! But all too often it seems like brides wind up feeling overwhelmed and unable to live in the moment how they had hoped…and I don’t want that for you!
After photographing countless weddings over the course of the last eight years, here are my five best tips for having a relaxed, stress-free wedding day:
How to Write Your Own Vows
Right in the heart - it gets me every time!
Writing your own vows brings a unique, personal touch to your ceremony and can be a sweet way to share a bit more of your love story with your guests.
Here are my top tips for writing them!
Why You Should Have an Engagement Session
Do you REALLY need to book that engagement session?
It should come as no surprise (at least if you read the title of this blog post!) that I think they’re incredibly valuable - and I’ll tell you why!
Door County Elopement
There’s something pretty incredible about making a decision for yourself, rather than choosing based on what other people want.
It’s powerful. It’s inspiring.
And in Chris and Alli’s case, it led to an incredible elopement day filled with joy, laughter, and spontaneity blended with moments of quiet peace and reflection.
Benefits of a Second Shooter
When it comes to budgeting for a wedding, every dollar matters. Is getting a second shooter worth the money?
It might be the right choice for you if…
Why to Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer
Your cousin got a nice camera for Christmas last year and your aunt loves taking wildlife photos when she’s on vacation.
Wouldn’t it just be easiest to have one of them photograph your wedding?
Easy is one thing. But a choice you’ll still be happy with 25 years from now? That’s something else entirely.
3 Ways to Make Your Photographer’s Life Better
Okay, okay, I know! Your wedding day is about YOU, not your photographer.
But what if I were to tell you there were three things you can do before your wedding day to make your photographer’s life easier - which in turn means they’ll do an even better job hyping you up, keeping you on schedule, catching special moments on camera, AND they will love you even more than they did before?
Cheers to the Groomsmen
We were driving across Wisconsin last week when I asked my husband, “If we were planning our wedding again, what is something you wish you had known more about?” in hopes of catching a little inspiration for my next blog post. Naturally, he read my mind and knew exactly why I was asking him that question out of the blue so his answer surprised me.