Did you do a first look?

As I continue to help others plan their special day I tend to encourage a 'first look' before the ceremony for the bride and groom for a number of reasons.

1. You can knock out a ton of photos before the ceremony, including bridal party portraits and bride and groom portraits, leaving you to enjoy the cocktail hour with family and friends.
2. A number of brides that I've worked with do say it helps calm their nerves having that special moment before their walk down the aisle, allowing them to be more relaxed the remainder of the day/evening.
3. The photos are always priceless!
4. Your hair and makeup are as fresh as can be for the most beautiful photos.

That being said... Joe and I are not doing a first look. When we first talked about it, I wanted to and he was actually against it. After much discussion and revisiting the subject, we've flip flopped and he'd now prefer to and I've changed my mind and no longer want to. While our wedding may not be the most traditional of weddings, there are some things I'd like to take a more traditional route with- and this is one of them!

The 'first look' has becoming increasingly popular over the past few years and like so many aspects of a wedding is such a personal preference whether to partake or not. My favorite photos of the wedding days tend to be of the 'first-look' or those faux first looks where the bride and groom share a special moment alone before the ceremony while still staying true to the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. Have a look for yourself!

Hannah & Joe: Engagement Session (yup, that's me!)

Joe and I had our engagement photos taken back in April and I am just now getting around to sharing some of my favorites from our session with Kelsey Barbour Photography. We used a photo of us sitting in front of our home to send out announcements when we bought our first home and are so excited to have some of these bad boys printed for our save the dates and we've already had one transferred to canvas for our home! Kelsey not only excelled in helping us preserve this special occasion, but in making Joe and I feel so comfortable in a situation that neither of us are used to being in. We went to a highly trafficked park in Atlanta and hardly noticed anyone else around us! Kelsey did a fantastic job at directing us in exactly what she wanted us to do and was very open to our own suggestions and opinions.

The weekend we chose was very ominous in Atlanta and when we planned to take photos on Saturday, the chance of rain was HIGH! We took the chance of going out and it didn't rain on us a single drop all day! We were able to finish our photos on the helicopter pad on the rooftop of Ventanas, thanks to a dear friend who allowed us access. Such a cool experience!

Let's talk Holiday Weddings!!

Let's talk holiday weddings! We all probably know someone that has been married on the ever popular Valentine's day or New Years, or someone that's simply chosen to forever remember their anniversary in correspondence with a holiday. Perhaps that holiday has a special meaning such as a meeting or first date, or perhaps they just actually need an excuse to remember the specific date. Hey, it's definitely a viable possibility.....

When reading other wedding blogs, I've seen time and time again on lists of things to consider when picking your wedding date to NOT get married on or around a major holiday. I have to say, I completely disagree. Aaaaand that's not just because Joe and I are marrying over Memorial Day weekend   ;)

And here are a few reasons why:

1. Yes, it helps to remember friends or families anniversaries. You'll never forget that your cousin was married on the Fourth of July.
2. Many holidays are coupled with days off from corporate jobs (not wedding planning of course) which means more flexibility to travel for out of town guests
   1. more time spent with loved ones
   2. -or- more time for recovery post wedding
   3. as the couple getting married, you may have a long weekend to celebrate your anniversary year after year
   4. as the couple getting married, this may mean more time for pre-wedding planning and honeymoon

3. Themed decor. enough said

Some important things to think about if you do choose to marry over a holiday:

1. Your decline rate could potentially be higher than normal depending upon the specific holiday: Christmas for example. Attending a wedding during the christmas holiday could mean missing out on family tradition and other holiday obligations.
2. Holidays are often expensive for travel

This is obviously a personal decision as Joe and I attended two weddings between christmas and new years in two different states and were elated to be able to attend both events over what is already such a fun and beautiful time of year. It made it easier for us to get time off from work and was great to spend the holiday with so many family and friends!!

I personally think that a couple has every prerogative to marry any day that they choose. Just weigh the options before sending in those deposits!

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year and while I do not have a wedding that weekend, I am excited to see what creative things lurk on that night for weddings. On that note, I hope you enjoy this Halloween photo taken a few years ago of myself and my sister when we took her husband trick or treating in Savannah, Ga.

And please share in the comments your opinions and thoughts on holiday weddings!