Part 4! Expert Panel: Wedding Poses Photographers Love

Whew! We made it! This is the fourth and final installment of our expert photographer series on Wedding Day poses and positioning.  Thank you SO much to RCMedia, Firstlight Photography and Jenny Storment for quickly answering my call for help and sharing these beautiful pictures.

Let’s finish up this project with some “back of the dress” shots.  We all know you want a picture of the back of your wedding dress.  Its a classic shot that most photographers will try to capture.  The bride standing on a bridge, facing away from the camera, eyes cast down… we’ve seen that one a million times.  Check out how these photographers captured the back of the gown without seeming contrived or clunky.

Part 3! Expert Panel: Wedding Poses Photographers Love

Part THREE! In which we discuss kissy faces, sexy anticipation and squished noses.

Everyone loves a good couple-kissing picture.  The trick is nailing your kiss without it seeming forced or an overshare (Hello! No tongue!).  These images show how to capture the perfect kiss-pic… and how stunning the almost-kiss-pic can be.

Part 2! Expert Panel: Wedding Poses Photographers Love

We are Holding Hands today, people! So put on the hand lotion, and grab a seat.

– this is the second part of my Expert Panel: Wedding Poses Photographers Love.

When it comes to wedding photography, holding hands shows a couples connection and unification. Here is a round up of a few shots that showcase different ways to hold hands in your wedding and engagement pictures.

Expert Panel: Wedding Poses Photographers Love

SHUT IT DOWN, Y’ALL! I have the best group of photographer buddies right now. Read on to discover their favorite poses and why they positioned couples the way they did.   I whipped off an email yesterday, asking for help, and they came through!!

**I received so many submissions, that I have made this a four part post. Keep an eye over the next week for parts 2, 3 and 4! No empty promises here! I already wrote everything! HAHA!**

Today’s Topic? “To Touch or Not To Touch” It’s very natural for couples to want be attached to one another during an engagement session or wedding day shooting.  It’s part “OhMyGod I love you soooo much!” and part, “I am so uncomfortable, hold me close and let’s hope this is over soon.”

Pretty Things.. and another photo shoot

Wedding Photography Inspiration!  All pictures by Mandee Rae. Here is her website. Today I am hooked on the idea of a post-wedding photo shoot. And all things Mandee Rae, apparently.

The couple was wed at Canterwood (remember the brunch wedding write up I did in November?) But did a post-wedding photo shoot around our little town of Gig Harbor, Washington.

People I Crush On: Jessica Janae

A friend of mine got married last fall and has the most AMAZING photographer (and a simply stunning venue).  Let’s drool shall we?

The first picture you are seeing is of our little town here – Gig Harbor, Washington, as taken by Jessica Janae. (as are all the pictures in today’s blog!)

But let’s move on to wedding things, yes?

Expecting the Unexpected

It’s raining cats and dogs at the office right now – the day started out promising, but the PNW weather gods have reared their predictably unpredictable heads.

As a wedding planner, I am frequently bombarded with “What If?”s.  What if my guests are late, what if the power goes out, what if it rains, what if it rains, what if it rains.  Of course we have a gameplan for all of that (yes, if it rains, rains, rains, I promise we have a plan) – and most event planners will have a rain game-plan as well.

But is there a plan in place for other weather phenomenons?  This summer we had one of those stuffy overcast days – where the air is so heavy you can hardly get a deep breath, your skin is sticky and it is uncomfortably hot.  It wasn’t exactly raining – but the air was so saturated with moisture, it felt like it was.

I don’t know how they managed to hold it together for these shots – I was in a short skirt and sleeveless blouse and was still horribly uncomfortable! Kudos to the couple!

My couple had planned a lovely outdoor ceremony (end of June),  but as the morning went on, we had a quick pow wow and decided to move under the tent.  This kept the sun that was poking through the clouds off of their elderly guests, and it allowed me to turn the fans on and get the air moving.  Instead of a sweltering, sticky ceremony, guests were cooled by the shade, and felt the cool breeze of our fans, while still enjoying a stunning view.

When the sky FINALLY opened up to release the pressure and rain that had been building for three days, guests were able to watch a lovely thunderstorm, safe from under the tent with the sides pulled back.

I’ll tell you one thing – if the weather hadn’t been terrible, this photo in  front of a brick fireplace would not have been so epic!

One more, how gorgeous is this girl!?!?

Thank you to AiP Photography for sharing these pictures. And thank you to Ana and Kris for making this event a breeze with their good-natured views on all things weather related.

Happy planning!

-lmk

 

 

The Ceremony, Reception and After-Party All In One!

NYE was a hugely successful night here at the club. I designed the decor theme and wanted to give you a little peek.

This year I predict we will see the rise of couples planning the “after-party” aspect of their wedding to take place in the same venue as the reception and ceremony.  With a growing focus on social responsibility (goodbye drinking and driving), and couples looking to truly pamper their guests from start to finish (hello late night munchies), the “netflix-and-chill-lounge” and “gastropub-chic” aspects of wedding planning are gaining speed.

By including plans for your night-owl guests, your wedding takes on a whole new persona, once the greater mass of the crowd goes home.  Here is where the remaining guests will indulge in rich foods and pontificate the meaning of life, or which Justin is more crush-worthy.  A fire-pit or cigar lounge would be a great addition to this – as would a silent black and white loop of a favorite 90s sitcom – Netflix and Chill! Bring out the comfy furniture, dramatic lighting and handcrafted cocktails for your late night celebrants.

Because some of the pictures are hard to see (hello! I believe in mood lighting), I’ve added some shots with lighter filters so you can get a feel for all the elements in each area.

Late Night Desert Station:

bite sized munchies on the right, chocolate fondue station on the left, black linen, silver stars, lights under the bite sized munchie display.

Long Conversation Tables:

I am a huge fan for having your dinner at tables like this. Too dramatic for your taste? Have a couple by the dance floor or outside.  Invest in some fancy linens that match your theme, but hare a little more over the top.  And don’t forget the mood lighting.  See the little conversation pockets that developed between the guests in this picture? Note the family-style shared bottles of wine and the relaxed, yet dressy feel this picture has. 

Lounge Furniture:

Easy to find in white or black, lounge or “nightclub” furniture is perfect for conversation clusters and relieving sore-from-dancing feet.  A 30″ uplight is placed behind the couch, and the center ottoman is actually a flattened white futon.  A white carpet pulls the space together, similar to your living room.  Toss a couple throw pillows in the mix and you’re set.

Sexy Cocktail Tables:

textured linen (like this white bubble taffeta), battery operated uplight underneath, cocktail height bar stools, shiny centerpiece.

Action Station:

dramatic sushi station where Chef Joe hand rolled sushi to order. Uplighting, black draping, black linens is all it took to create this look .

How are you going to incorporate the after party into your wedding celebration?

Happy Planning

-lmk

LMK: #RealWedding Placesetting