Tips for Better Photographs

Planning the wedding day to get the best photographs can be tricky when you have never planned a large event like a wedding. Having an experienced photographer will help the day run smoothly. We know how much time we need to cover the day the way you would like it covered. We will take care to the details with the photography schedule to keep you on track so you do not need to stress.

We want you to enjoy the day.

Below are some tips and suggestions that YOU can do to ensure the photography gets off to a great start:
Before the wedding:

• Communicate with your family and bridal party about scheduled portrait times.
• Think about a “First Look.” It’s romantic and a major de-stressor!
• Allow enough time in your wedding day schedule so you are not rushed for photographs.
• Have hair, nails and make-up professionally done, but don’t stray too far from your usual look so you still look like you.

On the wedding day:

• Manage the clutter in your “getting ready” room so it will look tidy.
• Have your accessories, like shoes and jewelry, ready so those details can be photographed. A cute hanger for the dress- and hung in a pretty spot while it waits for you- is also good.
• Keep lipstick handy to freshen up throughout the day.
• Don’t rush to remove the veil or bustle the dress- those are details you should capture!

How to look good in photographs:

• Remember good posture- Stand tall and keep your shoulders back.
• Slim the face by slightly pushing your chin forward.
• Balance your weight on your back foot for great curves.
• Stand close to your new groom and show your love and affection.
• Smile, laugh, and have fun!

Wedding Wednesday: DIY Shoes

Did you make it to the bridal show last Wednesday? We had a booth to show off our photography and the Cheeky photo booth. It was great to meet brides and grooms and chat about their upcoming weddings. Next week, we'll will post the tips we shared at the show. We handed out cards that gave helpful ideas on how to make your wedding day run smoothly to get the best photographs possible.

Today, let me share a website I found: Milk and Honey Shoes. This is a site dedicated to getting the perfect shoes. This is SO perfect for a bride that is looking for something special or different. Going from store to store and not finding what you envision in your head can be frustrating. Milk and Honey Shoes has not only a wide variety of "different" shoes, but you can actually design your own shoes.

You can pick the material, color, details, heel height and more. There is no longer an excuse for not finding the perfect shoes. (Well, except for the price. Obviously custom shoes do not come with a discount price tag.)

From their website: 

"For the shoe connoisseur who knows precisely what color combination she wants and knows exactly the heel height she loves, the Milk and Honey™ design my own heels web tool allows the discriminating customer a one-of-a-kind shopping opportunity. Choose from our signature collection of pumps below or design your own shoes!"

The End of Cuteness

There is only one cute baby in the world, and every mother has it.
Until that baby becomes a 4.5 year old preschooler.

Everyone likes “cute” and “little.” Who can resist all those puppy and kitten videos on YouTube? Miniature versions of desserts are all rage. (Cupcake, anyone?) Babies are no different. People love their small, squishy bodies, little fingers and their sweet tiny noses.

Loving babies is in our DNA. It’s part of evolution. In 1943, Konrad Lorenz coined the concept of “Baby Schema.” Cuteness is measured by things like big eyes and a big, round head, paired with a small nose and mouth, and dimples. These Baby Schema features trigger a feeling of protectiveness, even when the baby is not ours. Loving our children is not something we choose or are conditioned to do. It’s an instinct that we can’t help- because they are so cute.

But what happens when babies grow up and become preschoolers? They lose their cuteness.

Let’s face it: babies and toddlers get by on their cuteness. Tantrums and potty talk from a 2 year old is cute and funny (even when you don’t admit it to them) but, it’s reason to send a 5 year old to their room without dinner. Toddler hugs are more satisfying, their off-key songs are sweeter, their little smiles more adorable. But when they pass the toddler stage, they are no longer cute.

“But, not my kid,” you say.

Sorry, you are wrong.

A research study done in China and Canada asked men and women to rate photographs of children ranging from infants to 6 years old to determine each face’s likability and attractiveness. “Men and women rated infants as more likeable and more attractive than toddlers, who, in turn are rated as more attractive than young children.” [J Pincott, Psychology Today] What they found was, after 4.5 years old, the features deemed “cute” are no longer prominent and the likability rating dropped off like a lead balloon.

But does cuteness matter? Probably not.

You see, parents don’t really care about research when it comes to someone telling them whether their child is cute. Research doesn’t know about snuggles at story time, homemade cards and art projects or “Phineas and Ferb” quotes being recited at random times. Research doesn’t prove to me whether I think my 5 year old’s missing front teeth are adorable or if my 7 year old’s excitement when making s’mores is cute, or even if my 13 year old’s incredible imagination is lovable.

Is it a coincidence that if you ask a parent what their favorite age is for their child that it always seems to be the age that child is right now? I have four children, three of which are past the “age of cuteness.” And I wouldn’t trade even one of my beautiful children for a world of cute.

After the Ring | Bridal Show | Madison WI

You have a new ring. You want to enjoy the romance of the proposal. But, the words "We're engaged!" are barely out of your mouth before everyone wants to know when the big day will be. 

They will pump you for information on your plans and details that you haven't even thought of yet. They will offer you suggestions and advice; some good, some really, really bad. (No, Aunt Jenny, no one thinks tulle arches or fake flowers are a good idea anymore.)

But you are in luck!

The annual spring bridal show is next week, May 22, 2013 at Marriott Madison West. This is coordinated by the same people that do the huge show at the Alliant Energy Center in January and that publish the Wedding Planner & Guide book. (SO helpful- get a copy at the show if you don't have one!)

How do you make the best use of the show? I'm glad you asked.

1. Come with a plan. 
You don't have to plan your whole wedding in one evening, so don't try to meet with every wedding professional at the show. If you at the beginning, concentrate on venues and photographers. If your wedding is already in the planning stages, pick 2 or 3 things to work on, like cake, flowers and invitations.

2. Bring a fine-tip Sharpie & take good notes. 
Imagine you have the good luck of finding the best cake baker in the whole world. "But," you think, "maybe I should go peek and have a quick taste of the other cakes, just to be sure." After a few more tastes, your tongue is sugared-out and you forgot who your favorite baker was, let alone where their booth is located and now you fear you will have to settle for blah ordinary wedding cake! Taking good notes could have saved you.

 

When you find a wedding professional that you love, write it down, either on the literature they hand out, on their business card, or on the show program. Taking a few notes on why you love them will also help you remember who they are after you leave the show. Don't rely on your memory; you will have too many other things to see and do. Some wedding professionals will have a glossy brochure or a glossy business card which is difficult to write on with a pen. Your Sharpie will write on almost anything, so it is perfect for your bridal show note-taking.

 

We are again part of the prize package. Make sure to sign up for your chance to win.

When you come, please stop by our booth, right inside the front door, and say hi! 

 

Jamie & Kevin | Lake Windsor Country Club | Madison WI

Jamie and Kevin had an October wedding, complete with fall details. An important detail was the extra location stop we made at a corn field for photographs, since cornfields featured in their first date and the wedding proposal.

The reception was held at Lake Windsor Country Club. The sweeping view of the golf course highlighted the fall colors.

Purple bridesmaid dresses contrasted beautifully with the yellows and oranges in the bouquets. Table centerpieces included homemade candle holders made by Kevin from cut logs. Jamie and Kevin made the favors for the guests, like the jarred grape juice concentrate.

Even the cake carried the fall theme, decorated with fondant leaves, acorns and mushrooms.

 

Cake by Chris' Confection, Flowers by Wild Apples

Megan & Josh | Madison WI wedding

Megan and Josh were married at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Madison's north side. They had a clear, sunny day for their vows.

We love it when the wedding day allows multiple locations for photographs. With Megan and Josh, we were able to schedule three stops, so having great weather was a definite help.

  

 

(Above, a few pages from their album, see album below)

 Two details that I loved about this wedding: 

1. Bobble-head cake topper, specially designed to look like the couple. Even the Megan Bobble-head's dress was done to really look like Megan's dress! I had not ever seen these before and I loved the unique, FUN touch.

2. Best Wedding Dance. EVER. A lot of couples will take dance lessons for their first dance, some will even plan out that dance. Megan and Josh actually looked like they learned their dance from Dancing With The Stars, with twists and flourishes that looked great. Plus, they were well-rehearsed so they looked comfortable out there. They took the first dance up a few notches!

 Megan and Josh's wedding album: Artistic with chunky pages.