Wedding on Friday - Can't Wait!

We have a wedding on Friday - Mindy and Danny.  We're excited!  And now, I'm even MORE excited, because we're doing pre-ceremony photos at Peterloon Estate.

While driving around Loveland for a park to do photos, we stumbled upon Peterloon - and what a lucky stumble!  We had checked out Symmes, Riverview, Hopewell and Lake Isabella.  Seriously, I think I plotted out every park within a fifteen minute radius - and was not thrilled with the results.  We were leaning towards Symmes or Riverview with luck intervened.

A friend of mine had mentioned Peterloon Estate awhile ago - otherwise, the reddish sign on Hopewell might not have caught my attention and made me ask hubby to take a turn.  You can't see the estate from the road - just a simple, white shack and an unassuming dirt road.  We had no idea what we would find - reminded me of our honeymoon in Maui.  We turned down many unmarked roads for a little adventure.

But you drive back there and WOW.

The gardens are gorgeous and in perfect shade - which will be great for even lighting.  We're meeting our wedding party at 6:00 for photos, and I know they're just going to be fabulous!  Check back for a sneak peak soon!

Wedding Today!

I'm off to Ivy Hills Country Club today to shoot M&J's wedding.  The morning has started out chilly, but I'm hoping for a warmer day!  Luckily, it looks like we should be in the 60s today with a clear night.  Sunset is due around 8:00 - important at a place like Ivy Hills.  There's a great opportunity for a gorgeous sunset shot on the 10th hole. 

These are the things I always check before any wedding.

A few weeks before any wedding, I try to meet with the Bride and Groom for a pre-wedding session.  It's our chance to talk about the wedding and schedule for the day one last time.  I don't like to pester the Bride and Groom during their special day.  If we get all the questions answered beforehand, then things usually run smoothly, and I can be unobtrusive and almost invisible at times.  I love when a couple tells me that they forgot I was there but can't believe all the fabulous photos I got! 

I'm off to get my bags all packed and ready to go!  And at the end of the month, I have M&D's wedding in Loveland - can't wait!

Bat Mitzvah for June

We're very excited to have booked our first Bat Mitzvah for June!  It was a referral from a Bar Mitzvah we did last year (thanks, Barb!  We owe you - we always reward our awesome referrals!).

I was very surprised to find that the Bar Mitzvah we shot wasn't that different from a wedding - there's a combination of traditional/posed photos with PJ photos at the reception/party.   I was nervous at first - not having shot a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  But given all my wedding experience, I was quickly at ease and able to get some fabulous photos.

As part of the package, I think we're doing another slide show.  I love doing slide shows - especially with our Photodex ProShow Producer software.  It's totally amazing, and I think the results speak for themselves.

You can check out the slide show we put together for Kal's Bar Mitzvah (be sure to have your volume on - it's so much better with the music!):

Check out all the photos from Kal's Bar Mitzvah.

Who Pays for What, Part Deux

So yesterday, we talked about what the bride pays for - what about her groom?  The engagement ring is the obvious first answer, but what else should he start saving for (and how many month's salary will it cost)?

• Accommodations for the groom's attendants (optional)
• Bride's engagement ring AND wedding ring(s)
• Bride's bouquet, corsages for mothers and other honored family members and boutonnieres for fathers and men (other than the groom) in the wedding party (remember from yesterday - the bride buys the groom's boutonniere - but seriously, who is going to split up the flower bill?)
• Gift to the bride (optional.....?  Personally, I don't think this is up for debate)
• Gifts to the groom's attendants
• Honeymoon, including transportation to the airport
  Liquor
• Marriage license
• Officiant's fee and/or gratuity
• Rehearsal dinner (all costs - yes, ALL costs)
• Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony (guess the other guys are on their own!)
• Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant (if invited by groom's family)
• Transportation and lodging for the groom's parents

There you have it - the traditional way to split the wedding bill.

Who Pays for What....?

Curious as to the most traditional way to divvy up the costs of your wedding?  Here is what the Bride's side is usually responsible for....

• Accommodations for the bride's attendants (although, this is optional - but if you're feeling generous....)
• Gifts to the bride's attendants
• Gift to the groom (again, optional)
• Bride's gown and accessories
• Bridesmaids' luncheon (this is usually 2-3 days before the wedding)
• Church/ceremony costs
• Flowers for the ceremoney and reception - this includes the bridesmaid's bouquets and boutonnieres for the groom
• Groom's ring
• Invitations and all things paper
• Music at the ceremony and reception
• Photography AND videography
• Reception expenses
• Rentals for the ceremony or reception
• Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
• Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant if invited by the bride's family
• Wedding consultant/planner

Of course, like anything else - these are just guidelines.  Today, many brides and grooms are paying for more of their own wedding expenses.  And it used to be that the parents selected the photographer - but the majority of the time, that decision is being made by the bride and groom.

Tomorrow - look for the other half of this.  What does the groom pay for?

Weekend Wedding : Ivy Hills Country Club

This weekend, I have a wedding at Ivy Hills Country Club.  I have been to Ivy Hills many times - and it's a very nice venue.  The last wedding I photographed involved a beautiful tea ceremony.  The bride's red dress for the tea ceremony was gorgeous - I especially remember the jeweled dragonfly and her awesome shoes.

The sunset on the 10th hole can be spectacular, especially if it's reflecting off the little pond.  I have had some fun shots with golf carts, too.  This time, I might have to try some unusual ring shots with golf tees!

Looking forward to another wonderful wedding!  Congrats to the Bride & Groom!

Engagement Shoot at Ault Park : Mindy & Danny

Mindy and Danny's engagement shoot at Ault Park was an absolute blast!  We had so much fun and got some great photos.  Can't wait for their wedding in a few weeks!  Here are some of the highlights of their shoot:

Site Visit : Receptions Loveland, Lake Isabella

We have an upcoming wedding at the Loveland Receptions.  The ceremony and reception will both take place there, so the couple is considering pre-wedding photos at another location.  Yesterday, I called the Loveland Castle (aka Chateau Laroche) to see if they were available for photos.  It's less than four miles away - maybe a ten minute drive.  And photos at the Loveland Castle are always spectacular.

Another option is Lake Isabella.  One negative to the Loveland Castle - they charge $50/hour to do professional photos.  Lake Isabella is free - and closer.  We could practically walk there!  I'd probably be willing to split the cost for the Loveland Castle - just not sure if the timing will work out for us.

I've never been to Lake Isabella - just driven by it.  So, this will be a fun adventure as well as a valuable site visit.  I'm always on the lookout for new places to do photos - and it sounds like Lake Isabella could be a great option for future weddings in the Loveland area or at the Receptions in Loveland.

Tonight, I have an engagement shoot at Ault Park - boy, it's windy!  I hope it calms down between now and 5:00 - when I meet with the couple.  Can't wait to see how Ault Park looks with all the new blooms!

Professional Photographer Magazine - Vote for Me!

I almost never enter contests - just not enough time!  But I thought I'd try one out, so I entered the Professional Photographer Magazine 2010 cover contest. 

The first thing to decide - which photo do I even enter???  I could only enter ONE per the contest rules.  And I have several favorites - from weddings, portrait sessions, etc.  How could I choose just ONE?  Seriously, just one??  This was going to be tough!

After over an hour of pouring through photos, I settled on this one from Rachel and Dan's wedding in September 2009.  I am in love with the light from the window, and Rachel was a beautiful Bride.  It was taken at Arthur's in downtown Cincinnati - hard to believe this was taken in a bar!

Want to vote for me?  Go here:  http://www.ppmag.com/cover-contest-2010/vote/1165/.

Save 25% on wedding invitations and stationery thru 4/19/10

Currently eInvite.com is running one of their biggest sales of 2010 - 25% off select invitations, announcements and stationery, including select wedding invitations! Now thru 4/19/10! Shop now!