Brandi & Nathan | Villa di Felicita Wedding
Brandi & Nathan | Villa di Felicita Wedding

I had such a great time with Brandi & Nathan.  Here are a few of my favorites from their day.  Check back Friday for Mug Machine goodness.

I showed up about 5 hours before the wedding and La Tee Da Flowers had already been there, made everything purdy.  Brides, when picking a florist, make sure they arrive with plenty of time to spare.  I’ve worked with some who show up 1 hour before the ceremony.  (Not cool.)


First Look time.

Brandi’s son then crashed the First Look party.  (In a good way.)

Brandi’s son then crashed.  (In a good way.)

The reception went on FOR-EV-ER.  (In a good way.)

Brandi checking a song request with CMB DJs

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Brandi & Nathan | Villa di Felicita Wedding (Preview)
Brandi & Nathan | Villa di Felicita Wedding (Preview)

If weddings were measured on a scale of 1-10 Brandi & Nathan’s would be a 14.

Much more to come later this week.

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How To Keep The Rugrats From Ruining Your Wedding
How To Keep The Rugrats From Ruining Your Wedding
OK, so you’re getting married.  (Good)
AND, you’re having a wedding.  (Good-er)
BUT, your older sister wants her snotty nosed kids to be in the ceremony. (Less Good)
I have a few tips. (More Gooder)

First off, let me just say I’m a huge fan of kids.  (Danielle & I made 4)  However, sometimes kids and weddings don’t mix so well, so here are a few tips to help ease the process.

1.  They Are In Charge

As much as possible work with THEIR schedule.  If you are having younger kids (Ages 1-4) in your wedding, do your best to let the day before and day of your wedding be as “normal” as possible.  Don’t try and keep them up till 9:45 at the rehearsal dinner and expect them smiling for photos at 8:00AM. :)  Most of this will fall on the parents.  But, let the parents know that you are aware that the little people have their own time table and you are willing to work with them.

2. Don’t Dress Them Up Too Soon

Every little girl can’t wait to put her dress on and every little boy can’t wait to take his suit off.  That’s just the reality.  The problem is the minute you put her dress on is the minute everyone starts expecting her to “act” like a princess.  The girl is 2, she’s going to drool, sit, and spit up on the dress.  Wait till the last minute to put it on.  The same is true of the boys.  If grown men don’t enjoy a suit, tie, vest, and pointy shoes, why do we think a 4 year old boy will. :)


3.  Entertain Them

Have an iPod or little DVD player in the dressing room.  This will keep them sitting still and quite.  (Two things you’ll want.)  Stickers, and coloring books are also a hit.  It’s also a great Idea to have a surprise toy waiting for them in their seat near the front if you want them to stick around.


4.  Shoot Them First

Plan on getting them dressed and walking them out to be photographed.  The last thing you want is to have them dressed and 2 hours go by before they are in any photos.  (They will look drastically different than what you imagined.)  If a kid does not want to be photographed there is NOTHING anyone can do to change their mind.  The best approach is to let them sit a few out and maybe try again later in the day.


5. Practice Does NOT Make Perfect

More than likely they will do great at your rehearsal.  The problem is the wedding day is slightly different.  The rehearsal is smaller, more intimate, and they probably know 65% of the people there.  The wedding is a HUGE production with 1,000,000 eyeballs staring straight at them.  Walking down the aisle with everyone staring at you makes the bride nervous.  It has the same affect on lots of kids.  If possible have a parent or grandparent near the front so the kids have someone to walk towards.  I’ve even see the groom meet them half way down and escort them the rest of the way.


6. Chillax

There are 350 people at your wedding.  Most of them know and understand that kids act like…. kids.  If they cry and fuss and don’t want to go down the aisle; it’s OK, you can still get married.  (Our ring bearer spiked the pillow like a football when he got to the front.)  If they insist on looking like an airplane during formals; it’s OK, you can still get married.

Kids really are a blast at weddings and they do and say some of the funniest things.  Nothing makes a little girl feel quite as special as getting all dressed up and having her picture taken while people tell her she’s beautiful.  That is after all why you’re getting married right? :)

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Top 10 of 2010: The Winners!
Top 10 of 2010: The Winners!

First off a big thanks to everyone who voted. There were just over 3,500 votes cast last week and some of these where very close. I always love seeing what you guys end up picking as your favorites and you once again came through big. Thanks to my couples who spread the word and congrats to those who won some big prints. I’m sure you are ready for me to quit blabbing so here you are. The winners of 2010.

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Wedding Photography: The Top 10 of 2010
Wedding Photography: The Top 10 of 2010

This is the last category of Top 10 images and it’s a good one.  Regardless of wedding venue, flowers, and all the planning that goes into a wedding day it’s ultimately about the two people getting married.  There is nothing I enjoy more than giving a couple a great photo of them on their wedding day.  Most of these came about because of them choosing to have a First Look.  It’s what allows us time to really have fun and capture some creative photos.

Since this is the last category I’m going to leave the voting open all weekend so get to work people.  check back Monday morning when the winners in each category are announced.  Each category winner will receive a 16×20 print of their winning image. So pick an image, vote, then get on your Twitter and your Facebook and make your friends come vote.

Here are the images.

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