Who's Looking First

When we first began this crazy journey also known as wedding planning...I had several preconceived notions about how the wedding day was going to play out. Many of the more traditional rituals had been immediately tossed out, such as the garter and bouquet toss. But other more traditional moments, I had my heart set on. I had always envisioned that moment when my dad and I turn down at the beginning of the aisle and my eyes meet with M's down at the end. So symbolic and sweet...I can just picture the tears in his eyes and the tremble in his hands as he sees his bride to be approaching. Cue to reality where I will most likely be nervously focusing on not tripping down the stairs to the plaza or walking to quickly down the aisle. I realized in my planning and blog reading that perhaps there is a more intimate option to a first look.

Green Wedding Shoes

There are gobs and gobs of fantastic first look photos across the wedding web, capturing the surprise and delight with tears and arms thrown up in joy at the first sight of the one to be. I love how the photographer can set up such a surreal meeting in an intimate and picturesque setting and photograph the true emotions from both sides. Plus, I realized if we go with a pre-ceremony first look, we'll then get more time at the cocktail hour...and what could be so bad about that?

Are you doing a first look?

Navy Obsessed!

I had my mind set on a matching bridal party. I loved the idea of my girls all wearing the same fabulous dress that went so well with my Vera.

Until I saw this.

Gabriel Ryan Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

So chic. The navy is classic and each dress conveys a sense of the bridesmaid's individual style.

How fabulous does the bride look?

Inspired Engagement Sessions

I'm so excited for our engagement session with our fantastical photographer Chad Husar. Our photographer was booked almost immediately after we were engaged...second to our venue and I immediately thought Chad would be perfect for us after not only drooling over his work but also speaking over the phone and meeting in person.

I've been gathering some inspiration for our e-session since then. I'm kind of nervous about it...I get all nerdy in front of a camera and personally do not think I'm the MOST photogenic. But all of you amazing brides out there who have had e-sessions continue to echo that it is a great opportunity to be comfortable in front of the camera and vibe with your photographer before your actual wedding day.

So we'll probably have the e-session in mid - late fall, the next time we head out to Chicago. So the inspiration I've been gathering includes more layered looks (as you can see I'm very literal).

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Only a select few from my ever growing collection. Any tips on your engagement sessions??

It's In His Kiss

Ah...the kiss pictures. They can be the sweetest of the day or they can make others gag. I personally think that I look a little funny when photographed from the side while making a kiss face. But that will have to be forgiven...as I hope that our photographer can catch a smooch or two on our day.

Rainy Day Wedding

This summer has been so strange in Boston. It rains several times a week. There have only been a handful of 80 degree sunny days. And it has me thinking about our wedding. We have planned for our ceremony to be outside on the patio of the museum that overlooks the park. I have tried to gauge how upset I will be about rain that day. And honestly, as long as we can get some fabulous rainy day pictures...I think I would be okay with it. After all...that is the day that I will become M's wife...and that is truly what matters.

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Inspired By

I've been collecting must have wedding day photos since our engagement. Seriously what did brides-to-be do before the blogosphere??

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What are your must have wedding day shots?