New Idea's for Wedding Trends

Wedding Trends for 2020

Choose your own adventure! 

The modern wedding today is less about going-to-the-chapel and more about choosing the right style & individuality that represents you & your hubby-to-be

This is great news for today's bride since there are so many options, and let’s face it opinions that clutter your inbox!

If you really want that destination wedding and your friends think it’s a bad idea you can feel strong in your decision to create a vision that represents both of you by offering a compromise to have a home reception after the destination wedding is over, now you get to keep celebrating and there is nothing wrong with that!

So I am here to say that for 2020 the declaration I stand by is Individuality!

Be yourself, the wedding industry (which I have been a part of for years ) is changing to accommodate you, and high time, no longer should brides feel pigeon-holed when it comes to celebrating your personal love story

Here is a break down of trends and ideas that may help you with planning  your individuality wedding

Think a Gown for the ceremony, & formal photography and a second sexy gown/party dress to keep you dancing all night long

Choosing your engagement ring together, believe it or not, a short time ago this would never have happened, but now brides want a ring that matches their style, plus with social media today you are more likely to see a fab ring on Instagram than in a store window!

Mix & match your bridesmaid dresses and the color; one of the most beautiful weddings I photographed was when all the bridesmaid had on a different hot color gown

Another wedding I still remember from 20 years ago was all the bridesmaids were dressed in white gowns with a bit of a different style to each, so taboo long ago but it was beautiful and different;

“who says you can’t wear white to a wedding”!

For the guys, it may be harder to change things up but think of his personal style, and how he can change into a different suit for the reception, changing up the ties for the groom & groomsmen can be a game-changer, and don’t forget to add lots of colors!

Wedding Trends 2020! We are here to help because we see it all :)

Style Advice for Engagement Photos

C&C Design Studio / Boston / Robin Howard

A couple’s engagement photo shoot is an important part of wedding planning. Not only will these photos be used for your save the dates, and possibly the actual invitations as well but they can also set the tone for all your wedding celebrations to come. Show your loved ones what they can expect from you and your soon-to-be spouse by capturing the spirit you hope to carry into the showers, ceremonies and receptions! Consider these styling tips as you plan your engagement photo shoot and remember the most important part: just be yourselves! 

Mixed Shoot

Depending on how long your photo session is, think about bringing more than one outfit to wear. This way, you can get photographs of you and your fiance dressed in outfits that seem more true to yourselves as well as some that are a bit more dressed up. As an engagement is a special occasion, it deserves to be celebrated and that calls for nice outfits. Ultimately, you know what look you're going for better than anyone else, so choose attire that sets the tone you're looking to strike while maintaining your personal style.

Semi-formal

This is ideal for a couple who wants to be themselves, but in a slightly dressier fashion. Guys should be thinking of how they can elevate their look a touch. Instead of jeans, wear slacks. Or, you can keep your jeans but pair it with a nice jacket or a buttoned shirt. Ladies could choose from a number of options, taking inspiration from a brand like Ann Taylor. Achieving this look can be pricey, so if you wish to have that appearance but spend way less, try online thrift shopping. Browse through a unique collection of gently used clothing to find thrifted Ann Taylor styles for an eloquent style within your budget. That way you have more money to spend on your wedding essentials.

Formal

If you’re hoping to set a very romantic, almost fairytale wedding mood, a formal gown is your best bet. Ideally, you pair your dress with a classic makeup look and an updo fitting for a princess. This doesn’t need to be an overpriced occasion either. With the options to rent becoming more pervasive, you can find your dream look or designer without the hefty price tag. Nail your fairytale romance aesthetic by donning a rented Badgley Mischa gown and ensure there’s money leftover for the happily ever after.

Personal

Let people take a peek at who you and your fiance are as a couple. Think of ways you can make it a more personalized photoshoot. It’s likely the people looking at the portraits know one of you really well but how well do they know you together? If you’re looking to just showcase your love in a stripped-down, this is us every day, kind of way, then do as much as you can to infuse your personality into the photos. Start by choosing outfits that you both feel the most comfortable in that you would wear any other day of the week. This also helps when couples tend to be camera shy because then you’re more at ease. Wearing your normal clothes will help you act more naturally throughout your session and allow the photographer to capture a glimpse into your lives together!

This is written by the people of ThredUp under the author "Suzanne R", C&C Design Studio does not back this content of the messages of ThredUp.

Cassie & Tim's Wedding at Lake Pearl

Kathy & Guevara's Wedding at El San Juan

Jessi & Thanh at The Villa

Venue: The Villa at Ridder Country Club

Lead Photographer: Robin Howard

Assisting Photographer: Chris Cardone

Asha & Roosevelt's Engagement Session at Borderland State Park

Our amazing C&C Couple Asha and Roosevelt’s engagement session took place at Borderland State Park, one of our favorite engagement session locations.

Working with a pro wedding photographer; what do I have to do?

Working with a professional photographer is definitely different than our friends and family members taking selfies of us throughout a days event, but that doesn’t mean that working with a pro photographer is difficult in any way it just takes a little understanding of what you and the photographer want to capture so once your session is completed you can appreciate the extra efforts your professional photographer teaches you.

First and foremost, we need your enthusiasm!

We want more than anything for you to be you; to be yourself as much as possible and to enjoy the process of us capturing your own unique personality and how you interact with your partner and family members.

Your Cooperation is key!

All of the beautiful pictures we see on any social media site that a pro photographer captured you can believe that a lot of tweaking, lighting and proper exposure went into creating the image, but what you don’t see is how the photographer needs the cooperation of his/her subjects to pull off any beautiful image that is created.

Wedding Photography is a real example of the importance of a couples cooperation in capturing all the beautiful pictures they’ll be wanting during their wedding day.

There are many time restrictions with weddings and we want you to get to the party as soon as possible so with your attention, assistants and help we can work fast and create beautiful images that you will love, plus they won’t even look posed, because you are focusing on each other and not all the craziness around you!

Setting your Date and Start Planning Timeline

If you just got engaged and you feel ready to dig your heels into the wedding planning process, it’s time to go for it!

First things first;

Set your Date, mark it on every calendar with big, bold type, “Wedding Day” now it is set in stone—this is now the North Star of your wedding plans, and everything you do from here on out should be gravitating toward this day.

After, and only after you've set your date, you can start booking your Venue, and all the other professional services you will need to put this shing-dig together!

Here is a list of the services you will be needing in addition to the order in which is best to hire them!

Venue;

At least one year before you say I-do, this is crucial to having the date you want, most popular venues can be booked up a year or more in advance.

Professional Photography;

Booking your photographer earlier is smart because the best ones are worth every penny, and most popular dates book up months in advance, also photography studios are commonly a small team so once your date is booked that is the only wedding they can do that day.

DJ/Band;

DJ’s book up fast, there are a lot of DJ’s that work for entertainment companies these days, and they may have the option to book multiple gigs on the same day but if you have a liking to a particular DJ/Band guaranteed someone else does too, so hiring them as soon as possible is your safest option.

Video Production;

These professionals tend to be hired late in the planning process; (this is what I have been hearing from my video friends in the industry) but unfortunately if you want great work and your vision captured well you will want to build a relationship with your video crew long before your wedding date so they have time to put together a slideshow or anything else that you may want to show off during your reception.

Florist;

Small man shops, remember to book them early, so they have your date open, and keep in mind if you are getting married around a popular holiday, hire them even sooner, oh my!

Wedding Cake;

I have the luxury of eating wedding cake almost every weekend :) and believe me there is a difference in taste and quality, so although you may have a bit more time in hiring this vendor, give yourself enough time to shop and taste around!

Remember, there’s no official wedding timeline out there that you have to stick to. If you want to be engaged for three years, go for it! You shouldn’t start this step until you’re ready to devote the time, money and effort it takes to plan the wedding of your dreams. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy the engagement, lovers!

Wedding Budget vs. Experience

Let’s face it planning a wedding is expensive and finding all of the professionals that will make or break the quality of your day can be very challenging.

We all start with a budget as the planning process moves forward we price shop, google, ask friends, investigate every business related to weddings like our own private detective service. In the process, though we get so overwhelmed that each business start to mimic the next and before you know its price is just the easiest determining factor. But this is your one and only day,  and who do you trust with these important services!

Now I am not saying go rogue on your budget but when it comes to all the services you will need to create a wedding that is stress-free, tension-free, and hassle-free it makes a huge difference who you surround yourself with on the most important day of your life.

Since I have been a professional wedding photographer for 25 years and counting, I have seen lots of weddings that have hired friends, uncles, family members, students all in the hopes of saving money, but what I have witnessed every time is an unprepared and distracted relative that my brides have to keep on track throughout their day; making sure their uncle with the video camera isn’t dancing the night away himself, but is actually videotaping the job you hired him to do.

It is essential that the vendors you hire for all services related to your weddings are experienced professional with credentials to back-up their claims.

When it comes right down to it, you will need to make the decision; experience versus budget, that does not mean you have to pay thousands of dollars more to have a qualified professional, but for a few hundred dollars more for each vendor that has beautiful work and lots of experienced, I can promise you it will be worth it in the end.

Plus if you are spending so much time going from vendor to vendor and your budget is to low for every service you need it may be time to reevaluate your budget and tending prices of the industries you are seeking.

Best Wedding Stationery

So you’ve finally gotten engaged to your partner. Congratulations! Now to plan the wedding. Wedding planning can be overwhelming. From deciding what food to serve, choosing a venue, and sending out invites, you’ve got a lot to think about before you finally say “I do.” I might not have much advice on menu planning or finding a venue, I do know where you can get some beautiful wedding invitations. 

Basic Invite has an impressive collection of wedding invitations. From nautical to boho, elegant to rustic, they have invites sure to wow even the most choosy of customers. They are one of the few websites that allows for almost unlimited color options on all of their invitations. Once you select a design, you can customize it just how you want it. With instant previews online, you can make sure everything looks perfect.   

It’s not just their designs that are colorful. They also have colored envelopes. With over 40 different options to choose from, you can match your envelope to your invitation color scheme exactly. Matching envelopes and invites are sure to impress all your guests. Plus, all of their envelopes are peel and seal, making closing all the invitations up a breeze.

If you like a little flair on your invitations, many of Basic Invites designs have foil options. All of their foil designs can be in gold, silver, or rose gold. You can also choose flat or raised foil.

Basic Invite also has custom samples. Not quite sure how that invite is going to look off the screen in your hand? Do you want to make sure you’ve chosen the right paper quality? You can order a custom sample of your design off their site to make sure you’re satisfied with everything. 

Once you’re satisfied your order is how you want it, you’ll need to send the invitations. Basic Invite has an address capturing service to simplify this process. You share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media, and request your friends and family’s addresses which are stored in your Basic Invite account. You can select all the addresses in the design process, and the addresses are printed on the envelopes. Recipient address printing comes at no extra cost on all card orders. 

Basic Invite also has cheap save the dates to include with your wedding invites. Or, you can purchase a few wedding photo coasters to help you remember your special day for a lifetime. 

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 

What are you waiting for? Jump on Basic Invite and order wedding invitations today!

Why You Should Share Your Budget with Vendors

You’ve got the ring, you’ve set a date, and now it’s time for the planning to begin! Before hiring any vendors, you’ll want to determine your total budget for your wedding and have a budget plan that outlines how much money you’ve allocated to each vendor, product or service that will be part of your dream day.

Many brides are surprised that most vendors insist on knowing their budget before providing a detailed proposal. Why share that information with a vendor you may or may not hire? Can’t they just provide a proposal for what you’re looking for, and discuss the costs later?

Why Share Your Budget?

When interviewing potential vendors, keep your end goal in mind. When this process is complete, you want to have a team of vendors that are the best fit for your wedding. This means that each vendor you select, from catering to photography to transportation, is able to provide a product or service that you’re pleased with that also fits your budget.

Because you’re a busy bride with limited spare time, you’ll want this process to be as efficient as possible. The vendors you’re interviewing respect your time and aim to make the proposal process as simple and straightforward as possible.

With knowledge of your budget, each vendor will be able to provide a proposal for only what you can afford, this is incredibly important and will save you so much time!

The Dangers of a Proposal that’s Above Your Budget

A proposal with no budget guideline has several dangers. The first one is sticker shock. Many brides are genuinely shocked by the cost of wedding elements. Being surprised by your proposal price is not only unpleasant, but it may cause you to eliminate a wedding vendor from consideration who is truly capable of supplying a fantastic alternative for half the price – they just had no idea how much you wanted to spend!

Beyond the sticker shock, there’s another danger: attachment! You’re likely to become attached to all of the beautiful options conjured up in that initial proposal – and they’re way out of your price range. This will only create disappointment down the road as you find it impossible to be satisfied with more budget-friendly alternatives.

Your style, taste, and personal preferences are equally as important as your budget. However, if you start with a proposal that’s above your budget, trimming it down will be the only solution.

This may mean parting with some elements that you may love, and it also will delay arriving at your “budget happy place” while your salesperson revises your proposal. To avoid this dilemma, share your budget with vendors in your first conversation

The Good & Bad News

If you consult several reputable vendors and continue to hear that your vision can’t be accomplished with the amount you want to pay, it’s probably an indication that your budget isn’t on track with industry pricing. Consider shifting money from another category within your overall budget, or open your mind to options that are more budget-friendly and still allow yourself to have the dream wedding you want!

Things to look out for while price shopping photographers

Here at C&C, we changed the entire way we did sales for photography, the reason being — our industry has changed a lot.

We went from the most lovey industry where you’d meet and have wine with your possible photographer to sales emails, cold calls, marketing, and a lot of other impersonal things.

So, we changed it back — we’re leading the path to keep wedding photography personal, loving, and provide a killer client experience.

Now, so that couples can understand the things to steer clear of — here are 7 sales tactics usually used while people are price shopping

1. Major pricing changes

If a photographer’s website says they begin at 6500 and then they all of a sudden are talking about 2500 packages, you’re most likely being somewhat played.

This is in psychology called the door-in-the-face tactic, this is where they’re throwing a huge number at you so anything else seems reasonable, even if it’s out of budget.

Plus, you might not want to trust a studio (or photographer) that claims to be 6500 quality at a 2500…

2. “Meet me at Panera”

This doesn’t have to do so much with price shopping and more with professionalism, if a photographer doesn’t have an office space or even room in their home for a meeting they might not be the quality you want.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t go to Panera to sign a 3000 dollar contract.

3. Promotions…

This might not be true everywhere, however, I have never ONCE seen a true photography sale except for on the cragslist-buy-a-photographer sites where you never know who’s showing up till the day before.

Promotions are usually not real. With photography the pricing has so many elements they most likely have just excluded something or swapped it out for a cheaper product and knocked down the price accordingly then called it a sale.

4. Limited time offer

Sometimes we hear studios do limits on offers, we do this with extremely discounted custom deals and nothing else. So, if a studio is offering you an okay deal and forcing you to sign across the line within 24-hours, you might want to run.

To reference the point above, promotions aren’t a thing in the wedding industry. Photography doesn’t come with discount codes or Spring Sales.

5. “I only go over pricing in person”

If the pricing isn’t transparent and on their website publicly (like ours and many others) be careful.

Non-transparent pricing is where the largest variations on client-by-client basis and overcharging come into play. It’s extremely easy for someone to increase the profit margin 10% because your budget is a little higher than their normal, so at the end of the day ask for a pricing guide BEFORE providing a budget if the pricing list isn’t public.

Also, if you’re ever wondering about pricing check Wedding Wire and see if they have a published “average cost” ours is 3200.

6. “Social media digital files”

This is where the rant begins, social media files DO NOT equal good files, they’re the low-res, usually watermarked files with a brand new modern name slapped on them — “social media files”.

We always provide every client their full set of beautifully edited high-res digital files un-watermarked, because you hired us to take them so why should we charge more just so you can see the outcome??

If a photographer is asking for more just to access the files there will usually be more pricing gimmicks involved you haven’t foreseen yet.

7. Overtime

Overtime is where most photographers try to make the biggest profit, because instead of them billing at the normal rate for staying another hour most bill at 3x the normal rate.

Whereas at C&C, we stay till we captured everything. No fee because you needed one more thing photographed.

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All these crazy sales tactics is why our owner has moved us to go off the most transparent and wedding-friendly pricing system where we default to transparency. If you inquire with a budget bellow our normal, we’ll usually say “Just so you know we start at 2800, would that be possible” we don’t try to loop you in then tell you pricing once you’re sitting in front of us.

If you’ve seen any crazy things we didn’t cover, send them over!

What our skin REALLY needs

Americans overspend on skincare, it’s not a secret. However, we’re not buying the products we truly need, we’re buying the products advertising makes us think we need.

So, I took a different approach, I stopped looking at the reviews or trying to understand the ingredients — I went to my dermatologist and reviewed videos by board-approved online dermatologists to hear what they truly suggest for our skin.

What are the bare necessities?

Our skin just needs to be cleaned, moisturized, and, of course, protected. We don’t need “plumping” or “anti-aging” as SPF (sun-screen) is the BEST way to prevent what we see as “aging” and plumping can be done a lot better through simple Hyaluronic Acid layered with a moisturizer to lock in the water that HA draws up.

So, we don’t need all these fancy products that only damage our bank account.

What is a good product line?

Today, no one brand sells perfect products, they all have pros and cons. So, here are 6 products I urge you to look into.

Sunscreen that hydrates too

Body & Face Moisturizer

Great Night Time Moisturizer

Gentle Cleanser

Hyaluronic Acid Gel

Lip Balm

Sunscreen?

YES, here is what Dr. Dray has to say about the rules-of-the-road for sunscreen;

Products worth Mentioning?

We’re loving the Colorescience total renewal 3-in-1, the SkinCeuticals clarifying mask, and the Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Liquid.

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Mask

Colorescience total renewal 3-in-1

Am I moisturizing right?

Maybe, maybe not, here is what Dr. Dray has to say;

Okay, who is Dr. Dray?

Dray is a board-approved dermatologist who we find doesn’t accept sponsorship and speaks truthfully about her take on product lines. Along with that, she preaches simple skincare and goes over why she does what she does.

In addition, she reviews a whole spectrum of products through her “shop-with-me” vlogs where she goes over different products solely based on their ingredients list.

Our personal suggestions;

I personally use the Elta MD Sunscreen by itself in the morning after rinsing my face with luke-warm water, along with the CeraVe healing ointment for lip balm, which by the way has helped my lips so much in just a few days!

I use the CeraVe ointment because it really is the most no-non-sense / bang-for-your-buck type lip balm.

Then, I’ll reapply the Elta MD whenever I have been exposed to the sun directly, or if it’s an indoor kind of day, I’ll throw on the CeraVe in the Tub.

After the day has ended I wash my face with the CeraVe gentle cleanser along with luke-warm water. After that, I dry my face and then apply Neutrogena Hydro-Boost (extra dry) and rub that in genteelly, then once that has been absorbed, I’ll follow-up with the CeraVe night cream. Finally, I’ll cap it all off with the CeraVe healing ointment to my lips.

For myself, I use the night cream to help with my skin’s redness (the ingredient that helps here is niacinamide) the rest of this regime is for combo skin with a little acne-prone-ness.

— Written by Chris Cardone

Not sponsored. Affiliate links used. Note: We do have an exclusive commision with DermaStore.

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring

The part of the wedding ceremony I look forward to the most is the exchanging of wedding rings. Of course, I can’t see what they look like, but I know the bride and groom have chosen them to represent their relationship. Knowing the thought and care that went into the selecting of their wedding bands which they will wear for the rest of their lives, is truly special. Choosing your wedding rings is no easy task. Below you will find some things to keep in mind during the process to help make it a breeze!

Metals 

There are so many options for metals that can go into the perfect wedding ring. Gold and platinum are the standards, but rose gold has become extremely popular within the last couple of years. A couple things to consider is care and cost, of course! Gold is usually mixed with other metals to create white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Gold is mixed with other metals because it is too soft to be used for jewelry on its own. You may run the risk of having to replate your white gold wedding ring eventually. Ask a jeweler about hardness and strength of a metal before choosing. This may affect your decision if you live an adventurous lifestyle. The rarity of a metal also affects how expensive it is. Platinum is more rare so it is more expensive than gold rings. If you prefer cool toned jewelry, consider palladium or white gold instead! 

Style 

There are two things to consider when thinking about style of wedding bands. Are you mixing metals and are you matching with your significant other? Mixing metals means using cool toned and warm toned metals in the same band or two rings. For example, your engagement ring can be white gold while your wedding band is rose gold. This also allows you to be more versatile in the other jewelry you wear. You can always look for inspiration before beginning the ring buying process as well. Take a look online at sites like Blue Nile who offer a variety of different metal wedding rings to get some new and different ideas!

Matching wedding bands can be a wonderful symbol of your love for one another. You can choose to wear similar bands that have the same metal and style as one another. His and her sets are the exact same band so they can feature diamonds or unique metals. This a great way to show your style and personality. Wedding traditions are important, but you can also be true to yourself. 

Bridal Set 

A bridal set is an engagement ring and wedding band that can be bought together. This option is very popular because of convenience and style! The styles of each ring are already perfectly matched and settings will fit together. This can make the search for a wedding ring very simple- no need to worry about ring sizing and unmatched rings. Another option is to also choose a unique curved engagement ring without worrying about getting a matching band. Bridal sets can also be intricate with bands that should be worn on either side of the engagement ring to enhance. This creates a stunning and beautiful effect! 

For The Gents

Men’s wedding bands are usually very simple. As mentioned earlier, lifestyle is especially important for choosing a ring. If you plan to wear it all the time then choose something more durable. Another metal that is becoming super popular, especially for men’s wedding bands, is titanium. This extremely hard metal is great for an active lifestyle. The only downside is that it cannot be resized. You will want to make sure the ring is sized correctly.

Choosing wedding bands can be a huge task because you will be wearing it for the rest of your life! Remember to keep your personality and style in mind and don’t be afraid to take risks. These rings will symbolize your love for one another and you will want them to be as unique and special as your relationship. 

Tips for Improving Your Winter Wedding Health

There are many advantages to having a winter wedding. Besides points for originality, you’ll have more availability in venue booking, no fear of your guests having wedding-season-fatigue, and no one in your wedding party will have to worry about sweating through their tuxedos or layered dresses. However, the winter months also bring a whole new set of challenges for both your physical and mental health, which can be hard to balance while still getting everything set for the big day. Here are some tips for you to maintain your overall winter health so you can stay on top of the wedding planning process.

Skin Care

Once that temperature drops, the moisture in the air that you complained about all summer suddenly makes its absence known by drying out your skin. This will likely be one of the first things you’ll notice your body does in reaction to the seasonal shift. But with all the hugging, dancing, and handshaking you’re bound to be doing on the big day, you certainly don’t want to have to worry about dry, itchy, uncomfortable skin. So besides using a moisturizer that’s right for you, what can you do? One organic way to keep your skin from drying out is to stay hydrated. The recommended 8 glasses a day is more than just a myth; it can help you eliminate toxins in your skin and give it a radiant glow. Exactly the kind of look you want on your wedding day!

Mouth Care

You would be hard pressed to find someone who can say they felt absolutely no stress during their wedding planning process. Planning a winter wedding means exposure to cold weather which can lower your immune system, and also leave you exhausted and fatigued. And as you may know; stress, a lowered immune system, and fatigue are all things that can can cause something you definitely don’t want on your wedding day: cold sores. Can you imagine your “kiss the bride” moment being ruined by a something so preventable? If you know you’re prone to cold sores then you need to be ready to act fast when you feel one coming. Fortunately, top cold sore medications like valacyclovir are now available online

Mental Care

As exciting as wedding planning can be, Seasonal Affective Disorder is real and can put a damper on any positive vibes you may be hoping to have this winter. There are many suggested ways to try and conquer this disorder, including simple lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. If these ideas work for you then that’s great, but don’t be afraid to seek out professional therapeutic help if your symptoms of depression continue, or worsen.

Holiday Care

If your wedding is anywhere close to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years, you’ll be challenged with navigating the standard holiday stress on top of the typical stress that comes from planning a wedding! How can you best balance all the shopping, cooking, traveling, and family, while still keeping your planning schedule on track? Three simple words: ask for help. There are only so many hours in the day, and you can only do so much. This can be prime time for leaning on your partner to help divide up tasks and lighten your load. Maybe they can take all the holiday prep while you stay on wedding duty? Or split everything down the middle: they shop, you wrap? Just remember that you are not an all-powerful being and you can’t handle everything on your own.

Inva & Steve at Lake Pearl

Inva & Steve at Lake Pearl, an amazing day beginning at their new home, a perfect first look on the street that they’ll now live together one, saying “I Do” at Inva’s favorite church, and a beautiful reception at Lake Pearl Wrentham!

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Posing verses Photojournalism

Here at C&C Design we have clients ask all the time, what is your style of photography and can you keep the images in a photojournalistic style, with the sentence following”I want to look natural not posed”

To answer this question we like to say that we provide images that don’t subscribe to the purist photojournalism, nor the traditional posed style. We like to think of our approach to capturing the best image in all environments is to capture the most emotionally charge image at the correct moment so that each image feels and looks as natural as possible.

Instead of subscribing to rigidly to a defined style, I like to share with my clients that we are there to capture the best quality images throughout their entire wedding day, and to do this we need to be open to think more along the lines of ”what style of photography will work in this setting and then the next, and so on; more along the lines of get-the-job-done-alism

Different Styles of Wedding Photography

There are three broad styles in wedding photography- Traditional, Photojournalistic, and Freestyle

Traditional Wedding Photography tends to be formal with the emphasis on posed images. On the other end of the spectrum is photojournalistic wedding photography. Here the emphasis is on a documentary approach with little direction from the photographer.

Then there are styles which incorporate a Fashion Flare where the couple, wedding party, and family images are posed-guided in a modern freestyle way with the emphasis on creating an emotional connection with the person or group of people that are in each image.

So for example, if we are capturing images of a Bride & Groom during a photo session we may guide them to stand in a particular spot, turn their face toward the camera and hold on tight to each other, while snuggling into their partner's neck, this may sound posed but what we are able to capture in this freestyle approach is a connection the couple shows us naturally as they soften into one another and show their affection with spontaneous laughter.

For me, a Photojournalistic, Freestyle, Fashion Fare is all one; and is akin to Storytelling. If this means interacting and directing my coulpe to achieve this then that’s fine with me. I am there to tell the story of your day, to capture the days events with as much emotional connection that looks organic and natural.

What do I need to tell my venue?