What to Wear to an Engagement Session

Fall is here and that usually means engagement sessions!

I say usually because not everyone wants a fall e-session. But lets not nit pick.
When I got my engagement photos done, I had all these grand ideas as to what I was going to wear. Then I put them on and, oh no don't quite like this, or does this make me look fat? You know those problems. So I had one dress that was cute, it has a nice cut and a simple pattern. A little timeless, I didn't want it to look terrible 20 years from now. Then my good old standby: jeans and blouse. Mind you they were mint jeans, but spring time needs mint jeans. Enough about me...more about you!

You don't need to be all matchy-matchy. No need to dress up like twins. Just colours that coordinate and prints that don't clash. Get in touch with your inner artiste and find complementary colours on a colour wheel and go from there.  Like in Jen & Jay's e-session, above, the coral in Jen's cardigan doesn't clash against Jay's blue shirt.

 Why have one outfit when you can have two? Go from casual wear to something a little more dressy. Or vice versa. It gives you more choice in photos, and if you can't settle on just one outfit, you have choice.

Nothing wrong with cold weather. A clean cut jacket and layers go a long way.

The most important thing is:

Be comfy in your clothes: They are a reflection of you...

You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing to be comfy in front of the camera.

 That and so you can move around too. 

So in closing: 

Wear something that you are comfortable, confident and feel good in. Don't try and be twins, let your personalities shine through. Match without being over the top. Wear some layers, not only does it add visual interest, you can take off a scarf or add a sweater and it changes the look instantly. Bring a change of clothes, it just allows you to have more variety in the photos and if you can't pick just one outfit, you have back ups. Oh also almost forgot: bring your confidence. Confidence is the most beautiful thing a person could have.

xoxo- Melissa

Wedding Planning, the why-oh why?

Hello Lovelies,
 Have you ever looked at your wedding to do list and just wanted to throw your hands up, flip a table and just say "Vegas looks good right now"? 
I have. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Lets have a heart to heart.
Planning a dinner party, a birthday party and cocktail party. That's one thing, but to plan the party of all parties, PLUS be one half of the guests of honour, that's where the why oh why fun begins.

Our e-session, by Wendy Alana Photography

You have to be considerate they tell you, invite all the family, all the family friends.... 
- What about your third cousin twice removed? She invited you to her wedding. When I was three. I haven't seen them since. 
- Your great uncle would love to see you both. I have a great uncle??

     Am I possibly just rambling? OH heck yes. Not even going to try and refuse that for a minute. Ladies, don't kid yourself. Weddings are stressful. Very stressful. Even for the most organized person. We have two families to juggle, mother-in-laws, our own mothers, venues to book, bridesmaids, dress decisions, and decorators to show our visions to. Just because I photograph weddings for a living doesn't mean that I know all the ins and outs of what the heck a wedding takes, well...until now. It's 6 months until the wedding bells are ringing for me. I'm terrified to be honest. Not of the whole getting married part, no no, it's the balancing the guest list. I want so many people there, I want lots of people there! Just that, where do you cut it off? How many is just enough or too much? We started with a modest guest list, 70 people, close friends and family. Then some how the world started to invite themselves to the wedding, then oh what about this person, and this person. You're going to this persons wedding, invite them! And it keeps on ballooning! STOP. Stop for the sake of the sanity of the couple who are getting married. 
   Can I get an Amen? Hoo-rah? Yay? 

   At this point, I am thrilled to photograph other's weddings. My own wedding has become so stressful it's almost taboo to bring the subject up. Your weddings, I like your weddings. It's much less stressful, and I get to see how happy other people can be when it's all said and done. Kinda magical. Even a year later, seeing everyone in love, makes me beyond words happy. 

Couples like Natalie & Eric make my job worth it and then some!

   So if you have some issues with the world trying to put a damper on your wedding day, f*'em, seriously. It's you and your fiancé's  wedding. Not your parents, your siblings, not his parents, not your grandparents, not the communities wedding. Remember that. Your wedding. And I'll be there with complete knowledge of how something like a guest list, to choosing a linen colour becomes a daunting task, I will nod and be that person. I know the feeling, but at the end of the day, as long as you are married, that is all that matters.

Thanks for tuning into the crazy bride to be / wedding photographer.

--Melissa