This is part 9 of a 10 part wedding series. 
Be sure to check back for the final post!

Though dancing at weddings or celebrations can be traced back to ancient times, the idea of the "first dance" tradition we are accustomed to started as far back at the 17th century and was a part of an etiquette for balls that were held by wealthy families. It was customary for the guests of honor to have the first dance and afterwards everyone else could join them on the dance floor. Today the idea of a first dance is to signify the beginning of the reception for a newly married couple.

​In recent years, the first dance has become more popular than the actual wedding ceremony and in some weddings it even takes more time and preparation than the wedding itself. Perhaps you prefer the more traditional first dance where you share in a special moment of swaying back and forth with your new spouse to a slow romantic song that is meaningful to the both of you. Others may choose to take dance lessons and surprise the guests at the reception with their ballroom dancing skills. For some the idea is to choose an upbeat pop song and perform a well practicied choreographed dance that will end up going viral on YouTube.

Let's not forget about the Father Daughter Dance!
(or other variations of this dance)

Be sure to check back for the final post in the Wedding Day Series. 

This is Part 8 of a 10 Part Wedding Series. 
Be sure to check back for the next 2 posts! 

DIY Weddings are all the rage, so there's a good chance you are making your decorations...or paying someone to make them for you. Either way, your decorations should be featured in your wedding photography.

I have photographed themed weddings, such as Christmas (which was an absolute joy since everything was so stunning and festive). I have photographed weddings where the reception was geared towards the Groom's interests: football or fishing. Other weddings have just focused on using their colors. Regardless of their choice, the decorations truly make the wedding experience special for the guests. Sure, everyone will talk about how lovely the Bride looked in her dress, but it's always great to hear the guests talking about how wonderful the decorations looked.

Be sure to check back for the last 2 posts! 

This is Part 7 of a 10 Part Wedding Series. 
Be sure to check back for the next 3 posts!

The rings from each of the weddings I have photographed have been different. Some are covered in precious stones. Some are engraved with a sweet message on the inside. Others are engraved all around the band.  If I am photographing a wedding, after the reception has started, I will ask you for your rings. Scary right? I promise I always take good care of them. I will then wander off and take photographs of your rings in a unique setting that is special for your day. Perhaps you have an old family Bible that is near and dear to your heart and you want it to be utilized in your photos. Other times there are decorations that speak to your character and style that I will use to accent the photographs of your rings. The idea is to create something beautiful that you can cherish, either in your wedding album or showcased in a frame on your wall.

Be sure to check back for the next post: The Decorations! 

This is part 5 of a 10 part wedding series. 
Be sure to check back for the next 5 posts! 

Your wedding day isn't just about getting dressed up to say your vows. It's about sharing in the joy of your special day with those you love and cherrish.  Every bride and groom have their own sense of humor and it should be reflected in their photography. Perhaps you have a special thing you like to do in your photos together at home or on trips...why not include that in your wedding photography?  Several years ago it became popular to have the groomsmen hold the bride in the air. I had a wedding where the bridesmaids did a twist on that idea and they held the groom.  It doesn't matter what the idea is...as long as you are having fun.

Don't forget to check back for Part 6: The Ceremony!

This is Part 4 of a 10 part wedding series. 
Don't forget to check back for the next 6 posts! 

Brothers, Friends, Partners in Crime, Best Mates, Fellow Servicemen, Groomsmen... No matter what you call them they are the Groom's "entourage" on the day of the wedding.  No wedding is complete without the Groom's best mates. Perhaps he chose his brothers or maybe he went with his old teammates from school. No matter the choice, they are all important to the Groom.

Though many will never openly admit it, they feel very honored to have been asked to be a part of the wedding party. Their boutoniers become like a badge of honor, announcing they were chosen to be the select few that would stand by the Groom as he takes the plunge into marriage.

Your photographer should be able to capture the style and charisma of the groomsmen. Their photographs with the Groom should not only reflect the seriousness of the day, but also their fun side as they share in the joy of such a beautiful occasion.   Be sure to check back for Part 5  "Don't Forget to Have Fun!"

"I need something old, something new, 
something borrowed, something blue, and YOU! 
Will you be my bridesmaid?"

When you were younger you might have had a running list, in the back of your mind, of who you wanted to take part in your wedding. These names might have changed over the years due to different circumstances, but there's a good chance you knew who you wanted to stand by your side at any given time. Then the day came when you were finally engaged and you were able to offcially ask your best gals(or guys) to help you say, "I do."  Some brides go with the family approach, with sisters and cousins standing gracefully by their side. Other brides choose their best friends- the ones who played with them on the playground as children, cruised around town with them in high school, or their sorority sisters from college.

When choosing these special people,  all that matters is that they are important to you and that they want to be a part of such a monumental day in your life story.  There's always a serious bridesmaid, who is a stickler for being on time and sticking to the plans. Then there's the "joker" who can make everyone laugh and is up for anything when it comes to the wedding photography. And there will be a "fixer", who say "I'll take care of it" more times than you can imagine.  The vast majority of your wedding day will be spent surrounded by your bridesmaids. They will be the glue that holds you together. Make sure you have a photographer that will take the time to capture all the big and little moments you share with them. Some of them will remain by your side for the rest of your life. Some might drift apart from you a few years after your wedding day. Whether they are with you for the long haul or not, you'll always have the memories and photographs from one of the best days of your life.

Be sure to check back for Part 4: The Best Mates!

This is Part 2 of a 10 part wedding series. 
Be sure to check back for the next 8 posts. 

Calling all cuties!  No wedding is complete without the help of the special children in your life. On your wedding day, these little helpers are sure to attract attention as they steal the show with their adorable faces. What could make a child feel more special than to be a part of such a fancy day? They might not understand exactly what a wedding is, but they'll love being able to get dressed up and have an important job. "I bribed them with cake!"  (a bride's confession)

Tell your boys, "Suit Up!"  At first they may hate all those layers of stiff clothes. Once they start getting attention from everyone, they'll come to understand that suits are amazing...and hopefully they'll remember this when they get older.

Who wants to dress like a Princess? Your lovely flower girl or bible bearer will feel so pretty in her fancy dress and shiny shoes. On the day of your wedding she'll watch you and start dreaming of what her own wedding will be like one day. On the other hand, she could think fancy dresses are itchy and no one should ever be forced to wear dress shoes. No matter what, she'll still look adorable.

If you are a stickler for details and everything going just perfect...small children might not be the best fit. If you are super worried about their performance then you could do what one of my brides confessed, "I bribed them with cake!"  All in all, no matter how well they follow directions, your guests will love their sweet faces and you'll be glad you made them a part of your special day.

Stay tuned for Part 3: Your Best Gals! 

This is part 1 of a 10 part wedding series. 
Be sure to check back for the next 9 posts!

After months of planning, your wedding day will arrive and you'll still have a long list of to-dos to accomplish. The first on the list is getting ready. Maybe you've got appointments at a hair or nail salon. Maybe you're just doing your own hair and makeup at the church. Perhaps you've hired a makeup artist to ensure you and your bridesmaids look radiant. Whatever your plan may be, the photographeer should be there...to capture those moments of preparation for your big day.

With hair and makeup complete you can now move on to thinking (or stressing) about all the other important little details...the shoes, the jewelry, and your lovely wedding dress. More frantic questions will arise: Did you remember to pack your shoes? Will you be able to handle wearing your adorable dress shoes for the next 4-6 hours? What if the dress doesn't fit? Does anyone have a stapler? (This was an actual question at a wedding I photographed where one of the bridesmaid dresses was too big around the bust. They stapled it together at the last minute. No joke!) If you are lucky enough to have a moment to breathe then you might glance around the room and see that you are surrounded by people who love you and by those who have done everything in their power to make sure your day goes smoothly. Don't forget to thank your bridesmaid who was thoughtful enough to pack hairspray and extra bobby pins. Better yet, remember to thank the Maid of Honor for making sure you eat a little snack (even though you swear you're not hungry) before you walk down the aisle so you have the strength to make it through your heartwarming vows.

"Does anyone have a stapler?" (actual question asked before a wedding)

So while the ladies are nervously getting ready, what are all the men doing? Mostly relaxing. Rarely, in my years of shooting weddings, have there ever been any rushed groomsmen before a wedding...with the exception of times when someone has forgotten something very important, like the ceremony music or the groom's cufflinks. If you are smart enough to book a second photographer, then you will be fortunate enough to have pictures of both the ladies and the men getting ready. Sure, the men getting ready isn't as exciting, but it's still an important part of the day.  All in all, frantic questions may cloud your head. If you can, just go with the flow. However peaceful or uneasy getting ready is, the photographer should be there for you. It's these photographs that will later help you reflect upon everything that led up to your hectic, but beautiful day.