Happy Friday Peeps!

I decided to put all this personal talk on hold and put the spotlight back on weddings for a moment.

While I was in the midst of my wedding craze last year, I wrote a blog post sharing what I did to make my day unique to Justin and I {post here}. I mainly wrote it because sometimes I hear brides questioning themselves “am I allowed to do that?” “well I really want this but I’ll probably just do that”…. No my friend, this wedding is a ONE day celebration to kick off your life’s journey together. That means, you do not do things just because they’re easier. You do what you WANT and what is representative of the character of your relationship.

Well, that’s my thought anyway. This is coming from a girl {me!} who cancelled her first wedding plan {yes, after we put deposits down and had dates held} mostly because she didn’t feel 100% good about it, a lot of things were off and it wasn’t sitting right in her heart.

I digress, so after I wrote that post my girl Lauren, who is having a destination wedding and who also has one of the best characters I’ve ever known, needed some advice. I suppose this isn’t exclusive of only destination weddings, but that is where my head is at while I’m writing this.

Lauren Writes:

Hey April,

We’re doing a destination wedding because that’s what fits our budget and frankly Bryan and I are not the type to have a huge hoopla of a wedding and we’d much rather chill on a beach with rum punches and those fun little cocktail umbrellas. Fine.

The resort that we chose is extremely private and intimate and allows us to “customize” our wedding to fit what we want. Fabulous.

I found my dress and my bridesmaids dress. Ahead of the game, here!

Sccreeeeccchhhhhh…..this is where it stops. Now what do I do?!? Maybe more importantly, how the HELL do a plan a wedding on a beach in Mexico that is fully representative of a pig-chasing/tractor-driving/pumpkin-growing farmer (Bryan) and a Long Island-born/shoe-obsessed/career girl (Me)? I’m at a total loss here. Bryan and I are at complete ends of the spectrum with one another; possibly THE most opposites attract couple aside from two major things: 1. We love beer and 2. We can’t live without each other.

I guess my question is, what is your advice on how to figure out ways to make our wedding representative of who we are? Obviously we’ve had some great times over the past 2+ years that I can look back on, but all I want to get out of this wedding is for people to walk away and say “That was so them.”

I guess the main thing I’m stressing over isn’t the location, how my hair is going to look, or who is going to show up – - it’s more of a nervousness that we’re going to put this thing together and it’s going to look like someone else’s wedding rather than our own.

April, any or all advice that you could give me on this would be amazing. You know how I am: I love myself some organization and can provide you with the best strategic marketing plan money can buy, but when it comes to creativity, I fall flat, and I need to seek help from my creative friends before I’m labeled as boring

April Suggests:

Hey Lauren,

Here are 3 things you can focus on to make your destination wedding representative of you and Bryan:

1. Writing your own vows – I know a lot of couples squirm at this idea but really this is what a wedding is all about, getting married and pledging yourselves to each other. I feel like the ceremony is something that is often overlooked compared to what type of venue you’ll have, music, food, booze etc. This is one day that starts your journey together; nothing could speak more about your relationship than how you vow to spend the rest of your lives together. Believe it or not, vows are something people remember. Put your personalities into the vows and you’ll walk away feeling like that’s all you needed to make the day “your own”.

2. Bringing little signs for things, they’re packable in a suitcase and signage + printed items really add a lot of personality to the day. Don’t feel like you have to use formal language either, put your personalities into the verbiage you use. Programs + thank you cards at tables or in hotel bags + signage = make it all match and sort of style your day according to Lauren + Bryan’s world.

3. Your dress + your shoes + your jewelry + his outfit will have your personalities in it. Don’t be afraid to stray from traditional. Let Bryan wear a little flannel pocket square or a straw hat, representative of his pig chasing farm boy ways. Your shoe obsessed self can pick out a fabulous pair of TOMS or flip-flops that are representative of your favorite color. You don’t have to have HUGE statements to represent of who you are; sometimes it’s the little things that make an impact. Which is great for you since you have to pack it all up in a suitcase.

Remember, this is your day, do it anyway you want! Funky, vibrant, off the wall, and classically all yours.

Peace, Love & Destination YOU!

April K

When I meet with potential clients for the first time, I never know what I’m walking into. Are they going to be lame, boring and I’ll do all the talking… or will they be super cool and tell me all about what they love to do together, what they love about each other and open right up?

Dan & Nicole were certainly the type of people that opened right up. Before we even discussed wedding details, we were talking about 3 day hikes in the White Mountains, camping, gear… you really couldn’t stop the rampage of our mutual love for the great outdoors! Finally when we got to the wedding stuff, we chatted about what their vision was for their day, what they wanted in a photographer and of course how the experience with me will be like no other!

After we left our meeting I think there was a mutual love fest going on because we had felt like we’ve known each other forever. When I get asked to shoot for couples like Dan & Nicole… it’s the ultimate photography treat! {kinda like vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles}

{fast forward to wedding day}

“I’m gonna need a lot more hairspray” was the general tone of the day… the wind was gusting off the ocean as if Hurricane Irene had a personal invite to the wedding. It didn’t stop Dan & Nicole in any way. We still took lots of photos outside of the charming Owenego Beach and Tennis Club in Branford, CT and they were even brave enough to walk the plank over the ocean out to the giant rock for some dramatic photos. That’s when you know two people are in love… when they don’t care what else is going on around them {including hurricane like weather}, they’re doing their thing and loving every minute, not even noticing the elements.

Dan & Nicole did such a great job with putting their own special touches on the day. They had a little of everything that meshed together harmoniously. It was a wedding full of character, that’s for sure.

Peace, Love & Windy Wedding Blessings,

April K

A Cape Cod wedding was exactly what Stephanie and Brian had envisioned to be the perfect place to exchange vows. Why? Because of their roots… Stephanie has close family ties with her Dad and Aunt living on the Cape and so naturally Stephanie and Brian have begun building their own memories there. They chose the Dennis Inn because of it’s charm, and I can attest it has it’s own unique character for sure.

As if the stars had aligned, the all around vibe of this beachy Cape Cod wedding was calm. The weather, the staff at the Dennis Inn, Stephanie, her bridesmaids, the groom and all his men… everyone was so calm and collected. As a wedding photographer this was quite a treat!

One of my favorite and most memorable moments was as Stephanie sat on the bed to read the card that Brian had written for her. Knowing exactly what she was going through and how she was feeling, I captured her tender and emotional moment quietly. Brian then wrote a card out for all of Stephanie’s girls thanking them for taking such good care of Stephanie as well we being so welcoming to him. What a great idea!

Stephanie and Brian are such a great couple with a bond that is truly one of a kind. I wish them all the best in their life together as I’m sure it will be adventurous and filled with love.

Peace, Love & Starfish,

April K

Venue: Dennis Inn
Hair/Make up: Jason B. William Salon
Flowers: Flowers by Fancy
Cupcakes: Montilio’s Baking Company

It was a hot day and the sun was shining, but it cooled off just in time for Katie to walk down the aisle. Katie and Jimmy had a very beautiful wedding at The Coonamessett Inn on Cape Cod. Katie went after the yellow and grey theme {which I love} and they added so many details that made the day their own.

We had so much fun creating portraits at the beach, I was running all over the place, in the water, on the beach… the lighting was just killer. The love that Katie and Jimmy share is so inspiring and so apparent when they’re together, it really made this day so much fun to capture.

Peace, Love & Sandy Feet,

April K

Have you ever been to a wedding with 13 attendants… and that includes the Bride and Groom? No this wedding wedding was not in Vegas, it was at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island. What a beautiful setting for a beautiful and intimate ceremony.

Picture this… Walking down a dirt path “aisle” covered with vibrant green trees that surprisingly drops you at a cliff. On the cliff are 11 bright white chairs set up for your very close relatives, a lighthouse, a preacher and your man… waiting for you. It was so romantic, ugh.

I was honored to be apart of such an intimate wedding and it gave me a chance to really get a feel for Traci & Steve’s family and the love that surrounds them. They both come from such beautiful families who are filled with love and excitement for the both of them.

Peace, Love & Intimate Nuptials,

April K

Have you ever been to a surprise wedding?!?! This was my first surprise wedding experience and let me tell you, Kate & John are onto something here.

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon before her wedding with, Kate. What a beautiful soul inside and out. She’s so calm, cool and collected as she’s getting herself ready for her wedding day AND taking care of her and John’s son, Jack. Talk about multi-tasking!

These surprise nuptials took place on Cape Cod at Woods Hole Golf Club. It was a sting operation (or so I felt). None of the family knew it was a wedding except Kate, John and their immediate families, who were also apart of the ceremony. All of the other guests, family & friends thought they were getting together for an Easter celebration, like they do every year. As everyone was gathering in the club house John’s father called everyone out to the back patio facing the greens and made an announcement. “You may not be here for the reason you think”… and continued to tell friends and family that they were about to witness the wedding of Kate & John. Jaws dropped, tears were shed and Kate & John (and baby Jack) walked down the aisle together to make a beautiful promise that they will spend the rest of their days together.

Kate & John, I had such a great time with you both and I can tell you share a beautiful love. May you have many years of love and laughter.

Peace, Love & SURPRISES!!!

April K

For me and my clients… engagement sessions are all about hanging out, feeling comfortable and groovin’ on a good vibe! {We were certainly havin’ a good ole time, that’s for sure. Matt, Lisa and I were accompanied by Boston based stylist Thahn Pham & Artist/ Designer Kristen Cavallo, SO FUN!} This was the kind of shoot where I was floating on cloud 9; the people, the scenery, the good light… it was a triple threat kind of day. Lisa is the type of girl you fall in love with right off the bat + Matty is a ball of energy and hilarity = VIBRANT LOVE!!! I am so looking forward to their June 2012 wedding…

Ahh, summer time in New England, what better time and place to be on the water at a yacht club! Katie & Blake’s wedding was absolutely stunning, in fact it’s inspired my new term, Ah-may-ZING!  Such a classy couple and all of the attention to style and detail is what really made this wedding shine. When I spoke with Katie she mentioned how WellWed has been such an inspiration for all of her crafty ideas. What else made this wedding spectacular? The  people and the music! These folks knew how to get down with their bad selves to the sweet sounds of James Daniel Entertainment.

Top notch location, beautiful wedding party and hallelujah sunshiny weather, let’s just say I got a little snap happy at this one.