What it’s like to be engaged | Charlotte Wedding Photographer

It was your 3rd anniversary. He was a little more excited than usual to go out to your favorite restaurant, or maybe he was acting a bit strange. Whatever it was, you probably picked up on it, but didn’t pay too much attention to it. You had just spent an hour or two getting ready, picking out the perfect outfit, and you were ready to go out and celebrate with the love of your life. On the way out to your date night, he takes a detour through the park where you first ran into each other. As you walk along the path, hand in hand, he stops you. You turn to him, and he drops to one knee.
Or maybe it was New Year’s Eve. You had just eaten the best meal of your life, and you were surrounded by friends as everyone cheered and began the countdown. 5…4…3…2… You turn to kiss him, but instead you find him kneeling down.
Or maybe it was just a day just like every other day. You only had plans to cuddle and watch the news. You’d made some hot chocolate, and even added in extra marshmallows. While listening to the weather report, he grabs your hand casually. Suddenly you feel a cold metal touch your ring finger as he slips on the most perfect diamond ring you’d secretly been eye-balling for the past few months.
What happens next is the question. Your heart is racing. You are trying to hold back tears, but you are feeling every emotion at once. You can’t even understand what he’s saying because it’s all just a big blur, but you know what he’s asking. “Baby, will you marry me?”
You immediately begin calling and texting your besties that it happened, and you call your mom to tell her the good news! She can’t really understand you through the sobbing, but she knows. It is the happiest moment of your life – that moment when you know you get to spend all of your days with that one person that means the absolute world to you.
You casually slip in your hand during selfies – “Totally just playing with my hair! #heputaringonit #blessed #bling” And then it begins… “OMG! That’s GORGEOUS! When’s the big day???” Like literally this begins the very next day if not that evening. We spend our whole lives dreaming up the most magical moments, planning all the details in our heads, making secret boards on Pinterest about what your wedding is absolutely going to look like even though there are about fifteen color schemes going on. But it’s perfect. But it can also be daunting.
As you begin your search for the perfect venue, you start thinking of every. single. vendor. that you are going to have to meet with… How will there be time?? How do you choose?! How do you pay for it all? Who do you invite? You hit up Pinterest at least seven times a day. You see thousands of photos that you want to have for yourself, and decide to even make another board dedicated to Wedding Day Photo Musts. You aren’t sure if Pinterest has a limit to how many images you can pin in one board, but you are fairly certain you may be coming up on it.

Then you begin searching for that person who is going to photograph your day. It’s a pretty big deal. You have heard everyone recommend their favorites in the area, but you really have no idea where to even begin. With that, I give you tips to help you choose the perfect photographer for your day.

1) Do you mesh well? This is EXTREMELY important. Meeting with them or doing a skype date is huge. Your photographer will be with you for at least 6 hours on your wedding day, if not way more than that. You need to know you don’t hate the person, because if you do, that will make for a very very long day. You deserve someone that’s excited with you, that has your best interest at heart.

2) Do you like their style? Each photographer is unique in how they do things. You have natural light photographers that can produce light and airy photos. You have artificial light photographers that can produce deeply contrasted images. You have photographers that simply photograph the couple in cheesy fun-filled poses. Some do more romantic and serious poses. Some do straight up prom poses. It’s very important that you pay attention to their style – not just from what they showcase on their website, but look at their blog to ensure that each wedding is consistent. Hire someone that you trust will provide you with the look and feel you want for your day.

3) Lastly, remember that this is one of the only things you will take away from your wedding day. The food will be eaten (and it’ll be delicious, don’t get me wrong), the dress will be tucked away in storage, the tuxes will be returned, the gorgeous flowers will wilt (and you should definitely press just a couple of them for a keepsake), and the memories of your day will all be captured. That is what you are going to show your grandchildren one day. That’s what you’re going to look back on every anniversary as you laugh at your aunt’s crazy dance moves. That’s what you are going to cherish when your loved ones grow older. I know that not everyone has giant budgets, but know that you deserve someone who will provide you with beautiful and quality images that you will forever hold dear to your heart.

Happy New Year, everyone.
{ Special Offer posted below }

 To bring in 2016 with a bang, I’ll be gifting the next FIVE brides that book with a bridal or boudoir session (engagements are already included), and will be dropping travel fees for weddings held in these states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, and Georgia. 2016 and 2017 couples will also be gifted with a maternity and/or newborn session if and when they decide to grow their family. Can’t wait to celebrate these wonderful moments for each and every couple!