Should your dog be at your wedding?

Everyone who has a dog can probably say their pup is like family to them. So why not have them at your wedding day?! As much as I’m sure everyone would love to have their dog attend their wedding, there are some obvious logistics to sort out. I am going to help go over several things to consider when deciding whether or not to have your pupper at your wedding.

PS I am biased and my answer is always, “yes”.

Will the pup be in the wedding or just show up for photos?

Some couples feel their pupper should walk down the aisle and actually be a part of the wedding as a ring bearer or flower girl, while others think it may be best to just take a couple of quick photos.

Who will bring the pup to the wedding and bring them home?

Do you have a designated person to be in charge of the pup throughout the day? This person should not be in the bridal party so they would not have to miss any of the important festivities or photos. A date of someone in the bridal party might be a good option or even a cousin or family friend.

Will the pup behave or will they jump all over your fancy clothes?

A big question is always deciding how well behaved the pup will be at the wedding. Will they be super excited to see you and jump all over your fancy clothes, and do you even care if this happens? Lint rollers are always a life saver and if you have a dog I’m assuming you already have one on you at all times.

Will there be any special attire for the pup?

This is always my favorite part. I’ve seen adorable custom made suits fitted for dogs and even a classic bow tie or flower crown for the lady pups are a nice touch.

Should I bring my dog to my engagement session?

As you would probably imagine, it is a lot easier to manage a pup at an engagement session. Typically, if you have a friend to bring along to the session, they can watch the dog and even take the pup home after we’ve taken some good photos. I’ve had couples who will be in a more casual outfit while taking photos with the pup and then change into a nicer outfit when the pup leaves.

Below are some of my favorites of the pups I’ve had the lovely opportunity to work with over the past few years! (I’m missing some photos from older galleries and I’m really sad about it.)

Save the Date websites you will love

As a wedding photographer, a very popular question I am asked is where to find trendy sites to make save the dates. There are so many amazing options out there and I want to go over a few of my favorites and share what I love most about them. These 4 sites stick out from the crowd and show great quality without breaking the bank.

Artifact uprising - First up is a site more for the modern and simplistic couples. They have absolutely perfected the minimalistic designs and have gorgeous foiled-stamp options. The save the dates are also made with 100% recycled paper. Artifact uprising has wonderful wedding invitation options as well, and by quickly browsing the site, you can see how many different photo gifts they have. You can do almost everything with this company which is why I love them so much.

Minted - By priding themselves on the personal touch of each design, Minted has a very large selection of trendy options to choose from. They offer free samples kits, free wedding websites, and free guest addressing. You have many options when working with them including foil-pressed, letter-pressed, and magnet save the dates. They also have a very large selection for wedding invitations, wedding menus, and every other wedding day paper need you can possibly think of.

Paper Culture - A great eco friendly option. Paper Culture is recognized by the EPA as a Top 10 Climate Leader, and are certified as a Green Business. They plant a tree with every order, use 100% recycled paper, and really shine as one of the top eco friendly options for prints.

Paperless Post - Go digital! Save paper completely by sending your save the dates and invitations online. The Paperless Post has pre-made designs and custom design options for your digital cards. They also have sophisticated tracking so you are able to see who has opened, who has RSVP’d, and you can even send a nudge to those who have not yet responded.

Questions to ask your wedding photographer

So, you are in the process of searching for a wedding photographer. You may have a few great photographers in mind and have several meetings set up, but are struggling with exactly what kind of questions to ask them. The first thing you should think about is how you want to remember your wedding day. Create a descriptive list of how you want your special day captured, such as the mood you want to feel and even write specific photos you may be looking forward to most. Do you see a trend in these? What, or who, are most of these photos of? This can help decide what you are really looking for in a photographer.

Here are a few starter questions you should ask your potential wedding photographer, which can help narrow down who is the right fit for you.

1. What is your style of photography? You should already know if the photographer has a similar style to what you are looking for, (light & airy, colorful, dark & moody, etc). Hearing how they describe their own style approach should also match what you are looking for, (Traditional, Artistic, Editorial, Documentary, Authentic etc).

2. Do you include a second photographer? I include a second photographer in every package I offer because I feel this is so important and 100% worth it.

3. Is additional hourly coverage available and what is the cost?

4. Is an engagement session included?

5. How many images will I receive and what is the turnaround time for the photos? Make sure you are actually okay with this turnaround time and see if you will be receiving any sneak peeks.

6. Are prints or an album included?

7. What is the emergency plan if you are not able to photograph the wedding? There should always be a back up plan. Unfortunately, emergencies happen and there should be a clear understanding and direct wording in the contract which states this information.

8. Have you ever shot at my venue? - If the answer is “yes,” ask them to send an example gallery so you can have an idea of what to expect. If the answer is “no,” ask to see a similar wedding they have shot.

9. What is the booking process? Make sure there is an official contract you are comfortable with.

10. Is there a deposit? When is final payment due?

These are a few technical questions to get you started with your meeting. You should also make sure to ask some personal questions and to see if you are comfortable around them and genuinely trust them. You will most likely spend more time with your photographer the day of your wedding then you will with your own spouse.