Almost Vendors-Photogs

I thought I would post about some of the vendors that I don't think I ever mentioned as possibilities. I ultimately decided not to go with these wonderful companies, but wanted to mention them as a way to help anyone in the area who may be on the search for terrific vendors that may or may not be as heavily advertised or talked about quite yet.

I'll start with photographers since photography was the very first thing that I started obsessing over (long before I ever even imagined a diamond on this finger).

photo: Lyndsay Undseth

1. True Love Photo- Great prices, great shots (she is a pro at getting expressive pics). I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Beth. Oh, and you have to check out her slideshows! The photos are amazing-but the songs. Oh the songs!

2. Wendy Hithe Photography-one of my friends from law school is using Wendy for her wedding this month. She is also in Sacramento. I really do love her work. Classic and rich photos.
3. Lyndsay Undseth photography- Great photographer with great packages. She does a lot of weddings from Tahoe to SF.

4. Lydell Photography- Their photos have a dreamy feel. They were incredibly responsive to my emails and seemed really eager to help out with anything. I loved them but didn't love their price!

Of course we ultimately decided to go with Terra. For me, it was a really easy decision. But with anything I decide on, I like to do my research and thought I'd share!

Talking Terra Tabbytosavit

We have a photographer! I have so much to say about Terra Tabbytosavit, but I thought I'd introduce her by allowing her images to speak for themselves. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have found such an incredible person to capture our wedding day!

I'm in love with-a-pic-ture

Southern Weddings posted some images from A Bryan Photo today, a blog I had never been to! Let's just say I've been right clicking+saving photos to my wedding file for the past hour. I'm convinced I belong in the south. Just about every single wedding inspired me. This particular wedding made me so happy.



This shot is just plain amazing. The light. The dresses. The hair. The glance back from the bride. Superb!

I love how fresh and vibrant this bride was on her big day.

So in love with these shots!

As Seen in Cincinnati

I have to admit that I was starting to feel a little uninspired browsing through wedding stuff. But suddenly this week it's like I've been hit over the head with amazingly inspirational weddings. Exhibit A: Ross & Mackenzie's wedding in Ohio, shot by the uber talented Megan W of
m e g a n w p h o t o g r a p h y.

Check out the shoes! There's another reason Megan refers to this couple as the "shoe couple"

This wedding was like a breath of fresh air. Check out her little veil, the colors, the florals, the personality-it all goes so well. A little vintage, a little Americana, but nothing over the top. Of course it doesn't hurt that this is an adorable couple, but I seriously feel such joy when you can tell that a photographer has literally captured the essence of two people through the images of their day.

I've never met Mackenzie, but I feel like her personality resonates in every photo. Her hair totally fits, her dress looks perfect. The bms? Ok-so now I'm gushing. But really, check out Megan's blog because she has SO many great photos posted of this beautiful day.

No doubt this shot made the bride's heart melt!


Love the color combo!

These groom shots get to me every time!


Oh how I love a boy in a ball cap. All of the groomsmen had caps embroidered with their names and the wedding date. Currently thinking of stealing this idea....Oh! And check out the giant red balloons in the background. Loving that.

Perfection!

Thank you Megan for sharing these gorgeous photographs! Hope you all enjoy them as much as I have!

Sharing the Love of Photo

I saw this idea on Lindsey Undseth's blog and thought it was awesome. They are event cards that are passed out during the reception so that everyone knows where to go to see your photos. The photographer supplies them in the hopes that people will order photos of the event from her. She even designs them with the theme of your event in mind. This is something I would LOVE to do. And of course it's a great way to utilize those engagement photos.

story.telling.gabriel.ryan.photographers.

So I know him as Gabe. We went to the same high school, I graduated the same year as his sister, Ashley and my little brother was good friends with his youngest sister, Courtney Nicole.

This is a day after shot of Gabriel and his wife Carlie. Check out their session here. Aren't they adorable?

When Courtney passed away after a long hard-fought battle with leukemia, I found myself reading a blog that was written by her mother. I read that Gabe was getting married and that lead me to Jasmine Star's photoblog. Gabriel's engagement shots with his beautiful bride Carlie were literally like nothing I had ever seen. And with that, photoblog stalking began.

Fast forward over a year later-- Gabe is now a full time photographer himself. He and Carlie make an amazing team, striking the perfect balance between epic photographs and detail shots. Their photos are full of life, color and depth.

Gabriel's blog entries insist on telling each couple's story, which is something I love in a photography blog. I have no doubt that great things await this power couple.
Gabriel is located in southern California and I've seen a few couples who I know which is always fun!


Definitely check out his stuff.

A Sight to See

It's no secret that one of my biggest priorities on my wedding day is the photos. I have been addicted to wedding photo blogs for years, long before I ever even dreamed of planning a wedding. There is something about those still shots that can turn even an ordinary moment into something breathtaking.

you can't beat the look on this groom's face as he sees his bride for the first time (photo: Becker's Blog)

Over these last two years it has become apparent that most photographers greatly appreciate couples who opt to see each other before the wedding ceremony. It allows for more time for photos and can also make use of great lighting. I have always been prepared to see DF before we exchange vows, but I'm not so sure what he will think about that idea since he seems to be Mr. Traditional all of a sudden!

A friend of ours who recently got married told me that the best decision she made was to not see her groom before she walked down the aisle. She admitted that the moment their eyes met as she stood at the opposite end of the asile was one of the best moments of the entire evening. Her reflection got me to thinking: do I want that moment?

I love this one! Photo: Jessica Claire

Is this series not unbelievable? Photo: Jessica Claire

These days photographers are very aware of that "moment" --many of them make sure to capture that moment in time, even if it takes place well before the whole aisle situation. I think if we did it right, it would still be an amazing moment. I would love to have both the photog and the second shooter ready to capture both our expressions as we see each other for the very first time!

A pre-ceremony reveal caught on camera by Jasmine Star

Any thoughts on breaking with tradition for the sake of photography?

Finding a Photog

My, my, my. I can't believe the time has finally come for me to start looking for a photographer for my own wedding. Over a year ago I became addicted to a couple photographer's blogs. I randomly found Jasmine Star in the OC. I literally fell in love with her work and really started to appreciate the art of wedding photography. Her blog led me to other famous OC wedding photogs. What I loved about Jasmine was her insistence on connecting with each couple, her ability to get the back story, and her passion for telling that story through photographs. But what I love most are her engagement shots. They are gorgeous.

But, alas, she is in the OC, is extremely popular these days, and well, is just too cool for me! As much as I appreciate the style of work that has become so popular these days (read: edgy), I just don't think that style truly reflects the personality of myself and my DF. So here I am, left searching for a style, and a photog that will accurately reflect our own simple needs.

Anyone who knows me knows that I take an exorbitant amount of pictures at any given event, holiday, road trip--you name it. My DF on the other hand, would be totally content if no pictures were taken. Thus, I need a photographer who is capable of dealing with Mr. Camera Shy.

I have stayed up too late for the past few nights looking through the portfolios of many a photog. I have found a handful that have caught my eye...

The first photographer I found was Holly Istas I thought her shots were uber romantic and really quite beautiful. She is on the higher end of my budget but everytime I see her images I see myself in them. She has also shot at the venue that we are hoping for....

Next is Andrea Price

She was a "preferred vendor" of the venue we like and I think her work is timeless and brilliant. She is also on the higher end of the budget and it looks like we would have to pay extra to get a DVD of the hi res images (something I really want). She doesn't have a blog, but check out her images of my dream venue: Taber Ranch Images


The other top contender is Terra Tabbytosavit

She is new, fresh and in my opinion, full of potential! She reminds me of the OC photogs that I love but doesn't seem too over the top with the whole edgy thing. I had the opportunity to speak with her on the phone this morning and she seems incredibly passionate, professional and eager. Again, I can see myself in her images. Her package is by FAR the most reasonable- I would be getting everything I want: engagement session, full wedding day coverage with a second shooter, a hi-res DVD of all images and an incredibly sleek magazine style album-all within my budget.


There are about a million more photogs that I LOVE-but price is a huge issue so I'm trying to find someone who can meet all of my needs. Have I found the one? I'm still not sure. Luckily I have plenty of time to decide!