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This post is a little different than our normal Real Wedding posts. Allan Williams Photography wanted to share some first look images of three couples along with some great information about these moments.

From Allan Williams Photography: Your wedding day is a truly amazing experience and Susan and I are honored to be there to capture every minute of it! We thought we might use this blog to talk about a few wedding traditions that have become very popular with our brides and grooms over the last few years. For brides and grooms, wedding day can sometimes feel like they are walking a fine-line between a great celebration that is for everyone, but it may also feel so public that they are not able to have just a few private moments to connect with each other. This is where your photographer can provide you a couple options that may be a true oasis, as well as where you can create a few of your most treasured wedding day memories.

Oasis number one is the “First Look” and it is a very personal decision for each couple. It’s often a time where couples just melt into each others arms in total silence, or shed tears of joy, the groom often spins his bride around to take in her full beauty, but for each couple it is always a very special time. Our approach is to pick a private spot with you and then position the groom where the bride can make her entry without being seen. We just hang back and let each bride control when her groom will see her. Some brides just can’t wait and call out immediately for him to turn around, while other use a simple tap on the shoulder, hug from behind, or even a kiss. Again this is a very private moment so we use our most powerful lenses so that we are far away. We don’t pose or orchestrate your first look…..your moment is much more important than pictures. For most couples this can be a very special use of 3-5 minutes that will never be forgotten!

From a photographers and wedding planners standpoint the first look is great. Once you have seen each other we can immediately start having fun with your couples portraits, as well as the full bridal party images. With those completed all that remains following the ceremony typically is any extended family portraits. This can be a huge help for venues with strict timelines, and can help greatly with outdoor ceremonies where darkness may fall quickly after the ceremony. If you decide the seeing each other is not right for you, we fully support that as well. In that case we just help you plan a little more time for group images as well as a timeline following the ceremony to create some great couples images. We often get asked by couples if the first look takes away from that walk down the isle and the anticipation. It’s been our experience that it does not…and in-fact we have even seen it help couples connect better as the bride walks down the isle. Regardless of whether a couple has seen each other there is just something magical that happens the second a bride first comes down the isle on the arm of her father or loved one…..somehow all the air momentarily leaves the venue…especially in the area surrounding the adoring groom!

The second little oasis is call the “Two Minute Rule.” All the images in this blog came from moments during couple celebrating their two minute rules, and interestedly 2 of the 3 couples did not opt for first looks. We did not invent this tradition but we highly recommend it to couples! The two minute rule is simply a matter of using that awkward few moments immediately following the ceremony, when a couple is typically only waiting for the rest of the bridal party/families to walk back up the isle. We simply have our couples head to the base of a beautiful tree, or a cool shady corner outside for this private moment of celebration. Many couples talk about the nerves and awkwardness of being on the alter that can make everything somewhat of a blur, or that they often did not have a moment to themselves until they left the reception hours later. This is such a wonderful time where the bridal party and family all know that the couple has chosen to grab this moment together. Everybody hangs back with us taking it all in while we wait for the ecstatic couple to wave their white flag and rush towards all the waiting hugs, kisses, and handshakes, actually several hundred! Again from a photographers prospective, we love the two minute rule! We do not pose the pictures but the emotions and joy are just so honest that these often become a couples favorites wedding images.

Hope this short discussion of “First Look” and “Two Minute Rule” has answered a few questions as you plan your big day. In our work we find that about 75% of our couples choose to do first looks, but about 95% welcome the idea of the two minute rule. These simple traditions may be worth considering as tools that may help you relax and enjoy your wedding day to the fullest!

Congratulations and Enjoy! Allan & Susan

Loving all of this pretty inspiration this AM! This Engagement Session was sent over by Greenville, SC Studio member Red Apple Tree Photography. I adore the soft feel of the images, the couple is adorable, and the bride-to-be’s makeup is perfection!

From Red Apple Tree Photography: Laura and Jon are getting married in the Dominican Republic in June but before they head out to tropical paradise they wanted to capture the essence of what is them with an intimate downtown Greenville engagement session. They are both a down to earth, cool couple who appreciate art, music, fashion, and coffee! We had a blast capturing their special bond and wish them all the very best on their upcoming wedding! Read more…

I hope you have fully recovered from your Easter basket. Fortunately, my sweet hubby knows me all too well so he knew that the last thing I wanted in our kitchen was a basket full candy. We spent the day together just being thankful for one another and catching up on a few things. I’m sure you’re dieing to know more about this adorably talented couple so let me share what A Darling Day sent over about this couple and the engagement session.

From A Darling Day: I first met Matt and Erin last fall, and I immediately hoped to be their wedding photographer. We met for a coffee, and the next thing I knew two hours had passed. They are both music teachers; Matt teaches percussion and Erin teaches violin. I was smitten. Read more…

If you’ve been anywhere on the net, hello pinterest, you know how big nail art is right now. Infact, it’s so popular that E! News had a mani cam on the red carpet of the Oscars so we could see what all the stars are wearing on their digits. So if you’re one of those girls who love a good unique polish, here’s a few ideas for you. Read more…

Another super simple but BIG impact DIY today! I’ve always loved this rug from Design Within Reach and immediately thought of it when I saw this pretty handwritten ceremony backdrop. It’s a great way to incorporate your favorite love quotes, poems, or even your vows into your day. Read more…

Yes, that was a N Sync reference up there in the title. Now we’ve all got it stuck in our heads. You can quack your hand at people in rush hour while you jam out to it on your way home. I know, I’m cruel. I’m about to make up for it though. If you and your sweetie want to do a little something special during the ceremony to symbolize your union but don’t want to go the traditional unity candle route, consider a few of these ideas!

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Happy Friday lovlies! I hope that you got treated like the sweeties you are yesterday and that you gave a little sweetness in return. Hubby surprised me Wednesday night with dinner at a sweet little restaurant and then a performance at the Tennessee Theater.  We’re not usually big Valentines day celebrators but this year it did give us an excuse to treat ourselves to some yummy food and the performance just happened to fall the day before. For those of you who got something a little sparkly yesterday, Congratulations! We can’t wait to help you with your big day!

Now on with the DIY! What I love most about this project is that it’s so easy to customize, it makes a bit impact, and you can use some recycled supplies! Read more…

Happy Tuesday lovely brides!

The Wedding 101 gals have decided to dedicate the whole week to celebrating Valentines!  While Amy and Ashley #1 were away, Tiffany and I (Ashley #2) were so excited about Valentine’s Day that we decided to get crafty. We had a blast playing with glitter and roses! Tiffany found this awesome activity in a magazine and saved it just the this romantic holiday, Valentines! So, in the spirit of love and all things fabulous, I am dedicating today’s blog to DIY glitter roses!
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There is an old wives tale that says it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day. I speak with many brides and most of them don’t necessarily feel the same way! There are so many things that can be affected by just a little bit of rain. One of those things brides always think about is the photographs. I say throw caution to the wind and just go with it! A great photographer can capture beautiful photos in almost any condition. Here are a few examples: Read more…

Happy Monday to you ladies and gents! We’ve got yet another fabulous Real Wedding for you today. Hailey of Hailey Rahm Photography sent this over to share. I love that they use paper lanterns even in the daytime. That pop of color really adds to a simple space. Think outside of the box when considering your decor options. You never know where it may lead you.

From Hailey: After taking engagement pictures for Derrick and Emma I couldn’t wait to be a part of their wedding day!  Love and joy just overflowed from this sweet couple and as they were surrounded by friends and family in the gorgeous Snohomish, Washington valley. I found that everyone was impacted by their love and joy…we were all smiling ear to ear the whole day!  We were blessed with a sunny day and the details of Derrick and Emma’s wedding complimented the natural, simple yet stunning location.  Emma did most of the planning herself and with help from her family and friends they all put together a beautiful celebration! Read more…