Tag: engagementideas

Engagement Sessions — Why do you need one?

jpalinphotography

An engagement session may seem like an unnecessary part of your wedding package, but believe me, you need one! Engagement sessions have many benefits and you won’t regret it! Some of the reasons why you need this session are below.

  • Cameras Aren’t so Scary – Most people aren’t used to a camera or having their pictures taken professionally (I know I’m not — I enjoy being behind that camera!). An engagement session gives you a chance to get in front of that camera and get comfortable!
  • Getting to Know Your Photographer (Me!) – The engagement session gives you a moment to get to know your photographer. Sure you’ve seen the portfolio (or I hope you have!) but actually getting to be around the photographer and seeing how they work is a HUGE necessity.
  • Announcement Pictures – Use these pictures for your save the dates or to officially announce your engagement/wedding.
  • Celebrate You and Your Loved One! – This session gives you time to just enjoy one another and capture those moments in the process. Do you honestly need another reason then to just love on one another?
  • Authentic Photographs – Since this session is done in clothes you wear in a place that is familiar with you, some times couples feel their engagement photos are more authentic. Include your pets, items that have meaning (vehicles), or just go to a special place that has meaning, that is what these sessions are all about.

Most of my wedding packages include an engagement session just for these reasons! I enjoy capturing these moments and sharing them with my couples. Going to places or including items that have meaning is what makes these sessions so much fun! I try to have a quick turnaround on these sessions so you can use the photographs in your wedding day, save the dates, announcements on whatever platform you choose, wedding websites, and so much more! These are your photographs to enjoy and use!

I look forward to talking with you about your big day!

  • Engagement Session
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  • Engagement Session
  • Engagement Session
  • Engagement Session
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Top 10 Things to do When You Get Engaged!

jpalinphotography

Hi there! Did you just get engaged? Are you confused on where to start? What to do next? Is your family BOMBARDING you with a million questions?

Well let’s take you through my Top 10 things to do when you get engaged to hopefully set you on the right path to an easy, stress free, and enjoyable wedding planning journey!

  1. ENJOY! – Seriously, just enjoy this time! Tell the Nosey Aunt that she’ll get an invite (if you want to invite her) and that you and your fiancé are enjoying being engaged.
  2. Pick a season you want to get married in – I’m not saying pick your date, let’s start broad and work our way down to solidifying a date. Pick a 3 month span that you love. I’m talking temperature, atmosphere, flowers, etc. This will allow you to get ideas for my later points!
  3. Get your theme on! – Whether it is just the colors or a whole theme to your wedding, try to pick theme of sorts to tie your wedding together. I’ve seen rainbow, country, classic, succulent, the list honestly goes on – There is no right or wrong theme to your wonderful day!
  4. Choose your Wedding Party – Honestly, I had a blast with this when we got engaged. This is your time to have some fun and ask friend/family to be a special part of your big day! Don’t stress over this though – You have in your wedding party who you want
  5. Pick a Venue – This is probably one of the most key items on this list. Why might you ask? Isn’t the date the biggest item on the list? My answer to that is no, the venue is. Above we picked a 3-month span that you wanted your wedding held in Right? So let’s find a venue now and see the open dates they have! This takes the stress around planning on a certain date and not booking the venue you want.
  6. Choose your Date – Now that you’ve seen what the venue has for openings, let’s choose that date. Of course if there is a special day in your mind that you want to plan around – by all means — DO IT! Again, there is no right or wrong order here.
  7. Book your photographer – Spots fill it VERY quickly! You want to get on booking your photographer ASAP! Check out my page on our Wedding and Videography packages to book with me! https://jpalinphotography.com/pricing/wedding-packages/ and https://jpalinphotography.com/pricing/videography/
  8. Let’s talk FOOD – Whether you choose a caterer or an old fashion family BBQ, it is always a good idea to start planning your food for not only your wedding day but wedding weekend.
  9. Save the Dates – Since you’ve booked your photographer (hopefully with me because let’s face it — We’ll have fun!), get an engagement session in so you can send out your save the dates. Save the dates usually go out (roughly) 6 months before your big day or at the very latest 3 months. You want to be sure to give your guests enough time to plan travel and to take time off of work.
  10. Invites – Get those invites out! Invites at the very latest should go out a month before your wedding day. Again, have fun with these and don’t stress! I’ve seen everything from an email invite to quite the elaborate ones! Don’t forget that RSVP card in there though! That helps to give you an idea of seating and how much food is needed.

*BONUS* Decorations – One of the reasons I had you pick a theme so early is so you could watch for your colors/themed items to go on sale! Weddings are expensive enough, try to save money where you can! Check back later on, and I’ll have a blog on some of the best deals you can find and where to find them for you day!

I hope you enjoyed my Top 10 Things You can do When You Get Engaged! Most importantly (and I think I said it probably a few too many times above) have fun and enjoy this time!