top 10 2017 | the winners!
top 10 2017 | the winners!

Hey hey, the people have spoken and here are the winners for this years contests.

Movie: I feel better about making these two clean up popcorn off a movie theater floor now that I know their image won.

Rope: Ann & Tonya’s nautical themed wedding was the perfect backdrop for their ring shot.

Anna Caroline was one of the sweetest brides I’ve had in years. So happy she won.

Gummy: How could anyone beat gummy bears raining down form the heavens?

Bear: I mean…. was this category ever in doubt?

Kally & Kishan: This casual walk after the ceremony was so organic and natural. Sometimes the moment finds your camera and all you have to do is click.

Each year it’s so hard for me to narrow down the categories and pick only 10 photos per section. Here are 100 more of my favorite images that were not able to make the cut into the top 10.

Lots and lots of eye candy below. Enjoy.

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top 10 2016 | the winners!
top 10 2016 | the winners!

Hey hey, the people have spoken and here are the winners for this years contests.

1. Cassi & Justin: I love how competitive these two are. I also love how Justin beat her at basically every contest they had that day.

2. Rings: Erin & Aaron
This little catchphrase these two had is my favorite. They worked it into their vows and my wife and I have since worked it into our lexicon as well.

3. Bridal: Rebekah
Rebekah was a stunning bride and so so full of joy. So easy to photograph.

4. Mug Machine: Circle of Life.
I’ve been doing The Mug Machine for 7 years. I’ve never seen anyone come up with this.

5. Random: $100
Grandparents are the best. Full stop.

6. Wedding: Katherine & Josh
How amazing is it that these two had a Texas wedding in December where it was like 70 degrees and it managed to snow?

Each year it’s so hard for me to narrow down the categories and pick only 10 photos per section. Here are 100 more of my favorite images that were not able to make the cut into the top 10.

Lots and lots of eye candy below. Enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who voted and a HUGE thanks to all my 2016 couples. You guys are super generous to allow me into your lives on these intimate days. You are the best.

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La Tee Da Flowers (Guest Post)
La Tee Da Flowers (Guest Post)

One of my favorite things to hear from a bride is “La Tee Da is doing out flowers.”  This assures me there will be many many MANY pretty things to photograph on the wedding day.  :)  Barbara and her team are not only super talented but also some of the sweetest people I know.  When I asked her if she would be willing to guest post she said yes and I I LOVE all the knowledge bombs she wrote up.  Get ready to be schooled in the world of pedals and all things floral.  But before we get to it…  How about enjoying some of her amazing work!

Parts are parts? 

Do you remember the commercial where the disgruntled, messy chickens were flying down the road in an old beat up car? They wanted to become Foster Farm chickens…you know…the excellent chickens. Those goofy birds finally got it – you can fluff them up all you want but they are still messy, skinny ole birds!!

Flowers are not just flowers! They have so many variables to them, so many grades. I remember when guys would come into the flower shop asking for a dozen long stem roses. Little did they know, a long stem rose is really only a second grade rose. Roses come in many lengths and with each come different head sizes. The longer the rose stem, the bigger, fuller and prettier a rose head can be. For example, a rose can be purchased in 40, 50, 60, 70 and even 80 centimeters. The “long stem” rose is about a 50 cm rose so you can see there are usually three sizes that are bigger and fuller. The other grading system is medium, long, fancy and extra fancy. So, you can see the “long stem” rose isn’t really such a big deal!! I usually explain this to my brides by making another comparison – take for example jeans. You can buy a pair from Walmart for say $15.00 and you can buy  a pair of Miss Me for $100.00 (yes, I know there are a lot that are even more expensive) Now, they are both jeans….both have two legs, both are denim, both have pockets, both have a zipper, both can be worn to the movies but you sure wouldn’t say they are the same!! Well, the same can be said for flowers ….just because someone says…I can make a bridal bouquet of all red roses for $100.00 doesn’t mean there is going to be any comparison to a spectacular high grade rose. On the surface it’s easy to be fooled but get the two in front of you and I assure you, you’ll pick the better one! The problem lies in a bride and her mom picking out that one of a kind bouquet not knowing the right questions to ask. You see, a florist never says, “Well, it will be made with 36 Ecuadorian, 70 to 80 cm all white roses. The variety will be Polar Star.” They just say, “It will be an all white rose bouquet.”  Then they can show up with whatever they want much to your chagrin! Now, you might say “I don’t even want roses” well, ALL flowers are selected and graded. There are florist grade and supermarket grade. There are always variables to each and every flower.

That leads me on another topic….colors are not just colors! Red is not just red, there is red to the orange side and red to the blue side! For example, tomatoes and blood red – you can imagine there are lots of shades of red in between. White can be to the yellow side or green, purple can be to the pink or blue sides! All the colors are not the  same….all the varieties are not the same…all the qualities are not the same….Parts are not parts in chickens or flowers!

Fake flowers are just that….FAKE!

To many times a bride gets her hopes up on a particular flower that maybe she saw in a local craft shop. She’ll come in with a few plastic or silk flowers and think we can provide her with them in real flowers only to be disappointed. In the days of Google images, it’s so easy to see if the flowers you prefer come in the colors you want. Check it out…it’s a great tool!

Magazines and blogs are giving brides unrealistic visions of color! To many times the editor or blogger is enhancing the color to “make it prettier” or more with today’s trend. Some (of course not AlexM…lol) photographers are “color correcting” and this changes the color as well as the expectation of the bride.

Brides….did you know that the groom has responsibility in paying for some of the flowers? Grooms and/or their parents are responsible to pay for the brides bouquet, the portrait bouquet, all the men’s boutonnieres and the mother’s and grandmother’s corsages or posy’s. Ask the florist to separate  the flower totals and make two copies of the contract so one can be presented to the groom. It will take you out of the equation and give credence to asking them to pay for their part.

When consulting with a florist, make sure you find one that has pictures of their own work and will guide you through the decision making process. I do my best to make sure to capture each and every brides vision of their day as each is as unique and special as every bride. So much of the time I see a bride come in for her last meeting with me and she’s exhausted and “just can’t wait for it to be over with!” Remember to ask for help, hire the very best professionals, let go of a few of the decisions and take time to relax and enjoy the best day of your life!

Wishing you a happily ever after!
Barbara | La Tee Da


Didn’t I tell you she was awesome? :)
Still wanna see more?  Take a look at all the “La Tee Da Weddings” I’ve photographed the past few years.

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Jena & Chris | Elmwood Gardens Wedding Photographer
Jena & Chris | Elmwood Gardens Wedding Photographer

If I could have 1 wish for Sara’s wedding day it would be that she laughed and smiled as much as Jena did.  You guys were amazing.  Thanks for sharing your day with me.

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2010 September Rewind
2010 September Rewind

Last September was an insanely fun month.  I had 2 weddings, 1 engagement session and my first Rock the Frock day after session.  OH, and we also went to DisneyWorld.  :)  A HUGE happy 1 year to Jamie & Steven along with Jessica & Rob.  You guys were some of my favorites couples form last year.

I figure you wanna see a few photos but then the main reason you are hear is to watch our home movie from the trip. :)

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