Like many brides-to-be, you've probably envisioned your wedding day or at least thought about it at some point in your life. Then it happens. You get engaged! You are likely filled with excitement and are overjoyed with words of congratulations from family and friends. Soon after people get word of the news, they start asking you when you'll be tying the knot. Suddenly, you realize you haven't thought about it. That's when it hits you. You have so much to do. Planning a wedding can seem overwhelming at first but with these tips, you'll soon be on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams!

1. Make the Announcement!

Let your family and friends know. They'll likely be just as excited as you are! Your parents and close family might want to find out from you before seeing the news on social media, but of course, every family dynamic is different. Relax and enjoy the moment for a little while. You may even want to celebrate the special occasion with a night out with friends or a weekend get-away with your new fiancé.

2. Pick a Date

You may already have an idea of when you want to get married, or maybe you have no idea at all. Most engagements last from 6 to 18 months. The first thing you'll want to consider is the season. Depending on where you live or where you plan to get married, season can be a big deciding factor when choosing your wedding date. Consider the weather during different times of the year, especially if any portion of your wedding is going to be outdoors. You'll also want to consider your schedules, as well as the schedules of close family and friends. Like many couples, you'll likely want to leave for your Honeymoon shortly after getting married so consider work and other obligations when choosing your wedding date. If you are on a budget, consider getting married off-season, or on a day other than Saturday. Often times wedding vendors will have reduced rates during these times. Once you've decided on a date, consider having an engagement session so you'll have some great images for your save-the dates. It's a great idea to start looking for a photographer early for this reason.

3. Consider Budget

Now is the time to draft up a wedding budget. Consider your personal monetary contribution, as well as contributions from family members. Once you have an estimate of the total budget, start breaking that number down into different categories. Since the reception takes up the largest portion of a wedding budget, you'll want to create a guest list to get an idea of how many people you plan to invite. That way, you'll be able to choose a venue that can accommodate the number of guests you'll have and you'll have a starting point for your caterer. It's also a good time to choose your wedding party. Below are percentages that the average wedding budget breaks down into:

Reception (Venue fees, catering, rentals, cake): 48%

Photography (Photography coverage, photographic prints, wedding albums, etc.): 12%

Apparel/Beauty (dress, tux rentals, accessories, shoes, jewelry, hair, make-up): 10%

Music (Band, DJ or other entertainment): 8%

Flowers (Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, ceremony décor, table centerpieces): 8%

Ceremony (Officiant, marriage license, other fees): 3%

Rings (Wedding bands): 3%

Gifts (Gifts for your wedding party and parents): 3%

Stationary (Save-the-dates, invitations, postage, guestbook, thank you cards): 3%

Transportation (Limo, guest shuttle, etc.): 2%

4. Research, Interview and Book Your Wedding Vendors

It's no surprise that the best wedding professionals book up quickly, often more than a year in advance! The first thing you should do is start visiting wedding venues and locations. Once you have a location secured, you'll want to book your wedding photographer soon after. For tips, visit our blog posts: Tips on How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer and Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer  

In conclusion, wedding planning can seems stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Tackle one task at a time and you'll soon have planned the wedding of your dreams!

Are you or someone you know getting married in New England? Check out our wedding gallery and get in touch with us today!

Chelsea and Christopher met in college through mutual friends — she went to Husson and he went to Maine Maritime Academy. The couple had their first date at Sunday River and enjoy many activities together, which include skiing, riding dirtbikes, snowmobiling and just enjoying the outdoors together. They also have two dogs.

Christopher proposed in May of 2015. He had just fixed his old truck and said he wanted to take a ride to the top of Streaked Mountain, which is a place they go often, as it has trails and a lovely view. It was the perfect place for a proposal and of course, Chelsea said yes! The couple plans to be married on June 25th, 2016 at the Farm on Worhley Pond in Peru, Maine.

Saturday, February 13th (the day of the engagement session) was one of the coldest days of the year. With temperatures barely reaching the tens, the wind chill made it even colder. A few weeks prior, Chelsea and Christopher had planned their engagement session at the Ice Castles with me. We decided to proceed with the session, despite the frigid weather and I'm really glad we did!

The Ice Castles in Lincoln, New Hampshire is made up of over 10,000 icicles. The Ice Castles are created by "growing" more than 5000 icicles each day that are then harvested and sculpted together. The new icicles are then drenched with freezing water, which fuses them to the formation. The process is repeated once or twice a day until large tunnels, archways and pathways are created. Development is continued throughout the winter and evolves into an ice masterpiece that is made up of a blend of an artistic eye and nature.

Thanks again, Chelsea and Christopher for braving such a cold day with me and being up for an adventure!

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If you are recently engaged and/or planning a wedding, more likely than not, you are overwhelmed by how many wedding vendors are available to you. A photographer, specifically, can be one of the most important people you hire for your wedding. In fact, you'll spend more time with your photographer than you will with any other person you hire for your wedding.

You want amazing photos, but there are so many choices. Where do you start? Today, I'll go over tips that will help you choose the perfect wedding photographer. No matter what kind of wedding you are planning, you should consider the following when making this important decision.

1. First things first: start searching right away!

The best wedding photographers book at least a year in advance so as soon as you pick a date for your wedding, start looking for your wedding photographer. There's nothing worse than finding a photography you absolutely love, only to hear that they have already booked your date.

2. It's all about style

When you're looking at a photographer's portfolio, take notice of the images -- are they dark and dramatic, or colorful and bright? Try to imagine your wedding and the style that comes to mind. For those unfamiliar with the different photography styles, most photographers will describe their style on their websites or you can ask them whether they focus on portraiture, candids (also called documentary or photojournalistic), fine art (which is focused on creative angles and images worthy of display) or a combination of these styles. According to Wedding Paper Divas, you consider how well they perform in different settings and environments. For example, if you're getting married on the beach, make sure the photographer is skilled in outdoor wedding photography.

Equally important, ask photographers you are interviewing if they will consider your ideas. How much creative control do you want to have? Some brides have lots of ideas they want to incorporate into their wedding, while others would rather leave all of that to the professional. Be sure to communicate your needs to the photographers you are talking to and make sure they are able to accommodate your wishes.

One last note on style: find a photographer who is able to create timeless images. Trends are fun but they come and go. Do you want to look back on your photos in 10 years and wonder what you were thinking? Enhancements such as selective color, texts, added images and heavy vignettes will date your photos and probably won't stand the test of time. Look for clean, colorful images that accurately reflect reality with no obvious editing effects.

3. Personality

I highly recommend meeting with the wedding photographer you plan on hiring whenever possible. If meeting is not possible, have a video call or Skype consultation with the photographer. You will undoubtedly spend more time with your wedding photographer than any other vendor so make sure personality-wise that you're a good fit. Some photographers are bold and take center stage wherever they go, while others quietly do their job while you barely notice they are even there. The best wedding photographers will remain unnoticed at times such as the ceremony but will also know how to direct people when necessary to ensure family and friends are present and look their best during the formals.

The more times you meet with your wedding photographer before the wedding, the more relaxed you will be in front of the camera. I suggest meeting with the photographer for an initial consultation/booking and also at least one more time before the wedding. This could be meeting at the venue or having an engagement session with the photographer.

4. Ask to see a full wedding album

When you meet your photographer, ask to see a full wedding album. This is important because photographers put only their best work on their websites. You want to make sure the photographer can photograph the entire wedding beautifully, not just a handful of images. It's even better if you get to see a couple different albums from different wedding venues. Ask the photographer if he or she will be the actual photographer who will photograph your wedding and be sure that the images you are looking at were taken by thatphotographer. Believe it or not, some photographers show sample albums filled with photos that they did not actually take. If the images don't match the ones you've seen on their website, move on.

When possible, hire a photographer that specializes in weddings. Have you ever heard the phrase: jack of all trades, master of none? The same applies for your wedding photographer. Many photographers shoot families, newborns, Seniors, maternity, etc. and while that is great, someone who specializes in weddings is going to be the most knowledgeable on how to make the best use of your time. They will always be in the right place at the right time. Wedding photographers will also be experienced in working with other professionals, such as wedding planners, officiants and day-of coordinators.

5. Does your wedding photographer network with other professionals?

You may be wondering why this is important. Consider this: something happens to your wedding photographer the day of your wedding and they are unable to be there. While no wedding photographer ever plans on not being able to photograph your wedding, knowing other professionals that could step in to take their place in the event of an emergency is essential. Do they have back-up? You are safest going with a photographer who will include a second photographer (a plus if they are also a wedding photographer). At the very least, you will have a photographer in the rare event something happens to your lead photographer.

6. Evaluate price!

Not all photographers are at the same skill and experience level. You can't expect the same quality from a $500 photographer than you would from a $5000 photographer. While it may be tempting to go with the most affordable option, remember that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. There are many ways you can save on other aspects of your wedding in order to afford a professional wedding photographer who you can trust to capture your special day. With that said, depending on your location, expect wedding photography coverage to start between $2500 and $3500. Engagement sessions, wedding albums and prints are often an additional cost. When in doubt, choose an adequate number of hours to ensure plenty of coverage on your wedding day.  It's better to have an hour of wiggle room in case something takes longer than expected. Plus, adding on hours after the fact can often cost you more.

7. Reviews and Testimonials

Be sure to do some research on photographers' reviews. While friends and family may recommend a photographer, it always good to read testimonials from actual couples who worked with the photographer. Good places to check for reviews are WeddingWire, The Knot and Google Plus (Google maps will also display reviews).

Finally, check out these Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer!

When I met these two a few months ago, I knew right away they had a special connection. I was so excited when they decided to do a winter engagement session at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Two Lights State Park was the perfect place for an engagement session. The land overlooks a rocky Maine coast and two historic lighthouses are the park's landmarks.

The freshly-fallen snow was perfect for this outdoor winter session. I loved how they braved the cold and hiking through the snow effortlessly! The couple also brought along their dog, Pogie, who made his appearances a couple of times. He seemed to really like the camera and even posed for me at one point!

I asked Mackenzie and Stewart to share a little about their relationship and engagement:

 How did you two meet?

We actually grew up in the same hometown as children and technically met in 2nd grade. We had a brief (3 weeks at best!) junior high romance that we love to laugh about now. We remained friends throughout the years and kept in contact with each other throughout our various life stages. After college we became close again as the summer months drew us back to our hometown in Midcoast Maine which is where we fell in love. 

What did you do on your first date?

We spent the day boating on the lake together basking in the sun followed by a romantic dinner. 

When and where did your engagement take place? Please describe the proposal.

Our engagement happened on July 26, 2014 and coincidentally resembles our first date in many ways, but with a lot more history and memories to fond over! We were at Mackenzie's family cottage on the lake spending a day with close friends. The day wound down and we were preparing to leave for dinner.

"Stewart swears that I brushed my hair for 2 hours inside the house as he awaited for me to join everyone outside. Once I rejoined the group, Stewart took my hand and asked me to go for a walk onto the dock. Surprise! Stewart got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said YES!  Of course, our friends were all in on the proposal and had champagne waiting for all of us to celebrate. It was my perfect proposal."

What are some activities or hobbies that you love doing together?

We love spending time with our dog, Pogie. We enjoy boating, hiking, camping, flying in Stewart's plane, traveling, exploring new places, bowling, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and many more activities.

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I'm looking forward to photographing the couple's wedding on September 10th, 2016 at the Falmouth Country Club.

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I had the honor of working again with the lovely and talented Autumn Wells of Autumn Bliss Photography. I already knew before the big day that Autumn and I make a great team. Earlier this year, Autumn had been my second shooter for Elizabeth and Jason's Rustic Farm Maine Wedding. This time, our roles would be reversed, as I would be second shooting for her. I admit that as much as I love shooting my own weddings, I really love second shooting too. It allows me to tell the story from a unique and creative perspective.

Rebecca and Daniel's wedding took place on Saturday, October 24th, 2015. I arrived at St. Mary's Church in Rollinsford, New Hampshire where the couple's wedding ceremony would take place and I began photographing family and friends as they arrived for the wedding. Rebecca and Daniel had a full mass, traditional Catholic wedding.

The wedding reception, which took place at the Portsmouth Country Club in Greenland, NH, was decorated beautifully with fall themed décor and dark blue accents, such as silk tablecloths. Even the DJ lighting matched the décor, as it glowed a deep blue throughout the dining room and dance floor. The wedding party ventured outside for formal portraits with a scenic fall backdrop. It was by far the chilliest wedding I've photographed all season (it is also the last wedding I will photograph in 2015).

After Rebecca and Daniel were announced into the reception for their Grand Entrance, everyone in attendance of the wedding gathered outside for a large group photo. Autumn and I took the photos from the second story balcony. When everyone was back in the dining room, the couple shared their first dance and heartfelt toasts were given by the best man and maid of honor. The rest of the evening, the couple and their guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and an overall wonderful evening of celebration.

Autumn Bliss Photography and Trina Dinnar Photography are Maine wedding photographers traveling throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond!

Credit: Autumn Bliss Photography

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