Note: I originally wrote about this topic in my blog post about Wedding Trends in September of 2015.

I remember the first time I saw a "wedding hashtag" used during a 2015 wedding I photographed. I found myself wondering how trends of this nature would stand the test of time. After all, social media isn't what it was five years ago, and it likely won't be the same five years from now. Just like social media trends, wedding trends are ever-evolving. What's "in" this year might be considered outdated in a couple of years. So, which trends will stand the test of time? With my experience photographing more than a dozen weddings each year, I'm going to share the current wedding trends that may not always be "in" but will nevertheless remain timeless.

1. First Look

Nowadays, couples are seeing each other before the ceremony with a new tradition called a "first look." Typically, the bride and groom will get ready separately but will meet before the ceremony to share a private moment together. Many times this intimate moment is photographed. A great benefit of having a first look is that many of the formal wedding portraits can be taken before the ceremony. This allows the couple and their wedding party to spend more time enjoying the reception.

I don't see this trend becoming outdated any time soon. In fact, I see it becoming increasingly popular. I've never once heard of a couple who regretted having a first look and every couple that I have worked with was really glad they had that extra time to relax on the big day.

2. Signature Drink

Everyone seems to gather around the bar at weddings, so it's no wonder that modern couples are giving their guests a memorable experience by creating a signature drink to be served at their receptions. A signature drink is usually a unique alcoholic beverage because it takes a known drink and puts a twist on it. The twist can be in the ingredients, garnish, or both. The drink is typically given a name that has personal meaning to the couple. At one of the weddings I photographed, the couple combined their last names to create the name of their signature drink. The possibilities to get creative are endless and guests seem to really enjoy the personalized touch.

3. Love Letters

One of the lesser-known wedding trends I've seen is when the bride and groom each write a letter or love note to one another. The letters are usually sealed in an envelope, only to be opened just prior to the ceremony. I think it's a great time to sit and take a quiet moment to read the other person's thoughts. Often times, the moment just before the ceremony is the most nerve-racking time of the day and simply getting those last-minute words of affection can be the perfect thing to ease those nerves. It can even be fun to photograph these moments so that the bride and groom can look back on them together.

4. Photo Displays

Brides and grooms are personalizing their weddings now more than ever. I've seen framed photos hanging off ceremony chairs. I've also seen many wedding receptions where couples create photo collages, or display framed photos of themselves throughout their relationship. Tables dedicated to showing off these photo displays are becoming increasingly popular and I don't see this trend getting old anytime soon. It adds a personalized touch that wedding guests seem to really enjoy.

5. The Shoe Game

I'm seeing less garter and bouquet tosses and more fun, interactive games at wedding receptions. Particularly popular over the last few years is the Shoe Game — a game in which the bride and groom sit back to back, holding one shoe of their own and one shoe of their spouse's. An announcer will make a statement or question such as "who is the worst driver?" Then, the bride and groom each hold up the shoe of the person they think fits the statement given. It's a great game that gets everyone laughing! The shoe game is particularly popular during outdoor weddings, or weddings with rustic themes.

6. The Anniversary Dance

The anniversary dance is a special dance honoring married couples at wedding receptions. All married couples are called to the dance floor. The DJ announces that all couples who have been married less than a certain number of years must leave the dance floor. Years are continued to be called throughout the song until the couple who has been married the longest is the last couple dancing. Sometimes, the couple who has been married the longest is asked to give the newlyweds marriage advice.

No matter how many weddings I photograph, the anniversary dance is always one of my favorite modern traditions. It's amazing to see all of the couples who have been married twenty, forty or even sixty years!

___________________________________________

Times may be changing, but couples can make informed decisions about aspects of their weddings and how they will be seen five, ten or even fifty years from now. Regardless of how trendy or timeless the details of a wedding may be, a memorable, fun experience that everyone can enjoy is something that will always stand the test of time.

If you or someone you know is looking for a wedding photographer, visit our Maine wedding photography site to learn more!

Unlike other genre's of photography, like family or Senior portraits, wedding photography involves capturing moments that can never be recreated. It is for that reason that wedding photographers should ensure that they not only have the right gear to do the job, but that they also have backup gear. While some photography gear may be optional, there are many widely agreed upon items that wedding photographers should use to ensure the best results on this once in a lifetime occasion.

1. Two Cameras

Every wedding photographer should have a full frame camera and a back-up camera that is preferably full frame. Full frame cameras differ from crop sensor cameras in that they are notable sharper, render color better, and they actually capture more of any given scene. The term "crop sensor" means that the sensor of the camera crops out some of the image. These cameras tend to be entry-level and while they are okay for a backup camera, I highly recommend any photographer shooting weddings uses at least one full frame camera.

2. Fast Lenses that Cover Various Focal Lengths

Let's face it. There's not one lens that can do everything. From wide angle to telephoto to macro, lenses cover focal lengths in various ranges. Wedding photographers should have lenses that cover wide angle, such as 24mm or 35mm (or even wider). They should also be able to cover mid-range focal lengths, like 50mm. Another focal length that should be covered is the portrait focal length. I consider that range to be 70-200mm. Another type of lens to consider is a quality macro lens.

Aside from focal lengths, there's another thing to consider: fast lenses. What is a fast lens? A fast lens is one that can handle shooting in low-light conditions and is capable of shooting at a wide aperture, such as 2.8 or less. Prime lenses are a great example of fast lenses because many of them open up to 1.8, 1.4 or even 1.2. Prime lenses are excellent for low light situations, especially ones in which flash is not allowed (such as some churches). Not all zooms are created equal. Some zooms only open up to f/4, while the fastest zooms open up to f/2.8. While a zoom with a widest aperture of f/4 may perform well in optimal lighting conditions, wedding photographers will want to invest in fast zooms so that they are prepared for any lighting situation.

Wedding photographers should also be prepared by having back-up lenses. No piece of equipment will last forever and photographers need to be prepared in case of breakage or a malfunction during a wedding.

3. Multiple Flashes

I'm a big fan of using natural light whenever possible. However, there are certain times where flash is a must! A wedding photographer should not only have flashes but know how to use them. You never know when a lighting situation will be less than ideal and by having flashes ready to go, wedding photographers can create beautiful images in any lighting scenario.

4. Accessories

There are lots of accessories wedding photographers should have on hand but the most important accessories are memory cards and charged batteries. Not only do memory cards fill up, there is also a small chance that they can become corrupt. This is a wedding photographer's worst scenario. I highly recommend carrying several empty, formatted memory cards during a wedding.

As for batteries, wedding photographers should have at least one backup camera battery per camera. The batteries should be fully charged. Wedding photographers also need to carry lots of charged batteries for flashes and other accessories.

Of course there are many other accessories wedding photographers use at weddings including flash modifier, flash gels, light stands, tripods, etc. These types of accessories can vary, depending on the photographer's shooting style.

________________________________________

What's in my bag?

·         (2)  Nikon D700 full frame cameras

·         Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 with VC

·         Nikon 85mm f/1.8

·         Nikon 50mm f/1.8

·         Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 with VC

·         Sigma 35mm f/1.4

·         (2) Nikon SB700 flashes

·         Flash triggers

·         (15+) Charged flash batteries

·         (6) Charged Camera Batteries

·         (5) 32GB Memory Cards (Empty and Formatted)

·         Flash Modifiers: gels, diffusers, etc.

My most used wedding photography gear.

Wedding Photographers: What's in your bag? Please share below!

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!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

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!