In honor of the most popular month of the year to get engaged (woohoo, December!!), I thought it would be fun to do a roundup of a few helpful blog posts for the newly engaged I’ve written over the years.

I started writing blog posts for brides a few years ago when I decided I would always be a photographer who valued the experience my brides had just as much as the images they received. I know that if this was going to be my full time job, I didn’t want to just show up and take photos — there was no value in that for me. It needed to be about something deeper.

After all, I love this job. Not because I get to take photos of pretty things, or because I’ve gotten to travel all over the country, or even because I get to eat cake at the end of every work day!

Although, believe me, those are definitely great perks! ;)

No, I love this job because I get to serve the best couples in the world on one of the most important days of their lives. And, one of the most important ways I do this is surprisingly not by just taking great photos.

Don’t get me wrong: great photos are definitely the end goal. However, my overarching desire on top of that goal is to make my couples’ days EASY and STRESS FREE. To encourage their marriage, calm their worries, and allow them to focus on the real purpose behind their day.

And a huge part of that starts before the wedding day, via this blog. So, all that to say, here are some of my most-read blog posts written directly for brides!

9 Helpful Blog Posts for the Newly Engaged

Wedding Day Timeline Tips

First up: wedding day timeline tips! Piecing together a whole wedding day probably sounds a bit overwhelming at this point. However, lucky for you, I’ve been to quite a few by now! ;) In this post, I share top tips for planning the perfect timeline for your day from a photography perspective. When to start getting ready, how much time to allow for family formals, whether or not you need 2 hours for portraits while your guests all wait on you at the venue (Hint: NO WAY!), and more!

Exchanging Letters on Your Wedding Day

Another plus of taking the time to plan your wedding day: you can make sure to schedule time for moments like this. One of my favorite wedding day traditions, this post details one terrific way to s-l-o-w down and savor the true meaning of your wedding day. Plus, I share a non-traditional approach to the letter exchange process, too. This is one of the best ways to re-center yourself after a busy morning getting ready — I can’t recommend it enough!

3 Signs You Need a Day-of Coordinator

This one isn’t actually a post of mine, but it’s GOLD, friends! My sweet friend Jess dishes out on three top reasons why hiring a day-of coordinator is quite possibly the best decision you could make! If you’re excited to plan your wedding and make the big decisions, but the thought of actually making them happen on your wedding day overwhelms you…a day-of coordinator is perfect for you!

Why Renting an AirBnB for your Wedding Day Morning is the BEST Idea Ever!!

While a lot of hotels and wedding venues are picking up on the desire for gorgeous getting ready spaces, some are still behind the times. This post shares one easy way to bypass starting your day in a dank church basement! Renting an AirBnb allows you to have a lot more control over your getting ready environment — something that can truly set the tone for the entire day. The only time I DON’T recommend this? When your venue already has an amazing getting ready space!!!

Three Tips for AMAZING Wedding Portraits

Believe it or not, EVERYONE feels uncomfortable in front of the camera at first. Seriously! All of my couples start out their engagement session sharing about how awkward they think they are in photos or how they have no idea what they are doing…and by the end of our time together, they are thanking me for how EASY and comfortable I made them feel. This post shares three tips I always discuss during engagement sessions.

One Important Thing to Keep in Mind When Choosing Your Indianapolis Wedding Venue

Want light and airy wedding photos full of joy and love?! Well, why the photographer you book is the #1 impactor of your wedding day images…you’d be surprised how much this decision can change the vibe of your photos, too! Here are a few of my absolute favorite light and airy wedding venues in the greater Indianapolis area.

Two Tips for Planning Your Engagement Session

Another decision that doesn’t need to be stressful: planning your engagement session! The process can be broken down into two larger decisions: season and location. In this post, I share some insight behind all the options and provide examples, too!

Wedding Day Details: A Photography Checklist

This is a quick fix to make the morning of your wedding a breeze! I love when my brides have all their wedding day details in one location for me to grab and get to work when I arrive. Not only does it let me maximize time, but it also means you don’t have to run around collecting things. Win win!

Why Golden Hour Matters

Last but not least…a quick education post about all things GOLDEN HOUR. If you’re my bride, you already know how much I love this magical time of day. :) Read up to find out why it matters, why I only book engagement sessions during specific times, and why I’ll try to sneak you out of your reception for 5 minutes for some end-of-day magic light photos, too!

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And that’s a wrap! I’m currently working on some new content for 2019 based on the responses to an Insta Stories poll I did last week, but I’d love to hear from you, too. What are some posts you’d love to see?!? Comment below or send me a message, and I’ll make it happen!