2012 Weddings | Phoenix Wedding Photographer |

If you got engaged over the Christmas holiday, congratulations! The holiday season is a great time to 'pop' the question and it's no surprise why. The warmth of the season, the sparkle of champagne and the twinkle of the lights all add up to a very romantic time of year. So as you adjust to the new 'ornament' adorning your left hand, let's consider what you need to do now.




1. Select the date. When does it make the most sense to get married? Living in Arizona, we are fortunate to have decent weather most of the year. Sure it gets hot, like oh-my-god-I'm-trapped-in-an-oven hot, but all the venues are heavily air conditioned and a great wedding photographer can get your formal portraits done quickly and get you and your wedding party back inside before anyone starts melting! When considering the date, account for the travel schedules of any important guests. Lastly, a trend I have been seeing the past two years has brides and grooms selecting a date around the availability of their photographer and other vendors they place a priority on. Of course, as a wedding photographer in Arizona, I love to hear that!

2. Prioritize. What is important to you? I recently heard of a couple who placed such importance on wedding photography, they spent 50% of their $13,000 budget to get the photographers they wanted most. Of course, that is an exception but it is important to take some time and determine with you and your groom-to-be consider important. For the most part, the days of each element of the wedding having a set percentage you can spend are over. Spend what you can afford AND on what is important to the two of you. Obviously, photography will last longer than most everything else, so for some it makes sense to allocate a large portion of the budget to a great photographer but not always. Maybe for you, a venue that has personal meaning is worth the most. For someone else, it may be important to have the most unique wedding dress affordable. During the rush of newly-engaged excitement, take time to set your priorities. You should remember that you are making memories as the foundation of a brand new family and nothing can do the better than photographs. I love knowing that the wedding photography I create will help countless couples relive a perfect day, over and over again.

3. Make a list. Consider everything you want for your wedding. Then....go back and make it realistic. =) Once you have that list, start looking for vendors that not only offer a great service or product but vendors that offer an experience unlike any other. For example, any florist can provide you pretty flowers, but find one that "gets" you; one that will partner with you to help you realize the vision you have for your wedding day. The right wedding photographer will not only deliver the wedding photography you want but give you an amazing experience to remember. When working with my couples, I provide them great wedding photography of all the details that went into making their day special and personal.

Whether you have an intimate backyard wedding with just a few friends or throw a lavish affair with a wedding party of 10 on each side, congratulations on your engagement and enjoy this exciting time!