If you’ve never had a wedding, you probably have some questions about how wedding photography works.  Here is a quick and easy breakdown about wedding photography.

Step One: Pick Your Wedding Photographer This step is generally the hardest.  There are a lot of wedding photographers out there! Why are there so many? There's are a lot of different reasons but mostly it has to do with being an easy field to step into.  You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started and it seems like it is really easy (spoiler - it’s not!). This tends to split the market into two types of wedding photographers: Part Timers/Hobbyists and Professionals.  Generally, you can pay $0 to about $1500 for a Part-time wedding photographer and $2000 on up for a professional.  There is a lot of overlap in between there depending on the market and the individual photographers.  The best way to pick your photographer is to first decide on your budget, and then find a photographer whose pictures you love. After you put together a short list of 2-3 photographers, set up meetings, see what each photographer offers, and decides on who you really want to spend the day with. Your photographer will literally follow you around the entire evening - so they better be someone you want to hang out with for the night.

Step Two: Once you pick your wedding photographer you can take advantage of any engagement or boudoir shoots they offer before the wedding.  We strongly recommend booking an engagement shoot. It is a test run between you and the photographer. You can make sure you enjoy working with your photographer, and that you like how your images turn out. It also gives your photographer an idea of how you feel and react to being in front of the camera which can help them plan out pictures and get to know what kinds of pictures you like the most.

Step Three: Make a list of the formal pictures you want. Professional photographers know you want pictures walking down the aisle and of the first kiss, but they don’t know your guest list or family members. The list you should make should be a list of family pictures you want. A list of no more than 20 formals is a great way to keep things moving quickly.  Bonus tip: Nominate a friend or family member who is not afraid to be heard and knows almost everyone, to call out, and hunt down, family members for each picture. If you are self conscious about any part of your body, now is the time to make sure your photographer knows so they can do their best to minimize your body fears in your images.

Step Four: Get Married! Your wedding photographer will be the fly on the wall all night. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice (Do you know how to bustle this dress?!) and ask them for a special picture with your Great Aunt who surprised you at the wedding! Your photographer is a resource, use them!

Step Five: See you pictures! A few weeks after the wedding you’ll see your images for the first time. Depending on your photographer and what you ordered, you may be selecting images for your wedding album at this meeting. Pick out your favorites and be sure to ask your photographer for help filling out your album’s story.

Step Six: Print your pictures, share them online and enjoy them! Most of all, enjoy each other and the life you’ll build together.

The modern bridesmaid has can take on a lot of different roles. They can be strictly for show, or they might have a designated task list. Either way, you should be up front about your expectations for your maids or you could end up disappointed. There is no “standard bridesmaid” so just like a job interview, make sure you talk about your expectations for their role when you ask someone to be your maid and let them know there will be no hard feelings if they don’t feel like they have the time to accept the position. If you bridal party activities might include destination bachelorette parties, spa days and bridesmaids dresses more than $200 than make sure you are being realistic with those expectations with everyone in your party. Even though it is your wedding, no one should go broke or feel pressured to spend money they can’t afford in the name of friendship.

Do you have to have as many bridesmaids as groomsmen?

As a rule - It’s your wedding so it's up to you.  But there is not a wedding rule that dictates there must be equal amounts of maids and men.  Adding girls to try to equal the grooms can result in a mix match of personalities as you scrape together enough girls to equal the guys.  Or cutting friends out of your wedding can result in hurt feelings.

How do I plan out everyone’s hair and makeup?

It depends on what everyone is planning on doing. But the general rule of thumb is 2 hours per person with 3 for the bride.  That includes an hour for hair and an hour for makeup if being done professionally.  Time management is especially important for weddings, but that means every girl needs to know how they want their hair and makeup before the wedding day. We see a lot of bridesmaids on their phones picking out hair and makeup styles twenty minutes before their turn with the beauticians. To avoid this plan a girls night and pick out hair and makeup together.  But remember, while the Bride can make suggestions, you shouldn’t be the ultimate decision maker on every girls makeup and hair details.

My maids and I planned a luxury spa trip, but some of my girls don’t have enough money and are backing out of the trip. I really wanted them to be part of my special day and it hurts that they didn’t plan ahead.

Life happens and sometimes we get caught off guard. Friends that could have reasonably put together a budget that had allowed them to participate might have been caught off guard by the end cost or other unexpected expenditures.  Bottom line, there is no reason to dismiss them as bridesmaids. Instead have a talk and make sure the wedding costs aren’t too much for them. No one should go broke trying to keep up with the events.

Do all the bridesmaids have to wear the same dress?

The days of matching bridesmaids dresses are on their way out.  More and more brides are opting to let their maids choose their own dresses - from anywhere.  Instead they usually go shopping together or with color and fabric choices.  This option is popular because each girl gets to choose a dress that they would wear again, they look great in, and they feel great in. It also gives variety to the group pictures, instead of a sea of certain color.

I want all my Bridesmaids to keep their shoes on all night. I don’t want bare feet all over my dance floor!

This is more common that you think.  There are two solutions to this problem.  1. Forgo the stiletto heels and choose a shoe that is super comfy. Maybe a wedge or an ankle boot.  2. If the heels are a must, let each girl bring a pair of neutral flats for dancing (which is a great idea anyways because alcohol, heels, dancing and long dresses are almost never a good combination.)

I am going to enforce a no alcohol policy among the bridal party.  I don’t want everyone to get trashed and embarrass me!

This is super tough. Imposing a rule like this makes your bridal party feel like they are being treated like children. But if you know your friends and know they like to really party, it might be worth having. The compromise? Ask the bridal party to only have 1-2 drinks an hour before the real party begins, and lead by example. By the time the dancing starts at most receptions, the less party oriented guests start to leave, and the ones that stay won’t be put off by harmless drunken shenanigans.

I’m having a DIY Pintrest wedding, but my maids aren’t keeping up with what they said they’d do. I’m stressing out about not having my decorations/invites/flowers/signs done.  What can I do?!

Pintrest is the devil. It’s all picture perfect, adorable and completely on trend. But it is easy to get lost and drown in too many projects. Well meaning friends might suddenly have other responsibilities or problems that take up the time they promised you, and that can hurt when it feels like a friend bailed. Call them and explain your stressing out and really need some help. As people volunteer assign duties. But if you find yourself alone on Pintrest island than there is another way. You can ask friends that aren’t in the bridal party, or maybe even family members.  If you are really stuck, than take a good look at what you absolutely must get done and what would be nice to get done. Eliminate projects that require a lot of hours or additional supplies, finish the ones you’ve already started, or change half finished projects into something more feasible.

And I'm here to tell you that those robes you've seen all over Pinterest - don't stay closed. As pretty as they are, they have zero functionality. So may I present some ideas for gifts for your gals that are not a robe. 

1. Personalized Coffee Mugs $22.99.

Have a coffee lover in your party? Check out these stainless steel beauties from Etsy seller LifeTime Creations. They are practical and a super thoughtful alternative to the standard floral robe (which is not warm at all). Get them here.

2. Adulting Gold Stars Shot Glasses $10 each.

Maybe you've got more of a party crowd. Celebrate Adulting with these cute shot glasses from MaxandMitchCo. $10/glass or $32 for the set.

3. Sterling Silver Serotonin Molecule $29.99 each.

This is for all my STEM girls. This is a molecular representation of Serotonin or the molecule which gives you happiness.  But it here.

4. Wall Art

There is nothing worse than bare walls. Pay homage to your long lasting friendship with this sign by LittleDoodleDesign. $24 each.

5. Beauty Gift Set

Give them this bath set to cure the danced-all-night ache! This set by PeaceOrganics is $21 and includes body butter, lip balm, lip scrub, and a bath bomb. Get it here.

There you have it, 5 easy ideas for bridesmaids gifts other than a floral robe! Let us know what you think down below.

Take a Breather! - Take a moment to forget about the wedding for a moment and focus on why you’re getting married! Have a date night - without talking about wedding - and just relax.

Remember, the Wedding is just one day. Sure, it’s a special day but it shouldn’t be the single best day of your entire life. Otherwise that means no other day in your marriage will be as good as your first - which is of course ridiculous.

The easiest way to control your budget is to limit the guestlist. Unless your a billionaire you can’t have it all. If you’re guest list is as trim as it gets make your wedding less formal. There are tons of deals to be had in the wedding ‘off season’ generally November to March, by having your wedding on a Friday night or Sunday or even just having a morning wedding (Please make my brunch reception dreams comes true!).

Is the guestlist the problem? If you have a set budget and know you’re limited to 120 guests but are stuck at 130 you can try a couple of things. Remove anyone under 18 first. While parents might gripe they will most likely thank you in the end for the date night. You don’t need to invite co-workers, people you have never met before, and anyone you haven’t spoken to face to face in the last two years. You’re also not required to allow guests a plus one. If your parents are wanting to invite friends give them an exact count they are allowed to invite and leave it to them, if they would like to invite additional friends than maybe allow your parents to pay for the additional dinners. If your parents are already paying some or all of the wedding you might have to allow them more control of the guest list.

Have a family member with too much opinion? Give that person a single task that’s all theirs like choosing the deserts or designing the invites (anything that you aren’t really into planning). If they are still All. Over. Everything. Sit down and talk with them frankly. The one caveat is if they are paying for everything. If this person controls the checkbook you may be out of luck.  In this case, choose your battles wisely.

Last, consider hiring a professional wedding planner. Most have lots of different packages, including planning meetings to help put you back on course. Professional wedding planners have seen it all and can help put everything back into perspective and give you some sanity back.

We’ve spoken to so many couples that received their photos from their photographer and immediately put them aside to deal with later.  They get busy living their lives and the photos never make it out of their storage spot.  Years go by and those images sit there and collect dust.

We totally get it.  That’s why every wedding we photograph includes a gorgeous, handcrafted album.

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Imagine:  Your album comes in a lovely presentation box.  You lift the lid and pull out your book.  As you turn the pages, you start to relive every precious moment all over again.  You remember how nervous you got while you were getting dressed, how your faces looked as you saw each other that first time, and your tears while you danced your very first dance as a married couple.  You fall in love all over again.

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Paging through my album never fails to make me teary eyed.  It always reminds me why I got married in the first place.  And as the years have gone by, some of the people I love have passed away.  There they are in my album, looking happy and helping me celebrate one of the best days of my life.

We feel strongly that each of our happy couples deserve to have something tangible and meaningful to take away with them when the wedding is done.  It's one of our favorite jobs to carefully craft an album that will tell every couple's love story to them and their loved ones for generations to come.

There seems to be a split among the interwebs about whether or not engagement photos are worth it or “gag worthy”. It can be easy to dismiss the idea of engagement shoots are a waste of time or self indulgent, but I promise you engagement sessions can be so much more.

Not everyone is used to being in front of the camera for more than a quick selfie (or four because let’s admit it no one looks good in that first on ;) Having an engagement session lets couples work out those camera nerves and also gives you insight into how your photographer operates.  This even more important if you hire a team of photographers (like us!), since having multiple cameras at different angles can make even the most camera comfortable couples need a minute.

Engagement sessions are more relaxed than the pictures taken on your wedding day.  Wedding days are packed with a huge range of emotions, people and vendors who are all competing for a moment of your limited time. Even if you are the most careful of planners, weddings can fall behind schedule and often it’s the photography time that gets squeezed.  Having an engagement sessions not only gets you comfortable with your photographer, but gives your photographer an understanding of how your relate to each other as a couple.  It helps us build your wedding story visually and lets us quickly plan photos that illustrates your personalities.

More than that, engagement photography can highlight a specific place that has meaning to you as a couple.  Your wedding photos have meaning because they tell the story of your wedding, while engagement pictures tell the story of you. Picking the place you met, your first date, or your favorite city allows you and your photographer to showcase a larger part of your love story without worrying about timing or having other people interrupt. It is a lot more fun and much more relaxed.

If you are camera shy, but you, your partner or you both, really want beautiful wedding photos - don’t skip the engagement shoot.  It will help you get used to both the camera and the photographer. You will be much more comfortable when your wedding rolls around because you will know what to expect.

The most overlooked aspect of engagement photography are destination engagement photos! This is actually a thing and it happens in two ways.  First, before you were engaged you had planned a vacation of some sort.  Take advantage of your travel plans and book a photographer at your destination before you leave. Doing this lets you get some amazing vacation photographs from a local photographer who might take you somewhere you wouldn’t have otherwise visited.  

The second is by booking a little vacation with your photographer.  We did this with a couple who’s favorite city is San Francisco. It is their favorite city and their favorite weekend get away.  We took them around the city for a two day photoshoot and had so much fun.  By the time their wedding came around they were very comfortable in front of the camera and knew exactly what to expect.  They even used one of their engagement photos as a wedding sign in!

Don’t skip the engagement photos.  Use them to conquer your fear of cameras and take them to the next level by planning a special shoot with your photographer.  Skip the local park and find a place that means something to you - even if it’s your own home.

You might know you really want to have your wedding at Tahoe but picking a location can be difficult.  The best place to start is to decide what kind of reception you'd like.  Do you want an all night dance party or an intimate dinner?  Deciding how you want to celebrate your marriage can help narrow down the different types of wedding venues all over Tahoe.  Bonus: This also helps you decide how big of a guest list you want. Next, start compiling a list and compare the wedding venues to your budget.  Even if they don't initially line up, remember having your wedding off season or on a Friday or Sunday can save you a lot of money.

During a recent wedding at June Lake, a forest fire started not too far from where the ceremony was to take place. The fire, called the Owens River Fire, is estimated at about 6,000 acres and 20 percent containment as of today. We expected that we were going to have to be evacuated from the area at any time. As this photograph shows, the setting sun lit up the smoke incredibly. Big congratulations to Katie and Ryan.

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When Shaylynn and AJ proposed this idea to us a few months back, we thought about it for a total of one second. There was no way we could say no to a fun and lovely couple, a chance to wander the streets, and a chance to hang out in The City.

The weather was perfect and the crowds were small. AJ's only requests were a shoot at AT&T park wearing their Giants jerseys and sunset on Baker Beach. Done and done!

Although it was difficult to narrow it down, here are some of my favorite photographs. Peace.

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Maybe you both have a shared love of hiking and adventure,

or perhaps you want to capture your engagement the moment it happens!

When narrowing down possible locations there are some considerations in order to make the most of your shoot.  Time of day is probably the most important. We like to shoot either early in the morning or later in the evening.  The sun is far too strong during the middle portion of the day to take pictures comfortably, especially around Reno and areas without shade.  Pedestrian traffic can be a nuisance at popular beaches and parks, especially if there are special events happening at the same time as your shoot.

Weather is only a consideration if you don't like to be in it.  Otherwise stormy skies, rain and snow can make amazing pictures, just make sure your outfit matches the weather.  If you want a snowy picture than sleeveless shirts and shorts may stand out in a negative way.

Clothing choices are up to you, but it is best to stay away from loud patterns and neon colors. Also out of trend are matching outfits.  If you are in doubt we can help you choose.

Engagement sessions are a lot of fun and a great way to get to know your photographers.  If you tend to be camera shy than we highly encourage an engagement session so that you'll be less nervous on your wedding day. We offer beautiful engagement books that are perfect for sign-in guest books at your wedding, or as a compliment to your wedding album. Engagement session images also make wonderful printed or digital Save-the-Dates and photo invitations.

We would like to thank everyone for all the help and support this year.  We exceeded our expectations for our business for 2015, thanks to all our wonderful clients.  It's always so satisfying to be able to capture the emotion and beauty of a single moment.  We appreciate every single couple for allowing us to share their special day.  We look forward to new and exciting things in the coming year, and expect some epic photos for 2016.  Thanks and best wishes from Kacie, Catie, and I.

It’s always an honor to be asked to photograph a wedding, but it’s an extreme honor when you’re asked to photograph the son of friends that I photographed 19 years ago!
 

I’ve known Chad from before he was born and have seen him grow up to be a quite a man. When I met Lindz, Chad’s fiancé’, I knew this was going to be a fun and memorable ceremony. 

The wedding and reception were held at Tahoe Paradise Resort in Meyers Ca. Nice places for a party, beautiful scenery, and open space.

This was also a chance for me to see some old friends and get caught up after 20 yrs. 
 

                                                                To The First Kiss
 

The day turned out so nice,some clouds came rolling in and cooled things off nicely.
 

First dance.
 

Congratulation to both of you.           peace.
 

It was hot when the day started, but as soon as the ceremony time started approaching, huge storm clouds began their approach.

As the guests arrived it became darker...

and darker as the wedding party arrived...

Lightning started flashing in the distance followed by low rumbles of thunder just as the bride arrived in her horse drawn carriage.

The lightning and thunder picked up during the ceremony but the couple only laughed it off.

The ceremony continued on as the storm approached.  At this point guests started nervously laughing with the couple as the lightning and thunder grew closer.

Then, just as the couple exchanged vows a rainbow formed behind them.

And, no joke, the cows in the field next to us starting making all sorts of noise - and then you could hear them running. The couple started walking down the aisle as Husband and Wife and this strong wind swept through the fields:

Just as they reached the end of aisle it started to rain torrential downpour!

This amazing couple could have cared less.  Instead, like the scene of a movie, the Groom swept the Bride up in a hug and spun around as they kissed in the rain.

All the guests were running for their cars and the wedding party ran into a nearby tent to wait out the rain.

During the storm the caterer's tent blew over (thankfully everything was fine and dinner was only a few minutes late), and three small fires were started on the mountains you see above. The rest of the night it rained on and off but was beautiful.  We were even gifted with more rainbows and an amazing orange sunset!

While most brides would worry about this type of weather it often makes for the best memories and photography.  Check out the photos below for some glimpses at the spectacular details and planning that went into this unforgettable wedding.

One way to notice life is getting away from you is watching your kids starting on their own life’s journey.

I’m fortunate enough to be able to capture these moments of change with my camera, as was the case recently when I was asked to do some engagement photos of a girl I have watched grow up with my daughter since 2^nd grade. Wow I’m getting old.

Ashley and David, with their pups, let me have the privilege to capture some awesome photos at Rancho San Rafael yesterday.

Yea, anytime you schedule photography outside it’s going to be cold and rainy, but on the plus side no one else will be out there in your way.

Congratulations to Ashley and David…peace 

10.  What is your favorite part of being involved in someones wedding?

We love being able to make the wedding day go a bit smoother!

Get Tough In honor of National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD), we’re asking animal advocates across the country to help us Get Tough on dog fighting. This brutal form of animal cruelty occurs in every part of the country and in every type of community, and it must be stopped. We’re working to eradicate dog fighting by assisting in raids and rescues alongside law enforcement agencies and by advocating for stronger laws and sentencing for those who commit this terrible crime. But we can’t do it alone—we need the support of animal advocates like you.

Anyone who loves dogs or animals in general should get a kit and help spread the word that dog fighting is not permissible in our society.

Dog fighting is something that the whole OrangeDog family feels strongly about.  Tristan's good buddy Bosco was rescued from the fighting world, and carries the scars.  Even the OrangeDog himself has faced discrimination, mainly due to the damage that dog fighting has done to mar the pit bull breed.  Both Tristan and Bosco are kind and gentle family dogs, despite mistreatment and abuse.  Please join with us and the ASPCA to end dog fighting!!

ODI

peace

1. What inspired you to start Avec Amour Events?

We always had a passion and skill for planning events but it wasn’t until we each planned our own New York City Wedding that we realized we wanted to take our skill to the next level.

While traveling together in city of love we were inspired by the passion, culture and romance of Paris. It was here that we realized that it was time to pursue our passions, explore and hone our talents, and summon our collective energies to create Avec Amour. We thought, Avec Amour (with love), would be the perfect name to describe what we put into every event we create: love.

2. Tell us about the different kind of services you offer.

We offer three different Wedding planning packages. However, we often customize these packages to create something that works for each client.

• Wedding Planning Services:

  • Full service

  • Month of wedding coordination

  • Initial Wedding Jump Start

• We also specialize in planning more intimate events such as:

  • Bridal showers

  • Baby showers

  • Dinner parties

  • Birthday celebrations

  • Anniversaries

  • Engagement Party

  • Corporate Events

  • Fundraising events

3. What should potential clients expect when working with you?

• We strive to provide our clients with a one of kind experience

• We work closely with our premier vendors to take our clients ideas and make them into a reality.

• There is constant communication between us and our client as well as keeping the client in the loop of our discussions with vendors.

• We create visually stunning and stylish events.

• We bring new creative ideas to every event, we constantly think “outside of the box.”

• We like to think of ourselves as not only playing the role of event planners but also that of friend, mentor, therapist, and a shoulder to lean on.

4. Your events are bright, colorful and really fun. How do you work with work with your clients to make their events come to life?

During our initial consultation we ask very specific questions which allow us to really get to know our client. We believe that every event should be an expression of our client, which is why we take the time to get to know them and come up with an event that reflects their personality. We do not alter our clients’ ideas, but rather we strive to complement and enhance their dreams and expectations. We take our clients’ ideas, add our creative skills and experience, and make those dreams a reality.

5. A lot of couples think that unless they have a huge budget event planners are going to be unaffordable. How can couples on any budget benefit from the expertise of event planners?

We maintain close relationships with vendors and are able to get the best price possible for our clients. We help couples save time by sifting through the never-ending list of wedding vendors and recommend those who will be a good match for their budget. Utilizing us and our resources saves couples a huge amount of time and money. Couples can easily feel overwhelmed by all of the options but we are there to steer them in the right direction. The most important thing that we can do for a bride and groom is provide them with peace of mind.  Hiring a wedding planner will make the planning process stress free and that is priceless!

6. What is your advice to couples who are feeling "over-inspired" from all their ideas on Pinterest?

Our best advice comes from our favorite fashion guru, she once said:

"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory." —Coco Chanel

The same concept can be applied to couples “over-inspired” by pinterest. You never want to overdo anything, it best to stick to ONE idea and run with it.

7. Looking at 2015 what trends are you seeing in NYC that you are really excited about?

Each year we notice new trends emerging not only in wedding planning but in fashion as well. This year we are really excited about how couples seem to be opting for a more “traditional,” feel for their weddings. Recently, we attended a WeddingWire conference where Monte Durhan (Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta) spoke about how brides are shopping for traditional dresses with a modern twist. We’ve seen this carried out in all aspects of Wedding ceremonies and receptions. Brides are putting a modern twist on the traditional wedding color palettes. They are choosing various shades of white and ivory and adding a pop of color like fuchsia or marsala (2015 color of the year). In 2015, we have also seen a lot of greenery. Brides and florists are opting for ivy, smilax, and magnolia leaf as table runners and chair décor, which adds a minimalist yet classic touch. Couples have also been going nuts for Farm-to-table dining. Locally sourced and seasonal fare is a must these days. Brides are ditching the typical fondant wedding cake and going with the traditional butter cream icing. Some brides are scrapping the wedding cake all together and opting for pies, macaroons, and doughnuts. The couples we work with have a solid sense of individualism and want their weddings to be a reflection of their own personality. We love to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and find ways to incorporate these trends into our clients’ events.

8. What one thing should every modern wedding have, and what one thing could you do without?

Every modern wedding should have seating arrangements. Even the most laid back wedding can benefit from having assigned seating. This makes it easy for the guests to quickly get seated when the dinner portion of the evening begins.

One thing a modern wedding can do without is the garter/bouquet toss. While it can be fun, it takes up time and doesn’t let all of your guests participate.

9. Weddings take a lot of time and because of that you are only able to take on a limited amount of clients a year. 
If someone is on the fence about hiring you what one thing should they know?

The one thing that sets us apart from a lot of wedding planners is that we are two for the price of one! Both of us work hand and hand on all of our projects. We are able to offer our clients different perspectives and ideas. Our different styles and skills created great chemistry! The fusion of our efforts, talents and personalities make us a vibrant and formidable duo in the event planning industry.

10. East coast and west coast events differ a little bit from each other. What is your favorite thing about weddings on each coast?

Our absolute favorite thing about a west coast wedding is the weather! No matter the time of the year (and of course depending where you are) the weather makes for a great day and there is always an option for an outdoor wedding year round!

To go back to what we said above about how we love traditional weddings, The East Coast does a great job of keeping it traditional especially in NYC where we are located.

http://www.avecamourevents.com/.

Recently we were asked to do some photos for a brochure intended to get more donations for a very worthy cause. We donated a few hours of our time to take some photos for the Faith Alive Christian Center (FACC) Food Pantry and His Closet.

All the members donate their time setting everything up and handing out much needed nourishment and clothing.

Thanks to Mike and Terry for giving us the chance to help those who need it.

Peace

I love when I get to capture a family during one of the most exciting times in their life…expecting a new baby! I was so excited when Paola asked me to photograph their second pregnancy. I also met their first child, Santiago, how adorable their little guy is, SO HANDSOME!

Paola had talked to me about some ideas she had come up with and I had some ideas I wanted to try out. After bouncing some of them off of each other I was able to create what I think are some of the best maternity pics I have ever been privilege to photograph.  It’s so much fun for me during these sessions when a couple trusts me in making them look good and natural.

I can’t wait to be able to photograph the new addition to their family!

This past Sunday we exhibited at the Dream Wedding Show in Sacramento, California. It was a huge wedding show, 5 buildings packed with exhibitors. We brought the OrangeDog himself, Tristan, to help us great everyone! Tristan was so wiped from the show he didn't even make it out of the parking lot before falling asleep!

There were lots of inquiries about Tristan "Pupcedo".  It was hand crafted by Arla Designs.  Tristan's tux is really well made and was very comfortable for him, even after 5 hours of wear. 

We met lots of great couples and vendors! We want to give a shout-out to Icing on the Cupcake in Rocklin, California. They make some of the best cupcakes we've ever run into. I took some home with the full intention of making some cute cupcake photos. They didn't even make it to dinner.

We are starting to receive more and more inquiries every week for bookings this year. If you haven't reserved your date yet, but are thinking about choosing us I recommend contacting us soon! We've already have had to turn down multiple weddings because we were already booked!  It is downright gloomy having to tell couples we are already booked, so please make our lives a little brighter and reserve your date today!

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Tristan’s tuxedo has finally arrived!

Here he is sporting his tux along the banks of the Truckee River and feeling very important.

The OrangeDog is preparing for his debut as our mascot in the upcoming Dream Wedding Bridal Fair.

A big thanks to Arla Designs for the awesome job of making a one of a kind tuxedo.

One of our favorite vendors in the Tahoe area is Dax Victornio Films.  Dax is a very talented film maker who brings your wedding to life with soulful videos that capture the energy, emotion and life of your wedding day in a way that still images just can't do.  If you are looking for a wedding video than check out http://daxvictorinofilms.com/

We sat down with Dax to talk about his work and what makes him so amazing about what he does.

1. You and your wife are transplants to the Reno area. Tell us a little about yourselves, where you’re from and how you met.
We were grade school classmates turned best buddies turned married couples back in the Philippines.

We are both of artistic and musical backgrounds, so it’s a natural decision to combine our skills together to make a difference in our own way through wedding films.
 

2. Your films are so beautiful! No one else in the Reno or Tahoe area does anything like you. How did you get into cinematography?

Aww thank you guys!

We actually have the worst memories, and because of that we are obsessed with documenting moments whether it’s through visuals (painting, photography - Pao is a visual artist) and audio (music - Dax is a musician).

Cinematography, for us, is a dynamic combination of those things we love and the fact that we can create motion pictures that impact lives makes it the sweet spot for us!

Dax, initially a corporate event videographer, was the first to pursue wedding cinematography after being inspired by a Filipino wedding film team, Threelogy. He didn’t think a stranger like him would cry and laugh with a couple’s film and with this he sought to have the same emotional effect to not just his couples but also other people as well. Pao begun doing post production work for Dax while they were on a long distance relationship (Dax migrated 10 years earlier in the US than Pao), and quickly caught on the wedding film making bug!
 

3. What attracted you to start filming weddings?

We are attracted with the impact of a wedding film done right can actually enhance a married couple’s relationship and even strangers’! We made it our mission to make sure we take our couples and viewers into a cinematic journey so they can re-experience their promises to each other to carry them through the ebb and flow of marriage.  

4. What common misconception about wedding cinematography do you hear most often?

That it’s the snazzier name for wedding videography and it brings to mind the horror stories of cheesy videos of the old.

5. What is the difference between a cinematographer and a videographer?

For us, in reference of film industry terms, a videographer operates a camera for the goal of coverage. A cinematographer or the director of photography by contrast, utilizes a variety of visual techniques to tell a story.
 

6. Besides the quality of work, what is the most important aspect in hiring a cinematographer for a wedding?

Definitely knowing if you have a chemistry with your film team. If you don’t feel like being yourself with your cinematographer, that awkwardness will show on the film.

With that in mind, we advise engaged couples to set up an in person meeting with their chosen cinematographer to see if you’re all a good match.

7. When your clients book you, they are really getting something much more than just a film of their wedding. They are getting something really special, and it's unique to them. Can you describe the experience your clients have when working with you?

I think this one will be better explained by one of our brides, Chaz. Here’s her blog post: http://brylostudio.com/blog/brilliant-branding-my-videographer-gets-it/

8. Because of the amount of work you put into each wedding film, you are only able to take on 12 clients a year. If someone is on the fence about hiring you versus your average videographer what one thing should they know?
That we care greatly about not just your wedding, but also your marriage. We do that through investing time getting to know you and creating a film that authentically showcases your essence as a couple.

9. From your perspective, what makes your films so much better than others that are being made in this area?
Each of our colleagues have a different styles of their own and have different set of clients they work best with. We don’t think our films are better, but we are the best for the couples that are our perfect fit.

10. Clients can choose to upgrade their package to an amazing heirloom that preserves not just their film, but an entire sensory experience. Can you tell people about this treasure and how you came up with it?

We wanted to go beyond giving them DVDs that would gather dusts somewhere; we want something that they’ll be proud to display on their favorite rooms and open as many times as possible. We wanted to also make it easy and fun for them to re-experience their day together, or with everyone else they love through not just sight and sounds but also through touch and smell.

This is our next best thing to a time machine for our couples.

 

Thank you to Dax Victorino for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers. You can see Dax's videos and contact information here.

Kacie & Martin

http://daxvictorinofilms.com/

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And just a reminder, leave the treats for Santa down low, so we may taste them too!

Peace and Joy!

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After much research I discovered there might be a market in doggy boudoir. So what do you think?

Let me know.

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As always happens the first year of an event there is usually a low turn out till word gets out. dogs-10 dogs-51

The puppies that did show up had a great time visiting with the other pups.

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My wife Catie made some all-natural dog biscuits that were enjoyed by all.

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Only one pup was not enjoying the day, Tristan. The OrangeDog was upset that he was not the only center of attention,spoiled primadona.

Till next year, enjoy.

Peace

His name is Troy. Troy is a special needs child.

Tristan decided to be best friends.

I've known Troy's parents for many years and was honored to photograph their wedding on the shores of Lake Tahoe awhile back.  I have had the pleasure of watching their family grow.  Troy's big sister Eva helped us make cookies while the dogs introduced themselves to Troy.

Sasha even came by for a kiss.  For her, it was love at first sight.  We all look forward to Troy and Eva's next visit.

Peace

 Tristan and Sasha wanted me to mention "that please don't forget your four legged friends,they can help with the leftovers!"

               Enjoy. Peace.

Our good friend Brent performed the wedding and my wife Catie photographed the ceremony as it was happening.

This was our last wedding for 2014 and it was a blast.

Best wishes to Cyndi and Ken,

Love you both,

Martin n Catie

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Tristan will be making his debut as the OrangeDog at the up-coming Dream Wedding Show in Sacramento on the 22 of February.  He will be sporting a tuxedo from Debbie and Anna at Arla Designs in Vancouver, Canada.  For a preview of Tristan's look, check out their Etsy shop at        www.etsy.com/shop/ArlaDesigns.

It is definitively fall.  It took a while to really set in, but now that it is here I'm baking bread, making soup and dreaming of photoshoots to come!  

We have finally made ourselves a Pinterest page. You may find it here  I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest.  There are so many wonderful and creative ideas it can be difficult to actual pick ones to do!  We will be pinning our favorite wedding ideas we find around the web and of course, our favorite photoshoots! 

Follow Us on Pinterest

-Kacie

This is an important question, one that's difficult to answer quickly, so here is the extended version.

When you are planning your wedding the photographer is the only vendor you hire for after the wedding. Think about it. The dress is for your wedding, so are the flowers, cake, food, reception hall and entertainment. The photographer is there, sure. But the product you are buying is for after the wedding. Your wedding photographs are there to remind you and your spouse of all the details and people that made your day special decades later.

Hiring a photographer can be intimidating. You know how you want to dress, what food and music you enjoy, but what kind of photographer do you want? Photographers have different styles and personalities, but if you are unaccustomed to carefully looking at photography they might all start to blend together. So here is your guide to hiring the best photographer you can.

1. Decides what you want the pictures for. Do you want a wedding album? Prints to hang on your wall or canvases to give away? Do you want to put them on your social media and never look at them again or do you want a calendar to hang at work? Knowing what you want to do with the photographs after your wedding will help you choose a photographer that best fits in your price range.

2. Search the internet and ask friends for recommendations. Also ask people if they had any negative experiences with photographers. Some photographers are more aggressive than others. When viewing a photographer's website, look for images that you love, and more importantly that you would hang on your wall. Check Yelp and Google Reviews for more information and ask your social circles. If everything checks out, then...

3. Contact the photographer. Before setting up a consultation verify the photographer is in your price range. If they are not, it is okay to ask if they are willing to work in your price range. If the photographer declines then move on to another. If the price checks out the next step is to ask if they still have your date and set an appointment to meet in person. Beware a photographer who refuses to give you any sort of price range over the phone. However, don't expect them to give you an exact estimate of cost until you meet face to face and discuss all the details.

4. The photographer should bring you some printed images, either books, prints or wall art to show you. Photographers should show you a few sample weddings from beginning to start. This is important as it gives you an idea of their storytelling ability. Photographers need to not just be able to take a few amazing shots during your evening, they need to capture your day.

5. Listen to what the photographer has to say and ask questions. Ask about gear, photo backups. photographer backups, deposits, payment options and make sure you are clear about what is and is not included in your package. Some photographers charge a flat rate to shoot and then require a print purchase which may or may not include the digital images. Contracts should be an easy to read language and be clear on what is and is not included.

6. You should feel at ease around your photographer. You should feel comfortable around him/her/them. You are paying this person to follow you around the entire day. If you don't feel at ease with them then you should look at other photographers. If you are uncomfortable during your wedding it will show in all your images.

When to be wary:

1. People who are not professionals. Weddings are not novice level events to shoot. It might seem easy, but it takes lots of work and knowledge to capture a wedding. Professional wedding photographers have technical mastery of their craft and also coordinate with other vendors, be an advocate for the couple, blend into the background and also take charge during group shots. Have a friend who is dying to shoot your wedding? Ask your professional if they mind having a second shooter around.

2. Having a family member shoot your wedding. I have turned down requests from friends to shoot their wedding because I wanted to be a celebrant at the wedding and not work. It is impossible to do both well. Weddings are social events and the last thing you want your photographer to do is become lost in conversation catching up with all the other guests.

3. Price. You will only have one wedding. Having nothing but cell phone snapshots and selfies from your wedding will not a wedding album make. What to do if you just can't afford the full package price? Hire a professional for just the ceremony and formals. The ceremony is the most important part of your day, and often the most difficult lighting wise. Hiring a professional for the ceremony lets you have the best images of the moment you say, "I do" and have your first kiss as spouses.

4. Anyone who doesn't require you to sign a contract. A contract is there to protect the photographer and you. If the photographer doesn't have a contract and model release forms then do not hire them.

Other Considerations:

Editing: Reputable photographers will never release unedited images. The reason being, just taking the image is only half the work. Even in the film days photographers would develop the film and then the paper in ways to increase and decrease contrast as well as dodge and burn parts of the images to get the perfect final print. Photographers who release unedited images don't care about their work or your wedding. They care about getting paid.

I hope that helps give you some thing to think about when choosing a photographer for your wedding.

Kacie

1.      If you are planning an outdoor wedding in summer one thing you should consider, it’s going to be very hot if you opted for a large fancy dress. With the sun reflecting off the lake the temperatures can increase by 5 to 10 degrees.

2.      During the summer months and most of the year for that matter it’s very dry. Staying well hydrated is a necessity. It’s very hard to say your vows when your mouth is dry. Champagne is not a hydrating drink.

3.      Most of the outdoor weddings in this area have one thing in common, wind. Having your hair looking good at the salon may not be the case during the afternoon winds. A tight well-secured hairdo while maybe not your style will look better in photographs. It’s very hard to see your lovely face with hair blowing across it.

4.      Assigning someone you trust to make sure the wedding you have envisioned is the wedding you end up with. Discussing the details and order for your wedding should be done weeks before and written down. Your wedding day is going to be stressful as it is; having to worry about every detail is overwhelming.

5.      On the day of your wedding, you want everything to go right. Inevitably though, something goes awry. You left an important piece of makeup or curling iron at home. That’s why having a bridal first aid kit is a must. Your kit should include everything that you would need if you were going to visit a third world country.

6.      You know you are going to look great on the big day, make sure your bridesmaids look great too. When picking out bridesmaids dresses take them with you, have a girls day out. Having any of your ladies in an awful dress for the ceremony is something she will never forget.

7.      I’ve photographed many weddings and inevitably a ceremony gets delayed, why? No one brought the wedding license, without the paperwork, all the stress and money spent will be for nothing. The sayings “IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT DO IT YOURSELF “is appropriate for this one.

8.      Meet with your photographer prior to the event. Making a list of must have photographs is essential so no one is missed. The photographer will know the obvious ones, but if special friends or family are present they might not get photographed.

For the Groom:

1. Avoid having your bachelor party the night before the wedding.  You don’t want to show up with puffy eyes and a hangover.  You’ll be looking and feeling your best if the bachelor party suffering is well behind you.
2. Choose your groomsmen carefully.  Make sure they understand that certain things will be asked of them.  They must be in agreement with the need to be on time, look sharp, to help when asked, and to participate in photo sessions and wedding party activities.
3. Do a clothing inspection/fitting a few days before the wedding.  Make sure everyone has the correct sizes of everything they will need.  Be sure to include socks, cuff links, and appropriate shoes in your inspection.  Any groomsman who may have trouble remembering to bring everything should leave his entire ensemble with either you or your best man to bring to the location.
4. The wedding party should limit alcohol consumption until all the important events are finished.
5. Assign your best man to make sure that things run smoothly at both the ceremony and reception.
6. Something to consider:  to smash or not to smash.  It is always a good idea to discuss this prior to the cake cutting.  Do not give in to peer-pressure if you have already agreed not to smash.  Be respectful of the fact that your bride has invested significant time, effort, and money to look her best.
7. After the last toast, perform a toast of your own.  Just a few words of thanks to your guests and a thank you to your new wife

Tips for the bride coming soon

We love weddings.  Traditional or non-traditional, weddings are a celebration of love.  Who can hate that?!

Recently we were able to take part in a beautiful Pagan wedding at Rancho San Rafael.  They chose partly chose Rancho as their wedding local because it's also where they had gotten engaged. The bride's dress was custom designed just for her, from a vintage dress.

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A couple of weeks ago I found out for myself why you should hire a photographer for those special moments in your life. Moments that years down the road, as life moves forward ever so fast, you have the photos of that day and every detail and emotion you felt. One reason to hire a professional photographer is that they make you look good. They know how to get the best out of any situation. As a professional photographer, I knew what kind of photos I wanted and the feeling I wanted when looking at them ten years down the road. When hiring a photographer express what you want to feel when you open your wedding book after a year or more.

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I asked my photographer partner Kacie if she would photograph our wedding, I knew she could capture exactly that feeling I wanted. You know when your photographer did their job, when you show your photos to your family and friends and they get teary eyed.

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To help you out here are some of the biggest wedding budget killers:

1.  Having an Open Bar All Night.

It is well known that having a cash bar at a wedding is a little faux pas. Your guests spend a lot of money and time to get to your event and the last thing they should have to do is spend even more at the bar.  That doesn't mean you have to provide an open bar all night.  Instead you can opt to provide an open bar just for the cocktail hour and dinner.  Or you can provide a limited selection of beverages such as your favorite beer and/or wine plus a signature cocktail.  This can dramatically reduce your alcohol costs.

2. Getting Married on a Saturday.

Saturdays have become the most popular day of the week to get married.  As such most vendors are unwilling to negotiate Saturday rates.  However, Friday evening and Sundays can offer a great money saving option.  A Friday evening wedding usually starts later, but can have a much more upscale feel.  An evening reception can be followed by cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and dancing all night.  Because of the later start time on Fridays, dinner isn't necessary - saving you even more money. If budget allows you can extend your wedding celebration into a Saturday morning brunch.  Sundays can be a very family friendly affair. An early morning wedding followed by a late lunch, lawn games and make your own ice cream sundaes can make for a very intimate family  party.  Martin and Catie's wedding was on a Tuesday.

3. An Out Of Control Guest List.

This can be a very touchy subject for families.  The bigger the guest list, the bigger the cost.  If a parent or other relative wants to invite more people than your budget (or you want) can handle there are a couple of ways to reign the guest list in.  When deciding on a number of guests also decide how many "extras" your parents can invite.  Giving the parents a set number of people, and no more, can help them figure out who is really important.  Explain to them that you can only afford so many people and you want to keep the celebration as intimate as possible.  If your parents still insist on the Dentist and your long lost cousins, ask them to pay for the additional guests.

If you want to avoid the issue completely try planning a surprise wedding.  Plan your entire wedding and invite only the people you want, but don't tell them it's your wedding.  This works best for very small weddings, but can be a lot of fun. 

4. Not Buying In Season Flowers.

You may have dreamed of having lilies in February, but out of season blooms can cost much more than in season.  Work with your florist to find budget friendly blooms that still reflect your style.  If your dead set on having a specific bloom in your bouquet or boutonniere , do a complimenting - but cheaper - flower for the wedding party.

5. Not DIY. 

There are things not to skimp on - Food, Photographs and Entertainment, are the three biggest.  Everything else is an opportunity to stretch your budget a little more.  Have your invitations professionally designed and printed, but do your own escort cards and programs.  Have your bouquets professionally designed and make your own centerpieces (which can double for prizes for fun ceremony games). 

6. Not Leveraging Your Social Circle.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.  Even if your not fulfilling this superstition, there is still something to be gained from it.  Look to your social circle to find items for your wedding.  Admired a friend's veil? Are dying to borrow your sisters shoes?  Maybe the best man also has an amazing car.  Including your social circle in your wedding planning adds beautiful personal touches.  From your grandmother's jewelry  to your niece that can sing, including items and people makes your wedding so much more intimate and unique.

Tell us, what's your biggest budget problem?

For some people the sight of it makes you want to curl up into a little ball and cry.  Wedding are heavily photographed events.  Between the professionals you hire and all of your guests some couples feel a bit over-photographed at their weddings.  Worse is worrying about what you or members of your bridal party will look like in every shot! You spend a lot of time planning every detail, going to fittings, getting your hair, makeup AND nails done. What can a person do to get to make sure they look the best in every wedding shot?  Here are our tips.

Hire a photographer you LOVE.

This one seems obvious, but its not what you think.  Yes, you have to love the photographer's portfolio, but you also have to love the person(s) you're hiring.  If you don't jive personality wise then you are going to be annoyed being around them all day and it will show in your pictures. You also need to feel like the price is right.  If you feel like you are over paying at the start then you are going to worry all the more than you won't like your photos. 

1. Relax. 

Nothing ruins a shot faster than a stressed out person.  Take a breath, relax and enjoy the day you've worked tirelessly to plan.  You've hired amazing photographers and it is their job to make you look your best.  So don't worry, listen to your photographer and trust in them.  Sometimes the most awkward feeling poses are the ones that look best in camera. 

2. Do a dress rehearsal.

A lot of Brides want to save money and do so by purchasing a dress they love the price of, more than they love the dress.  You don't need a $14,000 show stopping gown, but you do need to love it.  Otherwise every picture you see of your wedding day you'll be focused on the blah dress.  Same thing goes with your hair and makeup.  You might love a hairstyle, but it might not go with your dress.  You may dream of smokey eyes, but when they are masterfully done by a professional makeup artist you might see yourself more as a raccoon.  How you feel about your appearance shows in your pictures.  Don't let any surprises about makeup and hair ruin your wedding day.  Love your look and you'll glow like the beautiful bride you are! 

3. Practice your smile if you're concerned.

We've run into a few Brides who say they "have a bad smile,"  and then they demonstrate a sort of exaggerated grimace.  Everyone has a beautiful, radiant smile.  Even the best smilers tend to start looking "fake" if asked to hold their smile too long.  This is another reason it is important to love your photographers.  A good photographer will talk to you, especially if they sense your nervousness or hesitance.   If you don't like your photographer it will be harder, if not impossible, for them to coax out your most natural smile.

If you are worried about your smile take some time to practice in front of the mirror, but don't obsess over it.  Some good reference points: You should be able to feel your smile in your eyes and most people find their top teeth can just feel the top of their bottom lip. When practicing your smile in front of the mirror don't try to hold your smile longer than a few seconds.  Close your eyes and think of something that makes you happy and once you've got that happy feeling spreading all over - smile and open your eyes.  Don't obsess though.  Most people find the excitement and feelings of being just married are enough to have them smiling naturally and beautifully. 

4. Pick your Bridal party by how much your like them, and not for how they will look in your pictures.

You'd be surprised by how many Brides are so worried about their pictures they pick their best looking friends instead of their best friends.  Your pictures will look best if they tell the true story of your wedding day.  That includes the people closest to you.  Pick the people who truly want and no more and no less.  Don't pressure yourself into having ten Bridesmaids because you worry about hurting six people's feeling. 

5. Limit the amount of camera time. 

Ok.  This sounds a little counter productive but hear us out.  If you have fifty guests at your wedding and even half of them bring their camera phones you're looking at 25+ photographers all vying for that perfect shot of the special moments.  Maybe one or two of them are even really good photographers, but most of them are not.  Despite their best intentions that photo of your with your mouth wide open and your eyes wide as your darling awkwardly shoves cake in your mouth is not really what you want on Facebook.  Or Twitter.  Or your Mother's living room wall.  Worse yet your guests could get in the way of the photographers you're paying. 

There are a couple of ways to deal with this.  Some couples are opting for "unplugged" weddings.  They let their guests know ahead of time that the wedding will be unplugged, meaning they wish their guests to be at the wedding celebrating and not checking their email.  A corner is provided at the reception with a table, basket and some chairs.  When the guests enter the reception their cell phones are collected.  If someone wants to check in with a baby sitter or work they can go over and sit at the cell phone table and do so.   

The second way to limit camera time is to ask politely for guests to refrain from taking pictures all night but schedule a open shoot time for guests to get their shots in.  This gives your professional photographers the most time to get the bests shots of you in.  Professional photographers have years of experience in not only taking pictures but more importantly - editing.  They don't put your awkward shots up for everyone to see because they know the difference between a good and bad shot. 

On the morning of our wedding, with a heavy heart, we departed to Amador County. We placed a bowl of water, food and Sasha’s favorite blanket on the front porch just in case Sasha showed up.

The day of our reception my good friend Brent asked me if I thought we would fine Sasha and I answered with total confidence, Yes. 

The next morning, Catie, my new wife, called me and said she had just talked to someone who said that they had just found Sasha. I jumped in the car and raced to the address and there she was. I called to her and she jumped in the car as though nothing had happened. Sasha suffered a broken foot but nothing major.

One thing we have always done with our dogs is replacing their collars and tags regularly. We always have a current photo of them together and by themselves. All of our dogs have always been chipped and licensed. 

 Congratulations to you both on your happily ever after!

-Kacie

Last Saturday, Kaci and I were fortunate enough to photograph Jenni and Michael's wedding.  It was also my first wedding photographing with my new camera equipment.  I've been using my old lens for so long that I was a little apprehensive.  After photographing Michael and some of his friends and family, the new equipment became second nature.

We had a great time meeting everyone and being treated like family.  Jenni's sister, Maria, has a degree in Culinary Arts for baking.  She made one of the best wedding cakes I've seen and tasted in a long time.

My inspiration to start photographing weddings again after a 3 year break is due to Catie.  Catie and I met on Valentine's Day four years ago.  In the months before, we both had our hearts broken.  We met for dinner and haven't been apart since.  Last October on a camping trip along the Oregon coast, on a rainy morning, after she had a cup of coffee just to make sure she was fully awake, I did something I said I was never going to do...  I asked her to marry me, and to my joy, she said yes!

Our (Catie and I) photography business recently got a huge boost when Kaci joined us as a second shooter.  Kaci brings calmness and a different experience in photography.  I'm able to relax a little and not have to run around making sure I get all the shots.

Summer is fast approaching and with that my favorite wedding venues, anywhere outside.  I love when a couple uses the natural beauty of our area to showcase their wedding.

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Does it feel like Summer is nearly here or what?! We are loving this warmer weather. Nothing better harkens the start of the wedding season like warm sunny days. Plus the orange dog loves his summer hikes. We had a great time at The Wedding Library's wedding fair. There are so many excellent venders in the Reno area. They all work so hard to make your wedding dreams come true.  We hope those of you that stopped by our table loved your Moroccan Tea cookies!

Speaking of dreams comes true, our most recent OrangeDog couple were married at Baldini's in Sparks after 13 years! We are so happy for Gerry and Shari and are thrilled that we could be a part of such a special day.

We loved the Bride's flowers.  They are silk and look real in every photograph and will be a beautiful reminder of the wedding for years to come!  Baldini's Casino was the site of the ceremony and reception.

Congrats again!  Welcome to your happily ever after!

-OrangeDog Images