As most everyone knows or have seen recently…I GOT MARRIED on August 25th, 2018!! To my best friend in the world! Planning a wedding, having the wedding, working full time, and photographing 20+ weddings and handful of portraits has been a task, but a great beautiful task. I thought to myself that it was going to be so stressful on my wedding day, but to tell you what I had the most stress free day, as it should be! I had a great support group which consists of family, friends, and wonder vendors. It’s funny as I was meeting couples, hanging out with family and friends the most asked question I got was “Being a photographer yourself who’s taking your photos? You certainly can’t…I hope.” My answer has always been “Of course not, but I have the best, talented, beautiful photographer More than Memories by Jessica Pengal!” I can’t thank her enough of taking such beautiful emotional images and I remember every moment just by looking at my images. Especially since the wedding day can blow past you. Everything leading up to the ceremony went wonderfully slow and soaked in all the bridalness of the day, but once the reception came everything went bam bam bam by so quick. Of course I can’t control the time! Bummer!! But that means I had the most wonderful time of my life!

The wedding day of course can’t go on without your venue, decor, DJ, and amazing food! Which I picked the perfect ones to fuel the day! Our style of course was more rustic elegance, which of course isn’t for everyone, but it was how my husband and I are! Venue was in a cute little amish town of Kidron, OH and we got married under beautiful mature evergreen trees with a field with a white fence in the background. What was going through our minds was we have a lot of family and friends that have kids and we though it was perfect to have our venue at the community park/building with a swing set and a wooden PIRATE SHIP. And for sure the whole bridal party was on there getting pictures! Our decor was provided by our mutual wonderful friend Hannah Peppard! She did a wonderful job with the linens, beautiful doors that I hid behind before my soon to be could see me, barrels, Mr. & Mrs. sign and much more! We were so thankful for her! Our DJ was just perfect! DJ Rich of Massillon, OH kept us on the dance floor and played music that fit all genres and ages! Our amazing food was provided by After Hours BBQ out of Marshallville/Orrville, OH. One of the owners is my cousins husband and they have won trophies over their fall off the bone ribs! To…Die…For!!!

What I like to tell my brides and grooms reading this is yes the planning process can be stressful…but there is a way to NOT make it that way. I know that’s totally easier said then done. But I know budget can be a factor to stress couples out. The planning of your wedding should be stress free as well as enjoyable. I’ve read threads on facebook groups about brides stressing on RSVP’s that their guests invite more than what’s on the cards or they don’t respond and then show up. How I handled it was I made sure there was just a little extra food just in case. I know that might be easier said then done with a budget, but if you can squeeze it in then I would. And with such large extended families we tried to keep it to immediate family that has seen us as a couple and family/friends that have been there for us. It’s soooo hard, but you just embrace it!!

I also want every bride and groom to know that I’M HERE for you! I am more than just your photographer, I am a friend and if there is anything you need help with please ask! If you also need help in the planning process I can give recommendations that I have worked with and know hands down that they will be there for you and be the best on your wonderful day! I am so excited to dive into 2019 with all my clients whether it be an engaged couple, wedding couple, family, friend, etc. Happy New Years and take on 2019 with your head up high and headstrong!

xoxo,

-Heather