Shoot Me!

I once read in a magazine that a bride and groom should prioritize what they feel is most important when it comes to their wedding. That way, they could allot a greater amount of the budget to those items and then try to save/DIY on everything else.

My top three:

1. Venue (especially ceremony)
2. Food
3. Photography

And Mr. Cuddle Fish's top two*:

1. Food
2. Venue

*I questioned him on his priorities without telling him mine and I was happy to see that our top two were the same! (More on the venue & food later)

I put photography way up on my list because I knew our photographer would be the one person who's services we'd utilize the most. I also knew that we'd spend the most time with this person, even before the wedding! There is the engagement shoot, the bridal portraits, and of course the ceremony and reception. We ended up going with someone exceptional (who's blog I have been following for quite some time) and as you may recall, she also is the person that led us to our reception venue!

So, first things first!

E-Sessions, oh how I love them! Styled, unstyled, doesn't matter. Originally I was super anxious to have our engagement shoot. I fully intended to have the pictures taken before the holidays so they could be sent out with our Christmas cards. That plan has now changed as I think they'd turn out better in the spring. Until then, I will spend my time looking for some serious inspiration!

I got started tonight and here's what I came up with! You can click on each picture to make it larger.

I have to post this one first because it is my beautiful cousin Michelle (The Real Life Mom) & her husband Ian (Scoobie Photography, I think):

Next, a styled shoot by Simply Bloom Photography based in Huntsville, Alabama:

Some by our photographer, Tina Rowden:

And others that I love by Di Bezi Photography and Desiree Huey Photography:



So I'm wondering, was photography important to you? If not, what was high up on your list of wedding priorities?