Wedding Planning : Think of the Story

As we close in on summer in Wisconsin, I can’t help but think of all of my awesome couples for this wedding season, in the home stretch of their wedding planning. I remember that period “fondly” — scrambling for this and needing to go and buy that, check in with this person and finalize details over there, set up that appointment and sew these 180 things…the everlasting dance with the to-do list: cross one thing off, add three more. Before long, I was adding eating and sleeping to my daily list of reminders. It’s madness. Truly.

I saw this little post on my Facebook page this morning:

The compliment made me smile, but it also took me back to my own season in this bride’s shoes where I remembered a few things that really (REALLY) helped keep me sane through it all. They stem from an awesome blog I read once upon a time by someone clearly wiser than I, but I failed save the link to it–clearly we’re talking pre-Pinterest days–so just know that I would credit it if I could. In any case, I hope they’re useful to you in any stage of your planning:

Simplify: What do you and your fiance want to think and feel about the wedding day when it’s all said and done? What do you want your guests to walk away feeling and thinking? Only give your attention to the details that create and support that vision.

Perspective: Distinguish between wants and needs. With every decision ask yourselves, ‘what will be the impact of this in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years?’ Make the day special with sincerity, not money.

Relax: Be present and enjoy the entire experience. Whatever inevitable hiccups come, you’ll be married to the most wonderful person in your entire world at the end of it all. The rest just makes for a good story.

Above all, remember that there will be life after your wedding day. Don’t get so overtaken by planning the perfect wedding day, that you forget to invest in the marriage that will follow. From someone who has been in your shoes and made it through to the other side: You’ve got this. Marriage is so worth it.

Happy planning and always think of the story,

Beth

Shannon & Torey : Engagement Photography

Shannon and Torey lucked out with this beautiful new weather for their engagement session last week. Here’s a sneak peek…full post coming soon:

Make it a great week, everyone!

Beth

Trove Photography // Downtown Appleton // Lawrence University

You’re Not Photogenic

Kim & Nate : Green Bay Engagement Photography

Recently I met Kim and Nate for their not so wintery Wisconsin engagement session.  They drove down from Green Bay and I, up from Appleton, to an adorable hidden gem in Greenleaf: LedgeStone Vineyards.  

An unseasonably warm and perfectly cloudy day, we took full advantage and spent it all outside, exploring the vineyards and the Fox River Trail that runs right through the middle of the property.

These two are so fun and compliment one another wonderfully.  Nate is a complete ham on camera and Kim, whether she thinks it or not, is a complete natural at it too.  I cannot wait for their Door County wedding in September!  

Here are a few of my favorites from their engagement session:

Happy day,
Beth

All images provided by Appleton Wedding Photographer, Trove Photography.
Location, Ledgestone Vineyards.

Chelsea & Andrew : Appleton Engagement Photography

Chelsea and Andrew flew in from Arizona for their engagement session…well, sort of. Christmas with Chelsea’s family, more like, but we snuck in their engagement session while we all shared the same zip-code.

These two braved the Wisconsin winter as we floated all around Lawrence University in Downtown Appleton–such a beautiful place year round, but especially in the snow.  

Here are a few of my favorites from their Appleton engagement session:

Happy Friday, everyone!
Beth

All images provided by Appleton Wedding Photographer, Trove Photography.
Location Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.