What to Pack the Night Before Your Wedding

The days leading up to your wedding can be hectic to say the least. You’re likely double checking all of the little details to make sure your day runs smoothly, everyone has a seat at the table, and everyone knows where to go and when. While you are ironing out details on the macro level, you have to make sure not to forget about yourself and your needs come your wedding day! Because of this, we have decided to provide you with a simple check-list to make sure you have everything you need.

Take a look below at the 40 things to back the night before your wedding:

1. Sewing kit, including needle, thread, and scissors
2. Safety pins
3. Double sided tape for your dress
4. Tide-to-go pen
5. Chapstick, pre-lipstick
6. Toothbrush + toothpaste
7. Paper and pen to write letter to your other half
8. Comfy shoes for late-night dancing
9. Advil or aleve
10. Cash for vendor tips (if applicable)
11. A list of phone numbers of all your vendors
12. A rain plan just in case
13. Heel covers for walking in the grass
14. Tissues, someone is going to need them!
15. Extra lipstick and lipgloss
16. Your ID
17. Shoes
18. Hairspray
19. Deodorant
20. Jewelry
21. Matte face powder for pre-portrait touch-ups
22. Undergarments
23. Your robe/flannel for getting ready photos
24. Hair piece/accessories
25. Cell phone charger
26. RINGS!!!
27. Make-up remover for post-wedding
28. Shampoo and conditioner for post-wedding
29. Clothes for day after wedding
30. Camera for brunch day after
31. Comfy shoes for day after
32. Your favorite late-night snacks
33. Face wash
34. Garment bag for your dress
35. Your something old/new/borrowed/blue/etc.
36. Marriage License
37. A first aid kit
38. Nail clippers + tweezers
39. Band-aids for blisters
40. Your favorite perfume

Be sure to comment below if we missed anything on this list! Hopefully this blog post is helpful for you as you gear up to pack for your wedding day.

Cheers,
Team CLP

5 Reasons You Should Absolutely Do an Engagement Shoot! (+ 7 Tips to Get You Ready)

If you’re like most people, an engagement shoot will probably your first official session together as a couple, and that can be a lot of pressure. While some couples are over the moon at the idea of FINALLY getting some good photos with their partners, there are always a few couples who seem hesitant to get in front of the camera, for fear that they’d feel awkward getting their photo taken. And while I TOTALLY understand, I promise you, that once the hour is up, you’re going to be saying ‘oh, it’s over already!?’. If you are on the fence about getting engagement photos done, I’m here to tell you 5 reasons why you should ABSOLUTELY do an engagement shoot.

1. Spend some time in front of the camera.

This one might be the most important. An engagement shoot is kind of like a trail run for your big day. Think you’re going to feel weird getting your photo taken for an hour? Well, come the big day, you’re getting your photo taken for multiple hours - yikes. Doing a simple, one hour engagement shoot gets you ready to have a camera pointed at you. And in the bigger picture, once you feel comfortable in front of the camera, you can use your engagement photos as a baseline to see which poses and shots you like best for wedding day formals – helping the photographer deliver to your expectations.

2. Get to know your wedding photographer.

Taking engagement photos is a great opportunity to work with your wedding photographer for the first time and get comfortable with their style of shooting. A personal relationship with your photographer is more important than just about any other vendor (besides maybe your wedding planner) on a wedding day. It’s not a huge issue if you don’t vibe with your florist or the person who made your dress, but your photographer is your team mate; someone who is with you during each step of your day. You’ll feel MUCH more relaxed going into your wedding day knowing and trusting the person on the other side of the camera.

3. Document your life, in the here and now.

Okay, so, you know how we mentioned you may not have great photos with your other half? Engagement shoots are the perfect chance to het professional photos of the two of you without your wedding attire – just as you are in the here and now. Your wedding photos are obviously so important, but having engagement photos of the two of you will probably feel more like the real, everyday you, and will be timeless photos to look back on again and again.

4. It is basically just a fun, date night.

Yes, I said FUN!!! Consider your engagement photos as a date, except with someone following you around with a camera. We can go hike in the woods, hang out at a winery, walk the dogs, or even eat ice cream. Whatever you choose to do at the engagement session is up to you! Many couples even pop champagne to celebrate their engagement and take photos of the bubbly explosion in the process. During the process, there will be lots of cuddling, lots of kissing, and a ton of loving on each other – if that’s what you’re into. We are here to capture YOUR unique love story.

5. You can use the photos for SO MANY THINGS.

Name it, you can use the photos for it. Most couples will use their engagement photos for custom ‘Save the Dates’, but there are other things you can do with these photos as well. Post it as your profile picture, print them as gifts for your parents or grandparents, or create a photo ‘guestbook’ for people to sign on your wedding day. It’s not just limited to getting the photos taken, it’s what you do with them. And since you’ll have the full gallery with the print release, you have full control over which photos you use!

7 Tips to the Perfect Engagement Session

Tip # 1: HAVE FUN! The pressure is off, I promise. Yes, you can FOR SURE get your hair and make-up done IF YOU WANT TO, but the goal of our session is to have fun. That being said, if you are planning on doing a make-up trail, pair it up with your engagement session to see how the look translates on camera.

Tip #2: Steam and iron your clothing. While you don’t have to be perfect, we do suggest steaming and ironing your clothing and hanging it in the back of the car for your shoot. We can prepare for wrinkles pre-session, but we can’t edit them out once the photos are taken.

Tip #3: Bring 1 casual outfit and 1 dressy outfit that you feel comfortable in. Basically, wear what you’d wear for a casual date together and what you would wear for an anniversary date night. Once you’ve chosen your outfits, make sure you feel comfortable in them and that they don’t clash with one another.

Tip #4: Choose a location that screams YOU. If you don’t jive with the location, the photos won’t mean as much to you. If you two always hike together, go on a hike. If you hang out in Pittsburgh, try the city. Work with the photographer to help you choose a location that best fits you and your relationship.

Tip #5: Ask the photographer about the best time of day for the light. We typically know what to do when it comes to light – but the time of day we start shooting depends on the time of year. Sometimes, it may be best to choose a weekend or request a day off of work to get the perfect time for some yummy golden light.

Tip #6: Choose outfits that match the color pallet of your home for hanging photos. House full of yellows or blues? Try to incorporate those colors into your outfits. When you print your photos and hang them in the house, they’ll already match your décor! Genius!

Tip #7: Commit to being a team on engagement session day. Yes, of course it’s important to plan for your session, but try to relax. You are with your person because they are your other half, and they bring you peace and love. Let your nerves fly out the window and sit with the raw, natural love you two have for each other.

What do you think? Did I miss anything? If so, leave a comment below with your tips!

Luna Turns One! | Family Session + Cake Smash

Planning on Attending a Wedding Expo? Here’s the 5 Things You Need to Know!

So, you’re going to a wedding expo!? Here’s 5 tips to make it easy as pie… or cake!

1. Create a Wedding-Specific Email Address

This tip is #1 because it’s probably the #1 thing to make your post-wedding-expo experience a little more manageable. Create an email address that is easy to remember like your name + wedding date and provide only this email address at the show - then sign up for mailing lists! This way, you’ll not only be sure to have all of your information in one spot, but you’ll ensure you’re not missing out on important events or specials that your vendors send out after the show. Next time you check your wedding planning e-mail, your inbox will be full of potential vendors for you to review and reach out to after the hustle and bustle of the show in the comfort of your own home (maybe even dressed in PJs)!

2. Know the Basic Details of Your Wedding

No, you DO NOT have to have it all together and perfectly planned to attend a wedding expo; that’s why you’re there! But if you’re ready to get to general details, the number of guests, the style of your wedding (modern, rustic, vintage, etc.) and an idea of your venue will be helpful information to provide whomever you’re going to meet at the expo. But the BIG question will be: “what’s your wedding date?” - this is a crucial piece of information that your vendors will need to know so they can figure out if they can work with you based on their availability. If you have a dream vendor in mind and can’t envision your wedding without them, keep this date flexible and you’ll have a wedding day that is true to your vision. If you have a date in mind that you must have, or you’ve already booked your venue, then this will be a great way to weed out the vendors who aren’t available for that date!

3. Bring a Friend Who Has Recently Gotten Married

Unless your career is as a wedding planner, then bringing a friend who has done it before will not only be a fun experience (because life is better together), but it can be SUPER helpful. They will make you feel more confident and help ask the right questions - and when appropriate, they’ll prevent you from making an impulse decision you may later regret. Plus, having an extra hand to carry around all of your promotional materials may be needed in a big expo!

4. Get Ready to Get to Know Your Vendors

Of course, choosing the right vendors for your day is absolutely CRUCIAL - but you won’t be able to if you’re only asking for price lists and brochures - or even the giant list of ‘must-ask’ wedding questions. Simply cozy up and chat with your vendors about what EXCITES you; share the story about how you met your S/O, talk about the vision of your wedding day, show them pictures of your pets, etc. Do all that and you’ll be able to see if you guys truly vibe. Try to make connections with the vendors you meet in a very real way, and you’ll be able to get an idea for what they are like to work with. And then, once you’re set on who they are, look at their REVIEWS!!! This is the most honest feedback you’ll get and is worth way more than what looking at a brochure can give you.

5. Bring a Notebook - and Take Notes!

Prepare yourself for information overload by bring a notebook - and actually taking notes! No, you’re not going to remember what the name of that amazing flower a florist told you about or the vintage rental place the event planner recommended you look into when the hustle and bustle of the day is done. So bring a pen and paper and quickly jot down notes as you’re adventuring booth to booth! Better yet, if you’re a techy, use your smart phone and notes app to capture all of the information you need. This will help you sort through the information easier after the fact, and may even give you the perfect vendor referral for your dream vendor.

We wish you the best of luck at your wedding expo and so much joy in wedding planning! If you’re in search of vendors in South Western Pennsylvania and the Greater Pittsburgh Area, email us at info@caitlinslivingphotography.com for our personal list of recommended our vendors.

Top 3 Reasons Why Investing in Wedding Videography is a MUST!

You’ve got your photographer down… AWESOME! Now you’re asking yourself, what about videography? We’ve heard from past brides that their wedding video was their favorite keepsake / best investment (and yes, it is an investment, but one that is totally worth it!). I’ve also heard that one of their biggest regrets in LIFE was not booking videography. What do you think you'd you regret more, booking or not booking? Here are a few reasons we are on the booking side:

Reason #1:

Capturing Motion & Sound. 

While still photos provide an incredible view of the wedding day with options to print and display them for years to come (wedding album, anyone!?), videography adds something extra to the after-viewing experience: motion and sound. After it’s all said and done, you will still be able to see the mannerisms of the people you love, hear the vows that you exchanged with one another, and hear the laughs, the sounds, the toasts, and the tears. For as beautiful as photos can be, they will never be able to capture motion and sound, which makes videography a MUST.

Reason #2:

Your WHOLE day, in a few minutes. 

The day you’ve planned for (sometimes) years flies by in as little as 8 hours, leaving your head spinning and a whole boat load of memories to recall. We do our job to capture as many moments as we can in both photo and video, but with an added bonus of being able to edit the clips down to music and voice, your whole day can easily be wrapped up into a few minutes, making it your new favorite music video that you’ll be watching (and crying to) over and over. It’s easy to share, easy to watch, and makes remembering the day’s quirks and best moments easy. The best part? Mom will be happy too, with video options to capture the ceremony and all the main reception events in full.

Reason #3:

Keeping the sentimental memories alive. 

If you’ve ever lost a close friend or family member, you know the ache of wanting to hear or see them one more time, so having their movements captured on video can be priceless when you’re able to see and hear the person you love again, and the part they played on your wedding day. Even if a close family member suddenly wouldn’t be able to attend your wedding day due to illness, you are able to show them the video after the fact so they can feel the spirit and joy of your wedding day. There’s nothing like being able to look back on such a happy day spent with your closest friends and family, captured like a paused moment in time for years to come.

BONUS: Choosing Your Videographer.

Filmmaking is a craft, and wedding films are no different. A well-put-together film takes thought, dedication, editing experience, and the right equipment to get the job done, which is why it’s best to leave it to the professionals. And as long as the style matches yours in shooting style and editing, the product is something that moves you, and the videographer is professional, present, and you like them (they ARE spending your WHOLE day with you) - it’s well worth what you’ll pay.

However, a few things you’ll want to consider in booking Caitlin and I as a team is that the photos and the videos you’ll receive will look incredibly similar and be edited as true to the colors of the day as possible for a timeless feel. We are business partners and best friends, which means we ROCK as a team… but it also means that we stay out of each other’s way during the important moments (hello videographer walking in front of the camera!). We work together to make sure we get the shots we need, without compromising either product. The result? Cohesive and consistent work across the board.

Check out our videography page HERE!

Have more questions??? Comment below for answers!

Fynlee | Welcome to the World | Newborn Mini

Isn't it incredible how fast time moves when we're not paying attention? When I met Jayme and Ryan, they were getting ready for their wedding. Fast forward, and I was lucky enough to photograph them pre-wedding, and later, for her baby shower... then again for her maternity photos. A little bit after that, little Fynlee Anne was born ((and below are a few of my favorites from their newborn mini session images)). It was crazy how it only felt like a blink of an eye.

My point is, for all parents, these first moments with your little one are precious, and before you know it, you're hitting milestone after milestone. The best thing you can do for yourself is to create images that keep these moments set in stone, so you can relive them over and over. Life is too beautiful to miss, and I loved documenting their milestones.