We’ll be sure to check out her portfolio tonight. I remember really liking the photos on display at the Wedding Expo (that’s where we found them) but I don’t know if any of those were her work. They definitely seem to be less formal and posed, more of a photojournalistic feel to them. I like that. Good point about discussing when we’ll do our more formal pics. Our ceremony site is really gorgeous, I’ll want to make sure we’ll have time to take full advantage of that for our pictures.

I’ve been looking around online at dresses again, and I’m rethinking my strapless A-line concept. Right now I really like the idea of a V-neck halter with lace overlay, this one I’m particularly in love with at the moment. (you can click the image for slightly bigger I think)

knchrif050067l.jpg

I’m trying really hard to imagine what this would look like on my figure though. The only site I’ve seen plus size models on is David’s Bridal.

Report from the photographer consultation: so disappointing! The head photographer’s work is really amazing, that’s why we were interested in the first place. I’m kicking myself for not booking him earlier. The photographer we met with last night was nice and her work is ok, I’ve definitely seen less impressive work, but she’s only been shooting for 2 years and the inexperience shows. It’s a little underwhelming. They charge the same for all their photographers, which I guess makes sense from their perspective, if you charge less for a less experienced photographer people will think that photographer is not as good. Even if it’s the truth (which I think it is) I could see why they wouldn’t want clients to think that.

Back to the drawing board. *sigh*

Shan- Our photographer is Katharine Reilly (check her website). I bet she would go to Madison.

My main criteria, since the photographer is really the person you spend the most time with, was that we like the photographer as a person. We got lucky that our photographer is also awesome! She does great candid shots- she actually works full time at the Aids Resource Center of WI and has spent most of her photography career shooting charitable events around the area.

She has taken the time to get to know us, continues to work with our budget and strikes me as being perfectly capable of handling all the chaos and any wacked out demands that I can't anticipate.

She is a one-man shop, so we were a little concerned about replacing her if anything goes wrong but has has several back-up photographers who are also skilled and personable.

The dress looks beautiful but I agree, you'll need to see it on. My friend had a very similar style and while she loved her dress, she wished after seeing her wedding pictures that the dress had more definition around her waist. I thought it looked fab but just a thought...

As for the dreams, I am in the phase where I keep thinking of guys that "could have been," contemplating "what if" and arriving at the conclusion that the one I'm about to marry is absolutely the man of my dreams! It concerned me at first but, hey, as long as I keep thinking he's the best possible catch, I guess I'm OK!

Shananigans:

Definitely try it on; you'd hate to have any surprises! I tried on a really cute halter dress at David's Bridal, but I quickly realised that it absolutely wouldn't work...the halter strap around the back of my neck was making me bow my head whenever I wasn't consciously thinking about my posture. I'd look like a hunchback in all the non-posed pictures!

Lafayette – Thanks for sharing your photog contact. I looked into applying at the AIDS Resource Center when I started my WI job hunt. They have an office here in Madison, unfortunately for me their development office is in Milwaukee. I checked out her portfolio, it’s very nice but I feel like I’ve seen a lot of similar ones for photographers in Madison. Part of the reason we wanted Pierre is we feel his work is very original, and he was really nice in person. Both are very important to us. What can I say, my FH is photographer, we are extra picky and spoiled.

We spoke with the photographer and he said we could meet with another photog with his company that we’re more interested in. If you wanna take a peek this is the website. http://www.pierresportraitart.com/index.php Click "wedding galleries" at the bottom you can see all the photographers in the sidebar. Pierre was our first choice obviously, check out his work and I think you’ll see why. Anna is the one we met with last night and decided to pass on. Now we’re going to be meeting with Michelle. I’ll be interested to see what her personality is like and see more of her work.

I will definitely be trying on any dress before I order it! I know how different something can look in my head and then on my body. I really need to find some time to go try dresses on someday.

OK, Pierre looks like he's got some skills!!! Those are awesome!

We aren't planning to have many posed pictures so the photo journalism style is well suited for the "snap shots" of friends and family I'm looking for. Katharine showed us some more "arty" photos she had done- they were pretty awesome, too, but my fiance and I agreed we want to limit the amount of time we spend with the photographer. Our ceremony will be a full Catholic mass starting at 2:30 and, if we plan to have cocktails in our hands by 5:00, we have to keep moving! Neither of us is very picky about photography... cake, though, is a whole different story!

Hey all! I'm getting married June 21, 2008 and have just started planning. We're planning to have the wedding in Clearwater, Florida on the beach at sunset so we'll have a beach theme. My colors are lilac and light blue and my main flowers will be hydrangeas. Anyway, just wanted to say hi to everyone!

Feisty- Sounds like a pretty color scheme! I'm getting married in Southeastern Wisconsin in March. My color scheme may have to include dyed-to-match thermal underwear! Welcome!

Welcome Feisty! A beach wedding sounds so lovely. I plan to use hydrangeas as well, green and purple. Look forward ot hearing more about your plans.

Announcement: My brother is now engaged!

So many weddings, so little time...

Hehe!

Congratulations to your brother!

Lol - it must be something in the water! After we had our ceremony April 21st, my cousin got married June 16, and upcoming are my friend on July 14th, my sister on July 21st...

I am flying cross country this weekend for my sister's bachelorette party. I'm stocked on embarrassing accessories (yeah - that'll be some interesting times in airport security - hope they hand search my bag to pull out the embarrassing accessories).

Congrats to your brother!

Hi, Miss Mess!

I worked out a deal with our photographer where we are paying for her time and buying our pictures on a disc, not having them developed. She sends all of her development out so it didn't really impact her bottom line (pricing for developed photos here has a profit margin similar to gasoline!). We can even take the disc to Walgreen's to get pictures developed if we want. This way, we got more pictures, more hours and a better talent for a manageable price. We plan to do the books, too, as thank you gifts to our parents but found the pricing a bit steep. There are also several self-made options through shutterfly.

Mandalinn- I would LOVE to go through airport security with you! Make sure you remove the batteries!

I don't know about the water but my sister is making noises... her boyfriend just bought her a brand new Audi and you usually marry someone to keep the car, right?!?

Hey girls I am still here, just been visiting with my FH. It has been so much fun to see him. I am glad that he is finally here. I am kinda sad because I want to start my wedding planning but I cant because my FH doesnt have a job here yet. I hope that he gets one soon so that we can start the wedding planning fun.

Hey gals - I've got just 3 months to go until Sept. 29th, so I'm starting to get caught up in all the details.

My bridesmaid dresses are in, we ordered the tuxes, I've finalized my favors and have been frantically searching online for ideas for flowers and cakes. I'm going to MI for my shower (the wedding is there), and while I'm there that weekend, I'm meeting with the DJ, the church music lady, the florist, the cake place, sampling foods and having my hair done! It will be SO busy!

I still haven't given a thought to my headpiece - it will depend on the hair, and I still need shoes and jewelry finalized - I have options but don't love them.

Attendant gifts - any good ideas? I have 2 gals and 4 guys and 2 ring bearers to buy for. My sister, maid of honor, is extremely picky, so some little trinket just won't do. Everyone else is much less of an issue.

I also am doing a photo-file only deal - I think we are paying $900 for all day and all his files. Nothing printed - that is all up to us.

Well, time to get back to work...
Cindy