Sure hope everyone had a nice Valentine’s Day yesterday. I received a phone call from a very excited friend last night sharing the news that she was engaged. Such an exciting time for them! I told her to be and sure to savor each moment for the rest of the evening and to of course take some photos!

I imagine she isn’t the only newly engaged girl out there and that’s the reason for this post. I wanted to be sure and share some great resources for wedding planning and also extend a special Valentine special.

First up, let me share some wonderful sources of wedding day inspiration. These are the sites that I wish were around when I was planning my wedding 6 years ago. They make me want to get married all over again with all their unique ideas.

There are so many ways to truly make your wedding day a true representation of you and your fiance. These sites showcase many ideas that help you accomplish that goal.

• The Wedding Chicks – “Real Weddings”, beautiful photography, and my favorite, the DIY  section. You can get lost on this site.
• 100 Layer Cake – More unique wedding ideas and you have scroll down and check out their logo. Very fun!
• Style Me Pretty - If their title “The Ultimate Wedding Blog” doesn’t grab you and make you want to visit, I don’t know what will.

And one last thing before I end this post . . . cb Yates Photography is running a Valentine special for all recently engaged couples planning their wedding in 2010. It’s definitely a “sweet” deal so don’t miss out! Click on the “email me” link above and let’s get in touch before this offer is no more on February 27, 2010.

Offer applies to new clients only please.

As I chose my fall faves for this post I couldn’t help but feel excited as I look ahead to 2010. I am working with some incredible couples that are planning detailed, beautiful events for this year. How do I get so lucky to work with these people? I don’t know but I’m already looking forward to sharing images from their days with you.

And one last note, BIG thanks to the photographers that graciously allow me to second-shoot with them this year. Some of the weddings are pictured above. As you all know I love what I do, but when I get to do it alongside another photographer it’s even more delightful. How fun to share the excitement when walking in and seeing the bride dressed in an amazing gown with an even more amazing smile on her face to match. Or overcoming an obstacle such as pouring rain during outdoor photos and walking away with images that we’re very proud of! And my favorite, sitting down together at the end of the night and celebrating the closing of one wedding season with a big slice of decadent wedding cake.

Here’s to an exciting 2010!

Alright, enough with the typing, you came to see some images! This first one was from the “first glance” series. I love the look on both of their faces despite the cold weather. Such great smiles!

Becky and I met for lunch earlier in the week and scouted out some great locations. I love that we share this passion for unique photo spots. We hit the jackpot. And I love that Beth and Jared were game for getting in the car and going with us. Thank you!

One of the hard parts about blogging this one was choosing which photos to share. There are just too many. I created a couple smaller collage photos to condense more photos together so this didn’t turn into the world’s longest blog post.

Here are some of the *many* beautiful details that were a part of this unique wedding day.

Beth and Jared had the great DJ ever, TeeRoy from Unique Pros. I’m lucky enough to have worked with TeeRoy twice this wedding season and I’m always happy to see him when I show up at the reception. Love this photo of Beth’s entrance into the reception! The music was rockin’!

I just had to share this next picture on the blog. Whenever the guests started clinking their drink glasses indicating a kiss from the couple Jared would choose a couple from the crowd. He would then ask them to demonstrate a kiss and he and Beth would kiss each other exactly the same way. What a perfect expression on their faces while watching Beth’s parents smooch!

Again, here’s a second collage of shots taken throughout the day. Wanted to make sure and post images from the parent’s dance. I always end up crying behind my camera at that point in the evening.

I’ll have to split this blog post up into two parts because I haven’t shared any images from the photobooth yet! Stay tuned.

We started off the night at the Nebraska Wesleyan campus which is where Katie and Evan met. I enjoyed having them give me a tour of the campus while we scouted out special areas to photograph. They told me all about the business classes they took together and showed me the building their dorm rooms were in. I have great images of all these places but I didn’t want to make this blog post too long so you’ll just have to imagine! Meanwhile, I have plenty of other great shots to share.

One of the sentimental spots we visited was the campus library. I walked in and right away the smell of old books hit me. Without thinking I blurted out, “I love the smell of libraries.” I had to giggle to myself as I know that sounded tremendously dorky. Immediately Katie agreed with me by saying she loved the smell too. She told me about childhood memories of visiting her Grandma that worked in the Gretna library. I smiled because I loved that library as a child too.

So I imagined Katie and Evan studying late into the night in this library. I wanted to capture their relationship now in the area where their relationship first formed. I had no problems talking them into this shot.

After our trip through the campus at Wesleyan we made our way out of town to find a sunlit cornfield. A couple weeks prior to our session Katie called me and asked if we could get some sunset images using an old church pew. Of course I instantly said yes! It’s even cooler to know that this church pew came from the same church they’re getting married in next July.

I know I always say it, but I had the best time photographing this couple! I feel so lucky to have clients that care about creating unique, meaningful images. I was ecstatic when they hired me as their wedding photographer because I felt an instant connection to them. Katie and Evan, you made my job easy because you’re so *in love* with each other. Thanks for such a fun autumn evening. I’m looking forward to doing it again next summer at your wedding!

JJ was spot on in the wardrobe department. I love the looks she picked out for the sunset nature/downtown photoshoot we decided on. I have to say though, nothing looks better than real, genuine expression and these two definitely had plenty of that going on. Amazing smiles, sweet laughter, a protective embrace, these are the things that make up beautiful images.

This last photo was JJ’s idea and I’m pleased with the way it turned out. It’s great to hear the couple’s ideas while we’re photographing. Makes me happy to coordinate my imagery with their thoughts and plans to produce an image like the one above.

JJ and Shane, I’m looking forward to our next session together on your big day in October!

]]> http://www.cbyatesphotography.com/blog/2009/09/01/engaged-jj-and-shane/feed/ 1 http://www.cbyatesphotography.com/blog/2009/08/15/engaged-kacie-nick/ http://www.cbyatesphotography.com/blog/2009/08/15/engaged-kacie-nick/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:04:38 +0000 Cara Bresette-Yates http://www.cbyatesphotography.com/blog/?p=699 When I talked to Kacie on the phone I could just tell how she’d be great to work with. Kacie and Nick were referred from a friend which is my favorite way to meet new clients.

When we discussed their engagement shoot and how to personalize it to them she mentioned that they were wine connoisseurs. Instantly I pictured a couple wine glasses and a picnic basket. Well the rest is history. We carried the wine, glasses, basket, and blanket and set off to find just the right spot. 

Of course I’m looking forward to their wedding in October. Look at these guys laugh together, you know it’ll be a good time! 

Thanks for the nice evening together Kacie and Nick. It was awesome to get to know you both better as well as capture these images of your relationship. 

I love the beautiful sanctuary at St. Patrick’s Church in Fremont. Great lighting for their first kiss after they walked down the aisle.

And I have to share pictures of their flower girl. She’s so adorable!

And at last, here’s the images we took with the sparklers! It was dusk and getting dark so I pulled them out of the reception for a few minutes to capture this image. I love the connection you see between Erin and Chris. They look so happy and relaxed. Perfect ending to a beautiful day.

Here are some of my favorites:

Look at the light in Tatum’s eyes while she was getting ready. The anticipation from seeing Jeremy was shining through.

I had Megan from Image Society Photography helping me second shoot that day. I was so grateful for her help and she’s a lot of fun to shoot with. It was her idea to have the bridesmaids dip their toes in the pool to cool off. I love the juxtaposition of the pink dresses with the blue water.

She also helped set up the shot below. Helping these good looking guys strut their stuff in their suits. I’m loving the pink vests that match the color scheme of the wedding.

Here’s a little glance at some of the details that made the day. Flowers were by Tiffany’s Floral Creations in Bellevue. They turned out beautiful.

Thanks again Megan for helping me capture these details with your awesome macro lens!

That last shot is definitely my favorite. It was completely candid and magically emotional. That look in his eyes is so deep and I know Tatum feels lucky to be on the receiving end of it.

Congratulations to you both! Thanks again for having Megan and I there on your special day.

The backdrop for Kim and Adam’s wedding was the Fontenelle Nature Association. Such a beautiful, organic themed backdrop for this wedding. I love the favors shown above with their wedding rings. Handmade paper hearts with seeds inside that bloom into wildflowers when planted. Like the website states, “A wonderful symbol of love that grows and blossoms.” Kim put so much thought and effort into organizing this wedding and it showed beautifully.

One of my favorite images from the day is below. Kim’s relationship with her parents is such a special one so I was very happy to capture the shot of dad putting a sixpence in her shoe. Since I am so close to my own Dad I always strive to capture that bond between father and daughter. At times it’s very emotional but fueled by love and that is such a neat thing to witness.

Fontenelle’s green backdrop for the ceremony was lush and vibrant. It was great to be photographing outdoors and we were so happy it didn’t rain!

This wedding party was wonderful to work with. Wanted to share the image we took after we got the serious ones out of the way. Again, lovin’ the color scheme with the girl’s dresses and the guy’s vests.

And now on to the main event . . . the bride and groom couple pictures. These are my all-time favorite shots of the day to take. Thank you both for being so cooperative even though it was quite muggy out. You both looked fabulous!

By now I assume you’re back from your honeymoon. Hope you time away was relaxing and fun! Thanks for having me share in your wedding day. I loved meeting and getting to know your family. The hugs you and your parents gave me when I said goodnight were priceless!

So many wonderful details to the day and I wanted to be able to share them without making this blog post too long. So here’s a little collage showcasing the details that made the day special. The butterfly release was one of my favorites! I was told it was good luck when one chose to land on Amy’s dress. 

I was very pleased with the way their engagement photo/guest book turned out. They rocked their engagement photos!

I really enjoyed working with this wedding party. We all had a good time capturing these shots when Ollie the Trolley stopped at Zorinsky on the way to the reception. Thanks to you all for being patient with me while we got these images!

This is one of the best jumping shots I’ve got ever. Look at that air!

Amy & Cole, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I enjoyed being with you the entire day. That’s my favorite part of being the photographer, getting to witness the love and special moments between a bride and groom. Like I said on my Facebook status the night of your wedding, “Amy & Cole’s friends and family were amazing. You know it’s meaningful when the photographer starts crying during the toasts/speeches.” Which is the truth! Normally I’d feel silly getting emotional at a wedding I was photographing but not yours. The love between you two and from your family is inspiring and amazing. Cherish it, you’re so lucky!