2. Having engagement photographs are nice to have. They make great  save the dates,wedding announcements, gifts, or a  nicely designed guest book for the wedding. After the wedding the photographs will look great hanging on a wall next to your wedding pictures. Your family and friends will love them.

3. You will be comfortable with your photographer and he will get to know you. He will have spent time with you and your fiancé before the wedding. He will get to know you as a couple, know how you interact with one another and know all your best angles. Many photographers include an engagement photo session as part of the overall package “Many photographers include an engagement photo session as part of the overall package, which presents a good opportunity to see your photographer in action. It also gives him the chance to experiment with flattering angles, poses, and lighting levels before the wedding day, ” (Wedding Photography: Engagement Photo Basics, theknot.com).

4. Having Engagement photos taken is FUN! Go to the place you first met, go somewhere you love, be comfortable, relaxed and most importantly this is your time to shine as a couple. Enjoy the love and excitement you share. ”I’m really glad we did engagement pictures twenty years ago. We didn’t do anything expensive, elaborate or artsy. Just a quick visit to a chain photo studio to capture how happy we were at the time. These pictures were ‘us’ — way more than the more elaborate wedding pictures and I treasure them. –Jodie,” (To Take or Not Take? Engagement Photos, Lemondrop.com).

5. You will have the advantage of seeing how you photograph as a couple. Make suggestions to the photographer on what you like or want to see and what you don’t like. *Just make sure the Engagement photos are scheduled a few months prior to the wedding.

If your interested in learning more about wedding photography packages or engagement photo information please contact me here or send me an e-mail at info@carypenningtonphotography.com

Other Reasons to consider-

• Most engagement photo sessions are offered in a wedding package. I offer a package a deal with my services, carypenningtonphotography.com
• “Another advantage to being photographed prior to your wedding day is the opportunity for the bride to have a test run done on her make-up. Set up an appointment with the person doing your make-up for the wedding right before your engagement shoot. This way you will get to see how your make-up will look, not only in the mirror but how it will photograph. If there are adjustments to be made, it will not be too late.” Why You Should Take Engagement Photos, Insideweddings.com )
• “Engagement shoots calm your nerves. This goes out to all of you camera-shy brides and grooms. Having an engagement shoot allows you to get used to your very own paparazzi.” ( Why Take Engagement Photos? vancitybride.com)

Walking in La Jolla, San Diego near the beach the other day I ran across a flyer, “Lost Wedding Ring,” my heart sank at the sight of this flyer. I could sense the desperation in the author’s voice; it was a man’s wedding band and an obvious last attempt to find the symbol of his love.  I really felt for this man on several levels.  If he is willing to go to such efforts to find his ring, I thought I could at least post the flyer here in support of his efforts.  This man’s determination and dedication to find his ring got me thinking about the significance of a wedding ring.

Wedding rings come in all sizes, shapes, forms and prices; to each couple and in different cultures they have alternate meanings. The one thing that every wedding ring seems to have in common is that they are in fact significant.  I decided to understand the depths of a wedding rings from different stand points.  I would also love to hear and welcome any stories you have about your wedding rings.

As a photographer, I always make a point to photograph the rings because of their huge significance. I try to focus on the details and uniqueness of each ring. I see the ring as a symbol; no beginning and no end.  The circle represents marriage as endless and everlasting.

A wedding ring is not something that is required in order to marry or be married. Here in our culture rings are undoubtedly vital during the wedding ceremony and is symbolic in the relationship long after. I discussed the significance of wedding rings in relationships with San Diego expert marriage and family therapist Jennine Estes (Estes Therapy).

“The significance of a wedding ring can vary from couple to couple; for some people it is a way to publicly show their love and for other couples it is just “part of the marriage.”  In my therapy practice, I have found that couples tend to see the ring as a sense of security, commitment, and reassurance.  When a person in the relationship doesn’t wear the ring without consulting the other partner, it can become threatening to the relationship.  Or if a partner forgets to wear their ring, the other partner may feel hurt and as if the relationship doesn’t matter.  Other times a woman may long for the engagement ring to simply get an added sense of reassurance that the relationship will be growing and moving forward. And if someone loses the ring, they may panic because they know it is a significant part of the marriage and a way to show their partner their love. Once again, each relationship may vary.  As a therapist, I see the positive or negative interactions around a wedding ring are simply an extension to the relationship security and connection.”  -more information visit Relationships in the Raw 

Finally I share a touching story of a woman who lost her wedding ring after 14 years of marriage.

“Every night before I go to bed I take off my wedding ring and put it in a ring dish. One night as I got ready for bed I realized I did not have it on. I looked everywhere. The next day when I got to my office I turned it upside down. No ring, I had lost it. I don’t know how, but I did.”  

“Almost three months later, a gentleman came into our business. He asked me if I had lost something. He proceeded to tell me that he had come by our business about three months earlier. We had just closed. On his way back to the car he saw something shiny in the parking lot. I started to tear up. When he didn’t see anything in the paper about a lost ring, he decided to come back in. Three months prior when I was leaving work, I had reached into my pocket to pull out my keys and the ring had come out with them.”  

“Standing there in front of me was this wonderful honest man who had thought to come back to our business and find out if someone had lost their wedding ring. I cried as he handed it to me and gave him a big hug.”

These are just a few ways to look at the meaning behind a wedding ring. I hope that the gentleman who lost his wedding ring will be as lucky as the woman who lost her ring in the parking lot. Whatever your beliefs or thoughts on the meaning behind your wedding ring let it be a symbol of love and strength in your relationship.

Further information/reading:

How did you chose your wedding ring?

History of a Wedding ring

Relationships in the Raw

Rachel and Jesse's Wedding in Jamaica

When you have decided or are thinking of  a destination wedding  the question pertaining to your photographer will eventually come up. The question being: Do I hire a photographer at the choice destination? or do I hire locally and take the photographer with me? I have seen this topic come up quite often, I am of course a local wedding photographer here in San Diego, so my position on this subject may be biased, but I am here to offer some tips and suggestions.

1. Most importantly if you hire locally you will get to meet and work with your photographer in person. Knowing and feeling comfortable with your photographer is vital when it comes to take the photographs you will want to cherish for a lifetime. “The florist may bring the wrong bouquet, and the minister may speak the wrong passage…Eventually, you will be joking at what the minister said, however, there is one mishap that you will not find amusing. If you do not have great pictures of your destination wedding – how are you going to remember how fantastic it was?”(  Choosing a Destination Wedding Photographer R. Landon).

2. If you hire locally, you’ll  have the option to have the photographer shoot the engagement photos. The benefit of using the same photographer for both occasions is endless. Before the wedding you already feel comfortable working together. The photographer knows how you interact with your fiancé; he’ll also know all your best angles, sides and smiles.

3. Many destination weddings in exotic locations come with a package deal that will offer a photographer. Often the photographer is only available for a short period of time. There is a good chance you won’t be able to meet your photographer in person until the day of your wedding. This can come with a long list of problems, but more importantly you want to make sure that you have a good connection and chemistry with your photographer.  Your photographer will be taking intimate, close and personal photographs of you and your loved ones.  Make sure this is someone you want to spend your special day with.

Chelsea and Jason Wedding Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

4. You will have the comfort of having things planned before you  arrive. There will be mounds of  things to worry about on your wedding day; don’t let it be your photographer.  A local photographer will know your needs, wants and what type of photographs your are looking for on your wedding day. “If you hire someone local, you’ll have more of a chance to talk with him and make sure that you’re on the same page with the type of photos you want. There may be fewer language or cultural barriers, as well,”  (Wedding Day Photography from Sheknows Weddings).

5.  Editing the photos after the wedding is another thing to think about. It can take time to edit and go through photos, “ having a photographer in your own country doing this makes a lot of sense opposed to trying to reach a photographer by phone in another country,” (tips for hiring a destination wedding photographer, Heather Parker Photography). If you want to discuss and go over photos and options after the wedding it is much, much easier to hop in the car and discuss these options in person.

These are just a few things to take into account, of course there are many more. Choosing a photographer for your wedding day is never a simple task and adding the element of a destination makes it even more difficult. Your wedding photographs are something you are going to have for a lifetime, consider hiring someone you really know and trust.

Chelsea and Jason Wedding Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Chelsea and Jason Cabo San Lucas

Quoted by Tam, owner of Isari Flowers from her favorite poem, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” by William Wadsworth.

Walking into the studio for Isari Flowers, you realize that this company is so much more than just flowers. There is beauty and artistry seeping from every corner of the studio. The open layout of the building allows you to see where and how the flowers are designed, as well as showcases the unique plants and art pieces displayed throughout the studio. It is apparent Isari Flowers is thriving; the entire staff is constantly busy. In the short time I was visiting there, there was another photographer and magazine wanting to feature the studio as well. The artistry, gorgeous flowers, and their ability to create the vision of what their customer is looking for, is the reason Isari Flowers is such a success.

Tam, the owner of Isari flowers, carefully organizes the arrangements for each event, making sure to illustrate exactly what their customer envisioned. When discussing weddings, Tam explains that some brides have very specific ideas for their flowers. Other times she will have a little more freedom to use her own creative ideas. But, always anticipating the importance of understanding her clients’ needs, she states “it’s not my wedding, it’s their wedding”.

Tam is a gorgeous and unique individual. She was very gracious to take time out of her busy day and talk with me. She is from Thailand originally. She studied interior design and has always had a passion for flowers, “I knew the names of the flowers before I could even speak English,” she said. The combination of the two has really made her work stand out.

Supporting Tam in her efforts is her highly skilled and organized staff. They help her to create, set up an event, and run the studio. The team works so well together they are often able to handle several weddings in a single day. The studio has also begun to give classes to children and adults on flower arrangements, and a special Christmas class to build wreaths.

If you are looking for a florist for an event or wedding, consider Tam and her team at Isari Flowers. If you are in Solana beach heading to Cedros Ave, try heading north instead of south and check out the studio yourself, you won’t be disappointed. This is an outstanding company that will always put your needs first.

Advice From Tam:

What advice can you give to a potential bride when choosing flowers for a wedding?

Tam: Bring in pictures of what you are looking for. It doesn’t even have to be pictures of flowers.

Q: Would you be offended if someone brought in flowers that weren’t done by you?

Tam: Absolutely not, I want to get an understanding of exactly what they are looking for and make sure we are on the same page.

Up coming class schedule at Isari Flowers:

http://isariflowerstudio.com/flower_class/classes.html

Venue: Marriott Resort and Spa

Coordinator: Amanda, Creative Affairs inc.

Tent: Allstar Group

Hair and Makeup: Jeanette Rogers & Sarah Powell

Florist: Katherine Farley, klf Floral

Band: Earl Alexander Band

Guitarist: Robert Szajkowski