My Advice for Newlywed Brides

So, you just got hitched? Congratulations! The biggest question you might ask yourself after all the parties, photos, and stress is over is what now?

There is a lot to think about now that you have the rest of forever with your partner, here are just a few friendly pieces of advice for every newlywed bride.

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BonusRachel Cottrell
3 Tips for Using Pinterest to Plan Your Wedding

Growing up, the idea of marriage was a fuzzy one. Throughout elementary school (and I admit, even into my early adolescence), I fondly remember huddling heads with girlfriends on the school bus, while penciling in answers on crumpled notebook paper in order to curate my ideal life in the game of MASH. I knew I wanted to get married one day, but I tended to dwell on the long-term details rather than on the who.

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BonusRachel Cottrell
How to Choose Meaningful Accessories for your Wedding Day Ensemble

The accessories you choose for your wedding day are not only a beautiful accent to your outfit, but also provide a unique way to express deeper meaning to those who helped and loved you along the way.

While there are many options to choose from, here are some excellent and beautiful examples for your wedding ensemble. The classic bouquet is an excellent way to subtly express yourself through color, flower choice, and accent plants. When designing your perfect bouquet, think about birth flowers, ribbon colors, charms, or even

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Wedding TipsRachel Cottrell
Sample Photo Checklist for Family Pictures after the Wedding (for photographers)

No matter how many weddings I shoot, life turning-points I capture, or emotions I preserve, I still find myself absorbed in the thrill of these significant moments - It’s so easy to become scattered as emotions brim (especially your own!)! This is why amidst the wedding hoop-lah, when tears are streaming, teeth are beaming, and arms embracing, it is essential to have already curated a family photo checklist with your bride/groom ahead of time that can be used after the wedding ceremony.

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Bridal Party Ensemble 101: How to Dress Your Bridesmaids

My advice for dressing your bridesmaids? Follow 2020’s lead and play by your own rules! After all, over the years, the “do/do nots” have shifted significantly where bridesmaid outfit etiquette is concerned. I have even found that my favorite wedding parties to photograph play with color shades, dress lengths, mixed materials, and fit! So be daring, be different, and ease up on the cloning (er, I mean, “dress rigidity”). Your bridesmaids will thank you and so will their new Facebook profiles.

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BonusRachel Cottrell
Six Places to Take Formal Pictures Besides the Temple

I may be a little biased, but picking photo locations is one of the best parts of wedding planning. For formal pictures, your location should be the perfect accent to your outfits, colors, and the overall vibe of your photoshoot. I am a big believer in choosing a location that feels true to you and your style. For couples who plan to get married in an LDS temple, formal photo locations may seem limited to the temple grounds.

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6 Tips for Posing in Professional Wedding Photos

When it comes to your professional wedding photography session, a little posing preparation can go a long way. There are many things during photo shoots that you cannot control like the weather (the wind especially) or possibly being at a brand new venue. There are however things you can control like knowing your "good" side and telling your photographer so they can prioritize flattering angles from that direction. This may take a couple of minutes in front of the mirror or a quick review of previous photographs but believe me, it is worth it!

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WeddingsRachel Cottrell
Do I Need Professional Hair + Makeup for my Engagements?

A common challenge when facing a problem in both life and in wedding planning is, can I do this myself or should I hire a professional?

Many of us have thought about this regarding a home improvement or craft project, is it really worth the hassle of doing it yourself or should your money/time be spent somewhere else?

We’re going to dive into both sides to this question specifically regarding hair and makeup for engagement photos and if hiring a professional is the right fit for your event and budget.

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Elegant Tri-Cities Wedding - Romantic Reception at the Bella Fiori Gardens in Kennewick, Washington

Where do I start with this incredible couple!? From the gorgeous details to the flexibility and positivity as plans changed again and again (thank you COVID-19!!), Brielle and Paul were troopers and made an amazing celebration out of it with their reception at the Bella Fiori Gardens in Tri-Cities, Washington.

After an intimate little ceremony in April, Brielle and Paul finally got to celebrate their marriage with a gorgeous reception in Brielle’s hometown of Kennewick, Washington.

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Savanna Richardson
6 Things to Keep From the Wedding to Use in Your Home (or Keepsake Box)

If you know me, you’ll remember that I am all about keeping the magic of your wedding day alive as you begin your life together post-wedding. I’ve talked about this a few times in regards to your relationship as husband and wife, but today I want to focus on physical memories of your big day. In this blog post, I’ve compiled some of the most important things you should keep from your wedding to use in your home or keepsake box.

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Should I Hire a Videographer for My Wedding or First Look?

Wondering if you should hire a videographer for your wedding or first look? If your wedding budget has wiggle room, we say go for it! The difference between a photographer and a videographer is huge. Photos capture an emotion, but videos show emotion with movement and sound, creating the perfect time capsule of your memory in video form. We’ve compiled a list of reasons why we think a videographer is a must.

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Wedding TipsRachel Cottrell
How to Choose the Right Shoes for Your Wedding Ensemble

Wedding shoes may seem small in the grand scheme of things but they can make or break your wedding day. Think about all the times you’ve worn shoes in different settings. We don’t always pick wisely, sometimes we pick cute over comfort and we end up with major sores. Wearing the wrong shoes to your wedding can seriously mess with your mood. We’ve compiled a list of the Dos and Don’ts for wedding day shoes to help you on your special day.

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Wedding TipsRachel Cottrell
7 Ways to Honor Your Parents at Your Wedding

If you aren’t in the middle of wedding-day preparations yet, you will be soon! Planning a wedding can be a huge undertaking. Ask any bride or groom, and they’ll verify that having a good support system is so important during those stressful moments. Your wedding day is all about you, but there are a few key people who deserve some recognition for their lifelong love and support. I’m talking about your parents, of course!

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Reception Playlist for Timeless Brides

Having a hard time deciding what to add to your wedding reception playlist? The music you choose will help set the mood for the entire evening, so you’ll want to pick songs that capture your love. There are a lot of good love songs out there, but not all of them are worthy of your big day. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of the most timeless and classic songs for the perfect reception playlist.

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Wedding Budgets: Who Pays for What Traditionally?

Congratulations you’re getting married! Planning a wedding is no cheap endeavor, so it’s important to delegate the costs. We’ve put together a list of who pays for what traditionally at weddings. Of course, these are just traditional guidelines and by no means need to be strictly followed, but we hope it helps you delegate these responsibilities.

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Wedding TipsRachel Cottrell
Engagement Session Tips: Helping the Groom Feel More Comfortable

Congratulations you’re engaged!! We hope you’ve done lots of celebrating and are on your way to planning your big day. Engagement photos are part of the planning process and can be such a fun experience with the right attitudes. Many brides are thrilled to be taking engagement photos while their grooms aren’t quite as thrilled. We’ve put together a list in helping you and fiancé have the best experience at your engagement session.

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SessionsRachel Cottrell
4 Ideas for Timeless Wedding Photos

One of the best parts about wedding photos is that they become your family’s heirlooms. Just imagine your great-grandchildren hanging your photos on their wall. Timelessness in wedding photography is key to making memories that last.

While there are many aspects to a great photo, not all styles stand the test of time. Here are a few ways to keep your photos relevant for years to come:

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Wedding TipsRachel Cottrell
Tips for Creating Great Relationships with Your Wedding Vendors

Planning a wedding requires a whole village of wedding vendors - the caterer, florist, photographer, DJ, planner, and so many more. When you hire a wedding vendor you are placing your trust in the dream team you’ve curated that they will help bring your wedding vision to life. You’ll be working with these people A LOT so you want these relationships to be good ones… here are a few tips on connecting and working with your wedding vendors:

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10 Northern Utah Landscapes + Locations for Beautiful Engagement Photos

Northern Utah is widely known and loved for its beautiful outdoor landscapes. One of the best parts about being a photographer is being able to see the beauty that Utah has to offer. Add your gorgeous couples to the equation, and it’s a recipe for unforgettable moments.

If you haven’t adventured into the great outdoors with your camera just yet, or if you’re newly engaged and searching for the perfect photoshoot location, look no further! I’m here to help you. In this post, I’ve compiled a list of 10 beautiful locations for engagement shoots in Northern Utah.


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SessionsRachel Cottrell
Post-Wedding Etiquette: Tips for Being Gracious and Grateful

After months of planning and preparation, the big day finally came. You already know that being the bride or groom can be a lot of pressure, whether you like being the center of attention or not. Because you were the hosts, it’s important that you take time to remember the contributions of friends and family that helped your day run smoothly. To help you out, I’ve compiled a few tips for how you can be gracious and grateful hosts after the wedding day is over.

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