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You&rsquo;ve booked an engagement session, but what should you wear? Wardrobe is important, whether you'd like a more casual feel to your images or you want to opt for a more formal look. Before you make any decisions on your wardrobe, here are six tips to keep in mind. You can also ask your photographer for their opinion. I&rsquo;m always happy to help clients select outfits for their engagement session that will look great on camera and make them feel their best.
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Keep in mind that when I recommend certain colours or types of clothing, these are not hard and fast rules. You&rsquo;ll even see examples in my portfolio that deviate from this advice (like wearing orange or adding sparkle to outfits), but these outfits have often either been put together by a stylist to fit a theme or there was plenty of collaboration with the client to ensure the clothes made sense for the style of their shoot.
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Choose colours carefully
The colour of your outfits is incredibly important. Bright colours &mdash; like certain shades of red, green, orange, or yellow &mdash; can create a colour cast on your skin, for example. I always suggest choosing solid colours or neutrals. Think jewel tones (everyone looks good in these), navy or dark gray (this can be a great alternative to black), dusty tones, cream, tan, or even pastels. Remember that your eye always goes to the lightest thing in the frame first, which is important when choosing tops and pants. If you wear a black top and white trousers, your eye will go to the trousers first.
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Avoid large patterns and logos
There are times when logos can&rsquo;t be avoided, but in general, I advise clients to stay away from them (if they can). A small logo here and there won&rsquo;t make or break your session, but they can be distracting if they&rsquo;re covering the entire front of a T-shirt. Logos can also date a photo very quickly, depending on what&rsquo;s in style at the time. The same thing goes for patterns. Certain patterns were popular 10 years ago that you don&rsquo;t see anymore (like chevron). If you do opt for a pattern, stick to something more classic (pinstripe, plaid, or even small florals are a safe bet). Avoid overpowering patterns like big floral prints, bold stripes (especially horizontal ones), or large polka dots. 
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Consider the cut of your garments
Trends come and go, and this can also date your images. If you want to do a trendy shoot and it makes sense for you as a couple, by all means. If you&rsquo;d like something with more longevity, consider choosing more timeless, well-tailored pieces. I also suggest avoiding really oversized pieces, unless it fits the style of the session (like a shirt jacket during fall engagement photos). These items can make you appear larger on camera than something that&rsquo;s cut closer to your body.
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Choose pieces you'll be comfortable in and that don't require a lot of adjusting as you move throughout the session.
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Keep accessories simple Simple, understated jewelry won't draw focus away from your engagement ring and will be more timeless than large, trendy pieces. If you choose a necklace (or a couple of stacked chains), try small stud earrings. If you'd like your earrings to be your main piece, either skip the necklace or choose a single delicate one. Again, choose items that fit your style. If you'd like your outfit to be edgier and it makes sense to stack some chunkier jewelry, go for it!
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Choose appropriate footwear
You don&rsquo;t have to sacrifice style for comfort when it comes to an engagement session. Think about the location you&rsquo;re shooting in. If you&rsquo;ve chosen to shoot in a studio, you can wear anything you&rsquo;d like that complements your outfit choice. If you&rsquo;re heading outdoors or you&rsquo;ll be walking to a couple of locations, I would suggest avoiding heels &mdash; or bringing a pair of flat shoes to walk in and changing when you arrive at the spot. A block heel is also a better option than a stiletto if you&rsquo;re going to be standing on uneven ground.
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If you&rsquo;ve decided to buy new shoes for the session, I&rsquo;d suggest wearing them a few times beforehand so you can break them in a little. 
Review the condition of your clothes
Take a look at each piece before you leave for your session. Does it need to be steamed? Is there lint or pet hair all over it? Are there loose threads? Do your shoes need to be polished? These little details matter and they will most definitely show up on camera. I&rsquo;ll usually remove really obvious things from clothing (like a dangling thread), but it&rsquo;s a lot of time and work to remove a ton of lint from every single image &mdash; some photographers won&rsquo;t do this at all. Wrinkles are a big one, too. These are often incredibly difficult to remove (especially if there are lots of them), so you&rsquo;ll want to give everything a good steam and hang your garments to transport them. Be careful of fabrics like linen or satin, as they wrinkle very easily.
 Create variety with layering
There&rsquo;s often time for an outfit change during an engagement (or more, depending on the length booked), but this doesn&rsquo;t always mean you need to bring a ton of clothing with you. If you&rsquo;re shooting outside and there&rsquo;s nowhere to comfortably do a full change, you could create a new look by swapping jackets, outer layers, and accessories. Your hair and makeup will also last longer if you&rsquo;re not pulling a bunch of items over your head.
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Bonus tip: Get your hair and makeup done
This isn&rsquo;t necessarily a wardrobe tip, but professional hair and makeup go a long way in creating a polished appearance overall &mdash; you can even book your hair and makeup trials for the same day to see how everything looks on camera. It doesn&rsquo;t mean you have to create a look you aren&rsquo;t comfortable with, but they&rsquo;ll make sure flyaways are tamed, your hair has lasting volume, and your makeup stays put throughout the session and highlights your best features. My go-to makeup artist in Calgary is <a href="https://smudgeandsmoulder.com/">Smudge &amp; Smoulder</a>. If I&rsquo;m shooting in Edmonton, <a href="https://ambervictoriaprepchuk.com/">Amber Prepchuk</a> is my number-one choice for hair and makeup.
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I&rsquo;m currently taking new portrait, branding, and engagement bookings. <a href="https://meaghanbaxterphotography.com/#contact-section" aria-invalid="true">Get in touch</a> to chat about packages.

What to Wear For Your Engagement Session

Welcoming a newborn into your family is a big step, whether it's your first baby or not. It's often advised to do these sessions within two weeks of the baby's birth, but this can be a lot of pressure on parents. There are a lot of adjustments to make, no one is getting any sleep, and moms are recovering from giving birth. If you're feeling up for a session during the first two weeks, that's great! If not, give yourself some time and book it a little later. Evie was about six weeks old when we did this session, and she was still very much a newborn.
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Parents also often ask me if they can bring older children to the session, and the answer is always yes! Becoming an older sibling is a huge step for them too, and it's nice to capture this time in their lives. Edie's older sister Ruby joined us for the session and she was such a sweetheart. Her big personality made for plenty of cute candid moments.
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This session was also shot at <a href="https://nicoleallisonphoto.com/studiorental" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studio Atelier</a> in downtown Calgary, which is one of my favourite studios. It features a neutral colour palette and a few different shooting areas within the space. This gives your clients plenty of variety in their gallery, and the decor can complement various aesthetics. Bonus: There's even a change table to accommodate little ones.
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Click <a href="https://meaghanbaxterphotography.com/package/family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more about family and newborn sessions.
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Newborn Session at Studio Atelier | Calgary, AB

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Finding your wedding vendor team can be a daunting task. This is the first time most couples are planning a wedding, and it's important to have the right people there for you when you tie the knot. Here are some answers to common questions about wedding photography.
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There are so many wedding photographers in my area. How do I choose one? Research, research and more research. Don't just look at price. Choose a photographer whose style and personality you resonate with &mdash; you'll be spending plenty of time with us on the wedding day! Think about the style you'd like. Are you drawn to dark and moody images or more light and airy (or even something in-between). Narrow down your list and do a call with each photographer to get a feel for their personality, approach to wedding photography, and ask plenty of questions. Check out <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://meaghanbaxterphotography.com/blog/questions-wedding-photographer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this blog</a> for a starting point.
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And always look at full galleries from photographers you're interested in. This will show how they capture all parts of the day and how their style looks in different lighting conditions.
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What's the difference between documentary wedding photography, editorial wedding photography and lifestyle wedding photography?
These are just three common styles, but here's a quick breakdown.
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Documentary (sometimes called photojournalistic wedding photography) focuses on candid moments. It's not posed and these photographers take a more hands-off approach to the day. Editorial wedding photography tend to be more technical and place more emphasis on lighting (often artificial) and posing. It's a very hands-on style that's similar to what you see in wedding magazines.
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Lifestyle photography lands somewhere in-between documentary and editorial (this is what I'd classify myself as). It blends capturing candid moments with some direction and posing during moments like family photos and couples' portraits.
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The images below are an example of this. The one on the left was a candid photo shot during their first look, while the one on the right was directed. I only told them to face each other, get close and put their arms around one another. 
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How do I decide how much time to book?
Couples often need to book their photographer long before their wedding timeline is solidified. My best advice would be to book at least eight hours if you want to cover the majority of your day and you're following a more traditional timeline. Ten hours is even better, if budget allows. If you end up needing more time, talk to your photographer about adding hours.
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Do I have to do an engagement session? No, but it's helpful! Many photographers (myself included), offter a complimentary engagement session in their wedding packages. It's a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and spend some time together before the big day. If a couple is from out of town and can't use their engagement session, I offer a post-wedding session instead.
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Will my photographer recreate Pinterest photos for me? You can send us inspiration, but most photographers will not recreate photos for you. Your wedding photos should be unique to you and feel authentic. It's also very difficult to recreate photos that were shot in completely different conditions than we're working with on a wedding day &mdash; especially if the photo is from a candid moment.
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Do I have to schedule time for a first look? 
You do not. If doing a first look feels right to you and your partner, that's great! It's also ok if you'd like to see each other for the first time when you walk down the aisle &mdash; and no, it's not old fashioned. Your day should reflect what's important to you, not something you see on social media.
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Do all wedding photographers use presets to edit their images? Many do, but this doesn't mean we make one click and the job is done. We spend a ton of time refining presets, whether they were purchased from a third party or self-created, to make colours look their best, remove distractions, retouch skin in portraits, the list goes on. Presets are often just used as the base we build upon.
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How do I make sure my photographer understands my vision for the day?
Communication is key, plus choosing a photographer who you connect with. Wedding photographers often send questionnaires, and it's important to fill yours out thoroughly. Tell your photographer what's a priority for you, any must-have shots, what you envision and how they can help you make that happen. We're here for you!
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I'm always happy to chat all things weddings with my couples. <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://meaghanbaxterphotography.com/#contact-section" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reach out</a> if you're interested in working together and let's chat!

Answers to Common Questions About Wedding Photography

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I met Logan and Brina in 2022 when we did their engagement session, and they're two of the nicest people. It's also so easy to see just how much they love each other. They tied the knot this summer at Ralph Klein Park in southeast Calgary. It's on the edge of the city and, despite living here for seven years, I hadn't made it out to visit. There's a nature centre onsite that hosts events, plenty of walking paths, and playground equipment for kids. Any avid bird watchers will love it too.
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Logan and Brina originally planned to have their ceremony on the rooftop patio, but intense winds meant it had to move inside. They took the change in the plans in stride and embraced the wind for portaits &mdash; Brina's flowy gown from Durand Bridal was perfect for it. Afterwards, they held a tea reception for their guests, complete with finger sandwiches, charcuterie, a candy bar and sweets from Whippt Kitchen. It was a nice change of pace from standard receptions, and they added some nice touches &mdash; like their family favourites at the candy bar and hand-picked tea cups for each guest as their favours / place cards.
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Vendors Venue: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.calgary.ca/parks/ralph-klein-park.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ralph Klein Park</a>
Catering: Whippt Kitchen
Cake and Macarons: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://whipptkitchen.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whippt Kitchen</a>
Florals: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://callia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Callia Floral</a>
Gown: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.durandbridal.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Durand Bridal</a>
Hair and Makeup: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.glamandbeyond.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glam and Beyond</a>
Bride's Nails: @MeganNails21
Groom's Suit: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.glamandbeyond.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tip Top Tailors</a>
Bride's Ring: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.peoplesjewellers.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peoples Jewellers</a>
Groom's Ring: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.troyshoppejewellers.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Troy Shoppe Jewellers</a>
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Logan & Brina | Ralph Klein Park Wedding, Calgary, AB

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Every wedding I photograph is special in its own way, but this one was extra-special for me &mdash; the groom just happened to be my younger brother. David and Stephanie hosted a fun-filled weekend for family and friends in Winnipeg before tying the knot at the gorgeous Winnipeg Art Gallery. These two began dating about seven years ago, and I always not-so-secretly hoped they would get married one day. They're an incredible team, and their wedding day was filled with lots of laughs and a fantastic party. They're both journalists in Ottawa and have gathered quite the friend group as they've lived in different places across Canada, so their wedding was a little journalist reunion too.
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Vendors:
Venue: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.wag.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winnipeg Art Gallery</a> Caterer: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://wowcatering.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wow Catering</a>
Ceremon Florals: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://thefloralfixx.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Floral Fixx</a>
Bud Vases: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://callia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Callia Flowers</a>
Wedding Party Bouquets &amp; Boutonnieres: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/IslandFlowerGirlPEI?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Search_CA_DSA_GGL_ENG_General-Nonbrand_Shop_All&amp;utm_ag=UK-EN_DSA-Shop%2BPages&amp;utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrGeJYhIzA8TVyN_qwveBgM0w8A5AsbhArASfVH3KbnxcN9E5P7hw3BoCdyYQAvD_BwE_k_&amp;utm_content=go_20277111531_151999116684_662712275743_dsa-1640180280716_c_&amp;utm_custom2=20277111531&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADutTMegtt05519_j6Wf-E21PH2py&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrGeJYhIzA8TVyN_qwveBgM0w8A5AsbhArASfVH3KbnxcN9E5P7hw3BoCdyYQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IslandFlowerGirlPEI</a>
Signage: <a href="https://loftandfig.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Loft and Fig</a> Table Nameplates: <a href="https://www.wanderlustcreatures.com/laser-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wanderlust Creatures</a>
Makeup: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.instagram.com/madeleinedoemakeup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madeleine Doe</a>
Hair: Ashley Guenther
Gown: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.pearlandbirch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pearl &amp; Birch</a>
Veil: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://bellebotanicalcreations.com/en-ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belle Botanical Creations</a>
Jewelry: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://lunaandstone.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luna and Stone</a>
Suit: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.facebook.com/verniniuomo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vernini Classico</a>

Stephanie & David | Winnipeg Art Gallery Wedding

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K&amp;D travelled all the way from California to have their engagement photos done in the Canadian Rockies. D is originally from Alberta, but the pair met in the US. The weather wasn't what we expected, but the scenery was beautiful in its own way and these two were great sports about toughing it out in the cold. We spent some time at the Canmore Reservoir before heading to Kananaskis Country to shoot a few more photos at Wedge Pond and Mount Lorette Ponds &mdash; K was keen to find water, and these were our best options when the majority of the lakes are still frozen. The key to shooting in the mountains is flexibility and adapting to the conditions! All the best, K&amp;D!
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Evening Canmore & Kananaskis Engagement Session

Meaghan shot our engagement and wedding photos this year and we couldn’t be happier with our pictures! As a couple, we don’t love being in front of the camera but Meaghan made us feel comfortable and captured the essence of ‘Us’ in our photos.Meaghan has a fun, easygoing, professional energy. Her communication skills are exceptional, she has a great artistic eye, and we had our sneak-a-peek photos from the big day the following week

Andrea & Sandy

We spent HOURS looking for a photographer before someone recommended Meaghan to us and we could not be happier with how our wedding photos turned out! Meaghan went above and beyond to make sure that everything was perfect and that no photo opportunity was missed. She was wonderful and easy to work with and we never felt uncomfortable (even though it was both of our first times in front of a camera!). The photos are everything we hoped they would be - simple, elegant, and authentic. Meaghan didn’t miss a single moment and was an expert at catching casual and candid moments. We have the most amazing album of photos thanks to all of her hard work.

Thank you SO much for everything, Meaghan. You really helped make our wedding the best day ever,

Tanis & Emerson

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All You Need (Website + Booking System) Plan

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Wedding planning is exciting, and it can also become very stressful&mdash;but it doesn&rsquo;t have to be. My husband, Chris, and I got married in July 2022 after several date changes thanks to COVID-19. His family and some of his close friends live in the UK, and we were waiting for restrictions to lift so they could be here for it.
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Going to a wedding or being in a bridal party is one thing, but I quickly learned it&rsquo;s a different ballgame when it&rsquo;s your own wedding (and your own budget). Planning a wedding from start to finish is something the average person has never done, and there are so many details to keep straight, vendors to contact, and expenses to track&mdash;it&rsquo;s easy for it to get away on you. Here are 10 of my top tips for planning your wedding, which come from my experience as a wedding photographer and as a 2022 bride. I&rsquo;ve also shared all of our vendors at the end of the post.
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Start with the big stuff
It&rsquo;s easy to get swept up in the fun stuff, like dress shopping (seriously, one of the best days of wedding planning), colour schemes, floral arrangements, and food, but you need to start with the biggest pieces before you dive head first into these details.
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First up, get your venue secured ASAP. Once you have your date and venue down, everything else starts to fall into place. Tour venues in-person, if you can; you&rsquo;ll have an opportunity to chat with a member of the team and get a feel for the space. Come prepared with a list of questions for the venue, such last-call time, when you can access the space, tear-down procedures, whether they allow outside alcohol and catering, their preferred vendors (this can be a huge help since these pros know the space well), insurance required, and if you need to secure a liquor license.
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Once you have a venue, book your photographer, videographer, and even caterer if the venue doesn&rsquo;t provide its own food since these vendors book quite far in advance.
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Decide which costs are worth investing in
Wedding costs add up quickly, and you can&rsquo;t do it all (unless your budget is unlimited). I also learned that most of the Pinterest-perfect floral arches and table settings you see on social media are expensive. What looks like a small cost can add up fast, too. Five dollars per chair rental sounds cheap&mdash;until you need to order 150 of them, plus linens, flatware, charger plates, glassware, the list goes on (and then add delivery fees). Pretty soon, your rental and decor bill can be higher than you planned.
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Have a conversation with your partner early on (ideally before you even book vendors) about what&rsquo;s most important to you and which costs you&rsquo;re not willing to go without. For example, I was obviously ready to splurge on photography and videography but wasn&rsquo;t interested in a wedding cake or favours. Honestly, no one takes favours home anyway, and our caterer did a dessert station instead. We wanted to provide our guests with a really fun night (especially after we postponed multiple times), so we focused most of our budget on food, the bar, a solid DJ, and fantastic venue (<a href="https://thecommonscalgary.com/the-venues">The Hemingway Room</a> at The Commons). We still had pretty decor, but we kept it relatively simple.
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Read your contracts
Whatever you do, do not skim your contracts and sign. Read these documents thoroughly and carefully. Every vendor&rsquo;s contract is different, and you need to have a strong understanding of what&rsquo;s included, like payment schedules, what happens if you need to cancel, if they can&rsquo;t be at your wedding due to illness, and so on. If you have questions, ask. You won&rsquo;t offend a vendor if you need them to clarify a point in their contract. I always welcome questions from clients because it means they actually read their contract.
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Record your ceremony and speeches
Confirm you&rsquo;ll receive your full ceremony and speeches as part of your videography package. We did, and I&rsquo;m so glad we have these videos. The ceremony and speeches go by so quickly, and you&rsquo;ll want to relive those moments. If you decide against hiring a videographer, ask a trusted friend or family member to record them on their phone for you&mdash;just make sure there&rsquo;s a mic during the ceremony so they can get all the audio.
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Don&rsquo;t be afraid to ask your vendors for help
This is (likely) the first wedding you&rsquo;re planning, but your vendors have done this countless times and have seen it all. They&rsquo;re experts in their field and know what works and what doesn&rsquo;t. Don&rsquo;t be afraid to ask them questions and communicate with them. This ensures you&rsquo;re on the same page leading up to the wedding, but you&rsquo;ll also feel better having some help. For example, most photographers (myself included) are happy to look at your timeline and help you block off realistic amounts of time for different sections of the day.
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Hire a day-of coordinator
A day-of coordinator was one of the best investments we made. I was adamant that I didn&rsquo;t need one when we started planning, but I quickly realized I needed help on the wedding day. I also didn&rsquo;t want to be fielding calls from vendors that day or having my friends and family do everything. We booked Stacy with <a href="https://www.lockeweddings.com/">Locke Wedding Co.</a>, and she was incredible. We had a couple of meetings leading up to the wedding, and she always came with questions I hadn&rsquo;t even thought about. I felt completely reassured that she had everything under control, and the day ran so smoothly thanks to her. You can also opt for a full planner, but a day-of coordinator is a great alternative if your budget doesn&rsquo;t allow or you&rsquo;re already deep into planning and realize you need help (like I did).
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Stay true to you 
At the end of the day, your wedding is about you and your partner. Period. People will have plenty of opinions about your wedding, but you don&rsquo;t have to listen to every single one. Stick to what&rsquo;s most important to you and plan a day that reflects the two of you&mdash;not what your parents, friends, or random relatives think it should be. Invite the people who are closest to you and don&rsquo;t feel pressured to include everyone you know, and you can absolutely skip traditions that you don&rsquo;t want to participate it (like garter or bouquet tosses). No one will notice that you didn&rsquo;t do these things. And, if you want to include something quirky into the day, go for it! Your wedding doesn&rsquo;t have look a certain way, and you&rsquo;ll be happier knowing you planned the day you wanted.
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Be open-minded about your dress&mdash;and find a great seamstress
I loved my dress, but it wasn&rsquo;t anything like what I thought I would wear. The shape was similar to what I had envisioned, but I had never considered a simple, full crepe dress and thought I wanted lace and beading everywhere. This is why you bring your most trusted people to your bridal appointment. I let each of my bridesmaids choose a dress during our visit to Pearl &amp; Dot (now the Anais Annette flagship boutique), and one of them pulled the dress I wore. It didn&rsquo;t look like much on the hanger (most wedding gowns don&rsquo;t), but I knew that it was the one as soon as I put it on (and so did everyone else). Even the sample fit well and it felt like me&mdash;more so than the intricate gowns I'd been trying on. This one felt like I was wearing it versus the dress wearing me. I also didn&rsquo;t think I wanted a veil, but before I knew it we were buying a chapel-length veil and then the belt that was added to the dress for a little sparkle. Most of the dresses I thought I wanted were so uncomfortable when I actually put them on, but this dress was hands down one of the most comfortable things I&rsquo;ve ever worn. The cut-outs on the side also highlighted my two rib tattoos perfectly. Buy something you feel good in and will be comfortable in all day. Don't be afraid to try some different silhouettes, too. I knew I didn't want a ballgown but tried a couple of fuller skirts anyway just to be sure. They were fun to try if nothing else!
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Once you have your dream gown, find a knowledgeable seamstress. Do not skimp on this, whatever you do. This can make or break the look of your gown, so budget accordingly. My alterations were double what I had budgeted, just because of the construction of the gown (there were three hidden layers of fabric, even though it looked simple) and the nature of the alterations (she had to reconstruct the back because, well, COVID happened and I wasn&rsquo;t the exact size I was in 2019 when I bought it). Ask the bridal salon you purchase your gown at for recommendations. They know seamstresses who they trust and who are familiar with their gowns.
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Practice your first dance
This doesn&rsquo;t mean a choreographed production, but by all means, go for it if that fits your style. This was a part of the day I was very nervous about (I don&rsquo;t love being the centre of attention and have two left feet sometimes), and I wish we had danced to our song at least a couple of times before the big moment. Chris did a great job leading us through it, but I think I would have felt more relaxed if we had practiced. My nerves also show in the video.
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Midnight snack&mdash;give the people what they want
Catering will likely be one of your largest expenses, and the midnight snack can really add to the bill. At this point in the night, the drinks are flowing and people aren&rsquo;t that concerned about what they eat&mdash;as long as there&rsquo;s food. If your venue allows it, look into having pizza delivered (we had Inglewood Pizza since it was close by). One of my bridesmaids also opted to have McDonald&rsquo;s delivered for her wedding (served on silver platters by the venue staff), and people still talk about how much they loved both.
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If you are in the midst of wedding planning and searching for a photographer, reach out and let&rsquo;s chat about your vision for the day. I love helping couples find photo locations, talented vendors, and providing guidance on timeline creation to make the day run smoothly.
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Our vendors
Venue: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://thecommonscalgary.com/the-venues">The Hemingway Room</a>, The Commons Photographer: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.danacolephotography.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dana Cole</a> Videographer: Matt Hutchinson, <a href="https://heartsinreverie.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hearts in Reverie</a> Coordination: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.lockeweddings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Locke Wedding Co. </a> Makeup (bride and MOB): <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://ambervictoriaprepchuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amber Prepchuk</a> Makeup (bridesmaids): <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;dlnr=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;q=nicole%20saxton&amp;rls=en&amp;sei=qw99Y9riFKPA0PEP-I-eyAk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicole Saxton</a> (I had two artists because Amber is a dear friend of mine and was also a member of the bridal party, so I didn&rsquo;t want her working all morning) Hair: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.instagram.com/itsabobeatbobworld/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kimberly Seibel</a> Dress: Lotus, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://theiacouture.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Theia Couture</a> (This style is discontinued, but there are still similar ones available) Veil &amp; Belt: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://saragabrielpro.com/">Sara Gabriel Designs</a> (My veil was the Julianne style, but the belt has been discontinued) Alterations: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.couturebymaisoon.com/">Couture by Maisoon</a> Custom MOB jumpsuit and Maid of Honour gown: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.nrtfashions.com/">NRT Fashions</a> (The rest of the bridesmaids' dresses were from The Bay or Laura) Bouquets and arch arrangements: Flowers by Joan (She doesn&rsquo;t have a website yet) Greenery table runners: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.succulentsandstems.com/">Succulents &amp; Stems</a> Decor Rentals: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.orangetrunk.ca/">Orange Trunk Vintage Styling &amp; Rentals</a>, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.specialeventrentals.com/">Special Event Rentals</a>, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.specialeventrentals.com/">The Commons</a> (They offer things like vintage couches, bar fronts, etc that are above the base rental cost), <a href="https://www.chairflair.ca/">Chair Flair </a>Catering: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://urbaneculinary.ca/">Urbane Culinary</a> DJ: <a href="https://soundsunlimited.ca/">Sounds Unlimited</a> Midnight Snack: <a href="https://inglewoodpizza.ca/">Inglewood Pizza</a> Officiant: Cynthia Beare, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?adurl=https%3A%2F%2Fallseasonsweddings.com%2Fen&amp;ae=2&amp;ai=CSE6LeBF9Y-x5kra05Q-XsKygAaTonOdo483hmIsF09bZgQEIABABILlUYP3Q8IDIA6ABuLev0APIAQGpAs_P8F2jCqk-yAPYIKoEW0_Q60Yc_NUUc1U_P9MYoTXaTuD9FcQG3fD6ZYd8isjU4dtMPM-mgoW3YRQrV-A9lkAfWzNWus9mOttZiFRK4gWGyT4P0b9U1aDkjv-BxRJ8_Xww-DKnkhildGbABMDX2fE4gAWQTogF6MyjbKAGUYAHsMjQL4gHAZAHAagHpr4bqAe5mrECqAfz0RuoB-7SG6gH_5yxAqgHytwbqAePqbECqAe7pLECqAfYprECqAfbqrECqAfQqrECoAjcsqUEsAgB0ggaEAIghAEyBIPAgA46CoCAgICAgICoAQJCAQSaCSFodHRwczovL2FsbHNlYXNvbnN3ZWRkaW5ncy5jb20vZW6xCcuaBwf5Tq6JuQnLmgcH-U6uifgJAZgLAaoMAggBuAwB6AwGqg0CQ0GiE1gKQwgDQAFSCAoGEgQIABABaPHW1YlDci0SKyACKAE4BEDozKNsWAFo_v__________AXABmAEB4AECkALf65-WtgGYAgAaDQoLZGlzdC1zYWZhcmkiAkNBghQYCAISFGFsbCBzZWFzb25zIHdlZGRpbmdziBQB0BUB-BYBgBcBkhcJEgcIARADGMkC4BcC&amp;cid=CAASFeRoNGBAhXOiBRw9ccS0NDdOz45DPA&amp;dblrd=1&amp;dct=1&amp;nis=8&amp;sa=L&amp;sig=AOD64_3X4-urv2PbipR2UKyLINhJfSZmsg&amp;sival=AF15MEAxU89D21zzDysFj9N-0wZkbMiFreFP2h2w-kAJ33QmYq_Sf08_DUpYIKsSFeRimT1PFlHsagRJ_GOEXkvdqLe1pTkNfzXQ2_SNq0AvC8KmYbroMF3ok-DLlqXL4lIf-7qX3D83Gp8LHbrr2XnTmHaIZlPQb_gBaNSyIPCX0LCMM13tI1gq2SW0vMy1xdEjRwHqHD7b&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiKja-essL7AhUVO30KHQwuDOAQ0Qx6BAgIEAM">All Seasons Weddings</a> Limo: <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://www.ampmlimo.ca/">AM PM Limousines</a>
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(Below are some of the photos from our wedding, shot by the talented Dana Cole)

Ten Wedding Planning Tips From a Photographer and Recent Bride

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Portraits & Branding

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Couples & Engagements

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Weddings

Timeless photography for all of life's moments

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Write in first person using this following sample text to match in style: I've become familiar with nearly every photography genre throughout my career, but what I love most is capturing authentic moments and memories. Wedding days are filled with precious memories and I want to capture them all for you.
Wedding photography is one of the biggest investments you'll make during the planning process, and my time with you doesn't start on the big day. I strive to get to know each couple I work with—from our initial meeting, to guiding you through crafting your wedding timeline, and answering any questions during the planning process (like finding awesome vendors and locations). I want to understand your vision for your wedding day and how I can capture it in the best way. We won't do any corny poses, I promise. Instead, I'll guide you and get you feeling comfortable in front of the camera in no time. One of the best compliments I receive from couples is how comfortable they feel with me and that it often feels like we’ve known each other for a long time.
On your wedding day, I'm there for you! I'll fluff your train, fix your tie, you name it. I've also got an emergency stash of supplies in case you need to blot a stain, wipe happy tears, or just freshen up.

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Calgary, AB, Canada

Meaghan Baxter

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