It’s become customary to give gifts to your parents and wedding party thanking them for all the help they’ve given you to prepare for your wedding. You want to give them a gift that will be meaningful and show just how much you appreciate them. Below is a list of great gift ideas that will really “wow” these special people:

It always makes me smile inside when things come full circle and you realize why certain things happened the way they did. I first met Alton Olson of SoundFire DJ when we were both photography students at UWGB. We reconnected a few years after we graduated, and since then I have had the pleasure of getting to know Alton and his lovely wife and son through multiple family photo shoots and hangouts. Not only is Alton a warm, insightful friend, he’s also an incredible wedding DJ. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alton a few weeks ago over a cup of tea and we really dug into what makes the SoundFire DJ experience so special.

If you’ve got just a few months to go before your wedding day, you're probably going to be putting the finishing touches in place, everything from your ceremony to your reception details. Looking for ways to make your mother feel closer to your big day? Want to include your father-in-law in some special way? Making someone feel important on your wedding day is about making them stand out from the rest of the guests. Whether it’s apparent to everyone in attendance or something only the two of you know about, I've put together a list of ideas to make the people closest to you feel like they’re treasured.

Did you know that in a past life, long ago, I spent about a year working in an office as the assistant to a financial advisor? While I didn't follow that career path, I learned so much about life finances that I never expected. 

You know the gist of how your wedding day is going to go. Bride walks down the isle, possibly guided by her father. Vows are exchanged, a reading or two thrown into the mix, then they kiss and walk back down the aisle as husband and wife. 

One of the things many brides are most excited for after they get engaged is dress shopping. They can't wait to get in the store and start the fashion show. On the other hand, some ladies dread it. They might hate dresses and even consider not getting one. 

I love the community of wedding vendors in Northeast Wisconsin. We have a local Rising Tide Society chapter here in Green Bay, and I think that encourages wedding photographers in Northeast Wisconsin to work to one another, or work together when someone needs a second shooter.

I remember how I felt the first time my dad and I drove through the Rocky Mountains on our way to Vail and Beaver Creek about fifteen years ago. My forehead was glued to the car window as I craned my neck to see the tops of the towering mountains surrounding us. 

Let me start out by saying that I get it.  Planning a wedding is not easy. You’re expected to hire, arrange, and coordinate several different services that you’ve likely never had to hire before, and don’t even know the first questions to ask when vetting the different professionals you find.

The marriage license is a major and required part of legal Wisconsin wedding ceremonies.  So how do you apply for a marriage license in the state of Wisconsin?

The vows have been said, toasts have been made, and hunger and thirst have been taken care of.  The entertainment part of your special day has arrived. Many brides and grooms look back at their weddings and wish they had put a bit more thought and a larger part of their budget towards the entertainment. 

Brandi glided out into the American Club courtyard, tiptoeing up behind Josh in her stunning red high-low wedding gown. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see his beautiful bride-to-be. They spent a few quiet moments alone together in the courtyard dotted with snow on that chilly Valentine's Day afternoon.

Now that you’ve picked a date, a photographer, and probably a venue as well, you can celebrate! Those are some of the toughest decisions in wedding planning that are now crossed off your list. Hooray! On to the fun stuff, like your engagement session.

Budget is often the overriding factor for many wedding ceremony and reception decisions.  If you and your future spouse decide to have alcohol served at your wedding reception, you'll have to choose among having an open bar, a cash bar, or a combination of both.  Here's a pros and cons list for each choice.

It can be hard to brainstorm beautiful places to be the backdrop of your engagement session. Fortunately, here in Green Bay there are a ton of gorgeous, popular engagement session location options. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Winters in Wisconsin sometimes get a bad rap, but they're incredibly beautiful and romantic. Softly falling snow, candlelight, and cooler temperatures are perfect for snuggling and saying, "I do". I had been dreaming of creating a winter wedding styled shoot for about a year.

To many, I wouldn't be considered an expert on love. I'm relatively young, I was previously engaged, and I'm not married. However, I have experienced all kinds of love, and I've witnessed dozens and dozens of inspiring, loving relationships.

Oh, Zion National Park. You captivated my heart years ago and never let go. Perhaps it's your red canyon walls, or your magnificent river, or your charming gateway town of Springdale. Whatever your spell of choice is, it's working.

We are in the heart of engagement season, my friends. It seems like every day, I see a friend showing off her new bling on Facebook or Instagram. I read the other day that 30-40% of proposals take place between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day.

I know it can be stressful picking the images from your wedding or boudoir session that you're going to display throughout your home or put into an album. The task seems daunting--how are you supposed to pick just a hundred of your favorite images from the best day of your life to grace the pages of your wedding album?