I love when I show up to a wedding and see personal and unique touches incorporated throughout the day! The best way to make a wedding personal, for you, your partner, and your guests is to add personal elements. Here are five of my favorite ways you can personalize your wedding day to feel more personal and sentimental!
1. First Look With Parents to Personalize Your Wedding Day
I’ve seen brides do first looks with their dads and it always melts my heart. This was the first time seeing the groom and his mom do a first look! And let me tell ya, it was precious. First looks are such a special way of incorporating some quality time into busy wedding days. Taking these moments to be with your parents and celebrate with them is so touching.
2. Take time to take photos with your people!
This is one that a lot of couples want to do but not always does it work out due to tight timelines. But I’m here to tell you how to make it happen! Get ready earlier than you think you should. The one thing I see time and time again is getting ready taking longer than scheduled which then cuts into the time you had planned to take photos with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Alexa and her bridesmaids arrived to the venue with their hair and makeup already done, they also already had their cute pajamas on so that they were photo ready. This is key!
A big reason why I include a second photographer in my wedding packages is because it makes it possible for both the bride and the groom to fit more into their wedding day photo timeline! While the bride and bridesmaids do getting ready photos, the groom and his guys can be doing the same thing!
3. Personal Vows
I love when couples write their own vows, there’s nothing like it in my opinion! However, I know not everyone wants to share personal vows during their ceremony which I totally understand. So here are a few ways you can still incorporate personal vows into your wedding day…
– Exchange vows during your first look
– Share them while doing a “first touch” if you don’t want to do a first look
– Read them in the morning while getting ready
4. Meaningful Music
Okay prepare to read the sweetest thing ever… Alexa’s dad wrote the song that they danced to during their father daughter dance! Like what?! I don’t have an ounce of musical talent so I was in awe. I know that not every parent can write and record a song to play at your wedding, but there are a lot of other ways you can incorporate meaningful music into your wedding day. Here’s three things to think about when creating your wedding day playlist or telling your DJ a few of your favorites!
– Think about what your favorite genre is or what the theme of your day is if you have one
– Ask your mom/dad what song(s) remind them of you
– For your first dance you could pick a song from an event you’ve attended together, think concerts or festivals, or your first date together
5. Personalize Your Wedding Day With Unique Details
I have seen so many couples incorporate unique personal touches throughout their wedding day, and it always makes me smile! I love when couples include things that speak to them and their love story and personalities. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for making your wedding day personal…
- Including pets! If your venue doesn’t allow animals or maybe you don’t want to stress about taking care of your fur baby during the whole day you can include them in other ways. You can have their face put on a koozie that doubles as guest favors! You can include a photo of them on napkins (cutest napkins ever right?!), or have a cake topper made featuring your four legged love!
- Do a t-shirt toss! This is one of my favorite ideas ever, it’s hilarious and so much fun! One of my couples had t-shirts made with their face on them and launched them while everyone was dancing during the reception, such a fun idea!
- Unique seating chart – This one is so cute! One of my couple, Rachel and Nathan, have a deep love for Hawaii and it played a huge part in their love story. For their seating chart they had postcards from Hawaii with their guests names that corresponded to which table they were seated at. And each place on the card was inspired by their honeymoon itinerary, so fun!
Whichever choices you make to personalize your wedding day, I’ll do my best to capture every tiny detail. If you are still looking for a wedding photographer in Arizona or for your Destination Wedding, I’d be honored to be part of your special day!
When planning a luxury yet timeless wedding, it’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends you see on Pinterest, Instagram, and in all the wedding magazines. There’s extravagant details, over the top florals (which we all love), and lavish attire—but the most breathtaking celebrations are those that feel both elegant and deeply personal. […]
An intimate wedding in Paradise Valley Arizona is the perfect way to say, “I Do!”. Set in the Historic District of Phoenix is intimate, colorful, and classic, with the Camelback Mountain and black and white checkered dance floor setting the stage. This well-styled wedding with timeless details that are inviting, simple, and classic. Industry talent […]
The Superstition Mountains offer a perfect setting for your micro wedding in Arizona. At the base of The Superstition Mountains just east of Mesa, AZ. Kristen and Jaime exchanged vows in a micro wedding ceremony. These two chose intimacy over extravagance, and a micro wedding that celebrated their love in the most romantic way possible. […]
Backyard weddings are becoming increasingly more popular amongst couples, especially those who want to have an exceptionally intimate day. Kendall and Bailey decided to get married in the backyard of their first home that they recently purchased. When I first talked to them they joked about how it was the most expensive venue they could […]
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Santa Barbara, California, Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic and enchanting wedding celebration. With its sprawling gardens, charming barn, and breathtaking ocean views, this hidden gem has become a sought-after venue for couples seeking a unique and unforgettable wedding experience. This two day wedding […]
This Arizona Elopement at Arcosanti is one for the ages. For weddings, couples often dream of a celebration as unique and extraordinary as their love story. You might be asking yourself where to elope in Arizona. For those seeking an intimate and unconventional setting, eloping at Arcosanti in Arizona might just be the perfect choice. […]
Downtown Phoenix rooftop engagement sessions have grown in popularity in the recent years! It’s a fun and different alternative to the desert scenery. Lily and Gabe absolutely nailed their engagement session and this rooftop was the perfect setting for them! Downtown Phoenix Engagement Photos There’s something so romantic and dreamy about the urban setting for […]
The wedding of Lexi and Austin will go down in history as one of my favorite days to capture! Let me start by saying, I just adore these two so much. It was apparent that everyone who attended their wedding day felt the exact same way as me. Their fall nuptials took place at a […]
Fine Art Wedding Photography is a style of photography that is classic, artistic, and timeless. As weddings evolve into more personalized celebrations of love and commitment, couples are interested in unique and artistic approaches to documenting their wedding days. One such trend that has gained immense popularity is fine art wedding photography. If you are […]
There are usually two things people automatically envision when they hear a couple eloped. People either think of going to the courthouse or running off to Vegas! These two did just that; they “ran off” to Vegas! However, there was more planning than just spontaneously (and drunkenly) getting hitched in front of Elvis. Nicole and […]
Preparing for your wedding day is stressful, I totally understand! When my husband and I eloped to Oahu I was so worried I was forgetting something. I didn’t want to forget our vow books, or my jewelry, and I had nightmares about forgetting my dress at home in Arizona! I made lists for lists so […]
One thing you might be asking yourself before you book your wedding photographer is, “How long do I need them for?”. The answer varies depending on your wedding day and what you want and need for wedding photos! I am here to help you gauge how much wedding photography coverage you’ll need for your big […]
Glamis Sand Dunes is one of the most incredible places I’ve seen; it looks like a completely different planet. If you want something that feels out of this world for your engagement photos, I highly recommend booking your shoot here! A Glamis Sand Dunes Engagement Session is otherworldly. These two are some of my favorite […]
This was my first time visiting Washington State and shooting an Olympic National Park Engagement Session! It was a quick trip as I was there less than 24 hours, but I fell in love. I have seen a lot of beautiful places, but experiencing the Pacific Northwest for the first time is so special. When […]
Bailey & Kendall wanted something unique, classy, and fun for their engagement session! They opted for something different than the desert scenery of Arizona and went for something a little more modern… A Cocktail bar engagement in Downtown Phoenix. Downtown Phoenix just made sense and was a fun way to capture candid and editorial photos […]
One of my most asked questions when booking an engagement session is, “do you have any location recommendations, we’re not sure where take photos at?” My answer is always yes!! I have a list of locations that I send to my couples, and I though to myself, “why not share it with everyone?!” So here’s […]
As a wedding photographer I am so excited for all the 2024 wedding trends! Twenty-twenty three was a big year for weddings and we saw so many amazing trends in the wedding industry. Some of those trends are here to stay, but I think we’ll be seeing a lot of new (and repeated history) trends! […]
Ever wonder “Why is Wedding Photography Expensive?” As a wedding photographer, I hear these things often. “Wedding photographers are so expensive, and I don’t know why?” Or, “Wedding photographers charge more when they hear the word wedding, so just tell them you’re having an event!” Another one I hear is, “I’m looking for a wedding […]
In my opinion wedding flowers are ESSENTIAL to a wedding day. Maybe that’s because I’m obsessed with flowers in general, but I firmly believe they bring things to life. Especially wedding day visions. Whether you’ve heard from married friends, your wedding planner, or from your florist; you’ve probably heard wedding flowers can be pretty costly. […]
I’m a fall girly through and through, even more so now that I live in Phoenix. I literally dream of fall days. The chilly weather, cozy sweaters, pumpkin everything, and all the cute clothes. I look my best in the fall due to my obsession with sweaters! So of course I have to share some […]
I have shot at this spot many times while living in San Diego. One of my first shoots ever was at this spot, so it has a special feel to me! It wasn’t until the morning of this shoot that I realized just how perfect this place is. Especially for a Sunrise Engagement session in […]
Before you book your wedding photographer, it’s important to hop on a call with your favorites and get to know them a little better! After the call or meeting, you should feel confident in their ability to photograph your wedding and fulfill all your wedding photography wants and needs. Here’s 5 questions to ask a […]
If your read Part One of Jenn and Edgar’s Vietnamese wedding day then you know their day was off to a perfect start. If you haven’t yet read about their Vietnamese Tea Ceremony, I highly recommend you check it out here! Before I get into all the details, I need to preface this by saying […]
Jenn & Edgar’s wedding day was perfect from start to finish. The day began with a traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony and ended with their traditional western wedding! This is part one – the Tea Ceremony. This was my first time not only photography a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony but attending one. It was absolutely beautiful from […]
Nick and Sonya are one of my couples getting married in spring 2024. To tell you I’m so excited about their wedding would be an understatement! These two live in Washington but are getting married in Phoenix. They knew they wanted to have their engagement session in Arizona. But, they didn’t know where to take […]
It’s inevitable whenever I hear a good love song, I immediately get in my feels. There’s so much power in music, and creating a wedding day playlist is the best way to set the tone of your day. From getting ready moments, to walking down the aisle, to the one you’ll have your first dance […]
This was my first time shooting a Downtown Phoenix Engagement Session since moving to Arizona! I forgot how much I loved getting creative in an urban setting.
As a wedding photographer, there are always “must-have” wedding photos on my shot list. When it comes to delivering a wedding gallery, these are the images I think should always be there. Here are the moments and details that DESERVE to be documented!
Every wedding day looks different; therefore every wedding timeline looks different! There’s no one size fits all timeline for wedding days. This is why I go in-depth with my couples to gather important information before building their perfect wedding day timeline. Here’s the important questions I ask when it comes to finding out how much […]
This session will go down in history as one of my favorite shoots of all time. If you’re wondering why, I’m gonna tell you! Take a look at this Big Sur sunset engagement session. If you’ve never been to Big Sur, GO! If you’ve ever been to Big Sur, then you know that it’s one […]
As a photographer I’m always trying to mix things up and make sure I’m not telling all my couples to do the exact same poses. However, I have a handful of shots I make sure I include in every wedding gallery! On top of that I have a documentary approach to wedding photos, of course […]
If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate a backyard micro wedding, then you’re in the right place! From details in the signage to a cigar bar, there was no detail missed. Wildflowers and an Arizona super bloom inspired this evening, and it came together perfectly thanks to some amazing wedding vendors!
I eloped on the island of Oahu and it was one of the best things my husband and I ever did. I’m sharing all the things we did on our elopement day and how to plan your own epic adventure elopement in Hawaii!
If you have decided to write your own vows, you may feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to begin. Well, I’ve got you! I have 4 tips that will help you significantly when putting your thoughts to paper!
Listen up!!! Your partner wants the proposal documented. Even if they desire something intimate and just the two of you… hire a photographer to hide out and take photos! Proof or it didn’t happen, am I right?! Just kidding, but seriously I have yet to meet someone who says they wouldn’t want photos of their proposal. I am here to tell you how to plan a perfect surprise proposal!
Casey and Jon came from Houston and while they were in town for the weekend they wanted to take their engagement photos, so we made it happen. I love that I’ve had so many couples reach out and say they’re coming from out of state and want to book a desert engagement session while they’re visiting Arizona. I think the desert is absolutely beautiful, and such a fun and unique place to take photos!
So if you’re thinking of a Sedona Adventure Elopement my vote is, DO IT! Sedona is easily one of the most beautiful places in the country in my opinion. Theres 360° of breathtaking views no matter where you’re at, and something for everyone to do. If you’re wanting an epic adventure elopement, Sedona may be […]
entries
popular
view the highlights
In every interaction, I aim to bring joy and connection through personal touches, heartfelt service, and a dedication to making my clients feel seen and valued.
my vision
Photography By Jaidyn Michele Photography
Showit Website Design by With Grace and Gold
