Our Love Story - Part 4

An early photo of us on a cruise in 2010.

This is Part 4 in a series. See the rest of the series here.

So remember how I said we charged a mutual friend with Keep Miguel & Amanda Platonic Duty? Yeah...she didn't do a great job. Maggie, if you're reading this, THANK YOU! Thank you for secretly plotting to get us together. 

On May 16, 2009, five days into Summer Vacation, five days into Miguel and I being in the same town again, the THREE of us went on a road trip from Houston to Austin, Texas. We had purchased tickets to see a Broadway Across America production of RENT (one of my all-time favorite shows!). 

When we arrived at the theater and went to take our seats, Maggie did what she had been told to do. She took the middle seat between Miguel and I. Miguel looked her in the eyes and said, "Please move." 

Half way through Act Two, we were holding hands. The hand holding continued for the entire drive home while Maggie sat smugly in the backseat. There was no turning back. 

Two days later, Miguel officially asked me to be in girlfriend. How could I say no? Here was this man I'd been crushing on for months, the first guy EVER to reciprocate feelings toward me. I was on Cloud 9. Three days into our relationship, Miguel told me he loved me. It was the greatest feeling in the world.

The rest of that summer flew by far too quickly. We spent all day every day together, from noon to midnight (when neither of us was working). We watched countless movies, met each other's families, and hung out with friends. As the end of the summer drew near, Carrie Underwood's The Night Before Life Goes On became my heartbreak anthem. Miguel and I would be returning to different schools in the Fall, and at that point we would become long distance. 

Rollins College Couple's Session - Dana & Ethen

This session is one for the record books! I mean, how gorgeous is that gown that Dana is wearing!? To. Die. For. Dana is a local hair and makeup artist here in Orlando specializing in weddings. I absolutely love it when I get to work with her, and so the fact that she trusted me with her photos makes me so happy. 

Are you looking for an Orlando Wedding Photographer for your luxury wedding? Click here to contact us now.

How To Get The Best Getting Ready Photos

Cypress Grove Estate House Wedding

My brides always request getting ready photos. And for good reason: they are an important part of the story of the day. There is so much buzz and excitement during getting ready time, and it is important to capture that. But how do you make sure your getting ready photos are as refined and polished as the rest of the day? It can be hard when you think about all the stuff lying around, how much everyone is running around, and the fact that people are getting hair and makeup done! Here are a few tips to make it easier on your photographer to capture the getting ready time in style.

1) Have all your details ready to go before your photographer arrives

Banyan Estate Wedding

It is a lot easier on your photographer if all of your details are in one place when they arrive. This way, no one is chasing around details while trying to get other things done. Here are some ideas of what you should have for your photographer when they arrive:

• Invitation Suite

• Rings

• Shoes

• Jewelry

• Veil

• Dress

• Beautiful hanger for dress

• Any hair/head pieces

• Bouquet

• Boutonnieres

• Garter

• Your something Old/New/Borrowed/Blue

• Vows if written down

• Anything else important you want captured

2) Clear the walls and floors of anything distracting if possible

Banyan Estate Wedding

Clear the walls of anything you don't want in your getting ready photos. Hideous photo of cherubs? Take it down. Tapestry of a potted plant? Take it down. Ficus in the corner? Move it. The bridesmaid's makeup bag, the bottles of water all around, and everyone's clothes they've changed out of? Move them.

The goal is to make the getting ready area as clean and distraction-free as possible. This will allow your wedding photographer to capture the important moments without having to worry about all the junk in the background. This will also make your getting ready photos appear more high-end.

3) Wear matching robes 

Cypress Grove Estate House Wedding

This helps to make everything more cohesive looking and less cluttered. When everyone is matching, it looks intentional instead of haphazard. This will elevate your getting ready photos to something you will WANT in your wedding album.

4) Get into your wedding dress by a window

This allows for beautiful natural light for your getting ready photos. Most artificial light is orange, and if you rely on the light from the room, you could end up looking like an oompa loompa. No one wants that! So use the natural light from the window for a much more flattering and natural complexion. 

I hope you found these tips for getting the best getting ready photos possible. If you're looking for an Orlando Wedding Photographer, click here to contact us today!

Our Love Story - Part 3

A photo of us at the midnight showing of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. We were such babies!

This is part three in a series. See parts one and two here.

After that fateful day in January of 2009, Miguel and I were in constant contact with each other. It was like we picked up our friendship right where we had left off at graduation. By March, I was smitten. Miguel was at Florida State University, and I was at New York University. Our Spring Breaks were over two separate weeks with only a weekend overlap between them. For that weekend we were both back home in Houston, we spent the whole time together "as friends."

The rest of the semester passed painfully slowly. I spent most of it wishing it was summer break to be able to see Miguel again, even though we were determined to remain "just friends." Then one night we stayed up all night talking on Skype. We spent hours finally admitting to each other what we had known all along: that there were feelings there. But here's the real kicker. We STILL vowed to remain just friends.

The truth was that at this point, it was still only a few months since he and his high school girlfriend had broken up. Our desire to keep things as platonic as possible came out of a respect for her and her feelings. But it was hard. So hard to like someone and have them like you in return knowing that there was nothing you could do about it. It was easier in a way that we were 1000 miles apart in different states, but summer break was approaching and we'd be back in the same town again.

We had a mutual friend from high school that we charged with Keep Miguel and Amanda Platonic Duty. We made sure she was with us at all times because we didn't trust ourselves to be alone together. She didn't do a very good job.

Atlantic Center For The Arts Wedding - Alyssa & Kyle

Her infectious smile lit up the day. The way he looked at her could warm even the coldest heart. This was a wedding day to remember.

Alyssa had a classic vintage style unlike any bride I have photographed before. She pulled it off stunningly. 

With striking eyes like hers, it's no wonder that Kyle fell madly, deeply in love with Alyssa. Of course, it doesn't hurt that her personality is just as beautiful as her looks. 

From the moment his bride entered the ceremony area, Kyle only had eyes for her. There's a reason this is my favorite moment of any wedding.

Every time he held her in his arms, the smiles on both of their faces could not be contained. THIS is why I do what I do: to capture the memories like this one. The memories that are so very important to my couples. 

Alyssa & Kyle, thank you so much for inviting me to photograph your wedding day. It was truly a privilege to be around the two of you and see that joy in your faces. I wish you happiness for many years to come. Thank you for being a Flora Bloom Bride.

Are you looking for an Orlando Wedding Photographer for your own wedding? Click here to contact us.