Our Love Story - Part 7

Our love story is a series. Click here to read parts 1-6.

In December of 2011, Miguel and I graduated from Florida State University. Miguel's degree is in Biology, and mine is in Editing, Writing, and Media. Graduation was a big deal. It was scary and exciting at the same time. Exciting because all our hard work had finally paid off. We had our degrees and were ready to go out into the world. But it was scary because we would be embarking on this new journey separately. Miguel had a job lined up in Orlando. He was going to work for Disney as a Conservation Education Professional Intern. I didn't have anything lined up, so the plan for me was to move home to Houston and apply to jobs in Orlando until I got one. Though as I'm writing this, I'm sitting here trying to figure out how anyone thought that made sense? 

Who knows? All I knew was that Miguel and I were about to be long-distance again, and I was terrified. After two weeks home in Houston, I got an interview in Orlando. My father and I drove to Florida for the interview. While on the way, I got the call for an interview for a different job. Turns out, I got the first job on the spot. So, I packed everything back up and moved to Orlando. Two weeks after Miguel. Really, who thought any of this made sense!? 

Anyway, long story short, I ended up living and working in Orlando about a month after graduation, living in the same apartment complex as Miguel. We lived in Orlando for one year. Early on in that time, we started going to Celebration Community Church. While there, we made some very dear friends who are like family to us today. Miguel also made good friends during his time at Disney that we are still very close with (and who I have been fortunate enough to photograph!). It still shocks me to my core that this all happened SIX years ago. HOW!?

In January of 2013, Miguel's time at Disney came to an end. And we still weren't engaged. Miguel got a job at The Houston Zoo, and we moved back to Texas. 

Four Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - Part Four

This is Part Four in a series. To read Parts One - Three, click here.

It's time for the last mistake in this series. I hope these posts have been helpful for you!

Mistake #4: Not Hiring A Videographer

When I polled my married friends about their biggest wedding planning regret, this was the one that came up the most often. Probably because hiring a videographer is not something that most people do. Yes, it can be a costly addition to the wedding budget, but it is something that you will treasure always. They day flies by in such a blur, and it is such a gift to be able to watch a video of it on your anniversary, or whenever you feel like reliving the day. I love to watch the video of my wedding with Miguel. I barely remember the day because it was so hectic, and the video allows me to travel back in time to those oh so important moments.

How To Avoid This Mistake

This one is simple: hire a videographer! Are you unsure who to hire? Start with your photographer. Chances are they have a list of amazing videographers they would love to recommend. I know I do! This may seem like an unneeded added expense at first, but I can assure you it is one you will NOT regret! But you might just regret not hiring one.

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

Orlando Wedding Photographer - About Miguel

Hi everyone! I know Amanda teased that I would be making my introduction soon, but before I jump right in I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported her and her amazing photography along the way. You guys make this endeavor possible, and it means the world to me (and I’m sure to her too) that my wife can do what she loves and has the amazing support of some awesome people like you!

All that aside, I’m sure that you guessed from Amanda’s previous post (check it out here) that I’m here to introduce myself. Hi… I’m Miguel, Amanda’s husband. I’m going to be joining the team to become Amanda’s dedicated second shooter. You’ll see me around the blog and you’ll see some of my pictures around on here and the website. 

Some things about me. I love stories. As an extrovert, I would say that my favorite question to always ask people is why!  I love getting to know people well, and I think the best way to do that is to ask why. Asking why always brings out a great story. My love for stories also stretches into movies and TV. Movies are how I get away for a little while and recharge. Lately though, I’m finding that I’m appreciating TV shows more. Shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld are captivating and able to tell a much more robust story than movies can with the time constraints.

I also love being challenged! Things like brain teasers, Sudoku, and word puzzles are a great way to keep me distracted and entertained. Video games present a fun challenge, but when I’m looking for a way to be challenged and be with friends, board games are where I go. Playing an intense game of Settlers of Catan (just Catan now I guess) forces me into new strategies that I never would have tried if not for the special set of challenges I find myself in in every type of game we play (and boy do we have plenty). 

Wow… Looking at that above I sound like a HUGE geek, which, truth be told, I am. But, I do get out too. Nature and wildlife are one of my earliest passions. My education is actually in biology. In fact, the desire to chronical my adventures when out in the forest and finding new (to me) animals is what first put a camera in my hands. From taking my first pictures of turtles and salamanders, to joining Amanda now, I’ve learned a lot. Amanda has been an awesome teacher, and we are ready to give you all a great photography experience. We can’t wait to tell you more about what me joining the team means for you! Keep a look out for our next blog post, and, again, thank you all for your support! I can’t wait to work with you all!

Are you looking for a destination wedding photographer? Click here to contact us today.

Our Love Story - Part 6

Our Love Story is a series. Click here to see parts 1-5.

Us on the beach at Miguel's parent's condo.

Ah, our time at FSU. It was here that we really grew up together. When we started dating, we were teenagers. Just 18 years old. When we graduated from college in December of 2011, we were 21 and about to start "real" jobs and be "real" adults. Truth be told, nothing terribly interesting happened between 18 and 21. There was some drama, as can be expected, with Miguel's ex, but nothing too serious looking back. 

On our first anniversary, Miguel gave me a beautiful promise ring. I'm slightly obsessed with hearts, as he knew, and so the ring had 3 hearts on it. I promptly lost it three months later on a trip to Disney World. The fact that he wasn't upset with me for even a second should tell you all you need to know about how awesome he is. I, however, am STILL upset. I wish I still had that ring, but at least that was no omen for how our relationship would work out.

Honestly, nothing really interesting happened for us at FSU. We went to a lot of football games. We made some good friends. We graduated! In January of our Junior year, we adopted a mini dachshund puppy named Dash. 

Look at those ears!

Quite a few of our friends who were in serious relationships ended up getting engaged just before their last semester in college. I thought we would be the same. Spoiler alert: we weren't. On our second anniversary, I thought he might propose. On our third, I was sure he would. He didn't. But I wouldn't change it for the world. 

After graduation, we moved to Orlando, Florida. In my head, that's where our life together really began.

The Four Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - Part Three

This is Part Three in a series. To read Parts One & Two, click here.

Last week, we covered how to avoid doing too much DIY. This week, we'll discuss a mistake that is near and dear to my heart

Mistake #3: Skimping on the Photographer

One of my favorite things to do when I visit my grandmother is look at through all of her photo albums and at all the pictures on her walls. Her home is covered in them, and they tell the story of her life. The story of my mother's life. The story of our family. Photographs are SO SO SO important to pretty much everyone I know. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you hire a competent photographer with a style you LOVE to capture the biggest day of your life to date.

These images will last forever. They will be a tangible way for you to look back on your wedding day for years to come. You will show your wedding photos to your children and your grandchildren for the rest of your life. 

Why then would you trust the capturing of those photos to a rookie? Or even worse: the cell phone of your friends and family?

How To Avoid This Mistake

Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, hire an excellent wedding photographer! And even more important, make sure you love the photos you see on their website. Ask to see a full gallery so you know what to expect from every part of the day. The photos of this day are priceless. They are too important to trust to someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

Next week we'll deal with Mistake #4, so make sure to check back in!

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