Yes, it’s only been a month and a half as a Mrs. but let me tell you things I wish I knew before and immediately after I became a Mrs.  I had to figure this stuff out on my own, where was the advice my married friends?  Good thing I took notes for y’all who are getting hitched soon!

So here I am to help you have a smooth transition, and avoid a bad drivers license photo.

• When you apply for your marriage license, request to get TWO copies of your certified marriage license.  You’ll need it to send in for passport, etc.  If you only have one, you’ll freak out like I am over sending it to get your new passport just in case you need it.
• When you change your name on your drivers license, guess what, you have to take a new photo.  So don’t go in unshowered and with a baseball cap on to hide your dirty hair just because you think hey, it’s the DMV so you don’t have to get dressed up. Cause, you will have to get a new photo honey, with your new signature.
• Speaking of a new signature, practice your new last name like you did in jr. high with your crush’s last name – only it’s real life now and it’s your future last name before you have to sign it on your new drivers license.  I didn’t do that and so with my new last name there were so many different ways to do an S, then what about the double F’s? Now I can’t stand looking at my license as I’ve decided to change it…again.  I’m so indecisive. You cannot pressure creativity!
• If you want to add the Mr. to the title of your car (if you own it outright), then he needs to be present at the DMV with you.  Good luck convincing him to go.
• Go to HitchSwitch.com and for $39 buy their packet that fills everything out for you to change your name.  You’ll be so glad you did! They are my friends over there and wonderful! I did it and it was such a time saver!

Things no one ever told you about once you get married:

• You sorta assume the role for the grocery shopping and meals.  You’ll probably have to make sure your husband eats lunch, and doesn’t eat like he used to when he was single.  So, grab an iPad ladies and learn how to cook! And ask his mom for his favorite dishes and try to master them!
• You’ll also be the one who will be in charge of the sheets being washed because you’ll probably want them washed way more often than he’s used to.  Guys are simple, girls are OCD with cleanliness.  It’s OK, they’ll let you be.
• You are in charge of getting all appropriate addresses for his side of the family and adding them to your typical yearly Christmas card list – thank goodness as an organized woman you can easily add this, right?
• Birthdays too.
• You’ll learn how he likes everything folded, including his socks.  Or if he likes them laid on top of each other so no stretchy sock tops.
• You’ll be your Mr.’s personal shopper.  This includes buying his undies and clothes.  He is your Ken doll. Yesssss!
• You’ll want everything monogrammed with your new initials or new last name.  Or even better, couple monogram.

Diana Elizabeth is absolutely obsessed with her Mr. Wonderful.  More often than not she’ll look at him and think, THANK GOD.  He is so faithful.

Weddings

This was a long shoot in the making with some amazingly talented vendors.  Ricki and I were flatted to be asked by The Arcadia Room last fall to shoot a bridal shower inspiration at their venue.  We finally picked a date in the new year and with the collaboration of all, including models, was absolute perfection.  Please enjoy this blingy, fun bridal shoot held at Arcadia Room which is open for wedding receptions, showers of all sorts, and intimate weddings in their back space.

All food was prepped by Arcadia Room which is part of the La Grange Orange and Chelsea’s Kitchen family.  Yes, that’s what I said, which means all of this food was absolutely divine.

Sweet treat bags, menu and invitation designed by Amy Wallace of Page & Mason.  Cupcake cake made by Butter & Me.

How about instead of a game, glamming it up a bit and icing yourself with some vintage goodies by Twice Loved Vintage.  Each vintage piece has been selected by mom and daughter owners to be recreated to something new! Shop their etsy store here.

The spring makeup palette is soft pinks, and we went for a California beachy casual chic, and that’s exactly what Mariana Marie created.  Wardrobe provided by Heidi Boutique.

Thank you to The Sweetest Occasion for featuring this session on their blog today! See more of the shoot HERE.

Venue & food: Arcadia Room / Design & florals: La Ricki / Makeup and Hair: Mariana Marie / Wardrobe: Heidi Boutique / Jewelry: Twice Loved Vintage / Invitations & menu: Page and Mason / Cake & cupcakes: Butter & Me

Additional thanks to our lovely models who you have probably recognized from seeing them on my blog – former bride and models and PHOENIX magazine models Jami, Nicole, Ashley and Jennifer.  Also much gratitude to Kayla and Leigha for their amazing help during the shoot!

Diana Elizabeth loves the wedding bands with no main solitaire – can you tell?  She made sure Ashley was wearing one that looked similar to her very own.

Engagements, Weddings

I really can’t pick favorites – can parents really do that with their kids?  So I’ve sort of let the internet decide which have been the best of 2011 by highest rated.  Thank you to all of my couples and families who have trusted me to capture their life.

I look forward to the couples I’ll be meeting in 2012!

Happy New Year to you all – to new beginnings and chasing your dreams!

My Kate Spade bride also named Kate who married her sweetie Brett at Hotel Valley Ho.  Kate and I are now very good friends and I absolutely adore her.

My good friend Erika was surprisingly proposed by Ryan during a “holiday mini session” we took to the Montelucia.  I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in February at the Montelucia!

My lovely Cinco de Mayo couple was so much fun to shoot.  We had a blast at the Biltmore for their engagement session.  I look forward to your Biltmore wedding Lizzey and Trevor!

I waited months for this engagement session at the Arizona State Fair because you know, it only comes once a month.  MJ and Jon, I couldn’t have imagined the State Fair being as fun as it was!

The lighting was gorgeous, the location at Raven at Verrado was superb and the couple, Brandon and Donna were drop dead gorgeous.

I was ecstatic to get this FORD model and PHOENIX magazine cover model in front of my lens again on her big yet incredibly intimate day at the Montelucia. Farrah and Matt were perfect and I loved her second “first look” with her future stepson.

She told her family to pose because I was going to make them look like they came out of an Anthro catalog. Jami got me – and her hubby Mike was totally up for the props and styling by la Ricki.

My modern, hip, incredibly fun couple Joanna and Jacob had a fun art gallery wedding at the MonOrchid in downtown Phoenix!

Baby Ava didn’t get a pony.  She sorta got a plane.  Well, it’s mom and dad’s, and aren’t they the most adorable couple, ever?  I loved Kat and Gary’s Buckeye maternity session!

It was after this engagement session at L’Auberge de Sedona when I told Mr. Wonderful I wanted to get married there.  And, we did.  I am crazy about Tim and Kristina and we are so looking forward to our double date with them!

The light was just flooding my camera and I loved it.  Autumn and Aaron’s e-session was to die for in the dairy fields of Buckeye!

One of my favorites.  This was perfection for so many reasons – la Ricki designing it, a perfect location and my friends from FORD who modeled for this styled session.  This session paved the way to define my style, what I loved, and it was darling! Even Wedding Chicks thought so and published it!

Diana Elizabeth and la Ricki are doing it again – another concept shoot coming up for the New Year!

Engagements, Photography, Weddings

“Can’t wait to spend the day with you :)” text Kristina to me, along with a picture message of the backyard reception chairs that were being set up.  The feeling was mutual.

I absolutely fell in love with Kristina and Tim when I shot their engagement session at L’Auberge de Sedona, you know the fishing couple that you all drooled over? After our time together we had brunch at the resort where I was able to hear their story, about how they met, how they fell in love, and shared my love life.

Allow me to rewind a bit, even before their engagement session.

I had just started dating Mr. Wonderful/Benjamin/my fiance and it was maybe our second or third date when he was getting his hair cut.  He mentioned having a date, and girls being girls, they wanted to know the dish.  He mentioned my name, and his stylist immediately told her little sister Kristina about me.  Kristina was looking for a photographer and apparently was still looking.  Then her planner Sandy from In Awe Weddings sent me an email asking if I could come in and meet Kristina.

We met, but I still had not known how she heard about me until after Kristina booked me and sent me an email mentioning Benjamin.  I then asked Benjamin, um, do you get your hair cut at Rolf’s?  In which he replied, yes, he did.  And then the pieces of the puzzle fit.  Benjamin is in sales, so it’s no surprise he sold me.  And, I’m incredibly grateful that he did because had he not, I wouldn’t have been able to meet this precious couple.

Back to Kristina and Tim.  As soon as I arrived Kristina wanted to talk about my wedding.  Not to steal anyone’s thunder, especially one of my bride’s on her wedding day, I wanted to bring the attention back to her, but she was more concerned about me.  That’s just how selfless Kristina is, she’s one of the most joyful, positive brides I may have ever met. And, after the ceremony she immediately told Tim, “She’s engaged!”  That’s just how adorable they are.  Tim, you were right, you did have a good feeling about this one.  I’m excited for you to meet him at our reception.

Thank you for trusting me with your big day.  Thank you for your amazing spirit, your wonderful friendship, and being such a joy to my life.  Gallagher had an amazing time, too. *wink*  I hope you both enjoyed Fiji.  Welcome home, newlyweds.  Lots of love to you both.  We need to do a double date, for sure.

To view more images from this wedding CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Boots were in place of Tim’s father who passed away when he was a teenager.  I loved that touch.

A very “Marilyn” dress for a very classy bride.

Kristina was so excited she was peeking through her parent’s bedroom shades.

That’s a pretty good looking bridal party if I do say so myself.  Victoria (Benjamin’s hairstylist) is the second in from the right.

Oh my beautiful, beautiful couple.

The flower girls loved watching the first dance.

The father daughter dance included three beautiful daughters.

Wedding and event planner: In Awe Weddings & Events / Ceremony & reception location: Bride’s parents home / Ceremony Music & reception DJ: Jamie Garcia / Catering & dessert table: Santa Barbara Catering / Linens: Special Events Linens / Rentals: Pro Em / Bride’s Dress: Amsale / Bridesmaid dresses: Bella / Florist: The Flower Studio / Videographer: Shoot Me Films / Invitations: Signatures / Hair: Victoria Lundeen / Restrooms: Pretty Potty / Second shooter: Amy Gallagher / Assistant & third shooter: Tabitha Peterson

Diana Elizabeth closed out 2011 with this wedding.  It was wedding No. 10 for the season, and she feels incredibly blessed beyond belief to have captured the wedding days, couples, and moments that she has.  What a great year!

Weddings

An intimate backyard wedding…coming soon.

Diana Elizabeth says blessed is she to have the opportunity to capture true love.

Weddings

When that one fine day happens, I’m going to give you a little insight into what I’ll be doing. These little insights come from my wedding photography experience, where I am in life, and also a bit of personal preference.  While I’ve tweeted a few of these thoughts, it’s been really funny to see fellow photographers and filmmakers industry cheering me on with my thoughts.  Great minds think alike, so it is said.

Let me preface by saying I do love weddings on all scales!  So don’t think I’m at all discounting their importance.  It’s my job to capture them, of course.

If you are a newly engaged bride, or perhaps almost there, these might make you think about things you never thought of.

When a wedding photographer gets married – here’s how it’s going to go down…

1. Request guests to not take photos during ceremony. Sounds mean?  It’s not supposed to.  Let’s start off by politely stating the obvious that their photos are not going to be as good as the professional photographer I’ve hired.  I also don’t wish to be tagged in the photos they take of the ceremony and have those be the first photos the world sees of my big day. And, I don’t want my paid photog to deliver a wide angle shot of my ceremony with guests having iPhones and Casio Exilims in hands above guests heads.  Guests aren’t going to frame those pics, and neither am I.  As a photographer, I can’t tell you how sad I am to try to capture the couple’s family in the audience and their expression and the entire time they have a camera or flip cam blocking their faces.  Also those flashes with the pre-red and green lights jack up my photographer’s shot that he must then turn black and white.  And if their flash goes off at the same time as mine, it’ll throw off his exposure settings and no one will get a good image. So guests, just sit back and enjoy the union of me finally finding THE ONE!
2. Let my photographer pick my ceremony time & schedule of the day. For me, photos are the most important so I want my photographer (who will be my bestest buddy that day) to determine best lighting for all the outdoor photos.
3. Do a first look. To pray with my future husband before and share that special moment together before things get all crazy!  And, to make sure we get the best portraits during the best lighting as possible.  Portraits first!  Plus, it’s like bonus when he gets to see me again and no jitters.
4. Get married outdoors. This is a personal preference for me, since I am a natural light photographer.  Unless it’s freezing.  Or it’s so hot I don’t want to be a sweaty bride.  I look much better in natural light than overhead lighting which gives me dark circles under my eyes.  Some churches don’t allow flash and unless there are some good windows to let light in, shucks!
5. Limit my family shot list. To maybe 5 shots. Immediate family only.  Aunts and uncles never buy the photos.  And the cousins?  They’d much rather go to the bar and enjoy cocktail hour anyway.  I love my family, but my wedding is not a family reunion time for my photographer to document.
6. Skip the bouquet and garter toss. This is just because of my age.  By a certain age women do not find it fun going to the dance floor anymore to be reminded that they are single, or they are so disinterested in getting married they dodge the bouquet like the it’s a dead animal flying through the air. No fun.  Then when the guys go out, the like 5 who do.  It’s even more depressing for the women to see what’s left.  Oh my gosh, did I just say that?
7. Hold the complaints. It might rain.  The cake might drop.  My hair might be flat.  So and so guest might have missed their flight.  At the end of the day – the ONE day that will determine the rest of my life, I just want to be happy.  As long as Mr. Wonderful is there at the end of the aisle, the rest doesn’t and won’t matter. Always maintain a positive perspective of what the day really is about.
8. Trust who I hired. This ain’t my vendors first rodeo.  Unless, I got them on craigslist, then that might happen.  I hired people who I trust, value and admire.  I know they are doing the best job I hired them to do because I love what they do and their artistic abilities, not because they fit in my budget.  The more I let them be creative, the more pleasantly happy I will be so they can do what they love.
9. Buy an album and professional prints through your photographer. Because Walgreens and Walmart will make you look horrific.  Because the albums you think you can get on your own do not match the pristine quality of the albums professional photographers are able to have access to.  It’s another investment, but it’s a good one.

And finally…

• Have a private ceremony. “WHAT?! But you’re a wedding photographer, you have to have a wedding.”  Well, ok.  If I were a wedding planner, then I would plan a wedding. I am a photographer.  Therefore I will have the most awesome photographer my heart and soul desires. (That would be Ryan Ray.)  Private ceremonies aren’t for everyone, just like big blow out weddings aren’t for all either, it’s just a matter of where you feel you are in life, what YOU want that aligns with your perspective of happiness. As long as you and your hubby are satisfied with whatever route you take, do it.
• Big party reception later. Now that sounds more like me, right?  It’ll be like wedding #2, sorta.  It will be something in my backyard.  Yes, I already know the theme. *wink*

If I were to have a wedding, I would without a doubt hire a wedding coordinator and event planner.  This does not mean the venue coordinator but your own personal one to handle all questions and planning.  It’ll make your day run so smoothly and even the venue coordinator will thank you.  Trust me.  Money well spent for sanity.

If you’ve already been down the aisle, what would you have done differently? I would love to hear!

Diana Elizabeth also prefers an eternity band over a solitaire ring.  See?  She’s pretty untraditional.  She wonders why.  Ah, she’s never been traditional (except for dating, courting and the mandatory obey God’s laws) her entire life!

Personal, Weddings

This bride Donna is a gem to me, you see, we share a best friend, MK and because of that, we naturally became fast friends, traveling to Hawaii together for a group vacay, and meeting for lunch when we can.  It has been so wonderful to have grown with her, share stories and laughter over dating.  Donna and I shared in the frustration of finding the right guy.

So when I heard through the grapevine (that would be through our mutual BFF Mick, also known as Meagan) that Donna had found an amazing guy and his name was Brandon and up popped photos of the two, I couldn’t help but feel warm inside.  I was thrilled for Donna.  Together, I could see how Brandon lights up her life, how they glorify God together, and he was absolutely everything that she wanted and waited for.

Brandon, thank you for loving Donna the way you do.  You treasure her just as God does and let me tell you brother, we’ve been waiting a long time for you.  Donna, thank you for your sweet friendship and being an incredible example of a Godly woman who wouldn’t settle for anything less than the best, what God had for you. Thank you both for allowing me to capture this special day of your life.

And now, enjoy this incredibly creative rustic, organic, vintage wedding designed entirely by the bride, her mother and her friend Angelica.  Yes, they are seriously considering doing this as a business.  From the details of runners, check in bags for out of town guests, to a total new bar set up made by the bride’s father, this is one creative wedding.

Enjoy!  To see the wedding slideshow with more photos CLICK HERE!

Venue: Raven at Verrado / Officiant: Cory Beals / Bride’s dress: Watters / Veil: Besitos Couture / Bride’s jewelry: Nordstrom and Swarovski / Bride’s shoes: Kate Spade / Hair: Brien Lackey of Chase Salon / Makeup: Lizzy Marsh / Bridesmaid dresses: Watters / Floral Designer: Faith in Flowers / DJ: Knight Flight DJs / Cake: Barb’s Bakery / Event designer: Bride, Angelica Giger of Besitos Couture and Carla Dougherty, mother of the bride / Wedding coordinator: Ann Mattis / Props made by: Bride’s mom / Groom’s suit and shoes: Alfani / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher

Diana Elizabeth loves sparkly things, like bride’s shoes.  She thinks bridal shoes are one of the most fun and sassy ways to show off your personality – even if not a lot of people are going to see them. Sort of like underwear.  Yep.

Weddings

Congratulations Donna and Brandon! More of this beautiful couple next week when they return from their honeymoon!

Diana Elizabeth says just wait until you see the details of this wedding – the bride and her mom are super creative and insists they go into a business to design weddings!

Weddings

Weddings

“To love is not to look at one another: it is to look, together, in the same direction.”
- Antoine de Saint Exupery

Diana Elizabeth loves short, small, intimate weddings.  She can’t wait to share with you this sweet wedding she recently shot at the Montelucia Intercontinental this past weekend.

Weddings