Aug 14th 2010

photos by Julie at Julie Dreelin's Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors:Music: John Harper, Location: Saltaire, Catering:Magic Culinary, Flowers:Bells and Whistles

July 18th 2010-Frisco, NC

These two hit it on the mark with a gorgeous beach experience, perfect timing on the reception and dancing, AND sunset.  We always suggest looking at sunset and planning the ceremony at least 2 hours before that in the summer.  In the spring and fall up to 3 hours beforehand.

photos by Julie at Julie Dreelins Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors:www.simplyweddingsobx.com

May 15th 2010

This springtime wedding at the Saltaire House in Duck, NC had a classic backdrop contrasting with a fun mermaid underwater theme.

photos by Lauren Cowart of Julie Dreelins Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors: thesaltaire.com

May 22nd 2010

Truly, the images from your wedding are the lasting elements of your day.  Photos of your precious day will live on and be passed down through the generations of your loved ones. When all the champagne is poured, the cake is eaten and a drunken Uncle Fred is peeled off the dance floor and carried home in a wheel barrel, your images will be the tangible visions of your special day.  That said, should you spend all your time with the photographer and none with your family and loved ones?  No, of course not. With some planning and a considerate and efficient photographer, your pictures can be taken quickly with a minimal amount of time lost with your guests.

When planning the events of your day with your coordinator or photographer, designate as many images with the family and bridal party prior to the ceremony as possible.  The time leading up to the ceremony can be hectic and planning these shots may be a challenge, but gathering as many photos ahead of time will save you time and headache after you say "I do".  Have the bridal party shots taken ahead of time, all the bridesmaids with the bride and the groomsmen with the groom and include the families in these shots as well.  After the ceremony, the main images will be the bride and groom together with their respective families and then the bridal party.  Be sure your photographer spends some time with just you and your groom and take some unposed, creative shots incorporating your surroundings.  During this time, have the caterer bring champagne, for the ladies, beer for the men and snacks for the bridal party to enjoy and refuel. Be sure to grab a bite yourself as you may not see food again for a few hours.  A cocktail hour should be scheduled for your guests during this time period and be sure to account for your attendance at the cocktail hour as well.

Do not be afraid to photograph yourself with your groom prior to the ceremony.  Ask your photographer for a private meeting with your groom just before the ceremony begins.  Be sure that no one else knows this is happening so they do not try to participate in the pictures (think overbearing mother of the bride here).  Be sure your bridesmaids are aware though, you may need a little support if the emotions are overwhelming.  Your bridesmaids will also be the gatekeepers to ensure that its just you and your groom for the next few minutes.  Ask that your photographer just step into the background and photograph your initial seeing of one another and your moments together as a quiet observer and ask that they not plan or pose any of the shots.

Another consideration when hiring your photographer is whether or not they shoot video as well.  In today's merging media platforms, photographers now have the capabilities of shooting video as well, all using the same camera.  If you want some video of your day, but do not need to actually watch the entire, and rather long, video of your ceremony and reception, consider hiring a photographer who incorporates both using a multimedia approach to documenting your day.  Also bear in mind that with these new technologies emerging and being used by videographers as well as photographers, if you hire both video and photo professionals to document your day, you are likely to have three to five people filming you, all day and all using the same cameras.  That is slightly beyond overkill and will effect the emotions and flow of your special day.  Finding someone who can document both photo and small amounts of video presented in a multimedia DVD or online video using only a couple cameras and possibly an assistant may save your wedding day from becoming a paparazzi trainwreck.

article by Crystal Street
photos by Julie Dreelin and Lauren Cowart of Julie Dreelins Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors: thesanderling.com,sugarsnapevents.com

Reach within your creative being and unleash that inner art Diva that is just dying to splatter her artistic energy all over your wedding.  You have one, she's hiding there just below the surface and every time you pick up a Martha Stewart magazine or a Real Simple, she screams- "I can do that- but I'll do it better than that stuffy Stewart!"

At a recent wedding in Corolla, N.C., a creative bride unleashed her inner-art Diva and created a masterpiece that was a delight to photograph. Every detail had her personality and creativity dripping from it and falling into her guests hearts and memories.  She printed a large tree with empty branches and asked the guests to place their thumb print on their new "Family Tree".  Her desert table was filled with peanut-buttery shot glasses, sans alcohol. Shot glasses filled with dessert mousses filled the table surrounding her wedding cake.  A soup bar was established, using ceramic mismatched bowls as a wonderful appetizer for guests.  Funnels of beautiful scrapbook paper attached to sticks were filled with french fries so guests could nibble these greasy delicacies and not have to wipe their hands on their expensive wedding attire.  Even the table settings were covered in her creativity, using a symbol from the night she met her future husband. Bowling pins adorned the table tops as the happy couple met at a bowling alley through mutual friends.

No matter what your budget, tapping into your inner-art Diva will create a lasting memory for you and your guests.  Be sure your photographer is aware of all this special creativity and captures the details prior to the beginning of the festivities.

article by Crystal Street
photos by Julie Dreelin's Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors:redskycafe.com, theembellishers.com, House-Gertrude's Breakaway-Beach Realty

Photographs by Julie Dreelin's Beach Productions

Photos compliments of Julie Dreelins Beach Productions

Yes, they really jumped into the pool. This is what you do when your wedding gets rained out, have fun with it! Katie and Jim's wedding day ended up a huge and memorable success-ending with a smores pit - what a great idea!