Jessie and Billy are getting married in April and were looking for something unique and different for their engagment. The engagement shoot lets you get to know your photographer, start to feel comfortable with them and get to know their style, AND it can be whatever you want it to be, have fun!
photos by Julie at Julie Dreelins Photography/Videography Inc.
May 21st 2010
Weddings during the spring months on the Outer Banks embrace the beauty of the environment with the rejuvenation of the season to create a surreal and meaningful union for a loving couple. Flowers are blooming, the scent of honeysuckles fills the air and the soft, salty breezes floating off the ocean can enhance your wedding day moments and sketch them in your memories for an eternity.
But the Outer Banks is far from predictable. Fluctuations in weather are notorious on this barrier island and formulating a back up plan for foul weather is a must. Be sure your venue has options for indoor settings and that your reception location can withstand the traffic if all your guests must be inside for the duration of your reception. Having multiple rental homes adjacent to one another in the event that this happens is always a good idea for overflow guests. Talk with your wedding coordinator or vendors about their back up plans in the event that Mother Nature chooses to be fickle on your wedding day.
When planning an outdoor wedding, be sure that the basics, such as bathroom access for guests and intrusions from tourists at popular wedding locations is accounted for. Rental bathrooms are available and will keep your guests happy and content in ways no "port-a-potties" ever could. If you have visions of marrying under a lighthouse or walking over a bridge to your groom, be sure the venue has the proper signage and deterrents for tourists. Walking over the bridge towards your future husband and 200 guests might not be as memorable if you are dodging sunburnt tourists snapping shots of a lighthouse while you're walking towards your future.
While the weather is usually mild this time of year, be prepared for the occasional heat-wave that can occur three months too early. If you like to get your groove on and your wedding gown is three thick layers of taffeta, silk and lace, change into a simpler, dancing-friendly dress that will allow you to throw down with Uncle Fred on the dance floor all night long. Wind and the Outer Banks are inseparable, so if you are forming your union on the beach or outdoors, be sure your dress and veil are wind friendly. You might also want to consider the wind direction in relation to where you stand to say "I do"-- there's nothing more distracting than professing your love with a mouthful of veil.
With some foresight and intelligent planning, your outdoor wedding on the Outer Banks can instill joy, love and simplicity. Account for all possible weather scenarios and make sure your plans work both indoors and out. Hiring an experienced wedding planner will help you navigate the tricky weather and its endless possibilities on your special day.
article by Crystal Street
photos by Julie Dreelin and Lauren Cowart of Julie Dreelin's Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors: thepropersetting.com,blackpelicancatering.com,sugarsnapevents.com,metrorentalobx.com,wedsafe.com
There are many requests for elopement weddings. Elopements are one of the most common weddings. Most vendors have special small packages for this type of wedding. I don't blame them. The refelctions off the sand and waves this time of the day give the photos a glowing look. What a gorgeous sunrise.- Julie Dreelin
Rebecca's fiance was not into the engagement pics so she decided to use her beach visit as a sexy trash the dress shoot. We suggested doing what she did and go to the local shop "Baree Station" for this $20 dress that she used. It worked perfectly and didn't break the bank. The gaudy necklace and bracelet she wore worked perfect to set the scene for the photos.
Beach Productions photography suggests giving a grooms friend the job of making sure he is dressed properly and has all of the right clothing, etc. This way the groom doesn't have to worry or show up to the photo shoot with a crooked tie!
Sometimes dressing up works perfect on an engagement shoot. Your photographer needs to have this shoot to get to know you. The best photographers do the engaement shoot for free for this purpose. This bride also said she wanted documentary only shots and loved sepia and black and white. Since the photographer knew this, she portrayed this look in her photos. Communicate with your photographer.
"It's all about the photos" Daniel touted to me when I first arrived at this wedding. Meghan had a smaller budget, went small in areas that weren't as meaningful and went big in places that were, like decorations by Rene Landry Style and Photography and photography by Julie Dreelin's Beach Productions. We love the background for the ceremony she put up that doubled as a back to a mini "photo" booth with chalk and board that they played with all night taking funny photos - Meghan's own idea of bringing boots and ballons to the beach made the entire beach session turn out like a fashion shoot!
Congratulations Lindsay and Scott on being featured in the Knot NC Magazine Spring/Summer 2010.
Check out Currituck County's great website - http://www.visitcurrituck.com/
Julie Dreelin's Beach Productions photographed Maren and Jamie's Wedding Day years ago. Just a few weeks ago, we photographed her brothers wedding at the same lovely family house in Avon-photos still to be uploaded (Whitney/Soren Wedding). In the meantime, while Jamie and Maren were here at the beach we did a quick pregnancy shoot. There is more to come from this lovely and growing family! Congratulations you two. We can't wait to see the little one.
