When my friend Mallory (owner of M Studios in San Deigo, California) called me and wanted to do a styled photo shoot with super fun hair styles, I was so excited!  Styled photo shoots (espcially ones that take me to the beach) are my favorite!  Mallory got super creative by adding fabrics and ropes into the girl’s hair!  Check out the fun time we had below!

Hair by Mallory Gary https://www.facebook.com/MStudiosSD

We loved the simple details for Lacey and Greg’s JEH Ranch wedding in Bakersfield, California! Pinecones, roses, and lavender were some of the floral detail that went into this eggplant and taupe wedding. The groomsmen rocked beige tuxedos (which we LOVE!), equipped with purple bow ties. (But of course my favorite detail was the bride’s Jimmy Choo shoes!…just look at all of that sparkle!)  The head table had a giant “R” marquee letter that served as a focal point for the reception. The simple ceremony was followed by a fun photo sesh with the wedding party and Bride and Groom! After a fun night of dancing, the couple did a grand sparkler exit that lit up the ranch!

We had such a blast photographing Lacy and Greg’s wedding.  Everyone was so much fun!  Check out the story of their day below…

Venue: JEH Ranch

DJ: Free Style

Videographers: R&C Films

One of the most common questions I get from clients is….what do I wear to my photo session?  It’s a great question…in fact, I ask myself that every day when I look in my closet, realize I have 20 things that don’t match each other, and go…what am I going to wear to work today?!?!

That’s when I pull out my virtual closet (aka my Pinterest “outfits” board).  While I don’t actually own the outfits in my virtual closet, I use them as inspiration when I just don’t know what to put on.  But there I was, standing in my closet, contemplating my blog post for the week and thought, this is a great way to help people visually with their wardrobe selection for their photo sessions!

So here it is….my thoughts on styling and color selections for your photo sessions….

1. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE TRENDY!

Why not?  It’s what you like now, isn’t it?!  Your photos will go out of style weather or not you wear whats trending.  (Who remembers white tshirts and jeans on the beach?…definatly a 90s trend)  So embrace this time in your life,  be you and have fun!  Guys, please don’t be afraid of colored pants and Sperry’s.  Who doesn’t love a man in a slightly nautical look?!

2. IF YOU ARE GOING FOR A FLOWY, DREAMY LOOK….GO WITH WHITES, CREAMS, TANS, AND NATURAL COLORS

Flowy fabrics and muted colors equals dreamy feeling photos!  We love seeing chiffon and lace in these selections.  And yes, a little bit of pattern is okay!  Just try to stick to something subtle and not too overwhelming…..look for florals in natural tones

3.  MAXI MAXI MAXI!!!!

Maxi skirts or dresses are the best way to get a dreamy, flowy look….and they are super flattering (AND COMFORTABLE!)

4. GUYS…DON’T BE AFRAID TO DRESS UP!

We love it when our guys dress up.  Some of our favorite trends for men have been suspenders and bowties.  We also love layering…not sure what to wear?  Copy the maneqines at the stores you shop at.  Not sure where to shop?  We suggest Banana Republic!

5. IT’S ALL ABOUT COLOR SCHEMES!

Gone are the days of matchy matchy!  (thank goodness)  My biggest tip when choosing colors?…just don’t clash!  Pick outfits in the same color plalte.  Not sure what goes togther?  My life hack for this is to use a color picker….my personal favorite is Adobe Kuler.

6. THE LBD

We all love a good LBD but black can photograph harsh.  Opt for grey instead to soften your look.

Hope these tips help…don’t forget to follow my Pinterest for even more outfit and wedding ideas!

Recently I have had a few brides ask me if I had heard any good bouquet toss songs at any of the weddings I had shot.  (They were sick of Single Ladies and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.)  I thought about it and realized that those were really the only two songs I could even remember….I mean, REALLY?!  Those two songs couldn’t possibly define all wedding bouquet toss mosments….so I decided to do some digging, expanded the list, and now I am sharing it all with you.

These songs were found off of internet searches, playlists of previous brides, and my own iTunes account.  Hope you enjoy what I came up with and Happy Wedding Planning!

Processional Songs

Marry You – Bruno Mars

Cant Help Falling in Love With You – Elvis

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes – Kimberly Locke

A Whole New World – Aladdin

Amazed – Lonestar

Fall Into Me – Brantly Gilbert

Forever – John Stamos and the Beach Boys

Recessional Songs

Happy – Pharrell

Dog Days are Over – Florence and the Machine

I Do – Colbie Caillat

Rythim of Love – Plain White Ts

Best Day of my Life – American Authors

Ever Ever After – Carrie Underwood

Love is an Open Door – Frozen

Doin What She Likes – Blake Shelton

Grand Entrance

I Believe in a Thing Called Love – the Darkness

Cant Hold Us – Macklemore

Here For the Party- Gretchen Wilson

Stuck on You-Sugarland

Boom Boom Pow-Black Eyed Peas

Feel This Moment-Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera

Shots-LMFAO and Lil Jon

Ain’t Goin Down Till the Sun Comes Up-Garth Brooks

Bonus Bridal Party Entrance Song: Friends In Low Places

First Dance

All of Me – John Legend

Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait

So This is Love – Cinderella

Marry Me – Train

God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton

I Love You This Big – Scotty McCreery

I Do – Mark wils

Then-Brad Paisley

Hey Pretty Girl-Kip Moore

I Cross My Heart-George Strait

Bouqet Toss

Any Man of Mine – Shania Twain

Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins

Diomands are a Girls Best Friend – Marilyn Monroe

Do you Believe in Magic – Lovin Soonfulls

Hey Ladies – Beastie Boys

Hit me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar

Ladies Night – Kool and the Gang

Wild Thing – Tone Loc

Garter Toss

Welcome to the Jungle – Guns n Roses

Monday Night Football Theme – ESPN

Hot in Here – Nelly

U Can’t Touch This – M C Hammer

Big Pimpin – Jay Z

Bad to the Bone- George Thprpgood and the Destroyers

Suit and Tie-Justin Timberlake and Jay Z

Hope you found this list helpful!  If there is something on here that I am missing, please feel free to leave a comment!!!

Jaimee and Alex’s wedding day was filled with love, laughter, fun, and LOTS of gold sparkle!  (You can’t go wrong with gold sparkle!)  We walked into the girls room at the Padre hotel to discover that everyone was ready and Jaimee was waiting to put her gown on.  The girls were sipping mimosas and enjoying the morning.  (I’ve never walked into a wedding day like that before!  It was fantastic)  We photographed their details, got Jaimee into her dress, and away we went….Jaimee and Alex did their first look outside of the Padre Hotel and it was so much fun.  We went right into their bride and groom pictures, only for me to discover that the groomsmen were trying to photobomb them!  Don’t worry, I snapped a pic before I moved us along….(I guess that’s what happens when the groomsmen are Marshall and Joaquin….always goofing off!)  The ceremony took place at a private residence in Bakersfield and everyone danced the night away under a big white tent.  We are so excited for Alex and Jaimee and can’t wait for you to see the photos from their wedding day.

Enjoy!

DJ: Freestyle Entertainment

We are looking for up to 6 fun, confident, outgoing, girls (or guys) to represent Ashley dePencier Photography as a Senior Rep for the Class of 2015.