I’m so excited to share that Brittany and Ian’s golden hour engagement session at Cross Estate Garden has been featured in Contemporary Weddings Magazine!

Flipping through the pages at Barnes & Noble yesterday morning felt all sorts of surreal (and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t buy every copy on display!). The Spring 2019 edition will be on stands from now until May.

Check out their full engagement session by clicking HERE. Congratulations, Brittany & Ian! I cannot wait for your beautiful wedding at Indian Trail Club this summer.

There’s something so magical about winter weddings, especially when they’re at Park Chateau! I’ve always said that Park Chateau is a venue fit for a fairytale — complete with beautiful gardens, twinkle light covered trees, and one of the most incredible bridal suites that I’ve ever seen. I had the pleasure of second shooting Christina & Anthony’s wedding with Jennifer Larsen Photography…. and I loved their wedding so much, that I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from their day with you!

After Christina & Anthony said “I do,” their guests lined up outside of the church to cheer them on as they made their exit. An antique car adorned with greenery waited at the end of the receiving line to whisk the newlyweds away to their reception — but not before we could take some pictures with it, of course! When we arrived at Park Chateau, we continued to photograph Christina, Anthony, and their bridal party in all of the gardens around the property as well as inside the cozy library.

One of my absolute FAVORITE details to photograph during the day were the candlelight centerpieces, bouquets, and floral staircase installation created by Twisted Willow. The staircase installation was truly a work of art in and of itself — some of my favorite portraits of the couple are of them on the stairs surrounded by all of the blooms. It was beautiful!

Enjoy some of my favorites from the wedding day!

Lead Photography: Jen Larsen
Second Photographer: Tori Petrillo
Photography Assistance: Rebecca Lori 
Coordinator | Mallory Weiss Planning
Ceremony Venue | St. Mary’s Chapel
Reception Venue | Park Chateau Estate
Dress Designer | Pnina Tornai
Dress Boutique | Kleinfeld Bridal
Shoes | Christian Louboutin
Hair Stylist | Michelle Elise Artistry
Makeup Artist | Michelle Elise Artistry
Wedding Rings | Goldtinker
Band | The Rhythm Shop
Florist | Twisted Willow Flowers
Videographer | Reubinedde Malamug
Cake | Palermo’s Bakery
Bridesmaids Dresses | Dessy, Bella Bridesmaids
Groom & Groomsmen Attire | The Black Tux
Invitations | Darling + Pearl
Ring Box | The Mrs. Box
Transportation | Shore Luxury Limos
Photobooth | Pop Shop Photobooth

A couple of weeks ago, I took to Instagram stories and asked my followers what kind of topics that they wanted to read about on my blog (wedding related, or otherwise!). One of my sweet brides suggested a favorite products round-up, and I thought it would be fun to turn her idea into a monthly series!

1. “Happy in Bloom” Perfume by Clinique

Guys. This perfume smells AMAZING. I’ve always been a fan of Clinique’s “Happy” perfume, but I love this spin on their classic scent. One of my friends was wearing it when I picked her up for a coffee date last month. She told me that it was one of her favorite perfumes, and that she was planning on ordering more since she was running low. Long story short, we both ended up buying it for each other for Christmas! I find myself putting it on even if I don’t have anywhere to go. I love how light, fresh, and slightly floral the scent is.

2. You are a Bad Ass by Jen Sincero

Ryan and I were waiting to get a table at The Cheesecake Factory a couple of weeks ago and decided to check out the Barnes & Noble next door. We’re not huge readers (I’m working on that for one of my 2019 goals!), but we casually left with 8 books in total. I have to admit that I’m only halfway through this book, but I love the authors humorous tone, positive vibe, and overall “you can do it” attitude. It’s a great book to read to kick off the new year!

3. Cleansing Balm by Beautycounter

I was introduced to Beautycounter last spring by a blogger who was gushing over their safe and healthy cosmetic products. Since then, I’ve purchased (and fallen in love with!) so many of Beautycounter’s products, one of my all time favorites being the Cleansing Balm. It can be used as a makeup remover, overnight mask, or regular cleanser. I’ve always said that my skin type is strange because it’s both dry and oily at the same time. After I wash my face, my skin can feel so tight that it hurts to smile (especially during the winter months!). Now, I apply a small amount of Cleansing Balm to my face right before getting out of the shower and it leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized all day without any greasy feeling. It’s on the pricier side, but it lasts for MONTHS, and my skin has never felt more balanced.

4. Simplified Planner 

Does anyone else love opening up a brand new planner in January? It feels like a new, clean slate! I had been using another type of planner for the past couple of years, but I decided to give Simplified Planner a try after hearing friends rave about it. It gives an overview of the month, a daily breakdown (with space to jot down notes next to each day), space for meal planning, and paper in the back for general note taking. I love how clean and organized the layout is! The size is also perfect at 7 x 9. I carry my planner with me nearly everywhere I go, so it’s important that I’m able to tuck it away in my bag!

As a side note, I’m not being paid by any of these companies, and all of the opinions that I’m sharing are 100% my own 🙂

Crafting your wedding day timeline can be a tricky and overwhelming process, especially if you’ve never made one before and are unsure of what to expect. Every wedding day timeline is going to look different based on a variety of factors. Couples have to take into consideration the season/sunset times, amount of travel locations, and whether or not to stick with tradition or commit to doing a first look.

Brides, take a deep breath with me!

The blocks of time allocated for the photography portions of the day will generally stay the same from timeline to timeline (the way we divide the time might change, but the total amount of time likely will not). I always suggest the timings below for the photography portions of the day when I’m creating wedding day timelines for my couples:

• 1.5 hours for detail / getting ready photos
• 15 minutes for the first look
• 30 minutes for bride & groom portraits
• 45 minutes for bridal party photos (15 min for bride w/ bridesmaids, 15 min for groom w/groomsmen, 15 min for full bridal party)
• 30 minutes for immediate family photos
• 5-10 minutes for sunset/night portraits

While every couples wedding day timeline is going to be unique, I think it’s helpful to see a visual! Below is an example of a first look timeline from a photographers perspective:

First Look Timeline

• 1:00 pm-2:30 pm: Getting Ready
• 2:30 pm-2:45 pm: First Look
• 2:45 pm-3:15 pm: Bride/Groom Portraits
• 3:15 pm-4:00 pm: Bridal Party Portraits
• 4:00 pm-4:30 pm: Family Photos
• 4:30pm – 5:00pm: Bride & Groom Rest Before Ceremony
• 5:00 pm-5:30 pm: Ceremony
• 5:30 pm-6:30 pm: Cocktail Hour
• 6:30 pm-10 pm: Reception

Have any of my couples used the full 15 minutes for their first look? Honestly, no. They’re usually ready for bride & groom portraits after only a minute or two! While the length of the time blocks above might seem excessive, I can assure you that wedding days are somewhat unpredictable and not everything will go as planned. This is why scheduling buffer time is so important! Anticipate the unexpected while drafting your timeline and always allow for more time than you think that you’ll need. This way, if hair/makeup runs a little longer than planned, we’ll still have some wiggle room to work with that’ll help us stay on schedule.

What do you remember the most from your days spent as a kid in elementary school? The parts that stand out to me are assemblies, field trips, science experiments, and moments when my teachers would talk about something unrelated to school — like their family vacations, pets, or something silly that their own children had done the night before. I used to love it when my teachers briefly digressed from their lessons plans. Not only would this help to humanize them, but their stories would captivate the students by giving them an otherwise unseen glimpse into their lives.

Storytelling in content marketing has a similar impact on consumers. Before stories were able to be physically recorded, people either shared them verbally with one another or used drawings to communicate their messages. That’s because stories provided (and continue to provide) a format that was memorable, entertaining, engaging, and could be shared throughout the generations.

Entrepreneurs, listen up! The nature of storytelling has never changed. Once you craft an authentic brand story, you’ll begin to reach and build connections with your target audience. Every brand has a unique story unlike that of their competitors. Although competing brands might have similar motivations, core values, solutions to problems, etc., no one else’s brand story will be identical to your own. This gives your brand a competitive advantage by delivering a one of a kind perspective and reaching ideal clients who resonate with your message — and your message alone.

Can I let you in on a little secret? My most popular blog posts over the past few years have had nothing to do with photography. I was so surprised by the stats after I hit publish on my “10 Things You Might Not Know About Me” blog post a couple of months ago. People are naturally curious and want to know about the person behind the brands that they love and support.

What are their values?

What do they like to do in their free time?

What motivates them to pursue their chosen career?

What causes are important to them?

How and why did they get started?

What did they think that they could improve upon in the marketplace?

Gone are the days of solely listing products/services on a website or in an ad and expecting to make a sale. I’m yawning. Sure, you might make a few sales, but without incorporating storytelling, you probably won’t reach the type of clients who you want to serve. And the few consumers who actually do convert might not even think to refer your brand to a friend because because they haven’t established a connection with it.

Why do I publish posts that have nothing to with photography from time to time? It builds trust with my readers, makes me a human, and allows me to share about the things that get me fired up. It also helps me connect with future clients who might be scrolling through my blog posts and think, “hey, I’m a huge fan of chocolate milkshakes too!” 🙂

Whenever I’m chatting with my couples during their initial consultation, I find that they’re either on the fence about sharing a first look or completely against it. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph both traditional weddings and weddings where the couple chose to do a first look. While I would never expect all of my couples to go with the untraditional route, I DO think there are some benefits worth sharing!

Smooth Flow

With a traditional timeline, after the ceremony ends, we’ll have a two hour time block scheduled for family formals, bridal party portraits, and bride and groom photos. If the ceremony location is different than the reception location, guests will likely have to wait it out until cocktail hour begins. This can make the timeline start to feel a little choppy.

Ideally, with a first look, we would schedule:

• 45 minutes of bride and groom portrait time
• 45 minutes for bridal party portrait time
• 30 minutes for family formal portrait time

With a first look timeline, we’re able to prioritize bride and groom portraits. Since they’re scheduled first, we can minimize of any feelings of being rushed or under pressure. With a traditional timeline, bride and groom portraits are always scheduled last. If the family formals and bridal party photos take longer than expected, I may not be able to deliver as many bride and groom photos as you had hoped, simply because the venue timeline might not allow for it.

On a related side note, you’ll look your best because I’ll be photographing you shortly after you’re done getting ready rather than after the ceremony & family formals!

More Portrait Time

As I mentioned above, first looks can take anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour. Think about ALL of the beautiful portraits that you can decorate your new home with! Usually, bride and groom portraits feel a bit like a race against the clock with a traditional timeline – literally and figuratively. We usually have only 20-30 minutes to take portraits before a) the sun sets and/or b) we need to get ready for grand entrances.

They Ease Nerves

Real talk: you’re going to be nervous for the sole reason that you’re getting married! Now, add in the fact that you’ll have 200+ pairs of eyes on you and your groom who are anxiously waiting to see your reactions. Cue all of the nerves! Doing a first look beforehand gets most of those jitters out of the way. They give you a chance to breathe, soak in the moment, and relax. Also, they’re the closest thing that you’re going to get to “alone time” on a wedding day.

One concern that I hear from my brides that are considering a first look is that they’re worried their groom won’t have a reaction when they walk down the aisle. I can say from experience that the grooms reaction is usually even MORE priceless when the ceremony starts. I think that’s because everything starts to become very real at that moment!

You Get to Enjoy Cocktail Hour

Doing a first look allows you to go and enjoy cocktail hour with all of your guests. You’ll be all done with taking photos after the ceremony is over. But that’s not including 5 minutes of sunset portraits during your reception, of course 🙂 Family and friends have travelled from all over the map to come see and celebrate alongside of you. You probably haven’t seen many of these people in while, and I’m sure you’d rather be enjoying their company instead of taking photos. Plus, cocktail hour food? Enough said.

So there you have it! With all of this said, you should decide whether or not to do a first look based on what feels right for you as a couple. It’s part of my job to give you all of the information I’ve learned from my experiences so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself on your wedding day. I hope this helps!

Click here to see photos from Krysti & Taylor’s first look!

1. Have the details ready

   During our last “checking in” phone chat before the wedding, I’ll ask my brides to set aside all of their important details into a small box (shoes, jewelry, invites, perfume, family heirlooms, etc.) for me to photograph first thing when I arrive. This is a great way for my brides to ensure that everything is accounted for beforehand and that nothing important will be missing! Plus, it saves time when all of the details are already gathered in one place.

2. Check for distractions

   Be on the look out for hair ties on wrists (the biggest offenders!), wall outlets, air/heating vents, TV screens, and those unfortunate hotel paintings.  These are all difficult to get rid of during post production and will cost hours of your time.  Try to fix the problem right then and there by removing the distraction, switching up your perspective or changing location entirely if possible. It’s so much quicker and easier to deal with the distraction right then and there than to fix it later in Photoshop. Been there, done that!

3. Don’t be afraid to ask people to move

   Anyone ever had an Uncle Bob set his tripod in the center of the aisle during the wedding ceremony? I would always cringe whenever I’d see this happening, but I never used to say anything. Kindly ask Uncle Bob if he could 1. move his tripod out of the aisle and closer to where he is sitting or 2. hold off on setting up his tripod until after the bridal party processes to ensure distraction free, clean photographs. Most of the time guests are very understanding and realize that you were hired to do a specific job – and that you want to do it well!

4. Expect the unexpected

   This tip might go without saying, but I’ve been thrown a photography curveball at nearly every wedding I’ve photographed for the past 4 years. I would say that 99% of these curveballs are related to lighting and bad weather. Simply put, not every venue is going to have huge windows and light colored rooms. And (unfortunately!) not every wedding day is going to have perfect weather. I’ve worked with dark venues that didn’t permit off camera flash, and I’ve also photographed weddings where it down-poured the entire day. The most important thing is to be prepared to adapt to any curveball you’re given. Pack lots of clear umbrellas for bridal party portraits, know your flashes inside and out, and always have a one light set up on standby just in case. Also, pack a wedding day emergency kit – mine has helped me more times than I can count (click HERE to see what’s in my bag).

5. Always bring a second shooter

   Having a second shooter with you during a wedding day is a great way to be able to cover more ground, be in two places at once, and see an entirely new perspective of the same day. Plus, it’s so helpful to have another person hold a reflector, grab a lens, and check off family formal combinations as they’re taken.

#1 I went to an all girls high school.

We wore a uniform everyday (which I admit, I really didn’t mind!) complete with the most unfortunate black Oxford sneakers. They were so unfortunate that the majority of students left them in their lockers and switched into normal shoes before leaving the building after school. I’m laughing right now just thinking about them! We were allowed to change the shoe laces to whatever colors we wanted, and every year around Christmas time I made mine green & red. I have to admit that that was kind of fun. Kind of.

#2 Architecture and historic preservation are my jam.

The fascination began my freshman year of college while wandering through the architecture building on campus. I loved looking at the house models and detailed drawings scattered around the students tables. Since then, I’ve visited some beautiful places with houses that are rich with history (Savannah and Charleston, I’m looking at you!). If you happen to be heading down that way this summer, make sure to stop here. And if you want to follow an incredible architect on Instagram, click here. Oh, and if you want to see the amazing renovation that an Australian family is working on in France, then you’ll definitely want to check this out. Ok, I’m done geeking out… for now.

#3 I wrote an article on Buzzfeed that went viral last year.

But if you search my name, you won’t find it – and that’s on purpose! I can’t talk about why I was writing an article on Buzzfeed in the first place just yet, but I can definitely clue you in next month.

#4 Schitt’s Creek is my favorite TV show.

That’s right! After years of only watching HGTV (not kidding), my friend made me watch the first episode of Schitt’s Creek with her earlier this summer and I’ve been hooked ever since. We’re counting down the days until the holiday episode airs on December 19th!

#5 I was an Irish Dancer.

I know my last name says otherwise, but I’m actually half Irish! I took lessons for years and used to compete all over the state until shin splints got the best of me in high school.

#6 My full name is Victoria, but I’ve always been called Tori.

This surprises more people than you would think. I was (and still am) always so used to being called “Tori” that I was guilty of not responding whenever professors would call my name for attendance during the first day of classes!

#7 I rarely listen to music unless I’m in the car.

And even then, sometimes I like to just roll the windows down and listen to the wind, especially after a wedding day. Music has always distracted me whenever I have something to do where I need to concentrate. I can’t even listen to it while I’m editing! When I am listening to music though, 9 times out of 10, it’s country. I love Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line.

#8 Beach vacations are my least favorite type of vacation.

I should probably preface this by saying that I love the beach. But the idea of spending a week or more staring out at the waves doesn’t get me excited. I love hiking, visiting museums, and going on as many tours as possible. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t enjoy “relaxing” vacations!

#9 I would describe my overall style as very eclectic.

Everything from clothes, to furniture, to house types, I’ve always been a fan of a wide range of different styles. All of the furniture in my bedroom is actually mid-century modern (thanks to West Elm!). Maybe I’ll give you a tour of it one day!

#10 My favorite book is 1984.

Go read it, it’s a great one.

Photo Credit: Kelly Pullman