Advice From My Past Bride

2022— What a year

Written by: Karen Casey

Every year, I look back at my wedding season and think about all of the amazing moments I was able to capture for my couples. I think about how I can use the wisdom from all of the weddings I have shot to provide future couples insight when planning a wedding. But this year, I thought… let’s do something different. Let’s hear from one of my amazing 2022 brides.

Thank you Karen, for sharing why your wedding couldn’t be more perfect and passing your wisdom and knowledge to newly engaged couples out there 🤍🤎 Enjoy!!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

“I was never the little girl who would dream of her wedding day. I didn’t dream of a big white dress or an extravagant meal. I didn’t dream of cutting a cake or throwing a bouquet. What I did dream of, however, was finding my person. I dreamt of looking around the home we’d create together and seeing framed memories in photos on our walls that I felt captured the real essence of us: adoring, exciting, adventurous, yet peaceful. 

I’ve always been drawn to candid images. Raw and real emotions and moments in time that make you feel something when you see them. What drew me to Maddie Mellott Photography was her ability to make you feel. Before even meeting her, I saw her work and just knew her photographs would be the ones framed in our home one day.

I am thankful that the earlier version of me never envisioned a ‘dream wedding day’ in its entirety, because whatever it is you’ve been envisioning, your day will be far more. It will be layered, unique and sentimental that when added up, will be far more beautiful than you ever could’ve imagined. It won’t be beautiful because of the details or decor, which granted, do elevate a space, often go unnoticed or under appreciated anyways. It will be beautiful because of the ‘too big’ smiles after one too many drinks, the personal vows that fill your loved ones eyes with tears, the very embarrassing dance moves and singing at the top of your lungs anthems. 

One thing that comes with wedding planning is an abundance of opinions. Although always well intentioned, let this be a gentle and loving reminder to you that this day is about the two of you. We wanted to create a comfortable, cozy, and personal atmosphere with some of our favourite people and things (namely autumn scenery, tequila, pizza, s’mores and lots of dancing) and we quickly abandoned traditional wedding expectations. If you do anything, please let go of the feeling that you have to appease everyone, because I promise it’s nearly impossible. 

Everyone will tell you to be present because as they say ‘it goes so fast’. I will be the first person to tell you that this unfortunately could not be more true. As present mentally as you will try to be, there will be pieces of your day you’ll miss. You’ll be off smooching your new spouse, laughing with your favourite people, tasting the food and drinks you’ve been waiting for and every other moment in between. Do nothing else but be present in those moments. They matter, Maddie’s got the rest covered, I promise. 

She captured our sweet nephews looking out the window at their new uncle. She captured the tears streaming down our faces as we committed the rest of our days to one another. She captured the look of sheer pride in our parents eyes and the love written all over our guest’s faces. As helpful as a shot list may be, you cannot plan these perfect pockets in time. The only thing I asked of Maddie was to capture the day as if it was her own, and somehow she exceeded even those expectations. 

Maddie inherently has an energy and ease about her which gives you an overwhelming sense that you’ve known her forever, paired with an exceptional artistic eye. There is an immediate sense of comfort in her presence which translates into the flow and effortlessness of her photographs.

We frantically rushed home when we got the ‘check your inbox’ text, ordered pizza and spent the evening reliving our wedding day picture by picture. We laughed, we sobbed, we remembered. What felt most special to us, was that our photos allowed us to feel like we photographed our own wedding AND were guests at it. She captured every moment and more. Last and most important piece of advice: INVEST IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, you won’t regret it.”