The top image is the final result of the flash composite – I love how the wedding party really stands apart from the background.

The second image is a “normal” wedding party portrait of the *same people* at the *same time* with an on-camera flash (the way most photographers would take the photo)

• Karen & Jeremy’s Carousel Wedding photos {preview}
• Downtown Minneapolis Engagement Photos in Winter {engaged}

Unfortunately, we’re not quite to the stage of booking a Photographer (but hopefully, we can also talk about that soon), but I am hoping you can help me with a different kind of recommendation. After reviewing your site/blog, it’s clear you have quite the wedding experience in Madison. We are trying to finalize a ceremony location and I’m wondering if you have any suggestions based on your experience. I realize this is not your expertise and by no means your job, but you’ve probably been to/seen and definitely captured more weddings than anyone…so I thought I’d start with a professional.

• We’d like to have an outdoor ceremony, with an indoor option in case of rain. 
• Prefer the rain plan to not be a boring ballroom/conference room
• Would love to be near nature
• Simple set up

Answer: Yes, happy to give some suggestions! I would start with the Madison & Dane County park system when you are looking. Some ideas that come to mind are:

Allen centennial gardens. They set up a tent on the side for ceremonies (great for full sun or the risk of rain) and their garden space is lovely for photos and for guests to enjoy. It is also located right off the lake shore path -another great location for photos or walking, and has a parking lot close by. There is intermittent construction all around campus, so you would want to check how that will effect your wedding day.

On the east side of town, Olbrich gardens has beautiful garden space for outdoor ceremonies. They also have an indoor space that has a lovely view in case the weather doesn’t cooperate, and parking is free on site. A less well known space is Warner park, which has a community room for ceremonies that includes 2 walls of glass overlooking trees and the greenery.

A little further out of town is the Lussier center, which has a prairie view location and indoor space.

• reflecting on the ceremony
• Guthrie theater wedding ceremony {Meghann & Matt}

So, I am not really into wedding fairs – they just aren’t my ideal way of connecting with brides and grooms planning their wedding. That is why I am so excited about the Independent Wedding Fair – a member-run organization of local and creative wedding professionals.

Join us this Thursday, October 13 at Pinstripes in Edina for

• unlimited bowling
• ideas for boutonniere alternatives
• tips for building a great wedding lounge
• drink samples
• laid back atmosphere

I have a few tickets left to give away, otherwise they are $15 for 2 at the door or online at independentwedding.com

• Why I participate in the Independent Wedding Fair
• Independent Wedding Fair Updates

• A little Minnesota state fair zen {portraits at the State Fair}
• Minnesota State Fair favorites {photo a day}

Dear Friends,

The past year has been a wonderful one for Becca Dilley Photography, and I’ve found myself busier than ever shooting what I love most – weddings, portraits and food. Now that I’ve finally had a moment to catch my breath, I’ve updated my website (please have a look!) and pricing in anticipation of the 2012 season.

For those of you who are considering booking my services for next year (or encouraging your friends and family to do so), have no fear: From now until June 1, 2011, anyone booking me for a 2012 wedding can still take advantage of 2011 pricing.

Best Regards,
Becca Dilley

• Ever forward – Minneapolis Skyline
• Minnesota & Wisconsin travel photos in Metro Magazine

1. Unconventional wedding locations – Using a location like a restaurant or a field can have its own challenges, but it also can create a vibe like no other.

2. Pockets in wedding dresses – true, you shouldn’t keep your makeup or phone in your pockets, but having a place to actually keep a Kleenex can make you feel a lot less dependent on your wedding day.

3. Taking photos at your home – there is no better way to have your photos reflect who you are then to take some of your photos at your own house.

4. Inspiration from Etsy for hair & jewelry – need I say more?

5. Engagement photos as guest signature book – great way to use your engagement photos and get your guests to write a little more than just their names!

6. Personalizing your wedding accessories – embroider, engrave, or monogram something specifically for your wedding day!

7. Live entertainment – having a live band, chinese lion dancers, or a string quartet brings a lot of life to the party.

8. Signature Drinks – create a signature cocktail or bring  in home brew.

9. Individual cakes – having friends bake cakes for each table can bring a personalized and delicious touch to a wedding reception.

10. Bringing in another language – when you have family that speaks another language, add it to the mix of things!

11. Using vegetables for wedding bouquets – like this one with baby artichokes.

12. Playing board games at wedding receptions (who doesn’t love a great game of Jenga or Settlers of Catan while taking a break from the dance floor?)

13. Not for everyone, but this cat has a bowtie. Enough said.

• Some of my favorite ideas from 2009 Weddings
• Flat White, my new favorite coffee drink

• Madison Engagement Photographer – Katherine & Ben’s downtown spring engagement photos
• 2010 photos – wedding panoramas

What should I wear?

Here’s the most important thing: wear something that is comfortable to you! That will mean different things to different folks, but it is hard to look relaxed when you are worried about your buttons gapping or your sweater hanging too loose.

Do I need to get my hair done or wear a lot of makeup in order to  look good in the photos?

I believe strongly that you should look like you in your photos. We will aim to capture more of your “fun and loving” side than your “just out of bed” side, but you should be able to look at your photos and feel like they represent you. There is no need to do something totally new for your photos. That said, your photos are a great time to spend a little extra time on your primping, whether that means extra time spent on styling hair and makeup or your choice of outfit.

I have heard we shouldn’t wear all white because it will mess up the photos – is that true?

No color you wear will “mess up” the photos, but some things (like white or loud patterns) tend to dominate the photos, and take the focus off of you. In general, any solid colors or small patterns, especially warm neutrals (brown, navy, maroon, etc) make great choices, as do really fun colors (hot pink, bright blue, yellow). Layers are a great choice for men and women. But if you love the all-white look or have a Hawaiian shirt that is totally you – lets go with it! I would recommend also bringing a jacket or sweater to layer and give you more options.

Should my fiancée and I match our outfits for our engagement session?

I think matching outfits are perfect for themed shoots about roller skating or foosball, but otherwise you just want to make sure you and your fiancée have outfits that work together. The same color family is an easy way to coordinate — here’s a link about that: http://www.krylon.com/color/families/

We kind of want to do something different – are there cool options for us?

Doing something that is uniquely you is always the right choice. If you love food – lets do your portraits in a restaurant or farmers market. If you love vintage style, lets find a cool theater and take portraits there. If you love architecture – lets hang out downtown! The sky is the limit.

How long will portraits take?

Generally, we will spend about an hour to an hour and a half on your portrait session. If you want to do portraits in several locations, it will take a little longer.

What should I bring?

Think about bringing things that showcase your personality visually – your favorite shoes (cowboy boots? hot pink heels?), sunglasses, an extra scarf or sweater to change your look, a book or photo that has meaning for you, etc. The most important accessory is always a fun attitude.

• Film Noir portrait session {Minneapolis}
• Stillwater Engagement Session in Autumn {Angela & Steve} Preview

Ceremony Location: Woods Chapel and Event Center
Wedding Planner: mimi design
Second Shooter: Sarah McGee

• Woods Chapel wedding in the woods {Adrianne & Ian} preview
• Nicollet Island Pavilion & Woods Chapel Summer wedding with Chinese Lion Dancers {Adrianne & Ian’s heartfelt wedding} Minneapolis

• Linen wedding album – Emily & Aaron’s flush mount book
• Inside a flush mount album – wedding album design

In 2009, there were a few ideas that were fairly simple to implement, and went a long way to personalize the day!

A live tree for your ceremony

Kate & Bret had the most creative and lovely alternative for an arbor or arch during a wedding ceremony I have seen. They bought a living tree, from a nursery, as a backdrop for a wedding service inside a small Wisconsin chapel. As a side bonus – they planted the tree later at a friend’s house and now have a tangible memory of their wedding ceremony.

Writing your vows inside a book that has meaning to you

Joyce & Dan had a lovely small ceremony at the Como Park conservatory’s sunken garden. Dan had written his vows inside a book Joyce had given them when they started dating. Writing your vows inside a book that has meaning for you is a wonderful way to keep your vows in your life, and on your bookshelf.

Going off color with your wedding gown

I loved these two non-traditional wedding dresses. Katie & Jake had a winter wedding in black and red, and Katie’s red wedding dress reflected their artistic and creative vibe. Melanie & Mark planned their slightly off beat wedding in Mexico and Melanie found a dress that was both elegant and a little Rock and Roll with a wide black lace corset belt.

Using a book as a Guestbook

Melanie & Casey’s wedding at the Cannon River winery and vineyard had many wine related touches, including using a book on the wine regions of the country as their guest book. Guests could sign on their favorite pages, and Melanie & Casey will read the lovely messages every time they pick up their coffee table book.

Getting rid of the flowers

Jolyn & Tim’s Guthrie theater wedding was a wonderful place to showcase Jolynn’s red parasol. She did also have a small bouquet, but for most of the pictures she got rid of the flowers sported her parasol. While parasols are not the most practical item to have in your closet, I love the idea of incorporating it into your house decor or taking it out for a picnic on your anniversary.

Going for the gold with your photo location

For Karen & Jeremy’s wedding at the Como Park railroad museum, carving out time to run to the carousel with their wedding party was a must. Sure, it added 15 minutes onto their photo time, and made their wedding even more memorable.

• Some of my favorite wedding ideas
• 2009 Favorites

• Some of my favorite ideas from 2009 Weddings
• Minnesota State Fair favorites {photo a day}

Quick Tips from a Photographer: Should we see each other before the wedding?

There is no simple answer, and you need to make the choice that feels right to you. In general, if you are comfortable seeing each other before the ceremony, then that makes a lot of your timing much easier. But, if it is important to you see each other for the first time when you walk down the aisle, that is exactly how you should plan your wedding! Here are a few tips for planning around your decision:

• Consider planning a “first viewing” where you and your fiance can see each other for the first time before the ceremony. By setting up a special time to see your fiance, your photographer can take photos and then you can have some time alone before starting family photos.

• If you choose to do all your formal photos after the wedding, you should know that timing is crucial: make sure family members know that they have to stay around after the ceremony.

• Consider having a receiving line at the reception instead of at the ceremony. When you take photos right after the ceremony your family won’t have to stick around so long, and your hair and clothing will be in better condition without being hugged for an hour!

• Even if you don’t have a formal receiving line, people will often want to congratulate you and it is hard to make a clean escape. If you plan on taking photos after the ceremony, the first thing you need is a “get away plan.” Many ceremony locations have a room you can hide in for several minutes as people are ushered out.

• No matter when you take your photos, make sure that you and your fiance take a few minutes of alone time together!  Consider taking a moment before starting photos or right after the ceremony to connect with the most important person at your wedding.

• Milwaukee art museum wedding with dramatic night photo {favorites}
• Forepaugh’s wedding reception {daily photo}