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It seems like every couple that I talk to is nervous about being posed and feeling awkward on their wedding day especially during the time when they are taking their couple portraits.  On this episode I am joined by my good friend Laura K Allen (laurakallenphoto.com) and we give out our best tips for getting awesome wedding day portraits.  Laura shares her process of how she gets couples comfortable in front of her camera.  We talk about what it means to embrace the awkward (we are all at least a little awkward).  We discuss how and what you should communicate to your photographer prior to the wedding day and during your portrait session.  We also talk about the importance of time, expectations and getting rid of distractions on your wedding day.

On this episode I am joined by awesome Nashville photographer Courtney Davison (http://courtneydavidson.com/) and we chat about putting together your photography timeline for your wedding day. We answer the question how much time should you allot on your wedding day for family formals, couple portraits and photos with your bridal party.  We talk about advantages of seeing each other before the ceremony (otherwise known as a first look) and what to do during the cocktail hour if you do.  We talk about considerations you should be aware of when planning out your ceremony time based on what time of year your wedding is.  Sunset!  When will it be?  Where will it be?  What if it doesn't happen and its rainy?  Is your photographer prepared for this?   We talk about the importance of building in a cushion into your timeline not just because things WILL run late on your wedding day (everything takes longer than you think it will on a wedding day) but also to allow you to have time to enjoy moments which lead to AWESOME candid photographs.  Let your vendors know what your priorities are prior to the wedding day!  We close out the episode talking about the first dance and the one thing you have to do during your first dance to make your photographer happy and get some great photos (even if you hate dancing)!

Completely lost when it comes to hiring your wedding photographer?  This episode is for you!  My good buddy and awesome wedding photographer Justin Wright (https://justinwrightphoto.com/) talks with me about what questions you should ask your wedding photographer before you hire them.  There are plently of lists of questions online but which questions are really important?  And how should the photographer you want to hire answer them?  We answer these questions and tell you what to be looking for in photographer's portfolios to ensure that you hire a photographer who can capture your wedding day exactly as you are imagining it now!

This episode will help you plan for your engagement session and get awesome photos.  Joined by special guest Kristin Sweeting (www.kristinsweeting.com) we chat about why you should have an engagement session, how to choose your outfits and what looks good on camera.  We also share tips on how to have fun and be relaxed during your session...  And what NOT TO DO the day of your engagement session.

On this episode John is joined by two brides, Becky and Kelly.  Their wedding took place in the backyard of Kelly's parents home in Nashville, TN.  It was an intimate affair with close friends and family.  Following the ceremony they had a blow-out party at the High-Watt in the Cannery Complex.  Becky and Kelly chat about how they made the decisions for their wedding day and how they prioritized the things that were important to them.  They also discuss some of the unique considerations they had as a same-sex couple and how they chose the vendors for their wedding day.  

In this episode John gives his tips and advice for pulling off the perfect wedding proposal.  In the first part of the episode John talks about how to choose the location.  During the second half of the episode John gives practical tips for pulling off the perfect proposal (especially if you plan to have it photographed).  

Looking back through Becky's wedding photos has me so happy (and hungry). I had so much fun photographing her wedding and was so excited that she agreed to chat with me about it and how it all came together.  Her wedding took place in the Fall of 2016 at Green Door Gourmet in Nashville, TN. We dive into a lot of great wedding topics including: When to start planning DIYing wedding details (should you?) Mismatched bridesmaids dresses (my favorite trend) Choosing your venue Food trucks for weddings! The importance of having an intimate meal together after your wedding ceremony Practicing for your first dance And the realities of your first night as a married couple :)

In this episode I chat with my friend Brian Johnson owner and filmmaker behind With This Ring Wedding Films.  We discuss the importance on hiring a quality filmmaker and questions you should ask them before you sign the contract.  We also chat about destination weddings and trends in weddings and filmmaking.  

My good friend Dawn Joy got married at Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN back in 2014 to her husband Keith. We reminisce about how much fun her wedding was and all of the unique details (like brunch for dinner) and how her wedding day came together.  I also pick her brain about Cakes!  She also just so happens to be the cake decorator at Gaylord Oprland Hotel in Nashville, TN.  Her work as a cake decorator is absolutely fabolous and she gives some great insider advice in how to choose your cake and what to look for in a baker.

John gives an introduction to The Awesome Wedding Podcast and talks about what to expect on upcoming episodes.  The Awesome Wedding Podcast is hosted by John Yates (http://celladoraweddingphotography.com) you can also find him on Instagram.  John is joined by brides who have had their own awesome weddings as well as top wedding industry vendors who share their stories and insider tips.  Feel free to listen to the episodes in any order and jump around to the episodes that are specific to where you are at in your own wedding planning.