Choosing a Photographer for your LDS Wedding

A few years after your wedding, your memories of the day will start to fade. What will be left to jog your memory? Those all-important wedding photos! In fact you'll probably proudly display those wedding pictures somewhere in your home for the rest of your life... wow how's that for pressure?

So what do you need to know to choose a good wedding photographer? And is choosing a photographer for an LDS temple wedding different from the norm? To answer this question, we asked LDS wedding photographer Paige Green of The Green Paige Photography in Orange County, CA.

Paige's Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Photographer:

1. First of all, you need to decide whether or not you love their work. It sounds so simple, but you’d be surprised how this is such a hurdle for so many brides. Sometimes you’ll simply like the photographer’s work, but love their price. Sometimes you’ll want so badly to love a photographer’s work, because its artsy, or classic or something you think you’re supposed to like, but in reality it’s just not your style. You are going to have a million and one things running through your mind on the day of your wedding... you don’t need the stress of worrying about how your photographer is capturing your precious moments to be added on top of it all. If you love their work, you’ll trust them. If you trust them, you’ll have peace of mind.
2. Second of all, it’s so important to “mesh” with your photographer. You’ll probably spend more time with them than you will with any of your guests that day; you need to like them. For me, it’s important to be a happy professional. Meaning: Personable, excited and 100% myself, but still maintain reliability and a professional demeanor. Think of it this way; if you wouldn’t want a person to be your friend, you probably shouldn’t make them your photographer.
3. A great photographer is willing to work with you. Now, I don’t mean they should rearrange their entire package and contract structure, or change their editing and shooting style, but a great photographer always has a little give in one aspect or another.
4. And lastly, I believe it’s so important to find a photographer who is so excited for you and your fiancé (not the fact that they booked a job). It’s probably the most important day of your life, and that must be acknowledged!
5. A little Bonus tip for those of you being sealed in an LDS Temple: It’s a blessing when your photographer is LDS as well. There are so many reasons why working with someone within your own faith is a plus, but the reasons multiply in regards to the person who will be capturing your moments that day-- a great deal of them having to do with the sacred ceremony within the Temple. An LDS photographer has a better understanding and appreciation of the sanctity and eternal importance of your sealing. (It’s that understanding and emotion I strive to capture within my Sealed Brides and Grooms…that “wow… forever…” moment). Not to mention an LDS photographer will also understand the importance of the Temple and the beauty of its architectural symbolism (i.e. the Angel Moroni) within your images. Basically, it’s another level on which you can connect and sync with your photographer, which is always a big plus!

Paige and Blake Green are a husband and wife photography team from Southern California. They offer a Temple Wedding Package which includes:

• 4 hours of portrait and reception coverage: because you don’t need as much time as a traditional bride whose ceremony is photographed, so why pay for it?
• 20 page Press Printed Album: although traditional Wedding albums are available for upgrade, they know most couples being sealed are young and barley getting their finical footing, so they strive to keep the cost of this package low without sacrificing quality or bragging abilities.
• Online proofing gallery for 3 months: so you can share your wedding images all over the world, with family, friends, old missionary companions and beloved roommates.
• Digital negatives of 500 images: Because its YOUR wedding! It’s the most important day of your life and you shouldn’t have to sift through 2,000+ images to pick out the choice images, and you shouldn’t have to choose just a few images and order prints from them. Your images to print, copy and cherish for eternity!

Blake and Paige shoot in L.A., Orange, and San Diego counties (which include the Los Angeles, Newport Beach and San Diego Temples) but are happy to travel to any location for an additional fee. Learn more about The Green Paige Photography at http://tgpphotography.com. Tell them you heard about them on JenMagazine.com to receive-

• A complimentary Engagement session when you book a “Temple” or “Jade” package
• A complimentary online and DVD slideshow when you book an “Emerald” or “Envy” package
• A complimentary 8x10 (or two 5x7s) when you book any portrait package

Wedding Favor/Keepsake Ideas

By Melissa Lambert


When I was planning my wedding, I couldn’t figure out why my mother was so obsessed with all the tiny details. After the reception, though, I understood: It’s the details that make a wedding reception memorable. One small detail that can make a big difference in helping your guests enjoy and remember your reception is the wedding keepsake.

If you have a little bit of extra money in your budget, giving a small keepsake to your guests is a perfect way to thank them for their presence and friendship. It’s a way they can take their memories of your reception home with them.

Looking in wedding magazines is a good way to get ideas for keepsakes you could use. But keepsakes can get expensive, so be creative! Search for ideas in unexpected places, like trading company catalogs, gardening catalogs, and school supply stores. Maybe something will catch your attention and give you an idea of something that you could give to each of your guests.

Here are a few creative ideas that will catch your guests’ attention and help them remember your wedding reception:

1) Candy. Traditionally, people have given Jordan almonds and chocolates as wedding keepsakes. Candy stores and catalogs often have great ideas for how to give chocolate. I’ve seen tiny boxes that contain truffles, and small cellophane bags filled with mints. Candy is always a popular treat to send home with your guests!

2) Seeds. For our wedding, we gave our guests shakers filled with wildflower seeds and attached to each one a label (in our wedding colors) with our names, wedding date, and quotes about marriage and gardens. All our guests had to do was shake the seeds out in the garden and wait for the wildflowers to bloom! You could create a less expensive version of this keepsake with packets of seeds.

3) Goldfish. I have a friend who bought a goldfish for each family that attended their reception, and placed them in tiny clear goldfish bowls. The goldfish bowls made lovely place settings. You could enhance the effects by adding tiny artificial rocks in your wedding colors.

4) Bubbles. Bottles of bubbles are very inexpensive in trading company catalogs, but with a personalized label they make a fun gift. You could give them to all your guests, or to the children in your wedding party. They also create a light-hearted effect if you tell the children to blow bubbles throughout the reception.

5) Mix CDs. Create a CD full of songs that have special meaning to you and your new spouse. Add a label with a photograph of the two of you, and your guests will be able to gain more insight into your relationship as they enjoy the music you selected.

There are many other things you could give as well. For example, we thought about giving tiny bamboo plants or printing one of my favorite poems on plantable paper. If you try to make it personal and meaningful, your guests will certainly be happy to receive it!

Find low cost and unusual wedding favors at Oriental Trading Company and My Wedding Favors.com.

Modest Wedding Dress Examples and Ideas #2

"My friend bought a dress for $3000, and there was no way a savvy spendy like myself could dish out that much dough for a dress you wear once. After trying on about 600 dresses, I found what elements I liked from which dresses. I compiled the parts I liked and came up with a sketch of my own. Luckily, I have an aunt who used to make wedding dresses as a career. She offered a lot of help and advice (and gave me some leftover satin!) and I was able to make my own wedding dress. For dress, veil, shoes, and accessories, I spent under $120! Everyone knows someone who has some sewing know-how. My best advice is don't be afraid to ask! You don't have to sit down and do it yourself. Seek out those who can help you create your own unique dress." -Leah Higginbotham

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"I knew I didn't want to spend a lot on my wedding dress and that I wanted to make it myself. I picked a pattern that I liked but because it wasn't completely modest, I made the alterations myself by adding to the pattern and making the changes I needed. I also put a train on it that was detachable. The greatest thing is that the dress itself cost under $50 with the fabric and everything. The making of it was a chore but I was able to make my dream come true of making my own dress!" -Jenne Alderks, Stockton, California

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Amy Radvansky from Lugoff, South Carolina was recently married in the Salt Lake City Temple.

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"I'm from Argentina and that's where we got married. There aren't any "modest clothing" stores like here; if you happen to find a modest dress, go for it. Or just (like me) have a seamstress make it for you. In my case I designed it. Checking on American modest wedding gown websites helped me find details that would make my dress unique. I totally love it! I didn't want it to be the typically plain Mormon dress (they are pretty, but they lack of details that make them original). Some brides-to-be want a plain long sleeved dress to be able to wear it in the sealing room, but Temples provide dresses for the ceremony so you can have your modest outstanding wedding gown for the pictures and the reception!

My dress has a transparent "overskirt" that closes on my left, where the corset makes a little tip. The corset is completely separate from the rest of the dress and it has diagonal embroidery with beads (that I made myself). The embroidery ends in the tip of the corset on the left, where the over skirt closes. And the sleeves are just half sleeves with the detail of that transparent fabric in them (sorry, I owe you the names of the fabrics; I have no clue). I felt like a princess, and hey! there's nothing wrong with that... why not feel like a princess on the day of our wedding? We made it to the Temple, we deserve to look and feel beautiful!

A little advice: Don't wear super high heels, least of all if they're brand new. You'll be tired and the heel is not worn out, so you might be subject to slipping and falling... haha!" -Paula

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See YOURSELF here!

Send us your modest wedding picture with or without your new Hubby. Email it to jen "at" jenmagazine.com and include your name, city, state, and whatever else you want to say.

Top 10 Bridal Makeup Tips

By Carly Warburton

So you've found the perfect man, the perfect dress and the perfect location. But, have you thought about the perfect bridal makeup? If you decide to do your makeup yourself, there are a few tips to follow that will help the best day of your life be even better!

1. Flawless Skin

A proper skin care regimen is vital to healthy, glowing skin for the big day. Not only will cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing properly help you to look radiant on your wedding day, it will also create the perfect canvas for a smooth makeup application. Begin your regimen and follow diligently 8-12 weeks before your wedding day.

Do not have any intense skin treatments such as chemical peels or photo-facials 8 weeks prior to your wedding. This will give skin enough time to heal and to be in tip-top shape for your special day. If you decide to have a facial, get one 4 weeks prior to your wedding. Facials deeply cleanse the skin and sometimes bring out impurities. Finally, be sure to wear a sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher to protect the skin from sun damage. A sunburn and/or peeling skin can definitely add more stress to an already stressful day.

2. Prime Time

Now that you have flawless skin, you are ready to begin your makeup. Start with a fresh, clean palette by making sure your face is completely clean and moisturized. Then apply a foundation primer that is silicone-based for a long-lasting, true finish. A primer also helps colors to stay put, giving you one less worry on your big day.

3. Choose Matte

Foundation is the most important part of the entire makeup application. A warm-toned, creamy-matte foundation will look soft, clean and natural in front of the camera and in front of your guests. The color of your foundation should match the skin exactly with no line from the jaw to the neck. Invest in a highly-pigmented foundation of good quality. Go to a department store makeup counter and have an associate match your foundation. Take a mirror outside to make sure it matches in natural light. Wear it for a day and see how it stands up.

Avoid mineral foundations, foundations with sunscreen or foundations with a high percentage of Titanium Dioxide. These products will reflect back at a flash from a camera making your skin look washed-out or as if you are wearing a mask in your wedding photos. Apply a concealer only where there are areas of darkness (such as under the eye) and blemishes. Blend, then set with a powder for long wear.

4. Powder Power

Following foundation, a soft application of powder will help eliminate shine – important to reduce reflecting back to the camera. Apply powder with a professional powder brush, not a puff or sponge as this applies way too much powder and can look unnatural. If you only have shine on the nose and forehead, only apply powder to those areas and leave the cheeks with that soft matte finish.

5. Blush is a Must

Bright daylight and the reflecting light from the camera will wash out any color making blush an essential element. Blush adds life to your complexion giving it that fresh appearance. Choose a color that will compliment your skin tone. For example, look at the inner part of your lip and match the color as closely as possible for a “just been pinched” look. Apply just to the apples of the cheek with a big fluffy brush and blend outward towards the temple. Powdered blush photographs best and has great staying power.

6. Defining Moment

The eyes are the focus of any conversation and more particularly, wedding photos. Create a natural, softly-lined eye by using a brown or dark brown powder and an angle brush. Gently press powder with brush into the lash line to create a thick, luscious lash line. A pencil may also be used, just be sure to smudge with your finger or a q-tip. Avoid harsh colors and thickly lined eyes. A little pro secret- apply white eyeliner to the inner rim of the eye to really open the eye and make it pop!

7. Neutral Ground

Avoid bright and trendy colors because they scream out in photos and are generally unflattering. Stay away from colors that are too dark as they appear harsh. Neutral colors are a great choice. Think brown, tan, and taupe. Plums and pinks can also be flattering as long as they are applied very softly. Never use frosted or glittery eye shadow because they are far too reflective for the camera. You may apply a little shimmer in strategic places like the inner corner of the eye.

8. Cry Baby

Waterproof mascara is a bride’s best friend! Begin by curling the eyelashes. Start at the root and carefully clamp down on the lashes as you gradually move up towards the end of the lashes. Apply two coats of mascara and comb through to avoid any clumps.

False eyelashes are perfectly acceptable for the occasion. You may want to practice applying them and wearing them months before your wedding! Individual lashes or bundles of lashes look more natural than full lash lines.

9. Brow Basics

If eyes are windows to the soul, than what does that make eyebrows… curtains? Eyebrows are the most expressive feature on the face. A properly defined brow corrects and frames the face beautifully. Because eyebrows seem to disappear in photographs, fill in and define them with a matte shadow a shade lighter than the darkest part of the hair. You don’t want brows to be overpowering; using a shadow creates a more natural look than an eyebrow pencil. If you decide to have your brows shaped by a professional, do it no later than 1 week before your wedding. Do not wax or tweeze right before your wedding.

10. Lip Lock

Your wedding day can be full of surprises, but one thing you can be sure about is that there will be a lot of kissing! You’ll need lip color that will last! Apply a lip liner similar to the color of your lips and fill in lips completely. Smudge up liner to avoid any harsh lines. Choose a lip color that is matte and in the same tonal family as your blush. Apply one layer of lipstick, blot with a tissue, and then apply another layer. You may add a hint of gloss to the center of your lower lip for that special effect.

Remember, the most important thing is that you feel good about yourself and the way you look. Makeup should enhance your beauty, not hide it. Choose a look that is timeless and classic. Relax- it’s your special day!


Carly Warburton is a Licensed Master Esthetician and Professional Makeup Artist. She resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and 2-year old son.