Before a wedding I always meet with the bride and groom to discuss their wedding day schedule and must get group shot list. I call this their “Wedding Agenda.” It helps me get organized for their wedding day and often highlights wedding day logistical issues. Once we start breaking down the specifics of the day it gives me an outline for where I need to be, who I need to have with me, and what we need to be doing. Sometimes the Wedding Agenda is short and sweet. Other times it gets fairly detailed and elaborate. Totally depends on the type of wedding and the couple. Ultimately making the Wedding Agenda helps me to make sure that I am on the same page as my couple. From time to time I worry that I’m imposing my need for control on a day that is primed for out-of-control moments. The other day I received an email from a recent bride who put my mind at ease. This is what she had to say:

“I hope our wedding wasn’t totally nuts and stressful for you. Now that I have experienced the day I realize what a charged job you have. Thanks for going over the shot list with me in advance — I think it’s one of the best preliminary steps you could possibly take with a bride. You were right, I did feel like we took pictures for quite a while, but I’m so grateful we did. Having a bride really consider the shots that will be important later down the road is a gift in advance for sure. If you and I hadn’t talked about it, about half of those pics probably wouldn’t have happened. THANK YOU.”

The Wedding Agenda is something that I’ve always done. Every social event I shoot starts with a conversation about the event schedule and must get group shots. I’ve never regretted the time it takes to do it, and I know my clients appreciate the time and care I put into their events. Are you planning a wedding? I am currently booking 2015 events and would love to hear from you. Contact photogarpher Amy Salerno.

I love it when my wedding day starts at the docks. I’m not terribly picky about which docks in particular. Because waiting for a boat to take me to the wedding venue usually means it’s going to be an extra special day. And when the sky is clear blue with white puffy clouds? Even better. So it was that I started my journey to Melinda’s family’s island property on Lake Winnipesake in New Hampshire.

Melinda and Randy planned a low key, rustic wedding, and thanks to Melinda’s flawless planning and organization, it went off without a hitch. This wedding was almost 100% DIY with family and friends lending their time and talents by playing music, bringing appetizers for the huge cocktail table, shuttling folks from the docks back in town to the island, etc. Most incredibly, Melinda’s mother made not only her wedding dress but also the bridesmaids’ dresses.

The day was a true joy. Melinda and Randy never stopped smiling, and the guests seemed to truly enjoy spending the afternoon on the island. I had never been to Lake Winnipesake before, but after that day I am very much looking forward to a return visit — even if I get totally soaked on the boat ride!

Below are some of my favorite images from the day. Take a look at the slideshow to see more.

I love word of mouth referrals. They always bring me wonderful clients. Such was the case with Kathyn and Dana. Kathryn is an amazingly accomplished woman, and she is also an ordained minister. She got my name from another reverend who said I was respectful of the ceremony and unobtrusive. For Kathryn and Dana, the ceremony was a HUGE deal, and it was important to them that they find a photographer who could work with their unique ceremony plans. I was more than happy to meet their needs. And after a rather lengthy phone call with Kathryn it was clear we had made a connection that would make the wedding day go smoothly and joyfully.

The ceremony was deeply personal and reflected their shared spirituality and deep love. I encourage anyone planning a southern Maine wedding who is in need of a wedding officiant to contact Kathryn. Not only is she kind and caring, she works with a group of reverends who all share her respect for ritual and for personal spiritual meaning. I have no doubt that working with her or someone from her group would lead to a powerfully personal wedding ceremony.

Kathryn and Dana had a beautiful wedding. It reflected them and their love for each other and for their close knit family and extended family. It was a true honor to photograph it for them, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of such a special day.

After seeing their wedding images, Kathryn sent me the following note:

“These pictures are fantastic!  There’s not one I don’t like.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Dana and I have said several times that having you at the wedding to herd all the cats and keep track of every moment was the best thing that we did!  And that was before we saw the pictures!  Wow!  Every time I looked up you were there catching every detail and that just felt great!  My only regret was that I didn’t have you stay until the very end but I honestly think that you got everyone photoed and caught every important moment.”

Planning a wedding in Maine? Contact Amy Salerno for information about wedding photography.