Chris & Sara {Wedding Day}

Perfect weather (despite it snowing like 3 days before lol), beautiful venue, two beautiful people in love, surrounded by their family & friends. Dolce Norwalk is an incredible venue & the staff there was so helpful. I am so excited to share these photos, sorry for the overload! Its hard to narrow it down when the day was perfect <3

{Getting Ready}

 

{First Look & Portraits}

Chris & Sara choose to do a first look and all of their portraits before the ceremony. It was beautiful & they were able to spend cocktail hour with their guests. It made for such a relaxing day!

{Ceremony}

{Reception}

Vendors

Venue- Dolce Norwalk Flowers- http://www.fleurescentflowers.com/ Cake- http://www.dimarepastry.com/ DJ- https://www.bookthedj.com/ Makeup- https://www.youmakemeblush.net Hair- http://www.pjandcompany.com/home.html

Travel Agent Tips!

If you know me, or follow me on social media, you will know I love to travel. Adventuring to new places, seeing the amazing world that God created, trying new food and just taking it all in. I always have a list of places to travel to next, always trying to plan when we can go. I am SUPER excited to have a guest on today's blog post, who knows a lot about traveling. Cause it's her job ;) Kristin Sinn is a travel agent who is passionate about what she does and I couldn't recommend her more! If you are planning a destination wedding, honeymoon or anniversary trip, this post is for you! Well, enough with my rambling, read on for her Q&As and info about using a travel agent!

Why should I use a travel agent?

Hey, everyone!! I’m Kristin Sinn, an advanced practice nurse and travel agent. I enjoy traveling to different countries, as well as local adventures in my hometown of Miami, Florida. I married a wonderful man, Evan, in October, of 2017 and we started adventuring all over the world. Before I married Evan, I had traveled abroad 16 times to 11 countries. We have traveled to two countries as a couple; however our families live in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon, so as you can imagine, we do our fair share of travels even within the USA. Although my website is still a work in progress (I’ll update this post when I have one), the plan is to eventually share our adventures and some travel tips via a website. However, for now I utilize my Instagram: AdventuresWithEKS and our email adventureswitheks@gmail.com to help answer any travel inquiries you might have. Follow along with our travels as we go!

Today’s blog post is set about to manage the myriad questions and myths surrounding using a travel agent to plan your trip. I’ll try to include some questions people commonly ask me and you can comment below if you have any questions that I did not answer.

Why should I use a travel agent? -This is probably the most frequent question I get asked. The top reasons that a travel agent can benefit you is that they travel a lot as a part of their research and are often familiar with the area you want to vacation as well as the specific resorts you are considering. So if things like a great beach, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere are important to you, a travel agent can steer you toward resorts that offer what you’re looking for. Agents can also steer you away from resorts that offer a different experience than the one you’re looking for. Another great reason to use a travel agent is that they can advocate for you if something goes wrong. Hopefully your vacation is all beaches and sunshine (if that’s what you want), but sometimes, things happen. If your flight gets cancelled, or you find yourself in a different room category than you booked, or a travel emergency arises, your travel agent can help steer you through these obstacles.

How much will it cost me to use a travel agent? -In most cases, absolutely nothing! Shocking, but true. Resorts actually pay a travel agent commission and if you book the resort or cruise yourself, the company just keeps the commission. So often you don’t save anything by booking yourself and you will be the one spending precious vacation time waiting on hold trying to straighten things out if your vacation does not go as planned.

Can a travel agent get me the bottom dollar deal? Sometimes. Travel agents often get notified of sales that are happening in specific areas or with specific resorts, so if your timing is very flexible and you don’t have a destination in mind, your travel agent can help you find the best deal. If, however, you have a destination in mind, as well as a fixed time period when you can travel, you may not be able to find bottom dollar deals for that destination. However, that’s not a bad thing, if you’ve always wanted to go to Aruba and the deals are in Jamaica, you might be a lot happier if you stick to your dream. If you do end up finding a bottom dollar sale, a travel agent can still match it for you, so you don’t have to worry about losing out on those deals.

Help! My travel agent is recommending travel insurance, is he/she scamming me? Absolutely not. Even though travel insurance might be a foreign concept, it’s a tried and true lifesaver if you need it. We even use it as travel agents, it can be a total lifesaver if your flight gets cancelled and you have to spend the night in a hotel, your phone gets stolen, or you get injured in a foreign country and have to be flown out emergently. Hopefully you never have to use it, but if you ever need it and don’t have it, it could be your biggest travel regret.

Want more information? Check out these additional links: https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/clia-highlights-top-7-reasons-to-use-a-travel-agent http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/07/28/10-reason-why-still-need-travel-agent.html http://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Why-Everyone-Should-Use-a-Travel-Agent-in-2018 Need a travel agent? Email me at AdventuresWithEKS@gmail.com

A few photos of Kristin & her travels.

Adam & Kathryn {Old Orchard Wedding}

Last week, Heather and I made our way to Hannibal, MO. A quaint little town where Mark Twain was raised. Even more exciting, Hannibal is home to one of the most amazing wedding venues, The Orchard. Adam & Kathryn got married under a huge silver oak tree, surrounded by family and friends. The love they share is strong, but their love for Jesus is even stronger! They live a mission filled life and I am so excited to see how God uses them, as His hands and feet.

The Orchard has been added to my list of favorite venues I have photographed. Everything the couple needed was there, and oh so beautiful!

The couple got ready in the old farm house. Married in the yard.  Danced the night away in the big old barn, across the gravel driveway.

The Details

Getting Ready

Adam and Kathryn chose to not see each other before the ceremony, but wanted to have a prayer together.

We were so honored to be able to capture the beautiful moment for them.

The Ceremony

Mine forever!

Bridal Party Portraits

And when we showing up matching the wedding party, a photo is in order ;)

Dancing under the stars

The Reception

Hope you two are having the best time in Mexico!!

Dominic & Caitlyn {Wedding Day}

Dominic & Caitlyn, it was such an honor to be in Aruba with you two <3 We loved celebrating with you and spending time with your family and friends! I am so excited to share these photos, it was such an amazing day I could hardly choose what photos to post. I'm gonna stop talking and let the photos speak for themselves <3

{getting ready}

Caitlyn, you were such a beautiful bride!!

{ceremony}

{bridal party}

{portraits}

Pretty much models, you two :)

So beautiful!

{reception}

Ben & Christa {Wedding Day Portraits & Reception}

Ben & Christas wedding weekend was perfect. The rain held off for photos and when it did rain, nothing could damper their day.  Surrounded by family and friends, you could see how loved they are! Congrats again you two, it was such an honor for me to be a part of your day! <3

Amazing flowers by Weeping Willow Florist

Hair by Salon Bliss

Decorations by Retro Dollhouse

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You make a beautiful couple, your love for God and for each other shines!

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Congrats again you guys!

Chris & Ashley {Wedding Day}

Chris & Ashley, what an amazing day! Thank you for letting us be a part of it. Everything was beautiful, and you made the most beautiful bride! I hope the first couple weeks of married life has been incredible and we wish you the best and all the blessings for your lifetime! <3 Enjoy looking back our your day!

{Getting Ready}

Ashelys Mom had the most beautiful prayer before the ceremony started. Ashely, you made a stunning bride.

First look with her Dad, so sweet <3

Their first look, so beautiful!

{Ceremony}

{Family}

{Reception}

Caitlyn & Dominic {Engaged}

These two. The sunlight. And the beach. It really can't get much better! We spent the evening walking around Island Cove park, laughing & talking. It felt like we were hanging out as old friends, not that we had met just hours before!

Dominic & Caitlyn, I hope you can always look back on these photos and remember this stage of life. How Dominic made you laugh and how he looked at you. How you guys are just met to be, anyone could see that. Enjoy the preview, I can't wait to show you the rest! And thanks for such a fun evening :)

 Ah, aren't you guys just the cutest <3

Chris & Melissa {engaged}

Sunset. A family farm. And a beautiful couple in love. It doesn't get much better than that. <3

Melissa, you are stunning.

Some of the most well behaved & photogenic dogs ever :)

Such a beautiful couple! 

Chris & Melissa, I had so much fun hiking around the farm with you! You guys are awesome! :)

Ben & Lora {wedding}

Ben & Lora were guests at a wedding we photographed a few years ago. When Lora emailed us last year that she got engaged and wanted us to photograph her big day, we couldn't of been happier. One way to describe their day was, joy. You could see the joy just radiating off of their faces. They are such a special couple and you could tell how loved they are. So many friends & their family came out to celebrate their big day.

Its been a little quiet around here...

Hello my wonderful readers.... if you are still there... You may have noticed its been awful quite around here, so kudos to you if you are still around and reading this!

Its about to be wedding season around here and I for one, couldn't be more excited! The first wedding of the year is this coming Saturday, for a fantastic couple! Heres a link to their engagement session.

http://heatherandsarahphoto.com/ben-lora/

The reason for the quietness?

This guy right here.

I got engaged a few months ago, he's a keeper ;)

I will share our story at some point, God has really blessed us!

We got married the beginning of this month, and now settling into real life in Northwest Ohio. Its been a pretty awesome few weeks :)

I will still be photographing weddings on the East Coast and also will be photographing out here!

View More: http://kaseyrothphotography.pass.us/stuartandsarah

One of the most asked questions I got while I was engaged, "who will shoot your wedding?" My answer, "selfiestick" ;)

But for real, Kasey Roth Photography. She flew out from IL and was around for our whole wedding weekend. It would not have been the same without her! It was so much fun, we loved having her around it was like having another best friend.

She also did our engagement photos (above)

So that being said, lets get this party started, bring it on wedding season 2016!! We have some amazing weddings coming up!

Eric & Jessica {Wedding}

Eric & Jess, you two are such a lovely couple full of life, love and laughter. We have loved getting to know you along your wedding journey! What an amazing day for a wedding, the love just shining off your faces.

Their love story in Jessica's words,

"In 2008 I got my first job out of college working in customer service at a photography studio. Eric was a production assistant there and worked on editing photos. We were acquaintances for awhile but hit it off at the annual holiday party in 2010. We started dating and moved in together in 2011, the rest is history. In the summer we love going to Lake Winnipesaukee, his father had a boat on the lake and my family owns a house on the lake. In 2014 he proposed on 4th of July weekend while we were there with my family. We had a mentioned during our ceremony how important the lake is to us and also did a sand ceremony which was similar to what some people do with unity candles."

{Ceremony}

Once again, we had the privilege of photography at this amazing venue, Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield MA.

{Bridal party & Portraits}

You two are so beautiful  <3

{Reception}

Eric & Jess danced to,  I Don't Dance- Lee Brice Mother/son: My Wish- Rascal Flatts Father/daughter: My Little Girl- Tim McGraw

Thank you again, we wish you the absolute best and many happy years! Don't ever stop laughing with each other!!

AC & Danielle {Wedding Day}

AC & Danielle, what an amazing day. We loved being with you, on wedding day & throughout your engagement journey. Your wedding was perfect, your love for each other was evident. You could see the love on your faces when you looked at each other. As quoted in the maid of honor speech, "We all are looking for something and you have both found what we all are looking for."

{Getting Ready}

The hustle and bustle of a wedding day. Your very best girl friends hanging out, reminiscing on old times. Even your kitty was involved :)

Cutest little ring bearers:)

{Ceremony}

The love in his eyes and the smile on his face, as his beautiful future was walking towards him.
 

{Portraits}
 

We were brought into the back fields by a horse drawn wagon. It was pretty epic!

{Reception}
 

The reception was at Salem Cross Inn. It was so beautiful, so much hard work went into all the amazing details.

They danced to, "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw
 

AC and his Mom danced to, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Danielle and her Dad danced to, "He Didn't Have to be"
 

AC & Danielle and the whole bridal party did a surprise line dance. It was so great!
 

"The Candy Bridge" set up the most amazing candy bar. If you need a candy bar for your wedding, they are the ones to call. It was incredible! Also, a shoutout to Salem Cross Inn! If you are looking for a beautiful venue with a awesome staff, look no further than this place!! They are amazing!

We stepped outside and caught the last glimmer of light!
 

Love you guys, we wish the absolute best for you both!

Jake & Autumn {Denver, CO.}

I have no idea how to start this post. Jake & Autumns wedding was perfect. Located in Denver, CO it was a dream to photograph. A place I have always wanted to visit, and always wanted to photograph. I could go on and on how the weather was just right, how the mountians were beautiful and how Jake & Autumn  are the sweetest couple ever. Oh, and the bridal party? They weren't so bad themselves!  I'll stop talking though and let the photos show their amazing love story.

{Getting Ready}

This moment.

{First Look}

First looks are always my favorite part of the day. The ecstasy of the couple was second to none. You could tell this day was going to be more than they had dreamed of.

Autumn had her mom and dad walk her down to see Jake for the first time. It was such a sweet moment.

{Portraits}

...and since being a groomsmen is so tiring, they thought this would be funny when I said to smile :)

{Reception}

Friends and family put the reception on for them. So much love and thought into everything, and just being there you could tell how much Jake & Autumn were loved.

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...and than just like that it was time for them to leave. To start their new life together. Jake & Autumn, I wish you the very best and am so blessed to call you my friends. I love you guys and can't wait to see where God takes you on your new journey together! <3

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Matt & Jess {Wedding Portraits}

It is always such an honor to photograph a friends wedding and Matt and Jessica's was no exception! I am so happy for these two and can't wait to see how God uses them in their new journey!

{Getting Ready}
 

{First Look}
 

So happy!
 

{Wedding Party}
 

{Reception}

Some close family and friends put on a lovely reception for them <3 So many gathered to wish them well.
 

Congrats again you two <3 Thanks for letting me be a part of your day! Many blessings!

Felice & Sarah

Such a perfect summer evening. New England style, with a beautiful lighthouse in the background. A few miles down the road from where Fleichi and Sarah will say "I Do"
 

It was so fun spending the evening with them, hearing their love story. I can't wait for your wedding next year, I feel honored to document your most important day! 
 

Andre & Erica

How do I even begin to write this post? It was such a perfect day, Andre & Erica were just amazing. Arriving at Ericas you could feel the anticipation in the air. All of her best friends and family gathered in the room, all getting ready to watch her walk down the aisle.
 

Andre left a gift for her in the dishwasher. It doesn't work so it was the perfect hiding spot ;)
 

Here is their love story in Ericas words,

"Andre and I met in 2010, we were both working at the same nursing home. Our coworkers introduced us to each other officially and our first date was a result of encouragement from our coworkers to go out. I remember after our first date thinking about how chivalrous he was and I wondered if that was something that would last or if he was too good to be true? I got lucky because he is just as sweet and romantic now as he was then. Andre proposed to be December 2013 in New York City while on a horse and carriage ride through Central Park."
 

And than, just like that, it was time!
 

{Portraits}
 

After some portraits at Hartford City Hall, we headed to the ceremony at La Bella Vista. It did not disappoint, such a wonderful night! So many family and friends gathered to celebrate!
 

They danced to, "Thinking Out Loud" Ed Sheeran
 

Father/Daughter dance, "I Loved Her First" by Heartland
 

We stepped outside for a few minutes to catch the beautiful golden hour!
 

Walking towards their future, so many hopes and dreams and I hope every single one comes true!
 

Thanks again you two, I loved spending your special day with you!!

Matt & Liz

Saturday July, 25th. A beautiful summer day. The day that Matt & Liz chose to vow their love to each other for the rest of their lives. The day they chose to celebrate with their family and friends. They were surrounded by the most important people in their life, people who love them. With the both of them being teachers and meeting at their teaching job, it seemed only right to have a book themed wedding. Down to every little detail, it was perfect. Many shopping trips to Goodwill, various antique stores and really any place that Liz could find little treasures. Her good friend Rachel did the decorating, and what an absolutely incredible job she did. Enough of my rambling now, here is their story in Liz's words <3

"So I think that the love story can pretty much be seen in our vows. We met in summer school and we were co-teaching. I was doing English and he was doing history. We had never really met (although we worked in the same building) and on the surface we are very different. I am like a "cool" friendly teacher, and he was very professional and Type A. Not that thats a bad thing, but we were like ying and yang. After working together for a few weeks, I realized I really I totally misread him. He was hysterical and quirky. The kids didn't get his humor, but I did. Pretty soon I couldn't wait to get to work and try to catch his attention. It was totally an opposites attract situation. I'm kind of go-with-the-flow, live in the moment, bubbly and nurturing to the kids. Matt is very serious about planning for work, he is like a nerdy history buff, he's totally awkward (in a cute way). But it was a hit from the beginning. Never a doubt in our minds."

{Getting Ready}
 

Ever since Liz was a little girl, she pictured herself on her wedding day with a side braid. Now her dreams have come true and she looked like a princess.
 

Her dress was designed by Sarah Seven (bought at Everthine in Madison), the belt was a beautiful vintage ribbon from a  shop in Seattle who sold antique brocade ribbons. She bought a yard and had it sewn on her dress.
 

{First Look}
 

{Ceremony}
 

She walked down the aisle to, "Here comes the sun"

The joy on their faces :)
 

Notice the butterfly that landed on Liz's back during their vows!
 

"I vow to always love you for you, both in our present and in our future. I am so lucky that I found a partner that is as quirky and unpredictable as I am. As Dr. Suess once wrote "We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." {Excerpt from Liz's vows}
 

{Portraits}
 

{Reception}

I really have no words to accurately describe this reception. It was amazing. The most unique style, the theme just fit them perfectly.
 

Her bouquet and his boutonniere had paper roses in them, both made from the same poem. "Elizabeth of Bohemia"
 

Matt & Liz wanted everyone to enjoy the night, they included some outdoor games!
 

{First Dance}

 "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" By Frankie Valle and the 4 Seasons
 

Their specialty cocktail, "Fizzy Lizzie" :) Liz made it up after making Matt try all bunch of different drinks one night.

{Cake Cutting}
 

Mother/son: Father/Daughter: Just The Way You Look Tonight- Michael Buble cover
 

Matt & Liz, many blessings on your marriage!

Matt & Trish

This wedding. This day. This couple. I had the hardest time choosing photos for this post, so be ready for a photo overload! To say this day was perfect would be an understatement. The weather, the location, the family & friends that gathered to watch Matt & Trish say "I do."

Here is their story, in Trish's words.

Matt and I met at Walgreens during his last year of Pharmacy School while he was on a rotation.  His preceptor was busy with a huge buyout so I got stuck with the "student" for most of the month.  I was the teacher and he was the student. For Matt, it was love at first site.  And then I spoke and he fell in love with my accent. I was the Southern Belle that he had always dreamed he would marry.  For me, he was the annoying student that I had to repeat everything I said because he was too busy trying to discuss how much we had in common.  Months went by and Matt became a Pharmacist.  He took every opportunity to call his "mentor" to ask the simplest of questions.  Each phone call he would try and state his case that he was a great catch.  Eventually, I transferred to another pharmacy and Matt took over my old pharmacy.  So, of course, he had to call me more to discuss the pharmacy.   And every phone call he tried to became more and more personal and less and less business. When he found out I was single, he enlisted our mutual friend, Reshma, to help his cause.  Every time I complained about another horrible date, Reshma would say, "what about Matt?"  And I would always respond, "please, I can not take him seriously". The two some how convinced me to go out for a drink on a Saturday night.  A drink and apps at happy hour turned into a lot of drinks, dancing, and closing down the bar.  It turned out the guy I thought was an immature player, was a fun loving, easy going, good hearted person who loved everything about me.  Since that night, we have spent every possible moment together.  It turned out, he was right the whole time, we have a lot in common.  For the longest time I wouldn't give him the time of day and now I can't imagine a day without him.

{getting ready}
 

{first look}
 

{ceremony}
 

Their adorable dog, Lucy, was all dressed up for the day :)
 

{Bridal Party & Portraits}
 

{Cocktail Hour}

It was a beautiful evening, the sun just setting. Some fun games going on outside and just friends & family enjoying the time together.
 

The ring bearer and flower girl. So sweet :) I love these two photos because they wouldn't look at me, ants are obviously a lot more interesting than smiling for a photo. So, I tried to pick up the any to hold it so they would look at me, except in that process I squished it. Thus resulting in the photo of them just starring at me in shock :)
 

{reception}

Every cute little detail just perfectly thought out.
 

A fun ending to a fantastic day!
 

Matt & Trish, we can't thank you enough for including us in your happiest day!

:)

Bryan & Alica

Saturday morning proved to be the perfect day for Alica to marry Bryan, the man of her dreams on the family farm. The place where she followed "Daddy" around doing chores, rode horses with her Mom and kept up with her 3 brothers. Being involved with this wedding, I knew one thing from the start. Her family wanted this day to be one of the best, to be special. They completely transformed a hay barn into a reception hall and a field into a ceremony area. And details they did not spare. It was amazing. One thing about being around families on such important days is you can see the love they have for each other, how much they care & how much they will do for each other. So now enough of my rabbling, here is Bryan & Alica's love story!

"We met through a mutual friend while living in San Diego, CA.  Alicia was a student and exploring life away from home, Bryan was serving in the Marine Corps and was stationed there.  The attraction was obvious, but Alicia knew better than to get involved with a military man.  Bryan however was persistent and Alicia eventually caved and agreed to date.  Though the pace of the relationship started out very fast, we practically moved in with each other after a couple of months, it took a long time for them to actually say I do, over 9 years!  The foundation of our relationship is built upon the times and moments we have shared, both the good and the bad.  Best friends might have trying moments together, but will always overcome differences.  After almost a decade together we have become very good at just that. :)"
 

"something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" Notice the old penny, she had it in her boot all day!
 

...meanwhile at the guys.. take note the difference between guy & girls getting ready ;)
 

The first look was on a quaint dirt path leading into wide open fields that look out over the farm.
 

Then, just like that, it was time to get married! And he just couldn't help to think to himself as his beautiful future walked towards him, he is the luckiest guy in the world.
 

Some great photo bombs going on through out the day, such a fun wedding party! We loved hanging out with you all!! Thanks for making our job easy :)
 

Reception time!

First Dance: Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud" Mother-son: Rascal flatts "My Wish" Farther-daughter: Tim Mcgraw "My Little Girl" DJ: Tyrone Eddy Flowers:  Erin Hoffman
 

You never know what crazy moves will be busted out on the dance floor :)
 

Bryan & Alica, thank you for letting us be a part of your journey! Here's to many more years!!