Phoenix Wedding Photographers | Jill Lauren Photography

Heather and Michael – True Love!

Jill — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:20:37 +0000

It’s Engagement Photo Season here at Jill Lauren Photography…we love this time of year! Getting pictures done before it gets to hot and in time to use them for Save the Dates or Invitations…

We have a soft spot in our hearts for Heather and Michael.

I met Michael when he was 10 years old….I started dating his older brother – and wouldn’t you know it – I married his brother!

So this is super exciting for us – to be part of Michael and Heather’s big day. We LOVE their engagement photos!

My favorite is the first one in the tunnel….I absolutely LOVE it!

Which is your favorite?

Christie and Tyler – Engagement Sneak Peek

Jill — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:20:47 +0000

This fabulous engagement session with Christie and Tyler was so much fun! They are from Canada – so their Arizona wedding will be a destination wedding for themselves and their families.

Christie and Tyler met while at University…they were both on the Curling Team. They LOVE Curling….and golf, but who doesn’t love golf? And being out in the desert with a golf club and curling brush….yep – we’re that awesome!

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek….

I love the sunset in this last photo…which is your favorite?

Nichole and Toby – Engagement Session Sneak Peek

Jill — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:33:48 +0000

Nichole and Toby are adorable!!

We had an amazing time with them and can’t wait to share their sneak peek

This last photo is my favorite….I just can’t put my finger on it. It just says so much in one single image….

Which image is your favorite?

Sara and Brian | Arizona Engagement Session

Jill — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:01:58 +0000

Sara and Brian – we had such an amazing time photographing their engagement session. They are both so fun to be around – I am really looking forward to their wedding!!

We lucked out – we were able to do this session in two locations. The Salt River and then Freestone Park in Gilbert. I don’t know if I can pick a favorite…both locations totally rocked!

Here are some sneak peek images, enjoy!

I love the carousel photo! Which one is your favorite?

How to cut a wedding Cake in 4 easy steps

Jill — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:45:48 +0000

Your Wedding Day. You’ve prepared for everything. The First Look went off without a hitch, the Ceremony was incredible, the First Dance was spectacular….now it’s time to Cut the Cake. But wait – How to cut a wedding cake?

This is usually the part of the evening when your wedding planner quickly explains what to do and then gets out of the photo. But were you really listening to her? Everyone is looking at you and your new husband and the two of you are supposed to know how to do this. But let’s get real – cutting cake with another person is only going to happen once in your life…so you really don’t have a clue.

Not to worry. I’m here to give you the 4 easy steps to cutting the cake. That’s right – only 4 simple things to remember and the two of you will seem like pro’s. When your wedding planner stops by to give you the run down, you can say “We’ve got this covered, our photographer gave us everything we need to know on how to cut a wedding cake.”

1) Decide on Forks or Fingers – If you are using forks to feed each other, then you won’t be smashing cake (or at least you shouldn’t be). If you decide to use your fingers to feed each other cake – then feel free to smash away. My one rule – be ready to lick off any smashed cake from the other persons face (Also if you’ve decided on forks – then make sure there are 2 available before you get started)

2) The Cutting Utensils – in front of you is usually a long knife and a spatula-type thing. The knife is used first – the spatula second. The brides hand grabs the knife first, the groom places his hand over the brides. You will make two cuts – a Triangle. Don’t worry about making it too big. But be sure to cut all the way through all cake layers with both cuts.

3) Serving each other – The spatula-thing is used now (one of these days I should know what the name of that thing is) Only one of you needs to do this part – you already cut the cake together, now one person can use the spatula to scoop the cake onto a plate (If the bride is doing the scooping, then the groom should be holding the plate). It’s easier to decide beforehand who will be doing what.

4) Feeding each other – this is the fun part. Remember, you already decided on Forks or Fingers. Now just have fun. You get to have your cake and eat it too!
Make sure this isn’t the only taste of cake you get – be sure to have a whole piece later on. I missed out on eating cake at my wedding and I was a little sad afterwards.

So now you know how to cut a wedding cake. You’ll be all set for your wedding day. Or you can always be available to tell your friends how they should do it. It’s always nice being the friend that knows what to do in circumstances like this.

If you have any questions about wedding day tips or ideas – please feel free to ask in the comments below. You can also check out our Tips and Tricks section – Wedding ideas from your photographer.

Tasha and Samir – Wright House Wedding, Mesa Arizona

Jill — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:44:23 +0000

Tasha and Samir’s wedding was incredible. Located at the sweet Wright House in Mesa Arizona – I loved every minute of it.

They met through a mutual friend – She thought he was cute and he couldn’t get over her amazing blue eyes. For his birthday they took a trip to Mississippi – from there they flew to the small island of Dauphin. That’s where he proposed. Walk on the beach, table set for dinner, just them….it was perfect.

Their wedding day was just as amazing. With friends and family around them – the ceremony was wonderful. My favorite was the readings…poems that they both enjoy.

The Mayor of Dauphin Island gave Tasha and Samir the Key to the City. How sweet that the Mayor sent them this gift for their wedding day!

My favorite photo is the First Dance black and white photo….Love the emotion and romance in that image!

What photo is your favorite?

Anita and Jason – Sedona Wedding Amazingness

Jill — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:55:54 +0000

Each wedding we do feels so special to me. I’ve been looking forward to Anita and Jason’s wedding day for months and months! They picked the most perfect day in April – having the wedding in Sedona at The Creekside Inn, just made it all the more incredible.

Anita looked so amazing in her gown, Jason was as handsom as ever, all the details made for the most perfect wedding day.

But alas – it was too perfect….one hour before the reception ended - Anita twisted her ankle (I nearly cried for her – it was just so sad). But she didn’t let that stop her from enjoying the last little bit of her reception. She and Jason cut their cake while sitting closely (super romantic by the way) and she was able to dance the last dance of the night – with family and friends surounding her. Just proving that even with little “hickups” along the way – wedding days will always be magical.

I love the dancing photos at the end! Anita is so amazing!!

Which is your favorite?? let us know by commenting below….

Michelle and Joe – Wrigley Mansion Wedding

Jill — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:45:54 +0000

I loved every minute of Michelle and Joe’s wedding day! It was so wonderful.

Michelle’s dress was made by her amazing mother…yes, her mom made her dress. I still can’t believe all the detail and love that went into her incredible dress.

Chris and Joe had way too much fun stagging this “escape” – it was just too funny not to include!

It’s so hard for me to pick a favorite from this wedding….I loved every minute!

If you had to pick a favorite photo – which one would you choose?

Lauren and Ryan – Engagement Sneak Peek

Jill — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:32:04 +0000

I’ve got the Sneak Peek ready for Lauren and Ryan.

We had an amazing time at the Desert Botanical Garden and Fountain Hills Lake. Lauren and Ryan are amazing together! We were thrilled for the chance to work with them and we’re super excited about their upcoming wedding! YAY!

My favorite is the silhouette at the bottom…I love the way this image turned out!

Which photo is your favorite?

Angela and Cody Engagement Sneak Peek | Downtown Phoenix Photos

Jill — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:59:56 +0000

We had so much fun with Angela and Cody in Downtown Phoenix.

I think at a few points during the evening we were trespassing on someone’s property….but no one came out and told us to ”move along”….which is nice, because the images totally rocked!

This series of photos was Angela’s idea…I loved the concept. Do you see the police officers on the left?? Yep – I was standing on the lightrail in order to get these images….but the officers were really sweet and waited until I was finished before asking me to please get off the train tracks. Serioulsy – I love Phoenix Police officers…they were so nice!!

My favorite is this last one…The raw emotion along with the non-traditional lighting…it just makes me happy inside.

Which image is your favorite?

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