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Congrats, you’re engaged! Now what? | Advice from an Iowa City wedding photographer

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Congrats, you’re engaged! Now what? | Advice from an Iowa City wedding photographer

The following article and photos are compliments of the talented Barb Danielson of Danielson Photography. We love it, thanks so much for sharing Barb!

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If you are like 1/3 of engagements, you likely were proposed to during the holidays.  It is so exciting to be newly engaged!  All of the possibilities, the happy shrieks from friends as you show them your new ring, and of course enjoying your love with a new level of commitment.  But you are likely beginning to settle into engaged life after the excitement begins to fade and are now faced with actually planning a wedding.  But where do you even start!?

I can tell you, I’ve been exactly in the spot you are in.  I was young and engaged with NO idea what the next step was to prepare for a wedding.  Once you start, the ball kind of keeps rolling, but it can be overwhelming to even find the starting point, so I’ve put together some advice to help you weed through your thoughts and get a plan in action.

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Pinterest

Ok, I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest.  It can be a great source of inspiration, so by all means, pin away as you begin to collect ideas for what you think your wedding day should look like.  The downside of Pinterest is you will get quickly overwhelmed by all of the gorgeous weddings you see.  You will begin to think the napkin rings are just as important as your vows.  And you will start to think it isn’t possible to plan a wedding for less than the price of your starter home.  So go ahead and get some inspiration, but be ready to edit those ideas to an attainable goal for your taste and needs.  

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The Venue

The first thing on your list is to book your venue.  Venues can book 2 years in advance, so it may have some affect on choosing your wedding date as well.  Luckily, the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor has some amazing venues for couples.  Anything from big classic ballrooms, to wineries, to barns, to intimate settings.  We have so much diversity in wedding venues, that the area tends to draw in many couples from out of town.  Popular dates book fast, so this is something that really should be done early.  

First thing to do when planning your wedding, how to plan wedding, Iowa City weddings, Cedar Rapids weddings, Iowa City engagement session ideas, Cedar Rapids engagement session ideas, Palisades engagement pictures, Iowa City wedding photographer, Iowa wedding photographer, Eastern Iowa wedding photographer, Cedar Rapids wedding photographer

The Photographer

Along with venues, photographers typically book 12-24 months out, so this should also be one of your first vendors you book. Find a photographer whose style you love, and arrange to meet them before you make your decision.  I offer complimentary consultations to all couples that are considering hiring me for their wedding day.  This gives us BOTH the chance to make sure we are a good fit.  I want to make sure our personalities mesh, since I will be with you basically the whole wedding day.  I also want to be able any questions you have, and I know you have a lot, so you feel well informed before making an investment.  I love hearing your love story, how he or she proposed and what you dream your wedding day to be like.  I truly love what I do, and consultations help me to provide better service to my clients so that they love their experience just as much as I love celebrating and documenting your love.  

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Still Overwhelmed?

Does the idea of planning your wedding just totally overwhelm you?  I suggest hiring a wedding coordinator.  There are several wonderful coordinators in the area that I can recommend.  They offer so much help during the planning stages as well as making sure your wedding day flows smoothly.  A wedding coordinator can take all of the stress off your shoulders so you can truly enjoy your engagement and wedding day, and focus on what is really important: your marriage!

First thing to do when planning your wedding, how to plan wedding, Iowa City weddings, Cedar Rapids weddings, Iowa City engagement session ideas, Cedar Rapids engagement session ideas, Palisades engagement pictures, Iowa City wedding photographer, Iowa wedding photographer, Eastern Iowa wedding photographer, Cedar Rapids wedding photographer

Some things to watch out for…
As you begin searching out your wedding vendors, there are a couple things to watch out for to ensure you are hiring a true wedding professional. 

  1. Any professional is more than happy to meet with you before you book their services.  If they are not willing to do this, I would continue your search. 
  2. All vendors should have contracts.  I’ve seen so many horror stories because contracts were not involved.  These contracts protect both the vendor and you.
  3. It’s okay to not buy wedding magazines or start a My Dream Wedding Pinterest board.  Weddings today are becoming more of a reflection of each individual couple.  Plan the wedding that you are dreaming of, even if it isn’t what looks popular in the blogs or magazines!


​Interested in working with me for your wedding?  I’d love to meet up and discuss your wedding day plans!  Feel free to email me at barb@danielsonphotography.com or visit my contact page to get in touch.  My wedding collections range from $2200-3500.  – Barb Danielson, owner of Danielson Photography

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Top Ten Questions To Ask When Booking a Hotel/Venue for Your Wedding!

Top Ten Questions To Ask When Booking a Hotel/Venue for Your Wedding!

1. First and foremost on everyone’s mind is the social distancing piece. What is the hotel’s policy related to this and how will it impact the wedding? 2. Related to COVID what policies have changed relating to the cleaning of sleeping rooms? 3. Suite upgrades? What suites are available for your special night – make sure you get a tour. 4. What function space is available and what are the differentiators between each space? 5. Is there a complimentary room offering? We give the bride/groom a free room for example if they book their event with us. 6. Are there complimentary rooms given for so many rooms booked? This is called the hotel’s comp ratio policy. 7. Is a shuttle service offered and what does that look like?  Will guests be picked up from the airport for free? 8. What is the gift bag policy? Some hotels hand them out at the desk for free for guests. 9. Will the hotel provide a personalized link for room reservation bookings? 10. Will a tasting be provided once the menu is chosen – is this complimentary and how many can attend?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b46_rDCAQLA&feature=youtu.be

Expert Advice & Tips
8 Aug
Wedding Cakes and Desserts – How Do You Decide?

Wedding Cakes and Desserts – How Do You Decide?

We asked owner, Sara Young, of Iced Bakery for her expert advice on how to choose your wedding cake and ideas for all of the details! It’s no secret that there is a ton of work that goes into planning your wedding! One of those things to plan is choosing your wedding cake or desserts for you and your guests. Sure, you probably know what you like when it comes to cake, but have you ever thought about the details of your wedding cakes and how to choose one for yourself? Sara offers and recommends doing a cake tasting and consultation for the couple prior to making any decisions to make it easier to answer any questions you as the couple may have. It’s a great idea to meet face to face to make sure everyone is on the same page, and what other meeting do you get to go to where you can also eat cake?! What happens during the cake tasting? The first thing Sara likes to ask is how many servings of cake you’ll be needing and what your budget is. These are two very important things to know to make sure she can help determine what […]

Expert Advice & Tips
31 Mar
Tips For Tans, Make-up & Pampering

Tips For Tans, Make-up & Pampering

“When the bride has been stressing about her wedding for the last year, it’s nice for her to be able to take a break and enjoy some time before the wedding,” says Colleen Beer of Spa Bilanca.

Expert Advice & Tips
29 Aug
Don’t know where to start?

Don’t know where to start?

Expert Advice & Tips
17 Mar
Getting the ‘Right’ Engagement Ring

Getting the ‘Right’ Engagement Ring

Deciding that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone is a monumental decision and choosing an engagement ring is often the first step in a couple’s life journey together.

Expert Advice & Tips
2 Mar
Pantone Spring Inspired Wedding Flowers

Pantone Spring Inspired Wedding Flowers

Greenery, Pantone’s choice for the Color of the Year for 2017, is certainly getting a lot of attention and setting wedding trends all around the world. However, did you know that Pantone has also released nine other stunning colors as part of their Pantone Spring Color Report?

Shared Inspiration
28 Sep
Protect Yourself On Your Wedding Day

Protect Yourself On Your Wedding Day

Two important things that can help you are Wedding Insurance (sometimes called Wedding Cancellations Insurance) and Wedding Liability Insurance. Jeff Barnes is president of Jeff Barnes Agency, INC., an American Family Insurance agency in Cedar Rapids. He has over 28 years experience as an award winning agent and wants to help you be prepared so you can relax and enjoy your special day.

Expert Advice & Tips
26 May
A Kaneohe Bay Destination Wedding

A Kaneohe Bay Destination Wedding

Simon and Cathy met through friends on a Sunday night at Belgium beer garden on St. Kilda road in Melbourne. They started chatting and learned they had a bit in common – their appreciation for good Australian wine.

Real Weddings
10 Aug
Rustic Yellow, Gray, and White Summer Wedding

Rustic Yellow, Gray, and White Summer Wedding

Tyler and Ashley chose a rustic theme for their wedding day so Celebration Farm was the perfect venue to pull it off. Yellow, gray, and white were their colors. Their wedding was absolutely gorgeous and they were excited to share their story and photos with other’s to help them plan for their big day as well! Tracy Griffin of T Marie Portraits and Photo Booth did an excellent job capturing their photos and putting together a slide show.

Real Weddings
17 Apr
Engagement Photos & Wedding: Erin Niksich & Seth Campbell

Engagement Photos & Wedding: Erin Niksich & Seth Campbell

Everyone can relate to Erin and Seth’s heartwarming love story. They are a beautiful couple both on the inside and out, and AE Photography LLC did an amazing job capturing not only their engagement, but their breathtaking wedding as well.

Real Weddings
26 Sep
Modern Boho Styled Wedding at Rapid Creek Cidery

Modern Boho Styled Wedding at Rapid Creek Cidery

Danielson Photography along with Soiree Wedding and Event Planning put together a Magical Modern Boho Orchard Wedding Styled Photo Shoot hosted at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Shared Inspiration
11 Aug
Planning Your Outdoor Or Indoor Wedding Reception

Planning Your Outdoor Or Indoor Wedding Reception

Whether you want unique ways to make your wedding theme more striking, you want an outdoor ceremony or just a fantastic view for your cocktail hour, Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center and Brown Deer Golf Club is your answer.

Expert Advice & Tips
21 Aug
Styled Vintage Engagement Session

Styled Vintage Engagement Session

If you need inspiration for your engagement photos, then look no further. Stephanie Duncan of Stephanie Marie Photography was tired of seeing so many wonderful engagements, but feeling like they lacked a creative spin. Stephanie created this photo shoot to inspire and show couples how to think outside the box and be creative with their engagement photos. You inspired us Stephanie, we love it! For more inspiration check out her website. Vendor Credits Photographer: Stephanie Marie Photography, N. Liberty, IA (http://www.stephaniemarie.com) Models: Ashley Piper & Jordan Eric Corpman Styling: Stephanie Marie Photography, N. Liberty, IA (http://www.stephanie-marie-photography.com) Hair & Makeup: Ashlee M. Ferlitsch with The Wave Length, Iowa City, IA (www.thewavelenghtsalon.com) Flowers: Kasey Jurgensen at Summit Hill Farm (www.facebook.com/pages/Summit-Hill-Farm-Iowa-City/1487157441519369) Floral Crown: Coralville Hy-Vee (www.hy-vee.com/stores/detail.aspx?s=37)

Shared Inspiration
3 Jun
Get A Gourmet & Budget-Friendly Wedding Menu

Get A Gourmet & Budget-Friendly Wedding Menu

“We use real, fresh ingredients and our own recipes, made from scratch, never from a mix.” This is what sets The Wright Touch Catering apart from their competition.

Expert Advice & Tips
14 Nov
Royal Wedding at the Cedar Rapids Marriott

Royal Wedding at the Cedar Rapids Marriott

This Beauty and the Beast themed wedding has us singing “Tale as Old as Time.”

Real Weddings
29 Aug
Men’s Style and Fashion Trends

Men’s Style and Fashion Trends

Expert Advice & Tips
11 Nov
Love Sparks Love

Love Sparks Love

This Real Wedding couple is extra special since they ironically met at wedding in which they were both part of the wedding party! Neither Allison nor William expected their lives would change forever by being part of a wedding, but they’re so grateful it has!

Real Weddings
14 Apr
Don’t Miss A Step Many Brides Forget!

Don’t Miss A Step Many Brides Forget!

Planning a wedding requires so many steps and things to do. Having one company that can check off several items from your to-do list will save you time.

Expert Advice & Tips
7 Jan
Charming Country Wedding

Charming Country Wedding

Chris and Hanna met each other through a mutual friend and ended up going on a blind date. The date ended at Texas Road House where they stayed for hours…. well into closing time. Chris and Hanna didn’t even realize the restaurant had closed!

Real Weddings
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