5 Ways to Accommodate for Rain on Your Wedding Day

I recently was in a great debate with a friend about whether Pittsburgh is rainier than Seattle. Initially, I thought that there was no way in heck that any other place in the United States could come close to Seattle’s reputation for being rainy, dreary, and overcast. But, as it turns out, Pittsburgh is only 9 days shy of having just as many precipitation days as Seattle (Seattle having 155, Pittsburgh having 146 – source). With 146 rainy (or snowy) Pittsburgh days, a couple of precipitation days are bound to fall on a wedding day now and again. So, what do you do if there is a chance of rain on YOUR wedding day? Or if you’re a wedding photographer, how do you go about finding locations to accommodate for the rain? Here are my top 5 tips for accommodating for rain on a wedding day:

1.  Look for coverage.

In case of rain on a wedding day, it’s helpful to know if there is any large space to shield a bridal party from the rain. This could include: porches, park pavilions, bridges, doorframes, garages, or the like. Some of my personal favorite photos have been taken in spite of the weather - check out a few shots below that were all taken under coverage!

2.  Have a secondary indoor location on stand-by.

If there’s a chance of rain on a wedding day, I always like to try and have a secondary photo location or a section of the church or reception hall where indoor photos can be taken. When looking for an indoor location for photos, take into consideration the amount of natural light in the building or room. Will the photographer need to bring artificial light? If you’re a bride, be sure your photographer has ideas for naturally lit spaces or can rock some off camera flash in case of a rain out!

3.  Bring umbrellas!

The second wedding I ever photographed called for a 100% chance of rain – which scared the crap out of me, because at that point in my career, I wasn’t very comfortable shooting with artificial light (which, thankfully, has totally changed)! So, the night before the wedding, I went out and bought $100 worth of clear, see through umbrellas. Now, I bring those same umbrellas to every single wedding I photograph (yes, even if there’s no chance of rain) - just in case! I’ve only needed to use them a handful of times, but when I’m in a pinch and don’t have an overhang or secondary location to take bridal party and bride & groom portraits, my umbrellas always save the day!

4. Order camera rain gear.

This tip is specifically for photographers – a few years ago, I found out that some kind soul created rain gear for cameras! (Before that point, I used to wrap my camera in Giant Eagle bags – classy, I know!) I’ve heard horror stories of many a DSLR and lens meeting its demise during a hectic wedding day due to water logging. Be sure to protect your camera in some fashion or form, whether it be with a “cost effective” method of wrapping trash bags around your gear, or with some fancy rain gear (here’s a link to a pack of cheap camera covers).

5. Embrace it!

There's something truly beautiful about embracing and finding joy in whatever circumstances are sent your way. As they say, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." This is especially true on a wedding day! If you're feeling brave, embrace that rain and use it to as a springboard to create something beautiful.

What are your best tips for dealing with rain on a wedding day? Leave a comment below!

5 Ways to Pamper Yourself for Your Engagement Photos

In a world of intense wedding planning, your engagement session is the perfect time to do a little bit of self-care. Below are a few of my favorite suggestions for brides who want to pamper themselves before their engagement session.

1. Have your nails done

Show off your new ring with confidence – typically, during engagement photos, I like to photograph the ring up close on the bride’s hand. Having well groomed nails can make a big difference in those close up ring shots! 

2. Have makeup done

Not many brides consider having their makeup done for their engagement session, but doing so is a great way to pamper yourself! If you are planning on having your makeup done for your wedding, ask your artist if you can schedule your wedding day makeup trial for the day of your engagement session. Typically, a pre-trial is included in your wedding makeup package, so most of the time it won’t even cost you an extra penny!

3. Treat yourself to buying (or renting) a new dress or outfit

This might be my favorite tip of them all! The right outfit makes a HUGE difference in the outcome of the photos. A fun way to treat yourself for your engagement photos could be by buying a new outfit, or by renting one. I recently learned about Rent the Runway and I’m OBSESSED! Rent the Runway has a huge variety of expensive clothing, allowing you to rent for a small fraction of the original price. Lyndsay, my soon-to-be-bride in the photo below, opted for a gorgeous floor length red dress that made her session come together perfectly. And the best part was, she didn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to look fabulous!

4. Plan to go out to dinner together afterwards

One of my favorite things my husband and I did after our engagement session was to plan to grab a bite to eat after our session ended. Planning to go out to dinner gives you and your soon-to-be-husband something else to look forward to afterwards, and makes the whole evening feel like a date!

By using one (or all) of these tips, you’re sure to have a relaxing, pampered engagement experience!

Lyndsay + Justin: McConnell's Mill Engagement Photography

There are so many things to love about Lyndsay and Justin! Their relaxed personalities and undeniable love for each other made them an absolute joy to photograph. Lyndsay had a clear vision for her engagement session - a winter wonderland, and a bright, red dress. Thanks to Rent the Runway, Lyndsay was able to rent a killer dress to perfectly accent the session (side note: brides, this is a great way to dress up your engagement photos without having to commit to buying a dress!). These two put up with freezing cold temps and an icy hill that almost stopped us from reaching our last location - but they pushed through like champs, bringing her gorgeous vision to life! Without further ado - check out one of my personal favorite winter sessions ever. We are so excited for your fall wedding, Lyndsay and Justin!

Vendors:

Makeup by Joy Lager at Beauty by Joy

Hair by Mallory Puniak at Copacetic Salon

Tess + Phil: Seneca Hills Bible Camp Engagement Photographer

One of my favorite parts about being a wedding photographer is hearing about the history behind the relationship. In this case, I didn't just get to hear about it - I got to see it, too! Tess & Phil met a few years back when they were both camp counselors at Seneca Hills Bible Camp in Polk, PA. So, of course, when Tess and I were brainstorming ideas for possible locations, the camp came up as a contender (and won)! At Seneca Hills, we visited so many spots important to their dating history, including the cafeteria where they used to sneak each other notes during dinner (under the dinner plate) and the tree that Phil had carved their names into. I love these two, their energy, and the commitment they're making to each other this summer. Not to mention the friendships that have resulted as a part of knowing this sweet couple! Congratulations, Tess & Phil - we can't wait for the wedding!!

Jenna Hidinger Photography is a wedding photographer located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who has a passion for authentically capturing love stories.

Catherine + Aaron: New Year's Eve Wedding Photographer

There's nothing quite like a New Year's Eve wedding, and Catherine and Aaron's date wasn't randomly chosen. These two met 6 years ago on New Year's Eve and tied the knot exactly six years later in the church where Catherine's late maternal grandma was baptized. Catherine wore her paternal grandma's rings for the ceremony as a sweet sentiment, and had plenty of meaningful (and beautiful) details planned throughout the wedding day! Photographing these two in Ridgeway, PA was a joy and I'm so excited for them as they begin their adventure as husband and wife! Congrats, Catherine and Aaron!

Becca + Frank: Cathedral of Learning Engagement Session

There's something about freezing winter temperatures that make a shoot feel all the cozier! Becca and Frank's Pittsburgh engagement session started off inside the Cathedral of Learning, then gradually moved outside to the Mellon Institute (where they dealt with the cold like champs!). These two were so natural in front of the camera - I could've photographed them all day! They talked, laughed, and just enjoyed each other (plus, Frank is awesome at what I like to call the "tackle hug," which you will see below :) ). I loved working with these two and couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding in 2017!

Ana S: The Strip District Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Ana's senior session marks my coldest session EVER in my Pittsburgh senior photography career.

The morning of Ana's senior session, I woke up, immediately pulled out my phone, and looked at the temperature. One degree. That's right folks, one degree Fahrenheit! By the time we reached our location in the Strip District, the temperature had risen to a balmy 6 degrees. But man, were we ready! We started off Ana's session at 21st Street Coffee & Tea, then moved outdoors, taking periodic breaks to warm up. I have to be honest, I'm SUPER impressed with Ana. She never complained about the cold - not once - and still managed to look amazing in these photos! With all of the textures and backdrops available in the Strip, we were able to get some urban-city photos to commemorate Ana's love of the city, and specifically the Strip District, a part of Pittsburgh she's been visiting for all of her life! And of course, we ended the shoot at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., a place I had never visited before Ana's session, but now love! Congratulations on your last year of school, Ana!

How Do I Clean My Engagement Ring at Home?

The morning after I got engaged, I remember going for a run and being distracted by my new glittering engagement ring. I also remember wondering how long the shine would last – and the answer, of course, was not very long! Within a few weeks, I noticed my ring wasn’t sparkling quite so brightly and needed a bit of a cleaning. If you’re a do-it-yourself person like me, you might be wondering if there is a way to clean your engagement ring at home. And lucky for you, there is! Here are the steps to safely cleaning your engagement ring on your own time:

1.     Fill a cup or bowl with warm water.

2.     Add a few drops of dish soap.

3.     Soak for 5 minutes.

4.     Scrub gently with an unused toothbrush.

5.     Rinse the ring in warm water.

6.     Use a soft cloth to wipe dry.

7.     Repeat every six or so weeks.

And voila – your ring is back to distracting you on your morning run! Have a tip for cleaning an engagement ring at home? Leave it in the comments below! 

2016 Best of Engagements: Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

Engagement sessions are my favorite way to get to know my couples. This year, so many of my couples had such unique ideas for incorporating their personalities into their sessions! Check out some of my favorite engagement photos from this year below:

Best Wedding Desserts 2016: Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

If you follow any number of wedding photographers, you might've noticed a trend: wedding photographers love to put out a "best of" blog post at the end of the year, highlighting favorite photos of amazing couples, beautiful venues, stunning florals and personal details.  I LOVE "best of" blog posts, especially from other photographers, and as I was creating my annual "best of wedding photography" blog post, I came to a realization: I was including a TON of photos of dessert (what does this say about me? ;) ). Cakes, cookies (Pittsburgh cookie table, anyone?), candy, smores, pies - you name it, I love to photograph it. So in addition to an annual "best of wedding photos" blog post, I decided to create a "best of desserts, 2016" post highlighting all of the best cakes, cookie tables, and unique desserts my awesome couples incorporated into their weddings this year! ENJOY.