Wedding couples hear traditions all the time; we accept it because it's tradition.  Wedding traditions happened for a reason.  We never think to ask because we don't dare question tradition.  Sill we decided to answer it for you.  Where did that superstition come from?

In countries where arranged marriages were custom marriage wasn't about love.  These marriages were business arraignments to gain something (countries, power, wealth, etc) and fathers of the brides wanted to make sure nothing messed it up.  The fear is if the groom saw the bride before the wedding, they would cancel the marriage due to the bride's appearance.  It would bring shame and dishonor to the family if this were to happen.  This tradition was set in stone in hopes that one party doesn't change their minds prior.  The bride and groom doesn't see each other at all.  When the bride goes down the aisle the groom would have no choice but to marry the bride.  It was a way to force their hand in marriage, and it would make the groom and his family look bad if he cancelled in front of everyone in attendance.

The tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding is also tied to the veil and the bride.  The veil is connected to the tradition.  The veil was a way to hide the bride's face until the ceremony began.  The groom would lift it up and see the bride after it became too late to back out.  Brides were not supposed to look at themselves before the wedding (no mirrors!).  The reflection will leave some of herself behind inside the mirror. 

This tradition is still around today, yet brides do get to choose who they marry and it's not by force.  Many couples stick with the tradition not believing that the person would leave them, but because it would jinx the marriage ceremony before it starts.  Others see the tradition as a element of surprise to make the day exciting and special.  However, many couples forgo this rule as well.  This is done to have portraits taken before the ceremony takes place and to relax the couple before marriage.  The veil is treated like an element of surprise today as opposed to hiding how she looked.  Not looking at themselves before the ceremony went out of style years ago due to the obsession with makeup and looking young.

Honoring it or not really depends on how the couple sees this tradition. Contact us for more information.

by Opie Janzer

One of the most memorable moments at a wedding is the bride and groom's first dance. It is both the first dance of the wedding and the couple's first dance as husband and wife. This long-standing tradition of the 1st dance at your wedding has its roots in the 17th century when it was customary at formal balls to have the guests of honor or the hosts perform the first dance.

In Paris at that time, the first dance was traditionally the minuet. In England, during the Victorian era, it was the quadrille, and in 19th century Russia it was the Polonaise. In the United States, the first dance was traditionally a waltz. Today – anything goes!

If you google the term “wedding first dance”, you will get dozens of links to the most popular choices. Favorites include At Last (Etta James), Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion), Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray), Our Love is Here to Stay (Billie Holiday), and Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel).

Your first dance as husband and wife is a special moment that you will always remember, so it's worth taking some time to pick just the right music. It should be a song you love and one that is special to both of you – but that doesn't mean that it has to be traditional or popular. Like everything else about your wedding, it should be a reflection who you are as a couple. And if that couple loves disco, funk, country, or hip hop, then go for it.

If you are worried about your dance moves, most dance studios offer special lessons for brides and grooms. They will help you select, choreograph and practice your dance. If you want to include the whole wedding party in a dance extravaganza, they can do that, too.

Another reason that the first dance is so special is that it may be the first time on the wedding day that the bride and groom get a few minutes to themselves. After hours of getting ready, being photographed, and greeting a few dozen (or hundred) family and friends, it is nice to have a moment to catch your breath and savor this special day.

For beautiful photos of your first dance -- and all the other beautiful moments that will happen on your wedding day -- contact us.

by Opie Janzer

Blue goes great with any color scheme, and weddings are no exception.  In wedding tradition Something Blue.... is at the end, but it is not forgotten.  Along with something new blue is the second easiest thing to find yet it's also the trickiest.  The idea is to be creative.  With white being a prominent theme, it's difficult to squeeze blue in without messing up the color scheme.  However, the color blue can range from being in plain sight to hidden from view.  These ideas will show you that blue doesn't have to be depressing.

Blue is the wedding symbol for loyalty, purity, love and faithfulness.  It's the symbol of the Virgin Mary, and it works in all wedding seasons.  Show your significant other that you're in it for the long haul with these blue ideas. 

The chosen blue is a blue garter.  Many people aim for this blue garment, but blue isn't limited to this.  Blue underwear and shoes are other clothing options.  Some people are bold enough to wear blue wedding gowns.  Another way is to keep the traditional white gown but have a blue under-layer on the inside.  For the ones aiming for other blue options to choose from here they are:

Compact or clutch - carry one of these blue accessories down the aisle

Hair accessory - add this hair accessory to your hair

Flowers - add blue flowers in your bouquet or in your hair

Ribbon - tie blue ribbon around your bouquet, in your hair, as corset laces, or on your wedding dress.

Reception dress - you can represent blue and jam in style; the best of both worlds

Bridesmaid dress - your bridesmaids have to wear something; let them wear the color instead.

Reception color theme - turn your whole reception area into a blue theme.  Add blue in centerpieces, favors, cake topper and blue packaging (for sweet treat party favor).

Icing on the cake - make your wedding cake with blue icing.  

Jewelry - if the jewelry owned has blue shades in it wear it on your wedding day.  You can also use jewelry pieces such as rhinestones, diamonds and crystal beading to add to your wedding dress, veil, sash, shoes or bouquet. 

Sash - speaking of sashes you can get a blue sash for your wedding

Embroidery - as you sew initials, names and symbols of your love on your wedding accessories, use blue thread.  Sew it inside your dress, inside your veil, or on your handkerchief.

Makeup - blue eye shadow or glitter is a simple solution.

Fingernail polish - paint your toenails or fingernails with some blue polish for subtle results

First Dance Song  - if the song title has the word "blue" in it, choose that as "something blue." Who says blue has to be a color you can see?  It's blue in spirit.

Borrowing something from someone else in general means that you want to use it temporarily.  You'll hand it back to them when you're done.  It's the same thing in weddings; it just has more meaning to it.  Borrowing something, or Something Borrowed..., is a symbolic gesture that represents happiness.  So the person you're borrowing from is giving you their marital happiness.  The importance falls on what you borrow and who you borrow from. 

Who do you borrow from

Tradition stresses borrowing from family members or friends who are married.  You already know the person, you trust the person, and the person already knows what it's like to have their special day a reality.  To you it completes or brings you one step closer to completing the phrase "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."  To the borrower the former bride or groom's job is to pass the good luck on, and passing an item used at their wedding on to you is a good way of paying it forward.  For anyone not close to their family members, don't have any friends or without married family or friends, you can borrow something from the spouse's family.  You can lean on your soon-to-be-married partner for the borrowing part if all else fails.

What do you borrow

It's easy to borrow anything from someone.  To match wedding tradition to the letter, borrow something that relates to wedding tradition and values.  Otherwise you defeat the purpose of this good luck charm.  The borrowed item is supposed to bring long happiness to their wedding because the person they borrowed from is having a successful marriage.  The main things brides borrow on their wedding day are a wedding veil and a wedding dress.  If the dress don't fit you can borrow parts of the dress (beading, lace, etc) and add it to your dress, hair or bouquet.  Other items include jewelry, wedding vows, cuff links, a dress for the reception, a knife to cut the cake, a pocket watch, the first dance song or a penny.  Don't grab any penny; make sure this is the penny they taped to their shoe for her wedding.  Winter wedding brides can aim for a shawl, wool coat, ear muffs or other borrowed winter wear to keep warm during your wedding.&nbs p; A creative thought is to borrow their lake house, beach house, or their home/backyard as the scene for their wedding or reception.  To complete the tradition you must give the borrowed item back after the wedding. 

Something borrowed must be cherished by both individuals.  It's all about sentimental value, and the item chosen should bring sentimental value to your wedding.  For more information on something borrowed contact us.

by Opie Janzer

Connect to the past with a wedding item that represents something old. Something Old represents the link between you and your family.  The tradition leans toward the mother or grandmother, but the father or grandfather works too.  Even if none of your family members isn't around to see you in your dress, you can remind yourself of them.  There are plenty of options you can use.  The key to find something old is being creative.  Here are some ideas below.

• Photos of parents or grandparents on wedding day
• Vintage jewelry
• Borrowed wedding dress or shoes
• Antique veil, dress or flower crown
• Pieces of their wedding dress
• Heirloom items passed down from family to family
• Family recipe
• Handkerchief
• Handheld mirror
• Lipstick holder
• Hair comb
• Vintage barrette or compact
• Flower crown
• Favorite perfume you're loyal to
• Vintage underwear

Using the chosen "old" item isn't limited to holding it in your hand.  You can; if you prefer your hands free during the wedding attach something old to your veil, bouquet, jewelry, hair or dress. Make sure it blends in well with the trend you're going for; your wedding shouldn't be filled with eyesores.  It's all about creating a peaceful, elegant celebration.  Create a bracelet or necklace to wear, create a charm or locket to attach or tie something old around your ankle with a ribbon.  Finding something old for the wedding doesn't have to be visible to everyone in attendance.  The goal is for it to be there with you on your wedding day.

Something old, in a sense, is also about leaving your old life behind and starting a new one with the one you love.  You will never forget what your family did for you, hence why something old should connect to family.  Something old can also double up as something borrowed or something blue if you don't have much to work with. 

Forge ahead to the future and purchase Something New for your wedding day.  In tradition, something new is something that represents life ahead or optimism for the future.  It's a way to bring good luck as you and your spouse start a new chapter together.  This is not the time to splurge; buying something new should be symbolic without breaking the bank.  The theme here is unity. 

There are so many things you can buy new, but there are only few that are accepted in weddings.  The main item brides use as "something new" is their wedding dress.  This is the one reminder that will bring good luck to the bride for a very long time.  It is both a lucky charm and a symbol of the future ahead. 

If the wedding dress is considered "something borrowed" or "something old" you can still use something new to match the wedding theme and double as a good luck charm.  Here are some ideas. 

• You can buy a new dress for the reception. 
• You can buy a necklace, bracelet or hoop earrings.  Those work because they form a circle, and circles represent unity. 
• Use the key of the home you and your spouse will live in as "something new." Tuck it in your bouquet or add it as a charm on your bouquet.
• Take the engagement photos you took with your spouse and attach it to your bouquet.  You can also wear the photos as a necklace or in your locket.
• If your handkerchief isn't something old or borrowed, buy one.  Make sure it's personalized to the family name, crest, nickname, sports team, or other sentimental word/picture.

Frugal brides will love these options.

• Use their monogram as a symbol.  You are either gaining a last name (while dropping yours) or attaching it to your name.  Attach your new initials to the wedding dress, sash, bouquet ribbon, jewelry or veil.  Anyone that isn't changing their name can benefit from using first initials of you and your spouse. 
• Tape a penny to the bottom of the shoe.  The phrase "a lucky penny in her shoe" works with wedding tradition too.  Find a penny made in your wedding year and tape it to the bottom of your shoe.  Add the penny as a memento in your scrapbook or frame it to remind you of the special day.
• Use pieces of old items from both families and attach them together to make something new.  This is great for brides who have a lot of something old but don't know what to do with it. 

Marriage is one of those events that are full of so many beliefs and traditions that it takes on an almost magical air even without the fancy trappings of a royal wedding. Some traditions are unique to each couple, such as being married at the same location that parents or siblings were married at. Others are long-standing traditions that make a wedding a wedding, such as the tradition of wedding cake.

Origins

The modern wedding cake has an interesting tale to tell. In ancient Rome it was customary to break a piece of bread over the bride's head to ensure good fortune to the couple. Bread has long been connected to prosperity and good fortune in many cultures.

In France, a tradition is the "croquembouche", which is a tower of bread rolls. The tradition was that if the bride and groom could kiss each other over the top of the tower without knocking it over, then it meant good luck for the marriage.

The modern wedding cake, with it's multi-tiered shape owes the concept pf the tower to the croquembouche, but its cathedral-like appearance owes itself to, well, a cathedral! Appropriately enough, it was inspired by St. Bride's Church in London, England. As the story goes, in 1703 a baker's apprentice from Ludgate Hill named Thomas Rich fell in love with his boss's daughter. He wanted to make the best, most extravagant cake he could, so he recreated the church as best he could in cake.

Rings, Flowers, and Grooms

It used to be tradition for the bride to hide a glass ring inside the cake somewhere. Whoever found the ring would be the next to be married. One can imagine how many people may have accidentally bitten down on the glass ring! Fortunately, these days we just throw a flower bouquet.

Early wedding cakes as we know them today were called "bride cakes", and were traditionally a plum or fruit cake. Fruit was a symbol of fertility which helped the fruit cake gain in popularity as large families were the desired thing.  Along with the bride cake, there used to be a "groom cake", which was traditionally smaller and darker. Though popular in the 17th century, the practice of serving the two cakes has faded, though it is still fairly common in the American south.

Cake-toppers usually represent the bride and groom, in essence combining the idea of both cakes in the form of a little figure on top. Some cake toppers reflect hobbies or other themes. The varieties available are endless.

Symbols

Wedding cakes, as bride cakes have come to be known, are no longer normally a fruit cake. They are now most likely to be a pound cake iced in white to symbolize purity. Other symbols of purity still found on wedding cakes are calla lilies.

Where groom cakes are still used, they often reflect the groom's profession or hobbies. This, however, is slowly becoming popular for couples. One couple who liked to travel a lot had a tiered cake made up to look like a stack of suitcases!

Cutting the cake is another symbolic aspect of the wedding cake. Early traditions had the bride cut and serve the cake herself. As wedding cakes became larger and heavier, the groom began to help the bride cut and serve the cake. This evolved into the symbolic cutting of the first piece together to symbolize their union and willingness to provide for each other.

While some couples enjoy the playfulness of smashing the cake into each others' faces, you may breathe a sigh of relief if you are more traditional in your approach. The commonly held belief is that some couples would feed each other the first bite of cake and sometimes the icing would get a little messy. The idea of smashing it to "get it over with" is a contemporary practice borne out of a joke and is not required. Yes, ladies, you needn't fret about your hair, your make-up, or your dress getting slathered in wedding cake if you don't want to!

Superstitions

In Victorian times, some couples kept the cake intact until their first anniversary in the belief that it prevented problems from arising in the marriage. Since these cakes were fruit cakes made with wine, they often stayed quite well preserved.

Bridesmaids would take crumbs of the wedding cake home and pass them through a ring in the hopes of dreaming of their future husbands. Some also went the extra step of putting some of the cake in their left stockings overnight to improve the chances of having such a dream.

An American tradition is to hide a token or a ring inside of one of a group of ribbons around the base of the cake. Whoever finds the token will be the next to marry.

Also an American tradition, some guests will eat the crumbs of the cake, leaving nothing on the plate or serving tray, in the hopes that it will bring the same good fortune to them as it is supposed to for the newlyweds!

A wedding cake is not only a work of art and a decoration at a reception. It is a tradition that goes back hundreds and hundreds of years. Deeply symbolic, yet customizable for the couple, it's the ultimate must-have for your wedding (aside from an actual couple to be married!). And if you should honor some of the traditions and superstitions and someone calls it an "old wives' tale", remind them that an old wife is what you are attempting to become!

Tradition dictates that the bride and groom do not see each other on their wedding day until the bride walks down the aisle. If you are wondering where this tradition comes from and whether you need to abide by it, here are some answers.

In the days when marriages were arranged, the bride and groom usually did not meet until the ceremony itself. In those days, weddings were business or political arrangements that benefited the couple's families by bestowing money, power, prestige or all three. The woman's family, In particular, wanted to keep the bride under wraps lest the groom change his mind before the deal (ceremony) was completed. Those “wraps” included the wedding veil, another tradition from that time whose purpose was to conceal the bride's face until after the ceremony.

Although today's couples do not have to abide by either tradition, many brides want to wait for the groom to have his first glimpse of her in her wedding dress when she makes her entrance into the ceremony. However, there are several reasons why a bride and groom may want to discard this custom.

Today, many couples have their “First Look” in private, away from families, attendants, and guests. They want to have this special moment as a couple, without anyone looking on. This gives them a chance to share a few quiet minutes together before all the festivities begin. Also, some couples use part of this time to have their photographer take pictures of the two of them together. The time saved by doing this gives the couple extra time to spend at the cocktail hour or reception mingling with their guests.

So, should you do a "First Look on your wedding day? As with every other detail of your wedding, what you decide to do should be what you both want and what makes sense for you. Never let anyone pressure you into making a decision that makes you uncomfortable. If you want your first look to happen when you walk down the aisle, by all means do so. If, for whatever reason, you as a couple want your first look to be a private one, then go ahead and do what makes you happy.

This is your special day, and one of the things that makes it special is that you can tailor it to your own personality, wants, and wishes. So, private first look or grand entrance -- it's sure to be a memorable and beautiful event.

At OpieFoto, it's our job to capture every detail of your special day. Contact us for more information.

 by Opie Janzer

Cali at Versa Artistry did an amazing job with the hair and makeup for my winter bride photo shoot at La Caille.  I wanted a mint green smoky eye and wine lips.  Cali came up with the hair style all on her own.

by Opie Janzer

New for the 2014 year!  I've changed my wedding photography pricing packages to no longer include engagement and bridal sessions with wedding day coverage.  Wedding day coverage is a photo-journalistic style of photography while engagement and bridal photos are a portrait session.  Half of my brides are from out of state and are having a destination wedding in Park City, Utah.  The other half are local brides having a traditional style wedding in the Salt Lake City or Park City area.  Most out of state brides will be doing their engagement pictures in the area that they live in and just need wedding day coverage.  I'm now offering two types of wedding day coverage: classic coverage with one photographer or deluxe coverage with two photographers.  Engagement and Bridal sessions are booked and paid for separately.

Classic Coverage - $1,800

6 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage

10x10 Coffee Table Album (20 pages)

High Resolution Digital Images

Deluxe Coverage - $2,800

8 Hours of Wedding Day Coverage

2nd Photographer

10x10 Leather Flush Mount Album (20 pages)

High Resolution Digital Images

MODEL CALL

I'm looking for TWO engaged couples ages 18+, no modeling experience needed!!! Both are needed for styled engagement shoots. Your shoot will take place on a weekday at 3pm in the Salt Lake City area. For modeling you will receive a complimentary photo shoot, help with outfits, a list of possible shoot locations, and a special Thank You Gift. If you're interested please email opie@opiefoto.com stating WHY you want to model and attach a photo of you and your fiance to: opie@opiefoto.com - Thanks Brides!!

James and Taylor's stunning winter wedding was published in the 2014 Utah Bride and Groom Magazine!  This wedding features a modern wedding held at the 15th street art gallery using whites, creams, and metallics.

by Opie Janzer

While most soon-to-be newlyweds choose to hold their weddings close to either their current or former hometown, a growing percentage of couples seek to take their "I Do" pledges somewhat further away by holding a destination wedding. What's unique about the destination wedding is that in a sense, the whole experience blossoms into a vacation in and of itself for everyone involved. And what one of the bigger considerations when choosing a destination location?

Scenery.

Scenery is the canvas upon which a glorious wedding becomes indelibly captured. And if you've spent time traveling the Rocky Mountains, you know that Park City, Utah has scenery covered in a big, majestic way.

Named one of America's Prettiest Towns in 2008 by Forbes Traveler Magazine, Park City boasts four seasons of scenery and recreation, which makes it an ideal setting for a destination wedding at any time of the year. Whether you want to take your wedding party skiing, golfing, or whitewater rafting, Park City has all of your adventuring needs covered. Park City even offers hot air balloon rides, which would certainly take the traditional wedding photo album to extraordinary romantic heights if the happy couple is feeling daring.

If you're planning a wedding in Park City, Utah, certainly you will want a professional photographer on hand to properly capture these epic once-in-a-lifetime moments. OpieFoto of Salt Lake City has extensive knowledge of Park City and its surrounding areas. Our stylistic blending of stunning colors and raw emotion, set against the dazzling backgrounds Park City has to offer, ultimately provides clientele with a unique collection of unforgettable keepsakes.

Destination weddings can be a magnificent and memorable experience -- not just for the bride and the groom, but for all of the family members and friends who take time to join the happy couple as they exchange vows. We at OpieFoto believe in Park City as a picture perfect destination, and it is because of our fondness for the town that we have been able to serve up enduring wedding photographs to rave reviews. 

So if you have any questions, either about our photography or about Park City itself, we would be thrilled to have you contact us to discuss whatever is on your wedding planning mind.

by Opie Janzer

Wedding

Ceremony Place: The Red Pine Bridge at Canyons Resort, Park City, Utah
The bride wore: Jim Hjelm
The groom wore: Men's Warehouse, Brook's Brothers Tie

Reception

Reception Place: The Red Pine Lodge at Canyons Resort
Wedding music: DJ Jake Russell
Wedding song: "Hold On" Michael Buble'
Menu: Mixed green salad w/pears and walnuts, prime rib carving station,
Cake: Carrie's Cakes, raspberry marble with white fondant and sugar hydrangea flowers
Colors: Periwinkle Blue
Theme: Romantic & Rustic
Flowers: Hydrangea's and blush roses
Décor elements: Lanterns and candles
Unique details: Each table was named after a ski slope in Park City thatt we have skied together.
Each table was decorated uniquely, with the only consistency being hydrangea's, lanterns, and candles.
The centerpieces were low to the table.
The music played during dinner was a playlist of our guest's wedding songs.
The place cards for the guests were hung on willow branches stemming from a beautiful vase of hydrangea's.
Our guest book was a compilation of photos of us throughout our relationship.
We had a cigar table set up for our guest to enjoy.
Our guest enjoyed a beautiful gondola ride up to our ceremony and receptions site, with a glass of campaign personalized with a note from us tied to the base of the flute.

Most Memorable Moment

Bride's answer: The five minutes we shared together immediately after walking down the isle to take in our ceremony and vows.
Groom's answer: The Moose that showed up for the cake cutting!

Honeymoon

Place: Maui & Kauai, Hawaii
A memorable moment of the honeymoon: A beautiful restaurant in Maui, table for two on a cliff, enjoying sushi with the ocean to our right and a waterfall to our left

Wedding Advice

Know that you've been planning this event for a LONG time, and it only lasts a few hours, so enjoy every single second. Take a few moments during the night with just your new spouse and soak it all in.

Vendors

• Rings: Blue Nile, brides wedding band: Darcy Hammerman, NYC
• Invitations: Designed by Rachel Richards NYC, printed by Village Invites NYC
• Rehearsal dinner: Groom's Parent house for a BBQ, Park City Utah
• Guest book: Created by the bride & groom on Kodak gallery - personalized book of our pictures
• Photography: Opiefoto
• Videography: Doug, Pointedigital, Salt Lake City
• Bridal gown: Jim Hjelm, Something Special, Wyckoff NJ
• Alterations: Something Special, Wyckoff, NJ
• Hair and Makeup: Whitney Lewis, Park City
• Bridesmaids' dresses: JCrew
• Groom’s Tux/Suit: Men's Warehouse, ties from Brook's Brothers
• Flowers: Every Blooming Thing, SLC
• Decorations and rentals: Every Blooming Thing, Etsy.com
• Catering: The Canyons
• Cake: Carrie's Cakes
• Venue: Red Pine Lodge, Canyons Resort, Park City
• Entertainment/Music: Maywood String Quartet for ceremony, DJ Jake Russell for reception
• Wedding favors: Donation to American Cancer Society, box of Hershey kisses: Danielle Grillo, NYC
• Wedding planner:
• Officiant: Dr. Bob Skloss
• Transportation: Flight of the Gondola
• Guest lodging: Canyons Resort
• Bridesmaids Jewlery: Little Grasshopper Designs - etsy.com
• Canyons Director of Romance: Brooke Hafets

Do you love the idea of getting married in the midst of snow-topped mountains, in a meadow surrounded by aspen groves and wildflowers, or in a vintage farmhouse?  Utah may be the place for you! There are several destination venues to choose from, including ski areas or the back country, for any size celebration.  No matter what venue you choose, you'll most likely want find that artist/documentarian who offers unique and artistic rustic mountain wedding photography. 

If you love the outdoors, a mountain wedding is a perfect choice: you don't have to decorate, you can simply augment what nature has provided. Consider Park City, named in 2008 as one of the 20 'prettiest towns' in the United States by Forbes Traveler. According to the Taste of Park City, the top wedding venues in the area include the Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort and the Sky Lodge. You can also hold your wedding at one of many city parks, national forest land or rustic barns that private owners lease out for such events.

The first thing you'll want to consider is your photographer. The following are some tips for choosing a photographer.

• You'll need someone who enjoys and is experienced with working outdoors. Is your photographer comfortable traveling to the summit of a mountain or into the back country forest? What about chair lifts and ski slopes? In addition, studio photography and outdoor/nature photography require some different skill sets. If your photographer is just starting to do mountain photography, she may need to pack a little experience under her belt.
• The photographer's shooting style is another important consideration. Traditional wedding photos were posed pictures with formal backgrounds. The trend today is a photo journalist style, which New York Magazine describes as “candid, documentary style photography with a touch of fashion and editorial”. Couples want their big day documented just like any other newsworthy event, and the fashion and editorial components can be part of packages that include engagement and boudoir photography.
• Interview several photographers, and choose someone you feel comfortable with. You'll be working closely with this person, so your comfort level is important.
• While interviewing photographers, find out what kinds of packages are available. The idea of the photo-journalistic style of wedding photography is to capture a story beyond what can be conveyed in posed pictures (although some traditional pictures are usually included.) If you like the photo journalistic style, discuss with the photographer what kinds of pictures you want to be sure to capture, since this type of photography is spontaneous and not predictable like traditional wedding photos.

Keep in mind that when you choose a non-traditional outdoor venue, you'll be responsible for selecting your vendors—caterer, florist, photographer—since these types of venues do not typically offer wedding “packages”. 

If you're interested in finding out more about mountain wedding photography, or if you need help finding a photographer, please contact us.

by Opie Janzer

Choosing a wedding photographer is like choosing a doctor...only harder. They all have great looking, slick websites with beautiful photos and albums. They all have photos of weddings that you would want to have. So how do you choose which one will be yours? Here are 10 questions to ask a wedding photographer before, during and after the wedding. 

1. How much? It's the ugliest question, but it should honestly be the first one you ask. You have a budget and you need to know if your photographer is going to fall in your range. If you don't meet anywhere close, you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. Get the prices. 
2. Can I see your last two weddings? Here's the thing about photographer's websites: they're built to show off the best photos the photographer has ever taken, right on the front page. You shouldn't be judging a photographer on their best, you should judge them on what they consistently put out. Check out the last few weddings the photographer has shot and see how those photos look. Things go wrong with every wedding shoot and you should know ho the photographer handles it. 
3. What's the album look like? Some photographers...seriously...print at Costco. Which is fine if you're expecting a Costco product. But this is your wedding, you should expect more. Take a look at a finished album to see the quality of the printing, the stock the photos are printed on, and the overall design of the book. Major changes to the layouts can cost extra, so make sure you like the photographer's graphic design style too. 
4. Do you use flash? This is a technical question, but one that needs to be asked. if your photographer doesn't it up, you should. Your wedding can either be a relaxing, intimate time...or the most stressful day of your life. You need to know if you want flashbulbs going off in the middle of the ceremony or not. Most photographers are flexible, but it's definitely a consideration. Besides, some venues (especially churches) don't allow flash photography inside. Your photographer needs to know this too. 
5. What's the plan? You've got a lot of moving around to do on your wedding day. Ask your photographer for the shooting plan and make sure you both understand it. Know where you need to be and when, and where your photographer will be and when. You don't want your photographer to be in transit to the reception and miss out on the priceless photo of your grandmother hugging you in front of the church. Most photographers will plan your day down to the minute to get the most photographs out of the day.
6. Is your photographer cool? Not Fonzie-cool, cool as in relaxed and able to calm you down. You will take your frustrations out on your photographer at some point during the day. You'll be tired, the room will be crowded and you won't know half of the people in it. The last thing you want is one more person in your face telling you to do something. Your photographer expects it. But your photographer shouldn't be the stagecoach driver, forcing you onward when you're exhausted. Get a feel for your photographer and make sure they're the kind of person you're ok with being around for 8 hours. 
7. What about editing? Everyone looks better in Photoshop. But this is a wedding, not a glamour shoot. There will be some editing involved, but you need to know how much. Some photographers like the photojournalism approach to a wedding: the only things they'll edit are technical things like contrast and color. Others will go in and correct a few things about you. Know what's available. 
8. How long is this going to take? Get a timeline on your finished photos. You'll be excited and itching to see your photos soon. it's like waiting for Christmas without knowing when Christmas actually is. So get a good ballpark estimate on how long it will take before your photos are ready to be viewed.
9. How do my relatives get photos? Check out the ordering system. Most photographers have an online gallery for viewing your photos. Check it out and see how it works. Most likely, your family won't call the photographer for help on the website, they'll call you. Make sure it's an easy system and ask how long it takes to get prints. 
10. What do you love about shooting weddings? Ask this every single time. It'll tell you everything about your photographer. You want a passionate photographer who loves weddings. This is a non-technical question that gives you insight into how the photographer thinks. Anyone can click a shutter...you want a photographer that understands why they click it. 

Ask us these questions! We want to help you out by being the wedding photographers you've always dreamed of. Contact us today!

by Opie Janzer

The first expense to go when it comes to wedding arrangements is the wedding album.  It's cut from the budget because it's cheaper to have wedding photos digital.  While that saves time and money there's nothing wrong with going back to basics.  Having a wedding album is a great idea for traditional reasons.  There are more reasons why a photo album is a hot commodity

Evolving Technology

One of the 4 reasons to get a wedding album is technology.  It's always changing.  What's hot today can become cold and state in a few months.  Transferring things from one digital medium to the latest digital device just to keep up with trends is a hassle that isn't worth it.  Wedding albums stand the test of time no matter how much technology evolves because it's stable and constant.

Technology isn't guaranteed

Just because the photos are online doesn't mean it will stay there.  It will remain there as long as couples do their due diligence and backup their files.  Unfortunately to keep the photos digital backup must be constant.  A DVD, flash drives, and online photo sites have an ending.  DVDs fade and skip with constant viewing.  Flash drives and portable hard drives corrupt and wipe out stored photos.  Computers can be wiped out, corrupted, hacked, infected or stolen.  Online photo sties and cloud sites can shut down at any moment without informing anyone about it.  A wedding album will stay with you through the ups and downs of technology.  You will have something to fall back on when technology doesn't hold up their end of the bargain.

Personality

Wedding albums comes in so many styles today.  This is the chance to make it exactly the way you want it to be.  Add personal style and flavor to the front, back, inside and binder side of the album and make it truly unique to your personality.  Show off you and your spouse's individual tastes.  Showing off the personality involves detailed designs and patterns. Being involved in the process brings couples together.  Technology can't seem to evoke the same feeling of personal style the way wedding albums can. 

Accessible

Once it's online will you go back and look at them?  The answer depends on how easy the access is.  Wedding photos are online because it's easy to store, not easy to access.  Even if it is easy to access the thought of finding one photo out of plenty is tedious.  It's often forgotten about because it's not organized.  It's a lot of unnecessary hassle to pull out the computer and look for the photos.  It's much easier to access a wedding album because it's right where you placed it.

A wedding album is a family heirloom that will be with you for eternity.  It's something you can pass on to the kids and grandkids.  It's something to store more than just photos; you can store invitations, napkins, programs and wedding bouquet petals.  It's something everyone can hold, feel and remember long after the first view.  No amount of technology can take the place of that.  Contact us for more information on wedding albums.

by Opie Janzer

You want your wedding day to be the most memorable day of your life. But more often than anyone would like to admit, it doesn't always happen. Here are the six biggest mistakes brides make and how to avoid making them yourself. 

1. Delegating: We can't say it enough. You can't do everything! If you try, you'll drive yourself crazy. So find people to help you do the planning. Yes, the final decisions will be yours, but find some people to take care of the details that get you to that point. It will make your day a lot easier and less stressful. 
2. Embrace flaws: Let's get this out of the way now. something will go wrong on your wedding day. Your day will not end up exactly the way you thought it would. And that's ok! Perfection is unattainable when it comes to big, complicated events like your wedding. Roll with the punches and accept that things will change without your approval.
3. Involve your fiance: He's in this with you, he may as well help you share the load when it comes to planning and decisions. He does know everyone's looking at you, but if you involve him in the process, he won't feel left out. And, you won't feel like he's not engaged in the wedding. He may not know ecru from eggshell, but if you give him something to do, it'll make things go a lot smoother. 
4. Don't be angry: Easier said than done. Because at some point during the happiest day of your life, you'll want to strangle someone. Take a deep breath and let it go. Don't take it out on your bridal party or family (or your fiance). It's one day, and it'll be over before you know it. Don't spend it being angry. 
5. Eat something: There's nothing worse than selecting a spread off the best food you've ever had, spread out 10 feet from the head table...and you don't eat any of it. Make sure you get a plate. Most wedding venues will make a point of bringing you a plate to your table so you don't have to fight a crowd of well-wishers to the buffet line. But if yours doesn't, designate a someone to make sure you get fed. 
6. It's just a party: Really, that's all it is. Because at the end of the day the wedding's not about the cake, the food or the dancing. It's abut the vows and spending the rest of your life with the person sittinng next to you at the head table. Don't forget that. 

And to make your day one you can remember forever, get the best photographer you can. Contact us to see what we can do for you on your wedding day.

by Opie Janzer

Professional engagement photographs are so in demand these days. Couples use them for just about everything, from social media to the save the date cards. Engagement photos can be be just has special as your wedding day if they are done by an experienced photographer specializing in engagements and weddings. Here are some helpful suggestions to think about when choosing your photographer for your park city engagement photography.

1. Use the same Photographer for both the engagement and wedding photos. This will give you an opportunity to see the photographer's work before the big day. Most photographers can offer a package deal or give you a quote that includes engagement and wedding photos.

2. Ask photographer to view their professional portfolio. All photographers should have a portfolio. Most even have them on their website to view. This will give you a better insight of how your photos may look. 

3. The photographer MUST be willing to work with you. After all, it's your engagement photos. You should be able to decide how you want them to look or where you want to take them. It's always nice to here their suggestions though.

4. What if you want to shoot at more than one location? It's always best to have some variation at your engagement photo shoot so you'll have a lot to choose from. Photographers may not mind or perhaps charge you more to do so. It doesn't hurt to ask.

You should have the best photographer for your engagement and wedding photos.  OpieFoto wants to make this a beautiful experience and create a lifetime of memories. Contact us to discuss your engagement photography needs and a quote.

by Opie Janzer

SHANNON AND MATTOccupations: Bride: Pediatric Nurse, Groom: Insurance Underwriter, NYC 

Bridal shower/Bachelorette party: Bridal Shower: a cuban restaurant with a view of NYC.  Bachelorette party: referred to as a "BEACH-elorette party" - weekend beach house in Long Beach Island, NJ

 
Bachelor party: A night out on the town in New York City, starting with dinner at Keane's Steakhouse

WEDDING
Ceremony Place: The Red Pine Bridge at Canyons Resort, Park City, Utah
The bride wore: Jim Hjelm
The groom wore: Men's Warehouse, Brook's Brothers Tie

RECEPTION
Reception Place: The Red Pine Lodge at Canyons Resort
Wedding music: DJ Jake Russell
Wedding song: "Hold On" Michael Buble'
Menu: Mixed green salad w/pears and walnuts, prime rib carving station,
Cake: Carrie's Cakes, raspberry marble with white fondant and sugar hydrangea flowers
Colors: Periwinkle Blue 
Theme: Romantic & Rustic
Flowers: Hydrangea's and blush roses
Décor elements: Lanterns and candles
Unique details: Each table was named after a ski slope in Park City thatt we have skied together. 

Each table was decorated uniquely, with the only consistency being hydrangea's, lanterns, and candles. 

The centerpieces were low to the table. 

The music played during dinner was a playlist of our guest's wedding songs. 

The place cards for the guests were hung on willow branches stemming from a beautiful vase of hydrangea's.

Our guest book was a compilation of photos of us throughout our relationship.

We had a cigar table set up for our guest to enjoy.

Our guest enjoyed a beautiful gondola ride up to our ceremony and receptions site, with a glass of campaign personalized with a note from us tied to the base of the flute.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
Bride's answer: The five minutes we shared together immediately after walking down the isle to take in our ceremony and vows.
Groom's answer: The Moose that showed up for the cake cutting!

HONEYMOON
Place: Maui & Kauai, Hawaii
A memorable moment of the honeymoon:  A beautiful restaurant in Maui, table for two on a cliff, enjoying sushi with the ocean to our right and a waterfall to our left

WEDDING ADVICE

Know that you've been planning this event for a LONG time, and it only lasts a few hours, so enjoy every single second.  Take a few moments during the night with just your new spouse and soak it all in.

 

VENDORS
Rings: Blue Nile, brides wedding band: Darcy Hammerman, NYC
Invitations: Designed by Rachel Richards NYC, printed by Village Invites NYC
Rehearsal dinner: Groom's Parent house for a BBQ, Park City Utah
Guest book: Created by the bride & groom on Kodak gallery - personalized book of our pictures 
Photography: Opiefoto
Videography: Doug, Pointedigital, Salt Lake City
Bridal gown: Jim Hjelm, Something Special, Wyckoff NJ
Alterations: Something Special, Wyckoff, NJ
Hair and Makeup: Whitney Lewis, Park City
Bridesmaids' dresses: JCrew
Groom's Tux/Suit: Men's Warehouse, ties from Brook's Brothers
Flowers: Every Blooming Thing, SLC
Decorations and rentals: Every Blooming Thing, Etsy.com
Catering: The Canyons
Cake: Carrie's Cakes
Venue: Red Pine Lodge, Canyons Resort, Park City
Entertainment/Music: Maywood String Quartet for ceremony, DJ Jake Russell for reception
Wedding favors: Donation to American Cancer Society, box of Hershey kisses: Danielle Grillo, NYC
Wedding planner:
Officiant: Dr. Bob Skloss
Transportation: Flight of the Gondola
Guest lodging: Canyons Resort
Bridesmaids Jewlery: Little Grasshopper Designs - etsy.com
Canyons Director of Romance: Brooke Hafets

by Opie Janzer

Your wedding photographer will be an integral part of your big day. No one, not even your soon-to-be spouse, will have as much access or see you for as much time. You want the photos to be beautiful, you want the day to be perfect, and most of all -- you don't want to think about it. Here are 5 tips for choosing the perfect wedding photographer.

1. Meet them first: Don't ever go into this blind. You need to meet your photographer and get a sense of their personality. After all, you're spending the day with this person and you want them to make you comfortable. 
2. Know what you want: This goes two ways. Know what you want out of your photos because your photographer will need to know. But also, know what makes you comfortable. If you want a photographer that stays in the shadows, make sure that's what you're getting. If you're more comfortable with someone talking to you and cracking jokes, make sure your photographer can accommodate. 
3. Specialize: You want a rustic, elegant wedding in a ski resort? Get someone that's done it before and done it well. You don't want to hire a wedding photographer who's never set foot in your venue, never shot your kind of wedding, and has to learn as they go along. Your photos will be better with a specialist and you won't be worried about them missing the shot. 
4. Make a plan: Know where you'll be at all stages of the day and make sure your photographer knows this. Most of the time your photographer will already have this, but you need to make sure you know it as well. Write it down. It makes it easier to see if there's a critical shot you wanted but forgot about. 
5. Relax: It's critical on your wedding day. You have enough to worry about, don't let the photographer be one of them. Make sure you feel comfortable with your choice and comfortable with your plan. And then, make sure you're completely comfortable throwing it all out the window, because something will change on your wedding day.

 Contact OpieFoto to book your dream wedding today.

by Opie Janzer

Nicole and Alex

Stein Eriksen Lodge

Park City, Utah

BEFORE THE WEDDING

Occupations: Him: Sales, Her: Physician Assistant

How the couple met: Highschool! We were always friends in high school, but never dated. 8 years after we graduated, we reconnected and went on our first date.

How he proposed: On Catalina Island in California on my 30th birthday. After a long amazing day of bike riding and laying on the beach, he proposed before we got back on the ferry. It was AMAZING!

WEDDING

The day in three words: Perfect, FUN, Unforgettable

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding? The Speeches during the reception: The Father of the Bride's included a "butler" to bring him champagne.  The Maid of Honor's was sweet and heartfelt (and witty!).  And the Best Man's (groom's identicle twin!) was hilarious and included a scenario that he and the groom were switched at birth! There wasn't a dry eye in the house (from laughter!).

What is the best advice you can give to a couple that is planning?  Enjoy the ride. Try not to stress over the small details. Remember...guests will only remember the booze, the food and the music!

What was the biggest surprise about your wedding day? How perfectly everything went and how all the small details came together so amazingly.

How did you tame those wedding day nerves? Yoga in the morning for the gals, and a hike for the guys. And of course...the Champagne helped!

Colors: Navy Blue, Kelly Green and Grey

Theme: Mountain Casual meets East Coast Prep

Favors:Peruvian Cookies called "Alfajores" given to guests as they exited the reception.

Décor elements: Chevron, Stripes, Pops of Color, and natural elements including green and white flowers, succulents, and branches. The guests signed old wooden skis as our "guest book"

First Dance Song: "No one's gonna love you (more than I do)" by Band of Horses

Menu: Soup: Lobster Bisque, Salad: Baby Spinach with apples, blue cheese, and port wine vinagrette, Entree: Tenderloin of Beef and Shallot Roasted Sea Bass with green beans, and wild mushroom barley risotto.

Cake Flavors: Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting for the Cake Topper. And lots of cupcakes: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese frosting, Red velvet with cream cheese frosting, Vanilla with White chocolate frosting, and Hazelnut chocolate with Hazelnut mousse.

by Opie Janzer

VENDORS

Rings: Jay Feder Jewelers, Denver CO

Invitations: Ann Elizabeth Designs, Salt Lake City, UT

Rehearsal dinner: Hotel Park City

Photography: Opie Foto :)

Bridal gown: The Bridal Collection, Denver CO, Designer: Kathy Ireland

Shoes, Jewelery: Badgley Mischka, Stella & Dot, Swarovski

Hair and Makeup: Versa Artistry

Bridesmaids' dresses: Donna Morgan

Groom's Tux/Suit: Banana Republic

Flowers: The Silver Cricket, Park City, UT

Decorations and rentals: The Silver Cricket

Catering: The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley

Cake: The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley

Venue: The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley

Entertainment/Music: Marriott Entertainment

Wedding favors: Jessie's Pastries, Etsy

Officiant: Judge Shauna Kerr

Don't let those gorgeous wedding photos get stuck in a drawer. Weddings take a lot of work. Planning, prepping, and packing for the big day, wear us out. The festivities themselves are wonderful and amazing…and also a bit tiring. Honeymoon travels afterward require another big round of energy and focus. Despite our best intentions, sometimes when the planning and celebrating and traveling are all over, we poop out. Sometimes it's easy to procrastinate things like preserving dresses, pressing flowers, writing thank yous, and organizing photos.

I have two time and energy saving ideas for you for organizing your wedding photos.

First, consider having your favorite (or favorites) printed as a wedding canvas gallery wrap. A canvas gallery wrap showcases your photo on a stretched artist's canvas. It's a fantastic way to create fine art from what will be one of the most memorable days of your life. Your heirloom canvas print is contemporary, attractive, and keeps the focus on the moment (not on the hardware). Plus it's easy. No frames, no fuss: It comes ready to hang.

A second option is a Photo Journalistic Story Album. I still offer prints; but I really love putting these treasures together for you. Organizing and displaying a lot of prints takes time and energy. When you're short on that after a big wedding event, those prints can collect dust. The album is a great option. It's totally customizable. You'll have a variety of shapes and sizes, materials, colors and styles to choose from. I love the elegance and personality of a quality album and know you'll enjoy displaying it on your coffee table.

These are all things you'll want to discuss in an initial consultation. A few simple selections beforehand will ensure you receive gorgeous new art that arrives ready and complete. No fuss! That leaves you to the business of building a new life together.

I'd love to photograph your beautiful wedding. Contact me to set up a consultation.

by Opie Janzer

Check out Kara and Nathaniel's stunning engagement pictures shot in Park City Utah on Main Street and a super awesome spot I just found.  These two live in Salt Lake City but are getting married out of state.  Congrats guys!

by Opie Janzer