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Magic Moments... Loves Embrace...

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What is a candid proposl?

How to Plan A Surprise Proposal (With Photography!) in 5 Simple Steps

Surprise proposals that involve a professional photographer or videographer documenting the moment seem to be on the rise and I couldn’t be happier. Photography plays such an important role in documenting our personal histories, so why limit professional photography coverage to just one or two days in our whole lives? I love that Proposers are surprising their Proposees (that’s a word, right?) with a gift that will bring back the happy memories of that moment forever. Of course I’m biased, but I do truly think that photography is always the best gift! So, if you’re planning to propose to your partner, here are a few tips from a photographer’s perspective!

1. Know your audience

Sure you know your spouse-to-be, but do you know how much s/he likes to be photographed? Not that it’s common, but I’ve heard of people being a little freaked out by the idea of a hidden photographer following them around and documenting such an intimate moment in their lives. Just be sure your partner is the type of person who would actually be excited to discover they were being photographed, and not horrified. So, assuming they’re a fan of being photographed, onto step two!

2. Decide how much to reveal

Having a professional photographer documenting your proposal will preserve that moment forever. Depending on the type of person your partner is, they may be delighted by being caught completely by surprise and swept up in the romance of finding out you hired a photographer on the DL. They might think it’s wonderful that you did all the legwork, and arranged the whole moment (or day) start to finish. If this sounds like your partner, by all means, keep everything a secret! But if you think your partner is the type of person who would appreciate having the opportunity to throw on their favorite outfit, pick out a location, and collaborate on a shoot with you, then there’s another option: let them in on the “couple’s shoot”, but keep the actual proposal a surprise. (Jake did just that for his girlfriend Courtney and it worked out beautifully!)

3. Plan plan plan

Planning the proposal itself doesn’t have to be elaborate. Whether you’re nontraditional, extravagant, offbeat, or laid-back, a great proposal should just be a reflection of the two of you and will be the most meaningful if you stay true to yourselves. A simple walk on the beach, or a hike through the hills are beautiful and classic settings for this wonderful moment. However, if you’ve got something unusual or very specific in mind, or if you’re planning to propose on a trip to a city you’ve never been to before, you might need to call in some backup. Enterproposal planners. (Yes, this is a thing.) A proposal planner can be your travel agent, local correspondent, and event coordinator all rolled into one. They can also just help you brainstorm if you’re feeling clueless and you don’t trust your friends to not spill the beans if you ask for input.

4. Wait for the signal

If you opted to keep the entire shoot a secret, make sure you collaborate with your photographer in detail about exactly where and when you’ll be popping the question. If I need to hide out somewhere, I still need to be sure I can get a clear line of sight to you both. Work with your photographer to pick a spot where they can be inconspicuous up until the big moment, and one that’s generally uncrowded, like James did for his proposal to Amy, below! (Otherwise you might end up with your very own In The Way Guy photobombing you. *sad trombone*) If you did give your partner the gift of a couple’s photo shoot which you plan to turn into a proposal, that’s a little easier to get the timing right. Choose the exact spot where you want to propose in advance, and let your photographer lead the way. This way you & your photographer will be on the same page about when you’ll be proposing, and they can schedule your shoot accordingly. I like to give the Proposer a heads up with a code phrase we’ve devised, then let him (or her) take it from there.

   5. Enjoy the moment!

It’s easy to be overwhelmed with excitement! My best advice for anyone planning to propose is take your time, and enjoy the moment. Hopefully you’ve picked a spot without any distractions, and as a photographer I do my best to remain inconspicuous and will document your emotions as they naturally unfold. This is a really momentous but fleeting moment, and you might just enjoy it even more knowing a professional photographer is recording it all for you to have & share long after the moment ends!

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Dan & Lissa's Wedding

 Dan & Lissa’s wedding was beautiful atop Mt. Helix in La Mesa, California. The outdoor  location is a such a gorgeous location in the San Diego area to have a fall wedding. 

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Lincourt Vineyard prime California Wedding Destination

May 7th 2015 I was blessed to be at Lincourt Winery to shoot a most gorgeous wedding in Solvang over the weekend. I couldn't have been more pleased with the location and the beautiful vineyards. Such a pleasure to shoot at anytime of the day and provides numerous backdrops for the happy couple and family. 

Lincourt is set amidst the majestic wine country foothills of Santa Ynez Valley and features a charming 1926 Sear’s Craftsman Kit House surrounded by enchanting flower gardens and a vineyard backdrop. A rustic barrel room serves as a wonderful setting for guests to gather and dance under twinkling lights. The winery is a perfect special events venue as well as an ideal setting for the most romantic day of your life.

From small, intimate ceremonies to lavish multi-day celebrations, our staff will coordinate customized services for any theme and budget as well as guide you through your decisions with experience and expertise.

You and your guests will always remember the gracious hospitality, historic sense of place and beautiful setting of your wine country wedding celebration at Lincourt Winery. Most importantly, you will truly be able to relax and enjoy this special time with friends and family. We look forward with pleasure to helping you create an exceptional and memorable wine country wedding.

To schedule a site visit or to learn more about hosting your Wedding at Lincourt Winery, complete their Event Inquiry Form or contact the events manager at (707) 657-4856 orSpecialEvents@FoleyFamilyWines.com. Don't forget to mention your friend Blair Golden recommended the locatio

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Wedding Planning 101

7 Awkward Wedding Planning Moments (and How to Solve Them)

By: Aja Frost

You might face these squirm-inducing situations along the way, but here's how to navigate them without breaking a sweat—or ruining relationships.

The wedding planning process can be exhilarating, fun, frustrating, tiring—and sometimes, seriously awkward. For example, how do you tell your niece that she can't bring her on-again, off-again boyfriend? What's the best way to explain you'd rather have cash than, say, a fondue set?

Luckily, we've got the answers. Read on for tricks that'll get you through the top seven thorniest wedding planning situations.

1. Disagreeing With Your Partner's Mom

You don't want to clash with your future mother-in-law, but you also don't want to completely change your wedding plans to make her happy—say, by ditching your dream of having a food truck and an open bar for her hoped-for plated dinner and limited alcohol selection.

How to Handle It: Whether or not she's helping to pay for the wedding (but especially if she is), make sure you tell her how grateful you and your partner are for all of her support and input. She'll be much likelier to compromise if she feels her opinion is being heard and valued. Then, pick your battles. If the bar is far more important to you than the food, for instance, consider letting her “win" on the dinner setup. If you're still butting heads, ask your fiance to step in and talk to her. After all, her "baby" may be way more successful at getting her to stand down than you could be.

2. Telling Your Friends They're Not in Your Wedding Party

Maybe you were your high school BFF's maid of honor but you don't feel that close anymore, or maybe your ceremony will be too intimate to justify making every single girlfriend a bridesmaid. Whatever the case, it's always difficult to tell a pal who's expecting to be in the wedding party that, well, she's not.

How to Handle It: When you break the news, stress how important your relationship is and how excited you are to have her at the wedding. Then, back that up by involving her in other ways. Invite your friend to the bachelorette party; if she's super into music, ask if she'd want to put together a playlist for the rehearsal dinner or reception. You could also suggest she be part of the ceremony by doing a reading, passing out programs or watching over the guest book.

3. Asking for Cash

There are many reasons couples forgo a traditional registry. You may already live together, may not need any linens or panini makers, or might just prefer help paying for the event, your honeymoon or even your first home. Yet telling your guests you'd like cash instead of gifts can feel a little funny.

How to Handle It: Consider creating an account on PayPal as one of your registry choices. You can call it something along the lines of "Down Payment Fund" or "Honeymoon Registry." Then give people the details on your wedding website, just like a regular registry. Your friends and family will be able to send money directly into the account by using your email address or cell number (and fees are low or non-existent—score!). Bonus: You get to skip the awkwardness of your great-aunt or best friend from college handing you a big check in person that you then have to remember to deposit later.

4. Saying No to Extra Guests

You and your future spouse have worked hard to create a guest list you're both happy with—and now your third-cousin-once-removed is asking whether he can bring his girlfriend, 15 guys from your fiance's college frat want to show up and every member of your mom's book club is clamoring for an invite.

How to Handle It: Be honest yet sympathetic as you explain why a last-minute addition isn't possible. For example, you could tell your third cousin, “I'd really love to have your girlfriend over for dinner or drinks so I can get to know her! Unfortunately, we're at max capacity with the venue right now." As for those frat buddies, consider inviting them to the after-party or a bar night to celebrate separately.

5. Not Getting Along With Your Wedding Planner

When you first hired her, you loved both her personality and her ideas. But after a couple months, your initial enthusiasm for your wedding planner is totally gone—it feels like she's not being as helpful or present as she could be. You don't want to lose your deposit or the vendors she's signed, though, so you're wondering how to ensure your day isn't a disaster.

How to Handle It: Figure out what's making you upset. Is your planner not really listening to your feedback? Are you finding it hard to contact her? Is she not doing everything you agreed she'd do? Once you've identified the problem, you should have a calm, professional discussion with her expressing your concerns so you can get plans back on track. It's possible this was a simple case of miscommunication; perhaps she underestimated how often you'd like her to check in or contribute ideas. Now's a good time to get on the same page about your expectations. In this business, word of mouth is everything, so she'll likely do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy.

6. Having a Kids-Free Wedding

Children are great—really—but you're going for a sophisticated, adults-only event. That's completely okay. Just be ready for pushback from parents who may not relish the idea of dropping cash for a sitter (on top of buying a wedding gift) or even realize that their brood isn't welcome.

How to Handle It: Avoid marking the invitation "adults only," since that can rub people the wrong way. Instead, address it to "John and Jane Doe" rather than "the Doe family." This will subtly inform your guests that the wedding is not a family affair, but you'll probably still end up fielding questions. In that case, keep your answer short and sweet: Explain apologetically that you can't include all the guests you'd like to due to "budget constraints." Even if that's not the case, it's a response that tends to work wonders for nipping complaints in the bud.

7. Figuring Out Wedding Party Payments

Maybe your fiance planned his own bachelor trip to Vegas, or you ended up purchasing dresses for the bridesmaids who live out of town. With all the other wedding expenses adding up, it would be great if your friends could pay you back soon—but getting IOUs fulfilled in person can be uncomfortable.

How to Handle It: With the PayPal app, you can avoid asking for checks or cold, hard cash. For example, you can pay for the dresses using Paypal Credit, then have your bridesmaids use the app to send you what they owe directly. Since this method lets you request payments electronically, it takes away some of the awkwardness of asking for money in person—and the burden off of you having to remember to ask your friends to pay up.

The Knot and PayPal have teamed up to bring you Plan Like a Pro, a sponsored series full of insider tips and tricks to help you plan an amazing wedding.

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10 Great Reasons To Do Maternity Photos

By Kelly Winder in Pregnancy . Last updated on February 23, 2015

1.) You. Are. Beautiful! Now now… stop that naughty little voice in your head right now! You might feel tired, nauseous, sore, aching and blimp-like… but from the outside, we don’t feel those things that may lead you to think that you look terrible! Instead, we see a beautiful woman bringing a new life (or two or more!) into the world, with a gorgeous little bubba growing inside of her. Pregnancy is a thing of beauty, awe and amazement for many people – and it will be for you too if you ignore the cheeky gremlins in your mind telling you otherwise. Gosh, some women surely feel envious and jealous of you too, remembering what a special time pregnancy was and/or wishing they were in your shoes! You will only be pregnant a few times (if that) in your entire life. No matter if you think you look far from glowing or glamourous, a skilled pregnancy photographer can easily draw out the beauty, love and femininity of pregnancy – you may just surprise yourself… 

2.) There’s No Need To Worry About Your Belly If you didn’t feel comfortable with your belly before you were pregnant, now you can show it off knowing that it looks beautifully round, without worrying about its shape or look! A pregnant belly does a great job of hiding your squishy bits, so perhaps for the first time in a while, you have a chance to flaunt your belly and feel great about it! 

A great pregnancy photographer can make you look gorgeous, elegant and glowing. Many pregnant women say that one thing they love about being pregnant is that they are less self conscious about the weight on their belly, working wonders for confidence levels. 

3.) Oh The Memories… You might be unsure about it now, but if you don’t have a photography session while you’re pregnant, you’ve lost the chance to create once in a lifetime memories – you can’t get them back. Photos also trigger memories, feelings, emotions… they help you remember more vividly. Even if you don’t care for the memory for yourself, I can assure you that when your children are older, they will be delighted to see the photos of their pregnant mamma, while they were growing inside of you. 

4.) It’s Fun! Many pregnant women I speak to tell me that they had lots of fun and laughs during their photo shoot. If you choose a photographer that suits your personality and style you want from the shoot, you’ll have a great time. Make sure you do your homework though, and that the photographer is experienced in maternity photos – a normal photographer may not have the same creative ideas and poses suitable for a pregnant woman. 

5.)You Can Get Creative! Its important to do a bit of research or give some thought into ideas or themes you’d like for your pregnancy photos – if you find things on the web or in magazines, save your favourite images to show your photographer. An experienced or talented pregnancy photographer will be great at directing you and suggesting ideas, so its good to find out what they like to do in maternity shoots. If you’re like me, I prefer a candid style of photography instead of cheesy posed stuff! So I made an effort to come up with some ideas based on what I wanted the photos to reflect and how I wanted to remember the pregnancy.

6.) A Chance To Bond With Your Partner The pregnancy photography I had with my third baby (first baby with a new partner) I hold very dear because of the emotion behind it. We had a crazy, whirlwind journey and it felt like a moment in time where we stopped and connected in a big way as an expectant couple. Sure I still looked like I had the extra kilos like my last pregnancies, but I didn’t care. It felt intimate and special, and you can really see that in the images. Looking at the photos I can bring myself right back there, and feel so much love and appreciation for my partner. Seeing the love in his eyes too, reminds me how lucky I am. It can be harder for a dad-to-be to bond with an unborn baby, since the baby is growing inside of you, moving inside you, having hiccups inside of you – and not him.

You might feel all warm and fuzzy when those things happen, but he can’t feel it so he doesn’t know how wonderful it is. But putting dad in the picture (pardon the pun!) can help him bond with baby a bit more too, and it gives him some special memories of his own – aside from you yelling at him for bringing you a cheese and tomato sandwich when you asked for a cheese, anchovy and pickle sandwich!

7.)  It’s Fun and Bonding For Siblings Too! If you have children already, they may feel really special by being in some of your maternity photos, hugging your belly, kissing your belly – showing their love, bonding with baby. It can help them to feel important too, and a nice memory which they can look at one day and remember, ‘I was there when you were in mummy’s tummy!’ Some children may feel apprehensive about changes coming – what it will mean for them when the baby comes. Pregnancy photos with your older child(ren) is a nice way to put a fun and exciting touch to your family changing. 

8.) Professional Photographers Are Much Better Than Home Shots! Yes, you could just take images at home, or get them done by a friend or family member. But a professional photographer can create a work of art, taking into consideration the best angles, lighting, effects, focus and depth – they can totally transform what would otherwise be just a shot of you, into a story, a feeling, a work of art. They can prepare any images you may want printed and give them a great finish that will ‘wow’ not only you, but your friends and family – images that relatives may want to purchase and treasure for themselves. Great photos make great presents too! 

9.) It’s Not As Expensive As You Might Think Many people associate professional photography with costing a squillion, but it isn’t the case. Most photographers these days have many options which enable you to have a digital or CD copy of the images to use as you please. They usually have a sitting fee which varies, then you can choose prints or digital. Considering how much we might spend photographing a wedding day, a pregnancy photo shoot which is just as memorable costs a fraction of that. That said, you need to weigh up cost and quality. You do generally get what you pay for, but using common sense by doing your homework, seeing the photographers work and getting word of mouth recommendations can save you heartbreak if they don’t turn out like you asked or hoped for.

10.) Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone There are only a few months in your life, per baby, that you’ll have a glorious noticeable, round belly – sadly it takes months to show and you have that in-between ‘could be a squishy tummy but could also be pregnant’ stage too! Before you know it, the birth is over, they’ll be at school, or having their own kids, just like your parents will tell you. And those dear moments of pregnancy will be but a distant memory. Even if it’s something you do just in case you might want it later, I don’t know anyone who has regretted getting a pregnancy photo shoot – but I know plenty who regret not doing it.

- See more at: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-photography-10-great-reasons-to-have-pregnancy-photography/

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What's your Wedding Style?

How to decied which California based Wedding Photographer you should hire for your Wedding. It is the single most importand desision you will make along with the peson you are walking down the aisle with. What is your wedding style? Here is a quick guide to plan your wedding and pick the right photographer. 

The Gown, The couple and the Kiss: So, you've met your other half, now your get to practice kissing. Yes... practice kissing because in the next year you will be working with a photographer to capture your love for Engagement announcements, wedding photo's and looking back at these pictures for many years to come. We all want that amazing photo that captures an image, a moment in time that radiates the love you share. 

The Bridesmaids, The Groomsmen, The Wedding Party, your family and all the flowers:  This is typically an afterthought but in the end the most shared and framed photo is one with you and the most important people in your life. Your family & friends. You are fun, you laugh together, cry together and have been there to witness eachothers life. This photo should capture your happiness, love and be a celebration captrued in a single frame. 

Be goofy, be serious and be spontaneous; but please do, spend some time thinking of how you want to look back at this image because the people by your side are more than just family they are a part of you. 

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and have some suggestions for me when we meet to plan your magical day. 

-Blair Golden, San Diego Wedding Photographer

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How NOT to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

This article may come from The New York Times but it is relevant for any bride choosing the right wedding photographer in the Sand Diego, CA area.  I have learned just from building my own business that there are a lot of photographers who are gifted but we have all hear the story's when the bride arrives home from the honeymoon to be left in tears because she didn't spend time getting to know her wedding photographer before she hired them.  It's okay to interview us, ask me lots of questions and if a photographer isin't asking you a ton of pictures they just may not know how to capture your special day.  This is a great read for any bride & groom. 

If you're planning a wedding, you've probably heard this spiel one or twenty times already: After the cake is cut, the flowers are wilted and the last favor has been stuffed into your Aunt Betty's purse, only your photos remain.

So, needless to say, finding the right photographer is pretty important. It's also pretty overwhelming. Photography websiteSLRlounge.com estimates there are 100,000 wedding photographers in the U.S. alone -- and you're expected to find the one who will capture your wedding exactly the way you envision it. And you thought finding a husband was hard!?

Unfortunately, some of the most common "selling points" for wedding photographers can actually be red flags in disguise. Here are a few factors that shouldn't influence your choice -- and how to make sure you've picked a winner.

1. "This studio shoots 300 weddings a year!" Experience is a must -- you don't want a photographer using your wedding for practice. But busier isn't always better. If someone shoots 100+ weddings in a year, either they're shooting back-to-back events every single weekend, or they're hiring associate photographers to fill their shoes (and their sample albums). Neither of those is an automatic deal breaker, but you should get a feel for how these photographers handle their heavy workload. If they're doing it all themselves, do they seem passionate or jaded? If they're hiring an associate, is it a talented colleague or a random freelancer? Make sure you know who will be holding the camera on your wedding day, and that they're committed to treating you like a VIP no matter how many other clients they have.

2. "She's running an insane sale!" I planned my wedding on a shoestring budget, so I wore a $400 wedding gown in order to afford my first-choice photographer. My reasoning? The right photographer can make a budget dress look breathtaking, but the wrong photographer can make a Yumi Katsura look tacky. Ask anyone who's been burned: It's not a bargain if you hate your photos. If your favorite photographer is running a discount (like 10 percent off for Friday weddings, or a free engagement session), then heck yeah, jump on it! But don't let a deep discount be your deciding factor. Good wedding photographers pay taxes, carry insurance and invest in high-end gear and professional-grade printing. So before you cut corners with a dirt-cheap photographer, ask yourself where they cut corners.

3. "The venue recommended him!" Early in my career, I shot a wedding at a gorgeous local venue and asked the coordinator if I could drop off a sample album for him to show his future clients. He told me I could -- for a price. Maybe I was naïve, but I didn't realize that some venues sell spots on their "preferred vendor" lists. Of course, this doesn't apply to every venue -- some offer excellent recommendations because they like to see gorgeous images of their venue floating around on the web. But always double-check recommendations against friends, online reviews and your wedding planner before plunking down a deposit.

4. "He's family!" Maybe you have a cousin who just graduated art school, or an uncle who does wildlife photography or a friend who recently launched a portrait studio. And they've offered to shoot your wedding for freeeeee! While it may seem like money-saving serendipity, you risk bad blood if they screw up. Weddings are a tough gig with a lot of variables -- just because your friend takes beautiful photos of sleeping babies, it doesn't mean she knows how to light a pitch-black reception venue. And what if you don't love the photos? What if your images get lost because your cousin has mad skills but no file-backup system? What if your shutterbug uncle heads to the bar to do a quick shot with his brother -- during your first dance? Bottom line: When you're choosing a wedding photographer, choose a wedding photographer.

5. "Her portfolio is ahh-maaa-zing!" Okay, this is actually a really good reason to book a wedding photographer! But it shouldn't be your only reason. After you're done drooling over the dreamy images and Pinterest-worthy poses, email the photographer and set up an in-person meeting. Remember, your photographer will probably spend more time by your side on your wedding day than your own mom -- or even your newly betrothed. So no matter how much you love someone's work, make sure your personalities click before you invite him or her along for one of the most important days of your life.

Follow Kara Wahlgren on Twitter: www.twitter.com/karawahlgren

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4 REASONS TO HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

So he popped the big question and now you’re engaged. Now it’s time for the next big question – to hire or not to hire a wedding planner. It’s time to get planning on your ideal wedding and you’re at a crossroads, you may find yourself asking – is it necessary? Is it worth it? Here are some pros and cons that could get you off the fence…

Saves you money with vendors:

Besides the initial cost of hiring a planner, be sure to consider that your planner can also negotiate with vendors. Don’t forget that it is likely your planner has worked with several vendors in the area and has good connections which could score you a better price.

A lot of people fear that it will cost too much when they will already be paying for the rest of their wedding. Spending additional money on a wedding planner can be intimidating. But when you look at the fact that depending on your planner, you may be charged for a flat rate, by the hour, or often they will charge within a budget range.

Organisational help:

When you set the money issue aside, you must also consider your organizational skills. Perhaps you are not good at planning, or maybe it is too much to handle and you fear you will get flustered. Wedding planners are there to help take care of this problem. They specialize in coordination and making sure everything is on time and taken care of. They relieve you of the stress that it takes to make sure your big day will run smoothly.

Helps with crafty details:

If you enjoy doing things on your own or are very crafty, you might enjoy making your own favors, escort cards and so on. Even with a planner this is not a problem. Don’t think that just because you hire a wedding planner that you are completely out of control of planning your wedding. Working together on your ideas and visions is what will make your event what you’ve always hoped it would be.

Prevents details from falling trhough the cracks:

If you choose to hire a wedding planner, he or she will be there to remind you of all the things you didn’t think of or forgot in all of the chaos. And they always come prepared with boxes full of essential items you wouldn’t believe you would need for your wedding day.

Posted on January 27, 2015 in Bloemfontein, Events, Venue, Weddings

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Lincourt Vineyard prime California Wedding Destination

May 7th 2015 I was blessed to be at Lincourt Winery to shoot a most gorgeous wedding in Solvang over the weekend. I couldn't have been more pleased with the location and the beautiful vineyards. Such a pleasure to shoot at anytime of the day and provides numerous backdrops for the happy couple and family. 

Lincourt is set amidst the majestic wine country foothills of Santa Ynez Valley and features a charming 1926 Sear’s Craftsman Kit House surrounded by enchanting flower gardens and a vineyard backdrop. A rustic barrel room serves as a wonderful setting for guests to gather and dance under twinkling lights. The winery is a perfect special events venue as well as an ideal setting for the most romantic day of your life.

From small, intimate ceremonies to lavish multi-day celebrations, our staff will coordinate customized services for any theme and budget as well as guide you through your decisions with experience and expertise.

You and your guests will always remember the gracious hospitality, historic sense of place and beautiful setting of your wine country wedding celebration at Lincourt Winery. Most importantly, you will truly be able to relax and enjoy this special time with friends and family. We look forward with pleasure to helping you create an exceptional and memorable wine country wedding.

To schedule a site visit or to learn more about hosting your Wedding at Lincourt Winery, complete their Event Inquiry Form or contact the events manager at (707) 657-4856 orSpecialEvents@FoleyFamilyWines.com. Don't forget to mention your friend Blair Golden recommended the locatio

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Geometric perspective

cat walk :: belgium #photography #Nikon #nikonpros #photooftheday #picoftheday #travel #belgium #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #adventuring #justgoshoot

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Country inspired portrait session

One of my favorite shots from Andrea’s Country inspired portrait session! The results are Mindblowing! 

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How to Create your Wedding Website 101

Wedding Websites 101

This cheat sheet is all you need to create and share a killer The Knot wedding website.

By Elena Donovan Mauer

Free = Awesome

​There are lots of scenarios where you get what you pay for, but making a wedding website isn't one of them. You can create a personalized site absolutely free. Check out our options—there are more than 100 different color and style combos to choose from, so we're positive you'll find one that fits your wedding perfectly. Search for the template design you like best, pick one, and the site will walk you through the entire creation process. It's so easy—we promise!

Cover the Basics—and Then Some

There are two main reasons to make a wedding website. One is to give guests need-to-know info that may not be included on the invite (hint: no need to bulk up that envelope with directions and hotel suggestions). This means you'll want to cover the who, what, when and where, plus how to get there. The second reason is to add other fun stuff guests will want to know, like suggested attire and who will be in the wedding party. Think of the site as a one-stop shop guests can check whenever they have questions—without having to call you.

Broadcast Your Registry Details Loud and Clear

You know you're not supposed to say where you're registered on your invite, right? Well, creating a website gives you a chance to tell everyone exactly where you're registered—without seeming tacky! You can even put links right on your web page that will take your guests directly to your registries, where they can start shopping for you immediately. Go ahead and make those links big and bold!

Add Personal Touches

Let visitors to your site get to know you a little better by giving them a bit of background on you and your soon-to-be spouse (which is especially helpful for guests who don't know one of you that well). Tell them the story of how you met, or you could even have video footage of the proposal with a link to it (on YouTube or elsewhere) or share a few of your favorite couple shots. You might even want to put up photos of wedding party members so everyone will recognize who's who at the wedding. Just beware of going too crazy—you can include a lot of info on your site, but it should still be to the point. Our guess is that visitors won't feel like clicking through a slideshow of the story of your life together or a big album devoted to your pet (aka the ring bearer).

Out-of-Towners Will Love You For This

Post logistical details for guests making travel plans. They'll certainly appreciate the heads-up that you've blocked rooms at a specific hotel and will love having all the info they need to book one at their fingertips. You don't have to add just the hotel and venue info, but great restaurants they might want to try and cool things to do while they're in town.

Take Advantage of the Bells and Whistles

Now for the fun stuff: Create an online RSVP option and collect their +1 info at the same time. You can also add customized pages to share just about anything, like a charity you're donating to.

Know What to Leave Out

Remember: Your grandma (and future in-laws) will see this site. So maybe you want to skip those pictures at a college keg party or wearing those double-entendre Halloween costumes. And even though the website doesn't have to be as perfect as your invitation, run your words through spell check and have a friend proofread before you post anything. Also, double-check that all the addresses and other facts are correct. You don't want to get your guests lost or confused!​

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Prague: Street lights

street lights :: prauge #photoseries. #photolife #photooftheday #picoftheday #photography #nikonpros #Nikon #nightshot #shutterspeed #shutterspeedcreations #travel #justgoshoot

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How to Create your Wedding Website 101

Wedding Websites 101

This cheat sheet is all you need to create and share a killer The Knot wedding website.

By Elena Donovan Mauer

Free = Awesome

​There are lots of scenarios where you get what you pay for, but making a wedding website isn't one of them. You can create a personalized site absolutely free. Check out our options—there are more than 100 different color and style combos to choose from, so we're positive you'll find one that fits your wedding perfectly. Search for the template design you like best, pick one, and the site will walk you through the entire creation process. It's so easy—we promise!

Cover the Basics—and Then Some

There are two main reasons to make a wedding website. One is to give guests need-to-know info that may not be included on the invite (hint: no need to bulk up that envelope with directions and hotel suggestions). This means you'll want to cover the who, what, when and where, plus how to get there. The second reason is to add other fun stuff guests will want to know, like suggested attire and who will be in the wedding party. Think of the site as a one-stop shop guests can check whenever they have questions—without having to call you.

Broadcast Your Registry Details Loud and Clear

You know you're not supposed to say where you're registered on your invite, right? Well, creating a website gives you a chance to tell everyone exactly where you're registered—without seeming tacky! You can even put links right on your web page that will take your guests directly to your registries, where they can start shopping for you immediately. Go ahead and make those links big and bold!

Add Personal Touches

Let visitors to your site get to know you a little better by giving them a bit of background on you and your soon-to-be spouse (which is especially helpful for guests who don't know one of you that well). Tell them the story of how you met, or you could even have video footage of the proposal with a link to it (on YouTube or elsewhere) or share a few of your favorite couple shots. You might even want to put up photos of wedding party members so everyone will recognize who's who at the wedding. Just beware of going too crazy—you can include a lot of info on your site, but it should still be to the point. Our guess is that visitors won't feel like clicking through a slideshow of the story of your life together or a big album devoted to your pet (aka the ring bearer).

Out-of-Towners Will Love You For This

Post logistical details for guests making travel plans. They'll certainly appreciate the heads-up that you've blocked rooms at a specific hotel and will love having all the info they need to book one at their fingertips. You don't have to add just the hotel and venue info, but great restaurants they might want to try and cool things to do while they're in town.

Take Advantage of the Bells and Whistles

Now for the fun stuff: Create an online RSVP option and collect their +1 info at the same time. You can also add customized pages to share just about anything, like a charity you're donating to.

Know What to Leave Out

Remember: Your grandma (and future in-laws) will see this site. So maybe you want to skip those pictures at a college keg party or wearing those double-entendre Halloween costumes. And even though the website doesn't have to be as perfect as your invitation, run your words through spell check and have a friend proofread before you post anything. Also, double-check that all the addresses and other facts are correct. You don't want to get your guests lost or confused!​

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Lincourt Vineyard prime California Wedding Destination

May 7th 2015 I was blessed to be at Lincourt Winery to shoot a most gorgeous wedding in Solvang over the weekend. I couldn't have been more pleased with the location and the beautiful vineyards. Such a pleasure to shoot at anytime of the day and provides numerous backdrops for the happy couple and family. 

Lincourt is set amidst the majestic wine country foothills of Santa Ynez Valley and features a charming 1926 Sear’s Craftsman Kit House surrounded by enchanting flower gardens and a vineyard backdrop. A rustic barrel room serves as a wonderful setting for guests to gather and dance under twinkling lights. The winery is a perfect special events venue as well as an ideal setting for the most romantic day of your life.

From small, intimate ceremonies to lavish multi-day celebrations, our staff will coordinate customized services for any theme and budget as well as guide you through your decisions with experience and expertise.

You and your guests will always remember the gracious hospitality, historic sense of place and beautiful setting of your wine country wedding celebration at Lincourt Winery. Most importantly, you will truly be able to relax and enjoy this special time with friends and family. We look forward with pleasure to helping you create an exceptional and memorable wine country wedding.

To schedule a site visit or to learn more about hosting your Wedding at Lincourt Winery, complete their Event Inquiry Form or contact the events manager at (707) 657-4856 orSpecialEvents@FoleyFamilyWines.com. Don't forget to mention your friend Blair Golden recommended the locatio

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Wedding Planning 101

7 Awkward Wedding Planning Moments (and How to Solve Them)

By: Aja Frost

You might face these squirm-inducing situations along the way, but here's how to navigate them without breaking a sweat—or ruining relationships.

The wedding planning process can be exhilarating, fun, frustrating, tiring—and sometimes, seriously awkward. For example, how do you tell your niece that she can't bring her on-again, off-again boyfriend? What's the best way to explain you'd rather have cash than, say, a fondue set?

Luckily, we've got the answers. Read on for tricks that'll get you through the top seven thorniest wedding planning situations.

1. Disagreeing With Your Partner's Mom

You don't want to clash with your future mother-in-law, but you also don't want to completely change your wedding plans to make her happy—say, by ditching your dream of having a food truck and an open bar for her hoped-for plated dinner and limited alcohol selection.

How to Handle It: Whether or not she's helping to pay for the wedding (but especially if she is), make sure you tell her how grateful you and your partner are for all of her support and input. She'll be much likelier to compromise if she feels her opinion is being heard and valued. Then, pick your battles. If the bar is far more important to you than the food, for instance, consider letting her “win" on the dinner setup. If you're still butting heads, ask your fiance to step in and talk to her. After all, her "baby" may be way more successful at getting her to stand down than you could be.

2. Telling Your Friends They're Not in Your Wedding Party

Maybe you were your high school BFF's maid of honor but you don't feel that close anymore, or maybe your ceremony will be too intimate to justify making every single girlfriend a bridesmaid. Whatever the case, it's always difficult to tell a pal who's expecting to be in the wedding party that, well, she's not.

How to Handle It: When you break the news, stress how important your relationship is and how excited you are to have her at the wedding. Then, back that up by involving her in other ways. Invite your friend to the bachelorette party; if she's super into music, ask if she'd want to put together a playlist for the rehearsal dinner or reception. You could also suggest she be part of the ceremony by doing a reading, passing out programs or watching over the guest book.

3. Asking for Cash

There are many reasons couples forgo a traditional registry. You may already live together, may not need any linens or panini makers, or might just prefer help paying for the event, your honeymoon or even your first home. Yet telling your guests you'd like cash instead of gifts can feel a little funny.

How to Handle It: Consider creating an account on PayPal as one of your registry choices. You can call it something along the lines of "Down Payment Fund" or "Honeymoon Registry." Then give people the details on your wedding website, just like a regular registry. Your friends and family will be able to send money directly into the account by using your email address or cell number (and fees are low or non-existent—score!). Bonus: You get to skip the awkwardness of your great-aunt or best friend from college handing you a big check in person that you then have to remember to deposit later.

4. Saying No to Extra Guests

You and your future spouse have worked hard to create a guest list you're both happy with—and now your third-cousin-once-removed is asking whether he can bring his girlfriend, 15 guys from your fiance's college frat want to show up and every member of your mom's book club is clamoring for an invite.

How to Handle It: Be honest yet sympathetic as you explain why a last-minute addition isn't possible. For example, you could tell your third cousin, “I'd really love to have your girlfriend over for dinner or drinks so I can get to know her! Unfortunately, we're at max capacity with the venue right now." As for those frat buddies, consider inviting them to the after-party or a bar night to celebrate separately.

5. Not Getting Along With Your Wedding Planner

When you first hired her, you loved both her personality and her ideas. But after a couple months, your initial enthusiasm for your wedding planner is totally gone—it feels like she's not being as helpful or present as she could be. You don't want to lose your deposit or the vendors she's signed, though, so you're wondering how to ensure your day isn't a disaster.

How to Handle It: Figure out what's making you upset. Is your planner not really listening to your feedback? Are you finding it hard to contact her? Is she not doing everything you agreed she'd do? Once you've identified the problem, you should have a calm, professional discussion with her expressing your concerns so you can get plans back on track. It's possible this was a simple case of miscommunication; perhaps she underestimated how often you'd like her to check in or contribute ideas. Now's a good time to get on the same page about your expectations. In this business, word of mouth is everything, so she'll likely do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy.

6. Having a Kids-Free Wedding

Children are great—really—but you're going for a sophisticated, adults-only event. That's completely okay. Just be ready for pushback from parents who may not relish the idea of dropping cash for a sitter (on top of buying a wedding gift) or even realize that their brood isn't welcome.

How to Handle It: Avoid marking the invitation "adults only," since that can rub people the wrong way. Instead, address it to "John and Jane Doe" rather than "the Doe family." This will subtly inform your guests that the wedding is not a family affair, but you'll probably still end up fielding questions. In that case, keep your answer short and sweet: Explain apologetically that you can't include all the guests you'd like to due to "budget constraints." Even if that's not the case, it's a response that tends to work wonders for nipping complaints in the bud.

7. Figuring Out Wedding Party Payments

Maybe your fiance planned his own bachelor trip to Vegas, or you ended up purchasing dresses for the bridesmaids who live out of town. With all the other wedding expenses adding up, it would be great if your friends could pay you back soon—but getting IOUs fulfilled in person can be uncomfortable.

How to Handle It: With the PayPal app, you can avoid asking for checks or cold, hard cash. For example, you can pay for the dresses using Paypal Credit, then have your bridesmaids use the app to send you what they owe directly. Since this method lets you request payments electronically, it takes away some of the awkwardness of asking for money in person—and the burden off of you having to remember to ask your friends to pay up.

The Knot and PayPal have teamed up to bring you Plan Like a Pro, a sponsored series full of insider tips and tricks to help you plan an amazing wedding.