For the last week, the Engineer and I have been looking at photographers for our wedding. UGH! This is one of those things that, while I care deeply about our pictures being outstanding (You know the routine. The pictures should tell the story, represent our vision, blah blah blah), after a while they all start to look the same to me. Good thing I’ve got the Engineer around.

The Engineer’s family seems to be a very talented “picture taking” group. In fact, over the past weekend, I probably looked at hundreds of pictures of my future hubby, in various stages of life (only the most embarrassing will make the cut for the wedding slide show). All baby pictures were cute, vacation pictures breathtaking, and well….the pictures where just plain good. In fact, my future father-in-law has recently started a small business with his photographic talent. He has done a ton of nature pictures, all of which could be suitable prints for National Geographic. To top it all of, all three kids (my fiancé, his brother, and their older sister) all have an “eye” for photography. Maybe it’s genetic. Somehow, I never got that gene.

Anyway, Mr. E (Engineer) always sees things in photography that I don’t, which makes this “pick the photographer” process a little easier. He looks for pictures where the background isn’t set quite right and it looks like things are growing out of peoples heads. Who thinks about those kinda things??? He also looks for over lighting, under lighting, exposure, etc. He catches all the photo-technical junk that I would completely miss. In this arena, he is truly the peas to my carrots. And for that I’m grateful.

I digress.

So, soon to be father-in-law has graciously agreed to help us save some moolah by taking our engagement pictures for us. What are engagement pictures for anyway? The only use Boy and I could come up with was for the newspaper announcement. Why on earth pay $100-$300 for some guy to take pictures of us that we’re just going to use for a newspaper announcement?? It makes no sense. And so we’re not doing it (the pay the photographer part). The plan is to meet with future father-in-law sometime in the fall, when the leaves begin to change, and spend an hour or so taking pictures around Knoxville. Boy says “No” to matching outfits. Boo to him. This is a session I look forward to.

Recently, several photographers have asked me if I would like a “bridal session” with our photography package. When faced with this question, the only thing I can think of is that I would have to make sure my wedding dress was picked out and ready at least 2 weeks before the wedding in order for said bridal photo session to occur. Then I think, “I’m bound to get something on this dress during this photo shoot: makeup, hair product, beverage, etc. Should I risk it?? I know me. I know what messes I’m capable of. Isn’t this tempting fate? Maybe I should just pass on this.”

That’s when I found this website:

http://www.trashthedress.com

Fun… simple… beautiful

Crazy, sexy, cool (the picture… not the album)

This was the picture that started it all….. how could you NOT want a picture like this??

Last one. I want a picture like this.. only in my Blue shoes..

So apparently it’s the cool thing to do (you know me… I’m a sucker for cool). Brides don’t take a bridal portrait, but wait until after the big day to have a couples session with the photographer. The couple takes pictures in settings that they usually wouldn’t be in on their wedding day. These include, but are not limited to: grassy fields, water features, old run-down buildings, railroad tracks, sandy beaches, etc. These are all areas typically avoided due to the desire to keep ones wedding attire dry and clean.

After very little thought, I’ve decided that I’m all in. I had already knew that since my wedding dress would only be worn once in my lifetime, I wasn’t going to spend a slew of money on it. So I figure I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ll get two good wears out of the dress: once on the big day, and once on the day it gets to play in some fountain. Rob thinks it would be fun to have a few shots taken of us frolicking in the fountains at World’s Fair Park (see previous post about the Sunsphere, the picture shows some of the fountains), and I think that anything that will add some character to the wedding album is alright with me.

We have two more photographer interviews this week and two next week. I hope to find someone who’s as excited about the opportunity to help me “trash my dress” as I am about actually doing it.

So now the question is: Have I lost my mind? What happens if I find a dress that I love and for some reason can’t imagine “trashing” it? I mean… isn’t that what dry cleaners are for? Will I chicken out??

What lengths will I go to in order to have unique pictures in my wedding album?

Stay tuned.

S