Caleb + Makenzie :: Eklutna Lake Winter Engagement Session

Ahh what a fun day! We planned a fun little adventure activity for these two’s engagement session.

I met them at Eklutna Lake where we took some fun photos on the ice, slid around a bit more than we anticipated, did a little dance by the frozen lake and then headed to make a little campfire!

We were so close to getting it started, but the combination of the wind and both lighters freezing prevented the flames from getting going enough 😂 so we pivoted and they drank some coffee to warm up the fingers that were frozen at that point and cuddled in a blanket. The end of the session was half photo ideas and the other half just keeping warm haha!

Despite the foiled campfire attempt, we had sooo much fun and also ran into a cute puppy 😍 so all is well that ends well. Also, I just want to appreciate their awesome outfits. It is not an easy task to be warm and this fashionable at the same time so I applaud them 👏🏼

if you’re looking to have a little adventure for your engagement session, send me a message HERE or on instagram (click the photos below!)

Sam + Jerica :: Palmer Alaska Mountain Cabin Wedding

Sam + Jerica :: Palmer Alaska Mountain Cabin Wedding

Sam and Jerica were married at the gorgeous Sunderland Ranch in Palmer, AK on a perfect sunny day this past summer.

The morning was full of special moments as everyone got ready in the beautiful cabin. Jerica’s style was so simple and gorgeous, and she had the best crew of girls with her. Sam’s reaction when she walked down the aisle was perfect. Their ceremony was short and sweet, and the reception after was such a party. Also, I am obsessed with their little fishing cake topper! These two live life to the fullest, love each other fiercely and I feel so honored to have photographed their incredible wedding day.

I had the most difficult time narrowing down what images to share for this blog post but this will give you at least a taste of the day!

Venue: Sunderland Ranch

Makeup: Chance Droege

Hair: Raven’s Hair Studio

Gown: Anderson’s Bride

Florals: Cedar’s Wholesale Flowers, Champion Peonies

If you are getting married in Alaska and looking for a photographer that makes you feel comfortable, captures the beauty of your day and celebrates you as a couple, you can message me HERE or even shoot me a DM on instagram below to start chatting!

Jack + Allie :: Denali National Park Engagement

When Jack first contacted me saying that he and his girlfriend were flying to Alaska from New York and he was going to propose, I was SO excited. We hopped on the phone to discuss their travel plans and their destination engagement session in her dream location, Denali National Park! I knew exactly the spot to take them to - Savage River.

The weather pushed proposal plans but we made it work! Ben and I got up at 3am to drive to Denali to meet them for a 7am session before they drove straight to the airport to fly out of AK.

Denali was foggy and gorgeous - we felt like we were walking around in middle earth 😍 Her red dress was such an incredible pop of color in the moody mountain landscape.

Jack and Allie were infectiously happy, newly engaged, and an absolute delight to work with. I wish we would’ve had more time, but I am in LOVE with the images we created together! Scroll to the end to see what Jack and Allie had to say about their photos ♡

When I sent them their gallery, Jack texted back:

“Allie and I looked at these photos and they are just amazing!

We are blown away!

Thank you so much for the care and detailed work you do. The shoot was so much fun and and will always be in our memories.”

If you’re looking for this kind of experience for your destination engagement session, alaska engagement session, elopement, wedding - inquire here or send me a message on instagram!

how to elope in alaska

Okay guys, tell me if this speaks to you:

You’re engaged, and you’ve jumped headfirst into wedding planning. It’s becoming clear that there is way more to planning a wedding than you’ve thought. What’s more, you’re beginning to wonder if it’s worth it to plan a big party for people you don’t know super well (that’s a lot of people watching you walk down the aisle). You’ve heard someone mention eloping and the idea sounds fun but like -

where do you start? how do you elope? where should you elope? what do you do on an elopement day? how much does it cost to elope?

- valid questions. You’re going to want to keep reading.

A photographer friend and I were talking about how there are a lot of epic portraits from elopements swimming around the internet, but wouldn’t it be so cool if we could create something to give engaged couples an idea of what the start to finish of an elopement day would look like?

So we teamed up with some incredible vendors to not only give you an idea of what an elopement ceremony in Alaska in the winter could look like, but ALSO what vendors you could book, how much it would cost, what details you could include, and how the day could flow.

THAT BEING SAID. Scroll through the photos of Stephen & Alexa’s (9 year anniversary) elopement day 😉 and then check out the team and the details toward the end!

the day

getting ready

hair, makeup, the works! you can get ready with your fiancé if you like, or do it separately and preserve the element of surprise! there are no rules here (:

there are lots of incredible venues in alaska but if you’re looking to keep it super simple, finding yourself a cozy airbnb will NOT disappoint (and I can help you find one!). that’s what these two did! it was perfect for getting ready in the morning and then for their private dinner later!

details

writing vows

ceremony

the sky is the limit when you keep it simple. there are SO many beautiful places in alaska where you and your person can say your vows to each other! fields, oceans, mountains, rivers, streams, cabins - take your pick!

the ceremony set up for these two was so simple but stunning - the floral pieces and a blanket/rug to stand on! easy to transport but made it special.

portrait time

these two took shots off a hockey stick because that’s how they met in college 😉 how did you meet? when did you know you loved your person? include it in your day!

afternoon alyeska tram adventure

take your newly wedded selves on an adventure! take a tram to an amazing view, cozy up by the fire and play cards, take a drive to your favorite view, spend time with close family members if that’s how your day rolls, sing songs - take both of your favorite things to do together and make it happen. what better way to spend the afternoon?

dinner reception

there are so many options for your evening after the ceremony and photos! go out to a nice dinner, order your favorite takeout, have your wedding planner set you up with an Alaskan charcuterie board and magical candles, cut the cake (if you want one!), get pizza and go out for beers after - whatever makes your heart happy!

the team

The incredible team that made this day happen! (links are in italics):

Models: Stephen & Lex of The Hitched Hiker

Florist: Natasha of Paper Peony

HMUA: Liz of EBA907

Wedding Planner: Yvette of Wedding Creative Design

Cake: Anita of Midnight Sun Cakery

Gown: ASOS

Invitation Suite: Christine of Grey Meets Gold

Earrings: Akimbo

Photographer/organizers: Me & Theresa of Theresa McDonald Photography

Videographer (yes, there’s a video coming!!): Ben Struve of Rachel Struve Photography

Location/Venue: Airbnb in Girdwood, AK

“Reception” : Girdwood Brewing Co

the cost

I know that one of the reasons some couples choose to elope is because they have a smaller budget. If that’s you, great! A smaller budget CAN go a longer way with a smaller celebration, without losing out on the details that you’ve always dreamed of. (If you haven’t thought through your budget priorities, check out this blog post). If you’re looking for an idea of what an elopement like the one featured in this post could cost, look no further! (JK obviously, reach out to the vendors you want to work with because everyone’s prices are different).

Florals $400-$900

HMUA $140-$200

Wedding Planner $600-$1500 (depends on customization of services!)

Cake $170-$245

Gown: $300-$1200 (I know this is a wide range - everyone has different priorities! If you’re looking for gowns on the lower end, check my blog next week 😉)

Earrings $30-$50

Photography $2400-$3800

Videography $1400-$1900

Invitation Suite $300-$600

Location/Venue (Airbnb) $600-800

Pizza & Beer $50-$100

Overall, you could pull off a day like the one you just scrolled through for around 5-7k, depending on what you want included! Compare that to the cost of the average wedding folks - you are in GOOD shape for such an incredible and personal adventure.

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So there you have it! A full elopement DAY.

Now you can let your imagination run wild!

If this information was helpful for you, I would LOVE to hear from you. Shoot me a message on instagram! Or if you know someone that it could help, send it their way!

Thankful for you! Hope this rocks your socks off!

-Rachel

Aaron + Caroline :: Magical Anchorage Winter Engagement Session

What a FUN session. Caroline told me halfway through that she had never seen Aaron in a suit before and that made me feel super special 😂

We traveled up to Flattop/Glen Alps in Anchorage for a wintery engagement session! The sunshine was MAGICAL and these two looked incredible in their fancy first outfit 🔥 We moved quickly because it was chilly out (and Caroline was a boss on those heels) but still had a blast and got some beautiful, fun photographs that I’m still obsessing over.

Scroll through to see!!

Aaaand bam, outfit switch! When I was posing them for these next shots, I said “Okay, you wouldn’t usually do this in real life but it makes for great photos.” I proceeded to tell Aaron to give her a piggy back ride but also give it a little bounce - to which Caroline replied, “Oh we would totally do that in real life.” 😂 Which made it even more incredible hahaha.

Also - turns out that champagne doesn’t quite spray the same way in the winter, or at least it didn’t for these guys lol. Still made for some incredible photos, and a fun beverage to hold in their mugs!

Caroline went shopping for a blanket that day and could only find a tablecloth, which worked out perfectly for the photos - but when they sat down in the snow she was like “Oooooh this is definitely a thin table cloth and not a blanket” 😂

I also asked them to tell each other what made them most excited to be married to each other and she replied, “LIFE INSURANCE” immediately.

I cannot WAIT for these two’s intimate wedding this August!

Are you looking for a fun time and magical engagement photos?

Message me on instagram or inquire here - I’ve got you!

Wedding Day Timeline Tips

I once had a bride tell me, “I don’t even know where to start with my timeline.” If that’s you, I I got you! You’ve probably never planned a wedding before, but I have planned and photograph so many that I have a good grasp on how long things take and the general order. This blog post will help you visualize and prepare your wedding day timeline! Thinking about your timeline early on in the game will help streamline the rest of your planning process as well, so let’s get into it!

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This is how long each phase of an average wedding day generally takes, and a few things you should take into account when nailing down your timeline.

Getting Ready: Okay, estimate how much time you think you’ll need to get ready depending on the bride’s hair and makeup, and how many of the bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done as well (however long the bride and bridesmaids takes to get ready is usually plenty of time for the groom and groomsmen to get ready as well).

Got it?

Now - add a half hour at the beginning and the end, at least 😂 If you end up sitting around ready early, that’s awesome. You can chill or even get some additional portraits with the extra time! You would rather do that than be rushing if hair or makeup takes longer than expected.

Portraits:

Bride and Groom: I would recommend having at least 30 minutes blocked out for uninterupted bride and groom portrait time, whether it’s at the first look or later in the schedule. We might not even be taking photos the whole time - the goal is to take fun, beautiful, intimate portraits AND savor some alone time together away from the crazy of the day.

Wedding Party: Bridesmaid, Groomsmen, and full wedding party photos take about a half hour to run through! If these are a high priority to you and you want to get a little more creative, I would add 15 minutes to that.

Family: Because I’ll be working off of a list that we confirm before the wedding day and I work pretty quickly, family photos should only take 15-20 minutes (as long as everyone is present on time) so making sure everyone knows when and where they need to be will help us stick.

Sample Timelines

Here are a couple sample timelines of a typical wedding day if the ceremony was at 5pm! You can shift these times around your ceremony time.

*tip -sunset into consideration when picking your ceremony times (especially if you’re having an outdoor ceremony), as that will affect your portraits. Ask your photographer if you' need help figuring this part out!

Here is what a sample timeline with a first look would look like:

10:00am Start Getting Ready

12:00pm/1:00pm

2:15 Bride Get Dressed/Bridal Portraits

2:30 Leave for First Look

2:45 First Look

3:00 Bride and Groom Portraits

3:30 Wedding Party Portraits

4:00 Finish Photos/Return to Ceremony Venue

5:00 Ceremony

5:30/45 Family Portraits

6:00 Reception

<dinner, first dance, parent dances, toasts, dancing, cake cutting etc.>

9:00pm Send Off

Here is what a sample timeline without a first look would look like:

10:00/11:00am Start Getting Ready

12:00/1:00pm

2:30 Bride Get Dressed

3:00 Bride/Bridesmaid Portraits

3:30 Groom/Groomsmen Portraits

4:00 Finish Photos/Return to Ceremony Venue

5:00 Ceremony

5:30/45 Family Portraits

6:00 Cocktail Hour/Wedding Party Portraits

6:30 Bride and Groom Portraits

7:00 Reception

<dinner, first dance, parent dances, toasts, dancing, cake cutting etc.>

10:00 Send Off

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What's in My Bag: Recommended Equipment by Rachel Struve Photography

When I first started doing photography, I did a lot of googling, “What camera should I buy?” “What lens should I buy?” to try and figure out what camera equipment to invest in. There are so many options and I know it can be overwhelming!

So to save you hours of googling and get you pointed in the right direction, I’m going to share the gear that I’ve come to love and depend on. The bold words are links to the item! (I shoot Canon, but I am including some Nikon equivalents at the bottom of the page for those of you who want to go that route!)

CAMERA BODIES

Let’s start off with camera bodies! I currently shoot on two camera bodies, a Canon 5D Mark IV and a Canon R6. The R6 is my main camera that I use on a regular basis, and it’s my lead camera on wedding days (on wedding days, I have two cameras so that a) I can have two prime lenses at once and b) so that I have a backup in case something goes wrong with one of the cameras). The Mark IV has served me SO well (tbh, sometimes I miss it) but I’ll be upgrading her to a second R6 body for next wedding season!

If you are just starting out, I would recommend the Canon t7i. I learned how to shoot in manual on my Canon t2i (that makes me feel old guys) and if you’re into taking photos for fun, this is a perfect option. If you are looking for a full frame option and interested in photography as a career, the Canon 6D was my first full frame upgrade and I loved it! (Nikon equivalent of a Canon 6D at the bottom of the page!)

LENSES

Okay let’s talk lenses! I have two lenses that I shoot on a majority of the time, and they’re prime lenses. The difference between prime lenses and zoom lenses is prime lenses have a fixed focal length, whereas zoom lenses you can zoom in and out!

My go to lenses are the 35mm, 50mm, and the 85mm. The Sigma 35mm 1.4 is a dream! I love 35mms for capturing a wider scene such as a the wedding party or a couple in front of mountains. The 85mm is great for weddings when I want to get clear shots of the bride or groom without being up in their faces!

If you aren’t photographing weddings or can’t shell out the cash for one of the lenses I just mentioned, the Canon 50mm 1.8 or Canon 50mm 1.4 are a perfect first upgrade from a kit lens. I have a Sigma 50mm 1.4 that I LOVE. 50mms produce wonderfully sharp images, are great for low light and the depth of field (which creates bokeh/blurry backgrounds) is great for portraits especially.

If you are planning on photographing mainly landscapes, a Canon 24mm Lens would be a great investment for you - it’s a wide lens that will capture more of the scene!

Additional Gear

A couple other things I always have on me:

• Batteries/Charger. I use the basic Canon - I would 10/10 NOT recommend using off brand batteries, I had one as an extra once and accidentally popped it in my backup camera body. The camera started malfunctioning on a wedding day until my assistant switched the battery (which is why I have extras of batteries AND cameras). Save yourself the trouble and get the official battery for your camera body, whether it’s Canon or Nikon etc.

• SD cards - kind of a big deal! I mainly use SanDisk 64GB 128GB and SD cards and haven’t had any issues! As with any gear, I would make sure that you have fresh cards every year or two because the older the card is, the higher the chance for corruption. You’re going to want to make sure that they have the highest write speed possible so that your camera doesn’t have to pause to record images in between shots!

• Camera Harness - my sweet husband bought me a Coiro Harness for Christmas and it is the BEST on wedding days. I have one camera + lens setup on one side and the second on the other and I can use whichever I need at a moment’s notice! And it’s classy, which I love, cuz we like to serve looks on wedding days.

• Lens Cleaner Wipes- this lil guy clears up the glass on my lenses from when I photograph in somewhat adventurous conditions! Small investment to take care of a big investment 👌🏼

I hope this list helped point you in the right direction as you purchase gear! It’s a very brief dive into the wonderful world of camera equipment. To be open and honest with you as I always strive to be, if you purchase your gear from these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I would be so honored to be a part of your photography in that way!

If you have additional questions or just want to share your excitement about the equipment you decided to invest in, head over to instagram and shoot me a message 😍

love, Rach

Nikon Starter Camera - Nikon D3500

Good Nikon upgrade to full frame Camera - Nikon D750

Sigma 35mm for Nikon

Nikon 50mm 1.8

Alternative Fall Wedding Styled Session

I photographed Paige and TJ’s wedding a few years ago, and loved being able to hang out with them again for this autumn elopement styled session!

There is something so refreshing and inspiring about the changing colors of fall, and we fully embraced the dusk of the evening.

Don’t get me wrong… I am a huge fan of laughter and sunshine, but sometimes it’s so fun to bask in the more moody, artistic, expressive side of things. This styled shoot made me fall more in love (no pun intended) with the idea of non-traditional gowns! How beautiful and elegant is a black gown on an intimate wedding day?

Huge thank you to Prose Floral Studio for this beautiful Fall bouquet and to Solid Werks Jewelry for the gorgeous jewelry pieces!

Scott + Kari :: Adventurous Lakeside Wedding in Seward Alaska

Oh man. Where do I even being with this adventurous couple?!

Scott and Kari both work in healthcare and have been dating for about ten years. They took a full year to travel the world together, so to say they love adventure is an understatement.

Kari and Scott felt like the perfect fit, since I also love a good adventure! They got ready in cabins at the Renfrose Lakeside Retreat, and we followed them through the rain and the mud, and took portraits three different times. Though it rained during their ceremony, everyone grabbed their umbrellas and rolled with it with the best attitudes!

Oh, and before you keep scrolling, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Kari got her beautiful skirt off of Amazon… for only fifty dollars!

Ok, now you can continue scrolling to check out their amazing, adventurous day.

Brittany + Brandon :: Intimate Hatcher Pass Wedding

These two! Their joy was so contagious on their wedding day, it was incredible to witness.

Brittany and Brandon had initially planned for a big wedding, but experienced a change of plans due to COVID. However, that did NOT stop the happy couple from having the best day ever. Not only did the bride feel as though it was less stressful, but she also got to experience an intimate wedding at one of their favorite places… Hatcher Pass! The rain held off just long enough to capture the wedding day portraits they dreamed of.

Oh, and just wait until you see their send-off, in true Alaska style!

Chance + Caitlyn :: Intimate Whittier Alaska Beach Wedding

Personal opinion: rainy days wedding days make the best memories, and incredibly beautiful photos.

On a blustery Saturday in June, Chase and Caitlyn eloped on the beach in Whittier! We hiked out to a little cove for their gorgeous first look - Caitlyn changed into her gown in a little makeshift closet in the rocks - before heading back to their ceremony. If you want to hike on your day - the answer is always yes, and always worth it.

They celebrated with their family, a few close friends, and even their cute pup (if you’re wondering, yes, you should include your dogs in your wedding day).

Caitlyn chose The Teal Door AK to create her florals, including the most lovely and intricate flower crown. Keep scrolling to see the sweet and special moments of their day!

Looking to elope in Alaska and have photos like these?

Send me an inquiry and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours!

Nathan + Charity :: Intimate North Carolina Beach Wedding

Nathan and Charity had a beautiful, unique story and I was so honored to be a part of their wedding weekend.

Nathan’s family is in North Carolina, and Charity’s is in Korea. The two of them met in a missions program in New York City and after months of prayer and pursuing each other, decided to tie the knot! They had an intimate wedding in North Carolina that I was able to photograph, and a second one back in Korea. Incredible couple surrounded by incredible people.

Scroll through to enjoy the meaningful moments, special details, beautiful beach ceremony, and gorgeous couple!

Wedding Makeup 101

WEDDING MAKEUP 101

with Elizabeth from EB Artistry

What makeup should I wear for my wedding?

How do I choose my wedding makeup style?

How do I prep my skin for my wedding?

I’m not a makeup person - I don’t know where to start!

If any of those sentences sound like something you’ve said or googled recently, this blog post is for you!

I interviewed Liz from EB Artistry live on instagram, and she shared so much good information I had to turn it into a blog post for any of you that missed it.

Liz (first photo) and I (second photo) met at the very end of the wedding fair in January!

Here’s a quick recap of the live video answering questions (:

Liz’s Introduction:

I’ve been doing makeup professionally for 10 years! I’ve worked at a salon, doing hair, and also for MAC cosmetics in Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, and now Alaska. I started doing makeup for weddings specifically 5 years ago. At first I was scared but once I got into it, I LOVED it. And that’s when I started EB Artistry! 

I realized that makeup for weddings was so different and got specifically trained in airbrush. (Rachel: AIRBRUSH IS INCREDIBLE.)

Rachel’s Two Cents on makeup for when you’re being photographed : 

As a photographer, I generally tell my clients to just go a little bit darker, a little more dramatic than they usually would because it won’t be as dramatic in camera as it is in real life. 

I don’t think it’s because you aren’t already beautiful, or need to look like somebody different - makeup is just going to help your already lovely natural features show up the way that you see them in real life and help your eyes pop on camera. You’re adding depth to your face because the camera flattens natural depth.

Liz: Yes! The basic rule of thumb is to do your normal makeup but take it up a notch and focus on making your eyes pop!

Scroll down for the Q&A!

First steps for people who don’t usually do makeup:

1. Find a good makeup artist who will make you feel comfortable and help answer all your questions. 

2. Start with a good mascara and eyebrow powder.

3. For skin, especially if you aren’t ready to jump straight to foundation, find a good BB or CC cream (slightly heavier tinted moisturizer). Perfect for people who don’t wear a ton of makeup!

4. For WEDDINGS, airbrush hands down. It evens out your skin on camera, it’s super light and not cakey, feels like your own skin, lasts forever. Airbrush, airbrush, airbrush.

What should I be thinking through when trying to pick my makeup style? 

• People feel the most beautiful when they feel confident and comfortable and like themselves. 

• Go to the edge of your comfort zone. Find the balance where you feel comfortable but also like a special occasion. 

• Pinterest is honestly an incredible resource - bridal makeup look, natural bridal makeup, dramatic bridal makeup. 

• Based off of what you generally wear for like an everyday look, or your going out makeup look, let’s just go one step farther than that.

• Pump it up for that WOW factor but not so much that you don’t recognize yourself! Example: if you don’t usually wear winged eyeliner, don’t do a wing for your wedding look.

Is a wedding makeup trial important? 

Yes! Trials are SO important. Your trial is when you get to see not only how your makeup is going to look - did it stay all day, did it look like I thought it would on my face - but also, did my makeup artist show up on time? Listen to what I wanted and help bring it to life? Make me feel comfortable, taken care of, and beautiful? I also personally take care of payment and everything on your trial day if you want to, so that’s another big thing that you don’t have to worry about on or closer to your wedding day! 

What skin care routine do you suggest to prepare your skin? 

• The better shape your skin is in the less makeup you will need for sure! 

• DRINK. WATER. Cannot emphasize this enough. The minute you book your wedding date, start focusing on drinking half your body weight in ounces of water and even more if you’re working out. 

• Make an appointment with an esthetician to get more specific input on your type of skin!

• Do a masque (that you have done before - DON’T try anything new once you’ve hit 2 weeks out from your wedding!) the week or a few days before your wedding!

• Get your facial skin/eyebrows waxed! Go to someone you trust and do it a few days before the wedding. 

Final thought from Liz:

If you do your best with the preparation, your day is going to be so good.

Thanks so much to Liz for taking the time to give us all this helpful information. Share this with your bride friends (or anyone that needs skin care tips, honestly)! The next instagram live wedding vendor interview will be on the topic of wedding hair - come hangout on instagram if you want to watch and ask questions live! Rachel on Instagram

And if you have more questions for Liz, head over to her facebook page at ebartistry.com or instagram at @eba907 (:

Grant + Mary :: Alaska Styled Elopement

if you like alaska, mountains, gorgeous boho bridal gowns, and couples who are on top of the world when they’re together, you’re going to love these photos.

I’d been wanting to shoot something simple at blue hour for a while so I reached out to Mary and Grant (two humans dating each other) to see if they were down to do some elopement style photos with me! they were great sports and we had so much fun! (see photos, none of these were fake laughter).

they so kind at the end of the shoot - they told me that they usually feel super awkward in photos, but that I was good at directing and explaining what to do! I’m so pumped that they felt confident in my direction because it shows in these photos, doesn’t it?! like I said, so much fun.

huge thank you to Rachel at Bateau Bridal Boutique for fitting us into her busy schedule, helping us pick out the gown and the gorgeous hair accessory!

looking for a photographer you can trust to direct you so you can enjoy getting your photo taken? or hoping for a simple elopement in a setting like the one above? I can help with BOTH of those things.

click the button below to reach out!

Jared + Faith :: Sweet Pennsylvania Wedding

these guys, they’re just meant to be. beautiful inside and out.

one of the things I loved about Jared and Faith is they’re passionate about all the important things, and then some. I loved getting to know them during their engagement session and had been looking forward to their wedding day for months! these two are full of depth and genuine care for others - and each other. such a joy to be around!

on the vendor side of things, there was a lot of planning and preparation leading up to the day, and a LOT of running around and we loved every minute of it! we were fortunate to work alongside their incredible planner Anita Hatch, and we gave every phase of the day our 100% to give them the wedding day of their dreams AND the photos of their dreams. despite everything on the schedule the feel of the day was FUN and RELAXED. I’m so pumped to deliver these two their photos knowing that we were able to come alongside the rest of their team and give them the wedding day experience they deserved.

to the new Mr. & Mrs. Feister!

first 3 things to do after you get engaged! (hint: it's not your engagement session)

did the holidays leave you with a ring on your finger?!

ENJOY THAT BLISS. and when you’re ready to start planning, here are the FIRST 3 things that you should take care of (even BEFORE engagement photos!)

NUMBER ONE: P R I O R I T I Z E

what are the make-it-or-break-it items for you and your fiancé? is there a venue that is everything you’ve ever wanted? is there a gown the bride has had her heart set on for as long as she can remember? is it essential for the groom that there is a full course meal for the guests? a photo + video team that you connected with months before you got engaged? do you both love autumn more than any other season?

talk about how you want your wedding to feel and the elements you can’t imagine it without. these may change as you get further into the process and realize some things aren’t as important as you thought and others are, but it is SO helpful to have this framework to go back to. for example, my husband and I knew that our priorities were photography, location (venue), and intimacy (feel). we built everything else around that!

NUMBER TWO: B U D G E T

now that you have a good idea of your priorities (things you’re willing to spend the most on), start looking at your numbers. what’s the realistic amount you can and want to spend on your wedding? do you want to wait a bit to save up, or work with what you have? once you have a ballpark, start designating funds to each of your priorities and necessities. re-evaluate. do you need to move things around a bit, or did it land right in the sweet spot? it’s great to do this early in the process because then you aren’t too emotionally attached to one thing or the other! the sooner you have guidelines, the easier the decision making process is later.

NUMBER THREE: D A T E R A N G E

this is the part you probably already know! now that you know your priorities and your budget, you can decide on your date range! the reason I suggest have a date range or a date with a couple backup options is so that you have some flexibility when you start looking for vendors. a lot of vendors are booked up because of covid reschedules right now so you’ll have a better shot at working with the vendors of your dreams if you have options!

and of course…

the next step would be hiring your vendors! finding a location/venue is obviously a big deal, but finding a wedding planner or photographer is pretty up there as well! often, your planner or photographer can help you find a venue around their availability. stay tuned for my next blog post on things to look for when choosing your wedding photographer!

p.s. if you’re at the photographer stage now, message me and I can give you those details right away!

David + Deanna :: Simple Mountain Styled Elopement

David and Deanna spent the day with me back in April. We drove around getting ready for the shoot and then drove up to Flattop Mountain in Anchorage, where we entered into an unexpected blizzard that only added to the magic of the session. It was a collaboration between me and a few other vendors (listed at the end of the blog post) and I can’t thank everyone enough for contributing to this beauty!

These two weren’t able to have a professional photographer at their wedding, so I was honored to be able to take bride and groom style photos for them TEN YEARS and three children later. I can only hope to be as in love and good looking as they are after ten years married! We had so many beautiful moments where I could see them making eyes at each other, and it was a deep kind of best friendship and love that can only come from having weathered many years and adventures together.

So without further adieu, David and Deanna!

Gown and Hair Accessories: Anderson’s Bride https://www.andersonsbride.com

Florals: Tanya Val http://www.tanyaval.com

Hair: Crystal at Opal Hair https://www.instagram.com/opalhair_/

Makeup: Rachelle Enters

interested in your own anniversary session or elopement?

I’d love to help you make it a reality!

Alex + Jessie - Intimate Fall Wedding

Intimate Autumn Camp Wedding

I’m going to steal an instagram caption from one of the bridesmaids of this wedding to describe it.

Alex and Jessie: “We don’t really care about perfection.”

Alex and Jessie: *have literally perfect wedding*

these two had a simple but emotion filled wedding at Lacawac Sanctuary up near the Poconos Mountains. we carved out time for an intimate first look for them before heading down to their ceremony on the lake. everyone spent the rest of the evening enjoying incredible food (and CAKE, oh my) and incredible company. Alex and Jessie are intentional, kind, and above-and-beyond individuals - which makes them an incredible pair, and I am so honored to have been their photographer.

enjoy: the Padron wedding.

(p.s. see how they felt about their photos at the end of this post!)

“Rachel was everything we hoped for in a photographer. She was professional, calming, and super easy to get along with. She is amazing at working with the vibe you’re going for in the photos, while also imbedding her creative vision for each shot.

We wholeheartedly recommend her for anyone looking for a photographer!

-thank you for everything, these photos mean so much to us.”

if you are also looking for a professional, calming, creative photographer, message me here!

Josh & Kilina - Alyeska Resort Girdwood, Alaska First Look

Earlier this year, Kilina sent me a message saying that although she and her fiancé Josh were getting married out in Anchor Point, AK later that summer, she had always dreamed of doing a first look up the tram at Alyeska. I love first looks and I love Alyeska, so I was all in.

Josh is from New Jersey, and Kilina is from Alaska. The two of them met at school in South Carolina where they returned after their wedding as Josh pursues a medical career!

I can tell from their interactions during our session that these two are going to be amazing life partners for each other. They’re a wonderful mix of laughter, confidence, and tenderness. Thanks for riding the tram with me you two!

we were trying to catch the run of the tram so we got ready on the way!

we also had no blindfold so we improvised with Kilina’s leggings. LOL. so good.

Josh had written Kilina a letter to read to her as a surprise. I didn’t hear what it said, but it made me emotional watching them.

when I asked them to dip, they started laughing and said “we just practiced this yesterday!”

Alyeska is so beautiful, and I love it even more in the rain to be honest.

I could NOT get over her skirt draped the bench!

I’ve never done a first look session before, but obviously, I loved it. If you want to do a first look, day before, or day after your wedding session, contact me! I also love riding the tram at Alyeska, so hit me up for that too. (: