We all know that although weddings are a cherished and wonderful event in two lovebirds (and their families!) lives, they are expensive. That being said, you can certainly make a wedding "cheap," but sadly the day of results reflect from being cheap in a negative way. Everyone has heard of nightmare vendors, venues, and various other things going wrong on wedding days. My advice? Take a deep breath, keep calm, find something to laugh at- and use vendors you can trust. 
      Having interned with Ryan Brenizer at www.ryanbrenizer.com who was named one of theTop 10 Wedding Photographers in the World I am confident shooting every flavor of wedding, any season, lighting condition, or whatever the weather throws at us that day. My number one concern? That the wedding day is as smoooooth and blissful as possible. How do I achieve this? Being efficient, organized, prepared- and most of all- having experience through my college degree, internships, and my own business. All I want is a happy Bride, happy families, and happy guests.
 
Enough with that, you came here for a FREE wedding. So lets get started...


...Some Important Details and Rules

- Couples may enter from now thru Midnight on Monday, June 24th. 


-To be eligible the couple engaged to be married must have a wedding date between August 2013-September 2014- and Valerie Sebestyen must be FREE on that date. 


-You must be O.K. with your photo being shared. Currently booked couples are not eligible. 


- The contest will be run through an album from my Valerie Sebestyen Photography Facebook Page.
 
- The couple whose photo receives the most likes will win 5 hours of Free Wedding Coverage. If they wish to add on additional hours, or sessions, they may do so at normal costs. 


-The couple who receives the 2nd number of most likes will receive $400 off of an wedding package of their choice if they wish, and the couple who receives the 3rd most likes will receive $200 off of any wedding package of their choice, if they wish. 


- If the wedding is 20 miles outside of the OKC Metro , travel fees will apply at .55 cents per mile, or a flight/gas money if the wedding is out of state. (Yes, this is open OUTSIDE of Oklahoma) 


-The winning couple must sign a simple contract saying they agree to the terms, and Valerie is alllll theirs on the wedding day.   

- Voting will begins Tuesday June 25th and end Monday July 1st at Midnight. 


  

1. Like the Valerie Sebestyen Photography Facebook Page

Why? Well, for starters I post every session (that is allowed to be public) on there. 
Secondly, it is how the contest is run!
It is where all details and specifics will be updated, and where the voting will occur.  

2. Share the contest...

...and this page to as many friends and family for votes!
Tell them what this means to you, and make sure they know to share it, too.

3. Click on the Photo
 
of the couple you want and "LIKE" their photo 

My apologies to my poorly updated blog! That being said- may no love be left behind so I'm attempting to catch up from last year ;) 
This entire post will focus on Engagement Sessions! I will be spreading out all of my fall to spring engagement sessions in multiple posts, so here is just the first. :) 

One thing I hate about engagement sessions that I see online is how uncomfortable the guy looks. Half the time they almost seem like they are in pain or something. That being said, I know it is unavoidable and most every guy that comes to an engagement session has the mindset of "getting it over with." I think it is my favorite thing to flip that. I wouldn't see it as a challenge, it isn't as though they're trying to be devious or spite their fiance, they just feel uncomfortable and they don't know me. Plus, cameras are pointing at them and photographers say cheesy things and when it all adds up- lets face it, it really is a nightmare for guys.

So when I shoot an engagement session- I treat my couples like the real people that they are. I want to create a comfortable environment where they feel comfortable making jokes and being themselves. 

I try to always make jokes that catch the couple off guard... generally ending up in the guys laughing, and the girls either worried or give a nice sassy face. My first concern is always getting the guy to trust me that I won't make him feel awkward, girly, or mechanic. Not only is it fun to get to know the couples a bit deeper in their personality before shooting their wedding. 

I also really love when couples bring creative things to sessions, but I understand that can be difficult to come up with. Especially if you or your honey aren't the most creative savvy people. Sometimes people are so unsure of what to even bring, and don't want to do what anyone else is doing. For that I always tell couples that this session is completely about *them*. 

Think about you and your fiance, are you crazy about your pets? Sports? Rival teams? Do you have a snack like Oreos and milk that you both adore? What about any hobbies together, or separately? Are either of you lovers of tea, cupcakes, coffee, or ice cream? What about board games? Wine? Traditional picnic? Biking? Rollerblading? The list goes on and on, and I adore helping my brides find the right location and "props" to match their love.

 Jessie and Brandon's wedding at the History Center was absolutely beautiful. Jessie was so sweet and Brandon's love for her was so apparent. I love seeing couples that are genuinely so tender and loving to one another and their families. 

I remember when I first met Lauren the first day of Leaders of Tomorrow Retreat. She was in an older class, and I was an incoming wee freshman. She was intimidating, beautiful, and opinionated. I thought she hated me, but I was determined to get to know her because you could tell that behind that tough demeanor and ability to stand up for herself, there was a kind, generous, and giving heart in her. You can see it in her eyes, and her smile. Years down the road when she came to me to trust her with such a task as her wedding- I was honored and shocked. I knew Lauren better now, that she is a perfectionist, hard worker, and nothing can get in her way of creating or doing something how she envisions it in her mind. She's one of the most determined, strong-willed, and beautiful Woman I know.

Virginia and Justin are two quirky lovebirds that are just awesome beyond words. They are down with getting funky and creative, and their love for one another is just something so tenderly playful... it was beyond adorable.