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.

      At first I was going through a slew of engagement sessions with the idea that each would have their own blog post, Although that is certainly the direction I am heading, to not completely take over my blog I've decided to combine them in this blog. I have to say, each session brings such a new light to my fire. When it comes down to it, I never run the risk of two engagement sessions ever looking the same because the people are so different, the relationships so fine-tuned, each love is so unique. I've had couples bring signs, balloons, chalk boards, iPads, books, letters, bibles, chairs, charms and jewelry and so many other things that just add their own touch to each session. I recently had a couple wear their scrubs (how awesome is that?!) because they are both going into nursing. My point is, it means so much to me to create something timeless and forever special to each of these couples. It means even more to me to see the progression of their love from the time I meet them, to their engagement session, to their wedding day (and sometimes 1 year anniversaries). The transformation and growth is so beautiful, I swear it is my favorite part of my job. 

Katie and Jon were such a fun, young and absolutely awesome couple! When they came to me for engagements and their wedding later this fall, not only was I completely ecstatic, but after this session with them I know their day is going to rock and be full of fun. :)

Juan and Marcela found me last minute, in fact- they called me just a couple hours before our shoot. The best part? It was even rainy, and we still killed this shoot. I felt so much energy in them, and the shoot in general. They've been together for years, and are tying the knot this year. I think it's very smart and respectable when couples wait a few years to get married rather than rush into anything. I'm sure they will have a blessed and fabulous marriage, as they both were beautiful, kind people. 

Jacey and Jake have been married for one year, so they decided to do some 1 year anniversary photos, and conveniently knock out their christmas card photo, too. I loved this session... Not only because I think these are two beautiful people inside and out, but because Jacey isn't usually affectionate, but you can see their love in their body language. I'll let you decide. 

One of those days where I want to post an individual blog for all of my recent shoots, but instead I'll share some favorites from a few, at once. Enjoy! 

Brittney and her fiance found me through my website here, (woo!) and I am so delighted that I was able to complete their engagement session in preparation for their wedding day next spring. The session went on at Lake Hefner, where Kevin originally proposed, so it was the perfect spot at sunset for the shoot.