Wedding Tip Collab: Fitness with Jae at Team Gym Hero
Wedding planning can be a super stressful time. There are a million balls in the air and juggling them all is tedious and often daunting. I know one thing that helped me stay focused and centered, when I was planning my wedding, was daily exercise. Aaaaand it has the added benefit of helping you look smokin’ in your wedding dress!
I wish I had had a coach to help me workout from my tiny apartment in NYC while I was wedding prepping. Jae Mahr from Team Gym Hero is a fitness and nutrition coach that I have used to shed some baby weight and she is fantastic. She’s motivating and real and gives clear cut instructions on how to maximize your workouts so you get the most out of your time. Because that’s what most of us don’t have, time.
Today’s Move: squat into shoulder press
What is works: legs, butt, core and shoulders (ultimate move for that figure hugging strapless mermaid gown!).
Jae’s helpful tips: Keep your knees aligned with your feet. You should always be able to see your shoe laces!
Jae knows how to keep you looking natural and flawless without bulk (or with!). You can sign up for Jae’s online fitness and nutrition classes online here. And keep up with her on the regular by following her on instagram!
And a special shout out to Melissa for the bomb hair and makeup! Check out her instagram for tips too!
Ashley & Austin: Wedding at Four Seasons
Ashley and Austin had one of the most vibrant weddings that I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. And the day really exemplified their personalities: joyful, bright, full of life. The wedding was small with their closest friends and family coming from out of town to celebrate the gorgeous fall day in Las Vegas. You can tell these two families, joining into one, are so supportive. I think that’s one of the more important parts of a marriage, having a whole barrage of people around you rooting for you 100%. And Ashley and Austin have that.
One of my favorite elements of the day were the giant balloons that the attendants carried down the aisle. So fun and completely unexpected! Plus during the ceremony Ashley, Austin and Austin’s daughter, Skylar, tied together and released as a sign of their family joining. It was beautiful to watch. A huge congratulations to Ashley and Austin!
Ceremony and Reception: Four Seasons Mesquite Room Terrace
Florals and Decor: Layers of Lovely
Cake: Four Seasons
Casey & Chris: Married at the Platinum Hotel Las Vegas
I have to say it is so so rare to have a couple become true friends. When I met Casey and Chris in 2013 I was flabbergasted with how quickly they said “yes” to having me as their photographer. Chris is a cinematographer so I knew I had my work cut out for me. He flipped through two spreads of an album and closed it and said, “your hired. what can I get you to drink?” Casey and I smiled and that was that!
What followed in the year leading up to their wedding was a friendship with Casey and Chris. Casey is a life coach so her positivity and motivation to pursue your best life are always present. What was so amazing about that year leading up to the wedding was her daily sharing of love and gratitude on Facebook. Each day I looked forward to her sharing a special person or thing that meant something to her. I learned so much about her from those posts and really came to know her.
When it came time for the actual wedding day I felt like I was photographing a friend, and that’s how I like it! One of the most special moments of the wedding (besides the amazing first kiss with their daughter looking on with baited breath) was the moment that Casey toasted me. It meant so very much to me. I was definitely weeping behind my camera. I’m so grateful for my job because without it I wouldn’t have so many friends all over the world. Here’s to celebrating love all year long!
Congratulations to my friends, Casey and Chris! Can’t wait to see you again soon!
Vendors:
Venue: Platinum Hotel
Hair & Makeup: Your Beauty Call
Officiant: Peachy Keen Unions
Day of Coordination: Faithfully Yours
Caricature Artist: The Girl Who Drew You
Floral: Naakiti Floral Design
DJ: DJ Harry O
Clayton & Atashia: Wedding at St. Francis of Assisi & Revere Golf Club
One of the most embarrassing things that I do is my “Megan dance.” This dance consists of a Superstar-esque hands making the rounds in the air like I just don’t care. And I really don’t. Because being ridiculous is part of who I am. My husband makes fun of me every time I do this dance in the car, at home, during concerts, or when an event calls for such a celebration. We didn’t dance at our wedding for obvious reasons.
It’s these flaws that make me super jealous of people that have skills. And Clayton and Atashia are two such people with skills in dancing. And together they are the perfect partners. Dancing while getting ready, dancing down the aisle after getting hitched, dancing with the bridal party during photos, dancing for the first time as husband and wife, dancing with their father and mother, and finally dancing the night away to celebrate the beginning of this most joyful and dancy party of life. Marriage.
Claytashia’s friends and family made the day even better for the two of them. Orchestrating the entire day to run smoothly for this most deserving couple. Family is top priority for these two and it’s clear that they’ve made their friends family too. As you look through the photos please note the absolute perfection that is the Atashia’s veil during the wedding ceremony and first kiss with Clayton. Skye, made of honor of the century, readjusted Atashia’s veil after every single movement and portion of the beautiful Catholic ceremony. It was a beautiful testament to the loyalty, love, and commitment that Clayton and Atashia have surrounding them. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and be part of.
Congratulations, Claytashia! Here’s to decades of dancing!
Vendors:
Ceremony: St. Francis of Assisi
Reception: Revere Golf Club
Bridal Gown: Couture Brides Vera Wang
Groom’s Attire: Zara Man
Bridesmaid Gowns: Alfred Angelo and Bella Bridesmaid
Hair and Makeup: One Luv Agency
Wedding Cake: Cravin’ Cake
Floral: Springtime Floral
Atashia & Clayton: Engagements at Sunset Park Las Vegas
It’s not everyday that you get to photograph a couple of high school sweethearts. When I first got an email Clayton and Atashia (or as they affectionately call themselves “Claytashia”) I was smitten. First, they are seriously stunning people, second they are devoted to each other completely, and third the are fun-tastic.
Clayton told me he had been hunting for four months for a photographer that fit their aesthetic. It’s always an honor when a couple chooses me to capture their love but when they tell me they’ve been hunting and hunting and chose me it is really something special. Clayton is a stylist for Zappos.com so his style is very clear.
I think Sunset Park in Las Vegas is very underrated. It’s not used a whole bunch because it’s surrounded by the airport and strip malls. The things people overlook are the amazing mature trees and gnarled branches. They make for some serious leading lines. And despite getting in the way of some frisbee golf a few times it was a total success!
Check back for their wedding later this week!
Casey & Chris: Engagements at Las Vegas Container Park
Casey and Chris have been together for many many years, and they’ve known each other for even longer. They have a darling eight-year-old daughter together and run a marina in Eastern Canada. Casey is a brilliant life coach and Chris has spent his entire life in the film industry with the rest of his family. They have a long legacy of artists and technicians in his family. When Casey told me this before our scheduled meet up before they booked me for their wedding I was fairly intimidated. It’s hard to feel worthy to be chosen by such people. I brought my iPad stocked with recent weddings. As I handed over the iPad for Chris to take a look at he swiped three times, sat back and said, “you’re hired.”
I was flabbergasted!
Casey and Chris came back out a couple times before the wedding for various industry events and on their final visit before the wedding we went down to the Container Park and toured around downtown Las Vegas (which has gotten so awesome the last year!) and explored. What is most handy about having a longtime cinematographer as your groom? He knows his light! I loved how he kept turning the two of them so Casey was in the best light for every photo. It was so sweet. I can’t wait to share their beautiful and touching wedding next week. I totally cried!
Love to you both!
Hair and makeup by: Your Beauty Call