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North Central Wisconsin Senior & Portrait Photographers James & Katie Stokes Located in Medford, Wisconsin // Wedding    

Tag Archives: Wedding

4 Ways a Wedding Planner Can Help You Save Money

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February 26, 2019

/ James Stokes

Do you think you can control your marriage expenses and stay within budget if you plan your wedding by yourself? Katie and I got married on a shoestring budget over 10 years ago. While we weren’t in school at the time, balancing life while planning a wedding can be challenging to say the least. We recall having to write checks to vendors the next morning with money we were gifted at our wedding. While we had the help of our family, much of the responsibility was on us. If we could go back and do it all again and plan our dream wedding, without a doubt, we would hire a wedding planner.

Over the years we have worked with some of the most talented wedding planners and event stylists right here in Wisconsin.

  • Sash & Bow Event Planning – Green Bay 
  • Et Voila – Events – Stevens Point
  • Kase Styles – Wausau 
  • Green Bee Floral & Design – Medford 

As photographers, we know that a wedding day well planned will allow us to do our best work and deliver the highest quality images possible. Time is the most valuable resource on a wedding day and planners not only make the day look incredible but help you be able to relax and just enjoy the day as it unfolds, knowing that someone totally has your back. Mom’s are great, but we want them to enjoy the day too!

Gree Bee Floral Designs

A professional wedding planner can help take a huge weight off you and your partner and also help you save money.
Here are 4 ways a wedding planner can help you save money:

#1. Negotiation Skills
Wedding planners have been in the business for a while. Through experience, they know the best of vendors and have the necessary skills to negotiate with them. When you hire them, they will use their network and negotiation skills to get what you want at a price you could’ve only dreamt of.

Planners have built relationships that allow them to couple services and save you money. For instance, we work with planners to deliver both wedding video & Photography services. They often will help with contact, contracts, and invoices to ensure you’re well taken care of. They also work with florists to ensure your vision comes to life. Special thanks to Green Bee Floral and Design for allowing us to capture her creations and designs during this styled shoot. Check out the wedding video! 

#2. Realistic Budget Planning
You may have meticulously planned your wedding budget, but is it realistic? Have you prioritized the items and allocated funds accordingly? A good wedding planner by your side scrutinizes the budget and advises you on:

  • What you should be spending?
  • What you should be cost-cutting?
  • What you can do without?

Thus, helping you make the most out of your budget. Full Coordinator services we believe are the way to go. From scheduling to conceptualization, design, logistics, and more having someone’s feedback and professionalism every step of the way is a must if it can fit in your budget. Ask planners for examples of ways they helped save couples money in the past.

#3. Less Time off from Work
Hiring a wedding planner means you don’t have to take time off from work to plan your wedding. This also means that you’ll have no or less unpaid leave and more holidays to spend on your honeymoon. While many of our couples are either finishing up graduate school or working full-time, most are living outside of the area in which their wedding is taking place. This can really be tricky in planning vendor consults etc. Giving full creative freedom to your wedding planner will streamline your communication with just one individual instead of having to juggle conversations with dozens of individuals and businesses. In the past, we suggested task management software like ASANA and using a brand new email address set up for after your wedding. Similarly, a separate checking account that is linked to both parties personal checking. This can then become your joint checking account after your wedding. We use MINT to help us track our personal expenses.

#4. Cost You Less on the Emotional Front
Planning a wedding is a full-time gig. Comparing the prices and services, searching for a perfect venue, interviewing the vendors, making a to-do list, etc. take up most of your time. Everyone is different, we get it, but if you’re like us, you like simple and stress-free. No wedding is without a few stressors, but mitigating as much of it as possible should be one’s goal from the very beginning. How can you have one heck of a party that doesn’t lose all of its allure before the big day arrives? We’re a big fan of short engagements, so if you’re engaged and thinking of having a wedding two years from now, reconsider. Move things up! At the end of the day, what matters is that you marry your soulmate and of course you have beautiful photos and video to help remind you for decades to come!

A wedding planner frees you up from all your wedding planning responsibilities, thus leaving you less worried and stressed.
Although a wedding budget and your wedding planner will help you save money, they cannot guarantee the last-minute costs that may crop up during the final days leading up to the wedding. So, the best thing to do is keep an emergency fund ready to accommodate these last-minute surprises.

For Brides, Uncategorized, Wedding / Bohemian, Florals, Indoor, Sponsored, Styled Shoot, Wedding / Comment

Fall Wedding Season Preparations

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October 31, 2018

/ James Stokes

With summer officially drawing to an end, fall wedding season is in full swing!  What better backdrop this time of year than Wisconsin? With stunning foliage and a crispness in the air, you’re sure to have the best day ever.  However, it’s important to keep in mind that planning a wedding takes more time and effort than what’s seen on the surface. From selecting a venue to choosing a caterer and finding a photographer that best fits your needs, the amount of work and time you invest in preparing for your big day can feel endless.  It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of planning and forget how essential it is to practice self-care during this time.  The last thing you want to be feeling on your wedding day is stressed out or sleep-deprived. Keep reading below for a few tips to help ensure your fall wedding is the picturesque day you always imagined it to be!  

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

When temperatures begin to drop, your skin can experience major change. Perfecting the wedding glow takes some preparation. During the summer, you want to use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Quite the opposite when the weather gets colder. According to Allure, opp for a heftier hydrator that will help replace the essential fatty acids that need to be there to help replenish your face.

 

A Smile Can Change The World

The onset of fall tends to largely impact our immune systems. A weakened immune system may leave the body prone to disease or viruses.  These diseases can attack both internally and externally which is why it is also essential to maintain our oral health in order to look and feel your best. You may also want to consider doubling up your dosage of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and fruits and vegetables, to ensure your body is strong enough to fight off any unwanted sickness. Establish a routine early on and your smile will be dazzling come your big day!

Wisconsin Wedding & Portrait Photographer Couples with Dogs Film-Style Images

 

R-E-L-A-X

There is nothing better than taking time out for yourself to get some R&R. Especially in the fall, cozying up on the couch with a pumpkin spiced latte in your hand and an apple cider candle burning, will have you well on your way to clearer thoughts and better sleep. If you want to take your meditations to the next level, Healthline recommends using these smartphone meditation apps. In no time at all, you will be well on your way to improving your mindfulness. With so many decisions, from personal to financial, being made leading up to your wedding, you want to be in a clear headspace to be sure you’re making the right choices for your big day.

Fall Couple Photos in woods with dogs and campfire

 

Uncategorized / Fall, For Couples, Prep, Wedding / Comment

Utah Bride Western Wedding Inspiration

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December 20, 2016

/ James Stokes

Antler Bouquets Silk and Willow Antler Bouqets Utah Bride

Wedding / Anterls, Deer, Editorial, Horses, Rustic, Silk and Willow, Styled, Utah, Wedding, Western / Comment

The Wedding Guest Style Guide

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October 23, 2016

/ James Stokes

From the minute the wedding invitation meets your hands, there is much excitement leading up to the event. There aren’t many people who can say they don’t enjoy attending a wedding, but there may be many who don’t enjoy figuring out what to wear to the wedding. Most couples provide all of the details you need to know in the invitation but forget to add the dress code. This can sometimes cause a bit of confusion for you as the guest. In this article, we come to the rescue with a few great wedding guest style tips to help guests decide what to wear and to help brides come up with a good dress code for her wedding invite.

The Black Tux is a snazzy online store that offers a stylish collection of modern formal wear for the men in your life. They have shared with us their wedding guest style guide for both men and women. This guide is a great tool for both brides coming up with a dress code to suit their wedding, as well as guests who aren’t too sure of what to wear.

Wedding style guide for guests
Now that you are familiar with the various dress styles and dress codes that apply to weddings, here are a few dress etiquette tips for you to take into consideration when planning your outfit for that special wedding.

The age old universal rules of dress etiquette still apply today. These would include:

Don’t wear white or any other shade that is close to white, that is reserved for the bride ONLY.

Don’t wear anything too short or revealing.

Don’t wear anything in the same color as the wedding colors, that is reserved for the bridal party and family only.

Look respectable no matter what your personal style may be.

Some of these rules have changed over time and continue to change as weddings take on a variety of different themes in some less than traditional locations. A great general rule wold be to stick to the dress code if you have been given one. If you haven’t been given a dress code in the wedding invitation, here are a few things to bare in mind when looking for an appropriate outfit:

Dress for the season and location. If you know it will be an outdoor wedding, be sure to choose your shoes wisely ladies.

Dress comfortably, you want to enjoy the reception dancing up a storm to your favorite song, even if this means bringing along a change of shoes.

Be respectful of the bridal couple and their family, if you know they wouldn’t approve of your outfit, then don’t wear it.

Coordinate with your date. You are sure to be the couple who turn heads in complementing colors and patterns.

If you are still in doubt and can’t decide what to wear, rather choose to overdress than underdress. It’s much better to be the only man with a tie, rather than the only one without.

Rustic groom - farm wedding inspiration - James Stokes

016-munson-bride-winery-outdoor-yard-wedding-farm-venues-wisconsin-james-stokes-photogrpahy www.james-stokes.com | James Stokes Photography, LLC - Country groom dressed in khaki - Wisconsin wedding photographer kewaunee-wisconsin-wedding-photographers-25 15-Northern-Wisconsin-Lake-Side-Wedding-James-Stokes-Photography Country Groom wedding day suit

 

 

 

Uncategorized / Attire, Guests, Guide, Lifestyle, Men's Wear, Style guide, Wedding, Wedding guest / Comment

Kyle & Jeanie | Stevens Point Lake Themed Wedding

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July 2, 2016

/ James Stokes

01_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 02_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 03_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 04_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 05_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 06_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 07_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 08_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 09_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 10_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Venues 11_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Lake-Themed-Wedding 12_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Lake-Themed-Wedding 13_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Lake-Themed-Wedding 14_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Lake-Themed-Wedding 15_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 16_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 17_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 18_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 19_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 20_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 21_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 22_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 23_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 24_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 25_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 26_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 27_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 28_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 29_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 30_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-Photos-by-Lake 31_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 32_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 33_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 34_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 35_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 36_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 37_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 38_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 39_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 40_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos 41_Stevens-Point-Wisconsin-Wedding-at-Holiday-Inn-Photos

Wedding / Central Wisconsin, Church, Classic, Holiday Inn, Lake Theme, Stevens Point, Wedding / Comment

Published! Huffington Post – Project Wedding – Bride Online – Budget Savvy Bride

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March 18, 2016

/ James Stokes

01-Published-Wisconsin-Photographers-James-Stokes Wisconsin Photographers 03-Published-Wisconsin-Photographers-James-Stokes Project Wedding Press

Press / DIY, Newborn, Press, Wedding, Winter / 1 Comment

2015

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January 13, 2016

/ James Stokes

Wisconsin Wedding Photographer Candid Lifestyle Weddings

2015 was a blur. Filled with fleeting moments like these. Looking over our past year in work it is hard not to break into song… 525600 minutes. RENT fans know what I’m talking about. “How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?” For those of you who now have that song stuck in your head, you’re welcome! Anyway, I find that question both haunting and challenging at the same time. Time is the universal currency and it is in limited supply. A concept Mr. J. Timberlake helped me grasp thanks to his movie “In Time.” Side note: If you haven’t figured out that Katie and I are movie buffs, well, we are! What else do you do during late night Lightroom marathons?

Putting this post together is never easy; life is messy and it’s filled with ugly crying, but also belly laughing with pig snorts. Those are my personal favorites. My life, had it been captured to the degree we capture a wedding day, would be filled with candid raw emotion and a full toddler tantrums to boot.

When we pull our digital shoebox out 20 years from now, we want to cry, laugh, and then cry some more – all the while seeing the beauty that is in the chaos – the imperfection, those in between moments. We will ask, “where did the time go?” as we look into each other’s now middle aged faces, filled with more laugh lines I hope. I know I will wish we could go back to in time, yet we know the best is still ahead. I wonder what advice my older self would give to me now. What things will matter then?

The beauty is truly in the journey, not the destination and your wedding is one day of adventure you’ll want to remember for the rest of your life! Katie and I have a total of 40 images from our wedding in 2007. We have one on display in our home. Our goal, our passion, is to capture a wedding like it was our own and treat every couple as if it was us. Our style is James & Katie; it is what we would want had we the opportunity to do it all over again, we wouldn’t but we joke about it.

I can tell you that we were concerned with things that now we laugh about. I wish we had spent more time together and less time worrying. It all turned out and after 8 years of marriage we’re still figuring things out, we don’t have it all together, but we have each other. That makes everything worth it and we wouldn’t change a thing.

Happy 2016! We have so much to be grateful for. Live a #LifeRevered.

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Wedding / 2015, Black and White, Cabin, Candid, Central Wisconsin, Documentary, Dogs, Lake, Northern Wisconsin, Wedding, Wedding Reception / Comment

Published! The Knot

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November 17, 2015

/ James Stokes

Enchanted Barn Wedding Photographers Enchanted Barn Wedding Photographers Enchanted Barn Wedding Photographers

Press, Wedding / Barn, Barn Wedding, Enchanted Barn, Press, Published, Rustic, Wedding, Wisconsin / Comment

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