Engagement pics pre-engagement...yes, this happened

My sweet blogettes :)

A couple weeks before the East Coast Main Squeeze and I jetted off to Italy (and got engaged!), we had a super fun shoot with my dear friends over at Booth Photographics.  Stephanie and Stephen are the cutest married couple like...ever...and their love for one another is reflected in their art.  With this shoot, they captured Brent and I perfectly.  They know how to bring out the giggles, the sweet smiles, and the overall lovey-dovey-ness in all of us.  Brent and I felt so natural around them, and they guided our shoot with natural poses, not those artificial "put your hands here...look this way..." type of direction.

You can probably see for yourself, Brent and I are head-over-heels for this wedding photography duo! To Stephanie and Stephen, thank you.  Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world.  You are an amazing blessing...not only with friendship, but also as fellow wedding industry peeps (yes, peeps).

And yes, this shoot was absolutely my excuse to wear a pretty floral headpiece, tulle, and red lipstick. What more can a girl ask for? (plus that sweet hunk of eye candy next to me? Not too shabby of a day...)

Also, for the record: These were not intended to be pre-engagement pictures, but as you can imagine, they led to a lot of questions and suspicions... ;)

8 Tips on How to De-Stress During Wedding Planning

1. Accept the fact that you are stressed. First, understand that it is unavoidable to be stressed while planning a wedding. Next, force yourself to relax. Do things that you enjoy and let yourself think of other things that do not involve planning your wedding.
2. Make a list of your top priorities. Organize everything that you are stressed about and focus on what is important! Don’t get caught up in the little details, instead make a list with your fiancé of what is really important to the two of you and focus on that.
3. Ask for help. Never forget that your family and friends are always there to help you out! So, reach out and ask for their help. Whether you need a coffee date to distress or your best friend’s opinion on flowers. No matter what they will be happy to make things a little easier for you.
4. Schedule a no wedding night: Don’t let planning the wedding stop the two of you from doing what you love. Either once a week, or once every two weeks have a night where neither of you plan nor talk about the wedding. Go out and do something special together that does not involve the wedding.
5. Remember why you fell in love. Don’t forget the reason why you are planning this wedding; you are in love. Think back to the first date that you two shared and focus on what is good in your relationship.
6. Dream about the future. Remember the reason why the two of you are planning this wedding; to spend the rest of your life together! So, dream about the future the two of you will share.
7. Remember to laugh. Understand that everything is not going to go perfectly, so you might as well enjoy planning your wedding. Try to enjoy every day and the surprises it offers.
8. Find something you are passionate about. Whether it is running, yoga, or even reading a book, find something that you will look forward to doing every day and no one can stop you from doing it.