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Riverfront Park Engagement Session with NJ Transplants, Emily and Ryan

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

Emily and Ryan moved to Columbia, SC last July, about a month after they got engaged!  They said the heat is pretty intense (Columbia isn’t known as “Famously Hot” for nothing), but they are loving their lives here in the Palmetto State.  Emily and Ryan love the many water activities we have in South Carolina, and wanted to incorporate that into their engagement session, so we headed down to the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park to enjoy the gorgeous Congaree River views near sunset.

engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography engagement session at Cayce Riverwalk in Columbia, SC engagement photography

The old water plant from 1820 serves as a great piece of SC history, and makes a great backdrop with its huge red door and brick walkways and steps. The Congaree River right behind the water plant was just gorgeous, reflecting the early evening sunlight in Emily and Ryan’s session.

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I’m so glad these two were game to sit in the grass next to the riverfront, and pose for a few shots that really show off that beautiful engagement ring!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I just love Emily’s big brown eyes! So beautiful!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

There was a LOT of silliness and laughter during Emily and Ryan’s session! The two of them make some really hilarious faces, and luckily, they laughed at all of my corny jokes. As you can see in some of the photos below, we had quite an audience down at Riverfront Park, but Emily and Ryan got comfortable and began to just act like there was no one else in the world around.

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer 2016-06-13_0028 Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

This late evening light is just amazing, and it’s totally worth scheduling a session straight through dinner time, and letting the sun set while I capture this kind of authentic love and fabulous golden hour!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

I was SO HAPPY when I found a few Crape Myrtles that had Spanish moss dangling from their branches. That low country look is amazing, and the way the Spanish moss filters sunlight looks like strands of gold to me!

Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographerEngagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer Engagement session at canal and riverfront park in columbia, sc wedding photographer

Emily and Ryan, thank you so much for being such troopers during your VERY hot and humid engagement session! I am so glad you guys are enjoying the South, and I can’t wait for your Adam’s Pond wedding next Spring!

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  1. Pingback: Jersey comes to Adam's Pond! - Emily & Ryan - Wedding Photographer in Columbia, SC | Melissa Brewer Photography
  2. Dawn OKeefe says:
    June 14, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Loved seeing your engagement pics!! You make an adorable couple!! See you in the South 🙂

    Reply
  3. MaryBeth Mckinless says:
    June 14, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    What a beautiful setting and a beautiful couple! Can’t wait for the big day. Xoxo

    Reply
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Kidding! You should definitely have a floral budge Kidding! You should definitely have a floral budget, and I have 4 great ideas on how to use it best.  Whether your wedding is $80,000 or $18,000, everyone has a budget, so I hope these tips help you get the most out of yours!

1.) Go big or go home! If your budget is limited, focus on big focal pieces instead of trying to have flowers everywhere. Opt for show-stopping installations in one or two places (ceremony backdrop or head table at reception are great spots). Here’s why: floral budgets are a quantities game. If you have 20 tables and 15 bridesmaids, you’re going to spend your entire budget on centerpieces and bridesmaid bouquets! Instead of spreading it all out and having just a few blooms in bud vases, go for an epic floral installation!

2.) Mix it up! Opt for a variety of centerpieces instead of having a standard centerpiece on every table. Even my most luxury wedding clients tend to choose 2-4 types of centerpieces, because this brings more visual interest, depth, and and layers to the space. This will also give you more flexibility in your budget!

3.) Reuse smartly. So many wedding planning tips will tell you to re-use your florals throughout the day, but I recommend talking with your florist first, to see what they recommend. Some flowers wilt very quickly, whereas others are resilient enough to go from bouquet to centerpiece. The season, your venue’s logistics, your event design, and other factors will determine whether your flowers can be used throughout the day in different roles. Your florist will be able to guide you here!

4.) Ask your florist if they have any additional blooms or greenery that can be used for detail flatlays. Flowers are great for elevating your flatlay designs, and often, there are no loose stems for your photographer to use. Just about 6-10 stems are all we need!
As the previous post says, I had too many photos t As the previous post says, I had too many photos to fit in one post, so let me share just a handful more. Maybe I’ll share every week and call it Tuscan Tuesday or something! 🤔
There’s something extra special about an al fres There’s something extra special about an al fresco wedding celebration in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Surrounded by olive groves, ancient villages, and loved ones from around the world, Bailey & Mattia enjoyed a relaxed (and delicious) wedding day in Cortona, Italy. These photos don’t even begin to put a dent in how many photos I adore from this day, but Instagram only allows for 10, so I’ll have to share more at a later date! For now, excuse me while I manifest another Italian wedding 😉
If you have literally ANY women in your life at al If you have literally ANY women in your life at all, then you are lucky enough to know someone strong, courageous, loving, and MAGICAL. Here’s to every fantastic woman out there. May we know them, may we raise them, may we BE them. Y’all already know: the future is female!
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About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Contact
About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Contact
Blog
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Clemson Wedding Moved to Kingstree
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
About Face: 180 Days of Content
Blog
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Clemson Wedding Moved to Kingstree
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
About Face: 180 Days of Content
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