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Engagement Session with Rachel and Brandon (and their dog, Lily) in Saluda!

I love when clients come to me with an idea or a location in mind. Rachel and Brandon came with both! They knew they wanted engagement photos with their dog, Lily, and they knew they wanted a woodsy, outdoors style. Last weekend, I met them in Saluda, about an hour or so outside of Columbia, and followed  them way out into the woods. The closer we got to their chosen location, the more excited I got! We finally stopped near a gorgeous wheat field on the edge of the woods, and took Rachel’s 4-wheeler the rest of the way, because cars couldn’t make it. After a rather bumpy (but fun!) ride through the woods, we arrived at a beautiful, mossy clearing in the woods, complete with a babbling brook. I’m not kidding, you guys, this spot was magical!

save the date diy chalkboard sign engagement session in the woods salad sc columbia sc wedding photographer
While Lily checked out the area, we broke the ice with this cute series of photos featuring Rachel’s DIY chalkboard save-the-date sign. I can’t pick which of these is my favorite; Rachel’s laugh is so cute!

engagement session in the woods with ring close ups macro moss
I adore her ring! This one fallen tree in the woods became the center of many of their photos, and I just couldn’t resist a macro shot on the moss.

engagement session in the woods kissing in rows of pines
This series is probably my favorite from the whole day. Deep in the woods, there were a few rows of pines. As the sun set, they created the perfect spot for some photos of Rachel and Brandon!

Engagements photos with dog puppy in the woods. Wedding Photographer in Columbia, SC
Lily got to make her debut after she warmed up to the area and sniffed it out for safety (thanks, Lily!). She is SUCH a good puppy! She definitely knows how to pose for the camera!

kissing in the woods engagement photos in columbia, sc saluda, sc
You can’t see it, but the aforementioned fallen tree became the perfect spot for these sweet photos.

engagement session in the woods kissing and laughing
Seriously, there are few things I love more than when a couple cracks up laughing together. This combination of love and laughter is a great sign of many happy years to come!

engagement ring macro on moss. Engagement session in the woods
Rachel and Brandon and the gorgeous ring he picked out for her.

engagement photos dancing in a wheat field
There is a whole series of these gorgeous “dancing in the field” images, but these two are my favorites. Rachel and Brandon, thank you for being up for anything I suggest!

I said yes DIY chalkboard sign engagement photos. macro ring shot on golden wheat.
Another of Rachel’s adorable DIY chalkboard signs, and another macro shot of her beautiful ring! One of Rachel and Brandon’s wedding colors is gold, so the wheat ties in perfectly, don’t you think?!

Golden Hour engagement session at an old barn with dog
Once we ventured back out of the woods and through the wheat field, we headed to an old, falling down barn that was just amazing during Golden Hour. Lily even made her way back into a few photos!

golden hour engagement session in the country
Rachel and Brandon, thank you again for allowing me to capture your sweet love and laughter last weekend, and thank you for the adventure in the woods! I had a blast, and this will definitely go down as a session I will never forget. I can’t wait for your bridals and the big day!

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  1. Pingback: Engagement Session with Dogs + Romantic Day in the Country! - Wedding Photographer in Columbia, SC | Melissa Brewer Photography
  2. Sarah G. says:
    January 28, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    Fun session!!

    Reply
  3. Traci Eaves (M.O.B) says:
    January 23, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    I love how you captured the beauty of the scenery and the love of these two! Excellent pictures, amazing couple!

    Reply
    1. Melissa Brewer says:
      January 23, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      I’m so glad you love them! I look forward to meeting you in a few short months!

      Reply
  4. Marlowe says:
    January 23, 2016 at 2:36 am

    These are absolutely gorgeous. You capture such genuinely sweet moments with this couple (and all your couples.)

    Reply
    1. Melissa Brewer says:
      January 23, 2016 at 2:37 am

      Thank you, Marlowe!

      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
2023 Copyrights Melissa Brewer Photography
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