A Letter to My Brides: From One Newlywed to Another

Dear bride to be,

Hey! I know you’re in the middle of planning so many things. You’re picking out florals, finalizing timelines, ordering earrings at midnight, and wondering if your veil will actually stay in during that walk down the aisle. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you’re probably feeling a whole mix of emotions, excitement, stress, nerves, joy, pressure.

I see you. I’ve been there. And I just want to say:
You’re doing an amazing job.

Not long ago (September 13, 2025) I was in your shoes planning my own wedding, balancing a business, stressing about the small details, and trying to soak in every second. It was crazy and messy and emotional… and looking back, there are a few things I’d love to tell you  not just as your photographer, but as someone who’s just been where you are.

So, here’s a little letter from one newlywed to another.

1. You don’t have to do everything.

It’s so easy to feel like you need to make your wedding Pinterest-perfect. But hear me out: you don’t have to check every box. You don’t need custom cocktails, velvet napkins, or a ceremony program hand tied with silk ribbon (unless you want to).

You’re not planning a performance.
You’re planning a marriage.

Let go of what doesn’t serve you. Keep what feels right. Your wedding day will be beautiful because it's a reflection of your love  not because it matches a mood board.

2. Be in the moments not just in control of them.

This one is hard, especially if you're a planner. But your wedding day goes by so fast. You’ll blink and be halfway through dinner. You’ll blink again and be doing your last dance.

So please slow down when you can. Let someone else worry about the cake table. Hold your spouse’s hand a little longer. Look around the room and take it all in. Cry if you feel like crying. Laugh loudly. Hug your people. Dance barefoot. It’s your day. Be fully in it.

(And don’t worry I’ll be there capturing all the parts you miss.)

3. Something will go differently than planned and that’s okay.

Your veil might fly off. Your timeline might shift. It might drizzle during your ceremony or someone might spill something on your dress.

But I promise…
The imperfect moments are sometimes the most magical.

They’re the ones that make for the best stories. The ones that show your people loving you, showing up for you, laughing with you. And often, they’re the ones you’ll cherish the most.

So don’t hold your breath for perfection. Let the day breathe. Let it be what it’s meant to be.

4. Trust your photographer (hi, it's me!)

This one isn’t just practical, it's personal. When you trust your photographer, you free yourself to be present. You don’t have to worry about posing perfectly or making a shot list 12 pages long.

I’ve got you.

I’ll know when to step in and when to step back. I’ll fluff your dress, hold your bouquet, fix your hair if needed, and make sure the beautiful in between moments are caught just as intentionally as the big ones. You deserve to feel beautiful, calm, and yourself in your photos  and that’s what I’m here for.

5. This is just the beginning.

The day will be over before you’re ready. And when the music winds down, and you’re barefoot in your dress eating leftover cake with your new spouse that’s when it hits you.

This was never just about the wedding. It’s about the life you’re building. The slow Saturdays, the grocery runs, the holidays you’ll start hosting, the quiet conversations and big milestones and all the love that will continue long after the last sparkler fades.

Hold on to that truth when the planning gets heavy. This is the beginning of your forever  and it’s going to be beautiful.

From one newlywed to another:
You’re doing great. It’s okay to feel all the things. Your day will be magical because it’s yours. And I can’t wait to capture every second of it.

With so much love,

Kelsey