When to schedule

It all depends on what you want to do with your engagement photos. Do you want to make a guest book, "Save the date" announcements, photo slideshow, or include them as a DIY in your wedding? I suggest that we take your engagement photos at least 3 months before the wedding. In most cases, I can deliver your photos in 3 weeks. That allows me 1 week to organize them, 1 week to doing any post-processing, and 1 week to deliver them to you. Then you have about 6 weeks to make announcements, slideshows, or have them printed for a guest book. 

Although, I suggest at least 3 months,  you can schedule a session with me as soon as a week after the proposal! The earlier the better. 

If you decide to schedule an engagement session with me, I do require several things from you. You have to be ready, willing, and able. Ready: mentally and physically. That means plenty of sleep the night before, refreshed and prepared. Willing: confident in yourself and your fiancee to look your best in front of the camera. Able: Well rested and full of energy to last the entire session. I'll have refreshments and snacks for us; including a Red Bull for that last hour. 

What to wear

In general, you should wear something that brings out your best features. Avoid clothing that is too distracting from the main focus, you!

Do's

• Dress up and look your best. The next time you'll get professional pictures done is probably on your wedding day. Every picture I take is meant to be framed and mounted on the wall. With that in mind, wear something special like evening wear or go for the "city chic" look. But whatever you do; spice it up! 
• Wear comfortable shoes. We will be walking from location to location. If your outfit has high heels, bring a pair of sandals to walk in. You can get tired pretty quickly wearing your heels the entire time.
• Guys should wear a pair of nice socks. We will be sitting, standing, jumping, climbing, or something similar. Nothing clashes more with slacks and shoes that a pair of white socks. 
• While matching outfits are an option, try not to go too far with it. I suggest matching accessories with what your guy is wearing. I am a fan of a dress shirt and heels or headband and handkerchief. There are countless other options, so have fun with it.
• Get a mani and pedi a few days before the session. I'll be getting some close up shots of that gorgeous ring.
• Guys should get hair cuts a few days before the engagement session. Try not get one the day before because razors may irritate the skin.
• Do you feel like having several outfit changes? I can accommodate up to one outfit change but note that you will probably have to change in your car. Extra outfit changes are subject to an additional charge because of the time involved.

Stuff to avoid

• Matching white or black shirts. Wearing those will make you look bland and unexciting. If you do decide to wear them, accessorize your outfit a little bit.
• Busy prints or large logos. We aren't shooting an advertising campaign for Polo or Guess. We want the focal point to be you; not some brand name.
• Anything that will cause you discomfort. Meaning, wearing something you wouldn't normally wear. If you feel uncomfortable, you'll look uncomfortable.
• Anything that will cause blemishes. I would avoid any heavy drinking or partying the night before. I'm pretty good at retouching but help me process pictures faster by not having eye bags. Get plenty of sleep the night before and come to the session well rested and relaxed. I promise we'll have a good time.
• Wrinkled clothes can be distracting too. If you going to wear evening wear to the engagement session, I suggest hanging them up in the car and getting dressed on location. 

Everyone knows portrait photography doesn't come cheap, so it only makes sense that you would expect the best results after paying your hard-earned cashed. That being said, photographers can't perform miracles; they can't change your facial expressions for you, and they also can't read your mind. So to make the best of your photo shoot, I have outlined a helpful guide below.

Come With a Good Mood and Attitude

This may be common sense, but if you aren't feeling great, you won't look great in your photos. No amount of lighting, makeup, posing techniques, and Photoshopping will alter the appearance of someone who looks nervous, uncomfortable, stressed, annoyed, or angry.

In order to avoid any bad mood or attitude showing up on your portraits, you should consider the following tips:

• Leave and Arrive Early. If you have a frantic trip to the shooting location, you will look stressed in your photos. You should give yourself plenty of time to travel to the location and a good amount of time to relax and transition into looking like a million dollars.
• Remain Calm. Have a cup of tea, a snack, or whatever tends to put you at ease. Bring someone you know and trust to the shoot who can calm you down if you get nervous. Bring encouraging music to make the shoot more enjoyable.
• Sleep Well. Get a good night's sleep the night before. You will look better and be in a better mood.
• Stay Positive. Not all photo shoots run perfectly. Try not to let uncontrollable things like the weather affect your mood and thus your appearance. Be patient and the perfect photo will come to you.

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

You should always be prepared to look your best before a shoot, just as you should always prepare for anything that might go wrong. To be ready for anything, keep the following tips in mind before a shoot:

• Practice facial expressions in the mirror. This might seem silly, but it can make night and day differences in your photos.
• Keep your selected wardrobe clean and neat. Using a garment bag would be best.
• Try your clothes on before the shoot to be sure they fit.
• Bring an extra change of clothes, just in case an emergency happens.
• Groom yourself appropriately.
• Bring makeup and grooming supplies to the shoot in case you need to make adjustments.

With all of these tips in mind, you will be sure to have an incredible shooting experience with jaw-dropping portraits as proof.

My guest writer Jordan Krueger, was gracious enough to write this excellent article about being prepared for your photo shoot. 

Bridesmaids work tirelessly to ensure weddings go off with as few hitches as possible. Couples shouldn't let them go home without a gift expressing their gratitude for a job well done. Although tastes vary and should be taken into consideration when choosing the right reward, the following suggestions make for a nice, easily personalized start.

1.) Jewelry. Buy each bridesmaid a pretty piece of jewelry she can wear both at the wedding and beyond. Just make sure not to give anyone without pierced ears a pair of such earrings!

2.) Spa sets. Crafty brides may like the idea of whipping together (or purchasing) baskets or bags full of wonderful spa goodies. They can be as lavish or as simple as the budget allows, but most include at least some lovely bath and shower items. 

3.) Scarves. If the bridesmaids in question love summer or winter scarves, show some appreciation by gifting them with a particularly striking accessory. If possible, pick out ones suiting their unique tastes.

4.) Gloves. Budget permitting, spring for a pair of nice leather gloves as a bridesmaid present – something they'll especially appreciate when chillier weather rolls into town.

5.) Jewelry boxes. Rather than trying to pick out jewelry pieces suitable to everyone's tastes, consider commemorative jewelry boxes instead. Utilitarian, thoughtful and pretty! 

6.) Gift cards for a massage. Weddings are incredibly stressful for more than just the couple at the center. Give bridesmaids the gift of decompression and relaxation with gift cards to a local massage parlor or spa. 

7.) Mani/pedi kits. Much like the aforementioned spa sets, mani/pedi kits can either be purchased premade or creatively customized. Try to pick out colors the bridesmaids will use throughout the year, not just ones matching the wedding.

8.) Truffles. Assuming none of the bridesmaids suffer from a chocolate allergy, luscious homemade or store-bought truffles show appreciation in the most tantalizing manner possible.

9.) Aromatherapy kit. Rather than handing them massage gift cards, help bridesmaids relax with some soothing aromatherapy kits – lavender and chamomile are particularly calming scents. 

10.) Personalized bags. Monogrammed purses and tote bags are very much in, and bridesmaids finding such an aesthetic appealing will probably adore one. For safety reasons, it may be best to spring for initials rather than names. 

Weddings stress out more than just the couple getting married, though they understandably bear the brunt of the anxiety. But the increased pressure and shrinking bank accounts do not excuse lapses in common courtesy. Hopefully most of these should be quite obvious to most people. Unfortunately, though, the fact that a site like Etiquette Hell exists shows that's not exactly the case…

1.) Sending thank you cards late. One tragically popular wedding etiquette myth states that couples have a year to send out thank you cards for their gifts. Most experts, however, think sending an immediate, personal expression of gratitude is absolutely essential.

2.) Not ordering enough food. Alternately, feeding the wedding party, family and perhaps "distinguished" guests a much better meal than everyone else. Both lead to hurt feelings, so keep head counts small if the budget won't be able to feed all attendees.

3.) Isolating family and friends by obsessing. Few will deny that weddings can be extremely stressful and exciting times, but loved ones want to actually talk about other things. Take their comfort into consideration when bringing up minute details of flower arrangements for the thousandth time. 

4.) Forcing long waits between the ceremony and reception. As most couples opt for photo sessions following the ceremony, a wait is going to be inevitable. While rushing may produce less-than-ideal results, don't waste any time touring the city or fooling around. Guests are owed courtesy. For longer gaps, make sure to have some food, drinks and maybe some music on hand so they don't go hungry, thirsty or bored.

5.) Poor circulation. During the reception, put forth the effort to greet every attendee personally and thank them for taking time out of their day to come celebrate. Failing to acknowledge their support oftentimes leads to very hurt feelings. 

6.) Inviting people to showers, but not the ceremony itself. This incredibly tacky faux pas makes friends and family think themselves a source of free gifts rather than valued guests. A simple rule is that those throwing the shower can only invite individuals they intend to see at the wedding as well.

7.) Asking guests to address their own thank you card envelopes. Another frequent shower no-no hands pens and envelopes to partygoers with the request that they fill out (sometimes stamp!) their own envelopes. Ostensibly meant to save the couple's time, most on the receiving end find this gesture completely impersonal and off-putting.

8.) Failing to provide enough chairs. Like food, the betrothed should never spring for fewer chairs than the headcount dictates – especially if the pregnant, ailing or elderly are to be in attendance. If cost is a concern, slice down the guest list before sending out invites. 

9.) Not allowing guests to leave until after the couple. Newlyweds hoping their receptions will rock and roll all night and party every day need to understand that their guests have needs as well. While general protocol asks them to stay until the cake is cut, some might have to split earlier because of health, exhaustion due to travel, travel itself or kids at home. Remain mindful and respectful of their wishes!

10.) Setting up a singles table. The singles table is pretty much a way to perpetuate social stigmas against the unattached, shoving them to one side and forcing them to mingle with little in common besides their relationship status. Put forth the effort to make them feel a part of things rather than relegated to one demographic. 

11.) Treating guests and attendants like slaves. Don't be cheap. If a venue or caterer charges too much for cleaning staff, spring for budget-friendly ones that do. Never, ever press guests or attendants into a position where they have to work for their visit. 

12.) Pitching hissy fits when things don't pan out perfectly. Inevitable issues small and/or big always crop up when planning a wedding. Display grace under pressure no matter what, as tantrums solve nothing besides the little problem of having a decent relationship with family, friends and vendors. 

13.) The "money dance." Some cultures do have rituals where well-wishers pin money to a new couple's clothing during or after the ceremony, but charging for dances exists as a different thing altogether. A new tradition, many couples turn to this tacky fundraising ploy to offset some of their wedding costs. 

14.) Thinking that gifts must equal or exceed the cost of feeding a guest. Although refraining from sending a gift in and of itself never wins anyone favors, holding expectations about how much attendees must spend is far, far tackier. Their budgets may not always cover the cost of a meal – and besides, the sentiment counts for everything. 

15.) Getting too intoxicated. Little tipples carry no shame whatsoever, but stay moderate during the reception. A stuffier head may prevent polite, not-at-all-awkward interactions with loved ones.

16.) Stickin' it to the haters. Friends and family might sneer somewhat at the relationship, whether with genuine concern or general pettiness. Don’t use the wedding as a pulpit for "showing them." Act the better person by proving them wrong through love, respect and communication than bickering. 

17.) Forcing participation in dancing and tosses. Not every guest loves the idea of hitting the dance floor or cramming in for the bouquet and garter tossings. Respect their wishes and put no pressure on them to participate. 

18.) Forgetting to note dietary restrictions. When feeding a large crowd, do show some consideration for those with food allergies, special diets and religious restrictions. Try to offer options and make sure all feel accommodated and not left out. 

19.) Only registering for high-end items. Etiquette experts understandably find themselves divided over whether or not gift registries should be considered tacky. But couples opting to go that route should ensure they respect a wide range of budgets. Only springing for expensive, high-end gifts will place financially-strapped well-wishers in an incredibly awkward position. 

20.) Setting up a cash bar. Couples who can't afford to offer guests alcohol shouldn’t have it at the wedding. Cash bars inspire discomfort and an overall sense of paying for the honor of attending. Since beer, wine, champagne and spirits are by no means essential to a good time, refraining from serving them because of finances will only be frowned upon by the petty and inconsequential. 

Not too hot, not too cold, spring quite understandably tantalizes couples of all types searching for the perfect wedding date. But such a popular time of year comes with its own unique burdens the betrothed must consider when arranging their personally perfect day. The following are a few things to think about once the planning process begins:

1.) Book early. Because of springtime's popularity with the engaged set, start planning early. Stay diligent with research and bookings in order to beat the competition to all the best venues and vendors!

2.) Take allergies into consideration. Spring is an absolutely lovely time of year in most places, but those suffering from particularly egregious allergies don't derive nearly as much enjoyment from it as everyone else. Think deeply about the different ways to accommodate their needs before coming to a conclusion.

3.) Dress the party appropriately. Especially if the date falls late in the season, make sure to pick lighter fabrics and cooler cuts for all wedding party members. Extend the same courtesy to guests as well, ensuring their comfort throughout the day.

4.) Always have a backup plan for outdoor events. In case April (or any other month) showers come to a couple's way, anticipate more than just the flowers that bloom in May! Take the time and put forth the effort to draw up a reliable, viable backup plan in the event of a washout. 

5.) Serve lighter fare. Celebrate the warming weather by sloughing off the heaviness of wintry dishes and opting for something more spring-appropriate. Serve up seasonal fruits and vegetables as crudités, for example. Though that's hardly the only option – a chat with caterers will dredge up plenty more! 

6.) Go with seasonal flowers. Remind guests of spring's bounty and order flowers currently in blossom. Many florists will offer up a better deal on these, too, considering their availability. Run a search for spring flowers and drool over the gorgeous colors and shapes screaming springtime.

7.) Consider a brighter palette. Along with choosing happy little plants, celebrate the season by choosing a light, bright color scheme. Pastels are popular, but not a necessity.

8.)Try not to hold it too close to major holidays. Avoid setting the date too near some of springtime's biggest holidays. Many potential guests will probably be dealing with incoming family, outgoing visits and the financial strain that comes from both. Be courteous to those unable to afford wedding attendance because of this. 

9.) Understand the lighting. When using natural lighting for wedding photographs, be sure to take the time to understand what is and is not feasible. Also make sure to consider the time change when scheduling shoots, too. 

10.) Consider going casual. Allowing guests to rock casual ensembles will let them enjoy the excellent weather to the fullest possible extent – and, by extension, the wedding itself. It's probably a good idea to stipulate where on the casual spectrum the dress code sits. Otherwise, some pretty serious fashion disasters may stroll about. 

1.) Don't force them to participate in the bouquet/garter toss. Though superstitious staples of the American wedding, many singles would prefer to not call attention to their status and opt out of participation. Brides and grooms who see their unattached friends mingling or absent during the event would do well to respect their wishes.

2.) Don't play matchmaker. Unless both parties fully (and soberly) agree to meet on matchmaking terms, slyly or blatantly trying to hook up guests is trés tacky. It's particularly disrespectful when their marital status is just about the only thing they have in common.

3.) Don't make them dance. Some couples push their single friends onto the dance floor with the hopes that one will find a lasting (or at least nightly) love. But these individuals, for whatever reason, may not necessarily enjoy boogieing. Let the ones who want to dance do so. Let the ones who do not go about their business.

4.) Don't pester if they RSVP for one. Even when there's room on the list for guests to bring a +1, some single friends may decide to forgo filling the spot. Respect their wishes and refrain from insisting they bring someone, anyone. After all, they may have recently experienced heartbreak and don't much want to be reminded of it.

5.) Don't sit them with exes. If both exes don't happen to be on stellar terms, avoid seating them in one another's vicinity. Especially if one of them has already gotten married, engaged or in a steady relationship. And double especially if one or more friends and family pine for them to reunite.

6.) Don't call attention to their age. One of the most common ways society shames singles without saying anything outright involves poking them about their age, with the implication that they best find someone and settle down soon. Many people just aren't ready at the arbitrary "deadline" – assuming they even want to marry and/or have children in the first place!

7.) Don't talk about "their turn." Another easy way to watch a single squirm at a wedding is to make mention of his or her time at the altar. Unless  he or she brings up any future plans, stay mum on when or if that day will ever come. It will happen when the time and person are right. That could be a week later, never or anywhere in between.

8.) Don't mention how much you adored their old flames. Impending weddings frequently inspire musings on the loves and lives that got the couple to where they are today. Show single friends some respect and avoid discussing any of their nicer exes, especially when harboring the desire to see them pair off again someday. Like many of the other "oopsies" listed here, it does nothing but facilitate discomfort, awkwardness and needless pressure.

9.) Don't talk about how many single people were invited. Some brides and grooms hope to coax single guests into attending by luring them with the number of others in their same situation coming. It's one thing if they ask outright, of course. When volunteering the information without any sort of precedent, even the most well-intentioned friend can come off as patronizing.

10.) Don't set up a singles table. Run "singles table" through a search and read about the awkwardness and humiliation that comes from being assigned to one. Sort of like a leper colony, only built along relationship status lines. These arrangements rarely produce much beyond a "done in one" deal, which may prove fine for some, thoroughly confusing, dramatic and/or hurtful for others.

Dos

1.) Keep a list. When planning any major event, most especially one as detailed as a wedding, staying organized with lists is an absolute must. Keep digital and analog ones together in folders to make sure no information gets lost. 

2.) Draw up a definitive budget. The absolute first thing anyone getting married needs to do is sit down and write a viable budget. Refine it little by little as planning marches on, but always keep a rubric in mind when pricing services, clothing and venues. No event is worth incurring crushing debt over.

3.) Always keep guests in mind. Attendees with special needs such as food restrictions or disabilities should always be taken into consideration. They deserve to enjoy the day just as much as everyone else.

4.) Hire a wedding planner if things get too overwhelming. Assuming the budget allows, of course. Working with a competent, experienced wedding planner can certainly help alleviate some of the strain and get everything in order. 

5.) Shop around. Never settle on the first vendor or venue that comes along. Take the time to research and explore every viable option. Otherwise the budget may creak under the pressure – or the services rendered won't prove up to snuff. 

6.) Be courteous about assigned seating. Not every couple opts to assign seats at their ceremony or reception, but those electing to do so should keep some important things in mind. Try to avoid partnering up family and/or friends with volatile histories and/or incompatible personalities and politics together. Make sure the elderly, pregnant and anyone else with a difficult time moving around sits close to the food for easy acess.

7.) Put together an "emergency kit." Shortly before the big day arrives, throw together a small "emergency" kit full of the following items: needles, thread, extra buttons, and over-the-counter medications for headaches, cold and allergies. Add or subtract things as required by the event's unique needs.

8.) Reward wedding party members. They aren't slaves, and even the mediocre ones still sink a lot of time, money and energy into participating. Show some appreciation with a thoughtful gift – maybe even a card.

9.) Understand that things might not always work out as intended. It's impossible to have complete control over every single thing that goes down before, during and after the wedding. In fact, it's more or less guaranteed that something minor will probably crop up. Just accept it, move on and remember what the day really means. More egregious situations, however, obviously need addressing. 

10.) What you want to do. Well, within budget, ethical and legal restrictions, anyways. While the opinions and input of others should matter, ultimately the couple has the final say in how they want everything to go. Though courtesy unto others should always factor into every nook and cranny of the planning process.

Don'ts

1.) Procrastinate. Budget for time as well as money. Persistently putting off important meetings or pushing back deadlines can spell doom for gathering everything needed for the desired ceremony.

2.) Discount the opinions of others. Yes, the final decisions about everything wedding-related do, in the end, fall on the couple's shoulders. At the same time, though, family and friends may also have some excellent advice or ideas as well – most especially those who've walked down the aisle themselves. Be sure to sincerely listen to their input before making definitive choices.

3.) Pitch hissy fits. The lucky Bridezillas and Groomonsters end up posted on Etiquette Hell. The not-so-lucky ones end up isolating family and friends (if not ending relationships outright), getting kicked out of businesses or arrested. Even if things don't happen as planned, seek out the best strategies for staying cool under pressure. 

4.) Rush. Even small jaunts to City Hall require some modicum of planning. Take as much time as needed to ensure the wedding operates as smoothly as possible. 

5.) Be angry if guests can't make it. Anyone holding a destination wedding will especially witness their guest list shrink because of monetary and vacation time issues. Even smaller events experience a high risk of a few people sending in negative RSVPs. That's the reality of adult life. Not everyone can make it to the wedding, so there's no use in expressing any anger towards the missing guest in question. However, it is still very rude for them to say yes, end up on final headcounts for food, favors and chairs, then turn up absent without any sort of explanation. Barring emergencies, of course. 

6.) Make definitive promises. Like anything else, weddings can still throw even the most meticulous couples, families and planners for a loop. Promise to try, but realize that sometimes life has other plans precluding needs and wants. 

7.) Forget backups. Whenever possible, set up a Plan B – even a Plan C for the extremely prepared (alternately, paranoid). Those aforementioned "other" ideas the universe throws at a couple are far more easily navigated when they take a lesson from Batman and come crazy prepared for everything.

8.) Forget appointments. Schedule appointments with different vendors in a way preventing any potential overlap. Do whatever it takes – notes on the fridge, a note on a smartphone, anything – to remember the dates, times and locations. 

9.) Overbook. Make sure the headcount and the venue match up. It's not fair to either guests or the location to bring in more bodies than can be held. 

10.) Agonize over every detail. One must stay organized, of course, but fretting too much over minor details can distract from the real reason for the day. Alleviate some of the anxiety by placing more concern with major elements and – more importantly – having fun.

1.) Give out fans as favors. Help guests stave off the summer heat by offering them up pretty little custom fans as wedding favors. Make sure to have enough on hand for everyone, most especially the elderly, injured, pregnant and ailing.

2.) Consider a canopy. Spring for some kind of shade, like a canopy or an awning, when holding an outdoor wedding. It'll protect attendees from withering in the sun without compromising nature's own ambience.

3.) Ice sculptures. These works of art are a staple at many a wedding and make for a stylish way to cool off sweltering guests. Stick a fan close behind them for added comfort.

4.) Provide water bottles. Make some room in the wedding budget to purchase water bottles (and ice if the participating venue offers no refrigeration) and hand them out in addition to favors. Anyone in attendance will certainly appreciate the added effort to ensure they stay cool and refreshed.

5.) Plenty of electric fans. On especially sultry days and evenings, setting up a few large, heavy-duty electric fans might very well do the trick.

6.) Don't face the audience towards the sun. Morning or afternoon weddings – especially the latter – requiring everyone to stand out in the sun can easily cause overheating and disorientation. Lesson the negative impact on loved ones by turning their back towards the giant flaming ball of life-giving. Staring at it just makes everything worse.

7.) Relax the dress code. Weddings don't always have to be black-tie affairs. Anyone dead set on holding one outside in or very near the summer might want to think about allowing guests to go casual. Perhaps not tank tops and flip-flops casual, but outfits more billowy, reflective and cool than their formal counterparts.

8.) Serve cool and cold dishes. If the event involves feeding, stick with serving colder appetizers and meals. Consider fruits and vegetables, soothingly cool dips, shaved ices, raw oysters and other popular wedding delights.

9.) Consider a pool party. Ultra-casual couples might want to turn their receptions into a traditional summer pool party – maybe a barbecue! Few things are more satisfying on ridiculously hot days than a nice, cool dip in chlorinated water.

10.) Remember, you don't have to hold a summer wedding. Nothing says an outdoor wedding must absolutely be held during the summer. Consider something in the spring or fall to ensure guests aren't stuck suffering through sticky, sweaty, humid weather.

If you have any additional ideas or want to suggest a site that offers items to keep you cool in the summer during a wedding, please feel free to leave a comment.

A makeup artist introduced me to several websites that I think will help me get noticed. The first is Thumbtack.com. It kind of looks like a AT&T yellow pages. I posted my info and hopefully in due time, the site will help me rank higher on search engines.

The second site is Weddingwire.com. This one targets anything and everything wedding related. It has a nice interface and can be both very helpful and overwhelming in regards to finding services pertaining to weddings. The search tool on there is not very accurate in relation to your zip code. It's a start regardless.

Having listed these two sites, I'll continue to document how they perform. Maybe I can book some weddings or quinceanera's this year from having my business listed on them. Only time will tell. In the mean, I'll continue to keep pushing my photography business.

1.) Take a spoonful of local honey a day. This strategy absolutely needs local honey, not commercial brands. Sticking with a certain region gradually acclimatizes the body to the nasty little indigenous plant pollens. While this strategy won't entirely cure allergy issues, it certainly quells some of the itchiness, redness, swelling and drippy mucus membranes. 

2.) Plan a fall or winter wedding. When most of those evil plants lay dead or dormant, speak those vows without any hand-wringing over whether or not your throat's going to swell shut during the ceremony. Winter weddings probably aren't such a great suggestion for chilly climates, but autumn leaves can provide a lovely, dramatic backdrop with far less allergy concerns than the spring and summer months. 

3.) Order silk flowers. They last longer, anyways, and won’t compromise the health and wellness of guests, wedding party members or staff. Everyone wins. 

4.) Vitamin C bombs. A strong immune system is an immune system armed and ready to fight against those horrid little pollen particles. Like the local honey example, keeping a body stonewalled with juices, Emergen-C packets and lovely little citrus fruits won't result in a cure-all. But it definitely helps make things a bit more bearable.

5.) Drink hot tea before the ceremony. For milder allergic reactions, soothe the throat with some nice hot tea sweetened with local honey before heading out. Those who don't exactly enjoy tea can achieve the same effect (though not flavor) using hot water, local honey and a squeeze or slice of lemon. 

6.) Sleep with a propped-up head. It's not always the most comfortable position for everyone, but sleeping propped up facilitates better breathing and drainage. Try this for at least a week or two before the ceremony as a supplement to one or more of the other strategies listed here. 

7.) Don’t sleep with pets. Even individuals not allergic to their own pets can irritate their pollen problems when Fluffy Pumpkins sleeps near their head or feet. Inhaling all that dander and fur causes respiratory obstructions that hinder healing. 

8.) Stay hydrated. In more severe cases when the pain just won't go away, it would not be gauche to carry around a small water bottle and take polite sips. And yes, this goes for the people getting married as well. Comfort and health should come before appearances. If anyone judges, then that's on them.

9.) Don't hold the wedding outdoors. Probably the best solution to fighting the allergy demons is keeping the wedding festivities indoors to minimize pollen exposure. If one of the betrothed pitches a hissy fit over not holding everything outside, it's probably time to rethink the relationship if his or her dreams come before a partner's health and wellness.

10.) See an allergist. None of these suggestions are intended as professional medical advice. For a detailed analysis of allergy issues and recommended medications, research local allergists and schedule an appointment well before the wedding. Above all else, this is the most important step an allergy victim can take when it comes to finding a more permanent, viable solution to healing the pain.