A tweet caught my eye today – admiring someone’s “Day After Wedding Shoot.” Is this a thing? Disturbing, if you ask me. The wedding industry puts a lot of pressure on couples. The “musts” have expanded through the years. We’ve hit a point where what’s expected has ballooned- and at a time when people’s ability to finance these more and more extravagant add-ons is more and more tenuous. This last one just put me over the edge a little. What do you think?
The “engagement shoot” has become a common activity among engaged couples. Many wind up missing the romantic fun that develops as you shoot by being overly focused on posing for posterity. Here are some tips to stay in the moment .
Be less Pinterested: Too much time looking at other people’s photos can stress you out, and create tension as you try and match “looks” at your own shoot.
Make it a playdate: When on location, have fun with that goofy romping around for the camera!* This is fun, uninterrupted almost-alone time with your almost spouse. Relish it.
Get metaphysical: The morning of your engagement shoot think about the journey that brought you there. A series of events, decisions, and thunderstorms lined up so you could end up in front of a camera with the love of your life. Pretty amazing.
So you’re ready now, to live in this moment. Think less Naomi Campbell, and more the best person you can be. That’s who that person you’re holding hands with loves.
Be well, and love well.
Dinah
*If you’re not doing any goofy romping around, get on that. It makes for great photos
‘Glamazon’ RuPaul (Photo credit: partymonstrrrr) Yes RuPaul has her own line of dolls!
RuPaul’s Drag Race, a popular reality show has nurtured a new batch of fierce queens full of advice. Here is some wisdom gleaned from them. As they say on the show, start your engines!
1) If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Accentuate your favorite assets! RuPaul accents her height, and fabulous bone structure. Flattering wedding clothes are key, and the queens on the show can testify to that! Watch this episode for some drag wedding fun, and moving moments.
2) Lashes, lashes, lashes. This explains itself– drag queens don’t put even a sparkly toe on stage without fake lashes on, ladies, so don’t think about going down the aisle without yours. Once you see how they “pop” your look, you’ll thank me. Or Ru. Or both. Gentleman? When Ru appears in his male persona on the show he is always exquisitely dressed. Take note.
3) Think outside the store where you got the box! Fashionistas didn’t pull the Carrie Bradshaw “bird on her head” wedding look out of nowhere. Innovation comes from the fringe (read: outsider artists, drag queens, and assorted other creative people) and morphs into couture. Trust me – club kids had birds on her head long before Sex and The City was a thing.
4) Be a Glamazon. It’s all in the attitude – positive and projecting you’re the hottest thing since sliced bread. When drag queens hit a stage or a runway, they’ve got a power and a confidence that to-be-weds would do well do take a dollop of to add to their “simple and elegant” mantra. Elegant is good, but Fabulous is great.
Work that reception like a star, people! (Turn to the left! Work! Turn to the Right!)
