real-life love stories • resources for brides

real-life love stories

resources for brides

welcome to the blog

As a Kansas City wedding photographer, I'm in the business of capturing beauty. But
just as important a part of the job is providing my clients with information they need
to ensure their wedding goes off without a hitch (other than the intended one, of course!). 

I share a lot of those helpful details here, alongside featured engagement sessions and weddings. So take a look around for inspiration as well as insight that I hope will help you
make the most of your own wedding-planning process. And if I can assist in any way, just ask!




As a Kansas City wedding photographer, I'm in the business of capturing beauty. But just as important a part of the job is providing my clients with information they need to ensure their wedding goes off without a hitch (other than the intended one, of course!).  

I share a lot of those helpful details here, alongside featured engagement sessions and weddings. So take a look around for inspiration as well as insight that I hope will help you make the most of your own wedding-planning process. And if I can assist in any way, just ask!




and other words of wisdom                  

erin wisdom-watson
thanks for stopping by!
I'm so happy you're here.
let's connect:
(quite literally!)
we have you covered
with a custom timeline!

I have you covered
with a custom timeline!

unsure how long you need a photographer?

click here to
create yours!

free resource!

In most cases, it's advisable from a timeline perspective for the bride and groom to have a first look and then to do a majority of their portraits prior to the ceremony. This tends to create a more relaxed flow for the day. 

However, only you can decide whether it's a priority for you to wait until the walk down the aisle to see your fiancé. So pick the option below that best suits you!

do you plan to
do a first look?

yes, I'm all
for a first look.

no thanks, 
i think I'll wait.

will you have a long
break between events?

will you have
a long break?

This refers to a break of more than two hours between the ceremony and reception (as opposed to a shorter break like a cocktail hour). Lengthy delays like this typically occur only at Catholic weddings.

It's worth noting that this scenario is one that often lends itself well to shooting portraits after the ceremony and thus may not require a first look for making the day flow smoothly.

yes, I'll have
a long break.

yes, I'll
have a
long break.

no, my events
are back-to-back.

no, my
events are back-to-back.

WILL YOU HAVE A LONG
BREAK BETWEEN EVENTS?

WILL YOU HAVE
A LONG BREAK?

This refers to a break of more than two hours between the ceremony and reception (as opposed to a shorter break like a cocktail hour). Lengthy delays like this typically occur only at Catholic weddings.

It's worth noting that this scenario is one that often lends itself well to shooting portraits after the ceremony and thus may not require a first look for making the day flow smoothly.

yes, I'll have
a long break.

yes, I'll
have a
long break.

no, my events
are back-to-back.

no, my
events are back-to-back.

WILL YOU TRAVEL
BETWEEN LOCATIONS?

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations.

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations – even if everything is fairly close together.

yes, I'll need to allow travel time.

no, I'll  be staying
at one site all day.

no, I'll  be staying at one site all day.

WILL YOU TRAVEL
BETWEEN LOCATIONS?

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations.

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations – even if everything is fairly close together.

yes, I'll need to allow travel time.

no, I'll  be staying
at one site all day.

no, I'll  be staying at one site all day.

WILL YOU travel
BETWEEN LOCATIONS?

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations.

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations – even if everything is fairly close together.

yes, I'll need to allow travel time.

no, I'll  be staying
at one site all day.

no, I'll  be staying at one site all day.

WILL YOU TRAVEL
BETWEEN LOCATIONS?

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations.

Travel time is something couples often don't take into much consideration, but it can really add up over the course of a wedding day and thus is an important factor for including in a timeline.

It's also important to consider all points in the day that can involve travel – including travel between venues as well as travel to and from portrait locations – even if everything is fairly close together.

yes, I'll need to allow travel time.

no, I'll  be staying
at one site all day.

no, I'll  be staying at one site all day.

Do you want your
grand exit captured?

Do you want your exit captured?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

DO YOU WANT YOUR
GRAND EXIT CAPTURED?

DO YOU WANT YOUR
EXIT CAPTURED?

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving an hour or so earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

This is a detail that plays a big part in how much photography coverage you need, as it determines whether your photography team will stay through your entire reception rather than leaving earlier.

In cases where that extra coverage time creates too much budget strain, some couples stage an exit earlier in the evening – which may also allow more guests to participate.

yes, I want my exit captured.

no, I don't need all-day coverage. 

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

your timeline
is ready! yay!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

your timeline
is ready! yay!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

your timeline
is ready! yay!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit

your timeline
is ready! yay!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked over this information. (We promise not to inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

Please enter your e-mail address below, as we'd love to follow up to see if we can offer any clarification after you've looked everything over. (We won't inundate you with a ton of unsolicited messages – promise!)

The "submit" button will take you right to your timeline. And of course, don't hesitate to reach out if we can provide more information or help in any other way as you're planning your big day!

submit
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AN 11TH ANNIVERSARY ADVENTURE IN ARKANSAS

Despite the name of this post, I would be remiss to not point out that this was not just an anniversary trip; it also doubled as the final of our four trips for Seth’s 4-0. We hadn’t initially planned for any of them to serve as a dual celebration for two separate occasions, but after having to cancel an August […]

OPEN

Despite the name of this post, I would be remiss to not point out that this was not just an anniversary trip; it also doubled as the final of our four trips for Seth’s 4-0. We hadn’t initially planned for any of them to serve as a dual celebration for two separate occasions, but after having to cancel an August […]

AN 11TH ANNIVERSARY ADVENTURE IN ARKANSAS

OPEN
Words of Wisdom

...

OPEN

THE TRIP WHERE SETH TURNED 40 IN TENNESSEE

This 21st year of the 21st century was a big one for us for several reasons … including that it came with a big birthday for Seth. Not quite his 21st, but if you multiply that by two and then subtract two, you have it: 40! What also made this a big year is that we’ve celebrated big, with four trips for […]

OPEN

THE TRIP WHERE SETH TURNED 40 IN TENNESSEE

This 21st year of the 21st century was a big one for us for several reasons … including that it came with a big birthday for Seth. Not quite his 21st, but if you multiply that by two and then subtract two, you have it: 40! What also made this a big year is that we’ve celebrated big, with four trips for […]

Words of Wisdom

...

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN BUT STILL A REALLY GOOD TIME

Having titled the blog post from our May trip “Fun, Fun, Fun in Florida,” I thought it was only fitting to follow up with a title for our June trip that emphasized all the rain, rain, rain it included — because if any word deserved that much repetition this time around, “rain” was definitely it. And […]

OPEN

Having titled the blog post from our May trip “Fun, Fun, Fun in Florida,” I thought it was only fitting to follow up with a title for our June trip that emphasized all the rain, rain, rain it included — because if any word deserved that much repetition this time around, “rain” was definitely it. And […]

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN BUT STILL A REALLY GOOD TIME

OPEN
Words of Wisdom

...

OPEN

FUN, FUN, FUN IN FLORIDA

When we were picking our next trip earlier this year, Seth’s one request was the ocean. And we soon settled on South Florida, since it also has three National Parks we could cross off our list! Although we’d visited Orlando and New Smyrna Beach several years earlier, this Florida experience was definitely […]

OPEN

FUN, FUN, FUN IN FLORIDA

When we were picking our next trip earlier this year, Seth’s one request was the ocean. And we soon settled on South Florida, since it also has three National Parks we could cross off our list! Although we’d visited Orlando and New Smyrna Beach several years earlier, this Florida experience was definitely […]

Words of Wisdom

...

we have you covered
with a custom timeline!

unsure how
long you need
a photographer
at your wedding?

click here to
create yours!
free resource!

we haven't been everywhere,
but it's on our list.

>
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wisdom-watson
wanderlust
I have you covered with a custom timeline!

we have you covered
with a custom timeline!

unsure how
long you need
a photographer
at your wedding?

click here to
create yours!

free resource!

© 2024 Wisdom-Watson Weddings LLC | all rights reserved

© 2024 Wisdom-Watson Weddings LLC
all rights reserved