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irons mill farmstead wedding venue

Deidre & Paul: Summer Irons Mill Farmstead Wedding

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Deidre & Paul: Summer Irons Mill Farmstead Wedding

Deidre & Paul’s wedding was a BLAST to photograph at one of the most beautiful venues - Irons Mill Farmstead! It's been quite a few years since I've photographed a wedding here, and I was so excited to be back!

Deidre & Paul’s wedding day featured a lavender color palette with lots of greenery - but the most important piece there for them was the people they invited to share the day with them! We took the majority of their portraits prior to the ceremony so they would have time to mingle during cocktail hour and chat with their guests - something that was so important to them!

We couldn't have asked for a more fun day with these two, and with their friends & family - thank you Deidre and Paul for letting us be a part of it!

Vendors: Irons Mill Farmstead, Butterfly Wish Bouquets, Pastries A La Carte, DianaRua Media (DJ), Sin Pretty Beauty Salon, The Exquisite Bride (bride's dress), Medure's Catering

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One Clever & Revealing Question to Ask at Your Vendor Consultations

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One Clever & Revealing Question to Ask at Your Vendor Consultations

Do you ever have one of those moments where you’re just not really sure what to say?

I had a wedding photography consultation with a couple a few years ago (who I absolutely love!) who asked me an AMAZING question. And only a few months ago did I recognize the significance of it!

THE BIG Q

“Who would you hire to photograph your wedding?”

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Whoa. No one had ever asked me that before (at least, not a potential client!). First, I explained that I had in fact already gotten married, and that we had hired an amazing local photographer and absolutely loved our photos. But then they asked me again:

“If you could hire anyone to photograph your wedding, who would it be?”

Well, they got me there.

So many options raced through my head – local photographers, national photographers, international photographers - but a married couple from New England stuck out as the top pair in my head. Not just for their work, but for their incredible heart and connection that leaps out of each and every once of their images!

We moved on from this topic of conversation, and I didn’t think about this question again until months later, at the couple’s engagement session, when they were telling my assistant why they had decided to go with me as their wedding photographer.

They explained that they had asked multiple photographers the same question they had asked me: “Who would you hire to photograph your wedding?” And, believe it or not, one of those photographers said that they would hire me.

I was stunned when I heard this. Completely flabbergasted. Totally in shock! This question – though simple and straightforward – had landed me this booking. I felt kind of bad at first, sort of feeling like it was unfair that I had said someone out of state, and that this photographer had mentioned me. But then I realized: this couple? They were geniuses!

Who better to ask about hiring a wedding photographer than a wedding photographer? They know the industry, see SO much wedding work, and have tons of connections… so, again, who better to ask? And what better question to ask?

BUT WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

I’m writing this blog for a two-fold reason: first, from a bride’s perspective, I wish that I had asked this question to my vendors when I was getting married: to my DJ, to my florist, to my caterer, possibly even to my wedding venue. I really think it is an easy question that reveals so much!

If I don’t believe in my product or service… why would anyone else?

And second, from a wedding photographer perspective: why didn’t I throw my own name into the ring? Part of me wonders why I didn’t think: I wish I could photograph my own wedding! But that thought didn’t even cross my mind. For obvious reasons I couldn’t, but it reminds me that if I don’t believe in my product or service… why would anyone else? That’s a mindset and perspective worth shifting.

To the couple who asked me this thought-provoking question: thank you. So much. You know who you are, and I am so thankful for you!

To the bride who might be reading this: try asking this question at your next vendor meeting. I’m sure it will give you some answers that you’ve been looking for!

And finally, to the business owner: look at your product or service through your client’s shoes. Would you hire yourself to provide the product or service you’re asking your client to pay you for?

Thanks for reading, friends!

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Chelsea + TJ: Irons Mill Farmstead Wedding Photos

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Chelsea + TJ: Irons Mill Farmstead Wedding Photos

What an absolute JOY it was to be a part of Chelsea and TJ's wedding day, from start to finish! These two threw a wedding as beautiful as their sweet relationship and I could not be more excited to share these images!

For a little background, I actually worked at my local YMCA as a lifeguard with the bride's twin sister for several years, so when Chelsea reached out to me to photograph her wedding, I was over the moon excited! You might remember these two from their spring McConnell's Mill engagement photos a few months back (see them here!).

For their wedding day, Chelsea and TJ incorporated so many beautiful, bright colors and unique details! My favorite of all of Chelsea's bridal details were her shoes, which, coincidentally, she bought on super sale for six dollars at Macy's (you would never EVER be able to tell!!). You'll also notice some antlers incorporated into the bridal details and reception details - those were added as a nod to TJ's love for hunting, which was the perfect addition to their rustic barn wedding!

Chelsea's twin sister's daughter, Alivia, made her way into quite a few photos, too! She was one of two incredibly sweet flower girls who were a part of the wedding ceremony.

Reception details included the most beautiful cake stand and cupcake stand (all made by the groom himself!), along with lots more antlers, wild flowers, and even a #Nine lit up sign behind the head table. After a little bit of dancing, we took this dynamic duo out into a field for sunset photos at the perfect time. We're so thankful to have been a part of this wedding day! Congratulations on your marriage, Chelsea and TJ - we love you guys!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: Irons Mill Farmstead

Bride’s Dress: Mary’s Bridal (Beaver Falls)

Bride’s Shoes: Macy's

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstroms; Eliza J (Ross Township)

Hair & Makeup: LUSH Custom Spray Tanning and Makeup

Tuxes: Men's Warehouse (Cranberry Township)

DJ: Faraone Brothers (New Castle)

Flowers: Posies by Patti (Ellwood City)

Caterer: Medure's Catering

Cake/Desserts: Tin Man Sweets (Zelienople)

Honeymoon: Maine; Bar Harbor; Acadia National Park

Irons Mill Farmstead Photos by: Jenna Hidinger Photography

 

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