What Happens When a Wedding Photographer Gets Engaged (Spoiler: Chaos, Color Palettes, and Hard Truths)
Being a wedding photographer is basically like having a front-row seat to hundreds of love stories. But what happens when you, a wedding photographer, gets engaged?
Welcome to Brittany’s world.
In this episode of Aisle Be Honest, Erin (Knoxville & Smoky Mountain photographer and general hype woman) and Brittany (Enneagram Six portrait + traveling wedding photographer and currently engaged) sit down to spill the tea on what it actually feels like to plan a wedding. Especially when you’ve seen it all from behind the camera.
Spoiler: knowing a lot about weddings doesn’t make planning easier.
Step One: Meet Brittany (Engaged, Slightly Stressed, Very Relatable)
Brittany didn’t have the typical “first date” love story. She met her fiancé, Quillen of Q Videography, while working a wedding. Because where else would she meet him? Their relationship grew from friendship into something more. And yes, there was an awkward arm-around-the-shoulder movie moment straight out of a rom-com.
But the proposal? Chef’s kiss. Q proposed in the exact wedding venue where their paths first officially crossed. He even “roped” Erin into secretly capturing the whole thing.
The Real Wedding Planning Struggle: Vendors, Vibes, and The Venmo Drain
You’d think being a wedding photographer would make wedding planning a breeze. (Narrator: it did not.) Brittany quickly learned that knowing about weddings didn’t translate to knowing how to plan her own. Here’s what surprised her most:
- Wedding vendors without pricing or info on their websites = immediate ick.
- Wedding vendors who don’t respond to inquiries? Absolutely not.
- Sticker shock is real. Apparently, wedding dresses did not get the 2013 pricing memo.
- Guest list trimming is an Olympic sport of emotional damage.
- Pinterest is a liar.
The #1 Piece of Advice Brittany Wishes She Knew Sooner?
Hire. A. Planner. Seriously. Brittany swears hiring a full-service wedding planner was the best money she spent. Not a “day-of” person. Not just a “timeline wrangler.” But someone who could swoop in, help with logistics, aesthetics, vendor drama, and keep Brittany from rage-texting a caterer at midnight.
What Photographers Really Want Couples To Know
Look, as photographers, Erin and Brittany have been to hundreds of weddings. They know how timelines break down, how bad shoes will betray you, and how vendors either elevate your day (or make it stressful).
But what they really want couples to know? This is your wedding. Your vibe. Your story. Pinterest-perfect is overrated. Real is better. Hire good vendors. Ask a million questions.
Colorful Campground Weddings? Highly Recommend.
In case you’re wondering, Brittany and Q landed on a colorful, glamping-style wedding weekend in Erwin, TN. Think: Airstreams, s’mores, bright palettes, and a laid-back weekend with the people they love most.
It’s everything they wanted and nothing they thought they should have. And that’s kind of the whole point.
Catch More About When a Wedding Photographer Gets Engaged
Want to hear the full episode about what happens when a wedding photographer gets engaged? Catch Episode 3 of Aisle Be Honest on Spotify and YouTube. And if you’re deep in the trenches of wedding planning chaos, hang out with us on Instagram at @aislebehonestpod, or get to know us with Episode 2!
We’ve got opinions. We’ve got stories. And we’ll always tell you to pack a second pair of shoes.
