Sneak Peek: Design Your Dream Wedding Planner Printable Designed by Boone Photographer Wayfaring Wanderer

So, you're engaged but now what? You've announced it to all of your friends and family, officially changed your Facebook status, and had a huge party to celebrate with all your loved ones, but what comes next? Thinking about a budget and the guest list and the venue and the catering and the cake and the invitations is starting make your head spin, am I right?!

Design your wedding day the free spirited way! This wedding planner is for newly engaged couples and/or brides ready to begin planning their wedding day with ease. It's a guide to help make planning the perfect wedding less stressful and more awesome!

Planning a wedding can be downright overwhelming and time-consuming but it doesn't have to be! I've been designing a new printable wedding day planning guide to, hopefully, make this process a lot more manageable. Here's a sneak peek of what's coming, it's called "Design Your Dream Wedding" and I'm pleased to announce that it will be available in mid-March!

I just finished designed the cover this week and I'm thrilled to present you with this sneak peek as I continue to work on creating the rest of the pages that will go in the guide.

What do you think? Does this sound like something that you could use?



This passion project of mine was conceived from planning our wedding day in just a few weeks with an extremely limited budget. I did all of my planning the old-fashioned way with a blank notebook and new gel pen (my favorite) but I thought that it would be helpful to share with you my method and approach to planning your wedding day with less stress.

The "Design Your Dream Wedding" planner is a road map that will help you and your partner throughout the wedding planning process so that you travel down the path of least resistance.

Since I just got married last year there have been all sorts of planning resources I have come across; however, there aren't many I've seen that act as a guide to help you plan your wedding day from beginning to end, so I decided to create one using my trusty graphic design skills, years of wedding photography knowledge, and experience from planning my own budget wedding to assist you.

I wanted to make a resource using beautiful design coupled with practical advice and easy-to-follow worksheets to streamline the process and make it more awesome!

If you're not sure where to start with your wedding day planning or what to do next, this will be just what you're looking for!



This project has been on my list for months and months and I'm just now making some headway with it, but it's a wish of mine to be as helpful as I possibly can to the couples that hire me as their wedding photographer (as well as those who don't or can't), so this is my way of adding more value to the couples that place their trust in me to capture their most precious memories on their wedding day and beyond.

What info do you think should be included? Is there a certain area of the wedding planning process that you are (or were) having trouble with? I'd love to hear from you in the comments! 

For the couples that do decide to hire Wayfaring Wanderer to be their wedding photographer, you will receive a FREE digital PDF copy with any full wedding day package once it's released!

Any others in the planning process that are interested in the "Design Your Dream Wedding" planner will be able to purchase a digital copy through my website and blog once it is launched this March. Sign-up for the Weekly Wander to be notified of the release! » GET NOTIFICATIONS!

Know any friends or family getting married soon? Please be sure to share my site with them because 2015 dates are limited! http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured Weddings }

» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» PUBLISHED: High Country Wedding Guide Feature
» Allyson + Younes' Destination Wedding at Westglow Mansion
» Leah + Chuck's Intimate Mountain Wedding at Banner Elk Winery

Katie + Dom's Winter Engagement Photo Adventure by Boone Photographer Wayfaring Wanderer

Braving bitter winter temperatures isn’t something that every couple is willing to do for the sake of a beautiful backdrop for their engagement photos, but I am so very thankful for flexible folks like Katie and Dom because going on adventures is what it’s all about!

It’s no secret that I love photographing outdoor engagement photos no matter how unpredictable the Boone weather might be. There’s just something special about shooting outside that will always excite me whether I’m discovering some beautiful backlight during golden hour or combating a blizzard that’s creating a wicked case of windblown hair and frozen fingers, it’s all part of the story. Your story.

Dom’s a pilot in the Air Force and is currently stationed in Oklahoma while Katie lives here in Boone, NC working as a freelance videographer where she grew up . The couple is planning their destination wedding for this October and it’s happening at an amazing wedding venue called Leatherwood Mountain that I can’t wait to photograph at.

The couple’s long-distance love story started back in 2012 when they met through a mutual friend at an Atlanta Braves game. After doe-si-doe-ing during a dance break, Dom decided to get Katie's digits so they could stay in touch. It took about 6-months before they made it exclusive.

Since then, their long-distance-love-connection has continued to grow over the years. In Nov. 2014 Dom whisked Katie away to Charleston, SC for yet another one of their adventures. After spending some time enjoying the city, they ended their day at Sullivan’s Island to watch the sunset while sitting on a blanket and sipping Spanish wine, something they did together when they first started dating.

Katie whispered to Dom that this was a perfect moment, and he responded by telling her that it was about to get more perfect as he pulled out the sparkliest engagement ring she’s ever seen.

Without hesitation, she said YES!

When Katie and I started planning their engagement session, she wasn’t sure about a location, but it wasn’t long before she came up with the perfect idea. We just had to keep our fingers crossed that the weather would cooperate.

She was a little worried about the forecast during the week leading up to the engagement shoot because we only had one day to do their pictures while Dom was in town for their wedding planning, but we stayed optimistic.

One thing I do with my couples to help them choose a location for their engagement session is have them fill out a questionnaire. It asks all sorts of seemingly random questions that will help me come up with engagement photo location ideas just in case you don’t already have one in mind.

It’s also another way for me to learn more about you and your fiance! I enjoy finding out about your personalities and how you like to spend your free time. For instance, what shows you watch can tell me a lot and what words you might use to describe yourself as a couple are some things I ask to get to know you. The answers you provide help me prepare so that your session is uniquely you!

The location idea that Katie wanted to explore was photographing their engagement pictures at the Greenway Trail here in Boone, NC. She’s been going there since childhood, it's a beautiful wooded area not too far from Boone's city center with trails for jogging, biking, hiking, etc. It's a super popular spot all year long that's close to town. I've used this outdoor location to photograph people before so I am pretty familiar with the area—it also happens to be a stone's throw from our home.

In fact, it’s also where I shot my very first engagement session back in 2011! While I’ve photographed families and individuals here on the Greenway Trail since then this is the first couple I’ve had the pleasure of shooting there in a number of years. It's just as gorgeous in the wintertime as it is in the spring, summer, and fall if you ask me!

It was a frosty 23 degrees when I met Katie and Dom for the first time on the Greenway Trail. This definitely wasn’t ideal weather to shoot in but the sun was shining and the wind was gently blowing, so I wasn’t complaining. I brought along a set of vintage hand-warmers and gave one to each of them in hopes that it would help keep them from freezing. They also had disposable hand and foot warmers tucked away that helped some, too! Surprisingly, I was unaffected by the cold because I was running so hot.

Initially, we were entertaining the idea of shooting their engagement session at the Turchin Center (a museum of sorts) because of the not-so-favorable forecast but when I got word back that they wanted $75 an hour to shoot there—not to mention the fact that they needed to see all of the images I would capture to make sure none of the artwork was photographed—we decided to take our chances and hope for the best with the outdoor photo shoot instead! And I'm so glad we did because it was beautiful.

While being an outdoor photographer is what I truly love, I was more than willing to be flexible for the sake of Katie and Dom's comfort. However, I’ve grown accustomed to photographing folks in unpredictable weather, so I’ve seen and shot in all sorts of crazy conditions. Blizzard? No problem! Somehow, I’m still able to make it work and turn it into an adventure that will be memorable. The weather can't stop me! ;-)

Katie and Dom kept each other nice and cozy as I captured their engagement photos on this frigid day while I did my best to keep things moving. We almost walked the Greenway Trail from end-to-end which helped keep our blood pumping and our body heat kicking. As you can see, it also got a little hot and steamy, too! ;-) hehehe

I got carried away while shooting and our 1-hour session almost turned into 2-hours. Time flies when you’re on an adventure!

The special spark that these two share helped me to see what keeps them so close even though the distance between them is vast, for now. Katie and Dom are one-of-a-kind and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to be their engagement photographer! I'm really looking forward to photographing their wedding.

CONGRATULATIONS to Katie + Dom on your engagement and upcoming marriage! I wish you two epic adventures in life and love, and I hope that your relationship and connection will grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos at the Greenway Trail. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery!

Ready to book your exclusive Engagement Adventure Session?

Send me an email at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com or message me through my website contact form because I'd love to find out how I can best help you! Now BOOKING 2015 + 2016 engagements + weddings!

I'm currently offering UNPLUGGED PHOTO ADVENTURES in October & November to couples & families that are looking for an alternative to formal family photos! Click here for details!

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured LINKS }

» Leslie + Wes' Grandfather Mountain Engagement Adventure
» Date Night Idea Jar DIY + FREE Printable
» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors + FREE Printable
» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure
» Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure

PUBLISHED: High Country Wedding Guide Featured Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Styled Shoot

It's been nearly a year since a handful of local Boone wedding vendors got together and took on the challenge to photograph an Alice in Wonderland wedding themed styled shoot in the dead of winter. It was a pretty crazy idea to pull all of this together in under a month, but we had such a great team, and everything happened so seamlessly throughout the entire project, so it was a dream to bring this conceptual shoot to fruition.

I'm so pleased to share that the Alice in Wonderland styled wedding shoot was published in the High Country Wedding Guide this year! YAYAYAYAYAYAY! Happy dance time!

There's nothing quite like seeing your wedding photography work in print. This definitely makes all the effort we put into bringing everything together so worth it! Read more about what it took to put the styled shoot together HERE.

High Country Wedding Magazine's new issue just hit newsstands a couple weeks ago. The wedding photos from this unique shoot managed to cover a 6-page spread that you can preview on pages 50-55 in the guide. Pick up a copy at various local outlets in the High Country to help inspire your destination wedding planning in Boone!

Not local? You can see the High Country Wedding Guide's 2015 Blue Ridge Mountain issue HERE.

This collaboration was brought to you by the following vendors:

» Venue: Camp Sky Ranch 

» Vintage Rentals: Miss Match Rentals

» Florals, Styling, & Props: Desi's Floral and Design Studio 

» Teacakes & Mini-Cupcakes: Gamekeeper Restaurant 

» Makeup: Beautiful Bride on Location (Marion Edwards) 

» Wedding Attire: Did Someone Say Party? 

» Barnwood Tables: Upper Barn 

» Photography: Wayfaring Wanderer 

» Photography Assistant: Raejan Dunn

Several blog posts were published here on Wayfaring Wanderer about the Alice in Wonderland shoot if you wanted to read more about what went into it.

Check out this BEHIND-THE-SCENES look to read more. CLICK HERE »http://bit.ly/1otIWxy«

Also, here's a blog feature that highlights some of my favorite images from the shoot, some that you won't see published in the wedding guide. 

If you'd like to see more images from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland CLICK HERE » http://bit.ly/1mVA4Ql «

It was so much fun planning, preparing, and photographing this wedding styled shoot. Getting to unleash our wild creativity was so refreshing and I'm looking forward to the next styled shoot I'll be putting together this spring with other local wedding vendors here in Boone.

If you are interested in collaborating in some way during the next wedding styled shoot that I will be planning, please send me a message at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com.

Know any friends or family getting married soon? Please be sure to share my site with them because 2015 dates are limited! http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured Weddings }

» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Allyson + Younes' Destination Wedding at Westglow Mansion
» Leah + Chuck's Intimate Mountain Wedding at Banner Elk Winery

Date Night Idea Jar DIY + Free Printable | Easy Valentine Day Gift Idea

Whether you are married, planning a wedding, or just looking for ways to add the spark back to your relationship, here are some simple but fun ideas to show you that you don’t need a bunch of money to plan a date night with your honey. Heck, you don't even need to plan anything with the idea jar. You can just pick out a random activity and go on a spontaneous adventure! It’s all about reconnecting with that special someone, it doesn't really even matter what you do.

I know that putting a “date night” on the calendar sounds unsexy, but this should be a priority even if it's only once a month. Put it on the schedule and keep it as a non-negotiable day to connect in some way with your partner—just the two of you—even if you can’t leave the house. Seriously. This is all about making time for what matters most.

I know that money can get in the way of doing this regularly, which is why the ideas I’m sharing for the DIY Date Night Idea Jar are free or under $20. Got babysitter woes? Trade date nights with another couple that has kiddos so you can support one another and strengthen your relationships with your partners at the same time. Sounds like a win/win to me!

DATE NIGHT IDEAS THAT ARE FREE OR UNDER $20

• Take a Hike - Find a trail and get outside

• Visit a Donut Shop - Try something new

• Picnic in the Park - Pack a meal and bring a blanket

• Go Thrifting - See who finds the best treasures

• Yoga Class - Stretch together and connect

• Go Skating - Roller skate or ice skate, your choice

• Dollar Movies - Try a matinee or indie theater

• Wine Tasting - Find a local winery

• Museum Exhibit - Free or donation-based

• Spontaneous Road Trip - Take a drive and see where it leads

• Go Bowling - During disco night

I also included a sheet of blank cards with the printable so you can write in your own date night ideas if the ones I shared aren't up your alley. These are all things that Cody and I do together as well as things that I want us to do soon! There are so many different activities you can do as a couple to have fun and reconnect. What ideas would you add to the list?! I'd love to hear your date night ideas in the comments! 

Directions for DIY Date Night Idea Jar:

» Print out Date Night Ideas Printable (in color or black and white)

» Cut out idea cards and fill in the blank ones with date nights that you want to do.

» Fold the cards and put in a mason jar.

» Decorate however you like! I kept it simple and just tied a piece of twine around the top and then added some stickers with phrases that focused on feelings I hope that we conjure on our date nights.

To download the FREE Date Night Idea Printable, click here.

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured LINKS }

» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors + FREE Printable
» Leslie + Wes' Grandfather Mountain Engagement Adventure
» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure
» Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure