Ardolino Photography is Featured in Eugene Weddings Magazine!

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:21:23 -0800

The latest issue of Eugene Weddings chose an Ardolino Photography wedding for one of their four features in the latest issue!
Check out the article here, or click the link to the right, and learn more about Andrea and Joshua Wolf and what made their winter wedding unique!
Special thanks to Andrea and Joshua and Eugene Magazine!

Ardolino Photography wins a Bride’s Choice Award 2012!

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:48:19 -0800

So very excited to receive this award three years in a row, and to be rated by my brides on WeddingWire since 2008!

From WeddingWire.com -
The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are awarded solely based on the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds. Awards are determined by a combination of four factors: Overall rating (quality), total number of reviews (quantity), review performance from 2011 (recency), and consistency of reviews from year to year (consistency). This year's recipients represent the top 5% of WeddingWire's vendor community, across all service categories and all regions throughout the US and Canada.

Wedding Photo Flash Drives!

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 14:55:27 -0800

Accessing your wedding photos wherever you go? Sounds great, right?! Ardolino Photography has made it even easier for brides and grooms to share their photos. Choose any package 6 hours or more, and receive an Ardolino Photography flash drive with all your photos in high-resolution! Between that and your online gallery, you will be ready the next time someone asks to see your wedding photos!
For more info, email Ardolino Photography today!

Happy Holidays

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:32:50 -0800

Wishing you and yours a very special holiday season filled with love!

Courtney and Adam, Private Residence

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:11:50 -0700

What started out as a very wet July day ended up being a gorgeous day, saturated with colors instead of raindrops. These two lovebirds opted to see each other before the ceremony, making for a very fun and relaxed photo shoot. The rain let up minutes before they saw each other for the first time, and never returned (What a blessing!).
The ceremony and reception were held in Courtney’s parents backyard, but with ample parking in the front yard and an amphitheater with a breathtaking view in the backyard, it felt more like a beautiful wedding venue.
There were several unique details, one of the most memorable being their money dance. Instead of using the money for a honeymoon, the couple decided to donate the money to a charity close to their heart. Love filled the air, and many guests stayed late into the night - later than the photographer even ;) I was excited to see the “after-party” photos Courtney shared with me taken some of her family and friends.
Congratulations Courtney and Adam!

Katie and Mike’s Wedding at Chateau Lorane

Sat, 9 Jul 2011 12:52:25 -0700

Katie and Mike, two J. Crew models (okay, so they aren’t models, but they should be), chose Chateau Lorane, a winery in Lorane Valley outside of Eugene, for their special day. The intimate outdoor event area is set on a private lake, creating the perfect backdrop for their summer wedding.
Katie arrived first so we could get unlimited photos of her and her bridesmaids and family beside the lake. Can I just say that I loved that her dress had pockets?! The couple chose to see each other for the first time during the wedding, Mike’s expression was one a bride could only hope for as Katie walked down the aisle.
The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding, even as guests danced late into the night. The bride and groom thought of everything, including a shuttle to and from the hotel so guests could kick back and enjoy themselves. And the newlyweds themselves left just before the guests in a limo, so everyone had a chance to say goodbye.
Congratulations to Katie and Mike!

Robyn and Chad’s Wedding at Twin Rivers Baptist Church

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:52:20 -0700

I met with Robyn before the wedding day at Twin Rivers Baptist Church in Springfield, Oregon to go over the details of the wedding day. When I arrived again to the church on the wedding day, I was amazed at how they had transformed so many of the spaces with touching details and memorabilia. Rocking chairs, photos of the couple adorned with sweet little messages and many, many country-chic details, down to the homemade bows on the reception chairs. Check out the pics below for just a sample!
The day of started out at Utopia Salon in Eugene. The bride and her entourage enjoyed pampering and Starbucks, and a lot of laughs, before heading off to the church.
The couple opted for a wedding and reception at the church. A bagpiper and songs sung by family and friends made their wedding truly unique.
Extensive planning meant the bride and groom had some alone time and even time to eat - after the ceremony, guests remained in the pews to watch a slideshow of Robyn and Chad while the stars themselves snuck off to enjoy dinner as husband and wife.
Once at the reception, the bride and groom held a receiving line that ended at the buffet table catered by the delicious Hole in the Wall BBQ.
After the cake cutting and a few important dances, the couple disappeared to change in their farewell attire, the bride in a rhinestone-adorned, tea-length white dress and the groom in a more casual tan suit.
Taking a cue, family and friends gathered together and filled the air with bubbles. The couple ran through, waved goodbyes and stepped into the back of a yellow, vintage Rolls Royce that swept them away, a perfect end to a perfect day.
Congratulations Robyn and Chad!

Carly and Mike’s Vintage Wedding

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:17:38 -0700

The fun started with the bride, some of the bridal party and the bride’s mom at Prima Salon in downtown Portland. After hair, makeup and changing into her beautiful vintage-style dress, Carly headed off to Hotel DeLuxe to see her groom, Mike, for the first time. It was the perfect place for a vintage-inspired photo session! It also gave the bride and groom time to relax and enjoy each other before the ceremony and celebration. Riding together, the bride and groom arrived at the Lake Oswego Mountain Park Clubhouse. 7-inch vinyl records dangled from the ceiling, and a beautiful white flowery print covered the floor-to-ceiling windows behind the altar, creating a private, intimate feel while still letting in the natural light. Friends filmed the event on Super 8 to really capture the right feel for the 50s-style wedding. The laid-back couple chose a local food cart - Los Gorditos - to dish out delicious Mexican food, followed by a tasty and simple cake reminiscent of a 50s wedding cake from Beaverton Bakery. The couple and the guests also had a lot of fun at the photobooth by Lucille VonTron. Congratulations Carly and Mike on a successful wedding and beautiful marriage!

Mount Pisgah Arboretum Wedding!

Sun, 29 May 2011 20:44:32 -0700

Jessica and Brandon chose Eugene, Oregon, as their wedding destination, even though they now live in Arizona! The two met in college, and wanted to share places that were special to them with their friends and family. The ceremony was held at St. Thomas More Newman Center near the University of Oregon. Though it rained on and off all day, we managed to get some lovely photos in the church garden and later at Mount Pisgah. In-between, we drove to the bride’s favorite spot in Eugene, the footbridge near Valley River Center, for some intimate photos of the couple. The weather didn’t cooperate there, however, and we almost lost an umbrella or two off the side of the bridge! Despite the wind and rain, we were able to capture some great moments - these two had a blast braving the weather and it showed. The reception was at Mount Pisgah Arboretum, and the crazy weather let us take photos while basking in the sun, then dry, cozy and warm photos under heating lamps inside the building. A beautiful end to a beautiful wedding, congratulations Jessica and Brandon!

Spring Engagement Session in Eugene

Wed, 11 May 2011 14:53:50 -0700

Kelly and David and their adorable dog Houston met up with me a couple of weeks ago for a fun spring engagement session in the park. The couple chose Autzen Stadium as the first location for the photo shoot - the perfect choice for Duck fans! We continued on at Alton Baker park and finally ended the evening by the whimsical Science Factory. With four wardrobe changes, it felt like each place was new and unique, even without going very far! Check out a few of my favorite pics from the session!
Congrats to Kelly and David!

WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:53:47 -0800

Eugene, Or – January 25, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Ardolino Photography has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Photography!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Ardolino Photography stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Ardolino Photography for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Ardolino Photography is among the very best Wedding Photography within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/ardolino-photography-eugene/617faa58b61fc093.html.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Momentville chooses Ardolino Photography for Hotlist 2011!

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:13:59 -0800

Ardolino Photography is Named to the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List
13 Jan, 2011 - MomentVille.com, one of the worlds leading wedding websites, has just announced that Ardolino Photography has been selected for the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List.
The annual Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes excellence within the wedding industry, as determined by reviews from tens of thousands of brides and grooms. Ardolino Photography was among the best reviewed vendors in their area in the past year.
"The Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes best of class wedding professionals." said Geoff Evason, MomentVille's CEO. "Highlighting the success of the top wedding professionals is an exciting way to spread the word and help newly engaged couples find the right professionals for their own weddings."
About Ardolino Photography  Ardolino Photography, based in Eugene, Oregon, strives to give brides a stress-free experience on their wedding day and beautiful, timeless photos to remember it by! Visit www.ardolinophotography.com or www.wendy-ardolino.blogspot.com to learn more about why Ardolino Photography is a great choice for your day!
About MomentVille  MomentVille.com offers engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts a one stop place for planning and sharing a wedding. Offering personal wedding websites, wedding planning tools, a gorgeous gallery of wedding pictures, a searchable list of reviewed wedding vendors, and lots of helpful and inspiring wedding content, MomentVille helps newlyweds with all aspects of their wedding. For more information contact media@momentville.com

Winter, Winery Weddings in Whiteaker!

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:15:49 -0800

I was fortunate enough to photograph two winter weddings in winery warehouses - both were in the hip area of Whiteaker in Eugene this November! Other than all the w’s, the month and the locations, these weddings were quite unique and completely different from each other!

Andrea and Josh

Andrea and Josh chose to start out by seeing each other for the first time in the venue’s wine tasting room! Then, the entire bridal party and family members daringly embarked on a walking photo shoot around Whiteaker - I say daringly because it was chilly! The bridesmaids each wore a unique, 20s era dress that the bride selected for each girl - even the flower girls were vintage chic! After some fun photos in front of the Ninkasi Brewery and some on the railroad tracks, we headed back for the festivities, which included a candlelit ceremony to a standing-room only crowd, followed by cocktails, lots of hor devours, sweet treats and lots of dancing - including a very impressive father/daughter dance!

Megan and Ty

Megan and Ty held their celebration at Eugene Wine Cellars, which is also home to B2 Wine. The couple decided to wait until the ceremony to see each other for the first time, so we had some fun with each bridal party, taking photos inside the winery next to oak barrels and in front of a twinkle light and flower adorned arch. Floral details were everywhere, from kissing balls dangling from the aisle chairs to the table settings, the cake and even the toasting glasses! After the couple exchanged vows, more group photos followed, along with a tearful toast, a yummy buffet and, of course, dancing!

Congratulations to the happy couples!

Attention Ardolino Photography Brides: Wedding Albums Make Great Gifts!

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:22:14 -0800

Now that you’re married, whose home are you going to for the holidays? Yours? His? Both? Be everywhere at once by giving your loved ones a copy of your photo album! You won’t have to let mom borrow your Brag Book this holiday season, instead, gift her one of her own!!
Not yet married? Make sure to add an extra album to your package for next year! If you aren’t yet an Ardolino Photography bride, click here to find out if your date is still available!

You and Me and the Puppy Makes Three!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:47:26 -0700

What a FUN photoshoot! Fall was in full bloom at Hendricks Bridge County Park for this adorable couple and their furry friend. What a great session, can’t wait for the wedding!
If you are getting married, why not do an engagement session this winter? There are tons of fun places to take photos in the winter months, and cozy sweaters and coffee are all you need to make your photos warm and bright! Email to set up an appointment!

Time for Engagement Photos

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 22:44:22 -0700

Are you getting married in the next year? First of all, congratulations! Planning a wedding is a lot of fun and a lot of work, so it is good to schedule a break now and then and just be with your fiancé! Getting engagement photos is a great excuse to getaway, whether it is just down the street to a fun park, or to a favorite spot on the coast, like the couple pictured here. It also gives you a chance to get comfortable with your wedding photographer, and getting comfortable will not only produce some fabulous engagement photos of you and your honey, but it also means great shots of the two of you on your wedding day! To find out more details, contact Ardolino Photography!

No Travel Fees for Portland Brides!

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 18:15:32 -0700

If you are getting married in Portland, Oregon, good news ... if you choose the “So Excited” package, Ardolino Photography is offering no travel fees for brides! More and more, Portland brides are inquiring about wedding photography services and we want to make it simple and sweet! I love traveling to Portland for wedding photography, as well other places, so whether your wedding is in Eugene, Portland, Bend, Yachats, Hawaii or even international, email me for information!

Ardolino Photography Wins WeddingWire.com Award!

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:38:24 -0800

Ardolino Photography has received two awards in the past month, the OneWed Vendor’s Choice Award, and now the Bride’s Choice Awards 2010 from WeddingWire.com! Thank you to all the beautiful brides and awesome vendors that helped Ardolino Photography win!

Ardolino Photography Receives Vendor’s Choice Award!

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:54:56 -0800

OneWed.com announced the 2009 Vendor’s Choice Award winners today ... and I am thrilled to say that Ardolino Photography was nominated and won an award!

According to the email sent by OneWed staff:
“We proudly offer you the OneWed Vendor's Choice award! This coveted award is only given to OneWed wedding professionals touted by their peers in the wedding industry as exceptional creative leaders and collaborators.”

Thanks to all who nominated Ardolino Photography and thanks OneWed.com!

Destination Wedding Photography

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 17:53:03 -0800

Destination weddings are a great choice for couples to get away, whether alone or with friends and family. A lot of your wedding details can be taken care of before you get there to ensure a relaxing experience, including your wedding photography. Ardolino Photography is available for destination weddings - email me your destination and we can come up with a personalized package that fits your needs! Once you are home, Ardolino Photography works hard to get you beautiful, edited photos on high-resolution DVDs and in a private online gallery ... maybe before you even unpack!

Eugene, Oregon Weddings

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:28:14 -0800

A winter wonderland brings about a flurry of engagements, which means brides in Eugene and all around Oregon are seeking Oregon wedding photographers, caterers, venues and more for 2010 and 2011!
Ardolino Photography would like to offer local brides a few tips on where to find Oregon wedding vendors. Below is a list I have compiled from my personal experience in the wedding business and as a bride myself. Good luck on your search and email me if you are looking for a wedding photographer or just need a little guidance. You can also check out the Blog for ideas on locations, attire, style and more!

Oregon Bride Magazine
WeddingWire
WedPlan
OneWed

Do you know of a great resource for an Oregon Bride? Email Ardolino Photography and I will add it to this list!

Eugene, Oregon Wedding Photography

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:55:31 -0700

Are you looking for a wedding photographer for your celebration? Ardolino Photography is now booking for 2010 and beyond.
livepage.apple.com
Eugene Weddings, Portland weddings, Medford weddings, even destination wedding photography, Ardolino Photography would love to be part of your special day! Check out packages and customizable options for your photography package here!

Customizable Wedding Photography Packages

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:14:29 -0700

Brides spoke and Ardolino Photography listened! Are you looking for an engagement session in front of Autzen Stadium or the JS Museum of Art? Are you having a large wedding at the Eugene Hilton and need two photographers to capture all 300 of your guests? Each wedding is different, so why can’t your wedding photography package be different? Below are just some of the add-ons we offer. Don’t see something you wish was listed? Email us!

Customize Your Package:

Each Additional Hour:
Looking for a package in-between four hours and all day? Add an hour or two to get the coverage you want without paying for time you don’t want! And more hours means you will get more beautiful photos to remember your day!

Engagement Session:
Whether you want to include the photos in your invitations or just keep them all to yourself, the engagement session is a great excuse to spend time with the one you love!
This session includes:
Two-hour photo shoot at the location of your choice
A quick-turnaround (allow two weeks) so you can use the photos for your invitations or wedding day
DVD of edited, high-resolution images
Link to your private online gallery for easy viewing, downloading and ordering

Associate Photographer:
Four hours or 10 hours
There are many reasons why two photographers are a great idea on your wedding day – you have a very large guest list, you want to capture candid and traditional shots at the same time, or you just want more photos and more coverage of your special day! Associate photographers are experienced photographers that consider wedding photography their passion, but maybe not their full-time job. This means they are willing to shoot for less, but still deliver great quality photos! With every package, you have a full-time professional photographer, but you might want an associate as well!
If you want two full-time, professional photographers, check out the So Lavish package! 
Brag Book:
This custom-designed album is the perfect size to toss it in your purse and show off anytime you are asked about your wedding! It also makes a great gift for parents, grandparents, friends and family!

Custom-Designed Wedding Album:
Choose a beautiful, landscape-style hardbound album to keep your wedding photos on display. Your day will be laid-out from start to finish on premium, silk-finish paper that will make you want to look through it again and again! Each album is designed exclusively for each wedding, meaning you will receive an original piece of art!

Deluxe Photo Album:
This should really be called an heirloom album, because the quality of this book means your photos will be preserved for years to come! This coffee-table book has a custom hardcover and matching book jacket, along with a case for safekeeping! This album is designed exclusively for your wedding, so it is truly unique!

One-of-a-Kind Keepsake Album:
Ardolino Photography One-of-a-Kind Keepsake Albums are more than just a series of photos, they combine quotes and photos into a beautiful memory album! What a great way to capture your big day!

Email for more info!

Fall Engagement Photos

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:36:00 -0700

Fall is the perfect time to do your engagement photos! If you are getting married next year, or even in the next few months, if your wedding colors are green, yellow, orange, red or purple, or if fall is your favorite season, then a fall engagement session is perfect for you!
Ardolino Photography still has available days left during the week and a couple spots left during the weekend to photography you and your fiance!

Farmin Creek Wedding in Lorane, Oregon

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:43:36 -0700

Oregon wedding weather can be unpredictable, and sometimes rain doesn’t stay away on your wedding day. However, I have shot enough weddings to see nine out of 10 weddings be blessed with parting clouds during the ceremony! Shawna and Derek’s wedding was no exception! And the best thing about a little rain is gorgeous, saturated colors.
The rain went away about an hour before the couple’s walk down the aisle and it stayed away for the rest of the day, so the couple and their guests could celebrate late into the night.
Farmin Creek is a great venue, boasting a sea green pond, log gazebo, beautiful dance floor, wedding cake gazebo and several great spots to take photos of you and your beau!

Intimate Oregon Wedding at Cloverdale Chapel & Meetinghouse, Creswell, Oregon

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:32:19 -0700

Cloverdale Chapel & Meetinghouse in Creswell, Oregon, is the perfect place to have an intimate event! This cute couple had splashes of orange everywhere, from the bridesmaids dresses to the delicious cupcakes from The Divine Cupcake to the personalized Jones Soda bottles in Orange & Cream flavor!
Thanks for letting Ardolino Photography be part of your special day!

Melissa and Mike’s Wedding: King Estate Winery

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 20:02:55 -0700

King Estate Winery is fast becoming one of the most popular places to have weddings in Lane County. It is no wonder then, that Melissa and Mike — Bend locals — chose this beautiful destination to have their wedding!

Keeping it simple, the couple chose to invite 35-40 of their closest friends and family, an intimate gathering indeed! Great people, wine, food and scenery really made this day an enjoyable one to photograph!

Cheers to Melissa and Mike!

A Beautiful, Backyard Wedding in Eugene, OR

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:51:34 -0700

Backyard weddings are making a comeback and after shooting this awesome couple’s nuptials at the bride’s aunt’s house in Eugene, it is easy to see why! Pampering at the bride’s favorite salon, an intimate ceremony amongst a familiar setting, a catered dinner by Oakway Wine & Deli and live music by the bride’s talented brother-in-law was the perfect mix for a stress-free ceremony and reception.
Also, instead of a guest book, they chose the One-of-a-Kind Keepsake Album! Ardolino Photography offers brides this custom album that is more than just a series of photos, it combines quotes from your guests alongside photos to create a beautiful memory album of your special day! If you would like more information about the Keepsake Album or other add-ons, contact me today!
It was easy to get away for a photo shoot and the couple actually had time to eat and spend time with every guest — amazing!

Blue Rooster Inn B&B Wedding

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:52:23 -0700

There is something so fun about a wedding reception in a barn! Are you looking for a wedding site in Eugene with a barn? Blue Rooster Inn B&B has a great barn that you can decorate and dance into the night!
This photogenic couple exchanged vows at the outdoor ceremony area flanked by a stream and pond. Then they headed inside with their guests where they enjoyed great food and a fun slideshow that shared their lives up until now! The owner of the B&B had no qualms when the guests hung around, danced and talked late into the night! The barn and surrounding landscape was a great place to do a couple’s photoshoot — there were even horses that came right up to the fence and begged to be part of the backdrop!

Intimate Wedding Package is Here to Stay!

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:48:49 -0700

Brides love the intimate wedding package! For this reason, the petite package is being added to Ardolino Photography wedding packages for good! Check out the So Fun! package here. Looking for another hour or two? It is easy to add time, along with albums, engagement packages and more to really customize your photography package. Email info@ardolinophotography.com for more info!

Julie & Mike: Wedding at Big K Ranch

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:59:20 -0700

Such a fun couple, Julie and Mike had a beautiful wedding at the Big K Guest Ranch and Guide Service in Elkton, Oregon. We enjoyed hot, sunny weather all day, with an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception.

When it cooled down a bit, we had a great time doing a photoshoot for just the two of them.

Intimate Wedding Package Offer!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:47:30 -0700

The big trend this year is the weekday wedding! For this reason, Ardolino Photography is offering an a la carte package with those brides in mind! Through July 15th, the package will be offered during the week and weekend — there are only a few weekend days left so e-mail me at wendy@ardolinophotography.com if you are interested in a weekend day! For week days, this special will continue to run after October 1st.

So Fun! – This package provides the ultimate stress-free photography experience for the bride with a smaller wedding!

Wendy as the main photographer
Complimentary consultation before the wedding
Up to 4 hours of digital wedding photography
Custom editing and enhancement of each image – no image goes untouched!
Personalized DVD of your photos in high-resolution
Link to your private online gallery for easy viewing and ordering
Price: $900.00

‘Tis the Season for Engagement Photos!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:43:27 -0700

I just finished an engagement session for a really fun couple, Julie and Mike! I have the honor of photographing their wedding this May at Big K Ranch in Elkton, Oregon, and the engagement session was a great way for all of us to get to know each other better! I love spending this time with the bride and groom before the wedding because I really get to find out what they like and more about the details of their big day!

Congratulations Julie and Mike!!!

What does a Photographer Do for You? Pt. 2

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:31:24 -0700

We have all heard the expression, "You get what you pay for." This saying can be applied to wedding photography as well. Now I am not saying that you won't get great photos unless you hire a photographer for $10,000, but I am saying that if you are looking for someone to cover your wedding day for $150.00, you had better be okay with the possibility that you won't get decent photos, if you even get them. For someone to be invested in your day, you need to be invested in them. As a wedding photographer, I develop a relationship with my clients and we have both invested a lot of time, money and planning into their event. I work full-time as a wedding photographer and I want you to have a fantastic experience and beautiful photos to remember your day. I won't go too into this, if you want some good reasons to go with a professional, check out this previous post.
What I want to share with you today is a photo taken by a guest versus a photo taken by a professional. The bride confirmed that she had originally thought she would just have friends take photos and put a disposable camera on each table and save money by not hiring a wedding photographer.

This one is from a disposable camera:

This is a photo I took of the girls at about the same time:

I was as happy as the bride that I was able to photograph her with a group of her friends - imagine if she only had the disposable pic to remember the moment! It wouldn't have captured the feeling and excitement of her wedding; the drab colors and grainy appearance really change the mood of the event and the way it is remembered. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy disposable cameras or have guests take photos — those photos give you several perspectives of your day! But entrust a professional to get the photos you are counting on to show to friends, family and future children!
So please, please choose a professional for your big day — speaking on behalf of all professional wedding photographers, we want to make sure you have a great experience during your wedding and photos to cherish and show off after it!

One-of-a-Kind Keepsake Albums

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 18:59:24 -0700

Are you looking for a wedding album that is a little more unique? You might want to opt for Ardolino Photography's Keepsake Album! You still get a fantastic, coffee-book style album, but the Keepsake Album also incorporates notes from your friends and family! A comments box and instructions are set up near your guestbook so that anytime before, during, or after the ceremony, friends can write a fun or memorable message to be included in your wedding album! The great thing is, you won't have to carry around your photos and your guestlist to get the full-effect of your wedding day!

What Does a Professional Photographer Do for You? Part One

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 21:00:30 -0700

In the current state of the economy, many brides are planning their wedding with a smaller budget in mind. Some aren't springing for quite as expensive as a dress, some are choosing to wed in the off-season to save money. But if they can afford it, many brides still choose to go with a professional wedding photographer. Why? It has happened time and again. A family friend offers to take the photos for a wedding and the day a bride has spent so much time planning either isn't documented in its best light, or isn't covered very well. And unfortunately, every once in awhile, that family friend who had no contract holding them to this obligation, doesn't show up at all.
By choosing to book a professional wedding photographer, you are ensuring that all those important people and personal details are going to be captured on film. It also means that all of the photos you receive are going to be color-corrected and touched up so you get a gorgeous set of photos to last you a lifetime. Here is a list of good reasons you should choose a professional photographer to document this once-in-a-lifetime event.
1. Contract, contract, contract. You have a written agreement with the photographer and know they will be at your wedding, rain or shine!
2. A worry-free day. If a guest accidentally knocks a camera over and breaks it, the photographer's insurance will cover it, not your wallet.
3. Their first priority is you. The photographer is there to capture your day first and foremost, unlike your family friend who might spend most of their time visiting with guests and enjoying the event.
4. They have the right gear. Professional photographers carry back-up cameras, batteries, extra memory cards and anything else to make sure your day is documented.
5. They know how to use it. A photographer knows their camera and how to use available lighting. They can troubleshoot each situation to make sure your photos turn out. Also, their experience means they know how to shoot your wedding and is comfortable doing it.
6. They follow a schedule. Meeting with a photographer ahead of time means they have your wedding day schedule and won't be in line for cake while you are throwing the bouquet.
7. Gorgeous photos. A professional photographer doesn't just take the photos, they do all the post-processing as well. Editing, cropping, color-correction, blemish removal - you name it, a professional photographer has taken the time to learn it so they can give you the best product possible.
8. Photos that last. Every photographer has a different way and length of time they store your photos, but know that your photos are going to be given to you in print or digital form and backed-up somewhere in case you lose them a week later.
9. A style that fits you. Because you are choosing the photographer, you can go with a style that suits you, whether is is photojournalistic, candid, traditional or a combination of the three. With a family friend, you might not get the style of photography you were hoping for.
10. Because they specialize in photography. Professional photographers are always practicing, taking classes, reading books, learning new software, updating equipment and surrounding themselves with the tools they need to be a great photographer for you.

I Heart San Francisco Weddings!

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:57:21 -0800

I recently had the privilege of photographing one of my lifelong friend's wedding in San Francisco!

We stayed on the Presidio Officer's Club, an historic military-base that is now a protected national monument. The house we rented was built in the late 1800s, and the high ceilings and great selection of antique furniture made for some great photos!
Their wedding was at the Presidio Officer's Club, a gorgeous ballroom with great lighting and an adobe-style fireplace.

Good thing there were so many indoor places to shoot - it rained all day!
We did get a chance to grab an umbrella and do an outdoor shoot, as well as steal away a few rain-free moments outside before heading back in to enjoy the rest of the reception.

Congratulations Tara and Jason!