Thoughtful Wedding Party Favors That Actually Mean Something When you start planning your wedding, it doesn’t take long to realize just how much your wedding party is showing up for you. Not just emotionally, but financially and logistically, too. Between attire, travel, showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and time off work, being a bridesmaid or […]

Rainy Wedding Day Plans from a Photographer Going on 16 Years of Business No bride wants to think about the possibility of rain on her wedding day. When you picture your wedding, you imagine sunshine, glowing light, and everything unfolding exactly as planned. Thinking about umbrellas, backup spaces, or muddy shoes feels like inviting stress […]

To Do or Not To Do Choreography For Your First Dance? Every month in my Wedding Planning 101 series, I love breaking down topics that couples often stress over. Today’s topic? First Dance Choreography. I promise, this one doesn’t have to be scary. When it comes to your first dance as newlyweds, there is a […]

Wedding Favors That Will Wow Your Guests When you think about wedding favors, you’re really thinking about the last little touch your guests take home. A final way of saying “thank you for celebrating with us.” Over the years, I’ve seen favors at every price point, every style, and every level of creativity. Some are […]

One of the most deceptively tricky parts of wedding planning is creating your seating chart. While it may seem straightforward at first, there are actually quite a few seating chart strategies that can make your guests’ experience smoother and reduce stress for you. Alphabetical vs. By Table The first decision you’ll need to make is […]

One of the most important but often overlooked parts of a wedding day timeline is the family photos. These portraits are cherished heirlooms that become the most printed photos from a gallery and are passed down for generations. So, they deserve intentional planning. At Amanda May Photos, I’ve created a process that makes your family […]

What Grooms Need to Know About Looking Sharp on Wedding Day Read to the end to get an exclusive discount with one of my suit partners! When it comes to planning your wedding, it’s easy for the bride’s dress to take center stage, but let’s not forget about the groom! His outfit deserves just as […]

Romantic Bride & Groom Portraits, Captivating Ceremony Photos, but Let’s Not Forget the Reception When planning your wedding photography, you might focus on the dreamy outdoor ceremony or romantic golden-hour portraits. But what about the reception? Your wedding reception is where the celebration gives way to energy, laughter, and fun. Where heartfelt toasts are shared, […]

Destination Wedding: What You Need to Know Over the years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to photograph destination weddings both locally and across the country. Many of my couples travel to East Tennessee for their dream weddings at stunning venues like The Trillium Venue, The Magnolia Venue, and Nichols Heir. But I’ve also packed my […]

An Explanation of How I’m Handling My 2025 Portrait Calendar I did something accidentally in 2024. In the month of June, we were at Anna Maria Island for my husband’s big family vacation for a week, and we followed that with an out of town camping trip for a week. It was poor planning on […]