WeddingWire

Got engaged about two months ago and started looking at venues. figured this part would be the fun part but I am drowning. We have a rough budget (around $30-35k for venue plus catering) and a rough area (within about 90 minutes of Tampa, FL). From there it has been a mess. The Knot, WeddingWire and Zola let me filter only by a few dimensions and then I am staring at a list of 200 places with no idea which ones actually fit what we want. Half the time the price tier on the listing does not match the actual pricing on the venue's website. Instagram is fun but I just keep saving places with no way to compare them to anything. My partner and I are starting to disagree about places we have not even visited yet. So I am asking the people who already got through this part: How did you actually narrow it down? Did you start on a directory, on Instagram, with a planner, or just Google? When you finally found the venue you booked, was it from one of those sources or somewhere random? (also wondering if it turned out perfect or wish you had chosen a different one!!) And what do you wish you had known before you started? Anything that felt like a total waste of time? Anything that surprised you (good or bad)? I am sure this gets asked a lot, sorry if it is repetitive. Just want to learn from people who already made it through.

I used to defend WeddingPro for a long time because I got an excellent ROI from them. For context, I have a mid-tier WeddingWire plan and a free The Knot plan. At the end of the day, I still believe that back then, it was mostly about the pitch. A lot of the DJs that I talked to who claimed WP was no good didn't do themselves any favors because they didn't know how to effectively talk to prospects or sell their own product. In more recent years, however... I'd say since Covid, WP has taken a bad turn. They're all about their own brand. They force vendors to present themselves in the way WP wants, or else threaten to sink their listing to the bottom of their respective tier... paid or not. I still get some bookings, but the lead quality has gone way down.. leads used to pour in every day, now I get one or two a month. But I think the thing that really pissed me off about WP is that since Covid, there has been a steep rise in scam postings. They are pretty easy to figure out, but for the price I and others are paying, there should be at least a decent push to eliminate scams, especially for a company that's worth that it is and is rumored to be going public. All that is to say, I never agreed with "highest level or nothing". I think both The Knot and WeddingWire's name prestige is fading as sites like these become more obsolete. Sure, there are plenty of brides and grooms that still use them, but Zola is gaining momentum, and the idea of getting a vendor from all-encompassing wedding site is kind of going downhill. I recently saw an article that wedding couples these days find their vendors by.. 1. Word of mouth/personal recommendations. 2. Other vendor/venue recommendations. 3. Youtube/Tiktok/Social Media. 4. Knot/WW/Zola. So I'd say it's up to you. It's not what it once was.

I looked into it, there were allegedly reviews, one which claimed Somerton pretended to be the bride? Between that and the fact that you can make a vendor account on the site that was used for free, my gut feeling is that I think it would have been very easy for someone to have faked the account to make fun of Somerton. https://www.thephoblographer.com/2025/04/07/a-wedding-photographer-faked-his-entire-portfolio-heres-what-happened-next/ Edit: found a wayback link to the page, and between the first cache and second (less than 24 hours later) the location changes from Halifax to Mississauga. Most of the details I can see flipping through the archived pages also have me thinking it would be easy to have faked this to make fun of Somerton https://web.archive.org/web/20240520212111/https://www.weddingwire.ca/wedding-videography/memory-media--e73723#owners

you can absolutely do this on your own by then but it needs to get done like now… i was a 2024 bride here in los angeles and trust me when i tell you a wedding coordinator will most likely not even look at you though just based on your budget. by the grace of the wedding gods and doing so much research i found Event Haus Productions and their day of coordinator was $600. honestly, unheard of. most in the area are minimum $2k for the day, i didn’t have that type of money. Joey who was my day of coordinator and also the owner of the business was amazing. I can’t stress enough to have a day of coordinator if you can afford it, i worried about nothing day of. he even came to my rehearsal the day before which was awesome considering i thought i was literally only getting him for the day of my actual wedding. here the [link](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/event-haus-productions-signal-hill/1c586434ddecc45f.html) to their wedding wire page, that’s how i first reached out. the most recent review their is mine to prove in legit lol.

Chapel Dulcinea is free but for smaller weddings. It has beautiful views of hill country and isn’t far from here. [https://chapeldulcinea.org/](https://chapeldulcinea.org/) There’s also the Martindale Schoolhouse just down the road. It’s super cute! [https://www.martindaleschoolhouse.com/](https://www.martindaleschoolhouse.com/) The Meadows Center is another venue that is inexpensive. [https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/spring-lake-at-the-meadows-center-for-water-the-environment-san-marcos/d8dd80a2f0677000.html](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/spring-lake-at-the-meadows-center-for-water-the-environment-san-marcos/d8dd80a2f0677000.html) The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is absolutely gorgeous and worth checking out. You can do a smaller wedding at Cecile’s Arch, which is sooo beautiful and dreamy. [https://www.wildflower.org/private-events/weddings](https://www.wildflower.org/private-events/weddings) Lots of people like Pennington’s but my experience with a cake is that it was full of sugar ants. It’s my understanding they don’t refrigerate cakes that should be refrigerated and they sit on the counter until they’re picked up. Their building is super old and out of date, too. The owner gaslit me when I called about the ants and told me it was normal. I’ll never go back. I think people like it because it’s the only brick and mortar bakery currently in San Marcos and has been around a long time. Sweet Treets in Austin makes some of the best cake I’ve ever had. The strawberry champagne is out of this world. [https://www.sweettreetsbakery.com/](https://www.sweettreetsbakery.com/) If you’re looking for something closer, there are two in New Braunfels: 2Tarts is soooo good. [https://2tarts.com/](https://2tarts.com/) I haven’t been, but have heard raving things about Art House Cakery [https://www.arthousecakery.com/](https://www.arthousecakery.com/) You can also always do a sheet cake from Costco! For flowers, you absolutely need to look into Creek South Farms / Yarrow and James. They’re local, grow their own flowers, and Chelsea is the kindest, coolest florist that will work with you on whatever you are dreaming up. I highly recommend them. [https://www.creeksouthfarms.com/](https://www.creeksouthfarms.com/) [https://www.creeksouthfarms.com/weddings](https://www.creeksouthfarms.com/weddings) https://www.yarrowandjames.com/

I’m booked at the Branford house, but hoping to keep my guest count sub-90 specifically because that is pushing it for seating in the main room. If you branch off into the others for dining, it becomes somewhat necessary to push some of the reception spaces outdoors, so keep that in mind. I think a lot tent the patio for dancing in that case, and the bar is also often on the patio, so it also depends on the time of year you’re aiming for. There are archways/doorways between the three rooms (they are all in a row), but it might be difficult for some guests to see the wedding couple seated in the main room, which I’ve heard many times affects guest experience.  For alternates, maybe you could try these:  * The Hunnewell Building at [Elm Bank](https://www.masshort.org/weddings-events/weddings) is 3000 square feet and should be able to seat 150 together. The gardens are absolutely lovely there. * I think [Ochre Court](https://salve.edu/our-mission/campus-offices-and-services/university-events-and-conference-services/weddings-and-social-events) in Newport is bigger indoors than some similar venues—they list 200 capacity indoors using multiple rooms. I am not exactly certain, but it may be worth looking into as an option to see if you can seat most/all for dining together in one of the rooms with your guest count. It might also have a fairly open flow if you end up having to split up across multiple rooms (wide arches/good sight lines could lend themselves to a strategically placed sweetheart table that’s visible to multiple rooms. [Weddingwire](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/ochre-court/65339cad7a7c58af.html#gallery) has a 360 tour of the interior. It is like Aldrich Mansion in that they only allow catholic ceremonies, though—only recommending because I see that’s already on your list. * [Hamilton Hall](https://www.hamiltonhall.org/rental-info)  has a nice ballroom that seats 160 and you can have a garden ceremony (though it does not have contained grounds like Tupper Manor).  * The [Mansion at Bald Hill ](https://www.mansionatbaldhill.com/wp-content/uploads/Wedding-Book-2025-website-compressed.pdf)can hold up to 200 in the Ballroom space * [The Commons 1854](https://thecommons1854.com/) can seat 200 in their ballroom but their outdoor space is somewhat underwhelming imo  * [Rocky Neck State Park](https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/stateparks/parks/ellie-mitchell-pavilion-rental-brochure-2023.pdf?rev=64e487d2c8174540816272e9ee4f35f5&hash=AE737D24DB63504215C41D4420D06501) (near Eolia) has an event space that could hold 150, though it is a slightly different vibe from a traditional manor, it does have stone architecture and a nice sea view * The [Garden House at Look Park](https://lookpark.org/garden-house/) is slightly more rustic, but it is historic and holds 175 * The [Society Room of Hartford](https://hartfordsocietyroom.com/weddings/) and [Tuckerman Hall](https://www.tuckermanhall.org/weddings) in Worcester both have great indoor spaces that can fit that many, but you’d be sacrificing the garden aspect, so they may not be worth it. * The [Towers in Narragansett](https://www.thetowersri.com/) could be worth a look but it would likely be tight—they recommend up to 120 but say they can hold 160. Not entirely certain what that means in terms of overall comfort. 

[https://www.weddingwire.com/shared/search?id\_grupo=2&id\_sector=202&id\_region=&id\_provincia=10105&id\_poblacion=&id\_geozona=&geoloc=&latitude=&longitude=&isBrowseByImagesEnabled=&keyword=&faqs%5B%5D=&capacityRange%5B%5D=&txtStrSearch=Wedding+DJs&txtLocSearch=Portland+%28Area%29](https://www.weddingwire.com/shared/search?id_grupo=2&id_sector=202&id_region=&id_provincia=10105&id_poblacion=&id_geozona=&geoloc=&latitude=&longitude=&isBrowseByImagesEnabled=&keyword=&faqs%5B%5D=&capacityRange%5B%5D=&txtStrSearch=Wedding+DJs&txtLocSearch=Portland+%28Area%29)

This does not make sense why you would not share your honest experience, whether good or bad, about all vendors used. People who read reviews want to know if a vendor is good, bad, or mediocre to decide whether they are worth talking to or skipping over. Too many people feel that it's not their job to say if someone was good or bad or in between and other couples come along and say "this vendor barely has any reviews so they must be brand new". But they might be amazing to work with but people didn't see the point in leaving a review. Or someone else could be a horrible vendor and the couple felt their wedding was ruined and again didn't bother to say what went wrong but there are so many 4 and 5 stars that people reading assume that it's an excellent vendor when it isn't for many people whom actually used them. Give 4 stars if they were great. 5 if they were out of this world on top of everything. 3 for mediocre. The rule of thumb for most people reading reviews outside of the wedding community is that 5 stars is suspicious. Very few businesses are that stellar in reality. 3 stars is the sweet spot because it doesn't come across an AI bot and tends to be more accurate because it mentions that it's not perfect but not horrible. Places like TheKnot which owns WeddingWire uses a sketchy system where they let paid vendors manipulate the ratings so that anything below 5 stars is not published. Yet those same companies elsewhere have completely different ratings.

I have to agree with you on Facebook, it's getting wild out there. But you are mistaken on WeddingWire and TheKnot, yes owned by the same company but they do not manipulate reviews, vendors can hide bad reviews but it's an easy tell if you know what you are looking for. But there are no free listings on those sites, vendors pay hundreds to thousands per month to be listed there depending on the type of vendor they are and their market.

I started with an estimate of how many people I thought we’d have, and I’ve just been researching venue options I never was the type to dream about what my wedding would be like, so I didn’t really have a specific vision going into it But I was very quickly drawn toward a specific type of venue Websites with databases of venues (weddingwire, Zola, here comes the guide, the knot) could be good to see a variety of what’s out there, and maybe you’ll be drawn to a particular type of venue (outdoors? museum? brewery? castle?) It’s at least something to start with

My friend [Sauci Soni](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/djsaucisoni/3614b5b802d9ec04.html) is experienced with doing weddings and gets rave reviews! And FWIW — I’m a professional DJ who’s played nightclubs in NYC, music festivals, and corporate events, and I’m looking to break more into the wedding world. If you’re open to working with someone newer to weddings but very experienced at reading a crowd and keeping energy up, I’d love to chat. I’m offering heavily discounted rates while I build more wedding-specific experience and really value honest feedback and transparent communication.

It’s not for the sake of being alone. I’m not saying the only way to heal or grow is to be alone. But doesn’t that feel like too little time to classify something as serious to you? Or too soon to be moving in with someone? The honeymoon phase can last up to two and a half years. You haven’t even been with your new partner a year yet. Therapists aren’t life coaches, most won’t tell you what they think of your life choices, they’ll simply ask you to consider them yourself. I suggest you ask your therapist pointedly the same questions as it pertains to their perspective of your new relationship, you might be surprised to find out their thoughts. And you’re not worried at all about a partner willing to date someone still actively going through a divorce? To me, that alone is a red flag. Just ask Google if it’s a good idea and countless therapy and dating articles pop up that advise against it. Sure. You could have met the love of your life. Sure I could be wrong. But let’s look at the fact. You’re on your second divorce and already in your next serious relationship before the final decree is even signed. It doesn’t present encouraging odds here. https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/how-long-does-the-honeymoon-phase-last

I visited a bridal shop to explore custom made wedding dresses two days ago I wanted perfect fit I wanted unique design I wanted real comfort but I got confused fast Some dresses look very beautiful but price is unclear Some feel soft but stitching quality is not obvious Some colors are nice but customization options are limited I try one sample dress and it looked okay but not fully trustable I could not decide confidently. Then I visited another bridal studio in the same area Some custom gowns had lace work Some had hand embroidery Some had long trail design Some looked amazing but delivery time was very long I asked worker and she said custom dress reviews matter a lot before order I remembered one dress story I heard before that looked perfect in photos but arrived very different That made me hesitate even more I kept checking but still unsure about real trust and quality. To check more variety and options while scrolling many online marketplaces including alibaba I saw many custom wedding dress sellers and reviews Some brides talk about tailoring Some say fabric matching Some say delay issues Some say final fitting problems This made me excited but also confused again Now I am thinking platforms like Etsy The Knot WeddingWire Zola and Trustpilot are best places to read real customer reviews for custom wedding dresses I think real bride reviews help more than shop photos but still I am not fully sure which platform gives most honest experience what would you choose before ordering a custom bridal gown

**1. Who are Kate and Josh, and why are you a husband-and-wife wedding photography team?** We’re Kate (she/her) and Josh (he/him) — obviously married, emotional chaos wranglers, coffee worshippers, love obsessed, Marvel fanatics, and occasional ugly criers at weddings. (Okay, more than occasional. Vows get us. Every damn time.) Kate has been photographing since 1997; Josh picked up the camera in 2011, and we’ve been photographing weddings together since. Being a married team means we communicate without words, read a room together, and move through your day as a unit. No two strangers  or even friends with cameras can replicate that. **2. How many weddings have you photographed?** Over 643 weddings across 15+ years — specifically in the Seattle and Snohomish County area. That’s not a flex for its own sake. It means when your timeline runs 20 minutes late, when the clouds roll in over your outdoor ceremony, or when your reception venue is lit exclusively by Edison bulbs and questionable overhead lighting, we’ve been there. Hundreds of times. And we know exactly what to do.  **3. What is your photography style?** Documentary-editorial. We’re capturing what’s actually happening, not directing a magazine spread. Candid tears, windblown hair, belly laughs mid-vow, the flower girl losing it in the corner — that’s what we’re after. Our editing is clean, timeless, and true to life. We don’t chase trendy presets or heavy filters that will feel dated in five years. Your photos will look like you, not like a template. **4. What does ‘documentary-editorial’ actually mean for wedding photography?** It means we’re not going to ask you to ‘look at each other and laugh like you just heard the funniest joke ever.’ We use guided posing — giving you real prompts and movement so you feel comfortable and look natural, not stiff. Then we step back and let real moments happen. The editorial side means we’re still intentional about light, composition, and framing. We’re not just firing from the hip — we’re telling your story with purpose. **5. Will you tell us how to pose? We’re awkward in front of cameras.** Welcome to the club — most humans are. We use guided posing, which means we give you movement prompts and natural actions rather than stiff ‘put your hand here, tilt your head 12 degrees’ instructions. We’ll have you walking, whispering, laughing at Josh’s terrible dad jokes — whatever it takes to get you out of your head and into the moment.  **6. How do I know GSquared is the right fit for our wedding?** Honestly? You’ll know pretty fast. If you read through our work and our words and thought ‘these people get it’ — trust that instinct. We’re built for couples who want their day to feel like themselves, not a performance. If you’re looking for heavily staged, ultra-polished, everybody-stand-still photography — we’re probably not your people, and we’ll tell you that honestly. But if you want someone to be there for all of it, exactly as it happens? That’s exactly what we do. **7. Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?** Always. All love. All bodies. All stories. Always welcome here. This isn’t a marketing line we slapped on — it’s who we are and how we’ve always operated. Every couple deserves to feel safe, celebrated, and fully themselves in front of our cameras. **8. Kate is also a wedding coordinator — what does that mean for me?** Kate is a certified wedding coordinator, which means she brings that knowledge to every single wedding we photograph. She doesn’t replace your hired coordinator (unless you book our True North Coordination service), but she’s an extra resource during planning and an extra set of experienced hands on your wedding day. Think of it as a bonus safety net — she’s keeping an eye on your timeline, anticipating what you need before you even know you need it, and quietly solving small problems so they never become your problem. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS: PRICING & PACKAGES **9. How much does wedding photography cost with GSquared?** We start at $4,500 + tax. We post all of our pricing online because we believe in full transparency — no bait-and-switch, no ‘contact us to find out’ games. Our three full day packages are: • Journey ($4,500) — 2 photographers, up to 9 hours, digital images with print rights, wedding concierge portal • Adventure ($5,000) — Everything in Journey + engagement session within 50 miles of Snohomish • Expedition ($7,000) — Everything in Adventure + up to 11 hours, engagement session within 70 miles, and a $500 session credit that never expires **10. Do you offer payment plans?** Yes. We offer flexible payment plans and AfterPay because we believe in accessibility. We’ll walk through the options on our call together so you can pick what works for your situation. **11. Is there a limit on how many photos we receive?** No. We don’t do ‘select 50 photos’ limits or ‘you can only download once’ nonsense. This is your day, your story. You get the full gallery of edited images with print rights. Share them, print them, wallpaper your house with them — they’re yours. **12. Do your wedding prices include tax?** No, tax is not included in the listed prices. That’s the only thing not baked in. **13. Is travel included?** Travel is included for certain areas — ask us about your specific location. We also offer travel discounts for elopements and destination weddings because if you’re doing something epic, we probably want to come. If it involves a ferry, plane ride, or overnight stay, those costs would be passed on to you. **14. We’re on a tighter budget — should we even bother reaching out?** Yes. Reach out anyway. We offer flexible payment plans, and there may be sales or discounts that aren’t listed on the website. We’d rather have a conversation and figure something out than have you assume it’s a no. **15. What’s included in the wedding concierge portal?** It’s a full planning resource hub that you keep access to forever (yes, it never goes offline). Kate brain-dumped years of coordination knowledge into it. Inside you’ll find: sample wedding timelines, a timeline-building guide, engagement session prep guide with location suggestions and outfit tips, family grouping list templates, vendor recommendations from our trusted A Team, planning checklists, articles, tips, and guides for every phase of your wedding journey. **16. Do you offer elopement packages?** Yes! We have dedicated elopement packages. Check out [gsquaredweddings.com/elopements](https://gsquaredweddings.com/elopements/) for details, or just reach out — we love elopements and can build something that fits your adventure. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:BOOKING & THE PROCESS **17. How do we book you?** Step 1: Inquire through our website or check your date on our availability calendar. We’ll confirm if we’re available. Step 2: We’ll schedule a [Zoom](https://calendly.com/gsquaredwedding/wedding-consultation?) or phone call to answer your questions and make sure we’re a good vibe match. Step 3: If you decide to move forward, we send a contract for digital signature and an invoice. Once signed and paid, you’re officially booked. That’s it. No hoops, no pressure. **18. How far in advance should we book?** As early as possible, especially for peak season (May through October in the PNW). Popular dates — Saturdays in summer — book up fast. If you’ve got your date locked in, check our availability sooner rather than later. We often book 18+ months in advance. **19. Do we have to meet in person before booking?** Nope. We do our consultations via Zoom or phone call, which makes it easy for everyone. After the call, Kate sends a detailed follow-up email so you don’t have to stress about remembering everything. **20. What happens after we book you for our wedding?** You get access to the Wedding Planning Concierge Portal immediately. From there, Kate will periodically check in during the months leading up to your wedding, you’ll plan your engagement session (if your package includes one), and about 2 months before the wedding you’ll get two very important emails — the ‘Final Details Email’ and the ‘Day of List.’ These are the big ones, so don’t skip them. We absolutely require the Family grouping list and the Final Details email to be filled out, as they’re part of our photography process. **21. Will Josh know anything about us before the wedding day?** Real talk: Josh works a day job, so he’s usually not involved in consultations or engagement sessions. The Final Details Email is how he gets to know you before the wedding. Kate will fill him in, but that form is important for both of us to show up prepared. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS: ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS **22. Do we need an engagement session?** You don’t need one, but we strongly recommend it. It’s not about getting pretty pictures for your save-the-dates (though you will). It’s about learning how it feels to be yourselves in front of our camera so that on your wedding day, you’re already comfortable with us and we already know your best angles, your dynamic, and what makes you laugh. **23. Where do engagement sessions take place?** Depends on your package — the Adventure package includes a session within 50 miles of Snohomish, and Expedition goes over 70 miles. The portal has location suggestions, and Kate can help you pick a spot that matches your vibe. We’ve shot all over the PNW, so we’ve got opinions (good ones). **24. Can we bring our dog to the engagement session?** Yes! The [engagement session prep guide](https://gsquaredweddings.com/engagement-session-guide/) in your portal has specific tips for including pets. Bring them. We love it. **25. What should we wear to our engagement session?** The portal has a full clothing guide, and there’s even a spot to upload your outfit choices for feedback before the session. General rule: wear something that makes you feel like you, coordinate without matching, and avoid logos or busy patterns. Kate will give you honest feedback — that’s what she’s there for. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:THE WEDDING DAY **26. What time do you arrive on the wedding day?** Usually about 90 minutes before you start getting dressed. We check in with your coordinator or venue manager, scope out the space, prep our gear, then come say hi and grab the items from your Day of List for detail photos. **27. How many hours of coverage do we get?** The Journey and Adventure packages include up to 9 hours. Expedition includes up to 11 hours. We don’t clock-watch — we’re there to capture your day, not race out the door. **28. Do you just take photos, or do you actually help on the day?** We do way more than take photos. We’re your hype squad, family wranglers, vibe protectors, calm in the chaos, drink fillers, and your built-in personal assistant. Need your bustle fixed? Shoes swapped? A drink refilled? A moment to breathe? We’ve got you. 643+ weddings means we’ve seen everything, and we handle it so you don’t have to. **29. Do you work with our wedding coordinator/planner?** Absolutely. We love a good coordinator and work seamlessly with them. Kate’s coordination background means she speaks their language, respects the timeline, and can be an extra resource without stepping on toes. We HIGHLY recommend hiring an experienced coordinator and can give you a list of our favorites that will keep your day flowing smoothly. **30. What if it rains on our wedding day?** This is the PNW. Rain isn’t an emergency — it’s a vibe. We’ve photographed hundreds of weddings in the Pacific Northwest, rain and all. We come prepared with a backup plan, and honestly, some of the most stunning, moody, romantic photos happen when it’s overcast or drizzling. Trust us on this one. **31. How do you handle family photos without them taking forever?** The family grouping list in your portal is your secret weapon. You fill it out ahead of time, we build it into the timeline, and on the day we move through it efficiently because we’ve done this over 600 times. Kate is also basically a professional family-wrangler at this point. Most couples are shocked at how fast and painless we make it. **32. Do you do a first look, or can we keep it traditional?** Either way works for us. We can walk you through the pros and cons of both options and help you figure out what makes sense for your timeline and your priorities. No judgment either way. We just want to make sure that you’re aware of the minimum time required for photos, and what that will mean for your reception if you choose not to do a first look. Also, some venues REQUIRE a first look just because of their structure or layout – ask us if you’re not sure. **33. Will you photograph detail shots of our rings, flowers, shoes, etc.?** Yes — that’s what the Day of List is for. You tell us what details matter to you, and we make sure to photograph them. We’ll grab your invitation suite, rings, shoes, perfume, jewelry, whatever you want documented. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:AFTER THE WEDDING **34. How quickly do we get sneak peeks?** Within 48 hours of your wedding. Because patience is overrated when the magic’s that good. If you have a specific photo you need for thank-you cards, let us know and we’ll prioritize it (and won’t share that photo online until you’re ready). **35. How long does it take to get our full gallery?** We edit weddings in the order they were photographed, so during busy season it could take up to the full 16 weeks mentioned in your contract — but it rarely takes that long. We’ll keep you posted on timing. **36. How many photos will be in our final gallery?** It varies depending on your coverage hours, the size of your wedding, and what happened during the day. We don’t artificially cap galleries – we’re not there to hold your photos hostage. You get every moment that matters, fully edited. **37. Can we order prints through you?** Yes. Your gallery includes a print shop, and we keep our prices low. You can share, download, and order directly from the gallery link. **38. Will our gallery link expire?** It’s also added to your portal, which never goes offline, but that link will be active for 10 years. Even if you lose the email, your photos will be there for that time frame. If something happens after 10 years and you lose them, just reach out. We’ll take care of you! **39. Can we share our photos on social media?** Of course. They’re your photos — share them everywhere. And, we don’t even require you to credit or tag us, but you can if you want (find us u/gsquaredwedding). We love seeing your favorites pop up in our feeds. **40. Do you do albums?** We can absolutely help you with albums — reach out and we’ll walk you through options. **41. Can we book you for other sessions after our wedding?** Yes! We offer anniversary sessions, maternity, family sessions, and tons of themed minis throughout the year (including Santa sessions). We love staying part of your story. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:EDITING & COLOR PHILOSOPHY **42. Will you make us look thinner/tanner/different in our photos?** No. We believe in Editing & Color Integrity. Your skin tone is your identity, and we’re not going to turn you into a desaturated ghost or an orange caricature to fit a ‘moody’ Instagram aesthetic. We use professional-grade lighting and advanced editing to make sure your skin looks like skin — vibrant, healthy, and authentically you. And we’re not going to change who you are, you’re beautiful already. **43. What is your** [**‘Ethics of Color’ Manifesto**](https://gsquaredweddings.com/our-ethics-of-color-manifesto/)**?** It’s our public stance on honest editing. We don’t use presets that turn green forests into muddy orange, make white dresses look neon, or give everyone the same fake skin tone. The greens stay green, the whites stay white, and the vibe is real. Trends fade — sepia in 2010, dark and moody in 2020 — but accurate color is forever. We capture the world as it was, because the way it actually looked when you said ‘I do’ was already perfect. **44. Will our photos look ‘trendy’ or will they age well?** They’ll age well. That’s the whole point. We don’t chase editing trends because in twenty years, heavy filters are going to feel like the glamour shots of the ’80s. Our editing is clean, true-to-life, and vibrant — designed to feel as fresh on your 25th anniversary as the day we delivered the gallery. **45. Can we request black and white photos?** We include black and white conversions where they make sense artistically — and we’re great at them. If you have specific moments you’d love in black and white, just let us know. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL STUFF **46. What areas do you serve?** We’re based in Snohomish, WA and serve the Greater Seattle Area, King County, Snohomish County, Kitsap, Skagit, and Whatcom County. We’re also open to travel anywhere in the United States. **47. Do you have backup equipment?** Yes. We come prepared with backup gear — cameras, lenses, lighting, memory cards, batteries. After 643+ weddings, we know that Murphy’s Law is real, and we plan for it. **48. What happens if one of you gets sick on our wedding day?** We have a network of trusted photographers we can call on in an emergency. It’s never happened (knock on all the wood), but we have a plan in place because we take your day seriously. Honestly, we’d have to be dead to not be there (and we’ve got a plan for that!) – we photographed a wedding the day before Kate’s grandpa passed, and the day before her Mom passed, too. **49. Do you shoot video too?** We’re photographers, not videographers. But we work beautifully alongside videography teams and can recommend some great ones from our trusted vendor network. [We highly recommend hiring teams that specialize.](https://gsquaredweddings.com/why-you-should-hire-separate-teams-for-your-wedding-photography-videography/) **50. Can guests take photos during the ceremony?** We don’t mind. Obviously, an ‘unplugged ceremony’ — where guests put their phones away — makes a massive difference in the quality of your photos and, more importantly, in the quality of the experience for everyone present… but it rarely happens even when announced. Someone always thinks the rules don’t apply to them. We just really want to make sure that no one gets in the aisle or stands up when everyone else is sitting. They should stay in their chairs and not be obtrusive. **51. Do you need to eat at our wedding?** Yes — vendor meals are standard in the industry and are typically part of your catering headcount. We’ve been on our feet for hours at this point, and a quick meal keeps us sharp and energized to keep capturing your night. We’re not picky, we promise. We do usually eat what our clients do, and are served right after the wedding party so we’re done eating and ready to go when you’re ready to mingle. **52. Where can we leave you a review?** WeddingWire and Google are the most impactful spots, but honestly, we’ll never say no to kind words anywhere you want to leave them. Video reviews are also amazing if you’re feeling ambitious. # FREQUENT QUESTIONS:COORDINATION SERVICES **53. What is True North Coordination?** It’s our dedicated day-of wedding coordination service, separate from photography. Kate brings her years of professional coordination experience to manage your wedding day logistics — timeline management, vendor communication, setup oversight, and problem-solving so you can just be present and enjoy your day. Details at [gsquaredweddings.com/coordination](https://gsquaredweddings.com/true-north-coordination/). This can be combined with photography coverage and is ABSOLUTELY doable – in fact, most of our coordination weddings have us do both! **54. Can we book coordination without photography?** Reach out and let’s chat about what you need — we’ll figure out the best setup for your situation. **55. If we book photography, do we still need a separate coordinator?** Kate’s coordination background is baked into every photography booking — she’ll help with timelines, offer planning resources through the portal, and keep an eye on things on your wedding day. But yes, we do recommend hiring a separate coordinator if you’re not booking True North add-on. A coordinator is a HUGE piece of making the day run well. Originally posted at [https://gsquaredweddings.com/faq/](https://gsquaredweddings.com/faq/)

**Night To Remember** (NTR) is a high-energy, award-winning party and wedding band based in Indiana that frequently performs in Indianapolis. Founded in 2014 by musician Jon Durnell, they are known for their professional "what you see is what you get" approach, meaning the musicians you see in their videos are the ones who will perform at your event.  * **Customizable Lineups**: The band can scale from a **solo acoustic performer** up to a full **13-piece party band** including a horn section and background singers. * **Musical Style**: They specialize in an eclectic mix of **Top 40 dance, pop, rock, and soul** hits, covering everything from the Beatles era to today's chart-toppers. * **Event Services**: Beyond the reception, they offer live music for **ceremonies, cocktail hours, and dinners**, along with professional MC services and sound/lighting equipment. * **Public Showcases**: For those wanting to see them live before booking, they regularly hold public showcases at venues like the **Club Room at The Clyde**.  You can find more details, view promotional videos, or request a quote through their official channels: * **Official Website**: [ntrentertainment.com](https://www.ntrentertainment.com/) * **Social Media**: Check their latest performances on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/night_to_remember_band/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/nighttorememberband/). * **Reviews**: They maintain 5-star ratings on wedding platforms such as [The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/night-to-remember-fort-wayne-in-989575) and [WeddingWire](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/night-to-remember-fort-wayne/2d08a68589873d6c.html).  https://preview.redd.it/mk1rgbwqgysg1.jpg?width=275&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dcb425152d58edee4ab961016080e781abca9b60 https://preview.redd.it/v2prfbwqgysg1.jpg?width=275&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=687c10c1f05e89b4293587c7ff6850758825871a https://preview.redd.it/chu63cwqgysg1.jpg?width=225&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=282e384388a927ff40353c2fb6e2dd4373daf3aa https://preview.redd.it/xo5mdbwqgysg1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f12e67457d5047c948e3a5c32e8b3941968e964b https://preview.redd.it/ecjthcwqgysg1.jpg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f107dfd8080ec7831ece48e6baa91583fa4b8697 https://preview.redd.it/elwzlcwqgysg1.jpg?width=675&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b51fdc1c7f9aec00371fc52eea7927abb200157f

# Did you know this about The Knot? It’s common knowledge amongst vendors that The Knot and WeddingWire have overcharged and sent thousands of fake leads to vendors. They’re coming under scrutiny again. Check it out here: https://nypost.com/2026/03/18/business/ftc-chairman-says-wedding-site-the-knot-could-be-violating-law-by-allegedly-defrauding-small-businesses/ I’ve posted about this before and will share the post again in the comments. All couples should be aware of the danger The Knot and WeddingWire pose to only hiring who they can find on those platforms.

Hey — Kate here, one half of GSquared Weddings Photography (the other half is Josh, my husband, who is definitely busy right now and definitely drinking coffee - busy doing what, I have no idea, he has ADHD and doesn't sit still). We're a husband-and-wife wedding photography team based in Snohomish, WA. We've been shooting weddings together since 2011 — over 643 at this point — and I'm also a certified wedding coordinator with over 20 years in marketing and business. Josh has been putting up with my Type A energy for all of it. **So why a subreddit?** Because we've spent 15 years accumulating a genuinely absurd amount of knowledge about weddings, photography, the PNW wedding scene, and this industry — and most of it lives in our heads or buried in email threads with clients. This is the place where we get to share all of it. Openly, honestly, and without the character limits of Instagram captions. **What you'll find here:** * Venue guides from someone who's personally shot at 60+ Snohomish County and Seattle-area venues (not a listicle — real opinions about lighting, rain plans, photo spots, and the stuff the venue tour doesn't tell you) * Wedding planning advice based on 643 weddings of seeing what works and what doesn't * Photography education — how to evaluate photographers, what editing styles mean for your photos in 10 years, red flags, the stuff we wish every couple knew before booking anyone * Behind-the-scenes real talk about what it's actually like to be a wedding photographer (spoiler: it's 10% cameras and 90% chaos management, bustle repair, and ugly crying at vows) * Open discussions, AMAs, and "Ask Kate" threads where you can bring any wedding question and I'll answer from experience — not from a script **What this space is NOT:** This isn't a sales funnel disguised as a community. I'm not going to drop a link to our pricing page in every post. We built this because we genuinely love talking about this stuff, and because we think couples deserve access to real, experienced perspectives — not generic Pinterest advice recycled from 2018. Will we mention GSquared sometimes? Of course — it's our subreddit and our experience is the whole point. But the goal of every post is to be useful to you whether you ever hire us or not. **Who we are, quickly:** * Kate (she/her) — photographer since 1997, wedding photographer since 2011, certified coordinator, coffee-dependent, Marvel nerd, Type A with ADHD energy * Josh (he/him) — photographer since 2011, dad joke enthusiast, the calm to my chaos, always in the right place at the right time with a camera * 643+ weddings, 60+ venues, 15+ years, Snohomish Wedding Guild members since 2014 * 170+ five-star reviews across WeddingWire, The Knot, Google, and Zola * WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award 11 years running, The Knot Best of Weddings, Best of 425 Magazine * All love. All bodies. All stories. Always. **Where to find our actual work:** * Website: [gsquaredblog.com](http://gsquaredblog.com) * Full wedding galleries (not just highlights): [gsquaredblog.com/full-weddings](http://gsquaredblog.com/full-weddings) * Pricing (fully transparent, posted online): [gsquaredblog.com/weddings-prices](http://gsquaredblog.com/weddings-prices) * Instagram: u/gsquaredwedding * Threads: u/gsquaredwedding **How to use this sub:** Ask questions. Start discussions. Disagree with my hot takes (I have many). Share your own wedding experience. Recommend vendors you loved. If you're deep in wedding planning and feeling overwhelmed, this is a safe space to say "I have no idea what I'm doing" — because after 643 weddings, I can promise you: that feeling is universal, it's temporary, and you're going to be fine. If you want to ask me something directly, drop it in any "Ask Kate" thread or just post it — I check in here regularly and I'll answer everything I can. Welcome. Glad you're here. Now go finish that seating chart you've been procrastinating on. — Kate real life. real love. real stories.

Hey — Kate from GSquared here. I'll be transparent that I'm obviously biased, but I'd rather answer directly than have you wondering, so here goes. **The verifiable stuff:** Josh and I have been shooting weddings together since 2011 — over 643 at this point, mostly in Snohomish County and the greater Seattle area. We're a husband-and-wife team, not a studio that sends random photographers to your wedding. When you book us, you get us. Both of us. Every time. We've won the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award 11 years in a row, The Knot Best of Weddings two years running, and Best of 425 Magazine four times. We have 170+ five-star reviews across WeddingWire, The Knot, Google, BBB and Zola. We're members of the Snohomish Wedding Guild (since 2014). All of that is publicly searchable — I'm not going to cherry-pick quotes at you because you can go read them yourself and form your own opinion. **The stuff that actually matters to you:** We post all of our pricing online (start at $4,500, packages go up to $7,000). No "contact us to find out" games. We also post full wedding galleries on our website — not just our best 30 photos, but complete weddings delivered exactly as our couples received them. If you want to know what you're actually getting, that's the most honest thing I can point you to. We shoot documentary-editorial style — real moments, guided posing, no heavy filters. We have a whole published manifesto on our editing ethics (Color Integrity) because we feel strongly that your skin should look like your skin and your wedding colors should look like your wedding colors. Not everyone agrees with that approach, and that's fine — but we're upfront about it. Kate (me) is also a certified wedding coordinator, which means I bring that planning and logistics knowledge to every wedding even when I'm there as the photographer. I'm going to keep your timeline on track, fix your bustle, refill your drink, and solve problems you didn't know existed — all while shooting. **Where to actually vet us:** * [WeddingWire reviews](https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/gsquared-weddings-snohomish/ed34c862a333229c.html) — 170+ reviews, all public * [The Knot reviews](https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/gsquared-weddings-snohomish-wa-873116) — same deal * [Our full wedding galleries](https://gsquaredblog.com/full-weddings/) — not highlights, full days * [Our pricing, fully transparent](https://gsquaredblog.com/weddings-prices/) I'd rather you read the reviews and look at the work than take my word for it. If after all that you want to chat, our availability calendar is on the site and we do free Zoom consultations. No pressure, no pitch — just a conversation to see if we're a good fit. And if we're not your people, that's genuinely okay too. The right photographer match matters more than any award or review count.

“They need to be held accountable.” Wedding vendors across America are speaking out. Photographers. Planners. DJs. Florists. Venues. Officiants. – The small business owners behind the celebration.…. In this video, we share their experiences in their own words about what they say happened when they advertised on The Knot and WeddingWire - dba (WeddingPro) Vendors claim: • Misleading and deceptive advertising contracts • Fake, Spam or low-quality leads • Credit cards charged after authorization revoked • Cancellation requests ignored or denied • Vendor intellectual property held hostage • Industry monopoly power used to raise prices • The Knot refusing to release recordings and transcripts of their own sales calls, preventing small businesses from proving what WeddingPro representatives promised during the sales pitch. These stories aren’t isolated. They represent a growing call for accountability in the $70+ billion U.S. wedding industry, powered by small businesses. ✍️ If this describes you, sign the petition calling for a hearing into The Knot Worldwide. Link in Bio and here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/the-knot-advertisers 📣 Share this post with other wedding vendors. The wedding industry deserves transparency and accountability.