Congratulations Brooke&Doug!

After a dreamy engagement in Rome, Italy, Brooke, and Doug knew they wanted a venue with a “European feel” for their engagement photos. Because Bella Collina is known for its Italian details and decor, it was the perfect fit and backdrop for their photos and wedding in April 2021! Bella Collina gave the couple’s photos the right amount of romantic, European flair that they wanted! They fell in love with the Italian wedding venue so much they are booked for their wedding venue!

Keep reading for Brooke’s tips for future brides, and a sneak peek at their gorgeous engagement shoot with Brandon from The Portos!

Wedding date: 04/17/2021

Vendors & Their Instagram Handles from engagement shoot:
Photographer Brandon from @theportos
Venue @bellacollinaweddings 

Where was your engagement shoot held? Why did you choose that location? Bella Collina! We got engaged in Rome and instantly fell in love with Bella Collina for it's European charm. We toured Bella Collina and ended up booking it for our wedding. We wanted our engagement photos to feel like we were back in Europe but without the price tag of traveling back, so Bella Collina was a great option! Plus, when we send out save the dates, it gives a little sneak peek of our venue. 
What advice do you have for brides who are recently engaged and planning their wedding? I have a few tips (mostly because we've been engaged for a year now and have checked a lot of things off the list!) HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER. We have a two year engagement so plenty of time to plan. I thought I could do this all myself... I was wrong. Its overwhelming and there are so many things you don't realize you have to figure out. Hiring a wedding planner has taken the stress out of everything.

Also, don't get wrapped up in "ideal" weddings/engagement photos/etc. I spent a ton of time stressing over what I should wear for engagement photos, whether or not I should have my hair and makeup professionally done, what we should pose like. I ended up just doing my hair/makeup myself, kept it casual, and had an absolute blast. It was real, and not a staged production. 

Finally, wedding dress shopping is overwhelming. Go someplace personal and keep the group small. Honestly, if I hadn't gone to The Bridal Finery for my wedding dress, I think I would have had a very negative experience. It was worth every penny. 

What is your favorite memory from your engagement session? So our amazing photographer, Brandon, kept asking Doug to say things to make me laugh, like "tell her a compliment" or "tell her a pickup line". Doug, instead of taking this seriously, whispered the most outrageous things to me. I'm pretty sure it had the opposite effect Brandon was looking for because I was laughing so hard, but it made the whole event so fun and is just an accurate representation of our relationship. 

Should brides have engagement photos taken?  YES. I was worried at first about it being awkward and Doug hating it but it was so much fun. Plus, we never have nice photos taken of us, so I'm glad we get these to cherish. It was definitely worth it.