How would you feel being Photoshopped to look skinnier in your wedding photos?
I attended my best friend’s wedding as a bridesmaid. I was pretty fat at that point and had to wear a, granted, not-that-flattering sleeveless dress. But it looked fine, in my opinion. Once the wedding was over and we all got to peek at the photos, I was surprised to see that a photo of me had been obviously Photoshopped to skinny me up. I’m sure this photography team thought I’d be pleased to see this version of myself, but I definitely wasn’t…
Is my wedding photographer hiding us from her portfolio?
I was married last year. We were happy with our photographer, and pre-booked an upcoming summer time family shoot with her. Now, six months after the wedding, I’ve realized that she hasn’t posted any of our engagement, bridal or wedding photos to her website or social media.
I have noticed that I’m not nearly as thin or stereotypically pretty as many of her other brides and I can’t help but be a little offended. Now I’m wondering if I should find a new photographer for our family photos — one who maybe appreciates our personal style a little more?
No dieting, no makeup, no shame: My anti-diet, equal opportunity, feminist wedding
I’m getting married this July, and like a lot of women, I’m getting increasingly excited and somewhat nervous about this. As someone who is all about equality, feminism, self-acceptance, and patriarchy smashing, there are a couple of things that my impending feminist, anti-diet wedding will not be about. For the sake of any other bride or groom or person who needs a reminder that you’re going to do just fine, here it is…
Weddings and body image: get past needing to look “good” and start getting real
I’ve been photographing people in love for over a decade now, and the number one question I get asked as a photographer (by far!) is actually the wrong question to ask…
“Can you make me look good?” The only way to answer this question, is to bring it all the way around to body image. When the question, “Can you make me look good?” is asked, I learned that that’s not really what they’re asking…
Trying to lose weight for your wedding? Here are 5 Reasons NOT to
Everyone wants to look their very best on their wedding day, right? For some brides, this can mean beginning harsh diets, working out wildly, and trying desperately to lose all possible extra weight… but why are we trained to do this? Here are a few reasons why you SHOULDN’T diet before your wedding…
Bridal “best selves”: when is too far?
As with many Offbeat Bride readers, this blog was a welcome antidote to the bridal mags and blogs that represent all brides as being white, thin, tanned, and perfect. Not that there’s anything wrong with those things, but when you don’t fit into that round hole, the bridal industry can make you feel a bit like Square Peggy. Aiming for perfection in any aspect of a wedding, whether it’s your letter-pressed invites or sun-dappled forest grove location, is asking for tears before bedtime.