Well hey there blogland, long time no see! We are now just over 6 weeks away from the wedding day so I thought it was about time to show you some of my favourites from our engagement shoot last month and why I think they are necessary for every bride. Our photographer did just a beautiful job, I have to say I'm just thrilled with how they turned out!

They give you and your photographer time to loosen up before the big day

While I do have some experience being in front of the camera as a blogger, I typically take all my own photos which is definitely an entirely different experience than a professional shoot. I'm so grateful we were able to take the time to learn our photographer's style of working and personality, so that we can be totally relaxed when it comes to getting photos done on our wedding day!

They will come in handy for multiple wedding-related projects

Already we have used our photos for our wedding invitations and website, and we are currently in the process of getting some printed in a book that will be using as our guest book on the day. My bridesmaids even used one or two for my bridal shower! People love seeing photos of the happy couple, and there are so many ways you can include them in all the steps leading up to your special day.

You'll have professional photos that you can use for years to come

While formal wedding photos are obviously tied to a very distinct day, more casual photos of you and your future hubby are timeless. Thank you notes and cards, gifts for close family, social media, all ways your engagement photos can live on far past your engagement period. You can even ask your photographer to capture some headshots on the day for use in your professional life. You're already all dolled up, so why not put your best face forward?

Simply, this is one of the most exciting times in your life.

Why wouldn't you want to remember it? 

All photos copyright of Rachelle Rousseau Photography
Come along on our wedding planning journey: Our engagement story Finding a dream dress Wedding mood board keep up with me: bloglovin' | instagram | pinterest | twitter  

Linking up with: Lauren |  Laura | Lindsey | Sarah | Saumya

Coming back from the May long weekend means we've officially kicked off the summer season in my books, and that means looking forward to achieving that summer glow. I've already gone through my self-tan routine in previous years, but since then I've discovered a few new products and a few new tricks I thought I would share with you. 

Find your formula | Mousse formulas are my favourite for the body because they are easy to apply and dry quickly. I've enjoyed the St. Moritz Medium and Dark in the past, but have noticed the formula starts turning a grey colour (though the tan it leaves behind doesn't take on the same grey hue) and isn't as effective after a year, so I moved on to try the St. Tropez Express. It's a 1-3 hour process depending on the colour you're looking for, and I find it looks natural and lasts well without getting patchy. Since your face generally gets the most regular exfoliation, I find a gradual tan that mixes with my moisturizer is the easiest to maintain and gives the most natural look.

Avoid self-tan hands | I'm sure by now everyone has heard of a tanning mitt (this one is my fav), but what do you do when it comes to your wrists and hands? My favourite method is to use a makeup sponge for a seamless blend. Whether it's a retired Beauty Blender or Real Techniques sponge, or a simple cosmetic wedge, they are all great options for keeping palms clean!

Cut the creasing | When I first got the St. Tropez I actually really disliked it because I felt like it never quite set. If you find your tan leaves your skin feeling sticky, try hitting the spots that are prone to creasing (the underside of elbows and knees, and arms) with a hairdryer on a cool setting. If you still need some extra setting action, dust a light layer of baby powder over the same areas and you'll be good to go. 

Pick the right moisturizers | Keeping moisturized is key to prolonging the life of a fake tan, but some oils and citrus ingredients will actually break down your tan and cause faster fading. I've talked about my love of this quick dry lotion before and find it to be the best for keeping the skin hydrated everyday without the feeling heavy or sticky in warmer weather. Also, don't forget the SPF when you're out in the sun to prevent dryness and peeling (come back next week to see my favourites!).

Do you have any tips for achieving a flawless faux glow?

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Last week I shared that I had officially found my wedding dress and venue, and now that we've settled on a date (which is less than six months away, eek!) it's been a bit of a whirlwind moving from the big picture to focus on some of the smaller details. To help give myself some direction for the choices going forward I wanted to put together a mood board to capture some of my inspiration and vision for the big day!

I don't own any of these photos

Originally we were planning on getting married up in cottage country, but since there are limited venues and they get booked up super far in advance, we decided that we wanted to prioritize date over venue. Instead, we've decided on an old estate home just outside the city that is a beautiful balance between the elegant and vintage type feel that I love.

If you haven't already noticed from the design of my blog, I have always love the soft combination of dusty seafoam/sage green and grey, but seeing as it will be a fall wedding, I wanted to add in a bit of richness and warmth into the mix in some of the smaller details. The estate has an outdoor arbour and beautiful grounds that we're planning on using for the ceremony if the weather cooperates so I love that we'll still get some of the fresh outdoor feel that we originally wanted. 

I can't wait to see how some of my thoughts come to life over the next few months! Catch up on our story: The Proposal Finding the Dress What details would be/were the most important for your wedding?
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