Thinking outdoors? Think fall!

We photographers love outdoor weddings. Give me a late afternoon ceremony with a few light, happy clouds cruising along the sky (sorry to sound like Bob Ross!), and I'm in heaven, baby. But there's a catch: Make that day in July or August and you've taken a page straight out of Dante's "Inferno."

Don't get me wrong. I love all my weddings. Each and everyone one is an absolute joy, and I wouldn't change a thing about any of them I've photographed. There are just a few
where I was bit sweatier at the end than others.

If you're thinking you want to hold your ceremony or reception, or both, outside, you might want to consider a date before May or after mid-September. Personally, I love fall weddings. This might be because my wedding was on a perfectly comfortable November day, but I like to think it has more to do with the season itself.

Fall brings such relief after weeks of getting scorched by that unforgiving July and August sun. The light is a little better, too. Summer afternoon light can look just like it feels, and it takes up more of the day. Autumn light is a little less severe, and with earlier sunsets, a wedding around 4 p.m. can take advantage of that delicious afternoon light and those awesome sunsets.

Stuart and Krista apparently channeled my brain when they planned their wedding. Theirs could not have been held on a better day -- perfect temperature, slight breeze. Robert Frost would have loved it. I certainly did. The climate was a perfect complement to the the relaxed, sunny couple. Plus I wasn't sweaty at the end!

These are a few photographs from their wedding showing that stellar, early fall day (OK, it was technically two days before the start of fall, but who's counting?). I also added a couple other images that just made me smile.