A Wave of the Wand Photography Reviews
Reviews
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![Abigail]()
Abigail Sent on 09/03/2025Love working with her.
I have worked with Crystal from A Wave of the Wand Photography in several capacities over the last two years. I am a videographer and have worked several weddings with her where I was the videographer and she was the photographer. She is nothing short but of AMAZING!!!
I get asked by clients all the time for referrals for photographers since I currently only offer video, and I will always recommend her. She’s professional, organized, and easy to collaborate with — which is rare in this industry. I’ve never once had an issue working with her. She’s always on time, prepared, and goes above and beyond for her clients on the wedding day. I’ve seen firsthand how hard she works — running between locations, helping with details that aren’t even her job, fixing dresses, pinning boutonnieres, calming nervous brides, keeping the timeline on track, and still managing to capture every important moment beautifully.
I have also worked for her as a second photographer and have never had a single issue getting paid or being ghosted like someone wrote in a negative review. Payments are always prompt and fair. Communication is clear, and she’s always filled me in on all the details, even when there wasn’t much to share. She values her team and makes sure everyone knows what’s expected, where they need to be, and what the plan is. That kind of leadership makes a huge difference on a wedding day.
Over the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside her on some challenging weddings — tight timelines, missing vendors, bad weather, sudden schedule changes — and through it all, she’s calm, professional, and focused. I’ve never once doubted that she would handle any situation properly or make sure her clients and team were taken care of.
Being in the wedding industry for several years, I’ve learned that we live in a society quick to complain and slow to tell the full story unless it fits a certain narrative. Ninety percent of the time when someone writes a bad review, there’s a lot more to the story than what’s being shared. In my own experiences, I’ve seen how some clients twist details, exaggerate situations, or leave out the truth entirely because it doesn’t make them look good. People are quick to broadcast negativity but stay silent when things go right — and with Crystal, things always go right because she does the work, stays professional, and gives her all to every single couple.
I’ve personally seen her turn chaotic wedding mornings into calm, joyful ones just by stepping in with kindness and confidence. I’ve seen her fix timelines, smooth over vendor miscommunications, and make sure every bride feels seen and supported. That’s who she is — dependable, talented, and full of heart.
In fact, I’ve booked Crystal for my own wedding next year, and I am beyond excited to work with her in that capacity. I already know I’ll be in good hands, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else to capture such an important day for me.
I wanted to write this review to truly express my love, respect, and support for this remarkable woman. She is one of the few photographers I will recommend to my clients without a second thought — EVER. -
Emily Sent on 08/25/2025
Would book with her again and again !
I booked with Crystal during Covid, and to say it was challenging would be an understatement. Planning a wedding in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t fun—it just piled on the stress. Family came at me from every direction with opinions, fears, and demands. Even with all that, our actual wedding day was beautiful.
I hadn’t planned on writing a review for Crystal—not because she did anything wrong (she didn’t), but because my photos spoke for themselves. My gallery is exactly what I wanted, and I’m more than happy with it. I feel lucky she was part of my wedding day. For me, the best “review” has always been recommending her to other brides, which is why I’m writing this now.
I’m in a few Facebook groups where I share my wedding experience—vendors I loved and what worked for me etc , I love helping future brides with finding the right vendors and just giving general wedding advice not all advice will work for each couple but I am happy to help . I came across a post about Crystal from what looked like a bride’s sister, and my heart sank. I read it a few times before I even commented because I was honestly disgusted. I also see Nikki left the same review on WeddingWire that she was posting in fb wedding groups. After seeing responses from past clients and vendors who’ve worked with Crystal, I wanted to make sure she had my support. She still does. I’m always raving about her and telling new brides to book her. I comment on fb posts when brides to be are looking for photographers , I loved working with Crystal and will continue to show my support to her . I love when a friend hires her and I get to catch up at the wedding. I still follow her on Facebook and love seeing all the weddings she posts. It makes me proud that she was my photographer.
The claim that Crystal is “rude” really stood out—because it’s not true. She was never rude. She was direct. And that’s exactly what I wanted. I needed someone who would tell my family “no” when it mattered and make sure what I wanted actually happened. Why wouldn’t a bride want that? There’s a difference in being firm and direct with what needs to be done, and just flat out being rude. I highly doubt in all honesty Crystal was rude. Based on much of what I have seen Nikki comment with in the fb groups, I tend to believe Nikki was the one being rude and Crystal was just doing her job.
I hired Crystal for a reason: she knows what she’s doing. A location might look fine to you, but if the light is harsh, the shadows are bad, the background is distracting, the space is too tight, or the timing will wreck the schedule, you need a pro who will say so. That’s her job. At my own wedding, there was a spot I thought might work, but Crystal pointed out we’d be squinting straight into the sun and the pictures would be blown out. She was right, and I’m glad she steered me away from it. And honestly, why was the sister so worried about where photos were taken? The photos are for the couple. Crystal worked for the bride, not for her. I find it odd that Nikki is so concerned with what she claims Crystal didn’t do – When it wasn’t her wedding and I laughed when I saw a vendor comment and say “ she has a job to do. Were you in the way, micromanaging, etc.? She has a timeline to stick to—were you interfering with that? She has a contract “ based on Nikkis comments she was probably trying to micromanage and interfere with the wedding.
Now to the other claims. Nikki said it took “over 16 weeks” and the photos were “sub-par.” That wasn’t my experience at all. My photos came back in the timeframe Crystal gave me in our contract, and the quality was great. Also, 16 weeks is normal for weddings—many photographers take longer than that. Wedding galleries aren’t tossed together overnight. I’d rather wait and get them done right- and I knew it would be a few months before I got my photos back and I was happy with that. Every photographer I interviewed before hiring Crystal had the same turnaround time frame policy some where even a year after the wedding – So again Nikki clearly doesn’t understand and I am guessing she had no clue what the contract actually said.
She also said there were “zero ceremony, zero reception, no first dance or cake cutting.” I find that hard to believe – First she complains Crystal refused to take photos that the bride wanted – But then she said the Gallery was delivered – so I am pretty sure the bride got the gallery and Nikki made up a reason to complain . My gallery had all of that and more—ceremony, reception, first dance, cake cutting, family formals, and a ton of candids I didn’t even know she caught, but every wedding is different so not galleries are going to be the same nor have the same amount, Some of the experiences that happened at my wedding might not happen at another wedding. And I have a real question here: did the bride even wait for the gallery to fully load before Nikki decided photos were “missing”? When I first opened my gallery on my phone, it took a while for every image to show up, it was only loading about 5 images so I thought something was wrong with my gallery. The email that came with my gallery even said to allow time for the files to load. I stepped away, came back, and there were 400+ photos ready to view. They don’t all pop up at once on a phone. It feels like Nikki was looking for reasons to complain. I bet $100.00 if I asked Crystal to see this brides gallery, not only would she let me see it, I bet I would find the photos Nikki claims are missing. I find it hard to believe Crystal would attend a wedding and not take a single photo and then email a bride an empty gallery.
The “gaslighting” comment? That one made me shake my head. I had a delivery hiccup myself—but it was because of my email, not Crystal. My work system blocked her message and threw it into quarantine, and I’ll admit I don’t check that folder often. Crystal had actually sent my gallery weeks before I even reached out. When I contacted her, she confirmed the email address she sent it to and immediately offered to resend it. I gave her a different email because I didn’t want the same thing to happen again. That’s not gaslighting—that’s being professional. Spam filters and company servers cause issues all the time, and it’s not fair to pin that on the photographer.
What also doesn’t sit right with me is how Nikki seems to claim she knows her sister’s email history inside and out—when emails were sent, how many times, and what was said. Unless the bride gave her full access, that doesn’t make sense. Either way, I’ve never had a problem with Crystal not responding to me. And honestly, the idea that a business owner should answer within minutes of an email is unrealistic. We all have work, families, and busy lives. Expecting an instant reply and then calling it “gaslighting” is just ridiculous.
Paid a lot of money for sub-par service” is another reach. You’re not just paying for pictures when you hire a wedding photographer. You’re paying for experience, skill, and leadership on one of the most stressful days of your life. A good photographer doesn’t just click a button; they manage the timeline, organize family photos (which is no small task), make judgment calls about locations, lighting, and pacing, and keep the energy of the day moving forward. That’s exactly what Crystal did for me. She wasn’t just there to deliver images—she was there to protect the flow of my wedding day.
From the start, Crystal listened and respected what I wanted. On our final call, I told her I didn’t want to spend my whole day taking pictures. She honored that completely. We got the family shots I wanted, she kept us on schedule, and when my mom tried to push for more, Crystal handled it with kindness but also firmness. That’s not “rude”—that’s what professionalism looks like.
And beyond logistics, she made it fun. She kept me calm when nerves hit, she made us laugh, and she carried herself with the kind of confidence that makes everyone relax. By the end of the night, she didn’t feel like just my photographer—she felt like a friend who had my back the entire day.
What makes Nikki’s review so frustrating is that she was just a guest, not the bride, not the groom, not even someone directly working with Crystal. Yet she’s out here writing as if she knows what really happened. She claims “guests thought Crystal was rude”—but let’s be real: Crystal wouldn’t have had any reason to interact with the guests at all outside of bridal party, immediate family, or when she was grabbing candid shots. Guests don’t know the photography plan, they don’t see the contract, they don’t hear the pre-wedding calls where the couple lays out their wishes. So how could they judge her performance? The only people qualified to review a photographer’s work are the actual clients—the couple who hired her. Everyone else is just an outsider watching a small piece of the day.
And this is where Nikki completely misses the point. A wedding photographer works for the bride and groom. Not the sister. Not the guests. The fact that Nikki feels entitled to dictate what photos should’ve been taken, how fast emails should be answered, or where Crystal should’ve shot shows she doesn’t understand the role at all. A guest’s opinion doesn’t outweigh the actual client’s experience—and as an actual client, I can say without hesitation that Crystal was worth every penny and more.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to say Crystal was my wedding photographer. She gave me a full, beautiful gallery, she kept my day running smoothly, and she did it all with professionalism, honesty, and kindness. I still rave about her to new brides, and every time I see her work pop up on Facebook, I’m reminded of how lucky I was to have her. One bitter guest review doesn’t erase years of happy clients, talented work, and vendors who respect her. If you want a photographer who will truly fight for your day to be everything you want it to be—book Crystal with A Wave of the Wand Photography. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
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![Brittany]()
Brittany Sent on 12/26/2024One of the best!
Crystal has been a part of so many milestones for my family and friends—from photographing my sister’s wedding to capturing mine this past fall, as well as weddings for several of my college friends and church community. She’s always been professional, talented, and deeply committed to capturing each day as it truly unfolds.
Recently, I came across a harsh review from a Bride in a Facebook group. After reading the Bride’s complaints and comparing them with what I know about Crystal’s process, it became clear that the Bride’s issues stemmed from her own lack of preparation and unrealistic expectations. From what was shared, the Bride admitted to being over 90 minutes late to her own reception. Yet, she seemed to blame Crystal for not capturing moments like guest interactions and dancing—things that simply didn’t happen because of the delayed timeline.
It pains me to see that this Bride not only decided to bash Crystal in a Facebook group, but she also took to the Internet to write a false review. I hope future brides will look at that review with judgment and realize that the Bride’s shortcomings were the issue. All of Crystal’s other reviews speak the truth—she is always remarkable and amazing. She is simply her. She’s very down-to-earth and incredibly straightforward, which is one of the many reasons why we love her.
I’ve also read comments from other photographers supporting Crystal, pointing out how challenging it is to capture anything meaningful when so much time is lost due to delays outside of the photographer’s control. Crystal has always been transparent about what she can deliver based on the day’s timeline, which is exactly why my family and I continue to recommend her to everyone we know.
When I booked Crystal for my wedding, I knew my photos would reflect what actually happened on my day. Did everything go perfectly? No. For example, some of my guests left early, and my dance floor wasn’t as full as I’d hoped. But I didn’t expect Crystal to create moments out of thin air or photograph unflattering shots of guests sitting around. What she delivered was beautiful and authentic—highlighting the joy and love of the day.
It’s heartbreaking to see someone attack a vendor because they failed to read their contract or plan accordingly. Crystal works hard to ensure her clients have a smooth experience, and her work speaks for itself. A year later, I still look back on my gallery with so much emotion, reliving those moments over and over again. If you’re looking for a photographer who will deliver the best of your day, Crystal is the one to call. She’s professional, skilled, and truly a joy to work with.
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Mallory Sent on 07/17/2024
Making wedding photo dreams come true!
Crystal did such an amazing job with our wedding photos! She took everything we wanted and made it a reality! We were cut short on our time the day of ( mostly due to the bride and groom running late) and she was able to squeeze in all of our family photos and some amazing spur of the moment ones! She kept me calm and collected the entire day, encouraging me when needed and helping compose myself whenever I became stressed, she really is a must have for your dream wedding!
Crystal does have a way of doing things in order to get things done in a very quick and timely fashion and not everyone appreciated it but I as the bride, wanting to see everyone happy with the results loved her and couldn’t imagine our big day without her! -
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![Jessica]()
Jessica Sent on 06/20/2024Simply amazing hands-down, the sweetest!
We were recommended to Crystal by a family friend who used her for their wedding a few years ago. After reviewing her gallery and seeing her work on Facebook, we knew she was the perfect choice to photograph our wedding day. Crystal's communication was excellent. Although she is very busy, as evident from her frequent Facebook updates, she always managed to keep us informed. I loved seeing her real images and thoughtful posts, which showcased her fun personality and the beautiful details of the weddings she photographed.
On our wedding day, we encountered several hiccups, including issues with the venue not allowing us in on time and vendors showing up late. However, Crystal remained unfazed and did an amazing job. She was always there to keep me calm and ensured everything moved smoothly. When it came time for family photos, I was stressed due to our large families, but Crystal handled it brilliantly. She kept track of everyone and efficiently organized the photos, making sure the process was quick and smooth. Her persistence and ability to keep things running on schedule were impressive.
Throughout the night, Crystal was not only professional but also enjoyable to have around. She even joined us on the dance floor, adding to the fun atmosphere. My family loved her, especially my mom, who was a bit uptight and stressed, wanting everything to be perfect. Seeing my mom laughing and getting along so well with Crystal eased my mind, as my mom can be a bit controlling. Everyone told me how amazing Crystal was and how much fun she made the day. She truly was an asset to our wedding day.
I eagerly awaited our wedding photos, understanding that the turnaround time would be several weeks given her busy schedule. When she posted our sneak peeks, I cried tears of joy and shared them with everyone. Shortly after, I received the full gallery, and it was simply amazing. Crystal's attention to detail and ability to capture incredible shots, including moments I hadn't even noticed, blew me away. I truly love every aspect of our wedding gallery and will cherish these images for years to come.
Crystal did an outstanding job, and I highly recommend her to everyone.
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![Mackenzie]()
Mackenzie Sent on 11/24/2024Warning for other bridesmaid
First of all, very unprofessional responses. They posted photos of our wedding on Facebook that they refuse to give to us in our gallery. When questioned they state to refer to our contract. We were informed we would get the whole gallery. We have 100s of photos of our decor and food and not a lot of guests or us. Half of our guests were missing. It was blamed on us being late to our recpetion by an hour when it was questioned. And they stated that no one was having fun and on their phones so they didn't take photos of people. I would think as a photographer you'd engage guests and interact and have guests pose. We had no pictures of our bridesmaid entrances, guests using our interactive guest books, certain guests that were dancing were no pictured. When asked she cannot anwser any of the questions directly. We had no issue with any other vendor and sadly we had major issues. To me all you need to know about a business is how they respond to issues and complaints. I got nothing but mean responses from this vendor. You can see I asked several times for specific photos that were posted to Facebook to be sent and she will not address it and keeps saying it's to her discretion what photos I receive. If you want all of your photos please think twice before working with her. She responded saying for me to handle this matter privately but as you can see in the screenshots she said she will not longer be speaking to me. Doesn't make sense to me. -
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![Emily]()
Emily Sent on 11/23/2025Wedding Photographer
Crystal with A Wave of the Wand photographed our wedding in August of 2023. -
Kayla Sent on 10/20/2025
Terrible experience
Just a heads up, beware taking any jobs/gigs from Crystal Bruder from Wave of the Wand photography.
I was hired by Crystal to shoot a wedding for her back at the beginning of November, as she needed an associate to shoot that wedding for her. Since then, Crystal has been extremely unprofessional, broken her contract with me, and ghosted me, not paying me for my work.
Moral of the story I guess, make sure you have a solid contract with anyone before taking on a gig, make sure you actually get paid a deposit prior to the event, and research the photographer to make sure they're a legal business. -
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