The ABC's Of Picking The Perfect Wedding Photographer
You’ve chosen a wedding gown, booked a venue, and met with your caterers and florists—now what’s next on the list of wedding must-dos? Picking the perfect photographer!
One of the most important decisions you and your future spouse need to take when planning your special day is hiring a good wedding photographer. Sure, anyone with a camera can take photos, but not everyone can take photos that justify the moment. Photos are not mere snapshots or summaries of your big day. Photos capture a wedding’s intimate moments and preserve them for a lifetime. So before your Uncle Bob or Cousin Mary takes blurry photos of you walking down the aisle or drinking champagne with your other half, here are the ABCs of choosing the perfect wedding photographer:
Ask Around
You can start your search for the perfect wedding photographer by asking your friends if they know of one. Those who recently got married and are impressed by the work of their photographers would surely recommend them to you. Attending wedding fairs is another way of meeting different photographers who could cover your wedding. But when all else fails, you could always turn to the web. Professional photographers nowadays feature their digital portfolio and contact details online so it can be easy to find one who’s based in your area.
Book an Appointment
Once you’ve come up with a list of the photographers whose works impressed you or were highly recommended by others, contact them immediately and book an appointment. Excellent photographers are typically in demand during peak wedding seasons so it’s important to get in touch with them as early as possible. Once you’ve set an appointment, make sure to arm yourself with a bunch of questions to get to know the photographers better. Ask them about their experience, photography style, the kind of equipment they use, and if they offer affordable wedding photography services, if you’re tight on budget.
The following questions can serve as your guide to learn more about your potential wedding photographers:
- How long have you been in the business?
- What’s your style?
- Do you incorporate different styles or themes in every shoot?
- What were the challenges you’ve encountered with your previous clients?
- What are the wedding photography packages you offer?
- Can we come up with a tailored package?
- How long does it take to process the pictures?
- Do you print photo books?
Maintain a relaxed atmosphere throughout the meeting to assess the photographer’s personality. Attitude is a big factor to consider because you definitely don’t want to work with someone rude. Most importantly, ask to view their portfolio since it is the easiest way to know about the kind of work they do.
Check the References
After your initial meeting with the photographers, you could narrow down the list to up to two or three photographers. You could then proceed to contact the references they’ve provided and inquire about their performance, professionalism, creativity, and quality of work. By then, you could have gained a good insight on the kind of work they do.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for a Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot
After crossing out your other options, arrange a meeting with the photographer whom you feel could help you achieve the best outcomes. Communication is key; so let him or her know your expectations and the kind of shots you want captured. It is also advisable to set up a pre-wedding photo shoot to test the waters and establish rapport so you could be more confident and comfortable with the camera once the big day comes.
If you want to preserve romantic memories of your wedding day and avoid unflattering shots, be sure to pick the perfect wedding photographer by following these tips.
Author Byline
Debra Wright blogs about a plethora of topics including affordable wedding photography in budget wedding photography and other fields. Wright considered Matt Elliott Photo as one of the leaders in wedding photography packages.
Top Ten Wedding Myths
One of the benefits of getting married in the information age is that there’s no shortage of free advice available online. Millions of people have gotten married before you and quite a few of them have decided to blog about it.
The only downside to such information however is that not all of it is true. Between the myths, misconceptions and superstitions, there’s no shortage of ridiculous ideas surrounding the subject of how to plan that perfect wedding.
Here are ten popular wedding myths that you’d be mad to take seriously.
1. The Bride MUST Wear White
It’s been decades since anyone took this rule seriously. It’s your wedding, you can wear whatever you want. The most popular alternatives to white include pink and lavender. There’s no rule that says you have to stick to a single color either. Plenty of brides liven up their dresses with boldly colored sashes and embroidery.
2. Everything Will be Perfect
There’s no such thing as a perfect wedding. Humans are not perfect creatures and it follows that any event involving them isn’t going to be perfect either. The myth of the perfect wedding is something that sends many brides into a tailspin. Focus on enjoying your day, leave perfection for the movies.
3. You Can Drop Four Dress Sizes Before the Big Day
First off, you probably can’t. And secondly, attempting to do so is going to drive you up the wall. Things tend to get pretty hectic during the months leading up to a wedding. And the last thing that you want to be doing is running around on an empty stomach. Your groom loves you the way you are, choose a dress that you can fit into the day you buy it.
4. It’s Definitely Not Going to Rain
There’s nothing quite like an outdoor wedding but unfortunately, blue skies are very much a requirement. And when you don’t get one, you can easily be left out in the rain, literally. Regardless of what any venue owner tells you, freak rain showers do happen. Always have a back up venue. In the very least, it will save you worrying about it.
5. It’s All About the Bride
What the bride wants, the bride should get. But try not to say the heck with everyone else in the process. When making decisions, don’t forget to think about the guests. Don’t leave them standing around all day while you take pictures. Don’t choose the weekend that people generally spend at the beach. Don’t choose bridesmaid dresses that will mortify your bridesmaids. In other words, don’t turn into Bridezilla.
6. The Bride and Groom Mustn’t See Each Other
This is nothing but an archaic superstition. It’s also something that less and less people take seriously these days. Many people argue that seeing each other the morning of the wedding can actually lead to a greater feeling of intimacy. After all, it offers the bride and groom a chance to be themselves without a hundred people staring at them.
7. Weddings Are Cheaper During a Recession
With the economy showing no signs of improving, it’s not uncommon for brides to expect major discounts on venues and wedding services. Contrary to popular belief however, weddings are just as popular today as they’ve ever been. Discounts are occasionally possible, but if you plan on getting married on a Saturday, forget about it.
8. Smart Brides Save Money by Hiring Friends
There’s no shortage of smart ways to save money on your wedding but unfortunately, hiring your friends isn’t one of them. Professional photographs require more than a fancy camera. And professional music requires more than an iPod. Unfortunately, if you want professional services, you need to pay professionals.
9. The Brides Parents Will Pay for Everything
It’s not uncommon for the brides parents to pay for the wedding but it’s by no means obligatory or to be expected. These days, it’s far more common for couples to pay for the big day themselves. The brides parents are obviously going to want the best for their daughter but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to be willing to go broke in the process.
10. Certain People MUST Be Invited
Finally, we have the myth that suggests that certain people should automatically go on the guest list regardless of how you feel about them. Perhaps, they invited you to their wedding. Or perhaps, they’re a family friend and it would be considered disrespectful not to invite them. The reality is that your wedding is just that, yours. And other than the groom, you don’t owe anybody an invite.
Author Bio:
Today's guest post is courtesy of Jake Tyler. He has constructed many wedding tents over the years and has had to face some strange situations, with people following crazy wedding myths of their own. Apart from his professional commitments, he also blogs about various issues.
Wedding Back-Up Plans
Planning a wedding can easily turn into daunting challenge which can sometimes seem impossible! With the average wedding planning time being a lengthy 9 – 12 months, it’s no wonder that not only the bride, but the whole wedding party expects the day to run smoothly without fault or hiccups. I don’t doubt your meticulous planning, but sometimes things happen which are out of your control. Panic not; have a read through some of my helpful tips to sort out some wedding day disasters before they even happen!
Be Sure To Insure
Don’t take the risk of not insuring the most important and expensive day of your life! Whether it’s your pricey dress that gets damaged, your cake maker goes out of business or an illness means your big day has to be postponed, mishaps DO happen and it’s worth paying up now to ensure a worry-free day.
Don’t Trust the Weather
Bad weather at a wedding can feel like anything but good luck. There is no reason to get upset about the one thing you have no control over; plan ahead so you are prepared for the worst. Pack your wellingtons and umbrella for some quirky photo opportunities and make sure your photographer can produce fantastic photos in all types of conditions, including rain. If your wedding is outside, make sure there is somewhere covered to go in case of bad weather. Marquees and gazebos are ideal.
Look After Your Feet
Having uncomfortable footwear is a very unhappy situation to be in! If you are not confident and accustomed to wearing heels on a regular basis, your wedding might not be the best day to try them out so pick a heel you feel comfortable with. If you start to feel the burn, have some gel pads to hand to relieve the pressure on the balls of your feet and some gel strips for the back to prevent them rubbing. It may even be an idea to take an alternative pair with you to change into if need be.
Alternative Transport
Problems like traffic jams, diversions, drivers getting lost, hard to find houses and broken down cars might seem unlikely, but would cause a disaster if any where happen! Be sure to have alternative transport and driver on hand, give your driver precise directions to both your house and venues and to ask your driver if he knows any alternate routes of your journey in case of bad traffic.
Fittings and Trials
Fittings are so important to avoid any clothing mishaps on your big day. Make sure you and your bridesmaids have your shoes and underwear sorted before the final fitting so all last minute alterations can be fixed. All the grooms wear should be purchased/hired from the same company so the colors and fit can all be consistent.
Bridesmaid’s Duties
Your bridesmaids are there to help you along the way and to relieve some of the pressures off you. You are not alone! Include them in as much as possible – you’ll be surprised at how willing people are to help and how much easier your wedding experience can be. Delegate different tasks and jobs to your Bridesmaids so no aspect of your wedding is left out or overseen. Organization is key!
Be Snap Happy
You’ll only live this day once, so it’s important to have as many photographs as possible to treasure and remind you of the best day of your life. I’m sure your booked professional photographer will produce some fantastic snaps, but it’s no good to take chances. Politely ask as many as your guests as possible to bring their camera along and take as many shots as possible. Dotting disposable cameras around your venue is also a lovely idea. This way you’ll have an arsenal of pictures to choose the best from.
Author Bio:
Vicky is from http://www.marriagedays.co.uk/, a local Midlands wedding directory. She writes the handmade section of the site as well as regularly contributing to the blog.
6 Disasters That Could Strike on Your Big Day and How to Avoid Them
Unless you're a very lucky person there's going to be something that goes wrong at your wedding. Maybe it's so small that you don't even notice it and that would be amazing, but then you have things at the other end of the scale which could put a dent in your day. You're a smart woman and I presume you know life isn't all laughing children and chocolate cakes. Nothing is perfect and why should your big day be any different? Once you accept that something could go wrong it's time to ensure it doesn't, or at least ensure the main things that could go wrong run smoothly.
First you need to know the main things that can go wrong. This will mean you can prepare yourself before it happens and you'll know what to do when it does. After you know what could go wrong it's important to know how you can stop it from happening. You're not allowed to wrap anyone/thing up in cotton wool before your big day, but you can increase the chances of everything being rosy. Look over some of these and start dealing with them now. When the big day does arrive the only thing you'll need to worry about is not making a fool of yourself after you've had one too many glasses of champagne.
The best man's speech
I'm sure you'll be the butt of some jokes when the best man does his speech, but there's jokes and then there is crossing the line. You can't let him cross the line or else you will be completely embarrassed in front of everyone. This isn't just to spare your blushes, because I'm sure you can understand how awkward everyone else will feel if the best man completely messes up. Get your husband-to-be tuned in and make sure he hears it before it goes live.
Your make-up malfunction
On your special day you want to look like a princess. You want to look the best you've ever looked in your life and a part of that is making sure your make-up is perfect. Every single set of eyes in the building is going to be focused in on you. You probably haven't experienced that before and it can be nerve-racking. You will feel much less anxious if you look great, so make sure you plan what make-up you'll be wearing well in advance.
Some great music
After everyone has watched you get married the most important thing is the music. You can have your reception in the best hotel in the world, but if nobody wants to get up and dance it's going to be boring. Long before the day arrives you need to make sure you have the prefect person for the job. Choose all your favorite songs you want played and give them to the DJ, then you can relax knowing he can take care of the rest.
Everyone needs to eat
You have two very delicate things that need to be dealt with here. The first one is choosing food that people will actually enjoy. I know it's your wedding, but you can't exactly invite people then choose some strange foreign dish you enjoy and nobody else will. You also need to have options for vegetarians and people of different religions. The second thing is picking the right catering company. Let's just say that being a great marketer doesn't mean being a great chef. Taste everything before your wedding to make sure it's edible.
Get the right photographer
There's a huge difference between some weekend snapper and a professional photographer. A wedding is one of those times where you cherish the photos for the rest of your life. You'll be absolutely kicking yourself if you hate them once it's all over.
It's not like you can get everyone to dress up and take all the photos again, so it has to be done right at the first time of asking. That means choosing a proper professional with a great portfolio.
A magical venue
The venue is important, but it doesn't necessarily include what it looks like. I'm sure you won't go out and choose somewhere that looks horrible. You're not that silly, but you have to watch for little things. You could choose a church that has a lot of construction going on around it. Or what about an outside wedding on a day when the weather is meant to be atrocious? Just make sure you know nothing is going to spoil your venue of choice until you say, "I do!"
Author Bio:
Scott Edwards is a blogger, public speaker and a wedding MC. Scott loves to spend his free time with his two dogs.
Artistic vs. Reporting Photography for your Big Day
There is a tendency for wedding couples to increasingly choose documentary style photography for their big day instead of the former artistic alternative. Both have their merits without doubt and though the aforementioned is currently more popular, imaginative and creative photography still has its fans. However, for brides and grooms it’s nice to be able to weigh up the options and the benefits one has over the other.
Memorable
Both documentary style and artistic photos are memorable for different reasons and both add to the day in different ways. Obviously, the documentary style images make for a quite comprehensive account of the special day. In years to come, this comprehensive approach is something to cherish.
Equally, the artistic photos are as memorable, but in a very different way. Instead of spurring the memory into an overall event for event snapshot; these images capture specific special moments in an imaginative manner that captures a very special moment in time.
Natural
The reporting photography is clearly a natural take on the day. We all know that some of the best photographs come at unplanned opportune moments and this documentary style captures this wonderfully. Alternatively, though the artistic style involves posing, a great photographer can really capture the special feelings and the ease a new couple feel with each other. This natural and beautiful energy is something that really adds to the artistic imagery and makes it something to cherish forever after.
Wedding Specific
Some weddings are more suited to artistic photography and some to the documentary style. Surroundings, the event, and the way the day is set to progress and of course the people often dictate whether the artistic or documentary style photography is best. Lots of movement, dancing, spontaneity and frolics often mean the photographer has to be on the ball and be able to capture the unexpected. If the wedding is more sedate and moves along at a slower pace then perhaps consider alternatives.
Depends on the Person
Some people just don’t enjoy sitting down for photos and others just love it. Frankly, it depends on the person you are and whether you enjoy one or the other. As we’ve mentioned, some of the best images are taken off guard, when people are at their most natural. Others love the camera and the camera loves them. Often the best advice is to follow what you feel most comfortable with.
The Photographer
Perhaps you have someone in mind to do the shoot. Asking them what they think and what they specialize in can help if you’re in between two minds. If they’re abilities are orientated towards one over the other, why not compare a few photographers and decide on what you like the most.
Being open minded as regards wedding photography can be something that stands to you no matter what sort of photography you’re choosing. So, research, consider and take your time; it’s your special day after all.
Author Bio:
Gary Roebuck is an award winning UK based photographer with a wide range of experience in the world of wedding photography.
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