Although we are first and foremost a wedding photography studio, we get asked for our opinion and advice on a lot of other areas because; well…we’ve seen it all! We are not just one aspect of the day, dropping of the flowers, selling you a wedding dress, baking your wedding cake. We are there all day long. From the time you get ready to the end of the evening. We see every detail (because we must photograph it for you!) We notice from experience what works and what doesn’t. We know what photographs well, what is overlooked, and what doesn’t really matter that much. If you have questions, even if it’s not related to photography, you can and should ask us! We are so happy to share our expertise with you.
So at the risk of giving you unsolicited advice, we figured you may enjoy and benefit from a few of our top wedding tips (photography related and not):
1. Don’t wear glitter. I love glitter and it looks great in person, but in photographs it looks like little black and white dots, like pepper. It ends up all over the tuxes and looks like dandruff. Glitter does not photograph well.
2. Enlist the help of a bridesmaid (or any reliable person eager to help) and designate them to be the “make sure I get some of that” person. The number one complaint we hear from brides and grooms is that they didn’t get to eat their cake, taste the appetizers, or take advantage of the full bar. This person should be on a quiet and easy mission to make sure that they get some of everything for you. They should make sure you get one of each appetizer (if the banquet hall fails to do so) and they should make sure that there is some cake and treats from the dessert table in a to-go box for you to enjoy later or the next day. Most importantly, they should make sure you always have a full drink nearby. So you don’t waste a single moment at the bar.
3. Be very particular with your roses. Roses are very beautiful and common but they wilt very quickly. We have seen countless pictures just after the ceremony where the rose boutonniere is hanging its head or has even completely fallen off! If you’re going to get roses (especially in the warmer weather) make it absolutely clear that you want them as fresh as possible and secured firmly on the bouquet and boutonnieres.
4. Make a list of important groups to be photographed and give a copy to the photographer and a reliable eager helper. Their job will to make sure the people listed don’t wander off near photography time. We like to take these ‘formal’ pictures as quickly as possible so you can get on with your day! But when Aunt Sarah is in the bathroom and Uncle Joe is taking a smoke break outside, the whole process is not only held up but they could even be missing from your pictures all together! Have your helper keep everyone around until after the formal group shots are completed. This is a very important job, so make sure you give it to someone outspoken and reliable!
5. Don’t tan too much before the wedding, the orange bride thing does not work well! Neither do tan lines, so keep that in mind when you’re out and about for the few months before your wedding. Also, if your groom is planning a last minute hair cut, beware of the “haircut tan line”. This is the awkward white strip along the forehead and sometimes on the sideburns left behind when the overlaying shag is clipped.
More helpful tips to come! But until then, if you have any other questions give us a call or drop us an e-mail!
