Wedding tips for you new brides and grooms to be! Enjoy these helpful tips that can make your day and experience better : )
Planning a wedding is hard and I always do my best to help out so free to ask me any other questions you may have that are not on this list and I’ll do my best to help.
Hair & Makeup
When figuring out your timeline for hair and make up always add 30 min to the time that it will be done. Hair and makeup might be the #1 reason for weddings falling behind. Always have a 30 min buffer. If you have more then just a few brides maids then you may want to add even up to 45 min.
Getting Ready
Deciding on how many people will be getting ready with you is also important. More or less people and the size of space can either make it a calm environment or chaotic. Think about the space you’ll be getting ready in and how many people you can comfortably fit while getting ready. Having large windows in the building for nice light is also something to consider.
Indoor ceremony
For indoor ceremonies take a note of how much light is available and if flash photography is allowed. Ask if the photographer is allowed to roam freely in the area or if there are areas we cannot be during the ceremony. Which can limit the angles we can shoot from.
Wedding tips
Outdoor ceremony
Outdoor ceremonies can be great if you have good light. The best time is usually 2-3 hours before sunset because the sun is lower in the sky and can evenly light everyone. Having 1 person in shade and the other in sunlight can be very tough so if you have an outdoor ceremony consider where the sun will be in the sky and if you need to be in shade or not. High noon out in the open on a sunny day can be very uncomfortable for long periods of time. Always be weary of rain and have a back up plan that can be executed quickly.
Wedding tips
Tent receptions
I love tent weddings because the way bounce light around in them but if you want even more awesomeness in your pictures add as much extra lighting as you can with lanterns and twinkle lights for beautiful backgrounds.
Indoor receptions
Another tip is to add as much light as possible during indoor receptions with up-lights and candles or twinkle lights can really add the extra punch in the backgrounds and foregrounds of your pictures. Also make sure your DJ doesn’t go crazy with his own lighting during your first dance and parent dances. Laser beams of green lights on your face during dances are not flattering and can not be easily removed.
Creative portraits
Carving out at least an hour for some fun creative portraits between your ceremony and reception is important to get some memorable and breath taking shots that everyone will be oohing and aahing about! Having a first look ( seeing your partner ) before the ceremony can be beneficial to getting some more portrait time in of just the two of you. If you don’t have a lot of time between ceremony and reception this is something you may want to consider.
Plan it then let it go!
You’ve planned for months maybe even years and now the day has finally come. Enjoy it no matter what happens and go with the flow! Embrace anything that may not be going the way you want and let it add to your beautiful story! Be free so you can feel all the emotion of love, laughter and fun with your friends and family members.
Wedding Tips
Engagement shoots
The best times to shoot are couple hours before sunset or just after sunset, that’s when you have really soft golden light. Engagement shoots usually take place on weekdays as weekends are reserved for wedding bookings. Engagement shoots are a fun way of warming up to the camera and getting to know your photographer. It’ll make things so much more comfortable on the wedding day and it’s way more relaxed. There’s no pressure of a schedule on a engagement shoot like a wedding day.
Here are some engagement shoot tips
Unplugged wedding?
With everyone with cellphones and iPads now it can be a sea of ugly while you walk down the isle. With the uncle who has the nice camera jumping out into the isle to get the shot of the first kiss. The little nephews with cellphones recording every detail can make life very tough for the professionals you’ve hired. We try our best to get the creative shots while waiting for that perfect expression. Only to be ruined by someone in the isle or on the alter with their cell phone or iPad.
The latest trend is to go “unplugged” meaning no technology during the wedding ceremony. Have your guests shut off their phones and iPads so they can enjoy the beautiful ceremony. You’ve paid a lot of money for us to record and capture it on professional equipment. A quick announcement before the ceremony starts usually does the trick.
We don’t mind people taking photos it’s just the ones that take it to another level and are out of the seats or getting in our way.
First Look?
Traditionally the bride and groom always see each other the first time when the bride walks down the isle. Now it’s very common for them to see each other before the ceremony which is called the first look. The pro’s to this is you get more photo opportunities with each other especially if you have a late ceremony.
During the fall and winter months when the sun sets earlier. Sometimes you don’t have enough time to get photos done after the ceremony with day light. So this option allows you to get some outdoor pics before the ceremony. This can also open up the opportunity to do your family pictures before the ceremony as well.
Destination Wedding
This is a new wedding tip and I’ll probably add to this a little later. If you’re going somewhere hot just beware of having your ceremony and photoshoot later in the week for your photos. You could be sun burnt or have unflattering tan lines ( sunglasses etc ), you also may be hungover or drunk on your photoshoot day. Trust me it happens lol. So just something to consider : )
Update: 2022, I’m just adding some experience after shooting in Venice Italy, Santorini Greece and Banff earlier this year. When booking flights it is best left up to the photographer because mistakes do happen. I missed a connection because their wasn’t enough time in-between flights. I was able to book another flight myself and made it to my destination, however it was a little late to shoot that night.
Hair appliances may not work other countries and this was the case in Venice. The couple arrived a couple of hours late because of this. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. You may be walking a lot and dress shoes may not be the best choice. Santorini has tons of ups and down which can hurt the feet. Please plan everything with your experienced photographer before hand.
If you have any other wedding tips that can be helpful please let me know!
Check out this cool wedding of Patrick and Monica.