Wedding Tips
THE DAY BEFORE / REHEARSAL
If you have a destination wedding, you would typically plan a lot of fun things to do with your guests. Let us capture the events leading up to the wedding day and make it an amazing wedding weekend's worth of memories.
GETTING READY
Do you like to get ready in peace and quiet? Or do you enjoy a room full of friends and family surrounding you as you are getting ready? This will provide a very different dynamics in your getting ready photos. If possible, please get ready in a room with plenty of light. More importantly, during hair and makeup, leave enough room around you for the photographer to get the best angle and try to minimize the clutter as much as possible so they won't interfere with your photos. Make sure to add enough time on your schedule to your hair and makeup portion of the day.
FIRST LOOK
If you are so inclined, after the bride and groom are dressed and ready, you can see each other for the first time prior to the ceremony. The first look usually provides an emotional encounter in a private and intimate setting. This opportunity creates less stress for your wedding day schedule because the bridal party and family portraits can be completed right after the first look.
CHURCH CEREMONY
Some churches have very strict policy regarding wedding photography. Before you book your church, please find out what the restrictions are so we all have realistic expectations for the ceremony photographs. The closer and more open access to the ceremony would allow us to capture a more intimate feel of your ceremony. Do not worry, we will always be respectful.
OUTDOOR CEREMONY
Typically, the best time for an outdoor ceremony is 2-3 hrs. prior to sunset. Please keep in mind to stand where there will be even light falling on both the bride and groom. Try to avoid shadows cast by trees, pillars and the likes or one in the light and the other partner in the shadow. Lastly it would be very helpful to let your guests know to enjoy the ceremony without being overly concerned about taking pictures so they do not interfere with our photography.
BRIDE & GROOM PORTRAITS
Don't forget to set aside 45 mins. of total portrait time for both of you. The best time for outdoor portraits is 1 hr. before sunset. Please keep an open mind as these portraits require patience and time - even portraits have moments and moments need time to develop.
GROUP PORTRAITS
The best time for family portraits is right after the ceremony. We will ask for a list of the groupings beforehand and try to finish this part in 15 mins. It is essential that you appoint someone to manage this activity. It is advisable to let the people who are participating in the group photos be aware that they need to join you for group photos. Efficiency is key here because we want your guests to go back to the cocktail hour.
DETAILS & DECOR
We understand that details and decor are very important parts of your wedding day. We ask that we have 10 mins. of uninterrupted time during the cocktail hour so we can capture the beautiful settings before the guests put purses and jackets on their seats.
RECEPTION
Photography is all about lights! If you're going to have an outdoor reception, additional lights such as string lights and candles are even more important to brighten up your photographs. Consider putting the sweetheart table as far away from the kitchen activities. Lastly, please include your photographers on the guest list so we are properly fed at the same time as the guests (since this is a downtime for photography), never too far from you so we can catch those important moments.
VIDEOGRAPHY
It's important that your photographer and videographer are compatible in style and approach so they can perform at their best for you without getting in each others way. We work best with videographers who document the day unobtrusively. Please ask us for a list of videographers we work well with. We know a number of talented persons.
WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED
No matter how much you plan for a flawless day, sometimes the weather turns bad, or you may forget a thing or two. Always keep an open mind and positive attitude even if things don't go your way. They could be the magical elements that may make your wedding day photography unique and truly yours