2.Keep it fairly simple.The more complicated you make it,
the more can go wrong and the more you and every one
else will be stressed.
Think elegant,light,easy on your Bridal Party & family.
Provide extra time for everything on your day.Start early.
3.You want a nice reception ambiance,but remember
great photos require light.Candles & Christmas lights are
not photographically considered "light".
Recommendation:Keep it fairly well lit (50-75%)
for the Grand Entrance,darker for dinner,well lit for
toasts,half way lit for event dances, full lighting for cake
cutting.
(Large white cakes soak up camera flash like a sponge).
When it's time to party dance,lights can go down.
4.The less ceremony obstructions the better.
Remember,your photographer has to be able to see you
from every angle if you want photos from every angle.
If possible,have the Bridal Party stand at their seats behind
the parents' row upon entering.
Full altar photos with them can be taken after the ceremony.
For flowers,short is best,ask your florist "please,no long
wiley branches". If possible,only book a ceremony site that
allows an unobstructed view from behind the "altar" area,so
when facing in, your photographer can catch your facial
expressions.
5.Slow pace with spacing for Bridal Party.A Wedding
Coordinators' pet peeve.If you want photos of your bridal
party's processions & recessions,a slow pace and wide
spacing is best.
6.Let your photographer choose/approve the after-ceremony
portrait spot.
If you don't, it's like telling your mechanic how to
fix your car.Please tell us what you would like,but in the
end,leave it to the professional.Background colors and
lighting are critical to great photos.If it is a "must have"
background like your family church's altar,
but it's rather dark,(like 99% are),tell your photographer
days in advance,and allow
them time to bring in & set up the necessary lighting arrays.
(Make sure electric outlets are available).
7.Avoid reception halls that do not offer curtains for the
windows behind the Sweetheart/Bridal & Cake tables.
Once the sun goes down,flashes are needed and will make
reflection spots on the glass.(The most difficult thing to
Photoshop out!)
While any careful pro photographer can minimize
this,family's flashes are ever-present in toast & cake
photos,if windows are not curtained.
8.Ask your DJ to not put on club lights during your
First Dance.You probably don't want green,red,yellow and
blue spots on your dress in these precious "firsts" photos.
9. Make sure your DJ & photographer honor requests-
We do! --If you have "must have" photo/song lists in your
mind,please write them out and submit them.
It's our job to care you get all the photos/songs that you
want,it's your job to reveal all that you want and provide
enough time on your Wedding Day to allow it to happen.
(e.g. If you request 75 different family members' photos and
can only provide 1 photo hour,please book a second photo
day,or re-plan your day.)
10.Try not to fit 300 guests into a 100 person area.
A few outdoor facilities avoid the Fire Marshall by tenting
a large outdoor reception area,but indoors,cramming
creates walking issues for the food & beverage
servers,seniors,and vendors,like photographers!
Please keep aisles wide,especially for your Grand Entrance
aisle.
If you have a montage,please provide a clear
"video pathway", meaning no guest tables between
the projector and screen/viewing area please.
Also,remember you need space in front of your Bridal table
for photos,video,etc.
Never have guest tables right up next to it.
11.Make your guests' comfort first priority.
Make sure your wedding locations have ample,easy and
close parking,and if on a roof or above ground floor,
please make sure for your guests and vendors,
that they offer at least 3 elevators.
Nothing makes a guest more unhappy than walking a mile
then waiting an hour for a place to sit.
Please make sure long outdoor ceremonies in the sun are
covered with umbrellas.
Seniors can't take the heat like we can.
It is a very good wedding when no one is taken to the
hospital for heat stroke.
Be sure to offer water bottles on ice,2 per guest per half
hour is best.
12.Care for yourself: Hydrate,eat and wait to "party".
We've seen brides faint from not having enough to drink and
eat. By "drink" we mean water,Gatorade,fruit juice.
Please don't think a donut at 7am will
last you the whole day until dinner.
Eat a nice,large breakfast (and lunch if possible).
You will be amazed how much energy you will use on your
Wedding Day...akin to running 8 miles...pulling a Buick.
Though helpful to some,try not to get stinky drunk 10
minutes before your ceremony.
13.Make sure all Bridal Party members are on the same page.
There's nothing worse than having your day go absolutely
perfect until you find that you walk in 2 minutes,and the
Best Man,with the Bride's ring,is no where to be found.
Send every BP member a Wedding Day timeline,complete
with rehearsal schedule & photo schedules.
Best hint:Call each the morning of,reminding them of
important items (e.g. Maid of Honor,please bring the "blue"
item you promised to lend,Groosmen be at the
pre-ceremony photo session at 2pm sharp please).
Ask us for a free Bridal Party timeline planner,made by one
of our most organized brides!
14.Think out transportation arrangements.
From guest shuttles to photographers in your limo,please
remember to thoroughly think out every driving arrangement.
You won't want to strand any person on your wedding day,
nor yourselves!
15. Bring your Marriage license,credit cards and checkbook.
We've seen these ruin Wedding Days...one even ruined
another couples' Wedding Day:
One couple left the marriage license 80 miles away and
through Friday rush hour traffic had to send someone to get
it.3 hours later,the next wedding at the church was delayed 2
hours...they were not happy to say the least.
One couple forgot their credit cards and check book and
forgot they still needed to pay the Limo,Minister,and
most importantly the $7,000 balance on the Hotel Reception
hall...
(No one should be arrested for "Defrauding the Innkeeper"
on their Wedding Day!)
Paying everybody off early is good,but there's always those
last minute unexpected expenses...(One couple forgot they
needed coloring for their sand for their sand ceremony 1
hour before it was to start!)
16.Treat your wedding vendors as well as
you would your brake mechanic...(he/she's really important!).
Remember,your vendors are human beings too.
Treat them with respect and consideration.
When it comes to your photographer,well,think about it,
He/She holds your most precious memories in his hands.
(Just like a brake mechanic holds your life in his hands.)
You wouldn't rush him nor make him
work in the dark... would you?
There are similarities in the importance of the customers'
roles in both these professions.
If you want dependable brakes,having proper brake
maintenance done is your responsibility,and if you want
great photos,then choose venues with proper lighting &
decor,(ask if you need help in knowing what's proper) and
please provide enough time for the photos you want, to be
taken,unrushed...Even if it means booking a second day.
Pro cameras are not like "point and shoots" or disposables.
They need adjustments,lens changes,light readings, etc.
to make their "magic": Clarity,detail,and depth of field
non-pro cameras won't give you.
17.Avoid procrastination.
We see this all the time: If your photographer tells you (for
the 5th time that day,and now it's 11pm:)
"Hey, we should do that special Groomsmens' photo you
requested now" and you say "we'll do it later" ,
don't expect to see it in your portfolio.
Remember,this is up to you: If your photographer asks and
asks and you say "we'll get it later" you probably won't.
18. The Knot Wedding Magazine's standard is 5 mins per
photo you EXPECT to be perfect.
Though perhaps a little long for perfect conditions,it is not
unreasonable for imperfect ones.
(Ever see those amazing Porsche ad photos?...
You know,the ones where the car looks like it's whizzing by
and the stars are moving with it?...
That one photo takes 24 hours to create.
Or watch the David Lachapelle Photography Show.
He spends all day (and $100's of dollars) to get just one
perfect photo.)
Once the lighting is stable,90 secs per photo is realistic.
Note that sunlight at sunset provides only about 15 mins of
quality stable lighting.
19.Smile all day.
You'll love your photos more if you're not smiling in them!
--Mark Anthony
the more can go wrong and the more you and every one
else will be stressed.
Think elegant,light,easy on your Bridal Party & family.
Provide extra time for everything on your day.Start early.
3.You want a nice reception ambiance,but remember
great photos require light.Candles & Christmas lights are
not photographically considered "light".
Recommendation:Keep it fairly well lit (50-75%)
for the Grand Entrance,darker for dinner,well lit for
toasts,half way lit for event dances, full lighting for cake
cutting.
(Large white cakes soak up camera flash like a sponge).
When it's time to party dance,lights can go down.
4.The less ceremony obstructions the better.
Remember,your photographer has to be able to see you
from every angle if you want photos from every angle.
If possible,have the Bridal Party stand at their seats behind
the parents' row upon entering.
Full altar photos with them can be taken after the ceremony.
For flowers,short is best,ask your florist "please,no long
wiley branches". If possible,only book a ceremony site that
allows an unobstructed view from behind the "altar" area,so
when facing in, your photographer can catch your facial
expressions.
5.Slow pace with spacing for Bridal Party.A Wedding
Coordinators' pet peeve.If you want photos of your bridal
party's processions & recessions,a slow pace and wide
spacing is best.
6.Let your photographer choose/approve the after-ceremony
portrait spot.
If you don't, it's like telling your mechanic how to
fix your car.Please tell us what you would like,but in the
end,leave it to the professional.Background colors and
lighting are critical to great photos.If it is a "must have"
background like your family church's altar,
but it's rather dark,(like 99% are),tell your photographer
days in advance,and allow
them time to bring in & set up the necessary lighting arrays.
(Make sure electric outlets are available).
7.Avoid reception halls that do not offer curtains for the
windows behind the Sweetheart/Bridal & Cake tables.
Once the sun goes down,flashes are needed and will make
reflection spots on the glass.(The most difficult thing to
Photoshop out!)
While any careful pro photographer can minimize
this,family's flashes are ever-present in toast & cake
photos,if windows are not curtained.
8.Ask your DJ to not put on club lights during your
First Dance.You probably don't want green,red,yellow and
blue spots on your dress in these precious "firsts" photos.
9. Make sure your DJ & photographer honor requests-
We do! --If you have "must have" photo/song lists in your
mind,please write them out and submit them.
It's our job to care you get all the photos/songs that you
want,it's your job to reveal all that you want and provide
enough time on your Wedding Day to allow it to happen.
(e.g. If you request 75 different family members' photos and
can only provide 1 photo hour,please book a second photo
day,or re-plan your day.)
10.Try not to fit 300 guests into a 100 person area.
A few outdoor facilities avoid the Fire Marshall by tenting
a large outdoor reception area,but indoors,cramming
creates walking issues for the food & beverage
servers,seniors,and vendors,like photographers!
Please keep aisles wide,especially for your Grand Entrance
aisle.
If you have a montage,please provide a clear
"video pathway", meaning no guest tables between
the projector and screen/viewing area please.
Also,remember you need space in front of your Bridal table
for photos,video,etc.
Never have guest tables right up next to it.
11.Make your guests' comfort first priority.
Make sure your wedding locations have ample,easy and
close parking,and if on a roof or above ground floor,
please make sure for your guests and vendors,
that they offer at least 3 elevators.
Nothing makes a guest more unhappy than walking a mile
then waiting an hour for a place to sit.
Please make sure long outdoor ceremonies in the sun are
covered with umbrellas.
Seniors can't take the heat like we can.
It is a very good wedding when no one is taken to the
hospital for heat stroke.
Be sure to offer water bottles on ice,2 per guest per half
hour is best.
12.Care for yourself: Hydrate,eat and wait to "party".
We've seen brides faint from not having enough to drink and
eat. By "drink" we mean water,Gatorade,fruit juice.
Please don't think a donut at 7am will
last you the whole day until dinner.
Eat a nice,large breakfast (and lunch if possible).
You will be amazed how much energy you will use on your
Wedding Day...akin to running 8 miles...pulling a Buick.
Though helpful to some,try not to get stinky drunk 10
minutes before your ceremony.
13.Make sure all Bridal Party members are on the same page.
There's nothing worse than having your day go absolutely
perfect until you find that you walk in 2 minutes,and the
Best Man,with the Bride's ring,is no where to be found.
Send every BP member a Wedding Day timeline,complete
with rehearsal schedule & photo schedules.
Best hint:Call each the morning of,reminding them of
important items (e.g. Maid of Honor,please bring the "blue"
item you promised to lend,Groosmen be at the
pre-ceremony photo session at 2pm sharp please).
Ask us for a free Bridal Party timeline planner,made by one
of our most organized brides!
14.Think out transportation arrangements.
From guest shuttles to photographers in your limo,please
remember to thoroughly think out every driving arrangement.
You won't want to strand any person on your wedding day,
nor yourselves!
15. Bring your Marriage license,credit cards and checkbook.
We've seen these ruin Wedding Days...one even ruined
another couples' Wedding Day:
One couple left the marriage license 80 miles away and
through Friday rush hour traffic had to send someone to get
it.3 hours later,the next wedding at the church was delayed 2
hours...they were not happy to say the least.
One couple forgot their credit cards and check book and
forgot they still needed to pay the Limo,Minister,and
most importantly the $7,000 balance on the Hotel Reception
hall...
(No one should be arrested for "Defrauding the Innkeeper"
on their Wedding Day!)
Paying everybody off early is good,but there's always those
last minute unexpected expenses...(One couple forgot they
needed coloring for their sand for their sand ceremony 1
hour before it was to start!)
16.Treat your wedding vendors as well as
you would your brake mechanic...(he/she's really important!).
Remember,your vendors are human beings too.
Treat them with respect and consideration.
When it comes to your photographer,well,think about it,
He/She holds your most precious memories in his hands.
(Just like a brake mechanic holds your life in his hands.)
You wouldn't rush him nor make him
work in the dark... would you?
There are similarities in the importance of the customers'
roles in both these professions.
If you want dependable brakes,having proper brake
maintenance done is your responsibility,and if you want
great photos,then choose venues with proper lighting &
decor,(ask if you need help in knowing what's proper) and
please provide enough time for the photos you want, to be
taken,unrushed...Even if it means booking a second day.
Pro cameras are not like "point and shoots" or disposables.
They need adjustments,lens changes,light readings, etc.
to make their "magic": Clarity,detail,and depth of field
non-pro cameras won't give you.
17.Avoid procrastination.
We see this all the time: If your photographer tells you (for
the 5th time that day,and now it's 11pm:)
"Hey, we should do that special Groomsmens' photo you
requested now" and you say "we'll do it later" ,
don't expect to see it in your portfolio.
Remember,this is up to you: If your photographer asks and
asks and you say "we'll get it later" you probably won't.
18. The Knot Wedding Magazine's standard is 5 mins per
photo you EXPECT to be perfect.
Though perhaps a little long for perfect conditions,it is not
unreasonable for imperfect ones.
(Ever see those amazing Porsche ad photos?...
You know,the ones where the car looks like it's whizzing by
and the stars are moving with it?...
That one photo takes 24 hours to create.
Or watch the David Lachapelle Photography Show.
He spends all day (and $100's of dollars) to get just one
perfect photo.)
Once the lighting is stable,90 secs per photo is realistic.
Note that sunlight at sunset provides only about 15 mins of
quality stable lighting.
19.Smile all day.
You'll love your photos more if you're not smiling in them!
--Mark Anthony
(909)-930-9159
