It finally happened.
Your best friend finally popped the question and graced your finger with the rock that symbolizes forever. The wedding planning rabbit hole is a deep one and trust me when I say it’s a whole new world. It can be so much fun, but also so very overwhelming.
Not only are photos one of the most important aspects of the big day, but your wedding photographer also attends a lot more weddings than the average person. You know what they say: we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. So, without further ado, these are my tips for the brides- and grooms-to-be.
1. Don’t rely on The Knot or Wedding Wire
Once you finally start browsing around for wedding ideas, you will quickly get sucked into the vortex that is The Knot. The Knot is a wedding planning website that offers just about everything you could think of based on your geographic area. Tools, templates, checklists, vendors, etc. Seems like a great one-stop-shop, right?
Wrong. You aren’t getting everything you think you are. While the tools and checklists may be helpful and of course free, it’s not the best place to find your vendors – especially if you’re on a budget!
It costs money to list your venue or business on The Knot – a lot of money. Hundreds of dollars per month, thousands per year, for a simple internet ad. So, you can imagine only the more expensive vendors are able to do this financially.
Maybe you believe that you get what you pay for, and that statement is true…to an extent. There are so many talented photographers, bakers, wedding coordinators, DJ’s out there that choose not to spend their money on a feature from The Knot. I’m not saying you won’t find your vendor on that website – maybe you will – but don’t be fooled into thinking they are showing you all of your options. The most important thing is finding the right vendor for you that is within your budget.
2. Have an itinerary for the day of
Your itinerary doesn’t have to be super strict but having a loose schedule for the day’s events is so helpful for not only your photographer, but you and your wedding party as well. Time management is a beautiful thing.
Your photographer wants to be able to get all the must-have shots of your big day – we need to know who’s doing what and where at almost all times of the day to ensure we not only get the shot, but we don’t compromise anything else in the process such as the groom accidentally seeing the bride beforehand, or the bride running late to the ceremony!
3. Please don’t make us compete
There is nothing more infuriating as a hired wedding photographer than having to compete with the family member that owns a DSLR shooting on Auto. Please communicate with your guests to stay out of the photographer’s way. That’s an awkward position for your photographer to be put in. You hired us for a reason – imagine that family member stepping right in front of your photographer as you share your first kiss as a married couple? It’s happened to me. Please assure your family to leave their cameras at home and to remain in their seats during the ceremony so as not to compromise the photos you are paying for!
4. Hire your friends
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been invited to a wedding, only to be told empathetically that they didn’t hire me as their photographer because “they wanted me to attend as a guest, not to work.”
The sentiment is there and appreciated, but let me tell you something, friend. I’d rather be paid to attend a wedding than just attend a wedding, haha. I mean, it’s the truth. I’m not a big drinker, so there isn’t really any other incentive for me not to want to work the wedding.
Secondly, here’s a perspective. Your DJ, photographer, baker, florist, crafter, vendor friend that you didn’t want to hire will probably do a better job on your wedding because it’s not just another gig to them, it’s personal. Your friends will take care of you. We may not give you an up-front “friends and family” discount, but we will certainly hook you up and make damn sure you get the best. Support local; Support your friends and family!
Plus, I can tell you 100% of the friends that did not hire me, came back later, and told me they regretted it so, you know, you be the judge. 😉
5. Don’t rush the portraits
After the ceremony, you’re often flooded with excitement, maybe a bit of adrenaline. Your family is ambushing you both with hugs and congratulations, as if they won’t see you at the reception, which you are beyond eager to get to.
Coming from someone who never got her wedding portraits, I cannot stress enough how important these are for you both. The photos (and videos) are the only way to relive this day – the day that is meant to be the best day of your life. I know you are both looking forward to getting the party started, but do not rush the portraits.
This is not just a tip for you and your fiancé, but the entire wedding party. I can only speak for myself, I usually try to ignore the wedding party if they complain about it, but if my bride or groom is complaining about doing the portraits, I feel obligated to speed things up. After all, it’s your guys’ show. This will compromise the quality and quantity of your images, and you will probably regret that later.
You only get one shot at these pictures. Take a breath, enjoy the down time before the party begins, and let that photographer capture the love between you on your wedding day that you will look back on forever.
