1. EXPECT HAIR AND MAKEUP TO RUN OVER.
Between your sister asking four times which pair of shoes you prefer and your mom asking the makeup artist to tone down the eye shadow a bit, a lot of little interruptions can add up. Plan ahead and build an extra hour into your schedule. The worst that happens is you end up finishing early and get to enjoy some quiet time with your best friends.
2. CONSIDER DOING A FIRST LOOK
If I were to give one piece of advice to a couple it would be to strongly consider doing a First Look. A First Look is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony, have a few moments alone, and get their portraits taken. It is a time to get away from the craziness of the wedding day and spend time together just the two of you. I totally get the tradition of waiting until the bride walks down the aisle but if you’re prone to stress or anxiety especially, the First Look can be a calming and tone-setting alternative.
3. TRY AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY— HAVE GUESTS PUT THE CELL PHONES AWAY
How many times have you been at a wedding and seen multiple cell phones, selfie sticks and iPads popping up everywhere? This has become the norm in today’s society, so guests may not be aware that they are potentially ruining the professional shots you are paying good money for. Imagine: the bride is coming down the aisle with her father. Everyone stands to see her, then as I attempt to capture this exquisite moment, Aunt Sally with her large iPad leans out into the aisle to get her shot, totally blocking me as I try to get mine. Aunt Sally’s iPad photo is not the photo the couple wants to see on their mantelpiece for the next fifty years. The best way to get your money’s worth is to let everyone know that your photographer gets top priority.
4. BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, ASK TO SEE AN ENTIRE WEDDING
As a professional photographer, I know how daunting a task editing can be. Some photographers may take a short cut and just pick a handful of their favorite images to edit and post but what about the rest of them? The remaining images may be unedited and placed on a DVD. Make sure before you book your photographer to request to see an entire wedding in an online gallery to see the results of the photographer’s finished work.
5. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
We have all heard this saying before. This is especially true when it comes to wedding photography. When the wedding night has come to an end and everyone goes home afterward, what is left? The food will be gone, the alcohol consumed, the wedding dress will go in a box, and that will be that. When all is said and done, your wedding images will be there for you and your family to enjoy for generations to come. The brides who know this are the ones who set their budget high for quality professional photography coverage. Don’t cheap out on your wedding photographer. Spend the money, follow these tips, and live happily ever after!
Steve Randon is the official cover photographer for Sophisticated Woman.
