#weddingphotography101

[incrediblywee]

10 Things I Wish I Could Go Back and Tell My Brides....

There are A LOT of things you learn as a photographer in your first few years of business and especially when shooting a wedding.  Looking back over the years, there are A LOT of things I wish I would have known THEN that I know NOW that I would have told my brides and grooms BEFORE the wedding day came to make a significant impact on their wedding photos and imagery.  I think the budget-conscious bride may not realize how a slight “fix” here and there, and a very small investment of time and/or money can drastically change the appearance of her wedding photos and give them the outcome they’d like.  So I’ve compiled a list of 10 THINGS I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND TELL MY BRIDAL CLIENTS (as a photographer) that I learned along the way and would share with all future brides!

1.     Book a hotel room the night before your wedding.  

Fear not budget-conscious brides, we aren’t talking the Ritz Carlton here.  A simple well-lit hotel room near your ceremony location would be ideal for your pre-ceremony bridal suite photos.  And with some hotels charging just $100 or so for the night, it’s a HUGE investment towards some amazing photos.  Not to mention, you will sleep like a baby the night before your very busy, stressful, exciting day!  Win-win, right?

2.     Stop getting dressed in small cramped places like conference rooms, cluttered bedrooms, etc.  

This goes hand in hand with #1.  The more space, the better the photos.  The more LIGHT, the better the photos.  Flourescent lighting, storage boxes and bookshelves / filing cabinets in your wedding photos?  Not exactly the look you were going for....  Invest in a larger space.  And if you can’t invest in it, then ask someone to borrow a space in their home free of clutter with lots of natural light. You will not regret it.

3.     Give your dress its shine... without the cardboard and plastic store hangers.  

Too many times…. Too many times I see that "lovely” plastic white hanger from the bridal shop or the alterations shop.  Or sometimes it’s the cardboard piece stapled to the hanger to keep the bodice in place.  It’s not flattering whatsoever. You spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on this dress… you want it to have its “moment” in your photos.  Give it the presentation it deserves.  This point also touches on points #1 and #2 (can’t emphasize these enough!).

4.     You must have a First Look.  

Yes, I know.... “I want him to see me walking down the aisle for the 1st time”…. I think a bride that says that still thinks about the old myth “it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding”.  This couldn’t be more FALSE!  Most times brides and grooms react completely opposite of what they THINK will happen at the ceremony.  Some may cry, some may not.  Some may keep laughing, some may look completely panicked and lost.  I’ve seen it, trust me.  So the first look is about the most intimate, TRUEST reaction you can have seeing one another for the first time.  No one there with cell phones, iPads, no harsh or dark lighting (especially if you’re being married in a church), no one there to disrupt your moment. Just you, your love and your photographer(s).  It’s a moment you will cherish forever and your photos will show it.

5. Gift exchanges should be required!

I have seen this happen only a few times, but it’s the sweetest moment ever to open up a gift from your “soon-to-be” right before the ceremony.  Makes for awesome photos and it is something you’ll cherish when you see your proofs because you don’t share that moment with anyone else, not even your groom! It’s a pretty intimate moment.

6. Stop rushing!  

Slow down ... you waited a long time to get to this day. Why are you rushing now? When you schedule your day on a very tight schedule you're going to miss out on some really important moments. And if you're missing out on those moments your photographer is too! And I think this is where having a good planner comes in to play. Because he or she can help you map out your day where you won't be rushing from point A to point B. Delegate as much as possible to this person so that all you have to do is worry about getting married and enjoying your day!  Which leads me to the next point.....

7. Hire a planner! 

And no I am not referring to your Aunt Edith or your neighbor Marge that knows how to throw a good party or who helped decorate your best friend's baby shower. If your budget allows for it please hire a professional wedding planner. The level of detail, organization and creativity that they bring to a wedding is priceless. Peace of mind cannot be given a price tag.  Hire someone you can trust to MAKE SURE your day goes off without a hitch!!!!  Your photographer will appreciate that as well :-)  

8. Create a shot list for your photographer.

This is something that I have not required in the past but I believe I'm going to start requesting for the future. It's very important to capture certain people and certain details that are significant to you the bride and groom. I did a wedding recently where the bridesmaids and groomsmen we're wearing special bracelets in honor of a family member that had passed away. But I was not made aware of this and just so happened to ask about it. I am so glad that I asked because I took a photo just because I thought it was neat not realizing how deep the significance was of the bracelets. This and rushing the photos and not having time to capture pictures with very important people in your life. If these things are mapped out and planned in advance you will not be disappointed!

9. You need Prints. 

You do. And I'm not just telling you this because I want to sell them to you. I was a firm believer in just digital. Give the pictures on a CD or a flash drive and they will have everything they need. Wrong! Half the time that CD or that flash drive will never see the light of day. The amount of work that is put into that photo whether it is taking it or editing it is lost by just seeing a glimpse of it on a computer or a phone screen. A physical print is a reminder to you and to your groom and to anyone else that sees it of your big day and of your commitment to love one another forever. And as the creator of that art it is a personal Joy to deliver these pieces to a couple just starting their lives together. I know that it is something that they will cherish forever.

10. A second photographer is one of the best investments you'll make. 

Double the vantage points. Double the reactions. Double the coverage. Choosing a wedding package with a 2nd photographer is a win-win and usually will only cost a little more than hiring one. But the results far outweigh the cost and your photos will reflect that.

So there you have it!  My top 10 things I wish I could go back and tell ALL my brides.  And all of my future brides will definitely hear these suggestions from me.  There are no hard fast rules that say these things will make or break your wedding day.  But regardless of the situation, Incredibly Wee will capture your day from start to finish, so just take a deep breath, get ready and let’s shoot!

Posted by Esmee Kyles, Incredibly Wee  www.incrediblywee.com