Wedding Insider's Journal

Over the last 20 years, I’ve photographed over 700 weddings.  I’ve seen, from an intimate perspective, everything from wonderful weddings on a shoestring budget to “6 figure” affairs that were complete disasters.  I’ve acquired a lot of insight from the practical knowledge gained from such experiences, even in areas other than photography.   It’s been a great sociological study in the American wedding.  So here we are.  My journal is all about weddings from the photographer’s viewpoint, my perspective.

It’s my pleasure to share tons of photographs, great ideas for wedding details, locations, and plenty of awesome couples with all types of unique expressions of their love.  I’ve been honored to photograph and be part of their special days.

I welcome you to my web community.  I welcome your participation.  Read the articles.  Respond with your own thoughts, questions, and experiences.  Help others who are in the throws of wedding planning as they help you to make your day picture perfect!

It is my sincere wish that the information presented here would empower you to have the wedding of your dreams.

Best wishes,

Cristina

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When party entertainment comes to mind for most people, the music is the main consideration. However, this category contains a wider cast of characters than that. Sometimes, even this veteran wedding photographer can be surprised.  Far beyond the typical bands and DJs, the availability of unusual entertainment is better than ever. Clowns, magicians, comedians, performance artists, dance performances, palm readers, costumes for a photo booth…if you want it, it’s out there.

As a photographer, I have always enjoyed the interesting entertainment choices at bar (bat) mitzvahs. Face painting, balloon artists, caricaturists, DJ led party games in a bewildering array…

Providing outlets for the distracted, high-energy craziness of thirteen year olds seems obvious, but at a wedding? Yeah!  These special extras can help to reinforce a wedding theme and give your wedding a unique personality. Adults enjoy cutting loose, too.  So, it’s not just for the kiddies.  Looking for talent that falls outside the typical wedding genre may be the right path for you.

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Most people have experienced the power of flowers. There’s a huge emotional connection. It’s not just women; everyone has a connection to flowers. These fragile blooms are a romantic symbol between couples starting with their courtship. They represent thoughtfulness and love. They have an ability to set the mood and to transform any surroundings into a beautiful setting with color, texture and fragrance. The natural elegance and sophistication that flowers bring to a wedding is an important part of the overall style and personality of your wedding.Whether casual or elegant, the range of possibilities is quite endless. The amazing array colors and hues can match any color scheme or even establish a theme. Creating wonderful textures and contrasting forms with foliage and berries can add a unique and dramatic touch. Find special locations to use flowers throughout the day. From a crowning headpiece on the bride or flower girl to the boutonnieres of the groom or groomsmen, flowers can become important fashion accessories. Issues of color, size, and even weight should be addressed. Having a good sense of scale is helpful in matching your flowers to your personal stature.

Your flowers should never visually overwhelm their surroundings. Whether as a bouquet held in front of the bride’s gown or as pedestal urns flanking the couple during the ceremony, the role of the flowers is to support the show, not steal it. Beyond their traditional uses, flowers can make an appearance in all types of places; as centerpieces at the reception, as wedding cake decorations, on the guest book table, or even in the restroom. There are many situations that could be improved with a small splash of flowers.

For holiday weddings, the traditional motifs can be followed. Playful combinations of seasonal fruits and berries with blossoming branches and foliage can make for memorable wedding decorations. Evening weddings provided an excellent opportunity to use candles in conjunction with floral arrangements. Candlelight always adds a dramatic and romantic effect to any table display. The possibility of using the arrangement as a giveaway adds another benefit.

There are several concerns that should be addressed when ordering and handling flowers. Ask your florist about wilting, discoloration, proper storage, and other factors dealing with longevity. You want your flowers to look their best as long as possible. An easy answer to keeping the bouquet fresh the longest is to use a bouquet holder or vase with water. This provides an attractive way to store the bouquet when it is not needed.

Another simple, yet overlooked question: Are they poisonous? A wedding with small children or pets should consider this. What about allergies? Allergies to flowers seem more common these days. The entire Lily family does a number on me; but worrying about all the guests and all their possible allergies can be a little absurd. So, concentrate on yourself and everyone who will be wearing or holding the flowers, since they are the ones who will be the most affected. Some people also have strong reactions to flower scents. For example, gardenias have a very pungent aroma. These scents can bring back memories of childhood, specific people, and distant locations.

These days, truly exotic and unusual flowers are available year round. Seasonal issues are not as problematic as they were in the past. Using silk flowers will remove the seasonal issue and will lower the overall cost. The longevity of artificial flowers has its obvious benefits, but will it meet your aesthetic needs?

As with most other wedding topics, there are many choices for the flowers. So let your imagination run wild. Open a dialogue with your florist, and discover the possibilities.

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Your wedding is your day to shine. You want that inner glow to come out, in person and through the camera. Concerns about skin care, nail care, hair care, and fitness can all become overwhelming. Many people tend to result to the “makeover” as a tool for personal improvement. The popularity of reality TV shows featuring radical makeovers has increased the desire of couples to push the boundaries.

Everyone wants to look good at his or her wedding, but don’t let yourself be made over entirely. Well-meaning friends, beauticians and makeup artists can get carried way. You want to recognize yourself in the mirror, in the photos and most importantly, in the eyes of your sweetheart. Getting married is, by itself, a big change in self-perception. As a photographer, I notice the changes that people sometimes choose to make.

Last minute hair color changes or shaving off a 10 year-old mustache are definitely big changes. Two days before your wedding may not be the best time to experiment. As for your skin, attempting a new beauty regime immediately before the wedding is not advised. Facials, masks, face creams, and waxing may be helpful in the long run, but they can cause breakouts and skin irritations in their initial use. Planning ahead for these occurrences can prevent the nightmares. By starting a routine months prior to the wedding, most people’s skin will have a chance to improve and to settle down. And don’t worry if the monster zit shows up on the big day; most photographers can retouch!

Despite their claims, beauty products cannot compare to a simple, commonsense understanding of your own skin. While fighting your genetic predisposition is not entirely futile, radical changes can be extremely expensive, time consuming, and downright embarrassing. If you feel that things are out of control, consulting a dermatologist, make-up artist or esthetician may be helpful in finding the correct beauty regime for you. Think carefully and try things well in advance of your day. A little common sense can go a long way.

A good night’s sleep is priceless. Beyond your wedding being a very long day for you, it’s a very hectic and stressful day. The body really shows when you haven’t had enough sleep. Taking a little extra time for yourself will have many positive effects. Your posture will improved. Your skin and especially, your eyes will be dramatically improved, as well as your mood.

Finding other avenues for stress-reduction will have many positive effects. I know, easier said than done. The night before the wedding may seem like the perfect time to catch up with old friends and family who have just arrived into town, but it should wait. And all the last minute details that just didn’t get finished, that crazy push to the finish; you will have to delegate those tasks to someone else.  You need your sleep.

The effects of sun damage, both natural and artificial, are well know. Having good skin color can become an obsession for some people. Over-tanning, sunburns, and tan lines can be the results. Even those who are especially careful can make mistakes. The other option, self-tanning lotions, can be safer. However, the tendency towards staining and uneven application is another factor. Try it in advance, be careful and don’t overdo it!

Of course, everyone knows they should drink more water. Not soda, not coffee, not alcohol…yeah, that’s a bummer! But it will make a difference. My single, biggest tip is to reduce hand-to-face contact. My husband calls it “bit picking”. Everyone does it; everyone knows they shouldn’t. All you need to do is nothing! Simply wash your face, and leave it alone.

Look great.  Look knock-down, drag-out gorgeous!  But, look like yourself.

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