The musical choices you select will be the soundtrack of your wedding celebration. Today, with such a wide variety, you can create a special mood. From acoustic guitarists, harpists, solo pianists to jazz ensembles, swing bands, and full orchestras, it’s out there. Whether you want sweet, soft sounds or big, blasting funk, most cities have the resources to make it happen. Live in person or with a DJ’s crafting, the music really sets the tone.
With so many choices, you may consider having your own version of American Idol to help you make decisions. Demo tapes and CDs, live auditions and performances, and referrals from family, friends and other wedding professionals can be helpful here.
Start with a little research. Have a clear understanding of where and when the music will be needed, have a clear direction in your choice of musical style, and have a solid sense of your budget. These initial steps will help to weed out any obvious misfits.
The music’s impact, especially on the reception cannot be overstated. Imagine a large banquet room filled with the laughter and chatter of your guests, the sounds of a bustling dinning room, and the perfect music drifting though. Choosing that perfect music can depend upon many issues.
Here’s a question to ask yourself: Is your reception doubling as a family reunion? How will the level of sound affect that precious conservation? You may want to turn down the volume for more intimate dialogue and easy listening.
Is your guest list primarily a younger or an older crowd? What music choices will be enjoyable for all the guests? Are you eager to dance the night away and to show off your new moves from ballroom dancing class? Or is it time to bust a move and shake a little booty? If disco fever is running wild, then pump up the volume for out of their seats, jamming dance tunes. Just remember, poorly chosen dance music can clear the floor in seconds, whereas the perfect mix can conquer all generation gaps.
There’s more to plan than just for the wedding day. Engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, brunches… all provide an opportunity to add a touch of entertainment, especially music. Whether it’s bringing along a few CDs and a boom box, mobile devices, laptops, asking a friend to DJ, or hiring a full band, these pre-wedding and post-wedding events could use some great music as well. It doesn’t have to be a big budget affair. As with most details, it’s all in the planning. Well-chosen entertainment can make the difference.
Whether or not to have videography at your wedding can be both a simple choice and a difficult one. For movie buffs, it’s an obvious ‘yes’. Having your wedding story in moving pictures, hearing the conversations and music, and reliving the moments are essential to you. Others may feel that the intrusion that videography can bring is too overwhelming for them.
As a photographer, my experiences with videographers are usually focused on their behavior at the wedding. I have seen the full range from wonderfully invisible to outrageously obnoxious. There nothing quite like getting body-checked and pushed by a videographer during the first dance. Why this should happen is beyond me? Apparently, the entire dance floor is not enough for the both of us. With a little communication, awkward situations can be avoided. This is especially true for the ceremony. Some churches have restrictive policies that can make finding a spot a little more difficult. Since this is the most pious time of the day, it’s essential to keep the peace and still get the shots.
And don’t forget, we all know someone who’s just gotten married. The best possible recommendations can come directly from your friends and family who have first hand experiences with vendors through the whole process in the real world. They might also provide second-hand books and magazines, web links, etc. Many established wedding vendors get 50% or more of their new business from referrals!
Another route would be looking for a wedding planner or wedding consultant. The expertise of a talented, creative planner can be quite valuable. They can help in a variety of ways from suggesting overall style, scouting locations, researching vendors, booking interviews, even as much as hiring all the vendors for you. Depending on your style, budget, and personal schedule, this option may work wonderfully for you. Most people are not familiar with the wedding industry. It’s unfamiliar territory. Having a veteran lead the way may be the right strategy for you.
Your relationship with your vendors should from the first contact be building the trust you need to relax, and let them do their thing while you enjoy your day. You hire them for the confidence they inspire in their professional expertise. Now that you’ve hired the best, let them do their best. Set them free to dazzle you. You’ll be too busy enjoying your wedding to micromanage all the details. No worrying about the cake-cutting knives or the groomsmen’s boutonnieres. No panicking over whether the bagpiper will ever show up or how your wedding cake will handle a hot July afternoon. You cannot get stressed over every detail on your wedding day. The right vendor choices can make or break your day.
Your wedding photography will be with you for all your years together. Selecting a photographer who understands how you want to remember your day will ensure that all your memories are picture-perfect. Just like the other details of the day, the photography can have a distinct style. From traditional to photojournalistic, your choice of photographer can make a huge difference in your experience. No two photographers work the same way, and their portfolios will show it.
Your wedding day will be the most photographed day of your life. As the bride and groom, you will be in almost all of the photographs. For most couples, this is a new experience. It doesn’t have to be a bad one. If the flash of the cameras makes you feel as though you were being hounded by the paparazzi, choose a photographer who has a less intrusive manner. If you’re looking for a high-production, fashion-styled day, then choose a photographer suited for that.
Photographers develop a consistent, personal style as they get more experienced. They learn what works and what doesn’t. This really comes out in the final product, especially the wedding album. The photographs are the story of your wedding. How they are edited and sequenced can profoundly affect how your story is told. A simple set of wedding proofs can create many different stories. For example, lots of formals and a structured timeline or perhaps more candids and a conceptualized flow? Each photographer establishes a unique approach to creating an album with couples. Looking at sample albums can give you a sense of their techniques. By working together, the right choice should become apparent.
The glamour and classic elegance that black & white photography brings to a wedding is becoming more and more popular. Weddings and portraits will always be suited to the classic look of it. Color and black & white photography can be successfully mixed to capture the day. With the advances in digital photography, beautiful black & white photographs can be made out of any color image. It’s no longer necessary for a photographer to choose between color and black & white. Every photograph can be whatever you choose without sacrifice. Deciding on a final product, whether a wedding album or just prints for framing, will also help to narrow your choices and your budget. It may help to ask your family and friends for advice. Why give your parents an album, if they would prefer some enlargements? Save your money, and get them what they want. If you’re a crafty person, then making your own album may be the right path, but that’s another post! By clearly defining your photography goals, your search will be more productive. Use these goals as a shopping list to help make an “apples-to-apples” comparison between photographers. The differences in their pricing and products can sometimes make this difficult. The photography of your wedding offers a lot of possibilities. Putting a little effort into making the right choice will pay off on your wedding day and every time you look at your pictures. 
“Will you marry me?” The question may seem small, but the answer is huge. What exactly that “yes” implies is uncertain and yet exciting. How? When? Where? The list of details, questions, and issues seems endless. While the planning can be overwhelming, it should never be seen as a chore. Nowadays, with the wide availability of wedding resources (books, magazines, online), it is less daunting. This process should be a uniting experience for you as a couple, as well as your family and friends.
“We’re getting married!” It’s the outward declaration of your inner commitment to one another. This seemingly simple sentence can require 6 months to more than a year to realize. What will your wedding say about your commitment and the start of your future together? Symbols of your union, both as a couple and as a family, will help set the stage for the day. Stylistic choices reflect your priorities and values. The wedding celebration is the beginning of your marriage, your life, and your hopes for the future.
When I think back on my favorite weddings, they all had one thing in common. Once the day began, the couple let go of all the planning, the months of preparations, and their large binder full of notes and simply had a great time at their party. You have to trust that you’ve hired great vendors, and let them do their jobs. When the little glitches happen, just keep smiling and let it roll off. The bakery delivered someone else’s cake, the limo driver is 30 minutes late, and the ring bearer is in his terrible twos. No worries! Just concentrate on why we’re here: Your love for each other on this special day.
The advice and information provided in this journal are meant to help you attain this freedom on your wedding day. Knowing that the right preparations have been made will give you that. All of my clients say, “The day went by so fast!” Savor every minute of your time with friends and family. The sounds of the music, the tastes and toasts…every bit!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
