We’re going into our Spring busy season here in Austin and for me, that means every Saturday until July will be spent capturing amazing couples’ important memories. I’ll be taking notes throughout the months on what suggestions to make to my brides for Fall season but as it stands here’s what I’ve got.
When it comes to your wedding day, there is nothing better than having a great team on hand to make sure everything happens as it should. In all the weddings I have been to, knowing there are professionals who do this for a living makes my job so much easier and prevents any stress on you or your family. I’ve seen many brides on the day of practically pulling their hair out because the caterer doesn’t know where to put the buffet tables or the florist is nowhere to be found.
It all starts in the morning with your hair and makeup artist(s). You’ve already done your trial run and know exactly how it’s going to look. Everyone has the timeline and knows where to be once they’re ready. First goes your mom and bridesmaids, leaving you to be the star at the end. If your photographer is showing up to capture the getting ready, this includes makeup! Sit near a window with lots of natural light for a happy makeup artist and good photos.
-Make sure the room is clean and free from clutter. The best getting ready photos (like you’ve seen on Pinterest) don’t include your overnight bag in the background with socks and underwear hanging out.
-Sign in table(s), centerpieces and cakes (with toppers/floral) and other details should all be finished and ready to be photographed before the ceremony during the getting ready. There may not be enough time after and trying to maneuver around guests to get awesome shots of your centerpieces is very hard and limits the photos I can get.
-If your decor is depending on flipping a site from ceremony to reception, try to allow ample time for your crew to set up during cocktail hour and for me to get those detail shots before the guests set their purses down and the dancing begins. The more time I or my second shooter have to photograph these the less chance there is of something small slipping through and not being photographed.
-If photos of your dress before you are in it are important- go ahead and prep it so any of the non photogenic details like the cardboard bodice, the tissue paper and plastic carrying bags are removed and stowed away.
-Most important: Have your getting ready details ready to go when I arrive. This includes your (clean) invitation suite, jewelry, special gifts, vows, flowers, shoes and anything else you want photographed before it goes out with you down the aisle.
Ceremony
More than likely your venue has specific ceremony sites and that’s totally fine. We’ve already talked about time of day and hopefully when confirming the final details with your venue, you’ve heeded my advice and your ceremony won’t be in direct sun in the summer or dappled sunlight in the spring.
-Take your time! I know you’re excited to get to the party but good photos of your ceremony are incredibly important. When it’s time for the first kiss, give it a few seconds! Don’t peck and run :)
Your venue coordinator or wedding day planner should be on hand to help direct traffic after the ceremony is done. Corralling family members to the formal photos location and directing guests towards the bar for cocktail hour.
Reception
This is the fun part! Cake cutting, first dances and toasts all happen in these few hours so be sure you relax and enjoy the evening.
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For recommended vendors to have a successfully stress free day see my list of rockin’ vendors or to hire me for your awesome wedding send me an email and we’ll talk more!
