A little help on your wedding planning

Before I knew I wanted to become a photographer…I wanted to be a wedding planner.  Now, although I don’t think I could run around like a pro in Gucci slingbacks like J-Lo did in the movie, I think I’d make a pretty stylish & fun planner none-the-less.  I thought (and actually still DO think)  it would be an amazing feeling helping brides make their day everything they’d dreamed of since they were old enough to understand what a “wedding” meant.   I still do that – to a point, I just don’t hold EVERY hope and dream for the bride and groom in my hand (Thank the good lord – that’s a lot of pressure)….but I do hold a small nugget of their day in my hands.  Their memories.  Not a big deal, right?!  No pressure

So, here’s my inner wedding planner coming out:  a few nuggets of advice on planning your day—-

- LIGHTING:  When you’re searching for a venue for your ceremony, think about the lighting that you’ll have during that time of day.  Too dark and your photographer will need to use flash during your vows, too bright and you’ll be squinting.  If you’re wanting a little help on this, just ask your photographer for their advice!  I could do an ENTIRE POST on this subject alone…but I’ll leave it at that.

-ENGAGEMENT TIME:  It’s fairly normal around here to have a short 3-4 month engagement before the ceremony (mine was 3.5 months).  If you’re not in a rush, take your time planning & finding the perfect “everything” for your day.  Don’t try to cram everything into a small time frame – you’ll inevitably make yourself miserable trying to get everything done in a short amount of time.  I had a few “Bridezilla” moments during my planning – thank goodness my family is so forgiving, or I’d be out on my ear. 

-CEREMONY/RECEPTION TIME:  If you choose to do portraits between the ceremony & reception, be sure to plan enough time between the two that you will still have time to get something to eat after we get all the pictures that you want. 

-RESEARCH:  When planning all the details of your wedding, it’s so easy to get sucked into buying EVERY bridal magazine on every stand in every store you happen to go into.  Although this is what I did…I don’t recommend it.  Those magazines get expensive, and rarely get looked through a second time.  I’m pretty sure I threw away 50 pounds of magazines post-wedding.  Instead, do your research online & bookmark everything you love!  There are a ton of great ideas floating around in cyberspace.  My good friend, and fellow photographer Tonya Peterson and a couple friends just launched Southwestern Bride.  It’s an amazing blog full of great color & detail ideas for your day! 

-FIRST LOOK:  Now, although we’re a region that is steeped in tradition, don’t turn your back on this idea wholly.  The First Look session is where the Bride & Groom get to see each other alone for the first time before the ceremony.  It is such an intimate & special moment.  The Groom gets to see his bride for the first time all alone – not with all of your guests watching him, so if he feels the need to shed a tear or two, he can do that without having his “man” badge snatched up by his best man.  We will then snap a few portraits of the two of you two together-and could possibly do all the family portraits and get those finished so you’ll have more time between the ceremony & reception to eat that delicious food you paid for  & enjoy your guests. 

-DAY AFTER:  Some people don’t want to have their wedding portraits taken at the same place as their ceremony/reception.  Many couples are electing to do a “Day After” shoot.  This can be done anywhere you choose, and is a good option if you don’t love that “orange gym floor in the church” look for your wedding portraits.  Usually the “Day After” shoots are even more fun because you’re not worried about getting your dress, or his tux dirty! 

I’m sure there are other things I will think of that I should have shared with you…but it’s St. Patty’s day and I’m just too excited about going around pinching everyone that isn’t wearing green!!  Don’t worry, I’m safe – D ordered this shirt for me to wear today…of course it’s a Nebraska shirt – Anyone that knows him understands his obsession