A: A videographer should be put in the “really nice to have” category. Definitely consider hiring a videographer if you have room in your budget. While a good photojournalistic photographer should be able to capture all the same moments, a videographer will be able to capture elements such as, sound and motion, that still photography simply can not. 

Do you have a question? Email us and we will be happy to answer it.
 
 
Must Take Shots 11/29/2009
 
Every detail of your wedding is important. From the clothes, to the flowers, to the people. To ensure your photographer captures it all, set up a pre-wedding meeting to discuss the timeline and details of your wedding. Your photographer should provide you with a detailed schedule of which pictures will be taken when.  

At the meeting provide them with a list of must-take shots. The list should be short but inclusive of all the family and friends that you want pictures of, as well as any unique traditions or details the photographer may not be familiar with. Otherwise, give your photographer the freedom to be creative and trust they will capture all of the classic moments like the cake cutting and first dance.
 
 
In some cultures it is tradition that the bride and groom do not see each other before the ceremony.  However, some couples are opting to forgo tradition and take their formal pictures prior to the ceremony so that they can enjoy their cocktail hour. If you decide to see each other prior to your ceremony ask your photographer to set up a private moment to capture the “first glance”. The following are some quotes from real brides on their thoughts on seeing each other prior to the ceremony.

“We didn’t see each other before the ceremony. I wanted to look at our pictures and know they were taken after we said ‘I do’.” - Kim

“We did pictures together before the ceremony and for me I think it was a great decision. The first moment was very special and then walking down the aisle was another special moment. Plus I think seeing him and spending time with him really helped keep me calm. I probably would have been a nervous wreck otherwise. ” - Christina

“We kept with tradition and didn't want to see each other before the ceremony. It honestly, was such an incredible moment to see each other as I walked down the aisle for the first time that day. I wouldn't change it for the world!” - Vanessa

“My sister and brother-in-law saw each other before the ceremony and did the ‘first look’ photos and it was absolutely a magical moment for them! I’m glad I was there to witness it. It was beautiful, we all cried and the pictures were amazing!” – Cher
 
 
In the spirit of the holiday and the hours of football that will be on TV today, here are a couple of inspiration boards created using the colors of the teams that are playing today. Enjoy and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Click pictures to enlarge


If you would like to have an inspiration board created for your personal wedding style and featured on our site click here.
 
 
Click below to receive a list of questions to ask the photographer during your intial meeting.
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Depending on your budget and the size of your wedding you may want to consider hiring a second photographer or an assistant for your photographer. So, what’s the difference between the two? A photographer assistant is a person hired to support the photographer. The photographer assistant helps with the logistics and streamlines the process of taking formal pictures by getting everyone organized and picture ready. The assistant will also help with hauling the equipment and having it ready when the photographer needs it.  

A second photographer is a trained wedding photographer brought on to make sure each moment is completely documented. With a second photographer you get much more coverage. Nothing should be missed because the photographer never has to make the decision of what not to shoot in the event there are multiple “picture perfect” moments happening simultaneously. Also, having two photographers reduces the need for the photographer to move around as much, which can be distracting, especially during the ceremony.
 
 
Your photographer will be by your side all day and will be responsible for capturing the story of your wedding from start to finish. Your photographer should fit your style and be easy to work with.  

There are two primary approaches to wedding photography, traditional and photojournalistic. Traditional wedding photography consists of images that are more classically posed and require a great deal of photographer control and interaction on the day of the wedding. 

Photojournalistic photography focuses more on candid and natural images with little intervention from the photographer. Many photographers will use a combination of these two styles as well as some editorial, detail and glamour shots to tell the complete story of the wedding day. 

In addition to asking family and friends for recommendations ask your reception site manager if they have any recommendations. Photographers who are familiar with your location are a plus (but not necessary) because they will have first hand knowledge of the location and will come ready with ideas of what shots work best with the space and lighting available. 

Be wary of large studios that assign a random photographer to you on the day of your wedding. You should be able to meet and review the work of the photographer that will be shooting you on your wedding day. When reviewing the photographer’s portfolio ask them about their style, background and specialties (i.e. hand-coloring, black and white, or sepia-tone photographs). While a photographer can tailor certain aspects to suit your needs, a photographer’s style and technique will not change drastically from shoot to shoot.  If the pictures in their portfolio are not what you are looking for then this photographer is not for you.

If you like what you see in the photographer’s portfolio also ask to see a full set of proofs from a recent wedding they’ve shot. While their portfolio and website/blog are great for getting a sense of their overall style and aesthetic, they are a compellation of their “best” work and they only consist of a small percentage of the total number of pictures they actually take. Seeing a full set a pictures will give you a better sense of their consistency, quality and their keep rate (i.e pictures that are frame or album worthy). Keep in mind, on the day of your wedding your photographer is going to take hundreds possibly thousands of pictures, you need to make sure that out of all the pictures they take you end up with more than just the 5 great shots you would see in a blog.

Lastly, during your meeting ask the photographer if they travel with backup equipment to use in case of equipment failure. Also ask if there is a backup photographer they work with in the case of an emergency and they are not able to be there the day of your wedding.
 
 
Your reception venue will influence the feel and ambience of your reception and should reflect your overall wedding style. Beyond banquet halls and hotels there is a wide variety of locations you can choose for your reception. From museums, to historic mansions to yachts to parks there is a site that will fit your personal taste and unique style. 

Aside from appearance you will have to take into account availability, capacity, cost and convenience when making a decision on your location. If you choose an alternative to the traditional banquet hall you may need to contract additional services like tents, dance floor, tables and chairs, wait staff, etc. from a third party vendor. Keep in mind, going though a third party vendor for these services can be more expensive than booking a venue that provides all of these services on site, so make sure you do your research before deciding one way or the other.

Start your search for a reception venue by looking online and in bridal magazines. This is the easiest way to get a visual of what the venue looks like. Also ask your family and friends for recommendations based on their experiences. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential venues, schedule an appointment to meet with the site manager and tour each location you are interested in. At the end of your meeting the site manager should have covered all of the major points like, availability, price, menu options and décor. 

We recommend visiting at least three venues, even if you love the first venue you see. Visiting additional locations will allow you compare prices and amenities and ensure you are getting the most value for your money. In addition, knowing what other venues in the area are offering will give you more negotiating power when you are finalizing pricing and package details. 

Click here for a list of questions to ask during your meeting with the reception venue manager.
 
 
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Picture by David Lau
At the end of the wedding ceremony some couples jump over a broom before they start their walk up the aisle as husband and wife. The jumping of the broom symbolizes that all past problems have been swept away and they are starting a new beginning.

Although the exact origins are unclear, we do know this custom was practiced by black slaves in the United States. To solidify their marriage within the slave community, the couple would perform the ceremonial jumping of the broom. The jumping of the broom fell out of popular practice when slavery ended and black marriages became recognized by law. However, there were communities that continued the ritual, which has been handed down from generation to generation.

Today, the tradition lives on as a way for the couple to honor their ancestors and represent the joining of two families. Many of the brooms that are used today have been beautifully decorated to match the style of the wedding. After the wedding the broom is often used as wall décor in the couple’s home.
 
 
 
A: Bubbles! If your ceremony site has restrictions on what can be tossed during your exit, bubbles are a great alternative. With bubbles there is no mess to clean up and they make for gorgeous pictures, like this one taken by Ross Oscar Knight.
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You can buy small inexpensive bottles of bubbles at your local craft store or dollar store. To personalize the bottles, add ribbon that matches your colors, a tag with your monogram, or a charm that matches your theme.
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If you’re having an evening ceremony sparklers are another fun, no-mess option that photographs really well. Check out this fabulous exit, photographed by Jennifer at Love Life Images.
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Note: Laws on sparklers vary by state. Ensure there are no restrictions in your state or venue before deciding to use sparklers for your exit.

Do you have a question? Email us and we will be happy to answer it.