A Picture Tells A Thousand Words.. Part1

When you're old and grey and your grandchildren ask about the night you married the man you've now shared a lifetime with, your pictures are going to tell the story for you. That being said, your photography is possibly the most important element of your wedding. When the food is gone and the linens put away, your pictures will remain and don't you want them to be fabulous? To help you on your quest to find the perfect photographer I'd like to give you some resources and ideas to think on.

First of all, there are several different styles of photography but the main ones we're going to look at are outdoor and indoor. It may seem silly but most photographers prefer to do one or the other. When you're researching your photographer take a look at where most of their work is done and consider if your venue is outside or inside. Always ask to look through at least 2 entire wedding albums to see their style and how many times it took them to get that "perfect" shot! If you are making a personal connection with the work then it's time to move on. Remember that even a broken clock is right twice a day and any photographer is bound to get at least 1 GREAT shot out of every 1000 pictures per wedding. That GREAT shot is then showcased on their website and without the right research and interview questions you could be their next practice wedding. Here are just a few things to ask your potential photographer; Is there enough natural light coming in or would they need a flash? If they need flash and are using a separate stand, will that stand show up in some of your pictures? Will they have a lighting assistant or a second shooter? Don't be afraid to interview more than one photographer. If you like their style and they're listening to you then that's a great sign. For more important questions to ask the photographers you're interested in click on the free printable below which was found at www.herecomestheguide.com. 

 *Questions To Ask A Potential Wedding Photographer*

Look for part 2 of how to make your wedding day photos run smoothly.

Until next time, Happy planning!

Emily and Tyler

Emily and Tyler were unique in that they actually did their ceremony a couple weeks prior to their reception. Their intimate ceremony was held at Coles Garden with a brunch to follow. The happy couple then went on to their honeymoon and a couple weeks later came back for a rooftop reception downtown at the Museum of Art. Emily said splitting the two really helped her not feel as overwhelmed and they were able to look forward to celebrating with friends and family when they got back from the honeymoon. Here are just a few moments of their unique wedding. 

It's over.. Now what?

Your reception has ended and you are off to your honeymoon! You're friends and family stand outside your limo waving goodbye as you drive off. Now what? What happens to the beautiful reception room and the things you left behind? What about your guestbook, gifts, and left over cake? Are you supposed to circle back around and get those? If you're starting to panic thinking about all these questions, don't! I have the solution.

What happens after you leave your wedding is rarely discussed until wedding day or maybe not even at all but it is something you should consider so that you can make the appropriate arrangements. If you have a wedding planner they should be able to help you make a plan for what happens to everything after you leave. If not, here are some helpful hints to get you started.

1. Does your venue require you to clean up after the wedding?

If yes, then try to enlist responsible friends and family to be in charge of clean up. Ask the venue liaison  if they provide cleaning materials or if you need to bring those yourself. However, if at all possible just pay the extra fees for cleaning. Trust me......it's always worth it.

If no, then all you truly need to worry about is your personal belongings.

2. What happens to all of your belongings after you leave?

Make sure to coordinate with parents or bridal party members who will take care of your things when you leave. Make a list of things that you brought and should be taken home. Parents can take them back to their house until you get back and you can pick them up when you get back from your extended stay on the beach. At P2P we make sure that all of the bride's belongings are in a central location then we ask a family member to drive the car around so they can start loading up all the presents and wedding items you brought to the venue. We also make sure that personal belongings such as your purse are loaded up in the vehicle you're going away in. See if a similar plan can work for you so you can rest assured that your belongings are safe and sound even after you head to your honeymoon.

Until next time, happy planning!

Stacy and Steffan at the Gaillardia

The Gaillardia Golf and Country Club was perfect for this romantic bride. They even put a unique flare on their wedding by choosing to send off a Chinese lantern. 

Veil or No Veil

What is now a gorgeous accessory once started out as an Ancient Roman attempt to ward off evil spirits. I'm glad that symbolism is gone and we can now focus on how they enhance your overall wedding day look! Many brides still love the classic look of a veil but some are choosing to go with a more modern style or even no veil at all. Let's go over the do's and don't's, the why's and why not's.

Why you may want to skip the veil:

Not the best look for your wedding day. If you're thinking about getting married outside you may want to consider an alternative for your hair accessory. A birdcage or beaded accessory may be a little less formal but odds are it would fit better with your outside venue.
If you're sure you want the look of the veil but are going to be uncomfortable wearing it, try wearing it for just your pictures. 





Why you may want the veil:
It's been said that the number one thing your husband will remember about your wedding day attire is your veil. If you're like most women, you're not wearing a veil on a regular basis so this is something different and unique and adds to the special feeling of your wedding day wardrobe.
If that's what you want for your wedding then let me give you a few of the many possibilities..

1. Keep it classy like Kate in a traditional long veil

2. Make it modern in a birdcage veil

3. Let loose with a layered veil

There are many options out there so don't be afraid to choose what you like best. This is a great way to show your personality and tie your wardrobe to the overall style. Wear it the whole time, part of the time, or not at all. 

Until next time, happy planning!

Chevron Chique - Katie and Matt's OSU wedding

This bride absolutely loved chevron and found ways to encorporate it everywhere in her lighthearted wedding.

 

A Touch of Elegance

This weeks inspiration come from the fabulous David Tutera. Everyone knows that pearls denote class and style. On his blog, David gives a few ways to use pearls in your decor and I want to share them with you here. For more stunning inspiration from David Tutera, visit his blog http://itsabrideslife.com