| 1) Importance of an Engagement Photo Session | | | | you favor a limousine, classic car, or a horse and |
| An engagement photography session is the precursor | | | | carriage, insist the driver commit to your time frame |
| and preview to your wedding day! It serves as an | | | | for your wedding day. Make sure this is set in |
| announcement and proclamation of your love for | | | | STONE! |
| each other. Most often, clients use some of their | | | | 4) The Wedding Day Dress |
| engagement photos in wedding announcements and | | | | Your wedding photographer will be taking pictures of |
| for "Save the Date" cards. We have received | | | | you all day long. This translates to hundreds of |
| numerous phone calls and photos letting us know | | | | pictures with you wearing your wedding dress! First |
| that the engagement pictures we shot are now | | | | and foremost, find a dress that suits your style and |
| placed proudly around their home. It is amazing going | | | | one you are completely comfortable in. Make sure |
| to shoot a wedding and seeing the pictures from the | | | | the fit is "you" and something that you, not your |
| engagement photo session displayed on a table for | | | | mother, a best friend, or Aunt Margaret, would have |
| everyone to see. | | | | chosen for you. These pictures won't be able to be |
| Engagement pictures showcase a couple's love, | | | | recreated! Your special day should include all the |
| romance, and affection for each other. Often times, | | | | elements that make you comfortable about your |
| couples don't realize the importance of such an | | | | upcoming life together with the person you love and |
| investment. However, engagement pictures help to | | | | also the elements that make you who you are. |
| bring back the memories of where you came from | | | | In addition, we can't stress enough that it is vital for |
| as a couple, where you love began, where it grew, | | | | you to be in control and in charge of your wedding |
| and how it has come to the future wedding you are | | | | dress. Too often brides designate a WDM ("Wedding |
| now planning. | | | | Dress Manager") in the form of a mother, bridesmaid, |
| 2) Plan for "Wedding Day Emergencies" | | | | friend, or relative. This can be disastrous! People can |
| One of the complaints from brides after the event | | | | be forgetful and may not have you dress at the |
| of their wedding day is that she was rushed for time | | | | moment you need it. Don't let it out of your control |
| and felt out of control. Make sure to plan, plan, plan, | | | | or your sight. |
| and when you think you have planned ahead enough, | | | | 5) Family Wedding Photos |
| plan some more! With my clients, I definitely offer | | | | It is common knowledge that when families get |
| recommendations of makeup artists and hair stylists | | | | together, people become distracted! While I favor a |
| we have worked with in the past. | | | | wedding photo journalistic style and don't mind |
| A bride should know that these stylists are almost | | | | catching unexpected moments and emotions |
| always running late during a wedding day. Make sure | | | | throughout the day, I strongly recommend that you |
| you plan yourself out an hour ahead of when you | | | | tell family members to be at a location or venue |
| need to be ready. If you are having your hair and | | | | minimum 30 minutes before the actual photos are to |
| makeup done away from your ceremony location, | | | | commence. This way, you can be sure that the |
| make sure you ride separate from everyone else so | | | | family will arrive early, but more likely, on time. Also, it |
| that you will not get stuck for time while a | | | | is a good idea to remind family members that |
| bridesmaid or aunt is having her hair finished. | | | | wedding day photography does take time. If you |
| Also, another key thing we recommend a bride do is | | | | begin family photos before your ceremony, everyone |
| create a "wedding emergency kit." Make sure to | | | | will have to arrive earlier. If after the ceremony, |
| include some extra touch-up makeup in your kit for | | | | everyone will be a bit later in getting to the reception |
| lip gloss and powder retouches throughout the day | | | | and guests will have to wait a bit longer. This is |
| (after all, we are taking your pictures all day long!). | | | | expected and common at all weddings, but make |
| Throw in a bottle of water and an energy bar, just in | | | | sure that family is aware that time will be taken to |
| case your oomph starts to take a nosedive. Many | | | | make sure that your wedding photos come out the |
| brides don't eat much the week leading up to their | | | | way you want them to. |
| wedding and most especially on the day, so make | | | | ALSO - Make sure that everyone has directions and |
| sure your body stays replenished and comfortable. | | | | knows where they are going. Most likely, your |
| Another good idea: throw in some band-aids! Brides | | | | photographer is familiar with the city and can provide |
| often wear new and uncomfortable shoes on their | | | | detailed directions and routes if need be. If you are |
| wedding day and while those fashionable strappy | | | | having a downtown wedding and are worried about |
| slingbacks look great in your wedding pictures, your | | | | parking, let the family know where to park and how |
| feet will be in excruciating pain by the time the | | | | much this might cost. Suggest that they carpool. Do |
| reception rolls around. | | | | your research to better help your family prepare so |
| 3) Wedding Day Transportation | | | | that your day will not run behind schedule. Little |
| Unless you are having a family member drive you to | | | | memos, notes, reminders, emails, texts, anything |
| and from the ceremony location, to the reception, | | | | small, sweet, and concise, are helpful to assure family |
| and wherever your heart takes you afterwards, | | | | members that you love and care for them but that |
| make sure you are firm and clear with your | | | | this day is very important to you. The wedding |
| transportation about pick up and drop off times. We | | | | photography is your investment and you want to |
| express to our clients that we enjoy being there to | | | | make sure in the nicest way possible that they are |
| catch every moment of the day and hate to see a | | | | able to cooperate with the events of the day. |
| couple standing around waiting for a ride. Whether | | | | |