bellezzablog

Drumroll please....


TIME.


That is perhaps the key factor to wedding day success for everyone involved, but to a photographer, adequate TIME translates to creative freedom.


On your wedding day, my role as photographer becomes a dual role of director and photographer. The director role is vital as it allows cohesion and direction for everyone who is taking part in your big day, and most importantly it means that I don't miss a single photo-worthy moment. I assist your mother and bridesmaids in creating a perfect setting for the ceremonial dressing of the bride, right down to coordinating with the DJ, your wedding planner (if you have one), and the bridal party to create a magnificent grand entrance to your reception.


The role of time is important because adequate time means less nerves. A bridal party in a mad rush makes for jittery people and all too often snappy tempers. This is the last thing you need on the most important day of your life!


How do you get time on your side?


PLAN AHEAD

As the bride, it is your sole job to communicate to your wedding party and essential family members where to be and when to be there on your wedding day. Set a timeframe ahead of time that you can explain at the actual REHEARSAL (not the rehearsal dinner when people are probably paying less attention:). Of course, some people no matter how much they love you and how much they are aware of your carefully planned timeframe....will just bet LATE. Its in their genetic code and it cannot be broken even on your wedding day.......in that case, just smile, and shrug it off! ....But for an extra ounce of prevention......


TELL A LITTLE WHITE LIE

For all their best intentions, all too often bridesmaids & mothers of the bride (and ESPECIALLY the groomsmen, for less valid reasons!) get caught up in their own preparations. Your bridal party deserves to enjoy the process of getting beautiful so that they can add to the perfection of your big day, but not at your expense! One single snag can slow down the whole show and put everyone on edge. The best way to avoid this is to give everyone a timeframe that starts at least an hour earlier than necessary. Your little white lie will save everyone the trauma of mad rushing, and will buy you that extra cushioning in case of a snag.


PREVENTING THE DOMINO EFFECT

Most delays begin (and end) with the dressing and primping....this is ESSENTIAL to the wedding day, but how can you make it more painless? Communicate. Will your whole bridal party be needing hair appointments? Are you all going to the same salon? If so, talk with the salon ahead of time to make sure that there will be enough staff to handle your wedding party- and find out how long they expect it to take. If you are having friends in charge of updo's, make sure that you allot a little extra time for do-overs. For a 2pm wedding, in my experience, hair & makeup should start no later than 10am. If you are all dressing at the same location set a timeframe for everyone to arrive. If you the bride is dressing at the church or ceremony location, ask your bridesmaids to ARRIVE dressed- that way they can focus on you in the final hour.


TAMING THE TEMPER

Eat. Plain and simple. Stay hydrated and factor food into your schedule. Coordinate a family member or friend to bring food to you and your wedding party! Your butterflies might make it hard to conjur up an appetite, but your body will thank you in the long run....and you will be less likely to flop over mid-ceremony! :) You may even want to toss a snickers or favorite granola bar into your makeup bag just in case you can't stomach anything else! ....And there is nothing wrong with a glass of champagne or white wine to tame those nerves, so take an elegant sip and smile for the camera (don't worry...your groom has probably had a shot or two of liquid courage at his best man's suggestion too!!!:)


HOW TIME HELPS ME

While you and your wedding party are enjoying the final countdown and preparations, I can enjoy the time behind the lens, getting fabulous candids of the preparations, gorgeous shots of the wedding dress and accessories, and time to be creative in the process of it all, ensuring that you will get photos unique to your day.



BETTER TOGETHER

I for one will do all in my power to be a positive force no matter what happens on your wedding day. There will be almost ineveitable oops moments and maybe even minor catastrophes, but that doesn't matter in the long run, and those moments can even make for the best photo memories.


Case in point: The Virginia Wedding 2 weeks ago- the bridal chalet where the bride and all 7 maids were staying had water problems the morning of the wedding. They were able to filter through the neighboring family chalets and get through the showers in time, but the chaos made for some great moments, like this dedicated bridesmaid who had taken the bride's veil to the shower with her for a little steam treatment and then had to hike it back to bridal central.



I take my job seriously, and that includes shooting your wedding like your best friend while delivering you amazing professional photos. This element is certainly VITAL for any photographer to possess, for ensuring the comfort of the bride & groom and those they love, will translate into beautiful photos that posess that carefree photojournalistc aire.

MOST OF ALL.....MAKE TIME THE PRIORITY FROM THE START


Remember, when booking a photographer, don't forget that your wedding day is just that: a day. For the best possible photojournalistic wedding day coverage, let your photog be there with you from beginning to bitter end, so choose a package or custom package that gives you the benefit of TIME.
You will always be grateful for the memories preserved in your photo wedding story.