“The Ultimate Guide For Planning A Stress Free Wedding Day”

Welcome to Columbia Photos wedding day tips blog. Here are some helpful ideas from my brides and grooms.

May you have all the best!

Phil

Question:  How soon should I book my wedding photographer?

Answer:  Now is the short answer.  Remember, you have competition for your wedding date.  Other brides with the same date as yours!

Question:  Why should I book a professional photographer for my wedding?

Answer:  These will be the most important images of your life.  At the end of the day you will have your dress, leftover wedding cake, a box full of receipts and… your wedding photos.  Make them count!

Question:  How much time should I plan for pre-ceremony photos?

Answer:  Two hours before the service is best but you must stick with the schedule.  That means a trial run of putting on the dress.  They sometimes take awhile to lace-up.  Also, make sure your hairstylist and makeup artist know that you will be photographed first.  The parents are photographed second and must be ready as well.  The bride’s maids come last and can wait for makeup and hair.

Question:  What’s the best time to start my ceremony?

Answer:  3 pm is the most popular time.  It will give you a good amount of time for pictures after your ceremony and still allow you a 6 pm intro at the reception hall.

Question:  How can I have a receiving line if my time is limited?

Answer:  Have a brief, informal reception after the ceremony.  No line.  Just a simple walkabout.  It’s great for candid photos!

Question:  Should I have children at my wedding?

Answer:  Absolutely!  However, be prepared for a child who didn’t get his nap.  Also, children act differently in crowds.  So you must be understanding and flexible to their needs.  It’s a big day for them too!

Question:  What kind of wedding photos do I want?

Answer:  Variety is the spice of life.  A nice balance of creative poses, candids and keepsakes is perfect for your wedding day coverage.

Question:  What happens if it rains on my wedding day?

Answer:  Always have a backup location.  Ask your photographer for some great ideas.

Question:  Does the wedding photographer attend the wedding rehearsal?

Answer:  Professional photographers will.  Not to take photos but to meet everybody before the big day and to find out the “ground rules” of the church.

Question:  Is the perfect dream wedding attainable?

Answer:  Never plan for that perfect wedding.  The happiest brides realize that something will go wrong on their wedding day and will just “go with the flow”.  So relax and have fun!

Question:  How much time should I allow for my wedding photos after the ceremony?

Answer:  Two hours is a good amount of time for the photo session.  Don’t forget the driving time as well.

Question:  Who should I include in the family photos after the ceremony?

Answer:  Most weddings just have the immediate family in the photos.  Aunts, uncles, cousins and godparents can be photographed later at the reception.

Question:  Can my guests photograph the photographer’s poses?

Answer:  They should be able to as long as they don’t interrupt the photo session.

Question:  What do I want in a photo package?

Answer:  Well, the photography studio should offer a full file, edited USB drive with all the images.  An online ordering gallery is a must as well.  Ask about the hours and location coverage for the wedding package.  Are there any restrictions?  And find out what “all day” coverage means from the studio.

Question:  Pro wedding photographer for the day or a photo booth at the reception?

Answer:  Obviously the pro wedding photographer for the day.  But it’s interesting to see how many brides are spending more on the photo booth than their photographer.

Question:  I have a limited budget for my wedding.  How do I cut back the expenses?

Answer:  Cut back on the guest list and/or bridal party.  Save a lot of money and have less stress on the wedding day.

Question:  When should I expect the finished USB stick and online photo gallery to be completed?

Answer:  Pro studios will have your edited, full file images ready within 60 days after the wedding.  Any longer and you should be calling the studio.

Question:  How do I handle my divorced parents at the family photos after the ceremony?

Answer:  Ask them what’s their comfort zone.  Some divorced parents won’t even be in the same park together for the family photos!  So find out before the wedding day and cut the drama.  Usually it’s fine for them to be in the same family photo.

Question:  What happens if my wedding photos don’t turn out?

Answer:  This is a nightmare no bride should deal with after her wedding.  If you had a friend to shoot your wedding or you did a cash deal with a photographer then you have very little recourse.  However, you do have legal options with a legitimate pro wedding photography studio.  Be safe not sorry.  Book Columbia Photos for your amazing day!