Seven steps to picture perfect planning
So, you’ve found your perfect wedding photographer – yay! But to ensure you get the perfect wedding photos it’s important to have a plan and follow the below simple seven steps.
- Make a mood board
To give your photographer an idea of you and your partner’s personality, it’s a good idea to show them your preferences. Creating a mood board is a nice way to do this as it allows you to show the style of photos you like and what you’re after on your special day. You can do this digitally on Pinterest or just by taking clippings from different magazines you see.
- Know your timings
Having a timeline of your wedding day is essential. Your wedding planner should be able to help you create this so you can get an idea of how long each section of your day will take. There should be an estimated start and end time for reception setup, etc. Within that timeline be sure to include all your photo sessions such as the bridal prep, group photos and bride&groom photos.
- Less is more when it comes to locations
To get the best quality photos on your day, it’s important not to rush so I recommend keeping the different locations to a minimum. You don’t want to spend more time moving around than actually taking pictures. A great photographer should be able to adapt with any location. Even if you don’t love the background options of your venue, trust in the creative abilities of your photographer.
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- Get quality suppliers
When planning your day it’s essential to get good vendors. By doing this you will prevent the stress that may carry over into your wedding photos. A wedding planner is a good idea to make your planning process easier and will make it a lot easier for you to enjoy your wedding day without any unnecessary distractions. There are lots of different elements to book with your day so before hiring any vendor, do your research, check your venue’s preferred vendor list and most importantly, follow your instincts. Be sure to check out my Recommended Wedding Vendors here.
- Look at the lighting
If you chose your venue because of its view it’s really important to schedule your couple’s session 30-45 minutes before sunset. The mood lighting of this Golden Hour makes it the perfect time to capture the new Mr. and Mrs.
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- Include some time away
It’s a good idea to allow some time at the end of the day for some shots together away from the wedding party. This lasts no more than 20-30 minutes and is typically scheduled during your reception and after dinner during the months later in year when it starts to get darker quicker of September-March. The night sky adds a touch of romance and gives your photographer the opportunity to create dramatic images with the help of lighting. These are some of my favourite photographs to capture.
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- Make a grand exit
We all think about the entrance to the church and your entrance as man and wife, but have you thought about your exit? Winter weddings depending on timings normally after ceremony not actual exit in winter Nov-Feb. Sparkler exits are a spectacular way to end a romantic ceremony. Not only are they different and exciting, but it makes for stunning photos. Other ideas include, confetti, bubbles, and flower petals are also a simple option to include in your grand exit and will still look brilliant in photos.
Blog written by Alana Hebenton Twitter is @alanahebenton