Friday, November 2, 2007

What to look for in a photographer

A wedding being one of the most important events in our lives, it is but natural to want to capture every moment on film. Yet on the day itself, you will not have the time to worry about who is taking the pictures or whether they are taking the right shots. That is why looking for the perfect photographer for your wedding day is an important thing. Here are some things you should look out for when choosing photographers.
Check the photographer’s work. Of course this goes without saying. When you ask to see his or her work, see if you can actually take a look at complete wedding albums. That way, you will have a good idea of how yours will look. One thing to consider would be the photographer’s style. Ask yourself if it suits you and your partner. You probably have ideas of what styles you want for your pictures already. Ask the photographer if he will be able to conform to your style if needed. What trade organisations is he a member of? One more important thing is to make sure that if you like the work, the same photographer will be the one to attend to your wedding. This is especially significant when you deal with a studio which has several photographers.
Having like a photographer’s work, you should also meet the person. It is vital that you and the photographer can work together in harmony. That is, your personalities should somehow jive. The last thing that you would want on your wedding day is an uptight and demanding photographer who would snap at everyone. Despite his talent, you need none of that attitude on your wedding day.
More than his work and personality, also check his experience. How many weddings has he covered? For how long has he practiced photography? Does he have enough experience to be able to anticipate things that might happen during the wedding?
Most importantly, weigh the price you have to pay for the value that you will be getting. Check if everything fits into your wedding budget. Remember that photographs are not the only thing that you have to spend on. Find a good compromise wherein you will be happy and meet your budget as well.

Getting ready for your wedding

Wedding Photographer South Wales

There’s a lot to do to get ready on the big day. It isn’t like going to the usual party where you can be ready in as little as ten minutes. On this day, you’re the star and that means extra preparation.
Getting ready for the wedding starts about three hours before the wedding. Typically, the whole female entourage is together before the event even starts. Some go so far as to stay overnight and enjoy a last sleep over party. This is to ensure that everyone looks perfect and arrives on time. That also makes for a noisy, giggling group. With 3 to 5 women all getting ready at the same time, the preparations can drag out.
As the bride, there are many photographs to be taken. Some of them are pictures of the preparation process. That is partly why the preparation starts so early.
The first step is to put together all of the bride’s wedding gear on the bed. The dress is laid out with the shoes are placed below its hem. The veil is placed approximately where the bride would wear it over the gown. The jewelry, in its box, is placed beside the dress. This makes it easy for the bride to get dressed for the wedding.
A sample of the wedding invitation is placed beside the gown as well. Any accoutrements such as the wedding cord, veil and the rings used for the binding ceremony are also placed laid out. The laying out makes it easier for the photographer to take pictures of these items.
It is better to have your bath before all the assistants arrive. Think of it as you are hour of peace and quiet. If you are lucky, your wedding isn’t a morning wedding and you’ll have a lot of time to rest and get ready to face everyone. It is after all your last few moments of singlehood. This is the perfect time to reflect and focus on what’s ahead. A good long soak in the tub will get you clean and give you relaxation time.
Then you’ll need to get your hair and make up done. Depending on how elaborate your coiffure is meant to be, this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. You’ll usually have your mom and maid of honor in the room as well, assisting you.
Usually the photography session begins one the bride is made up. Think of it as a fashion show of you and your wedding ensemble. Once that is done, you’ll begin to get dressed.
With everything laid out on the bed, it is easy to see if anything is missing. The maid of honor is the person to help you dress, though you’ll probably want your hairstylist attach the veil so your hair doesn’t get messed up. Don’t forget that the perfume should be applied before you put on the gown to avoid staining. You’ll also want to be careful to avoid your lipstick staining your dress.
Once you’re all dressed, it’s time to go meet your groom with a few photos taken along the way.

Divorced Parents and Weddings

South Wales Wedding Photographer

There are many things that go into creating a great wedding. For some, it is about who is present at our wedding. Big or small, as long as our loved ones are present, it is perfect. One common dilemma is when the parents are divorced and aren’t on good terms. You would like to have them both present at your nuptials but they always fight. If you invite one and not the other, you know someone’s feelings will get hurt; but inviting them both can make for an uncomfortable wedding.
Sometimes, you will have to tell them to just once, set aside their differences. Ask them if they want to be a part of your wedding and ask them exactly how involved they want to be. Usually they will volunteer to be civil and can tell you that they will be as polite as they can be as long as their former spouse doesn’t provoke them - that’s pretty fair. Just enlist your entourage or other family members’ help to keep the peace and the space between your parents if you must.
They might tell you that they will go but just as guests. That means only one of your parents will have the spotlight on them and the other will just mingle. That can be a good thing.
If they can barely stand each other but are willing to set it aside to see you married, simply ask them to walk you down the aisle (assuming you will use the style where both parents walk with you). They need not talk. It is their blessing for you and you can seat them separately at the wedding and reception.
Now, where to seat them? In the normal arrangement, the men and the women are on separate sides of the table so that really isn’t a problem. They can both be at the main table with you. They’ll be far enough apart that they can pretend the other isn’t there.
If they can’t stand to be at the same table, go ahead and seat them at seat them at separate tables. This will mean your table arrangement will be different. It will be better if you have a bridal table for two and spread out your wedding party. You can let a parent preside over different tables. This is especially ideal if your parent has remarried and has brought your stepmother or stepfather along.
Make sure to brief your wedding professionals about your parental situation. It will make for a very awkward moment if the photographer keeps calling for the parents of the bride to pose for a picture that calls for them to hug each other when they can barely stand to be in the same room. Have mercy and make sure that your parents will be spared that. There are other ways that they can pose with you.
Honour and respect them both at your wedding. Give them both the credit they deserve for their efforts to be part of your wedding, no matter how small. If it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t be there. No matter what faults or problems they have, they somehow managed to produce a wonderful person in you and they are glad to see you find happiness.

Wedding Venues Wales

South Wales Wedding Photography

What venue have you chosen for your wedding ?
Was your date easily available ?
Did you feel at ease with the Venues wedding co-ordinator on your first meeting ?
'Confetti' or 'no Confetti !!' - that is the question - is it allowed at your selected venue ?
Does your venue only cater for one wedding per day ?

Anything Venue related - please post a comment.