Worse Wedding Advice #10

10.) "YOU'LL WANT A SHORT ENGAGEMENT SO THAT THE GROOM DOESN'T CHANGE HIS MIND!"

Shorter engagements are exciting and spontaneous, and NOT for the faint of heart! Longer engagements leave you more time to plan, to find “the right” dress, to find vendors, etc. Most engagements are over a year long, and planning a wedding can be stressful… give yourself the time you need. Also… be sure to include your groom in the planning; this is an exciting time for BOTH of you!

So… If you are worried about your groom running away… you might want to re-think who you are marrying. And if he does run away during this time, he'd never last the entire marriage anyways

Worse Wedding Advice #8

8.) "YOU DON'T NEED A WEDDING PLANNER... LET YOUR MOM DO IT!"

Sometimes mom has really good ideas… but sometimes… not. Unless you want your wedding “mom-themed”… ask mom to handle some of the important details… but as for the rest… hire a pro, or at least consult with one. Many wedding planners will charge a very small fee for a short consultation. A wedding Planner can help outline many details for you… some of which you may not have thought about. At least a consultation will help you get organized and headed in the right direction.

Worse Wedding Advice #7

7.) "DON'T PAY FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER... THEY COST TOO MUCH! USE UNCLE JOE... HE HAS A NICE KODAK INSTAMATIC!"

Mmmm… No…. not a good idea. Do you really want to entrust your most valuable memories to Uncle Joe’s Instamatic? And what about all those beautiful poses you’ve seen in all the Bridal Mags and have dreamed of doing on your own wedding day? Is Uncle Joe going to be able to capture those? Will he remember to get the one of you tossing the bouquet?... or will he be going for a re-fill at that time?

Professional Wedding Photographers have years of experience in getting just the right shots at just the right time! They aren’t distracted by Aunt Sue needing a napkin, nor do they take breaks every 5 minutes to mingle with long lost relatives. Not to mention the professional prints, albums and other print products available that will last a lifetime! Read the article “Why Do Professional Wedding Photographers Charge So Much?” (http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=114876416937&topic=16982 ) to see all that goes into producing THE best photography and portraits for your wedding day!

Worse Wedding Advice #6

6.) "DON'T WORRY ABOUT BOOKING A PHOTOGRAPHER EARLY... YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME!"

The truth is… many professional wedding photographers are already booking the following year’s weddings! Why scramble around at the last minute hoping there is an opening or that someone else canceled… Most brides book their photographer a year out… 6 months at the very least. And if you are getting married in the summer… you absolutely want to book a year ahead! Play it safe… book early and know that you have one of the very most important items on your wedding “to do” list checked off… not to mention a great photographer booked!

Tori and Keith

Worse Wedding Advice #5

5.) "HAVE A CASH BAR... YOU'LL SAVE LOT'S OF MONEY!!"

Really? Come-on… your family and friends just traveled from all four corners of the state… or the USA… just to see you get married and bought you that funky $200 bowl from Pottery Barn that you’ve been dying to get… and you’re going to charge them for a beer? Tacky, tacky, tacky. Nothing cheapens the look and feel of your wedding more than a good old cash bar. If you can’t afford it… then don’t have it. You are better off to serve Ice Tea, Lemonade and Water… all with wonderful floating lemon slices. They will look beautiful and classy… and they won’t break the bank!

Worse Wedding Advice #3

3.) "It's YOUR wedding... This day is all about YOU!"

Yes... it is YOUR wedding day, but don't forget the little people. Least of all the Groom! So many times they are left to the side with no opinion or input. Treat your wedding party (and guests) with respect, as well as your service professionals. Remember, you hired service PROFESSIONALS, and they should be treated like such. I've seen way to many brides dismiss the photographer or caterer as if they were their maids or something, with complete disrespect. You do want them to do a good job, right? Be sure to pay attention to your Grooms family, wheether you like them or not... they are now going to be YOUR family as well. And seek out the wall flowers and make them feel as if they were the most important person you invited!

Worse Wedding Advice #2

2.) "MY GRANDMA TOLD ME THAT I MUST WEAR WHITE OR EVERYONE WILL THINK I'M NOT A VIRGIN."

Although a white dress is sooo classic, this "rule" is completely antiquated. In fact, there are probably quite a few engaged virgins out there who will choose to wear ivory (gasp!) on their wedding day. Wear whichever color you love that looks best with your skin tone. In fact, white works best on darker skin tones, and ivory shades flatter lighter skin. And look at Reese Witherspoon… She wore PINK!!

Why Does Wedding Photography Cost So Much??

Why Do Professional Wedding Photographers Charge So Much??

All too often, I hear, “Why do Wedding Photographers charge so much?” Brides and their families get discouraged by the prices, choose a family member to take the photos, and then regret their decision after they receive the results.

Other still, will use a low cost photographer who may do a fair job, put the photos online, and then rather than purchasing the photos from the photographer, they’ll save the pictures to their computer and print them out; only to end up with poor quality, pixilated photographs.

When you choose a Professional Wedding Photographer, you are choosing someone who is experience in their field and who’s main purpose and goal is to award you with beautiful documentation of your most special day. And when you pay for your Wedding Photography, you are not just paying for someone to click the camera a few times and print your pictures… you are paying for experience and the great amount of time involved in provided you with quality professional prints.

Let’s look at just what goes into your Wedding Photography…

1^st… There is at least 30 minutes of preparation before the photographer even leaves their home or studio… charging battery packs, packing their vehicle with equipment, etc.

2^nd… There is the travel to the venue, and depending where the Wedding is booked, the photographer could be traveling anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours or even longer... many times out of state.

3^rd… You have at least 30-60 minutes preparation, talking to the bride and wedding party members, setting up and so forth.

4^th… Depending on the size and length of the wedding, there is anywhere from 2 to 8 hours of non-stop photography. Not to mention the cost of an additional photographer if required.

5^th… At least 30-60 minutes to upload between 2 to 10 GB of photos to the computer, backing it up, making back-up discs, etc.

6^th… Anywhere from 2 to 12 hours of computer work, which can include making additional copies of photos, editing each and every photo consisting of cropping, contrasting... photo effects such as enhancing, coloring, sharpening, etc. If the wedding is large… you are looking at many, many more hours of work…

7^th… 30 minutes to 2 hours of uploading edited photographs to an online photo gallery.

8^th… anywhere from 2 to 10 hours of interaction with the bride and groom, discussing and taking their order and payment for their photos, designing photo albums, placing the photo order, receiving it and making sure everything is perfect and then delivering it to the customer.

Additionally, any number of circumstances can come up during the entire process, ie: additional meetings, change of venues, etc… which require extra time.

So, as you can see, there is an extreme amount of work involved in assuring the bride and groom a beautiful documentation of their very special moment. When you break it down you can see why the photography costs are a little more involved than most folks think.

Although Uncle Joe can take pretty good photos… It is a big risk to trust your most valued moments to a family member or friend. Uncle Joe wants to be a part of all the fun and excitement, and he no doubt will miss many wonderful shots. A professional photographer has years of training and experience. They know what works and what doesn’t. They know how to pose people and how to get the right shot for the right moment.

There is one more thing to consider in choosing your professional photographer. There are many chain studios or quite large photography groups. When you book your wedding with one of these groups, you may not know who you are getting. Often they send out who is available... and do you want to risk your wedding photos to the new kid on the block??

A professional photographer should take the time to meet and consult with you at least twice before the wedding… and one of those meetings should be at the wedding venue and the reception venue. It’s ok to deal over the internet via emails, etc... But be sure that you are dealing with a reputable photographer and don’t be afraid to ask for references! Your photographer should get to know you… your likes… your style, etc. in order to give you a personal and individualized photography experience for your wedding day.

Finally, when choosing your wedding photographer, be sure that it is someone you can interact well with. If your photographer is only doing the job for the money… then they are not a true professional photographer. A true professional photographer takes great joy in their work, and it is evidenced in their disposition, outlook and professionalism.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions!

Debi… Deborah Marie Photography ~ www.deborahmariephotography.com ~ copyright 2011

Location, Location, Location....

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"Location, location, location"... that is normally a quote you would hear from your realtor... however, the same is true for wedding photography. Even if it is someones backyard... be sure to choose a couple of off-site locations for some fabulous shots! Check out my website at http://www.deborahmariephotography.com/ and find me on Facebook!!

No Cookie Cutter Wedding Photography!

1st... be sure that you and your photographer "click"... Just because a photographer has been in the business for 20 years, doesn't mean that he is the one for you! You want a photographer who is interested in you... not just in making money.
2nd... Your photographer should be asking you questions.... about your likes and your dislikes, your style, what you are looking for, what your desires are, etc. There are way too many photographers who do cookie-cutter weddings. What may be wonderful for one bride, may be most undesirable for you!
3rd... Be sure that your photographer includes consultations. Your photographer should meet with you... in person if possible, or at least through emails, phone conversations, etc in order to find out more about you and what your desires are for your wedding photography. You will also want your photographer to meet you at the wedding venue, or at least visit it themselves if at all possible, before the wedding date in order to get a good feel for the surroundings and have a basic plan before the wedding itself.
For more information, visit my website at http://www.deborahmariephotography.com/ and click on the link at the bottom that says "FAQ's"... there are many answers to questions in there that you may not have even thought about.

Great Location for Wedding and Photo's

Are you looking for a great location for your wedding? You might want to think about a winery wedding! There are so many wonderful winery destinations in California and Oregon to choose from... Southern Oregon, Napa, Sonoma... way too many to mention. Many of the location site's are filled with history and beauty... ambiance to die for! And the photo op's are fabulous!!

9 Hot Wedding Trends!

Here's the latest in wedding photography and how to make it work for you.

A wedding photo is meant to preserve your fabulous day for the rest of your life -- it's not just your new profile pic on Facebook after all! But nuptial shots can look stiff and boring if you're not careful -- or worse, just like everyone else's. How can you make them unique? Here are new wedding photography ideas that'll take you from pre- to post- "I do."

Before the Reception...

1. Become the Center of Attention... instead of flowers, fill photo cubes with different shots from your dating history or world travels and then use them as table centerpieces. It's a great conversation-starter and a nice way for guests to learn more about the early stages of your relationship. And unlike fresh blooms, you can decorate your home with these afterward.

2. Be the Favors.... Have your photo imprinted on cookies and leave one at each place setting. Opt for a black-and-white, vintage-looking image so it doesn't come out cheesy. Wrap the cookie in wax paper and tie with a ribbon. Then let wedding guests eat their hearts out -- and your faces off!

3. Head to the City.... Engagement cityscape shoots are popular because of the iconic quality of posing by recognizable landmarks. No skyline? Shooting against an urban brick wall can convey the same message. Use your favorite image in your save-the-dates or, for instantreception decor, blow up one of the pictures, mat it, and set it on an easel near the escort cards. Display other shots in your table cards.

During the Reception...

4. Ditch the Formality..... Try some casual shots, like the bride sitting on a staircase right after the wedding ceremony, breathing a sigh of relief, with champagne at her feet. Or consider finding an "unofficial" setting. If your reception is at a country club, take pics on the golf course. Ask your photographer to get candids of your group making their way there. It's those between-the-moments photos that always turn out best.

5. Go Behind the Curtain... Rent a photo booth and a technician to troubleshoot. Have guests tape wacky shots next to their messages in the guest book. Or create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room. Hang a nine-foot-wide seamless paper for a backdrop and bring a printer so guests can take photos home.

6. Let it Slide.... Run a slideshow of images from the ceremony and cocktail hour from your photographer's laptop and project them on a screen during dinner. Guests will love looking at what they just experienced, and they'll have plenty to talk about at the tables.

After the Reception...

7. Go Digital Instead.... of mounting a few photos on a wall in traditional frames, display a bunch in a single digital frame. Upload multiple images from a memory card or your computer and watch a slideshow of your day. You can even add music. It makes a great gift too.

8. Book 'Em.... Skip the traditional album (the one with thick-as-cardboard, single-photo pages) in favor of high-quality coffee table books. The images are printed on paper, and the layout is more like what you'd see in a magazine. Opt for a leather-bound or Lucite-covered book for a classic look that's less stuffy than a traditional album.

9. Learn to Preserve.... Enlarging some final prints on museum-quality, fiber-based, silver paper will definitely be worth the purchase down the road when your precious memories are still intact. A photograph on this paper could last for several hundred years. When archiving your photos and negatives, choose acid-free boxes, negative-sleeves, and binders. They're pricey, but the absence of acid prevents your photos from yellowing or deteriorating.

For more ideas and information, contact Debi, www.deborahmariephotography.com