Land of Wild Designs Photography: A few things I've observed as a Wedding Photographer that may help you...

Look at that … two wedding related blog posts in a row. And all this for a photographer that started out in business with a vow to NEVER photograph weddings! And just look at me over here talking about weddings – oh how the tides bring change.

I think of myself as a pretty observant person, but sometimes it takes more than just observing to make an effective difference. Anyone can see what is going on around them, but it is time to speak up about some of the things that I have observed in the past and hopefully it will help you in the future as you plan for your big day (or help a loved one).

This is just some low-carb food for thought (and some really fun images from a few of the weddings we have photographed) ... and I hope you get a morsel or two of great information out of this.

First and foremost, communicate – communicate – COMMUNICATE

I touched on this a little in my last post, but I just wanted to unpack this subject a little bit more for everyone. Communication is key – you deserve excellent communication. I believe that communication is a basic need in any customer service industry. I want to provide you with the best and most information that I possibly can. I also hope that in return you share with me when things change, when dreams and ideas migrate into actions that will affect how we provide you with the highest level of customer service available.
No we aren’t planning your wedding, no we aren’t the first person you are going to call, no we aren’t going to be helping you decorate or clean up, but you know what? We care about every single step of this wedding just like we are one of those people.
We would like to meet with you to discuss some things – we will ask you questions, and hopefully answer your questions too.
I thought about posting a sampling of the questions we would ask and the items we go over during our initial consultation, but I’ll keep that on a personal basis between you and our Land of Wild Designs photographer(s). We do however try to keep an open schedule and will meet with you as often as you like to go over your photography needs, ideas, inspirations, and concerns.

Everyone has a different style, we happen to follow inspirational ideas and hopefully our style migrates and evolves with the changing times and the mood and personality of our clients. We don’t want to take the same photograph that everyone else has in their wedding book, but folks … let’s face it – weddings are pretty typically the SAME. The same photos anyway, you know? Cutting the cake – tossing the garter, first kiss, standing in front of our wedding guests stating your vows and promises of forever. Same-Same and that is ok.
What we want is to find a style that suits your personality and your heart.
So this goes back to communication – we need to talk about what kind of images you want of your wedding.

Here is where I tell you about things I have seen and maybe some suggestions for how you can be prepared for a few things I would have never thought of if I hadn’t seen it for myself.

Make sure that you think about where you will be signing your marriage license. We will want to take photos of that event and you will have about five people signing that license, so it needs to be an area that can accommodate a small group of people – we have seen weddings do this where they are eating their wedding dinner, but you have plates of food and glasses of beverages in your photos, so maybe the wedding party could move to the guest book table, or even have a designated location set up…just food for thought…

Be sure to bring a steamer to the wedding. This is not something I usually think about personally, but when you look around, you see a lot of uses for a steamer! Anything from the tablecloths that have fold-creases to the veil, there are always things that need to be steamed.

Get yourself a Wedding Coordinator – someone you trust. Even if you aren’t paying a professional wedding planner – even if it your Mom or Sister that is keeping everything organized, on track and held together for you. Get yourself a wedding coordinator (worth repeating). The entire weight of this wedding shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of the Bride. (My 2¢)

Placement of that beautiful wedding cake is another thing to think about! You dreamed of the design, you have a lot invested in this amazing cake and now you should think about how to display it for optimal visibility and function. Yes, function. I have seen so many amazing, even phenomenal wedding cakes hidden in a corner behind the Bride and Groom table or in an obscure location in the reception hall with no way for guests to clearly see the cutting of the cake, or even for the photographer to have mobility to get good shots of the cake-cutting. I suggest that you visit the venue, draw a rough floorplan of the room and use little sticky pad papers or sticky flags to mark placement of everything – then move the sticky papers around until you are happy with the layout. Draw around them, and make yourself a little map of the room so you (and whoever is helping you get set up, delivering the cake, etc.) remember where or how to place things. Major timesaver!!

Okee dokee, this is all I am going to say on this (for now, lol). Have a GREAT day and enjoy that wedding planning.

Oh yes, ONE MORE THING: if you need a wedding photographer, I’m your girl! Let’s talk!