Traditions

I like to come to the wedding rehearsals for my clients if possible.  This lets me see exactly how things are going to happen during the ceremony so I can be ready for the shot.  Sometimes these rehearsals can be so informal that it is difficult to tell whether something out of the ordinary is going to occur or if a longstanding tradition is going to be enacted.  

If you have something unique planned for your ceremony or if your faith requests certain symbolism be enacted, be sure to let me know.  More than likely I will be able to capture whatever it is on the fly, but it always helps to know in advance.  Last year I had a couple bring their kids up to drop 3 stones into an awaiting holder.  They told me it was going to happen and I even got a chance to whisper in the kids ear to "go slow" so I could get several different versions of this moment.

Also, if the person marrying you has certain guidelines that they need the photographer to follow (no flash, no close up photography, areas that are off limits, etc.), this is something to communicate as well.  As part of my preparation as your wedding photographer, I will be asking these questions but in case we miss something, it's never too late to speak up.  

It never hurts to be overly prepared!!

Adventures In Baby Wearing

I was out networking last Thursday night and met Stephanie, who runs a great blog called Adventures In Baby Wearing.  If you are already a parent or thinking of becoming one real soon, you will be entertained and enlightened with her musings on parenthood.

See what she has to say about guilt and taking kids to the dentist in this recent article at NWI Parent.

The image above is Tracie, Jeff (his hand anyway) and their son Justin from their newborn session at the studio last year.  A big thanks to them for being great clients!!

Introducing: The Wedding Image Box

A great new product, The Wedding Day Image Box.  Get 250 - 4x6 prints of your favorite wedding images in a luxurious display case.  It's custom designed with your wedding image on the front, back and spine.  An awesome and cost cutting way to carry your wedding with you or to swap images in and out of frames all year long.  Makes a great gift for your parents as well.  

I think this can make a run at replacing the "brag book" typically given to mom after the wedding. I could also see mom and daughter using it together to trade out prints from frames in each others homes.  I always see those collage frames at the hobby stores with a dozen or so 4x6 displayers and the Image Box would make great storage to pull from, not to mention look really upscale on a bookshelf in the home.

Click To View The Brochure

Help!! Wedding Troubleshooting

Some questions and answers from The Knot. Visit http://www.theknot.com for more like this or to ask your own specific questions.

What to do if guests do not RSVP?

Call to see if they're coming. You never know -- maybe they think they sent the response card, but it's really hiding in a pile of mail. If calling is a problem, assume they are coming and make sure there’s food and seats for them. It's better to have extra grub and room than to have neglected guests wondering where to sit!

Should we invite relatives we know won't come?

Yes -- you know you want your relatives to come to your wedding if they can. Don't assume they won't come just because they have to travel. If you'd like someone to be there on your big day, simply send an invite and let them take it from there.

What about inviting co-workers?

You're under no obligation to invite your boss, or anyone for that matter, to your wedding. To avoid any false expectations or hurt feelings, make it known to your coworkers and boss alike that your wedding is going to be limited to family and close friends only. The fact that no one from work is being invited will help everyone, especially your boss, from feeling excluded. It would also be smart to keep workplace wedding talk to a minimum.

Who should be invited to the rehearsal dinner?

It's really up to you. The rehearsal dinner guest list can include just the two of you, your immediate families, the wedding party, and the officiant and his/her spouse. Or it can be a larger event, including all your out-of-town guests (or at least all those who will have already arrived for the wedding). It's a nice gesture to include out-of-towners (especially when the rehearsal dinner is the night before) so that no one is left stranded in their hotel rooms.

When should wedding invitations be sent out?

Ideally, invitations should go out eight weeks before the wedding -- this gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements if they're out-of-towners. If you mail your invites this early, you'll be able to set the reply-by date about three weeks prior to the wedding. That way, you should have plenty of time to get a final head count and make the seating chart before the wedding-week crunch begins. At the very latest, guests should receive their invitation six weeks in advance, and you should receive responses two weeks before the wedding day.