Navigating Nuptials: Your Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Planning!
Navigating Nuptials
A Treasure Trove of Wedding Planning Insights!
Since 1999, I've had the honor of photographing countless couples say "I do," and now, it's my pleasure to share a treasure trove of invaluable wedding planning insights with you. From unconventional ideas to tried-and-true wisdom, your journey to 'happily ever after' begins here.
What should I wear?
This is the most frequent question I get from clients for portrait sessions. While there is no single answer that applies to every situation, I feel that wearing something you feel fabulous in, is generally the best advice to follow. If you feel great, it follows that you are going to look great.
Beyond that, I typically recommend avoiding large logos or images (think heavy-metal merch) on clothing. Neon colours can also be distracting unless they serve a specific purpose in the session (ie. high visibility clothing for an editorial/commercial shoot, or if you’re trying to recreate an 80’s vibe).
Family portrait sessions often work well with an array of earth tones. Alternatively, many families opt for jeans or khakis with similarly styled tops where the colour can be the same or varied.
Where Should We Get Married?
What should we serve for dessert?
When it comes to wedding desserts, it's not just about taste—it's about the visual feast that awaits your guests. Imagine a dessert spread that not only satisfies their sweet cravings but also leaves them in awe. Whether it's a dessert table adorned with edible flowers, a macaron tower that defies gravity, or a dessert bar that invites guests to create their own sweet symphony, the presentation is as important as the taste.
Here’s a list of creative and delicious wedding desserts that can add a touch of uniqueness to your celebration:
1. Dessert Bar Extravaganza:
– Create a lavish dessert bar featuring an assortment of treats like mini cheesecakes, tartlets, macarons, and gourmet cookies.
2. Cupcake Tower:
– Opt for a stunning cupcake tower with an array of flavors and decorative toppings. Consider a mix of classic and unique flavors like lavender honey or chai spice.
3. Doughnut Wall:
– Set up a whimsical doughnut wall with an assortment of flavors and glazes. It’s a fun and visually appealing way to display this beloved treat.
4. Chocolate Fountain:
– Indulge your guests with a cascading chocolate fountain surrounded by dippable delights like strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks.
5. Panna Cotta Parfaits:
– Serve elegant panna cotta parfaits in individual glasses, layering them with fruit compote, coulis, or a drizzle of honey.
6. Tiramisu Tasting Jars:
– Present tiramisu in charming individual jars, allowing guests to savor this classic Italian delight.
7. Mousse Trio:
– Delight your guests with a trio of decadent mousses, such as dark chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, and passion fruit.
8. Gourmet Popcorn Bar:
– Set up a popcorn bar with a variety of gourmet flavors, including caramel, cheddar, and truffle-infused popcorn.
9. Fruit Sushi:
– Get creative with fruit sushi rolls, using thinly sliced fruit as the “wrap” and sweetened rice or cream cheese as the filling.
10. Candy Apple Station:
– Provide a candy apple station with a range of toppings, from traditional caramel and nuts to more adventurous choices like crushed cookies or sprinkles.
11. Churro Station:
– Treat your guests to a churro station with fresh, warm churros served with an assortment of dipping sauces.
12. Mini Pie Buffet:
– Offer a charming mini pie buffet featuring an assortment of bite-sized pies in various flavors, from classic apple to exotic mango-raspberry.
13. Gelato Bar:
– Cool down the celebration with a gelato bar, featuring an array of flavors and toppings.
14. Lemon Blueberry Lavender Cake:
– Opt for a unique cake flavor like lemon blueberry lavender, combining citrusy, fruity, and floral notes for a refreshing taste.
15. Cotton Candy Clouds:
– Infuse a sense of whimsy with cotton candy clouds, either as standalone treats or as a playful addition to your dessert table.
Remember to consider your personal preferences, the overall theme of your wedding, and dietary restrictions when selecting your wedding desserts. These options can add a delightful and memorable touch to your special day!
Who should we invite?
Crafting the ideal wedding guest list requires finesse. Dive into this section for expert tips on choosing the right mix of attendees, managing space constraints, and navigating potential challenges. From close family to cherished friends, learn how to curate a guest list that reflects the essence of your love story, ensuring your wedding day is a celebration filled with joy and cherished moments.
Navigating the creation of a wedding guest list can indeed be a delicate task. Here are some tips to help you through the process:
1. Define Your Priorities:
Clearly identify your priorities and values as a couple. Decide on the size of your wedding and whether it will be an intimate gathering or a larger celebration. This will guide you in determining how many guests you can comfortably accommodate.
2. Start with Immediate Family:
Begin by listing immediate family members. These are the people who are usually must-invites, and their inclusion will set the foundation for the rest of your guest list.
3. Close Friends and Extended Family:
Once immediate family is accounted for, move on to close friends and extended family. Consider the relationships that are most significant to you both. Be mindful of balancing both sides of the family to avoid potential conflicts.
4. Consider Budget and Venue Capacity:
Be realistic about your budget and the capacity of your chosen venue. A smaller guest list may be necessary if you’re working with a tight budget or have selected a more intimate space.
5. Establish Clear Criteria:
Create clear criteria for inviting friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. This could include factors such as how recently you’ve been in touch, the depth of the relationship, and shared experiences.
6. Communicate with Parents:
If parents or other family members are contributing to the wedding, have open and honest conversations about expectations for the guest list. Find a compromise that aligns with your vision for the day.
7. Consider Plus-Ones:
Decide on your policy for plus-ones. Will all single guests be given a plus-one, or will you limit plus-ones to those in long-term relationships or married? Consistency is key to avoiding misunderstandings.
8. Be Mindful of Work Invitations:
If you’re inviting colleagues, consider the potential impact on workplace dynamics. Be aware that not everyone may feel comfortable attending, and it’s okay to keep work invitations separate if needed.
9. Handle Exes with Care:
If inviting ex-partners is a consideration, think about potential emotions and reactions. Make decisions that prioritize the comfort of everyone involved.
10. Create a B-List if Necessary:
If your initial list exceeds your planned guest count, create a B-list. This allows you to invite additional guests if RSVPs are lower than expected.
11. Give Yourself Time:
Don’t rush the process. Take the time to carefully consider each invitee and make adjustments as needed. This is an important step in ensuring that your wedding day is filled with the people who truly matter to you.
Remember, it’s your special day, and the guest list should reflect the relationships and connections that are meaningful to you as a couple.
What are some Top Tips You have for a Wedding?
1) My number one tip for weddings is this: "It's your day and you make the rules"! The days of strict conformity to an exact template for your special day are long gone. Of course, there's nothing wrong with following traditions that are important to you, but it's also okay to let your imagination and creativity soar! This day belongs to the two of you!
2) I think the number one time saver at weddings is coming up with a Family Shot List. Every family is different and giving this part of your day some thought ahead of time allows all of these invaluable images to be captured and organized into the most efficient order possible. Having photos of grandparents and/or young children at the beginning of this list is paramount. Doing so keeps these guests happy, comfortable, and, in the case of children, nearby. Assigning a family member or someone in the wedding party to round these people up, really helps too! Pro tip: there's always one uncle that disappears during family portraits that is really hard to find unless he knows ahead of time that his photo is coming up 🙂
3) For outdoor weddings, have a rain plan. Of course, I always put in an order for good weather for every wedding I shoot, but just in case, it's a good idea to have a covered location for photos or umbrellas on hand if the rain isn't too heavy. I can shoot outside in light rain and have many times! I also carry battery-powered studio lighting with me to every shoot, so if we do need to shoot indoors, I can produce amazing lighting for you!
Do you carry backup equipment with you?
Definitely, I wouldn’t show up without it! I carry multiple cameras, lenses, memory cards, batteries, and lighting gear. If anything fails, I have loads of additional gear to fall back on if necessary.
Can my pet come to the photoshoot?
Of course, pets are part of your family and are more than welcome if the location we're shooting at allows it! I've worked with horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cows, and a bearded dragon who was an incredible swimmer.
Can you recommend a location for our photoshoot?
I would be happy to help. I have shot at hundreds of locations and am happy to share my knowledge of these places with you to find the best place for your session. If I’m shooting at a new location, I will arrive ahead of time to scout the location prior to our session.
A gallery of amazing locations is under construction and coming soon… Stay tuned!
What's your Photography Style?
I work closely with all of my clients to determine the best style to shoot for their project or event. I'm equally comfortable shooting natural light, off camera flash, or studio lights. I'm also equally comfortable shooting candids, documentary, action, classic portraiture or studio photography. Typically, my clients are looking for bold, colourful images, full of feeling, but I can create most styles that are out there. Rather than limiting myself to one way of shooting, I feel strongly that a versatile and adaptive approach allows each image to reach its highest potential.
