Trashing the Dress

But what separates good photography from great photography?

If you’re having trouble deciding between a few good photographers, then this article is for you.

This year brings a lot of cool and funky wedding photography trends.

Are you ready to make a statement?

Evaluate each to determine which suits you best, then you’ll be ready to find a photographer that matches your personality.

Tell me the story

In the style of photojournalists, many newlyweds are eschewing forced poses and cheesy smiles in favor of a series of shots that actually tell the story of your wedding from the beginning of the day until the end.

The more unique the shot – with the most amount of “characters,” a cast that includes friends and relatives as well as you and your partner – the more interesting the story being told.

Ask your photographer to focus on spontaneity while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

Haute couture

Many wedding parties are emulating the styles captured in high fashion magazines, focusing on glamor and glitz.  The work your photographer puts in in the editing room can make even the most ordinary couple look like a pair of fashion models.

Hybridization

Not just for cars!  In a way to compromise with the artistic and the pedestrian, many couples are looking for photographers who can mix experimental or artsy techniques with more traditional wedding shots.

Some photographers combine the photojournalistic style by shooting un-posed photos throughout the day with posed or semi-posed photos or group shots.  This approach also applies for couples who can’t decide between color photos and black and white.  Ask your photographer if they can do both.

Trash the dress

Taking pictures of the bride as she runs amuck in her wedding gown in a unique location, literally destroying what she will probably never have the occasion to wear again, has become quite the craze as of late.

Usually these shots include the bride using dirt or water for the “trashing.”  Photo effects in the editing room make these shots look pretty artsy, so if you’re worried about actually destroying your wedding dress, discuss this possibility with your photographer and see how much real ruining (if any) is necessary to achieve the desired effect.

The day after

Because you may feel a little frazzled on the actual day, many couples are opting to have their photographer do the shooting on the day after the ceremony, when no one has to worry about ruining their hair or makeup or dirtying their dress.  One added benefit is a lessening of stress, while many brides just want another excuse to wear their wedding gown again!

More Wedding Photography Trends

During the reception, many couples are running slideshows on a laptop that document the event leading up to the ceremony as well as the ceremony itself. You can also use digital picture frames to create this same effect.

One of the more creative efforts some couples are trying involves the installation of an old-fashioned, black and white, three-to-four shot photo booth at the reception.  The happy couple can be photographed in their wedding clothes or casually, and guests can be encouraged to include their shots in the guest book with a personalized message.

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To Retain Your Sanity...

Wedding planning can be one of the most overwhelming things you will ever have to do in your life.

Unfortunately, most of us cannot hire a wedding planner to take care of every single detail of our wedding.

Still, we want every last feature of the big day to be nothing but perfect.

And that makes us think that stressing out over our wedding is almost unavoidable…

So here are some tips on what not to do when planning your wedding day.

Maybe these will help you to keep your sanity.

Wedding Do Nots

DO NOT start without a budget.  Money is most commonly the most stressful aspect of wedding planning.  It is up to you to decide up front how much your total budget will be.  Also, find out who will be contributing to the costs of the wedding and for what.

DO NOT go over your budgeted amounts.  A wedding lasts for one day, and while it is a very important day, it is just as important to remember that you and your spouse do not want to start your new life in crucial debt.  If you ignore your budget the one day event that was your wedding will be a five year reminder in the form of bills.

DO NOT forget to get it in writing.  Oral agreements with vendors are a no-no.  The fact that everything is not spelled out on paper is a huge cause for stress.  For both your records and the vendors, make sure there is a written contract.

DO NOT do it all yourself.  Wedding planners exist because planning a wedding is a full-time job.  Don’t try to plan everything on your own.  Ask for help and delegate different responsibilities to trustworthy friends or family members.  If you have ever helped someone with their wedding planning ask for them to return the favor.  Most people will be more than willing to share in the load.

DO NOT make it your way or the highway.  Compromise is so important.  Whether it is between you and your soon-to-be spouse or even the florist, remember to let go of the smaller things.  If you have your heart set on peonies, but they are out of season, compromise with the florist on a similar style flower with a smaller price tag.  Keep in mind too, it’s your soon-to-be’s day as well.

DO NOT go with cheap photography.  After your wedding ends, the only things you’ll have left are your memories and your photos.  Make sure to talk to your photographer about whether they will have one or two assistants—usually depends on size of the wedding—to help capture the event.  Also, be sure that you have scheduled the photographer for enough time.  You don’t want your photographer to head out right after the toasts and miss the dancing.

DO NOT sweat the small stuff.  If you worry yourself with every small detail, you really will go crazy.  There is no need to stress over things like if ribbons are celadon or celery colored.

DO NOT forget to say thanks. Thank any and everyone involved in your wedding.  From the wedding party to those who helped you with any of the planning details.  Also, thank those who gave you gifts promptly.  When the thank you notes pile up, so does stress.  Make life easier by writing the note as soon as you receive the gift.

DO NOT save things until the last minute.  This makes sense, but so many people (brides especially) save things until the day before the wedding.  Putting together favors, printing programs, and last minute details should all be done prior to the day before your wedding.  You should take this day to relax and even pamper yourself.

DO NOT get your hopes up.  Nothing in life is ever absolutely perfect, even a wedding day.  Rain happens, people run late, and groomsmen wear the wrong colored socks.  Set reasonable expectations for your day.  The main purpose is to get married.  Looking back on your wedding day with your spouse, you will not even remember the color socks the groomsmen had on.

A good idea while you are wedding planning is to print this list and put it somewhere you can see it daily as a reminder.  Weddings are fun, and planning them can be as well.

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Nothing like an old fashioned ice cream maker...

If so, you should be able to revel in the fact that you are finally down to the last leg of the race with just 1/3 of the way left to go.

Maybe even less… if your June calendar was heavy-loaded.

So all that’s left is a few more late Friday and Saturday nights, about 5 more pounds to be gained from the remaining cake to be eaten and those last, dreaded, creative, lovely wedding gifts to think up and track down.

And while I may not be able to help with the lack of sleep or the incoming floods of chocolately, cake-y goodness, I can offer you some spectacular August wedding gift options to take the legwork out of things.

A late summer wedding is the perfect opportunity to give a gift with a hint of fall in it to transition the loving couple into their very first season change together.

Have some fun with these creative/whimsical gifts that will make your gift more than just a passing memory.

Apple Cider Press

A new couple will get a kick out of doing almost anything together, so why not give them a chance to get their hands dirty and their tastebuds excited with fresh autumnal apples?

Not only will the couple get the experience of making cider together, they can spend countless fall nights curled up under a cuddly fleece blanket sipping their homemade mugs of cider. Also, you have a pretty good chance of being the one and only to give them this gift, as opposed to the 5th to give a set of towels and cookie jar.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Treat the lovers to a romantic get away over the city for a balloon ride. Nothing beats looking down over STL except doing so during the peak of fall when every corner of the city is decked out in reds and oranges and brilliant shades of gold. It’s the perfect getaway that will give them a story to remember for years.

Ice Cream Maker

This is one of my very favorite gift ideas. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! As newlyweds about to finish up summer and in the mood for nightly sweets, new parents, parents of toddlers, parents of teens, lovers celebrating 50 years of marriage, you name it. There is never a time when an ice cream maker is not a fantastic idea.

If I were you, I’d box it up with a variety of candy bars and toppings like marshmallows and hot fudge and toffee pieces. Bonus points if you even include some of your personal favorite homemade recipes. And, if you really wanna step up your gift, you could give them a waffle cone maker to go with. Sounds complicated, but it’s as easy as making pancakes. And, to make this gift extra fall appropriate, you could include some canned apple pie filling and homemade caramel sauce….

A Fall Photo Shoot

The couple undoubtedly has plenty of summery flowery pictures from their wedding, but the gift of a fall photo shoot is one that will be much appreciated. There’s an intimacy and romance that comes intrinsic with fall’s coziness and its colors, and this gift will give them a whole new dimension to their photo album that will be cherished forever.

Fall Bed & Bath Set

While undoubtedly the new couple should be set for life with bright white sheets and teal bathroom towels, every couple deserves some variety, especially when it comes to changing up their very first home together for a new season. They’ll love a fall set for the bedroom and bathroom that will make their new home even that much “homier” in a month.

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How to keep it green with photography

Truly green couples could be forgiven for thinking that the only eco-friendly option is to forgo the wedding vows and elope (somewhere local of course)…

But if your personal version of happily ever after requires the obligatory white lace, embossed invitations and miscellaneous relatives you haven’t seen for 20 years, this handy guide to green wedding photography may help soothe your wounded conscience.

Adopting these handy tips for environmentally friendly wedding photography will give those precious wedding photos a green tinge.

Find an eco-friendly photographer

Old school film photography may seem hip and retro (and is making a surprising comeback among wedding photographers) but the harsh chemicals used in processing traditional film make this decidedly eco-unfriendly. By making sure your photographer is digital only, you’ll reduce the eco-problems associated with getting rid of nasty chemicals.

Others things to look out for include:

• Asking for online proofs (instead of printed proofs). There is no point wasting the earth’s precious resources until you are sure that you are happy with the final product
• Find a photographer that has adopted eco-friendly principles into their business. Truly eco-friendly photographers will have adopted environmentally friendly principles as a way-of-life rather than a marketing principle.

Find a local photographer and shoot locally

The “think local” ethos is just as applicable to your choice of wedding photographer. While we all want to make sure that our wedding photographs are in the capable hands of an expert, it doesn’t mean we need to fly someone in from across the continent.

Use these handy tips to ensure that the carbon emissions of your wedding photos are reduced:

• Find a photographer from your local area: They are much more likely to know the special places to shoot, and you’ll minimise the carbon impact of unnecessary travel or flights.
• Shoot your wedding photographs locally: You don’t necessarily need to travel to 17 separate locations to find that perfect shot.  A good local photographer will be able to help you find a single location that has a range of shooting options.
• Car pool to your wedding photographs: Not every wedding shoot requires two stretch limousines. Consider making a splash by taking the boss. Or if you aren’t that much of a hardened eco-warrior, at least consider car-pooling.

A final word

While wedding photography may only be a small part of the carbon footprint of modern weddings, it’s an easy way to have some quick eco-friendly wins on your way to wedded bliss.

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Memories of a Lifetime

A month or two goes by, and you call the photographer to politely inquire after your wedding photos.

It’s another three months until you get them, and finally, when you open the box of proofs, you flip with horror through the stack.

The posed shots are formal and awkward, the candids full of people making unflattering expressions.

The lighting is harsh, and your face appears to have aged ten years in each photo.

Wait—this doesn’t have to be you! A little advance planning and care can help you make sure your wedding photos are flattering, elegant souvenirs that you will treasure for a lifetime. Here are the top 15 wedding photo tips, from the top wedding photographers around the country.

Best Wedding Photography Tips

1. When choosing a photographer, ask to see samples of their work so you can get a sense of his style. Many photographers are very versatile—if you tell them what’s important to you, they may be able to accommodate.
2. Be very clear about what is included in your photography package. Will they stay for the entire wedding without charging overtime? Will the photographer be making your wedding album? Will they include a high-resolution CD of all your proofs? How long will the whole process take?
3. Engagement portraits are a lovely way to treasure that special time in your life and get to know your photographer a little better as well. You can send out the engagement photos as save-the-dates, or send them to your local newspaper as a wedding announcement.
4. Practice posing. It may sound funny, but if you want celebrity-style glamour shots, you are going to need to practice in front of the mirror so you can get the pose down perfectly. Invite a friend over for a night of cocktails, dress try-ons and posing practice!
5. Talk to the photographer about the moments and style that is important to you. Would you rather they document every moment of your walk down the aisle, or take a minute to capture the adorable moment when the flower girl holds hands with the ring bearer? Choose a candid, photojournalistic style or a traditional, formal style, but either way, provide the photographer with a detailed “shot list” of the moments and people that you want captured!
6. If you are going to be incorporating any unusual customs or traditions into your ceremony, whether for religious or other purposes, tell the photographer about it in advance so they will know where to snap the photos and when.
7. The importance of waterproof eye makeup and good anti-shine foundation cannot be overstated, but don’t forget to tell your makeup artist to avoid anything with shimmer or sparkle, which will come out as glare in the photos.
8. Some of the most beautiful shots of a wedding come from the moments before the wedding actually begins. Ask your photographer to document you getting your hair and makeup done, your bridesmaids helping each other get ready, and the groom putting the finishing touches on his tuxedo.
9. For photos of the two of you that are intimate and natural, not forced and cheesy, step away from your family and friends and spend a few minutes by yourselves. Ask the photographer to follow your lead rather than posing you like models.
10. If you are taking photos outdoors, don’t just treat it like a background. Engage with your surroundings for photos that are actually fun to look at. Run through a meadow, have him give you a deep kiss over a brook, or flop down on the grass and lie side by side. You may not use these photos for your album, but they will lighten the mood and make your posed photos more natural.
11. Don’t forget about all the little details you put so much energy into getting just right. Get a close-up glam shot of your engagement ring and wedding band, your shoes, your hair and your bouquet. You may not send these to Grandma, but you will always want to remember that one day when everything was perfect.
12. To hurry up the photo shoot and return to your guests as soon as possible, take your family portraits in larger groups. Sure, you want an individual shot with your parents and grandparents, but you don’t need to have a photo with each aunt, uncle and cousin individually. Ask everyone to sit in the same room throughout the portrait session so you can quickly get people in and out of the photos. If you have a large family, it might be worth asking one take-charge relative to assume control of the logistics so you can focus on looking pretty.
13. Skip the cheesy fake backgrounds in favor of the outdoors, the ballroom, or even a simple background. Ask your wedding venue if they have any good photo spots, like a beautifully decorated lobby or an ornamental garden.
14. Avoid the clichéd “funny” shots like the Reservoir Dogs sunglass pose and the Charlie’s Angels bridesmaids pose. To keep the bridesmaid and groomsmen photos fun and light, throw in a few fun props like sunglasses, water pistols and giant umbrellas. Make sure to get a few serious shots as well!
15. Couple photos do not have to consist only of you gazing into each other’s eyes. Bring in a little bit of whatever it is you are passionate about—whether that means posing on bicycles or with your beloved puppy.

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You can make your wedding fun.

The diamond solitaire ring…

The strapless satin gown…

The cake with the bride and groom on top… Sound familiar?

How can you make your wedding day special?

Here’s some helpful hints:

This is the big day for you and your partner, so it should reflect your personalities, interests and sense of style.

If you want people to remember your wedding, make it unique and put your own stamp on it. If you both have a particular hobby, you could theme your wedding around that.

Spice up the Rings

Choose a unique ring such made out of a different material, such as a titanium ring. It is very common to see platinum rings and solitaire diamonds, but why not choose something to reflect your personality? If you want to add a bit of individuality, think about choosing a colored gemstone, like a ruby, emerald or sapphire.

Black diamond rings used to be associated with morbid things, but are becoming increasingly popular with brides wanting to buck the trend and stand out from the crowd. Have a look around antiques dealers for a one-of-a-kind vintage ring, or think about commissioning an artisan ring.

Everyone’s Looking at the Dress

The dress is the most important thing for every bride. All eyes will be on you, but make sure you pick a dress that suits your style. If you want to choose traditional white, perhaps you could add a splash of color in the details or the accessories.

You might also have some custom shoes made to add a subtle difference to your wedding outfit. You could ask your mother if you could use the fabric from her wedding dress to incorporate into a new dress, giving it extra meaning.

Write Your Vows from the Heart

You’ve heard those same wedding vows at everyone else’s weddings, but what do those words mean to you? Write your own vows to add that personal touch to the ceremony. This is your chance to say something meaningful and memorable to your partner.

Other Easy Things You Can to be Unique

Invitations – To add your own personal mark, you could make your own wedding invitations and write your own words. Your friends and family will be able to see the extra thought and care you put into them. If you’re web-savvy, you could send out digital invitations or set up a website with all your wedding details.

Photography – Put disposable cameras on the tables at the reception so that your guests can take their own photos. When having professional photos taken, ask your photographer to catch some off-guard moments, or strike a fun pose! Mix it up with some quirky shots as well as the standard poses.

The Venue – This is very personal to you. You might want a destination wedding in a foreign country where you could incorporate that country’s traditions and customs, or you may want to be married in your local church or a place that is special to you and your partner. Instead of taking a car to the wedding, you could have arrive in a horse and carriage, a rickshaw, a vintage car or even a sidecar.

The Cake – The cake doesn’t have to be a traditional tiered cake with circular layers. You could choose any shape you like and any color icing. Instead of the bride and groom figures on the top, pick something different top top it off. More and more couples are choosing towers of cute individual cupcakes instead.

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Fall is certainly one of the most amazing, breathtaking seasons, with all of the brilliant colors on the trees. As a wedding photographer, there are many ways to incorporate the season into the photographs in order to make them the best of the entire year.

While many people get married in the summer, the fall gives a photographer a lot of options to take some of the most unique and memorable photographs possible, giving each fall wedding a bit of flare that other weddings cannot have. Using the beauty of the season to the utmost advantage will mean that the photographs taken will be displayed and treasured for a long time to come.

Fall Photography Tips

One of the easiest ways to incorporate fall into wedding photographs is to take many photographs on the tops of hills, with the forest behind and below. This way, one can get the entire scope of the forest. Standing near the trees can sometimes work, though it will not capture as well the full nature of the entire forest with all of the leaves changed at once, so the whole forest almost looks to be on fire. While standing on the top of a rise or a hill, one can get this beautiful backdrop from afar.

Another way to incorporate fall into the photographs is to have the bride and groom — or the entire wedding party, if one desires — use the fallen leaves as props. This can be as simple as spreading a small field of them around the feet of the bride and groom, the way many people do with flowers. The leaves are more vibrant and unique than flowers, and so will stand out wonderfully against the grass.

The bride and groom could also use them — though this must be done sparingly, so as not to look tacky — by holding them in their hands. One could take a picture of the two of them kissing, and the bride could have a single leaf balanced on her shoulder. This bright point of color will give an interesting and attractive focal point to the picture, so that it stands out among other, similar shots of the two kissing, of which there will be quite a few.

Another way to use the natural beauty of fall, if one is close to the forest, is by having the bride and groom stand within it. They could stand under the branches of a large tree, though the trunk, and not the leaves, may become more dominant in the photograph if this is done.

A better idea is to have them move a few strides into the forest; one can then take the photographs from outside of the forest, so that they look to be between all of the trees, surrounded by those bright leaves. One could even take pictures where just their faces are visible with leaves all around, so that they are engulfed in the woods. This will add a mystic quality to the wedding photographs, which is perfect for the newlyweds who love nature.

As can be seen, there are many ways to use the fall to create unique wedding photographs. The main thing to remember is to make the natural world work in the photographs, to highlight it. It can accent any photograph and give it many great qualities.

This article was written exclusively for STL Weddings by Roman Grinev. Roman is a Washington DC Wedding Photographer who has been photographing weddings for over 10 years. He has 3 offices located in Baltimore, Maryland and Annapolis.

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Making a wedding time line is no new concept! I know it’s not rocket science but it really does take some thought to craft a detailed time lime for one of the most important days you’ll ever experience! And before you get too far in putting yours together (if you don’t have a planner or coordinator), I wanted to share what I like to refer to as the BIG ONES!

The BIG ONES are those events and moments where you would absolutely balk if you did not get a photograph of them! No, I’m not going to tell you where you should put them or where I think you might put them. But I will tell you MUST think about them when putting together your time line!

Drum roll please… and the BIG ONES are…

The First Look
This is the first time you see your fiance in his tux and he falls over with awe when he sees you in your wedding gown, otherwise known as THE moment! When planning your time line, think about when and where you want the first look to take place.

The Family & Wedding Party Photos
The wedding day is usually a whirlwind where traditionally everyone you care about is present, so make sure you take the time to capture that time together!

The First Dances
You got it! The first dance is a VERY special moment. Whether you’re thinking bride and groom, FOB, MOG or even a dance off they all need a place to live and you’d better decide where!

The Cake Cut
Nothing like cake in the face to symbolize importance on a wedding day, and what better than a photograph to capture in on film forever!I guarantee your parents AND the photographer will be happy if they know when it’s happening!

The Bouquet/Garter Toss
Okay, okay, I know that the bouquet and garter toss seem to be a dying trend these days (garter toss especially), but I include it in the list because if you decide to do it, you better have a plan for when it will happen!

Trust me when I say, all of the above BIG ONES have a place to reside within your special day! You just need to decide where! Your photographer, your family and your wedding party will all be much happier knowing what’s going on, which actually might just be a proven fact!

Happy timing! Cheers!

This article was written exclusively for STL Weddings by Ashley Rath. Ashley is the owner and event planner of Dishy Events, specializing in wedding and event planning for the Greater St. Louis, Missouri area. You can follow Ashley and Dishy on Twitter where she tweets about St Louis wedding planning.

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