As someone who was married with in the last 5 years, I can tell you without a doubt the best way my wife & I could have saved a few hundred dollars, would have been by not spending $15 each on a handful of magazines and putting those $30 or $50 fancy wedding planner style trapper keepers/scrap books back on the shelf at Borders.
Most of the info in there can easily be found on internet wedding sites, by bloggers and know-it-alls like me. Also, we forget sometimes the best resources are right in front of us. Chances are you know at least a couple of people who have been married in the last few years. Especially if you are younger.
While the popping up of sites like Yelp.com, Angieslist.com & the old tried and true Better Business Bureau BBB.org, are all great tools, nothing beats hearing it from people you know and can trust as opposed to possible fake reviews, or overly picky brides.
Be sure to ask more than just "Did you like them?", as some couples might have a different budget, different taste and hidden factors like their parents might have been paying some of the bills.
Also, if you are at a wedding take mental notes on how the vendors & their services were. Don't be afraid to ask to see a couple wedding video or album, most will gladly show them off, but don't assume if they don't have it yet it's the vendors fault. I routinely have couples who take between 4-10 months to get back to me on their albums.
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Jan 29, 2010
Nov 13, 2008
The 3 Most Important Things You Will Choose
Every couple I ever sit down with I tell them about the three most important things you will choose for your wedding in order.
1. The Dress
2. The Location
3. The Photographer
Explanation;
The Dress - Honestly if the bride doesn't fell like the most beautiful/important woman at her own wedding, people will know. It will show up in photos, videos and the bride sets the tone for how the guests behave and in general whether or not everybody is having a good time.
Brides, this does not mean you need a $50,000 D&G one of a kind dress. It just means you need to be happy and comfortable with what you're wearing. If you have somebody with you whose opinion you value, take stock in what they think, but go with your gut whether it's the first, or 20th dress you've tried on.
About half the brides I shot in 2008 got their dresses at David's Bridal (unpaid plug). And I've seen everything from designer dresses to individual one of a kinds ( OnlyJangMi.com shameless plug for my wife's web site), but once the dress goes on and brides see themselves in a mirror, they know why this is number 1.
The Location - I've seen backyard weddings that are beautiful and Luxury Hotel Receptions that are awfully tacky or bland. While renting out Millennium Park in downtown Chicago might not be an option for most of us, intimate or unique locales also set a tone for your wedding.
In a sense your wedding is as much about the day as it is about remembering the day. Is your location something that people will be talking about? Do you feel that it's a perfect setting for your perfect day? Or is it more of a place of convenience?
Finally, will it add to, detract from, or be a non-factor in your wedding photos? Which brings us to the third most important thing.
The Photographer - Yes, I do seem a little biased on this third most important factor, but honestly it's true. Your wedding photos will live on long after you do. Family tree albums, anniversaries. Wedding photos of deceased grandparents have been displayed at many welcome tables at weddings. The only other thing that last as long if not longer than your photos are the rings.
Not everybody you want will be able to attend your wedding, they will however want to see images from that day. You will of course want to see images from that day too, but often some of my couples' favorite photos take place before the ceremony, or in the little moments between. Having the day documented and also having formal group photos to go along with that is the key to why photography is #3 on the list.
If you think of your wedding as just a “Day” event, than food and band selection might be more important to you, but if you realize that a wedding actually will come to symbolize so much more than just one day, you’ll make decisions based your feelings in the future.
1. The Dress
2. The Location
3. The Photographer
Explanation;
The Dress - Honestly if the bride doesn't fell like the most beautiful/important woman at her own wedding, people will know. It will show up in photos, videos and the bride sets the tone for how the guests behave and in general whether or not everybody is having a good time.
Brides, this does not mean you need a $50,000 D&G one of a kind dress. It just means you need to be happy and comfortable with what you're wearing. If you have somebody with you whose opinion you value, take stock in what they think, but go with your gut whether it's the first, or 20th dress you've tried on.
About half the brides I shot in 2008 got their dresses at David's Bridal (unpaid plug). And I've seen everything from designer dresses to individual one of a kinds ( OnlyJangMi.com shameless plug for my wife's web site), but once the dress goes on and brides see themselves in a mirror, they know why this is number 1.
The Location - I've seen backyard weddings that are beautiful and Luxury Hotel Receptions that are awfully tacky or bland. While renting out Millennium Park in downtown Chicago might not be an option for most of us, intimate or unique locales also set a tone for your wedding.
In a sense your wedding is as much about the day as it is about remembering the day. Is your location something that people will be talking about? Do you feel that it's a perfect setting for your perfect day? Or is it more of a place of convenience?
Finally, will it add to, detract from, or be a non-factor in your wedding photos? Which brings us to the third most important thing.
The Photographer - Yes, I do seem a little biased on this third most important factor, but honestly it's true. Your wedding photos will live on long after you do. Family tree albums, anniversaries. Wedding photos of deceased grandparents have been displayed at many welcome tables at weddings. The only other thing that last as long if not longer than your photos are the rings.
Not everybody you want will be able to attend your wedding, they will however want to see images from that day. You will of course want to see images from that day too, but often some of my couples' favorite photos take place before the ceremony, or in the little moments between. Having the day documented and also having formal group photos to go along with that is the key to why photography is #3 on the list.
If you think of your wedding as just a “Day” event, than food and band selection might be more important to you, but if you realize that a wedding actually will come to symbolize so much more than just one day, you’ll make decisions based your feelings in the future.
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