Tips on Choosing a Wedding Photographer
1. The first item is obvious: be sure you
see samples of the photographer's work. The following items are just as
important and many times are overlooked by people hiring a wedding photographer
for the first time.
2. Some companies have more than one photographer. Be sure that the sample
photographs you are shown were taken by the photographer who would be doing your
wedding.
3. Make sure you meet and talk with the photographer and assistant who would be
doing your wedding. Some will try to tell you want you want, and others will be
more cooperative by making suggestions and asking you what you want. Some
photographers will try to run your wedding. Keep in mind that a professional
photographer is not necessarily a good wedding organizer, although some will
insist on imposing "their rules" on you. Ask a lot of questions to be
sure you know what kind of person you are hiring. You want to have a wonderful
day the day you get married and the last thing you need is an uncooperative
photographer who insists on doing things his/her way and causes you grief on
that special day.
4. Some photographers make a large percentage of their income by charging you
overtime. Make sure you know exactly how much of their time you are paying for
on your wedding day, and be sure it is enough time to suit your needs.
5. With some companies it is difficult to figure out exactly how much you will
be paying until it's all over. Other companies offer packages that are much
easier to understand. After talking with the company about pricing, if you don't
feel comfortable with knowing what you will get and how much it will cost, you
will probably not be happy with the final bill. Be sure you compare the prices
of reprints and enlargements.
6. Make sure there will be a signed contract, ask for a blank copy, read it
carefully, and compare it with the contracts of other companies before signing.
7. Some companies deliver the finished product quicker than others. Be sure to
ask about this.
8. Some authors who know little about the technicalities of photography advise
to ask what type of equipment is used. Does it really matter? You either like
the look of the samples, or you don't. There is no better "quality"
test than just looking at completed work. A professional photographer is an
artist and they will choose the tools that best work for them.
9. Consider having your wedding professionally videotaped before deciding upon a
photographer. You have probably seen wedding videotapes produced by an
"Uncle Joe" and weren't very impressed. It is not a well known fact
that there are video companies in the local area that produce professional
wedding videos that look and sound like movies, and yet the cost is often less
than what you would pay for a photographer. You might want to adjust your
photography budget to allow for this once you have seen some demos.
It is becoming more common for couples to spend less on a wedding photographer
and more for a video company since the quality of video has become so
professional. Especially if you have your video made on DVD, you can have
extremely good picture quality, music, sound, and motion. These are
characteristics that simply don’t exist with a set of photographs. With this
in mind, many couples are hiring a photographer for an hour or two to take some
professional photographs and relying on their professional video to remind them
of the happy tears, funny bloopers, vows, toasts and speeches, and all the other
emotions shared with their friends and loved ones on that special day.
What to do and in what order to do it in is a common question that couples have--an agenda is needed. An "Agenda" can be defined as the written or spoken rules for social control. Ever wonder where we got our etiquette training when it came to social events and planning the order of things? Following the example of our family members, cultural upbringing, other families, and traditions, we find ourselves repeating what was see or taught.
Ceremonial procedure has been around
since day one. Formality of the greeting to the bid of farewell draws us to
wonder if our knowledge evolved from some ancient tribal ceremony? Only you can
best answer this question.
New rituals and customs seen to pop up every year as well as long lost practices
or newly invented ones. The church dictates some. Remind yourself of things that
other event coordinators included in events that you attended.
Ceremonial agendas may include scripture readings, prose pieces and poetry, and
special candle lighting. You must decide on audience participation, involvement
of your wedding party, children and family members. Set the tone of your event
at the beginning. For inspirational, consider having the bells ring three times
before the greeting is provided. Lighting a special candle for a deceased loved
one will provide a special presence. If appropriate, have the grandparents
involved in a special way. Have couples married 25 years or more be recognized
or go to the altar to circle the bride and groom during a special poetry
reading.
For practical matters, consider the following order of service, and add your own
creativity.
1. Bells chime three times
2. Greetings and welcome by the pastor
3. Blessings by the bride's parents
4. Special candle lighting(s)
5. Scripture reading and prayer
6. Music
7. Homily or the pastor's message
8. Exchange of Vows and Rings
9. Unity candle
10.Special music selection
11.Signing of marriage certificate and license
12.Benediction
13.Presentation of the couple
14.Bells chime three times or trumpet plays
After the ceremony, keep the flow continuous with ceremonial rituals and
customs. Provide your guests with special favors or remembrances cards. Have a
balloon release set up as guests file out of the church or ceremony location.
Display items can be used not only for the reception, but also the wedding
ceremony. Guests can be required to sign the guest book, view pre-engagement
photo displays, and a shadowbox display filled with wedding memorabilia. These
items can easily be transferred to the reception.
Consider organizing an agenda for the reception as well. The usual agenda
involves the cake cutting and bouquet and garter toss. Build on these traditions
and incorporate more reception activities.
Consider the following list:
1. Introduction of the wedding party, parents and newlyweds
2. First dance and wedding party dance
3. The Polish custom of the “dollar dance”
4. Receiving line
5. Chiming of the glasses as an announcement for a toast
6. Roasting the bride and groom
7. Children’s dance, then teens
8. The “singles dance”
9. Cake Cutting
10. Recognition of those married 50 or more years, then 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 and 2
hours
11. The community dance—bride and groom adds on all guests to the line
12. Bouquet and garter toss
Whatever tribal customs you claim, remember that having an agenda will enhance
your celebration and preserve your memories for a lifetime.
Some Key Points to Remember When Writing Your Invitation
* Traditional British spelling is often used for the words honour and favour.
* Each line of the wedding invitation is centered for a balanced look.
* Full names are used (not nicknames or abbreviation), and dates, times, and
addresses are spelled out.
* Military titles are handled by rank. Enlisted people and noncommissioned
officers may include their branch of the service underneath their name. Titles
are placed above the name for positions above a captain rank in the army and
lieutenant senior grade in the navy. The branch of service appears below the
name. The names of junior officers should be placed on the first line with the
title and branch of service on the next line. (To see samples of military
wedding invitations) (for more information on military wedding customs)
* Courtesy titles such as Mr., Miss and Mrs. are always used. A priest or
minister is called The Reverend, a judge is referred to as The Honorable, and
Rabbis do not require a “The” before the title.
* Half hours are written as “half after” the hour, never “half past” the
hour.
* The title “Ms.” should be reserved exclusively for business correspondence
and should never be used on a wedding invitation.
* When sending out invitations with a response card, put a number on the back of
the card to correspond with the guest’s name on a master list. If they forget
to put their name on the response card, you can match up the name with the
number on the list.
* Any guest over the age of eighteen should receive an invitation.
* It is customary for a reception card to be included with the invitation when
the reception is being held at a different location than the ceremony.
* An invitation should give guests the following
information: who, what (ceremony and/or reception), when, and where, plus
directions or a map.
Alternatives
to Traditional Invitations: Contemporary Invitations
* Use American spellings (honor and favor) instead of the British spellings.
* Use the first person (we cordially invite) as opposed to the third (Mr. and
Mrs.) or use first names of parents and step parents.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact:
ConnectCT@sbcglobal.net
Last updated:
July 04, 2003.
