3 Things to Pack for Your Photographer on your Wedding Day

The week before your wedding is when you should be packing for your morning of and packing for your honeymoon. Hopefully, the planning process has been as smooth and stress-free as possible for you so that those two things are the main things you are focusing on. 

Along with your prepping your rehearsal outfit, your wedding night goodies, and getting ready outfit, etc. there’s a few things we don’t want you to forget so you can make sure you get the best photos from your wedding day. We’re talking ‘detail’ things for the detail photos. Those photos that set the tone of your wedding day for folks to experience as they browse through your wedding photos. 

Adriana Klas Photography

1. A Full Invitation Suite:

When ordering your invitation suites, make sure to have a at least one extra. What Is a Wedding Invitation Suite?

A wedding invitation suite consists of all paper goods sent along with the wedding invitation. It should always include a response card, as well as important information like directions and accommodations.

2. Personal Accessories:

When you think of those really pretty detail shots,  there are usually some wonderful personalized trinkets laying beside your invitation suite.  Things like the groom’s watch, your jewelery, your perfume bottle, cufflinks, and even your garter!  Having a separate styled photo of all these things, one for the bride and one for the groom is so special.  And have a separate detailed photo of your vow books if you have them is a great choice, too. 

3. Extra Blooms:

The last thing needed for these gorgeous detail shots is some extra florals.  They will be delicately placed along the items being photographed.  Incorporating extra florals truly help incorporate your wedding theme and creates a romantic touch as well.  Most florists are happy to add a few extra blooms at no additional cost, though some may charge a nominal fee. 

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How to Create Your Wedding Budget

Creating your wedding budget is easily one of the most important steps in your wedding planning process.  This will determine pretty much everything else in your plans.  It will determine what venue you book, how many friends you invite, what type of catering you can afford.  

What does a normal wedding cost?  

Wedding Wire reports that the average cost of a wedding is $34,000.  But what it doesn’t factor in is the region-specific budget averages.  In Boston, the average cost of a wedding is anywhere from $60-$100k+ .  In Colorado, depending on where you’re getting married, you can easily spend $30-$100k+.  In the Tahoe region, where we’re at, the average cost of a wedding is roughly $60-$80k and up.  That being said, the average cost of a wedding varies greatly depending on where you’re located and how much you’re willing to spend. 

Types of wedding budgets:

Did you know there are different types of wedding budgets?  Yes, there are! 

According to Splendid Insights, budget are broken down into six different categories: 

1. Intimate ($1000 or less)

2. Economical ($1,100 - $10,000)

3. Standard ($11,000 - $30,000)

4. Premium ($31,000 - $95,000)

5. Luxury ($96,000 - $500,000)

6. Ultra Luxury ($500,000 or greater)

If you have been gathering most of your wedding inspiration on Pinterest, do note that most of the wedding budgets you’re admiring fall into the Premium and above category. 

Who pays for the wedding?

According to Wedding Wire:  47% of weddings in 2019 were paid for by the couple,  52% by parents,  1% by all.  

Traditionally, the bride’s parents, and the bride and groom themselves will pay for the wedding.   

In modern times, it is very common for both parents and the bride and groom to split the costs or the bride and groom to cover the costs of the wedding. 

Once you’ve set your budget and allocated the areas together, then you can divide and conquer the areas of the wedding for each grouping to cover.  

What should be allocated in your budget:

Below is a list of what should be included in your wedding budget for your wedding day. They are broken down by percentages and of course, everything can be customized based on your preferences.  Just make sure that the totals equal 100% of your budget. All these items should also include your gratuity. If you don’t need a category, simply assign that allocated money to a different vendor or save that money. 

1. Wedding Planner- 11%

2. Bridal Fashion + Accessories- 5%

3. Groom’s Attire- 1%

4. Beauty- !%

5. Rings- 2%

6. Sationery-2%

7. Venue: Ceremony + Reception- 11%

8. Officiant- !%

9. Catering- 22%

10. Photograpraphy- 5%

11. Cinema- 5%

12. Desert- 2%

13. Bar + Beverage- 4%

14. Entertainment- 10%

15. Transportation- 1%

16. Rentals + Decor- 8%

17. Florals- 3%

18. Favors and Gifts- 3%

Other Areas to Consider Creating a Budget For:

1. Engagement Party- Typically hosted by Parents or Friends

2. Childcare- Recommended if having more than three children

3. Rehearsal Dinner- Traditionally hosted by the Groom’s Parents

4. Bachelorette/Bachelor Weekend- Traditionally paid for by each individual person.  

5. Brunch: Traditionally paid for by the bride, groom, and parents. 

6. Travel + Accommodations- Traditionally paid for by each individual party. Can be paid for by bride and groom

7. Honeymoon: Traditionally paid for by the couple

To help you save time and feel a little less stressed, I’ve created a FREE Customizable, Downloadable Wedding Budget Spreadsheet for you!

Get your free customizable budget spreadsheet here:

Seven Tips for Finding Your Wedding Venue

Now that you have determined your wedding budget, your ideal wedding location, your ideal wedding date, and how to curate your wedding guest list, it is now time to talk about booking your venue.

Below are seven tips for helping you secure your wedding venue

What To Look For In A Wedding Venue

Tthere are many different types of venues that you can choose from. Depending on what region you are in there are wineries, resorts, country clubs, hotels, industrial-chic lofts, restaurants, historical sites, ski resorts, venues on the beach, Barn venues and more!  I think you get the picture. There are many options to choose from. And the fun part is, you get to choose the style that best fits you!  

We would be remiss if we didn’t point out that not all venues offer the same thing. There are many venues that offer rental of the space only. While other venues offer tables, chairs, linens, and the venue itself. Other venues come with the above plus in-house catering. These are considered all-inclusive venues. Venues which only include the venue rental itself require more work and coordination of your rental items.  

We’re highlighting this because it is important to know what is included with each venue’s fee.  If the venue is much higher than 11% of your budget but does include rental tables, linens, and catering that may be a perfect fit for you. If the venue is much lower than your 11% budget but doesn't include tables, chairs,  etc, you will want to do some research to figure out what the total cost would be to have your wedding at that venue.

 How to Find Your Ideal Wedding Venue

 

The best places to search for wedding venues in your chosen location are mostly online. Searching on websites like The Knot , Wedding Wire, and Style Me Pretty are very helpful tools. You can also find wedding venues by by typing in the region / wedding venues in a Google search. For example, if looking in the Tahoe area you would type in Tahoe wedding venue for a hundred guests or a hundred fifty guests. This will help you search and narrow down your venue. Other helpful tools are Pinterest and Instagram. because you Lastly, don't shy away from Facebook. There are many region-specific wedding planning groups and you never know if you have some Facebook friends that would be able to recommend a venue that you will fit your needs.  

Since you already know your ideal guest count, narrow your venue search down by how many guests they can accommodate. 

 How to Stay Organized with Your Venue Search

When you are working with a full-service planner, they will likely be handling the venue searches for you. However, if you are doing this on your own we recommend creating a Google spreadsheet and keeping track of the venues that you are interested in. It is helpful if you make columns with their email addresses, phone numbers, contact person, maximum guest capacity, notes on what they include, and dates they available for a tour.

 Touring the Venues

If you are able to, it is ideal to set a weekend or a couple of days during the week to dedicate to touring your selected venues. If you don't know what style of venue you're looking for, gather a variety of venues that fits your guest capacity and seems to be in your budget.   Again, you are looking to spend roughly 11% on your wedding venue. 

 When you are booking your tours,  the general rule of thumb is schedule an hour for a tour and allow plenty of drive time in-between visits. Do yourself a favor and Google directions from one venue to the next and then add an additional 15 minutes or so in case there is traffic or you need to use the restroom. Also, allow time for lunch. In general, we recommend visiting three or four venues tours per day. Also, we recommend comparing no more than 5 venues for your event.

 What to Look For on a Venue Tour

When you are physically touring the venue, it is a good idea to be on the lookout for a few different items. If you have a planner,   be sure to bring them with you to help. 

Below is a list of items to take note of:

1. How is the flow of the venue?  Where will guests be entering from, where are the restrooms, where will the ceremony be, how is the flow from cocktail hour into the reception.

2. How is parking? Are you allowed to leave your vehicles overnight? This is usually okay for at most venues but always ask never assume. If you're allowed to leave your vehicle overnight usually they require you to remove the vehicle by 10 a.m. the next day. 

3. Getting Ready Areas: Are there Bridal Suites and groom Suites for you to get ready in? What is the rental.? 

4. What is the rental period? Do you have the venue for 6 hours 8 hours 10 hours? And does that rental. Include vendor set up and tear down time or is that outside of your rental.?  

5. Does the venue come with free Wi-Fi? 

6. Rental Items: If they provide linens you want to be looking at the quality of their linens.  What colors do they provide?  What types of tables they have? What do their chairs look like? 

7.  Venue Aesthetic: What color are the walls? Will they go with the decor that you are already drawn to?  Does the venue come with lighting or would you need to bring additional lighting? Does the venue seem to be your style even?   

8. Guest Accommodations: How many restrooms are provided?  Is the venue handicap accessible? 

9. Venue Upkeep:  Take note of the cleanliness of the venue. inside the bathrooms.  Do the carpets seem clean?  are there any stains on the floor?  How does the venue smell? I know this seems weird but there are some venues that have a certain smell to them question whether they're old or there was some sort of accident and they were not quite been able to get that smell out.  Does the venue need to be repainted anywhere?  How is the landscaping?

Considering all of these things will help you got a good feel for the day, and know what your guests will be interacting with as far as the space that your wedding will take place in.

Adriana Klas Photography

 How to Book Your Venue

 If you like the venue while you are on the tour, ask what dates they have available and see if you can place a soft hold. Usually, a soft hold is good for a couple of days or up to a week. If the venue happens to hold another tour and another couple is interested in your date you should expect to have first right of refusal and you are normally given 24 to 48 hours to decide whether you want to book that date or not with that venue. Otherwise, they will give the venue to the other couple for that date.

If you are ready to book, reach out to the venue coordinator and ask to create a contract. They normally will require your mailing address full name and a credit card on file. Expect to pay a small percentage of the overall fee as the retainer fee. Many venues are moving to online contracts and payments but some still do everything via paper.  This just depends on your venue. With a signed contract and your retainer fee  in place, your venue and date will be secured. Now you can move on to securing your other VIP vendors.

 A Few Other Considerations for Venues 

In light of COVID-19 we highly recommend that you ask each venue (really any vendor) what their postponement policy is. If they do not have a policy that is mutually favorable for you and the venue but it's only one-sided, we recommend not going with that venue. 

 If your venue comes with a wedding coordinator, know that they are really there as venue coordinators.  Their responsibility is to represent the venue well, not primarily the couple. 

There is a lot of confusion out there that a venue coordinator is a wedding coordinator and will provide the services for you the wedding planner would. Having been a venue coordinator before, I can speak that venue coordinator, while absolutely wanting to serve you well on your wedding day, their main priority is that of the venue.  They will not be responsible for setting up your decor, contacting all of your vendors beforehand, and do not help with any of the beforehand planning. They are truly there to make sure the venue is set up correctly with any items that they provide.  If there are any mishaps that happen with the venue during your wedding they will take care of that and will help run your wedding according to timeline. Most venue coordinators are there for the first part of your wedding and then will hand it off to another staff member to close your wedding down at the end of the night. There are many couples that do just fine with a venue coordinator only but if you are looking for more support, don’t look for that in a venue coordinator.  

I hope these tips have been helpful for searching for and securing your wedding venue. As always if you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to leave them below. 

How To Make A Wedding Guest List

Here are some helpful tools to help you curate your guest list.

Who Gets to Invite Guests to My Wedding?

Know that whoever is contributing to the wedding financially should be able to invite some guests. So if you and your parents are paying for your wedding it is customary to split the guest count amongst yourselves. However, if you are paying for the wedding on your own it is up to you whether you would like to allow your family to invite guests and how many they are allowed to or simply invite family only to your wedding.

Who Should I Invite to My Wedding?

Typically a guest list is comprised these categories calling

1. Your families

2. Your friends 

3. Your colleagues

Remember, this is your wedding and you do get to have the final say on who will be invited.

Should I Invite This Person to My Wedding?

I love this graphic breakfast traffic from brideandbreakfast.ph which will help you determine whether or not you should invite a person to your wedding. some basic things to help you consider whether you should invite a person or not are:

• Do you consider them a friend,?

• If they are friends do you feel they are really truly for you? Do they have their best your best interest in mind?

• Are they family?

• If so, are you close with them?

• How much interaction have you had with them in the past years?

• Will inviting this person make our wedding more fun?

• Can you afford to invite this guest to your wedding?

• Is there space for this person at my wedding?

There are certainly times when parents feel more strongly about inviting a guest then you do and so long as there would not be any emotional harm to having a guest at your wedding that is okay.

Lastly, remember that every venue has a max guest capacity so it is important to keep your invited guest list to within the contracted guest capacity for your venue.  The general rule of thumb when inviting guests is that anywhere from 60 to 80% of the total guess count will attend your wedding. If you are wanting to have a smaller wedding but wanted to invite a lot of people to be kind, you should anticipate the majority of them will be able to attend.

What should you what details should you gather about your guests when curating your guest list?

When you are putting together your guest spreadsheet, you will want to have their full names. They're mailing address, email, and their phone number. If they live out of the country make sure you have the proper zip code, too. Putting together your guest list can be a hefty task and I highly recommend dedicating some #weddingwednesdays for crafting your guest list. I have put together a free wedding guest list spreadsheet for you. Simply click on the button below to access yours. if the thought of gathering all of your guests contact information is overwhelming to you, consider asking your family to help you with this task. specifically, if each of your parents will be inviting guests, simply share the spreadsheet with them and ask them to fill in their own guests contact information.

Should I have an A-list, B-list, C-list?

Your A list will be the guests that will be invited to your wedding no matter what. Most often a B list is comprised of the guess that you would like to invite but the venue doesn’t have capacity for them to attend.  You would move to the B list after your A list guests have started rsvp'ing and you are receiving some No’s. Your B-list would not receive a save-the-date but would receive an invitation in a timely manner so that they can have ample time to RSVP for your wedding. Most couples do not have a C list, but if you do, your C list would be invited after your be list what's gone through and you realized you have room to invite the people on your see list.

Get your FREE Wedding Guest Spreadsheet here:

Have questions or need wedding planning help?

Leave a comment or send us an e-mail! We are happy to help!

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Date

With your ideal location squared away, nows the time to explore your ideal wedding date!  

Below are some helpful guidelines to determine the best date for your wedding:

Off-Season or On-Season Wedding?

You may or may not have heard, but in the event industry there is generally an off-season and on-season.  On-season is when most events take place, off-season is when we’re doing all the behind the scene work it takes to plan your event.  Generally speaking, on-season takes place during the warmer months when the weather is better to host gatherings.  Off-season generally takes place during the colder months when it’s not as fun to travel. 

Many clients ask if it’s really true to you can get a discount for an off-season wedding.  The answer is usually yes, but it’s not always a significant savings.  Maybe a savings of $1000 and that usually comes from the venue only. 

What Day of the Week Should I Book My Wedding For?

As you might have already known, Saturdays are the most popular day of the week to get married.  Next to that would be Fridays then Sundays.  Because Saturdays are the most popular days of the week, they cost the most.  Fridays and Sundays are usually around a grand less and a week day event is usually two grand less. 

If you are able to book a Saturday wedding, wonderful! If you are set on a venue that only has Fridays or Sundays available, don’t fret!  Your guests will be there for you and love a good reason to celebrate.  If you’re not too concerned on which day of the week you’d like to get married, week day weddings are exceptionally fun, too. 

Should I Book My Wedding on A Holiday Weekend?

If you love Christmas or 4th of July and want to get married on one of those dates, go for it!  There is usually a higher fee for you since it is a national holiday but those are great options since guests usually have extended holiday weekends then.  Do note that travel fees are usually higher around those dates.

Some holiday weekends that aren’t as popular?  Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, and Columbus Day. 

Should I Be Thinking About a Special Date for My Wedding?

Many couples will book their wedding near a sentimental anniversary date for them.  Maybe it’s the date you started dating or the the date he proposed?  If those are meaningful to you, then go for it!  Look for venues that have that date available. 

Maybe an anniversary date for your wedding isn’t too important but that year has a really fun date to remember.  For example, in 2020, 10/10/2020 is a very popular date.  In 2007, 07/07/07 was one of the most popular dates.  In 2021, one of the most popular dates will be 12/11/21.  If those dates are important to you, go for it but consider booking early!  These dates tend to be booked up fast. 

I hope these tips for choosing your wedding date were helpful.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment below or send an e-mail!

How To Choose Your Wedding Location

Once you’ve got your budget all figured out, it’s time to think about where you want to have your wedding?  

1. The geographical location: 

Geographically speaking is there a particular county, state, or city you want to get married in? Think of places you know are 100% off the list and then start browsing places that you’ve always wanted to visit.  

Some couples like to take their guests with them to a destination location and make the whole occasion a weekend or week to be remembered.  When looking at destination options, consider if you’re wanting to get away to a tropical beach, a European getaway, or the mountains. 

Others want to bring their loved ones to a location or destination that is sentimental to them,  Maybe there is a place that is sentimental to you love story.  Maybe your college town or the city you met in.  

Other couples are happy to have in their home town.  A place that’s special to one of them or both.

2.  Guest considerations:

Once you’ve narrowed your geographical locations, the next step is to consider your guests.  Does the location you’re thinking of have a nearby airport?  Is it easy to drive to?  Do they have local transportation for those flying in?  What kind of lodging do they have?  Will you be able to secure a room block for your guests?  Does that location have attractions for your guests?  If you’ve determined a home town location, these considerations really aren’t a concern.  Except for guests that are traveling to your home location and then you can provide a list of hotels and lodging options. 

3. Your venue:

Once you’ve determined where you’re going to get married geographically, it’s time to start looking at the different type of venue options you’d like to book for your wedding. There are many types of venue options available: 

1. Outdoor 

2. Indoor

3. Outdoor/Indoor

Then you need to consider: do you want a country club, restaurant, garden setting, barn wedding, winery, woodland feel, resort hotel, mountain wedding, ski resort, private estate, backyard wedding, a religious ceremony and reception elsewhere, a historical home?  The options are really limitless.  

Once you’ve narrowed down these options, the next steps are curating your guest list, choosing your date, and booking your venue!

Want to learn more?

Click here to sign up for new course, the Wedding Planning Lab

Should I Postpone My Wedding Due to Covid-19?

As the shelter in place orders continue to be extended, we're getting a lot of our clients in a lot of couples in general asking if they should consider postponing their wedding. to be sure, this is an unprecedented time to be engaged and plan anything let alone plan your wedding.

We’ll keep this short and sweet. if moving forward with your original date is giving you too much anxiety and stress I would like she would encourage you to consider reaching out to your clients starting with your Venue and seeing what their postponement policy is. Also start asking your venue what's alternate dates they may have available later this year or in 2021. Wedding planning is already a very stressful time . COVID-19 is adding an extra layer of stress. No one will fault you for wanting to postpone your wedding for the safety of your guess guests and your own sanity. Your family,  your guests, and your vendors all love you and want you to have the wonderful events that you've been planning. We will be there to celebrate with you whenever your wedding can take place. Do know that some vendors are requiring a postponement fee. It would also be a kindness to consider paying a portion of your remaining balance at the original due date to help cover their overhead for this year. 

To wrap it up, we love you and want you to stay safe and healthy as much as your loved ones and your guests.  That does include your mental and emotional health, too. 

Whether just to create a plan B (or plan C really), we encourage you to start exploring what postponement would look like to help ease the stress and anxiety layer that is here due to Covid-19. 

I’ve created a super helpful tool to help you keep track of your vendor communication and a tutorial on how to use it along with some other helpful tips. 

8 Reasons You Should Hire a Wedding or Event Planner

Raise Your Hand If This You:

a. You’re newly engaged (Congrats!) and not sure where to start with all your wedding planning. In fact, you’re feeling highly overwhelmed and super stressed out with all that has to happen before you walk down the aisle.  You’ve heard about wedding planners but not sure if hiring one is right for you.

b. You’ve been engaged for close to a year now, have a lot of your main wedding components figured out. But there are a few areas you’re still unsure of and a few you’ve got planned but want to confirm your plans seem right. You’re looking into hiring a wedding planner but are still on the fence.

c.  Your wedding is literally weeks away.  You’ve got everything planned and are considering asking Aunt Lucy to get together and go over your plans.  Your 50% positive this is a good idea but it may be better if you just hire a wedding planner.

We still hear of folks who get to their wedding day and don’t have a wedding planner or day of coordinator.  Regretfully, their story is told and now wish they’d invested in hiring someone other than their Aunt, Best Man, or DJ to ensure all the details happen smoothly and any Day-of mishaps or emergencies are put out quickly.

1. Information:

And we’re talking two types of information here.  #1:  Your wedding planner knows the ins and outs of the wedding industry and should be able to educate you on things like current day wedding etiquette, what a ceremony processional is, and what the going rate is for wedding florals or a Photo Booth these days.  #2:  That person is going to have ALL the information day of.  When anyone has questions day of, they’ll be going to your wedding planner, NOT your maid of honor, to answer their question, thus alleviating stress and worries from any of your close loved one.

2. Connections:

A good wedding planner will be able to make some awesome recommendations for you on any vendors you may still be needing.  In fact, they very likely have a whole slew of personal vendor referrals they can make because they’ve seen these vendors do amazing work first hand!  If they can’t find one that fits your requirements with in their immediate network, they should have access to a much bigger resource of recommendations they can find those referrals from.

3. Cost Reduction:

Maybe you’ve got a particular allowance to stick with or maybe you’re able to allocate an unlimited amount of funds to your wedding.  Regardless your situation, your wedding planner will be able to help you make the most of your available resources and even be able to help you find ways to keep those estimated costs!

Kayla Adams Photo

4. Avoids Hassle, Reduces Effort, + Saves Time:

A good wedding planner is going to have an amazing system in place to ensure a smooth wedding planning process for you True, there can always be stress with wedding planning especially since there’s a lot for our brides and grooms to decide! But with a wedding planner, the hassle, effort and time needed to be spent are reduced significantly as they’ve already found the most efficient ways to plan a wedding.

5. Simplifies + Organize:

Similar to the last point, your wedding planner should have a cut an amazing organization system all set up before you even inquire with them.  When you hire your wedding planner, you’ll be amazed at how much simpler the planning process is than you thought it’d be and how organized everything is.

6. Reduces Anxiety By Reducing Risk:

Yep, you heard that right.  You don’t have to stress as much because you’re plans are being made by a professional planner; someone who’s had a lot of experience planning weddings (+ maybe even events!) and can ensure that your wedding day plans and logistics are happening in the most foolproof way.  And, if there is a chance of risk (can we say outdoor wedding + summer downpour? Yep, been there, seen that.) You can rest assured that your wedding planner has taken that chance into account and thought of Plan A, B, and C.  This might be a good place to point out that it hiring a wedding planner not only reduces YOUR anxiety + stress but can also reduce the stress + anxiety of those near and dear to you (say mom, aunts, bridal party, and close friend) because they don’t have to worry about all those logistics and plans day of.  They only have to be present, be their beautiful selves, and enjoy the beautiful day.

7. Fun/Entertaining:

Didn’t think that hiring a wedding planner goes with fun/entertaining?  Well, it does actually!  Because all the hassle, effort, time, anxiety, + risk has been reduced therefore alleviating a ton of that stress, your emotions are that much freer to enjoy the wedding planning process.  Furthermore, your wedding planner knows how to make the wedding planning process (can we say planning meetings over a glass of beer/wine at a coffee shop?) And all the fun vendor meetings + tastings where you learn more about what you like and all that delicious cake and food you get to try.  All that is just a little bit fun, you know?  Day of, if you’re wanting to bring the fun to your party your wedding planner will be able to either help make your dreams happen OR be able to create a really fun environment for you and your guests to enjoy.

8. Design+ Attractiveness:

A good wedding planner should be able to help bring your vision to life in the most aesthetically appealing way.  We often have brides come to us with their design vision needing just a little bit of reassurance or a lot a bit of help needed to make their dream happen.  We also have those brides who need help creating the design/theme of their wedding.  And guess what?  Your wedding planner should be more than able to help you design the wedding of your dreams.

Okay, and just a few more reasons you should hire a wedding planner:

1. They’re not your mom, sisters, or best friends.  We get it, it’s so much fun to have all the ladies in your life come together to help you plan your big day.  And they’ll probably be so excited to help, too!  But it’s super nice to have someone who isn’t so close to you that will be able to hear your visions and dreams objectively and who’ll be able to ensure they’ll happen the way you’ve dreamed. Not your mom or best friends way.

2. They’re a professional.  Your wedding planner takes their job seriously and is constantly educating themselves in industry best practices, networking with vendors, and growing themselves all so that they can serve you better.  For us wedding planners, we kind of geek out on all the above because we love what we do but do it because we LOVE serving YOU (no rhyme intended).Ridgewood Films

Most wedding planners offer a handful of different services so you can choose one that will most fit your needs.  So hiring a wedding planner should be an easy decision for you.

But if you’re still on the fence about whether you should hire a wedding planner, give me a ring or send an e-mail.  We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.

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Tips for Finding Your Photographer

Wondering The Best Way To Find Your Wedding Photographer?  

Photos Are A Big Part Of Your Wedding Day. These Photos Capture Everything About Your Wedding From The Ceremony To The Decor, From The Guests To The Emotions And Expressions On Their Face. Picking Out Just The Right Photographer To Capture Your Day In The Way You Want Can Be Hard. Here Are Some Tips On How To Pick Out The Right Photographer For You And Your Fiance.

Style: What Style(S) Do You Specialize In? How Would You Describe Your Photography Style?

There are many different styles of photography. Before you begin researching photographers, you’ll need to first decide what type of photography style you prefer, as that will help determine which kind of photographer you’ll want shooting your wedding. Some photographer styles are the following:

• Documentary

• Portraiture

• Fine Art

• Edgy and Bold

• Dark and Moody

When should I book my photographer?

It is never too early to start looking. Photographers are one of your VIP Vendors so they should be booked pretty early in your wedding planning process.

Search photographers near you and start browsing their website and portfolio. If you are interested in them, contact them and see if they have your date available. When to book your photographer will depend on a few different factors such as the following:

• Is your wedding around a holiday? If so, photographers can be extra busy, so booking as soon as you know you want them to shoot your big day is a good idea.

• Is your wedding on a weekend or a weekday? Weekends are very popular for weddings, therefore photographers tend to be busier on the weekends.

The earlier the better to book a photographer, as they can be booked out months away.

Research/Setting Up Interviews:

Once you have an idea of what kind of photos you like, you can start to research the photographers around you. If you like what you see on their website, contact them to see if they are available on your wedding day. If they are, ask to meet up with him. It is hard to make a decision like this just based on their website portfolio. You must meet potential photographers in person and see if you click with each other. Below are a few questions to ask:

1. Will the photos be retouched and color balanced? Is that done before I see the proofs?

2. How many weddings have you shot and how many do you do in a year? Also, what’s your favorite part of a wedding dayKayla Adams Photo

   and time of year to shoot?

3. Have you ever shot at *venue name* before?

4. Do you shoot both digital and film?

5. What is included in your packages?

6. How many hours of coverage do we get? What is the charge for overtime?

7. What is the deposit and total fee?

8. Will you be my actual photographer or will it be one of your associates?

9. Do you have backup photographers who will shoot the wedding if you’re sick?

10. Will there be a second shooter or any assistants? If so, is there an additional fee for each?

11. How long will it take us to receive the photos?

12. Will you follow a shot list?

13. What are the restrictions for sharing photos online?

When you meet with a wedding photographer have an idea of what you are envisioning for your wedding. It would also be helpful if you had a list of the types of pictures you want from your wedding so the photographer can get a feel for your style as well. Don’t be afraid to convey to the photographer what you are looking for!

Follow me on Pinterest for Wedding Photography Shotlist Inspiration!

https://www.pinterest.com/marcellacamille/bride-groom-portraits/

Tips for Choosing Your Ceremony Songs

An important part of planning a wedding includes picking music to fill the air during your special day! You get to tastefully create the atmosphere, mood, and theme by choosing a musician or DJ that fits your style.

Here Are A Few Pointers To Help You Decide This Important Detail:

DJ Or Musician?

WIth many different options when it comes to music, two popular options are DJ’s or musicians. Either choice can make your day incredibly special, it just depends on your preference. If you choose to go with a musician, think about booking an individual/group sooner rather than later, since their schedules can be full up to 12 months in advance (crazy, right?). It may take some time to find the right one, but this is an important process! With so many genres of music available and instrument combinations, make sure your option reflects your taste in music and the atmosphere you wish to create for the ceremony.

Wedding Ensembles

There are many types of musicians you can hire for a wedding, including soloists, a duo, trio, or quartet of instruments or a live band. Some common choices are guitarists, pianists, violinist, cellist, or combining two to three of these instruments. These combinations can provide a fuller sound for your ceremony.

Background Research

Background research is a vital part of choosing your musician or DJ. Videos of their work can show you their style, sound, and give you an idea of what to expect on your special day. In addition, look at costs for all of your options. There is a wide price range, but every couple can find a music choice that matches their budget and taste. Musicians and DJ’s can range from $300-$1500 based on experience and package details. Some of these details include how long you want them to stay at the venue. The cost may vary depending on if you’d like them there for the ceremony only, or for an all-night extravaganza. In addition, think about having a conversation to include unique songs you want them to play. Dream a little bit, and don’t be afraid to personalize your music selection so you can walk down the aisle to your favorite song. Most groups will be more than willing to accommodate special requests… this is your day after all!

Okay, that’s a lot of details but doing the research will be worth it! Your first decision is to choose between a DJ or a musician, and from there think about the atmosphere you’d like to create. Make sure it reflects your taste, and add some personality to the music choices they offer. When personalizing a musician option, listen for instrument combinations that sound well together and research groups that match your criteria. The logistics of cost, package selection and time at the venue are important details to figure out, but once they are set you will feel relief! Enjoy the process and you’ll be left with a lively, full, music experience on your wedding day.

And to hep you make sure you’ve got all the songs you need, click the link below to get your Free Must Have Wedding Songs List!

Want a Free Must Have Wedding Songs Form?