This is an article I wrote for Sussex County Woman / Worcester-Wicomico Woman Magazine. I am their photographer and contributing writer when I feel inspired.
The time between the holidays and Valentine’s Day are a popular time for guys to “pop the question.” Whether it’s a Christmas present, a New Year’s surprise (that’s what I did), a romantic ski or Caribbean vacation, or the ever popular Valentine’s Day gift, men seem to get inspired to propose this time of year. Let’s face it, not all of us are as creative as those who dream up intricate plots to create a memorable event. I will say that I have photographed two actual proposals and both relied on some pretty advanced planning and creative, ahem, lying.
If you do find yourself suddenly engaged, it’s never too early to begin planning, and there are numerous resources on the Internet to help you out. It’s also a good idea to seek professional help. With busy schedules, a wedding coordinator can be a HUGE help. There are a few things you need to think about (and it’s a good idea to consult with your fiancé too) before getting to the details. First and foremost, you need to decide when and where you will have the wedding and reception. May, June, September, and October are the busiest months for weddings in this area and many of the best venues book more than a year in advance for Saturdays in these months.
Once you have your ceremony and reception locations picked and the date locked in, you can start deciding on the other details. I’ve found that couples usually find a photographer next. Of course, some people plan their wedding around the availability of their favorite photographer too! It all depends on what is most important to you.
When looking for a photographer, there are almost infinite considerations but the most important one is the quality of their work. Many of the popular wedding planning websites suggest viewing full weddings done by the photographer. This is important because just about anyone can come up with one or two impressive photos from a wedding, but can they do this for every aspect of the wedding? Looking at a complete wedding allows you to see what a photographer does throughout the day and gives you a broader picture of what their style is. Experience plays an important factor as well. In the digital photography age, there are a lot of people who try doing weddings. It’s best to hire someone with experience and skill to capture such a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Photographic styles can be broken down into three categories- traditional, photojournalistic, and a hybrid of the two that is sometimes called editorial. Traditional photographers pose most of the photographs they take, sometimes interrupting the flow of the event by asking the couple to stop so they can get a photo. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the photojournalist style. A true photojournalistic wedding photographer will not pose any photos, but captures images throughout the day in a more candid manner. Many photographers use a combination of both styles in order to capture the wonderful candid moments and emotion of the day along with the time-honored formals of the wedding party, families, etc. Look at several photographers and see what styles fit you the best.
Viewing the photographer’s website is only part of the selection process. It’s important to meet the photographer in person to make sure your personalities match well. This person is going to be spending anywhere from four to ten hours with you on your wedding day, so you want to like this person and be comfortable around them.
Before meeting with the photographer, plan ahead. Chances are, you’ve never been married before, so go online and look for questions you should be asking. You will probably find something you haven’t thought of before. You’ll want to know what their prices are, obviously, but also what comes with the wedding packages. How long will they be there? Is an album included? Do they have backup equipment? Have they photographed at the location where your wedding and reception will be? What happens if they have an emergency and can’t make it to your wedding? Do they offer a dvd of the wedding photos? How much they charge for reprints? All these are good starting points, but decide what will be important to you. Consider asking your recently married friends what they asked, or wish they’d asked, their photographer.
Once you decide on a photographer, make sure you get a contract. This protects both YOU and the photographer and clearly identifies exactly what you will be included in your wedding package and what you will be paying. You want to make sure there are no surprises before, during, or after the wedding!
Once you have your date, ceremony location, reception venue, and photographer, you can start planning the rest of the wedding! Ask your photographer and the coordinator at the venue for recommendations. They’ll know the best florists, djs, videographers, and limo services because they get to see all or most of the wedding day. The sooner you book things, the higher the likelihood that you will get the best service and the vendors you most want to work with.
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