Wedding Tips & Tricks

I love e-sessions. They are right up there with shooting a wedding for me - simply one of my favorite things to do.

What I love so much is the simplicity of an e-session; the passion and sometimes nervous excitement that comes when they realize this photo session is in preparation for the day they've both been waiting for.

I get to witness that - and better yet, I get to capture it. That's why I love photographing e-sessions.

And because I love them, and shoot them often, I've garnered a few tips and tricks along the way - things I've learned that help a couple enjoy and benefit the most out of our time together.

Here they are:

• Sleep! Get lots of rest the night before your session.
  
• Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water a few days before your session.
  
• I highly recommend wearing something that you're both comfortable in, that makes you feel like yourselves.
  
• Also, choose colors you love; bright and bold often work well with the camera, especially when paired with a huge smile that shows you feel like yourself in what you're wearing.
• Keep the location in mind as you decide what to wear - if we're in a natural setting you may get a little dusty or slightly dirty as we shoot; if we're near water you may get a little wet (maybe); if we're in the city, we may be doing a bit of walking...which leads me to the next point:
  
• Wear shoes that work for the location(s) we're shooting in. It goes a long way in keeping you comfortable and relaxed!
  
• If you're wearing patterns, choose ones that compliment each other; horizontal stripes aren't always as flattering in camera, even if they look great on you.
• Typically I recommend having some color, or adding colorful accessories to a white top - it tends to really compliment your e-session photos and sets them apart from your wedding day photographs.
• Lastly, when couples match with similar hues or shades of a coordinating color pattern it looks great - but you don't have to perfectly match to look good together! :)

And finally, if you ever have questions on what to wear or anything else regarding your session - talk to me! Shoot over an email or give us a ring - we're here to serve you and help your session be the first of many amazing wedding memories to come. ;)

Got a great tip or trick? Leave a comment!


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Shopping for a Wedding Dress

Thursday, on our 4th anniversary, I got to go wedding dress shopping with my good friend Sheryl (Ade's mom) for her upcoming wedding this September.

It was a wonderful experience! We had a lot of fun finding dresses for her and seeing how beautiful she looked. Ade kept saying, "You're pretty momma." It was precious.

At the end of the day we ended right back at the first store, where she picked the first dress she tried on at Shin Bu Bridal (my new favorite bridal store by the way).

One thing I learned on this excursion is that although fashion tips/advice can be helpful, it's not always 100% right. I had a gut feeling that a certain cut would work fabulously with her awesome curves, but several stores almost refused to let her try any on because of her petite frame. I thought that was pretty ridiculous, and it was one of the many reasons I fell in love with the staff and designer at Shin Bu - they encouraged her to try everything and never criticized any question. They're attitude was completely, "Whatever you want, we can provide." At the end of the day, I had a lucky guess you might say, because one of the non-traditional cuts for petites won out over the traditional petite cuts. ;)

Here are a few images from the adventure - note, I had to edit out a couple that I loved because I don't want to spoil the mystery of her wedding day dress. I'll just let you know it's gorgeous. ;)

If you like what you see, please leave a comment!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Take Some Time.

Wedding season isn't even in full swing and I can feel it already.

The details, schedules, flowers, dates, fittings, pick ups, deliveries - it goes on.

What I want to talk about tonight is not the fact that planning a wedding is a huge (and equally wonderful) thing, we all know that. The part I want to address is that "it goes on," and on, and on part.

Right now in our lives we're learning the importance of taking a Sabbath every week; and for extended periods of time throughout our life.

Sabbath is defined as:

1 a: the seventh day of the week observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship by Jews and some Christians b: Sunday observed among Christians as a day of rest and worship 2: a time of rest

It's that second of the two definitions that applies to us all.

I'm encouraging all you planning brides and grooms-to-be to take a break. At least once a week, take a night (or entire day if you're daring) off from wedding planning. Tomorrow will always be there to get done whatever was unfinished from the night before.

"But I have sooo much to do!" I don't doubt it; scouts honor.

Life, and God, are teaching me that no matter what I think I can get done, if I don't pause to take a break I'm not really getting as much done as I think. Whether from exhaustion, or whatever else weighing on a person, rest is important. Rest revitalizes, recharges and prepares for the next day/task/event ahead.

And the last thing anyone wants is to get so exhausted they are too tired, or sick, to enjoy the honeymoon.

So, I'll leave you with this: take just an afternoon, to start, with your fiance. Go out and leave the planning binder at home. Get some coffee together, or enjoy a dinner out and take time to remember why you're putting yourselves through all this wonderful work. Recharge your relationship with a date.

Now, go - enjoy one another!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Okay, I confess. It's been a little longer than a week since my last "tip or trick" post. But, alas, here you go. :)

I've been reading this great book my good friend gave me called, The Good Girls Guide to Negotiating. Despite it's business application, the other morning I realized that a portion of it is super applicable for brides-to-be!

The portion that caught my attention was about how others influence our decisions - yet they live without the consequences. The book referenced making a large purchase; not unlike when planning your wedding you're making several large investments, for your venue, photographer and dress, to name a few.

Well, when others give their input there's no cost to them. And yet often we (and I'm no exception here) let their opinions sway us to the point of making bad or unwise decisions. Does this always happen? No. Are they trying to ruin us (financially)? No.

The point is, though, that we need to give a grain of salt when friends or family decide to give input to our lives (solicited or not). Why? Because we're the ones footing the bill.

So, when you're mother, maid of honor or future mother-in-law give you their sage advice about how to spend your wedding budget it's okay to say, "Thank you!" and then move forward in what you know is a direction of peace.

Let their advice roll around your mind just long enough to test and see if it "fits." If it doesn't - let it roll on out. Should anyone give you any grief for not using their words of wisdom, kindly remind them it's your money (or if you're not as subtle, ask them if that's an offer to pay for the service they're recommending?). :)

Most of all - take a deep breath and follow the path of peace in your planning!


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Plans

Tonight I re-learned that plans change. And sometimes there's absolutely nothing we can do about it.

A free evening often leads me to wander to the local coffee hang out (with free wi-fi). So like other nights with no plans in mind, I wandered.

I arrived to the perfect setting: an only moderately full room, soft soulful music playing in the background and one of the prime seating arrangements wide open with my name on it. Perfect.

To preserve my area of solace I set down my rather large purse to mark my territory.

While I was in line ordering my favorite regular, non-fat, no sugar added mocha drink, two older gentlemen walked in and staked claim at the two unoccupied chairs in my area. They did not take the hint my large purse was so desperately trying to make - leave me alone. The message was lost in translation.

Despite the inconvenience, I must say, as soon as I got over my issues I relaxed and enjoyed listening to their conversation (sitting near one another at the same table is fair game for eaves dropping).

Plans are funny things. We can quickly, and often without awareness become so attached to them. And possibly without good reason.

My husband is Mr. Adaptable. He lives interruption, because to him it's only an invitation into an unexpected adventure. What a fun way to look at things.

Wedding days can often get interrupted with the uninvited (guest, detail, last minute decision or change). The best thing you can do in the moment of intrusion is take a deep breath, let it out and smile - not because you have to be excited about the change - rather because if you let it the unexpected can become an adventure.

Let the beginning of your biggest adventure yet be one of excited anticipation and flexibility. You won't regret it.



(posted from mobile)

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

It Never Hurts to Ask

I grew up in a home where the idea, "It never hurts to ask," prevailed. It was just common place to ask for what was desired.

Oddly enough, many time it resulted in actually getting what we wanted. Not in a selfish yucky way - but in a sincere request resulting in a sincere delivery of what was asked.

Now, it wasn't full proof - I did learn that as well - but more often than not it turned out positively, even if the answer was no.

In my younger years I often asked, "What if?" (also prevalent in my home growing up), but what I've learned more recently is if you're going to ask, "What if?" and let it stop you from moving in a direction that might otherwise be healthy or just enjoyable you need to answer that question.

Q: "What if I ask for a discount and the vendor says no?"
A: "They may say no - if they do then at least I'll have tried!" :)

That's the goal.

So, what does all this have to do with wedding planning? Take a chance, ask for what you really want. As my dad used to say, "Ask and you just might receive."


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Have the Wedding of Your Life

The cake, the flowers, the DJ, the coordinator, the caterer, the photographer - the list goes on. People calling you, expecting details and answers to questions you didn't yet know existed. The job of "bride-to-be" feels never ending.

It's so easy to let the excited little girl inside you slip away under the mountain of to-do lists.

So how do you get the wedding of your dreams planned without nearly going crazy? How do you enjoy this time with your soon-to-be-husband without fighting more now than you ever have?

The obvious answers jump out: prioritize, categorize, organize and outsource. Not bad ideas or plans, but incomplete in and of themselves.

Yes, those are helpful ways to get it done. But I'm talking about getting back the dreamy excitement you had when you were age seven (or 12 or 25). How do you get her to resurface?

Part one of the answer may seem too simple: dream.

The answer to the chaos is to dream. Let yourself slip into the wonderland of mile high cakes and pretty bridesmaid's dresses. Wander in a land of garden ceremonies and twinkle lit dinner receptions. But don't get lost, yet, there's still part two of the answer.

Reconnect with your first love, then take him on the journey with you.

Plan a night to reminisce over your engagement, your courtship or the start of this adventure you two have set upon. As you do actively seek to discover what you both look forward to about the day it all comes together. You'll soon find that even though he could care less if there were pink roses or star gazer lilies in your center pieces, he may deeply care that during the ceremony you two take communion together or that the rings be exchanged in unique and meaningful way.

As you find common ground, take note of where you land together then make a list (yes, there is a list involved) and focus your time and energy on the things that matter most to you both. You may discover a united excitement of choreographing your first dance together that would have been missed under the pile of other details that don't mean quite as much to you. Hand the rest of those details to a trusted source - a coordinator or your maid of honor. You can do it. And if you do, I promise that the most important day of your life will a day you treasure forever - before it, during and forever after.

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Interview with a Photographer

I love this time of year. I get to meet so many wonderful engaged couples who are planning weddings for the upcoming year. Stories of how they met, details of their wedding days and descriptions of exactly how he proposed are so wonderful to hear.

What I do get asked quite often is not how many pages are in my standard album or do I shoot Nikon or Canon - but most often the bride or groom-to-be ask, "What should I be asking you?"

Often times I guide them towards discussions about scheduling or how to choose an album or our turn around times, but I think this would be an appropriate place to provide a little guidance to those searching, before the meeting, on what to ask your potential wedding photographer.

*How do we book you for our date?
*How many hours of coverage should I book for my wedding?
*What if my event is out of town or lasts several days?
*What if I want you to stay longer than what we've contracted?
*When should we schedule our engagement session?
*Why would I want two photographers for my wedding?
*How much time should I allow for formal photographs?
*What Happens if you become ill?
*If I’ve purchased my negatives, or if they're included, will I receive my engagement negatives, too?
*Do you edit my photographs? If yes, to what extent?
*Why do you choose the images for my album?
*What if we want to make changes to our album design?
*What if I have more questions?


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Getting the Most from Your Portraits

Do you find yourself drooling over fabulous photographs of couples playing in fountains, rolling in the waves or in creatively inspired locations? Wondering how you, too, can get amazing photographs like this on your wedding day?

Great! Here are a few helpful hints:

*Schedule plenty of time in your wedding day to take creative portraits. Being skilled and seasoned in working with various amounts of time, we create beautiful works of art of you and your new spouse; however, the best results - often the ones you see on our website or blog - are created when the couple schedules at least 20-minutes of time to capture moments of the couple alone.
*Talk with your photographer before your wedding day about what you'd like from your scheduled alone time.
*Be sure to give your location and schedule information to your photographer in well in advance. This allows the photographer to plan out your time, so the spontaneous moments between you and your spouse can take place in an ideal location.

Another great way to capture those amazing photographs of you and your new spouse is to schedule a "Day After" session. These sessions are typically taken the day after your wedding nearby your hotel, or room accommodations. "Day After" shoots can take place nearby or at a destination and can be casual, romantic, fun, clean or dirty (ie. the sand near the ocean type of locations); sessions typically last 1-3 hours.

Talk to us today about scheduling your "Day After" session to get the most out of your wedding photography!



Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

The Anatomy of a "Shot List"

Misnomers surround the wedding photography term: "shot list." Martha Stewart is once again the culprit at large.

Except this time, she's not the only one. Characters like "The Knot," "Wedding Bells" or "In Style Weddings" are just as guilty of misguiding so many brides in search of wisdom and guidance. These magazines, and their web counterparts, often offer their readers a piece of advice in the form of a list - a page one can detach - and share with their photographer so that every "great" wedding photograph ever taken can be reproduced at their own wedding.

Sadly, the information - and the manner in which it's provided - is often misleading for brides that have spent the time and money to hire professional photographers. These lists offer a guarantee that unfortunately strips away the creative vision they hired their photographer for, replacing it with manufactured moments.

Now, that being said - for some who've opted for a non-professional, friend or family photographer these lists find their use. They provide guidance for the novice or amature and structure for capturing interesting moments throughout the day.

For those that have gone the professional route the best thing you can do before, or even after, hiring your photographer is to talk about how they will meet your requests for the formal portraits and their process for capturing your day. Questions are a great way to clarifying expectations - so ask away! If you're satisfied with the answer - then leave Martha on the coffee table.

You've made an investment into hiring this person for the skill, creativity and personality you saw in their portfolio (without the list) - now let them maximize their talents for your big day!

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Timing is everything: Pre-Ceremony Scheduling Tips

It's the big day. All of your planning, preparation and excitement - it's finally happening. Your getting ready to pose for pictures, but where's your ring bearer?

Yes, despite every hour you've poured into every detail of timing, something (or someone) is bound to run outside of your delicately planned schedule.

In light of lateness, here are a few great tips I've learned over the years about preparing for pre-ceremony tardiness:

*Someone always runs late.
*Your hair/makeup will take 60-minutes longer than you've been told.
*As the bride you must stay with your dress the entire day (don't let someone else deliver it for you). :)
*Smiles don't come as easy when nerves start fluttering, so plan your pre-ceremony photos to end at least 45-minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Prepare by padding in an extra hour, account for travel delays and most importantly - remember, they can't start without you.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Associate ~ Second Shooter ~ Assistant

Today I want to bring up a topic, often of great confusion, for brides and grooms to be. Photographers use terms like "assistant," "second shooter," or "associate photographer" frequently without defining what this technical jargon means to their couples.

So, here we go!

Associate - an associate, or partner, photographer is generally someone the principal (or main photographer; the one whose name is on the business) has trained up in their style of photography. The associate photographer may also be available to photograph your wedding at a reduced rate from the principle photographer's rate; a partner photographer may be available to photograph your wedding, but often at the same rate as the principle since they are considered equals, rather than having the apprentice type of relationship.

Second Shooter - this person is along for the day. The second shooter acts just like the principle photographer on your wedding day, by photographing similarly. Often times one may cover the cocktail hour while the other is photographing the formals. The second shooter is important in providing a fuller perspective of coverage at your wedding.

Assistant - the job of the assistant is to primarily assist the photographer. This may include getting/moving gear, arranging people for the formal portraits, holding lights or reflectors, setting up reception slide shows and more. Generally, the assistant will not be taking any photos at your wedding.

Well, I hope this has helped provide a little clarity! As always, if you have other questions - feel free to leave them in a comment.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Save the Date Cards

According to Wikipedia, a Save the Date card is "similar to an invitation and is mailed up to one year before the wedding date. Save the dates simply announce that the wedding date has been set and encourages recipients to plan for the event. It is not used as a substitute for the wedding invitation and typically mentions that an invitation will follow. The save the date can also allow you to let guests know what area of the country the wedding will be held."

Last week I was chatting with my sister-in-law, Jessica, about which engagement photo to use for their Save the Date postcard that I designed (a new service we offer). I have always seen the value of such a card - especially when out of town guests are involved - but Jessica said something I hadn't considered before.

"And it will help us check our address list."

It was that simple - and yet it was the first time I heard this phenomenal idea - to send out a Save the Date card to check your guest list addresses and correct any problems before sending out your wedding invitations.

So, all of you genius brides have probably already figured this out - but just in case any of you, like me, never considered the brilliance of this idea - here you go. Enjoy!

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

The anatomy of the engagement shoot.

This week I want to talk about engagement sessions. We offer them standard in all of our packages; unfortunately many couples don't initially know why or what the point (or importance) is of having one of these sessions.

When you arrive on your wedding day to get ready, you'll already be comfortable with having a camera around (something that isn't probably normal in your day-to-day) and you'll know exactly what to expect from me. You won't be wondering if I'm going to jump in your face with a super wide lens at any given moment (which I don't, by the way) because you'll have already experienced what it's like to work with me.

Technically put: e-sessions (engagement sessions) allow me to see how you as an individual and a couple react behind the camera. It let's me see how comfortable, or nervous, you are, as well as if you're a performer or may need a little direction. The results from this information are stunning wedding day images!

In addition, if I know and have seen that you're perhaps a little nervous at first, I'll be prepared to stay back a little longer than I normally might on your wedding day - just to give you room to breathe and readjust.

Not only are there amazing benefits for your wedding day images by doing an e-session, but these shoots are so much fun. Just ask any of our couples who've done one so far - better yet, check out these slide shows from recent sessions!

Bryan & Ashley at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach
Evan & Nicole at Santiago Oaks Park in Orange

The next question most often asked pertaining to engagement sessions is, "What should I wear?" Well, here's my philosophy on e-session clothing:

Wear something that you're comfortable in. Wear something that is "you." Wear colors that flatter you. Stay away from busy patterns or white/ivory tops.

I like to photograph couples as naturally as possible, so for some that might be a blazer and slacks; for others that's jeans and a t-shirt. What ever it is for you two - go with it!

The only other tip is - if we're shooting in a natural environment (ie. the beach or woods) wear clothes that work with that environment. So be prepared to stand in the sand/waves at the beach, and wear shoes that you can maneuver in if we're in the woods.

Well I hope that clears up any mysteries about why e-sessions are so fabulous! Don't forget to schedule yours as early as possible!

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

:: Sorry, the SNL Clip of Steve Martin's "Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford" was removed by YouTube ::

Okay, this tip is inspired by a recent business seminar. The above video is a funny clip that proves the point (which my husband often reminds me): don't spend what you don't have.

Now this can be a tricky principle when planning your dream wedding. So here's a game plan for getting what you want without getting into debt.

1) Make a list of what's most important to you about your wedding day. Is it your dress? Your photography (hint, hint)? Take a moment to define what your wedding priorities are.

2) Make a list of what will last beyond the big day. In addition to your marriage, what will you take away with you to remember your wedding bliss? Will it be your bouquet, the centerpieces, a wedding album? Take a few moments to define this list as well.

3) Compare and contrast. Take both lists and go through each item. If wedding cake made the important list - then cross check it against the what will last list. Did it make it onto both? As you cross-list what's important and what will last, take note of the items that are on both lists. These are your wedding priorities.

4) Budget. Now figure out what you have to spend for your wedding. Calculate any money coming in from family or other friends into your budget. Assign the most money to those few things that are most valuable and work down from there. You might be surprised how affordable your wedding can be!

5) Take action. Take the money you plan to spend for your wedding and put it in a high-yield savings account or a short term CD. Earn money on your money! Maybe that interest will fund the vintage car, instead of the limo you have budgeted.

The most important part of this plan is simply that: having a plan. People are less likely to spend too much on something they don't truly care about when there's a plan. So make your wedding plan your New Year's resolution. :)

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the clip.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Family. Yup, that's it - the whole tip of the week summed up in one word.

This time of year typically brings about more than one opportunity to spend time with those we care about, whether its your actual family or a group of people that have become closer than family.

My advice to you is to take a little time off from all of the planning and decisions to be made, and spend that time with those you care about.

As some of you know, the week of Thanksgiving I took the entire week off (gasp! I know). And I'm so glad I did; it was a refreshing time to relax and recharge. In fact, it was so wonderful I plan to do the same for the week of Christmas.

I learned an important lesson though - all of the "to do lists" and emails to send and decisions to make we're all patiently waiting for me when I returned. The world didn't explode because I didn't check voice mail for seven days.

So I challenge you to do the same - maybe you don't have the luxury of taking a week off from work - but I challenge you just the same to retire your planning guide for a least a day or two to enjoy spending time with those around you.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

What a week! What am I saying? What a month!

We've been blessed to be busy these past few months with a lot of exciting couples and photography related opportunities.

After surviving this season it's really made me think about what made it all possible. It all comes down to this: communication.

As I reviewed the weddings, engagement sessions and other meetings or tasks associated with running our business it dawned on me that the key to staying organized is...(drum roll please)...communication.

Yup, it's that simple.

My schedule was pretty hectic - but by keeping really open lines of communication with our couples and clients things ran super smoothly (even when unexpected curve balls came our way). I got in the habit of emailing our couples or clients a few weeks before the wedding or session date to clarify all the details: where, when and what time.

I found that by clarifying all the particulars ahead of time it relieved stress not only from me, but for my couples. They were more confident of what would be happening on the shoot date and allowed them to further relax and be themselves (which are key ingredients of a great photograph!).

So thank you for supporting my "crazy communication" and by participating to make your sessions spectacular!

Advice in a nutshell: communicate back with your photographer and ask lots of questions! The more you ask, and the more you talk about the details the better (and simpler) your day will run.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Good Monday morning everyone!

I can't believe it's almost November. This year has flown by amazing fast - but I guess that can happen in a busy year.

But on to this week's topic/tip. In the past I have felt a little weird bringing this up with my clients; but I've learned that the topic of "feeding your photographer" is a necessary evil, and I know this from experiencing my own wedding.

It never crossed my mind that in my ever growing guest count I needed to add two more guests that I had rudely forgotten: our photographers. Luckily our photographer was nice enough to gently remind me before the big day that both he and his assistant would need to be fed.

Now that I'm on the other side of the wedding, it's ever such a wonderful thing, after shooting for five to six ours, to be fed and re-hydrated.

I decided to make this our tip for the week after reading this article from the WPJA. If you need a laugh I strongly encourage you to read the point of view of the starving artist at the above link.

Since I know most of you are probably thinking, "Well, duh - of course I thought of that!" I'll let this post be short and sweet. I just want to leave those of you like myself, who are preoccupied with thousands of other important wedding details left to plan, one final reminder: please feed your photographer at the reception (and I'm sure the DJ would be appreciative as well).

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Last night I shot my friend, and former college roommates', wedding. Being at the union of these two wonderful people really taught me something about the weddings I photograph - I love knowing the couples I work with.

You see when I arrived at Sarah and David's wedding I already knew many of the people there, who arrived early to help setup. I was greeted with warm smiles and thoughtful "It's been a while, how are you?" greetings. The "moment catching" (aka. photo taking) began almost instantly as inside jokes and stories from the previous night's mishaps flew around the room. No awkward tense feelings arose as the "photographer" came in. None. Just old friends hanging out, and one happened to be taking a lot of pictures.

As I was later photographing Sarah as she was peaking around the corner to watch her friends practice their solo one last time, it struck me that I had been almost waiting for this moment. I noticed that Sarah, as usual, was so excited that her friend's would be singing at her wedding she couldn't help but bounce around with joy. So it was a natural response for her anticipation to spill over and cause her to peak for just a few moments as they practiced. I don't think it was luck that allowed me to catch that precious moment (and a few that followed). I believe it's because I'm friend's with Sarah.

And, because Sarah knew me, she was comfortable in expressing and responding to and in her excitement.

That's a moment you want to remember forever.

Knowing a person, or a couple, allows you to almost predict some of their most quirky or intimate emotional responses to situations. You can catch that glance across the room - or the knowing look of "I love you" - it becomes natural to anticipate a priceless exchange about to take place when you know who those people are.

Knowing the couples we work with also makes the wedding day that much more exciting. They know they can ask me for just about anything; and when I tell them it's time to go take their couples shots it's a moment their excited about.

So whether I've known you for five minutes, or five years, understand that my goal is to get to know you and your fiance so I can so truthfully and beautifully represent your love.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Wow! So last week's post on how to work with those around you to make your day fabulous went so well I'm venturing on to the second edition of this weekly blog post.

In today's editorial I want to talk about how to schedule enough time in your day to get the photos you want (and paid for).

It makes me so sad when a couple has invested so much time and money into finding the photographer they can't wait to work with, only to have enough time for a 5-minute session of just the two of you on your wedding day when you were probably hoping for so much more when you booked this amazing photographer.

Now, a skilled professional can do wonders even with only 5-minutes (I speak from experience), but I guarantee that a majority of the images you swooned over on their website were from weddings and couples that scheduled in time for their photos. So, how does a couple that's short on time "budget" for a lengthy photo-op session with their amazing photographer on the big day? Simple (but I make no promises on this being easy).

See Each Other Before the Wedding. Now I've been a long time advocate of not seeing one another before the ceremony - that's how we did it at our wedding - but I must say that there is an art to doing your portraits this way, and if successfully and artistically accomplished it can be a beautiful moment that you would have otherwise missed.

Here's how it works:

*Schedule your portraits to take place several hours before your ceremony (3-hours is comfortable). Meet your beloved at a designated place with just you two and your photographer. By meeting while your photographer is present you can capture an amazing moment in time - the groom seeing his bride for the first time, the bride seeing her groom all dressed up. And the best part? No one to interrupt this precious moment that you two share once in your lifetime (only your photographer present to document it all). Then take the rest of the hour, while you're still drinking in the moment, to take the rest of your photos together. No pressure, no tight schedules, no guests to mingle with from out of town.

*Schedule your bridal party to arrive a couple of hours before the ceremony. Meet up, all dressed up, and take the group photos at this time. Again, no pressure, no tight schedules - only time to get creative!

*Lastly, schedule your immediate family members to arrive about 1-hour before your ceremony. If there are any shots left before you have to get prepared for the ceremony those can now be taken after the ceremony, or later during the reception.

Now this plan takes a lot of preparation - making sure bridal party members and family know where and when to arrive ahead of time. And, here's the key, making sure you're ready on time! But if you plan for delays (trying telling your hair stylist and makeup artist you need to be ready one hour before you actually need to be ready) everything will run smoothly.

Not only will you get treasured photographs of you and your love seeing each other all dressed up for the first time, your wedding planner will thank you for not running 20-minutes behind due to family formals, and you'll be able to enjoy the presence of your friends and family during the cocktail hour and reception.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

So I'm starting a new thing. With my new schedule (yea freedom!) I'm all about new things lately; but I just ate some 71% Cocoa from Venezuela so we'll see how this goes.

I talk with so many different brides each week - some first timers, some getting married for the second time, some who don't have any time to plan to those who keep their binders with them constantly (you know who you are - I was one of you, too!).

But for all these different women, one thing remains pretty consistent - this is one, if not the, first wedding you've ever planned. Your biggest birthday party to date probably hasn't had as much detail or thought gone into it as this one day event in which you go from Ms. to Mrs. And rightfully so - this is a life changing day. It should be grand (albeit, not necessarily grandeur); whether large or small it should be meaningful to you and your Mr.

So how does one go about planning this once in a lifetime event? Simply.

How does one got about planning this once in a lifetime event simply? Find people you trust to help make it happen so you don't have to do it all.

So often the person you hire to do your cake, your hair, the DJ or your photographer (eh, 'em...such as yours truly) are FILLED with ideas, wisdom and a genuine willingness to help you ! Please ask us! That's why we're professionals - although we have not necessarily planned the entirety of a wedding hundreds of times, within our respective fields we've worked with and been a part of hundreds of weddings. We may even know how to do something you haven't hired us for just because we are consistently, and because we love, being at weddings.

Let me give you an example: just the other weekend I was with a couple and as they were getting ready to cut their cake they said out loud, "How are we supposed to do this?" Friends and family just stood there with the look of, "We have no idea," on their faces. So I was given the opportunity to lean in and quietly make a suggestion. They laughed and proceeded to have a glorious time at it.

So, as my files upload to Pictage for Wes and Tessa (see previous post for link to slide show), I urge you who are in the midst of planning - ask me. I may not always have the answer, but I'm sure willing to help you find it. :)


Blessings,
Christine Smith