6 THINGS WE WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOOUT MIAMI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
We can not say it enough, without a doubt that your wedding photos are going to be the BEST reminder of one of the most amazing days of your life. Long after the wedding cake is eaten, your wedding dress is put away in storage, and all your thank you notes are mailed out, your wedding photos are going to be what you look back on to relive all those sweet, fun, and joyous moments from when you said “I Do” to the partner of your dreams.
That’s why wedding photography is often one of the most important parts of a bride’s plans. But finding the right wedding photographers in a sea of talented artists can be overwhelming, and figuring out details like hours, style, and specific shots can be an exhausting addition to an already stressful day. Add on top of that the fact that your wedding photography will most likely be one of your biggest budget items…well, it’s a lot to think about!
You get what you pay for
At the end of the day, wedding photography is like most things—the cost you pay oftentimes reflects the quality you receive. Wedding photography is a lot more than pressing a button on a camera; it’s expensive equipment, countless hours culling g and editing, and multiple shooters. If a photographer’s low price seems too good to be true, it probably is! If you need to save money on your wedding photographer, consider cutting costs elsewhere such as flowers, e-vites, putting photography add ons such as a wedding album and prints on your wedding registry is also a great way to save.
We want to help with your timeline
We have been to literally hundreds of weddings. We are experts! Letting us help plan your wedding timeline ensures you’ll have a smooth event with lots of time for photos. We provide tips on details like how early you should start getting ready and whether or not to have a first look.
Having an unplugged wedding may be the best decision you ever make
It seems fun to scroll through social media with your new spouse in the morning checking out photos from your wedding, but allowing guests to snap 8 million shots of the ceremony can be our worst nightmare! Guests often don’t recognize the fact that are paid to be there taking photos and can jump in the way of important shots. Consider asking guests to put their mobile devices and cameras away during the ceremony.
Trust us and ditch the list
There’s nothing wrong with surfing Pinterest for inspiration or loving a friend’s wedding photos, but if you come gripping a long list of group photo ideas for your bridal party, it can be tricky to manage. All couples and photo locations are different. If we are trying too hard to replicate someone else’s work, we may miss the genuine moment right in front of us: you and your spouse. Also, locations and lighting play a huge factor in whether or not certain photos can work. So, sure, if you want that superhero shirt photo with your guy and his groomsmen, come prepared and request it! But know that you might not get every shot on your list—and that’s OK.
Lighting, lighting, lighting
If you want great photos, lighting has to be a priority. It’s the golden rule of photography, and too many brides forget that while planning their wedding. It affects your portraits, but also your little moments and your getting ready photos. Consider spaces with lots of natural light and when we suggests dipping out for around 10 minutes during the moments before sunset, do it!
Even in this digital age, consider investing in printed product.
Sure, you want a killer cover photo for Facebook and Instagram—but more importantly, consider investing in a family heirloom that you can physically treasure. After spending tons of money on a wedding photographer, it can seem agonizing to spend even more money on a wedding album, but having your images printed and being able to physically flip through them is an amazing feeling that you shouldn’t miss out on. If you can’t afford an album right away, consider ordering one at a later date, or adding it to you wedding gift registry.
HOW DO I FIND A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Wedding photography is much more than just having a nice camera or taking a lot of pictures to cover your bases. The first thing we hear from all of our students trying to become professionals is, “Wedding photography is harder than I thought it would be.” Our answer, “Of course it is!” The goal of this article is to help prevent you from hiring the wrong photographer, or even worse, your friend or cousin with a new fancy camera who takes pictures of their pet or flowers as a hobby.
This section will cover more of the soft-skills that your wedding photographer needs to possess. These are areas that you need to pay attention to during your meetings and conversations with professional photographers because they are not things that you can determine by asking a question. We recommend that you read this section first. Then head on over to our section called, ”Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer” for more specific ideas on what types of questions you should be asking when meeting with potential wedding photographers.
Strong Reviews – How Was The Experience of Past Clients?
When a business has numerous reviews they are more likely to be established and deliver a great product compared to a company with just a few reviews. It is common for clients to rave about not only their final product their experience with the company as well.
You can read some of our past clients reviews on The Knot, Wedding Wire, Google & Yelp, or you can also pick on Miami Photographer Reviews to see what our couples have to say about the NB Experience
Expertise – Being a Technical and Creative Wedding Photographer
A professional wedding photographer should not only be well versed in the technical side of the trade, but he or she must also be artistic and creative. Those are two opposite personality traits. How many people do you know are very technologically savvy and artistically creative at the same time?
Having a great camera and technical skills will allow your wedding photographer to capture correctly exposed, well-lit images regardless of the lighting situation and time constraints. On the other hand, having great creative skills will allow your photographer to approach each shot with a unique viewpoint and artistic vision ensuring that the shots are not just photos, but they are beautiful images.
Personality – Being Personable and Charismatic
Just as important (if not more important) as their technical knowledge and creativity are the wedding photographers interpersonal skills. How well do they interact with their clients and those at the wedding? Are they outgoing, personable, charismatic, professional, and honest?
Not including engagement shoots, bridal shoots, etc. You are going to be spending a full day with your photographer on the most important day of your life. A wedding photographer with a personality that matches your own is essential to the overall experience of your wedding.
Photography Style – Do You Like Their Style Of Wedding Photography?
While researching photographers, you’ll come to notice the many styles of wedding photography. At the same time, you’ll begin to notice what styles you do and do not like. You will get a better idea of the photographer’s artistic style from looking at their blog or website rather than a few images on their Instagram. Taking the extra time to research the complete portfolios of your top choices will definitely be worth it in the end.
We often are asked the question, “why do I need more than one wedding photographer?”
Well, if you were to look at a wedding written up as a movie script, you would see a primary storyline surrounded by smaller side stories that are happening at the same moment. For example, during a wedding ceremony, the main story is, of course, the bride and groom. However, there may be multiple side stories occurring at the same moment. For instance, mom or dad wiping the tear from their eyes or the flower girl sitting in the corner picking petals from a rose in her hands.
No matter how good a photographer is, he or she cannot be at all places at the same time; and so, to compensate, we always both shoot all day, each of us with a different focus. For example, Bryan may focus strictly on the bride and groom. While Nat would focus on reaction shots from the family, guests, etc. Our third (when needed) would focus on creative imagery by constantly surveying and moving around the scene to find unique angles and compositions of our subjects.
Having multiple photographers enables our team to broaden the coverage and creative eyes at the event. While we recommend two photographers regardless of the size of your wedding, we tell clients that it is almost required if you have 100-200 people at the wedding. For clients with very large weddings, i.e. 200+, we recommend at least three photographers.
Quality – Quality over Quantity
When seeking a photographer, it’s best to not get caught up in the number of products each photographer is promising. Stay focused on the actual quality of the work provided. We realize that some people are working within a budget. Think to yourself that you can always purchase an album or additional prints later (even a year later), but you can’t change the quality of the photographs taken at the wedding after the wedding day.
Overall Experience – Professional or Part Time Wedding Photographer
Once you get pass technique, creativity, and personality, the next thing you should be looking for is an experience. Is the wedding photographer actually a professional photographer, or is this their “weekend gig”? How many weddings has this photographer shot?
While experience is important, some of the best and most hardworking wedding photographers we have met are experienced photographers, but relatively new as wedding photographers. In situations where you love the photographer’s style but are concerned with them not having enough experience, ask to look at their entire collection of images from each event they have shot.
To help you out further we base our own level of experience off of how many weddings we have shot as lead photographers. (i.e. not under another professional photographer’s guidance or direction).
1. 1-5 Weddings – Inexperienced
2. 6-10 Weddings – Amateur (Qualified as an assistant photographer)
3. 10-20 Weddings – Knowledgable
4. 21-30 Weddings – Experienced
5. 31+ Weddings – Professional (Qualified as Lead photographer)
Hope this helps, what to talk to us about our experience as Miami Wedding Photographers and get to know us better? Contact us here now.
MIAMI WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHERS
12 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A MIAMI WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER
You might be thinking, “You don’t do Video, what could you possibly know about this?”
Being passionate about our craft as Miami Wedding Photographers for the last twelve years, we have had some great experiences with pretty amazing videographers in the industry and unfortunately we have also worked with some videographers that we would never recommend no matter how inexpensive they might be.
We have compiled some of our best tips for finding the right wedding videographer and getting the most out of your wedding film! Ultimately we want to make sure a bad videographer does not ruin not only your memories on film but potentially your pictures as well.
The right videographer will care about your final product as much as we do.
1. Hire a professional. Most bride’s number one regret is not having a video. We made the mistake of not hiring one for our wedding. There is no other time than your wedding when you are surrounded by so many important friends and family, and to hear what was said and see those people interacting is priceless. Considering all the time, money and energy that goes into your day, just like a great photographer, capturing it all on video professionally is a fairly small investment that will pay off for generations.
2. Hire a local videographer. Hiring someone who works in your market and has shot at the location and worked with the local vendors already, will make for a better film. A professional, who is familiar with where the sun will set, what shot angles are best, when conditions and light are optimum are all big factors in having the best film possible.
3. Don’t just look at just their portfolio, look at their reviews on multiple sites. The top professionals have consistent delivery. This means that even on the days when things don’t go perfectly (timing, weather, lighting, and hundreds of other variables that could be problematic) they can still deliver a great film. Ask to see entire videos not just highlights.
4. Know the style you like. There are so many ways to shoot a wedding but here are the three main ones:
Highlight video: It focuses on cinematic shots, and is a visually driven film with lots of time shifting through parts of the day with effects and music with lyrics. This style has little to no audio such as vows, speeches or any other voice over dialogue.
Candid/minimalist: The opposite of the Highlight video: This style is like a professionally shot home movie– it focuses on candid moments with a more handheld style, and is more about moments of guests laughing, speeches, natural audio and interactions between people over visual flair. These films have a more organic natural feel with instrumental music driven by dialogue.
Cinematic Story Telling: We personally feel this style is the best of both worlds and this is how we recommend our brides have their wedding filmed. It has the visual production quality of the highlight video but with the feel and emotion of the Candid style. In this style there are the stunning cinematic shots but also the emotional feel of the day with dialogue from the day.
5. You should pick a videographer because you love their films and style. After you hire them please don’t send them films shot by other videographers.
6. Make sure your videographer is a licensed drone pilot. Nothing captures the beautiful landscape of Maui like the drone. Legally you must be licensed to fly. Also some venues don’t allow drones.
7. Have personal elements. Personal vows are best, but if you don’t want to do personal vows during your ceremony, you could exchange vows during your first look, if doing one, or you could exchange cards to be read out loud. Having personal dialogue helps them to tell your personal story more.
8. Be aware of your videographer’s turn-around time for your film. Some brides wait a year for their film but industry standard is about six months. Check contracts before signin. Also before hiring, be aware of how responsive your videographer is. You don’t want to have the nightmare of having to track down your videographer months or years after the wedding for your film.
9. Ask to hear samples of dialogue, such as vows and toasts. You want to be sure the audio is clearly captured so you can enjoy those words for the rest of your lives whenever you look at the footage.
10. Ask them about where they typically stand during getting ready, first looks, ceremonies, and receptions and if they have multiple videographers or cameras. You do not want have your single camera videographer ruin your photography because they stood inches from you the entire day to capture unclose wide angle shots during your most important moments such as your first look , waking down the aisle, your fist kiss, your grand entrance, first dances, or sparkler exits. We say this because we have plenty of samples of it happening. We cannot photoshop a badly placed videographer out of your pictures.
11. Legally they have to use licensed music. Not every song is available to the public for licensing. There are licensing sites and tons of options and we think that using music most people haven’t heard makes your film more personalized.
12. Final edit options. There are so many options for final delivery; here are the main delivery options.
Trailer/Teaser, a video that is one to two minutes in some cases sixty seconds so that it will fit on Instagram (their current time limit is sixty seconds)
Highlight film, ranging from three to six minutes of the best moments of your day, this is great for weddings without much of a reception or with minimal speeches
Short Film, eight to ten minutes, we think this is the best balance: it still has the visual engagement of the shorter films but you still have time to include speeches and content to tell the story.
Feature Film twelve minutes and longer, this is great to get the most moments from your day and story. The feature paired with a trailer is a great option so you have both versions for those who want the full film and those who want to just see the best moments.
Documentary Video or Long Form Edit: this is the full ceremony and reception edited between the cameras. This like a “live edit” there really is no cinematic quality to it. It just shows the entire day in chronological order in a watchable format.
These edits are usually around forty-five minutes long but the length can vary greatly depending on the ceremony denomination and length of speeches.
Raw footage: completely unedited footage. We recommend having this for archival purposes, it isn’t as watchable as the Documentary edit but is also usually a less expensive option.
Regarding the format for your film: 4K resolution is four times the resolution of HD and will become the new video standard probably in the next four years so if you want to time proof your film this is a great option. Usually an add on.
4K is only viewable on 4K TVs and computers. USB flash drive or online is the standard delivery for your film now. I haven’t delivered Blu-Ray or DVD in years. Most offer it as an option still but USB drive is the most universal delivery format or even online via download link.
After receiving your films it is crucial you back them up. Hard drives fail over time so having your films backed up in a second place or in the cloud is highly recommended. Most videographers only hold on to the project for so long after deliver so do not rely on one copy.
11. Leave it the professionals. Many guests are aspiring photographers, iPad users or are a bit over eager to capture your ceremony, so have your minister or officiant make a request to the guests prior to the ceremony to leave the photos and videos to the hired professionals. You don’t want a pink iPad in view when you are coming down the aisle!
12. Timing. Videography has a lot more moving pieces than photography does, from tripods, to lights, to drone and other gear they rely heavily on the timeline to make sure they can cover what is happening but also be ready to cover what is going to happen next. And at times multiple things are happening at once, such as the bride getting into her dress, the groom getting dressed and the completed ceremony site is ready for filming. For coverage of all of these crucial moments, just like us they rely on the detailed timeline that you or your coordinator put together.
Want some suggestions about who we consider some of the best for your Miami Wedding?
BEST MIAMI ENGAGEMENT SESSION LOCATIONS
VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS // COCONUT GROVE
One of, if not our favorite venue for classic and romantic portraiture is Vizcaya. It is hard not to absolutely fall in love with the beauty and unique Viscaya Museum & Gardens! Located on the bay in the heart of Miami, in the Coconut Grove area. It is easily considered one of Miami’s most visited and photographed locations. Vizcaya is probably one of the most sought after engagement and wedding venues in the Miami area. Vizcaya used to be the winter residence of James Deering (1859–1925),and was built between 1914 and 1922. Originally, the Main House and the formal garden appeared as a dreamlike vision in the midst of the jungle on the shores of Biscayne Bay. At that time, the estate was entirely surrounded by subtropical forest. Check out some of our Vizcaya Engagement Sessions below!
BILL BAGGS STATE PARK // KEY BISCYANE LIGHTHOUSE
Picture a white sandy beach, turquoise blue water, a fresh ocean breeze and a 19th century Lighthouse standing tall and proud in the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami. The natural beauty found at this State Park is why many couples choose to have their engagement sessions here. We suggest an early start to take advantage of the keepers quarters area and then finishing on the beach for a fun and timeless look.
WYNWOOD WALLS // MIAMI
If you’re looking for something fun, colorful and more of an urban hipster vibe we definitely recommend a Wynwood Walls Engagement Session. The Wynwood Walls was conceived by the renowned community revitalizer and placemaker, the late Tony Goldman in 2009. He was looking for something big to transform the warehouse district of Wynwood, and he arrived at a simple idea: “Wynwood’s large stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would be my giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place.” Starting with the 25th–26th Street complex of six separate buildings, his goal was to create a center where people could gravitate to and explore, and to develop the area’s pedestrian potential.
SOUTH POINTE PARK // MIAMI BEACH
If you love the water, sand, and a beautiful location with some of the only mini hills in South Florida you will certainly enjoy a South Pointe Park Engagement Session. We also suggest sunrise sessions at this location! At the southern tip of South Beach, South Pointe Park is great location to have your beach engagement session, with panoramic views of South Beach's shoreline, Fisher Island, PortMiami's massive cruise ships across the channel and Downtown Miami across Biscayne Bay.
THE BILTMORE RESORT & HOTEL // CORAL GABLES
Without a doubt another one of our very favorites are Engagement Sessions at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL. With a timeless appeal and style, The Biltmore Hotel is Miami’s most elegant National Historic Landmark. Spanning over 150 acres of tropical landscape, and features spectacular Mediterranean architecture with Italian, Moorish and Spanish influences.
MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK
One of our favorite spots for outdoor sessions in the old cutler area of Pinecrest. If you rather not pay any permit fees, but still enjoy an absolutely beautiful location this is another great spot for good light and lush greenery. There is also a unique beach area by the back of the park if you want something a little different. Matheson Hammock opened in 1930 as the first county park of Dade County, a gift of 80 acres to the county from William J. Matheson. Originally administered by the county's first director of public parks, A. D. Barnes, and designed by the landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, today it is owned and managed by Miami-Dade County.
Matheson wanted the land to be used as a park "to preserve the wild and natural beauty." It grew with further donations by the Matheson heirs, purchases by county commissioner Charles Crandon, and other donations to its current 630 acres.
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN
Another outdoor beauty full of lush greenery and unique elements that can only be found here will make your Fairchild Tropical Garden Engagement Session stand out. Fairchild is considered one of the best botanic gardens in the world. Their plant collection nestles within the beautiful framework of their landscape design provides an unparalleled sense of awe.
THE CORAL GABLES PRADO ENTRANCE
The Prado Entrance is registered in the National Register of Historic Places. The structure of Prado Entrance is located on a center parkway running north and south. It looks like a piazza. Prado Entrance has a very distinctive structure; it’s got archways, a fountain in the middle, and lush greenery surrounding it. It has a reflecting pool with pedestal fountains (no water though) at each end of the two walkways that run parallel to one another. Originally the structure was named after the Museo del Prado, the national Spanish art museum in Madrid. It was designed by Denman Fink, Artistic Director of the Miami, in 1924. This entrance is considered to be the most architecturally elaborated of all the Miami’s entrances. Lots of great angles for photography. Our favorite time to take photos there is at early sunset leading into night time.
MORE MIAMI ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS LOCATIONS COMING SOON
COCONUT GROVE
THE CRUZ BUILDING
THE DEERING ESTATE
BRICKELL CITY CENTER
BOOKS AND BOOKS CORAL GABLES
MARY BRICKEL VILLAGE
SUNFLOWER FIELDS
SCHNEBLY WINERY
WEST END AREA IN WEST KENDALL
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
PEREZ ART MUSUEM AT MUSEUM PARK
THE DESIGN DISTRICT
AMELIA EARHART PARK
GREYNOLDS PARK
ALICE WAINWRIGHT PARK
MIAMI BEACH BOTANICAL GARDENS
SUNSET PLACE
COVID-19 // The Future of Weddings for Now
Looking Ahead to The Future of Weddings
1. Weekday Wedding
What is it? Many couples are being flexible when rescheduling their wedding date, with some opting to switch their wedding celebrations to a different day of the week (12%). Couples are making this decision to ensure their full vendor team is available on their new, rescheduled date. Plus, these days are often still convenient as an extension of the weekend for both traveling and in-town guests.
How do you make it work? Under normal circumstances you may not book weddings Mondays – Thursdays, but by opening up your calendar on these days you are increasing the likelihood of all pros being available on rescheduled dates. Additionally, this gives you more flexibility in saving those premium 2021 dates like Saturdays for prospective clients who you have yet to book.
Who is it for? This option is great for couples who are looking to have a multi-day celebration or those who want to create their own long weekend. It is also a good solution for couples who want to get married with their original plan but as soon as possible.
2. Sequel Wedding (or postponed wedding)
What is it? A sequel wedding is when a couple has multiple ceremonies. Typically, the first wedding is more intimate in nature (think: a micro- or miniwedding, minimony or an elopement), followed by a larger-scale second wedding, which oftentimes involves a grand reception party.
How do you make it work? Similar to the weekday wedding, a sequel or rescheduled wedding is the full celebration held on a date later than what was originally planned. If your couple previously had a minimony, they may already be legally married, but this is the opportunity for you to create the real celebration with their family and friends.
Who is it for? Celebrities are long-time fans, and now couples who already had a smaller-scale ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions and want to bring their original vision to life. The concept of a sequel wedding isn’t new, but given the current landscape it is increasingly being used.
3. Shift Wedding
What is it? A celebration with multiple small groups of people on the couple’s original wedding day by shifting either the time or location of guests to meet social distancing and CDC group gathering guidelines. Generally, this would mean that one group of guests experience the ceremony and perhaps a small cocktail party and another group joins for the reception. Usually this guest “shift” happens naturally, where family tends to leave early and friends stay later into the evening. A virtual element could be incorporated so guests can experience “shifts” other than their own.
How do you make it work? Think of a shift wedding as the traditional definition of a ceremony and reception, but with a slightly longer timeline. As there will be two different groups of guests at the venue, you will need to allow for time to fully sanitize and reset the reception for the second set of guests. Given that vendor contracts usually include a set number of consecutive hours, you will need to determine how adding hours may be feasible for the pro team and your couple.
Who is it for? Couples who want to celebrate now without missing out on sharing the celebration with all of their guests.
4. Microwedding or Miniwedding
What is it? A microwedding or miniwedding, like the names suggest, will typically include up to 30 or 50 guests, respectively—often immediate family and super-close friends only. Though tiny in guest count, microweddings or miniweddings aren’t elopements. In the current environment, these types of weddings could also have a virtual element to include guests that are unable to attend in person, as well as another in-person event held at a later date for all guests when group size restrictions are lifted.
How do you make it work? Producing a microwedding or miniwedding is not much different than what you’ve historically been doing, but potentially with a smaller guest count. Note: A smaller guest count doesn’t necessarily mean lower budgets. Many couples are looking to enhance the guest experience by creating a more luxury event.
Who is it for? Couples in areas facing ongoing or recurring limitations on guest count.
WEDDING DRESS HANGERS
Plastic vs Wooden
This is going to be short and sweet cause really there isn't much info to pass along, but the tip we are going to give you impacts the look of your image immensely! The wedding dress hanger you choose can make your photo & dress look classy or...not as classy. We know you want that dress to look classic, elegant and beautiful and that's why we are writing a blog post about hangers. Something that is so mundane and something that as an ex-retail store associate, I can say from the bottom of my heart is that I. Hate. Hangers. Anyone else with me on that? But they play a minor, yet important role on your wedding day.
We highly recommend that the hanger you buy should be wooden. The white plastic hanger that may come with your dress or that you can pick up for a pack of 10 for a dollar at Target is not the kind you want to use. They don't look as classy and take away from the elegance of your dress and image. Plus it won't match any of your decor. Thinking of your hanger as a part of your decor for the wedding day makes so much sense because we can actually use it for details photos. We suggest a wooden hanger, something rich in color. You can even take it a step further and get your new last name written in the wire frame from a place like ETSY. This personalizes the images a bit more. If it only says “BRIDE” its ok, you may want to consider selling it afterwards. See we just made you some quick cash.
These wooden hangers emphasize the elegance of your dress and makes from classic, timeless and more expensive, high end wedding images, plus it's a great investment that you can keep for forever! We hope this helps!
HOW TO GET AMAZING GETTING READY PHOTOS
3 Tips For Brides
This is mainly for the brides, but can still apply for the grooms!
1. WINDOWS
Okay, so you may or may not know that light is a photographers best friend. Windows are our best friends, especially big windows! We know right when we walk in if this is going to be difficult to photograph or if we will have to break out the flash depending on the windows. They provide really nice soft light that is super flattering for the bride & grooms!
Our Suggestion: Find a room that has a lot of natural light pouring in from the windows! It'll do wonders for your photos!
2. KEEP THE PLACE NEAT
There is nothing worse than seeing clothes, water bottles, suitcases, and other random things in your photos that were laying around the getting ready area. Our favorite thing is when we walk into the getting ready room and there is no clutter around the getting ready area. This clutter can be a distraction in the photos and sometimes cannot be "photoshopped" out.
Our Suggestion: Keep all of your stuff in one area out of the way of pictures, maybe in a corner!
3. HAVE THE DETAILS READY
Last, but not least, the details! We love details! This is the first thing we take care of when we get to you on the wedding day. We like to ease into the day by photographing all of the details first. It takes us about 30 minutes depending on the light and space we have available! This really sets the stage for the whole look of the wedding day and will tie in the rest of your photos later on! We love having ample time to stylize and shoot all of your details!
Our Suggestion: Have all of your details ready when we first arrive that way we can get those done as quickly as possible! Also, think about investing in a wooden hanger for your wedding dress(es)!
What To Gather
Dress (Hanger) - Veil / Hair Piece - Rings - Shoes Jewelry - Perfume - Invitations - Garter - Any Heirlooms
SHOULD I DO A FIRST LOOK?
5 REASONS YOU SHOULD DO A FIRST LOOK
1. Investment
You are investing so much in your photography and you will receive nearly 30% more portraits with a first look! Most brides say those are the photos they are going to be decorating their home with!
2. Intimate Time
You get to share in an intimate moment with the love of your life! When the bride walks down the aisle and see's her very soon-to-be husband and completely shocks him with your b-e-autiful-ness he can't even talk to you or tell you how great you look. You can't hug him or have a moment with just the two of you because there are a ton people watching! You have to wait 30+ minutes before you can talk to him and hear him say how great you look and his reaction will be totally different by that point... which leads me to my next point.
3. Alone Time
The First Look is the only part of your day where you and your husband get to be alone together (sorry for the oxymoron) on your wedding day! Every other part of your day will include your bridal party, parents and friends, but this is the only time you'll be alone. Normally, romantic portraits are rushed in between family formals and the reception. You are on a time crunch and it can be really hard to get back into the "lovey-dovey" & "cutesy" mood. BUT when you have just shared a First Look, you're already in the mood to love on each other. It's hard not to be cute with each other when you both can't wait to be married!
4. It Extends the Wedding Day
Without sharing a First Look, you'll spend half the wedding day without your best friend and the person you love most! Your wedding day would start at the ceremony when you finally get to be together, but with a First Look, you can be together longer on your wedding day. It adds about an extra hour that you get to share your wedding day with each other. You get to hang out with all of your friends together, too! Bridal party portraits are no longer rushed and you get to share some laughs and fun with everyone together!
5. Gets Rid of the Nerves
This may be the biggest one! A groom once said that he was feeling a little nervous and that there is a lot of pressure on him to react emotionally at the ceremony. A First Look takes away the nerves from your man. We know that a lot of guys may not be open to breaking the tradition but because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they don't know how nerve-wracking it can be! We would highly recommend a First Look for our brides! It will give you more time intimate time together and you'll get more bang for your buck! It's such a sweet moment and we love seeing the smiles and authentic interactions that the bride & grooms share! We would love to answer any questions you have about First Looks!
