12 Months – Announce your engagement, choose a wedding theme, work out a budget, research wedding professionals (caterer, florist, DJ or band, photographer and videographer) and venues.  You can also set appointments with the wedding pros at this time.

11 Months – Select a wedding consultant (if you are using one), meet with caterers and arrange tastings, select and book the caterer, select and book the music entertainment (band/DJ), decide on music selections, select and reserve your venue, (ceremony and reception), start thinking about your wedding dress.  If you are choosing a destination wedding, now would be the best time to send save the date cards.

10 Months – Choose and purchase your wedding dress and veil.  Choose attendants and discuss with them their duties and what you expect of them.  If choosing a park or recreational area for the venue, secure the proper permits.

9 Months – Register for your wedding gifts, decide on food for the reception, choose whether you will have an open bar, limited bar or no alcohol at your reception, make a playlist for your music, research places for guests to stay, reserve blocks of rooms at a local hotel for guests.

8 Months – Go to your first gown fitting, order bridesmaid dresses and accessories, look at wedding rings, confirm florist and discuss wedding theme and flower arrangements, start making a decision regarding invitations (style, color, font, etc),

7 Months – Review and finalize your wedding details with your consultant, set fittings for bridesmaids’ dresses, choose tux styles for groomsmen,  select a flower girl and ring bearer, choose and purchase wedding rings, finalize invitations.

6 Months – Review invitation proofs and make changes if needed, finalize invitations, discuss honeymoon ideas, meet with travel agent, work on wedding decorations (table decorations, favors, etc).

5 Months – Order place cards and programs, finalize honeymoon arrangements, make reservations for rehearsal dinner and menu.

4 Months – Get groom to try on tuxedos and purchase accessories, work on vow’s, make appoint with stylist regarding hair and makeup, address wedding invitations.

3 Months – Approve anything that is being printed for the wedding (programs, place cards, etc), decide about rehearsal dinner, next day brunch and reserve restaurants, discuss bachelorette party, review registry and make any adjustments.

2 Months – Mail invitations, purchase wedding gifts for wedding party members, go to second (possibly final) gown fitting, have groom make final decision regarding tux and reserve, arrange transportation for bride and groom to reception from ceremony site, purchase ceremony accessories (unity candle, wine glasses, etc).

6 Weeks – Send rehearsal dinner invitations, write thank you notes as you receive gifts, confirm music playlist with music entertainment, purchase any remaining wedding favors or table decorations, purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be, meet with stylist again for a practice run (take veil with you).

4 Weeks – Confirm with florist and arrange delivery times, meet with officiant to discuss details, determine any seating arrangements and reception layout, placement of cake table, placement of DJ or band, schedule an appointment for a mani/pedi  just before the wedding, schedule pick up of grooms tux, finalize photographer and videographer.

3 Weeks – Go over RSVP’s and finalize head count with caterer, call anyone who has not responded to get accurate count.

1 Week – Confirm honeymoon arrangements and start packing, pick up wedding dress and tux.

WEDDING DAY – Eat a good breakfast, attend hairstyle appointment and make up appointment.  RELAX and ENJOY  yourself!!

Firstly, before selecting a wedding photographer, have a good look at his portfolio. It would be better if you review his previous work in advance, rather than repenting later. The studio you are hiring for your wedding day should provide albums to review.  Discuss everything in detail with your photographer in advance; let him know what you are expecting from him one week prior.  If you have some specific ideas, expectations, or request, then convey them to your photographer.

If you have a wish list like sitting on a top of a hill, or a romantic photo by the lake or in the middle of the field, then discuss your desires with your photographer when you meet him. Be ready with the samples like a picture from magazine, old photos, etc to show him. From there, your photographer will come to know what you are expecting from him. Every couple desire to have photographs in romantic poses, but having the whole album filled with these photographs does not make it fun and exciting. Do not stick to the stiff poses; let your photographer catch some natural poses as well, as most of the time moments that are caught with you unaware of being clicked, turns out to be the best pictures. Choose a perfect time for the photography like early morning or after 4 o’clock. Never pose for photos in the noontime when the sun is at its high, it will create dark shadows on your face, wait until the sun starts setting slowly.

Shooting photos in a wedding is a whole day affair. It takes lot of time to click photos of the entire family at different location along with couple’s photos. To keep photography session hassle-free, schedule it keeping the different age group in mind. Start with children and then the elderly people. Next, take pictures with families of both bride and groom. However, keep enough time for you and your partner to get some amazing and romantic poses clicked that you wish to cherish forever. After couple of hours, your guest might just want to relax and enjoy the party. To catch the best shots of the wedding work with your photographer to keep everyone focused and photogenic, along with making them comfortable. However, don’t forget to catch some expressions with people being unaware that they are being clicked, as these often make the most cutest and funniest pictures of your wedding album.

There are some special moment in the wedding like ring exchange between bride and groom, wedding vows, bride and groom’s first kiss, cutting of cake, the first dance between a father and new bride, speeches, toasts etc., which obviously no wedding photographer will miss. However, other moments like parents on the dance floor, smile and even tears on parent’s face etc. cannot be missed as well. Do not turn off the camera, ask the photographers to keep clicking the photos; you never know when you get the best shot to add in your memorabilia.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding planning for today’s brides and grooms.

The essential questions you MUST ask.

Will I get my images royalty free?

(if you don’t and they charge extra, take the extra cost into account when budgeting. And make sure you get good resolution images (about 7-18 MB each image)

How long will it take to get my wedding albums?

(I know some clients who had to wait 6 months to get their albums! Make sure you lock them down to a time duration in writing before giving the deposit).

What camera should the photographer use?

Make a note of the answer and Google it when you get home, if it costs less than £1000, they may not be as professional as they claim.

Can I see an example wedding gallery/album?

Make sure you see ALL the images from one of their weddings. Some photographers may just show you the ‘best’ photos from numerous weddings. You can only really tell how good the photographer is when you see the entire work from one wedding

How much image editing do you do?

Make sure they know you may ask them to turn some images black and white, have some images in color and black and white on the same page etc. If you don’t confirm this at the consultation they may hit you with an editing fee later.

How to get more for your money

1) If your wedding is during the week ask for about a 10% discount, generally they wont get another weekday booking and are highly likely to give you a reduction

2) Ask for a reduction! It sounds simple, but don’t worry about being pushy, if you don’t ask you don’t get!

3) Do your best to get rapport with them, if they like you they are much more likely to ‘do you a deal’

4) If you know of any friends who are getting married, suggest you could recommend them to the photographer. (many photographers give free canvases or services for this)

5) If your wedding is all in one place (prep, ceremony and reception) ask for a discount. (this set up makes the photographers life and car fuel bill a lot easier and they will be more inclined to want your work as it will be an easier than normal day for them)

Advice

The wedding day is your day, choose a photographer you genuinely like and have rapport with, even if they are more expensive. I have witnessed many photographers being too assertive, or others not having the best social skills and upsetting guests. The photographer is KEY to your day running smoothly; get one who is not only experienced but socially adept.

If you don’t like posing, don’t ask for to many group photos. The more groups you want the longer they will take to shoot and the more bored your guests become! I generally keep the group photos to around 12-16. More than that can drag on.

Ask to see an on-line proof of your wedding album before they print it, especially if it is a ‘photo book’. This can save a lot of time and effort later with a re-print!

Get the photographer to send you a list of their included services, and time durations. This will give you proof of what you are getting and you can refer back to it if any trouble arises.

If possible try and get a husband and wife team, two photographers will really make a difference on the day and generally they are not much more expensive than getting one photographer.

I wish you well with booking a wedding photographer and much happiness for your wedding!

Rudi Kennard

www.whatimage.com

About the Author: Rudi and Jenny Kennard run a wedding photography business, from their studio in Halstead, ESSEX, our expertise as travel photographers helps us offer unconventional and more creative wedding imagery.

Choosing a wedding photographer is incredibly important since it’s one of the primary ways to capture the special moments of your big day. It can be a complicated decision though, and there are certain things to consider when picking the right one. Consider an engagement picture shoot with your photographer prior to the wedding. Chances are he or she will be with you the entire day! This will get you used to the photographer being in your face all day taking pictures. As an added benefit, it will ensure you are more comfortable and less self-conscious about pictures being snapped every three seconds.

Use this checklist to make sure you’re meeting all the requirements couples look for when choosing a wedding photographer.

Wedding Vendor Checklist

[  ] Budget: Pricing may vary anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands, and is based on experience, quality, packages, day and time of wedding, and reputation. You’ll also want to consider if the photographer can travel to your wedding spot and how long he or she will be there.

Package pricing can be tricky however. For many couples, choosing a wedding photographer is based on price. Carefully review what is included in these pre-priced packages. Most of all, speak up and negotiate items you agree with.

[  ] Experience/Style: What is the photographer’s style? Whether it’s traditional or artsy, you’ll need to pick a wedding photographer that suits your style or theme. For example, a ‘barefoot on the beach’ theme may necessitate a photographer that shoots exclusively outside and is experienced with artistic nature shots.

You’ll also want to review a website or portfolio before choosing your wedding photographer. During the interview, ask the photographer to bring along pictures or albums of previous work. Ask yourself how obtrusive the photographer is during the actual shooting. Does he or she blend into the background while taking pictures or is it a more obnoxious approach?

Finally, what is the photographer’s personality like? Can you imagine yourself getting along with the person during the ceremony and reception? If you select a wedding photographer who is affiliated with a company, make sure you know who is taking the pictures that day. Sometimes, bigger companies have an apprentice or assistant taking your pictures.

[  ] Film: Ask what type of medium the photographer uses. Can he or she accommodate film and digital requests as well as color or black and white?

[  ] Capabilities: Remember – you will have choices to make, including how many hours you need the photographer to stay on and take pictures. What pictures do you want taken? Where do you want pictures taken? How many albums do you want?

Well before the day of the wedding, provide your photographer with a list of the pictures you want taken, including the bride getting ready, groomsmen, family, ceremony, and reception. This ensures that you have ample time to discuss the shots that are “must haves.” Plus, the wedding photographer is better prepared.

[  ] Developing: Can your wedding photographer put together a proof book with pictures from the wedding as well as a wedding album? Furthermore, you should inquire how you’ll receive your pictures and how long the turnaround takes. Some photographers upload pictures to a website and then charge you for every picture, while some give you all the negatives and then you print your own pictures. The rest may just give you the proof book to select pictures from. If you have the option to take them all, do it!

[  ] References: Don’t forget to ask your wedding photographer for references. The past experiences of other couples will help you make a more well-rounded decision.

The Trick to Choosing a Wedding Photographer

If you have a wedding planner — which is highly recommended – you’ll soon learn that he or she has relationships with all types of vendors and can introduce you to a few photographers who have proven their mettle. This type of scenario is a win-win situation for everyone. If having a wedding planner is unrealistic, referrals are a good place to start. Ask friends or family which photography studio they used for their weddings. The internet, bridal magazines, and shows are other good methods of research when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer. Make sure you interview several photographers to find the right fit – just book fast – good photographers go quickly.

About the Author

Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Wedding Favors, the premier site for unique anniversary, baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, and wedding favors. Her wedding ideas have also benefited readers of many websites, including Women Of, Wedding Lenox, and The Wedding Guide. Before establishing Creative Wedding Favors in 2006, she worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing all the special moments of the nuptials and ceremony. Search for fun, festive favors by visiting www.CreativeWeddingFavors.com.