Recording the Day(s) - ways to commemorate it all
That’s not a misprint: we do mean days – we tend to get so focused on the BIG day that we forget all the other special days that we’re going to look back on - like the fitting of the dress, the stag and hen nights and the first day of the honeymoon.
When you start planning your celebrations, think about all those moments that will never be captured if you don’t get a photograph now. If your bridesmaids are all going together to choose dresses, make sure you take along a camera to capture the giggles and fun. If your little page boy is going to have his first haircut before the big day, ask his mum to get a photo of him in the barber’s chair.
Stag and Hen Nights
A couple of disposable cameras will give you perfect memories of your stag and hen nights – make sure your husband-to-be’s best man has one to take with him (that way you’ll find out what went on!) and take one yourself to catch your hens at their wildest! The photos can be placed in special stag and hen albums, which also make great gifts for your wedding attendants.
Wedding Photographer
Of course, this is the big deal – this is the make or break point for your memories – so don’t be rushed into a decision. Consider at least three or four photographers and look carefully at their albums. Ask to see more than one wedding and – if possible – take them to a café, or back home to go through them at your leisure. You don’t want to feel pressurized into making a decision.
Things to consider include:
Whether the photos you see in front of you are what you want for your wedding? Don’t get steamrollered into the latest trends because that’s what your photographer wants to do, if you want classic wedding photos, say so. If you want black and white as well as colour, or would prefer not to be photographed from the back, or whatever, that’s your choice and YOU ARE PAYING to get what you want. A photographer who tries to talk you into having the kind of photographs they want to take is not the person for you.
Can they confirm that the person who took the photos you’re looking at will be the person who turns up for your wedding? Make sure you meet the person who will come to your ceremony, and that you have actually seen their photographs, not those of the ‘boss’ whose work gets passed off as being that of the junior.
Do they look right, and do you like them? Is this person going to blend in at your wedding? Do you feel you could have a joke with them, or trust them to calm things down if there’s a problem? If they’re not part of the solution they are definitely likely to be a problem – make sure you feel comfortable about their appearance and their ability to handle your difficult Auntie Indira or young Becky, who is flower girl and hates having her photo taken. Ask how they’re going to dress and whether they have an assistant for lugging kit around.
What’s the deal? Be sure you can afford them and you know what’s in the package they offer. Check the contract carefully and ask questions until you’re sure you understand the deposits and payments, cancellations and what the terms are if the photographer is late or fails to turn up. If the photographer protests, ask him why? You only get once chance at these photos, anybody who takes your special day lightly is not the right person to have your memories in their hands.
What do other brides say? Get a list of references from the photographer and check them out personally. A photographer who doesn't have references is a worry.
Other questions that might be good to ask are:
Video
The beauty of video is that it's simple and candid. Unlike the formal photographs, this is a technique that requires little setting up, in fact the more honest and natural the activities the better the video will be.
You can choose either to hire a professional or have a trusted relative or friend film your wedding, but remember if you chose a non-professional that you have to impress on them how much you’re depending on them to produce the goods - it’s so easy for an amateur to forget to film because they’ve become wrapped up in their own experience of the day and then you find you have huge gaps where the most important moments of your day should appear.
Make sure the video camera has a low light facility. It’s horrible to have half your wedding appear through a murky fog as though it had been filmed through a pint of bitter.
If you’re hiring a professional, look for somebody who is experienced and creative. The sound quality should be superb and cuts between shots should be smooth and natural, not jumpy or startling. If you want candid shots of you dressing, or of the kids playing at the reception, make up a list of shots and supply them in advance. In the same way, if you want favourite songs laid over parts of the video, ensure your videographer is experienced in this kind of work and will use the music you choose.
The same questions apply to a videographer as to a photographer, so don’t skimp on asking to see samples, getting references and checking out the contract.
After the Reception
You did put two digital cameras in your hand luggage didn’t you? At this point, when you’re knackered and only want to relax, photos might be the last thing on your mind, but recording the journey to your honeymoon destination and your first hours there can provide the final few photographs to really round off your album.
When you start planning your celebrations, think about all those moments that will never be captured if you don’t get a photograph now. If your bridesmaids are all going together to choose dresses, make sure you take along a camera to capture the giggles and fun. If your little page boy is going to have his first haircut before the big day, ask his mum to get a photo of him in the barber’s chair.
Stag and Hen Nights
A couple of disposable cameras will give you perfect memories of your stag and hen nights – make sure your husband-to-be’s best man has one to take with him (that way you’ll find out what went on!) and take one yourself to catch your hens at their wildest! The photos can be placed in special stag and hen albums, which also make great gifts for your wedding attendants.
Wedding Photographer
Of course, this is the big deal – this is the make or break point for your memories – so don’t be rushed into a decision. Consider at least three or four photographers and look carefully at their albums. Ask to see more than one wedding and – if possible – take them to a café, or back home to go through them at your leisure. You don’t want to feel pressurized into making a decision.Things to consider include:
Whether the photos you see in front of you are what you want for your wedding? Don’t get steamrollered into the latest trends because that’s what your photographer wants to do, if you want classic wedding photos, say so. If you want black and white as well as colour, or would prefer not to be photographed from the back, or whatever, that’s your choice and YOU ARE PAYING to get what you want. A photographer who tries to talk you into having the kind of photographs they want to take is not the person for you.
Can they confirm that the person who took the photos you’re looking at will be the person who turns up for your wedding? Make sure you meet the person who will come to your ceremony, and that you have actually seen their photographs, not those of the ‘boss’ whose work gets passed off as being that of the junior.
Do they look right, and do you like them? Is this person going to blend in at your wedding? Do you feel you could have a joke with them, or trust them to calm things down if there’s a problem? If they’re not part of the solution they are definitely likely to be a problem – make sure you feel comfortable about their appearance and their ability to handle your difficult Auntie Indira or young Becky, who is flower girl and hates having her photo taken. Ask how they’re going to dress and whether they have an assistant for lugging kit around.
What’s the deal? Be sure you can afford them and you know what’s in the package they offer. Check the contract carefully and ask questions until you’re sure you understand the deposits and payments, cancellations and what the terms are if the photographer is late or fails to turn up. If the photographer protests, ask him why? You only get once chance at these photos, anybody who takes your special day lightly is not the right person to have your memories in their hands.
What do other brides say? Get a list of references from the photographer and check them out personally. A photographer who doesn't have references is a worry.
Other questions that might be good to ask are:
- Have you shot a wedding at my location before? Can they show you photos taken at the venues you’ll be using for your wedding, if so, you can see how well they match up to your own visualisation of your day.
- What time will you begin and when will you leave?
- Do we get to keep the proofs and negatives?
- Do you have people you work with regularly like a videographer, caterers etc? (And check with the other professionals you’re hiring to see if they know your photographer and are willing to comment on him or her.)
Video
The beauty of video is that it's simple and candid. Unlike the formal photographs, this is a technique that requires little setting up, in fact the more honest and natural the activities the better the video will be.
You can choose either to hire a professional or have a trusted relative or friend film your wedding, but remember if you chose a non-professional that you have to impress on them how much you’re depending on them to produce the goods - it’s so easy for an amateur to forget to film because they’ve become wrapped up in their own experience of the day and then you find you have huge gaps where the most important moments of your day should appear.
Make sure the video camera has a low light facility. It’s horrible to have half your wedding appear through a murky fog as though it had been filmed through a pint of bitter.If you’re hiring a professional, look for somebody who is experienced and creative. The sound quality should be superb and cuts between shots should be smooth and natural, not jumpy or startling. If you want candid shots of you dressing, or of the kids playing at the reception, make up a list of shots and supply them in advance. In the same way, if you want favourite songs laid over parts of the video, ensure your videographer is experienced in this kind of work and will use the music you choose.
The same questions apply to a videographer as to a photographer, so don’t skimp on asking to see samples, getting references and checking out the contract.
After the Reception
You did put two digital cameras in your hand luggage didn’t you? At this point, when you’re knackered and only want to relax, photos might be the last thing on your mind, but recording the journey to your honeymoon destination and your first hours there can provide the final few photographs to really round off your album.
