A little 'helping hand' during the crazy wedding planning season!
When you have #AllTheThings to remember for your wedding day, no one could blame you for letting a few things slip through the cracks.
We provide our couples with a detailed Bridal Guide, so they don't miss any opportunities for beautiful photos but I wanted to share our Bridal Details Checklist with all of you because it never hurts to prepare early!
When we arrive on a wedding day, the first thing we photograph is the bridal details; it allows us to come in, get to know the bridal party a little more, and not have them feel pressured to be 'photo ready' the moment we get there.
It also gives John and I a chance to find our groove before we move into bridal party photos; looking around for the area with the best natural light, where there are no distractions in the background, as well as thinking about all the things we need to incorporate into the photos of your bridal details.
We also send timeline suggestions in our Bridal Guide, which allows us to educate our couples on how much time each section of the day will take, as well as what needs to be taken into consideration when planning your ceremony and reception, with photography in mind. This is always extremely helpful when planning the 'Getting Ready' section of your day -- because no one wants to start their wedding feeling rushed!
I was a bride once, too. I remember that day well and how stressful it can feel when you don't have a plan of attack.
Knowing what to expect from your photographer can make a huge difference and save a lot of time and worry.
This is a general idea of the things to remember, for couples AND photographers. Some people will have more details, some will have less.. these are the items which are most common!
The rings! -- All of them!
Often, the best man holds the bride's wedding band, so we were always tracking him down to find it, take photos, and then return it.
Now, we include this in our Bridal Guide and suggest that couples create a box or bag with all the details which need to be photographed, and then we get the groom's items, and the bride's wedding band, to the groom when we go to take photos of him and his boys.
I like to photograph the rings on their own, but also pair them with other details, like the invitations, shoes, perfume, and flowers. This makes a gorgeous spread in our couple's wedding album.
Flowers
If you're having fresh flowers for your bouquet, your florist will ask when they need to be delivered. Fresh flowers, especially in the warmer months, need to be refrigerated to stop them from wilting, so your florist will advise you to have them delivered as close to the ceremony time as possible, and then leave them in a cool place until they're needed (and Tauranga, or the Bay of Plenty in general, can get quite warm, especially through Summer and even Autumn!)
We want to have your flowers delivered in time for detail images but they also need to be there in time for your bridal party portraits and your 'First Look'.
It's really important to work with your vendors when it comes to your timeline. Discussing your needs with them will enable them to educate you on the best ways to ensure everything runs smoothly.
If you're having a 'faux' bouquet, all you have to worry about is having them in the right place, at the right time!
Shoes -- Hers AND His!
When I photograph a wedding, I have your wedding album layout in the back of my mind.
I'm thinking about all the things that you've spent hours discussing, selecting and purchasing.
When you're planning your wedding, you're planning all the small details that often go unnoticed.. but not by us!
I want to capture everything for you so that, one day, your children can pull out your wedding album and feel like they were there, just like our children do with ours!
Invitations
They're the first impression your guests will have for what's to come, and then they end up in the bin.. unless your mum is a keepsake hoarder like mine.
We request a copy of everything you send to your guests -- the invitation, RSVP card, any gift details or accommodation recommendations, as well as an envelope and postage stamp, if you had some specially made (you know that's an option, right?!)
New Zealand Post offer a sheet of 50 Personalised Postage Stamps for $70! We send our couples instructions on how to order their Personalised Postage Stamps, with an Engagement Session photo on them, so they arrive in time for their Engagement Party invitations, or Wedding invitations.
And because I know people are going to ask, the above right invitation is an acrylic invitation and I think they're such a cool idea. This particular invitation was manufactured by my Mum and Step-Dad's family business, Clear Design Australia (who also ship to New Zealand), for one of our couples.
Keepsakes, Gifts, and Other Jewellery
Earrings, Bracelets, Necklace, Hair Pieces, Family Heirlooms, Bridal Party Gifts, Gifts to each other.. they're all important parts of your wedding experience and we want to capture it all.
Ribbons, Fabric Off-cuts, & Ring Boxes
Having these items aren't absolutely necessary, but they take your details to the next level!
The velvet ring box has really shot into popularity over the past couple of years, which is absolutely gorgeous and gives your photographs that 'high-end' finish.
'The Mrs Box' have a beautiful range of velvet boxes and we absolutely love the company and the service they offer. If you're a current Erin Michele bride, you know a secret that no one else knows ;)
They have a wide variety of colours AND styles, it'll be difficult to pick a favourite!
Ribbons and Fabric off-cuts, which you can arrange with your dressmaker, tie all your details together so perfectly and effortlessly.
If you don't have a dressmaker, or you bought your dresses already perfect and needing no other alterations, you can actually buy Wedding Ribbons from Etsy, in almost every colour and material imaginable! These are also great for styling your bouquets! Be sure to request a wooden spool, or purchase one separately which will fit the width of your ribbon; it'll make all the difference for creating absolutely beautiful detail shots.
I hope this checklist is helpful to you, whether you're an EM Bride or not.
Happy planning!
Erin Michele Thomson ∙ Tauranga Photographer ∙ info@erinmichele.co.nz
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