A Photographer
I'm sure it may be tempting to ask your cousin or friend to do your wedding pictures, but unless they have experience photographing weddings, you will likely regret it. Yes, it will save you money, but you do get what you pay for. It is totally worth it to hire a professional to capture your big day. There are no do-overs, and your pictures are what remains in the years to come. Make sure they're something you will love! And book your photographer early! Popular wedding dates fill up months in advance, and it always makes me sad when I have to turn a bride away because I'm already shooting a wedding that day.
Tech-free ceremony
I would highly recommend asking guests to refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony & the posed picture time. I have seen so many instances when well-meaning people actually make the photographer's job next to impossible - standing in the aisle where the photographer is supposed to be, or stepping in front of the photographer to get a shot on their cell phone. It's tragic, really, and they're too busy taking pictures to socialize and enjoy the celebration. During the posed shots, not only does it make it take longer for each shot when you have to look at 10 different cameras (therefore giving less time for the actual photographer) but it also makes it very confusing and the result is that usually in the shot you have everyone looking in a different direction. A better option would be to offer to send copies of your wedding disk (you can burn copies yourself or order extras from me & have them sent directly to them).
Before or After?
When it comes to pictures, one of toughest choices you'll make is deciding whether you want your fiance to see you before you walk down the aisle. If you want that moment to be the first moment he sees you in your dress, you will have to do most of your posed shots between the ceremony & the reception. That means your guests will be waiting at the reception while you're doing your pictures. The trend these days is to do a "first glimpse" shot so you can still capture that special moment, but you can then get the majority of your shots taken before the ceremony. It gives you more time for pictures, and means your guests won't be waiting as long.
Make sure to plan enough time into your day to get the shots you want. Talk it over with your photographer and let them know what you would like. They can give you an idea of how much time you'll need to get those shots. And I recommend to my brides that they send me a link to their Pinterest page with wedding shots that they like. It helps to know what style the prefer & we can try to get similar shots.
Photobooth fun
Since pictures are such an important part of your big day, another option is to rent a photobooth. There is something about a photobooth that brings out the fun, silly side of your guests, and makes for great shots & great memories! If a photobooth isn't in your budget, just hang a large picture frame from a tree or in a corner of the reception room. The results will be similar!
Location, location, location
Location is huge! I didn't think about it much when I planned my wedding. I had a beautiful outdoor wedding, but the reception was held inside an old, ugly gym. Looking back, I wish I had chosen a prettier reception site because my pictures remind me how ugly that gymnasium was. :)
There are so many options when choosing a place to get married. I personally adore outdoor weddings, but you have to worry about the weather. Will it be too hot? Too cold? Will it rain? If you do get married outside, make sure to have a good backup option! Far too often, the weather doesn't cooperate! I would suggest that if you are getting married inside, make sure to get some of your pictures taken outside. If there isn't a good spot outdoors where you're getting married, consider building in extra time so you can go to a second location for pictures. It will be worth it!
Here are a few great choices for wedding venues in the Chattanooga area:
- The Church on Main Street
- The Car Barn
- Fairyland Club
- Southern Belle Riverboat
- TN Aquarium
- Fillauer Lake House
- Chester Frost Park
- The Chattanoogan Hotel
- The Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Black Fox Farms
- Stratton Hall
- The Mill
- Hunter Museum of Art
- Tennessee RiverPlace
- Sheraton Read House Hotel
- Stone Fort Inn
- Greenway Farm
- Mayor's Mansion Inn
- Patten Chapel
- Bluff View Art District
I would love to be your wedding photographer! I have a variety of packages designed to fit every budget. Here is a link to some of my wedding samples. http://photosbyheidib.com/?page_id=352
My most recent samples are on Facebook. My packages can be found on Facebook or my website under "Services".
