Most wedding guides and magazines will tell you to arrive on your wedding day with a little Emergency Kit — items like deodorant and safety pins that will save you in a moment of wedding-day panic. ;) Now, we aren’t “panic pros”, but we DO have a small list of items that could be the difference between you looking nice and you looking AMAZING. :)

For the girls:

Lipgloss. Or lipstick, whichever you’re wearing that day. Retouch throughout the night, but especially before key moments where lots of close-up picture-taking will be going on. If you’re not a lipstick girl, PLEASE just do yourself a favor and at least bring a small tube of vaseline (which isn’t sticky like lipgloss, but IS shiny unlike chapstick). It will make a huge difference.

Powder. Unless it’s an outdoor wedding in January (which can still be sweltering here in Georgia), you will most likely be a sweaty mess at some point during the night. You’ll want to powder your face so you aren’t all shiny in your photos. If you ARE shiny we can tone that down later in Photoshop, but we’ll love your forever if you make our job a tad bit easier and powder the shine in real life.

A Bedsheet. Joni did the COOLEST thing at her wedding and cut a smallish hole in the center of an old bedsheet. She was then able to step into the hole, lift the sheet around her, and let the surrounding sheet catch the bottom of her dress to keep it from getting dirty as we walked from one place to the next for portraits. This is especially genius if you are doing portraits BEFORE your ceremony.

For the guys:

Powder. I know you’re not used to makeup, but TRUST US on this one. If your forehead tends to be shiny, the smallest big of pressed powder will just tone down the shine. Before Jessica and Brett’s Day After photos, Jessica’s makeup artist did a little powder magic on Brett’s face, and it was the PERFECT solution for the humid Florida day!

An Extra Boutonniere. After the ceremony you will be hugged, oh, 500 times? Your boutonniere (or what’s left of it) could stand to be replaced before any family portraits are taken!

I’m sure we’ll think of some more items to add to this list!  Any other ‘togs or couples out there have some  ideas for the Photo Kit?

Hello, again, newlyweds-to-be!  We’re back with another installment in our Planning series, “Stuff We’ve Learned.”

We’ve already talked about the importance of portraits on your wedding day. Now I want to spend a little more time talking about creating — and actually accomplishing! — your portrait list.

Why is this so important for us to talk about?

The only time a couple has expressed disappointment to us has been when a portrait they did not ask for or did not allow time for was not taken. Nothing upsets us more than knowing that someone did not get everything they wanted from their wedding photographs, but we need YOUR help if we are going to make all of your wedding photo dreams come true!  (That’s sort of a joke.)  ;)

We’ve put together a list of 5 (almost) foolproof tips for getting the portraits you want.

1.) Keep it simple! When making your list, it’s easy to get carried away with every possible variation of the same group. We’re a-ok with that if enough time is allowed, but most couples have a tight schedule when it comes to portraits. Multiple versions of the same group of people is REALLY time-consuming, so unless you’re prepared to dedicate a couple of hours (or more) to portraits, you’ll want to think of ways to combine these versions into only a couple of different shots.

Here’s an example:
-Bride with Dad
-Bride with Mom
-Bride with Mom and Dad
-Bride with Mom and Dad and Sister
-Bride with Mom and Dad and Brother
-Bride with Mom and Dad and Brother and Sister
-Bride with Sister
-Bride with Brother
-Bride with Brother and Sister

The above portrait list could be narrowed to:

-Bride with Mom, Dad, Brother, and Sister

And if you think you have a little more time, you could add:

-Bride with Mom and Dad
-Bride with Brother and Sister

And if thinking about portrait lists is enough to make your eyeballs pop, we recommend the following tried and true staples:
-The Couple with the Bride’s immediate family (parents and siblings with partners/children)
-Add the Bride’s grandparents to the above shot
-The Couple with the Groom’s immediate family (parents and siblings with partners/children)
-Add the Groom’s grandparents to the above shot
-The Couple with both sets of parents (Bride’s and Groom’s)
-The Couple with both sets of grandparents (Bride’s and Groom’s)

That little list should take only about 20 minutes from start to finish!

 
Allison and Jeff combined portrait groupings and narrowed their list to only 6 separate portraits, which took less than 15 minutes with no rushing or stress. Here they are with children, parents, siblings and their families, and grandparents.

2.) Think it through! (Pretty please!) If you or your partner gets tired of portrait-taking and asks us to skip a shot (or 2), we will! But before you ask to eliminate something from your portrait list, think about whether you will regret that decision later. We want to make everyone happy, but we can’t be responsible if you later regret the decision to skip a portrait. The same applies if you don’t allow the recommended amount of time for the number of portraits you’ve requested, or if all the portrait participants aren’t there on time.

Because they were having so much fun celebrating, Rashida and Robert nearly skipped this portrait in front of the fountain, though they specifically mentioned wanting it several times before the wedding. Before their reception ended, however, they took 5 minutes to walk out into the courtyard and make sure this portrait was made. We’re so glad!

3.) Stay smiley! We can handle a huge portrait list; we don’t mind a slightly cranky child or a slow-moving elderly person; we understand that people blink, and we always take multiple shots to try to accommodate. What makes our job really tough is a less-than-pleasant attitude toward the portrait portion of the day — especially if it comes from the bride or groom. You set the tone for your entire day, and if you show frustration or impatience toward the portrait process, it increases the chances that we may be unable to get all of the portraits you requested. It’s okay if you’re not a “portrait person.” Remember: you ASKED for these portraits! So go ahead and psych yourself up for the half-hour (or so) during which you will need to smile and be a good picture-taker.  :)  

Cicely knew she wanted portraits with just her immediate family, and we took time before the ceremony to make this happen. A quick 10 minutes in the courtyard at her hotel was all that was needed. Cicely and her family were great sports in the hot Savannah weather, and we love their interaction in this image!

4.) Don’t leave anything to chance! The worst kind of request is what we call the “if there’s time” request. For example, “If there’s time, at some point tonight, maybe we could get a shot of me with each of my aunts…?” Almost without fail, that translates into A) photos that never get taken because the day is chaotic and there is no extra time, or B) photos that look a bit, er… “rough” because you’ve had a few drinks by the time they’re taken!  (Oops!)  The moral? If a portrait is important, make it part of your primary portrait list — period.

Allison set aside time before the ceremony for a portrait with each of her bridesmaids. This meant a full half-hour was dedicated to the short trip to and from this location for the portraits. Without planning, these photographs might not have happened — or they might not have been so beautiful!

Now lets just say that the hypothetical “aunts” aren’t able to be there when the other family portraits are taken. That’s okay! We can still set aside specific time during your reception when these portraits should take place. Important portraits should NEVER be left to chance. You cannot do your wedding day over again, and organization is key to ensuring you get all of the portraits that are important to you.

5.) Don’t forget the obvious! All too often a couple creates a thorough list of family portraits, but forgets to set aside time specifically for portraits with their wedding party — or, worse yet, portraits of just the couple! If you’re not big into portraits, we’ll be happy to keep it brief. But if you want photographs beyond just family portraits, we want to know what’s important to you. If you’re not sure, here’s our recommendation:

-Bride alone
-Groom alone
-Bride and Groom together
-Bride with Bridesmaids
-Groom with Groomsmen
-Bride and Groom with Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

If you have flower girls or ring bearers, they can be part of the group photos, or in a photo of their own with just the couple. Younger children (under 6, usually) tend to have a harder time in big group photos that may take a few minutes to arrange, so it might be better to have a separate photograph with just them. Children who are a bit older have more patience and are usually fine when included in the group portraits.

Lauren’s little flower girls were a bit young to be in the bigger group photos — though we did try! Even though they were a bit shy in front of everyone, we managed to get some cute photos of them just being the adorable little kids they are!

In conclusion…

We want to provide you with the best possible images capturing your story and the people you love. Never hesitate to share your ideas, your vision, and your needs. We are HONORED to participate in such an important celebration, and we look forward to sharing this milestone in your life!

In the 4 years that Dan and I have been shooting weddings together, we’ve found it surprisingly common for important friends and family members to be absent from the most important moments of the day. And of course, if they’re not around for the moment, they’re not around for the photo of that moment, either!

Our favorite weddings are the ones in which the couple is literally surrounded by their loved ones at all times during the day — not just bridesmaids or groomsmen, but all the different people who have played roles in their lives.

Obviously not everyone can be there at all times (and nor should they be!), but there ARE ways to plan your wedding celebration to make sure you’re including your friends and family as much as possible. 

For those of you not quite sure how to incorporate all of these key players, we’ve put together some of our favorite examples from real weddings we’ve photographed.

If you have any other great ideas for including the people you love, feel free to share in the comments!

One. Chill.

The guys are the worst when it comes to getting great natural photographs.  They tend to all put on their suits then sit around stiffly until they can hit the bar at the reception.  Dan loves it when he can get photographs of the guys doing their “guy stuff”.

Bill’s dad and groomsmen play pool at a local pub before it’s time to suit up.

Mike and his groomsmen play croquet outside the inn where they all stayed the night before.

Two. Prepare and share.

Sure, your coordinator CAN help you bustle your dress, but wouldn’t you rather see people you know and love in your photos?  Make sure you share your preparations with people who will be just as excited as you are to be getting ready for your wedding!

Laura’s family looks admiringly on as she has her makeup done.

Jessica’s mom helps her adjust her necklace.

Three. Have some family time.

Some of the greatest natural moments happen when everyone is just relaxing, mingling, and enjoying one another’s company.  We love it when the family gathers a half-hour or so before the ceremony in a private room.  Lots of love is shared, and the excitement builds while everyone waits for the big moment.  This is an especially good time for photographs of the grandparents, who often leave the reception earlier than the other guests, and may not take to the dance floor.

Sarah’s grandmothers share a laugh in the bride’s room.

Grandmother and mother wait excitedly backstage for Joni and Chip’s ceremony to begin.

Four. Ceremony a la EVERYONE!

Even if you’re a pretty traditional person, there are so many ways to include your family in your ceremony.  The whole POINT of the wedding day is the ceremony itself, so we love it when couples integrate the people who love them most into this wonderful ritual.

Caroline walks down the aisle with BOTH of her parents.  (Just minutes before, her groom Stowe was escorted in by both of his parents as well!)

Cicely’s Dad shares a blessing over the newlyweds-to-be during their ceremony.

Alissa and Ben’s closest friends gather around them to pray before they say their I Do’s.

Five. Do a little dance.

The first dance between the bride and groom is usually a given, and a father/daughter dance is pretty common, too.  But what about some special dances dedicated to other important people in your life?

Megan dances with her grandfather.

Kevin dances with his bride Whitney’s mom.  His own mom lost her life to breast cancer, and was honored throughout the evening in various ways, including a donation made to cure research.

Six. A toast!

Invite people who know you well to share a toast — and let them know that it’s okay not to be traditional!  A toast can be ANYTHING that shows support of you as you embark on your new journey as a married person.

Caroline reaches for a hug after her brothers toasted the newlyweds with a stunning rendition of Ben Harper’s “Not Fire, Not Ice.”

Anna is surrounded by her sorority sisters for a traditional song.

Seven. Entertain.

If you have a large wedding and cannot give one-on-one attention to all of your guests all evening, it’s good to give them a reason to stay!  We get GREAT photographs when guests stick around and party!

Guests at Sara and Jacob’s guests get stirred up by their incredible live wedding band, Papa Sol!

Jana and John commissioned a painter to create a one-of-a-kind painting of their wedding reception.  Guests are enthralled watching the artist at work.

As you put together the timeline for your wedding day, just don’t forget about all the folks who helped make you into the person you are today!  Photographs of them celebrating with you will be such a treasure as the years pass.  Include the people you love!

Cheers!

As you can probably tell if you’ve watched one of our wedding slideshows, MOST of our images are unposed, undirected moments — you know, the REAL stuff that happens on your wedding day.

Documenting these natural moments is what makes us tick, and for a long time we saw portraiture as the complete antithesis of documentary image-making.

Then a few years ago I read an incredibly inspiring statement on a portrait photographer’s website. He described portraits as a way of “documenting” a family, of providing record of their existence for future generations.

This very simple insight was powerful for both of us. For the first time, we saw the VERY important place that portraits could hold in our work as documentary wedding photographers. Portraits didn’t have to be cheesy or awkward; they just had to clearly capture the deep family connection that is so integral to the wedding day.

Joni and Chip with their parents and siblings. Pre-ceremony at the family farm. Family portrait time allowed: 1 hour.

Unfortunately, all too often the portraits are the last thing anyone wants to make time for, and they get shuffled into some hidden, dark, 15 minutes of “might-not-happen”.

We don’t want your important family portraits to get lost in the chaos of your wedding day, so here are a few guidelines:

-Remember what you’re there for! I think most couples will agree that their wedding celebration is about 2 things: 1) the wedding ceremony, and 2) celebrating with the people they love. Even portraits are part of that celebration! Don’t think of the portraits as a waste of time, but rather a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be photographed — happy and beautiful — with the people who helped mold you into the amazing person you are today!

Sarah and Derek with Sarah’s sister and parents. Post-ceremony at the church. Family portrait time allowed: 30 minutes.

-Create a portrait list. This list should include EVERY SINGLE portrait you want taken on your wedding day. Don’t leave anything out thinking, “I’ll remember to ask for that shot at the reception.” Chances are, if it’s not written down, you won’t remember it! 

Share the list with parents, etc., to make sure you haven’t left anyone out. It’s best to thoroughly finalize the list ahead of time so that there are no last-minute requests to throw off your timeline.

Try to narrow your list to only 10-15 family groupings. You may even want to have a “must have” list, and a “time leftover” list. We will take the “must have” photos first, then move on to the “time leftover” list if we are able to finish quickly.

Whitney and Kevin with extended family. Post-ceremony at the church. Family portrait time allowed: 30 minutes.

-Schedule all of your family portraits at one time. Whether you choose to have your portraits done before OR after your ceremony, it’s usually best to have ALL of the family portraits taken at one time. If your family members have to be a part of TWO separate portrait sessions, they may get a little antsy! It’s always better to do everything with the family at once.

Wedding party photographs can take place at another time if that works best in your timeline.

Natalie with her parents, sister, and her sister’s family. Pre-ceremony at the ceremony location. Family portrait time allowed: 1 hour.

-Allow enough time!!! This is, without fail, the BIGGEST obstacle in getting the family portraits you want. We recommend allowing 30 minutes to an hour for family portraits. It can take 5-10 minutes to gather the family for photos to begin, then another 3 to 5 minutes for us to photograph EACH portrait grouping. Groupings larger than 6 people take longer to arrange. Small groupings are easier to swap in and out and take less time.

Heather and Matt with Matt’s Mom, brother, and brother’s family. Post-ceremony on ceremony location grounds. Family portrait time allowed: 30 minutes.

-Location, location, location! It’s usually best to take portraits at a location that’s easy to access by all of your family members (regardless of age), and that doesn’t require too much movement from Point A to Point B. (Too much relocating is the cause of people being late!) Areas with stairs are wonderful for large groupings, and your ceremony location is ideal for pre- OR post-ceremony portraits, since everyone will be at that location anyway.

Last but not least…

-HAVE FUN! There is nothing more important than you ENJOYING your wedding day, so don’t let the details get you down! After all… YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED! And, at least for this one day, you’re kind of a big deal.

Cheers!

Making your wedding celebration YOURS seems to be every couple’s goal. But, if you’re like Dan and I were, you’ve probably found yourselves getting sucked into the Giant Black Hole of Wedding Rules (cue Scary Organ Music).

If there was any one thing I would change about our wedding, it would be to have even more completely let go of ALL of our pre-conceived notions of what a wedding should be.

So when you’re planning and preparing, keep the just ONE rule at the forefront of your mind: THERE ARE NO RULES.

Yes, you can wear red.
Yes, you can feed your guests doughnuts instead of cake.
Yes, yes, yes, to anything and everything you can dream up to make your celebration uniquely YOU.

There’s no one way to get married. Just like there’s no one way to fall in love.

Ask yourselves this question: “Why are we having a wedding?” Then make a list of the reasons you are celebrating.

I’m pretty sure that list WON’T include things like, “To make grandma happy”, or “To save money on car insurance.” (At least, I hope not!)

Hopefully, you’ll be listing things like, “To publicly commit our love to one another,” and “To share our joy with our friends and family,” and “To get really awesome presents.” (Just kidding.)

We’re excited to see so many of our fabulous couples choosing to make their wedding day a total reflection of their own personalities and creativity! Keep it up, guys! You make our job wonderful.

YAY! Gorgeous weather! I swear, the day of Heather and Matt’s e-shoot may have been the first pretty shoot-day we’ve had in WEEKS! The rain seems to revolve around our shoot schedule lately — and not in a good way! But last Sunday was warm and beautiful, and we had a great time traipsing around MLK with this super-sweet couple.

*Great Idea Alert!* We found out that Heather and Matt are planning to do something REALLY cool with their last names when they get married: they’re both getting a NEW one! They’ve decided to CREATE their own new last name, so that they’ll both have a new name with which to start on their new journey together. They’re working on a last name that may somehow incorporate their lucky number, perhaps by combining some non-English words to create a truly unique name. Isn’t that a great idea? We can’t wait to hear what they come up with!

Here are a few of our favorites:

We met with a bride on Sunday whose wedding will be taking place at Magnolia Hall at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.

Why?

(This is the good part!)

BECAUSE, non-profits like Piedmont Park benefit from the revenues brought in by their commercial ventures, such as renting their facilities out for weddings.

And THAT benefits the whole community!

(Great thinking, Kris!)

So keep that in mind, newlyweds-to-be, when you’re looking for the perfect wedding venue. By selecting a non-profit, you can have the celebration of a lifetime AND give back to a cause that is close to your heart!