So, he's popped the question.
Now comes the wonderful and stressful task of planning your wedding. You may be
looking for ways to cut some corners as weddings can get very expensive before
you even realize it. One of your most important choices will be to choose a
wedding photographer. The photographer you select will be responsible for
capturing the most special and important day of your life into lasting memories.
You don't want Auntie Maude, or Cousin Phil to take pictures at your wedding
only to discover that you have no head when you get your prints back. Don't cut
corners on your photographer.
Take time and interview
several photographers in your area. Ask for names and numbers of references that
you can call. Make sure that they are available on your day. Ask to see samples
of their work. Ask what kind of packages they offer. If any photographer is
unable to meet this criteria, choose another photographer. Many photographers
will shoot your wedding and have you come into their studio a few weeks later to
choose your wedding photos from proofs. Others will shoot your wedding and put
them in an album for you and you can select enlargements and reprints from your
wedding album. Weigh which option works best for you.
A typical wedding day shoot
for the photographer is to arrive about one and one half hours before the
ceremony and shoot the pre-bridals, which includes shooting the bride alone, the
bride and bridesmaids together and separate, the bride and her family and
anything else she wants to get out of the way before the ceremony. Then the
photographer will shoot the groom alone, the groom and his groomsmen, and
family. The ceremony may be a touchy subject with photographers. Many times they
are not permitted to shoot during the ceremony. You will need to check with your
clergy member about shooting during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the
photographer will do formals, which includes bride and groom alone, the bridal
party, bride and groom and family and friends. Then comes the reception. Please
note that many photographers have a time limit. So it you are having a dinner,
or won't be cutting that cake soon after arriving at your reception, your
photographer may charge you more. You might want to consider doing the cake
cutting, garter and bouquet toss, and dancing as soon as you arrive at your
reception site, so that your photographer can get his or her work done, not have
to charge extra, and you can relax and party the rest of the day.
If you absolutely must cut
corners with a photographer, may photographers will offer you partial packages
such as only shooting the pre-bridals and formals, or the ceremony and formal,
and will be able to offer you a discounted rate. But at least that way, you
would still have a professional photographer to capture memories that you will
treasure forever. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your
life. Capture its memory with a capable, professional, trustworthy photographer.
You will be glad you did!
Officiant - Officiate - Reverend -
Reverand - Minister - Celebrant
-
Pastor - New Jersey Wedding Officiant - Presiding over New Jersey
Wedding Ceremonies
*Please note that New Jersey
no longer has a "Justice of the Peace" position. The position was
eliminated many years ago.
