there are so many questions that you may not even know to ask yourself! Here are a few that might inspire you to add something special to your day.
Also know that NONE of this is required of you, there are no expectations. It is your special day so you can do or not do whatever you would like!
Are you the type of bride to take off your heels throughout the day?
If this is you, be careful when you do your final fitting of your dress. If you decide last minute not to wear your heels, your dress will be way too long for you depending. Also bring your maid of honor or someone special with you to the last fitting, you can show them how to bussle your dress so that your day goes a lot smoother.
Is there be anything special happening during the morning prep?
Some couple like to have gifts that they give their bridal party. Additionally some Brides and Grooms have gifts for each other that they want to exchange before the day begins! These are ALL extremely amazing moments that your Photographer and Videographer and going to want to capture.
Will your parents be in the room to help you get dressed?
Sometimes Brides and Grooms would like their parent to be in the room to "help them" get into their wedding day outfits. Some brides will have their Mothers, Aunts, or Grandmothers help them zip their dresses. Some Grooms will have their Dads, Uncles, or Best Men to help them put on the finishing touches of their suit. Every once in a while the Brides like to have a first look with their Dads before the ceremony begins.
Is there anything in your morning details that your Photographer/Videographer should know are present?
If you have your grandmother brooch, your mothers ring, any jewelry from family members let your Photographer and Videographer know! If there is a scotch that your dad has kept on a shelf for this special day, let your Photographer and Videographer know!
How many people do you have in your bridal party?
Just know that the more people you have in your bridal party, the longer the day is going to be. Especially in the morning, ceremony, and photo moments there are that many people to get to focus, coordinate, and get photographs of as I am sure you have experienced thus far!
Is there anyone special to you that your Photographer & Videographer should ay close attention to?
Grandma and Grandpa, relatives that are never all together, mom, dad, a little one, or even a pet! Send your Photographer & Videographer photos of them ahead of time so that they can get a head start on what these important people look like!
Is there anything special about the ceremony?
Some couples will add little details to their ceremonies that make everything a bit more personal. For example, some couples will have a sand ceremony where they blend two different colors of sand. A candle lighting is when one member from each family will light a unity candle together. Even letting your Photographer & Videographer know if it is a religious ceremony and if there are any cultural do's or dont's is extremely helpful ahead of time.
Did you guys write personal vows?
One of my favorite ideas that I have experienced is when Brides and Grooms may not want to deliver personalized vows at the alter in front of everyone. An amazing way to give personal vows is to write them down in a letter or a card and to exchange them before the ceremony and to read them privately. Get ready for the water works!
Is there anything special for cocktail and reception decor?
If there are anything in the decorations or table settings that you want to remember, anything that you spent a lot of time on you should let your Photographer/Videographer know ahead of time.
Do you want anything special for the grand entrance?
Some bridal parties will have a special dance or props in with their grand entrance. Some people want to go straight into their first dance when they walk in, or straight into a thank you speech. All of this is good for Photographers and Videographers to know so that they can prepare for the shots in the best way. This moment is EPIC regardless of how you enter. All of your biggest fans are on the other side of that door!
Are there special things happening or surprises during the reception?
Every once in a while there is a groom that has a special performance that he wants to deliver, a bride that is singing a song to her new husband, a slideshow, or a surprise gift. All of these things have different angles that your people need to know about ahead of time! We want the special persons reactions as well as the special event itself!
Did you tell your caterer about the number of vendor meals?
Some forget that your vendors, especially your photographers, videographers, and coordinators have been working with you for many hours. Typically the vendors that should receive meals are anyone working over 6 hours in a day. Talk with your vendors and see if they are going to request a warm meal for themselves, some will actually have it as a part of their contracts.
Will your first dance be choreographed or standard first dance?
Your photographers/videographers would love to know so that they can get your guests reactions! There are some amazing sweet moments in a first dance so remember to focus on your partner or your parent that you are dancing with! This moment is only going to happen once today so be present.
Look at your schedule, will you both end up needing to extend time of coverage for your vendors?
A big piece of advice I will give is not to underestimate your time during the day. Talk with you vendors and make sure everyone has enough time to do everything! Your Photographers/Videographers probably need the most amount of time with you so it might be a good idea to create your timeline with them and bounce it off of your other vendors. If you need to save money or you are spending your budget and are worried about going over time and having to pay your vendors more money, make a list of things that are a priority at your reception and make a plan on how to complete those before the night gets ahed of you. Communicate with your vendors what you need. They will work with you!
Do you have a clean up crew?
Your caterers might do most of the cleaning, but make sure you have a clean up crew for the same reason you had a set up crew. All of your decorations, your left over food or cake, and your outfits will need to go home with someone and it should not be you! Make sure you designate someone to collect the important things especially your cards (lots of cash) and your gifts.
TIPS:
Tell your media team the key things you both look for or would like to see.
Send your media team 3 samples of your favorite videos or a Pinterest Board full of photos. This will help them get into your brain about your dream photos or videos!
Include a little history about the two of you and how you guys met!
In the morning, your hotel should remain as clean and tidy as possible so that when we capture the morning preparations the background is nice and clean.
In the morning time, allowing at least an hour to get footage of details, you getting in your dress and suit, hair and make up touch ups, and any special moments between you and your bridesmaids or groomsmen, and even a first look if you want it!
Creating a list of the family photos you would like is going to cut an enormous amount of time AND stress out of your day. Family members love to add on but if you have a list and someone coordinating this part of the day you will avoid so much.
When your family and friends are giving speeches, there will be photos and videos of your reactions. This means you should not be eating during this time.
And Finally the MOST IMPORTANT tip is for dinner! You are spending a major amount of money to feed all of your guests so please PLEASE enjoy this meal yourselves. You have had such a long day and it is important for you to refuel. The other important thing to remember is that when you eat is the only time your vendors have to eat as well because if you are moving, important moments are happening and they are working. So please for yourselves AND your vendors...sit down for 15 minutes and eat dinner.
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