I recently had the privilege of attending my 50th wedding as a photographer. True Story.
So I thought this might be a good time to share a few random things I have learned along the way, not as a photographer, but as the one guest who gets to see everything. Here are a few practical tips you might want to take in account when you plan your wedding.
Getting Ready
- MUSIC : Make a playlist for when you are getting all dolled up or make one of your bridesmaids responsible for some music. Silence makes for an awkward atmosphere and that in turn adds to the stress and nerves.
- FULL-LENGTH MIRROR : You want to have an idea of what the final “ensemble” looks like, so make sure there is a clean, full-length mirror in the room or have someone bring one.
- DRUGS : Although it is perfectly acceptable to take a “chill-pill”, be careful not to over-dose. You do want to feel some emotion and not look like an emotionless bride on all your pics.
- SIT and then SIT AGAIN : Make a visit to the bathroom before you sit down to have your hair done. Go again before your make-up artist start with the make-up and then go again before you put on your dress (even if you do not feel like you need to).
- MAKE-UP : Have your make-up artist do your make-up just one shade darker than what you have in mind. Remember: your make-up has to still be visible 6 hours later. Most of the time Couple Photos are done after the Ceremony. These are the photos you want to look your best, so you want your make-up to still be in place.
- THE DRESS : Do not get dressed to early! When you plan your day put aside 15-20min for a dress that has buttons or a zipper and 30min for a dress that ties with a ribbon/bow.
Ceremony
- WALKING THE AISLE : Make sure the aisle is wide enough to fit you, your dad and the circumference of your dress - especially if you have flowers / candles along the pathway.
- UP-FRONT : For the sake of timeless photographs keep the sun in mind. The Namibian Sun is painfully bright, therefore make sure you stand completely in the shade or with your backs to the sun. This will prevent ugly shadows on your faces or a permanent frown / squint throughout the ceremony. Gazebos are beautiful, but they can cast harsh shadows which can completely spoil your first kiss photo.
- THE KISS : Do a proper kiss - this gives your photographer time to capture it.
- CANDLES : If you are going to lit candles as a symbolic gesture - remember the matches /lighter
Family Photos
- MAKE A LIST : Provide your photographer with a list of must-have family photos. When you compile this list, also ask the parents of both bride and groom if they have any specific requests. Limit this list to the the 10 most important pictures - you can have the rest taken at the ceremony. Remember, your photographer is a stranger at your wedding (most of the time) and does not necessarily know who the important family members are.
The Couple Photo Session
- TIME : When you plan your day, keep travel in mind. The beautiful setting you have in mind for your couple photos might just be on the other side of the hill, but it might take 10 minutes to get there and 10 minutes to get back again, thus taking away 20min of your photo session.
- IT IS PAINFUL TO BE BEAUTIFUL : Your dress will most likely get dirty (especially if you have a veld setting). Pack an extra pair of shoes (which will be well hidden under your dress anyway) that are comfortable and will allow you to move over the rocks and into the riverbed.
- WATER : Ask one of your bridesmaids or your wedding planner to pack you a small basket with water and something to snack on (and maybe a cider/beer/champagne)
Reception
- LIGHTS : You do want to create a romantic atmosphere and not have the florescent lights blind everyone, but be careful not to make the venue too dark. For a romantic, soft atmosphere make sure tho have fairy lights etc that emits a yellow and not a white light.
- THE PLATFORM : When you plan your reception set-up, keep in mind where you would like to have the Master of Ceremonies as well as other speakers stand. Many times they end up right in front of the DJ’s desk and this really does not make for pretty pictures. Also try to keep those who are speaking out of dark corners.
- SPEECHES 01: Try to give people a proper heads up if you want them to do the speeches - do not tell them the morning of the wedding. This gives them time to think and come well prepared.
- SPEECHES 02 : Encourage those who will speech at your wedding to write down their speeches. “Talking out of the heart” and “shooting from the hip” is not the same thing. Many times when people just say what they feel at the moment it does not come across as well or they might not really add value to the wedding.
- HIS SPEECH : At many weddings the groom’s speech is one of the important moments. If you have a crowd that might interfere and make fun of the groom while he is speaking - let them have their fun, but to help your husband get through it, maybe join him halfway into his speech. The men are likely to then calm down a little.
- THE PROGRAM : Try to get all the formalities out of the way as soon as possible. If you want people to relax and just have a good time, try not to have them “sit, stand, sit, stand, sit” but rather plan the flow of the evening in such a way that, once they have started to mingle and “kuier” they do not have to behave again.
That’s it for now… I might just update this list 50 weddings from now but in the meanwhile let me know if you have any helpful tips I can share with clients.
