WHAT EVERY FUTURE BRIDE SHOULD KNOW

First of all, congrats on finding your forever love! I thought I’d share some important advice with you as you’re planning your best day ever with, What every future bride should know. I have consoled many couples that approach me after getting married with, ” I wish I would of…”. So here’s hoping to prevent possible planning mishaps.

I know planning your wedding can be a bit overwhelming and expensive. I get it! First, you set out to choose your perfect wedding dress, the wedding venue, photographer, planner, hairstylist, makeup artist, and all the other important details you’ve envisioned. Then there’s the florist, the caterer, the baker, the Dj, and the list goes on. You both want the best day and you should, after all, it’s one of the most important days of your life.

After months of planning and years of dreaming, the wedding day flies by in an instant. That’s why photographers are one of the most important vendors—they capture every moment so you can hold onto the memories for a lifetime.

Wedding photographs are the one thing you walk away with from your big day. Brides and grooms are going through the motions of the day, but think of all the candid moments they miss. Those are the moments that make up their wedding, and that’s why wedding photography is such an important investment.

What you will remember

I understand you may have a tight budget, but choosing an experienced wedding photographer with great reviews is so important. Trust me, years from now you may forget your cake, your Dj and your meals but you’ll never forget your photos. Those are the priceless moments that you frame, share, post, and pass down to your children and your future generations.

If you have an experienced wedding Photographer, then they can make Whole Foods bouquets look just as lovely as a professional florist. Even if you must, have a friend or family member bake your cake or cater at your reception. I advise saving costs in other ways so you can fit the right photographer in your budget.

Fyi, I don’t recommend hiring a photographer that charges less than $2k for a 6 hour wedding day.

I cannot tell you how many couples approach me, once their wedding day has passed with, “We wish we had a better photographer, our photos do not look good; they missed many important moments; they were not great to work with, or we were trying to save money so we picked them.” I always sympathize with these couples, but I cannot turn back time. Unfortunately, you almost always get what you pay for.

Along with that, a less expensive photographer might filter/airbrush your images in an unflattering way. Years later when that style is outdated, you’ll lose that important timeless factor. Hiring someone that is experienced in every aspect is crucial and it’s part of what you pay for.

Experience is key

Make sure you specifically choose an experienced wedding photographer. Ask to see a portfolio of a full wedding. I know of a bride that hired a very talented children’s photographer but did not have much wedding experience. Therefore, she missed key moments during the day and even apologized afterward, when it was too late. You see, a photographer with wedding experience understands the timeline of a wedding day. They know exactly what photos need to be taken, how to communicate and assist with the details of your day, all without getting stressed. The ability to be creative and calm under pressure is very important.

An experienced wedding photographer is worth it! After all, these are your priceless moments. These images tell of your beautiful love story. Every important detail matters and you will treasure them now and in the future.

My wedding collection absolutely blew me away. I tear up (happy tears, of course) looking at these pictures. Leah’s bubbly personality also made it so easy for all our wedding guests to feel at ease around the camera. We had so many friends and family comment on how much they enjoyed meeting Leah. Leah beautifully captures the emotions behind each photo, and makes sure to get the sweetest, secret moments that we’ll treasure forever.” – Josie + Dylan

Happy planning. I wish you a lifetime of beautiful memories!