what your vendor team should know (xo, your wedding photog)

After 150+ weddings over the last 6 years, I’ve learned a few things and want to share them with you! If you’re envisioning a stylish, unique, fun and memorable wedding for your guests (and yourselves), then you need to read this.

Weddings are one of the most fast-moving days of your lives, while also being the most emotional, expensive and exhausting — they take expertise and experience from so many talented professionals to occur seamlessly. From my perspective as a Baltimore wedding photographer with an architecture + design background, here are 5 things I recommend discussing with the rest of your vendor team in advance, to ensure your photos are the most authentic, beautiful and genuine version they can possibly be.

ps: if you need vendor recommendations for any of these categories (and more!), I’m happy to share my list of favorites once you’re officially part of the family of #urpcouples! You’re welcome in advance. ;)

1. having the planner / florist / officiant’s help with this one thing will have a huge impact on your ceremony photos:

…ensuring the ceremony backdrop is (and YOU as a couple are too!) centered in the aisle, to avoid the space looking unbalanced and slightly off -- unfortunately photoshop and editing after the fact can’t fix this, but taking a step back during setup to double check can go a long way! This is a huge pet peeve of mine since it’s so easy to prevent.

Sometimes, the design of a space won’t allow the aisle to be set up so that it’s centered on the wall or backdrop you’ll be standing in front of, or the chairs are not setup yet when your florist begins installing the ceremony backdrop, but if this is the case, have them ask that at least the front 2 chairs are placed so they can ensure it is all centered from there! Knowing any issues in advance (one of the reasons why final walkthroughs at your venue with your planner [and/or florist, photographer, venue coordinator etc], is so beneficial!) and planning for a creative solution can go a long way. I can almost guarantee that waiting until the day of to see how it looks once everything is setup is too late!

2. ask that your DJ / band / entertainment does this one thing with us, but does not use these:

documenting all of the reception events (introductions, toasts, speeches, dances, etc) in their best light benefits from a heads-up right before they’re about to happen -- we may need to reposition ourselves, our flashes or the person giving the speech and scrambling at the last minute isn’t a good look. ...a simple check-in goes a long way!

You know what else isn’t a good look? A dance floor full of speckled or lasered dancers. Unless you specifically enjoy the look of chicken pox on your guests, please ask your DJ not to use colorful lighting dots / laser beams because they are terribly unflattering in photos!

3. one of the beauty related questions I always get in advance (and am happy to answer):

I am always happy to communicate (or let the planner share this info!) when hair + makeup should be complete for photos in advance of the wedding day to set the tone for a relaxed start... when hair/makeup runs on time, it means the day won’t start off rushed and stressed and our couple can take their time getting dressed and soaking it all in!

4. a reasonable ask of the videographer, who I’m physically standing alongside the whole day:

working together as a creative team that communicates both before the wedding day and on the day of, to avoid getting in each other’s shots (and placing tripods / light stands in each others way ;)) will ensure a fabulous experience for everyone... if we can tag team different creative ideas for couple’s portraits -- we all benefit!

5. please relay this important message to your catering team!:

no one wants photos taken while they’re eating, so feeding the photographer (+ videographer) right after the couple gets their dinner allows us to be ready to photograph the speeches / toasts / special dances when they begin… my favorite caterers (IYKYK) know that it’s to everyone’s benefit to not feed the photographers last, but if you have any questions, you know how to reach me! ;)

Do you have any specific questions about these or other vendor considerations? I’m happy to help, just email me at naomi@urbanrowphoto.com and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction — I truly believe if we all function as a supportive, kind and cohesive team on the day of, it’s a better experience for everyone!! No one wants added stress on a wedding day that could have been avoided with a simple conversation in advance. ;)

xo,
Naomi