Wedding Day Tips from Other Vendors Part 1 | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Every Tuesday I have been posting tips for all my MW brides to help you build a better wedding experience! As much as I love photography it definitely isn't the only aspect of your wedding day. I know not everyone even knows what to ask their wedding vendors. So I thought I would take that burden off your shoulders and  I reached out to other vendors to get their professional insight! 

I asked each wedding professional this question: What is one thing you want your brides to know on their wedding day?

For makeup: Don't try something new on your wedding day. You want to look like yourself! During your trial don't hesitate to show your artist a picture of how you normally do your makeup.
For hair: Show up with dry hair unless told otherwise. Showing up with wet hair will cause a delay in your time frame. Your artist will have to take the extra time to dry it before styling it. Best way to avoid this is by washing your hair the day before.  - Heidi Edwards with Makeup and Hair by Heidi 
 

For your Flowers: My biggest piece of advice is to designate one responsible person to care for the bouquet as the day unfolds. Often times bouquets are left alone, out of water or in the hot sun, after pictures are taken. If you'd like the flowers to retain their color and life, make sure someone is there to keep the blooms in water when not in use. - Lacie Porta with Framed Florals
 

For your Video: Videographer tip #1: We can only document the wedding that actually happens. What that means is... if you want a joyful, fun film then create a joyful, fun atmosphere and be full of joy and fun! It sounds silly, but it is true. Too often brides have stressful, anxious weddings and expect joyful, fun, beautiful films and it saddens me to know that it will be very difficult to create the film they want. Videographer tip #2: This one is simple. LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING. Feel free to email me about this tip, because I can go into way too much detail here and I cannot tell you how vital this is. Videographer tip #3: You will get what you pay for 99% of the time... please don't go cheap on this incredibly important memory of your wedding day. - John Stambaugh of United Media Collective (umcfilms.com)
 

For your Calligrapher: One of the main tips I tell my bridal clients is that calligraphy is not limited to just pen and paper as traditionally thought. Calligraphy is completely versatile and can be done on almost any material imaginable from light bulbs and broken terra cotta pot pieces to marble tile and macaroons. Calligraphers love any opportunity to write on something unique so brides can get as creative as they want with lettering for their wedding. - Kirsten Wong with Cottonwood Print

This is only part 1! Hoping that other vendor will share the love of their experiences so that you can know what to expect for your wedding day! 

When To Book Your Engagement Session | For MW Brides | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

When is the right time to book your engagament photography session? I have got you, girl. 

Plan for your favorite season! Up here in Minnesota we have all four seasons! My favorite season is winter. The snow is makes the world magical. Plan on shooting the season you want to be a part of within the year of your wedding. 

Many use engagememt photos for their save the dates! To make sure you have plenty of time to shoot the session and your photographer has time to edit to perfection and deliver and then add in the time to order and be delivered. I would suggest to have your engagement session shot 2 months before you plan on sending out your save the dates. That will give you time for all the mentioned process above to take place!

From a photographers standpoint you want to avoid shooting your session too late in advance. I would suggest having your photos done not later than 2 months before your wedding. This will give you plenty of time to have your photographer shoot and edit and send back your photos. 

Do you need more engagement session tips? I have a handful of blog posts that will better prepare you for your engagement session!  
1) http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/2015/9/7/3-tips-to-rock-your-engagement-shoot
2) http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/what-to-wear-to-your-engagement-shoot
3) http://www.mwphotographymn.com/blog/howtoprepareforwinterengagementsession

Setting Time Aside for Sunset Portraits | St Paul & Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | For the Bride

At the end of your wedding day you're finally married! As you are starting the reception with your friends and family, you have a little time to eat.  Once you have eaten and hydrated, I encourage you to set aside some 10 - 15 minutes for sunset portraits. Sunset will bring a close to one of the most adventurous days of your life and it also has the mostbeautiful light of the day that really cannot compare to anything else. (Besides sunrise ) At this point all your posed photos are done and I know you are excited to start the dance party! Before the big party grab your new spouse and photographer, put on your sneaky ninja shoes, dodge your guests, and book it out the door for the first photos where you are husband and wife. (People will congratulate you all night long if you let them! Take the back door if you need to!) Even if the sun does not shine on your day, take those few stolen minutes to spend with your new hubby and talk about the day. (With your photographer creeping at a distance)
I highly encourage ( if you haven't gathered that yet) all my MW couples to save at least 15 - 20 minutes from their reception for your first intimate portraits as husband and wife.