The big day is finally approaching and your pinterest boards are bulging full of ideas from flowers, cakes, welcome tables and especially the photographs. The countless images you have seen and all that you “must” have.  This leads me to some do’s and dont’s for your special day. Most photographers have their own style and welcome ideas. However, we are not fans of instructions on duplicating other’s work! If you see an image you absolutely love, by all means show us and see what we can work on together.  Hopefully the photographer you hire will have a strong style that you like and will work with you on all of your ideas.

In a somewhat recent article the knot published an article about trends in wedding photography.

The article 14 Hottest Wedding Photography Trends by theknots’s Amy Levin-Epstein begins with the most perfect sentiment about choosing a photographer.

“You want your photographer to be on the cutting edge and know the latest techniques, but you also don’t want your photos to be so trendy that when you look at your shots in 20 years, all you see is something that instantly dates your wedding….”

I wouldn’t call them trends, most of the images are great classic wedding photography examples! Some of these “trends” just need to go. Skip the selfies (#skipselfies) and take out the social media on your special day!  By all means you are investing a lot of money, please let the photographer capture the moment! Check out the full 14 hottest photography trends article here!

Speaking of hashtags, social media and guests posting photos before you even walk down the aisle, some things are out of your control.  Remember that during the big day. It is true, sometimes your wedding guests will capture some great moments, but you hired a professional to do the job, so let us!  So many shots are ruined by guests jumping in the frame with their cell phones,cameras,tablets and iPads.  That moment cannot be recreated, EVER!  Most of us have a clause in our contract protecting us from the wedding guest  and their faux pas.  In a fantastic article I’ve Had Enough with Wedding Guests Taking Pictures with Phones by photographer Thomas Stewart addresses this problem head on.

“In your invites, tell everyone you’re having an unplugged ceremony: no technology, please, Write it on a chalkboard which guests can see as they arrive on the day. Tell your celebrant/minister/priest to tell the guests at the start of the ceremony. HIRE A PLANE TO WRITE IT IN THE SKY!”

Sure there are trends, ideas, hashtags, social media, guests ruining shots along  with many tender moments and fun memories that will be immortalized in your photographs.

I must stress this point as best that I can, “PLEASE ENJOY, enjoy yourself and enjoy the experience!”  While the flowers, outfits, food  have been meticulously planned they are done so relax.  The wrong flower or Uncle Al’s horrible suit clashing with  your color scheme will not ruin the day. Your wedding is about the two of you uniting and the love you have for each other.

Most important advice anyone can give you, if you let the little things throw you for a loop and look like miserable wretch the whole day… your faithful photographers can’t do anything about those sour expressions in the photos. 🙂

Congratulations!