This might be the most popular question I get from couples planning their weddings, particularly for my hourly based packages.  How are you to know how long you’ll want your photographer?  Here’s a simple breakdown.

Getting Ready If you want photos of getting ready, budget for an hour of coverage just for this.  That usually gives me time to catch the end of hair and makeup, grab some shots of the dress and jewelry details, and capture the moment of the bride getting dressed.  Usually the guys are getting ready simultaneously, and my second photographer can be with them to capture the tying of ties and folding of pocket squares as well.

Ceremony For those who don’t want any getting ready photos, I like to arrive at the ceremony 30 minutes before you’ll be walking down the aisle.  This gives me ample time to get my equipment set up, make decisions on how and where I’ll shoot the ceremony, and chat with the venue coordinator about any rules they have.  If you choose to do a First Look and have your portraits taken before the ceremony, I still recommend being at the ceremony site and finished with photos 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.  This allows a few minutes of last minute primping and insures you won’t be seen by guests that arrive early.  Don’t forget to add in the time for the full ceremony and receiving line (if you are having one.)

Bride and Groom Portraits Plan for at least 30 minutes of portraits just of the two of you. This holds true whether you choose to do photos before the ceremony or wait until after.

Wedding Party Portraits Another 30 minutes for group photos with the entire wedding party.  This assumes that your portraits will be taking place near your ceremony or reception site, and we won’t need to travel anywhere.  If you have several locations that you’d like to visit (either via car or on foot), add another 20-30 minutes for each location plus transit time.

Family Portraits 30 minutes should be plenty of time to document all of the family portraits.  For those with extra large extended families, you might want to add an extra 10 minutes for rounding everyone up.

Reception The timing here is a bit more flexible.  I suggest that I stay through all of the events of the reception (toasts, first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet and garter tosses) and then for an additional 30 minutes or so of open dancing.  If you are planning a grand exit, you might want to consider having me there until the end of the reception.  However, if you have nothing planned after the bouquet and garter tosses, there isn’t much need for a professional photographer to stay too late at the reception.  (At some point it becomes better to have your friends take the blackmail photos :) )  If your party ends at midnight, 10:30 or 11pm are probably late enough to get all of the professional photos you’ll want.

All that being said, I usually find that 8 hours of coverage is optimal to get everything you want from the day without rushing your portraits or reception.  Don’t forget to include transit time in your estimate, as well as a little bonus time in case things are running a bit late.  I’m always happy to create custom time lines for your wedding day to be sure everything is planned appropriately, or provide estimates on how many hours will perfectly fit your specific needs – just ask!

Your home makes the perfect portrait backdrop.  I believe this so much that I’ve recently begun requiring portrait sessions for kiddos under 18 months to take place at home.  Why?  Well, I’m glad you asked :)

Comfort New babies (and their parents) often feel most comfortable at home.  Babies know the sights, sounds and smells of their home better than anywhere else, and will simply feel calmer because of it.  New parents find comfort in being able to control the elements and protect their new little one from upset.   Additionally, you’ll have access to every blanket, toy and pacifier your baby uses when you’re at home, making it easier to keep them comfortable without having to schlep everything but the kitchen sink to another location.

Convenience If you get the little one in the car and they either a) scream the whole time or b) fall asleep during the drive and have to be woken up for the shoot, you may have a feisty baby to deal with at the start of your session.  Not ideal.  Scrapping the whole need for transit makes life easier for your whole family – let me do the driving and come to you :)

Reality Kids don’t function on a perfect schedule.  Just because you’ve set aside an hour of your day for portraits doesn’t mean they have.  Chances are good that your kiddo will need a diaper change, feeding, or nap during the time you’ve scheduled.  Should this come up while on location for a shoot, you might have to cut the session short.   If you’re at home when that comes up, it’s no problem – everything you need is right there.  Know that I’m always happy to wait patiently while you attend to your child’s needs to be sure we get great photos. 

Personalization Nothing says more about your family than your house.  Whether it’s immaculately decorated or more of a hodgepodge, it’s the representation of who you are.  Why not include that in your family photos?  Using your house as a background gives you the opportunity to preserve far more memories than a studio backdrop ever could. Photos in the nursery preserve a part of your life that might soon be changing; pictures in the living room or back yard will give a sense of your lifestyle.  Remember, the goal is to create photos that show who you are, not just what you look like.  Including your home goes a long way toward achieving that goal.

Worried your house isn’t as perfect as you’d like?  Don’t be.  It doesn’t take a model home to create excellent portraits – the more real to your life, the better.  And I can always do some creative cropping to eliminate a mess you didn’t get to or an area that’s not your favorite.

While I don’t require portraits with older kids to take place at home, it’s still a great idea.  Kids feel most in their element and in control on their home turf.  When they’re in their element, their personalities shine – and that makes great photos.

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by JJ Slatkin, General Manager of Jay Feder Jewelers in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit www.jayfederjewelers.com.  Photo courtesy of JJ Slatkin.

The day of wedding gift is a common tradition in which the bride and groom exchange gifts in commemoration of their blessed union. These gifts can come in many forms, with jewelry being a very popular option as both the bride and groom can wear these gifts on the big day. Further, while the wedding dress frequently gets just one opportunity for wear and tuxedos are so often rented, these day of wedding gifts can be worn regularly and serve as constant reminders of the special day.

The choice of piece is a highly personal decision and can be as varied and unique as the engaged couples are themselves. With that being said, there are some pieces of jewelry that tend to work very well in this situation. Brides typically receive a piece that matches their wedding ensemble and is often white in color. Pieces in this category include a strand of white pearls, a pair of diamond studs, a diamond tennis bracelet or a diamond pendant. For the groom, cufflinks, money clips and watches are very popular choices. Gold and diamond tuxedo stud sets are also a great option for the groom as they can be worn for future weddings the couple attends together, keeping the moment of the wedding alive in the minds of married couple.

Ultimately, the day of wedding gift can be anything the bride and groom deem meaningful. However, durable presents are ideal as they will serve as a reminder of the couple’s happiness on the wedding day for many years to come and can be passed on to children and grandchildren as cherished family heirlooms.

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Kelley Prather, owner of Kelley Kakes in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit her website at www.kelleykakes.com.  Photo courtesy of Kelley Prather

Wedding cakes are one of the highlights of the wedding reception, often placed where it is the center of attention and luring guests over to admire. Designing a wedding cake to wow your guests should be a fun task, and here are some suggestions on how to do so:

• Carry your theme right onto the cake – Are your centerpieces tall twigs and wild flowers? How about chocolate twigs clustered with matching flowers and little birds as the cake topper? Or sugar leaves and birch bark icing details?

• Embrace your love for skiing- How about a cake carved to resemble a mountain-top, iced in glittery white butter cream and colored chocolate trees?

• Black and white and red is the color scheme- A gorgeous black damask pattern on crisp white or alternating layers  of black and white icing with fun dots will make quite a statement!

• Make a bold statement with your cake using striking colors and patterns, such as rich shades of red and gold.

• Have a personalized cake topper created for your cake to incorporate aspects of your life that you want to share with your guests

A good cake artist knows that, next to the bride, the cake is the main visual attraction of the reception.  Take your collected pictures, color swatches and ideas to your meeting with the bakery to help them design a cake that’s perfect for you.

Tomorrow’s Post: JJ Slatkin of Jay Feder Jewelers

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Mary Fabrikant, a full service caterer in Denver, Colorado. For more information about Mary, visit her website at www.canteencatering.com.  Photo courtesy of Mary Fabrikant.

It’s your day. Your personality, and that of your groom, can shine in every detail of your wedding. Don’t miss an opportunity to infuse every aspect of your wedding with the sparkle you and he feel.

Now, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean you have to DIY every aspect of your wedding, exhausting yourself in the process. Your caterer can help take many tasks and a lot worry off your shoulders. In order to set that relationship up well, prepare yourself before you meet with caterer(s), by having thought about the following questions, which a good caterer will ask. Hint: If the caterer doesn’t delve deeply into what YOUR vision is, find another caterer.

Descriptive word: When you think of your wedding, what two or three descriptive words for the overall feel of the occasion come to mind? Examples include, “Elegant, Audrey Hepburn-in-Sabrina”, “Casual, foot-stompin’ fun”, “Intimate, sparkling, eco-friendly”, and “Rustic, Wildflower-filled, Natural”.

Heritage: What are the family and national or religious backgrounds of your two families? Would you like them to be featured in the food and/or decor? We catered a lovely wedding where the backgrounds of the families were Indian and Jewish. We incorporated Indian foods and decor with traditional Jewish foods using recipes contributed by both mothers, and the entire menu was kosher. Both families were very pleased with the thoughtfulness of the couple in honoring their respective backgrounds.

Food preferences: When you and your fiance dine out, where do you like to go? What are your favorite restaurants. Do you have favorite dishes there?

Allergies and Special Dietary Needs: Are there religious dietary needs that need to be met? Kosher, Hallal, Vegetarian? Will you have guests attending who need vegan or gluten-free meals? Are there other food allergies we need to consider?

Signature Cocktail: Whether your wedding reception is brunch, mid-afternoon hors d’oeuvres or a full evening meal, a signature cocktail or mocktail is a lovely way to kick off the fun. Are there drinks you both particularly like? A signature color we should shoot for in the beverage? For mid-day warm weather occasions, consider aguas frescas (literally, fresh waters), chilled fruit beverages that are traditional in Mexico. Made with natural fruit juices (watermelon, mango are popular choices), with a dash of lemon or a few mint leaves, agua fresca is a nice non-alcoholic alternative to a cocktail.

Budget: Last, but certainly not least, if you have a strict budget for food and beverage, make this known during the interview. It’s easier for you to state this up front and be presented with reasonable choices, than to have to work later pare down an elaborate menu the caterer has created (and that you love!) in order to control costs.

Tomorrow’s Post: Kelley Prather of Kelley Kakes

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Kate McCarthy, a makeup artist in Denver, Colorado. For more information about Kate, visit her website at www.katemccarthy.com.  Photo courtesy of Kate McCarthy.

Wedding season is my favorite time of the year, and this spring I encourage brides to step outside the box. You can bring the runway look to the aisle in a few easy ways. First things first, there is one makeup line that I cannot live with out: Glominerals. This line is not only good for your skin, it also provides brides with 12-hour staying power for the big day. Here’s a few tips for how to use it for your wedding day makeup:

For the face: Try Glo Pressed base, then pair it with the hydration mist for a flawless finish. The pressed base offers full coverage with out that ‘powdery’ look, plus it offers SPF 18, vitamins A, E and C and Green Tea Extract, your skin will be glowing all day and night. The Hydration mist will aid in setting the makeup and giving you that dewy finish that is the perfect foundation for the rest of your wedding look.

For the eyes: look at colors like Lilac, Water Lily and Eggplant. Don’t be afraid to add pops of color on your eyes. Apply Eggplant in your crease, Lilac on your lid (lash line to crease) and Water Lily in the inner corner of your eye. Top it off with Diamond shadow on the brow bone to highlight your features. You must not forget your mascara! I LOVE Cover Girl Lash Blast Water Proof mascara in Black. This stays on through tears of joy and won’t budge until you remove it! Use a waterproof liner like Glo cream liner in Ebony to line your inner rim (waterline) for an added punch of definition.

For the lips and cheeks: Look for flirty colors like Glo’s Taffy Lip Stick toped off with Luna Liquid Lips. Your husband will not be able to hold back from kissing your candy colored lips all night! For your cheeks, keep them soft with an apricot or peach hew, try Glo’s powder blush in Sweet.

Additional tips for brides to be:

• If you are booking a make up artist for your big day, book them at least 4 months in advance, and book a trial date 2 months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to make sure you and your artist are on the same page.
• If you are looking to wax your eyebrows or get a facial, wax one week before the big day, DO NOT wait until the day before, your skin needs time to regenerate. Same goes for a facial.
• Moisturize your skin and eyes! Make sure that you have a hydrated palate for your artist to work with!

Most importantly…have fun! This is the time to go all out and demand to be treated like a queen! And with this wonderful pastel spring look, you will have everyone thinking you are royalty!

Tomorrow’s Post: Mary Fabrikant of Canteen Catering

Today’s Guest Blogger post is written by Danielle Odil, an experienced wedding planner in Colorado. For more information about Danielle and Something Classic Events, visit their website at www.somethingclassicevents.com.  Photo courtesy of Danielle Odil.

So you are planning your wedding…congratulations! This is such a fun and exciting time! Wait, you aren’t having any fun? Why not? Has the stress of making decisions overwhelmed you? Are you having a hard time going through all 2,987,435,234 vendor websites to find the ones that suite you best? Are you at a loss when things should happen and where you should place your ceremony arrangements? Are you overwhelmed at the thought of your wedding day and making it all come together? Are you worried about the timing on your wedding day? Are you worried about who will setup your wedding? And clean it up?

Don’t worry, a lot of brides feel the way you do. Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful and overwhelming, after all this will be one of the best days of your life. Even if you aren’t having an extremely detailed wedding or 500 guests, having a wedding planner can ease your stress. Planners are there to execute your wedding and make it happen.

I know there are brides out there that are educated about weddings and how they should work, but there are only so many things you can find on the internet and magazines (and who are we kidding, they all say different things!). There are many things you may not be sure about such as when the first dance should happen, how to cut your cake (this is a biggie), and how to schedule events when you only have the photographer for 6 hours and you want them to do pictures before the wedding all the way through the toasts. We can help you and we want to! It is so much more helpful to have an actual person to talk to rather than trying to find something online.

Wedding planners can help you schedule meetings, select vendors, write time lines and ceremonies, plan out your budget, setup your wedding, clean up your wedding, remind you about various things during planning (getting your license, payments, meal indicator on place cards, etc.) and much, much more. A wedding planner is your manager, your confidant, your negotiator, your sounding board, your adviser and your stress reliever. We are there for YOU, not the venue, not the florist and not the videographer. We are there to help you navigate the wedding planning waters and manage your wedding day.

So, if you are ready to take the next step and reduce your stress, get in touch with us to chat about your wedding. We would love to hear from you and help you plan your wedding day!

Tomorrow’s Post: Kate McCarthy, Makeup Artist

It’s wedding planning season!

To help the newly engaged who could use a little advice about wedding planning, I’ve reached out to some Colorado wedding experts for assistance.  Next week I’ll be featuring articles written by five guest bloggers.

Check out the first article by Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events on Monday!

Hiring the wrong portrait photographer is a bummer.  It’s certainly not as disastrous as hiring the wrong wedding photographer, but when your expectations are not met, it can still be upsetting.

I approach portrait photography a bit differently than many photographers, and I know it’s not a perfect fit for everyone.  For this reason, it’s important to me that I’m well-matched with those who inquire about my services.  To be sure we’re on the same page, I’ve created a list of questions to discuss before scheduling a portrait shoot.  There are no right or wrong answers – these questions are simply designed to get the discussion started.

1. Who will be a part of the session?
2. Where do you envision the shoot taking place?
3. What are you planning to wear?  Formal or casual?
4. What do you expect from me during the shoot?
5. What is the goal of the shoot – is there a particular reason you are scheduling it now?
6. What type of end product do you want from your session (prints, digital files, etc)?
7. Have you visited my website?

This last question is huge.  So many people contact me about portrait work from a word-of-mouth referral without looking at anything that I’ve produced.  It’s critical that you see what type of work I create before we go any further with scheduling a session.  It we aren’t on the same page, you’ll know right away.  If we are, you’ll have a greater trust in what I’ll create for you. 

The point of this conversation is to discover if we’ll work well together.  I’d always prefer to turn away a client that isn’t a good fit rather than leave them feeling like their experience did not meet their expectations.  Please don’t be upset if we aren’t a good fit – there are many photographers out there with varying styles, and I’d be happy to direct you to one that more accurately fits your needs.

The tradition of bride and groom not seeing one another before the ceremony is, honestly, a bit outdated.  While I fully respect the decision to wait until the ceremony, and will never go against someone’s wishes for their wedding, I happen to think the benefits of a First Look heavily outweigh the more traditional alternative.

So what is a First Look?  It is a moment on your wedding day, before the ceremony, in which you and your fiancee privately see one another (with a photographer nearby to capture any emotional reactions, of course.)  I usually direct couples to a private and beautiful place, have the groom turn his back, and allow the bride to sneak up behind him.  I stay far away with a long lens, capturing reactions and expressions.  After you’ve had about 5 minutes to chat and connect, we move on to taking portraits.

Why would you choose do this?  Usually, the First Look is intended to maximize the time you’ll have for photography.  If your schedule has you going straight from ceremony to reception, it’s nice to do your photos earlier in the day so that you don’t have to miss any part of the party.  It’s also helpful for evening ceremonies, as taking photos earlier in the day will make better use of the natural light.

Another bonus is that you’ll both be calmer for the ceremony.  Those pre-ceremony nerves will be soothed by seeing your fiancee before the big moment.  You’ll also have a moment with your soon-to-be-spouse to chat with one another about what the day has been like and how you’re feeling.  If you see eachother for the first time at the top of the aisle, there won’t be much time for chitchat :)

Worried that when you walk down the aisle it won’t be special?  Don’t be.  In my experience the First Look nearly always produces a greater reaction at the ceremony than not doing one.  Sounds counterintuitive, I know.  But if your husband-to-be hasn’t seen you yet, as you walk down the aisle he might be focused on what your dress looks like or how you’ve done your hair.  If he’s already seen you earlier in the day, he tends to be more present to the emotions of the moment.  I’ve seen more guys tear up during the ceremony after a First Look than if they haven’t seen the bride at all that day. 

The final reason for the First Look is that you’ll have more time for photos, and probably better photos as a result.  Rather than rushing to get to the reception, you will have time to take quality photos – and you’ll have more portraits as a result.  Please note that I always give couples at least 30 minutes before the ceremony to re-primp, relax, and be tucked away so that guests don’t see them.

On a personal note, this is not just the opinion of a photographer who wants you to create a better schedule.  John and I did a first look on our wedding day and I’m so glad we did.  Buit if it’s not for you, don’t worry – you’ll still get great photos and have a fantastic wedding :)