The wedding of Jessica Kirby and Jason Loman.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing my "Best Friends Wedding"!  Although our trip started off a little rocky, (being stuck at Baltimore Washington International Airport for 9 hours, due to weather) it was all sooo worth it in the end!

Jessica Kirby and Jason Loman joined their lives as one yesterday in the presence of many loved ones who traveled to share in this joyous occasion.  The beautiful ceremony conducted by her loving Aunt and Uncle, was held in her older brother and sister-in-laws backyard filled with beautiful gardens and love, on Long Island's, Miller Place, New York!  It was so great to return to the city I love most, for a few days of much needed vacation, but to also get to spend my time there with my three best friends and my Husband as well as celebrate the marriage of Jess and Jason.

It was a trip of a life-time!  Congrats, you two!

It’s all about emotion!

What makes a great shot?

Emotion!  

For example, during the cake cutting, a great idea is to ask all of your guests to surround the two of you while you cut the cake.  In order to better facilitate this, have your caterer place the cake in the center of the dance floor or a designated room instead of placing the cake against the wall somewhere.  Have your guests gather around the sides and behind you with your VIP’s in clear sight so we can capture their emotion during the cake cutting ceremony.

How important are ceremony pictures to you?

When choosing a venue, consider their guidelines.  Some officiates have strict requests on photographer placement, as well as flash photography.

    

If that classic shot of you and Dad walking down the aisle is a must for you, be sure to check with your officiate on their preferences on where your photographer can shoot during the processional.  He may require your Photographer to be in the back of the church at all times.  Some even require your photographer to be in the balcony throughout the entire ceremony.

 

If you’re getting married near sunset and you have ideas of romantic low light during your ceremony, you need to also consider the flash photography guidelines of your ceremony venue.  If they insist on no flash photography during the ceremony, your photographer is going to have a tough time getting a properly exposed image with no movement in “mood lighting”.  

Thank You's!

Adding a personal touch to your thank you’s says you really mean it! Beach Bums- Think Sand!

       

More Traditional-Have your photographer take the shot the day of the ceremony.  Susan and Bill say ‘Thank You’ on the steps of the Loyola Alumni Chapel”.  Nothing says “Thank You” like showing that you were thinking of your guests minutes after saying “I Do.”

Taking the stress out of the day and the Formal shots

Designate someone “special” to help ease the stress on your big day! How about 13 year-old cousin Suzy? You’re not quite sure where she fits into the wedding day but you don’t want her to feel left out. Making her your “Personal Assistant” for the day will make her feel important and help you focus on what's most important, YOU! 

Example tasks:

1. Ask her to put together a Wedding Day Emergency Kit - a grab bag of “emergency” items such as back-up bobby pins, hair spray, safety pins, scissors, feminine products, deodorant, etc.

You could even go shopping for these items together one afternoon. It doesn’t have to be super extravagant, just an afternoon at the local Dollar Store. 

2. Who better to give the task of getting everyone together for those dreaded but all-so-necessary-for-mom Formal shots? Make your adolescent sister/cousin/niece feel valuable; give her the task of handing out the shot lists at the rehearsal and calling out the group numbers the day of the ceremony. (Note: It’s always a good idea to start your group shots off with family first. This way Grandparents and cousins can get started partying while the Bridal Party is finishing up.)

Start by grouping your formal shots by number. 

Ex: 

1. Bride’s Family

2. Bride’s Family and Grandparents

3. Both Bride and Groom’s Family

4. Groom’s Family and Grandparents

5. Groom’s Family

6. Bride and Groom w/ Bride’s Grandparent(s)

7. Bride and Groom w/ Groom’s Grandparent(s)

8. Groom and Bride with Siblings and Cousins

Then make a separate list including each person who will be included in the Formal shots on the day of the ceremony and a list of each photo they will need to be available for. 

EX: Terry (Groomsman-Bride’s Brother): shots 1, 2, 3, and 8.

Mamma Clarie (Bride’s Grandmother): shots 2, 3, and 6.

After compiling the list, make small cards with the group numbers for each formal shot. Your “Personal Assistant” will then hand out the numbered cards to each person the night of the rehearsal dinner and call out the numbers on the day of the ceremony.