Closing my eyes, I can picture the moment. I’m stepping into the dress… My mom and sister are zipping me up and fluffing the train… It’s all perfect except for one little thing.
I won’t have any professional photos to document it!
Let me first explain that our photography package includes eight hours of pictures, and that in the beginning, we thought that would be more than enough time to get all the shots we want. But now, since we plan to do a “first look” at the Gardens of the World botanical site, the hour we would have allotted for “getting ready” shots is instead being devoted to that photo session. The logistics are also understandably complicated by the fact that the house where I’ll be getting ready, the hotel where Stephen will get ready, the “first look” site, the church, and the golf course reception site, though all fairly close to each other, are obviously not in the exact same place.
Plus, now that I’ve received my hair and makeup timeline, I’m wondering whether an extra hour would even be enough time anyway. You see, as of right now, my stylist plans to start doing my hair during the morning hours, and my makeup application mid-morning, so that there will still be plenty of time should I request any last-minute changes.
I suppose I could ask our photographer what it would cost to add extra hours to our package, but with the cost of my new gown and our planned catering upgrade, the wedding budget is just about maxed out. So, the only solution I can realistically foresee at this point is to ask our friends and family members to handle these shots, both as I’m getting ready and as the groom is getting ready across town.
Has anyone else faced this problem? Do you think our friends can handle these photos OK, or is it worth the money to look into having a professional onsite? How are you handling the pre-wedding shots?
(Graphic Credit: Google Images)
I know what you mean! Long story short we have a photographer but won't be able to have him around while we ladies get ready.
ReplyDeleteI decided to talk to one of my friends, who loves to take pictures, and ask her how she felt about coming early hanging out with us and taking some pictures as we get ready. She was THRILLED. She's been scouring the blogs for the "perfect" pictures of getting ready, she's super excited about it and the most important thing, I trust her.
I hope you figure out what you want to do! I always think a trustworthy friend who's willing to put in a little research to find out what shots work, is the best option!
We have the exact same problem. I am looking at it as a chance to get some fun casual shots with my sisters using our own cameras. Also, I am going to be pretty much naked when I get into my dress, which I'll be doing solo, and really don't want a photog there for that anyway!
ReplyDeleteI'm meeting with my photographers tomorrow to discuss the timeline and I'm hoping we'll be able to have them there while we get dressed at least but if not I'll have my friends take pictures with their own cameras.
ReplyDeleteI love the "getting ready" shots but I think a lot of them can be posed for. Instead of him waiting around the hour while you do your hair. Have him come in and take some shots of you applying on that last bit of makeup and slipping into the dress. I think its easy to get a few great key shots and not waste time on the rest!
ReplyDeleteI love the getting ready shots, too! Our photographer will definitely be there for those, but she is a friendor that is giving us a great deal on our whole package. I would say ask a friend that you know is talented behind the lens - our photog started out this way, shooting friends' weddings for free until she built up her portfolio. Otherwise, just ask your friends to take a gazillion pictures - 20 or 30 are bound to turn out well, even if they have no photography background. Can't wait to see what you decide.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to get professional photos of everything, but in the grand scheme of things, I think you'll be happy with the shots your friends and family take of you getting ready. If you have a few people that are good with a digital camera, I'm sure you'll get some great pics!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to consider what you want. Do you want that shot of you in the mirror, applying lipstick to go into your album? Or the one of your mom lacing or buttoning up the back of your dress? If you want album-style pics, you should splurge for the photographers. You could ask them to come at the very end of your getting ready, and just have your make up artist "pretend" to finish your makeup, etc. And then your photog could catch you slipping into your dress.
ReplyDeleteIf you just want these photos documented, then ask a friend to do it. I'm sure that they would come out fine, if you just want snapshots to remember the moments.
Regardless, you should give your photographer a call. it might be a LOT more money, or they might surprise you and say it's only $100 bucks or something. Just explain that you want "getting ready" shots but that you can't afford to have the photographer come the entire morning, so you wanted to see what it would cost to have them come to your house before going to the "first look" site.
Also, I don't think getting ready pics are needed for the guys... My hubby did it, but there aren't any amazing pics, since he is just putting on a tux. Most of his "getting ready" time was actually spent getting shots with his groomsmen.
The nice thing about Cyprus is that photogs don't charge you by the hour. They are available for your entire day, from start to finish, so we will be getting those shots. I think part of the reason is that there is a lot of ritual in the getting ready process, so its traditionally been captured on film and photos. Ask a friend if they can be your photog for that part of the wedding day. Your ladies will probably be more comfortable with this too.
ReplyDeleteBoth my photog and videog shoot the bridal prep and groom prep portion of the day. The photog and videog will show up at noon and get the last moments of my stylist finalizing hair and makeup on film. Then they'll shoot me getting into my gown and such. I wanted Mr Fix It to have photos taken of him getting into his tux in the grooms' room but he said he thinks that's stupid and will be getting dressed at home so to tell the photog and videog that they won't be shooting him. (sigh) I still needed to add an extra two hours of overtime to my photog's package to be sure that we had time to get all the photos done before the ceremony starts...so both are now booked for 10 hours total - from noon to 10 pm. It cost me a few hundred extra to extend my photog's hours but it was worth it to me. :) I'm sure your ladies will be able to get plenty of shots of you during this time though...just be sure to designate a friend or bridesmaid to be the photographer during that time :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your point, but in my opinion, I still think that professional photography is worth it. I've been seeing a lot of wedding blogs and I'm really amazed with the photos they show there. I wish that every bride could have those photos of their wedding day.
ReplyDeleteBut having your friends and family to take your photo is not a bad idea at all. It's like the shots are more personal because they really know you and your groom.
I totally understand your point, but in my opinion, I still think that professional photography is worth it. I've been seeing a lot of wedding blogs and I'm really amazed with the photos they show there. I wish that every bride could have those photos of their wedding day. But having your friends and family to take your photo is not a bad idea at all. It's like the shots are more personal because they really know you and your groom.
ReplyDeleteSome of the shots I am most gutted about our photographer not getting are the ones of me getting ready. He was there - so who knows what happened to the photos. But I shouldn't even get started about that.
ReplyDeleteMake sure everyone has a camera - all day. Shoot the heck out of it. You can never have too many wedding photos. Trust me.
That was one of the reasons that I wanted a photographer for 12 hours.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I would contact your photographer to see if it's doable. Maybe you can work something out? If not, just try to find a place with a lot of light and ask friends/family to snap a few shots.
These shots can be quite beautiful, but in the grand scheme of things, are they the most important shots to you? Will your wedding be ruined if you don't have them?