A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

One of the bonuses of being a wedding planner is that when I meet people for the first time, they often start sharing the special memories associated with their own wedding day. I get to learn all about the details - the good, the bad, and the ugly!

More often than not, the one thing I hear on a consistent basis are regrets about the wedding photographer. Maybe they used a family friend with a hobby in photography, but who missed a number of critical shots throughout the ceremony and reception. Another person complained that the pictures were not centered properly, and often included extraneous people in the shots that should never have been there. My personal favorite is the the story about the wedding photographer who shot my parents' wedding completely inebriated. (Too bad they hadn't had a wedding planner like me to make sure this didn't happen!)

Photography is the one area that most couples wish they had invested more of their wedding budget. After all, this is the person responsible for capturing all of the special moments that you will cherish in the years to come. A good photographer will be able to tell the story of your wedding, each picture representing another page in story, capturing the special feelings and deep emotions of the day.

So how do you go about finding a great wedding photographer? The first thing is to know what you're looking for and figure out what you like. There are two main styles of wedding photography. The first one is the more traditional approach of posed shots, much like the wedding pictures of our parents and grandparents. The newer trend is photojouralism, where the photographer captures moments as they happen. It sounds simple, but actually requires a great deal of skill to done effectively. Many couples are choosing someone who can do a combination of both - someone who can do a series of posed portraits as well as the spur of the moment shots throughout the day.

Once you have figured out what style you like, the next step is to find the photographer who can accomplish what you want. Wedding planners have a good sense who the reputable photographers are in your area. They know the ones to use as well as the ones to avoid. They also have an idea of the costs that each one charges. This can save you hours and hours of time spent checking and researching it yourself. However, if you're set on finding a photographer on your own, one of the best methods is to look at the portraits of married friends that appeal to you and ask them who they used. As well, talk to acquaintances who have been recently married to get a firsthand accounting of the pros and cons of their wedding photographer. From there, check out photographer websites and try to see samples of their work. If you like what you see, arrange an appointment with the photographer to learn more about pricing and the packages that they offer.

Other strategies to ensure you get the photographs that you want:

• Find a photographer that specializes in weddings. [Skip this step at your own risk!]


• Verify who will be taking the pictures at your wedding. Is it the photographer you met with or will he delegate to an assistant?


• Make a list of the shots that you want and give them to the photographer ahead of time. The photographer may also have some ideas so be sure to listen to him. After all, he is the expert!


• When you get the pricing information, make sure you know what the package exactly includes. Some couples are shocked to learn that their photo package only includes the actual taking of the photographs, and all photo finishing costs are extra. Is it really worth spending a fortune to get the photos taken if you can't afford to pay for them to get developed afterwards?


• Ask the photographer to see complete photo shoots for weddings that he has done. It will give you a better idea of their complete coverage of a wedding, whereas their portfolio may only include their best shots.


• Ask for references and follow up on them.


• Make sure you remember to provide your photographer and his assistant with a meal if they are going to stay for the reception.

Your wedding portraits are going to be around for years to come. They will have places of honor in your home on the fireplace mantle or centered on the living room wall. Your children and grandchildren will want to see them time and time again. Make sure they are photos that will cause you to stop and smile as your remember the official beginning of your lives together. We've all heard the saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Wedding pictures are worth more like a million!

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasionsand Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.