10 questions to ask your wedding photographer

bay area photography

So you have planned out how you want your wedding to be; you decided on the

couple photoshoot

decor, the dinner, the dress and the cake but you don’t want them to be a fleeting thing. Nobody does, so up came the wedding photographers with promises to frame pleasurably some unforgotten moments forever. But since their works are going to exist almost near-eternity, the price you need to pay is a hefty one.

Well, that was the scene even a few years back when digital photography was at its nascent stage. Today, because of a tough competitive market, even the prices for traditional photography have come down to a level at par with its digital sibling. However, with the right info under your belt, you may slash that even further and arrange for a wedding that’s inexpensive, yet beautiful. And if you want, you may even make the technological extremities meet.

Bride posing in front of the cam

Being carried away at the glance of the equipment of a wedding photographer is

Portrait wedding photography

often a factor that raises the total wedding bill. But equipments never speak of the style (unless you are well-informed on the subject); thus before hiring a wedding photographer, asking a wedding photographer questions (interviews are a part of every employment, temporary or long-term) shall be helpful towards cutting the budget down to a great extent, which shall reflect on your total wedding budget.

The first thing that needs to be addressed is his preferred style; it is not always that your preferences shall match. If he is good for clicking at everything posed and formal, it’s not necessary that he shall be equally good in framing a candid or relaxed mood; a photojournalistic approach may not be a creative one and vice-versa. However, if he is good at artistic photography while staying within the traditional boundaries, paying him a little higher in comparison to others might prove a wise decision. After all, portraying something traditional without bringing in the boredom requires skills and a lot of thoughts.

Thus, to ensure you are really going to have substantial savings on your wedding budgets, note down the following:

Classic wedding photograph

1. i. Color photographs or is it going to be in black and white? Color photos are cheaper but black and white, in skilled hands, turns out real sensuous.  With digital formats; however, the prices are more or less, the same.

1. ii. Shot list: If the wedding photographer has one ready (the usual format), it won’t cost extra; else, he may charge more if you give him a shot list to work from.

1. iii. The master and the apprentice: Often the photographers send their assistants (or, the studio PR person) to chalk out the initial details. While that’s good, make sure you meet the actual person before signing and sealing the contract. That way, you shall get a complete detail on the styles, the equipment, the complimentary services and overall, a clearer picture of the total money outflow. Savings are vital.

Note : Special thanks to Art Vision Studio for the lovely images.

My favorite Wedding Destinations

Bermuda Wedding Destination

Selecting a wedding destination for your wedding can be really a tough decision. If you are planning a beach wedding, the options available are so many that it becomes really difficult to decide. I have prepared a list of my favorite wedding destinations for a beach wedding, go through this list and am sure you’ll find one that will suit you perfectly.

Wedding Destinations –

A seaside wedding destination

Anguilla – Anguilla, British West Indies is rightly called tranquility wrapped in blue. Romantic couples look upon this spot as one of the best in the whole world with 33 beaches all over which some term as the best in the Caribbean. It is one of the perfect wedding destinations.

Antigua & Barbuda – This supreme island is in fact the favorite of adventurous water sports loving couples. It is at this island that one of the foremost maritime events the Sailing Week is conducted. The island boasts of beautiful coral reefs that attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. The powdery soft beaches are simply the most inviting for couples who are planning to start a new life.

Belize – It is a paradise for adventure seekers. The adventure opportunities offered by Belize are unmatched by any other country. For couples who want a touch of adventure in their wedding this is the perfect place to be. You have the tropical forests as well as the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere to enjoy.

Sea side wedding destination in British virgin Islands

Bermuda – This uniquely secluded place boasts of offering a rare experience. The ambience of this place is awesomely pure; which is in fact a rarity in today’s world. It is a favorite of romantic couples hunting for a wedding destination.

British Virgin Islands – British Virgin Islands is rightly called Nature’s best kept secret. With isolated beaches, secluded islands, white sand, the beautiful water all around, all these make this place rank high in the list of every romantic couple.

Cancun – Cancun boasts of a lot of activities for you and your guests too. Warm beaches, rich indigo colored water all around, romantic nights, snorkeling, fishing, diving, archeological sites, nightlife, awesome hotels, you name it and Cancun has it.

Hawaii wedding Destinations

Saba – Saba is a paradise perfect for your honeymoon. With its breathtaking unspoiled landscapes, warm, friendly people your wedding and honeymoon will definitely be special.

I am sure you’ll be able to find your dream beach wedding destination from this list. There are many more beautiful places available but these are definitely my favorite.

Find a Destination Wedding Photographer

An Exotic Island Wedding – II

Do you want to make your wedding ceremony a memorable and an extremely stylish one? Are you looking for marriage locations that are innovative and certainly removed from the usual, run-of-the-mill ones? In case you are, an exotic island wedding is just what you should opt for. Island weddings are one of the best ways to add that extra dollop of panache to your marriage ceremony. There are plenty of attractive and inspiring island wedding locations to choose from for the marrying couples. Every island wedding scheme comes with its unique island wedding package, and these packages also need careful consideration.

Island Wedding under Palm tree

There are a few issues that need to be handled well, in order to make an island wedding a grand success. Some of these factors are:

Special places of interest

There are several alternative locations for island wedding ceremonies. Each of these spots holds out special attractive features, making them ideal venues for island marriage ceremonies. Some such exotic island wedding locations are:

i) Sandals Grande Antigua Resort (this resort offers combined wedding and honeymoon packages),

ii) St Lucia Sandals – Grande St Lucian Resort & Spa,

iii) Sandals Jamaica Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort,

iv) Aruba Beach Weddings and Honeymoon resort,

v) Punta Cana – Secrets Excellence Punta Cana Resort

Apart from the above five, there are quite a number of other island resorts too, that would be just perfect for a stylish island wedding ceremony.

Bridesmaids dressed in traditional dress

Island wedding packages

Marrying couples can choose from numerous alternative island wedding package options. A comprehensive coverage of the wedding ceremony (along with wedding photography) is desirable. Certain packages also provide pre-wedding photography options, as well as smart packing styles, and different photo enlargement options. Wall portraits of wedding ceremonies are also available in some packages. Coverage of the wedding reception can be limited or unrestricted, depending on the packages. Digital collage albums and DVD slideshow of the wedding photos can also be made available. Certain islands also provide combined packages of wedding and honeymoon.

Island wedding locations as well as packages are many in number, and marrying couples need to decide upon the one that is best suited for their needs. A proper selection of island wedding package and location can indeed make a marriage ceremony a truly memorable occasion.

Beach wedding reception centerpieces

Beach Wedding centerpiece

The Sun and the Sea fits into every occasion and even in the context of wedding. The concept of beach wedding thus took form and is currently one of the most popular themes. Holding a beach wedding is as simple as making arrangements on some seashore, or, in this age of virtual reality, you may just transform a reception hall into one. But either way, the decoration must match the ambience; from the food and the flowers to the dresses to the table centerpieces at the reception.

Interesting beach wedding centerpieces are galore if budget is not a concern; what really matters is availability. Then again, not every centerpiece is going to appeal to a particular bride, turning the job tougher by a few more folds. However, wedding planners have worked an easy way out; they have made packages based on themes. Therefore, all that you require to choose your preferred centerpieces is just selecting a particular theme.

That way, the Sand and Candle Beach reception centerpieces stand as the choice for a lot of people though the combination has not yet been widely overdone. As evident from the name, it’s sand, shells and candles – all within a glass container. The ingredients are both inexpensive and eye catching due to the contrast – bright white candles placed against white sand and colorful shells and coral in decorative glass bowls on the tables appear much more appealing than placing everything on top of a large mirror. Still better, if you can place the glass container itself on a large bamboo tray or plate, covered with a small umbrella made from green banana leaves or dried grass.

The above recommendation is good for individual traditional, round tables, but what if you have planned to keep long tables instead? The traditional linen table runner can then be well replaced with more tropical ideas, which can be a large pile of shells or rose petals, laid down the center of the table. An alternative is a few long pieces of cleaned driftwood with tea lights and orchids placed on it. But keep one thing in mind, the orchids need to be tropical; else, the word shall spread around among the invited from the person who knows.

Get a Local Wedding Photographer for your Beach Wedding

Information on Beach wedding photographers

Red and orange rose beach wedding path

Those who are thinking all the photographers for wedding ceremonies taking snaps on a beach during a wedding are beach wedding photographers, know that it takes knowing more than the latest photography gears. Beach wedding has gone up the popularity ladder since its day of initiation and so has the demand for beach wedding photographers; therefore, a concise yet vivid focus on the subject and how to choose the right person who shall freeze some of those spectacular moments for an eternity.

Wedding kiss at beach

Description of a beach wedding party

A beach wedding party is a dream for most of the couples preparing to get married. The summer is considered the best time for such an occasion on the beach; it’s because the weather stays perfect, the sun shines the brightest and the breeze remains enough to hide the perspiration lest someone gets nervous about such an event occurring. But then again, something that spectacular also involves a lot of challenges, the biggest one being not causing a bad impression. It’s a big time concern since a beach wedding party is an assortment of choices that range from the location and favors to the decorations, the menus and other related accessories with a high chance of the planner making a mess out of it. Hence, it’s a wise decision to listen to the wedding planner and the beach wedding photographers you hired; together, they shall make your beach wedding more photogenic.

Beach wedding decoration

From the eyes of a beach wedding photographer

Nice decorations are a must for any wedding, but when a beach is the concern, they must be practical as well. The same applies to any accessory that you may like to include for the celebration; it’s because a beach has anything but a weather control method. Often people go for very stylish decorations that would have suited perfectly an indoor wedding; a suggestion here is to keep them simple but elegant that would clearly portray the sun, the sea and the sand; beach themes, to portray it simply.