So you’re engaged and you get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend, now what?
Before you dive into the black hole of Pinterest, binge watch “Say Yes to the Dress” or explore every category on The Knot, we want to offer some simple suggestion for wedding planning.
1. Rank each element of your wedding in order of importance
Plan a specific time, free from distractions, to talk with your fiance about what matters most to you on your big day. Pick a top five and focus your time and budget on those. By doing this, you’ll save yourself some serious stress and be able to enjoy the process. You can also farm out some of the tasks that aren’t on your top 5 to professionals or friends and family members. Obviously, we think photography should be at the top of your list. 🙂
2. Ask trusted friends who have recently gotten married for their advice
Your recently married friends are experts when it comes to wedding planning so why not take advantage of their knowledge? Whether you set up a group text or a dinner, you’ll need your besties’ support throughout wedding planning. We recommend you ask them questions like: What was your favorite part of your wedding day? What was your biggest regret? Who was your favorite wedding vendor and why? Did you go over budget?
3. Do your research when it comes to photography
We are obviously biased, but, at the end of your wedding, all that remains are the photos documenting the best day of your life! Photos capture moments that can’t be recreated, like the first moment you laid eyes on each other or a special dance with grandma. When you are researching photographers, we recommend that you get to view a minimum of two full weddings. Portfolios with images pulled from separate weddings can be deceiving. Also, ask about additional fees and backup plans. For a full list of questions to ask potential wedding photographers, visit our blog, Top 10 Questions to Ask When you Are Hiring a Wedding Photographer.
4. Incorporate fun details into your wedding
We love it when couples come up with unique ways to personalize their wedding. Whether you have a family member officiate the ceremony, use your dog as a ring bearer or create custom cookies, your guests will appreciate the chance to learn more about your unique love story. For inspiration, check out 75 Ways to Make Your Wedding Unique from Bride’s Magazine.
5. Hire a Videographer
According to a recent article on The Knot, not hiring a videographer is the biggest regret that recently married couples had. You assume that you will remember the words you spoke to one another during the ceremony or the laughter of friends during toasts, but the day is such a whirlwind that those memories fade quickly. And it never hurts to have more documentation of you looking your best. If you are interested, you can visit Elevate in Motion to see our portfolio.
At Elevate Photography, we’ve been capturing amazing and fun Colorado couples since 2002. We pride ourselves on being fun and easy to work with while capturing your wedding day. Learn more or schedule your appointment at elevatephotography.com.