Congratulations you’re engaged! Now what? It’s time to plan.

1. Sit down and try to put together a list of what you are looking for in a wedding package such as prints, albums, coverage and set out your budget. Also, decide what style of photographs you love and are looking for.

2.Research and Referrals! Research wedding photographers and don’t forget to ask anyone you know for a referral. The more info you have the easier it is to make any decision. Getting married out of town research where your getting married and the surrounding areas.

3. Narrow down that research and make calls, emails and consultations to meet with 3-5 photographers. Check out their blogs, websites and facebook.

4. Choose a wedding photographer that you feel comfortable being around and relaxed with. That photographer is going to be the one person who is with you the most on your wedding day.  Also, make sure they are photographing in a style that is what you like and are looking for.

Congrat’s you have picked you photographer! Now on to planning the day.

5. Plan your timing. Ask your photographer how much time they need to photograph? We recommend to our clients at least an hour and a half. That all depends on locations for photos, driving times and size of families. Timing is important! Nothing more stressful then rushing.   Also, Check what time the sun sets
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/moonsun/?ref=topnav_weather_moonsun
for ceremony times especially for fall weddings. If the sun sets at 5:00 and the ceremony is at 5:00. Your photographer is left in the dark. Ceremony how long is it going to be? Ask the officiant to make sure. Driving times, Hair times, golf times etc. try to put it all in a timetable and to figure out if it works and add buffers so that you are not rushing.  Talk to your photographer during the process. I am sure they have a few tips.

6. Plan your family. Moms and Dad’s sometimes want things that brides and grooms do not. Make a list of whom you would like photographed for family photos. This makes things run smoothly and on time.  Also, great so nobody is missed.

7. Have a list keeper/runner who knows almost everyone. If anyone is missing, photos can continue with other family members until the runner gets back with the missing person.

8.Let your photographer know what’s going on. Give them your timetables, other vendors contact info and any special things you have planned for the day. They need to know where they need to be and what is going to happen next. Also, let them know about any family issues or problems that you foresee. Don’t wait until the last minute to tell them be open and honest about any concerns you might have with them doing their job.

9. Uncomfortable in front of the camera? Book an engagement session so when your wedding day comes you will be so comfortable you won’t even know where the camera is.  Also, a great way to get to know your photographer better and for your photographer to know how you interact as a couple.

10. Save them a place for dinner, if they will be with you all day.

11. Have fun because it shows! Don’t sweat the small stuff. Because no matter what happens at the end of the day you will be husband and wife.

Kate Gass & Andrew Essig    Visual Roots Photography        705-361-3270     www.visualroots.com