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Quick Tips from a Wedding Photographer

Any general planning tips you can suggest, as a seasoned wedding professional?

Don’t sweat every single detail. Focus on what’s most important.


What do you find most exciting about working in the wedding industry?

I love learning couples’ stories; how they met, length of time together, and funny adventures.


What are some specific ideas you have for our readers, from your point of view as a wedding pro?

As a photographer, I’d suggest photos that represent the couple. If they can add props it makes it more personal.


What should a couple look for when hiring your type of business?

When hiring a photographer, look for someone who is flexible, and who will listen to your ideas. Look for someone who welcomes your specific preferences, as far as poses. Candid shots are also nice. Obviously, you want someone with the right gear also.


How can a couple be sure a business is LGBTQ+ friendly?

Ask a lot of questions to feel them out.


Any tips for couples about unique ways to include attendants and family in their Special Day?

Have breakfast together, shop together for dresses, suits, flowers, etc.  Ask someone to pin on flowers for you. Is someone good at hair or makeup? Someone could hand out programs or designate someone to call out names of people who need to be in group photos.


Budgeting tips?

Don’t over spend just to impress someone. Flowers can be done by a crafty friend, and invitations can be printed at home.


Lasting Quote you'd like to mention to any couple who is currently planning their wedding?

The day goes by very quickly. Be sure to take a few moments for just the two of you. Take a short walk outside your venue and just enjoy each other.

__________________

Jean Ann Photography is based in Wisconsin.

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE STOREFRONT HERE ON RainbowWeddingNetwork.com!

https://www.facebook.com/jeanannphoto

 

So Happy Together
Jean Ann Photography

How To Choose Your Ideal Venue

How did you get involved with the wedding industry? When did you first help out with an LGBTQ+ wedding?

I happened to get published in the first RainbowWeddingNetwork.com print magazine and met Cindy Sproul (one of the RWN founders) several times in my career. I did the very first LGBTQ+ marriage in Lambertville NJ back when civil union legislation first passed in our state, which was 2007.

What are some of the current trends you're seeing in your particular business? Anything new for 2022?

Lots of Comfort foods especially with the pandemic lifting. We are seeing things like Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup shooters, Mini Sliders... all the comfort types of foods. Wedding couples today want the foods at their reception to provide an interactive and memorable experience, and these days that means offering their wedding guests a way to feel pampered as well as setting a backdrop for socializing and having authentic conversations.

What are some of the most important things a couple should keep in mind when booking your type of business for their wedding?

When couples choose a venue they should do their homework first by searching through the Rainbow Wedding Network, The Knot and or Wedding Wire by filtering the categories that fits their needs such as: If a beach is their love and reflects their personality then that is where they should turn their focus. There are couples that feel they need to visit 10-15 venues before making a decision on a venue of choice. That simply is not the case.

I always use the analogy about choosing your wedding apparel (there are so many styles, types and colors) ...When you finally put on that very special suit, gown or tux and tears flow -when that reflection in the mirror is exactly the person you want to be- then you know without a doubt that you are done. The feeling needs to be the same with a venue. -When you get the fuzzy feeling about the venue and the wedding staff at that venue, who are excited to assist in the planning process with you, then you know that is your venue of choice.

Also, most venues offer a Wedding Specialist to help with each event. The expectation that a couple should have in regards to a venue's Wedding Specialist is to keep in mind, first and foremost, that their unique wedding marks the start of a new chapter in their lives. This very special milestone should be of the utmost importance, not just to them but for the wedding pros who assist. It requires time, patience and excellent customer service. Also, I suggest couples keep in mind that a Wedding Specialist brings a great deal of professional knowledge to the table. We plan weddings thousands of times, whereas a couple touring a venue is planning it only once. While listening skills are the most important to see and bring to life the details of a couple's vision, Wedding Specialists should also have the capacity to lead the couple in the right direction... and do so with respect, insight and hopefully a smile.

When you first meet a couple, who is considering booking your services for their event, what do you do to help put them at ease? How do you really connect with them?

Find that common thread and be enthusiastic! Know the details of my services so that I can meet the couple where they're at, and explain what we offer thoroughly, so they can make an educated decision about whether our venue is the right fit for their vision.

Specific Tips, as a venue wedding specialist?

Cocktail Hour is key! It sets the tone for an amazing Reception. At our venue, we offer Local Fresh Creative and Flavorful Butler Style hors d'Oeuvres as well as Station Style Presentations of world class cuisine.

What are some general planning ideas you have for our readers?

Food choices and creativity. Personalized details, such as a signature drink that may coordinate with where they met. If they have a puppy and are having an outside ceremony perhaps that puppy is the ring bearer. Talk about your vision with your Wedding Specialist or coordinator, as well as your other wedding vendors - let that person ask questions and pique your excitement about all aspects of Your Special Day... and offer ideas that build on your own, and also work within your budget.

Any budgeting tips you can suggest, as a seasoned wedding professional?

At Celebrations, we run an all inclusive package of Tax, Gratuity, Bartender's Fee, Room Fee, Bridal Suite, Service Fee. The Wedding Couple knows exactly what they are paying for based upon head count by the package price. Very specific and detailed preliminary rate information is key, and I suggest that couples look for this kind of information from any wedding pro they are considering working with.

What is the most important thing couples should remember when planning their wedding?

Make it fun! This is a new chapter in your lives and it's a great way for you to find out how well you can work together, support each other, adapt, problem-solve, brainstorm, communicate... and find ways together to accomplish goals and then delight in the end result! Enjoy each other, and the process of planning this amazing Special Day!

 

About the Autor:

Catherine Geer / Celebrations Distinctive Wedding Venue
Wedding and Marketing Specialist for over 32 years of planning and executing Weddings!
https://www.celebrationsweddings.com

Image ©Ivan Samkov

Quick Tips - Little Things to Bring Along for The Big Day!

Your Wedding Day is finally here!!

A few quick tips to keep in mind as you prep for Your Special Day:

*Pack a small bag, backpack or even a small suitcase with a lock - it is so convenient to have one place to keep things like your wallet, phone, speeches, notes, vendor phone numbers, travel itinerary, etc.  Don't forget the phone charger or extra camera batteries!

*Remember to pack an assortment of 'just-in-case' items, such as safety pins, hair accessories if necessary, comb/brush, mirror, make-up, bottled water, small snack items, breath mints.  It's also good to consider bringing a minimal amount of first aid items - you never know when a small bandaid might be needed!

Other things to consider bringing along:
extra earrings, in case one gets lost or misplaced
an extra tie
extra set of nylons or hose, in case of tears
checkbook, if applicable
additional personal care items, as may be needed
sewing kit
extra guitar strings or other applicable items
scissors

*Remember to bring along any of those special Gift Bags or Cards that you've bought in advance for your officiant, special guests or attendants, or for your Sweetie!

*Do you plan to incorporate a special Bible or other keepsake item into the ceremony?  Is it ready to go?

*Rings?  Apparel for the ceremony and for the reception?  Comfortable shoes for later?

*Snack items can be wonderful during the upcoming hectic schedule, to help settle a nervous tummy or thwart a stress headache.  And if you pick just the right granola bar or favorite munchie, you can rest assured it will be on hand just when you need it...  Be sure to pick out an assortment, and keep in mind that you'll want something with a low-mess factor.  -Bring extras if possible, for attendants or your Sweetie!

HAVE A WONDERFUL ...and ease-y... CELEBRATION!!