Biggest Things Brides Forget

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Biggest Things Brides Forget

Brides ask me 'What am I forgetting?'. Well if you've got the dress, the rings, and the soon to be husband, you have got everything you need to tie the knot. Although, if this is all you have prepared, the day could be a little bumpy. I have chatted with many industry leaders, and I have picked up a few tips over the years.

I recently got to work with an incredible planner on a wonderful wedding this past season. The wedding was set along the beautiful Puget Sound, in Des Moines, Washington, which is a just a hop, skip & a jump from downtown Seattle. Janis with Greatest of Day's Event Planning & Design put together incredible day. Janis has an eye for details, and a pen that is mightier than the sword. Here are her tips & tricks that you most likely have completely forgotten about on your wedding day. 

 

I'll Bet You Didn't Think of These People as Wedding Vendors! Think Again!

1.  Pet Sitters:

(Somebody has to take care of Fido and Felix)  This last year I had I don't know how many people show up at weddings with their dogs.  It's okay if they are planned for, but some people just assume that they can bring a dog along without thinking even once.  Not compatible in so many ways and I love dogs!  This little dog that's pictured was perfectly welcome.  His Mom and Dad were getting married!  He didn't make it to ringbearer status, but he was so sweet.  He had to dive into the pond just before the wedding!

 

2. Childcare:  

(Somebody has to take care of the munchkins, sometimes on site)

 

3. Cleanup:  

(the ones that thanklessly help clients get their deposit back).  I'll tell you right now that anyone who thinks that being an Event/Wedding Coordinator is glamorous should follow me after the reception is over and the vendors and guests are long gone and I'm working on the 16th hour on my feet.  You would have oh so much fun pouring out wine glasses, beer bottles (which might be anywhere at the venue), gathering unwanted cutesy or half-eaten favors, flowers, finding forgotten shoes, sweaters, and other stuff of a grosser variety.  Vendors seldom, but occasionally will leave items behind, but that's because they're sober and worn out.  Sometimes it's getting down on your hands and knees with a lint roller because glitter got on the carpet and the venue rules stated absolutely no glitter!  This is similar to removing rose petals from the floor right after the ceremony so that they won't stain the flooring if everyone danced on them.  The sad part is that this is often the scenario that was supposed to include a volunteer army of helpers who were going to do all of this after-party clean up!  Sure!  When I hear someone say our friend will do this or our friend will do that, I prepare for disaster.  What disgusts me is when a group will leave a mess and decide it's worth it to just pay the deposit and not clean up.

What's better yet is when the venue requires that all trash be removed.  Inevitably there will be a time when I get to go home in a car at 1:00 in the morning with a car that smells like alcohol, if I didn't have room in the trunk for everything.  By then, I can't guarantee I could walk a straight line without even consuming alcohol.  I'm also changing my contract and putting a time limit on retrieval of items left behind or they are gone and lost forever or I'm changing my name to something with storage unit in it or Greatest of Garbage Collection Days!  I'm this close to adding that a professional clean up crew will be hired at venues that are totally self-serve.  I think it's the only think I truly don't like about being an Event/Wedding Coordinator, but sometimes somebody's got to do it.  

But guess what... 99% of the time I love what I get to do!  How many people can say that?  When asked if I could do anything that I wanted and what would it be, I tell them that I am doing it!

 

Thanks to Janis Flagg with Greatest of Day's Event Planning & Design for the wonderful article. You can click here to check out other wonderful planning articles on her website. 

xo

Love Caren 

 

 

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K+N Wedding Photography | Wedding at Green Gates at Flowing Lake | Snohomish, Washington

K+N Wedding Photography | Wedding at Green Gates at Flowing Lake | Snohomish, Washington

 Kendra & Nick are a beautiful, young, and in love! These two ave an impeccable eye for detail, and chose the most beautiful wedding venue they could find. Both the ceremony and reception were at Green Gates at Flowing lake, in Snohomish, Washington and the whole day had a touch of whimsey, and cottage comfort. I hope you two love the sneak peak, more to come soon! xo

Investment in Custom Photography

Investment in Custom Photography

This article came across my desk the other day, a wonderful read for photographers & clients alike... enjoy! 

 

The explosion of digital photography, online sharing, home printing, and social media over the last decade makes it easier than ever to capture those everyday (and special) moments. We are thrilled that the art of photography has become more accessible to the hobbyist. Often times our clients have top of the line gear, similar to ours, and are well versed in how to use it.  But even with all of the tools and resources so widely available, and the ability to capture the every day, nothing beats the work of an accomplished professional photographer to document your family, in its entirety.  Yes, we know you’ll be in some of the images at your cousin’s wedding… and  of course there are all your own family milestones… but the return on the investment of capturing who you are, today, is enormous.  There is so much to gain from a custom, professional photography session, one that is created specifically for you, solely for that purpose.

“Yeah, I know… but really, why… why do I need to hire a professional to do that?”

Some portion of the answer is intangible (and emotional).  Never have we heard from client “I wish I didn’t professionally photograph my family.” Rather, many times we have heard “I didn’t realize how important it was until after I saw the images.“ And occasionally we’ve even heard “I didn’t want to do it until I saw a friend’s images, then I realized I wanted the same for my family!”

The remainder of the answer is related to quality and end result:

•    having a professional document what they see creates a story that is extremely different than one created by handing over your camera to your uncle or an aspiring photographer friend

•    being able to relax and unwind, and pose yourself naturally, with a bit of professional guidance is far superior to striking your one go-to pose with your “camera ready smile” and hoping it works

•    having an entire series of images, rather than just one good one, allows you to create wall galleries, or even albums, that pause and capture an exact point in time with your family

•    having an entire series of technically correct images, rather than ones that are too bright or too dark, unfocused or incorrectly lit, will enable you to proudly share and display the end result without needing to rely on those infamous disclaimers (“I know it’s not in focus, but I love it anyway!”)

That said, high quality professional photography can be expensive – and that is because custom art commands value. Unless you have a bit of disposable income, you need to consider it as an investment the same way you would consider any other purchase for your home. You certainly don’t want to have to do it over (and pay twice!), or get less than what you expected. You should select your photographer based on their style, area of expertise, quality, reputation, brand, and your expectations for an end result.

Here are some points that we think are worth extra consideration as you plan your session:

•    Experience: It is great to get a bargain with someone who is just building their portfolio. However for guaranteed results, you should be able to view an entire portfolio of images that demonstrate a consistency in style and output so that you can be confident in the end result you will receive. If you have doubts, ask to view a few complete sessions.

•    Style: Consider whether you are looking for a classic portrait, timeless black and whites, ethereal storybook art or a photojournalistic “day in the life.” Spend time reviewing multiple photographer’s online portfolios to really understand their style and find one that resonates with you. Make sure you select a style because the end result is what YOU desire, not just what’s trendy on Facebook this week! Will that style stand the test of time and in 10 years, and will it still make sense for you?

•    Product portfolio: Think about what you want to DO with your images. It’s best to have a goal, whether it be a specific family image for over your formal fireplace, canvases for a playroom wall, a classic framed display for a stairway wall or lovely coffee table keepsake albums. Once you select a photographer based on experience and style, make sure you review what products they offer, and have a conversation about your end goals to ensure they can deliver quality products that will meet your expectations. At the end of the experience, the art you purchase will be the final product and you need to love it.

•    Stance on “Getting the Disk”: Do not assume that getting it “all” from a digital package is the best route to go.  Deciding that you need everything in a digital format is a hasty decision to make if you haven’t even shot your session. Once you view your gallery, you may instantly decide which images you must have on your walls, and which in an album, and those that you want as digital files. Don’t rule out a photographer based on their willingness (or price point) to sell a session in a digital format… trust that they have experience in pulling together collections for clients that will meet their needs. You will want to enjoy your images everyday in your home…not left on a disk in a drawer.

•    Overall Relationship & Style of Communication: You have to be able to connect with your photographer. If you enjoy a hands-on style, that is casual, in touch and friendly, you are going to need to find one that also works in that style. If the “feel good” aspect isn’t as important, but the end result is, that’s another consideration. There are many wonderful clients and many wonderful photographers, but like picking the perfect spouse, nanny or even best friend, not everyone is a fit, but there is someone for everyone. If you have doubts, pick up the phone and chat about how you connect best, and talk about your overall style and goals.

Typical client feedback from those who have invested in quality custom photography:
“A professional photographer has the patience and experience to capture amazing portraits. As a hobbyist shooter and their mom, my kids know most of my tricks, so getting them to cooperate is a challenge. Custom photography allows me leave the work and worry up to someone else, who I trust to capture images that will grace our walls for a lifetime.”

“I wanted two things… a healthy baby and newborn photos. What I got was a moment in time captured in the most beautiful photographs. Every time I look at them, I am reminded of those first few weeks with my son, when everything was new (and a little scary), and he smiled for the camera, before he even knew he could.  I never could have captured that on my own.”

“I have multiple single images of my family that I treasure. They are beautiful and meaningful to me, for so many reasons. They are on Facebook, and printed in 5X7 frames next to my bed.  But once a year I select a professional to photograph my family and from those sessions, I have full albums of images, each one technical perfection combined with artistry, and those are the ones that are displayed on my walls, are given as gifts to family members, and are showcased in beautiful albums.”

So do your research, find a pro who you click (no pun intended) with, and work together to create something that you and future generations will treasure forever.

 

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