I'm not even going to try and compile a detailed list of tips for your wedding day
but let me offer some advice as they pertain to photography. I've included some resources at the
bottom that might help with other areas.
Makeup
You apply your makeup everday but you probably want to consider having a professional do it
on your wedding day. You not only want to make sure the makeup looks good on you but that
it will come out good in photos. There are going to be a lot of photos taken by me as well
as your guests and you and all your bridesmaids will want to look your best. Having someone
that is experienced in applying makeup for brides or photography is your best bet. If you
are looking for a good makeup artist have a look at the following site.
Makeup Artist:
Makeup by Sherry - New York City trained Sherry, has been involved in
many projects in the few years since she graduated
make-up school. Working with top designers and
stylists, she has done her magic on playboy models,
beauty pageant winners, and members of the music
industry. Her expertise runs the gamut from the natural
look to high fashion.
If you choose to do your makeup yourself or your bridesmaids will do it themselves here
are some tips that I pass along to any woman I photograph. You want to do your make up
like you normally would for an evening out just a little heavier and darker on everything
except the eyeshadow which should be lighter. Here are some more detailed tips.
Face - Start with a good cleanser then moisturize before you apply your
foundation and powder. You may want to touch up your powder at least once or twice
during the day. If you go to light on the powder your skin will look to shiny.
Lips - Use a solid shade slightly deeper than you normally would. Avoid
any frosted or sparkly as it will reflect light and appear lighter. For black and white
portraits you want to use brown tones instead of red. Have a clear lip gloss with you
to apply before important pictures.
Cheeks - You want to go a little heavier than normal and just a little more
defined while blending the egdes softly into your base. Again for black and white
portraits natural tones will come out darker than reds.
Eyes - Use a lighter shade of eyeshadow under your eyebrow to bring forward
your eyes, especially if you have deep set eyes. Eyeliner can be applied as normal and
you want to go heavy on the maskara without getting it clumpy.
Skin - Use a good moisturizer on any part of your body that will be exposed.
Arms, elbows, chest, neck, back, legs (for the garter toss), and hands.
The best thing to do is to prepare your make up before hand so you know exactly what you're
going to apply. I can arrange a free make up consultation for your bridal party. A consultant
representing the "best selling brand of skin care in the country" shows up to your home and
you get a hand treatment, facial, and color assesment and application to determine the best
colors for each person that work well together and with the dresses. The products are
available for purchase but there is no obligation to buy anything. If you are hapyp with
the look you can even get the consultant to come on your wedding day for a reasonable fee.
Free Makeup Consultation:
Free Make up Consultation - Information
on how to obtain a free make up consultation and what the consultation offers.
You can schedule it just before your pre wedding day portraits (Engagement, Bridal
Portrait or Bridal Boudoir) so that your face is made up for the session.
Location/Time
My favorite photos are ones that are taken in available light. If you don't have
a ceremony location picked out for personal reasons, find one that has a lot of windows
that let in a good amount of sunlight and arrange to have your ceremony at a time that
best takes advantage of that light. The same applies to your reception hall. Though most
receptions run well past sundown there is usually good light if there is an outdoor cocktail
hour and into part of the reception during the summer months. A bright, overcast day is
the most ideal condition to shoot under. The hours around noon on a clear day are the worst
so you should try and keep the time between the ceremony and reception away from that time
if you want to take some outdoor shots for your portrait/formal session. Outdoors at night
are also more difficult and will require additional lights and set up time to get a natural
look and will be at an additional cost.
Some photographers don't like them but I think they're a pretty good idea. There are going to be
drawbacks any way you look at them. People are going to take them home and you'll never see
them, you're going to spend a lot of money on them and processing, while they've gotten a lot
better it's still not the best picture taking tool, on top of that it's usually the drunkest
people that windup using them (which isn't always a bad thing).
My recomendation is to get no more than one for every table, not including the bridal party tables.
Have one or two where the groom is getting ready in case nobody brings a camera and make
sure there is one in every limo if you hire them. Don't flash the drivers and don't forget
them. At the reception leave a note to feel free to use the camera to take pictures of
the guests at their table if they don't have a camera. Then they should take the cameras
home to keep. When they get them processed they should request doubles and send you a copy.
Also, please indicate that they shouldn't use the cameras to take photos during the important
times when I'm taking photos. There are already going to be a lot of people there with
cameras and adding more to that increases the chances that someone else's flash might be
in my photo. Usually from an odd angle, casting strange shadows (yes it does happen).
If you decide to get them, get the Kodak Wedding Cameras. Some of the other boxes may fit
the wedding decor better but when it comes to quality Kodak has them beat.
Another option might be to provide a roll of film on every table and ask your guests to bring their cameras. You can set up a box or bag near the reception exit to remind
guests to drop off their film. I would recomend Kodak Portra 400NC. The quality of the
film is a little bit nicer for weddings and is about 40% cheaper (buying the 5 pack from the link below) than buying disposables.
Kodak Portra 400NC 35mm 36 exposure 5 pack
More Resources
I've only been able to cover a few areas as the relate to wedding photography. If you would
like more assistance in planning your wedding and coming up with ideas you should consider
some of the following planning tools and guides.
If, like most couples today, are planning this wedding yourself, this is a great tool
to help you get organized as well as being a decorative peice with beautiful photos and
quotes to keep the ideas flowing.
Our gold-foiled Wedding Planner stands out for its elegance
and practicality.
9 dividers featuring beautiful wedding photos and quotes organize the book
into basic categories such as Master Plan & Budget, Invitations &
Announcements, The Ceremony.
Convenient pockets hold important papers. A summary page for key phone
numbers gives information at a glance. Calendar pages allow detailed
planning before and after the wedding (through 2005). Concealed wire-o
binding. Measures 8-1/2" wide x 10" high; 112 pages. An elastic band
attached to the back cover serves as a page marker.
With 201 Unique Ideas there are bound to be a few that you can use. At the very least
it might help trigger some of your own unique ideas. With that many there should be
some everyone can laugh at as well.
Bold Suggestions to Make Every Aspect of Your Wedding Special-From the
Invitations to the Honeymoon
Looking for a way to add a unique sense of wonder and
excitement to your wedding day? Here are hundreds of innovative wedding
ideas-minor but distinctive touches that will help you personalize clothing
choices, invitations, photography, receptions, keepsakes, and much, much more.
The Creative Wedding Idea Book helps couples add panache and
personalization to all aspects of the ceremony and the celebrations that follow.
It's a welcome breath of fresh air.
It's from Martha Stewart and her crew so you know the ideas presented will be
of the best quality. The book itself has many fine photos and is well written.
It is exactly what you would expect from Martha Stewart.
In America, I believe you are not officially a bride without a subscription to Modern Bride.
This is a guide for the bride-to-be for planning her wedding,
honeymoon and first home. Its issues cover bridal fashion, travel, lingerie,
home furnishings, house wares, accessories, honeymoon travel, personal beauty
care, wedding gifts, marital relations, financial advice and shopping
information.
It's a good source for ideas while planning. A subscription to Modern Bride along with
the planner above is a good way to get started.
* Note the product photos are not ones I have taken unless otherwise indicated
Kodak Max Wedding Edition 4-Pack 35mm...
Kodak Black & White Single Use Camera
Makeup
