Unconventional Ideas for Your Wedding Day

There is a very common saying when it comes to planning weddings which is, “it’s your day”. While that is true, there can be a lot of pressure to make other people happy. At this point in my photography journey I have seen a lot of couples tackle this very delicate subject. Here are a few ideas that you can consider incorporating to your big day to add your own flavour to the day:

1. Elopements and Micro Weddings

   If we learned one thing in 2020 it was that less is more. The COVID weddings I was a part of might not have been what the bride and groom initially planned and envisioned, however, the pressure valve gets turned way down. Instead of a day full of rushing and keeping up with different schedules the day is relaxed.

2. The Jewish Tradition: Ketubah

   The not sexy time of the ceremony is signing the wedding license. So instead let’s learn from the Jewish faith.

   The first Jewish wedding I was ever a part of I fell in love with the tradition of signing the Ketubah. I had never heard of this before! I took photos as the couple signed this gorgeous document they had been done up to be displayed in their new marital home. It was the couple, the rabbi and their two witnesses and I absolutely loved it. This left the ceremony to flow much better and allowed the couple to enjoy a moment to themselves prior to the ceremony.

3. Floral Time

   Ok my friends, time for some brutal honesty. There has yet to be a groom I meet that handles the boutonniere well. Either there’s not enough pins to hold it on properly, a seatbelt takes it out or they are forgotten all together. Why spend on what will be wasted? Moral of the story is: take a hard look at what flowers you would like to have and would enjoy and be honest with your partner.

   After the wedding, take a moment to think about what you would like done with your flowers. I’ve seen some beautiful and heart-warming ideas between donating the flowers to a retirement home nearby, allowing guests to take some home or preserving the flowers in a special way.

4. First Dance Variations

   Remember seventh grade dances when you were either waiting for someone to ask you to dance or dancing sever feet away from a guy you only liked because he had the best hockey wings in the class? Stress no more because you’ve got your dance partner for life! I’ve got two first dance variations depending on how you and your partner feel:
   Like being the centre of attention: after you are pronounced as married, jump right into your first dance! You’ve got everyone’s attention since they were just watching you get married and helps solidify the moment at the ceremony. Bonus, if you have a beautiful view or decor at the ceremony, they will be included in your first dance photos!
   Not a fan of being the centre of attention: first and foremost, think of how long the song you choose is. 4+ minutes starts to feel VERY long when you’re dancing in front of people. If you still don’t want the spotlight on you, ask your MC or DJ to invite other married couples to the dance floor once the first minute of your song is done. This is a great way to divide the attention while still celebrating!

If you’ve got something unique and fun planned for your wedding I would love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments below.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer 💍📸

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time for you and your fiance. Of course the excitement can be slightly dulled when you’ve got loved ones (who mean well) pestering you for details. Have you picked your date yet? Am I invited? Can I come with you to go dress shopping? It can all feel very overwhelming. I can’t tell you how to plan the whole day but here’s my take on the most important factors for choosing your photographer.

1. Establish Your Budget

   If you’ve watched Say Yes to the Dress at all, you’ve seen the disaster that strikes when a bride tries on a dress that exceeds her budget. Spoiler alert, she loves it and leaves broken hearted. Don’t do that to yourself with photography (or your dress for that matter). Canadian wedding photographers charge an average of $2500-3500 for a wedding however there may be a different price point for elopements and microweddings. Keep in mind where the photographer is based out of as most photographers charge travel fees outside a certain area.

2. Pick the Style You Want

   This is where your Instagram and Facebook sleuthing skills will pay off! Every photographer has a certain style in which they shoot. Your photographs will of course be unique because they are starring you and your partner but they will be shot and edited in a way similar to what you will see on the photographer’s website and social media. It’s a more complex task than Instagram filters but the idea is similar. Don’t expect your photographer to adapt to you, instead find a photographer that matches you.

3. Reach out to Photographers

   So you like what you see so far; now is the time to make your move. The best way to get a hold of photographers is through email. Of course we love to hear from you through social media but the fastest response time will be email. Bonus, it shows your photographer that you’re serious about booking them as DM’s can be seen as non-committal. Be sure to include your wedding date (or estimated date) in your initial email to see if the photographer is available right off the hop.

4. Don’t Ghost Us

   Once you’ve sent the email, your photographer is involved in your planning. Your date is not officially reserved until you’ve paid some sort of retainer or signed a contract but that doesn’t mean your photographer isn’t connecting with you. If you choose to go with another photographer, please let us know. We won’t take it personally and will wish you the best for your big day.

5. Good Vibes Only Check

   Of all of the vendors at your wedding, you will likely spend the most amount of time with your photographer. Typically, you’ll have a few people helping you with getting ready and preparation but who won’t be there for the whole ceremony and reception. You’ll have another team that is there for the ceremony and a whole new crew for the reception. The thread through them all? Your photographer.

I am of course biased, but the photos you have from your big day will be something you hold on to forever. It will be what your children and grandchildren look at someday. This is not a light decision but if you have any questions for me that would help you navigate this world, click the button below and I would be happy to chat with you.