Wedding Photography Tip #6

Wedding Photography Tip #6-- Be Organized!

There are thousands of details that go into a wedding-- from booking your vendors, to selecting food, printing programs, scheduling arrivals, etc. It's easy to get overwhelmed! I smile whenever a bride comes into the studio with a book in hand that is stuffed with information sheets, fliers, magazine tear-outs and scribbled down phone numbers. There are so many things to keep track of, it is difficult to manage the amount of information that has to be coordinated (hence the creation of the "wedding coordinator")!

Start early. Earlier than you think you should. Get all your vendors booked as soon as possible, so that is set in stone. Get the dresses ordered so you are not stressed with last minute alterations. The bride's mantra-- if it can be done now, DO IT! :) No matter how well you plan or how organized you are, the last few weeks before the wedding are inherently chaotic.

Do everything in writing and make sure you have a copy as well as the vendor. For instance, when your groom and groomsmen are measured for tuxes, keep a carbon copy of the order with their measurements on it. If for some reason, the tux orders are not correct or happen to get misplaced, you have a copy of everything.

Keep your contracts! There are tons of cute bridal planners out there, but you may want to invest in a theee ring binder and sheet protectors. Every contract you sign is placed in the binder and put away for safe-keeping. This way, you can always refer back to the contract to clarify the services and products that you have agreed on. Keep your emails! A lot of wedding planning is now done via email, so instead of keeping your paper trail, keep all your electronic documents in a folder.

When you are working with the photographer on your itinerary, why not provide a copy to all the major players? The DJ, caterer, coordinator, officiant, family, bridal party, etc. Its OK to give people too much information-- its better than keeping them in the dark!

Some of you might be wondering how organization relates to photography, but I promise when you see a bride completely stressed out searching for a contract to contact a missing vendor, you will understand! :)

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