As my friend Kate McElwee recently remarked, “[the wedding day] is an experience, this day, a time to relax and love, to wander – meander – to smile and spend a little time with the one[s] you love. Not: bam bam bam next bam bam bam next bam.”  I’m quoting her because I couldn’t say it any better myself and is what inspired this blog.

Your wedding day is such a big day and no matter what, it will flash by in an instant and all that will be left is memories, a few mementos and your photographs (and possibly video).  That’s it.  These items will become heirlooms for future children and generations to come.  Those extra 30 minutes that you could have spent getting quality images for future generations to get to know you by are often tossed aside because people are worried that guests will be upset they had to wait on a bride and groom to arrive to the reception from taking pictures.  In 5 years what are you going to be more upset about, guests having to wait on you to get your pictures or the images you didn’t get to make the guests happy?  I don’t know about you, but in all the years I’ve been attending weddings I’ve NEVER once been upset about waiting on the bride and groom.

In an ideal world, I like to have at least 1 hour of active shooting time after portraits for solid picture taking time.  I start the session off with the bridal party and then dismiss them to spend the final 30-40 minutes with the couple.  The more time the better!!  Instead of slamming out poses and getting through the have-to-do’s this extra time allows me to let you guys visit and talk (often our portrait time is the ONLY time you will spend alone the day of the wedding, which is why I like to dismiss the bridal party if possible to allow you to have more quality time together).  While there are the standard poses I like to make sure you have, my favorite images and almost always the clients favorite images, come from the candid moments that happen between the couple which often can’t be scripted and rarely happens when we’re on a tight schedule.  If there is extra time (and sometimes there is) at the end it becomes a bonus because it gives you time to regroup, freshen up and collect yourselves before the next wedding day event…. and maybe sneak in a snuggle and a kiss.  If you want to get really crazy, schedule a break during the reception for you and your photographer to sneak out for some more portraits in the evening with the sunset and perfect light.  Not only are these images almost always my favorites but it gives you more images and another chance to regroup and reconnect with the one that this whole day is about: your partner.

Hopefully those marriedto-be’s out there keep this in their minds while planning.  Trust me, you will be thankful for every second (which are precious few!) during the wedding day that you aren’t worried about the time.

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: Time, Time, Time!."

Wedding Day Advice

• Cake Tips

• Feeding Your Vendors

• The Real Skinny on Vendor Meals

• Receiving Lines

• Timelines

• Wedding Insurance

Photography Advice

• Be a Photo Friendly Guest

• Digital Negatives

• Engagement Session Ideas

• Formals, Tips to Make Them Quick!

• Guest Photographers

• How to Get the Best Photos

• Pictures With Dogs

• Table Shots

• Why Photographers Cost So Much

• Why Professional Prints Cost More Than Wal Mart’s

Miscellaneous Advice

• Saving the Date with Corey Ann Photography

• What Should I Know Before We Meet?

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks | Best of Corey Talks."

Recently I had a client meeting where a bride asked me how to best plan her day around getting the best images possible.  I was flattered and elated to be able to give some input on items that really help a wedding that much more beautiful in images. It also made me think there may be other clients out there that are wondering the same thing, so I thought I’d make it a blog post!  Here’s some tips for future clients to think about if having beautiful images is a key element in your day, broken down into times of the day.

In General

- Hire a photographer that suits your tastes!  I cannot stress this enough!  If you want a candid approach to your day, find a photographer that is a photojournalist (WPJA is a great place to find this style of photographer!).  If you want more of the “get together and smile” style pictures from the day, look for a traditional photographer.  The single best way to get the best images (for you!) from your wedding is to hire a photographer that suits your needs and style.

- I hate to say it but it has to be said, often you get what you pay for.  Sometimes you will score a great up-and-coming photographer that is starting out low but it isn’t always the case.  If you are going to go with a cheaper alternative make sure to check review sites and the BBB to ensure that they are running a legal business and have satisfied customers!  NOTHING ruins images faster than having a photographer that doesn’t know what they are doing.  The sad thing is that you won’t know until much later when pictures can’t be saved.

- If there are certain images you have seen and have to have, I want to know!  Email it to me so that we’re both on the same page.  Keep in mind that if you send 50 images, I may not be able to get them all but it will still give me a better idea of what your mental picture is of the day.

- Trust us the day of to do our job.  Believe me, this helps a great deal with getting you the best imagery from your big day.

- Having a wedding planner often is the key to staying on time during the day and also allowing the clients to RELAX and enjoy the day – which in turn makes the pictures SO much better due to happier people and more time!  I realize it’s not always in the budget but even a day of coordinator can make a world of difference!

- Details, details, details!!!  The more little details, the more of you that is a part of the big day and the more the images will reflect you.  If having your wedding featured on a blog or in a magazine is something high on your want list, details are a must.

Getting Ready

- You’ll hear this often but the more natural light in the room, the better.  If you are getting a room at a hotel, see if you can make sure you have windows that will have sunlight filtering in the time of day you’ll be getting ready in your room. Hotel lighting is usually very warm so the more natural light, the better you look!  If you are getting ready at a salon you are most likely at their mercy – most salons have atrocious lighting from a photography standpoint.

- I always tell my clients that unless they totally love and rock the no-makeup-and-I-was-up-late look, the best time for the pictures to begin is after the makeup is complete.  I don’t know about you but I’m not a pretty person first thing in the morning (ok mostly never, but ESPECIALLY then!) and I’m most self-conscious of my looks then.  If the pictures start after your face is on (or just when it starts to get the transformation) it’s the best for everyone!

- For all dresses – bride, bridesmaids, mothers – REMOVE THE STRAPS! Not spaghetti straps or the like, but the ones that keep the dress on the hanger. Those suckers pop out all day long and are one of the most requested items for me to photoshop. I can usually (but not always) get them out of the picture but it saves you cost (as retouching is an additional charge) and time worrying about it if you just cut them out from the get go. If you plan to rehang your dress, save the straps and safety pin them back on after the wedding. Some of these straps need to be removed by seam rippers and resewing as well – David’s Bridal bridesmaids dresses are notorious for having them in the lining and on dark dresses – even cut – the white straps are quite obvious.

- Another tidbit, make sure anyone wearing a dress does a bra trial run!!  Those suckers pop out a lot and it is often because someone thought any bra would do!

- If your bridesmaids are going to be helping you get in your dress, make sure that they are dressed and ready before you get dressed.  It looks better in pictures if everyone is dressed and ready.

- This also goes for Moms and any other family members that may be a part of the getting ready process. It looks more polished if everyone is dressed and ready by the time the bride is getting into her gown.

- When you put your dress on, try to put it on in an area of open space with ample natural light. Not only does this help with the images, but open space will be very much needed for the dress and amount of people that will be around.

- If the dress involves a corset back, make sure the strings are flat when doing the corset up.  It sounds silly but it really does make for a prettier look in images AND in person!

- Guys usually are a bit easier when it comes to getting ready, if they are going to be photographed make sure they know to wait for the photographer to arrive for the fancier digs to get put on and tweaked.

- Again, the more ample natural light the better so if the guys are getting ready in a church basement, perhaps see if they’re able to get shirts and jackets on near windows.

- For both guys and girls – drink in moderation before the ceremony and/or pictures. Drinking can make an otherwise cooperative bridal party go amuck! If drinks are a must, make sure there’s plenty of water on hand to keep hydrated and sober!  Hydration is key for the best looking skin in images

Ceremony

- If you are having an outdoor ceremony, please please please have an indoor backup. Nothing ruins pictures quicker than a rainstorm and no place to have a ceremony!

- Another tip for outdoor ceremonies is to look at the location during the time of day and near the time of year you will be married. It’s amazing how different light can change a ceremony location outdoors! One location that I’ve shot at was GORGEOUS in June but in October the shadows fell so that there was a line from a tree across the groom’s face. Make sure that where the bride and groom will be will have similar lighting conditions (not one in full sun and one in shade which is really hard to shoot and doesn’t look the best in images).

- If you have an indoor ceremony, it really helps when you get the officiant on board with your desire to have quality images from the wedding. Many times indoors we are “stuck” to certain areas of the building – balconies or the end of the aisle. Sometimes a pre meeting with them and assurances from me allow a bit more freedom in the church areas to get the best images of the key moments of the ceremony.

- If you are carrying a bouquet (unless it’s the kind that lays in your arm) remember that your thumb should be at your belly button.  This way the bouquet doesn’t creep up so that it eventually covers your face.  We want to see all the pretty ladies smiles!

- The more of YOU that is in the ceremony, the better the images are.  Write your own vows.  Have a reading that is something meaningful to you rather than a standard poem.  The more of you that is in the ceremony, the more you will react to the service!

- Hankies are a beautiful way to wipe away tears.  If you don’t have a pocket, either tuck it in your bouquet or wrap it around the stems.

- When processing and recessing please do not dash!!!  Slow and steady not only looks graceful but also is much easier for photographers to get a sharp, clear image!

- My easiest ceremonies are ones where the programs request either no flash or no photography during the service in the programs.  While I love that guests are as eager as I am to get that perfect picture of you, it’s often very hard to get that picture when I have to compete for it (especially if I’m stuck to the back and they are in the aisle).

- Make sure you don’t lock your knees – this goes for the bridal party too.  I’ve had a few go down during the ceremony and it’s never a photographic moment and it often ends up requiring some recovery time for the person that passes out.

- When you kiss for the first time, make sure it’s not a peck! The longer you kiss, the more angles and looks you’ll get of that very important first moment!

Family Portraits

- Know ahead of time how much time we have for pictures at the ceremony location after the service. Often there are events happening after and we are on time constraints. If I know ahead of time, it helps me plan and make sure everything runs on time.

- I love being able to take family portraits outdoors! It’s my first go-to place for family portraits if they are willing.

- I cannot stress this enough but please make sure that the members of the family you want to take pictures with know that they are going to be included.  Also let them know when and where the pictures will be.  This helps eliminate a lot of the chasing around of people and time wasted trying to find everyone that was supposed to stay.

- Having a list of the group shots you want taken is extra helpful.  You then have a list to hand off to a friend (see below) but you also then are thinking about who you want pictures with before the crazy stuff begins at weddings.  If you leave it to spur of the moment there is often someone left out.

- Having a people wrangler is a HUGE help.  I can yell out who is supposed to be in pictures but it really helps when someone is there that knows the people and can help sort them out.

- If you have little kids that are going to be a part of portraits, try to do them either before the ceremony or immediately after.  Much of their “I have to be good” quotient of the day is taken with the ceremony so the longer after the ceremony their pics are taken, the less likely they are to smile for the camera.

- Understand that sometimes, kids just aren’t going to cooperate.  They may be in the shot in body, but it’s possible that they will be crying, laughing or looking away.  If you are okay with this, things go a lot smoother than trying for that ‘perfect’ shot from the 2 year old that is just done for the day.

- If we are under a time constraint (and nine times out of ten we are) it is best that I am the only one shooting the family portraits.  Once more and more people are taking pictures behind me, it’s more time we have to wait and that time usually comes from the pictures that follow the family portraits (bridal party/bride and groom).

Bridal Party

- The key element to getting the best pictures with the bridal party is (again) limiting the alcohol intake.  I knowwwwww – trust me.  I know.  It’s your big day and you want to celebrate with champagne and cocktails!  However, I’m sure you’ve seen how alcohol can affect people.  People don’t tend to listen to direction, get sick and sometimes get belligerent.  I want you guys to have fun, but I also want you to have pictures with all of your bridal party looking at the camera

- Choose an outdoor location that has some shade.  If it’s a really bright day often the best places to shoot are in the shade.  Not only does it look best in camera, but it also helps the squinting.

- Is your location going to have a bit of walking?  Think about doing pictures with the girls early on in their heels and letting them kick off the heels for flip flops or the like to make walking around easier (and less painful).  If you are feeling pain, it will show on your face and then will be in pictures.  Happy feet = happy smiles!

- When choosing bridesmaids dresses, keep movement in mind.  Some dresses are gorgeous on the rack but require constant tugging to make it stay put all night – strapless dresses are notorious of this.  Photographers call that style of dress “the tug” for a reason and I’ve had plenty of beautiful bridal party shots ruined by “the tug.”

- If you want to go to various locations for images, make sure to have the names and addresses handy.  Not only does it help me when driving but your limo driver will thank you as well.  Also make sure to think of alternative locations!!  I usually suggest one alternative “dry” spot in case one is crowded (many locations are often overrun with bridal parties making it not easy to get pictures).  I also suggest having “wet” locations as well in case of rain.  As long as it isn’t pouring I’m not opposed to taking pictures in the rain but often my couples aren’t as keen!

Couple Portraits

- Every emotion you are feeling tends to show itself on your face.  If you are in pain, it shows.  If you are uncomfortable, it shows.  So make sure that all elements of your ensemble are going to make sure you are comfortable, happy and pain free!

- Brides, please please please do a movement test in your dress.  Jump.  Dance.  SIT DOWN!  Shake it like a polaroid picture!  Make sure that everything stays put and you are able to move.  As I mentioned above, “the tug” is not a pretty look – especially on a bride!  You want to be comfortable in your dress!

- First looks are the best way to get the most out of your time.  I understand that it’s not always ideal but keep it in mind if you know you are going to be tight on time between the ceremony and reception. It’s also the best way to spend the most time with your guests as it frees up that time between events that is usually taken up with pictures.

- The best time and light for portraits is the hour before sunset when the light is golden and beautiful.  If you can schedule your day to have portraits taken during this magic hour as it’s called, you will be guaranteed to LOVE the images.

- It is best if it is just me + the couple during this time.  It’s the most efficient way to make the most of the time we have together.

- I can’t say this enough but plan for enough time for pictures!  I suggest to set aside 90 minutes of SHOOTING time to get everything done (family, bridal party and the couple).  This doesn’t include driving times to/from locations.  I can work with times lower than that but shorter than 90 minutes and things get rushed and we end up having to cut images out (usually from the bridal party pictures).

Reception

- I cannot stress enough how much lighting can change a room.  I’ve been so lucky to have been able to shoot some wonderfully lit receptions and they make a HUGE impact on images.  Uplighting is such a fantastic way to bring beauty into your reception without killing the floral budget.

- If having pictures of the reception room empty and details are important to you, make sure that the photographer has a way to get in the room before the guests are let in.  Often having the cocktail hour in a separate room easily solves this and allows us to jump in the room for some quick shots and jump back out to continue our coverage of the cocktail hour.

- Brides, please please please have  backup shoes.  I don’t care if you work in heels every day.  PLEASE bring a back up pair of comfy shoes – flats, flip flops or even slippers.  It’s much better to have brought them and not needed than to be in pain – which again, shows on your face.

- I usually urge my brides to get bustled before we head outside for pictures but if we don’t, I definitely recommend it before the reception gets going.  Make sure that at least two people know your bustle other than your Mom.  Usually the bustle point person (Moms, sisters) aren’t around when we have to bustle.  Most of the time I can figure it out but sometimes the bustle is a crazy puzzle that isn’t easily figured out.  If done wrong, it can look wonky in pictures and also get stepped on!

- Putting the main “events” of the night (special dances, toasts, cake cutting etc.) at the beginning of the reception AND all together (no open dancing between) not only gets you the best use of your time with your photographer, but also makes sure that the big events are captured when you are still looking your best.  Once the fast dancing and drinking begins, you don’t look quite as perfect.

- Having a great DJ or band really helps set the tone for the reception.  They are the key to a fun or boring reception.  Make sure that you check reviews and hire the perfect person to suit your needs!

- While choreographed dances are crazy fun, the standard stand-and-sway dances do lead to the best images.  When you are dancing fast, you’re concentrating and most of us aren’t blessed with the best looking concentration face.  If you do a choreographed dance, make sure to either bookend it with some standard slow dancing or get a slow dance in later so that you have some of those intimate images as well.

- While a dark dance floor may be fun it is really hard for photographers to be able to focus in the dark.  Make sure that the venue leaves a little bit of light on for us to focus with and be able to see who we are focusing on!  It also helps the DJ be able to see what they are doing as well – bonus!

- Make sure that you and your new spouse take a few twirls on the dance floor – to both fast and slow songs.  Not only does it make it great for pictures since you’re out there but guests faces light up when you are on the floor with them.

- HAVE FUN!!!

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: Tips For Best Photos."

Same Meal Guests Have

As photographers, we’re elated when we get the same meal that guests have.  The first thing this ensures is that we will be able to photograph the meal that you have chosen to have served to guests.  If we aren’t served the same meal, it’s often something we cannot photograph as most people aren’t friendly to strange people taking aside their plate of food.  This also usually means we are seated with guests.  Some photographers don’t like this but I always enjoy getting to meet someone new.  It also means that if we’re in the same room, we’re around to know when anything spontaneous happens during dinner that need photographed.  The final perk to this option is that we are also served with guests, so that we are able to eat while everyone is eating and are able to get back to our jobs before events start to happen.  The only downside that I’ve encountered while being seated with guests is that often since we’re not in the seat until dinner is about to start, someone moves to our seats assuming we’re not there or we’ll find somewhere else to sit and there isn’t always a place for us to move to resulting in us not having a meal.

Stepped Down Guest Meal

Usually if we are placed in an ante room to the reception for our meal, we are served a vendor meal which is a lighter version of the guest meal (chicken/pasta is typically the option).  Sometimes it is really nice to have a room to go to and completely relax and not worry about our stuff being messed with and just talk about the day so far.  The food is usually the most economical version of the guest choices (pasta or chicken) and still quite good and nourishing.  The downfall to this option is that we do not have a full guest plate to shoot (often ours aren’t dressed up like the served plates are or have the side dishes the guests do).  We also are usually pretty far off from the main reception area to know what is going on unless someone keys us in to an event taking place.  Since we’re often far off from the main floor, we’re the last to be served since the guests are the priority.  I totally understand that but usually by the time we get our meals in the room, the bridal party is already finished with theirs and circling the room – moments we would like to be there to capture.  Finally it’s becoming a reality that most of the time, these meals never come – or they come too late for the vendors serving you to enjoy them because your reception is already swinging back into gear.  I feel SO badly for my couples when this happens because they pay for a meal that never is enjoyed and I hate to see people loose money!

Boxed Lunch/Sandwich Tray

This option is the most popular with guests that also have to feed a band but has been used a bit more lately.  This meal is usually a boxed lunch consisting of a sandwich (baloney and PB&J being the most popular versions) a bag of chips and sometimes water.  If it’s a sandwich tray, it’s usually a ring or mini subs from a sub shop.  These are usually served in either a back room of the kitchen or in a room that is off to the side of the reception.  I’m not a picky eater so I’m usually fine with this but I do get upset when I have to battle the band for a meal.  Bands are notorious for eating all of the food in a vendor room.  I thought this was a tall tale when starting in the business but I quickly found out that generally bands eat up everything assuming it’s all for them and the rest of the vendors are left without meals.  The Sellouts will forever have my heart for insisting we eat first because we’d been working hard all day.  The first and only band to ever do this!  I’ve found that a great solution to this issue is to have the caterers have one box/bag/ring for the band and another for the other vendors that isn’t brought out until we are there.  That way the band can tear through their food but there’s still some left over when we and the videographers, wedding planners etc. come back for our quick bite.

Hopefully this helps solve some of the mystery around Vendor Meals and what exactly they are and what each scenario means behind the scenes!

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: Vendor Meals, The Real Skinny."

•  Pick a location to take pictures with your dog that is dog friendly but not overly distracting.  Dog parks are a great place to play with your dog however too much of a distraction for sitting for pictures.  On the other hand, churches very rarely are dog friendly.  If the location also will work for pictures afterwards with the humans in your wedding it’s even better!

•  Everyone has a friend or family member that is itching to help with the wedding.  Have them be the dog person!  If they are pet friendly, have them bring your dog to meet you at the specified place and time and take them back home afterwards.  If you do a first look it makes it even easier for them as they still have time to get ready for the wedding!

•  Make sure your dog is bathed and ready for their close up!   Pack a few baby wipes for muddy paws in case of them finding a mud puddle.

•  A pretty collar and leash that matches the bridal party is always fun!

•  Have bottled water and a traveling water bowl on hand.  It gets hot in the summer and if they had to wait in the car they are even going to be more thirsty!

•  Treats are an easy way to get dogs to look up at the camera and well deserved after being good for the camera.

•  Make sure that your photographer is dog friendly!!!  I personally ADORE dogs but not everyone does.  Make sure that your photographer isn’t afraid of dogs before planning to bring your friend in for some pictures during the day.

Do you have any tips to add?

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: Pictures With Dogs."

Today I was reminded to not sweat the small stuff, take pleasure in the simple things and wear sunscreen.

Maybe you need the reminder too?

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99,
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on.  Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

(click here for the You Tube video/song)

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Wear Sunscreen."

If you arrive and the processional has started, please don’t walk down the aisle with the processional.   Remember the processional starts with the mothers and continues on through the bridal party and bride.  Wait to the side and find your seat after the processional is over.

This wedding had a lot of stragglers that kept sitting themselves through the processional, which ended up confusing the groom’s mother who ended up seating herself due to the confusion.  If you are late, wait!

If you arrive late and the processional has started, don’t stand behind the bride at the end of the aisle waiting for her to go down.   Wait to the side for her to finish walking up the aisle before coming back to the doorway and taking your seat.

As you can see in this image, there are people waiting at the end of the aisle and they are a distraction in the image as you can see them between the bride and her escort.

During the ceremony, please don’t allow your child to run up and down the aisle, especially if you are between the photographer and the bride and groom.

These guys were running up and down the aisle for the entire ceremony and while it is cute for a couple pictures, it also made the wide angle shot up the aisle a bit tricky as the aisle was never clear.

During the ceremony, when taking pictures please do so from your seat and do not stand up in the aisle to do so, especially when the bride is walking down the aisle.

This guest was standing RIGHT in front of the groom, whom you cannot see in this image or this series of images.  I love to get the groom’s reaction in the frame of the bride but it wasn’t possible due to this guest.

Keep arms and legs inside the pews/chairs at all times during the ceremony.  It may be more comfy to sprawl out but often your elbow/foot may become the focus of an otherwise perfect shot.

After hearing Heidi’s anguish over this image, I started saving images of guests ruining pictures for a future blog post.

During the exit, leave an exit path for the bride and groom and try to resist the urge to crowd them.

As you can see in this exit, there was no path and seeing the bride and groom isn’t easy.  With a clear path for the bride and groom they are easily visible.

Likewise, don’t jump in front of the photographer between the bride and groom and them to take a picture during the exit (or anytime).

This bride wanted a pause at the door for the photo opp of having everyone ringing their bells and being excited which was marred by this guest needing a picture.

If a photographer is taking a picture of you, keep doing what you’re doing – if we wanted you to look at us, we’d tell you (same with make a face!).

This couple was having a great animated conversation but when they saw me they struck a pose…

On the dance floor try to be aware of where the photographer is when dancing, try not to jump in front of our lens. (I delete all these pics so use your imagination here).

Keep an eye on your kids during the reception, they are often intrigued by our cameras and gear.  If you see them messing with our gear or us, please make them stop.

This picture is obviously not one the bride and groom received but it proves my point here.  This kid kept jumping up and slamming his hand into the lens and trying to hang from it during the garter removal.  His parents were nowhere to be found and he would not stop no matter what I said.  Eventually my assistant was able to stop him but if she hadn’t, I would have been lucky to get ONE shot of this series.

Please be aware where we are on the dance floor and try not to hit us.

This is me in the ER a couple days after an eventful wedding where a guest slammed her elbow down onto the top of my camera, breaking my nose, pulling some muscles in my neck and getting two black eyes.  It was the most horrendous CRUNCH I’ve ever felt in my face and it hurt for quite a few days.  I finished out the night, but shooting wasn’t easy after that!

For tips on how to be a polite guest with a camera, please see my Guest Photographers post…. I shall be soon expanding on this with pictures!

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: Being a Photo Friendly Guest."

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks to Photogs: Clothes for Pros!."

The house that we rented for the week, where the ceremony was located behind.  If you are looking for a house to rent, I highly recommend Tequila Sunrise in Corolla

I loved my shoes – even if I only wore them for a small amount of time.  I got them at DSW!

The flower girl basket that I made filled with tiny shells.

I got this cute Victoria’s Secret hoodie the night before at my bachelorette-ish party.  It was when it first came out, but it’s now a staple at most weddings I see!  Confession: I still have it even though I know I’ll not wear it out (almost 3 years later I don’t think I count as a bride anymore) but I love it too much to part with it!  However if any of my future brides want to borrow it, let me know!  I may part with it for the right person LOL!

I love sea oats… and this is by far my favorite ring shot.  LOVE.

Our invitation which was custom designed for us by a local in the Outer Banks.  I love love love this and it turned out perfectly!

This is my DIY menu that picked up on the star on the invitations and programs.  While it’s not elaborate, I am quite proud of this!  However… that basho wood paper is IMPOSSIBLE to work with!

The entrance to the home we rented for the reception, The Saltaire (some pics from our wedding are on their site).  The starfish on the door were from our florist Renee Landry and we still have them hanging on our front door.  Another detail I  loved.

The cake table with our bouquets on it, which Lisa informed me is a Southern tradition.  The cake was from Argyles and it still to this day is the best wedding cake I’ve ever had.

The tables that were on the verandah of the house.  We put some here and some by the pool in case of inclement weather.

The round tables we had near the pool area.  It took me a long time to come up with a favor that wasn’t lame, fit in with our look for our wedding and wasn’t a darned cookie.  Cookie favors were HUGE then.  I ended up with scallop shell wine stoppers and they were perfect!

I LOVED my centerpieces.  I had sent Renee things that I had envisioned and she did a marvelous job with them.  Everyone raved about how beautiful they were.

The centerpieces for the square tables were just as pretty and I adore the candlelight!

Now for the delicious food… first the appetizers.  Here we have the bacon wrapped filet bites.  My brother in law devoured an entire plate of these.  They were delicious!

Sadly my caterer went out of business so I cannot link you to rave about the food of hers!  :(

Basil, mozzarella and tomato!  This was my personal favorite.

Finally the shrimp… which was so good it was sinful.

Is your stomach growling yet?  Mine is!

The caesar salad, which was absolutely delicious.

The main dish!  Kobe Beef!!!  Lobster!!  AHH!  SO GOOD!  In all the meals I’ve eaten in my life, this is still bar none the best meal I’ve ever had.

I also ate the lobster, which I loved.

I generally hate lobster.

Hate seafood.

Hate.

Yet that day, I figured hell I paid for 40 + of these suckers, I should try one.

Divine.

Yum.

I didn’t make you quite hungry enough yet so I think I need another shot of my yummy entree.

Holy moly this was delicious.

PS: I had enough for my vendors too, it’d be cruel and unusual punishment in my book to have them take pictures and smell this without being able to eat it.

Next up is some fun reception shots… we got a wee bit wild!

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: My Wedding: Details!!!."

The proof is in the pudding right? So here’s the pictures! Keep in mind that all of these were taken in about 20 minutes or so and all where the ceremony was at. Proof that a great location + a great photographer = awesome pics in a short amount of time.

I love how there are two birds above us.  :)

It’s hard to tell unless you look  by my feet but we are sitting in a shipwreck here!  Dad had discovered it the year before and I wanted to make sure we incorporated it into the pictures.  It’s an unknown shipwreck and when it’s uncovered you can smell the turpentine still all these years later from the wood.

Another rare shot of me that I like.

Brooke had us walk down from the dune area and go towards the water.  I love this picture SO much.  Used it for our christmas cards that year!

Brooke didn’t tell, ask or even hint at me going into the water.  I went in on my own.  Chris stopped when we got towards the ocean but I kept going in!

These pictures make it worth it.

Um, completely worth the salt water and sand in the dress.  COMPLETELY.

I loved my bouquet.  Renee Landry Style rocks socks.  I wish she had a subdivision in Ohio so I could have her awesome flowers at all of my weddings.

“What is she doing!?!?  Do I go in too??”

Favorite!!!!

Yes, we did.

My favorite one of us smiling at the camera.

So this isn’t a great photo of us but a hilarious moment captured.  We tossed my bouquet up to catch it and it got some flowers knocked out of it when Chris grabbed it.  I LOVED my bouquet so that made me sad… so I chucked the fallen rose at him resulting in this image.  LOL!  I love how it’s exploding off his head.

One last pretty portrait on the beach!

And another shot as we walk up to the stairs… LOVE this one a lot.  Especially my awesome bruise.

Another shot I adore, featuring said awesome bouquet.

Such a lovely moment… he was threatening to shove me over!

How I got rid of the sand!!!  :)  LOL

"Corey Ann is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer in Northeast Ohio. Her work has been featured in books and magazines across the country. You can read the original blog post here Corey Talks: My Wedding: Bride & Groom Pictures."