If you are planning a wedding, you are probably needing and looking for different vendorsAnd if you are planning an elopement or small intimate wedding not local to you, you are probably needing help on which vendors to pick. I am sure you have researched a ton and things can get a little overwhelming with all the options you have to choose from. I always tell my clients (of course, after I give them a list of vendors I recommend) to really listen to their gut. Vendors are people who love the industry and love what they do. Their passion and love will shine through in their work and most will have reviews that say just that. (although all vendors can not please everyone but that is a blog for a different day) If a vendor catches your eye.. rather it be through their website, pictures on social media, a billboard, etc, then that is usually who you need to look more into and research. I tell my clients, "try not to give yourself more than 3 options per vendor." It gets to be so overwhelming the more options you have. If you came across three vendors that have really captured your attention, then stop there and try to pick one from those three. NOT NEEDING A LOT OF VENDORSThe beauty of having a small intimate wedding or elopement is that the vendor list is extremely small, so less decisions have to be made. The dress, the caterer, the venue, etc., are all vendors you don't HAVE to use when having a small intimate wedding or elopement. We rented an AIRBNB with a beautiful lake view and a dock and used it as our venue. We spent $300 for the location and were able to stay there the whole weekend. My husband already had a suit that fit the occasion and worked really well with our colors and I bought my beautiful dress online at a boutique. It was gorgeous and I got so many compliments on it! I spent $60.00 ... yes you read that correctly! VENDOR MUST HAVESIn my experience as a wedding photographer and from having my own small intimate wedding, the vendors that are a must have for a small wedding are the photographer, the florist, minister (depending on location), and a baker. I used a local baker who makes amazing beautiful cakes. She didn't specialize in wedding cakes but when I asked her to bake me a simple wedding cake, she delivered whole heartedly and it was absolutely delicious! I just bought the topper to go on it to make the final touches. Of course having a cake is optional for you (especially if you are having an adventure elopement and don't think you need a cake at all) I just liked the thought of having something traditional to have to celebrate. ALLOW ME TO HELP BOOK YOUR VENDORSThe other good news about having a small intimate wedding or elopement is that, when you book me, you have the option of letting me help you with your vendors. I have access to everything you need and have a list of vendors that I use regularly and have relationships with. So if planning a small intimate wedding or elopement gets to be to much, you can just hand over the reigns and allow me to take it on (with your approval of course). We just sit down or talk on the phone and go over all the details you are looking for and then I become your planner, friend, and photographer. HAVING A HARD TIME CHOOSING STILLListen to your gut as your heart knows who it wants to work with. I have booked clients just because of the name of my business. It attracted them, and once they started communicating with me and found out why I named it that, they fell in love even more and booked me. I turned out to be the perfect fit for them all because I caught their attention and their instincts really wanted to reach out. So listen to yourself when it comes to picking vendors. Your gut usually doesn't lie. HAVING A SMALL INTIMATE WEDDING LOCAL TO COLUMBUS AND NEED VENDORS? |
From your mom Mending your dress to make sure it is perfect, to your dad making you cry with his kind words, to your bridesmaids laughing hysterically at you can't remember what, you will LOVE all the emotions of your wedding day that goes on behind the scenes! And if you are lucky, you will have the same kind of photos of the groom!! | As a photographer my advice for those emotions is this, LET THEM HAPPEN GIRL!! Those emotions of, not only you, but everyone around you makes the sweetest pictures. Some of them may not be "social media worthy" because, I mean, lets face it, not all faces are pretty when they cry. My face is definitely NOT, I am a very UGLY CRIER, but even though you may not want to share them for the whole world to see, you will be so happy you have them and those raw, pure, real moments were caught on camera. |
LETS BE SOCIAL
@MARILYNRAYPHOTO
GETTING THOSE AUTHENTIC SMILES TO SHINE BRIGHT
RECENTLY I HAVE HAD WEDDINGS WHERE THE GROOM AND GROOMSMEN AREN'T REALLY INTO THE PICTURES. WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE CONSIDERING IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE WITHOUT THE HUMIDITY (AFTER ALL,WE ARE FROM GA SO IT MAY BE 98 BUT IT FEELS LIKE 118) SO LEAVING THE COMFORT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMILING THROUGH THE PAIN OF THE HEAT ISN'T SOMETHING ANYONE WANTS TO DO. THE GIRLS ARE MORE ABOUT IT BECAUSE, WELL, WE ARE GIRLS AND LOVE PICTURES OF US ALL DOLLED UP, BUT THE GUYS, NOT SO MUCH. SO LESLIE AND MYSELF HAD TO COME UP WITH SOME PRETTY CREATIVE IDEAS TO MAKE SURE THOSE GUYS GIVE YOU THE SMILES THE BRIDE DESERVE.
THE ONE IDEA WE HAD AT OUR LAST WEDDING WENT OFF LIKE FIREWORKS. AT FIRST, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT. BUT THE LONGER THEY STOOD THERE IN THE HEAT, THE HOTTER THEY GOT AND THE MORE INTRIGUED THEY BECAME.
SINCE IT WAS SO HOT WE USED WATER BUT OF COURSE THIS WILL WORK WITH PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING. YOU COULD USE BEER, A FLASK, HIS WRITTEN VOWS, HIS RINGS, ANYTHING.
SINCE IT WAS SO HOT WE USED WATER BUT OF COURSE THIS WILL WORK WITH PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING. YOU COULD USE BEER, A FLASK, HIS WRITTEN VOWS, HIS RINGS, ANYTHING.
YUP.. YOU GUESSED IT... WE MADE THEM RACE FOR A BOTTLE OF WATER. WE GOT SO MANY NATURAL SMILES AND LAUGHTER. THIS IDEA MADE THE BEST PICTURES AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN WATCHING THEM KICK THAT BOTTLE AROUND TO WIN BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT OUT.
ANOTHER WAY TO HAVE THOSE GUYS SMILING NATURAL SMILES (ASSUMING ITS NOT A DRY WEDDING) IS TO HAVE THEM TOAST THE GROOM! THESE TOASTS ALWAYS MAKE THE FUNNIEST STORIES. WE STAND THERE AND TAKE PHOTOS OF THE GROOMSMEN POKING FUN OF THE GROOM. SOMETIMES THIS CAN MAKE YOU CRY FROM LAUGHING, SO BE AWARE. THIS LITTLE TRICK IS NOT ONLY FUN FOR THEM BUT FOR US AS WELL. WE LEARN A THING OR TWO ABOUT THE PERSONALITIES WE ARE WORKING WITH FOR THE DAY AND GIVES US LITTLE HINTS AS TO WHO IS GOING TO BE THE CLOWN OF THE GROUP AND TO WATCH THAT PERSON CLOSELY.
ANOTHER LITTLE SECRET TO CATCHING GREAT PHOTOS OF THE GUYS, IS SUPER SIMPLE. AS I MENTIONED ABOVE, MOST OF THE TIME THERE IS AT LEASET ONE GUY OF THE GROUP WHO IS GOING TO BE THE CLOWN AND USUALLY IF THEY START TO GOOF OFF, THE REST WILL FOLLOW. YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF THEM BEING 100% AUTHENTIC WITHOUT THEM EVEN KNOWING. JUST STAND BACK AND LET THEM DO THE WORK. IT MAY BE TOWARD THE END OF THE NIGHT AND NOT IN THE SCHEDULED TIME WE HAVE BLOCKED OFF JUST FOR THEM, BUT THAT IS OK. AS LONG AS YOU CAN CATCH THOSE PICTURES OF THE GROUP OF MEN WHO STOOD BESIDE HIM ON HIS WEDDING DAY WITH AUTHENTIC SMILES, YOU DID GOOD! THE BRIDE WILL BE SUPER HAPPY. AND SO WILL HE.
LETS BE SOCIAL
@MARILYNRAYPHOTO
5 WEDDING TIPS YOU SHOULD HEAR
IF YOU ARE PLANNING A WEDDING HERE ARE 5 TIPS FOR YOU!
IF YOU ARE PLANNING A WEDDING THIS FALL OR EVEN NEXT YEAR, I HAVE SOME TIPS FOR YOU! AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, I SEE A TON OF WEDDINGS! I HAVE WORKED WEDDINGS ALL OVER THE SCALE. FROM THE MOST LAID BACK TO THE MOST ORGANIZED. THE ONE THING MOST OF THEM HAVE IN COMMON IS .... SOMETHING WILL ALWAYS GO WRONG. IT'S HOW YOU HANDLE IT THAT MATTERS THE MOST.
FROM A MEMBER OF THE BRIDAL PARTY BEING LATE OR LOST, TO THE BRIDE FORGETTING HER BOUQUET, TO THE WRITTEN VOWS BEING LEFT AT HOME, TO SHOES NOT FITTING, SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG.
THE GOOD NEWS IS, NOT ONE OF YOUR GUESTS WILL NOTICE!!
THE GOOD NEWS IS, NOT ONE OF YOUR GUESTS WILL NOTICE!!
SO AS A PHOTOGRAPHER, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THOSE "GONE WRONG" MOMENTS WILL NOT EVEN MATTER AFTER YOU WALK DOWN THAT ISLE! THE THINGS THAT DO MATTER ARE THOSE MOMENTS THAT CAN MAKE GREAT PICTURES FOR YOU AND ALL AROUND YOUR DAY EASIER! BELOW ARE JUST 5 TIPS FOR JUST THAT! OF COURSE I HAVE SOOO MANY MORE BUT I WILL START WITH JUST 5!
The dress has been bought, the venue has been booked, the flowers have been ordered, the timeline has been made. The day is getting close and the excitement has set in. The countdown begins...
#1.NO PAPARAZZI!
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE FOR A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!!! IF YOU DON'T TAKE ANY OF MY OTHER TIPS INTO ACCOUNT PLEASE TAKE THIS ONE!
I KNOW EVERYONE IS SO EXCITED TO SEE THE WEDDING PARTY WALKING DOWN THAT ISLE!
AND WHEN THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE IS THERE WAITING FOR HER SONG AND EVERYONE STANDS FOR HER TO WALK DOWN, THE EMOTIONS ARE ENDLESS FOR EVERYONE IN THE SEATS AND FOR THE GROOM. THE MOST INSTINCTUAL THING TO DO IS PULL OUT YOUR PHONE AND RECORD HER WALKING TO THE MAN OF HER DREAMS. I ALSO KNOW THAT EVERYONE THESE DAYS HAS SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEY WANT THEIR VERSION OF THE BRIDAL PARTY ALL OVER THEIR PERSONAL PAGE.
I GET IT.
HOWEVER. WHEN EVERYONE IS STANDING AND HOLDING THIER PHONES OUT TO CATCH THAT VIDEO.... IT BLOCKS THE VIEW FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. THE ONE PERSON (OR MULTIPLE) YOU PAID MONEY TO ACTUALLY CATCH YOU COMING DOWN THE ISLE. IT CAN BE THE MOST FRUSTRATING TIME FOR US PHOTOGRAPHERS. I AM DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET ALL THE DETAILS OF THAT MOMENT BUT UNFORTUNATELY, MORE TIMES THAN NOT, I GET A BUNCH OF CELL PHONE SCREENS IN THE SHOT. THERE HAVE BEEN WEDDINGS I WORKED (I AM SUPER SAD TO SAY) WHERE THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE HAS STOOD AT THE END OF THE ISLE SO SHE CAN CATCH HER DAUGHTER ON VIDEO WALKING DOWN AND ALL I CAN CATCH ON MY CAMERA IS HER. I HAVE TO CHANGE MY LOCATION AND POSITION IN ORDER TO WORK AROUND ALL THE CELL PHONES. IN THAT CASE, YOU MAY MISS THAT EYE CONTACT YOU MAKE WITH THE GROOM OR THE TEAR AS YOUR DAD LOOKS AT YOU OR THAT MOMENT WHEN YOUR SMILE BECOMES GOLDEN.
SO THINK TO YOURSELF IF THESE PARTICULAR MOMENTS DURING THE CEREMONY MATTER.
IF THEY DON'T, THEN CELL PHONES WON'T BE AN ISSUE. BUT IF THEY DO, I SUGGEST REALLY STRESSING TO YOUR GUESTS THAT YOU DON'T WANT THEM AT THE CEREMONY. YOU CAN FIND CREATIVE IDEAS LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW TO HAVE THEM LEAVE THEIR PHONE UNTIL THE VERY END. THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR GUESTS TO CATCH YOU ON THEIR CELL PHONES IS THE INTRODUCTION AT THE RECEPTION. IT IS LOUD AND USUALLY SO MUCH FUN. PERFECT FOR THE INSTAGRAM STORY!
AND WHEN THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE IS THERE WAITING FOR HER SONG AND EVERYONE STANDS FOR HER TO WALK DOWN, THE EMOTIONS ARE ENDLESS FOR EVERYONE IN THE SEATS AND FOR THE GROOM. THE MOST INSTINCTUAL THING TO DO IS PULL OUT YOUR PHONE AND RECORD HER WALKING TO THE MAN OF HER DREAMS. I ALSO KNOW THAT EVERYONE THESE DAYS HAS SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEY WANT THEIR VERSION OF THE BRIDAL PARTY ALL OVER THEIR PERSONAL PAGE.
I GET IT.
HOWEVER. WHEN EVERYONE IS STANDING AND HOLDING THIER PHONES OUT TO CATCH THAT VIDEO.... IT BLOCKS THE VIEW FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. THE ONE PERSON (OR MULTIPLE) YOU PAID MONEY TO ACTUALLY CATCH YOU COMING DOWN THE ISLE. IT CAN BE THE MOST FRUSTRATING TIME FOR US PHOTOGRAPHERS. I AM DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET ALL THE DETAILS OF THAT MOMENT BUT UNFORTUNATELY, MORE TIMES THAN NOT, I GET A BUNCH OF CELL PHONE SCREENS IN THE SHOT. THERE HAVE BEEN WEDDINGS I WORKED (I AM SUPER SAD TO SAY) WHERE THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE HAS STOOD AT THE END OF THE ISLE SO SHE CAN CATCH HER DAUGHTER ON VIDEO WALKING DOWN AND ALL I CAN CATCH ON MY CAMERA IS HER. I HAVE TO CHANGE MY LOCATION AND POSITION IN ORDER TO WORK AROUND ALL THE CELL PHONES. IN THAT CASE, YOU MAY MISS THAT EYE CONTACT YOU MAKE WITH THE GROOM OR THE TEAR AS YOUR DAD LOOKS AT YOU OR THAT MOMENT WHEN YOUR SMILE BECOMES GOLDEN.
SO THINK TO YOURSELF IF THESE PARTICULAR MOMENTS DURING THE CEREMONY MATTER.
IF THEY DON'T, THEN CELL PHONES WON'T BE AN ISSUE. BUT IF THEY DO, I SUGGEST REALLY STRESSING TO YOUR GUESTS THAT YOU DON'T WANT THEM AT THE CEREMONY. YOU CAN FIND CREATIVE IDEAS LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW TO HAVE THEM LEAVE THEIR PHONE UNTIL THE VERY END. THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR GUESTS TO CATCH YOU ON THEIR CELL PHONES IS THE INTRODUCTION AT THE RECEPTION. IT IS LOUD AND USUALLY SO MUCH FUN. PERFECT FOR THE INSTAGRAM STORY!
#2. ASK YOUR OFFICIANT TO STEP TO THE SIDE DURING YOUR FIRST KISS.
THIS ONE IS LESS IMPORTANT IF YOU DON'T MIND THEM BEING IN THE PICTURES
ALTHOUGH YOU MAY LOVE THE OFFICIANT DEARLY (OR THEY COULD BE A COMPLETE STRANGER) THEY MOST CERTAINLY WILL BE IN THE FIRST KISS PICTURE UNLESS THEY STEP TO THE SIDE. THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIRST KISS PICTURE BEING "FRAME WORTHY" FOR YOU. USUALLY AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, I TAKE MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE FIRST KISS. ONE ZOOMED IN CLOSE AND ONE REALLY ZOOMED OUT SO I CAN SEE THE ENTIRE WEDDING PARTY. SO IF THE OFFICIANT IS SOMEONE YOU LOVE DEARLY, MOST OF THE TIME YOU WILL STILL GET A PICTURE OF THE FIRST KISS WITH THEM IN IT, EVEN IF THEY STEP ASIDE. SO YOU GET TO CHOOSE WHICH ONE YOU LOVE BETTER. ALSO (HERE IS A TIP INSIDE OF A TIP) HOLD YOUR KISS FOR A LITTLE BIT. IF IT IS TO QUICK (WHICH I HAVE HAD TO TAKE BEFORE) THEN THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAS A HARD TIME CATCHING IT AND YOU WON'T GET THAT CLOSE UP AND ZOOMED OUT PHOTO. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SUPER LONG OF A KISS. JUST LONG ENOUGH WHERE IF I HAPPEN TO BLINK, I DON'T MISS IT.
#3. BRING YOUR WEDDING INVITATION TO THE VENUE
MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS LIKE TO TAKE DETAIL SHOTS AT THE VENUE AND YOUR WEDDING INVITATION IS ONE OF THOSE DETAILS. I PERSONALLY LIKE TO ADD TO IT WITH YOUR SHOES, OR RINGS, OR FLOWERS, OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. SO JUST THROW AN EXTRA INVITATION IN YOUR PILE OF THINGS TO BRING TO THE VENUE JUST IN CASE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ASKS FOR IT.
#4. MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT!
WRITE DOWN ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS YOU WANT PICTURES WITH AND GIVE IT TO YOUR MAID OF HONOR, OR IN MY CASE, MY ASSISTANT AND 2ND PHOTOGRAPHER. THIS WAY WE ARE ORGANIZED AND THIS PART GOES SO MUCH MORE SMOOTHLY! YOU HAVE PAID MONEY FOR THE VENUE, DJ, CATERER, PHOTOGRAPHER, VIDEOGRAPHER, ETC. AND FOR THE MOST PART THESE VENDORS ARE ON A TIME SCHEDULE. AS THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, IT IS CRITICAL OF ME TO STICK TO A SCHEDULE SO THAT EVERYTHING ELSE FLOWS TOGETHER. YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER (I DO THIS) MAY HAVE GIVEN YOU A TIMELINE FOR PHOTO'S. IN THAT TIMELINE IS THE "AFTER CEREMONY FAMILY PICTURES" AND THIS IS THE TIME FOR YOUR LIST AND IS SUPER IMPORTANT. IF A NAME IS NOT ON THAT LIST (IT USUALLY INVOLVES IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND GRANDPARENTS) THEN THAT PERSON NEEDS TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE LIST HAS GONE THROUGH AND IF THERE IS TIME LEFT, WE CAN TAKE EXTRA PEOPLE. OTHERWISE SUE, JOE, DAN AND FLO WILL ALL ASK FOR PICTURES AND YOU WILL BE TAKING FAMILY PHOTO'S FOREVER AND GET OFF SCHEDULE.
THE TIME TO GRAB THOSE PICTURES WILL BE DURING THE RELAXED PART OF YOUR RECEPTION.
THE TIME TO GRAB THOSE PICTURES WILL BE DURING THE RELAXED PART OF YOUR RECEPTION.
#5. BUSTLE YOUR DRESS!
IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING ON CHANGING FOR YOUR RECEPTION, MAKE SURE TO GET A BUSTLE AND HAVE SOMEONE PRACTICE HOW TO DO IT WITH YOU. THIS SEEMS LIKE THE SMALLEST THING BUT I HAVE SEEN IT CAUSE A LOT OF ISSUES AT WEDDINGS. THE BRIDE CAN'T REALLY DANCE OR MOVE ABOUT WITHOUT THE BUSTLE AND IF SOMEONE HASN'T PRACTICED HOW TO DO IT, THEN IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT. IT CAN HOLD UP THE RECEPTION FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE TRYING TO FIX THE DRESS ISSUE. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO CHANGE FOR THE RECEPTION, I SUGGEST A BEAUTIFUL JUMPSUIT. THEY HONESTLY CAN BE SO FLATTERING AND THEY ARE SO MUCH EASIER TO MOVE AROUND IN DURING THE RECEPTION. OF COURSE THIS PART IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU!
LETS BE SOCIAL
@MARILYNRAYPHOTO
TAKE MY ADVICE
Always dance with your father and mother at your wedding day! Those pictures and videos may be all you have one day sooner than later. I didn't do a parent dance at my wedding. I lost my father a year and a half later. And I kick myself everyday for not having those photos and that experience with him.
My client and friend got news her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He wasn't given very long to live. She was determined that we will walk her down the isle. So she threw together a wedding in 3 days so she could have those memories and these photo's. She lost him soon afterwards. These pictures are something she will always cherish. She messages me often and tells me how thankful she is to have them.
So on your wedding day, if you are not eloping and even if you think it is an inconvenience, plan for those special pictures and/or the dances. I promise you won't regret it!
@marilynrayphotography A father's love lasts forever ❤ ##fyp ##foryoupage ##dadsoftiktok ##heart_touching
♬ Hold On - Extreme Music
Wedding Guest Books with Photos
www.basicinvite.com/wedding/wedding-day/guest-books.html
Have you ever wondered what the purpose of having a guest book is?
Guest Books are a wonderful way to give wedding guests the opportunity to offer warm wishes, advice, and share those inside jokes as they celebrate your special day with you.
The guest book is something to look back on for years to come and cherish. Like a photo, your guest book will hold those special memories of family members that have passed or friends that have moved away, and will make you smile with every turn of the page. So while we do suggest you skip any other wedding traditions that don't fit your personality, we don't suggest you skip the guest book.
Of course it is completely up to you on whether or not you keep the guest book at your wedding, we just hope you give it some thought before you say goodbye to it to quickly.
You can be creative and personalize your guest book to give it that unique feel. You can add childhood pictures of the two of you or pictures of your trip to your favorite destination for your guests to look at as they write their well wishes. However you decide to create it, make sure it is full of your personality. You, nor your guests, will regret having such a sentiment piece on a very special occasion.
Guest Books are a wonderful way to give wedding guests the opportunity to offer warm wishes, advice, and share those inside jokes as they celebrate your special day with you.
The guest book is something to look back on for years to come and cherish. Like a photo, your guest book will hold those special memories of family members that have passed or friends that have moved away, and will make you smile with every turn of the page. So while we do suggest you skip any other wedding traditions that don't fit your personality, we don't suggest you skip the guest book.
Of course it is completely up to you on whether or not you keep the guest book at your wedding, we just hope you give it some thought before you say goodbye to it to quickly.
You can be creative and personalize your guest book to give it that unique feel. You can add childhood pictures of the two of you or pictures of your trip to your favorite destination for your guests to look at as they write their well wishes. However you decide to create it, make sure it is full of your personality. You, nor your guests, will regret having such a sentiment piece on a very special occasion.
While finding a guest book is easy, you can grab a plain book with a few pens from any store, but if you want to make sure your guest book is creative, beautiful, and fits your style and wedding colors, Basic Invite is a company that you should look into and the link below will take you straight to their guest books.
www.basicinvite.com/wedding/wedding-day/guest-books.html
From Wedding Cards, Invitations and save the dates, to custom Books, boxes and wedding menus, this website is going to be the place find to it all.
www.basicinvite.com/wedding/wedding-invitations.html
www.basicinvite.com/wedding/wedding-invitations.html
The Website will send you samples and, let me tell you from experience, they are gorgeous! This company is most certainly worth a look into!
You can find some other information about Basic Invite below.
You can find some other information about Basic Invite below.
Basic Invite offers a variety of items that can help you plan your wedding day!
www.basicinvite.com/
Free Wedding Websites - Our wedding websites are completely customizable! They're mobile friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details, along with images, and a convenient map with directions for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors, and a design suite to match your wedding invitations!
Almost Unlimited Colors - Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. You can change the color of each element on a card, with over 180 different color options. The card can be exactly how you want it, down to the littlest detail. This is what sets us apart from any other online stationery company and is our biggest draw.
Custom Samples - Basic Invite allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their invitation so they can see the card’s paper quality and how it will print before they have to place their final order.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes - We are just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different envelope colors so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be closed quickly and easily.
Over 900 Wedding Invitation Sets - Each of our wedding invitations is part of a set. We have all the wedding stationery you need, like save the dates, wedding invitations, enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs, and even matching thank you cards!
Free Address Collection Service - Use our free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link via social media or email, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.
Seal & Send Wedding Invitations - Our seal and send wedding invitations are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included! The Seal & Send is our newest collection and brides and LOVING them. Currently, we offer them in over 30 designs including our ever-popular foil options, and, like our other products, they are customizable. What's special about our Seal & Sends is that guest's addresses are printed on the front of each invitation so no envelope is necessary! All you have to do is share a link, collect guest addresses, and upload them onto your design. Once you receive your order all you have to do is add postage, fold your invites, and secure them with a sticker! Simple and easy.
www.basicinvite.com/
Free Wedding Websites - Our wedding websites are completely customizable! They're mobile friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details, along with images, and a convenient map with directions for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors, and a design suite to match your wedding invitations!
Almost Unlimited Colors - Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. You can change the color of each element on a card, with over 180 different color options. The card can be exactly how you want it, down to the littlest detail. This is what sets us apart from any other online stationery company and is our biggest draw.
Custom Samples - Basic Invite allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their invitation so they can see the card’s paper quality and how it will print before they have to place their final order.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes - We are just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different envelope colors so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be closed quickly and easily.
Over 900 Wedding Invitation Sets - Each of our wedding invitations is part of a set. We have all the wedding stationery you need, like save the dates, wedding invitations, enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs, and even matching thank you cards!
Free Address Collection Service - Use our free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link via social media or email, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.
Seal & Send Wedding Invitations - Our seal and send wedding invitations are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included! The Seal & Send is our newest collection and brides and LOVING them. Currently, we offer them in over 30 designs including our ever-popular foil options, and, like our other products, they are customizable. What's special about our Seal & Sends is that guest's addresses are printed on the front of each invitation so no envelope is necessary! All you have to do is share a link, collect guest addresses, and upload them onto your design. Once you receive your order all you have to do is add postage, fold your invites, and secure them with a sticker! Simple and easy.
Mirrors
When you have a mirror, use it!
Those Mirrors make the prettiest pictures and usually they are candid shots!
I aim for those candid shots so I scope out a mirror EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!
It usually involves them putting on the vail, earrings, a necklace, looking at their dress, etc and makes the most elegant pictures.
Those shots may not be something they will blow up and frame but they will most definitely put them in a photo album/book and show their children and their grandchildren for years and years.
Those Mirrors make the prettiest pictures and usually they are candid shots!
I aim for those candid shots so I scope out a mirror EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!
It usually involves them putting on the vail, earrings, a necklace, looking at their dress, etc and makes the most elegant pictures.
Those shots may not be something they will blow up and frame but they will most definitely put them in a photo album/book and show their children and their grandchildren for years and years.
Find your style and Stick to it when it comes to weddings!
I love a certain style for weddings but of course you can't choose the style your bride is going for. As a photographer, I have to go with the flow as far as the location, decor, colors, etc. that my bride has chosen. But the one thing I can control is where to put my bride and how to get some unordinary shots that she will forever remember. You want to make sure at least some of the pictures from the wedding are unique and not the same boring poses over and over. I usually research and think of different photos that I can catch her doing that will make her always remember this day. I am that photographer that loves the non traditional things. I beam from ear to ear when I get a bride that likes to do things outside the normal (the groom is usually always up for anything). She has on this beautiful wedding dress but she is ready and willing to get in that tall grassy field. I literally squeal with excitement. Below are some pictures of Brides that were willing to do some unordinary things on her wedding day. Some were even willing to get out in the rain in her dress after the ceremony and I LOVED her for it.
5 Questions I get asked often by brides-to-be
You found the Guy, you Said YES, now comes the hard part.... Planning the wedding!
Becoming a Bride-to-be is very exciting and I have no doubt you are head over heels with every emotion. I am certain you have the wedding planned out with every detail engrained in your head. Finding a venue and vendors to make your day perfect is very important. A wedding photographer is one of those vendors that you must pick carefully. I answered five commonly asked questions from some of my Brides. I answered them based on my opinion and the knowledge I have gained being in this industry and learning from other wedding photographers. I decided to pass this along in hopes that it helps you when deciding on a photographer.
Becoming a Bride-to-be is very exciting and I have no doubt you are head over heels with every emotion. I am certain you have the wedding planned out with every detail engrained in your head. Finding a venue and vendors to make your day perfect is very important. A wedding photographer is one of those vendors that you must pick carefully. I answered five commonly asked questions from some of my Brides. I answered them based on my opinion and the knowledge I have gained being in this industry and learning from other wedding photographers. I decided to pass this along in hopes that it helps you when deciding on a photographer.
1. How do I pick a good photographer when there are 100's in the area?
Marilyn Rays Answer: Pick one that appeals to your style. Once you have found a few photographers that have the style you like, narrow it down to one or two and meet with them in person or talk to them over the phone. It is extremely important you like the photographer. You will be spending a lot of hours with them and trusting them to capture moments you weren't aware were even happening. I am someone who adores those candid moments. The real laughter and the real genuine smiles are everything to me. I let you be yourself. Those are the things you need to know when finding a photographer. Do you want to be guided and posed through most of the day or do you want most genuine shots? Do you like very vibrant coloring or do you like a more subtle look to your pictures? Find what it is that you like and what you are looking for and find a photographer that best fits that.
2. How many photo's do I get?
Marilyn Rays Answer: Wedding Photographer's typically deliver anywhere from 50 to 100 pictures per hour. That may seem like a lot and can be a tad overwhelming when looking through them but I promise you will be extremely happy once you realize not one single moment was missed. Some photographers may only give you samples to look through to purchase later, while others let you have them all, like myself. That is something you need to talk about and understand when choosing a photographer.
3. Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Marilyn Rays Answer: This is the question that I see and hear most. Wedding Photography seems like easy money. I work for one day and rack in the cash. But Most Full time wedding photographers carry around at least $5,000 worth of equipment and work at least 40 hours a week. Remember the pictures we talked about in question number 2? It takes days to edit all of those and get them to you in a timely manner. The job doesn't end when we leave the wedding. We still have 1000's of pictures to go through and edit. Not to mention most of us have insurance we have to pay for, an assistant, software, marketing, shipping, etc.. All costs that most don't understand we have.
4. You can photoshop that right?
Marilyn Rays Answer: That depends. As a photographer, I want to get everything as perfect as possible on camera. Posing you, location and lighting, and camera settings can "fix" most things before I even click the shutter. If your brother photobombs you, I'm going to retake the photo — it's much easier to get the photo right than to fix it with photoshop. Many photographers charge for extensive editing in Photoshop, because it can be very time-consuming. I don't typically use photoshop at all. I work very hard at making sure that picture I take on my camera is perfect. Again this is something you need to ask a photographer before hiring.
5. Do I give the wedding photographer a tip?
Marilyn Rays Answer: Well.... The big secret is... There are zero rules on tipping your wedding vendors. I always tell my friends this, If you loved them and really felt connected and wanted to show your appreciation, then absolutely tip them. Otherwise, we are not expecting it, so you are not going to be the "terrible human" you think you are by not giving a tip. It's always appreciated, Never expected. Also, Tips don't have to be in the form of cash either, Small trinkets from your wedding, a heartfelt thank you note, or a good review, sending your friends their way, all work well with showing appreciation for your vendors.