What should I look for when choosing my wedding photographer ? Session 16. How to prevent things going wrong.

• Dont allow laser lights during the dancing – they will cover you and the guests with spots which will look really weird in the photographs. And they can trash a digital camera which means no photos!
• Don’t drink too much, a glass of decent champagne can help ease your nerves, but you’ll hate the photographs if you’re drunk.
• Forbid the use of ipads or the like by guests, imagine a photograph from the back during the ceremony if everyone’s recording it, same at the reception – did you see the re-inaugeration of President Obama – ruined by those who have forgotten etiquette. “Please turn off your cell phones and put your cameras down, we have a photographer who will capture the moment – we would like you to capture it in your hearts” The progression over the years from happy smiling faces watching as the bride walks up the aisle to faces hidden behind technical gadgets has been sad to watch, and the effect on the wedding photographs is sad to observe.
• Make sure your photographer is fed, especially if it’s an afternoon ceremony and they’ve been with you half the day already – if possible, give them a table in the main reception room. That way if an wonderful moment happens, they’re there to capture it.
• Make sure your wedding photographer knows the dress code.
• Discuss the required etiquette at the ceremony, there are many priests and registrars who are very anti-photographers because of bad experience with thoughtless idiots who shouldn’t be called professional.
• Discuss the lighting levels you are expecting during the various parts of the wedding, and listen to advice – your photographer isn’t going to demand floodlights, but a few candles doesn’t lead to much except mystery! It is surprising how much light you can get on a scene if it’s done with subtlety, and every bit helps.
• Make sure you’re meeting with the person who will be wielding the camera at your wedding, self-employed and working for themselves rather than bought in as a contractor.
• Allow time for photographs while you are getting ready, and if you have a choice of rooms go for the one with the nice big attractive windows.
• Schedule where and when you are going to have photographs – groups and alone, and check there will be enough light.
• Buy some white or similar umbrellas in case it rains, without logos on.
• Not directly to do with photographs but check what is going on in the area – you don’t want to be in the middle of a five mile queue for an airshow.
• Spend time alone with your photographer on the day, otherwise you’ll forget it’s your wedding day. Just go for a walk together, so that you get pictures of you alone and in love with each other, don’t worry about the guests, they’ll be fine for the twenty minutes or so.
• Don’t lose perspective . There are very few things that can really ruin a wedding unless you allow them to. Imagine this rather smart wedding, the service is at four o’clock, and the dress isn’t delivered until half past three, the bride goes to put it on and the full length zip breaks. What would you do? This bride  – “don’t worry it could have happened to anyone, just sew me in”
• Do budget, if you’re paying for the wedding it’s up to you what you spend but to start married life thousands in debt is daft – there are lots of small things you can trim or cut out without anyone noticing. If someone else is paying, don’t abuse it.
• In case of emergency for the bride: Sewing Kit, including safety pins and small scissors
  Clear nail polish (helpful for stocking runs)
  Nail file
  Nail polish in the bride’s shade
  Make up (you’ll probably have this there anyway!)
  Straws (for drinking without messing up lipstick
  Extra stockings
  Hairspray
  Brush and comb
  Bobbypins and hair elastics
  Hairdryer
  Static-cling spray
  Tissues
  Handkerchiefs
  Lint brush
  Earring backs
  Iron
  Baby powder (also useful for getting out last-minute spills on a white dress)
  Eye-drops (look for redness reducing)
  Contact lens solution
  Acid relief
  Smelling salts
  Antacid
  Mints
  Tampons and pads
  Headache medicine (bring two different kinds in case one of the bridal party is allergic)
  Band-AidsIf you’re getting dressed in a place that won’t have a bathroom near, you’ll also want to bring a mirror, bottle of water, and moist towelettes.
• In case of emergency for the groom. Contact details for all the suppliers, important others, superglue and a hairbrush. Mobile phone charger and the phone it fits.
• If you’re worried that a crying child might ruin the solemn moments your ceremony, consider asking your guests not to bring their very young children. If there are several children, you might consider hiring a babysitter for the ceremony so their parents can still attend.
• Let your best man, maid of honor, and anyone else who’s giving a toast know ahead of time what’s acceptable and what’s not. You don’t have to ask them to lie, but they don’t need to harp on about you living together if you know it’s a sore spot with grandma.
• Make sure the groom and groomsmen try everything on when they collect it – that way missing items can be remedied. Make a checklist.
• Don’t panic, don’t get angry at the time, deal with it later. As my daughters would say “take a chill pill” -bless them!

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