I have photographed over 650 weddings in my career and have seen just about everything you can imagine. Weddings can be average or awesome depending on the decisions you make early in the process. Take your time and do your research. Ask lots of questions to all the suppliers you are considering. Don’t be pressured into any decision by anyone – This your day and you should have the dream wedding you deserve. I have listed a few tips that may help you along the way. Good luck and Congratulations, Mark Berg.

Choosing your Wedding Photographer

I think this one of the most important decisions for you to make, but that’s obvious as I’m a photographer. In saying that though, remember that all you have left at the end of the day are your photographs and to me that makes it a big deal. Consider the following questions when meeting a photographer -

• How much experience do they have?
• How long have they been established in the area?
• Is the person you are talking to the actual photographer that will do your wedding?
• Is it their work that they are showing you?
• Understand the quote in full – are there any additional costs after the wedding?
• How long will it take to receive your proofs?
• How long will it take to have your main album designed and made?
• Can you influence the album design or even view the design before manufacture?
• Do they have a back up plan for a rainy day in the area you are getting married in?
• If they include high resolution images on a disc for you are they edited and what size are they for printing?
• Can they provide an online viewing service for your family and friends?
• How involved in the actual running of the day are they?
• Do they formulate a time line/action plan for your day?
• Are they motivated and excited about your wedding?

A great photographer will run the day for you and ensure everything progresses smoothly. Whether its berg or another studio that you choose you must feel comfortable with the individual photographer. Will they bring out the best in you and work hard to truly capture all the special moments in your day? Experience and passion is a great combination to look for. Remember the day goes by very quickly so – HAVE FUN.

Your reception

We have a great connection with many of the reception venues in the Illawarra. Most of which I must say do an outstanding job. When choosing a venue perhaps consider the following points.

• How big is the room? With the amount of guests you have attending, will it look empty or feel overly full?
• Ask for a food tasting. Most quality venues will offer this to you.
• Understand the package. How long is the Alcohol package for? Timing is everything. Start too early and you may finish too early. Generally you will then have to start a tab and this could cost Dad a stack. Most venues will advise an appropriate schedule.
• Do you have guests traveling that may need accommodation? Are there hotels near by or will it cost a fortune in a cab.
• If the ceremony is a fair distance away from the reception perhaps consider using a bus service to ensure your guests arrive on time and do not get lost.
• Consider the time it takes to get from the reception venue to where you are planning to have your photos taken. The more time traveling generally means less time for photographs.
• Ask to see the room fully set up prior to another wedding preferably in line with the package inclusions you have chosen.
• Ensure you establish a run sheet for the evening. My tip is to get the formalities over early to leave plenty of time to have fun dancing.
• Does the location reflect what you like? For example, are you a country person or a coastal person? Do you want beach or bush photos? Some locations can give you both.
• If you are unsure of a venue, ask around. Ask other suppliers in the wedding industry their opinion or even ask the venue for testimonials.

I know there is heap’s to consider but again wait until you feel truly comfortable with your decision. Experience and Passion is the thing to look for.

Celebrant or Church? Outdoor or Indoors?

Although a lot of people don’t attend church these days many people still think a religious influence is important in their wedding ceremony. I tend to agree and I must say sometimes a church is great to photograph. However, a celebrant can sometimes be a little more flexible in what you want in your ceremony. There is the indoor/outdoor debate that goes with this decision. A beach or garden wedding with a celebrant for example can be beautiful on a clear day but fairly average in bad weather for obvious reasons.

Weather is the biggest factor here however rain is not the only obstacle. If it is really hot sometimes being outside in a breeze is better than sweating it out in a church. The season you get married in should be considered when deciding inside or out. Your reception venue will often offer an area as back up if needed.

It really comes down to personal preference but for me I love the look of a beautiful old church. Some of my favourite church’s to photograph in the Illawarra are – Wesley Church on the Mall, St Francis of Xavier in Wollongong, St Francis of Assisi in Port Kembla and St Michaels on Market St Wollongong.

Tips for the day itself

The survival kit – some of these little things can really help on the day.

• Baby wipes – excellent for removing marks and stains from wedding dresses.
• Extra bobby pins – especially if you are wearing a veil some extra bobby pins running across the comb will safeguard against your veil falling or being pulled out.
• Sewing Kit – hems and buttons always seem to come undone at the worst times.
• Safety Pins – Good for securing just about everything.
• Headache Tablets – Remember to drink plenty of water, as it is easy to become dehydrated.
• Band-aids – great for sore feet in new shoes.

Ensure that you bring alone some drinks and some food (just finger foods) to the photo shoot. Most bridal parties are starving by this stage and ready for a drink. Just prep a small Esky and put it in the limo.

I will be updating this space regularly but to date my last piece of advice is to remember to have Fun. Once all the preparations are complete leave it to the professionals you have hired to do all the stressing out for you. It’s your day and it will go by very quickly so JUST HAVE FUN!