FAMILY & WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS

Part 2 of 2:
The pros of taking group photos AFTER your ceremony

One of the most common questions I am asked by my wedding clients is whether to take the family photos before or after their ceremony. Here we will discuss the flip side to my last post, Pros of taking your family pictures BEFORE your ceremony. Special thanks to my clients who have taken the time to share their own thoughts on this subject to help you plan your wedding!

1. Not seeing each other before the ceremony: although these days many couples do opt to see each other before the ceremony (often referred to as the "first look"), taking the formals after is best for those who cherish tradition and/or the element of surprise at the ceremony.
   

2. Saving money: many photographers charge hourly, so by taking the photos later, you'll save what you would have been charged for that additional coverage needed in order to take pictures before the ceremony.
   

3. Convenience: depending on how many family members you have and where they will be traveling from, it may be difficult for all of them to arrive early, especially if your ceremony is in the morning or if your family and wedding party includes children or those with special needs.
   

4. Comfort: Let’s face it: heels or dress shoes, lace or ties, etc. aren’t the most comfortable things to wear, as lovely and handsome as you will look! Taking your photos post-ceremony means 1-2 hours less time being dressed up. After you prepare, you will be fresh for your ceremony.
   

It was important to me that Aseem and I did not see one another beforehand, so I am very happy that we took all of the photos after the ceremony. I think it worked out well because Dana expertly timeboxed the photo session so that our guests were not waiting for too long in between the ceremony and reception. We have since been to weddings were this wasn't the case, and it did create quite a lull. In summary, I think post-ceremony photos work well if you choose the number of groupings carefully.
- Diana & Aseem, Somerville, MA

I was happy we chose to take photos following our ceremony. It was perfect timing for our very small backyard ceremony. Given our informal and small wedding, there was not a great deal of fanfare surrounding preparation for the ceremony. Delaying the photos until after the ceremony gave us time to concentrate on the event itself and then offered some space and time for reflection and connection after the ceremony. Also, we reserved photos of just Sean and I for the end of the family pictures. This gave us time to celebrate with our family immediately after the ceremony, and then to transition to a more celebratory mood when we left for dinner at the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Late afternoon light is also my favorite, and the photos captured some of the soft quality of that light on a hot summer day.
- Kristin & Sean, Wakefield, RI

As I mentioned in my previous post, I suggest taking the time to consider the pros & cons of taking these photos before and after your ceremony, in order to decide what feels more comfortable for you. Keep an open mind and know that whatever you decide, it'll all work out just fine.

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

Family & Wedding Party Photos

Part 1 of 2: The pros of taking group photos BEFORE your ceremony

A common question I’m asked by my wedding clients is whether to take the family and wedding party photos before or after their ceremony. This is an important part of planning and although there is no "right" or "wrong" answer, there is a right approach for you. Here are some pros I have found to taking family photos before the ceremony. My next post will highlight the pros of taking family pictures afterwards. Big thanks to my clients who have graciously shared their own thoughts on this subject.

1. Enjoy your wedding day: there are few times in our lives when our closest friends and family are together under one roof. Ask anyone who’s had a wedding and they will confirm that their wedding day FLEW BY QUICK. By taking your family and wedding party photos prior to your ceremony, it allows that extra 30-60 minutes during your cocktails to be with the your guests.
    
2. Quality time with your family and wedding party: From my vantage point, your family photos are not just about getting in front of the camera as a group; but rather about sharing time with your family and friends and having the opportunity to document this time of you together as a unit.
    
3. RELAX, it’s your wedding day: Taking the photos prior to your ceremony gives you a chance to breath and provides a relaxed, enjoyable setting, which allows you to more deeply enjoy this special time dedicated to your loved ones.
    
4. Time together before your ceremony: Often referred to as a “first look,” doing the photos prior to the ceremony allows you and your soon-to-be to connect and look forward to your wedding day TOGETHER – an experience truly special in itself.
    

"Having family photos taken before the ceremony, really helped ease my mind and allow me to spend more time with family and friends come the reception.
As the bride, it was easy to feel needed everywhere at once. Dana was amazing helping not just me, but everyone navigate the process smoothly." 
- Laurie & Christopher, Queens, NY
 

“It didn't occur to me to not take the bulk of our pictures before the ceremony.
The one thing everyone tells you is how fast your wedding goes by. I didn't want to miss special moments during the cocktail hour. I've been to (and in) several weddings where we're taken out of the mix, spirited away from the other guests and music. It's a bit disruptive, in my opinion…
One of my favorite parts of my own wedding was after the ceremony greeting the guests and relaxing out on the deck before dinner, with them telling me how much they loved the ceremony and our vows. It was like a mini-reflection time. Also, I love food, and I needed food, and I didn't want to have lukewarm appetizers brought out to me or be rushed to eat. (On a practical level, we're paying for that food, and we picked it out especially, we wanted to enjoy it!).
So, I was able to squeeze the most out of my time with my beloved guests by having pictures done beforehand and I'm so glad for that. Bonus: as a bride - your makeup and hair are most fresh and intact before the ceremony, which is a huge plus!”
- Nicole & Michael, Duxbury, MA
 

Consider all of the factors in both this post and my next post in order to decide what is right for you and your wedding day. I suggest discussing the options with your family, your planner and your photographer in order to ensure the best possible outcome. Regarding my previous post on the subject, you may decide to base the time of your photos on the position of the sun in relevance to where you plan to take your family photos; or even the time of day which offers the smoothest Plan B that you can easily rely on without compromising the flow of the day.

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

Happy Spring! Don’t forget PLAN B.

One thing that can get overlooked during wedding and event planning is making a Plan B, specifically regarding photography. As mentioned in the post My favorite Venues to photograph (and why), Part I, many pro photographers would agree that the only part of the day we need “control” over light and surroundings is during the posed and group photos of you and your loved ones. In the North East, the best weather prediction is that it may suddenly change! And especially now that we have entered the Spring Season (ahem, with snow today here in New England), it’s important that you and your photographer do not solely rely on the best conditions to execute important photos. If you make a Plan B that is just as solid as your Plan A, it will relieve a lot of potential stress the day of. This freedom to plan ahead is one of the benefits from doing a Site Check together.

Keep things in perspective: as mentioned in the post Let it Rain!, I really do believe that when one door closes, another one opens, and sometimes we are fortunate enough for an even better opportunity than originally anticipated. It’s important to remember that down the road, what will truly matter to you when looking through your photos is simply reminiscing about these memories with your loved ones; and it won’t matter to you that it was taken indoors because of rain instead of outside on the beach as originally planned. What will resonate is remembering how you felt at the time the picture was taken. This I can promise you.

All of this said, why let some rain or cold stop you from having fun outside? I suggest keeping you and your family warm, dry and cozy (or cool if the reason for shooting indoors is because of intolerable heat) during the family & wedding party photos. But when it comes to photos of just you two together, I suggest taking the “must have” photos first, under shelter, while you look and feel nice. And then later, perhaps after the formalities, have fun together braving the elements! This is what umbrellas, boots and warm scarves are for (or in this case, your leather jackets)!

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SITE CHECK WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

If your photographer has not yet worked at the location of your wedding or event, then part of the planning with your photographer should consist of a site check - ideally, together. There are times when this is not possible, especially for events which require travel, and I will touch on this as well.

Many of the weddings and events I photograph are at private estates, which serves as a perfect example: since I am not yet familiar with the interior or exterior surroundings, I’ll want to learn as much as I can about the space prior to working there. What directions are each room and the yards facing during certain times of the day? If I’m able to do a Site Check, seeing in person how the light and the surroundings reflect off each other is invaluable. Aside from being able to plan for natural light, it’s equally important to plan for artificial light - especially if we need to go to Plan B because of inclement weather - so knowing where to plug in, options for accessibility, space, background, etc. is important. In older or historic homes, I’ll go to the extent of plugging in my phone charger to test an unused outlet that is located in an area we’d like to consider for photos. The more I learn and understand about where I am shooting, the more free I feel to think and plan ahead, both logistically and creatively.

On quite a few occasions in my career, a Site Check was simply not an option. Here are some food for thought regarding Site Reviews with your photographer:

1.     A-good-old-fashioned Map: Send a Google Map link to your photographer, this way it can be viewed both Standard and Satellite. On the phone, review the geography and any necessary details. If at a venue, review their web site together as well.

2.     Facetime or Google Hangouts: agree on a time of day that coincides with your wedding or event timeline so you can do a virtual walk-through with your photographer. Although we are used to holding our phone vertically, I suggest holding horizontally for this purpose.

3.     If they haven’t automatically offered, ask your photographer to arrive early to your wedding or event. In my opinion, this should NOT be considered a part of your “coverage” (if you’ve contracted your photographer for 8 hours, and early arrival requires an additional 1-2 hours, I believe you should not be charged for that additional time, as it’s part of the planning process – and if we happen to snap a few photos, it’s just icing on the cake).

If we as your photographer have already worked at the location, it is likely unnecessary to do a site check, as long as we have solid and consistent communication during your planning process. That said, I recently did a site check at a venue where I’ve shot 4 weddings, but the last wedding was over 10 years ago – so visiting there refreshed my memory and there were some additions to their garden, which was helpful to see in person. Also, it gave me an excuse to meet my client and their parents, which makes them happy and more comfortable with me – so even though I didn’t “need” to do a site check, doing so was a win-win for all of us.

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

WEDDING & EVENT SPECIALISTS

Part 1: Ivy's Simply Homemade

Occasional posts will be dedicated to my new Wedding & Event Specialists Series. Here I will highlight fellow Wedding & Event professionals who pride themselves on quality work and awesome service, throughout New England and beyond.

One of the nice things about being a wedding photographer is the opportunity to meet and work with new people. I had the pleasure of working with the team of Ivy’s Simply Homemade at Kimberly and Brian’s wedding at Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Connecticut. I have to say, all of them - beit the staff on the floor or those in the kitchen, are just so PLEASANT and laid back! And their food was amazing and presented beautifully. Here are some samples of their work, captioned in their own words:

From the team of Ivy’s Simply Homemade:

With each wedding Ivy’s caters, new friendships are formed and wonderful memories are created. It is a privilege to know we are selected by our couples to share in their special day.

Ivy’s is a full-service catering company that blends together our talents to create the perfect experience for our clients and their guests. We were thrilled to be a part of Kim and Brian’s wedding at the beautiful Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford. A wedding day is unique; it is filled with what matters most to each couple. Here are a few of Kim and Brian’s personal touches…

- Beautiful landscapes enhancing each table number were hand painted with love by Kim’s Mom.

- A fun “question game” was placed on each table for guests to see who may know Kim & Brian best!

- Kim and Brian chose to have their “track team friends” seated at a rectangular table for dinner, bringing back many fun memories of meals they shared together in the cafeteria. DCXC!

- Specialty Cocktails: Mojito for Kim & Moscow Mule for Brian.

- Brian’s Mom's delicious tabbouleh recipe was a favorite served at the buffet.

We also have the privilege to work along with so many talented and highly respected vendors, such as Dana! Dana’s creative passion and friendly vibe made it a joy to work with her!

Thank you, Kim and Brian for inviting us into to your lives… wishing you a future together filled with all your dreams coming true!

Ivy, Karen, Sophia and Crew
 

Click here for more Friends who I recommend in the wedding/events industry and beyond. Click here to see more photos from Kimberly & Brian's wedding. 

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

LET IT RAIN!

I’ll never forget when Katharine called me, the day before her wedding, stressed and close to tears. The forecast was for rain on their wedding day, and the entire cocktail hour and reception were to be outside on the big lawn of her parents home in Maine. There was a lot of ground to cover - literally - as the entire setting was larger than two football fields between the rolling hills, trees, the tent and dock on the water. It was a lovely setting and definitely one that you’d want a sunny day for… or not…

One of Katharine’s main concerns was the photography. “Are you sure you’ll still be able to get photos outside?” The house itself and the entire setting was so important to Katharine - it’s not a venue - it’s her home, with memories and deep meaning. I responded by saying what I truly do believe: that when one door closes, another one opens - sometimes, an even better door. And this proved to be true.

As mentioned in the post My favorite Venues to photograph (and why) Part I: Rosecliff Mansion, Our job as your photographer is to get our job done in any and every lighting and weather condition. Naturally curious, most photographers find that challenges inspire us, not hinder us. So while our client may feel stress about a sudden change of plans, we may actually feel sparked as we problem-solve; this mindset is common among us creatives, and luckily, exactly what you need on your wedding day or event.

If you’re feeling adventurous, taking the time to brave the weather can offer a great and fun photo opportunity. And remember, in Asian culture, it is considered good luck when it rains on the wedding day. So bring it on, rain!

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE

PLANNING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE

There is a delicate balance between planning your event around the timing of your photos and planning the photography around the timeline of your event. First and foremost, my motto is “to document, not direct,” and I feel no need to manipulate or control the order of events of my client’s day. I’m sure many like-minded photographers feel the same. That said, we’d also probably agree that it’s disappointing when a scenario like the following takes place, which it has for all of us: the grounds of the venue are warmly lit by a vivid sunset. Great light, nice breeze, beautiful backdrop: a perfect opportunity to photograph our bride & groom outside the venue they’ve so carefully chosen. But dinner has just been served.

So how do you plan your day accordingly? After all, it’s not about the photography. It’s about having all of your friends and family together to celebrate love and life. That is the priority. That said, many of the pictures that prompted you to choose this venue were likely created on the best conditions, as in the above example. But if not planned properly, those photos simply cannot be taken by your photographer.

So how do we avoid or just lessen this type of scenario? I suggest you ask your planner and your photographer to collaborate before finalizing the timeline of events. The fact is, we all want to provide the best possible product and service for you. So working as a team instead of individually is in everyone’s best interest, especially yours. It’s important to remember that there are many elements being juggled by your planner. What may work best for the photographer may be difficult for the catering team, or vice-versa - and it’s your planner’s job as the middle-man to ensure efficiency and ease for all vendors, creating a positive experience for the whole team.

Liz Quill is owner of Elegant Aura, specializing in wedding & event planning in New England. Liz adds, “I wholeheartedly agree with Dana about collaborating with the photographer and the caterer to find the right balance of providing the best product and the best service for our couples. Our wedding day itineraries always include the sunset time. Although we don’t actually plan events around that time, we use it as a reminder to us that it might be the perfect photo opportunity.   

The day is all about teamwork and communication. I think couples appreciate that their vendors try interrupting them as little as possible, and also recognize that formalities are necessary and need their attention. Our role is to make sure that all of the vendors have been collaborated with while keeping in mind the couple’s vision of their day. I always appreciate when the photographer asks if they can steal the couple away. If that means we push out the cake cutting time or toasts, it’s ok by us.

We in turn connect with the caterer, DJ/Band and videographer to let them know what’s happening and we make our adjustments. It doesn’t affect the guest’s experience, and in the end what matters most is the couple had an incredible day that was beautifully captured.”

Julia & John's wedding took place at The Gardens at Elm Bank. The team included Elegant Aura, Capers Catering, Winston Flowers and Murray Hill Talent.

Email me anytime for topic suggestions and feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love & Happy Planning,
Dana Siles

SUBSCRIBE