I wanted to share some things that I have noticed over the years with my couples who are either starting to plan, or in the middle of their wedding planning.

Wardrobe Malfunctions and ‘Day-of nightmares’
I have seen a many things that over the years as a wedding photographer when it comes to wardrobe malfunctions, and ‘morning-of nightmares’. Here is a quick list for both the guys and girls.

Here are the tips for the guys

• Your Tux Make sure that your Tux fits, and that all pieces are present – There has been many times when a groomsman goes to put on his Tux, and there is a piece missing, or the shirt is the wrong size. Verify the size of everything while in the store when you pick it up, and make sure that you give the store enough time to make it right. (In other words don’t pick it up on the Friday night huh?) I have seen Groomsman without shirts, 15 minutes before the ceremony (that was his fault), and Fathers of the brides with sleeves 5 inches too short.
• Bow Ties If you don’t know how to tie a bow tie, don’t get them. The ‘fake – already tied’ ones work fine, just make sure that it’s a good quality tie. I would love to help, but I simply don’t know how to do it, or have the time to tie 5 bow ties )
• Don’t put on your own boutineer – 9 times out of 10 they fall off or droop sideways when guys do it. So guys? know when your beat, don’t do it. (Don’t worry I can do it in a pinch, I get asked every wedding )

Here are the tips for the girls

• Get a late fitting – I have heard too many times to count – when I am at the house during the ‘getting ready’ portion of the day. “Oh no! It doesn’t fit right”. If you lost weight, or gained a bit of weight between the wedding date and 6 months ago when you bought your dress it isn’t something that anyone wants to deal with on the morning of, 2 hours before the ceremony.
• Getting your dresses made? Beware – I have seen seamstresses at the house of the bride on the wedding day, frantically trying to finish dresses. And Mother of the bride have to ‘find something in her closet’. Less than ideal to say the least. Everything ended up working out, but trust me, this is not the way you want to spend the morning of your wedding. That is what the biggest disappointment to the bride, was losing that time with her Mom, and her Bridesmaids.
• Time at the Salon – Make sure that there are enough stylists for the amount of Bridesmaids that you have, make that time efficient. Don’t put your day off track right at the beginning of the day by having to wait at the salon. I have seen 5 girls standing around one chair, impatiently waiting to have their hair done.
• Get a hair and Make up trial – It is really important to have a good idea of what you want before you get into the Salon. Those magazines are only there to put in time, not to give you new ideas “Maybe I should do this?” Heard it 100 times. Another thought is get your hair and make up trial before your engagement shoot, that way you can look your best for that shoot too.
• You need extra make up for pictures?? It is such a MAJOR misconception, and I wished I could have  a “chat” with the person who started it. It simply isn’t true. It is far more important you look yourself in the images and not a “lady of the evening”
• Get your makeup done – Having said that, get your make-up done by a professional, who knows what they are doing. Professionals are professionals for a reason. And better yet find someone with ‘commercial experience’. Here is Erin, a great girl, an uber talented artist. She knows when enough is enough, making you look your best, not like someone else.
• Get a good photographer It kind of goes without saying, but be sure to get a photographer that is strong in portraiture (and can show that ability in a solid portfolio), you have gone to all the work of looking your best, and it is critical that you have it documented well. Every person has their ‘best angle’ and a good photographer knows how to know and maximize that angle, enabling you and you bridesmaids to look their best in the photographs.

There is more Tips to come. Tips for the reception, and the value of good hiring competent wedding professionals.

**I want to just add a short disclaimer. These are only things that I have noticed, and are only suggestions. Please don’t hate me if they end up causing you grief, but these are things that I have seen time and time again.