Wedding Tip #6 - The First Dance

Another Wedding Tip. I know a long time coming. I've been wanting to add this one for a while, I just needed a chance to get it done. Here are the previous 5 tips.

Wedding Tip #5 - Servers/Speeches
Wedding Tip #4 - Preparation/Hotels
Wedding Tip #3 - The DJ
Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant
Wedding Tip #1 - The head table

Last November I saw what had to be the best idea yet for a first dance. Nate and Megan entered the Washington Pavillion after the ceremony, all of their guests were there and waiting. The DJ announced them as usual, but instead of heading straight to their table to eat they went directly to the dance floor.

Typically the first dance is done after the meal. There are a couple of issues with this:
- many (about 1/2) of the guests typically leave right after the meal leaving very few left to watch your dance
- often the dance floor is set up or cleared off after the meal. By already having it out you are eliminating the extra moving of stuff, therefore not disturbing the flow of the night.
- People that are still there are often talking or eating desert and aren't paying attention.

So doing your first dance at the beginning of the reception really does wonders for your images. The place is still beautifully decorated, virtually untouched, the guests are still there and into you and watching you and this makes great background images and it's just a fun way to start your evening.

From Nate and Megan:

Look at how the tables are full and how attentive the guests are.

From Evan and Elizabeth, done after the meal, but in a small area and the guests lined the dance floor:

From Starr annd Matt, done after the meal, it's a lovely image of them, but look at the empty places and how many people aren't paying attention.

Other things to think of:
- Ask your DJ to not used colored lights. The reason is that it can cast a horrible light on you and it can hurt the image. Now they colored lights are great for the faster songs.

- Ask your DJ not to use crazy fast lights. It really is just to add to the mood. It doesn't hurt my images, it's just that these are typically nice calm moments and crazy lights like strobes don't go with the feel.

- Ok I'm not trying to pick on DJ's but one more: Ask your DJ not to announce that this is a good time for images. Because if they do you will get guests that will come up to take an image and they will get in the way. Not just mine but yours. Often I see a guest come up and demand that you look at them and smile for the camera and then finally leave. Well I'm already there getting the images and you should all know by looking at my work that you don't need to be smiling looking right at the camera for a good image. Sometimes this is a good break for you two to have time together and I have to see it interupted by prompting for images from me or anyone else.

- If you are moving chairs and tables after the meal for room, be sure that they are put in another room out of the background of the dance floor. They look icky in person and in the images.

- Don't be afraid to have your guests line the dance floor. They make a great backdrop.

Just some thoughts from me of course do whatever you like it is your day.
CA

Wedding Tip #5 Servers/Speeches

Time for tip #5, below are the first 4.

Wedding Tip #4 - Preparation/Hotels
Wedding Tip #3 - The DJ
Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant
Wedding Tip #1 - The head table

You know all those important images during the speeches. You know the ones of not only those sitting at the head table with you, but of you parents. Where they are cracking up at the tales your friends tell. Well I love to get them. It seems this is about the only time your parent's and grandparents really relax, ignore me and show real emotion. Sometimes they cry, sometimes they laugh. But really it's just a great time for me to get images, not just of them, but of everyone.

I've included a bunch of favs of mine from the speeches. Now here is the tip... your waitstaff/servers should NOT be serving, refilling glasses or anything during this time.

Why? Because they get in the images, they distract the guests, and then what do you think everyone does with that fresh piece of cake that was just set in front of them? You guessed it, they eat it. Now I have a policy to edit out eating images. They just don't look good, but you can imagine instead of listening and laughing they are chewing.

Or at just the right moment they are laughing and a server walks right in front of me and I get them and not your dad crying as you thank them for raising you so well. Sometimes I just want to scream.

Also people are attracted to movement. So while I try to minimize mine, I find it interesting that they are all over standing up (taller than the seated guest) and they therefore get some of our attention.

I do move around, but I try not to do it too much. And I like to sit back at this time with a good view in a spot where I'm not to distracting. Manuevering around tables is not easy. So when the servers are all over, it really does take away from an opportunity for me to capture true emotion.

Do you ever wonder why there is that clause in your agreement that says I can not be held responsible for any specific images..... because circumstances beyond my control. Yep this is one of those.

So, my recommendation is to talk to your staff if you have them. Family if they are doing it and try to instruct them that they should serve prior to and after the speeches. And on your part be sure to do those speeches at a time other than when dinner is being served. From my understanding once they start serving they really can't stop. I'm thinking this has to do with your dinner getting cold. So work with your caterer or event coordinator to help work these logistics out.

These first four images are all taken from the same wedding during the speeches. The first and second are in sequence of the father of the bride reacting to what his daughter had said about her parents. It has me in tears everytime I see them. The second two are the parents of the groom reacting to the grooms and the brides words. Have I ever mentioned I LOVE emotion. Just let it out!

This last image is the most unincriminating image I can find with a server walking right in front of the head table during a speech to serve the meal.
CA

Wedding Tip #4 - Preparation/Hotels

Time for tip #4, below are the first 3.

Wedding Tip #3 - The DJ
Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant
Wedding Tip #1 - The head table


Some amazing images come during the preparation time. There are so many expressions, emotions and your closest friends and family are all around you. I've seen people get ready in churches, their home, a bathroom, hotels, etc. I have to say my favorites are your home, if it has enough room and a hotel. Now let's look at the hotel, I think it's an amazing idea to book a room, especially one that has a shuttle/limo service.

The wonderful perks of doing this is by paying for the room you are getting wonderful transportation and that frees up many logistics. Most hotel rooms have more space than your home or the church, they are normally decorated beautifully and they typically have some great natural light.

Andy and I tested this theory on our 5 year anniversary. We booked a room at the Club House Inn in Sioux Falls and took the shuttle out to eat and for a drink. It was so great. Neither of us needed to be the DD since we had the shuttle. The room was so spacious (and it wasn't even a pres suite), the fee was very resonable and way less than a limo would have cost. The decor in the room and throughout the Inn was so beautiful.

I don't know if any other hotels in the Sioux Falls area offer this, but even if they don't I think that this would be a great investment in your day. The images that we could make at this hotel are so vast. I have posted some images here from Amber and Spencers wedding. It just so happened that they did this the week after Andy and I went out. So I just waited to post until after their wedding.

Here are some images from Spencer and Amber's wedding. They got ready at the Club House Inn. These images were all taken there. Their wedding was in Brandon (outside SF city limits) so they couldn't use the shuttle, but it was still a very spacious and well decorated place to start the day.
CA

Wedding Tip #3 - The DJ

It's been a while.. So the much anticipated 3rd wedding tip.

Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant

Wedding Tip #1 - The head table


Let's see in the 23 weddings I've photographed so far this year about 83% had a DJ. And not a single one has impressed me enough to recommend them. There are a couple that I would be happy to help you stear clear of. If you want to know just ask. If you have one that you were so happy with you would recommend them to your best friend, please let me know.

Anyway, when selecting your dj here are some things I would go over with them and why.

1. What are you going to wear to the wedding?

This is important because you go through a lot of effort to create an atmosphere for your day. You don't want your DJ wearing jeans and a t-shirt or khakis when all your guests and you are dressed to the hilt. They will stand out, they will become a distraction and it just isn't professional. Now if you have a beach wedding and the attire for everyone is khakis, then a suit would stand out. Either way ask what they wear, request that they wear something that will match the formality of the day.

2. Please don't advertise at our wedding.

This is something everyone should tell all of their vendors, but particularly the DJ, well because they tend to put big ol banners up in front of their area and it's just tacky. I don't walk around with my logo on my back, I don't hang a banner over my equipment, neither does your caterer, baker or florist. Now this may not seem like such a big idea, but when I'm photographing the dance floor do you want to see a hot pink banner in the background for xyz DJ? I think not, especially if your colors do not include hot pink. This really did happen, I wish I had an image, but I just shot creatively to not include it. I've included an image from another wedding though.

3. How much equipment do you bring and how much space will it take up? Can you show me images of your set up?

Once again.. You go through a lot of trouble to lay out every detail, the napkins the plates, the glasses, the favors, the flowers, so be sure that your DJ's equipement is not so big and goody to over shadow all of your beautiful decorations. Trust me I've see one take up an entire wall and therefore command the attention and change the atmosphere of the entire room. It would be great if they could blend in.

4. Skipping music.

I don't know how DJ's work. I'm not sure if their going digital and away from cd's or what. But skipping songs are just icky. I would be sure to ask how they prevent this, if they check their disks etc.

5. Agenda/games.

Every DJ I have seen has been different. Some seem to want to be the center of attention while others are great and sit back. And some like to MC. Now to me an MC and a DJ are different. You may want an MC. If you don't, let them know that. Sometimes the DJ likes to surprise the bride and groom with fun little things like the shoe game or the generations dance. Well some couples don't like that. Many of you have an idea and an agenda already laid out. Let your DJ know what you want from them.

6 (just edited to add) Photos.

It seems that many DJ's these days think it's a great idea to branch into photography. Or they take some images for their site. Eitherway they are away from their equipement and out there taking pictures. Or they brought another person and they are out there taking pictures. Now you know my style I move around, get many angles and I do pay attention to what is in the background, but it gets harder and harder to get a clean background when other vendors milling around. Educate your DJ that they are taking photos the are infringing on your agreement with me as well as negleting their job. If they continue to to do this (especially if the give or sell the images) it is a breach of our agreement and we don't want to know what I will do....

On a side note: I love the generations dance as an alternative to the boquet toss and garter auction. It is classy as you get all the married couples onto the floor and slowly kick them off based on time married. Of course the B&G are kicked off first. Well whomever is left gets awarded the boquet and the garter. I just love it. I saw it in PA when I was photographing with Heather of Weddings by Heather.

I hope I didn't offend too many DJ's. I know that has to be some great ones out there somewhere. And I don't know about your business, I just know what I would like as a past bride. Here are some images for you of some past DJ's I've come across.
CA

Wedding Tip: #2 Talk to your officiant

Yes I know this is a long time coming. I've been a bit busy. So anyway, wedding tip #2 is to talk with your officiant. In particular about your wants and desires about your wedding photography. Many churches or officiants will have their own rules about how the photographer must conduct themselves. Many of these rules have been established with out your wants in mind.

I will do my job however told, but if given the choice I would much prefer to have free reign. I very very seldom have used flash, only at the beginning and the end. So "no flash" is never a problem. It is when I am told to stay at one location in the rear of the church or to not have the camera seen as it is a distraction.

I have included some images from weddings where I have been allowed to roam and some where I haven't. In case you are thinking what are the drawbacks... if I am required to remain in one location at the rear of the church I will only be able to document from one angle and will be able to do little more than document the venue rather than the emotion you share. The first time I have ever been allowed behind the officiant was at Amber and Eric's wedding this year. O my gosh what a difference it made. Simply amazing how I was able to see their faces, the bridal parties faces, their parents faces, the guests watching on. The images really do make the ceremony coverage 100 times better.

I do my best to be as discrete as possible. At our wedding the photog was all over and even behind the minister and you know what, we were too wrapped up in the happenings to be distracted by it. After the fact I'm pleased to have those images. I think the big distraction usually comes to the officiant. And I think (sorry if I offend here) they should suck it up and do their job it's not their day.

Keep in mind if you want me to stay at the rear for personal or religious reasons I will do that no complaints. I just want you to be aware of what you could otherwise get. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to also communicate with your officiant.

If any of you want to chim in about your experience one way or the other that would be great. Give me some more bride insite please.
CA

1. St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls: allows me to roam all over, just be respectful and stay off the altar. It's large enough that I can do this and still get wonderful images.

2 & 3. The view from the rear of the church where I was told to stay. I wasn't even allowed in the aisles or sides. Sometimes I can get some cool images from back there and do every wedding. I can also zoom, but it's just not the same as being right there for those big moments.

4 & 5. Photographed from the very front of the church. I was allowed complete reign to go anywhere. I love that I was able to get Amber and Eric's expressions as well as the family. And I do have one awesome images of the entire church from back there and wow! Can you imagine what I would have missed standing in the back?

Wedding Tip #1: Head Table

For all you up and coming brides, well I'm going to start to sporadically put some wedding tips in here for you. Not that you have to take them by any means, but since I've been to more than I care to count I thought I'd share some of the cool stuff I've seen. Of course they will mostly have a photography... you know how to make your photography better and such. I'd love to hear feedback on the idea also.
CA

Wedding Tip #1: The Head Table

It seems that the norm is to make the head table this really long series of tables on a riser or the floor and push it up against a wall. I don't know about you, but a bridesmaid (BM) at my last wedding mentioned not liking to eat in front of everyone. And me, I just think every one struggles to decorate that space behind the table, and no offense, but it never look really good. So last weekend I saw something I have been waiting a long time to see...

The head table in the middle of the room.

It created a wonderful backdrop for the bride and groom while they listened to the speeches, made them easily accessible to their guests and to my camera. No one was watching them eat and no horrible attempt to decorate the space behind the table. It was a fabulous idea! Here are some of Ellie and Cloud listening at their centrally located head table, with friends and family as the backdrop.

ETA: Heidi and Marty had their head table in the center of the room also, and Hiedi commented that it was a good way for attendats to be able to sit with their spouses instead of sitting all alone. What a fabulous point. Thank you for sharing Heidi.