Artistique Photography by Nicolette - Checklists and Countdown to your Wedding Day

 Artistique Photography by Nicolette

 

Checklists and Countdown to your Wedding Day

 

I would recommend 6 - 12 months planning for your Wedding Day, but don't worry if you have a shorter planning time, perhaps you have a different style of wedding where there is not as much detailed planning required.  Some suppliers are able to work within shorter time frames, but to avoid disappointment I advise booking your suppliers as soon as your wedding date has been set, most importantly your venue and photographer.

 

It is a good idea to get a Bride's Planning Diary or create your own spreadsheet and I have listed items below, which you should check off in the time frame I have included, based on your wedding planning from 6 - 12 months.  Remember, I can always offer you help in selecting reputable wedding vendors if your wedding is planned for NSW Central Coast, or Hunter Valley.
 

6 - 12 months

First of all you will need to work out your Wedding Budget and next on the list will be to:

• Confirm Wedding Date, Location and Time.
• Book Wedding Venue.
• Book Photographer / Videographer.
• Book Caterer.
• Minister, Celebrant or Priest.
• Choose your Bridal Party.

• Decide on your Theme, Colour, Style.
• Book your Florist.

 

• Select your Make Up Artist.
• Book Band, DJ, MC, Musicians.
• Choose your Wedding Gown.

 

• Book Wedding Transport.
• Compile Guest List.
• Send guests Save the Date notice.
• Organise Engagement Party.
• Check what Bridal Fairs may be on in your area.
• Organise Wedding Insurance.

3-6 months

• Order your Wedding Cake.
• Decide on the design of your Wedding Invitations.
• Make appointment with Make up Artist and Hair Stylist for trial run and book for your wedding day.
• Decide on Bridal Party attire and arrange fittings for groomsmen.
• Send invitations and record acceptances and refusals as they come in.

• Bomboniere - wedding gifts and gifts to one another.
• Make Honeymoon plans.
• Check Passports.
• Purchase the Wedding Rings.
• Dance lessons for your first dance.
• Decide on wedding menu and give guest numbers expected to the caterer.

• Give Florist colour scheme and order corsages for mothers of bride and groom.
• Decide where bridesmaids and groomsmen will dress on the day.
• Purchase gifts for Bridal Party.
• Write Vows, if doing your own.
• Let your bridal party know who is required to do a speech.
• Book Hotel room for wedding night.

1 Month

• Hens Night.
• Prepare your Wedding Day time line.
• Check with Celebrant whether you need to apply for Wedding Licence or whether they will do that for you.
• Arrange seating details at Reception.
• Have final Wedding Gown fitting and don't forget to take your shoes along too!

• Arrange fittings for Bridal Party.
• Chase up late RSVPs to invitations and finalise guest list.
• Let Venue, Caterer and Photographer know your final numbers.
• Set a date for Wedding Rehearsal.
• Confirm all Transport arrangements.
• Prepare table place cards.

 Two Weeks

• Confirm all arrangements, Photographer, Venue, Caterer, Florist etc.
• Check all Place Cards, table decorations and settings are correct.
• Collect suits.

• Have Going Away Bag ready for hotel.
• Make sure you Eat, Hydrate, Relax and Sleep well.

One Day

• Have Manicure / Pedicure.
• Confirm Wedding Day transport.
• If getting ready at Hotel/Motel, let Photographer, Make Up and Hair know your room number!

• Lay everything out for your wedding.
• Have cash ready for services requiring payment on your wedding day.

Your Wedding Day

• Relax, Smile, don't worry about anything, and have a fabulous day!

www.ArtistiquePhotographyByNicolette.com.au

 



Artistique Photography by Nicolette - Perfect time of day for Portrait Session

 

Artistique Photography by Nicolette

 

Perfect time of day for Portrait Session

 

A great portrait is the relationship between the subject and the photographer.  If the photographer is tense, this will show in the portraits.

 

 

As a Wedding and Portrait Photographer, I like to advise my clients to have their outdoor portraits in the golden hour before sunset (not always possible with wedding photography), or if they are early birds, in the hour after sunrise!  This is because the light is beautiful and soft.  I like natural light portraits, but as the sunset approaches, I use a little fill in flash to avoid silhouette. 

 

Here is a recent late afternoon portrait session with Sharon.  We had a lot of fun together and it is important that I get to know my clients, relate well to them and make it a fun session for them too!

 

 

 

I like to take along a few props, a couple umbrellas from my large stock of wedding umbrellas, perhaps some bubbles to blow if children are in the portrait session.

 

Here are a few more photos from our photo session at the jetty recently. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.artistiquephotographybynicolette.com.au

 

 



Artistique Photography by Nicolette - You're Engaged, now it's time to plan your Wedding Day

 

You're Engaged, now it's time to plan your Wedding Day

 

 

You have now decided you are getting married, this is just the beginning, but where to start?

 

 

Planning your wedding involves both of you, and your fiancé may have chosen your engagement ring, but if you are choosing it together then there are things to consider such as, shape of your hands, your lifestyle, whether you like gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum.

 

Set your wedding date:

 

It is a good idea to allow 10 to 12 months for your planning and some couples plan even a year or two out from their wedding day.  I certainly have bookings for late 2017 and it is only May 2016.  You need to decide what time of the year you would like, maybe spring or autumn.  You need to think carefully about a mid summer wedding where temperatures can reach 35-40deg which is unpleasant for everyone, especially when you are wearing a wedding gown, suits etc.  Also, you need to consider your elderly guests.  I have captured weddings in 40deg and members of the bridal party have fainted.  Weather in autumn is generally very settled and early winter in warm climates is pleasant too.

 

How many guests to invite?

 

The average number of guests for weddings I have captured recently is around 75 - 80, but you need to decide whether you will have a medium or large sized wedding although your budget may dictate this for you.

 

Budget:

 

This can vary from $1500 to $90.000 and above.  Remember, you don't need to spend an outrageous amount to have a wonderful day!  Budget will be spent on the following areas:

• Invitations
• Wedding Rings
• Wedding gown / fashion for groom / bridal party
• Flowers
• Ceremony
• Cake
• Photography / Videography
• Music / DJ / MC
• Catering / Alcohol
• Transport
• Wedding night accommodation
• Honeymoon

It is a good idea to open a separate bank account for your wedding, that way you will see what you are spending and it's easier to keep a record and stick to your budget.

 

Next Steps:

 

Again, start planning as soon as your wedding date is set.

 

Book your venue as soon as your date is set.  I have sometimes been asked my availability before a venue has been set.  Be sure to check with your chosen photographer, if you really do want them and avoid disappointment.

 

Delegate tasks, you don't need to do everything.

 

Make sure you both communicate with each other.

 

In my next blog I will look at Check Lists and The Countdown to your wedding day.

 

 www.artistiquephotographybynicolette.com.au