on January 11, 2013 at 2:00 PM, updated January 11, 2013 at 2:02 PM
BAY CITY, MI — Brides, take it from me. In my former life as a wedding photographer — I've photographed about 100 weddings — I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly.
Let me help you.
This is the season for wedding preparation. Bridal expos and fashion shows help those recently engaged to pick venues, photographers and florists.
Saturday, Jan. 12, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth is hosting aBridal Extravaganza with an expo and a fashion show. On Sunday, Jan. 13, the Bay City Bridal Event is coming to the Doubletree Hotel.
I worked at elaborate church weddings with hundreds of guests to small, short beach ceremonies.
Yfat Yossifor Here are some day-of mishaps I observed from behind the camera:
Lobster bride
While tanning before the big day can make sense, watch out for tan lines.
A strapless dress with tan lines is tacky. And beware how long you tan. White dresses and sunburns are bad combination. And for those who want pricey photo touch-ups, the cost will mount quickly.
Let me tell you about Lobster Bride. In preparation for her beach wedding, this bride laid out the day before and, to her everlasting chagrin, fell asleep. She was striped, white were her swimsuit covered her shoulders, red where it didn't, like a peppermint candy.
Make-up overload
Don't overdo your foundation.
Everyone cries during weddings. Having tear-streaked makeup is worse than no makeup at all. A freckled bride had a professional make-up artist airbrush out her spots, but they came through in the streaks of her tears.
Do the bustle, step out in heels
Almost every wedding I photographed, I ended up tying the bride's train into a bustle after the ceremony and before the reception.
Someone usually learned how to bustle the dress beforehand, but that person is usually off somewhere else when the time comes. Train more than one person, or make sure they stick around.
And if you aren't used to walking in a heel, practice or choose other footwear. Either way, have a spare pair.
The short bride who wanted to stand tall in 4-inch heels regretted her choice when she tripped on her way down the aisle.
Shiny happy people
Have blotting papers.
Maybe it's nerves or just the weather, but many people sweat on wedding days. Having those tissues to soak up oils on the face will make the photographs better. Your guys need them, as well. I actually carried them with me, to save on photo editing later.
The safety dance
Safety pins are a wonderful invention. Make sure to have some handy for those straps and hemlines.
I have seen just about every wardrobe mishap you can imagine. The most notable: The grandma whose dance-floor shimmy during the longest-wedded contest ended when she danced right out of her skirt.
Above all, remember what matters: Who is at the altar and your commitment to each other. Things will go array, but as long as you have each other, everything will be OK.
0 comments:
Post a Comment