HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Congrats! You’ve decided on your destination in paradise, locked in your dream venue (yay!), and clicked with the perfect photographer whose responsibility it will be to immortalize your moment. As highly trained and dedicated professionals, wedding photographers are a talented bunch who work miracles day in and day out. Now, that being said, we are still human, and there are some things you can help us with in the lead-up to the big day to make sure our work is flawless. The following list of do’s, don’ts, advice, and guidance is IMPOSSIBLE to follow down to the letter, so don’t beat yourself up. Remember, it’s your day and we’ll do it your way!
FIRST LET’S TALK ADMIN
We won’t bother you too much or fill your inbox with emails until closer to the wedding date, but here are a few pointers that will help keep you organized on the admin front.
Make sure you connect with your photographer in person or by video chat in the early stages of planning. Getting to know one another helps us vibe and put words to the vision early on.
When making payments, shoot us a quick screenshot of your receipt via email so that we can be sure to follow up and confirm with you right away.
If you haven’t already, make sure to introduce us to your wedding planner. They are a photographer’s dream and can answer many of our questions regarding minor details so that you can focus on the fun stuff.
Remember to work on your shot list. Your shot list helps us group important friends and family members so we don’t miss a beat. Read our recent blog and learn more about the topic here.
You’ll have questions pop up throughout the process. Never hesitate to email your photographer for advice. If we are on the ground at a wedding, we’ll get back to you from the studio ASAP.
Be sure to follow and visit your photographer’s social media pages regularly. Most update their feeds with new content constantly. Draw inspiration, keep up with their latest innovations, and get excited!
NEXT UP: HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Your wedding is all about looking and feeling great at the happiest moment of your life. It ISN’T a fashion shoot, so don’t kill yourself trying to lose weight unhealthily or change your gorgeous self. Simple self-care and preparation will have you shining at the altar. Here’s what we recommend.
Water. It goes without saying but being consistent and upping your daily intake to the required level makes skin glow.
Keep up your exercise routine. If yoga and pilates are your thing, becoming a 4-hour-a-day gym junkie overnight will probably have adverse results.
Skincare! Ask your dermatologist for recommendations and be rigid with your morning and evening routines. Find something that works for you and avoid trying new products and treatments closer to the wedding just in case.
Sunscreen! (Duh!): Keep it on day and night, inside and out. You’d be surprised how burnt you can get sitting at your office window.
Start chatting with your at-home hairdresser about your wedding look. Decide what length and color work best and again, avoid drastic changes close to the date.
When choosing your locally-based, Cabo hair and makeup team, take advantage of the complimentary online consultation most offer. They’ll vibe with you and talk to you about how to best enhance your natural glow. Scheduling a trial during your site visit is a great way to ensure you’re comfortable with your wedding day look ahead of time.
Note - health and beauty regimens are about making you FEEL your best self on your wedding day. When you love the way you feel our job is a piece of cake.
IT’S THE WEDDING WEEKEND!
Here goes! You have arrived to celebrate your long-awaited destination wedding in Los Cabos, Cancun, or whatever other slice of paradise you have discovered and the celebrations have begun. I’ll keep it short here because the advice is nothing more than basic common sense 🙂
Keep drinking water. Let’s face it, you’ll be partaking in more than a few margaritas as the excitement builds, so drinking water is a must.
Enjoy the drinks but avoid the wedding morning hangover. If you’re looking to party like a rockstar while in town it’s probably best to leave it for the after party.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Of course poolside gatherings, walks on the beach, and watersports are unavoidable in most coastal destinations, so make that sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, and coverup part of your pre-wedding kit. Tan lines on a stunning bride are a photographer’s worst nightmare and almost impossible to remove completely in post-production.
Be on time to scheduled sessions. Photographers may have other commitments before or after your appointment times, which means they will need to leave as planned. If you are a little late it reduces our coverage time, so we may have to rush certain moments or miss out on capturing happenings scheduled after our departure time.
Consider an “unplugged” ceremony. Asking guests to avoid taking pictures during the ceremony reduces your photographer’s chances of missing an angle. Your final gallery can be shared with them easily online so they never miss a memory.
Embrace your personality! Whether you’re shy, quirky, or over-the-top, that’s you! Photography is as much about putting clients at ease and showcasing real emotions as it is about editing in the studio.
REMIND THE GROOM OF ALL OF THE ABOVE! We adore all of our amazing grooms, but if we are being real and betting on the chances of who is more likely to go rogue (bride or groom), we know where we are putting our money!
OUR FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM
Your wedding weekend is about enjoying your nearest and dearest, soaking in all that Mexico has to offer, and celebrating your love. If you are feeling fabulous and having fun, so are we, and the results will speak for themselves!
One Love - Gary
Copywriting by @bloggingwithlove.mexico
