Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision. Various components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come. The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2021, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day. Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision. What style do you specialize in? Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results. Who will be shooting my wedding? Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just because you meet with one does not necessarily mean that photographer will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract. Have you ever worked at my venue before? Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship. A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals. Can we see a full gallery of a recent wedding? According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer's style and attention to detail.
Will photos be color balanced and retouched? Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract. What's included in the photo packages? A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer's assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you're getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price. What is the payment timeline? Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums. Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of a wedding and helps tell the story of couples' special day. Asking key questions can help couples find a photographer who will produce the desired results. As couples plan their weddings, learning about some popular wedding styles can help them create a ceremony that suits them. Every wedding is different, even if many share some common components. As couples plan their weddings, learning about some popular wedding styles can help them create a ceremony that suits them. Classic wedding Classic weddings are the storybook traditional weddings that many people dream about for years. Key elements include a tuxedo for the groom and a white gown for the bride. Formal attire is reserved for the rest of the wedding party. The ceremony is conducted in a place of worship before everyone retires to a fancy catering hall for the reception. Traditional weddings also may include the time-honored customs like toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and parent-child dances. Beach wedding Beach weddings often are casual, laid back affairs. Dresses may be less structured and flow with sea breezes, while guys may even don shorts with linen shirts or jackets. Guests can expect the party to be much more free-flowing and the traditions of classic weddings may not be part of the celebration. Bohemian wedding Free-spirited individuals may dive head first into a bohemian style wedding. According to wedding planner David Tutera, a boho wedding is casual and comfortable. It tends to come off chic but appears that way with minimal effort. Decor is typically humble and blends harmoniously with nature. A boho wedding may take place outdoors or in another less traditional venue, such as a farmhouse or botanical garden. Wedding party attire may be mismatched and showcase each person's individual style. Modern wedding
Brides and grooms who crave contemporary and current trends may prefer a modern wedding. Graphic color schemes, clean lines and minimalistic flowers might be part of a modern wedding. Attire may be angular and edgy, and the venue may run the gamut from sleek museum to a city rooftop. Destination wedding Couples who love to travel and don't want to worry about the minutiae of wedding planning may find a destination wedding is a good fit. Destination weddings last more than one day and focus on relaxation, activities and lots of fun. Destination weddings tend to be less formal and less traditional than classic weddings. Due to the remote locations, destination weddings also can be smaller and more intimate, as many invitees may be unable to attend. Yet those who can attend often get to enjoy tropical islands or mountain retreats. Wedding styles are as unique as the people getting married. Choosing a theme that has the right feeling can help couples make the most of their special days. Wedding day timelines will differ depending on variables that are unique to each couple's wedding, but the following are some factors to consider as couples organize the big day.
originally posted on brides.com Once your perfect engagement ring is sitting pretty on your finger, it probably feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders—it’s one less very important item you can check off your to-do list! But, the ring journey is not over just yet: now it’s time to pick a wedding band that matches your engagement ring. While some engagement rings are made by jewelry brands that offer matching wedding bands, many are not. It can be difficult to find a band that looks right at home with your ring, especially if your ring features an unusual center stone, a unique center stone cut, or a bold metal. Since these two rings are going to be worn together forever, you want them to really flow together perfectly, like a match made in heaven. The Complete Guide to Wedding Bands That said, there’s a lot to consider, and so many options to choose from. Brides spoke with jeweler Colleen Montague, who says that one of the most important things you want to do is make sure that the engagement ring remains the star of the show. “Try to choose a wedding band that won’t overpower your engagement ring,” she says. MEET THE EXPERT Colleen Montague is the lead jewelry designer and owner of Moissy Fine Jewellery. Ahead, everything you need to know about finding a wedding band that fits perfectly around your engagement ring—including our favorite ring pairings! Choosing a Metal Traditionally, wedding bands and engagement rings are made of the same metal, so many people assume that they have to be made of the same metal. This isn’t true. “Be creative! Don’t be afraid to mix metals and shapes,” Montague says. “Mixed metals can really give a wedding set a modern look.” Need some ideas or inspiration? “The most common mix is a white and yellow gold set, but don’t be limited in what you love,” Montague says. “Mixing white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold has proven to be really stunning.” She explains that adding, say, yellow gold to a white gold engagement ring can make the set pop and look more unique. Which Type of Ring Metal Should You Choose? Types of Wedding Bands After settling on a ring metal, you'll next have to decide what style wedding band you prefer. Consider whether you want a wedding band that sits flush against your engagement ring, or if you don’t mind a small gap between the two. Most of the time, this will depend on the setting of your engagement ring. A high-profile setting, like a cathedral, has space for a wedding band to sit snugly underneath the stone with no gap. You should also make sure the width of your engagement ring and wedding band are the same or similar. For example, if the band of your engagement ring is thin, opt for a thin wedding band as well. Classic Wedding Bands If you don't want a gap between your two rings, opt for a classic wedding band style. There’s the very simple plain metal band, no extras added; the eternity wedding band, which features pavé diamonds all around the band; and the channel-set wedding band for a different way to mount diamonds. Infinity style wedding bands, which feature the infinity symbol throughout, are also popular, but may not rest completely flushed with your engagement ring. Contoured Wedding Bands Maybe the setting of your engagement ring isn’t high, and a band cannot sit underneath the center stone. You can still get a band that sits flush against the ring with a contoured style. A contoured wedding band is designed to match the curvature of your engagement ring. In the front, the band is shaped to follow the contours of your ring so it sits perfectly against it. It’s very common, elegant, and looks completely natural. Notched Wedding Bands Another option for a flush look is a notched wedding band. If a contoured band looks like it was created specifically for your ring (which it very well may have been!), a notched wedding band looks like a puzzle piece. It’s completely straight until the front, where there’s a notch so that the stone can fit in place. Pairing Suggestions When it comes to finding the perfect wedding band and engagement ring set, there’s really no right or wrong answer. You can go with the classic and traditional look of the same metals and simple bands, or you can opt for something more unique and modern, like mixed metals or a band with embellishments. Amaryllis and Brad were married at Fairview Estates in Amherst, Virginia. The two chose to get married at Fairview Estate because of the mountain views and Amaryllis said she loved the fact that the farm had rescue horses.Fairview offers a spectacular, panoramic view that will be remembered. Listed on the National Historic Registry, it has a timeless appeal that reflects its distinctive 1867 Italianate architecture. On its way to becoming a Blue Ridge favorite for romantic getaways, Fairview is perfect for family gatherings, and elegant, affordable weddings. |
About CrystalCrystal Vandegrift is a wedding photographer covering Virginia, D.C. NC and Maryland. Interested in being a guest blogger on our site? Contact us below!
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Pictures were one of my top priorities for my wedding. I spent a lot of time reading through photographers and even contacting some. I was also pretty nervous, I had never been professionally photographed before. Crystal and her team were SO easy to work with and immediately took away the nerves. I trusted her completely and I am so happy I did. Cannot recommend enough! Ellen - Yorktown VA
If you're looking for an amazing photographer who is relaxed, has experience, and knowledge look no further. Crystal took our engagement and wedding photos. Not only were her photos amazing, but she is extremely responsive to messages and will even help you when planning your big day. It was important to us to work with a photographer who has experience with same sex couples, and Crystal and Casey did a great job capturing everything for my wife and I. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. - Emily - Nellysford, VA
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