Is it a Match? Finding YOUR photographer.

1. Your Friend, My Friend, We’re all Friends. Usually when you embark on planning a wedding you are new to the whole scene. You haven’t had the experience in planning, interviewing, and hiring people/companies for an event of this scope. Ask everyone you come in contact with for recommendations and referrals. And by everyone I mean everyone – friends, family, hairdressers, florists, caterers, DJ’s and Bands. Don’t be afraid to ask! Everyone you meet during the planning process can be a valuable resource to you!

2. Face Time. I say it over and over again; you have to like the photographer/s you hire! You are going to spend a lot of time with this person on your wedding day – often up close and personal. You may love the photographer’s work and have heard their praises sung from the highest mountains, but if you don’t like them don’t hire them! In most cases you will regret it if you do. When meeting with the photographer try to honestly assess if this is a person you want to spend all day with.

3. What does that get me? There are as many different photographers as there are wedding day packages out there. Not only do you need to look carefully at the details of each package but also at the value of the package. The old adage is true – you get what you pay for!

4. Make the most of It. When planning the flow of your day make sure to leave enough time so that you can get those images you dreamed of – the whole reason you hired your photographer! If you’re rushing from ceremony to reception, you’re not going to get those dream images and you’re going to end up frustrating yourself and your photographer. I advocate doing a formal/fun session just before the ceremony. You look fresh and your not rushing from one site to another. Mostly I love them because it’s a time for you and your soon to be husband/wife to have a moment to yourself before you get caught up in the whirl of the day.

5. Who’s in the family? Experienced wedding photographers know to get images of bridal parties, family and special friends. The catch is they don’t usually know who these people are to you! Have one or two point people for the day – someone who knows who the players are. This person should be able to herd people to where they need to go. So much time can be wasted when your waiting for that relative who needs to be in the family grouping but can never be found!

6. The hunt is on!! Most photographers are booked out 6 months to 1 year in advance. Once you book your date start searching online and talking to people to find “your’ photographer!

written by:
Jennie Sjursen
Co-Owner
www.strawberryrd.com

Jennie and I had the good fortune to meet with Kate Parker of Kate ParkerWeddings.  We had a great time going over the trials and tribulations of everything from wontons and bon bons to working your keister off in a faultering economy.  One thing I think she did for Jennie and me was to reaffirm the fact that hard work and a ‘chin up’ attitude can almost certainly insulate you from failure.  Thanks Kate!  No pics this post, but have no fear, something more colorful to follow!

Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise!  Becky and Jenny over at Weddingistas.com threw us into their vendor spotlight!  Never ones to toot our own horn (*cough, cough*) it’s always nice to have someone do it for you!  They do top notch work as well, I highly recommend you check out their full service wedding planning, just reading the list of services they provide on your big day makes me want for a red bull with a side of iced coffee!  Go check ‘em out

Thanks Weddingistas!

Well, Jennie and I got Strawberry Road featured in the window of Papyrus a few weekends ago!

Customers showed a lot of interest and our display was well received.  What a great shot in the arm for us to have this opportunity.

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