A photographer located here in Orange County, Camille Rich sent me these photos and her work is absolutely fabulous! Because she is so great to work with and her packages/pricing are so affordable for any bride, I wanted to share it with all of you. If you are in need of a photographer, you definately have to give her a call. Check out her priceless "15" wedding tips she gives to all her clients.
15 Top Tips for Bridal Bliss
1. Try to make all your necessary last minute phone calls two weeks before. Better yet, request certain vendors check in with you two weeks before your wedding day. This will help you relax, and it will be fewer phone calls for you to make. “Thank goodness the photographer has not been hit by a bus, and the videographer doesn’t have the Asian flu!” You tell your fiancée.
2. Have a pair a comfy shoes you can wear on your wedding day. Further, if you want to be a shining star in the eyes of your bridesmaids, get some soul savers, I am sure your bridesmaids need some, I mean, sole savers. They are secret weapons that make uncomfortable shoes, comfortable. Dr. Scholl’s make them for stilettos. Apara makes them for sling-backs.
3. Most likely things will not go according to plan. Prepare for this, and refuse to let something miniscule upset you on your wedding day. If your breathing becomes shallow, repeat this mantra “I am marrying the man of my dreams, I am marrying the man of my dreams.” 
4. Having trouble relaxing? A glass of champagne can wash your jitters away. One glass and not twenty that is!
5. Have your flowers and bridesmaid’s flowers delivered to your room ahead of time. Have Jewelry, garters, the rings, and anything else you want photographed, ready. A photographer needs time to play around, with your details that is!
6. Consider taking at least part of your group photos and family portraits beforehand. This leaves more time for the reception and breaks up formal photographs, hence you will feel less tired.
7. Inform your photographer of any physical limitations you or the groom may have. That way if the groom has a “bad knee,” I will not ask him to pick you up etc, and we will avoid having your wedding day featured on a funniest videos show.
8. Plan on at least one hour and fifteen minutes of group portraits and romantic portraits. These are photos you will have forever. If you want to keep photos under an hour after the ceremony, take your bridesmaid and groomsmen photographs beforehand.
9. Send your photographer a list of your must take shots.
10. Have a bridesmaid or close friend help get family and friends together for portraits. This friend will help you remember who you must have a group portrait with. This especially applies if it is not a standard portrait, i.e. Aunt Louise, who came all the way from Florida etc. This lets the photographer concentrate on taking your pictures. Further, an important consideration is designating the right person. If the bridesmaid has small terrors and crybabies, I mean, angels and cutie-pies, or is pregnant, (we don’t want any pre-term labor) She may not be the best choice.
11. If your photographer or videographer make any special promises get it in writing this will help avoid confusion. For example when you will receive your photo viewing software, and actual photos, and or album. This is a good principle to follow with videographers’ as well.
12. Ask how close your videographer will get during your ceremony, etc. Better yet come up with what you are comfortable with and tell them ahead of time. Don’t come closer than four feet!! Yes, videographer’s are notorious for coming in close, as well as obnoxious photographers, but you didn’t hear it from me! Pick a videographer who does not need to be present on the altar with you. Yikes! Preset limits can be a good thing. Also ask where any extra equipment will be setup during the ceremony?
13. Seriously consider having an album made. Walking away with negatives is not always the greatest idea. There are special needs for digital photos, such as increasing contrast, sharpening, and with all photos sizing, monitor calibration, and taking them to a professional lab. In my professional opinion, I think it is better to leave this oftentimes up to the photographer. Though prints are nice, there is no comparison to a completed professional album to preserve your wedding memories.
14. Let your photographer know if you will be arriving or departing in a limo or another special sort of transportation Maybe your fiancée is really into motorcycles or vintage cars? Normally you find his obsessive behavior a little annoying, but you and I know a picture of you, in your wedding dress, on the back of that motorcycle, will be simply fabulous!
15. So you want to simply enjoy the day and spend just a little time taking photos? If this is the case be sure to discuss with your photographer beforehand. These are your wedding photos, and striking a balance would be wise. I have personally had couples be so anxious to get to the reception they have been asked to wait outside because all the champagne has not been poured for the toasts.
Friday, January 9, 2009
