Why Go With a Pro?

Every couple has a wedding budget. Some budgets are big, some are quite small, and a very select few are unlimited. When my husband and I got married, our budget was VERY small. We had the epitome of a DIY wedding, long before DIY weddings were the "it" thing, and sadly, before Pinterest was around to help. My maid of honor did my hair, my bridesmaids and I spent the night before the wedding putting together all of the flowers, my aunt made our ringbearer pillow, and our grandmothers made homemade cookies as our favors. A "real" wedding photographer was beyond our budget, or at least that is what I thought. Looking back, I am sure that I could have cut even more corners to fit professional wedding photography into our day, and I would have been a lot happier in the end. Maybe we could have eliminated our open bar signature drinks. Instead of flowers on the tables, we could have gone with candles. I could have even reached out to a photographer to see if I could work out a payment plan.

Lots of "shoulda, coulda, wouldas". No matter now, but as I think back to my own wedding planning I realize there was a lot I didn't know, and if my knowledge can save another bride the heartache of not being in love with her wedding images, I had better share that knowledge. Here are a couple of things I believed about wedding photography before I really understood what goes into it:

1. A "nice camera" is all you need. A professional-grade camera can make a heck of a lot of difference, sure. But a professional camera in the hands of someone who doesn't understand how to use it is like giving someone with no carpentry skills a router and a saw and expecting them to build fine furniture. Once I learned how to control my camera manually, how to adjust my exposure to get the results I wanted, it was like magic in my hands. I have full control over how my images turn out because I understand how my tools work. That is an important ingredient in finding a photographer who will capture your day in a way that you will treasure.

2. Anyone can take great pictures. I know I used to think that just because someone (even myself) had a DSLR camera, they could just look up ideas for photos online and get similar results. This goes hand-in-hand with number 1 up there - someone really needs to understand how an image was made, from posing to lighting to what lens is used to how to adjust their settings on their camera, to achieve amazing results. This especially applies to the really artistic, oft-pinned images on many wedding boards. An image of a bride in her gown in front of a window may seem like a simple photo to re-create, but I assure you that it's not. If there are really special shots that you want captured on your wedding day, make sure your photographer has the knowledge (and equipment!) to achieve them.

3. Wedding photographers charge too much. Oh, how I wish I could apologize to all the photographers out there that I thought this about. Prices vary widely among photographers, depending on location, skill level, and how big their studios are. But I'll tell you this: the great photographers who charge a lot (like my faves, Elizabeth Etienne and Jose Villa) have well earned the right to charge a lot. Professional photography equipment alone is very expensive, requires costly repairs and maintenance at times, as well as equipment insurance. Add in business insurance, a website, taxes, editing software, and not to mention the many hours spent editing, marketing, and shooting, and many photographers barely earn minimum wage.

4. All I want is all the photos on a disc. There are many "shoot and burn" photographers out there - people who spend eight hours at a wedding, don't edit the images, and burn all of them to a disc. They don't charge a lot, and may seem like a great idea to someone on a budget. Quantity over quality is definitely not a bonus when it comes to photography. After all, wouldn't you rather have a handful of swoon-worthy images hung on your wall at home than a box full of so-so photos that you hardly ever look at? Also, you might think that you'll use that disc to make prints of your wedding images, but many people rarely do that. Professional photographers work with at least one, if not more, professional printing labs as a way to assure quality paper, ink, and color matching.

5. Photography really isn't that important. Maybe this is true for you. Or maybe it's an easy way to justify putting extra money from your budget into other parts of the wedding. I get it. Like I said - I've been there. But the truth is, when the day is over, the photos are the most tangible way to remember every aspect of your wedding. From how you looked in your gorgeous gown, to the color palette you agonized over, to the look on your groom's face as you walked down the aisle, professional photographs are what capture all of that for you to treasure forever.

Please understand, I'm not trying to knock amateur photographers at all! We all start somewhere, and it was because I had wonderful friends with full confidence in my abilities that I broke into this business. I just want to present some facts that I've learned along the way that might help you make your decision to hire a pro for your own wedding images.

Finally, don't ever be afraid to ask a photographer (or another vendor for that matter) if they are willing to work within your budget. Often you will learn about a special discount or a payment plan that will bring their price within reach. I know I am always willing to work with someone who truly admires my work and has a tight budget. For more information about booking your Sweet Events wedding, click here.

Best of luck in your wedding planning!
-Elysha

Ribbon Cutting for K's Bridal

I was so sad last year to learn that Barre would no longer have a bridal shop. A bridal shop is where I started my long journey and career in the wedding industry, and locally-owned small boutiques are where I always encourage brides to buy their gowns. So when I learned through Kerri of Simply Planned that a new bridal shop was going in downtown, I immediately reached out to the owners to offer help and any photography services they might need.

Kate and her mom Kathy decided to open K's Bridal and Formal Wear after Needleman's closed last year, which is where Kate used to work. They are in the same space that Needleman's used to be, although it is quite obvious as soon as you walk in that they have made some major improvements and renovations to the space. It is much more open now, and the newly-painted walls are fresh and bright. The lighting is great, perfect for brides to try on the dazzling array of gowns that K's Bridal offers. Kate and Kathy are really focusing on offering designers that are otherwise not available in Vermont, such as Alfred Angelo's Disney line as well as their Modern Vintage line, Sophia Tolli by Mon Cheri, and David Tutera's bridal gown line.

Bridal gowns are just one piece of what they are offering at K's Bridal. Tuxedo rentals, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, bridal accessories, prom gowns, and even a small gift section round out the selection nicely. They are stocking gowns in many different sizes and colors, and there are plenty of dressing rooms to accommodate whatever you might need to try on.

Kate told me that they plan on offering trunk shows in the future, which is a fun experience and a way to see the entire current collection of a designer's gowns. They have lots of gowns in stock already, but many more are on their way to the shop. I am sure that any bride in Central Vermont (and the rest of the state!) will be able to find just what she is looking for at K's Bridal!

I wish Kate and Kathy all the best in their endeavor and look forward to working with them on lots of future projects. Check out their store's website here, and show them some love on their Facebook page as well. Best of luck, ladies!