10 Wedding Planning Tips You Will Want to Know!

November 16, 2017

The wedding day is one of the special days in life, and therefore it is important you plan well for the events that will unfold in that day. Planning for a wedding begins early so that the all the key players such as destination wedding photographer is well informed of the day to make the wedding day memorable.

1. Avoid Last Minute Rush

There are people you need to invite to your wedding so that they can perform some duties. For example, you need an event planner to assist in planning the venue and other things. The venue needs to be booked early for you to get a good venue. In most cases you will find that wedding venue in Washington DC will be booked for up to three months depending on the season and therefore you have to book early to get a good venue and also be convenient in terms of the day you want to have the wedding.

2. Hire Top Notch Performers

Not everyone knows the secrets of wedding photography. Again, you want someone who knows what you need. So if you are having your wedding in West Virginia, you should look for a Virginia wedding photographer since he has some experience.

3. Hire People Who Know the Place Well

If your reception is in Washington DC, you should go for destination wedding photographer since you will save more money. If you have to transport someone from another place, you will pay more.

4. Go for a Convenient Venue

It is advisable to have the wedding reception to where you will be getting married. If you are going for a church wedding, you can consider a wedding reception venue close to the church. This saves on transport and time.

5. Confirm Number of Guests Who Will Attend

After invitations are sent out, the people will accept the invitation, and therefore you need to hire a venue that is convenient and economical. You can then save by avoiding extra seats since most venues charge per capacity.

6. Meet Your Destination Wedding Photographer before Actual Day

There are some special people and events you want to be captured well, so it’s important you alert him early regarding the same.

7. Work Closely with Event Planner

No matter how busy you might be, it’s important you meet event planner regularly for updates. If you are far apart, technology can help you. This helps avoid disappointments.

8. Rehearse Before Wedding Day

You have bought new clothes and shoes, and it is important you try them out before the day to avoid such a disappointment where you are in an unfitting wedding dress.

9. Flowers Are Important

These will help brighten the photos taken by Virginia wedding photographer and secondly the day will feel warmer.

10. Plan Your Honey Moon Well

You might need the destination wedding photographer for your honeymoon, and thus you need to book with him early.

Wedding planning is not a one-day event; it is actually something you need to think well about. You should work with these people you are hiring closely for a successful wedding day. Your Washington DC wedding photographer will be important, so hire one early.

Alexandria Wedding - Torpedo Factory wedding — Alexandria Wedding - Torpedo Factory wedding

Why You Should Have a Winter Wedding

November 3, 2017

Wedding photographers have something known as a Wedding Season; these are months out of the year — March through November — when they get the majority of their bookings for wedding photography. But when everyone is holding their wedding in the summer, here are my reasons why every bride should consider having a winter wedding:

Your vendor of choice will likely be available.

When it comes to summer weddings, there is so much competition to book a venue, DJ, and wedding photographer. Not so much in the winter — chances are you’re not competing with another wedding couple for the same venue or wedding photographer during the winter months.

Snow!

Here in Washington, DC we usually get at least one good snow storm every winter. Think about how amazing it would be to have the beautiful snowy backdrop for your wedding photos! Now those would make for some wonderfully unique wedding portraits.

You can do a winter wonderland theme.

Winter weddings can go full on winter wonderland with their decorations. I’m talking garlands, candles, snowflakes, evergreen trees, twinkle lights, pine cones, etc. Serve your guests hot chocolate and mulled wine. Hand out roasted chestnuts as party favors. Surprise your guests with carolers!

Santa Claus can officiate!

If you have kids at your wedding, how cute would it be if Santa dropped by during the reception and handed out some presents? Or even better, what if Santa was the one to officiate your wedding? By the power vested in me by the State of the North Pole, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

No humidity.

Summer weddings in Washington, DC are quite often hot and muggy. Winter weddings don’t have that problem. Your hair and makeup will look flawless without that summer weather messing it up.

Your guests won’t have wedding fatigue.

Summers are so jam-packed with weddings, friends and family can get tired of attending a wedding every other weekend. When you hold your wedding in the winter, it’s the highlight of the season! Another bonus is that your family will already be getting together for the winter holidays, so no extra travel will be required for your wedding.

Perfect weather for black tie.

Tuxedos really aren’t meant to be worn in the summer, especially since many of them are created out of 100% wool. In the winter, however, they are absolutely ideal for an indoor wedding. Your female guests will have the perfect event for wearing floor-length gowns and sequined dresses. Rather than looking hot and sweaty, your guests will appear elegant and polished for your wedding.

You can wear a cape.

Since outdoor weddings photos can get chilly in just a wedding dress, brides choose to add a cape to their ensemble for warmth. And how often to you get an excuse to wear a cape? It’s the ultimate accessory for winter weddings!

Bride and groom - First dance - Torpedo Factory wedding — Bride and groom - First dance - Torpedo Factory wedding

Are you looking to book a photographer for your winter wedding? We here at Justy Photography would love to photograph it! Get in touch with us here.

Advice for Brides and Grooms from a Wedding Photographer

November 2, 2017

Your wedding photos will be some of your most valuable mementos. Here’s some advice from a wedding photographer — that’s me! — with tips and tricks that will make your wedding photos absolutely stunning.

For Brides

Purchase a nice hanger for your wedding dress.

You’ve invested so much time in choosing your wedding dress, and the last thing you want to do is display it on a plastic or (gasp!) wire hanger. A classic wooden hanger would work best for displaying your dress. You can even get a personalized hanger with your name and the date of your wedding written on it.

Keep your face powder handy.

I’ve photographed quite a few weddings in Washington, DC, and let me tell you, summers here are unbelievably humid. If you’re having a summer wedding, chances are you’ll start to sweat during your portrait session. And no one likes looking shiny in their photos! Assign one of your bridesmaids with the job of carrying a compact and performing any necessary touchups during your wedding photos.

For Grooms

Don’t forget about the socks!

Tux? Check.
Cufflinks? Check.
Socks? Er….

Let’s be honest here — grooms don’t have many options for accessories. Instead of sticking with plain black socks (for the love of all that is good, do NOT wear white socks to your wedding), try donning a pair with a fun color pattern. It’s a great way for you to express your creativity, and you can even coordinate with your groomsmen to make a matching set. One of my favorite wedding photos to take are the groomsmen showing off their fun (and sometimes funny) sock choices!

Plan a fun activity with your groomsmen.

Grooms usually take far less time to prepare for their wedding than their brides. Sometimes this works out great for scheduling — the photographer takes the preparation photos, captures a couple of portraits, and then heads to the wedding venue to get the detail photos before the ceremony and reception. Other times, the photographer is left twiddling their thumbs. Try including a fun impromptu activity, like a poker game or a light soccer match with your groomsmen. This will add variety for your photos, and ease the stress of a hectic day.

For Both

Prepare everything you need for detail photos in a box for your photographer.

That includes the wedding rings, shoes, invitations, and RSVP cards.

Brides, please add to this box your bouquet and any jewelry you’re planning to wear. Grooms, if you’re planning to wear a tie or a watch, include that in the box as well. Make a note for your photographer of any significant items — like the something old, something new, and something borrowed (she’ll probably figure out which item is blue herself!).

Keep your getting ready room clean!

Nothing can ruin beautiful preparation photos like empty plastic water bottles on the dresser, or clothes tossed all around the floor. Preparation can get hectic, so at the very least make sure the parts of the room where the bride is getting ready — her makeup table, the full-length mirror, the windows — are kept free of clutter. Same for the groom — work with your photographer to designate a part of the room where the photos will be taken (usually close to the window) and keep that area clean.

Cabell's Mill Wedding Photos - Virginia

June 3, 2016

Cabell's Mill Wedding Pictures - Virginia

Danielle and Andrew got married at Cabell's Mill in Virginia on May 28, 2016. I was lucky enough to photography their special day on this location. If you live in the DMV metro area you probably already know how difficult it is to find a beautiful wedding venue that would fit your wedding budget. Fairfax County Parks offer variety of historic properties.

Located in the wooded acres of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Cabell's Mill has long been a unique setting for social occasions. Built prior to 1800 and operated as a mill until 1916, the property was purchased in 1935 by Ellanor Lawrence. She and her husband, David, founder of US News & World Report, transformed the old mill into a guest house and hosted many Washington notables, including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

For more information: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hprs/cabells.htm

Fairfax County Parks have so many charming locations for your engagement and family photography needs in Virginia. The annual Commercial Photography Permit covers commercial photography at over 400 parks without additional fees or reservations.

For more information: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/photography-permit.htm