Pre-Wedding Questionnaires- Some of the Questions that may you may be asked

It’s no secret that a wedding is (normally) a once-off event for you and your better half. It is an incredibly special, expensive, intimate day to say the least. Your wedding photographer is so much more than just someone who takes pretty pictures on the day. Most wedding venues have a day-of coordinator or planner included and will assist you on the lead up to your wedding. Your photographer however will want to make sure you are as prepared as possible so you get the most out of your photos from this monumental day!

So what is a pre-wedding questionnaire? From a photography point of view, it’s important to make sure you have a plan of action for your photographer and so that they know what to expect from you, as well as help you know how to best organise the day. 2-3 months leading up to your date is a good time to receive this then about 1-2 months before the wedding, a scheduled phone call to go over everything that is filled out in the questionnaire.

Below I’ve listed some key topics , all questions that I ask my clients

General Timeline of the Day

It sounds fairly obvious, but knowing the overall timeline of the day’s key events beforehand is crucial. This gives your photographer an opportunity to prepare based on how the day’s events are set to unfold. It also helps to know if your timeline needs to be changed or tweaked in order to accommodate photos. That being said, your photos should always be revolved around your day, and not the other way around!

Locations of Events and Venues

It’s not uncommon when the bride and groom are both getting ready at different locations and want getting ready photos. There’s the ceremony location, sometimes again to a different place for additional photos and finally the reception venue. That’s 5 locations alone just there! It’s important to know exact addresses for all of these places ahead of time so you can create a map and decide how much travel time is needed for everything. Including any special instructions for parking is an additional bonus :)

Formal Photo Shot List

The formal photographs are a wedding tradition that is one in my opinion that will never just be a trend. Although they can be a definite mood-killer to your guests, they’re a super special way to remember who was there on your wedding day. Get this list together ahead of time. Family photos are never fun, so the faster you get through them, the better. And what better way then to have an organised list ahead of time!

Which Details are Important to You

This applies to both the people at your wedding and the special details that make up your day. Maybe there are relatives that have traveled all the way from Australia. Maybe a family heirloom has been sewn into the groom’s jacket. Maybe you got engaged in Paris and they’ll be a surprise mime for the guests during the drinks reception. Have you also planned to do your couple’s photos when this happens? Most of the time your photographer will capture these photos regardless, but some of these people and special things might not always be obvious. Letting your photographer know these things ahead of time means these things that excite you and means the most won’t be missed.

Are there any family politics?

Are there any split family situations that your photographer should be aware of? Are mum and dad divorced and don’t want to be in photos together? You need to know so you don’t accidentally offend someone. Is big brother bringing a girlfriend but the bride doesn’t want her in family photos? Get these concerns out in the open before the wedding day, including them in your wedding questionnaire.

Who are some of your other Suppliers?

Your suppliers are a huge part in your planning process but each individual service plays an equally important role in creating the perfect day. It is essential that everyone involved in the wedding sees its delivery as a partnership. Letting your photographer know who your florist, MUA, band etc is can be really useful. This can be an important question if you plan on sending photos to vendors or getting your wedding published. Any photos you post need to have all the suppliers credited, and it’s common practise to have the photographer credited in return.

3 REASONS YOUR SECOND WEDDING IS STILL WORTH THE HYPE

It’s not often you get a second chance at something in life. But when you do, it's one of the rare times you have the advantage of experience and perspective. And when it comes to planning a wedding, this can be invaluable.

I can speak first hand about this experience. My first wedding day was special. it was rustic, set on acres of vineyard in southern California. I was 25 years young and wanted this day to be my one and only. I played with the idea to have a modest dress, but quickly reconsidered because the long train and bushy veil was much more of a bridal vibe. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself it was. It seemed as though the rules of planning a wedding where against me because of what I should do versus what I truly loved.

My current partner and I aren’t married yet, but do plan on having a wedding in the future. I’m nearly ten years older than I was the first time round. Sure, my tastes have evolved and trends have changed, but more importantly our wedding will reflect the couple that we are, not on what tradition dictates.

“The wedding is only the beginning,not the accomplishment.”

Expectations the second time around are more realistic. The pressure of planning the "perfect" wedding (spoiler: it doesn't exist) can reduce first-time brides to nervous wrecks, and understandably so. The expectations of family and friends are outrageous (back off guys, it's not your day). Which is why getting married for a second time can actually be much more enjoyable. After all, you’ve been down that aisle before.

So, you’re getting married for the second time? This topic shouldn’t become taboo and no-one should tell you that it can’t or won’t be special. This other person in your life IS the love of your life and you both should have the day you both deserve. With a first marriage, couples tend to see the wedding as the goal. The second time though, they recognise that the wedding is only the beginning, not the accomplishment. It's what comes after that matters.

Here are 3 reasons why your second wedding deserves aaaaaall the hype:

Your Wedding Dress

It’s completely up to you whether you wear a white wedding dress or go for something a little more informal and personal to you. If you missed out on the fairytale princess gown first time around then you might want to go for the wow factor this time, fair enough. Conversely, if you wore white before you may prefer to wear something very different. For some, maybe that means a mini dress or something colourful, for others something low is more fitting – for instance a formal, beautifully tailored jumpsuit like these by Ghost. Brides shouldn’t be relegated to only white dresses. It’s not your mum’s wedding this time, you really can do what you want!

“You really can do what you want!’

Your Guest List

If you have been married before then chances are you understand the importance of the actual marriage vows you take on a slightly different deeper level, and the significance of your new lasting relationship. Your people who have been there to support you both during the highs and lows. You (and perhaps your fiancé too) are getting married for the second time so your choice about your guest list will seem clearer. Mutual friends and close family members will trump over the acquaintance from the office and your second-cousins-twice-removed.n Don’t worry about offending anyone if they don’t get invited to your wedding. They can still be happy for you!

Break traditions

As mentioned before, planning a wedding day can be overshadowed by the pressure of following rules and traditions. I could probably write an entirely separate blog post on this subject alone. Without bringing up the “D” word, marriages where never meant to end traditionally, right? So why not go the whole hog and do everything untraditionally here on out!? Fancy having the reception the day before the wedding? Do it! Get matching tattoos instead of exchanging rings? Done. Maybe you could start a new tradition together without resulting in something old or blue.

Of course, this doesn't apply to second weddings only- you guys do YOU for whatever number wedding it may be!
I’m of the belief that you deserve the best, feel your best and get to celebrate/dance/drink the day away with the love of your life- and have it documented well ;) Get in touch to enquire about your wedding in Dorset. I’d love to capture it.