The best advice I can give brides that want an “easy going wedding” is to look deep into what that means to you.   Many, if not most, brides say this phrase and it is important to figure out what it entails.  Does it mean you want things to flow together?  Does it mean you want to be worry free that day?   Do you define “easy going” as free from any traditional wedding events?  No decorations, small guest list, no timeline?  All of this is OK but none of it means you are free from making decisions and setting up a structure that your vendors can work within.  To create an easy going, relaxed and fun FEELING wedding it takes some work.

Set me up to do a good job for you.  I will want to talk to you about when and where you envision your pictures so that we can do them in the best setting with the best lighting possible.  I require a shot list, even if it is something simple.  I will need a start and end time, a ceremony time and some idea as to what you expect to happen that night.  Toasts, dancing, sparklers?  The more information you give me the better job I can do.

An “easy going wedding” can also be a way of saying you do not to pay the vendors what they charge for a wedding day service.  For most of us, the work load does not change when your wedding is small or unstructured, there are no discounts for this terminology.  When your wedding is small my job often gets more challenging because each guest means MORE and as a photographer I will stand out like crazy if I am not doing my job well.  I work to blend in.

Be very organized before the day arrives so that your vendors, family, and friends all know what they are supposed to be doing.  They are there to support you and have a good time but they will need a framework to work within.  I am more than happy to help so that we both succeed in having a great day!