Wedding Planning Tips From a Wedding Expert: Wedding Group Shots

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Wedding Group Shots. Have you ever tried to take a picture of 250 people at once?!?! Whether your family group shots are a few people or a few hundred there are a few things you can do to help. First off, make sure you move all the shoes, purses, bouquets, etc behind the photographer (not to the side). Secondly, fill in the gaps...if you can't see the camera...the camera can't see you. Finally, just keep smiling and looking at the camera...don't check to see if the person three people down from you is smiling (nothing ruins a shot quicker than people looking in every direction). A good photographer will roll through group shots quickly and effortlessly making sure everyone is entertained through the whole thing. I usually start with the large group (to make sure everyone is there) then peel off people as needed. Even with the biggest family groups these shots shouldn't take more than 40 minutes to take. Love, your friendly neighborhood photographer. :) To see the ultimate list of bride tips, click here: http://www.daxphotography.com/bride-tips/

Wedding Planning Tips From a Wedding Expert: Asking For Discounts

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Asking For Discounts. I know how expensive weddings can be and fully understand that EVERY bride is on a budget. As a bride you should never be afraid to ask for discounts from your vendors...you never know until you ask and they just might surprise you. One of your best ways to get discounts from vendors is if you have a wedding date that is an off day (i.e. not a Saturday or holiday weekend). If a vendor doesn't have anything booked for a Friday or Sunday they may consider a discount more. Your chances of getting a discount also increase if it's later in the season and they don't have that date booked (i.e. last minute weddings). DON'T tell the vendor that you would like a discount because your wedding will "only be a few hours"...if they book a wedding at a discount for that day they are giving up the opportunity to book that day at full price and probably will say no. DON'T ever tell them it will be great exposure...just don't! DON'T tell them that you can do some of the work (editing photos for example)...a professional wedding vendor takes pride in giving you their best products and services and won't want to jeopardize that. Bottom line is that everything is negotiable and it doesn't hurt to ask but don't be alarmed if the vendor simply says no...they are making a decision based on what's right for their business. www.daxphotography.com

Wedding Planning Tips From a Wedding Expert: Smiling During The Ceremony

Bride Tips From Dax Photography-Smiling During The Ceremony. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've seen a wedding party that doesn't smile during the ceremony. No more RBF people!!! This goes for EVERYONE! Remind your wedding party that they NEED to smile during the ceremony! During the entrance it always looks best if the couples entering are smiling and laughing at each other. While standing up during the ceremony, some smiles and glances at family and friends in the crowd is perfect. During the exit smiling and high five'ing the guests in the aisle is wonderful. And let's not forget the couple should be smiling at each other with a few laughs towards the crowd. It should be the happiest time for everyone involved...show it. Love, your friendly neighborhood photographer. www.daxphotography.com

Wedding Planning Tips From a Wedding Expert: The First Look Is NOT Required!

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: The First Look IS NOT Required. A first look is when a bride a groom see each other before the ceremony. I've heard from a few brides now who were, let's say pressured, into doing a first look by either their photographer or wedding planner. Despite what wedding vendors may tell you it is NOT necessary to see each other ahead of the ceremony. For me whether you do a first look or not is totally up to you and really doesn't save any time or make things easier in most cases. I LOVED seeing my bride the day of our wedding at the end of the aisle and I wouldn't trade that moment for anything...in fact I encourage couples to do just that; wait til the ceremony. www.daxphotography.com

Vintage Airplane Engagement Session Featured on Montana Bride!

Just had one of my engagement sessions featured by Montana Bride, Inc​!  This was the second time that the Missoula Airport/TSA has literally shut down air traffic for us to shoot.  They have been so great to work with and on this one we had the Director of the airport drive us around.  Just as we were starting a gentleman was just parking his vintage Yak-52 and graciously allowed us to use it!  Congrats again to Tim and Meagan!!!!  Check out the feature here: http://www.montanabride.blogspot.com/2015/08/montana-bride-featured-e-session-meagan.html

Wedding Planning Tips From Dax Photography-Dance Circles

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​.  Dance Circles.  No...just no!  These are the worst during a reception and yet they always seem to happen.  We've all seen them...it's when all the guests awkwardly circle around someone on the dance floor who has some moves.  But once the person in the center is done doing the worm then it get super awkward.  It breaks up the flow of dancing and makes it super awkward for all the people on the dance floor who don't want to be the center of attention...those who just want to dance and have a good time.  My advice...give instructions to your wedding party to do their best to break them up if they occur.  www.daxphotography.com  

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert-Nails

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Nails. Bottom line you NEED to have your nails look amazing the day of your wedding! Whether you get them professionally done or just do them yourself, it's a must. From photos, to everyone asking to see your ring...EVERYONE will see your nails, so make sure they're presentable. Simple elegant is always best...crazy colors and designs just distract.  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Heels

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  Heels.  Don't get me wrong I absolutely love heels as much as the next girl...the 4 pairs of Camuto's and Melani's we just got for my wife last weekend from Dillards can attest to this!  I would however, recommend to most brides that they skip the heels and only rock flats or cute boots (that hurt just even saying it).  It will save you money, most people will never see them anyway, your feet will be more comfortable and most brides end up in flats at some point during the day anyway (messing up the hem that was for heels).  The only caveat to this would be if they make you feel more confident or if you need the height.    www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: The Cake

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Cake. I'm a conessueir of cake...I've had A LOT of it over the years. As far as local cake vendors are concerned here's what I've found to be true. Best tasting-ranked from best to worst...Rosauers, Black Cat, The Pearl, Bernices. Cost-Rosauers (barely beat BC), Black Cat, Bernices, The Pearl. Creative look/beauty-Black Cat, Bernices, The Pearl, Rosauers. Make sure that whomever you select that they can make your vision become a reality...Rosauers simply can't do some of the creative cakes you see on Pinterest, but they do make a delicious cake. Additionally, when my wife and I got married we wanted a tier that was metallic silver, Bernices literally told us that they could do it, but it would be inedible...WTF! Bottom line we've chosen Black Cat whenever we've needed a cake and they haven't let us down!  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Wedding Website

Bride Tips from Dax Photography​:  Wedding Website.  This is a great way for couples to provide details of the event to the guests and to get more accurate RSVP's.  Many wedding sites allow you to build your own site within theirs that just has the basics (the knot, etc).  If you're feeling even more creative you can build your own from scratch...I'm a huge fan of the wordpress platform.  Check out what Jen and I did for ours to get ideas:  www.daxandjennifer.com It's a great resource on so many levels...in this day and age, every couple should have their own dedicated site!

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: The First Look

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  The First Look.  Some couples choose to have a first look before the ceremony.  It allows couples more time to spend together the day of their wedding.  There are countless ways to do a first look but my favorite has to be the bride sneaking up behind the waiting groom...it's a beautiful and intimate moment when he turns around.  One of my favorite things that I've seen during the first look was a bride and groom who read letters to each other about how much they meant to one another and what this day and future meant to them.  It set the stage for a truly emotional and fantastic day.   If you choose to do a first look make sure you let your vendors know and if you have some ideas that you want to try or incorporate please let them know.  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Pets in the wedding

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  Pets in Weddings.  My wife and I absolutely love our puppies...they are our family!  In fact I love weddings so much I named my dog Veil!  I often hear couples the day of their wedding say "awww...I wish our puppy was here!"  My advice is that you really should do what you can to incorporate your dogs into the wedding (other animals are a different story lol).  Sometimes it's incorporating them as a ring bearer with a bow tie, and other times it's a full on wedding dress and veil.  Sadly not all venues allow pets and the biggest hassle is logistics and trying to get someone to watch your puppy the entire day.  Ultimately my best suggestion is that you ask whomever is watching your dogs that weekend to bring them to the reception at some point so you can at least get some pictures with them!  We made some magic happen with the couple in the photo.  It was before the wedding and they didn't want to see each other yet, but still wanted a picture with their puppy...fortunately she cooperated for a split second! :)  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Tipping Vendors

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  Tipping wedding vendors.  There are no hard and fast rules here and certainly no expectations from any of the vendors.  The general rule here is that you really should try to take care of a vendor that goes above and beyond what you expected from them.  If you do tip by no means does it mean cash, could be as simple as a heartfelt thank you note.  The one exception is if you have a wait staff serve you at your wedding...make sure you ask the caterer if the "service charge" is an actual tip or just an on site fee.  Bottom line if a wedding vendor goes above and beyond the call of duty do your best to thank them in some way. :)  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: The Schedule

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: The Schedule. I've had a lot of questions about the schedule for the day of the wedding. While each one is different, one of the main time factors is how many bridesmaids you have (expect 40 minutes per hair style and 35 minutes per makeup application). My wife said it best..."Would you rather I show up on time, or ugly?" Remember that everything is going to run late the day of your wedding...just roll with it. Here is a general guide to go by.•10AM getting ready (This includes makeup, hair, and getting dressed…I will start shooting then) •1PM glamour shots of the bride and bridesmaids with the photographer •3PM shots of the groomsmen getting ready and in their tuxes •4PM relax for an hour while guests arrive •5PM ceremony •5:30 receiving line •6PM shots of the family •6:20PM shots of the wedding party •6:30PM Reception/Dinner •8PM I like to pull the couple away from the reception for a few minutes to get some intimate sunset shots of just them •9PM cake cutting, first dances, and bouquet toss •10PM couple send off www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Fake Lashes

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  Fake Lashes.  Bottom line you NEED these as a bride!  I take so many shots that feature eyes and lashes during a wedding it's crazy.  The subtle addition of fake lashes draws more attention to your eyes...never a bad thing!  But be smart about it...you want a subtle addition, not butterfly wings.  I've actually seen girls wear two full racks of lashes on each eye at once...just don't!  I would recommend going with the individual lashes (i.e. 2-3 lashes per piece glued on) to make a subtle yet dramatic difference.  Again, the girls at Skin Chic​ are the best at putting these on and making sure you look beautiful!  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Where to get ready

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Where to get ready. This is something that is often times an afterthought for most brides. However, as a photographer it makes a HUGE difference! I totally understand that you may be limited by the venue/location and that's perfectly fine (I'll get creative with it for sure). But just keep this in the back of your mind when selecting where to get ready on your wedding day...ideally it's a large open room with lots of natural light, the walls aren't cluttered and the lights in the room aren't a mix (i.e. fluorescent and normal bulbs), there's plenty of seating and mirrors for you and your girls to get ready. This image was shot at the Ranch Club Missoula just after she got in her dress.  www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Guests Dancing.

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Guests dancing. One of my biggest pet peeves at weddings is when guests just sit and watch as other guests dance. You wanna know what the best gift you could possibly ever give the bride and groom the day of their wedding...show them you're having a good time! I don't care if you can't dance or whatever other lame excuse you have...get out there on the dance floor...period! Trust me, there are countless other people in your same mindset but imagine if EVERYONE was on the dance floor...no one would care, and everyone would have a great time! Brides; my best advice here is to assign at least 2-4 good looking people to bring the party on the dance floor the entire night and literally pull people onto the dance floor. www.daxphotography.com

Bride Planning Tips From A Wedding Expert: Cell Phones During The Ceremony

Bride Tips From Dax Photography​:  Cell phones during the ceremony.  In this day and age this has become a HUGE issue.  As a photographer it's of particular concern...I can't tell you the number of guests that ruin shots by standing in the middle of the aisle, standing up, etc trying to get pics on their cell phones.  I'll never understand why a guest who is actually there during the ceremony chooses not to be "present" by trying to capture the whole thing on their cell phones or cameras the size of one of my batteries.  If you're gonna be there...be there!  Honestly, the only real way to ensure that your guests sit and enjoy the ceremony you've painstakingly prepared is to have a basket at the end of the aisle where the ushers will confiscate the guests cell phones as they sit down.  www.daxphotography.com

Wedding Tips From Dax Photography: Reception Schedule

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: Reception Schedule. Make sure you touch base with both the DJ and Photographer about what/when you'd like to have happen during the reception. There are a few exceptional DJ's out there who always work with photographers and coordinate as the night progresses. Bad things happen when they don't coordinate. Bottom line if you give a rough outline of a schedule to both vendors, things run much smoother. Generally, toasts shouldn't start until after dinner. Make sure your DJ gives you enough time to mingle with guests and make an appearance at each table before toasts (since most brides don't want a receiving line anymore). After toasts, it's usually cake cutting and then the first dances. The bouquet and garter toss usually comes later, but not too late as some guests like to leave soon after the first dances.  www.daxphotography.com

Wedding Tips From Dax Photography: The Schedule

Bride Tips From Dax Photography: The Schedule. You'll need to come to terms with the fact that any schedule you make the day of a wedding is merely a suggestion! Things will undoubtedly run late and take much longer than expected. My best advice to brides is to just roll with it and do your best to enjoy the ride.  www.daxphotography.com