Warmest thoughts and Best Wishes,
Chris, Suzanne, Sophia & Abigail
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Happy Holidays
Congratulations Lara & Matt
Better late then never. Lara called us a few weeks ago to set-up an engagement session before their wedding this New Years Eve at Ocean Place in Long Branch, NJ . Due to the cold, I recommended we shoot somewhere indoors. Upon hearing they just scheduled their wedding tasting I said perfect, lets shoot inside your reception site right after your tasting.
We got real lucky the day of the shoot - 45 degrees and clear skies. We where able to grab some shots outdoors around the Christmas decorations at Pier Village and hit the beach. I was able to convince Lara and Matt to sneak inside their reception room for a quick 1st dance practice and goofing around posing on top of a guest table. We cannot wait to shoot their wedding in two weeks.
Enjoy,
Chris
Free money
Tis the season for giving. We received $40 cash in the mail today with a note “This $40 is for pictures I downloaded from your website”. Suzanne and I are scratching our heads since we do not sell images from our website, nor do we offer downloads. The envlope had no return address, but we would love to know who mailed us this money. Thanks mystery Santa!!
Please contact us 732.670.1258
Going Green
Suzanne and I received some good news today. We have been selected as members of the Greener Photography Organization.
Here is a brief explanation of Greener Photography from the organization’s website;
“Greener Photography is a non-profit, member-supported organization. Greener Photography means making a conscious effort to make our industry greener! We are not looking for “pure” green photographers; we would be surprised if they exist! We are looking for photographers interested in making a difference, and making an effort to introduce greener methods into your business. We ask that you apply some of our Simple Steps to “green” your business, while putting your name behind the greener photography movement, encouraging photographic suppliers to offer more ecological options. With your help, we can foster real change. Let your voice be heard by joining Greener Photography today!”
Suzanne and I are very passionate about sustainable living and practices. We are happy to be a part of this effort. In fact we just started offering a new Green Photography Package for couples planning ”eco-chic” weddings.
Thank you,
Chris
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Congratulations Michelle and Don
Middletown, NJ engagement session
Michelle and Don wanted to be photographed in a park setting in the fall. After a few emails going back and forth to pick a date for the session we got really lucky with perfect weather for our shoot. Michelle and Don will be tying the knot Oct. 3rd 2009 (my birthday) at Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.
Enjoy,
Chris
Pursuit to your best wedding photographs
Suzanne & I have been discussing new ways to improve our photography, enhance our creativity and make the most of our clients wedding day. Our ideas did not include buying the latest photography gear and additional photography training.
The most influential tool that allows us the ability to create the best images for our clients is Time. The use of time during a wedding day is one of the most important factors in wedding planning. Everyone has heard the phrase ‘it’s the most important day of your life’. Well, it’s also the most expensive. Ensuring you receive the most from your planning discussions and investments should be a constant effort. Planning a realistic time line for your wedding is not easy and you will find many different ideas and advice on how to do things.
Here are some important conversations we feel you should have with your professionals:
- Explain how you envision your day
- Explain the personalities and traits of those involved with your wedding
- Plan for contingencies
- Discuss what is most important to you regarding their service and what you can live without.
- Make clear why the time frame you have agreed to is important
- Explain to your vendors how their time frame effects the time line of the day
Suzanne & I have strong feelings towards a stress free and FUN wedding day. Nothing puts tension in the air 
quicker on wedding day as set backs, running late and confusion, especially during dressing. When a couple asks us how to plan their day for great pictures, we recommend planning for FUN and allow a little extra time each step of the way.
I like to joke, planning your wedding is not like planning a busy day at the office . No offence but, 1:00 limo arrives, 1:05 leave for ceremony, 1:25 arrive at ceremony, 1:30 ceremony starts, is not realistic planning. The goal is to enjoy your wedding, not run through it like an Olympic event.
Suzanne & I sat down with the famed Wedding Planner Jenny Orsini of Pampered Bride Weddings in Springfield, NJ. You may have seen her on episodes of Whose Wedding is it Anyway? on The style Network. We asked Jenny some questions that we could pass on to help our clients regarding their planning ideas.
CLB - What advice can you offer to a bride for preparing her dressing location? Brides quite often underestimate the amount of space they will need for prep/dressing. I always encourage my clients to choose a location that has ample space. A lot of brides choose their parents’ house as the “get ready” location because of sentimental reasons…and they do this knowing its tight quarters. Too often I see brides and bridemaids trying to maneuver through a tight kitchen, make their way to one of several small bedrooms in order to get dressed, and then pull their hair out looking for small misplaced items such as jewelry, shoes, etc. Small cramped spaces also make it very difficult for your photographer to do his/her job to your satisfaction. So my advice is to think twice about your prep location and definitely try to choose a location that will afford you the space you will definitely need on your wedding day.
CLB - What common planning mistake have you seen over and over again this year? Brides and grooms underestimate the amount of time they will need for travel on wedding day.
CLB - What can a couple do to prevent such an occurrence? Be realistic and overestimate everything! It’s better to arrive at your destination early with time to kill then run late and have no plan b!
CLB - Can you describe the levels of assistance wedding planner’s offer these days? Wedding planners today can do as much or as little as their clients wish. For ex. We have some clients who hire us just for day of coordination. This is a very popular service today because it gives brides and grooms piece of mind! In essence, they plan their wedding and then hire a planner to ensure the day goes smoothly (planner oversees vendors, preps bridal party for ceremony, ensures décor is perfect, pays vendors, etc. )
On the other end of the spectrum there is full service planning and coordination. This is when brides and grooms hire a planner to assist them with virtually every aspect of their wedding planning details.
Then there are brides and grooms who need a little bit of help here and there…and in those cases, planners can often customize packages so that the couple receives just the right amount of planning help.
CLB - Please explain how the day of coordination works? See above…but here’s another way to explain it! This is our day of coordination package as it appears on our website.
- Preparation of a personalized wedding day itinerary
- Checking with vendors to confirm arrangements for the wedding day
- Rehearsal coordination and instruction
- Collection of items (if needed) at rehearsal to be brought and set up on wedding day such as: candles, guest book, favors, toasting glasses, place cards, etc.
- Complete wedding day coordination (up to ten hours) with two Day of Coordinators: Overseeing, and directing the ceremony and reception. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Making sure that you, your groom and family are comfortable and have all the attention and service you need while getting ready for the big day.
- Receiving deliveries and greeting vendors
- Distributing copies of your wedding day itinerary to all vendors
- Distribution of final payments and gratuities to all vendors
- Overseeing proper set-up of ceremony and reception locations
- Access to PBW’s essential wedding day emergency kit
- Assisting with distribution and pinning of all corsages, boutonnieres, wedding flowers and flower baskets.
- Ensuring proper placement of seating cards, wedding favors, programs, menu cards, etc.
- Greeting your guests and directing them to ceremony area
- Finding and ensuring your flower girl and ring bearer are ready to walk down the aisle. Having candy on hand when he or she begins to cry!
- Lining up and cueing wedding party for processional
- Making sure you’re ready to walk down the aisle, ensuring you and your dress look absolutely perfect for your entrance
- Ensuring musicians are cued for correct pace and timing
- Ensuring you and your bridal party are prepared for post-ceremony formal pictures
- Greeting you and your groom with your favorite drink as you arrive at your reception site.
- Ensuring you, your groom and bridal party enjoy the cocktail hour hors d’ oeuvres
- Ensuring your music entertainment is prepared for your entrance and has correct pronunciation of the members of your bridal party
- Making sure your makeup looks perfect throughout entire reception and assisting you in the “ladies room” (because we know that dress is big, beautiful and at times, cumbersome!)
- Ensuring you and your groom have a fabulous time at your reception!
Jenny, you rock.
If you have personal questions or additional information please contact Jenny or our ourselves.
- Chris and Suzanne
Congratulations Samantha and Tyler
Hoboken, NJ engagement session
For their session, they asked for casual photos in Hoboken NJ. We found interesting areas to photograph wandering the streets, parks and the campus of Stevens University. Samantha and Tyler are tying the knot Sept. 18th 2009 in our favorite church in Monmouth County, the historic chapel in Allaire Village and their reception will be held at the Crystal Point Yacht Club.
- Enjoy, Chris
