For many people, their wedding day is the biggest event they’ll ever be responsible for. Even if you’re organizing a low-fuss party, you’ll still need food, drinks, and a guest list. Weddings also come with cultural expectations and personal family dynamics. The key to a successful wedding? Choose great vendors who you trust! When your wedding day arrives you’ll be able to relax and focus on what’s important, knowing that all the details are taken care of.
I’ve been photographing Ottawa couples on their wedding day for a decade now, so I’ve seen the best and worst of wedding planning. Here are a few tips to make your wedding fun, stress-free, and how to choose the best people to support your plans.
The results of a quick Google search for wedding vendors can be dazzling or overwhelming. These days anyone can throw up a decent-looking website online. So how can you distinguish legitimate wedding magic-makers from those that won’t do your special day justice?
When you do a test run of hair and makeup, notice if the artist listens to what you want. This day isn’t about them doing a “look” on you, it’s about supporting you in looking lovely in the way that you want. If you only want clean or natural beauty makeup used, or have allergies to certain products, check in to be sure they can match your needs.If you’re having your makeup and hair professionally done, make sure the aesthetic of the artist matches what you’re looking for. Someone could come well recommended as a makeup artist who does a smokey eye well, but that doesn’t mean they can do a natural look with glowing skin.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is incredibly important. Family photos can live for generations, framed on mantle pieces, or enjoyed by grandchildren hundreds of years after the wedding takes place. Pick a photographer you feel comfortable with, who captures you and those you love in a way that truly represents who you are. Look through their portfolio for couples that look happy in their skin; natural smiles, candid moments of connection, group shots where everyone looks good, and a visual that matches what you’d hope to have for your wedding day. You are creating memories that will live for a long time and choosing a wedding photographer is an essential part of that.
The range in cost, quantity, quality, and the broad variety of options are endless when it comes to food vendors for weddings. Here’s an easy place to start: choose food you love to eat! You can shape a menu around your favourite menu items, food you ate on your first date, culinary delights that you only have on special occasions, or meals that match family tradition or cultural dining. You can also have fun with this; if you’re celebrating with oxtail and plantains, you can follow with a more traditional chicken dinner with vegetarian options. If your Oma always makes potato salad with extra pickles, include a section for family recipes and make sure the pickles are plentiful. Or make dinner informal with a big barbecue and a dessert buffet. Here, sampling the food and making sure your vendors have experience and great reviews is key.
There are many ways to find a great wedding photographer, including reading reviews, looking up Ottawa weddings on Instagram as a hashtag, or researching Ottawa weddings that have an aesthetic you admire.
A photographer’s energy and personality can be just as important as their portfolio.
Word-of-mouth reviews, and meeting with a photographer for a consultation are both incredibly essential when you’re establishing whether someone is a good fit for you. Why? Whether a wedding photographer makes me feel comfortable is just as important as how they’re portfolio looks.
If you’re reading this blog, you’ve lucked out because you’ve landed on a page of a seasoned wedding photographer with a ton of experience, a beautiful portfolio, and a great vibe on your wedding day. Send me a message and let’s see if it’s a good fit.
Give me a call at 613-322-7410 or email me at info@boyophoto.ca.
