For brides who are not working with a wedding planner, planning a wedding has a long list of it’s headaches. One of the biggest complaints that I hear, though, is about budget. Every couple has their own priorities when it comes down to what is most important on their wedding day, but after photographing my fair share, I’ve narrowed down what I feel are some of the most important visual investments that you can make that will turn your wedding from “meh” to magazine-worthy.
Photography
Let me just get this out of the way, because you all know that it is coming — I mean you are on a wedding photography blog right now. No matter how stunning your wedding is or how much thought you put in to every little detail, most of these things are not going last beyond your day. Your food will be eaten, your flowers will wilt, but your wedding photography will be immortalized and passed down through the generations. I grew up with my parents wedding album permanently sitting on an end table in our living room, and I don’t tell them “wow, I love your table numbers” or “that food looked delicious,” I tell them how stunning their photos are — and also make fun of how bald my father is now compared to his twenties. Invest in a photographer who will capture the day beautifully if not for yourself, but for your family to stare at years from now and look back on.
Venue
A banquet hall is always going to look like a banquet hall no matter how talented your photographer is. This is one of the most common dilemmas that brides face when trying to sort out what to spend their budget on because of the fact that the venue is oftentimes the most expensive aspect of every wedding no matter where it is held, but my advice is that if there is only a slight difference between the beautiful orchard venue or loft space and the hotel conference centre, spend the extra money to get a venue that has a bit more impact and originality. Chances are the few extra grand is going to look like ten times that amount in the long run, especially considering that the overall appearance and light in your venue is going to impact the performance of your photography team.
The Bridal Bouquet
Let me just start off by saying that yes, I know that floral design is expensive and a luxury item. Let me also say, though, that I have seen incredibly simple weddings with very little details look stunning, entirely based on the fact that the bridal bouquet was a knock-out. This does not mean that I am suggesting you spend a years salary on centrepieces and elaborate flowers for you and all of your bridesmaids if you cannot afford it. I am however, suggesting that you spend the extra money to have your bouquet look like your dream bouquet, because it is going to be photographed over, and over, and over throughout the day.
Wedding Attire
The first time I ever attended a wedding where the groom was wearing a properly tailored suit, I stared at him for around twenty minutes in shock about how big of a difference it made. It may seem ludicrous to spend a large amount of your budget on a suit for your husband, or your dream gown that you are only going to wear one day in your life — but you are going to be photographed more than anyone or anything at your wedding. Ensuring that you take the extra steps to have him fitted properly, and that you aren’t just settling for a gown and bridesmaids dresses at David’s Bridal because it is convenient, is going to make one of the biggest impacts on how your wedding will look.
And ladies, there are a lot of options available to you —
Some of the most stunning wedding gowns I have photographed were purchased incredibly inexpensively from online retailers like BHLDN (or even during sample sales!) If you feel like you aren’t comfortable with purchasing online and don’t think you can afford that stunning dress in the boutique window, consider moving around your budget from other items that will not be photographed as much. Oftentimes I see brides spending more money on their wedding shoes than their wedding gowns, which (unless you’re wearing a short dress) probably won’t even be seen by your guests.
Some images above photographed at the Erich McVey Workshop in Elk, California at Cuffey’s Cove Ranch | Creative Direction & Styling: Ginny Au assisted by Charlene Tea | Art Direction: Kaela Rawson for Ginny Au | Floral Design: Soil & Stem assisted by Tess Comrie | Hair & Makeup: Mimi & Taylor | Gown: Rick Owens | Suit: Zara | Ribbon: Froufrou Chic | Models: Hailee Lautenbach & Devon DeJardin for Option Model & Media | Sponsors: Neve Albums, PhotoVision, Fuji Film, Pixieset, Once Wed, Make & Stow | Reception image photographed at South Pond Farms in Pontypool, Ontario
