Tips For Winter Weddings

My winter weddings have come to an end for this year. Overall the weather co-operated quite nicely. Although I have photographed winter weddings in the past, I became aware of a few things as I was photographing this year. I've decided to dedicate a post to Tips and Suggestions for planning a winter wedding (from a photographic stand point).

Tips and Suggestions for Planning Your Winter Wedding Photos

CLOTHING:

Many couples love the idea of having their photographs taken outside for their wedding - even in the winter. The idea of capturing snow on the ground, snow on the trees and snow in the air excites couples. Provided the weather co-operates, all of these magical and beautiful aspects of winter can be captured.... if you go outside! A few of my clients this year, discussed how they were willing and wanting to go outside for their photos but on the day of, I was told that they decided not to go outside because it was too cold.
If you plan a winter wedding and plan for outdoor photos be prepared - it will be cold. It's the winter! :)

First and foremost let me explain that I completely understand that everyone's ability to handle the cold differs. For me, -7 degrees (heck -17 degrees) barely fazes me and that is because I come properly dressed. Yes, I wear snow pants, boots, a hat and gloves and a realize that brides can not wear snow pants and a hat, however there are many pieces of clothing that can and should be worn, not just by the bride and groom, but the wedding party as well.

Boots: Everyone should wear winter boots and socks. If there is snow on the ground, you won’t see the boots anyway and with the addition of long dresses, this pretty well eliminates the chance of seeing the boots. If by chance, the boots are noticeable, don’t worry, it will make sense for the photo. It makes sense to wear boots in the snow and as long as they aren’t neon green (unless you want them to be), they will look great. Not wearing the appropriate foot wear will leave your feet cold and wet and could damage your formal shoes (both men and women).

Long Johns: Cover your legs! No one will see your legs anyway! This extra layer will keep your legs warmer and therefore make you more comfortable.

Shawls: For the women, shawls should be worn. They can be rented, purchased or even made specifically for you with your style and colour(s) in mind. This will keep the girls’ arms, backs, necks and even their hands warmer.

EXTRA IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS:

Drinks: Bring along a couple thermoses of warm drinks; hot chocolate, tea and/or coffee. Having a nice warm drink to enjoy after the photo session will warm you up as well.

Travel Time: Leave extra time for travel. If the roads are wet and/or slippery it will make driving slower. If there is snow and/or wind to reduce the visibility, that will make driving slower. Leaving extra time will make the traveling safer and make the entire day less stressful because you will not feel rushed. If it ends up being a clear day, the extra time allotted for driving can be substituted into more photos or time to just relax!


All of these ideas have been used by past clients who have ventured outside for their wedding photos. The photos that you see on my website that are taken in the winter have been with couples who have been prepared for the cold …and it was cold :)
If you come prepared for outdoor photos, the photos will be extremely creative, relaxed, fun, romantic and artistic. The beauty that winter brings each year can be captured and more importantly, you can enjoy and treasure the “winter wedding photos” that you originally planned for.

….what if the weather is just too cold, too windy, too wet, too dangerous? Have an indoor location decided upon well in advance. Having to organize an indoor location on the wedding day could be stressful and time consuming so have everything well prepared before the big day. Organizing an indoor photo location well before your wedding day can also allow you to choose a location that you really like (e.g. a historical building, a train station, the church, a City Hall, someone’s home) rather than having to use the hall that you’ve booked (this is typically the last resort for couples – they want to be away from their guests for their photos).

If you are planning a winter wedding, I hope that these tips have been helpful! I thoroughly enjoy photographing weddings in the winter. It’s a whole new world once the snow covers the ground – a world I look forward to every year.

Happy Winter!

New Inspiration for the New Year!

Hello everyone! Happy New Year to you all. With the New Year comes new resolutions (or for some...repeated resolutions :). I don't make resolutions. I never have. That being said, I do have goals and intentions for 2008.
First of all, I'm going to keep on top of my blogging. Not the most important goal that can be made but it is a fun way of communicating and keeping people up to date with what’s “new”. So I will write on my blog once a month. Just a moment, I need to set a reminder in my calendar.....Done.
Now, onto more significant objectives.
2007 was a fabulous year for me both in my personal life and in my career. I had another fully booked year with weddings and 2008 is quickly heading in the same direction. Last year, I progressed enormously in my creativity and even in my technique. I’m eager to see what this year will bring.
I am updating my current wedding album to a “Coffee Table” style wedding album. It is stylish, creative, beautiful and clean; all of the details that I have been looking for in an album over the past few months. I am positive that my customers will be very pleased with this keepsake of their wedding photos.
I have been thrilled with my assistant, Blythe. She is an absolute asset to Beyond The Window. She will be continuing into the New Year and that makes us both excited. I’m ready to see how her work will progress this year.
I have ideas outside of wedding photography for the New Year. I won’t mention them now. Perhaps the suspense will draw you back! These ideas have me itching for the fall to come!
That is all for this posting. I WILL post again in February :) Until then, take care and enjoy the winter weather.

Hi everyone!

On September 2, 2007 I photographed a wedding outside of Stratford. It was an evening, outdoor and tent wedding. It was absolutely fantastic. The weather was beautiful and the atmosphere was incrediable!
The ceremony was so heart felt and relaxed and the reception was fabulous. The speeches were very personal and the DJ had the floor packed! The music was perfect. The couple had sparklers for the children there and they also had fireworks!
The night was relaxed, sentimental and .... wonderful. I love my job :)

A new jean skirt?!

Happy September! It's been a while since I last posted a message. Things are going really well! I'm looking into renting office space for Beyond The Window rather than working and meeting with people at home. I'm very excited about this new step. I should know by the end of the month if I have an office or not.
The weddings from the past couple of months have been fantastic! The people have been relaxed and wonderful to work with and I've only had 1 day of poor, "gotta go inside" weather. Today I have a wedding - yes, a Friday wedding (they are becoming more and more popular) - here in Waterloo. It will be very warm but hopefully we can stay in the shade as much as possible and if the clouds stick around, they'll block the sun which will be a very big help. Overcast is great for photos anyway ;)
Tomorrow I have another wedding in Kitchener. I'm looking forward to it as well. I met the bride's parents at our "final meeting" - what a riot! I think it will be a enjoyable day tomorrow.

On a more personal note - I bought a new jean skirt. yeah, yeah....who cares?! I DO! I haven't had a jean skirt since grade 10 (I think) and this new jean skirt is very flattering and hip. Unlike the long, baggy, frumpy skirt from grade 10 :) I can't wait to wear it. Maybe I'll wear it at Thanksgiving.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Family Photos

For the past week, I have been going through my personal, family photos that have been taken throughout the past few months and organizing them to be printed. Although there are (probably) too many that I have to sort through, it has been a great project. Weeding out the photos that I don't want to keep and smiling and laughing at the photos that MUST be kept. There is an absolute hilarious photo of my brother-in-law, Rob, that if I didn't think he would die of embarrassment, I would post on my blog. What a riot! Perhaps I can use it in paper to annouce his 40th birthday?....hummmmm?? Well that's not for another 9 years - It will probably slip my mind by then :) (Lucky for you Rob!)

I'll be taking "fashion shots" of my friend on Friday. I am extremely excited about it. It will be my first time doing a photo shoot like this! I'll let you know how it went next time I write.

What else is new?..........
.........
.................... ...................... nothing.

Christine's Wedding

What a beautiful, perfect day for a wedding. July 7, 2007 my friend Christine was married to John! The day could not have been any better. The weather, the ceremony, the food, the reception and of course, the wedding party and Chrissy and John themselves, were wonderful. Christine looked gorgeous! I can't wait to talk to her when she gets back from her honeymoon - Jamaica is where they went. I also can't wait to see the photos! Congrats Chrissy and John! Love you!

On Holidays

I'm on holidays! I'm very excited. I have the next 2 weeks free from weddings! Well, that's not entirely true. My friend Christine is getting married on July 7, 2007 and I will be standing up with her as her Maid of Honour, but I'll be on the other side of the camera!! I can't wait!

This weekend is July 1st of course - Happy Birthday Canada! - so, it's time for the annual Canada Day party at my parents house. It is always so much fun and very relaxing. If the weather co-operates we will all be enjoying a camp fire. The first of the season for me and hopefully not the last.

The last wedding that I photographed in June was a real pleasure. The couple was wonderful. So cute! They photographed so well and complimented each other so nicely. Their families and their friends were wonderful too. What a great way to end the month!

I suppose that is all for now. I'm sure I'll write another bit after Christine's wedding! I can't wait to have my hair and make-up done. I can't wait wait to look really pretty! :)