One of the perks of being a wedding photographer is that I get to meet some pretty amazing wedding vendors.  Occasionally, they will pull the curtain back & share a few of their exclusive secrets on my blog just for you!  This blog post will teach you how to maximize your photography investment.

MEET HALLE NEELY

Today, Atlanta, Chicago & Washington D.C. Wedding Planner Halle Neely, of Halle Neely Events, shares her perspective on how to maximize your photography investment.  As an experienced planner, Halle and her team are filled with a WEALTH of knowledge that will undoubtedly assist you on your journey to ‘I Do’.  Enjoy!

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We tell our clients all the time, a talented photographer is one of the best wedding day investments you can make. Your wedding day photos are one of the tangible items you’ll have long after your wedding. Most couples don’t realize, there are a lot of events that happen simultaneously on your wedding day; so it is inevitable that you and your partner will miss out on certain moments. If you plan your timeline accordingly, your wedding photographer will tell the story of your wedding day from start to finish.

As a planner, our team works hand in hand with the photographer to establish a timeline that captures your day from start to finish. Here’s my best advice to maximize your photography investment!

HALLE’S ADVICE

1. Book 8-10 hours of service and two photographers. This is non-negotiable. Having multiple photographers allows you and your partner to get dressed at the same time, leaving time for a first look and wedding party photos before the ceremony! This opens up the cocktail hour for photos of you and your fiancé alone which is the perfect time to refresh, change hairstyles, have dinner, have photos off-site…almost anything! More hours of coverage means more flexibility and breaks in between!
2. Start your wedding day timeline, from the end of the day! When scheduling your photographer team, you need to first know what time your reception will end. By knowing this, you’ll be able to decide what moments of the day are able to be captured based on the hours included in your contract. We usually advise our photographer team to arrive as the bride is completing hair and make-up and they’ll depart after the bouquet and garter toss. Most couples prefer to have more coverage on the front end (think better lighting, fresh makeup etc.,) more than they want photos of their guests on the dance floor.
3. Think about the venue you’re getting married at and if there’s an alternative location for photos. If you’re having your ceremony and reception in the same room (which requires a room flip), chances are your photo time at the altar will be limited. In this case, we suggest photos outside away from the logistics happening inside the room. However, depending on the time of your ceremony and Daylight Savings, this may not be an option. Do your research and discuss options early with your photographer and planner accordingly. If you do need to travel offsite, book a transportation service to avoid misplaced keys, parking, and potentially losing your wedding party en route.

We hope you have found this information helpful. We are wishing you all the best in your journey!

Loved Halle and want to work with her and her incredible team? (And I think that you should)  Check out the links below to find out more about the Halle Neely Events team!

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