Tips on Finding The Perfect Photographer

1.     Have a clear idea of the style you prefer for your photos as that would determine the kind of photographer you would want shooting your wedding.

2.     Narrow down to 2-3 choices so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

3.     Check for their availability! Many photographers are booked two years in advance and to avoid heart break, book fast!

4.     Always ask to see the photographer’s full gallery. This way you can look at how they shot a wedding from start to finish.

5.     Make sure you meet the photographer who will be taking care of your event as you will be spending a lot of time with him/her and it’s important that you get along and are comfortable with them!

6.     Read reviews and do your research.

7.     Post production details- what is their turnaround time? It takes a lot of time and effort to shoot and edit photos. You would want to make sure you get a realistic timeline of when to expect your images.

8.     Know your budget and compare different packages to see which one suits your preferences and needs best.

9.     Ask about the type of equipment they use and if they have a backup camera on the day of your event.

10.  Lastly, go with your gut feeling, you can’t go wrong if you have done your research and are comfortable with the person you’ve met!

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Theme for Your Wedding

With so many choices out there, not to mention Pinterest exploding with ideas, it is hard to focus on what you want as a couple for your wedding theme. Though you don’t have to have a “theme” e.g. Great Gatsby or Cinderella, you should have an idea of what you want your wedding to look and feel like so everything ties in beautifully together in the end. Does it have a traditional, modern, rustic feel? Don’t know where to start? Answer some of these questions below to get started.

1.     What is the venue/location for your event?

 Choosing the location/venue for your event will set the tone for your wedding and how your wedding is going to look and feel. So pick a venue based on what your heart wants and go from there. For example, if you studied and met at UofT, then getting married at Hart House would tie in with your love story! Or if you always dreamed of an outdoor tented wedding then the grounds of Casaloma or Miller’s Lash House would work well.

 2.     What is your and your partner’s personal style?

Sit down and evaluate what you and your partner’s personal style and preferences are. If both of you hate winter, then there is no point having a winter wonderland themed wedding. Maybe you two are big travellers or love nature. Maybe you are bookworms and want to consider a library for your event. Try to jot down a few words that define you as a couple and go from there. You will have a better idea of what you are both looking for and can narrow down your venue/location search from there.

 3.     What do you want guests to feel when they walk in the space?

Do you want to wow the guests when they walk in, or do you prefer a romantic, intimate atmosphere. A unique event space such as the Ballroom at the Fairmont can wow guests because of its unique design or an ordinary ballroom can be converted into a winter wonderland based on the theme you choose.

 4.    What season is the wedding in?

 Is it a summer wedding or in the fall? Summer weddings tend to be outdoor at golf clubs, in tents or farms making most use of the warm weather. Themes tend to revolve around punchier vibrant colours whereas a fall wedding will tend to have deeper tones.

 5.    Is it a casual wedding or formal?

 The formality of your event will also help to determine the wedding theme.  Did you always dream of a black tie formal occasion? Then a beautiful ballroom is the obvious choice. If you prefer something more casual and laid back then a garden party or beachside wedding is the answer.

Stay true to yourself while choosing a wedding theme and go with the flow. Still having trouble? Hire an event designer who can guide you through the process with experience from designing hundreds of events with different styes and at different venues.

Below are a few popular wedding themes to get started.

     Classic – for the couple who wants a timeless look

Example of a timeless, classic wedding.

Photography: 5ivefifteen

Rustic – A rustic theme can be all kinds of beautiful and romantic. Think of barn weddings, wooden tables, grasses, organic flowers and foliage. Think wood, lace and hessian plus country flowers, grasses and foliage.

Rustic inspired wedding at Palais Royale

Modern – for couples who are looking for a minimalist and sleek design

Tropical – filled with energy and bright colours, would be perfect for someone who has a fun and chirpy personality!

If you’re having a challenge choosing a theme, don’t worry. Take some time to look around you and gather some inspiration for your big day, it’ll be as amazing as you imagine it to be. Good Luck!

Hello Friends!

Hello Friends! 

Thank you for being here. I can’t believe it took a quarantine to get me to start blogging. I have been contemplating this for years but never got the time to sit down and pen my thoughts about the many topics I wanted to talk about! This time I just opened up my Mac and started writing and I love it! Look out for my first post.

Stay safe!

-Amna

xoxoxo