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Photography by DiAnna Paulk | Event Cards

They are little 1″ x 2.5″ cards with a favorite image from the engagement or bridal session on one side and information about how guests may view the wedding images on the back.

Most brides place them beside the guests book and include any that may be left over after the wedding in thank you notes.  I’ve also seen them placed at each table setting, near the seating chart for the reception, and beside a display of engagement images.  I particularly liked this display for a December wedding last year.

Event Cards displayed at Capital City Club Reception, December 2011

Wednesday Wedding Wisdom is a relatively new feature of this blog.  If you missed the previous posts and want to catch up, click on the “Wedding”   link just below.  If there’s a subject you’d like featured on a Wedding Wisdom post or if you have a product, service, or venue relevant to weddings and would like to offer a guest blog post,  please feel free to email me – I’d love to hear from you!  info@diannapaulk.com.

The post Montgomery AL Wedding Photography: Wednesday Wedding Wisdom #10 (Event Cards) appeared first on Photography by DiAnna Paulk.

First, it allows the photographer an opportunity to get to know the bride and groom.  I realized that, while I was establishing a relationship with the bride prior to the wedding, I was often meeting the groom for the first time on the wedding day.  He didn’t know me, I didn’t know him, and by the time we introduced ourselves and he warmed up to me most of the photographs were over.  During the engagement session the groom has an opportunity to get to know me so when I walk in on the wedding day he’s good to go.  He looks at his groomsmen and family and says, “She’s my photographer” (which equals, “She’s okay,” in man-speak).

Second, it gives both the bride and groom an opportunity to get accustomed to being in front of the camera.  Most people are a little uncomfortable on a “professional” shoot – especially in the beginning.  Before I can even turn the camera on I usually hear,  ”What do you want me to do with my hands” ….”How do you want me to stand?” … “Am I supposed to look at you?” … “Do you want me to smile?”  Usually, it only takes a few minutes into the session for the comfort level to increase and the couple relaxes and begins to enjoy the opportunity to document this important time in their life together.  Getting this out of the way before the wedding day is very beneficial for the photographer and the couple!  I know I’ve succeeded when we’re leaving the engagement session and the groom says, “That wasn’t so bad,” (which equals, “I’m pretty good at this!” in man-speak).

Engagement Session – The Waters

Third, it provides the photographer insights into the personal style of the bride and groom.  It allows me to see if the couple is reserved and traditional or creative and crazy.  Again, it’s time saved on the wedding day when the photographer already knows the couples’ likes and dislikes.  Telling the photographer is one thing.  It is completely different for the photographer to experience that in the engagement session.

Fourth, it will give you confidence that your wedding photographer really understands and will be able to capture your vision for your wedding day.  When you see your engagement images and realize your photographer has captured and edited the images the way you like them it will be one less concern as you move forward.  It also gives me confidence as the photographer that I have really listened and understood my couple.  This is why I try to get my couples to plan an engagement session soon after they have booked the wedding.

Apparent in each of these reasons for an engagement session is a very important point — allow your wedding photographer to do the engagement session.  Letting a friend do your session as a gift or the photographer’s associate take the session will not yield the same benefits as working with your chosen wedding photographer.

In closing, I would love for all my grooms to read this short and entertaining article before the engagement session:  I Blame My Fiancee for this Engagement Photo by Joe Donatelli.

Wednesday Wedding Wisdom is a relatively new feature of this blog.  If you missed the previous posts and want to catch up, click on the “Wedding”   link just below.  If there’s a subject you’d like featured on a Wedding Wisdom post or if you have a product, service, or venue relevant to weddings and would like to offer a guest blog post,  please feel free to email me – I’d love to hear from you!  info@diannapaulk.com.

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Here’s one that arrived this week for an August wedding:

Custom Wedding Guest Book, Photography by DiAnna Paulk

There are many cover and size options.  The company I use for guest books offers 34 cover material options including a variety of fabrics, leathers and suedes, or a custom photo cover in lustre or metallic. Photo covers are made with a photographic print that is laminated and adhered to the masonite cover. The photo cover allows for complete customization on the front, spine, and back of the book using one of your session images. The one featured here is a Combo Cover made by mixing and matching a fabric or leather option with a Custom Photo Cover. The photo may be placed on the front right and back left of the cover with the spine wrapped in a fabric or leather or choose to have the photo on just the front right of the cover  (shown here) and the fabric or leather wrapped around the spine and entire back of the Album cover. The fabric and leather on Combo Covers is finished with your choice of white or black stitching.

Guest Book pages are printed on 110# cover weight Standard Semi-Gloss hinged paper. The hinged paper allows open pages to lay flat as well as provides a thicker, more upscale paper option.

Wednesday Wedding Wisdom is a relatively new feature of this blog.  If you missed the previous posts and want to catch up, click on the “Wedding”   link just under this post.  If there’s a subject you’d like featured on a Wedding Wisdom post or if you have a product, service, or venue relevant to weddings and would like to offer a guest blog post,  please feel free to email me – I’d love to hear from you!  info@diannapaulk.com.

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