Jennifer Dean Photography

Jennifer Dean Photography

In almost 25 years of wedding photography, I've never been to a bad one yet (touch wood!) There have of course been weddings where things have'nt gone to plan,  like rain during an outdoor ceremony, a priest not showing up, a drunk bestman loosing the rings, arguments amongst family members, no show hair dresser or makeup artist, groom forgetting his shoes, wilting flowers before the ceremony, someone forgetting the wedding ceremony music, wedding cars breaking down on the way to the ceremony or drivers who got lost... the list is pretty big for what might not go to plan. But for all those couples who experienced those things- it never ruined their day. My advice to you if you're worried about things going wrong is: a) always have a back-up plan b) always reconfirm with your suppliers, then reconfirm with them again! c) think of worst case scenario and plan for it d) don't take the day (as in the party and the details) too seriously- it's not being scored, judged or awarded- its not about anything except you marrying the person you love.

If something doesn't go to plan, it certainly won't ruin your day if you don't let it ;-) Trust in those you employ to have your back, and in your bridal party too! If something doesn't go to plan they will all band together (as will your loved ones!) and make it work for you. 

When the drunk bestman lost the wedding rings, the bride's grandparents lent them theirs- its was a beautiful moment and made for a beautiful memory. When the priest didn't show up, another was only minutes away and able to fill in for him. When the hair dresser didn't turn up, the girls drove round to a salon and had their hair done there instead- again- another awesome memory created and great photographs that we didn't know we were going to get! When the flowers turned up wilted, the brides Mum went and found replacements from a local florist. When the wedding car broke down, I drove the bride and her father to the wedding ;-) We still laugh about it to this day as I was driving a little Suzuki Swift at the time lol! 

Lots of things can go wrong, but they're only negative if you let them be- don't let them be! Just plan for what you can and take it all in your stride. So long as you finish the day married to your love- then it was a wonderful wedding day success! x

Jennifer Dean Photography

It's a personal choice- some people love to look at books, some people love to look at screens. I think images can be easily forgotten when they reside on a digital device. Yes at first you'll look at them constantly; you'll share them on social media, text them to loved ones, email them to those who were too far away to join you in celebration. But after a few years, they often end up lost amongst the hundreds and thousands of other images we accrue on a daily basis. Like the books in your bookcase, your album is faithfully waiting there, ready at a moments' notice to be shared now, and well into the future. Imagine the scenario in maybe ten years' time. You're talking to your 8 year old daughter about your wedding day and about her great Aunt Mavis (ok we don't all have a Great Aunt Mavis but go along with me on this one ;-p ) you take her to the bookcase, pull out your wedding album and show her the pictures. Immediate. It took you literally less than a minute to find your wedding album and now you'll spend probably the next half hour at least showing your children your precious photographs. Now imagine the same scenario if your photographs were never printed into an album. After the first ten minutes hunting through computer hard drives, your son exclaims boredom and heads off to watch TV. Your daughter however, she patiently waits because she really wants to see those photographs. But after another half hour of you now stressfully searching through thousands of images wondering why you weren't more organised ten years prior, your daughter realises her favourite show is about to begin and leaves to join her brother in front on the TV. Three hours later and you're still sitting there hunting for those precious photographs and your husband delares its now 11pm and he's heading to bed.  This is probably when you give up looking. Or maybe you find them?! But the kids were in bed two hours ago... maybe you'll have time tomorrow to show them- if they're still interested by then. I may be over exagerating, but I have had clients contact me even 10months after their wedding because they've misplaced their USB stick. I even had a client contact me two years after their wedding because their computer hard drive died and they lost all their photographs including their wedding pix. Yep- they ended up making an album with me (although I did first give them their photographs on a new USB stick free of charge and recommended they save it to at least two different hard drives ;-p ) A wedding album really is an investment. Its not really for you in the 'now', its for you (and your family) in the future. It doesn't have to be ultra fancy, ultra expensive or even made with your photographer (although as artists we do like to be involved in the process). But I think you'll find we all agree that your photographs should be printed, and definitely reside within an album. In ten years' time you'll be so glad you did. And in 70 years' time, your children and your grandchildren will be glad you did too ;-)  

Jennifer Dean Photography

Normally your photographer would have shown you samples of their work including their post production style at one of your meetings prior to booking and you would have likely booked them based on their style as it matached your taste. I've noticed your wedding date is still yet to occur; is it a couple of months away? If you're concerned prior to your wedding date that your taste might have changed or that perhaps your photographer is showing recent wedding images on their website/social media that do not match the style you originally were after, do contact them to voice your concern. It might just be that they are simply experiementing with some new editing styles, are trying out a new graphic designer and looking to gauge feedback, or perhaps they are working with a client who has asked for something different and are just 'putting it out there' to see what their online community think. Don't be afraid to speak with them about your likes and dislikes; it will save both you and them a lot of time (and stress!) post wedding if you discuss your expectations before any editing takes place ;-)