Photographer in Tampa Shares Seven Things to Avoid for a Successful Wedding

BRANDON, FL, February 16, 2012 (Press-News.org) Being a photographer in Tampa, for over 20 years, doing over 3,600 weddings in Florida, we have learned some little things that would help your wedding, if you did not do and in some cases will save you money as you plan your wedding.

1. A UNITY CANDLE OUTDOORS 95% of the time when a couple attempts to light a Unity Candle outdoors, it fails. Even with a glass vase surrounding the candle, you still have to remove the vase to light it, and it can still be tricky to light.

Solution: 1) You can do the Unity Candle indoors during the reception or 2) you can do a Sand Ceremony Outdoors, where you pour two different colored sands into a center vase. The benefit to this is, you have a multicolored vase of sand that you'll be able to display in your home for years to come.

2. AISLE RUNNER The Aisle Runner causes more problems than it's worth. If using on Grass, it's a disaster, as the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Even if used on a hard surface, the wind will blow it, so it has to be taped down, which can look tacky, and totally defeats the purpose. The bridesmaids and bride tend to look down at it, so that they don't trip, and as a result negatively affects your video and pictures, instead of happy bridesmaids smiling, you get concerned expressions, hoping not to trip.

Solution 1) Skip it completely or 2) use a carpeted aisle runner, unless you want to be on Americas Funniest Videos

3. THE RECEIVING LINE They tend to waste valuable time which takes away from the time for your pictures, which you'll regret later. Although the receiving line is done for the guests, it ends up putting them through unnecessary discomfort. It usually works best to go around during the reception, after dinner and greet your guests, while they are sitting comfortably at their tables, and allows you to prioritize the time you spend with certain guests.

Solution: Walk around to the tables after dinner; it puts you in control of who you greet and who you skip.

4. HAVING THE COORDINATOR CARRY YOUR DRESS TOO FAR Many times we are shooting the bride from wherever she is walking from, going to the aisle, and we have the coordinator right behind her holding the dress, it totally destroys the shot. We want to get that whole journey of the father escorting his daughter, not just the walking down the actual aisle. So what if the dress gets a little dirt on it (see below), or is not completely spread out, it's the emotion of your father being choked up that we want to get as he starts to walk you down the aisle. These are the shots you will treasure. It's so much better when it's just the 2 of you in the moment and not a 3rd party walking with you and talking with you as you are you walking towards the aisle.

Solution Have the Coordinator or Family Member wait at the bottom of the aisle, and then fluff your dress there, then quickly move out of the way.

5. WORRYING ABOUT THE DRESS The less you worry about the dress the better your pictures will be. I've seen many brides upset about a spot on her dress, and had she not made a fuss about it, no one would have ever noticed anything wrong. What is very noticeable is a worried demeanor, which negatively affects your pictures and video. This is the day that, that dress was created for, allow that dress to do its God-given function, and shine in the spotlight. Your mother may be concerned about saving it to "hang it in the closet", but this is the day we want to get creative pictures, that you will have to cherish and show people for years to come.

Solution "Don't Worry Be Happy", ask mom would you rather have a sparkling clean dress or great creative pictures?

6. OVER-CONTROLLING YOUR PROFESSIONALS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY Choose highly skilled wedding vendors, and make sure you communicate your wants, but resist the temptation to control every little detail. If you have chosen good vendors, they have probably done several weddings, and may have knowledge about certain things that you don't. You want to express your desired results, but it usually works best if you allow the professional to use their methods to achieve those desired results.

Solution 1) Pick good professionals 2) tell them in writing your desired results 3) let them use their methods & skills.

7. A SMALL DANCE FLOOR People do not need a dance floor to dance. If you cannot afford a big dance floor, then skip it altogether. A small dance floor can create problems with the edges, so it's usually best to just skip the floor completely. Especially when you are doing group dances, when during the dance your movements bring you on and off a floor and can be tricky for dress shoes to navigate around the edges.

Solution 1) Skip the Dance Floor or 2) Rent a big dance floor.

I hope this advice helps make your wedding day a success.

Randy Markham, Owner Celebrations of Tampa Bay

Celebratons of Tampa Bay provides Photography, Video, and DJ services specializing in Weddings. Contact us at (813) 657-2238

Website: http://www.CelebrationsofTampaBay.com