Planning A Styled Shoot, Downtown Edmonton Urban Elopement Shoot

Something that I had no idea was a thing in the photography industry until this year was putting on styled shoots. And now that I know about them I was kicking myself for not doing them sooner. These are such an amazing way to not only build your portfolio but to also get to be creative. At this point I have planned three styled shoots, and have one more coming next month. I wanted to highlight one of the styled shoots I recently did and also give some tips to you if you are wanting to plan your own.

First lets shoutout all of the amazing vendors who took part in it!

My co-host Kayla @daintydevelops

Florals: Freewill Flowers

Dress: Enchanted Ever After

Hair + Makeup: Lily Grey Artistry

Suit: Derks Formal

Here are the questions I ask myself when planning a styled shoot, and my answer for the styled shoot below. In italics I will have a couple tips for planning as well.

How will my styled shoot stand out?

I like to be creative with my styled shoots and have them stand out. For this shoot I had wanted to do something very urban and clean, since it was something I hadn’t seen often. When I had texted Kayla with the idea, I had sent her a picture from Pinterest and essentially said super urban, simple and elegant. Kayla threw out ideas for ice cream and a car, and we had our gears in action.

Once you have a concept, create an inspiration board on Pinterest. Make it detailed! I send this to all potential vendors, this way they can see the vibe I am going for a decide if it is something that will match their style/brand.

What is my budget?

I personally do all of my styled shoots with a small budget. I do not pay my vendors, as I am not making any money but instead we are all contributing our time, money, pieces to the shoot for recognition (AND for images to use). BUT not all vendors run styled shoots like this. Do not be insulted if people ask to be compensated with money. AND IF YOU ARE MAKING ANY SORT OF MONEY FROM YOUR SHOOT THEN PLEASE PLEASE PAY YOUR VENDORS! It also depends on what you’re asking for, if you are wanting $1000 worth of product from your florist, Chances are you will need to pay them something.

How complex/How many vendors?

For this styled shoot, Kayla and me went simple. We just had hair/makeup, dress, suit and flowers for vendors. Personally I find super complex ones can be stressful and magic can be created with very limited vendors.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to vendors. The worst thing the can happen is they say no, and the best thing they say yes! Also don’t be discouraged when you get no’s, styled shoots are not for everyone.

What will my creative control look like?

I am pretty open with my styled shoots, once I send off my Pinterest board I give the vendors creative control. Do what you want with the vibe of the shoot. Styled shoots are an amazing time to do something you’ve always wanted to do and get creative. With this shoot though, I knew I wanted a very specific dress, which Michelle completely made come to life. So I had been more specific with her.

I also find vendors are more inclined to want to join if they have this option to make what they want to make within the concept vibe.

Okay now on to the goods, the images!!!!

Planning A Wedding On A Budget

So you’re planning a wedding, and you want to see your wedding dreams come true but a wedding budget is holding you back. I am here to tell you it is possible to still have a beautiful wedding. Here are some tips and things to consider for a budget-friendly wedding.

Consider Your Priorities

First things first, you have to know what is really important to you for your big day. Sit down and really deep dive into what both of you want. This won’t be the same for everyone and will really help you figure out what you want to spend money on. Whether that is food, bar service, florals, photographer, planner, etc. Everyone’s priorities and non-negotiables are different.

Faux Florals

There are many reasons to consider faux florals for your wedding but the cost is definitely one of them. They are cheaper, more durable, and much more weather resistant then real florals. Others will argue that they don’t look the same but I have worked with faux florals many times now and honestly they look just as good for a better price. Some faux florists will do rentals as well which helps the price cause you return them after.

I personally have worked with Magnolia Floral Artistry here in Edmonton multiple times and have her on my preferred vendor list. Below is a picture of one of her bouquets, made of fake and dried materials.

Get Flowers On Sale A Couple Days Before

For my aunt’s wedding, she didn’t really care about her florals. We went to Costco the day before the wedding and grabbed whatever flowers we could that were on sale. We aimed for white but obviously if you’re doing it this way you take what you can get and you may have to go to multiple places.

Consider Un “Traditional” Wedding Food

If you are having a smaller wedding this is something to consider. For bigger weddings, I think that traditional caterers are 100% the way to go and save you money. But I went to a wedding where they had Olive Garden cater it, my personal favourite food at a wedding was a pig roast, it was delicious and a great price. Food trucks are awesome! Think outside of the box…

Rent or Buy Used Decor

There are a lot of companies that have large inventories of wedding decor that they rent out for day use. Not only is this cheaper but it’s also a lot better for the environment. A second option is to buy from past brides who no longer need their decor. Facebook Wedding Buy and Sells are great for this.

If you are in the Edmonton area I strongly recommend renting decor from Cassy with Cassidy Brooke Events. Below is a setup full of her rentals.

Use A Backyard

This isn’t an option for everyone, because let’s face it big weddings don’t fit into backyards but for the people, it is an option for it’s a great money saver. Venues can be expensive and guess what lots of venues will let you pay a rate to go take photos there for an hour soooooo… you can consider that for your bridal portraits and save the money. If you have a backyard wedding, make sure to be a good neighbour and warn your neighbours about what is happening maybe gift them a bottle of wine as well. Also, make sure to get all the correct permits for one.

Use Vendors Who Are Just Starting Out

Some people in the industry might crucify me for this because obviously, we want you to spend money on us. But it’s one way to save money on your wedding day. You do have to REMEMBER though you get what you pay for. We all start somewhere and we often are cheaper at the beginning because we don’t always know what we’re doing, and have the experience to charge a lot. I did my first wedding for like $400 .

This does go back to knowing what matters to you on your wedding day. If photos are something that you can’t wait for and want to love forever, please spend the money on them. But if it’s not, then that’s okay, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the individuals who booked me when I was new.

Opt For Digital Invites and Skip Save The Dates

In the age of technology save the dates are not necessary anymore because you can text someone and say “hey ____ is my wedding date please make sure you’re available”! Making, printing, and sending these spends more budget than you think. For your actual invites consider just sending out digital ones. But if you are more traditional, also consider doing them yourselves. A good printer (or sites like vista print) and a basic template are all your really need.

Although custom invites are absolutely stunning if you have the budget for them.

If you’re in the Edmonton area Straight Drive North is an incredible calligrapher. She hand-painted the jacket in the below photo.

Have someone who knows you officiate…

In Alberta (as of 2020) you can now apply to be temporary marriage commissioner. It takes about a week to get it and there is no cost, temporary marriage commissioners are only for civil ceremonies and are not allowed to charge. It’s such a great option on a budget and also who doesn’t want to have someone they love marry them! Just makes it extra special

Read more about this here

Ditch The Wedding Favours

It’s honestly insane how often those favours you spent your money on just get left behind. Ditch the customized shot glasses, please don’t get fish for each table, and everything else. It will save you money. If you must have favours do something like jelly beans in your wedding colours, or a cupcake to take home. But truthfully no-one is going to think anything less of your wedding without these.

BYOB

Ask your venue if you can bring in your own booze instead of using there booze. Look for sales and order in bulk. If you have to use theirs, ask for A La Carte pricing where you pay for what gets used not just a flat rate. Remember that when bringing your own booze yes Kegs seem cheaper but with kegs, you often can’t return any unused but will be able to return unopen bottles of wine and liqueurs.

Toonie bars are also a great way to help cover cost and still keeps guests happy!

Don’t leave wine or champagne on the table

I can’t count on my fingers how many times I’ve had another glass of wine because it was right in front of me and I didn’t want it to go to waste. Guests will drink more if it’s right in front of them. By keeping it behind the bar, it will help you save money because your guests will leave more. Also, professionals behind the bar will spill a lot less.

Enjoy your wedding and remember that the amount of money you spend on your wedding has no direct correlation to how wonderful it will be!

Click HERE to read my blog post 15 tips for better wedding photos.

15 Tips For Brides To Get “PINTEREST” Worthy Pictures On Your Wedding Day

Okay, we ALL want Pinterest and Magazine worthy photos on our wedding day and I'm here to tell you let’s make that happen. & yes your photographer (which fingers crossed is me;) ) is experienced, trained, and will guide/direct you as much as possible throughout the day but here is some of the advice I like to give to my couples before/on their big day! These are just small things YOU can do to help us get better images of you!

1) HOLD that first kiss, and count to 5 slowly.

This helps to make sure one your photographer won’t miss it, and two that we can get all of those angles…. horizontal, vertical, wide, and all the rest.

Also walk slowly down the aisle, take your time, don’t rush it for the same reasons!

2) Ask your officiant to move out of the way for your first kiss AND for your bride and groom exit.

I love officiants but they just don’t need to be in these images and its not that easy to just photoshop someone out.

3) Sit real close together during speeches.

Whether speeches are going to make you laugh or cry, they are always emotional

….and empty space always looks larger in photographs…

To help with that sense of intimacy sit close together.

Honestly think about this your entire wedding day and just squish into each other.

4) Consider keeping your dress a secret from everyone!

Well, maybe not your mom cause I know mine would just get really upset with me…. but from your bridesmaids!

This is such a fun way to capture authentic emotions. Because you get a grand reveal and real first look expressions from all of them.

5) Makeup and hair trials…

Okay, this is a tip for before the wedding day but it helps with wedding photos….

Not all makeup and hair photographs well on everyone, get trials done and take lots of pictures those days and throughout the day (as your wedding is a full-day event and light changes).

Consider getting your engagement photos done this day!

This way you know if you like the way these look in photographs and can improve on things you didn’t.

6) Consider a first look…

this isn’t for everyone and no worries if it’s not but hear me out and if it is something you are open to… I say let’s do it.

Doing a first look before the ceremony creates a very intimate moment for you guys. And trust me you still get that moment of the groom seeing his bride for the first time, if he’s gonna cry watching you walk down the aisle he still cries here he actually might be more open to crying because your alone.

And guess what it lasts longer.

First look images are always filled with so much emotion and always some of my favourites.

7) Sneak away for sunset….

You will never regret sunset/golden hour photos. This is the perfect light and it also gives you a couple minutes by yourself. I
can’t really say more than just do them!

8) SEND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER A SHOT LIST…

On your wedding day you WILL not remember EVERY image you want, there is just too much going on and to enjoy.

But your photographer also can not read your mind and we also have a lot going on that day; we too get scatterbrained.

So send them a small shot list of your absolute favourites so they can do their job to the best of their ability and get you those images.

9) Have all those details together in the room at the start of the day…

I personally shoot details before I do anything else and most photographers I know are the same… having all of these already in one spot and not having to track them down is so helpful and helps you not forget anything. These images are more special than you think when you look back on your day!

Some details to have:

Brides:

• TWO invitations, (so front and back can be shown)

• Rings

• Shoes

• Bouquet

• Jewelry

• Wedding Dress

• Blue and borrowed.

Grooms:

• Shoes

• Ring

• Watch

• Cufflinks

• Tie

• Boutonniere

and anything else you want…

10) Forget about Pinterest-worthy images…

Okay this is weird considering the clickbait name of this blog post… but… every single photograph will be different, I can not replicate someone’s image to a tee and I don’t want to…

Forget about an image you saw, and do what you want to do.

You, as you are is Pinterest worthy

and so much more than you think goes into and has to align for those “perfect” images

plus everyone does the trends on Pinterest, let’s create images that start new trends instead.

11) PUT YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY IN THE SHADE………..!

If you are getting married outside, pay attention to the light at the time of day you are going to walk down the aisle, and don’t be afraid to maybe change it up on the wedding day.

Harsh sun is not flattering in images.

If you google photographer tips for shooting in harsh sun / mid day the number one tip is to find the shade! Shade will give you an even amount of light and your photographer will love you for this trust me.

(even if you are getting married inside pay attention to the light, light can really make or break an image and if you are unsure ask your photographer it is our job after all.)

12) Consider an unplugged ceremony.

I would actually encourage people to try to stay off their phones for most of the important moments of the night.

But specifically at the start of the ceremony just get the officiant to make a quick announcement before it begins.

Nothing worse than an image you paid a lot of money for full of people with iPhones out.

There might be one person who still pulls out their phone and takes photos

my dad is that person so I understand

but one person with a phone out is better then 50….

Your images will look better because of this!

13) Think about what your prep rooms look like.

clean them… get rid of things that aren’t wedding-related.

clutter might ruin your images… no-one wants a pile of clothes in the background of their pictures.

think about the lighting again… rooms with natural light are the best, think big windows!

14) Look at your partner during the ceremony not the officiant.

Yes the officiant is talking to you and it feels rude to not look at them, but do you want a whole wedding gallery of you staring lovingly at the officiant

…. probably not ….

15) Enjoy your day and trust your photographer!

Nothing looks better in a photograph than real authentic emotion and smiles.

Also, you’re paying someone who is a professional so trust them, their vision, experience and skills.

If you can only remember one tip from the list remember this one, and you will have the best possible images!