You're Engaged, Now What? 5 Tips to Start Planning Your Wedding Day

Congratulations if you are one of the millions of couples to have gotten engaged recently!  You've probably been enamored with excitement and are ready to get the planning started. Check out my tips below on how to get your planning off on the right track.


1.    Call Your Immediate Family and Friends
Make the announcement to your closest family and friends. You definitely want them to get the news directly from YOU.  While you're at it, call up your bridal party too. The earlier you ask your friends to be a part of your wedding the better.

2.    Think About Your Wedding Style
If you're like most brides you may already have an idea of the style of wedding you want. If not, start thinking about you and your fiance's individual and collective styles, so that your wedding will be a reflection of both of you. For instance, consider if your style is more traditional, modern, or maybe glamorous. If you choose traditional, maybe you would like to marry in a church. If you consider yourself to be a modern girl, maybe you would consider marrying in a park, or museum just to name a few.

3.    Set a Budget
You and your fiance should have a talk about your wedding budget BEFORE you make any wedding plans. Be sure to bring in all contributors: parents, grandparents and anyone else who is paying for your wedding. Set a figure that is realistic, within your means, and agreed upon by all parties.

 4.    Consider a Planner 
If you are considering hiring a wedding planner, be sure to engage him/her at the BEGINNING of the planning process. This can save you so much time and money, I promise :-). We know the right people and places to connect you to and since we have planned more weddings than you, we can educate you on how to do things the right way! And remember, most planners offer different levels of service, so at the very least hire a planner for day of coordination, so that you can relax on your wedding weekend and not worry about the details. 

5.    Hire the Pros
This will include selecting a ceremony and reception venue, photographer, entertainment, caterer and more. If you choose to work with a wedding planner, he or she will be able to refer you to reputable vendors in each of the categories above, that fit your style and budget. If not, just remember that wedding professionals can get booked very quickly, so contact them as soon as possible.

I hope my tips will be helpful for you.  If you're interested in hiring a wedding planner, email me at raven@ravenj.com to get the conversation started.  Visit the website at www.ravenj.com.

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

Day in the Life: Atlanta Wedding Photographer Goodness Studios Weddings

Hi guys!  I'm back today with another installment of "Day in the Life", featuring my photographer friend Nicole of Goodness Studios Weddings.  Check out our interview below and learn what it's like to work with a professional wedding photographer.

Name:  Nicole Goodness

Company Name:  Goodness Studios Weddings

Website: goodnesstudiosweddings.com

Why did you choose a career in photography? 

Lighting…I’m kind of obsessed with lighting. I also love the idea of being able to capture that one special moment in someone’s life. Whether they realize it at the time or look back at the image 30 years later and think to themselves "that was a defining moment in my life”. 

Describe the photography services that you provide for wedding clients. 

I offer Bridal & Engagement sessions as well as Weddings, of course. We’ll usually spend about 2 hours within the portrait session. My strategy is to find out what they like to do together, what their hobbies and interests are, that way we can tailor the shoot to something they feel at home with and also tell a story about them as a couple. 

What sets Goodness Studios Weddings apart from other wedding photography companies? 

Emotionally, I have a personal obligation to not just document the day as it happens but to “Wow” the Bride and Groom with the images they receive. I want them to feel the way they did on their wedding day when they look at the images years later, to be transported back to those precious moments all over again.  Technically, I have a background in Commercial Photography…meaning I graduated with an editorial/advertising photography degree and I have a very thorough understanding of studio lighting. That’s what I bring to my wedding clients; a mix of emotional awareness and also a technical ability to execute every image.

How would you describe your photography style? 

I would say traditional with a touch of fine art photography. 

What advice would you give to a couple when hiring a wedding photographer? 

Make sure to meet them in person. If you don’t mesh well with their personality but love their work…keep looking for a photographer. You really should feel comfortable around them and at ease because if you don’t it will show in your pictures. Also, know your budget before you start looking for photographers. Try to stick to that when doing your research.  Go to their pricing page first before you look at their work.  Nothing will disappoint you more by going to the Honda dealership to by an Accord and deciding at the last moment to test drive an Acura for fun…you just can’t go back after that. That goes for the wedding dresses too.

What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?

The FUN! Every wedding is different, every couple is different but the amount of fun everyone has is the same. It’s electric to be around that many people happy and in love. 

When you're not working with brides, what do you do for fun?

I love to cook. I have an especially delicious Cheesecake recipe that is award winning, 1st place at the Atlanta BBQ Festival in 2013! But I truly love to make anything, I find it helps to center me after a long day. Allrecipes.com is probably one of my favorite websites. 

I had a fun time speaking with Nicole.  She loves to laugh and has a great personality to go along with her photography skills.  Be sure to check out her portfolio at goodnesstudiosweddings.com and follow her on  Facebook  at www.facebook.com/Goodness.Studios.Weddings .

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com

Day in the Life: Atlanta Wedding Videographer Eric Blanks Media

Happy Wedding Wednesday!  I'm excited to bring a new series to the blog titled "Day in the Life".  In this spotlight I will feature Q&A from select Atlanta wedding professionals.   For brides and grooms this should provide excellent insight into what to expect when hiring wedding professionals.

Name: Eric Blanks

Company: Eric Blanks Media

Website:  ericblanksmedia.com

Why did you choose a career in videography?

Both my father and brother had a huge influence in my choice of becoming a

videographer. I've been around cameras (both video and film) my entire life

so it was only a matter of time. I can recall seeing my first cinematic

wedding online and thought to myself..."Wow, that was awesome. I would

love to create something so visually stunning, heart-felt and moving!"

Describe your typical wedding videography client experience.

Most(~80%) of my inquires come from online and the remaining from a phone

call. I typically try to help all potential clients, even if they don't

book with me. After I inform a couple of my package prices, if they want

to move forward I set up a face-to-face meeting before any contracts are

signed or money is exchanged. If a couple lives out of town I typically

schedule a video chat consultation.  My consultations typically last from

30 minutes to an hour. At the consultation meetings I typically don't

discuss contracts unless the couple asks first. The last thing I want for a

couple is to feel pressured.

After a couple decides they want to proceed usually a deposit is sent in

with the contract(snail mail, or electronic).  Once the contract and

payment are received I block off that date from my calendar.  I usually

stay in contact with the couple up into the wedding day. Typically the

wedding planner would send me a schedule a few days out in which I may ask

to insert a few items into the schedule if necessary(i.e. vow prep

writing or toast prep writing).

What sets Eric Blanks Media apart from other wedding videography companies?

We produce true cinematic films. A lot of companies say they are cinematic

but you don't hear any sound from the actual ceremony, reception, etc. I

purchase cinematic music that sometimes takes me days to find the perfect

score. I also have the necessary equipment to produce a cinematic

film (slider, dolly, drone, audio equip, etc).

Speaking of the drone,  tell us more about this feature.

The first time I saw a drone video I knew I had to purchase one.

Even though I never saw it in a wedding film(I'm sure people have used it

prior to my knowledge), I knew that it would separate me from other

videographers. The drone I use has it own stabilizing system so the shots

are flawless! I try to open all of my films with an aerial shot.

How would you describe your video recording style?  

Simple yet effective. I let my equipment work for me. It's mostly about angles and

proper lighting and a good mix of camera movement.

What advice would you give to a couple when searching for a wedding videographer?

DSLR cameras provide a better cinematic experience than a

traditional camcorder.  Make sure that the videographer uses stabilizing

equipment. My pet peeve is shaky footage.

What do you enjoy most about filming weddings? 

 Seeing the excitement of couples and being able to capture those moments.

  
Thank you Eric for allowing me to interview you and helping me to kick off this new series!
Go to http://ericblanksmedia.com/portfolio/videos/ to check out Eric's video portfolio and tell him I sent you!

Happy Planning!

Raven J.

www.ravenj.com