Welcome to our planning and photography webchat

Hi everyone

Welcome to our planning and photography webchat.

Want to start planning your big day and need some help starting? Looking for a photographer but don't know what to expect? Need to know how to look your best for the wedding photos?

Wedding planning expert Jill Clow from Surrey's Great Fosters Hotel and expert wedding photographer Gary Roebuck are here to help you with all your questions.

Please do make sure that you post within this thread (by clicking "post reply" at the top or bottom of the thread) as unfortunately we're not able to answer questions posted elsewhere in the forum.

Enjoy!

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[Modified by: Web Master on 09 February 2010 16:00:33 ]

Hi Gary, I don't know anything about photography but I want to get a mixture of pictures in black and white. Will this cost me more? thanks

Hi both

We are going to meet a photographer next week and he is the first we have seen. I really like the look of his work online but don't know what kind of questions should we be asking? My fiancee and I are both really camera shy and both usually look daft in photos!

We are also having a wedding planner but are getting married abroad. Is there a definitive list of tasks to make sure everything is running smoothly? I'm so worried we will get to the venue and there will be lose ends to sort out

Thanks for ur help

DB

Hello DB - There isn't a definitive list to work to. My advice would be to write down a list of the different elements of the day ie in chronological order and write any question that relates to that part of the day

Always ask the questions via email - that way you have written proof rather than just a conversation on the telephone

Hi ChicShopshire. Most wedding photographers now shoot digitally, which means all images are captured in colour and turned to monochrome later. So there are no additional costs for the photographer on the day itself, but there may be more work in post-production. I don't charge more for monochrome shots; but it is important that I know in advance about preferences. For example, if a couple want lots of monochrome, I will look for and create shots with more contrast (which helps monochrome images look punchier rather than grey). Talk it through with your photographer before booking and ask to see their monochrome work. Hope this helps....

Hi DB. Good question. Here's a link to my blog article on the top ten questions you should ask when hiring a photographer.

http://tinyurl.com/ylf5j6m

On being camera shy, it's important that you have a rapport with your photographer and that he/she inspires confidence. A way to cement this and improve confidence is perhaps to have an engagement shoot. Look for evidence in the photographer's portfolio that he/she can make all sorts of brides look amazing. That is what you are paying for!

really silly question but what about feeding my videographer and phtographer on the day? they will both be at the church about 2:30pm and will be leaving after the first dance, about 9ish. should i enclude them in my seating plan?

Hello Lettypop, you should factor in a meal for your photographer and videographer - they are an extremely important part of the day! You do not need to have them on the main seating plan as this is for friends and family. At Great Fosters the various suppliers are happy to be fed as and when they required food and usually sit in another room so not to disturb your day.

thanks, there is another room we can use

Hi lettypop

There is no set rule here - although some photographers and videographers have a meal clause in their contract (so check this). It's always very welcome to be offered a hot meal (if it is served in a timely way), but at the same time, we often take sandwiches to retain flexibility when the shooting is stop/start. I would not advise to include them in your formal seating plan without discussing it with them first. (I prefer to go have a break somewhere away from the guests).

It is always good to ask your various suppliers what they would like to eat - some are happy with just a sandwich and soft drinks whereas some prefer to have a hot meal (especially in the winter)

Lettypop, never be afraid to ask your contact at the wedding venue what you might consider to be a "silly" question. Wedding Planners are used to Brides asking all sorts of questions and it is never considered silly, as what might be important to you is not to someone else.

[Modified by: JillClow on February 09, 2010 05:05 PM]

I hate having my photographs taking because im on the curvy side and always ended up looking like a over stuffed turkey

whts the best way to over come this fear so i look good ??

im also wanting some humour pictures after seeing my mums work *shes a wedding photographer but not doing my photos~* but im not sure what kind of shots??? and is it possible to have photos printed out in black and white but the flowers in colour? thanks

I was thinking about hiring a wedding photographer who would also do some wedding lingerie shots of me as a present for my hubby to be (one of my friends did this and her husband loved them!). How should i go about finding a wedding photographer who will do this, too?