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• Set a timeline: finding the right dress takes time so plan to start the search 9-12 months before the actual wedding date. If you are short on time, do not stress, however try to give yourself at least 6 months to get the dress as it takes time to find the right one and have it altered to fit you perfectly. Expect to be fitted at least 2 times before the dress is ready to take home.
• Learn about dress styles: There are many elements to a wedding dress. Learn about necklines, silhouettes, colors, fabrics and detailing. Pay attention to what you are most attracted to and the styles you like best. This will help give you a starting point when looking for dresses.
• Learn your body type: Everyone is built differently and there are certain styles that look best on certain body types. Once you learn what type of body you have as well as identify the body parts you want to camouflage and those you want to show off you will have a good idea of the type of dress you are looking for.
• Themed weddings: It is important to keep in mind the wedding theme when searching for a gown as this will help you narrow your search to dresses that are appropriate for your theme.
• Religious Consideration: If you are celebrating your wedding within the traditions and customs of a certain religion, it is important to know what style of dress is accepted within that religion.
• Establish a budget for your dress:   Planning a wedding can be a stressful time and often leads to rash decisions being made; not to mention we have all fallen victim to a sales person who talks us into something we are not positive we actually want! Research designer styles and process ahead of time so that you set your expectations and maintain a budget you are comfortable sticking to.

Dressing Your Wedding Party

• Think coordinated but not too matchy- pick a color and a fabric and have your girls pick the styles that suit their body type best
• Metallic accessories and shoes are hot this season-not only do silver and gold go with everything your bridesmaids will be able to wear these items numerous times
• Mix and match jewelry- suggest to your bridesmaids the type of jewelry you would like them to wear (gold, silver, pearls) and allow them to wear pieces they already own. They will save money and be comfortable wearing pieces they are confident in
• Cocktail length dresses are all the rage- they are less expensive and more versatile for your ladies to wear in the future
• Black and purple- both colors are new trends for bridesmaid dresses

Standing Out From The Pack

• Wear a jacket the is subtly different from that of your groomsmen;  you wear a double breasted jacket while the groomsmen wear a single breasted jacket, they wear 3 buttons, you wear one
• Change up the boutonniere; instead of wearing the same boutonniere as the groomsmen, add something special to yours such as a sprig of herbs or berries. While staying within the same color family as the rest of the wedding party, choose a flower that is similar but not the same, opt for 2-3 flowers instead of just one or choose a fully blossomed flower while the groomsmen wear the bud of the flower
• Let your neck wear stand out. Choose a tie that is a different color from the groomsmen. They can go with a color that matches the bridesmaid dresses and you can opt for white (or silver); or choose an entirely different style of neckwear from the groomsmen, you go with a bow tie while they wear a necktie
• Wear a vest that stands out, or even opt for a cummerbund

For the Moms

• Consult with the bride beforehand to see what she envisions you wearing
• Match your outfit with the bridal party’s as far as formality
• Choose a color that complements you but does not clash with the wedding colors. Stay away from white, cream and ivory
• Talk to the other mother (of the groom or bride) to coordinate outfits. The colors do not have to be the same however, you should be on the same page as far as the length of the skirt and sleeves
• Learn your body type and choose a style that best suits your body

About Kat:

Your image is a powerful resource. The way you present yourself and dress has a considerable influence on your success. First impressions cannot be recreated. Confident Image wants to be your partner in success. Through our individualized services, we strive to enhance your presence by building your confidence in your appearance. Confident Image believes that everyone is a unique individual; therefore, we tailor all services to compliment your personal style.

Tips for Brides

Finding the right photographer for your wedding is one of the most important decisions you will have to make–you will have to spend the entire day with the person you hire, so you should like them and get to know their personality before the big day. We recognize that we are not the perfect photographer for every couple, but we want everybody to have great memories and fabulous photos.

Here are a few questions you should ask your photographer:

Q. Will you be taking the photos on my wedding day?

A. Some studios hire other photographers to cover weddings when they book more than one per day. At BH Photography, we only book one wedding per day and Brian shoots every one.

Q. What camera equipment do you have?

A. Photographers should have at minimum two cameras, and this is for one simple reason–equipment can break. We carry a main camera and a backup camera, four lenses, and multiple flashes. Everything in our camera bag has a backup. You can also get a feeling for how knowledgeable a photographer is by how much s/he knows about their equipment. Also it is good to know if they will be using film or digital. We primarily shoot all weddings in digital but are capable of adding images captured by film.

Q. Do you use an assistant? Is there an extra charge for an assistant?

A. Photographers who use an assistant are more efficient. Assistants are essential to organizing people for each shot and keeping the photography flow moving. All of our packages include Photographer and Assistant, and there is no extra charge for the assistant.

Q. What happens if you become sick?

A. We have created a strong network with local and international wedding photographers who we communicate with on a regular basis. In the case of extreme illness, there are multiple photographers that we can call on to capture your day, and of course, we would notify our bride and groom of the change. Thankfully, we have never had to find a replacement.

Q. Are other people allowed to take photos at the same time?

A. The answer to this question depends on your preferences. Most photographers, including ourselves do not allow other photographers when capturing the formal photos. The main reason for this is that other cameras create a distraction, and when there is more than one camera present, some members of the group will be looking at our camera and some will be looking at the other cameras.

Q. Are you full time or part time? Why did you choose to be a wedding photographer?

A. Most wedding photographers also have day jobs and choose to shoot weddings because they enjoy it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this–it’s not a job to them, it’s a passion. When we started our company,  I was also working full time and shooting weddings on the weekends. I now have to opportunity to mainly work as a professional photographer and it’s what I enjoy the most. It’s not a job, it’s my career and yes, it truly is my passion.

Q. If my event runs longer than expected, will you stay? Do you charge for this?

A. Every photographer should be willing to stay if your event lasts longer than expected. We are more than happy to stay longer, and do not expect to be paid for the extra hours before we stay; this is your special day and we strive to help you make it the best possible.

Q. Do you take photos in colour or black and white?

A. We capture all of our digital images in colour and offer to convert to black and white, or other effects after the fact. If the images are captured in black and white, they cannot be converted to colour. When using film, our preference is to use true black and white film as it will create a different effect for the images–this is the main reason we will use a film camera for a portion of the day.

Q. Can I provide you with a list of must have photos?

A. We provide all of our brides with a ”shoot list” to be checked off and added to our files so that we can attempt to capture every photo you would like. Although my assistant uses the list to organize the time you have set aside for your portraits, a list can’t guarantee all the photos will be taken simply due to time delays and other events out of our control.

Q. What do you wear on the day of our wedding?

A. On the day of your wedding, we will dress to the theme of the occasion.  Brian usually wears a black suit with a black / dark shirt, and tie if required. Ivanette wears dark dress clothes. We dress in black / dark so that it is easier for us to blend in if you have a videographer or other photographers. We always wear proper dress clothes and never show up in jeans (unless that’s your dress code, of course!).

Q. How long will it take you to have our proofs ready?

A. We guarantee your proofs will be online within 3 weeks but it usually only takes 2 weeks.

Q. What products are offered?

A. We offer a wide range of products for albums and prints. Ask to see examples.

Q. Can I see a complete wedding?

A. This is one key question to ask to make sure that the photographer will create the images you deserve. For a full day wedding, a photographer can capture over 1000 images, so it’s not hard to have a couple “keepers” per wedding. Anybody can capture a great photo or two out of thousands. Always ask your photographer to show you a complete wedding. We have no problem showing a complete wedding to anybody who requests it.

Q. Will my photos be all over the Internet after our wedding?

A. It’s good to know what your photographer is going to do with your photos. Most of our brides and grooms have given us permission to use their photos as part of our portfolio and blog. Some however, for personal reasons prefer not to have their photos posted, and of course we have no problem respecting that.

Q. Do you have liability insurance?

A. Yet another important question. Every professional photographer should have insurance to protect themselves if they get injured or damage equipment during a wedding. Insurance is also required by any photographer who attends trade shows or workshops. We carry complete liability and damage insurance.

Q. Have you handled an event our size before?

A. Weddings are a joyous occasion, regardless of the size. That being said, your photographer should be able to capture all of those special moments, whether you have 20 guests or 250.  To date, we have worked at weddings with over 300 guests and have provided continuous coverage from 8am until 2am the following day.

Q. Do you charge for travel? What hidden costs are involved?

A. We do not charge for travel within 200kms of Ottawa. For regions outside of that area our travel charges are very reasonable and up front. There are no hidden costs with us; your investment is outlined completely, with taxes of course being added. When providing our package investment information, we provide all of our a la carte pricing as well. This way you know ahead of time what any extra prints or products will cost.

Q. What are your refund / cancellation terms?

A. Most photographers charge a deposit to reserve your date–ours is 25% of the package total. We have never been asked for a refund, however we would look at each request on a case by case basis  ie: If the groom is suddenly deployed out of country for the military, we would have no problem offering a refund or putting the funds towards a new date.

Q. Who do you use to print our photographs? Do you do it yourself?

A. There are a wide array of options available today to have photographs, especially digital processed, from 19 cent grocery store prints to professional labs. Home printers are also available. We only use a professional lab located in Ottawa who has been serving professional photographers for over 40 years. We pay a premium for our prints to ensure top quality. The prints are created using archival quality inks and papers and are guaranteed not to fade for 100 years, making it possible for your photos to become treasured family heirlooms.