Charm School (for Brides!) with CSE, p.5 | Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Best Wedding Photographer

CSE's Charm School is back in session! Today the talented girls of Commerce Street Events are consulting with lovely Nashville photographer and friend, Abigail Bobo, about the challenges of finding the perfect wedding photographer. I think you'll find these tips extremely helpful. Take it away, girls!

"Hello there! My name is Abigail Bobo; I'm an editorial wedding photographer in Nashville, Tenn., with a background in magazine work. I shoot both film and digital in a fine art, documentary style. Finding a fantastic wedding photographer can be a big project for many brides. While photographers abound in most areas, digging up a truly competent professional with a genuine eye and heart for photography can sometimes be difficult. These are my little-known tips for selecting an excellent wedding photographer.

No. 1 | First and foremost, budget should not be your #1 criteria in choosing the person who will document your day. According to MyWedding.com, statistically, the vendor that couples are most likely to regret is their photographer. This is because photographs are the only thing that you keep from your wedding aside from your dress, your rings, a slice of frozen cake and a video if you hire a videographer. You won't realize their importance until after your wedding day. I can't tell you how many heartbreaking stories I've heard from couples who have used an unskilled photographer who was selected based on price. Therefore, cut budget in other areas if you must, but this is the place to spend and not to save.

No. 2 | A little-known fact about choosing a wedding photographer is that personality compatibility should be high on your priority list. You'll be spending hours before the wedding working out details with your photographer, then 8-10 hours of a very special day working in close quarters together. Therefore, you should look for someone who is warm, fun, outgoing, polite, pleasant, laid-back but organized, sensitive to your needs and who you genuinely enjoy being around.

No. 3 | Make sure that you know what style of photographs you love. Do you dig poses? Or are you looking for a more relaxed experience? Google 'fine art wedding photography' and 'documentary wedding photography'; most modern photographers tend to fall into one of these categories. emotion. Consider what end product you're looking for and what experience you'll have on your wedding day. Along with photograph style, ask yourself if you want a photographer who can shoot film or someone that shoots digital or who shoots both. Film photography has taken the wedding world by storm with good reason; it has beautiful natural tones, smooth grain and flattering softness. However, it's not great in dark lighting situations and sometimes things can go wrong with undeveloped film. Conversely, digital photography works well for a wide variety of lighting situations but may or may not have the look that you want.

No. 4 | Be sure to ask lots of questions! Consider what products are included or not included in your package. Will you get digital files? A gallery? A disc or a USB? An album? How much are their a la carte items?

No. 5 | Know what additional services you can add on after you've signed the contract. Need an album? A duplicate USB for your mom? An extra hour of party coverage? Know what and if you can add on later.

No. 6 | Listen to your instinct. Do you love everything about them, from their portfolio to their personality to their branding? Go for it!

Found your dream photographer? Yay! Realize that your photographer will likely not hold the date without a contract and a deposit. A good rule of thumb is to get your venue and date down, then your planner, then your photographer.

After you've booked...

No. 7 | Don't overwhelm your photographer with Pinterest boards of shots. If you've hired a genuine artist and competent photographer, they'll make you a uniquely you Pinterest star. To borrow a Pinterest quote, "Why copy when you can be an original?" ;)

No. 8 | Do keep your photographer up to speed on timeline, venue restrictions, family issues such as divorce and a list of group shots that you need. Make sure that they have the information they will need to succeed.

No. 9 | Don't stress on the day of your wedding. Hopefully you've hired a great team like Commerce Street Events to take care of your every need, but whether you have or have not, on your wedding day, channel your inner zen and cue the Frozen song. (That's Let It Go if you're uninitiated!) Your stress level can show in your photographs, so simply set an intention to enjoy everything and relax.

No. 10 | On the day of the wedding, ignore your photographer. I mean it. Don't even think about the fact that you're being photographed; hopefully you've found someone to shoot your wedding who you feel yourself around and you can utterly let go. If you focus on your new spouse, the ceremony and celebration, then you can let joy fill your heart. Your photographs will glow with happiness!

Thanks so much for reading! Best wishes on your search for a wedding photographer. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me through my site if you have any questions."

Thanks so much to Abigail and the girls of Commerce Street Events for sharing these great tips! You can connect with Abigail through her site or her blog. And please feel free to leave a comment on this post if you'd like to chime in or ask a question. :)

ps. Just click on "Bridal Charm School" in the label section of this post to catch up on all of CSE's Charm School posts.

Images: Abigail Bobo

Charm School (for Brides!) with CSE, p. 4: Dress Shopping, Continued

CSE's Charm School is back in session! Today we're joining the girls at Modern Trousseau, a sweet wedding boutique in downtown Nashville, where our faux bride, Megan, tries on dress after dress! Morgan, of Commerce Street Events, and Megan's friend (and faux maid of honor), Lilly, are her cheerleaders and are helping to guide her in choosing the perfect wedding dress. CSE is also dishing on the top dress trends of the season! Enjoy!

Says Morgan, of CSE, "Megan was whisked away into the dressing room after making her selections with champagne in hand, and with her first step out of the room Lilly and the rest of the CSE team gasped. When Megan looked at herself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror she exclaimed that she never wanted to take the gown off. The team and the Modern Trousseau ladies didn't think that a different dress could top the first, but dress after dress was just as enchanting. It was difficult for everyone to decide which gown was best for the Fall wedding shoot.

Top (classic) wedding trends of the season
No. 1 | Lace is always a simple and elegant fabric choice for any bride.
No. 2 | Colored wedding gowns are a new trend for the bride that wants to make a statement. Think blush pink, pale mint green or a dusty blue. Adding a sprinkle of colored sequins on a full tulle skirt could be fun, too (think gold!).
No. 3 | 1920s styled dresses are always a classic choice for any bride.
No. 4 | A call back to black tie is also huge this year - look for long trains and flowing veils.

The morning at Modern Trousseau was a fun start to the Charm School series, and Commerce Street Events is so grateful to Modern Trousseau for sharing the gorgeous gown that Megan will be wearing in our faux wedding shoot in the fall."

Which dress is your favorite? You'll have to wait until the fall to see which dress the girls chose but don't worry, there will be lots more ahead that the CSE team will be happy to dish on so stay tuned for the next installment of the Charm School series!

ps. Just click on "Bridal Charm School" in the label section of this post to catch up on all of the Charm School posts.

Credits: Photographer: Commerce Street Events 

Charm School (for Brides!) with CSE, p. 3: Dress Shopping

As promised on Friday, CSE's Charm School is back in session once again today (and tomorrow!). The sweet gals from Commerce Street Events, of Nashville, are going dress shopping today with our faux bride, Megan, and they're sharing all their intel on finding that perfect dress! Hope you enjoy their adventure and great tips!

The girls chose to visit Modern Trousseau, a cute, little wedding dress boutique in downtown Nashville. 

Says Morgan, of CSE, "The right side of the store is covered with white dresses of every kind that could leave brides overwhelmed with bridal madness. It's often helpful for the bride to bring her planner along. With the planner at her side, the bride will be able to gain insight into which dress would coordinate with the wedding venue, flowers and season. Those little details can often be the furthest thing from a bride’s mind which is why it's helpful to have the trusty planner in tow. I had way too much fun with Megan and her faux maid of honor, Lilly, picking out gowns that would flatter her the most.

Tips on choosing the perfect dress

No. 1 | Find a dress that fits your personality and that you feel comfortable wearing. 

No. 2 | Make sure the fit of the dress flatters every aspect of your body

No. 3 | Bring the appropriate amount of people along whose opinions you trust

No. 4 | Have a family member or friends take photos of each dress you try on so you can look back later and compare for yourself without letting other opinions influence you.

No. 5 | Don't feel pressured to "say yes to the dress" at the first boutique you visit. It's an important decision. Give yourself time to think about the styles and how you felt in the dresses. Visit several shops to get an idea of what's available to you (price points, styles, labels, etc.)

No. 6 | Don't forget about accessories. Sometimes, a simple sash or veil can really complete the look and make you feel like a bride!

Thanks so much for this great installment to the series, girls! And tune in tomorrow to see which dresses Megan tries on + CSE's advice on the top wedding trends of the season! See you tomorrow!

ps. Read their first post on wedding planning basics if you missed it! And just click on "Bridal Charm School" in the label section of this post to read all of the Charm School posts.

Credits: Photographer: Commerce Street Events

Charm School (for Brides!) with CSE, p.2 : Homework Before Dress Shopping

Hey friends, we're back with a new Charm School Series Post! As you know, the talented gals from Commerce Street Events, of Nashville, are guiding us through the entire process of planning a wedding from start to finish! Today, the girls are prepping to go wedding dress shopping and they're sharing all the homework you should do before you hit the shops! 

  

Bridal Homework Before Going Dress Shopping

Bridal gown shopping can be very overwhelming and emotional for not just the bride, but also mothers and friends. It can also be a frustrating experience if the bride is not happy with her body or not sure what she wants. We always suggest the bride do a little homework before shopping to help make it a positive experience. Follow these tips before going dress shopping:  

1 | Browse wedding magazines, blogs and Pinterest to get an idea of what style of wedding gown you may like. Make a portfolio of your favorite styles and bring it with you to the bridal salon so they can get a visual sense of what you like.

2 | For the first time trying on dresses, be warned that wedding gowns run small. Do not pay attention to the size; most bridal stores have sample gowns in sample sizes. Focus on how you look in the gown.

3 | Allow the consultant to pull some dresses that s/he may believe will fit your body and the style of wedding.

4 | Bring appropriate undergarments with you to the bridal salon as well as similar shoes you will be wearing on the big day.

5 | Lastly, it’s fun trying on wedding gowns, enjoy yourself and have a glass of champagne!

Make sure you tune in Monday + Tuesday to see the girls hit Modern Trousseau, a darling wedding dress boutique in downtown Nashville while they cheer our faux bride, Megan, on as she tries on dress after dress. The team will also be dishing on top dress trends and tips for choosing the perfect dress! 

ps. Read their first post on wedding planning basics if you missed it! And just click on "Bridal Charm School" in the label section of this post to read all of the Charm School posts.

Credits: Photographer: Commerce Street Events

Sips and Supper | How to Throw a Dinner Party by Commerce Street Events

Ever wonder how an event planner throws a dinner party? Today we're going to take a peek inside the home of Cari Johns Isham, CEO of Commerce Street Events, while she throws a blooming bash for some of her closest friends to celebrate the start of spring! And the soft colors and pretty style couldn't translate more beautifully for a bridal or wedding shower! ;)

From CSE, "Each guest received a hand-delivered invitation with fresh flowers in a mason jar and hand dyed silk ribbon. From the start, the CSE team wanted to create a very personalized experience for her guests. Since this was a smaller event, the little details made a big impression.

Shades of blue combined with pops of pink were the perfect color selections for this seasonal affair. The florist, a friend of Cari’s, created a long arrangement that included hydrangeas and peonies for the centerpiece.

After cocktail hour, guests found personalized mini easels at each place setting. Even the caterer was on board with incorporating fresh spring flavors in the menu. Cari played dinner music in the background with artists such as John Mayer and Ray LaMontagne.

Guests were able to pick up a make-your-own-mojito kit on the way out to keep the party flowing even at home."

Thanks so much to CSE for sharing this darling dinner party - I feel so inspired! xx.

Want more CSE goodness?
- See how Cari enjoys mimosas with her maids before her wedding.
- Check out this gorgeously preppy one-year anniversary styled by CSE.
- And head over to CSE's blog! :)

Credits: Event Styling and Production: Commerce Street Events / Photography: Rachel Moore Photography / Catering: Catering & Events by Suzette / Venue: Private Residence / Florals: Oshi Flowers / Invitations: Ink Nashville / Linen: La Tavola Fine Linen

THIS POST SPONSORED BY:

Find out more about in-post ads: theclassicbride@gmail.com