Sometimes I do weddings.
But I will be brutally honest, not all weddings float my boat. I’m probably more an anti-wedding photographer, than your traditional wedding photographer. And maybe anti-wedding isn’t the right way to put it. Maybe I’m more anti stuffy old traditions, and more pro lets celebrate the things that make you uniquely you.
I love to celebrate love. And Family. And friends. And all things important in life.
But you know what I’m not into? Perfection.
Don’t get me wrong, I want your day to go as smoothly as you do. But what I’m not concerned with is it being a magazine worthy wedding. I’d much, MUCH rather be a part of day that celebrates all things that are you. And not whatever current trend is happening at the moment.
I honestly don’t care how much your dress costs. Sorry if that’s a bit blunt. Or how many guests you have. What brand beer you’re serving. Unless these are things that are uniquely YOU. Then I’m all for it.
I’m not into bowing into pressure to make the day perfect for everyone else but you. It happens far too often that people get too caught up in the ‘should do’s because that’s how it’s always been done. And I’m all for that, but I’m not here to judge if that’s what you really want.
But I’m just not really into old traditions. Most of which are a bit archaic and old fashioned, and honestly, if you actually looked into why they started, then you might not want to do them either. But hey, if you’re up for it, then I’ll capture it!
The Tradition: Not seeing each other the morning before the wedding?
The Meaning: This harks back to when weddings were more arranged business dealings between families, than for love. It was feared that one or other would pull out upon seeing their betrothed and the wedding (aka business deal) wouldn’t go ahead.
The Alternative: Get ready together, or do a first look before your ceremony, or just treat it like any other function you go to together.
The Tradition: The bride being walked down the aisle by her father/brother/father figure?
The Meaning: Again, this tradition started when weddings were business dealings and women were seen as property to be traded and given away, upon payment of a dowry. She was literally handed from one man to another…
The Alternative: You do you. Want to walk down the aisle alone? How about walking down the aisle together? Or not even having an aisle?
The Tradition: Bridesmaids?
The Meaning: Traditionally they dressed the same as the bride in order to confuse evil spirits which might want to ruin her happiness or carry her away!
The Alternative: You could have some of your best friends/sisters/cousins/whoever hang around in the morning to help you get ready and drink champagne with, but if you want, you don’t have to have ‘bridesmaids’ and they don’t have to stand next to you at the alter. Imagine all those bitter feels not being felt, as there’s no one to leave out!
The Tradition: Best Man?
The Meaning: ‘Best swordsman’ were there, skills and swords intact, to fight off the brides family if she’d been kidnapped by the groom…
The Alternative: Have some mates around to chill out with the morning of, then let them sit down in the audience and watch the ceremony with everyone else!
The Tradition: Expensive white wedding dress?
The Meaning: Brides were expected to wear their most expensive dress on their wedding day to show off their wealth. And it wasn’t until Queen Victoria in 1840, was the first to famously wear a white dress in 1840, because at the time white fabric was expensive.
The Alternative: Wear what you want! Something comfortable that you might even *gasp* wear again!
The Tradition: Veils?
The Meaning: There’s a few theories here - used to ward off evil spirits; used to cover a brides face before facing her groom at the alter so he didn’t back down from the arrangement; used to symbolise purity.
The Alternative: Don’t wear one if you don’t want…
The Tradition: ALL the guests
The Meaning: Ok, so don’t know this one, but I’m just going to throw it in here. All the family, from obscure Aunt Maisy twice removed, to obnoxious (and let’s face it, drunk) Uncle Frank. Who are only on your list because your mum or gran has told you they MUST be invited.
The Alternative: Don’t invite them. Or anyone you are only inviting because you ‘think’ you have to. You could always elope and have a party with family and friends later!
I’m not here to say screw the traditions. But remember, you have the ability to do your day, your way.
To Pose or not to Pose:
I love the documentary side of capturing weddings. I love being a fly-on-the-wall and trying not to interfere too much - less posing and more natural moments. Yep, I’ll definitely do some posing. I sometimes direct you to move into better light, turn this way or that, bridal parties (if you’ve got one) usually need a little bit or prompting, and for the shots of just the two of you (finally) alone together - I’ll definitely give you some guidance. But what I won’t do is steal you away from your guests and party for hours and hours at a time, just to capture that perfect photo. If we do sunset shots, I’ll literally steal you away from maybe 15 minutes, right on sunset - we’ll duck away from the party to the nearest little spot of quiet sunset light and grab some quick photos.
To Flash or not to Flash:
Sometimes I use flash. But honestly, I much prefer not to. I’ll push my camera to the ends of its abilities in the dark to avoid flash, as I feel that using a flash suddenly takes you straight out of the moment you were in and straight back to school photo day! Predominately, I leave it for some fun dancefloor photos if you want that captured. So yep, sometimes the photos towards the end of your day might look a little grainy and maybe even a tad blurry, but if you, like me, love that imperfect, documentary-type look then we’re all good!
Prices and Packages:
Let’s chat over a few things first:
My first question to you will be do you have any times already locked in with other vendors? Hair and makeup? Ceremony? Catering? etc
My second question will be, do you have an idea on what sort of coverage you’re after for your day? Do you want the whole shebang from getting ready, right through to dance floor shenangian’s - which would usually be in the 8-10 hours ball park. Or are you after a bit less, ceremony, family pics, sunset photos? Depending on the time of year and what time you’ve booked your ceremony for this can be as little as 3 hours. Or maybe you’re eloping and you only want the ceremony and some quick portraits which might only be 2 hours.
I’m more than happy to work with you to get the best value for you for your day. If you haven’t locked in a time for the important parts of the day (eg ceremony/reception) I’m more than happy to give some advice as to how long we need for different things and I can work with you to put together a basic timeline which briefly outlines what your day might look a bit like.
4 hours is $2000
6 hours is $2600
8 hours is $3400
To Travel or not to Travel:
Yep, I’ll travel. Want to go on an adventure, elope and watch the sunset from on top of a mountain? I’m there for you! Got a back paddock you’ve mowed down and put up a tent? Bring it. Want me to capture your wedding in Uluru? Fly me there and I’m yours. Travel fees are additional to the prices quoted, but I cover most places in North East Vic and Southern Riverina without charging extra for travel.