5 Things You NEED At Your Wedding!
Being a wedding photographer I think I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn’t. I’ve seen everything from the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. If you’re someone who is currently in the process of planning their wedding, I’ve come up with a list of the 5 things you absolutely need to have at your wedding (and generally what they cost).
Disposable Cameras ($19.99 per camera)
Via @dub.disposables on Instagram
Now, this may be a little bias as I would consider myself to be a bit of a disposables connoisseur. Something about them makes such a unique and memorable addition to any event, especially your wedding. One thing you might be asking yourself is, “I’m spending all this money on a professional photographer. Why would I get cheap disposable cameras too?”. That’s a fair question. The answer is simple. They make for some of the most incredible candid moments of your wedding. Everyone knows how to use them and no one feels weird getting their picture taken by one. I’ve seen it all too often at weddings when I approach guests to take their picture, they suddenly forget how to be a person and they’re standing there in the most awkward position like a discount store mannequin. For whatever reason, when someone sees a photographer with a professional camera it just makes them so uncomfortable. Disposable cameras take that awkwardness out of the equation and allows the guests to capture almost a BTS (behind the scenes) look at your wedding. They’re also relatively cheap to buy and allow you to have tangible photos you can hold onto forever. I HIGHLY recommend adding disposable cameras to your list.
Live Wedding Painter ($600 - $6,000)
Via @bychloecampbell on Instagram
Now, this one is something that is still on the rise amongst wedding couples but is definitely on my list for good reason. Everyone gets a wedding photographer. It’s an absolute must have staple for your big day. It’s one of the best ways to capture the magic of your wedding and to look back on it for decades to come. However, if you’re looking to add something truly unique that you will cherish forever. I highly suggest considering a live wedding painter. I have only seen a few wedding painters, but they are truly incredible artists. Typically, wedding painters will sit back and paint the reception as it is with all of the guests during the first dance. Then, they’ll paint the couple into the center of the painting using a reference picture they’ve either taken themselves or have borrowed from your photographer. This is a really cool and different way to both entertain your guests as they are able to watch the painter in real-time but also to capture a special moment like your first dance. You can check out some really cool examples on TikTok!
Couples Drinks ($1,000 - $2,500)
If you’re a couple who enjoys drinking then this one is for you! I’ve seen a considerable increase in the amount of couples who have decided to add the option of Couples drinks, or sometimes also referred to as “His & Her” drinks. This is either served after the ceremony during the cocktail hour or is the drink options served that night at the bar. The goal of Couples Drinks is to showcase a specific custom drink that represents both of the individuals getting married. Often that persons favorite drink. Many times I have seen the grooms drink either be a specific type or beer or in many cases an “Old Fashioned”. The brides drink will usually be something a little sweeter, like a moscato wine or mixed drink, such as a “Cape Cod”. Either way, this is a really awesome way to showcase each of your unique tastes!
Fake Flowers ($15 - $30 per bouquet)
Okay, hear me out. Real flowers are expensive and require a ton of maintenance in the days leading up to your wedding. They can cause an incredible amount of stress for the couple and will ultimately be thrown out after the wedding. A lot of couples have actually been getting all of their flowers from vendors on Etsy as a replacement for the real thing. They’re able to create the same unique and beautiful color combinations, all while eliminating the headache of having to worry if your flowers are going to be dead on your wedding day. Not to mention, you’re able to keep and hold onto them long after your wedding day has ended. My favorite part about fake flowers as opposed to real ones, is you can’t even tell they’re fake! There have been quite a few times that I’ve been admiring how beautiful a couples flowers are only to realize they’re not even real. It’s also a fantastic way to save money on the budget. Real flowers are often very expensive. This is definitely something worth considering during your planning process.
Cell Phone Bucket ($25 - $50)
I’ll admit, I’m definitely being biased with this one. Nothing drives me crazy like looking back at a clients wedding photos and seeing someone’s aunt, uncle, grandmother, or friend leaning into the aisle during the ceremony just to take a picture on their cell phone or iPad. If you only get one thing from this list, let it be a cell phone bucket. It’s a simple and safe spot for your wedding guests to put their phones until AFTER your ceremony is finished. You have spent the money hiring a professional to take your wedding photos and your guests are there to celebrate an incredible moment in your life. The least your guests can do is unplug for the next 30 minutes to an hour and enjoy your ceremony. It will make your photographer’s life so much easier and can guarantee that your wedding photos will be distraction free!
I hope I was able to give you at least one idea to add to your big day! Obviously, these are all just suggestions and you are free to add and remove to your wedding day as you like. After all, its your big day. Not anyone else’s. Anyway, that’s it for this weeks blog! I’ll talk to y’all next week. - Matt