Picture Perfect by Allie

One of things a lot of girls panic about when it comes to their wedding (besides the dress and the guest list and the venue...) is the photographer. Who in this world will they trust with the perfect pictures of the best day of their lives? Do they go artsy? Traditional? Do you just wing it? How do you prepare for the pictures that will last you a lifetime?

To be perfectly honest, I got my photographer by sheer luck two days before my wedding. Yes, I am serious.

How did that happen you ask? Well, it's a funny story...

Ryan, my husband, and I got engaged in December 2009 when I was an intern at Walt Disney World. Our wedding was May 1, 2010 due to Ryan's job in the Marines and other varying time factors (although it did annoy me how many people asked me if I was pregnant. Yes, I am planning a wedding for four months away so I will be the size of a house on my wedding day. Ok, not everyone who is young gets married for that reason! I was 22 when I got married, and no, not pregnant).

I arrived back home post-internship the first week in January and had about four months to plan. My Mom nearly fell over when she heard that time frame. We had no choice but to jump into action. I got my dress the week I got home to NJ at David's Bridal. It was the third or fourth one I tried on and I just knew. We booked the venue that month too. Save the Dates, Invites, Guest Lists, Bridal Party... but what about a photographer?

"Well, Pono is a combat trained photographer and he offered to do our pictures for free."
"You want a military trained combat photographer to shoot our wedding?
"For free!"

So that was our plan. But as is life with the military, things happen. We had one groomsman back out early on when he got orders to move to CA. Ok make do. Then we lost another one a month before the wedding because a family situation arose. Ok we can handle this. Two days before the wedding we lose another one. No reason. He and his wife just backed out in a voicemail.

Well. Crap.

Being that my husband is a Marine he was doing the arch of swords with all his groomsmen (and my grandfather, a retired Sgt Major). He needed another Marine. But the arch is important, and can't be just anyone in it. Everyone should mean something. Enter Pono, our photographer.

I get this phone call the day before my Bachelorette Party when my Maid of Honor and I are at the mall getting her earrings.

"So, Sgt ___ and his wife backed out."
"...What?"
"They're not coming."
"Why??"
"No reason. I want Pono in the arch, he can be a groomsman and do both right?"
"Ryan, how are we going to get a picture of our ceremony or our arch when our photographer is in it?"
"Oh. Well, we're under budget right?"
"You expect me to find a photographer in 48 hours that can do our wedding in a low price range?"
"Yes?"

I wanted to cry in the jewelry department of Macy*s. I think I did. Panicked phone call to my mom ensues... what do I do?!

My mom, saving grace she is, calls her best friend Fran, who I love dearly. Fran is from Hoboken (think Cake Boss on TLC) and is amazing. She saved our butts on more than one occasion and is one of the greatest ladies, she is like family! And of course she has a cousin who is a professional photographer. Oh my god. Really!?

Two phone calls later we had not just one photographer, but two! Allan and his assistant. He gave us an amazing deal for being "like family" and for Ryan being in the military. We literally paid half of what we should have.

Advice, do not wait for the last minute for a photographer. Shop around. Some places will do free engagement sessions included in your wedding package (I WISH, but last minute is last minute...) so don't be afraid to visit a lot of places. Or better yet, go to Bridal Shows! It is a great way to see a lot of vendors at once. Bring some home made labels so you don't fill out 320,598 forms. I just had my name, address, email, cell number, and wedding date on it and took two seconds to print at home... much better than filling out form after form. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts (especially military!) or specials. If you get married on a week day or "off season" it tends to be cheaper.

Also, look online at other people's pictures. Make a list of your desired shots. We found a generic one online last minute, but my one request was a silhouette shot... and it is one of my most favorite wedding pictures.




I wish I had more "fun" pictures with my bridal party, we have a lot of serious pose-y ones but not enough just having fun. I also wish I had more with me and my family. Ryan's family is a lot smaller so he got pictures with nearly everyone, I was so busy running around I didn't even think about it! I wish my husband wasn't so anti-picture so we could have had a few more together.... but it is what it is. We have beautiful pictures that will last us a lifetime. That's all that matters.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You only get married once (well, usually). It is a day to be happy and in love. If something goes wrong, it happens. Don't let it ruin your special moment with the person you love. Just enjoy being there to start your lives together. That is what is truly, picture perfect.


I'll leave you with a few more pictures, thanks for reading and good luck ladies!

To see more of my wedding pictures check out my blog page here and if you're in the New Jersey area consider Allan Reider to be your Photographer!