Planning a Wedding? It's All About the Right Vendors

There are around 2.5 million weddings every year in the U.S.A. No one knows how much money is really generated by all of this love but some estimate it over $50 BILLION a year! That is from the dress shop, to the ring shop, to the cake shop, to the tux place, to the flower lady, etc.

My wife and I are wedding photographers. During the past 7 years, we have been to a few weddings, and worked with a TON of different vendors. If you are getting married in Southern California, there is no shortage of wedding vendors! The purpose of this article isn't to bash on any particular wedding vendor, I just wanted to offer some advise when choosing who you will trust with your big day.

With the economy being so horrible, we have noticed that couples are looking for things to cut out to save money. With any financial struggle, comes opportunists. We have seen some amazing wedding photography ads on our local online classifieds where they will pretty much shoot your wedding, make your album, style your hair and do your makeup for around five bucks! Alright, maybe not that cheap but you get my point. If you're resorting to the classifieds for your wedding photography- um, good luck.


Wedding DJ Allan from APC Entertainment rockin' the house! We love this guy.

Referrals are HUGE. If anyone in this industry doesn't have referrals, beware. If they don't have examples of their work, beware. If they are just starting out, it's up to you if you want to gamble with your wedding day!

We once shot a wedding at a very nice country club in Newport Beach, CA and the reception was about the worst we've ever seen. No, don't get me wrong- the couple was beautiful, the table settings were elegant, the food was great, but there was one problem... The DJ was bad. I mean bride running out of the room crying-bad! I'm talking groom asking the DJ to actually leave- bad! Was it their first time? Maybe. Were they a "great deal" not so much. It was sad but I kept asking myself- what made the couple decide to hire THAT DJ? To me, it was obvious that these people never worked a wedding in their lives. I'm sure the couple would've gone a different route if they could do it all over again.

We love to give the vendors we love referrals. It's great to work with professionals who know their fields and it's even better when the couple thanks us after the wedding. Vendors who work together frequently, will make your day 99% problem free. They know what to expect and work together to look out for your wedding day. We typically like to refer owner-operators. They care about their business a little bit more than a hired worker usually does. If you aren't sure about a particular vendor, just ask someone you've already hired. If they will put their name on it, it's as good as gold.

Article originally published here

Southern California's Top Engagement Photography Locations

written by Brian Gilmore
Professional wedding photographer in Newport Beach, CA

An Orange County wedding photographer on Southern California's best engagement photo spots. Tips on how to have a great engagement photo.

When having the first wedding consultation with our clients, the first question we ask them is, "where do you guys want to shoot your engagement session?" Fifty percent of the answer is usually the beach. The other half don't have any idea! The first thing to think about when choosing a location is, what is your style? Are you a fun or goofy couple that wants to run around the boardwalk or are you the more conservative type that wants a more natural look? Once you figure that part out, the rest is all you. The best engagement sessions happen when the couple is having a blast doing it. Loosen up! Be into each other so that the camera catches it. It's also a great idea to bring a couple different outfits (dark and light).

I won't get into details on these locations but I do suggest you always visit your selection beforehand to make sure it's what you want. Since most wedding packages include an engagement session, you'll want to make sure to get it right the first time. Here are my top 10 favorite spots in or around Orange County, CA. Enjoy, and don't forget to have fun!

10. Montage Resort, Laguna Beach

9. Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton

8. Amtrak Train Station, San Juan Capistrano

7. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa

6. Old Towne Orange Circle, City of Orange

5. Balboa Fun Zone, Newport Beach

4. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages, Crystal Cove State Park

3. Victoria Beach, Laguna Beach

2. Mission San Juan Capistrano

1. The Flower Fields, Carlsbad


article published at beyondjane.com

Amazing Engagement Photo Locations in Southern California

We have all seen the engagement photo with the happy couple on the beach. You know- the kissing sunset picture or the girl going on a piggy-back ride while her man tip toes through the water? If you are getting married, you will have to think about where you want to shoot your engagement photos. The question is, do you know where you are going?

These days, many people are looking for something different. We recently shot an engagement session at the old Mission San Juan Capistrano. This is a beautiful location with many different looks and feels. There is a $50 shooting fee that the facility charges but it is worth every penny. The couple ended up with so many perfect shots, it was impossible to choose only one. This is how every session should be!

If you are planning a Spring engagement session (March-May) There is an amazing location outside of San Diego called The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. There are acres upon acres of flowers, gardens, and views of the Pacific Ocean. The cost is $10 per person for admission and there is not a shooting fee. This is by far one of the most original engagement destinations and there are many restaurants nearby to get lunch afterwards. Morning shoots are recommended so you don't have to deal with the crowds.

Beach engagements are by far the most common. What couples don't realize is a good engagement photo can be taken just about anywhere. It's all about having fun, and having an interesting background. We are happy to do sunsets and various barefooted kissing poses, but don't be surprised if you end up picking the photo you took on the way to the sand by a cool brick wall!

Now that you have all of these amazing pictures, what will you do with them next? The typical signature frame with one photo from the engagement is by far the most common. Most couples don't know about some other options available that are much more interesting! You may want to consider an engagement photo book where your guests will get to see all of your favorite photos from your session. They actually sign their names and messages on the pages of the book. Another option we offer is an engagement slide show. This is a collection of your favorite photos set to your music. You just need to make sure there is a spot for a TV at the reception area where your guests can watch as they sign in. The DVD slide show automatically loops so it will be playing all night. The best thing about these 2 options is that you will enjoy them for years and years to come and they won't be stuck in the garage or attic like your signature frame will!

Brian and Jennifer Gilmore are a husband/wife photographer team who specialize in wedding photography.

article published in ezine.com

Tips on Getting the Best Wedding Photos - Ever!

written by Brian Gilmore
Professional Wedding Photographer Newport Beach, CA

Jennifer and I have been shooting weddings together for 7 years now. One thing we have learned is- Newport Beach is a very competitive market with tons of talent right around the corner! To survive in this business, you need to stand out from the competition in any way you can. One way we have tried to stand out is by making sure the bride and groom have amazing photos! Some wedding venues are limited as far as amazing locations go. If this is the case, you may have to stop somewhere between the hotel and the venue or venue and reception (and tell your photographer to come with!).

You will always get the usual- getting ready, ceremony, formals, and reception with any wedding. If this is enough for you, that's great! If you want to make sure you get something amazing- read on.

Photographers will always work with what they get. They are used to looking for the most interesting spot (even when there aren't any) but remember- you are the bride/groom and they will shoot whatever you want! If you ask them to pull over on the way to the church- they will! If Jennifer and I have never been to the wedding location, we leave the studio early and scout the surrounding area for spots. Train tracks, old buildings, brick walls, large trees, steps on someone's front porch- whatever we can find! Most wedding photographers are creative in this way but sometimes they need a little motivation.

Remember, you are spending a lot of money- and you only get one chance at capturing this huge moment in your life. Try spending an extra 30 minutes and get something better than the usual wedding pose.

Brian and Jennifer Gilmore are a husband/wife photographer team who specialize in wedding photography in Newport Beach. Their studio is located on a beautiful 1/2 acre garden near the Newport Back Bay in Orange County, CA.

article published at ezine.com

Why You Need 2 Wedding Photographers on Your Big Day

written by Brian Gilmore
Professional Wedding Photographer Newport Beach, CA

The right wedding photographer will capture and preserve your wedding day for a lifetime. If he/she is doing their job right, they should be documenting everything- as it's happening. Sure, we all have seen the obvious posed pictures that mom loves but the end result should be a time line using only images to tell the story.

One thing you may want to consider when hiring your photographer is simply, how many photographers will be at your wedding? Make sure you ask who will be actually shooting the wedding, as well. You may be dealing with a salesperson when you should be dealing with the photographer. If their is a "second shooter" find out if they are an assistant or a real photographer? An assistant may look like a photographer at first glance but in reality they are usually trainees or $10 an hour helpers.

Why are two better than one?

Having 2 photographers will give you many advantages. One advantage is you will have twice as many images to choose from and multiple angles of the same shot. While you and your bridesmaids are smiling at the main photographer, the second shooter will be getting the same image from a candid position. I have noticed that a lot of my clients will choose the candid image over the "looking at the camera" angle. Having a second shooter will also give you much wider coverage of your wedding. While the girls might be taking forever to get ready at the hotel, the second shooter can be with the guys at the ceremony site (or in many cases, at the bar!) The candid photos of the guys having a blast before the wedding can be priceless. Having 2 photographers can also save a lot of time, if you are having time issues.

There are many other factors when making up your mind about a photographer. Seeing (and liking) their work is important but your personalities clicking is even more important. You'll want your photographer to blend into your wedding party. This will help capture the emotions going on in the room, and let you feel more comfortable showing those emotions. Sometimes your photographers appearance, age, or even sense of humor can make or break the deal. (same goes for DJ's, too!)

Brian and Jennifer Gilmore are a husband/wife photographer team who specialize in wedding photography in Orange County, CA.

article published at ezine.com

Wedding Signature Frames vs. Guest Books and Slide Shows

Wedding Signature Frames vs. Guest Books and Slide Shows

written by Brian Gilmore Feb 17, 2009

Professional Wedding Photographer from Newport Beach, CA

We've all signed a guest book or a signature frame at a wedding. Good luck, we love you both, etc. What do most couples do with their books and frames a year later? Most of them end up in a drawer, or an attic, never to be viewed until discovered again. There has to be something better.

I am a professional wedding photographer in Newport Beach, CA. For the last 7 years, I have gone to countless weddings (as a guest or a photographer) and realized that most people choose the signature frame or the guest book. Yaaaawwwnnnnn. I am now going to attempt to change this boring practice for everyone about to get married!

First question- Are you really going to want a picture of you and your spouse wearing similar outfits (usually at the beach) with sharpie scribbled names on the wall of your new home? I'm guessing- no. Will you proudly display a white book with some ribbon wrapped around it- half the pages still blank, and the other half covered with bad handwriting that you can't even read on your new coffee table? My guess is- this will end up in a box somewhere until you move and re-discover it!


Typical wedding signature frame

In our photography business, we love taking amazing engagement pictures. The most common response we hear after our clients have viewed their images is, "there is no way we can pick one!" That is what we hope they will say, actually- because this opens the door to destroying the traditional signature frame!


Custom engagement signature books come in every size.

There are three options that we offer them at this point. First being the custom photo guest book. This is a hardcover one of a kind book with 50 or so images from the engagement session where the guests will write directly on the pages with whatever color paint pen they want. This type of book will never get lost in a box. It captured the entire day of the engagement shoot (that your guests will love to see while thay are signing it) and you will love flipping through for years to come. A lot of our clients make them the same size as their wedding album and display them together.


DVD slide show can combine engagement with childhood photos.

The next option is a DVD slide show of the best images of the engagement session. You can use a small TV or lap top on the same table as your guest book or seating cards. We make the DVD automatically loop so it can play throughout the entire reception and you even choose the music. This is an inexpensive option and it's something you and your spouse will watch again someday.


Engraved signature frame

The last option is for those that can't live without the signature frame. It's a signature frame without sharpies or paint pens! They are called "Engraved wedding frames" There are quite a few companies making these now and they are around the same price as a traditional signature frame. Your guests use a special diamond tipped pen that actually scratches into a really nice silver metallic mat. It's something you actually could hang on the wall because the writing is engraved into it.

article published at Beyondjane.com