When planning for your wedding photographer every detail is important -- Here is a guide of links and resources that we have found helpful, and maybe you will too

Booking Photographers schedules fill up fast for the prime wedding dates May through August and on Saturday. If you're planning a wedding for one of these hot times -- BOOK EARLY! One year is not unreasonable to get the photographer you want. On California's mild central coast though anytime of year we can find great weather. If your having a small more intimate wedding, you might find your locations and photographers are more likely available on a Friday or Sunday. To save some money you could plan a fall/winter wedding for November or December, or an early Spring January, February, or March. We have some great budget packages for the "off season" and "off day" events.

Time Everything you do this day will take up much of your time. The better you plan it out--the more relaxed and happier you will be. For the photographer a plan is better than haphazard. Due to normal wedding etiquette the bride and groom try to avoid each other on the wedding day until the bride walks down the aisle. This means that couple pictures and most of the traditional formal photographs need to be taken after the wedding and before the reception. This period of time you will have to plan for. Since the ceremony and reception location and times are usually booked before the photographer one area people usually end up feeling rushed is during this crucial in between locations. You get what you plan for and plenty of time between both the ceremony and reception is the photographer's moment. They may have already been worrying and taking candid, but here is the opportunity to get lasting memorable photographs that your grand-children can cherish. One hour is a minimum, but that is just for the photographer actually shooting pictures, on either side of that you may need 15-30 minutes to gather the wedding party, grandparents, and anyone else you've pre-chosen for formal portraits. The larger your must have list the more time the photographer needs. If the Reception is in a separate location consider actual travel time plus gathering your various guests and set reasonable buffers because nothing ever goes as smoothly as you may plan. Add extra time if you want photos in another location than either the ceremony or reception like a park or the beach. If you plan accurately everybody will be so much more relaxed. Make sure your wedding party and guests know where they need to be and when. Their people so don't be surprised if they still aren't in place but at least you did all you could. When your prepared well in advance with plenty of time, then you can relax on your wedding and enjoy you photos for many years.

Styles This is you...who are you...if you want stunning photographs, or just lifetime memories either is the hands of both the creative art of the photographer, and you. The photographer doesn't pick locations and allow for enough time you do, but she can help you plan and decide. Find some photos you like and want for your own wedding, and discuss how that might be achieved with the photographer. If you're at a great location like the Santa Maria Inn or Shore Cliff Lodge in Pismo there are lots of opportunities and your photographer can help you. Or find a photographer you know you like their work and give them location, time, and artistic freedom. This will save you some planning time.

Lists The main list a photographer needs is the shoot list...not who you want to shoot dead, but who your photographer will shoot with their camera. Get this to the photographer before your wedding and communicate to your guests that you want these photos. If Aunt Mildred doesn't know she'll head to reception and nobody can find her. Find a friend or close relative who knows nearly everybody by sight and can help the photographers organize the myriad of family relations. Note any touchy areas that the photographer might not be aware of like a stepmother you specifically don't want in the picture. Finally, be flexible you may not be every picture you desired in your portfolio, because life happens, and the photographer is not omnipotent.

Links

A great regional resource for everything else...

A great Central Coast florist...

A great Central Coast makeup artist...

One stop shopping...and register for gifts too