Do's and Don'ts... | DGR Photography - Gauteng Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer

Over the course of the last few years being a full time wedding photographer I have noticed some Do’s and Don’ts that I would like to share with everyone of you reading this.

Most wedding days are joyous occasions, but they are also one of the most stressful day any groom and bride can ever image… don’t get me wrong its not because your Aunt from Cape Town is here or because the Florist is running late.. Nope the biggest reason why this day is so stressful is simply because this day is all about you.. Everyone is there to chat to you, to see you to take a photo of you and to have a drink with you.. They are there to hear the vows you will be saying and check out the gorgeous dress you will be wearing and off course this day is stressful because it is the start of a Marriage..

This brings me to my first Don’t, As it is your wedding day and everyone is there for you It can easily become an exhausting day trying to get around to everyone, so my word of caution is not to not, have a good time with your friends, family and loved ones but.…Enjoy the day for what it is, don’t be to worried about all the guests, you will see them again, spend your first day as Husband and Wife with each other, within the moment. Try to breath it in, take a few silent moments with each other, dance more than you would have ever and enjoy it as this is only the beginning of your love story that you will one day tell to your children. {And by then you just might forget a few of your guests names}

My second Don’t is a bit of a complex one, special being in an South African climate where we all love DIY, but I have seen it happen over and over, the Bride is supposed to sit in her bridal suite getting pampered and drinking Champagne with her bridesmaids, but thanks to DIY you the bride are now running up and down within your reception hall making sure no one is forgetting the pew details, or the right position of the seating chart… or maybe even the layout of the tables… Now DIY is all good and there is a place for it this is how you make your wedding a bit more personal. BUT it is not there to consume you and keep you busy until the last hour before the ceremony starts. The best thing about being the Bride is having Bridesmaids and family members who can help you. So make sure you have a schedule and directions of what you want and where you want it. I was guilty of this very topic on my wedding day, this resulted in me stepping in a nail and limping the rest of my wedding day

{it’s was crazy sore}

Third Don’t I would recommend is to not get caught up in any of the pre-wedding issues. I am not saying there will be drama but weddings tend to bring out some weird issues from the people around you. The best advice here is cut it out, be strong, and make decisions that will benefit you and your hubby to be. Always remember that the moment you say I DO he/she is now your biggest responsibility and highest ranking family member, from that moment, that person is the only one you need to keep happy and visa versa

Then off course I have to include a few things that you need to do…

Do, spend money on your photographer, I know budget is sometimes an issue but rather cut cost by serving the cake as canapés, or cut out starters all together, maybe you can even cut costs by being strict with your guest list.. And if the budget still wont allow for a top of the range photographer then look for someone you can pay off per month. As a side note just remember your photos are the only things that will grow in value after the food has been eaten and the flowers faded.

Then do spend time in finding the perfect dress, not just because it is pretty but because you will be wearing it for 8 hours… and you need to be able to sit, stand kneel and dance in it. Whether you rent or have it made, make sure it is at least a little bit comfortable (lets be honest a wedding gown will never be as comfortable as your favorite jeans)

And as a third do that falls within this one, is to make sure you are looking your best. If you don’t like your hair or if you are not happy with the makeup have then do it over.

I have seen so many instances that the bride is helping everyone and that she ends up not being really happy with her hair/makeup/ shoes/gown etc. but she won’t say anything. This day is about you and your husband and NO ONE ELS!