Stories of wedding photojournalism from the husband-wife team of Warmowski Photography
Genny & Ben Six were married earlier this year in White Hall. Genny had a great idea for her reception — she put out a calendar and asked all her guests to write in birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates. What a great way to keep track of family!
Event details: Ceremony at Christ United Methodist Church in White Hall with a punch and cake reception in the church hall. Reception to follow later this summer at Genny’s family farm.
Riding in the Town Car with Kristin & James Darr after their wedding was an interesting experience. You should have heard them talk! I haven’t seen two people so totally in tune with each other in a long time. They’re going to have a great marriage, and we wish them well. Photo taken “Hail Mary” style with a fish eye lens.
Event details: Ceremony was at Laurel United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois. The sanctuary looked incredible, with beautiful, flowing fabric. Reception at Northfield Inn & Suites. Flowers by Janice’s Lemon Tree 217.942.9119 of Carrollton.
Every time we photograph a wedding, I have my little purse of indispensable emergency items no bridal party should be without. Scissors are by far the most used items in the kit, but a close second is needle and thread. Last Saturday night, when a guest accidently stepped on Logan’s dress, the needle and white thread came in very handy. “I heard it rip,” Logan said, as I kneeled in the bride room of Hamilton’s 110 North East sewing up the torn bustle. Nothing hampers dancing like a dragging dress!
Other things in the kit include safety pins, Band-aids, Shout Wipes, mints, Super Glue, double-sided tape (tape your necklace pendant to your skin to keep it from being off-center!), lint roller, hairspray, Static Guard, hair pins and boutonniere pins, just to name a few things.
I photographed a unique element in an updo I hadn’t seen before and wanted to share here. At Rita and Jim’s wedding in the Quad Cities in February, the hairdresser tried something new on the ‘do of a bridesmaid. The “chain” of hair looks to be loose knots one after another. I think there were 3 “chains” altogether.
I overhead an idea this past weekend at a wedding we photographed. One of the bridesmaids said she’d gotten a wedding invitation that invited the guests to include 3 songs suggestions on the RSVP card. The bride and groom then passed the requests onto the DJ before the day of the wedding.
I’m not sure how DJs feel about this idea, but I figure if you play what guests want to hear everyone will be happy! (most of the time) I also like the idea of giving guests a day or two to think of songs that are special to them and the wedding couple before they send the RSVP, and the DJ can have some time before the wedding to gather the songs.
I’ll have to ask some DJs this wedding season if they have seen this and what they think.
Jenni & Michael spent a good amount of time prior to their wedding collecting and preparing corks as place card holders at their reception. They turned out very well, I think.
It scares you half to death just thinking about all of those eyes on you as you walk down the aisle. Luckily, you may have an arm to hold on to in case those silly heels give you problems. You make it through that and get to the reception where everyone will now watch you DANCE for a few miserable minutes. You know all of those baby boomers who actually KNOW how to dance will be snickering as you sway back and forth like an 8th grader with no real rhythm.
There is a way around this. A couple, actually. First of all, you don’t HAVE to have a first dance. It’s a tradition that’s like many other wedding traditions. We don’t know why or how long we have been doing them. You CAN buck tradition if you really don’t want to dance in front of everyone.
But, if tradition must stick, a few dance lessons can go a long, long way. Like getting your makeup done by a professional, it can give you confidence you never knew you had, and is a skill you can use for years after your wedding. Like at other peoples’ weddings, for example.
Also, if you keep it a secret, it’s a great way to really impress friends and family – whether you’re the bride OR the groom.
Go ahead – right now – do a google search for “ballroom dance” in your town. You won’t regret it and you might find a talent you never knew was there!
I’m a big advocate of knowing ones strengths and weaknesses. If all of your friends come to you to have their makeup done for formal events, it’s probably a safe bet that you can do your own makeup on your wedding day. If you barely wear mascara and lip gloss on a daily basis, you might want to consider a pro. There are a couple of ways to go about it.
#1 get your makeup done at the same time you get your hair done. OK, well, not exactly at the same time. There are often makeup artists at hair salons. Use them. The morning of my wedding, I got my makeup done for free because all of my bridesmaids paid to have their makeup done. (Actually, I think that was part of my bridesmaids gift). Of course, I went to the salon 2 weeks earlier and did a hair and makeup trial. That was part of the hair/makeup package – no extra charge. If makeup and hair professionals are coming to you – even better. That was the case for Megan. She had a preconsultation with the professional who came to her home the morning of her wedding. So did Lisa.
#2 go to a makeup counter the morning of your wedding and get a “makeover.” It’s probably a good idea to do some research in this case and not just show up the day of your wedding with no prior notice. If you go to a certain makeup counter at the local department store frequently, ask if they have such a service. In our town, we have a Merle Norman store that provides such a service.
#3 have a pro teach you how to put on makeup for your wedding day, buy the necessary products, get a diagram, and practice, practice, practice. Karen had this approach.
One of the most important reasons to have your makeup done well is that you photograph better with makeup that plays up your best features. It can also give you more confidence. And, if you take Karen’s approach and learn how to apply it on your own, it’s a skill you will continue to use long after your wedding day.
Favors are a great way for couples to show some personality – and they can also be very useful for guests!
Fans on the seats at Jessica & Tim’s outdoor ceremony (21 June 2008) were particularly useful on their bright, sunny day. Those with less hair seemed to be especially thankful for the thoughtful favors.
One of the most emotional parts of Jessica & Tim’s day (21 June 2008) was when Jessica’s sister, Carla, played her guitar and sang a song she had written just for her sister’s wedding day.
