The Art of Photographic Serendipity

Recently, I have had two different fledgling photographers ask me with great concern why they seemed to be missing a lot of great shots at weddings.  I suspected I already knew the answer, but after some questioning it was clear that it all boiled down to a lack of experience with weddings themselves.  Each had done less than ten weddings total, one only four.

I explained that they did not yet fully understand the wedding itself, not just the traditional aspects of ritual and formality, but those things that one can only discern and anticipate by having been around a LOT of weddings, not to mention the many different faiths, denominations, customs, indoors, outdoors, rainy, hot, dark, etc.  This experience gives you an intuition.  A knowing.  I often know what is about to happen moments before even the participants themselves know.  Having done well over 1,000 weddings in the past 15 years has heightened my sense of anticipation.  Having a heightened sense of anticipation allows one to be ready in advance and able to capture that fleeting moment that will escape those who only realize 3 seconds after it is over what has just happened.  Anticipation allows preparation.  I never have to re-stage anything because I capture it when it actually happens.  It looks more natural that way.  ;)

Serendipity.  Making fortunate discoveries by accident.  All very nice, but as a wedding photographer you will come away with very few great images if you are just waiting for ‘accidents’ to happen.  I’m not talking about forced or phony moments, but about being prepared.  A quote from a movie that I have always remembered – “chance favors the prepared mind”.  You will be much more apt to be able to capture those serendipitous moments if you understand weddings and what is going on around you.  You will then be able to anticipate, some times minutes ahead, but usually seconds, what is about to happen so that you are in the right position, have the right lens on the camera, the right shutter speed, the right aperture. Sadly, for those in a rush to get to the top of their field yesterday, that only comes from experience.

Mike and Erin’s Wedding in The Country

All pictures were taken by the wonderful Jack with Silent Light Images!
1)  This wedding took place on a beautiful private farm in Woodbury TN right outside of Murfreesboro.  After the ceremony the bride and groom arrived by carriage, very appropriate being on a farm!

2)  As the guest entered the driveway, the initials of the bride and groom hung on the rock posts (done by Chase Rivers with Eye Design).

3) The bride loved her bouquet .  She wore her mothers veil, shown in this picture.

4)  Bride and Groom walking to their reception.

5)  The bride and groom share their first dance under pink and white lanterns done by Blake Chaffin with Nashville Event Lighting.

6)  This captures the centerpieces and baby pink crinkle linens provide by Jill Cole at Southern Events.

7)  This tent pictures really shows off the beautiful pink lighting and drapery done by Janet Cato with Draping Designs.

All pictures were taken by the wonderful Jack with Silent Light Images!

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING CAN HEAL WEDDING HURTS

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING CAN HEAL WEDDING HURTS

With the marriage barely two weeks old, the bride sat sobbing in my office. It seems that immediately after the wedding ceremony, as the couple joined the minister to sign their license, the bride commented, “The ceremony was so meaningful. I feel so married!” The groom, in response said, “I didn’t need all of this.” Before any further discussion could take place, the minister asked for their attention to the license, and then the couple was whisked off to their reception.

Crushed, the bride sobbed two weeks later, “I feel so betrayed. I thought we had planned a beautiful wedding together. I gave in to him, so he would feel his wishes were respected. I kept my mama from taking over, so it would be “our” wedding. I was extra nice to his mother, so she would feel included. And then he said he didn’t want any of it! I can’t even look at him. Everything has been awful. I hardly talked to him on our honeymoon, and since we’ve been home, all we do it argue.”

I asked her to say more about her groom’s comment, “I didn’t need all of this.” What did he mean, exactly? What tone of voice did he use? What was his body language? And lastly, would the groom join her for a counseling session.

The following week a sullen couple sat across from one another. Despite their misery, they were able to articulate what they appreciated about one another. Then, the groom asked to clarify what he meant.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he began. “I wanted her to know that I didn’t need a big wedding to make transform my commitment to her. The ceremony didn’t make me love her more. I became committed to her long before I asked her to marry me. .

“I’m sorry I said what I said. I could have said it differently. I wish I could take it back. And, I wish she would accept my apology and hear that I love her and appreciate all she did to make our wedding great.”

Helping a newly married couple soothe wedding hurts is a definite challenge to those helping to make their special day a success. Had the minister been paying closer attention, he may have picked up on the problem and helped facilitate a better understanding immediately. Or perhaps, if there had been a wedding consultant in whom one of the couple could confide, she could have intervened.

To this couple’s credit, they sought help quickly and reconciled their relationship. To those of you in the wedding industry, your encouraging couples who have conflicts to seek professional counseling early can make a difference in their future happiness.

Rhonda Borman, LCSW

EVENT PLANNING 101

EVENT PLANNING 101
By Krista Chapman, Event Professional

Planning an event whether it is a small gathering among close friends, large fundraisers communicating an important message or a once in a lifetime event like a wedding, can seem overwhelming and confusing.  The following will break down the basics of creating a stellar event that will impress any guest and make you look like seasoned professional.

Why are you planning an event? Secondly, what are you planning?  These can seem like silly questions but they are key to determine what services you will need, the timeframe that makes the most sense and all the other elements of the event.  Planning a small business meeting, class reunion or rehearsal dinner will demand different traditions and expectations from your guests.  The purpose of your event will also help with deciding the most important parts and what you should focus on.  While business professionals will expect there to be enough power outlets to plug in their laptops during a meeting and comfortable chairs, wedding guests may be more focused on the variety of food and where the bathrooms are located.  Trust your gut, drawn from your own past experiences and rely on professionals to guide you.  We have all been to a bad event… think about what was “bad” and how can you do it differently.

Set the date.  Before you can reserve any space, book any vendors or really commit to the event, you need to pick a date.  Your schedule, vendor availability and potential conflicts are all-important elements to consider.  Don’t plan a luncheon in downtown Nashville during the Country Music Marathon… you are setting yourself up for disaster and a lot of stress.  Have you dreamed of an outdoor garden wedding your whole life?  Avoid July and August when your guests will bake under the hot sun.  Pick a date in October for a fundraiser for a women’s shelter, as this is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.  Will you have a better turnout if you plan a fundraiser on a Thursday evening, when weekend conflicts are less likely?  Every event will have different elements that determine what dates work best.  Weigh the pros and cons to figure the best case scenario.

The Human element.  Face it, there is not a party without people.  This is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle and should remain as an underlying element of all your decisions.  The best-laid plans will be created with your guests in mind.  First and foremost, how many guests are coming?  Before you can determine the amount of space needed, the food you will serve, the number of bathrooms on site, available parking, etc, etc, etc… you need to figure out how many people will be invited and attend your event.  This will also be a key factor in determining a realistic budget as more people = more money, bottom line.  Plan on approximately 75%of your invitees attending your event.  Also, keep in mind how many guests will have to travel, other conflicts (numerous holiday parties to choose from), annual events with steady guest counts and particularly now, economic restrictions that may prevent people from attending.

Show me the Money!  My best recommendation is to determine how much you can afford to spend and then determine what are the most important elements of your event (food, entertainment or location).  Then go with your gut… event vendors all sell their products differently and price as they see fit.  As a result it can be difficult to accurately compare apples to apples.  Essentially all event contracts, regardless of the product, are promises to deliver a future service.  Who makes you the best promise?  Who comfortable fits your budget?  Figure these details out and the rest is easy.  Future Blogs will break budgets down further as I detail what type of costs you should expect for particular services and most importantly, how you can get the most bang for your buck.

Finally, Don’t rush perfection.  It is never too early to get started, at least collecting ideas and information.  As with any project having to-do lists, a timeline of tasks and enough time to research, meet with vendors, send out invites and organize your plans, is key to planning a flawless event.  Just a important, a central location to keep ideas, notes, contracts and deadlines will help to keep you on track to produce a successful and impressive event that will “wow” your guests.

But most of all, don’t go it alone.  Thousands of people make their living producing events, endless books and other blogs like this one exist, loaded with endless advice.  I would never attempt to tear apart my sink and fix a leak, rather depending on a professional to, at the very least, act as a guide.  The vendors you choose will become valuable resources for all your questions, concerns, wonderment’s and logistical limits.

Have questions for the author?  Need specific event planning tips?  Contact Krista Chapman at krista.chapman@ourclub.com.

Join TWESA

TWESA welcomes your interest in joining our committed team of wedding & events specialists. We invite you to read through the following information, as you will find the information useful in learning more about our organization. Thank you for your interest in joining TWESA, and we hope you will contact us with any questions.

1. The Tennessee Wedding & Event Specialists Association is a nonprofit trade association that promotes mentoring, networking, and professionalism among its members. TWESA prides itself in being a top resource of the professional services that are essential for creating memorable weddings for today’s brides and grooms.

2. A few benefits of joining TWESA:

a. Joint marketing opportunities

b. Occasional discounts for industry related products and services

c. Promotional Benefits: Listings in the TWESA brochure and website with supporting ads in regional magazines and links from major bridal websites

d. Networking opportunities at TWESA functions

3. To qualify for a TWESA membership, an individual must work in the wedding or event industry and provide proof of two of the following criteria:

a. Business telephone service
b. Business license registration number
c. State sales & use tax registration number
d. Sponsorship from an existing TWESA member in good standing
e. Individuals in the catering industry are required to provide a copy of the latest Health Department permit with each subsequent renewal in addition to the initial application to TWESA.

4. There are three types of dues-paying memberships in the TWESA: Individual, Corporate, and Associate.

Individual (Class 1): Membership belongs solely to the person listed on the application – not to the business they represent. The membership is not transferable.

Corporate (Class 2): Membership belongs solely to the business listed on the application – not to any individual. A corporate member may elect to change their representatives, with prior approval. If a corporate member’s representative holds an elected or appointed office, board seat or committee position, a replacement representative cannot fill that same position without prior approval.

Associate (Class 3): Membership belongs to the individual (as described for a Class 1) and must be in conjunction with either an individual or corporate membership. Associate members have no voting or marketing privileges.

Provisional (Class 4): Membership category specifically for those that have not been in business for a year; membership without voting or website listing until they have been in business for a year. Eligibility will still require business license.

The members of the Tennessee Wedding & Event Specialists Association, Inc., are dedicated to improving the quality of services in the wedding and events industry of Tennessee. All members are expected to uphold TWESA’s mission by practicing the highest in business ethics.

Membership Requirements

TWESA Membership Requirements
Effective July 1, 2005
Wedding / Events Industry: To become a member of TWESA, a prospective member must be in a business
that supports or promotes the wedding / event planning industry.

Sponsorship: All prospective members must have a TWESA sponsor either by:

1.) Invitation: Current members (in good standing) can issue an invitation to prospective members and act as their sponsor guiding them through the application process.

OR
2.) Direct Contact: Prospective members can request or be assigned a TWESA member (Sponsor) to lead them through the application process.

Membership Application: Submit a completed membership application with documentation

Documentaiton may be emailed to Info@twesa.com or mailed to:

TWESA

P. O. Box 330962

Nashville, TN  37203

Experience: Verify that your company has been in Business for at least 12 months at the time of application or verify that you have accumulated at least two years of previous experience in the same field within the previous five years. (Submit a copy of your business license)

Professional License: Submit a copy of any license, insurance or other documentation legally required for your profession.

Liability Insurance: Submit a certificate of basic business liability insurance.

Professional Reference: Submit a “Letter of Recommendation” from another TWESA member in “Good Standing.”

Client Reference: Submit a “Letter of Recommendation” or a “Thank You Letter” from a client served within the last 12 months.

Membership Participation: Members must attend at least two membership meetings, board meetings or other TWESA sponsored events per year.

Membership Application Fees & Dues: Submit your “Application & Membership” fees at the time of application.

Final Approval: All prospective and renewing members must be recommended by the appointed Membership
Committee and approved by the currently elected TWESA Board of Directors.

You can join TWESA in two ways. You can either click the button below and use our online membership application or click  the link to download the PDF and just print and mail it in.

Application as a printable PDF

Michal & Mike

April 18th, 2009 found Jack Menard of Silentlight Photographic Images at St Henry’s Catholic Church in Nashville to capture the wedding of Michal & Mike. Also there was our own AndyCam to shoot the video and Nashville Party Authority saw to it that there was plenty of music to keep the party going.

Reynaldo Hill & Janina Overton

The pros know who to call when they get married. When Reynaldo Hill married Janina Overton on Feburary 21,2009 they called Zach & Jody of Gray Photography to catch the day. The wedding was at Opryland Hotel in the beautiful Magnolia Ballroom. The Grays used the very hip Fuse Nightclub to get these great shots of the bride and groom.

Janina is such a beautiful bride. Zach and Jody caught such joy in her face, didn’t they?

The gentleman aren’t to bad either!

Date: 2/21/09

Couple: Reynaldo Hill & Janina Overton

Ceremony/Reception: Opryland Hotel, Magnolia Ballroom

Photographers: Zach & Jody Gray, GrayPhotography

B&G Shooting Venue: FUSE, Opryland Hotel

Sabrina & Patrick

Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville was the spot for Sabrina and Patrick to tie the knot in September of 2008. Zack and Jody, Gray Photography were there to capture all the magic. Their wedding planner, Alice Hendry saw to it that everything was lovely at the plantation that day. As you can see, everyone had a wonderful time.

Date: 9/13/2008

Couple: Sabrina & Patrick

Venue: Belle Meade Plantation

Coordinator: Alice Hendry

Photographers: Gray Photography, Zach & Jody Gray

The Love Bug

Our members are always winning awards.

Evan Baines Wins Accolade of Excellence
in the
2009 Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition
Evan Baines of Nashville, TN, has received special honors in the WEDDING & PORTRAIT
PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL (WPPI) 2009 Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition.
Designed to recognize outstanding photographers, the judging was held in Las Vegas, NV on February
14 and 15, 2009.
“The Love Bug” received an Accolade of Excellence in the Bride and Groom Together category.
Baines competed against an international field of photographers to win such honors.
The Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition awards are presented each year at the largest trade
show, educational platform and convention in the United States for professional photographers. The
2009 competition included 2717 prints in 19 different categories submitted by photographers from all
over the world.
For more information please visit www.wppionline.com/competition/

Ask the Experts

Do you have a question for our experts?

If it has anything do  with planning your wedding or any other fabulous event in Tennessee, one of our over 200 professionals will have an answer for you.

Just leave your question as a comment on this page and we’ll find you an answer.

Josh & Bernadette

It’s always nice to see two best friends get married, and Josh and Bernadette were certainly that. Their wedding took place on a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon at Scarritt-Bennett’s Whitman Chapel. The beauty of the location was accentuated by the lovely flower arrangements and decorations that incorporated many fall colors…as well as a few pumpkins! But all this paled in comparison to the special love apparent between Josh and Bernadette and their families.

You see, they have actually been friends since childhood. When they first met, Josh was 2 and Bernadette was 5. Their uniqueness doesn’t stop there, for Josh and Bernadette were the first Down syndrome couple to be married in Tennessee!

As the videographer of the wedding, I was able to be with them throughout the day and experience first hand many wonderful moments shared between them and their families. Josh and Bernadette’s wedding was a real joy to be a part of. The photos on this page are still frames taken from their wedding video.

There are also 2 highlight videos I created for them, one of the ceremony and one of the reception. The song you hear during their ceremony highlight was sung by a family friend during the wedding, and it was written for Bernadette when she was a child. The video also incorporates some of the vows that were spoken during the ceremony.

vimeo Direkt

Speaking of their vows, they were some of the sweetest I think I’ve ever heard…

“Bernadette, I love you. You are my best friend. These are my wedding promises. I promise to be your greatest fan. You can count on me. When you are sad, I will hug you. When you are sick, I will help you. If you get lost, I’ll help you find your way. When you are happy, I’ll be happy with you. I promise to be sweet to you. I give you my heart and my love everyday. May God, and my family, help me keep my promises, forever.”

Awesome stuff!

vimeo Direkt

-Andy

Andy Morris

AndyCam Productions

Limousines and Transportation

Nashville Limousine Service

Limousine service adds elegance to your wedding and causes heads to turn. There are many Nashville Limousine Services from which to choose. Each offering a wide selection of vehicles. A stretch limo is the traditional choice but you may want something a little different, perhaps a classic Rolls Royce, vintage car, luxury coach, trolley or even a London taxi cab. You may also choose non-motorized transportation: a horse drawn “Cinderella” carriage or hot air balloon. The goal is to have fun and have people notice you.

Consider providing limousine service for your guests, especially if your event is in an out-of-the-way place or parking is limited. Scheduling is important in planning limousine service. Check with your photographer, wedding planner, hair and makeup person before locking in your time line.

Limousine Service ‘Need to Know’

• Book limousine service 4-6 months out. Remember, prom season: May-March
• Decide how many people will need transportation
• Ask for proof of insurance and proper licensing
• Decide if you need the car on-call or only for specific transfers
• For specialty cars get a guarantee
• Read your contract, paying particular attention to pick up and drop off times and location

All About Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is the traditional finale to your wedding reception. However, today your ‘wedding desert’ does not have to be a wedding cake. Edible wedding favors such as decorated wedding cookies or chocolate truffles provide an enjoyable alternative and help your wedding stand out. When picking your desert consider all the options you have and remember to taste each one.

Nashville has some very talented sugar artists to choose from to create your wedding cake.

Do you want a wedding cake or an extraordinary wedding cake? The answer is obvious. When choosing the person who will bake your wedding cake consider their experience, artistic ability and the cost.

Using fondant icing your cake baker will be able to create a cake with a lovely alabaster-like finish that you see in magazines. Traditional buttercream might be less costly but will give a different look. Then there are always cupcakes instead of a cake at all.

Your budget is important. Wedding cakes start at $2.00 per serving, and a one-of-a-kind sugar masterpiece can be $20 a serving. Only you can determine what your wedding cake should be. Ask how many servings you will actually need because every cake baker bases this on a slightly different serving size.

Your baker should be able to answers all your questions and provide guidance in selecting your wedding cake.