I hate hairdressers/makeup artists

OK hate is a strong word. But guys seriously its getting ridiculous. I understand the Bride needs to get her hair done. But why spend thousands of dollars and be late for the photography?

This year I've had 2 brides miss the Brides house photos. Wonderful, organized highly educated smart people. But, on the day of the wedding you cannot forsee that the hairdresser/make up artist is going to take 5 hours.

Here is my advice.

1. Bride is first!!
2. Lie to the hairdresser/makeup artist. You are getting married exactly one hour sooner then what is on the invitation
3. Do a trail run a month or 4 before
4. Spend money for quality. Sure you can save 40 bucks but what does that mean when their electricity keeps popping a fuse and you are 2 hours late?
5. Have then come to your house.
6. Tell them you will give them a bonus if its done by a certain time.

Seriously. Your wedding day is a one day event. If you are one of my couples you probably spent a huge amount of money to book us. You are very likely a person who appreciates quality. So when you are planning even the small stuff remember there is only 24 hours in a day and every minute counts.

Even your fun time.

I wrote an article many years ago about how your wedding day should be about having fun.

Here is a copy

Why Not?

Its not that I don't like sandwiches!!! It's just that if I had a choice between a gourmet wood stove pizza and dry bread pannini I choose the Pizza!

It seems that someone in the Wedding World realized that people get hungry on a Wedding Day. So to make it easier they suggested packing food for the Bridal Party and bringing it with then on the Bus/Limo. The thing is if you plan it right, you can save money and look good. Remember how many Wedding's YOU have been a part of and basically ate pannini standing outside the bus/limo just before taking photos.

We at Excellence ALWAYS try to do things slightly differently. Here is an example of a typical Italian and Portuguese wedding shot recently. The bride woke up at 5 am to get her hair done, breakfast was a piece of toast and a coffee she grab as everyone was leaving for the hairdresser. The Groom didn't bother with the toast, just down 3 coffees before we showed up for the video and photography. If you consider the time, they will not eat again until lunch. They will be close to passing out.This is supposed to be the best day of their lives!!

Another couple was a little different. A week before the wedding day they contacted Sam at Sunnyside Cafe. The Groom ordered 4 pizzas, 3 plates of Nachos, the Bride ordered a Veggie platter and Pina Coladas, then not to be outdone the Groom ordered BEER. But, they told no one but me!!

When we arrived at Sunnyside for the photo session I told the Bridal Party I wanted to take a natural shot with everyone sitting down, then signaled for the food. The Bridal Party was BLOWN AWAY!!!! Never had they been to a wedding where they were treated sooooo well. I think the Maid of Honor said "you guys are so classy!!!" and one of the Brides Maids who was getting married in a few months immediately decided to do the same exact thing. During the lunch we will shoot some of the most amazing candid Photographs and Video. The best of all is seeing the Bride feeding the Groom Pizza. No one new we took the shot but the proofs were amazing. After lunch the Bridal Party was so grateful that when we were doing the thanks on video, every single person took extra time to thank the Bride & Groom, the skits were 10 times more energetic because they WANTED to be apart of it.

Here is example of timing:

• approx: 6 am - Bride and Groom wake and actually eat something
• approx: 2 pm - Bride and Groom lunch break for all
• approx: 7:30 pm - Everyone eats!!!

Heres the point. Your wedding is supposed to be fun! We have been to soooo many weddings in which the point is lost because of poor planning. We suggest that you plan a lunch break. Even 15 minutes will go a long way.

Here is a list of my favorite places to stop for lunch!!!

• Sunnyside cafe
  
• Pizzaolo
• Futures Bakery
• Mcdonalds!!!!
• Second Cup
• Timothys
• Starbucks@@@@
  
• Sushi!!!

Remember, if you plan to have extra time on your wedding day you are going to have fun, if you rush to fit as many things as possible you end up missing out.