Dear Bridal Couple,

The following questionnaire has been designed to help make your day the most memorable of your life.
Please take time to complete your questionnaire completely; we will also take time to discuss it together.

Please describe your selves, family and friends.

What do you feel is the most important aspect about your special day?

How many people do you think will be in the largest group photos? (Remember the larger the group, the more time you will need)

Would you be interested in B&W photos?             If so, of what?

We need a copy of your invitation for a special photo we create for you. Have you sent us one yet?

Will there be a vendor table or assigned seating?  Or do we need to make other arrangements for dinner?

Are you interested in Sunset photos? Are you able to schedule at least 15 minutes for them?

Please provide a cell number and name of the contact on the wedding day: (please be sure the
phones are on!)

Bride’s entourage cell number: ________________________ Name: _______________________

Groom’s entourage cell number: _______________________ Name: _______________________

What style of photography are you most interested in?  (Please give numbers 1 to 10; 10 means you love the style!)

            Photojournalism _____          Candid  _____             Formals  _____          

Natural Portraiture _____         Romantic _____          Glamorous _____

The next four pages are for your information only, we don’t need a copy.

Excellent sample of itinerary: Most of our couples use a word processor or spreadsheet

The money Dance- please signal us (by turning towards us and smiling) during dance and we will take photo of you with that person. (Great for those not in Formals!)

Don’t worry we do a little bit of every style. We are just trying to get to know you.

Photojournalism is unobtrusively recording the events and emotions of your wedding day. It is as if you do not know the photographer is there at all. The photographer does not interact with the people being photographed. Moments are not created; they are captured.  Photojournalism shows you the joy, emotion, and spontaneity of the day.  It's a uniquely personal, visual keepsake of your wedding.  

Candid photography is photography stripped to the essentials. Rooted in the snapshot, candid photographs are simple and immediate. The best candid photography shows the medium in its purest terms: an instant of life captured on film. No other visual art can lay claim to the reality, the moment in time, the pleasant surprise of a candid photograph. A non formal way to capture the beauty and feeling of the moment, Always a favorite.

Formal These are formally posed portraits; individuals or groups of people are set up by the photographer. A complete opposite to Candid photography. This is typically the most recognized style of photography in any event photography because people typically expect wedding photographs to look like this. The scope of the formal style is to ensure that the photos are very formal and consistent.

 Natural Portraiture These are semi-posed, natural looking, casual portraits; individuals or groups of people are brought together without the look of a formal set-up. This style is more candid. Natural portraiture has become more popular as brides and grooms are moving away from the formal, “stuffy” look and more into a relaxed, contemporary and fun look.

 Romantic These are mainly romantic Bride and Groom portraits, done prior to the ceremony or immediately after. Very flattering, with close-ups of the intimacy of you as a couple, sharing the love and passion of  your special day.

 Glamour photography refers to photographs which are non-revealing but still look sensual and alluring, similar to modeling portfolios or magazine shoots. Traditionally, glamour photography refers to photographs which are head and shoulder portraits photographed “studio style”. Along with photographing the beauty of the bride, Enchanted Images also integrates the beauty of the wedding gown into glamour wedding photography. These Bridal sessions usually occur before the ceremony, during the Pre-Bridal time immediately after putting on the gown.

 Give percentage on the bottom of page one.

 Important Information

 Please take the time to complete the questionnaire the best you can. Please be sure to put the names of your family and bridal party members on the Pre Bridal and Formals Check lists. I have included a sample sheet for you. Don’t worry if you are not sure of an answer; leave it blank and we will talk about it before your wedding day.

 Most of our bridal couples use a word processor or spread sheet to make a organized literary for all there vendors.

 To see each other before; or not. This is ALWAYS a question. Most couples do not want to see each other before the ceremony and we respect that decision. We will, however, let you know what our feelings are about this tradition. Our couples are always glad when they see each other prior to the ceremony. Mostly because the stress of the big “seeing each other for the first time” moment is moved to before the stress of the ceremony itself! You are no longer stressed about it and you can enjoy the moments of your ceremony. It all goes by fast enough! 

 Most of our brides want to schedule quality time alone with their photographer to get some of those intimate, glamour photographs that can only be done a couple of hours just before your ceremony. We also recommend scheduling your bridal party to come join us (ready and dressed) about 30 minutes after your beautiful bridal session begins. At this time, we can get casually posed,  fun photos with your best and closest friends and family members… including your mom and dad, mother and father in-law to be, etc.

 The make up artist and stylist will want to do your hair first and wait to do your makeup last; that way your make-up is fresh and lasts the entire day.  Then, while the others are getting their hair and makeup done, we can spend some time with you creating some wonderful memories. About 30 minutes before the ceremony starts, we will find the guys and spend some time with them. It is during this time that you can have time for some last minute hair and make-up touches done and to relax a few moments before the ceremony begins. 

 Remember that this is your special day; relax and have fun! We are here to help capture the memories of your day. During the ceremony and the reception, we spend most of the time taking candid photos. No stress! If you see us pointing the camera in your direction, it is perfectly OK to smile! Encourage your guests to look at the camera and smile. This is especially important during the money dance. When you are standing/dancing with your loved one, smile! This makes for much better pictures than getting the back of your heads. When you are ready to toss the bouquet, look at the camera and smile! Before tossing the garter over your shoulder, smile! Remember to also let us know if you want a special photo with a group of people you are visiting. This is also applies to “table tops”, if you choose to do them.  These are group photos of the two of you with each of your guests’ tables.

One more note: be sure to have you and your  bridesmaids’ flowers delivered to the same location that you are getting ready at and at the same time we arrive. Photos of you with your bouquet make a HUGH difference. You may consider having someone take the groom’s and groomsmen’s’ boutonnieres to the ceremony location to be sure they have them for their pre-ceremony photo session as well.

Our job is to document, not dictate. That said, we do go over your plans at least couple weeks prior. At that time we request an itinerary, first names & relationship of immediate family & attendants, and any unique aspects of your wedding plans. Like our Sample.

 Doing the Do

Remind all the gals to wear button-up shirts to the salon, and take all the ornamentation with you.

 Survival Kit

Like a safari, some stuff is just "necessary" - your coordinator will have all this and more,... Extra Boutonniere for the groom, bobby pins, safety pins, sewing kit (don't forget the black thread!), clear refreshments, towel, maps, duct tape (white & black); emergency numbers for tux, limo, dj, cake, me, video,.. and if you bring the big umbrella - you won't need it, right?

 Plan to be early.

There is never an event that something doesn't happen the day of to delay your plan, so add some cushion. If nothing happens, you will have a few precious moments to relax, and maybe squeeze in some yoga.

 Pretty Posies

Have flowers delivered prior to your portraits - ask the florist to have the location ready, and your bouquets ready too. Don't forget the vase to keep fresh cut stems watered, and have the gals dry them off a few minutes BEFORE portraits & ceremony, then stick them back in water till they're needed again.

 CRITICAL TIMING - w/options

1. Romantic Liaison Schedule.

Typically, we start 2 hours prior to ceremony with bride putting on dress, (optional) shoot FINAL preparations for 20 minutes, then set up a romantic meeting for bride & groom. Couple gets a few moments alone together after we document that "first sight". Then it's groups shots with family & wedding party - typically about 1 hour before wedding time. We stop "posed" photos at least 30 minutes prior to ceremony. Post-ceremony - no stopping - on with the action & flow of the day.

2. Standard Traditional Schedule.

We start two hours prior to ceremony with bride putting on dress, shoot FINAL preparations for 20 minutes, then ladies & brides family for 20, then catch up with groom, his family & guys (about an hour before wedding time). We stop "posed" photos at least 30 minutes prior to ceremony. Being on time is absolutely CRITICAL to the whole wedding documentary process. Here's a tip - give the wedding party at least 30 minutes head start on us. Post-ceremony - guests exit (allow 30 minutes w/o rec line - 1-2 hrs with), group photos (allow 30 minutes), then on to the party (remember to allow for packing up & travel).

Stay Together

Keeping VIPs together is absolutely critical! Since we don’t "focus" on posed photos, keeping things short & sweet is Job 1. We cant take photos of groups when someone is missing. Stay together and we'll be done if half the time it can take to wait on folks as they worry over details. Please keep things down to a dull roar, give us about 15 minutes undivided attention for about 10 group shots, then your day is all yours!

 Family & Attendant Portraits.

Stay together. Dull Roar. Pay undivided attention. Relax, be yourselves, enjoy. We'll keep things as brief & fun as possible - with your help. This is a team effort.

Ignore the kids during "posing"- if y'all are watching them, you're not ready when they are - focus please on camera and leave the little ones to us.

Happy to shoot you!

We're happy to shoot individual family photos, when we have a free moment. Maybe not right then, but sometime during the day - usually at the reception. Prints in all sizes and styles will be available online. Just ask for the url!

Safety First!

Let's be safe with the little ones - stay clear of the gear. When kids are not in the photo of the moment, please be aware that our equipment is large and heavy. No running! Children must be accompanied by adults when being photographed!

 No Posing

Okay, half-kidding. Fun is the key word here. Get together. Cheek to cheek, hug each other. Let's have a great time. We'll make it as quick & painless as possible!

 EAT

Don’t skip the food. No passing out! We don't want to call the medics for you! Honestly - have some snacks available throughout the day - keep the energy flowing!

 Feed me

We spend about 8 hours getting ready & chasing you around, stealthily of course. It's kind of exhausting (understatement). Reserved seats for photojournalist & videographer close to the action, in view of the head table, help us keep an eye out for spontaneous moments. Be there for the toasts, and take a load off for a few - these things are heavy! THANKS! ; )

 MAP & Invitation

Map is for the limo driver - no kidding! Also please send us an invitation when you mail to guests so we can rsvp, etc.

Reminders

At least 1 week prior to wedding, call/email all your vendors to go over last minute details, ideas, .... also make sure your loved ones know we're there to document, and we encourage them to have a wonderful time! They never believe us when we say, "OK, done - now go party!" so give them a heads up for us.

 Don’t forget the fun stuff; sun glasses, flack, watches and etc, this is a chance to really express yourself so have fun with it.

 Ignore that person with camera

Really! The best images are caught “unaware” - so kick back, have a blast, be yourself! That's what really makes you "special" - yeah, corny, but true! And that's why we spend our lives looking through a lens, documenting your unforgettable moments. Savor your wedding day!

 We know how over whelming this can all seem, remember that all your professional vendors are here to help make your day the most special day of your life.

 Sincerely,

Robb Peppler

Arpegea Gordanier

Enchanted Images

PDF Download using Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format click Questionnaire.pdf