Photo Credit: Palos Studio
Photography is one of those things that seems like everyone dabbles a bit in and quite a few people nowadays own very high quality digital cameras. In an attempt to save money, there is a new trend among brides of having a friend or family member take their wedding photos. While this may initially sound like a good idea, investing in an experienced wedding photographer should be one of your top priorities.
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime occasion. There are no ‘do-overs’, so you need a professional that you can trust. So much time is invested in finding the venue, choosing the perfect flowers and of course making sure your cake is as lovely as it is tasty. After your wedding is finished and you leave your venue, the flowers have wilted and all that yummy wedding cake has been eaten … how will you remember these things? If you’ve taken the time and money to invest in the perfect wedding photographer, you can rest assured. High quality, bright, beautiful wedding photos will be there to help you remember your day! You’ll have photos of your groom tearing up as he sees you walking down the aisle, a vision, in the perfect dress. You can look back upon how happy your guests were dancing the night away, celebrating your day. Every detail from your shoes, his tux, THE dress and even the jewelry you wore will be well documented so that someday you can show your children.
Photo Credit: Ardent Photography
What if, for arguments sake, you decided to forgo hiring a professional wedding photographer and hired a friend of the family to take your photos. He or she owns a digital camera, loves photography and has even taken photos of a few newborns that look great! Wedding photography cannot be THAT much different, right? Wrong. In wedding photography you generally get what you pay for. Yes, there is a chance that you may love the photos of a family friend, but is saving a few dollars on wedding photography worth the risk that you won’t? Wouldn’t you much rather adjust your budget in other details? Great wedding photography is so much more than just owning a high quality camera. Lenses, flashes, backup equipment in case something goes wrong, not to mention the EXPERIENCE of knowing what to shoot when and how are just a few of the important things that a professional will bring to the table. You wouldn’t let your sister’s boyfriend take your tonsils out even though he loves watching E.R., wanted to go to medical school and knows quite a few people who have done it, would you? Just like anything else in life some things are much too precious to trust to anyone but a professional.
Finding the perfect photographer is the best gift you can give each other on the big day. It sounds cheesy but we tell our clients all the time that wedding photos are your first family heirloom. Make sure when you are making the important decision on whether or not to go with a pro that you consider what you are really paying for … memories.
Photo Credit: Ardent Photography
Need some visual proof that there is so much more to amazing wedding photography than owning a good digital camera? Check out this very insightful article from Seattle Bride Magazine, written by Cody Ellerd. Cody is a high level amateur with a high quality camera. He is an avid travel writer and has even had a few of his photos grace the covers of a few magazines. Tagging alongside the hired professional photographer on the big day, he is able to really illustrate ‘pro vs. joe’ wedding photography complete with side by side comparisons.
Vendor Interview: Maihar Design
Today’s interview is with Ashleigh of Maihar Design – a fabulous new company that designs gorgeous wedding accessories. When I came across their website, I fell in love … and couldn’t wait to share them here on WedLoft!
Sisters, Ashleigh and Melanie, started Maihar Design as a combination of their design and entrepreneurial skills. From stunning Ring Bearer Pillows to lovely Flower Wands and Hair Petals … they have the perfect items to accessorize your wedding!
Photo Credit: Matthew Niemann with Aberdeen Studios
How long have you been in business?
It’s been roughly 18 months; we officially launched and began promoting our products in April 2009.
What inspired you to start your business?
Melanie had always been crafting and designing. For as long as I can remember, she always made her own cards, decorated and painted rooms, and was well-versed in her “crafty” skills. While she was living in New York City, she did some freelance work for an event planner. This included designing ring pillows and wands for the clientele. For years we talked about launching Maihar Design, and finally were able to do so recently.
Tell us why you think your business is successful.
We’re still very much in a growing phase, but the response from the industry has been phenomenal. I think this is because of our creative approach to a very traditional wedding accessory. We very much are a niche product, but we have a distinctive look and style. Brides are very focused on details and infusing their personal style into the wedding – which is so very important! I think this is why they are drawn to our products.
What makes your business unique?
We’re a sister-run company that emphasizes quality craftsmanship and superior materials. Our suppliers include some of the leading suppliers for interior designers and decorators. We work closely with them to find quality product that will last long, making our designs more than just an accessory – they truly become keepsakes.
Is there a particular niche you target?
Right now we tend to be a higher-end audience, simply because of our price as compared to competitors. Although the materials we use dictate a higher price point, that concept is also translated into the design. Since these are keepsakes, we hope the pillows and wands will be used in babies’ rooms as our brides move to the next phase of life as mothers. We have many brides who plan for their pillows to become heirlooms for many generations to come. All those ideas, wrapping up in a tiny pillow is very exciting and romantic. Our brides are creative and forward-looking.
What is your company’s philosophy when working with wedding couples?
Since we are an accessory product, we tend to work primarily with the brides, brides’ mothers or wedding coordinators. We are prompt, thorough and personable – we try to make the process as simple as possible because we know we’re just one detail out of a million!
How do you help couples customize their weddings?
We have color swatches available on the website to show the ribbons and fabrics available for the pillows. Coordinating more than 20 ribbons options and various silk fabric swatches really ensures we can correspond our pillows with nearly any color scheme.
At what point in the planning process do you typically work with couples?
It really just depends – we’ve had brides order as early as a year ahead of their wedding. We have others contact us as one of the last details. We do ask for at least 3 weeks, as each product is made to order, upon order. We don’t have stock items sitting on the shelves, so we do need a little bit of time to complete each order. Basically, as soon as a bride has her color scheme selected is a good time to contact us.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business?
We are styling our first wedding, which is scheduled for June. A close family friend asked us to help, and it’s been such a thrill expanding our network throughout the San Antonio and Austin area. We’ve drooled over vendors’ work, and now we actually get the chance to style a wedding first-hand with some of our favorites. In the future, wedding styling may be a service area we offer to brides throughout South Central Texas.
Photo Credit: Matthew Niemann with Aberdeen Studios
Now that you’ve had a little time to swoon over these beautiful products … you’ll be excited to hear that WedLoft is hosting a Maihar Design Giveaway tomorrow!!! Check back in for the giveaway details and to enter for your chance to win!