1.) Should I hire a wedding planner? Maybe. It really depends on the size of the wedding and how much time you realistically have to devote to planning it. If you have a demanding schedule, and you're planning a 100 (or more) guest wedding. You might want to hire someone to help out. Keep in mind, they should be there to help set everything up and make sure the day goes smoothly on your wedding day. That may help ease some pressure.
2.) Is it OK to recruit friends & family to help with the wedding? Yes, yes yes! People love to feel needed. Most people will jump at the chance to help you with, what many consider, the most important day of your life. So ask away!
3.) I see ads on craigslist for wedding vendors. Is this a good idea? Yes and no. Most people will advertise free services when they are just starting out. They want to gain experience, and possibly references. That's normal. However, you must keep that old saying in mind "you get what you pay for". These people may not have any experience. They could do an awesome job, or a terrible one. You probably have no references to go by. My biggest piece of advise for you when considering hiring a free vendor is SIGN A CONTRACT! Ask them to prepare a contract for you both to sign. This will help ensure this person comes through with what they are promising.
4.) What does retouching mean? Why do photographers work on photos after they take them? If you've ever taken a photographer class and used a dark room, you'll probably remember "dodging" & "burning". You may also remember exposing your print paper to the light for longer times verses shorter times, etc. The same applies to digital photography. You take the photo, the image that appears is basically a professional photographers "negative" and they go to work on it! Dodging, burning, brightening, darkening, color correcting, sharpening, and sometimes doing things like removing a pimple, brightening eyes or teeth, etc. They are countless options to what you can do digitally. That is basically what it means when you see a photographer talk about retouching or processing or working on photos.
5.) Is it OK to use an IPOD instead of hire a DJ? Sure, but remember to check with your reception site and make sure they have the sound equipment you'd need to do so. Also, remember that an IPOD cant make your introductions, or announcements, so you'll need a back up plan for that. You may also want to designate a person to flip through your playlist when your guests are ready to start dancing. They can switch from the slower music to the dance music.
6.) In what order do the events normally take place during the reception? You can change the order, add more, replace some, or completely discard some, but normally it is 1. announcing the family/bridal party/couple 2. first dance/father daughter dance/ mother son dance. 3. dinner & toasts 4. dancing 5. bouquet toss 6. garter toss 7. placing the garter on the woman that caught the bouquet. 8. more dancing 9. cutting the caking 10. desert.
7.) How long does the wedding normally take? The ceremony can be anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes give or take. Then the posed portraits / cocktail hour. Then the reception is generally 3-4 hours long. So you're looking at a 4-6 hours, give or take.
8.) What are some of the important posed wedding photos to make sure I get? Make sure take several different shots of you and your husband/wife. By that I mean, take several different poses, and different locations. Work with your photographer and ask them for ideas and come up with some of your own. Make sure to take photos with your bridal party, and some with you & the bridesmaids, your husband & the groomsmen (and vice versa if you choose). Make sure to get photos with your immediate family (moms, dads, grandparents) and anyone else that is important to you.
9.) How long should I alott for the posted portraits? These are typically done during cocktail hour. You should try to plan for them to take most of that hour, depending on how many different groups of people you want photos with. Try to have a close friend or relative that knows who your family / friends are, so they can gather the groups for you to help this go smoothly.
10.) Are the disposable cameras a waste of money? Not at all! They are a great way to get candids! Of course your photographer is there to take photos (including candids) during the reception, but your guests will usually know each other, and feel comfortable taking fun photos together. These can be priceless! However, if you're on a budget, you may want to consider asking your guests to bring their digital cameras (you can even mention this on the invitation) and have them all email the photos they take to you. You could put your email address in the wedding favors or on the place cards or wherever!
11.) Do I need my photographer during the entire reception? Not necessarily. I recommend it when you are going to be doing the bouquet toss/first dances/cake cutting, etc... If you're mainly having an informal reception, you could let your guests take your photos. Thats totally up to you!
12.) I have a friend that is an amateur photographer, how can I let them down and tell them I dont want them to photograph my wedding? Just tell them you want them to enjoy the wedding and have the opportunity to mingle, dance and focus their attention on the festivities rather than worry about taking your photos. Tell them you appreciate it, but you want them there as a guest instead. Of course they could still be welcome to bring a camera and snap away, just not as the main photographer.
13.) What is the best backup plan for rain? If you are having an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. Find out if you can move the ceremony to the reception site if it rains. If its all going to be outdoors, have a tent rental on backup. Ask if the outdoor venue site has an rain plan.
14.) Do I need a videographer? Well that just depends on if you want a video of your wedding. Photos are enough for a lot of people, but if you want to relive it through video, then you want to hire someone. That being said, if you do decide to hire someone, give them your photographers contact information (and vice versa) if they don't work for the same company, so that they can work together to capture your wedding without getting in each others way and possibly ruining each other shot.
15.) Do I need to feed my vendors? Ultimately its up to you, but generally, I'd say yes. Especially if they are working during dinner (or lunch) time at your reception. Include it in your budget and let your caterer know you plain to feed your videographer, wedding planner, photographer, dj, etc... That way they can set them up someplace out of sight so they can quickly eat and get back to work. You could also give them a seat at a table, but honestly, I think its a waste of a space at the tables because they are all going to have to eat quickly and get back to work.
