Rehearsal Dinner, Why you need to Hire a Photographer

Brides and grooms plan for wedding photography, but rehearsal dinner photography is usually an afterthought. A rehearsal dinner is just as important to document as the wedding. Here’s why:

You Can Actually Take Photos With Everyone

The rehearsal dinner guest list is typically pared down to your absolute nearest and dearest—often just your family members, longtime friends and wedding party. Use this opportunity to get photos with everyone, especially if you have a huge family.

You'll Document All Those Emotional Speeches

You'll have toasts and memorable moments at the wedding, no doubt, but rehearsal dinner speeches, given by any number of loved ones, including parents, friends and even the couple, are often slightly less formal and even more emotional.

Your Photographer Will Get to Know Your Family

When I have the opportunity to photograph the rehearsal dinner before the wedding I learn so much about the couple through the speeches. I also get to know the family and guest better and who goes with who. This knowledge helps me document your wedding day more thoroughly. 

Capture Less Formal Family Photos

It’s nice to have a few photos with your friends and family without boutonnieres and matching outfits. Guest usual look their best but are less ceremonial looking and show more personality at a rehearsal dinner. It’s also nice to have a different location in your photos. 

Finally, let's face it, a professional photographer will document the laughs, tears, and good times like no one else can!

Planning an Elopement or Intimate Wedding Ceremony in Charleston, SC

Elopements and intimate ceremonies are having a big moment this year. Luckily Matt and Lindsay planned their Waterfront Park Pineapple Fountain wedding several months ago. What a perfect outdoor setting it was! 

The couple wanted to do something memorable but low key. So they invited 20 of their family members and friends to celebrate with them at Waterfront Park in Downtown, Charleston, SC. 

The Pineapple Fountain was the perfect launching point for Downtown Charleston photographs after the ceremony. Congratulations to this beautiful couple!

5 Tips on Planning your Elopement in Charleston, South Carolina

DECIDE WHO YOU ARE TELLING

Most couples let all their friends and family know, but this is up to you. Make sure both of you are on the same page about when and how you’ll tell everyone about the wedding.

Pro Tip: Before you break the exciting news, decide who you will invite. The first thing loved ones will want to know is, “am I invited?” It’s best to be prepared with a well-thought-out answer.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE LEGALITIES

Before you get caught up in researching beautiful venues and things to do, have a full understanding of the entire legal marriage process and timeline. Also, ensure your marriage document will be recognized back home.

Pro Tip: South Carolina requires each person to have two forms of identification, such as a driver's license, original birth certificate (or a certified copy), passport, or military identification. You do not need a witness or blood tests to get married in South Carolina. 

You can apply for a license at any South Carolina probate office, and it will be valid throughout the state. If you are getting your marriage license in Charleston you will need to go to the Probate Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401 Your marriage license will cost you $70.00. 

RESERVE YOUR WEDDING LOCATION

Popular locations for elopements in Charleston, SC include the gazebo at White Point Gardens overlooking the Battery, The Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park, Hampton Park and Washington Square Park which is lined with towering oaks and runs along a picturesque cobblestone street. To reserve these locations, you need to contact the City of Charleston Recreation Department at 843-724-7327 at least 14 business days prior to the event. 

DON’T SKIMP ON PHOTOGRAPHY 

Seeing the exchanging of your rings and your first kiss is something you’ll want to have. Photo and video are all you’ll have from your wedding once it's done. Trust me, you don’t want to have wedding-day regrets when it comes to that.

Pro Tip: Make sure you hire a professional photographer who is familiar with your ceremony location. That increases the odds you will get the best shots possible.

KEEP THE GUEST LIST SMALL

Cutting the guest list is often one of the hardest parts of any wedding, especially for couples who have big families and wide circles of friends. Invite the people that have always supported, loved, and helped you - the ones you can’t do life without. Being at your wedding is going to be a milestone in their life, not just a fun event to attend.

Wedding Day Tips For Brides and Grooms

Did you know wedding photographers typically spend more time with the bride on her wedding day than the groom and sometimes more than the maid of honour?

Wedding photographers are there from the time you finish your hair and make up till you hop in the getaway car. So I've learned a lot from brides over the past 15 + years of photographing weddings. 

KATES WEDDING TIPS

TIP 1. Be a guest at your own wedding. Be in the moment the day of. Even though you’ve been anticipating and planning, don’t analyze and fixate on if it’s going according to plan or on what’s coming next. Be present and enjoy the celebration as it comes. That will make the day stick best in your memory and allow you to actually enjoy it and have fun!

TIP 2. Hire a GREAT photographer…not good, but great. Even if you keep it simple, there is nothing more worth the expense than beautiful images to share and look back on. These are the pictures that will remind you of this perfect day forever!

TIP 3. Allow for plenty of getting ready time. You don't want to feel rushed on your wedding day. Hair and makeup often take longer than expected and then push back your timeline. Allow some time to sit and relax with your bridesmaids before the ceremony. 

TIP 4. Make sure you still look and feel like yourself! On your wedding day, you want to enjoy every moment, and you do not have time to be worried about the small things. If you feel wonderful then the rest of the day will be wonderful too!

TIP 5. Be unique, incorporate your personality and history into the wedding details and theme. Don't feel trapped by expectations or traditions. Guest are going to enjoy seeing your personality shine through the music, food, and decor that you pick as a couple. 

TIP 6. Be grateful. Friends and family have travelled and made sacrifices to attend your wedding. Thank them and try to spend some one on one time with each guest at some point throughout the wedding weekend. 

TIP 7. Don’t freak out if things don’t go as planned. For instance, if your cake doesn’t look quite like it was supposed to, hopefully, it at least tastes good! Just remember, everybody will have an amazing time at your wedding, so relax and enjoy your day.

TIP 8. Take a day or two to decompress after the wedding and before your honeymoon to just enjoy each other and get used to being husband and wife before jetting off.

TIP 9. Have a fabulous wedding day and enjoy these moments with your closest friends and family! Live in the moment, dance your heart out, and enjoy every last second of it! This is YOUR day!!

This text is based on a post from: https://charlestonweddingplanner.com/

COVID-19 Tips on Rescheduling Your Wedding

First of all, my heart goes out to you. This is such an important time in your life and the current situation can be stressful. 

TIP 1. Contact your venue about future availability. Most venues will be happy to transfer your deposit to a price comparable date. Ask your venue to give you three dates that are open and work with your schedule.

TIP 2. Once you have the three possible dates, create a Google Form Link and survey your current vendors availability. Then pick the date that the majority of your current vendors have open. Most will transfer the deposit to the new date. 

TIP 3. Be aware you’re vendors prices for 2021 may be higher because they released their 2021 pricing before the Pandemic and were expecting a busy year already. You may be asked by your current vendors to make up the difference if rescheduling in 2021. 

TIP 4. If you reschedule to a date that your current vendor is not available, they are in their rights to keep the deposit. However, they may be willing to give you a partial refund. Remember they have been turning away business on that date because of you. 

TIP 5. Consider rescheduling to a Weekday or a Sunday. These will be easier for your current vendors to accommodate and let’s face it, your guest list has an abundance of work vacation days to use up. 

TIP 6. Think positively. I personally can not wait for the massive celebrations when we can all get together again. Warning, you may get 100% of your guest list! Think about how excited everyone is going to be for your wedding. It’s going to be a truly EPIC party!! 

Pandemic Porch Portraits in Charleston, South Carolina

Last week I offered FREE Pandemic Porch Portraits to all my past Wedding and Family Portrait clients in the Charleston area. I had an overwhelming response and my schedule filled in one day. I decided to do this over my children’s spring break as a way to get out of the house, connect with old friends and entertain my kids.

I would love to continue these in the near future. Send me a FB message if you’re interested. https://www.facebook.com/kate.c.thornton

The Kasack Family, Happy 10th Birthday to Sadie!

My children Claire 8 years, Mary 7 years, Sadie 5 moths is asleep in the car.

The Hoffman Family, I photographed her Bridal Portraits around 15 years ago and have photographer their family portraits too many times to count.

The Lainhoff Family

The Kreminski family, I photographed Maternity Portraits for them on Folly Beach with both kids.

The Lummus Family, I photographed their Engagement Portraits and Wedding around 3 years ago at Wingate Plantation. The baby is due May 2nd!

The Colins Family, I photographed their wedding at the River Course on Kiawah Island 12 years ago.

The Jeter Family, I photographed their wedding 12 years ago at the Mills House and have photographed bth family and newborn portraits for them.

The Berge Family, I photographed their wedding at Pepper Plantation around 9 years ago.

The Hawkins Family, I photographed family portraits, her bridal portrait and wedding at the Carolina Yacht Club around 8 years ago.

The McQuade Family, I photographed Amanda and Preston’s wedding at the River Course on Kiawah Island 2 years ago.

The Young Family, I have photographed their family photos too many time to count.