Even in a pandemic, it’s still the time to celebrate the love. If you want to hold a beautiful wedding, don’t forget to hire the best photographer you can find. It’s one of the most important decisions that you need to make right after your engagement.
If you are wondering how much do wedding photographers charge this year, keep in mind that their services are pretty expensive and, in some cases, might go well beyond your budget. This is why you need to ask a photographer several questions before signing a contract.
In this guide, we will explain in detail how to select the best wedding photographer for your needs and budget.
What Is the Average Price?
Over 60% of people don’t plan their wedding budget properly and are taken aback when they see a photography price list for the first time. Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most crucial things to do, which is why many experts advise couples to set aside at least 10-15% of their budget to hire a true professional.
Preparing for your wedding can be extremely exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There is nothing easy about planning for a day you’ll never forget. Between finding the perfect venue, a dream dress, designing invitations, as well as all of the additional details and customizations, there is a lot of pressure when it comes to figuring out the most effective timeline to saying “I do.” Luckily, staying stress-free while prepping for your big day has never been easier with this ultimate guide!
To ensure you keep calm and carry on throughout the process of wedding planning, follow these do’s and don’ts!
The Do’s
DO Establish a Budget & Monitor Expenses
First and foremost, establish a budget. Your finances will arguably play the most significant role in preparing for your wedding as it influences everything from the destination of the ceremony, to the dress that you wear as you walk down the aisle. That being said, it’s critical that you set a budget that caters to all the different elements of your wedding at the very beginning of your planning process. Doing so will help make it easier to narrow down those tough decisions along the way.
Only a handful of brides have the unbelievable ability for successful short-term wedding planning. However, if you are like most women, you may take a year or more to sort out all aspects of wedding planning.
So, there is no exact timeline to plan a perfect wedding.
Nonetheless, you need a plan! Even if you are an easy-going bride who somehow gets things done in the nick of time.
If you have already planned a wedding, you will need some direction and guidance on what needs to be done.
Don’t you agree?
So, here is a practical wedding planning timeline and month-by-month checklist of all the different tasks that it involves. Use it as such or as a reference to create your own personalized wedding plan and you simply cannot go wrong.
Note: This wedding planning timeline is created for the “average” engagement period, which is a whole year. However, you can adjust it to divide and conquer all the relevant, tasks even if your engagement is longer or shorter.
When you have 12 months left
Wedding finances
Freshly engaged and still reeling from the thrill of the beautiful proposal? Indulge yourself in the ecstasy of this milestone chapter in your life, for it happens just once.
Have a party, take a holiday; all you need to celebrate! Then, get down to business!
Start your wedding planning process with the following tasks.
Prepare the Wedding Budget
Weddings are expensive affairs, and this is the right time to discuss finances with your fiancé.
Calculate the maximum amount you can afford to spend. Then, divide the funds into different expenses. Some of the important factors to consider at this point are:
Who pays for the wedding? Are your families/other generous relatives contributing? If so, how much will they be paying?
What are your priorities—venue, décor, entertainment, food, honeymoon?
What tools will you use to jot down and track expenses? Do you prefer the pen and paper route, spreadsheets or a budget planning app?
Why is it important to identify your body type before you shop for your wedding dress?
Does the very thought of wedding dress shopping make your nervous?
As exciting as bridal dress shopping is, many brides dread the idea of choosing the wrong dress for their special day. This can be an expensive and often, irreversible mistake.
Now, here’s the good news! You can avoid such a mistake.
Wedding dress shopping isn’t complicated if you understand certain basic concepts about dress selection. And this is what we will explore in detail.
I’ll first describe the exact step-by-step procedure to identify your body type, since this factor has great significance in your wedding dress selection.
Thereafter, I’ll help you identify the best wedding dress choices based on your findings. Keep reading to find out more.
If we say that finding the perfect wedding dress is as challenging as finding the perfect groom, will you agree?
The wedding fashion scene presents an overwhelming variety of options in wedding dress. This, of course adds to the excitement of dress shopping; however, wait till you set foot in a bridal shop, and all this variety will only add to your confusion.
Nevertheless, you must find a way out and reach your goal—a “dream wedding dress” perfect for the most special day in your life! And for this you must know what your options are and direct your attention to choices most suitable for you.
Clever brides know that the wedding dress search begins with choosing the right wedding dress silhouette.
So, join us as we explore this first step in detail. In the coming sections, we will look at different wedding dress silhouettes and identify which of these is best for you based on your body shape.
Let us begin!
Chapter 1: Wedding dress silhouettes—how are they different from regular clothing?
Wedding dresses are very different from regular clothes in the following ways
They are complex garments that have internal boning and other special elements like corsets and heavily layered fabric. These features hold the gown up by creating its structure and shape and allow it to drape perfectly. You will rarely see these features in regular clothes.
Most wedding dress silhouettes involve intricate and elaborate details like embroidery and lace appliques. This type of fine work is often hand-embroidered.
The fabric used in designer wedding dresses is of high-quality, expensive and made of the finest fabrics.
Look closely at any designer wedding dress. You can see the impressive quality of work at each level. Everything from how the seams are made to the definition of details will be impeccable.
This video will help you better understand the extent of work that goes into the construction of a wedding gown.
Bridesmaid dress shopping is an indispensable and important aspect of your wedding planning.
Choosing the right dresses for your wedding party members involves unique challenges such as finding dresses that your bridesmaids approve, that also work with the wedding theme.
So, bridesmaid dress shopping may even end up being more demanding than wedding dress shopping itself! However, with proper preparation and planning, you can tackle bridesmaid dress shopping efficiently.
This comprehensive guide to bridesmaid dress shopping will discuss all that you need for stress-free bridesmaid dress shopping.
So, let’s get started!
Preparation for Bridesmaid dress shopping: Decisions to make
Did you know that the actual shopping process begins much before your bridesmaids set foot in a shop?
Ideally, you should start planning bridesmaid dress shopping at least six months before the wedding.
Bridal Hair is a beautiful and meaningful art. Every bride-to-be wants to look beautiful and confident on their wedding day. We want to help you find the perfect wedding hair stylist for you. We have compiled a list of the best wedding hair stylists in Toronto and GTA. As each one has their own style and preference, the list is in alphabetical order. These are the Top Wedding Hair Stylists in Toronto and GTA nominated by Best for Bride. Enjoy exploring and admiring their beautiful works of art! We have also included Frequently Asked Questions for Hair Stylists at the bottom of the post.
Antonella Cumbo
I have been practicing my craft for 14+ years, I strive to give each individual a unique personalized experience. And always keeping up to date on trends and fashion.
I started my career as a co-op student right out of high school. At the time I didn’t know I wanted to do hair for a living, until one day I sat in on an “updo” class and absolutely fell in love with the art of styling. It was then when I realized that I wanted to make woman feel and look beautiful. Over the years of hairstyling, woman have been afraid to get updos for the fear of not liking it, or ending up with the dreaded “prom hair”. I made it my mission to make sure I offer a unique style of consultation that includes vision crafting, and face shape analysis to determine the best look for their face and body type. This always works. And most often they end up wearing it for a few days!
5 years of experience in the world of hair has launched me into a romance with styling, educating, & expressing myself through the art of what I love most.
Bridal Makeup is a beautiful and meaningful art. Every bride-to-be wants to look beautiful and confident on their wedding day. We want to help you find the perfect wedding makeup artist for you. We have compiled a list of the best wedding makeup artists in Toronto and GTA. As each one has their own style and preference, the list is in alphabetical order. These are the Top Wedding Makeup Artists in Toronto and GTA nominated by Best for Bride. Enjoy exploring and admiring their beautiful works of art! We have also included Frequently Asked Questions for Makeup Artists at the bottom of the post.
Amber Malik Makeup
Bringing a bride’s vision of how she wants to be seen on her most special day, to life.
With over 20 years of experience in Bridal Makeup Artistry, I have had the opportunity to work with various brides, from different cultures, all with their own unique vision of how they want to look for their big day. This job has taken me to different countries, and allowed me to become such a crucial part of someone’s special day. I work together with my brides to come up with the perfect vision of their Makeup look based on their features, outfits, jewelry, and if they have a theme for their wedding. I specialize in South Asian Bridal Makeup, so we get to create different looks for all the events that take place, which is always so amazing. I have the opportunity to create flawless looks that are both traditional and timeless for a ceremony, to trendy and bold for a reception – giving my brides the best of both worlds. I am obsessed with my brides not only looking amazing, but feeling amazing when they see themselves in the mirror for the first time as a bride. Because of this, I ensure I’m available to them until they are ready to leave for their ceremony. When a bride books her Bridal Makeup with me, they have the comfort in knowing I will be there, by their side the entire time.
Aside from Bridal Makeup, I enjoy creating bold makeup looks on myself to share on my social media. This helps me to not only practice different techniques, but it allows me to keep up-to-date on the latest makeup trends. Makeup has been a passion for me for as long as I can remember, and creating various looks on myself has really helped showcase my talents, continue to learn, and step out of my comfort zone. Combined with my experience and passion, my makeup brushes welcome every bride to come sit in my chair.
My name is Annika, and I founded AnnimationsMkUp 6 years ago to change the face of Bridal Beauty, literally!
We live to provide professional, friendly service with outstanding results. No more awkward, silent wedding mornings with a stranger who does what they want to do instead of what makes you feel like you! I began my career right here in the GTA in 2010, serving much of Southern Ontario, from Belleville to London and beyond. Over the years I have built my team with artists and stylists who exhibit excellent skill, professionalism, and positive energy, which is a major key to our Brand Difference. We have our teams based and focused in the GTA, as well a few sets of artists out west in Alberta who serve all of that province and eastern British Columbia. Brides have described us as talented, having contagious positivity, putting them at ease, and a joy to work with. It is their unforgettable, happy experience with us making that first positive impact on such an important day that drives us to serve with excellence. We now are proud to have a 5 Star Rating on WeddingWire and several publications in bridal magazines, continually striving to develop our skills and exceed our Brides’ expectations with each wedding we are so fortunate to be a part of.
Having a talented and dedicated wedding planner is crucial for your special day. The pressure of planning your own wedding is insane and it is always helpful to have someone help you implement your ideas and create new ones to make your wedding day perfect. From venues to florists and themes, every decision you make has to be meticulous and thoroughly thought of. We compiled a list in alphabetical order of the Top Wedding Planners in Toronto and GTA to help you find an event planner that will bring your dream wedding to life! We have also created a 12 Month Wedding Planning Checklist you can find at the bottom!
Amavi Event Planning + Design
Amavi Event Planning + Design: proficient planning for busy brides and grooms!
Amavi is a boutique wedding and event planning company specializing in creating bespoke, romantic, and unforgettable experiences for couples in Hamilton, the GTA, Niagara, and beyond. With a collaborative planning style, heartfelt passion for little details, and devotion to going above and beyond for each and every couple, your special day will be nothing short of a perfect reflection of you.
With a focus on full-service planning for busy brides and grooms, Amavi takes on a limited number of clients per year, offering an exclusive experience for our clients. Come and be swept away in dreaming about every detail of your perfect wedding day with us – we want to know what makes your heart soar! Allow us to assist you in creating an event that makes you weak in the knees and evokes every wonderful emotion to create a memorable experience for you as well as your guests.
Life is made of moments worth celebrating – don’t get caught up in the stress of planning. With Amavi, you’ll enjoy every moment leading up to your special day, while we take care of the details!
Beth Jacobs Weddings & Events is a boutique event planning and design firm that specializes in all things weddings, social and corporate events. We strive to advocate for our client’s needs with the utmost amount of empathy, treating each event as if it’s our very own.
From getting to know our clients, we find what their passions are, what drives them in business, their relationships, or the particular celebration under the microscope. From there we use our expertise to really drill into how we can make each event exude their essence in a way that creates all the happy tears to cherish for a lifetime. I, Beth Olatunji, the owner and creative director, started this business as a way to regain myself through my passions. With a lot of hard work, buckets of sweat, and a few tears too, we can all proudly stand behind our mission and our purpose within this industry.
We have been fortunate to have been published in multiple bridal editorial magazines such as Today’s Bride, Lavish Dulhan, Elegant Wedding Magazine, The Bridal Affair Canada, The Bridal Guide Canada, and more. We are also proud members of the WedLuxe Glitterati which stands to be the global authority in luxury weddings worldwide.We could not have gotten this far without our dedication and perseverance through each challenge and obstacle that has come our way. As we continue to push forward in uncertain times, we remain faithful that we will continue to rise above each hurdle and press onward to continued success.
Wedding photography is a beautiful art and everyone has their own unique style and preference. We are here to help you find talented and qualified best wedding photographers in Toronto and GTA. Since every single one of these photographers has their own style and niche, we decided to order them in alphabetical order. These are the Top Wedding Photographers in Toronto and GTA nominated by Best for Bride. Enjoy exploring and admiring their beautiful works of art!
Aimee Rae Photography
Aimee Seguin is a lifestyle photographer with over 5 years of wedding, family, newborn and branding experience.
In January of 2020 Aimee took the leap and started her own business, Aimee Rae Photography. Over the years she has learned from many different photographers. Aimee Rae Photography is considered to be a little bit more moody and on the romantic side. Capturing the little moments is always the number one goal. Unplanned smiles, kisses, tears and reactions are what Aimee lives for. Clients always comment on her professionalism as well as how relaxed, enjoyable and entertaining the photography sessions are.
Welcome to Ali K Photography, where your story inspires my passion. I strive to deliver an impeccable narrative collection of emotion, tradition, experience and excellence through your photographic visuals. My composition of diverse expertise and artistic vision will indisputably deliver a unique experience where your organic story will be preserved for you forever.
As an Avid fan of art in general, which includes music, cinema & dance, my work derives inspiration via several channels. My style comprises of a fine balance between contemporary, bright, vibrant imagery with suggestions of drama & edginess. My images are timeless, romantic & profusely display a creative lighting skill-set combined with fashionista inspired, believable posing.
When it comes to your in-depth event coverage, I transition into my paparazzi mode and strive to stay photojournalistic & candid. Your wedding images will essentially be a story, showcasing & immortalizing priceless moments which you & your family will cherish forever. I’m a constant learner, frequently push boundaries, step out of my comfort zone and hence my style is constantly evolving.
Wedding Videography is a challenging and powerful way to capture the emotional moment of your wedding day. Every bride-to-be wants to relive the amazing moments of their wedding day. We want to help you find the perfect wedding videographer for you. We have compiled a list of the best wedding videographer in Toronto and GTA. As each one has their own style and preference, the list is in alphabetical order. These are the Top Wedding Videographers in Toronto and GTA nominated by Best for Bride. Enjoy exploring and admiring their beautiful works of art! We have also included Frequently Asked Questions for Videographers at the bottom of the post.
Aperture Lane
Aperture Lane is a witty and warm-hearted wedding brand based in North York best know for its meaningful and cinematic wedding films.
You won’t find the music video style or montage style wedding videos with Aperture Lane. Instead, Ryan and his team work with fun, authentic and classy couples to turn the footage from their weddings into meaningful, artistic videos. The team believes that taking the time to tell an intentional story around the wedding day will allow their Aperture Lane couples to appreciate their keepsakes for many years to come. In establishing the brand, Aperture Lane’s diverse clientele is proof that their storytelling method is not for a particular bunch, but rather a universally appreciated style. Their online platforms showcase faces and celebrations from various cultures ranging from Western style, South Asian, Jewish, West-African and many more. This embodies Aperture Lane’s slogan: Stories bring us all together.
Team Aperture Lane works meticulously to strike a balance between getting the best quality of footage and providing the best experience for their couples and the guests. Couples often forget Ryan and his team are present because of their non-obtrusive workflow where they try their hardest to capture those precious moments with minimal impact on the attendees. They quietly document during the formal portions and enthusiastically direct and encourage their couples during the photo sessions in order to get organic reactions to enhance their films later on. Aside from creating thoughtful narratives with his couples, Ryan, the head of Aperture Lane, is committed to educating brides along their journey to marriage. In addition to intentional social media posts, Ryan has a weekly segment called Wednesday Wisdom by Aperture Lane, where he provides tips to help brides improve their experience with planning their videography, photography and schedule for their wedding day.
At some point in your interaction with Aperture Lane, you’ll very likely find yourself getting emotional during a film, getting inspired by tips or just shaking your head at the shameless dad jokes and humour that pop up frequently there.
My name is Rapheal and I am the owner of Dreamfilms Wedding Videography, based in Brampton Ontario.
I believe what sets me apart from most wedding videographers are these three things:
I don’t capture love stories – this is a positive thing, hear me out: I think it’s disrespectful to limit a love story to a couple of hours or days. A wedding is just one elaborate chapter in a much bigger ‘love story’. What I capture is the detail, emotion and the essence of how that chapter will be remembered.
No awkward poses: I don’t give my clients commands like “move your hand behind you head” or “tilt your head up but keep your eyes down” etc. I know these people aren’t hollywood actors and actresses. I simply film things as they happen, and I love the natural reactions I see. Think about it. The last time you were asked to do something in a specific way while being filmed probably felt awkward, right? My clients never have to worry about this feeling with me
Amazing audio: they say half of what makes a great video, is having great audio. That is true in every way. I absolutely pride myself on audio production in my films. When I show up on a wedding day, capturing enough audio to create a story in my films is my number one priority. Everyone will pull out their phones during the wedding ceremony and reception, but it takes a true professional to capture vows at the altar or the speech a father will make to his daughter.
Planning a wedding can be a nerve-racking and genuinely elated experience. Every bride needs to have everything sorted out and that means literally everything. From the meticulous dress, beautiful hairstyle, extravagant and unique decorations, and immaculate accessories. If you have the desire to implement bohemian flair into your special day, then you are really in for numerous gorgeous options.
Starting from the late 1960s, Boho chic style has most certainly evolved into an even more faddish and extravagant look that every bride can incorporate into her wedding day. Whether you are mixing the various bohemian and hippie influences into your look and decorations, the main focus is to incorporate genuine rustic and vintage items with earthy and natural tones. Woven décor elements, an abundance of light linen drapery, lavishing floral and earthy details is what allures every bride to this style. It takes patience and careful planning, but every single bride can have her dream wedding with little effort of incorporating these boho wedding ideas. So, without further ado, here is a thorough guide that will get you covered on how to organize a Bohemian wedding.
It takes patience and careful planning, but every single bride can have her dream wedding with little effort of incorporating these boho wedding ideas. So, without further ado, here is a thorough guide that will get you covered on how to organize a Bohemian wedding.
Embrace the natural ambient
Boho weddings are all about blending with the natural surrounding and inviting Mother Nature into your wedding. Having your alter placed in the evergreen wood or simply by decorating the altar with natural green leaves or lush succulents will immediately symbol the greatness of your special day. Seize any natural ambient that you have around the reception, rather than holding the official ceremony indoors.
Lavish yourself with Boho-inspired jewelry
As a bride, you need to look and feel your best. Wearing some specially designated and unique jewelry similar to which you can find at Moon Magic will undoubtedly make you feel ravishing. By wearing some elegant and stylish bohemian jewelry you will be able to express your unique character and make an impact on your big day. Accessories play a vital role in the bride’s complete appearance, so wear the gemstones and materials that suit your personality and which match your Boho wedding dress.
Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting wedding planning tasks for a bride. We like to think of it as a wonderful and unique journey where brides explore diverse options and finally find a magical dress that transforms them into the beautiful brides they always wanted to be.
However, the path to finding this one and the only perfect wedding dress is not simple. It is fraught with challenges and the options are endless. So, it is essential to plan for the task and avoid drowning in the endless variety of dresses presented to you.
Over the next chapters, we will tell you what to expect at each stage leading to wedding dress shopping. We will also tell you how to navigate potential issues so you can enjoy the shopping experience, just like you deserve to.
Let us begin!
Step 1: Factors to consider when shopping for your wedding dress
Are you unsure of how to begin planning for wedding dress shopping?
Don’t worry, for we know exactly what will help you set your shopping criteria. These are practical factors or constraints, that directly affect your dress decision. Start by considering these factors and you will be able to narrow down your search. So, here they are!
Venue and theme
Have you decided on a wedding theme yet? Your chosen theme will determine your venue choice and directly impact your wedding dress selection. We’ll tell you how.
Imagine you have your heart set on a beach wedding in summer. Would it be practical to wear a heavy satin gown with an elaborate train to this venue?
You have at last discovered the one you need to spend the rest of your life with, also celebrated a memorable engagement event by giving your fiancé a Hip-hop Chain and now the time has come to plan your big day! Planning a wedding is one of the most energizing and remunerating things you will actually do, yet it could likewise be one of the most unpleasant activities. Who doesn’t need an ideal wedding day? Still, few couples make a few mistakes without knowing. What’s more, this guide will assist you with dodging these slip-ups.
Set a Wedding Planning Timetable
The moment you get ready for marriage, everybody will ask about your wedding date. Yet, in all actuality, you won’t have the option to set a definite wedding date until other significant choices—like choosing (and booking) your venue. So first, center around deciding the scope of dates that will work for you. The normal engagement keeps going 15 months; yet additionally consider what season you’d like, any significant occasions or family occasions you’d prefer to abstain from clashing with, and how long you anticipate you’ll need to plan.
Make a List of Priorities
Sorting out what you need from your day is the place where to begin when arranging a wedding. What are the main components to you? Possibly you need a reason not to have incredible food and beverages? Perhaps large gathering isn’t your style and you need everything to be simple?
Having your needs straight will direct the rest of the cycle, making it simpler to pick where you’ll settle.
Congrats! If you are here, that means you have finally found your next wedding dress. Now, what style item will be on your list. Yes, of course, it will be wedding high heels.
Do you know what the worst part of wedding day outfits is? We plan rigorously to buy something that we will only wear for the second time. The wedding dress will be put in the box somewhere to never open again, and jewelry might be used a couple of times before it becomes old fashioned. However, there is one wedding fashion item that can be worn again and again, wedding high heels.
Although most women prefer wearing wedding high heels at their wedding, most of the women have accepted that sometimes high heels can tend to feel uncomfortable.
The new generation of women is more prone to wear comfortable and trendy shoes as they are more working outside. When we want to search for any comfortable shoes to wear, in most cases, we see the designers giving us the options to regular wear sneakers or regular boring ballerinas.
But what if I tell you that we have the best range of comfortable wedding high heels just for you. Would you believe me?
Best Wedding High Heels
The high heels are everywhere and are praised by the women. But due to the discomfort issues, women ignore their choice of looking beautiful and trendy. They try to focus on the comfortable level of the shoes.
However, you cannot ignore the fashion at your wedding or while attending a wedding. These are once in a lifetime events, which means you need to look perfect. I have listed down some of the best comfortable wedding high heels.
Comprehensive guide on how much do wedding photographers charge. Find out what the wedding photography prices include, what influences them, as well as how to save money on a photographer.
Preparing for your wedding can be extremely exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There is nothing easy about planning for a day you’ll never forget. Between finding the perfect venue, a dream dress, designing invitations, as well as all of the additional details and customizations, there is a lot of pressure when it comes to figuring out the most effective timeline to saying “I do.” Luckily, staying stress-free while prepping for your big day has never been easier with this ultimate guide!
Planning a wedding is one of the most energizing and remunerating things you will actually do, yet it could likewise be one of the most unpleasant activities. Who doesn’t need an ideal wedding day? Still, few couples make a few mistakes without knowing.
Although most women prefer wearing wedding high heels at their wedding, most of the women have accepted that sometimes high heels can tend to feel uncomfortable.
But what if I tell you that we have the best range of comfortable wedding high heels just for you. Would you believe me?
We will start by giving you a brief introduction to the anatomy of the ring, so you know precisely what we are referring to, then move on to the types of band, settings, and finally, the different kinds of metal that you can use.
Now that you’ve planned the months leading up to your wedding, it’s time to make your day-of wedding checklist. There are so many tiny details that go into the actual day that can be easily overlooked.
