Wedding Photography – Why so Pricey!?
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Wedding photography pricing is a hotly debated subject. If you’ve never planned an event before, hiring a professional photographer for your wedding day can be one of the most shockingly priced items that you encounter. It may seem like your photographer just has to collect some snaps on your big day, print them out, and slap them in an album but there’s a ton of work behind the scenes that needs to happen in order for your photos to come out as flawless as your wedding day. We’ve done some research and spoken to professional photographer Nirvanie Srikishun and got all the dirty details, so if you’re wondering why wedding photography is so expensive, just keep on reading.
Here’s a sampling of shots that Nirvanie has done with our team!
Why is Wedding Photography so Expensive?
Transportation
Typically, photographers need to travel to at least 3-4 different locations on your wedding day. From capturing the moments while you’re getting ready before you say you I dos, to snapping pictures of your first kiss and first dance, your photographer needs to make their way around in a timely manner on your big day. With public transportation being out of the question with all of the bulky equipment they’ve got to carry around, gas, insurance, and car payments need to be factored into their rate.
Advertising
Many photographers generate business by marketing themselves online. From purchasing advertisement space on a popular website to paying the monthly instalments to maintain their own website, marketing their services can get pricey. Professionals sometimes include their online portfolio and create galleries on their website of your photos so your guests have access as well. Because of all the traffic to their site, some opt to hire services to design the layout, which is another additional cost.
Equipment
Photographers are equipped with more than just one camera. Different lenses, batteries, memory cards, filters, lightboxes, light stands, and umbrellas all need to be used to get those perfect snapshots of your big day. Not to mention the backups of all of these items, just in case something breaks or malfunctions. As if buying all of this gear isn’t expensive enough, it also needs to be insured. Chances are, if a wedding photographer is charging too-good-to-be-true prices, they likely aren’t up to date with great equipment. Or even worse – what happens if their camera malfunctions at the wedding? A true professional has backups and extra equipment, and it costs money to maintain it all.
Staff
Unless your wedding is an intimate affair, you’ll probably see more than one photographer making their way around your event. An assistant and/or second shooter may be need to be hired by your primary photographer, in order for them to collect a wide variety of pictures, so that you can remember every last detail!
Labour
Your photographer will likely be with your from the time you get dressed until the population of the dance floor starts to thin out. Spending from 8-14 hours with you on your wedding day alone, (excluding the pre and post wedding festivities in the days before and following) your photographer will spend an additional 20-25 hours just editing your pictures afterwards. That $300/hour rate on the day of is starting to seem a little less outrageous, isn’t it? That rate also has to account for the time it takes to edit and compile your photos afterwards.
Printing
But the work isn’t over once your images are edited. Your photographer must design your wedding album and order any additional prints that you request. Paying for shipping and picking them up from the post office are a few more additional costs.
Education
Chances are, the person you hire to capture the magical moments of your wedding day didn’t just buy a camera one day and decide to be a photographer. Many are still paying off their student loans from when they were initially trained how to create the beautiful images you’ll be admiring for years to come. It’s also important for photographer to regularly attend different workshops and seminars to keep up with new techniques and trends, which can also cost a pretty penny! We swear by professional wedding photography companies who believe in continuous education and self-improvement.
We realize that dishing out thousands of dollars for a photographer can seem a little excessive at first, but we hope this post has helped you understand why their rates are anything but excessive. With all the work you’ve been putting in to plan every detail of your big day, you’ll want to remember it in all of its glory, for years to come! You don’t have to splurge on the most expensive and extravagant package, but don’t be afraid to drop some coin on a professional you believe will do a great job.
Another super, super important point to consider is, if the price is too low – how are they sustaining themselves? If equipment fails the week before your wedding, how will a very low budget photographer replace expensive pieces? Be real with yourself, and we promise, you won’t regret it!
A huge thank you to Nirvanie Srikishun Photography for speaking with us about her industry! Drop us a line and let us know what you think about wedding photography pricing.
xoxo,
The Whimlets
- Published in 2016, Budget, Uncategorized, Vendors, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Pretty Wedding Paper Goods
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Whether you like it or not, you’ll more than likely have some type of stationery involved on your big day: whether it be a program or guest card, it’ll be there. However, you can use this to your advantage- personalizing these wedding paper goods and having them as an extension of your theme can be a fantastic little embellishment to your decor! Here are a few options you can use to…
Spice up your wedding paper goods!
The extra effort in the smaller details of your big day will really show your guests that you’ve gone the extra mile, and will really pull your overall theme together. Here are some paper goods that are sure to make their way into your wedding, and that you can use to give your theme that extra oomph!
Menus
Usually, there is a menu to complement each place setting listing the wine options, any hors d’oeuvres, and options for the main course and dessert. Sometimes, especially when there is family style dining, couples will opt to place one menu in the middle of the table. The organization of your menus should depend on the style and tone of your dining experience! wedding paper goods
Table Numbers
At larger wedding, it’s usually a good idea to have your tables numbered- this will make it easier for your guests to find their assigned table, and not to mention help out the waiters making their way through the maze of tables in your reception space! You can add an extra flair to your table numbers by putting them in decorative frames, allowing them look like a natural part of your decor. wedding paper goods
Wedding Favour Tags
Wedding favours are a great idea to thank your guests for joining you on your big day, and to commemorate the momentous occasion. Adding a cutely designed paper tag to any type of favour, attached with ribbon to match your theme will add a lovely personal touch. Don’t be afraid to have fun with this one! With the champagne flowing, we’re sure your guests will definitely appreciate something cute and quirky at the end of the night. Favour tags are a great way to incorporate your wedding logo to personalize your wedding further.wedding paper goods
Escort Cards
More suited towards larger weddings, escort cards are typically organized just outside of the reception hall. You can easily make the display of your escort cards a focal point before your guests enter the main reception area. We love the idea of attaching cards to a small goodies like a bottle of soda or sweet treat, just to make your guests smile a little more! wedding paper goods
Seating Chart
A better option for a smaller wedding, you can let your imagination run wild when designing your seating chart. We know how hard it was to finalize the seating arrangements, so don’t be afraid to have fun with this one! Here are some a few ideas we think will spark your imagination:
Ceremony & Reception Programs
If you know that a number of yours guests will be unfamiliar with the details of your ceremony, it would be a good idea to have a little program detailing the proceedings. For example, a Hindu wedding that I recently attended handed out programs to all guests, describing all of the religious rites that were to be performed, and their significance. This was a great touch, since all guests were able to follow the two hour ceremony. Instead of opting for a simple white card-stock, get creative! If you’re having a destination wedding, you can create programs in the shape of the country where your nuptials are being held. Here are some other cute ideas:
Games
In addition to entertaining your guests between courses, or creating conversation amongst those who don’t know each other very well, you can use them to add an extra flair to your tabletop decor. A great idea is would be to leave personalize comment cards around the table, asking your guests for their advice to you and your SO, as newlyweds. Another fun addition would be cootie catchers- this option is sure to entertain kids, and will take the adults back to their childhood! Check out some awesome designs we’ve found:
There are a number of ways to spice up the papered goods that are sure to make their way into your wedding ceremony and reception. Our advice? Embrace it. This is just another opportunity to display your creativity and have a little fun when planning your big day!- Published in Uncategorized
The 2016 WPIC Kick Off at The Forth!
The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) brings the fire every year for its annual kick off, and this year was no exception! Our own Alisha had the pleasure of attending, and blogging the event for EventSource! The theme for this year was #ClubWPIC, a classic speakeasy, and held at a gorgeous newer Toronto venue, The Forth! So many fantastic vendors contributed to this great event, including Brent Miller Live, G. Pinto, the Linen Closet, Paras Events and much more!
WPIC Kickoffs Rock!
Being WPIC certified means that we have access to a talented, experienced and helpful network of other event professionals, and their passion for this industry showed in all of the details. We loved the fun, relaxed vibe of this year’s fete. Most of the time, as planners, we’re behind the scenes ensuring everything is running smoothly, but we all look forward to this event because it’s our chance to celebrate the previous year and get inspired for the year to come. A huge thank you to the amazing team of planners who put this event together for us to enjoy! It felt great to be an attendee and enjoy the fruit of someone else’s labour!
Check out the fab pictures of the event, captured by the awesome folks at Take1 Photography!
What an amazing night! One of my very favourite parts was the keynote speech, by Arthur of Fusion Events. He did a talk on the importance of social media marketing for wedding and event pros, and simple ways for us all to up our game! I also really loved the gentlemen from Yuk Yuks who had me literally in stitches throughout both sets! Be sure to check out the generous vendors below!
WPIC Kick Off Vendor Love
Media sponsor
Eventsource – http://www.eventsource.ca/
Venue and F&B
The Forth – http://theforth.ca/
Videographer
Jeremy Robertson Wedding Films – http://jeremyrobertsonweddingfilms.com/
Photographer
Take 1 Photography – http://take1-photography.com/
Linens and SWAG bags
Linen Closet – http://linencloset.ca/
DJ (Devon John) and MC (Wayde Salmon)
D&W Entertainment Group – http://www.dwentgroup.com/
Live Music
Grenville Pinto – http://www.gpinto.com/
Brent Miller Live – http://www.brentmillerlive.com/
Entertainment
Yuk Yuk’s Stand Up Comedy Clubs Toronto – https://www.yukyuks.com/
Speaker
Arthur K of Fusion Events – http://www.fusion-events.ca/
Stationery
Paper Decorum – http://www.paperdecorum.com/
Centrepieces
Paras Rentals – http://www.parasevents.ca/
Exquisite Occasions – http://www.exquisiteoccasions.ca/#!/HOME
Lipstick & Lash Bar and Regional Rep hair and makeup
Blush Pretty – http://blushpretty.com/
Photo booth
Snaptique Vintage Photo Booth – http://www.snaptique.ca/
Sweet Table and swag item
Staij & Co – https://www.facebook.com/staijandco/
Gelato Table
Cremahh Artisan Gelato & Specialty Drinks – http://www.cremahh.com/
Wedding Planner Problems author and “Best Dressed” prize
Crystal Adair-Benning, Distinct Occasions – http://www.distinctoccasions.ca/
Black Jack Table, Dealer and swag item
Ultimate Party Services – http://www.ultimatepartyservices.ca/
MC Wayde’s and DJ Devon’s tuxedos
Andrew’s Formals – http://andrewsformals.com/
Swag items
The Wedding Planner Magazine – http://weddingplannermag.ca/
Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (mugs) – http://wpic.ca/
Planning Team
Regional Representative Manager – Janis Martinello, Brocade Events
Durham Region Representative – Amy Stevenson
Halton/Peel Region Representative – Suzzette Patten, Exquisite Occasions
Hamilton/Niagara Region Representative – Heather Declavasio, Wisdom Weddings
Edmonton Region Representative – Jenn Denis, Something Beautiful Weddings
Jamaica Region Representative – Denneisha Blair, Unique Bridal & Tux
Jamaica Region Representative – Andrea Wilson Green, With Ease Magazine
Vendor Love: Rodney’s Oyster House
Rodney’s Oyster House is a powerhouse in Toronto for any self-respecting oyster-and-seafood-loving foodie. The Whim girls approve wholeheartedly and are known to spend an evening enjoying a few of these savoury delights while bantering with the witty and knowledgeable staff. We love the vibe, drinks and food at this fab establishment, and we were delighted to learn that…
Rodney’s Oyster House offers wedding and event catering!
The team reached out to us and offered to come over to the office and do a demonstration of their awesome range of services. How could we say no? This is an area where we unabashedly admit that this is a #WeddingPlannerPerk.
Matt from the catering team came by and set up his basket of goods – featuring several delectable types of sauces. He also had a ton of tools to make shucking-on-the-go a breeze! Michelle and I sipped on bubbly to clear our palates and enjoyed the array of coastal delights.
Seriously, what a tough way to spend a Monday!
Don’t these oysters look amazing? We love the bed of greenery that the oysters are laid on!
On to the business side of things – Rodney’s Oyster House is a fantastic option as an addition to any wedding, social or corporate event. The team sets up an attractive shucking station and can offer grazing or passed options. They servers are able to dress in branded or themed attire and stand out from the crowd in a positive way. We’ll certainly be cultivating this relationship for future clients, because this affordable option is sure to be a hit with any food-loving crowd. A huge thank you to Matt from Rodney’s Oyster House for coming out to our office in Vaughan! We had a blast and can’t wait to share this new offering with our clients!
Are you in need of advice on how to select great food options for your upcoming event? Contact us today to get started with our talented planning team!
xoxo,
- Published in 2016
Toronto Wedding Entertainment
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Deciding on what type of entertainment to hire for your big day can be a tough decision- but worry not, Whim is here to help you with all of your entertainment woes! Most couples opt to hire vendors to charm their guests during cocktail hour and/or dinner, so you’ll find that many of our suggestions will fit flawlessly into your reception program. If you’re interested in learning about some wedding entertainment ideas that are sure to leave your guests in awe, keep on reading!
Toronto wedding entertainment sure to wow your guests
Violinist or Pianist
Hiring a musician that’s open to taking song requests is a great option for both cocktail and dinner time entertainment. We recently attended the WPIC Kick-Off at The Forth, and G.Pinto did a fantastic job providing pre-dinner entertainment!
Wine/ Liquor Tasting
Setting up a wine a liquor tasting is perfect if you’ve got a few wine and liquor connoisseurs in your clan. Consider fun stationed ideas like a scotch or martini station.
Caricatures
We know caricatures are not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, but they can actually be a fun addition for your guests. What better way than a larger-than-life portrait for your guests to take home with them, to commemorate your wedding? One of our favourites is Michael McDonnell – he has experience with large corporate events and intimate weddings alike! Toronto wedding entertainment.
Showgirls/ Dancers
Hiring a few showgirls to do a number on the dance floor during dinner can be an awesome way for your guests to cleanse their palate between the main course and dessert! You can also opt to go with some cultural dancers; this would be a great touch to incorporate some of your (or your SO’s) culture into your big day. A surefire way to please your guests! One of our favourites is RS Divas – ask for Jana and tell her Whim sent you :). Toronto wedding entertainment.
Singing Waiters
What’s more entertaining than being serenaded while snacking on shrimp toast? Nothing, that’s what. – just ask the talent from the Three Waiters! Toronto wedding entertainment.
Flash Mob
You can either hire some faux wedding guests to burst into dance during cocktail hour, or you can enlist your bridal party to learn a routine to surprise the rest of your guests! This option is sure to shock everyone, and can be a great bonding experience for you and your bridal party. Toronto wedding entertainment.
Guest Video Box
We’ll be honest, this option is more for your entertainment than your guests. Instead of a guestbook, you can opt to rent a video booth for your guests to leave you a special message. You’ll probably find that the video messages get more entertaining as the night goes on!
Living Tables
A living table is a great way to wow your guests while serving hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour. Your guests can be served a refreshment while taking in the sight of an expressively costumed performer. Check out Carmen Miranda from Living Tables!
We realize what a daunting task choosing entertainment for you big day can be, but remember: your guests are there to join in the celebration of your love, and will undoubtedly enjoy anything you choose!
Have you ever been to a wedding with any of these forms of Toronto wedding entertainment? Think we missed an exciting option? Leave us a comment below and let us know! Contact us today to get started on designing a wedding or event that will keep all of your guests entertained all night long!
- Published in 2016, GTA, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps