Considering an Elopement style Wedding? Consider these 5 factors!

Albeit COVID-19 is the ‘New Normal,’ for all of us World wide many couples have decided that the life must go on. They’ve planned, they sacrificed and the time on their Marriage License is running out.  But if you must run the risk of saying those two little words, ‘I Do,’ your not alone.  The following five key points is how I consult my prospective Brides and Grooms.

Tip # 1.  Cost savings.  Cost savings is pretty much indicative of a smaller Wedding.  Yes, you won’t be entertaining a hundred plus Guests at your Wedding but realistically, in the long run a great number of your Guests would most likely politely decline your Event in an respect.  Better safe then sorry to say the least!

Tip # 2.  Wedding Planning Anxiety.  This seems to be a predominant concern with all Brides and Grooms during any Wedding planning process.  How many meals do we need to plan?  Would you like the beef, chicken or vegetarian dinner.  Who is gonna sit next to whom.  And how do we do our best to keep the In-laws and Outlaws separate at the evening Reception.  Less personalities, less possibility of an already encapsulated Wedding going astray on your Big Day due to differing personalities.

Tip # 3.  Shuck those Cultural norms.  You know the ones.  You may come from a certain ethnic background and your used to attending a three day Wedding.  A five day Wedding or even a Week long wedding.  Here is your chance to host a more private, intimate Wedding and Reception.  Plus tying in nicely with the earlier mentioned cost saving measures.

Tip # 4.  Location, location… location!

Elopement Weddings Can Almost Be Held Everywhere!  With both our local and Provincial Governments shutting down Wedding and Reception venues due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns an Elopement Wedding can pretty much take place anywhere.  A backyard, a local picturesque Park or even on a opportunistic rock outcropping along Georgian Bay can provide you with a suitable backdrop to embrace your Nuptials.  If your Wedding Photographer is worth his salt, he or she will still be able to provide you with a beautiful experience that will last a lifetime.

Tip # 5.  How Best To Allocate Or Budget Your Money.  One says ‘yes,’ to a big Wedding – one says ‘no.’  During these difficult times, this COVID reality might be the best time to plan your Wedding.

As the Toronto Wedding Industry is without a doubt over priced and under delivered in many aspects, now might be the perfect time to take the plunge.  Toronto Wedding Service Vendors are literally bending over backwards to work.  The deals are out there if you look and do a little research.  Many Vendors (including myself) are offering ‘Split Wedding Photography Packages.’  Where we could plan your Wedding Ceremony Shoot today but hold off with the party to a more favorable time.

In closing I’ve never met a Bride and Groom who didn’t want the BIG WEDDING.  It’s understandable.  But if you must and you just cannot wait for more favorable conditions these five above noted factors might help you navigate the New Normal.

Blair Atkins of Blair Atkins Photography has been privileged to work and teach Professional Wedding Photography within the Toronto Wedding Industry since 2010.  Recently awarded ‘Toronto’s Best Wedding Photographer 2020,’ by BestForBrides.com and featured Nationally by Canadian Home Trends Magazine.

To further explore our Companies latest exploits please visit us at either our Instagram account or YouTube page.

Hello Torontowb,

Printing costs are perhaps the single greatest financial cost after the actual work of your Wedding Photographer.  If you were willing to put together your own Albums and loose prints you would roughly save yourself anywhere from 30 percent of your overall photography costs.

As a Professional Photographer we only deal with high end Printers that won’t necessarily deal with members of the general public.  But professionally finished images cost are based on expected and consistent ‘Professional results.’

Now here’s the trick.  When I hand over your finished images, they have gone through my litmus test.  The have been prepared properly.  Lighting and exposure is correct.  All images have been color graded to insure no irregular colors contrasts.  Your images have been prepared to a Professional Color Profiles such as Adobe 1998 and all image cropping has been completed in respect to my customer’s specs.  So in short, as long as your taking my finished work to a reputable Printer you should be fine.

Would I be willing to offer you a discount off of your negotiated Wedding Photography Package?  Sure I would.  You would be taking work off of my plate.  Something to consider.

Company Bio:  Blair Atkins of Blair Atkins Photography has been privileged to work and teach Professional Wedding Photography within the Toronto Wedding Industry since 2010.  Recently awarded ‘Toronto’s Best Wedding Photographer 2020,’ by BestForBrides.com and featured Nationally by Home Trends Magazine.  Contact information is in our Bio or visit us at either our Instagram account or YouTube page.

Hello WeddingB,

Thank you for your question.

Having photographed a multitude of Weddings in my time, the number one memorable attribute that stands out in my opinion would be ‘Family.’  Not the dollar amount.  Whether the Wedding is a $500.00 dollar City Hall venture or a $50,000.00 dollar Gala Event, Family and a family’s love is the very core of our existence and the heart of any Wedding.

Think of the photos of your best friend’s Wedding.  A Daughter dancing with her Father.  The emotion and pride swelling in a Man’s heart seeing his Daughter all grown up and starting her life with another man.  Think of the emotion in a Mother’s heart realizing her Son is taking the next step in his life and starting his own with his newly minted Bride.  A Grandmother being wheeled out in her chair to bless a young couple on their Wedding day.  Or the wonderful innocence and smile of a newborn, cradled in the arms of her now  Aunt and Uncle.

It’s emotion that drives the heart at a Wedding and not a Visa or MasterCard at the end of the day.

As most Photographers tend to follow the rule of ‘Fill The Frame,’ it doesn’t matter if you’ve rented a smaller Wedding Venue or you’ve booked a 10,000 foot luxury Reception Hall.  Fancy chandeliers, expensive crystal wine flutes and decorated table cloths won’t be remembered years later.  But that first dance with your Mom or Dad will be.

So don’t be fooled or coerced by the overpriced, expensive Wedding Industry in Toronto.  You already have everything you’ll ever need!

Good luck and God Bless!

Company Bio:  Blair Atkins of Blair Atkins Photography has been privileged to work and teach Professional Wedding Photography within the Toronto Wedding Industry since 2010.  Recently awarded ‘Toronto’s Best Wedding Photographer 2020,’ by BestForBrides.com and featured Nationally by Home Trends Magazine.  Contact information is in our Bio or visit us at either our Instagram account or YouTube page.