Kelly, one of my brides, sent me over the coolest thing when I asked for her final papers.   Normally , I ask all my couples to send me a wish list.   I ask them to list things that they want us to try and photograph during the day.  I tell them I know to get you coming down the aisle, the toast, the cake, all the things that happen at most weddings.  What I like to know is the broche that your wearing was your grandmothers, the watch he’s wearing was a gift from his father, we decorated with wheat because it is significant to my fiance’s family etc.  Make sure you get the different centerpieces I spent 50 hours picking them out and I want to remember them.   I also ask them to make a list of groupings they want taken.  I have about 6 standard family formals that I do.  If there is time and they are requestiong more I ask them to list the people and the groups they want.  For example my mom and her brother, they haven’t seen each other in 5 years and he’ll be there.  I’d like a photo with all my nieces and nephews.  Family dynamics can be difficult at times so this is also when I ask will divorced parents be in a photo together etc.  It is like a blue print for the day and for us to know  what and who is important.

So when Kelly sent me over this page with family member photographs I loved it.  I didn’t have to guess if they were family or not and I knew ahead of time who to look out for during the day.  She called it Faces to Recognize.  It was great.  She also sent me another page that had some poses and photos I’d taken at other events that she loved.  This was such a fantastic asset.   Thanks Kelly for the inspiration.  I’m going to ask other couples to do the same thing.