Post # 1
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
We wanted a destination wedding for its beauty, but due to guests and family cost/age, we’re doing it locally. The venue is pretty, but not… destination pretty. haha. So… kind of disappointing.
So we’re considering doing a post-wedding photo shoot during our honeymoon. I’d pack my dress and he’d either bring the tux or just rent another there, depending… The second half of our honeymoon will be in Italy, so I was thinking that would be a good place to do a photo shoot.
My question is: has anyone done this (or a post-wedding photo shoot locally on another day) and felt it was either great and totally worth it/the hassle/cost, or think it was a waste because it wasn’t on the wedding day or at the wedding venue, and ended up feeling it was just a random photo shoot and waste of money? Did it extend/relive the experience? Or did it feel contrived?
On the plus side, I can see it being exciting. I think it might help extend/relive the wedding day excitement, except in an actual destination. We’d make a day of it and go to a really nice dinner or whatnot (I’d get a white fancy reception-type dress)… and on the photos, we’d see the normal wedding-day photos at the decent venue, but we’d also have some pretty amazing Italy photos to mark the experience… although not the exact day, or the first week, even.
On the down side, I can see that it would be a pain to transport my dress, worry about it being wrinkled, maybe him not having the same outfit… The extra cost, and it not actually representing the wedding day and it seeming… disjointed… and like a random fashion photo shoot.
Any opinions or thoughts? Has anyone done this or known anyone who has and know their feelings on it?
Additionally, anyone have any suggestions on a good location in Italy for such a thing, or a good photographer? ;D
Post # 2
Member
7903 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
spideringspider: I would rather have awesome honeymoon pictures instead of trying to create a “cool” look for your wedding pictures. You’re newlyweds, not models. I think the pictures you take at the actual wedding will capture an emotion that won’t be there if you have a recreation shoot in Italy.
Post # 3
Member
218 posts
Helper bee
Hey! My husband and I did a post-wedding photo shoot during our honeymoon. Pro hair and make-up, the works. It was TOTALLY worth it! Honest.
Here are some photos from it. Our outfits are different from our wedding day ones (we used our back-up outfits). It was so much fun! And it didn’t feel weird or apart from the wedding day, either. Could not recommend it highly enough!
We also just had a 1st anniversary shoot done, but still waiting on those pics. Cannot wait! For that we also had pro hair, make-up, ect, and used wedding attire. Some people think it’s OTT, but really, the memories are amazing and it just strengthens your relationship so much more. All those smiles.
Post # 4
Member
1987 posts
Buzzing bee
spideringspider: Unless you are renting cars and driving yourselves everywhere or paying the money to have private cars and taxis take you everywhere, I would not recommend this. I cannot express to you how much you will hate yourself when you are dragging the extra luggage up the aisle/trying to find space for said luggage on your Rome-Florence train OR wilting under the glares of all the people who will be pissed because you’re taking all your luggage on the city bus/tram while they’re trying to get to work.
When it comes to train travel in Italy, which is how most tourists seem to get between cities, I’ve found that true happiness comes when one has only one suitcase (that fits in the space behind the seat) and one computer bag/messenger/tote that goes up easily on the overhead rack. Minimal luggage also means you will be more welcome on buses, ferries, and other public means of conveyance.
Post # 5
Member
139 posts
Blushing bee
I’m sorry, and I truly don’t mean to offend, this is a ridiculous idea. I don’t understand why pictures are so important and, like the PP said, you’re not models. Why not just enjoy the present and truly be “present” for one another on your honeymoon?
Post # 6
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
bonnielass1979:
craigslistgirl:
I don’t know why anyone has to be a model for this…? Why does it matter how one looks? And you guys don’t know whether or not I do or have done modeling in the past… I really don’t see why it makes a difference…
And if photos aren’t important, why is ANY of it important? At least photos are something we can look back to remember the events. Everything else is completely done in like, 6 or 8 hours tops. Photos I think will at least help bring the feelings and events back if we’re look back at them.
Maybe it would make sense if I said I do a lot of photography and design, and I really feel that good photos are important… especially since I have such a crappy memory.
I had no idea I’d get such flak for this or that it would depend on how we look.
Post # 7
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
MarriedToMyWork: I’ve been to Italy before and travelled between four cities, by train, and I had two suitcases. They were “checked” much like in a charter bus or airplane… so it wasn’t a bother for other people and we didn’t have to deal with luggage-in-aisles and such. There’s no way we can go on a 3 week honeymoon to Maldives and Italy and each have one suitcase, especially with the weight/size restrictions… that will unfortunately just be how it is. The between-cities-travel part will only be a few hours at a time so… while it was a consideration, it’s not enough to deter us. Traveling between the couple cities we’re staying in will just be a pain and we’ll have to deal with it regardless of whether or not there’s a wedding dress in a bag, unfortunately. =\
Post # 8
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
OldestTree: THANK YOU. I’m so glad that someone commented that has actually done this. I’m extra glad that you think it was totally worth it. If you felt it wasn’t, then that’d be fine too… I’m just glad to know someone else thought to do it and did it… Super bonus that you guys thought it was great. Thanks so much!
Also, your photos are gorgeous! =)
Post # 9
Member
7903 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
spideringspider: I am sorry if my comment was confusing. I meant that as newlyweds, your main focus is celebrating your new union, not necessarily capturing a perfect photo like a model would. It has nothing to do with how photogenic you are.
With your photography background, you probably do have more experience with this stuff than I do. Ultimately, you’re the one who’s going to decide with your Fiance whether or not you have the Italy photoshoot, so it really doesn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks about it. I’m sure your photos, wherever you take them, will be beautiful. Best of luck!
Post # 10
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
I’m just going to close this thread in fear of more negative and/or assumptive comments 🙁
If anyone else has done this, and either did/did not enjoy it or regret it or loved it, PLEASE message me and tell me your experience. Thanks!
Post # 11
Member
1987 posts
Buzzing bee
spideringspider: I don’t think either of those posters meant to attack your looks or to say that you weren’t attractive enough to be models. As I read it, they were merely suggesting that trying to stage photoshoots in Italy, as though you were models by profession (which, as far as they knew from reading the OP, you guys weren’t), might distract from the honeymoon itself and ultimately be unsatisfactory/not provide the real memories you desire–much in the way that a model’s photoshoot does not reflect reality.
Post # 12
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
craigslistgirl: Ah, I see. Thank you for clarifying and your message ^_^
Post # 13
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
MarriedToMyWork: Thank you for trying to explain. I think I may just not have explained the reasons enough or something. Or maybe we’re just weird for thinking it might be a good idea… It was mostly because we wanted a Destination Wedding and we’re not doing that mainly because of family travel problems, and a beautiful setting and memories were important to us. We’re looking forward to the honeymoon much more than the wedding at this point, in fact. The wedding itself is just getting to be one disappointment after another in the planning process, and I’m afraid it WON’T be that great of a memory, but we’re hoping honeymoon will as there have been no major disappointments regarding that (thus far), and I was trying to envelope the entire feeling more, I guess.
So… since the wedding day itself will probably be meh, I’m trying to find a cost-effective way of highlighting the marriage experience in a way we’d like. I was just wondering if anyone else had done a post-wedding photo shoot and what it was like for them.
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