Wedding cameras are rising to become one of the most important items for a reception. What’s intriguing to most brides is the cameras can be where the photographer isn’t. Think about it….generally, the photographer is a ‘daytime’ photographer. Generally speaking, photographers are more concerned with pictures of the bridal party and the ceremony itself. They are usually not around when the most fun happens and this is what’s getting missed that brides want to see.
Think about witnessing your neighbor ‘cuttin a rug’ on the dance floor, your co-worker tipsy at best and maybe even your boss in scenes you’ve never seen before due to her one drink too many. This is what makes the investment of wedding cameras special.
Before launching in on a website and purchasing a ton of cameras, here are a few tips to consider:
Consider the film you select for your disposable cameras. A good speed for general use is 400 speed film. Choose from black and white or color. Black and white has an old fashioned elegance that would be great for traditional or classic wedding styles.
Look for a camera with a flash. Don’t save money by buying cameras without a flash. Unless your wedding will be held in direct sunlight and your guests will be outside the entire time, you will need a flash. The pictures will turn out better and you’ll be happy you spend the extra money.
Although cameras have a long shelf life, don’t order them too far in advance. You will want your film to be as fresh as possible. This will ensure greater quality in your pictures.
When ready to order, you will still have a few decisions to make. How many cameras will you need? In general, one camera per table is enough. You will need to decide how many exposures you want in the cameras. Disposable wedding cameras with fewer exposures are less expensive. Compare prices to find the best deal. In some cases, it’s not that much more expensive to get 27 exposures. You will have a lot more pictures to enjoy and share later.
You will need to come up with a method for instructing your guests on how to use the cameras. There are several ways to do this. You could leave a note on the table explaining how to use the cameras. The DJ or band leader could make an announcement to the guests. Another option is to assign a few people in the bridal party this task. They could go around the room and help anyone who may need assistance. Let them know if there are some guests that you know will need a little tutorial. Be sure to let the guests know they are supposed to leave the cameras on the tables at the end of the night.
Assign a member of the wedding party with the task of collecting the cameras at the end of the night. A family member could also take on this job. If desired, ask this person to take the cameras to be developed. When you get home from the honeymoon, you can pick up the film right away. If your friend picks up the film for you, be sure to reimburse the cost of the developing. This can get expensive, especially with a large wedding.