So… after years of saying “i’m not sure if I want to do wedding photography”, I started doing wedding photography! surprise!! Well, I sort of stumbled into it actually. My first wedding was meant to be last friday, 21 January. I was riding my bike with my trainer at the gym one day back in November chatting when suddenly we were loosely agreeing to me shooting his upcoming wedding. After I shared some fears, thoughts and photos I’d taken we were locked and loaded… Somehow in the midst of that I ended up getting to shoot a wedding (daughter of a co-worker) in November which lead to another ask from a friend who was a guest there for his brother’s wedding 8th of Jan. So my ‘first’ which was last friday, became my 3rd and here we are.
I feel like I really lucked out because all of these weddings have been island weddings. 1) Tongan/Maori  2) Samoan/Wallesian and  3) Samoan/Cook Island… and in the words of my dear friend Wade… “once you’ve been to an island wedding, white weddings are just a rip off”. Thanks Wade. I find this to be 100% true.
So here are my tips for shooting island weddings:
1)Â Be prepared for LARGE bridal parties. My smallest has been 10, the largest 17 plus 4 toddlers… NEVER a good idea… DON’T let the kids come on the photoshoot whatever you do, have a small session with the kids and then send them with grandmas etc… the kids in the bridal party are mostly not nieces and nephews, they are children of the Bride and/or Groom plus all the bridesmaids, you don’t want your bridal party distracted during group photos, it’s enough to worry about keeping all those adults focussed (no pun intended).
2) Also be prepared for the bridal party to have some very young people in it… These are often chosen because they are siblings or close family members which means they are not as loyal and servant-hearted as the life-long best mate.. they are chosen for honour, not for helpfulness. And while I’m on this, it’s rarely a good idea for girls under 16 to wear large-heeled shoes, consider an alternative.
3) Always plan for the bride to be at least 1 hour late. Make sure the Bride and Groom have allowed extra time after the ceremony to make up for the time lost. Chances are, even if a PI bride can make it to her wedding on time (unlikely), the guests won’t, so she’ll have to be late anyway. Leave plenty of time for photos! More than you normally would!
4) Never, and I repeat NEVER let them serve food after the ceremony before the group photo (if you’re doing a whole group photo)… you will never get them back. If you want your bride and groom to have their group photo, get it done straight away and have a helper that has a loud strong voice and speaks the language of the dominant people group….
5) Stay for the reception. I’m working on my ‘price list’ now, a rite of passage and part of becoming a real wedding photographer… and i’m thinking it’s going to go something like this: 1) basic package all weddings  includes girls getting ready, ceremony, formal shots and reception venue, one price. 2) Island weddings, all of the above, plus reception for base price plus a feed of Oka and Chop Suey. Man, you do not want to miss those dances… it’s the best part of the wedding! And the Bride and Groom will be forever in your debt for capturing these super significant moments.
6) If a Cook Island group performs and starts at anytime indicating that their paddle is a phallic symbol and they’re quite happy shoving it in your face (the only white single girl at the wedding) run and hide immediately, it’s not a one-off and it will only get worse. (Based on a real life story).
7) Kope = Hurry up! in Samoan.
and lastly #8) Don’t do it unless you LOVE island culture. And if you do, you will be the happiest photographer on the planet.
over and out. tofa soifua. xx
My room balcony and hammock.
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