Think of it this way…a wedding dress is (we hope) a once in a lifetime purchase, unlike any other dress you have ever worn. Therefore, you need the time to decide what you really like. I had always imagined one sort of dress, tried it on…and discovered that it looked awful on me. I needed to change my thinking, and only by trying several styles was able to come up with one I liked…that also liked me!

The consultants are used to people taking their time, and considering the cost factor, you are entitled to try on whatever you wish.

Good luck!

Here’s my wedding dress:
http://www.rwbuy.com/goods.php?id=364

And my reception dress:
http://www.milanoo.com/en/thing/Ivory-Off–the-Shoulder-V-Neck-A-line-Satin-Wedding-Dress-module-item-id-5334.html

First. get a Canon flash, and a bracket if you can to reduce red eye. If you can’t afford a fast f/2.8 zoom, then use the lenses you have. The 18-55 will probably be the most useful and have the best image quality, although I am not familiar with Canon lenses, but definitely the 18 end will be necessary.

Is it indoors or out? Visit the venue before hand if possible. Take someone with you and practice a few shots. Note the camera settings and chimp for adjustments. If the reception is outdoors, you can practice anywhere at the same time of day. Make lots of shots and learn what setting make the best looking picture. The key here is practice. Learn how to meter for the sky and compensate your flash output.

If indoors, learn about using bounce flash and practice that. (You will have to have an external flash for that, the built in won’t bounce.) You might also want to research diffusers, but you will need some practice with those, too.

Learn about a technique called dragging the shutter and practice that as well. A good resource is http://www.photo.net. Go to the wedding and social event forum and search the archives for first time and beginner threads.

Vary your point of view. Get some wide and some close. Don’t forget to take some pictures of the details, the flowers, cake, special touches. Be careful when taking pictures of people eating. No one looks good while stuffing a forkful in their mouth or chewing. Also watch the table clutter.

If you are comfortable using manual, then do so. If you are not certain what settings do what, then you will probably be better off using the program mode. Be aware, program mode with direct flash equals deer in headlight snapshots that any guest with a point and shoot will be able to deliver.

Wedding photography is partly about gear and technique, but it is also about timing and capture. If you get some great emotion captured in your images, then you can consider your first wedding venture a success on that level. I have seen many "pro" images, although perfectly lit and executed, that have no life or emotional impact.

Good luck !

have fun shopping & congrats!

1. Take the proofs to a professional photographer that offers copying, restoration and/or retouching services. This will usually get better quality results but is more expensive than..

2. Take it to a camera/photography store that offers copying and restoration services and ask them to make copy negatives and prints from them.

Hope this helps. Good luck

I personally don’t like the way strapless dresses photograph and no matter how the bride is endowed, it always seems like they cut into your armpits and/or make your bust look odd.

That said, there seem to be two basic types of strapless dress I encountered when trying on dresses. One fits like a bustier, with a curvy neckline, and those definitely slip, slide, squish and (in my opinion) aren’t flattering on any body type. See the first link below for that type of bodice.

Other strapless dresses come up a little higher and cut straight across. Those seemed to stay put and allow a more natural looking decolletage. See the 2nd link for that type of bodice.

No matter where you intend to get your gown, I highly suggest getting yourself into one of those giant bridal barn type places (David’s Bridal, Alfred Angelo’s etc). Try on something representative of every type of dress and let the associate choose a couple for you. You will be surprised what you like – and heck, when else can you try on a ridiculous cupcakey dress with a 5 foot train!