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Engagement Photo Ideas

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:07:24 +0000

An engagement photo is an important picture that you will want to save and share. It represents your relationship and the next step you’re taking. Most people also use their engagement photo for the announcement in the newspaper. Before you start looking for a professional photographer who specializes in engagement photos, consider these ideas.

Find a Memorable Backdrop

Choose to have your photos taken at a special location, preferably one with a significant meaning like the place where you first met, the place you had your first date, or the place he purposed. You could also have your photo shoot arranged at a place that you love to go, like a city park or an amusement park.

Try a Little PDA (Public Displays of Affection)

Have the photographer capture a few precious moments like a small smooch on the lips or a close embrace. You want to show a few tender moments without going overboard.

Let Loose a Little

Engagement photography is supposed to be fun, so feel free to let loose a little and show your true colors. Make the most of your photography location. If your pictures are being taken at the park, go ahead and frolic. Play on the swings or pose under a tree. If your pictures are on the beach, why not build a sandcastle and pose next to it? Relax and have fun!

Make a Special Photo Album

Celebrate your relationship by having your photos saved to a disc. What you do with the photos is up to you. You can create a digital photo slide show for your website, or you can incorporate clips of it into a video that you can share at your wedding.

Tips For a Memorable Destination Wedding

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:49:30 +0000

Destination weddings are the type of events that dreams are made of! Imagine getting hitched on a beach that is located on a tropical island. Or perhaps fulfill your childhood dream and get married at Disneyland. No matter where your dream locale is, you shouldn’t forget your guests. All it takes a few special gestures to make their experience more enjoyable. Here are a few great ideas that they will enjoy.

1- Give Them A Welcome Gift

Since most of your guests come from afar, it would be nice to welcome your guests with a special gift bag. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should contain local-based foods and gifts, which could include anything from wine, chocolates, or a gift certificate to a local gift shop.

2- Plan A Few Activities Or Events

You can extend the wedding festivities and make it a weekend-long event. Kick off the big wedding nuptials with a welcome party including dinner and cocktails and end the event with a post-wedding brunch. The whole purpose of an extended weekend gives you a chance to catch up with all the guests who come out to share your special day.

3- Give Your Guests Resources

You should give your guests a few resources to make their stay a little bit easier. Since you’re planning a wedding in a faraway locale, it’s best to start planning in advance and contact a travel agent who really knows the location that you’re staying in. Find out about local restaurants, attractions, and anything else you might think of and create a special list. Type it up, print it out, and roll it up before tying it with a pretty ribbon. Place it inside the gift basket or gift bag for convenience. Your weddings guests will appreciate the thoughtful touch.

Key Questions To Ask A Videographer

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:45:27 +0000

While a camera can capture intimate moments in the form of still photography, it cannot capture those special moments you just want to rewind and watch. That is why many brides and grooms choose to hire a videographer to record the most important parts of the wedding and to format them into a “movie” that you (and your mother) can treasure forever. Since selecting the right videographer for your big day is a rather tough decision, here is a small list of questions you must ask and why they are key. Remember to add any important questions you or your fiance might have to the list.

1- How much experience do you have in videography for weddings?
She may have 10 years of experience in making Bar Mitzvah and Sweet 16 videos, but a wedding video is a whole other ballgame. Making the perfect wedding video sometimes takes more creativity, time, and flexibility. You need a videographer who not only delivers what the couple wants but who also has proof of successful events. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples and/or references.

2- Are they familiar with wedding videography trends?
You’ve researched the latest trends in videography, and you have your heart your heart set on making an indie style wedding film. Can the videographer in question create it? Find out what they offer, how they do it, and how much time (and money) it’s going to take. A good videographer will want to work with you and not against you. If your personalities or style clash, it’s time to move on.

3-What types of videography packages do you offer?
Every company or individual should give you a choice of packages along with what they include and how much they cost. To ensure that you’ll get the best package for your money, you’ll probably want to interview two or three videographers before selecting one and signing a contract.

4- Will there be a backup if something should happen?
What it the videographer can’t make it or what if the camera stops working before or during a session? Any good videographing company will have a just-in-case backup plan. If they don’t or they sound unsure, once again it’s time to move on.

Three Smart Tips for Every Bride-To-Be

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:17:25 +0000

As any engaged couple and wedding planner know, planning a wedding is a time-consuming activity. Unfortunately for some brides-to-be, planning a wedding can consume much more than time. There are a few smart moves to make to make this process easier and more manageable.

1- Plan From A Realistic Point Of View

As a child you may have had big dreams of a exquisitely large wedding that could rival any wedding at a grand palace. But as an adult you’ve got budgets and responsibilities to deal with. You need to plan a wedding that you can afford and manage. If you need assistance, then hire a professional wedding consultant who will guide you through the process. Remember that something will go wrong, that should be expected, and always form a back-up plan just in case.

2- Learn A Little Patience
For better or worse, weddings bring families together. No matter how much you agree or disagree with certain family members, you’re going to have to deal with them. Planning for your big day is not really about the perfect 3-tiered butter cream cake or the perfect bouquet of fresh roses. It’s about you and your fiance celebrating your relationship and taking it to the next level. And don’t forget that this is also your fiance’s big day, too! Make sure that the two of you see eye to eye on the big things (like budgeting and honeymoon).

3- Take A Break Every Now And Then
Planning a wedding can take more time than you realize, so make sure to designate at least one day a week as the “No Wedding Day”. Go hiking, watch movies, or go on a date with your fiance! Do whatever you like as long as it doesn’t involve nuptial planning. Not only will taking a break and doing something fun alleviate stress, it also will rekindle your romance.

Wedding Planning- Whose Responsibility is It?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:44:50 +0000

The prospect of an upcoming wedding is a cause for joy and also a time of planning. Traditionally speaking, it was the bride’s family that paid for the wedding (or at least paid for most of it) but also did the majority of the wedding planning.

In modern times it would seem unfair to expect the bride’s family to handle all of the financial responsibilities for a wedding, which is why most couples choose to fund their own weddings today. This is also the case when it comes to the wedding planning stage.

It is common for the couple to draw up a list of which wedding tasks are assigned to which person. For example, the bride might be responsible for the flowers and the cake, while the groom might book the church and the hall for the reception.

Most brides do wish to have their family members play a role in the planning of the wedding. Suggestions and advice from family can be very beneficial to the bride, as she is probably feeling overwhelmed by all of the work ahead of her. Having her mother, sister, and/or grandmother help her pick out the right wedding dress and choose a color scheme is something that many brides welcome.

The bride’s family can enjoy close family ties and the bonding experience that wedding planning brings, as they do such things as make suggestions about the décor for the wedding and sample different types of cakes. Help from those who love the bride is generally greatly appreciated as the pre-wedding planning gets into full gear.

It is up to the bride how much involvement she wants her family members to have in the planning of her wedding. She and the groom can sit down and discuss this issue, if she is unsure what to do. Some brides want lots of input from their loved ones while others prefer to do most of the planning with their future spouse. This is also dependent upon the size of the family, how close they are and where they live. If you need help, ask for it, but do not let your family get carried away either! The important thing to remember is that this is your wedding and you should take the biggest role in the planning of it.

Should Mom and Dad Be Guests at the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:55:54 +0000

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are most often held anywhere from one to three weeks before the wedding day. In most cases these pre-wedding events are hosted by the best man and the maid of honor respectively. They tend to be focused on the celebration of friendship as opposed to the celebration of family. With this said, should the parents of the bride and the groom be included on the guest list?

A bachelor party is a time when male bonding occurs. A bachelorette party also provides an opportunity for women to bond as friends in their own unique way. It is also a way for women to celebrate the upcoming union.

There are some men that decide to invite their fathers and/or their fathers-in-law to be to the bachelor party. The decision to do so rests on how the groom feels about this. Many men are nervous about having their future father-in-law at the party because they feel that they must be on their best behavior and must be more restrained than they would be otherwise. On the other hand, inviting the groom’s father may provide him with the chance to feel young again and to really cut loose!

Traditionally speaking, neither the mother of the bride nor the mother of the groom is invited to the bachelorette party. This pre-wedding bash is all about the bride and her closest female friends. It is the bridal shower held in the bride’s honor and not the bachelorette party that both mothers are invited to attend. The two events are different. A bachelorette party is an opportunity for the bride to let her hair down and to relax and have a good time with her closest gal pals. She may feel that this would not be possible if she were under the watchful (and sometimes very scrutinizing) eye of her mother or future mother-in-law.

When the guest list is drawn up for both parties the bride and groom should let the host/hostess know to whom they wish to extend invitations. The final decision to invite or not to invite parents to the bachelor/bachelorette parties rests with the bride and groom. Bear in mind that there are plenty of other opportunities for the parents to be a part of the joyous celebration of the marital union.

The Job of the Best Man- What Role Does He Play in a Wedding?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:13:16 +0000

The best man in a wedding is generally the brother of the groom. If the groom does not have a brother or stepbrother, then he may choose either a close friend of his or the brother of the bride, if she has one and if the two men are close.

It is the job of the best man to be the groom’s right hand man. He is the person who takes care of the groom’s needs and must be a responsible individual who is good at organizing. The role of best man is one that must be taken seriously.

It is the best man who throws the bachelor party for the groom. He can accept input and help from other people involved, but the crux of the responsibility falls on his shoulders. The best man must buy or rent his own tuxedo and shoes for the wedding, and in most cases he must pay for his own travel and accommodations if he is coming from afar.

He also is expected to act as a guide or leader for the groomsmen in making sure that everything to do with the tuxedo fittings goes as smoothly as possible, including making sure each one knows the date, time and place.

If the groomsmen are acting as ushers in the wedding, then the best man needs to be able to organize the gentlemen and coach them on their jobs where he sees fit. The best man and maid of honor traditionally are supposed to work together in organizing any special dinners being held for the bride and groom and/or the wedding party. It is their task to decide on a location and a date and time, as well as any extras that are needed for the occasion. The best man and maid of honor typically pay for the meals of the bride and groom while each member of the wedding party pays for his/her own meal.

In some weddings the best man escorts the maid of honor down the aisle. It is also the best man who gives a speech at the reception and makes a toast to the newlyweds. Of course, the most important job of the best man’s is to be a friend and confidant to the groom!

Wedding Budget Series- Part 2

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:31:10 +0000

Part two of the Wedding Budget Series- the guide that gives you simple ways to save on everything wedding. Last week it was all about saving on the costs of the wedding reception. This week it’s all about saving on bridal gowns and attire for the wedding party. Why pay full price for dresses and suits that everyone will only wear once? Here are some tips that should save you valuable money.

Are you seeking a wedding gown by a particular designer? Avoid eBay and search for a locally owned discount bridal boutique that specializes in designer gowns. Try to ask recently married friends or a wedding planner for their recommendations.

Looking for local consignment boutiques that specialize in used bridal gowns is another fabulous option. Once again, do your research before you purchase.

Another good option is to purchase a beautiful but simple wedding dress. A wedding dress made with silk organza is often a better budget option than an overly embellished dress.

If you have to spend a lot on the wedding gown, then spend lightly on the accessories, like shoes and jewelry. If you’ve already got some beautiful pieces of jewelry, then feel free to wear them on your wedding day.

Even though the wedding party generally pays for their own attire, shoes, and accessories- it would be a smart idea to keep their budgets in mind when choosing the outfits for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer. However, you are responsible for the flowers and boutonnieres.

Try to check local tuxedo rental shops for discounted rentals for the groom and groomsmen. Sometimes, you’ll find special discounts when there are 4 or more rentals from the same shop.

Coming up next? Part 3 of the Wedding Budget Series: Saving money on your honeymoon!