Archive for April, 2009

Wedding Photography – a different look

by Albert Chua

Wedding photography includes pictures of the couple before the wedding, as well as coverage of the actual wedding ceremony and reception. The two approaches in wedding photography are traditional and photojournalistic. Traditional wedding photography consists of classically posed images. In this approach, there is much interaction with the photographer on the day of the wedding. In the photojournalistic approach, the images recorded are much more subtle with less photographer interaction. These two approaches are the two extremes of photographic styles. Most of the modern day photographers’ fall somewhere between these two styles.

There are certain things to keep in mind while hiring a photographer to cover your wedding. Every photographer possesses an individual style. There is some research you should do before you decide who you want photographing your wedding. To find the perfect photographer you should start looking well ahead of time. If you are hiring a wedding photojournalist to cover your wedding, it is recommended that you focus more on the creative side than on the business process involved. One shouldn’t be concerned about comparing various package details or the number of prints he is going to get. Once you have chosen a photographer for the job, take care of all minute details then and there so that the photographer you hired is not preoccupied about with thoughts of collecting his payment, on the wedding day.

Don’t boss your photographer around all the time. The biggest pet peeve of wedding photographers is that they are given instructions by the brides, grooms, parents, relatives and everyone on the wedding party. No photographer likes to be directed as to what to shoot and how to do it. The photographer will become less creative if there is lots of third party interaction. Sometimes the relatives and friends are so preoccupied in instructing the photographer that they almost miss the entire wedding.

Go for trust on your big day with your photographer is one of the best tips to give. Trust allows natural expression to flow from everyone. After all you want the day to flow with joy and fun so trust is a prerequisite for that to happen.

Most importantly, do not starve your photographer. On a interesting point – always make sure your photographer is fed! This should be the last person you want to starve at your wedding. And try not to give your photographer a very long list of things to do. This would distract him from what you actually hired him to do.|He might not get what you actually hired him to do, done.

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Costs and Wedding: Keeping it Under Control

by Donatella Harrington

Probably the most money you will spend for a single day will be that for your wedding, an average wedding can now cost tens of thousands of dollars so are you surprised many couples find it financial challenging? Organizing an enormous event like this when you are on a tight budget may seem an enormous task but it is possible,planning a cheap wedding just means there are ways to reduce costs and not the enjoyment. It just requires a little knowledge, imagination and clever ideas to reduce the huge amount that is spent,which should promise a fantastic day for less!meaning your special day is possible but without the high price tag.

Cheap BespokeWedding Gowns

Of course every bride wants a designed, hand made wedding dress; this is very expensive but savings can be made, especially if using a previously owned dress is considered. As the wedding dress has probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price; consider buying an evening gown or cocktail dress from a department store perhaps even look into renting your dress for the day.

The Reception

Controlling costs especially on the reception is probably the hardest part,the average number of guests is just under 190 but this is an area where costs can be reduced as soon as you start to plan your cheap wedding. Reducing the number of people who attend, including distant relatives or friends you haven’t been in contact with for years, will help enormously; you can even carry out some of the catering yourself and have a hot and cold buffet style meal instead of a four courses.

The venue of the wedding reception can also be somewhere less expensive than the local golf club or hotel; using a small club for example will mean the drinks bill is less by only catering for wine, beer and soft drinks at the bar.

Wedding Photographs and Photographers

As far as the photographer is concerned, why not just hire one for the service; most guests take cameras and will be happy to take photos at the reception and of course you will have plenty to choose from. Although it may sound like an unusual idea, you always have the option to not use a professional photographer at all; there is no reason why the photos can’t be taken by your guests and you will find yourself saving many hundreds if not thousands, of dollars.

Online Contemporary Invites

Other areas where you can be assured of saving money is wedding invitations and other stationery; today’s home computers and printers are able to provide near professional results. Many people are now competent enough to produce near professional quality work; problems and errors can be corrected quickly without regular visits to the printers.

Flowers at the Wedding

If you want to reduce the cost of flowers, then how about this for an option; why not visit the local flower wholesaler where huge savings are possible, then all that’s needed is a little imagination when it comes to the display. Wedding cakes are another costly item but this can easily be made by a friend; these days’ people often experiment with different fillings that do not rely on fruit – which has been used in cakes for generations.

The Wedding Car

One last suggestion relates to the limousine which could easily be a beautifully decorated car belonging to a friend; this is not actually that uncommon.

Savings can be made everywhere if you just know where to look but this doesn’t mean it has to look like a cheap wedding; who will care providing everyone enjoys the occasion!

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Budget wedding photography tips

by Albert Chua

Your wedding day may be a dream you have held for a long time; you want everything to be just perfect – and why not – from your venue to your flowers, dress and makeup and everything else in between. But, for most people, even though is is a very special day you will still have a budget target to work to. But when it comes to top-end professional business services like as wedding photography, staying focused on the money can be hard to do. However, with a little bit of research, forward thinking and planning, and a vibrant dose of flexibility, you will be able to keep within budget for sure to ensure you have an affordable wedding while creating the memories you deserve.

Finding affordable wedding photography at the price you can afford is achievable in a number of simple ways. So read on.

Starting with word of mouth is a smart place to start. Talk to all your friends or associates that have held wedding days similar in size and outline to what you are planning to decide what professional photographers worked really well within their given pricing.

Another simple way is to check with the management at your venue where you are holding your reception. Clearly, reception sites host a smorgasbord of weddings throughout the year; they often have access to quality photographers who offer affordable services.

Consider using a wedding planner. It could be the best budget choice you make for your wedding. They are professionals and know the best people to work with and how to keep on budget.

But when it comes to inexpensive bridal photography, sometimes fixing the range and type services you need rather than choosing a low-priced photographer will help you stay within your budget – more is not always better and at the end of the day having high quality is better than high quantity. If you have your heart jet-set on a limited wedding photographer that works in a way you love, then compromise to get to the price that you need; perhaps have the photographer only shoot your ceremony and official shots and then ask your guests to help take snaps throughout your reception to be collected into an album at a later date.

One really easy idea that is also fun too is to provide your guests with disposable cameras. This gives your guests more of a feeling of involvement and you will also receive a wide range of photos that would not be taken by a professional.

Another great and creative tip is to invite your guests to do part of the wedding preparations for you such as the flower display. Not only is this a great way to involve your friends you can ask them to not give wedding gifts but to do something else instead. And seeing many wedding gifts end up not being used then this can be a great idea. Instead your friends will likely be thrilled and delighted to be involved. This will enhance your wedding experience for everyone and spare you money.

Finally, inexpensive wedding photography is about creative thinking and flexibility, time and energy. Being willing to work outside the box and think of small and often imaginative ways to save money, finally all those small steps will add up to big savings.

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Things to Consider When Using Wedding Chair Covers

by Mae Summerville

Certainly wedding chair covers are one way to get that majestic look at your wedding reception. No matter what material they are made of or the style of chair cover they will certainly enhance the look of your reception. The also have some very practical uses.

If you are planning to rent many of your wedding supplies versus buying them then chair covers are a wise investment. One big problem with chair rentals is that because a rental company makes money by using the same items over and over the chairs will get worn looking after a while. In addition you may find that they have bought rental chairs from several different companies and so you may get five or six slightly different chairs.

One of the best thing about chair covers is their remarkable versatility. The come in several styles and colors as well as different materials. The standard chair cover is white not only because that is the predominant color of most weddings but also because if you use a colored sash bow it helps it to really stand out. Of course you can use both a white chair cover and a white sash bow and get that monochrome look.

If you decide that you want something other than linen tablecloths to decorate the tops of your tables you may want the chair cover to be made of a like material. For instance if you use a satin overlay or table runner you may also want to use a satin chair cover. Of course having the tablecloth material and chair cover material to match is not mandatory and I have seen beautiful tables using satin on the top of the table and a polyester chair cover. You can use just about any type of chair cover with just about any tablecloth, runner, overlay or napkin.

You may find if you rent the chair covers that they also may be slightly different. You need to sort them by shade and also if they are made differently. Try to sort in stacks that will decorate one table. Once you have done this when you are putting them on the chairs start on one side of the room with the lightest white and as you decorate tables gradually go darker and darker as you move across the room. If you do not do this type of sorting you could literally have a different shade of white chair cover on each chair around a given table.

Be sure that prior to the service you actually get a chair cover and try it on one of the chairs you will be using at the reception. Chair covers just like chairs come in different widths and lengths so be sure you have chair covers that fit you chairs. You do not want to find out on your wedding day that you cannot cover the chairs because the cover is not wide enough.

Just as you will be checking on and planning other aspects of your wedding be sure that you choose the correct chair covers and that you check their sizing so you can have the perfect wedding.

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Choosing a Monogrammed Gift

by Jenny Mariana

When not just any present will suffice, you should check out the thousands of options you have for items that you can have monogrammed. Monogrammed gifts are unique, personalized, and classy – its tough to go wrong with a simple, elegant, monogrammed gift. They cover most occasions, too, so if all else fails, check out what is available for monogramming. Just plan ahead, because monogramming takes a little extra time.

When you are considering purchasing someone a monogrammed gift there are so many variables to think about. What will they like? Do they look good in this color? Luckily, those questions are very easy to answer. The real tough decision is when you have to decide which monogrammed gift to get them.

Once you’ve narrowed it down a little, you’ll see that there are still many options. There is everything from towels to fountain pens to photo albums and flasks. If you are buying for someone who enjoys luxury, perhaps a high-quality bathrobe monogrammed with their name or initials would be a good fit. If you are shopping at a monogramming establishment, it should just be a simple matter of letting them know what you want monogrammed. If you are not, however, you’ll need to contact a local or online monogramming company to get an item you’ve pre-selected monogrammed.

Most large cities will have a few monogramming companies that you can deal with locally. To find them, start with the yellow pages or a quick google search. Things Remembered is also an option for you – they are in many malls across the country, and do an ok job at monogramming many different items that they also sell. Monogramming can only be done once to your item and its terribly difficult fix or reverse, so be absolutely sure that the monogramming you submit to be completed is accurate. If you have made a mistake you are likely out the cost of the item plus the cost of monogramming.

Traditional events and holidays that are a perfect fit for monogrammed gifts are anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, and valentine’s day. They also make particularly romantic gifts that women just love! They key for buying monogramming is to make your decision and buy well in advance. Backlogs occur at some shops, so you don’t want to push it to the last day and be stuck without a gift should a mistake be made.

While monogrammed gifts were once difficult and expensive to obtain, they are now widely available and very easy to get. You also have many options, probably more than necessary, for high quality gifts to personalize. These special gifts tend to stay with the recipients for a very long time because of sentimental and intrinsic values relayed by monogramming. The best part is they aren’t particularly difficult to give, so it should be a gift idea you regularly think about when you must give a gift.

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How to Find a Cheap Wedding Dress

by Mae Summerville

For something worn only once and for a very few hours, a wedding dress needs to be purchased for as low a price as possible. That is why I used the term cheap in this article. Finding a cheap dress does not mean a shoddy dress or an ugly dress it does mean finding a gorgeous dress at a discount price. I hope to help you do that.

There are several ways to find a bargain wedding gown. Probably the best way is to do a search on Craig’s list. It is set up by city so all you need to do is go to Craig’s list and find the closest metropolitan area to you. They have great deals on many things so you may be able to get many of your wedding supplies from that one website.

Another way to get a wedding dress at a big discount is to look at other online classified ads. This would include sites such as Backpage. They have listings all over the country and have many cheap wedding dresses. Go to Google and search for online classifieds and you will find tons of them.

If you are really a good haggler then you need to search on Ebay for a cheap wedding dress. Since they allow you to email the seller direct you can try and get a deal even better than the minimum bid. Get a Paypal account and then you know you will either get your merchandise or your money back. Also check out other wedding items as you may be able to really give a fabulous wedding for a ridiculously low price. Remember nothing is set in stone so haggle.

Of course the best way to get a wedding dress at a huge discount is to buy a used one. If you are really tight on your budget this is the route you want to take. Most major cities have clothes consignment shops and they always have some beautiful gowns that they are selling. You may find your entire spring wardrobe there for only a few hundred dollars.

You can always get the dress altered by a good seamstress and it will fit like it was made for you. Of course besides size you want to be sure the dress has no tears or stains and is larger than you are so that it can be altered.

One thing that you can do with your savings is to beef up the accessories you wear on your wedding day. A nice pair of gloves, more and better wedding jewelry as well as a fantastic veil. These will make your overall appearance spectacular which should be your ultimate goal to begin with.

Use your imagination when trying to get a cheap wedding dress. As with most things, imagination and creativity will get you what you want and keep more money in your pocket. You can use this imagination and creativity to fashion your gown in such a way as people will think you splurged and got a designer gown.

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Determining Your Wedding Style

by Mae Summerville

Right after you say “I do” and you have set a date for the wedding you must decide the style of the wedding theme. This decision will affect every aspect of your wedding and reception. Determining your personal style is very much dependant on your personal tastes and your creativity.

One thing you will deal with is that everyone will have an opinion on what sort of wedding you need to have. Do not let yourselves fall into that trap. If you have unique ideas that you want used in your wedding do not be swayed by others to conform to their type of style. You can bet they will want you to have a wedding that they envisioned and while they are not purposely trying to override your style many will think they know better than you what you need.

One major decision you need to make early on is the choice of location. Depending on your ultimate goals the location might best be a traditional choice such as a church or possibly a casual setting such as a garden. Besides the choice being one based on your particular style practical considerations such as weather and the time of the year will also play a part. You also need to keep in mind that with a little imagination you can make a stiff formal setting such as a church into a casual setting.

Next you need to focus on your personal style. What kind of person are you? Are you whimsical and fun like a beach or more conservative and stylish. Do you like traditional or are you more contemporary? This will decide everything from the menu to the music that gets played. By incorporating your personal style into every detail of your wedding it will come off as a coordinated event that your guests will remember for years to come.

Keep in mind that once you decide the style of wedding it still needs to be within the budget you set up. You still have practical things like planning and details to consider. I will give you five styles that I personally like and may help you shape the style of wedding you want. You will find the following styles of weddings run the gamut of wedding budgets.

* Garden style-if you plan to get married in the summer this is an easy choice. It is a very versatile style because almost any location with beautiful landscaping is suitable. You can have an open and airy ceremony with say an arch decorated with flowers and/or climbing vines. Or you can go all the way and have a tent set up with tables and a dance floor for your guests enjoyment.

* Classic style- Certainly the most popular and enduring style of wedding. This allows you to put your personal tastes in all aspects of the wedding and reception. From the type of flowers to the colors used it will have your own personal sense of style written all over it.

* Beach style-is still a very contemporary theme that has not faded in popularity with time. You are not limited to actually having a beach wedding by the ocean. Any outdoor area with some space can be decorated to give it that beach feel.

* Perhaps you are one of those that wants to be married in an unusual place. Some of these are legendary and will sometimes even be featured on the evening news. Inside a McDonalds, on the side of cliff, just about anywhere where two people can fit can be used as a wedding location.

* Or following in the unusual style you can even go to more exotic locations. The Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, anywhere far off and fun. This sort of wedding is obviously heavily dependant on your budget and the finances of your guests.

Irregardless of your wedding plans be sure that the wedding you have is a reflection of your own personal sense of style. Years from now you can think back and remember with fondness what an awesome event your wedding day was.

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Marriage: It Can Be Enjoyable

by Beth Sanderson

Many people want a good marriage, and although it might seem it, having one is not as difficult to achieve as it might seem. When in a marriage relationship, both man and woman should make every attempt to strive for a happy married life. Many excellent marriages actually do exist and even though it might not seem that there are many out there, the number of successful marriages is growing in numbers.

Dont be discouraged and misled; you truly are a large part of making or breaking a marriage. There are so many ways that we act in our every day life that can help a marriage to move toward becoming a completely fulfilling relationship. Although many people dont agree, the man and the woman in a marriage have the most control over the success or failure of their marriage.

An important key to a good marriage includes; making your marriage a safe haven for expressing your innermost thoughts, fears, whatever. Being transparent with your spouse is part of every healthy marriage. Marriage is about sharing and there isnt any better way to share than to always be ready to listen and communicate.

As a society, we tend to spend a lot of time on our hair, our bodies, etc. and seem to put at the bottom of the list that which is so very important to us; our marriage. In order for your marriage to grow and stay healthy, there needs to be effort and selflessness, which of course can be hard, but when you perceive the rewards of your behavior, it will become much easier. Deciding to get married is a big decision and when that happens, making sure that each person understands that the marriage will turn out exactly in direct correlation to what you put into it.

If a person is completely unaware of the strong and weak points of their marriage, they will be totally surprised by the transitions that occur and unfortunately, not see them coming before they arrive. Marriages, most times, have events that have to be weathered by the couple who soon will realize that once you make it through one of these emotional roller coaster rides, that you will be better off because there is now an awareness of the phases that a marriage endures. Marriages, whether people want to admit it or not, goes through many different developmental stages that if observed and discussed, are very predictable. The stages of marriage include good and bad phases and one of them is that you wonder what the heck you were thinking that you even married this person.

The stages of marriage include times of wonderful amazement and love and times of questioning if you were sane when you said, I do. Marriage in itself, causes all kinds of emotions to arise which includes the point in one phase where you love your spouse but cant stand when: he squeezes the toothpaste from the top of the tube, or when she smells up the bathroom with so much perfume that you gag trying to take a shower and the list continues ad nauseum. Every stage of marriage is a very interesting yet confusing all at the same time; with one moment you believe youve married the most perfect person in the world, and the next wondering what you should throw at him ” the pan or flower vase.

Where people involved in marriage have to be careful, is that in the midst of a heated argument you dont spout all kinds of threats and accusations. A marriage is full of so many turning points that anyone that is married has to be extremely cautious not to say things that you will be sorry for later on such as: I want a divorce, I hate your mother, I wish you were dead and so many other creative words that somehow find themselves into your marriage. When two people are married it is important to remember that you are on the same team, you are not opponents.

Marriage does have its peaks and valleys and moments of elation and moments of true despair. If during your marriage, you find that perseverance really works, you may find yourself in true happiness and accepting that the other person isnt perfect but you are willing to see this through, knowing that youre not perfect either. Marriage is a matter of realizing that just like everything else in life, there is good and there is bad, but our perspective on our marriage is what counts most of all.

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