Monday, April 29, 2013

WEDDING MUSIC 101 by iMemoryfilms


Tips and Questions for Choosing a Wedding Band

“The wedding was great, but the band sucked!”
iMemoryfilms presents a great article about wedding music by Alexandra Shimizu, of www.pro-ent.com.
iMemoryfilms asks you,......how often have you felt that way about a wedding that you have attended?  Or, how many events do you attend where the crowd leaves before the party is over?  Music can make or break any event, so why settle for banal when brilliant is within reach. But how can you guarantee the party of a lifetime?  Having a large selection of top talent to choose from with sufficient information including DVD’s and MP3’s can help you select a band or ensemble that will bring your event to life.  When you are planning live entertainment for any special event, you’ll want enough choices so that you can tailor the talent both to your tastes and the budget. You wouldn’t believe the number of large special events where talent is a side issue; a favorite cousin’s garage band is hired 9-midnight and the crowd is thin by 10:00 pm.
Whatever event you are producing, it is important to know what you want to accomplish.  Is there a theme to consider or a specific sound you want to hear? Or, are you open to several genres? Do you want the crowd to be able to talk (and hear) during the event?  Do you cherish a pounding horn section?  What is the age range of the participants? What time of day is the event scheduled?  Afternoon weddings generally don’t need dance bands.  Small ensembles work perfectly well.
There are only a limited number of Saturday’s available, so popular bands and ensembles are often booked up to a year in advance.  Every band or ensemble should have a music list and CD available for you to review.  This will be helpful in deciding.  You may want to ask if they are playing somewhere that would be appropriate for you to see them.
The formality, facility, and size of your event will determine the type of music that is appropriate.  Inquire whether the venue can accommodate dancing and has the area necessary for the musicians to set-up and perform. Be specific about getting the space and electrical requirements from the band so that you can accurately relay the information to your contact person at the facility.
When you make all the final arrangements with your facility, be sure to ask if they have any specified time cut-offs for music.  Some facilities require that music be stopped as early as 10 pm.
Music  flows  better at an event if the first hour or so allows for introductions, mingling and talking and is generally background.  At some point, the band can pick up the pace for dancing.  It is a good idea to have a liason between the bride and groom and the band. This person can instruct the band when it is time to play the ”first dance” song. Many times the band leader will act as Master of ceremonies, announce the cake cutting, throwing of the bouquet, and the garter toss.  The best man often is chosen as the liason, since he will be close at hand to coordinate the order of events with the bride, groom and parents.  This will help the day to flow smoothly for the bride and groom.
Be sure to ask about breaks.  One band that we know of took such a long break in the middle of the event that the guests started to leave.  One guest said, “it was never the same after that.”  Most bands have recorded music to play during the breaks, so make sure there is no downtime.  Also, check with the band to see if food should be provided to them.  Food and beverage is often provided to the band during long events, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a formal dinner.  This definitely should be added to the total for the caterer.
Here are some questions to ask you band before you decide to hire:
  • Have you performed at weddings?  Do you have references?
  • When do you arrive and how much set-up time do you need?
  • How many people are in your group?
  • Do you handle requests?
  • When do you take breaks?  Do you provide music during the breaks?
  • Have you played at my venue?
  • Do you bring your own equipment?  If so, what?
  • Can I hear a demo with some of the music you will be performing at my wedding (or event)?
  • What do you wear?  Do I have choices in your attire?
These are a few ideas on hiring a band on your own.  There is, however, another option.  That is to talk with an experienced talent buyer who knows all of the top talent in town and the history and reputation of each group. He or she can also provide all of the demos, photos and information available on each band and can often negotiate a better price than you could get on your own. That way, you are guaranteed to have the most outstanding event possible.
iMemoryfilms
www.imemoryfilms.com
310.938.8490
info@imemoryfilms.com
For more info on wedding planning including wedding videography visit us at www.imemoryfilms.com. You can also visit our blog at www.imemoryfilms.blogspot.com

Thursday, January 17, 2013

2 Important Questions to ask your Wedding Photographer!

Two important questions to ask when shopping for a wedding photographer...

iMemoryfilms presents a great article on wedding photography by Scott Robert Lim of www.Scott Robert Photography.com

1. iMemoryfilms asked, can I view pictures taken by the photographer that will be assigned to my wedding?
Many studios employ different photographers, the studio may show their best work but it may not be the work of the photographer assigned to your wedding. If you hire a studio with only one photographer, your guaranteed more consistent quality (given the photographer is experienced and proven), if the studio has more than one photographer, you may want to meet the photographer that will be assigned to your wedding, this way the studio will be forced to send the photographer you interviewed.
2. When viewing the work of a photographer or studio, ask who edited and color corrected the pictures you are looking at, you may want to further question, "Is this person/service still employed or used by your company and who will be editing my wedding pictures?"
An extremely high quality print depends on quality of original photo with no adjustments and the studio or photographer's ability to edit the picture correctly. Working with issues like, exposure, skin tones, correct color balance, are extremely complicated and must be handled by a skilled editor. This is a key issue when dealing with a photographer or studio that shoots digitally because almost all digital photos must be correctly edited or enhanced for brilliant reproduction. Two different studios could edit the same picture with widely varied results in quality.
imemoryfilms
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
310.948.8490
for more info and pricing on the perfect wedding video,..visit us at www.imemoryfilms.com

Thursday, June 28, 2012

PLANING A WEDDING ON A REALISTIC BUDGET!

Planning a Wedding on a Realistic Budget
iMemoryfilms adds that this GREAT article was written by Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/
Contrary to what they say in the magazines and on-line now, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful, memorable wedding. I tell my clients and my readers that the most important part of making a wedding memorable is focusing on and prioritizing what you want to achieve. Fortunately, that same focus will help you save money as well!
You can look at all the planning guidelines and timelines in magazines and on websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't get boxed in by them-- real weddings come together in a much different way than magazines and many experts suggest.
You and your fiancé need to sit down and really talk and think about what you want MOST for the wedding-- a certain location, a large guest list, great photography, a really fancy gown and accessories. Start making notes of what you really want and what you can live without. Compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary, to come up with a wedding you'll both love.
When you have an idea of what's most important to you, you can start finding out what those things will cost. Call around, ask around, make notes, add things up. Then when you have an idea of what you'll do, start with the most important priorities FIRST, so you make sure you can afford them. Then you can compromise on, or even omit, some of the less important things as your budget gets stretched.
The following is a compilation of ideas I have sent to various brides who were looking to keep their expenses and/or weddings small, but memorable.
General Budget/Cash Flow Issues--
~ Careful timing can reduce reception costs. Do you have a time set for the wedding? If you don't want to spend a lot on refreshments, plan the wedding and reception at a time other than mealtime. This is tricky because the length of time a wedding and reception takes, but you can work with it a little.
Usually, for instance, it's tough to have a morning wedding early enough to avoid feeding the guests lunch. Even a very short ceremony and reception that starts at 10 am is going to run into "lunchtime" (and some guests may expect brunch, since many morning weddings offer that.)
In the afternoon, you could plan the wedding to start, say, 1:30 or 2 pm, and figure you can have people on their way before 5 if there are no real activities except socializing and limited light refreshments.
In the evening, you can work it the same way, if you wish. Any ceremony after about 6:30 pm (or certainly 7) would be "after dinner" (in most regions), so you could plan to only serve dessert rather than a buffet or meal.
~ Make some things for the wedding yourself. Doing-it-yourself is not always as much cheaper as it used to be, but it still saves you labor charges, if you have creative talents and energy. I encourage couples and families to make garters or bridesmaids dresses, arrange flowers, cook the reception food-- whatever they are good at. It's cheaper, and it's often more meaningful to have had a hand in the preparations personally. Also, many family and friends really ENJOY helping out with wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! : )
~ Consider marrying on Friday evening. This is NOT the most convenient arrangement, because people have to get out of work early, etc. It can also be difficult for any out-of-town guests you might have, because it may force them to take an additional day off work to arrive in time for all the festivities. But you can sometimes get discounts on sites and services. If you are *really* tight in the budget, this could be an option worth researching.
~~One other **very important** thing to remember when money is tight--- most of your bills will come due right before the wedding. Usually you pay 1/2 up-front for services, and then the last couple weeks before the wedding, everyone wants their other half paid. BE PREPARED FOR THIS! Try to look ahead so you will have the cash flow you need when all those payments go out at once. If you can, save extra *right away* while you are in the early planning stages, because you will need it later.
Also, plan your budget *smaller* than you think you could really afford. If your wedding expenses come within that figure, that will be great. But if one or two things turn out to be more expensive than you expected, you won't be right at the absolute limit of your funds. It will give you peace of mind.
Location/Guest List--
~ Keep your guest list small. The more people, the bigger the location, the more food, the more invitations, etc.
~ Have the wedding and reception in the same place. It's trendy to have them separate locations, but frankly, as a guest, I really dislike the practice (all that extra driving and parking). And from the couple's standpoint, it's much cheaper to do it all in one place. It's also more convenient and relaxing for everyone involved.
~ Consider an less-traditional location. In most areas, many attractive locations are willing to have weddings-- not just the churches, hotels and country clubs where most weddings take place. Some non-traditional locations will cost you more, but others may cost *considerably* less. So do some research, and make some calls. Likely locations include, parks (local, state and national), bed-and-breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, public gardens, historic homes or monuments, museums, galleries, and private homes of friends or family.
When considering the suitability of *any* location, be sure to find out not just about the price to rent the location, but also about parking, seating, restrooms, food preparation and/or storage, dressing areas, security, electrical hook-ups, restrictions or regulations (on alcohol, attire, photography or videography, decorations, etc.) Anything not provided or conveniently available may cost you more to rent or provide on your own.
Attire--
~ The two best ways to save money on attire are to dress very casually, or to sew your own (or have a friend or relative sew your) gown and/or bridesmaids' gowns. But even casual gowns can be quite costly in the current market, unless you are able to take advantage of sales or other discounts.
Home-sewn gowns are less popular now than they were in the 70's and 80's. However, since the current styles and fabrics are actually fairly easy to sew, it seems a shame that more brides and their families do not make use of this option--especially for bridesmaids and flowergirls.
Obviously, good general sewing skills and a dependable sewing machine are necessary, as well as a reasonable "eye" for fitting. But if you consider that a bride recently commented to me that she was *happy* to find a flowergirl dress for "only" $99 (other similar gowns were as much as $150), it seems clear that sewing should be an option budget-conscious brides at least *consider*.
~ Headpieces and some accessories are very inexpensive to make, as well. Good instructions are available in books and with patterns. If you are creative at all, you might look into this option. Mark-ups on headpieces, especially, are VERY high in most bridal boutiques, so this can net you a big savings from retail.
~ If you will buy your gown "off-the-rack", big discount bridal stores and on-line resources can offer lower prices-- but consider what you may, or may not, get from these sources in the way of quality, personal service, dependability, selection, alterations, etc. Some are excellent; others are not. Working with a company or resource you have personal references for is the best, whenever possible.
~ If you will hire a dressmaker to save money, remember that the talents and prices and quality provided will vary considerably. You might be fortunate to have a very inexpensive, but fabulously talented dressmaker available to you. On the other hand, to get the best deal from a more expensive dressmaker or designer, you might decide to simplify your fabric and detailing choices to include only what's MOST important to you. The other advantage of having a gown made is that, at least you will not have to worry about alterations costs on top of the purchase price.
~ Menswear costs can be reduced by having the men wear suits they own, for example, rather than renting matching formalwear.
Decorations/Flowers--
~ If you will use fresh flowers, try to choose varieties which will be in-season at the time of your wedding date. Skip extra arrangements on the altars, reception tables, etc. If you must decorate these areas, consider using inexpensive live plants (home centers, discount stores, large nurseries, and even grocery stores sometimes have great prices on potted plants.) Be sure, however, that any plants or flowers used near food are not toxic.
~ Keep the bouquets small. Let the bouquets do double-duty for decoration, by laying them out on your tables at the reception. Consider eliminating corsages and boutonnieres for anyone besides your own and your fiancé's parents.
~ Consider arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. The price of professionally-arranged silk or dried bouquets is often about the same as fresh flower prices. However, if you use careful shopping, creative filler options, a bit of patience, and some ingenuity, you can often save money by arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. If you haven't worked with floral arranging before, start with the boutonnieres. They are easy to handle and help you get familiar with the general techniques and products you will use on the larger arrangements.
~ Not all locations need extra decorations. It is not necessary to totally *transform* your ceremony or reception location in order to have a beautiful and memorable wedding. If your budget is tight, do the minimum you are comfortable with.
~ If you really need some color and interest in a really boring reception location (a common problem), I have seen really pretty, classy effects achieved with really simple, inexpensive party materials, like balloons, streamers (especially metallic or pearlized), honeycomb wedding bells, inexpensive fabrics, candles, confetti and glitter.
If you choose to use materials like these, choose your colors carefully so they are not too harsh, and look for ways to combine materials and add small decorative details (silk flowers, ribbons, floating beads, etc.) to create a more complex, customized look.
Refreshments--
~ Your choice of refreshments is very important to how much the reception will cost.
Generally, the least expensive reception is a cake and punch reception. Cake is really the minimum food you should serve. You can cut cake costs, if necessary, by having a very small decorative and/or stacked cake, and supplementing the servings with additional sheet cake in the same flavor. Punch is an easy and inexpensive beverage, and it can be very fun to make (ideas for a custom punch recipe can be found in A Bride's Touch on page 249).
A cake and punch reception usually also includes coffee and perhaps tea, individual sodas instead of punch if you prefer (but that costs more), and sometimes champagne or other alcohol (but that's a pricey item, too.) There has also recently been a trend toward offering other desserts besides cake, so you could have a "dessert and punch" reception for a little more than a standard cake and punch affair.
A pot-luck is next most expensive, because it should be assumed that you and your family will contribute several dishes. In some social circles, this works out very well, and makes for a very fun and tasty reception. There is a lot of variety in the food (something for everyone, usually) and even if some guests are not able/willing to bring something, there's usually plenty. This sort of arrangement works well for family- or church-oriented weddings, where guests feel that bringing a dish is a way to help the couple celebrate. In other circles, guests may consider this in poor taste, feeling that the bride's (and perhaps groom's family) should be treating the guests to a meal. You would have to check around with family and friends to see how they would feel about this idea.
Some hosting families opt to prepare the food themselves. It gives them control over the cost and menu, but eliminates the potluck concept of asking others to bring something. If you have a lot of guests, you could also ask for help from the bridal party members and your closest family and friends.
Cold food works the best for this because you can buy and prepare it ahead. If you have family or friends willing to help, it's not too taxing to have them each make a double or triple recipe of one dish like potato or crab salad, or a platter of cold cuts, or a tray of rolls. Warehouse and food service stores like Price Club and Smart and Final have made this even easier, providing good prices for large quantities, and (at Smart and Final and other restaurant suppliers), low cost serving dishes and utensils as well. I have found that big plastic punch bowls are excellent for serving salads and other large dishes attractively and economically.
Of "catered" options, prices would range from purchasing trays at a supermarket or other deli, to having a restaurant or caterer provide trays or a simple buffet, to having a formal sit-down dinner cooked by the kitchen at the reception site or a private caterer, to really elaborate, multi-course banquets.
Entertainment--
~ Providing entertainment or activities costs extra, generally. If you want to keep the reception low-key, skip or at least limit music and dancing (this will also save you from having to rent a dance floor). If you have access to a small sound system, at the location or through a friend, you can supply your own background music through CDs or cassettes.
You may or may not need a microphone at all, depending on what you choose to include in the way of toasts and announcements. If you keep it really informal, just a chance to chat with guests, you can get away with almost no extra equipment or related preparation. This will also tend to keep the reception short, since guests won't be staying late to dance and party.
Professionals--
~ Hiring professionals, of course, accounts for a great chunk of many wedding budgets. As a professional myself, and speaking for the many fine wedding professionals I know, this is often money very well spent. However, people have married *without* the help of professional dressmakers, florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, and event planners for hundreds of years. And some couples still do.
If your budget is really tight, pick your professionals with care. Personally, for my own wedding, photography was the most important professional priority (see article); and many couples I have interviewed have felt the same. For you, it might be a particular florist or caterer. But remember you *do not* have to hire every professional suggested in the bridal magazines, or by people you know. You can choose to spend the money you have on what matters most to you.
~ Consultants, coordinators and event planners are currently touted by most magazines, and many bridal advisors, as an *essential* element of modern wedding planning. They site money savings, higher quality wedding "results", planning-stress reduction, and more. I think it is important to point out, however, that many, if not most, weddings are planned *without* the help of this type of professional. And most of them are beautiful, happy, fun and memorable.
There *are* situations where a bridal consultant, coordinator or event planner is very helpful-- and still another few situations where one *might* be essential. But if you are planning a relatively average wedding, and you are concerned with keeping costs down, this is a professional I believe you can safely skip-- no matter what the magazines say.
Good advice and information about wedding planning is available from many free or inexpensive sources-- friends and family, your local library, the internet, and many of the wedding professionals with whom you will be working. Don't sell any of these resources short!
* * * *
And don't let anyone intimidate you by making wedding planning seem more complicated than it is. A lot of the people who emphasize the stresses, costs, and frustrations of planning are either selling something, or they have been heavily influenced by those who are.
LOTS of couples plan wonderful weddings without suffering tremendous stress, without going into years of debt, without having horrible fights with their future spouses-- and without losing sight of the reason they are doing all of this in the first place. You can, too! Best wishes to you!!
For the best in wedding videography, visit our website, www.imemoryfilms.com. For additional wedding info, details and planning tips, visit our blog at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com

www.imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
info@imemoryfilms.com




Monday, May 21, 2012

Wedding Palnning 101: Do-it-yourself wedding favors

So You Want To Make Your Own Wedding Favors? Here is some wedding planning magic by Kristie McDaniel the author of the E-Book: Do Yourself A Favor: Easy and Affordable Wedding Favors You Can Make Yourself! It's on sale at www.doyourselfafavor.net iMemoryfilms says; YES! you can, and they can be beautiful and unique with your own personal touch. I notice that a lot of brides are trying to find ideas to make their own original wedding favors. I know that you want something that your guests will love that gets them into the joy of the day! Lets start with some important tips for getting started with your search for the perfect favor to make. First you have to start early. I know that wedding planning usually begins about 18 months before the wedding. Do not leave your wedding favor as a last minute detail. Think about what you want to make and then shop around for the best prices. You can find the best prices at craft stores after holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Also, you can go to your local party stores, and find materials that you can use for your favors. They usually have very good sales after the holidays. Always be on the lookout for the materials you need because you might just find them for next to nothing at any store. Next you need to find something that you can make yourself. There are a lot of good ideas, but some of them are not for everyone. For instance, I can't sew so I stay away from projects that require me to sew more than a simple stitch. Try to pick something that will be easy for almost anyone to put together because you will probably have an assembly line of helpers, especially since most weddings have more than 100 guests. Well here are some of the steps to creating that wedding favor you and your guests will love! First, you will need to answer a few questions: What is something unique about you, the Bride? What is your favorite hobby? What is something that you and your fiancé love to do? What message do you want to convey to your guest? What is the mood of your wedding, like formal, party time, or family get together? Is there a theme to your reception? Is your wedding during a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving? Do you want the guest to keep the favor or just eat it? When you answer these questions, you'll be able to come up with a lot of ideas for favors that you might want to have. While answering the questions, don't restrict yourself to the traditional. I've recently seen request on many message boards for very unique favors like military favors, bowling favors, and especially destination wedding favors. For example, if you are an avid stamp collector, then develop your favor around this interest. The next step is to develop a miniature representation of your theme or hobby. For example for the Christmas wedding, you could find tiny pine trees and decorate them with candies and ribbon as ornaments. Make sure you make the favor as simple as possible, so it is easy to assemble. This is especially important for large weddings. The final step is to go to the craft store and look around for materials to make your idea. For example, with the stamp collector, that person could get some card stack or post cards and print out a Stamp with the happy couple, a message for guests and the price in the corner like an actual stamp. They could attach these cards to envelope or tulle with candy. There are so many things in the craft store that will inspire ideas in the creative bride. You can even start with this step and just look around and see what you can find. There are so many miniature materials that you can develop into beautiful craft ideas. Also, don't just go to the wedding aisle of the craft store, look around the whole store. Wedding favors can be made with just about anything. Popsicle sticks, Forsterä, WoodsiesÒ, and plastic spoons are just a few materials that you can use. If you plan on making your own favors and you want something unique then take time to develop your idea and make it personal to you! You will save money and you will definitely love the outcome! Wedding planning info presented by imemoryfilms www.imemoryfilms.com 818.760.9490 info@imemoryfilms.com For more wedding info, ideas and creative planning, see our blog at www.imemoryfilms.blogspot.com. You can check out our wedding filming pricing and filming options for your wedding day at, www.imemoryfilms.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

iMemoryfilms Wedding Planning Guide: Walking in your Wedding gown 101

Wedding Planning: Walking Well in Your Wedding Gown iMemoryfilms presents some useful wedding planning tips from, Sara L. Ambarian. Sara is a author/creative consultant, & custom bridal designer. You can visit her website at: www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/ Walking attractively and well in a wedding dress depends on a combination of a number of factors: the style of the dress, width of the skirt, number and size of petticoats or other undergarments, the height of heels on your shoes, your comfort level in walking in that height heel, the floor/ground surface you will be walking on, and more. There is no magic equation for this, but here are some considerations which should help you find a fairly comfortable wedding day walk. ~ Choose a reasonably low heel, one that you are comfortable walking in. And "break your shoes in" a bit by walking around the house in them before the wedding-- but not when cooking or cleaning or doing other potentially soiling activities. ~ If you never wear heels of any kind, if you expect to do a lot of dancing or walking distances, or if heels are very uncomfortable for you, consider your options-- bridal sneakers, flat sandals, ballet slippers, Isotoner slippers, etc. For many brides, their shoes are never seen unless they *want* them seen, but all of the options above can be decorated (by the bride, if she wants to try it) to have an appropriate, if funky, bridal flair. ~ Wear your petticoat and/or other unusual undergarment around the house to get used to how they feel and move. ~ Practice nice posture. Snug-fitting bras and shapers and tight-waisted petticoats all encourage you to stand straight, unlike our normal everyday clothing. Allow these garments to remind you to stand, straight and tall, for the increased impression of beauty and confidence this gives any bride. ~ Have your gown hemmed to the proper height. Some boutiques hem gowns so they touch the floor. Unless you will be wearing an actual *rigid hoop* petticoat, this is not a good idea. For confidence walking, reducing soil, etc., a full-skirted gown should be hemmed at least 1/2", but preferably more like 3/4" to 1" above the floor. My clients occasionally quarrel with me on this subject, afraid that it will "look funny", but I've never had a client sorry after their wedding that they had the additional room above "hard floor" level. Remember, you may well have to walk over plush carpet, grass, gravel, or any of a number of other surfaces. ~ Proper hem height off the floor also gives you a little extra room for imperfect postures. When your hem is measured and marked, the seamstress will ask you to stand straight, with equal weight on both legs, and look directly, level-ly, in front of you. Pay attention to these requests and do your best to comply with them. It will give you the most attractive and accurate hem. However, when you are moving in the dress later, remember that the hem was cut for you standing straight and looking ahead. When you look down, your hem will dip down in front, and this is when many brides step on their skirts. Try to lift your skirt gently with your hands when you need to look down to navigate steps or other activities, to counteract this natural dip-- and the tendency to tread on your skirt. ~ Last-- try to relax about wearing your gown, and don't 'fight' it. A full-skirted gown has a certain natural swing and movement. Some brides take to this naturally; some find it a bit disconcerting, and almost "artificially girly". But if your feet don't hurt, your hem isn't too long, you are used to your undergarments, you relax and enjoy yourself, and you feel really beautiful in your gown... chances are, you'll wear your gown quite well!! Very best wishes to you from Sara and iMemoryfilms! Fro more ideas, wedding planning tips, and wedding videography info, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com, or you can visit our websaite at, www.imemoryfilms.com www.imemoryfilms.com Info@iMemoryfilms.com 818.760.9490

Friday, December 16, 2011

iMemoryfilms Wedding Planning Post: Florist 101

iMemoryfilms Wedding Planning 101: Great Flowers! by Neal Acito iMemoryfilms wedding planning blog passes on some great ideas from former florist Neal Acito. 1) Wedding Florists: They’re Busy From Thanksgiving to Mother’s Day can be a tough time. Florists jump from holiday to holiday and things are intense during those periods. They don’t see their families. Some of them forget to bathe. Now, you may have to meet with a florist during that period. If you do, be gentle with them. One more suggestion; Don’t call on February 13th to talk about your bouquet. 2) Supply a Picture of the Gown Having pictures of the wedding gown can be extremely helpful. Florists are visual people. They need to SEE what it is that you’re talking about. Think about it, if they were good with words, they’d be teaching Junior High School English. Pictures of the gown, as well as of any flowers you like, will help. 3) Flowers are Seasonal You can’t always get what you want. Hydrangea is plentiful in late summer but, if you want hydrangea in January, it’s going to cost you. 4) Swatches! Plum isn’t lavender. Pink can be hot pink or pastel pink. Even white can be eggshell, Navajo, or slate. Having swatches from the dresses is going to save you a lot of heartache. I don’t mean just the bridesmaids either. People always forget about the moms and grandmothers. 5) A Question of Expertise Tulips are beautiful. But, in July, they are going to blow open from the heat and look terrible. If you touch a gardenia, the oil from your skin is going to turn the flower brown. You need to trust that the florist is going to know these things. They’re not trying to spoil your fun. They simply know what works and what doesn’t. 6) Where to Save Years from now, nobody is going to remember the centerpieces. However, everyone is going to have pictures of you and the bridal bouquet. If you’re on a tight budget, cut down the centerpieces. 7) Have Everything Ready Beforehand Where is the wedding? Where is the reception? Who is attending? What is the date? These are very simple questions and it would amaze you to know how many people don’t know the answers. Florists are always happy to help you with ideas. However, when it comes time to book the florist, you should have all your ducks in a row. 8) Review the Order You should get a copy of the wedding order. Review it. Make sure it’s correct. You may have TALKED about rose petals for the flower girl, but if it’s not on the ORDER, you aren’t getting it. Follow up a few weeks before the wedding as well. 9) iMemoryfilms suggests: Test Drive If you’re not familiar with the area, order something small. Pretend to be an average customer and order an arrangement. It’ll give you a good idea of what it’s like to deal with the florist. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, would you? And finally, 10) Your Attitude Snobby customers get nothing. Nice customers get everything. Money has nothing to do with it. Flashing a lot of cash will not be impressive. Florists love people who appreciate their work. Being nice will go a long way, and acting snobby will not. If you want to bring floral magic into your most important day, be nice. That’s about it. Just remember that you can get most of what you want by being organized, flexible, and nice. For the most part, florists aren’t out to get your money. They can probably make a lot more money doing something else. They do it because they love it. Find a florist who loves their work and you’ve struck gold. by Neal Acito www.imemoryfilms.com 818.760.9490 info@imemoryfilms.com For more great wedding planning ideas, info, and tips, please visit us at, www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com, or our website at, www.imemoryfilms.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Creative Wedding Planning: The Ceremony

Creative Wedding Ceremonies Wedding planning should involve some fun and creativity,...here is a uber fun article by, Lois Heckman, Celebrant from iMemoryfilms! Planning your wedding day is one of the most personal and cherished days of your life, your ceremony should be just as special. Every aspect of it, from readings to music to symbolism, should be a reflection of you and the bond that you share, making this day truly your own, rejoicing in everything that makes your union unique. You can express yourself among family and friends through a personalized ceremony. Additionally, when the ceremony is great, the tone is set for a wonderful celebration. Here are some ideas to make your ceremony unique: Tell your personal story . Share the story of how you met and why you fell in love. What were the first words you said to each other? Where was your first date? How did the proposal happen? What actions of the other say I love you? What does your partner do that always makes you laugh? Your celebrant can include these words in the introduction or elsewhere in the ceremony. Honor the Presenter. If one or both of you will be presented in marriage, take this time to reflect on what this relationship means to you. Have your Celebrant include words of homage, amusing stories, and thanks. Celebrate Your Heritage. Make a list of your respective ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds. Research wedding rituals, poets and music from these traditions and create a distinctive blend of words and symbols. Honor both your backgrounds and the ceremony will reflect your unique partnership. Something New. Borrow freely from the rich wedding customs around the world. You don't need to belong to a particular culture or religion for its rituals to have meaning. Such rituals have been performed for hundreds or thousands of years because they resonate with universal truths about marriage. Interfaith Weddings. Over 25% of marriages are between partners of different faiths. A good officiant will help you honor each faith tradition in a way that pleases everyone. Involving Children & Stepchildren. When children are involved, your wedding reflects not only the joining of husband and wife, but the creation of a new family or stepfamily. There are many ways to reflect family unity in your ceremony. You may have found the perfect spot for your wedding ceremony, but are unsure of how to find a minister, rabbi, clergy, or other officiant. You can have a ceremony that reflects your values, and the joy of your wedding day, and a Celebrant may be the answer. Celebrants are people who are trained to officiate at, compose and perform the highest quality personalized ceremonies. I studied at the Celebrant USA Foundation in Montclair, NJ. and I officiate in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is a joy and pleasure to be able to provide couples with meaningful ceremonies in just some of the ways I have explained. I hope I have inspired you towards a creative approach to your wedding ceremony. - Lois Heckman ( www.LoisHeckman.com ) is a Certified Celebrant ( www.celebrantusa.org ) in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and beyond. www.imemoryfilms.com info@imemoryfilms.com 818.760.9490 For more ideas, tips, and info on the prefect wedding, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com. to book iMemoryfilms for your next event, please see us at www.imemoryfilms.com