Unity Sand Ceremony - A Hot, New Wedding Trend
A interesting article by, Sharon Vaz, who is the founder of www.unitysandceremony.net
If you've attended many weddings lately, or read trendy magazines or newspapers, you've undoubtedly noticed that the ceremonies are no longer just your Grandmother's and Grandfather's typical church wedding.
The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one.
This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, "The Bachelorette." Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.
The ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend.
The flowing sand and blending of the colors symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals.
A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity Candle Ceremony has long been a tradition for marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, there is a single candle that both bride and groom light from a flame of their own single candle. Parents or other members of the wedding party often join in the candle lighting ceremony.
The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.
In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.
Hawaii has been a popular destination for weddings since airplanes became the preferred mode of travel. Its mild weather and sandy beaches create a perfect environment for the entire wedding party to be barefoot on the beach while witnessing the Unity Sand Ceremony - a tradition as old and exceptional as the islands themselves.
Not going to have a wedding on a beach? Don't worry. Sand is available online, or the couple can use sand from a destination they've visited or that has a special meaning in their lives. Distinctive containers designed to fit any religion or lifestyle can also be purchased online.
Many couples write their own vows for the ceremony, but passages from ancient Hawaiian or Native American weddings can easily be found on the Internet for the portion of your wedding relating to the Unity Sand Ceremony.
Whatever your dream wedding entails, consider incorporating the Unity Sand Ceremony into the celebration. You'll be sure to create memories that your guests will talk about for a long time to come.
For more wedding ideas, tips, and info, visit us at, www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com.
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
5 Things Your Wedding Photographer Must Offer!
Some useful info for brides from, Paul Kaliher
SMS Design Wedding Photography and Videography
You're getting married, right? Congratulations! You want your wedding day to be as perfect and beautiful as you've always dreamed. However, if you choose the wrong photographer, your day may be a lot less than perfect, and you may not be satisfied with the images your photographer captures. Bummer. So, how do you choose the right photographer?
Here's how. Make sure your wedding photographer offers you these five things. Then you can relax and feel confident the love, special moments and important details of your wedding day will be captured in beautiful images for a lifetime of memories.
1. Do you like the photographer's work?
Look at a fairly good selection of the photographers wedding images, not just a few photos on a web site. It's best if you can see at least an album or two and a proof book of a complete wedding. The albums probably represent the best of the photographer's work, and the proof book shows all the typical images he or she captures during a wedding day. How do the images look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Does the lighting and the color look good to you? Is the photographer's style what you are looking for? Most of our bridal couples are looking for a mix of photojournalistic images and classic posed traditional ones. Make sure your photographer is capable of, and comfortable with, taking the style of images you want for your wedding. If you don't like the photographer's work, there is no need to consider them further. Also, make sure the work you see was done by the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Some studios will show you a lot of good work from various photographers, but will not guarantee you will get the photographer whose work you like the best. Sometimes, a husband and wife team like ours is the best way to be sure the photographer's work you see is the work you will get.
2. Do you like the photographer's personality and mannerisms?
Is the photographer confident, easy going and not a nervous ninny? Does the photographer have a good sense of humor? Remember, the photographer will be present through most of your wedding day, interacting with you, your wedding party, your family, and your guests. A demanding, inflexible, and uptight photographer can make your day unpleasant. I know you don't want that! Make sure you and your spouse-to-be get along well with the photographer you choose. If the photographer is going to have a second photographer help at your wedding, meet the assistant photographer and make sure you feel comfortable with them also. To get to know your photographer before you choose them, it is really important you meet with them personally. If it is physically impossible to meet with the photographer, you should make sure some of their testimonials from previous clients make you feel comfortable with the photographer's personality.
3. Does the photographer have a strong sense of professional commitment to photographing your wedding and a professional work ethic?
Does the photographer use professional cameras, lenses and flash systems? Does he or she have at least some lenses that will produce good images in low light situations (f2.8 aperture)? Does the photographer use a soft box over the flash and keep the flash above the lens on both horizontal and vertical photos to minimize shadows in their images? Does he or she always bring a complete set of backup equipment, or bring a second photographer with another set of equipment, to every wedding? How will the photographer and their assistant be dressed on your wedding day? Ask them. Hopefully, they will professional enough to arrive dressed in a tux, suit, or dressy dress. Although, if your photographer is a man and he says he's coming in a dressy dress, you might worry a little about that :-). You should get the feeling that your photographer is dedicated to making sure your wedding day is wonderful, and that all of the love, emotions and important details will be captured in images you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your life.
4. Does your photographer have the experience to anticipate all the good things that will happen on your wedding day, and the experience to deal with the bad things that could happen also?
An experienced photographer will have photographed enough weddings to anticipate and capture special moments during your day, and the important details that may easily be missed by a "newbie". An experienced photographer also knows that things do go wrong sometimes and will be able to anticipate and deal with them, often without you even knowing that something went wrong. That's why a complete set of backup equipment is necessary. My little kit of duct tape, extra cables, pen knife with scissors, and band-aids has been a life saver several times.
5. Does your photographer offer you the right value?
Not the right price, but, the right value. If your photographer doesn't have all of the above four characteristics, it may not matter what their prices are. If the photographer has all four, that's a big part of the value they offer you. In this case, the price should be less important. Just make sure your photographer will provide what is really important to you and is upfront with you about costs for everything you want. Someone who offers a "low" price up front may sound attractive. But, things change when you find they charge extra for every location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on. A photographer who charges twice as much, but includes almost everything, can often be a better value for you.
So, there you have it. Choose your wedding photographer based on the above five factors, and you will go a long way toward having the wedding of your dreams. Good luck and congratulations again.
Paul Kaliher
SMS Design Wedding Photography and Videography
630-416-6843
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more info, tips, and ideas for weddings, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
SMS Design Wedding Photography and Videography
You're getting married, right? Congratulations! You want your wedding day to be as perfect and beautiful as you've always dreamed. However, if you choose the wrong photographer, your day may be a lot less than perfect, and you may not be satisfied with the images your photographer captures. Bummer. So, how do you choose the right photographer?
Here's how. Make sure your wedding photographer offers you these five things. Then you can relax and feel confident the love, special moments and important details of your wedding day will be captured in beautiful images for a lifetime of memories.
1. Do you like the photographer's work?
Look at a fairly good selection of the photographers wedding images, not just a few photos on a web site. It's best if you can see at least an album or two and a proof book of a complete wedding. The albums probably represent the best of the photographer's work, and the proof book shows all the typical images he or she captures during a wedding day. How do the images look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Does the lighting and the color look good to you? Is the photographer's style what you are looking for? Most of our bridal couples are looking for a mix of photojournalistic images and classic posed traditional ones. Make sure your photographer is capable of, and comfortable with, taking the style of images you want for your wedding. If you don't like the photographer's work, there is no need to consider them further. Also, make sure the work you see was done by the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Some studios will show you a lot of good work from various photographers, but will not guarantee you will get the photographer whose work you like the best. Sometimes, a husband and wife team like ours is the best way to be sure the photographer's work you see is the work you will get.
2. Do you like the photographer's personality and mannerisms?
Is the photographer confident, easy going and not a nervous ninny? Does the photographer have a good sense of humor? Remember, the photographer will be present through most of your wedding day, interacting with you, your wedding party, your family, and your guests. A demanding, inflexible, and uptight photographer can make your day unpleasant. I know you don't want that! Make sure you and your spouse-to-be get along well with the photographer you choose. If the photographer is going to have a second photographer help at your wedding, meet the assistant photographer and make sure you feel comfortable with them also. To get to know your photographer before you choose them, it is really important you meet with them personally. If it is physically impossible to meet with the photographer, you should make sure some of their testimonials from previous clients make you feel comfortable with the photographer's personality.
3. Does the photographer have a strong sense of professional commitment to photographing your wedding and a professional work ethic?
Does the photographer use professional cameras, lenses and flash systems? Does he or she have at least some lenses that will produce good images in low light situations (f2.8 aperture)? Does the photographer use a soft box over the flash and keep the flash above the lens on both horizontal and vertical photos to minimize shadows in their images? Does he or she always bring a complete set of backup equipment, or bring a second photographer with another set of equipment, to every wedding? How will the photographer and their assistant be dressed on your wedding day? Ask them. Hopefully, they will professional enough to arrive dressed in a tux, suit, or dressy dress. Although, if your photographer is a man and he says he's coming in a dressy dress, you might worry a little about that :-). You should get the feeling that your photographer is dedicated to making sure your wedding day is wonderful, and that all of the love, emotions and important details will be captured in images you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your life.
4. Does your photographer have the experience to anticipate all the good things that will happen on your wedding day, and the experience to deal with the bad things that could happen also?
An experienced photographer will have photographed enough weddings to anticipate and capture special moments during your day, and the important details that may easily be missed by a "newbie". An experienced photographer also knows that things do go wrong sometimes and will be able to anticipate and deal with them, often without you even knowing that something went wrong. That's why a complete set of backup equipment is necessary. My little kit of duct tape, extra cables, pen knife with scissors, and band-aids has been a life saver several times.
5. Does your photographer offer you the right value?
Not the right price, but, the right value. If your photographer doesn't have all of the above four characteristics, it may not matter what their prices are. If the photographer has all four, that's a big part of the value they offer you. In this case, the price should be less important. Just make sure your photographer will provide what is really important to you and is upfront with you about costs for everything you want. Someone who offers a "low" price up front may sound attractive. But, things change when you find they charge extra for every location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on. A photographer who charges twice as much, but includes almost everything, can often be a better value for you.
So, there you have it. Choose your wedding photographer based on the above five factors, and you will go a long way toward having the wedding of your dreams. Good luck and congratulations again.
Paul Kaliher
SMS Design Wedding Photography and Videography
630-416-6843
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more info, tips, and ideas for weddings, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
Photo & Video Info for Brides!
Wedding Photographers and Wedding Videographers
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND THE PROFESSIONAL
David Basher of , "A Magic Moment", has put together a great article for brides everywhere!
At the end of your wedding day, after you’ve eaten the cake, after the flowers are gone and you’ve dry- cleaned and stored your wedding gown thinking to yourself when would be the next time you’re going to look at it, your pictures and your video are the only thing that will define your memories of the big day for the rest of your life. So it's very important to choose the right photographer and videographer. To help you make the best choice, we've compiled a list you should be checking.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Research some photos by looking at magazines and/or on the web and define your favorite style of photography -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Seek out photographers whose forte matches your favorite style.)
2. What is the photographer’s approach to shooting weddings? Has the photographer shot many/few weddings? This question will give you an idea of the expertise and passion for his/her work. You want to hire a professional that is familiar with all the in’s and out’s of weddings so he/ she won’t miss any key special moments of your day.
3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both? Does he shoot 35 mm or medium format or both?
4. Make sure you know who is going to shot your wedding and that you’re looking at his work. If dealing with a one-person operation, find out who would cover your wedding in case of an emergency.
5. Do not make a list of every possible photo combination, you’re dealing with a professional and he or she shoots weddings for a living. Most likely he or she would get the obvious family combinations. Rather, give your photographer a list of must-take photos of unusual combinations: college roommates, co-workers and other pictures you definitely want shot along with your wish-list photographs. Make sure you leave free range for the photographer’s creativity to capture the festivities. This usually will get you the best results. Enlist a relative or a close friend to point out specific people for the photographer. Your wedding coordinator can do that, if you have one.
6. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kinds of prints you think you'll want, the amount of rolls of film, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?
7. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep the negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer? Do you get to see paper proofs or does he show you the proofs on video, CD-ROM, e-mail?
8. Look at each photographer's work. Be sure to carefully examine the technical aspects of his work. Some things to look for:
* photos are framed and centered well
* photos are over- or underexposed
* details are visible
* people look comfortable and relaxed
But more importantly look on the personal level and ask yourself: do I like his/her style? Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. If you’re not comfortable with him/her you can rest assure it will show in your photographs. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!
9. Some of the most special wedding moments happen backstage while the bride is dressing, while the family is waiting, or right after the end of your ceremony when you sneak to a private room. Choosing a pro photographer with whom you feel extremely comfortable and don't mind inviting backstage will allow you to capture these moments. Keep your photographer aware of your whereabouts at (almost) all times.
10. Do not ask the photographer for references. After all, he/she would not give you the name of someone that he/she had a bad experience with. Ask to see thank you letters. If your photographer is a professional photographer, and has lots of experience than his/her past clients should have been satisfied with his/her services and would have sent some thank you letters. You can also ask other wedding professionals about your preferred photographer, as a good photographer would be well recognized by other wedding professionals in your area.
11. Once you've found a photographer with the skill set, style, vision, and personality you're looking for, you'll need to agree on a contract. Be sure to schedule a follow-up meeting to talk about specifics. Together, you'll decide how many hours your photographer will spend at your wedding, and you'll discuss your Must-Take List and any photos you don't want (the cake shot or the schmaltzy posed kiss).
12. A mixture of some posed and candid shots will round out and make your wedding album more interesting. If you favor candid, hire someone who specializes in a photojournalistic style, with real talent for capturing emotional, spontaneous moments keeping in mind that many portrait photographers can also shoot candid and most photojournalistic photographers hate to shot portraits. Determine your priorities and choose a professional accordingly. Your photojournalistic pictures will set the overall feel and look of your wedding album. Remember your most valuable photos would be the ones where you can see and recognize faces, like shots of family and friends. There's definitely a trend toward photojournalism and black and white photography at weddings. B&W photos convey more emotions and accentuate the essence of the subjects or objects being photographed. Color photographs capture the overall theme and feel of your wedding, like the room decoration, the bridal party colors and your flowers. If you are not sure whether or not you would like B&W photographs, have you photographer shoot everything in color and ask him to print some prints in B&W. With today’s technology it would be very hard for the untrained eye to see the difference between what was shot on B&W film and what was shot in color. You cannot print a color print from and B&W negative. However if you know you like B&W, have your photographer shoot it on B&W film for a better and a more rich contrast. Your best bet is a combination of both.
13.Make sure the photographer has backup equipment with him/her on your wedding date in case of an emergency. Also, make sure it is the same format and quality as the primary one. The photographer should have backup for all his/her equipment, cameras, flash, lenses, filters, batteries, cables, etc.
14. Always look for a professional photographer to shoot your wedding day. But if you are on a tight budget and are thinking on looking for a talented photography student or you've always admired your cousin's skill as a shutterbug, consider this option. Just keep in mind that if the photographer doesn't have wedding experience, you might not get the great results you want -- and it might not be worth the savings. If you hire a relative and you value your relationship, having him/her photograph your wedding would exclude him/her from your day. Moreover, if she misses some important moments she would feel bad and you would have no recourse. Not to mention it could actually sour the relationship you so cherished before.
15. Ask to see an actual album of an entire wedding and if possible a proofs album to see the photographer’s raw material. Many photographers have put together sample albums of their best shots from many weddings. Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he connected with the couple and captured the mood of their day.
WHAT IT COSTS
A Photojournalistic photographer will take many shots just to get the one special moment, and therefore would normally cost more than a portrait photographer. A photojournalistic photographer shoots between 1000- 3000 images at a wedding, while a good portrait photographer shoots on average 300-500 images. A good basic package could cost $1000-$1500, but you can easily spend three or four times that amount. You're paying for the photographer's time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, the finished product -- the prints and albums you order-- and for the artistic aspect and creativity of the photographer. If your photographer is in high demand expect to pay dearly for his services documenting your wedding. You may think you do not need that many photos but chances are that once you get to see the proofs you would want more than you first ordered. Especially if your photographer is a great artist!
VIDEOGRAPHY
Videotaping a wedding is an artistic profession as is photography. Therefore, if you think you could use a family camcorder to videotape your wedding, think again. A good wedding cameraman requires more skill and professionalism than any other moviemaker in the video business. He/she should be familiar with the technical specifications of the equipment, and with all aspects of how weddings unfold. He/she should be an excellent documenter, and needs to be constantly ready to videotape, after all there is only one take and it has to be a good one. A good videographer will connect with you, capture the atmosphere, the excitement, feelings, and emotions at your wedding and preserve it for life on tape. A videotape account of your wedding captures the uniqueness of your wedding and you would want it be according to your taste and style.
* Just like photography take it upon yourself to find a professional videographer with whom you feel comfortable, someone you feel you can spend a whole day with. Meet with several candidates to compare, shop for prices, styles, and packages offered. If you're having trouble finding someone, contact WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) for a list of professional Videographers in your area.. Always view a tape from a prospective videographer.
Use this checklist when reviewing different tapes:
* are the images clear?
* is the lighting right (not too dim or too harsh)?
* how is the sound quality?
* was the tape edited well? Is it smooth and well put together? Does it flow or is it choppy?
* does the tape look professional, or is it something you could do yourself?
* do the special effects and transitions look professional?
* is it fun? Is it entertaining to watch?
But the most important element has to be the style and personality of your prospective videographer. Go with your gut feeling and taste.
Also check the following:
1. Has the videographer done many weddings at the location where you’re getting married? Ask to view a tape shot at the same location.
2. Is he/she a member of any national and local videography associations such as WEVA (http://www.weva.org) or AVP? These associations are dedicated to improving the industry and final products delivered to married couples.
Has the videographer won any awards?
3. Has the videographer worked with your photographer before?
4. How many other weddings is the videographer doing on your wedding day or weekend? Make sure there are no time constraints.
5. Will the videographer you're speaking to be the one who will be shooting your wedding? Is it his/her work you are watching?
6. What types of cameras, tapes and microphones will the videographer use? Ask to see the equipment and ask around. Equipment is important, but using the most expensive camera does not guarantee the best result.
7. How much light will they use? Much of the ambiance and atmosphere of your event will be lost if room lights are on during the whole evening. Although, today’s cameras require very little light to get good picture, expect your videographer to use at least one light on the camera.
8. Will a backup camera be on hand for the event? How about back ups for the rest of the equipment?
9. How long does he/she keep the footage on file before recycling it?
10. Cancellation and refund policy.
Make sure to be specific about the following:
* number of cameras to be used. Many videographers shoot weddings with multiple cameras but most weddings are shot with one camera. The number of cameras does not affect editing capabilities or quality. Skilled videographers can make a one-camera wedding look to have been shot with multiple cameras. Let your videographer know what you want to have covered with more than one camera, if you’re having a multi-camera shoot.
* number of videos you'll receive, and complete package details.
* overtime fee, if applicable.
* reorder prices, if you should decide to order additional videos later.
Once your contract is definite, meet with your videographer and discuss the important events of your wedding day that you think may not be common to other weddings: For example, any special readings, songs during your ceremony, blessings, or dances during your reception. Let him/her know if your hair dresser is a good friend. Have him/her film the limo ride to the chapel. Those kinds of moments will make your video more unique.
WAYS TO JAZZ UP YOUR VIDEOTAPE
PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE VIDEO
Gather some childhood pictures, and snapshots of you (bride and groom) together and give it to the videographer to include in the final edited tape. Give your videographer a list of favorite songs to be use in the editing. Most professional videographers will give a song list from their library of CD’s to choose from.
SHORT VERSION VIDEO
Ask your videographer to include in the package, if it is not already included, a short version of your wedding video. If your final edited video turns to be longer than an hour long chances are you’re not going to watch it often with your friends and family. The short version tape would serve to entertain your family and friends in all kinds of casual gatherings and the long version would be for your family archive and more sporadic occasions. You would find yourself watching and enjoying more your wedding video with a short account tape and you’ll appreciate your video investment more. Believe me, no matter how good The Green Mile was, after the fifth time watching it you can feel that it is three hours long.
PHOTOMONTAGE
Present a video montage at your rehearsal dinner or at your reception. Give your videographer childhood photos, slides, family films and videos, and ask your friends to give you some photographs they took of the two of you and give it all to your videographer to edit together along with a list of your favorite songs. You can make the video to be sentimental or comic and present it on a large screen or monitor. You can also loop in a corner throughout the cocktail hour and/or reception; your guests will get to know you even better, and it's a great conversation piece! It’s guaranteed to make your family and friends laugh and cry, all in the course of a few minutes.
FILM THE MAKING OF THE CELEBRATION
Have your videographer, or one of your friends videotape the making of your wedding. Have him/her document the preparations, planning, dress fitting, hairdresser meeting, meeting with the caterer, making of the cake and all the madness the morning of. Create a short documentary of the making of your wedding. It'll definitely make everyone laugh -- especially you!
YOUR WEDDING ONLINE
Find out if your videographer and photographer have the capability to upload a short version of your wedding video on the web, and/or post your photos. If they can stream it even better! Make sure to inquire about that option. If that is a possibility they will most likely be able to do the same with some of your pictures too. This is a great option to consider. You’ll be emailing your wedding images to everybody regardless if they were there or not.
By David Basher
A Magic Moment
www.amagicmoment.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more wedding tips, ideas, and info, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND THE PROFESSIONAL
David Basher of , "A Magic Moment", has put together a great article for brides everywhere!
At the end of your wedding day, after you’ve eaten the cake, after the flowers are gone and you’ve dry- cleaned and stored your wedding gown thinking to yourself when would be the next time you’re going to look at it, your pictures and your video are the only thing that will define your memories of the big day for the rest of your life. So it's very important to choose the right photographer and videographer. To help you make the best choice, we've compiled a list you should be checking.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Research some photos by looking at magazines and/or on the web and define your favorite style of photography -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Seek out photographers whose forte matches your favorite style.)
2. What is the photographer’s approach to shooting weddings? Has the photographer shot many/few weddings? This question will give you an idea of the expertise and passion for his/her work. You want to hire a professional that is familiar with all the in’s and out’s of weddings so he/ she won’t miss any key special moments of your day.
3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both? Does he shoot 35 mm or medium format or both?
4. Make sure you know who is going to shot your wedding and that you’re looking at his work. If dealing with a one-person operation, find out who would cover your wedding in case of an emergency.
5. Do not make a list of every possible photo combination, you’re dealing with a professional and he or she shoots weddings for a living. Most likely he or she would get the obvious family combinations. Rather, give your photographer a list of must-take photos of unusual combinations: college roommates, co-workers and other pictures you definitely want shot along with your wish-list photographs. Make sure you leave free range for the photographer’s creativity to capture the festivities. This usually will get you the best results. Enlist a relative or a close friend to point out specific people for the photographer. Your wedding coordinator can do that, if you have one.
6. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kinds of prints you think you'll want, the amount of rolls of film, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?
7. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep the negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer? Do you get to see paper proofs or does he show you the proofs on video, CD-ROM, e-mail?
8. Look at each photographer's work. Be sure to carefully examine the technical aspects of his work. Some things to look for:
* photos are framed and centered well
* photos are over- or underexposed
* details are visible
* people look comfortable and relaxed
But more importantly look on the personal level and ask yourself: do I like his/her style? Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. If you’re not comfortable with him/her you can rest assure it will show in your photographs. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!
9. Some of the most special wedding moments happen backstage while the bride is dressing, while the family is waiting, or right after the end of your ceremony when you sneak to a private room. Choosing a pro photographer with whom you feel extremely comfortable and don't mind inviting backstage will allow you to capture these moments. Keep your photographer aware of your whereabouts at (almost) all times.
10. Do not ask the photographer for references. After all, he/she would not give you the name of someone that he/she had a bad experience with. Ask to see thank you letters. If your photographer is a professional photographer, and has lots of experience than his/her past clients should have been satisfied with his/her services and would have sent some thank you letters. You can also ask other wedding professionals about your preferred photographer, as a good photographer would be well recognized by other wedding professionals in your area.
11. Once you've found a photographer with the skill set, style, vision, and personality you're looking for, you'll need to agree on a contract. Be sure to schedule a follow-up meeting to talk about specifics. Together, you'll decide how many hours your photographer will spend at your wedding, and you'll discuss your Must-Take List and any photos you don't want (the cake shot or the schmaltzy posed kiss).
12. A mixture of some posed and candid shots will round out and make your wedding album more interesting. If you favor candid, hire someone who specializes in a photojournalistic style, with real talent for capturing emotional, spontaneous moments keeping in mind that many portrait photographers can also shoot candid and most photojournalistic photographers hate to shot portraits. Determine your priorities and choose a professional accordingly. Your photojournalistic pictures will set the overall feel and look of your wedding album. Remember your most valuable photos would be the ones where you can see and recognize faces, like shots of family and friends. There's definitely a trend toward photojournalism and black and white photography at weddings. B&W photos convey more emotions and accentuate the essence of the subjects or objects being photographed. Color photographs capture the overall theme and feel of your wedding, like the room decoration, the bridal party colors and your flowers. If you are not sure whether or not you would like B&W photographs, have you photographer shoot everything in color and ask him to print some prints in B&W. With today’s technology it would be very hard for the untrained eye to see the difference between what was shot on B&W film and what was shot in color. You cannot print a color print from and B&W negative. However if you know you like B&W, have your photographer shoot it on B&W film for a better and a more rich contrast. Your best bet is a combination of both.
13.Make sure the photographer has backup equipment with him/her on your wedding date in case of an emergency. Also, make sure it is the same format and quality as the primary one. The photographer should have backup for all his/her equipment, cameras, flash, lenses, filters, batteries, cables, etc.
14. Always look for a professional photographer to shoot your wedding day. But if you are on a tight budget and are thinking on looking for a talented photography student or you've always admired your cousin's skill as a shutterbug, consider this option. Just keep in mind that if the photographer doesn't have wedding experience, you might not get the great results you want -- and it might not be worth the savings. If you hire a relative and you value your relationship, having him/her photograph your wedding would exclude him/her from your day. Moreover, if she misses some important moments she would feel bad and you would have no recourse. Not to mention it could actually sour the relationship you so cherished before.
15. Ask to see an actual album of an entire wedding and if possible a proofs album to see the photographer’s raw material. Many photographers have put together sample albums of their best shots from many weddings. Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he connected with the couple and captured the mood of their day.
WHAT IT COSTS
A Photojournalistic photographer will take many shots just to get the one special moment, and therefore would normally cost more than a portrait photographer. A photojournalistic photographer shoots between 1000- 3000 images at a wedding, while a good portrait photographer shoots on average 300-500 images. A good basic package could cost $1000-$1500, but you can easily spend three or four times that amount. You're paying for the photographer's time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, the finished product -- the prints and albums you order-- and for the artistic aspect and creativity of the photographer. If your photographer is in high demand expect to pay dearly for his services documenting your wedding. You may think you do not need that many photos but chances are that once you get to see the proofs you would want more than you first ordered. Especially if your photographer is a great artist!
VIDEOGRAPHY
Videotaping a wedding is an artistic profession as is photography. Therefore, if you think you could use a family camcorder to videotape your wedding, think again. A good wedding cameraman requires more skill and professionalism than any other moviemaker in the video business. He/she should be familiar with the technical specifications of the equipment, and with all aspects of how weddings unfold. He/she should be an excellent documenter, and needs to be constantly ready to videotape, after all there is only one take and it has to be a good one. A good videographer will connect with you, capture the atmosphere, the excitement, feelings, and emotions at your wedding and preserve it for life on tape. A videotape account of your wedding captures the uniqueness of your wedding and you would want it be according to your taste and style.
* Just like photography take it upon yourself to find a professional videographer with whom you feel comfortable, someone you feel you can spend a whole day with. Meet with several candidates to compare, shop for prices, styles, and packages offered. If you're having trouble finding someone, contact WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) for a list of professional Videographers in your area.. Always view a tape from a prospective videographer.
Use this checklist when reviewing different tapes:
* are the images clear?
* is the lighting right (not too dim or too harsh)?
* how is the sound quality?
* was the tape edited well? Is it smooth and well put together? Does it flow or is it choppy?
* does the tape look professional, or is it something you could do yourself?
* do the special effects and transitions look professional?
* is it fun? Is it entertaining to watch?
But the most important element has to be the style and personality of your prospective videographer. Go with your gut feeling and taste.
Also check the following:
1. Has the videographer done many weddings at the location where you’re getting married? Ask to view a tape shot at the same location.
2. Is he/she a member of any national and local videography associations such as WEVA (http://www.weva.org) or AVP? These associations are dedicated to improving the industry and final products delivered to married couples.
Has the videographer won any awards?
3. Has the videographer worked with your photographer before?
4. How many other weddings is the videographer doing on your wedding day or weekend? Make sure there are no time constraints.
5. Will the videographer you're speaking to be the one who will be shooting your wedding? Is it his/her work you are watching?
6. What types of cameras, tapes and microphones will the videographer use? Ask to see the equipment and ask around. Equipment is important, but using the most expensive camera does not guarantee the best result.
7. How much light will they use? Much of the ambiance and atmosphere of your event will be lost if room lights are on during the whole evening. Although, today’s cameras require very little light to get good picture, expect your videographer to use at least one light on the camera.
8. Will a backup camera be on hand for the event? How about back ups for the rest of the equipment?
9. How long does he/she keep the footage on file before recycling it?
10. Cancellation and refund policy.
Make sure to be specific about the following:
* number of cameras to be used. Many videographers shoot weddings with multiple cameras but most weddings are shot with one camera. The number of cameras does not affect editing capabilities or quality. Skilled videographers can make a one-camera wedding look to have been shot with multiple cameras. Let your videographer know what you want to have covered with more than one camera, if you’re having a multi-camera shoot.
* number of videos you'll receive, and complete package details.
* overtime fee, if applicable.
* reorder prices, if you should decide to order additional videos later.
Once your contract is definite, meet with your videographer and discuss the important events of your wedding day that you think may not be common to other weddings: For example, any special readings, songs during your ceremony, blessings, or dances during your reception. Let him/her know if your hair dresser is a good friend. Have him/her film the limo ride to the chapel. Those kinds of moments will make your video more unique.
WAYS TO JAZZ UP YOUR VIDEOTAPE
PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE VIDEO
Gather some childhood pictures, and snapshots of you (bride and groom) together and give it to the videographer to include in the final edited tape. Give your videographer a list of favorite songs to be use in the editing. Most professional videographers will give a song list from their library of CD’s to choose from.
SHORT VERSION VIDEO
Ask your videographer to include in the package, if it is not already included, a short version of your wedding video. If your final edited video turns to be longer than an hour long chances are you’re not going to watch it often with your friends and family. The short version tape would serve to entertain your family and friends in all kinds of casual gatherings and the long version would be for your family archive and more sporadic occasions. You would find yourself watching and enjoying more your wedding video with a short account tape and you’ll appreciate your video investment more. Believe me, no matter how good The Green Mile was, after the fifth time watching it you can feel that it is three hours long.
PHOTOMONTAGE
Present a video montage at your rehearsal dinner or at your reception. Give your videographer childhood photos, slides, family films and videos, and ask your friends to give you some photographs they took of the two of you and give it all to your videographer to edit together along with a list of your favorite songs. You can make the video to be sentimental or comic and present it on a large screen or monitor. You can also loop in a corner throughout the cocktail hour and/or reception; your guests will get to know you even better, and it's a great conversation piece! It’s guaranteed to make your family and friends laugh and cry, all in the course of a few minutes.
FILM THE MAKING OF THE CELEBRATION
Have your videographer, or one of your friends videotape the making of your wedding. Have him/her document the preparations, planning, dress fitting, hairdresser meeting, meeting with the caterer, making of the cake and all the madness the morning of. Create a short documentary of the making of your wedding. It'll definitely make everyone laugh -- especially you!
YOUR WEDDING ONLINE
Find out if your videographer and photographer have the capability to upload a short version of your wedding video on the web, and/or post your photos. If they can stream it even better! Make sure to inquire about that option. If that is a possibility they will most likely be able to do the same with some of your pictures too. This is a great option to consider. You’ll be emailing your wedding images to everybody regardless if they were there or not.
By David Basher
A Magic Moment
www.amagicmoment.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more wedding tips, ideas, and info, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Brides Guide to a Makeup Trial Run
Some really good info by Patty Bell of On Location Hair and Makeup
On movie sets it is called a screen test, an actor never goes on the big screen without trying different makeup looks for that character...same thing in the wedding world, it is called a "trial run", both are extremely important when it comes to you looking your very best as you star in the biggest production of your life...your wedding day!
On this one day in your life, you get one shot (hopefully) to look the best you ever did and, this is not the day to experiment with new hairstyles, or makeup colors that you have never worn before.
This is the day you want to look like you...only a touch more glamorous!
Here are a few tips that every bride should think of when hiring a professional makeup artist:
Remember that you are interviewing the makeup artist, and hair stylist as well. You two will be working together very closely and it is very important that your personalities get along, especially the day of your wedding.
Most artists charge for trial runs, so make sure that fee is discussed ahead of time...after all, their time is valuable. Plan on at least 90 minutes.
Your artist should be prompt, professional and very calming to be around.
Never hire someone without seeing their work. Ask to see a portfolio or photos of their work, and ask how long they have been in business.
Experienced artists know the importance of working fast, following a schedule and being cordial to other vendors involved.
Ask for testimonials of former clients.
Get a trial run at least 3-4 months before your wedding.
Make sure you are done tanning when you go in for your makeup trial.
Mention any & all product allergies at your trial run, and if you are on any medications.
Bring along your current makeup so we can see what routine you are used to doing. It is okay to use your own products!
Never feel pressured into trying new colors or buying anything...this is your day!
Be open to new suggestions to enhance your features for your photos, sometimes your every day makeup, and colors, do not work well for photography.
Bring along "tear sheets" of some makeup looks that you like.
Make sure you have a waterproof mascara!
Do not get a facial close to your wedding date. Some facials are meant to draw out impurities in the skin which can cause breakouts.
Make sure your artist takes photos of your new look and writes down all the colors they used on you, so they can duplicate that exact look on your wedding day, so there will be no surprises!
Coordinate your makeup and hair time with your wedding planner- you never want your hairstyle or makeup application to be rushed the day of your wedding. Plan on at least an hour for both.
Check your finished application in 3 way mirrors, and outdoor lighting. You want to make sure you look good in all angles, and lighting!
Think about adding individual eyelashes or a strip lash for an elegant look. I've seen eyelashes make women look 10 years younger!
It is very nice to see the entire bridal party perfectly made up for your bridal photos, and don't forget the mothers of the bride & groom...it is their big day, too!
If you do like the artist and agree to hire them, ask for a contract, and discuss what it will take to reserve their services for you, many require a deposit, and some are non refundable.
And finally....makeup can always wash off, so if they don't get it right the first time, they try again, until YOU are happy...that's why it is called a trial! You try different looks until you get that picture perfect look that is just right for you!
Remember...that wedding photos last a lifetime and you want to make sure that the money invested in professional makeup artists and hairstyling is money well spent.
by: Patty Bell
owner On Location Hair and Makeup
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more tips, ideas, and interesting stuff for brides,...visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
On movie sets it is called a screen test, an actor never goes on the big screen without trying different makeup looks for that character...same thing in the wedding world, it is called a "trial run", both are extremely important when it comes to you looking your very best as you star in the biggest production of your life...your wedding day!
On this one day in your life, you get one shot (hopefully) to look the best you ever did and, this is not the day to experiment with new hairstyles, or makeup colors that you have never worn before.
This is the day you want to look like you...only a touch more glamorous!
Here are a few tips that every bride should think of when hiring a professional makeup artist:
Remember that you are interviewing the makeup artist, and hair stylist as well. You two will be working together very closely and it is very important that your personalities get along, especially the day of your wedding.
Most artists charge for trial runs, so make sure that fee is discussed ahead of time...after all, their time is valuable. Plan on at least 90 minutes.
Your artist should be prompt, professional and very calming to be around.
Never hire someone without seeing their work. Ask to see a portfolio or photos of their work, and ask how long they have been in business.
Experienced artists know the importance of working fast, following a schedule and being cordial to other vendors involved.
Ask for testimonials of former clients.
Get a trial run at least 3-4 months before your wedding.
Make sure you are done tanning when you go in for your makeup trial.
Mention any & all product allergies at your trial run, and if you are on any medications.
Bring along your current makeup so we can see what routine you are used to doing. It is okay to use your own products!
Never feel pressured into trying new colors or buying anything...this is your day!
Be open to new suggestions to enhance your features for your photos, sometimes your every day makeup, and colors, do not work well for photography.
Bring along "tear sheets" of some makeup looks that you like.
Make sure you have a waterproof mascara!
Do not get a facial close to your wedding date. Some facials are meant to draw out impurities in the skin which can cause breakouts.
Make sure your artist takes photos of your new look and writes down all the colors they used on you, so they can duplicate that exact look on your wedding day, so there will be no surprises!
Coordinate your makeup and hair time with your wedding planner- you never want your hairstyle or makeup application to be rushed the day of your wedding. Plan on at least an hour for both.
Check your finished application in 3 way mirrors, and outdoor lighting. You want to make sure you look good in all angles, and lighting!
Think about adding individual eyelashes or a strip lash for an elegant look. I've seen eyelashes make women look 10 years younger!
It is very nice to see the entire bridal party perfectly made up for your bridal photos, and don't forget the mothers of the bride & groom...it is their big day, too!
If you do like the artist and agree to hire them, ask for a contract, and discuss what it will take to reserve their services for you, many require a deposit, and some are non refundable.
And finally....makeup can always wash off, so if they don't get it right the first time, they try again, until YOU are happy...that's why it is called a trial! You try different looks until you get that picture perfect look that is just right for you!
Remember...that wedding photos last a lifetime and you want to make sure that the money invested in professional makeup artists and hairstyling is money well spent.
by: Patty Bell
owner On Location Hair and Makeup
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more tips, ideas, and interesting stuff for brides,...visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wedding DJ 101
How to Hire a DJ for your Wedding
A informative article from DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions!
So your getting married soon and you and your future spouse decide it’s time to start planning for the big day. Besides the venue, the caterer, photographer, wedding gown, rings, cake, flowers, and more, you have to get a DJ or a band for your musical entertainment. Let’s say you decide to choose a DJ over a band. A lot of top-notch professional wedding DJs get booked anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in advance, so start looking early especially if your wedding date is in May or June.
Now that you know when to start looking for a DJ you need to know where to find them. You can find DJs from a variety of sources, friends, family, the internet, print ads, from other vendors, etc. A common mistake by most people is that they tend to believe that all DJs are pretty much the same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Just about every DJ has their own
unique style and level of professionalism which they bring to the table. When looking for a DJ, look for one that specializes in weddings. If they do other types of events to, that’s fine as long as they have substantial experience performing at weddings (At least 100 weddings). Also, a large variety of music is important, everybody has different tastes, and more than likely so will your guests.
Now that you know where to find a DJ, and the basics of what to look for, it’s time to start contacting DJs and start making appointments for interviewing. Keep in mind you want a professional for your wedding, not a hobbyist, this is your wedding day, and you only get one chance to do it right. As soon as you start to contact DJs you’ll know very soon which are professionals, and which are just “weekend warriors”. If no one answers the phone when you call, or they don’t return your inquiry promptly (no later than 24 hours) move on to the next one. Why? If a DJ can’t return your phone call or e-mail promptly, that shows a lack of reliability and professionalism. If they’re too busy to return your inquiry, more than likely they may be too busy for you when you have questions, plans, or issues which will arise. Now you have to look at your budget, what percentage of your wedding budget should go towards your musical entertainment? On average most brides spend about 5% on a DJ, but numerous articles in bridal magazines and the internet stated that most brides said that if they could do it all over again they would have spent probably 10%-15% of their wedding budget on a better DJ. So the price of a DJ shouldn’t
be your only factor in choosing a DJ.
Make sure that the DJ has references, is willing to meet with you, see the venue, has quality equipment, and probably most important, has a written contract. I receive about 5 phone calls a year from brides whose DJs never showed up, or cancelled at last minute, and the bride never had a contract with the DJ to begin with. Before signing a contract, discuss any overtime
fees, your plans for your wedding, special songs, their back-up plans for personnel, transportation, and equipment, etc. After signing a contract with any DJ, the key to a successful wedding reception (and sometimes the ceremony) is communication. I can’t stress this enough, don’t wait until the last minute to inform your DJ of exactly what and how you want something done. Most professional wedding DJs do much more than just play music, some are pretty much the wedding coordinators also. They make sure that everything goes smoothly and all your “wedding events” such as the cake cutting, toasts, garter and bouquet toss, special dances, etc get done in a reasonable time frame. So stay in contact with you DJ, keep him/her informed, and this way you’ll both be on the same page for your special day.
By DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more info, wedding tips, and ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
A informative article from DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions!
So your getting married soon and you and your future spouse decide it’s time to start planning for the big day. Besides the venue, the caterer, photographer, wedding gown, rings, cake, flowers, and more, you have to get a DJ or a band for your musical entertainment. Let’s say you decide to choose a DJ over a band. A lot of top-notch professional wedding DJs get booked anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in advance, so start looking early especially if your wedding date is in May or June.
Now that you know when to start looking for a DJ you need to know where to find them. You can find DJs from a variety of sources, friends, family, the internet, print ads, from other vendors, etc. A common mistake by most people is that they tend to believe that all DJs are pretty much the same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Just about every DJ has their own
unique style and level of professionalism which they bring to the table. When looking for a DJ, look for one that specializes in weddings. If they do other types of events to, that’s fine as long as they have substantial experience performing at weddings (At least 100 weddings). Also, a large variety of music is important, everybody has different tastes, and more than likely so will your guests.
Now that you know where to find a DJ, and the basics of what to look for, it’s time to start contacting DJs and start making appointments for interviewing. Keep in mind you want a professional for your wedding, not a hobbyist, this is your wedding day, and you only get one chance to do it right. As soon as you start to contact DJs you’ll know very soon which are professionals, and which are just “weekend warriors”. If no one answers the phone when you call, or they don’t return your inquiry promptly (no later than 24 hours) move on to the next one. Why? If a DJ can’t return your phone call or e-mail promptly, that shows a lack of reliability and professionalism. If they’re too busy to return your inquiry, more than likely they may be too busy for you when you have questions, plans, or issues which will arise. Now you have to look at your budget, what percentage of your wedding budget should go towards your musical entertainment? On average most brides spend about 5% on a DJ, but numerous articles in bridal magazines and the internet stated that most brides said that if they could do it all over again they would have spent probably 10%-15% of their wedding budget on a better DJ. So the price of a DJ shouldn’t
be your only factor in choosing a DJ.
Make sure that the DJ has references, is willing to meet with you, see the venue, has quality equipment, and probably most important, has a written contract. I receive about 5 phone calls a year from brides whose DJs never showed up, or cancelled at last minute, and the bride never had a contract with the DJ to begin with. Before signing a contract, discuss any overtime
fees, your plans for your wedding, special songs, their back-up plans for personnel, transportation, and equipment, etc. After signing a contract with any DJ, the key to a successful wedding reception (and sometimes the ceremony) is communication. I can’t stress this enough, don’t wait until the last minute to inform your DJ of exactly what and how you want something done. Most professional wedding DJs do much more than just play music, some are pretty much the wedding coordinators also. They make sure that everything goes smoothly and all your “wedding events” such as the cake cutting, toasts, garter and bouquet toss, special dances, etc get done in a reasonable time frame. So stay in contact with you DJ, keep him/her informed, and this way you’ll both be on the same page for your special day.
By DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more info, wedding tips, and ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wedding Favors 101
Why Wedding Favors?
Some good info from Polly Liu of www.beau-coup.com
Wedding favors are thoughtful mementos given by the newlyweds to their wedding guests as a symbol of gratitude for sharing their special day. The gesture can be traced back to ancient Rome and has become a lovely custom in many cultures. Sugar-coated almonds, or dragées, are traditional wedding favors symbolizing the bitterness and sweetness of married life. Other edible sweets such as a piece of the groom's cake, cookies and chocolates have also been presented over the years. Today, couples are being more creative with their selection of party favors, whether it's for the reception, the rehearsal dinner or the bridal shower. Picture frames, candles, wine stoppers, cocktail shakers, handmade sachets, mini vases, personalized mint tins, seed favors, themed cookies, holiday ornaments, and personalized keepsakes are all popular favor choices. Favors can really be anything. The important thing is to choose favors that reflect your personal style and impart a meaninful message. They are often placed at each guest's place setting or elegantly displayed on a table near the entrance to the reception hall.
Unique Wedding Favors
Unique and thoughtful favors can leave a lasting impression and add a personal touch to the reception. Many couples are choosing favors that celebrate their cultural heritage and reflect their personal style. Favors that accent a wedding theme are also extremely popular. Your guests will especially appreciate gifts that they can use and treasure - like a pair of beautiful chopsticks, a handmade silk sachet or a decorative picture frame. There is tremendous appeal to the idea that the guests will enjoy the favor long after the wedding has passed.
By Polly Liu
www.beau-coup.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
From more info, tips, and wedding ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Some good info from Polly Liu of www.beau-coup.com
Wedding favors are thoughtful mementos given by the newlyweds to their wedding guests as a symbol of gratitude for sharing their special day. The gesture can be traced back to ancient Rome and has become a lovely custom in many cultures. Sugar-coated almonds, or dragées, are traditional wedding favors symbolizing the bitterness and sweetness of married life. Other edible sweets such as a piece of the groom's cake, cookies and chocolates have also been presented over the years. Today, couples are being more creative with their selection of party favors, whether it's for the reception, the rehearsal dinner or the bridal shower. Picture frames, candles, wine stoppers, cocktail shakers, handmade sachets, mini vases, personalized mint tins, seed favors, themed cookies, holiday ornaments, and personalized keepsakes are all popular favor choices. Favors can really be anything. The important thing is to choose favors that reflect your personal style and impart a meaninful message. They are often placed at each guest's place setting or elegantly displayed on a table near the entrance to the reception hall.
Unique Wedding Favors
Unique and thoughtful favors can leave a lasting impression and add a personal touch to the reception. Many couples are choosing favors that celebrate their cultural heritage and reflect their personal style. Favors that accent a wedding theme are also extremely popular. Your guests will especially appreciate gifts that they can use and treasure - like a pair of beautiful chopsticks, a handmade silk sachet or a decorative picture frame. There is tremendous appeal to the idea that the guests will enjoy the favor long after the wedding has passed.
By Polly Liu
www.beau-coup.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
From more info, tips, and wedding ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wedding Budget 101
Planning a Wonderful Wedding on a Realistic Budget
A GREAT article by Sara!
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!!
By Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/
www.imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
info@imemoryfilms.com
For more wedding tips, info, and cool stuff, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
A GREAT article by Sara!
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!!
By Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/
www.imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
info@imemoryfilms.com
For more wedding tips, info, and cool stuff, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
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