The ABC's Of Picking The Perfect Wedding Photographer
You’ve chosen a wedding gown, booked a venue, and met with your caterers and florists—now what’s next on the list of wedding must-dos? Picking the perfect photographer!
One of the most important decisions you and your future spouse need to take when planning your special day is hiring a good wedding photographer. Sure, anyone with a camera can take photos, but not everyone can take photos that justify the moment. Photos are not mere snapshots or summaries of your big day. Photos capture a wedding’s intimate moments and preserve them for a lifetime. So before your Uncle Bob or Cousin Mary takes blurry photos of you walking down the aisle or drinking champagne with your other half, here are the ABCs of choosing the perfect wedding photographer:
Ask Around
You can start your search for the perfect wedding photographer by asking your friends if they know of one. Those who recently got married and are impressed by the work of their photographers would surely recommend them to you. Attending wedding fairs is another way of meeting different photographers who could cover your wedding. But when all else fails, you could always turn to the web. Professional photographers nowadays feature their digital portfolio and contact details online so it can be easy to find one who’s based in your area.
Book an Appointment
Once you’ve come up with a list of the photographers whose works impressed you or were highly recommended by others, contact them immediately and book an appointment. Excellent photographers are typically in demand during peak wedding seasons so it’s important to get in touch with them as early as possible. Once you’ve set an appointment, make sure to arm yourself with a bunch of questions to get to know the photographers better. Ask them about their experience, photography style, the kind of equipment they use, and if they offer affordable wedding photography services, if you’re tight on budget.
The following questions can serve as your guide to learn more about your potential wedding photographers:
- How long have you been in the business?
- What’s your style?
- Do you incorporate different styles or themes in every shoot?
- What were the challenges you’ve encountered with your previous clients?
- What are the wedding photography packages you offer?
- Can we come up with a tailored package?
- How long does it take to process the pictures?
- Do you print photo books?
Maintain a relaxed atmosphere throughout the meeting to assess the photographer’s personality. Attitude is a big factor to consider because you definitely don’t want to work with someone rude. Most importantly, ask to view their portfolio since it is the easiest way to know about the kind of work they do.
Check the References
After your initial meeting with the photographers, you could narrow down the list to up to two or three photographers. You could then proceed to contact the references they’ve provided and inquire about their performance, professionalism, creativity, and quality of work. By then, you could have gained a good insight on the kind of work they do.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for a Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot
After crossing out your other options, arrange a meeting with the photographer whom you feel could help you achieve the best outcomes. Communication is key; so let him or her know your expectations and the kind of shots you want captured. It is also advisable to set up a pre-wedding photo shoot to test the waters and establish rapport so you could be more confident and comfortable with the camera once the big day comes.
If you want to preserve romantic memories of your wedding day and avoid unflattering shots, be sure to pick the perfect wedding photographer by following these tips.
Author Byline
Debra Wright blogs about a plethora of topics including affordable wedding photography in budget wedding photography and other fields. Wright considered Matt Elliott Photo as one of the leaders in wedding photography packages.
Getting Married At Sea: The Pro's and Con's Of Cruise Ship Weddings
Weddings are a wonderful time and cruises make for a fantastic holiday, so the idea of combining the two can be a dream come true. With the opportunity for a really unique wedding location, lots of ways to customize the occasion and some seriously spectacular backdrops, a cruise ship wedding can be the most incredible day. However, the cruise ship wedding is not for everyone and it’s important to think it through thoroughly before you book anything for such an important occasion.
Here are some of the pros and cons of cruise ship weddings to help you make up your mind.
Pros
Organization – Most cruise liners will be able to offer some kind of wedding planning service so if you’re looking to get some help organizing the big day this is a great way to do it. Everything from catering to flowers to tuxedo rental can be included in the package, leaving you time to spend getting ready and enjoying the event itself.
Great value – Weddings are expensive wherever you are but a cruise ship wedding offers the chance to get great value for money for a really memorable day. Comparably, cruise weddings often cost less than a similar wedding on land, so they can be the ideal option if you’re looking to have a budget wedding that’s still got all the trimmings.
You can make it your own – Cruise ship weddings can be tailored so that you can have exactly the kind of wedding you want, whether it’s a traditional event or something very ‘out there.’ You just need to bear in mind what you can and can’t take on board, and the logistics of being on a ship.
An instant honeymoon – If you’re already on a cruise then there’s no need to pay for an additional honeymoon, or to factor it into your travel plans as the honeymoon begins the minute the wedding ends. This is an advantage in terms of finances, convenience and low hassle post wedding coordination. Mediterranean Cruises from luxury cruise lines like Celebrity are especially popular for weddings as they are close enough to home for guests to fly home after the ceremony while the wedding couple stays on for their honeymoon.
Cons
You won’t be the only ones – Given the size of most cruise ships you’re unlikely to be the only couple getting married on the same ship during a single trip, so if you’re looking for an exclusive venue then this may not be the option for you.
Travel restrictions – It may not be something that occurs to you in advance but remember that some ports will have restrictions on bringing certain things onto the ship. This means that if you’re not happy to swap live flowers for silk, for example, you might have to rule out getting hitched on a cruise ship.
Numbers – Whilst some cruise ships are enormous, others are much smaller so check the size of the ships on the route you’re interested in before you start booking anything. Be sure that all your party can be comfortably accommodated and that there’s enough facilities on the ship to cater for everyone’s needs. It’s also worth bearing in mind that whoever you take with you is going to share both your wedding and your honeymoon cruise – make sure you’ve considered the reality of that before you book anything.
Getting there – Remember that you need to get to the cruise ship to have the wedding and if you miss the boat it’s not quite as easy as being ten minutes late to the church. Plan in advance so that you get to the departure point in plenty of time and whatever you do don’t miss the boat!
Like any wedding venue, there are many pros and cons to getting married on a cruise ship. If, after reading the above, the idea of having your nuptials on the high seas still appeals then this is the perfect time to get booking.
Author Bio:
Amy is a freelance travel writer from the UK.
5 Tips To Help Choose Lingerie For Under Your Wedding Dress
Planning a wedding is said to be one of the most stressful times in a woman’s life and as such there are many things that might slip your mind or seem unimportant. Wedding day lingerie should not be one of them. To ensure you feel just as good in your wedding day undergarments as you do in your wedding dress, here are a few useful tips.
1. Plan in advance
It is really important to make sure you are wearing the perfect outfit on your wedding day, from your dress and shoes right down to your undergarments. Therefore, you should make sure
you buy your underwear close to the time you purchase your dress.
So many brides leave choosing their lingerie to the last minute and this means you may have to settle for garments you wouldn’t usually buy, just because you are rushed. Leaving plenty of time also means any adjustments can be made well in advance of your big day.
2. Make sure you’ve tried everything on under your wedding dress
Buying lingerie at the same kind of time you purchase your wedding dress will mean you get the chance to try everything on together well in advance of your big day. Many bridal shops will encourage you to try everything on to make sure the lay of the dress is not ruined by any bulky underwear, or that unwelcome creases do not appear as a result of poor fitting underwear.
Many dresses will affect the kind of lingerie you can actually wear as well, so it really is a good idea to make sure everything fits and looks as good as possible, as early as you can. This will take the pressure off and leave you to focus on other bits of your wedding plan.
3. Choosing the best bra
Many women believe the bra is the most important piece of lingerie, especially on a wedding day. This is because choosing the wrong one can leave you in agony your entire wedding day and you most certainly don’t want that. Your wedding bra has got to not only be extremely pretty and fitting for your specific wedding dress but it also incredibly comfortable.
This means you have to consider the material and style very carefully. For instance, it is probably unwise to wear a corset. However, you do need to make sure you are properly supported, especially if wearing a strapless wedding dress. As with points 1 and 2, it once again means you should plan in advance.
4. Choosing the best knickers
As with all of your wedding attire, you need to choose knickers that are comfortable and fit well beneath your wedding dress. Don’t worry; you will still be able to find sexy knickers that are comfortable at the same time. You just need to make sure they are going to stay in one place and won’t cause you an embarrassing moment, like a wedgie or fall down so that you have to hitch them back into place at any point.
Not only would these situations be uncomfortable but it will also be incredibly difficult to fix seeing as your wedding dress will be heavy and rather cumbersome too. Hence you can see how crucial it is to get your knicker choice right.
5. Body shapers
Even if you are the slimmest women in the world, the likelihood is that you will still make good use of shapewear. This is because wedding dresses look their best when there is no sign of any lumps and bumps, whether caused by your own body or the lines of your bra and knickers.
To give yourself the perfect wedding dress figure, it is definitely worth choosing a high quality shapewear garment. There are many slim-wear options available, so take your time choosing and make sure, whichever one you eventually choose, fits in perfectly with your bra and knickers and doesn’t make anything too uncomfortable.
Image License: author owned
Author Bio:
Gemma Sly writes for Freya Lingerie. When not writing, she can often be found working out to fit into the latest lingerie styles.
Wedding Planning: How To Begin Creating An Unforgettable Day
Preparing for a wedding can be many things. Initially, you may feel like you are floating on air and then the butterflies set in. You may find yourself not sure what to do or how to begin the process. Not only do you need to pick a date, but you need to create wedding invitations, set up entertainment and try to make everyone happy, as well as stay true to your beliefs and the desires of both yourself and your spouse. Allow us to help you begin with the basics to minimize your stress and make your big day something you will remember for the rest of your life.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time and Enjoy Every Moment
Many couples feel that once they are engaged, they need to hurry up and become married. While this may work for some people, do not feel pressured into doing so. The most important aspect to any wedding is your happiness. The big day is all about you and if you need to think a few things over before going ahead and selecting a rough date, then by all means, allow yourself that luxury. It is also important to plan ahead because this allows you to expect the unexpected. When all you have to work with is a tight schedule and there is no wiggle room, something such as a mistake on your cake or mishap with the wedding dress could potentially make the big day not happen when you'd planned.
Many couples create journals or memory books surrounding their relationship. Take a few moments to write about how the proposal took place, where you were and add photos or keepsakes that you've accumulated along the way. Later down the road, this book can be passed on to your children and used to reminisce on just how far you have grown as a couple.
Budget Planning
Before you begin shopping around too much for things such as wedding cakes, dresses and the tux, it's important that you and your partner sit down and discuss a budget. Whether you are deciding on a set amount that you will not go over or a range that you are comfortable spending, be sure to do so very early on in the process. If you find yourself wanting items that are more expensive than you'd anticipated, see if you can't find more affordable solutions to other aspects of the big day. One way to save a large amount of cash would be to have the wedding on family property versus at a venue. This will also save you time, because most popular venues are going to be booked out around a year in advance.
Choosing a Date and Other Specific Details
Once you know how many people you plan to invite to your wedding and have the space accommodations based on the location, it's time to select a date. A few questions to ask yourself: Do you want an indoor or outdoor wedding? What would you like the weather to be like? While you cannot guarantee a sunny beach wedding, what you can do is select a time of year where the weather is more likely to be what you want.
Selecting the Perfect Theme
Of course, knowing what kind of theme you are going for is imperative before you can book your location. Are you looking to go a more traditional route or a more casual style? Themes don't have to be specific. You can simply choose some of yours and your future-spouse's favorite colors and make them blend beautifully throughout the area. The outfits you choose for yourselves and your bridesmaids and entertainers will add that finishing touch to bring everything together.
Prepping Meals and Providing Great Entertainment
Many venues are going to offer catering services. Discuss whether you would like them to bring food directly to your guests' tables or if you'd like a more buffet-style set up. Choose foods that you love and a variety of things that your attendees can enjoy. It's always a good idea to ask about food allergies before making your final decisions.
As far as entertainment is concerned, one of the most important things to consider is music. What style is going to match your theme? Add some of your personal favorites and incorporate other artists that you think will help liven up the party. There is a lot of sitting at weddings so anything you can do to get people up, moving around and mingling is a great idea. Maybe you want to have a DJ on the dance floor taking requests or a photo booth where memories can be captured throughout the day.
Once you're ready and the big day is closing in you can begin to prepare your invitations. Having them made by a professional is a popular choice, but don't hesitate to make your own if you have an artsy personality. Another neat idea is to make wedding programs so your guests know what to expect each step along the way.
Author Bio:
This article was written by Irine Pierre from Bridal Solutions Inc. Her company is a popular Toronto wedding planner firm and works with all types of budgets.
Wedding Cupcake Displays
Cupcakes are an increasingly popular alternative to a main wedding cake as they are easier for guests to help themselves to. It’s also easy to bake chocolate or plain sponge cupcakes for your wedding and decorate them using buttercream or icing. Recipes for cupcakes and their toppings are very simple and can be tailored to suit your personal taste. That’s the benefit of cupcakes as you can have many different variations served together so there is something for everyone.
For example if some of your guests don’t like chocolate you could produce some plain sponge cupcakes. You will then be spoilt for choice when deciding how to display your creations.
Tiered Cupcake Stands
Tiered cupcake stands are a great traditional way to display cupcakes. These stands can have round layers to give a cone shape, square layers to give a pyramid or even heart shaped layers. You could also opt for a modern take on a cupcake stand by having an off-center display or a cascading stand which will turn your display into a real spectacle. White or clear stands are good because they give the illusion that the cupcakes are ‘floating’ so you see the cupcakes before the tiers. To make the display extra special you could even create a customized tablecloth.
Cupcake Murals
Let your creativity shine with a cupcake mural. Murals can be produced by packing the cupcakes closely together in a square or rectangle and icing them in such a way as to spell out a message like ‘Mr and Mrs’ or reveal a picture which is personal to you. If you are a sporty couple you might like to pack the cupcakes into the shape of a jersey and ice them in the colors of your team.
Cupcake Ferris Wheel
Ferris wheels are a fun, whimsical way of displaying cupcakes that will excite the kid in all of us. They generally hold 8-12 cupcakes, so not suitable to display all the cupcakes if you have a large number of guests, but 1 or 2 Ferris wheels would be great for children to interact with.
A nice idea for a display would be a tiered stand in between 2 Ferris wheels as arrangements are more pleasing to the eye when there are an odd number of components.
I hope that this has shown you the versatility of cupcakes as a wedding feature and encouraged you to give them a go!
Author Bio
Claire Grannell is a Chemistry graduate who enjoys reading blogs and sharing tips and ideas with others.
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