Tips for out-of-town wedding guests

Out-of-town weddings are always kinda challenge for guests. So get ready when you get the invitation.

Before You Leave

*Turn it into a mini-vacation. It's a matter of mindset. Instead of asking, "How am I going to do this?" say, "I'm going to have fun." Then get started.
*Plan ahead. Planning can help you make the most of your time. If old friends will be attending the wedding, call them beforehand and make plans to hook up. Make any rental car or other reservations in advance.
*Call ahead for a hotel brochure and a local events calendar. The more you know about your destination, the more time you'll be able to spend enjoying yourself once you get there.
*Send wedding gifts ahead of time. That way, you won't have to lug packages onto the plane with you.
*Make plans to hook up with friends. If old friends will be attending the wedding, call them beforehand and make plans to get together.

On The Plane

*Don't take a night flight before a morning wedding. You'll be exhausted. Also, to make your flight more enjoyable, try to travel with friends who are also going to the wedding. Time will zip by.
*Don't check essentials. You'd hate to show up at the reception in your Ungaro gown and your Reeboks!
*Request an exit row on the plane. Extra legroom means more comfort.
*Don't bring your work. Unless absolutely necessary, don't bring your laptop and files. Instead, enjoy the in-flight movie. Remember, you're on a mini-vacation.

On Location

*Don't live out of your bags. As soon as you arrive at your destination, unpack your bags. You'll feel much more at home if you aren't constantly yanking things out of your suitcase.
* Hit the spa. If the local activities don't appeal to you, make your weekend into a spa-like retreat. Use all the hotel facilities, starting with room service. Many larger hotels offer a massage service, as well as a gym, sauna and pool. Take advantage.
* Take a catnap. If it's an evening wedding, it will give you just the pick-me-up you need for later.
* Live it up. Make up your mind to dance, indulge and have a great time.
* Sleep in. The morning after the wedding, sleep as late as possible, and then order room service.

Plan your trip home so that you arrive in plenty of time to have a good night's sleep. If you head home too late, chances are you'll spend those last precious hours worrying.

Traveling To An Unfamiliar Place
Going somewhere you've never been before? How will you fill the time when you aren't celebrating with the happy couple? Every city has many unique things to offer its visitors -- even the smallest of small towns. Take advantage.

* Do some research online. Conduct a search on the city and state you will be visiting. What is it famous for? There may be a museum, festival, park or other location that you'll want to visit.
* A regional directory is available here at WeddingChannel.com. If you're looking for historic restaurants and hotels to visit during your stay, you may very well find them through our Local Vendors Directory.
* Check with the local Chamber of Commerce. They may be your best source of information on what to do and see.
* Pick up a travel book. There are several outstanding series of city guides, including those by Frommer's, Fodor's, and the Automobile Club of America. If you're an Auto Club member, you'll probably find they have a wealth of free information for you.
* Get a map. You don't want to get lost in a city you don't know well. There are some great websites that specialize in maps, so go online!
* Get a local to show you around. This may be a great chance to meet up with an old friend who's local. Just offer to return the favor when they visit your city.
* Ask the bride and groom. They probably have personal recommendations about activities and things to do in the area. If they've created an Out-Of-Town Guest Information page, you may find suggestions there. (If they don't have one, email the couple now and invite them to create their personal wedding web page -- it's free and fun!)
* Check out the local newspaper. When you arrive at your destination, this is a great way to find out about events.
* Ask the concierge. If you've forgotten to make plans in advance, don't worry -- they can help with recommendations.
* Offer to help the wedding couple and their families. If you don't feel like sightseeing, they are sure to appreciate any assistance. This is also a nice way for you to spend extra time with the people you've traveled so far to see.
Remember, the few days before the wedding are the busiest time for the bride and groom. This is not the time to ask them to play chauffeur or tour guide. One of the best gifts you can give the couple is to take responsibility for entertaining yourself during your stay.

Feel better? You have everything you need to help make a weekend wedding fun and fruitful. Have a blast!

Asking Her Father - Engagement

The time has come. You've thought about it and thought about it. And talked about it. And thought about it some more. You know her like you've never known anyone else. You love her like you've never loved anyone else and you can't imagine spending a week without her, let alone the rest of your life. It's time to ask for her hand in marriage.

Now, there was a time -- only a few generations ago -- when the next step was clear-cut and simple: you paid a visit to her father and asked him for her hand. Back then, marriage was more a matter of class, status, dowries and other financial arrangements, and love was given less attention. Whether or not the potential groom could provide for his bride, as determined by the bride's father, weighed heavier on a family's mind than love.

As love became more important to marriage than money, this tradition has continued, although it is not nearly as common as it once was, at least in middle-class America. Today, when a man asks his girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage, he does so more out of respect than anything else. Generally, both the father and his daughter's boyfriend are aware that, approval or no approval, if they truly want to be married, there's little to stop them. The father's approval is almost expected. After all, guys are pretty smart sometimes, and they usually know where they stand with their girlfriend's father; if they don't get along with her father, there's little chance they'll even ask.

But even when approval is expected, there's still something nerve-wracking about the process -- there's always the chance her father doesn't realize how serious their relationship is, or that he'll be caught off-guard. And sometimes fathers are just naturally intimidating. Troy, a project manager for a computer product company in Utah, had dated his girlfriend, Tania, for over four years; he got along fine with Tania's father, who is from Yugoslavia and is very Old World and traditional. But Troy admits to feeling too intimidated to ask him for Tania's hand, even though Troy knew both Tania and her parents hoped that he would ask; the fact that her father is an enthusiastic hunter and keeps the heads of various deer and elk mounted on his wall may have contributed to this intimidation.

Sometimes it's difficult to know exactly which father to ask: the birth father or the stepfather. Dave, a manager at a consulting firm in San Diego, dated his girlfriend, Cory, for over six years before he was ready for marriage. Cory's parents were divorced and both remarried; Dave decided to speak to her natural father first, though Cory had spent more years with her stepfather. She had a good relationship with both men, and Dave thought, since both had been fathers to her through the years, the blood relationship a birth father has commanded special respect. Plus, he had been given Cory's mother's first engagement ring diamond a few months prior to use for Cory's ring, so her stepfather at least had an inkling of the impending engagement.

Of course, there's no reason you need to ask her father first; sometimes asking him after the fact is enough to show proper respect to her family. Matt, an electrical engineer in Tucson, had dated his girlfriend, Rebecca, for four years before asking her to marry him. She, of course, gladly agreed. But when her parents visited over Christmas vacation, Matt realized he had never officially received Rebecca's father's permission to marry her. Matt took him aside, poured a couple of whiskeys (to calm both their nerves), told him how much his daughter meant to him and how they could enrich each other's lives, and asked for his blessing. Although her father had met Matt only a couple of times before, the blessing was promptly given, and Matt and Rebecca have now been married for almost two years.

Of course, a father's acquiescence is by no means guaranteed, no matter how well the aspiring groom gets along with him. One young man of 19 asked his girlfriend's father for her hand (she was the same age) and the father immediately denied his request, arguing that they were far too young. The couple ignored her father's wishes and got married anyway. Sometimes, such an obstacle can be a test of love; will you let anyone stand in your way? It's wise to have considered every scenario and know what your response will be.

The decision whether to ask your girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage depends more on the kind of relationship you have -- or want to have -- with her father. After all, he's soon to become your father-in-law, and good relations will make everyone's future happier. It's a show of respect; imagine yourself with a daughter, and how you would feel if her boyfriend asked you for her hand. Chances are, you'd appreciate the gesture and accept it as a show of friendship. While any father would be happy to have his daughter marrying someone who'll treat her well and provide for her and love her beyond measure, there's a respect you gain from him nonetheless, just by showing him a similar respect. And any relationship built on mutual respect has a strong foundation to build a new life upon.

Inexpensive Weddings Elopement Packages

y $30,000, inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be very appealing for couples on a tight budget. Before opting for the cheapest nuptials, however, couples should be sure they understand what services are included in an elopement package and what they can expect on their wedding day.

Defining Inexpensive

When a couple begins to plan a destination wedding or elopement, the first thing they should do is define what they consider inexpensive. For some couples, even a small celebration may run several thousand dollars depending on the location and amenities they choose, which can be more expensive than a simpler, more traditional wedding ceremony and reception. On the other hand, a couple that is faced with the prospect of a large celebration in an urban area may find that a more exotic elopement can be a substantial savings. The key is to find the best celebration for the best budget without compromising on the romance, quality, and special sentiments of the day.

Why Go Cheap?

Couples may choose inexpensive elopement packages for a number of reasons. As two individuals join their lives together, they are often confronted with other expenses such as purchasing a home, reducing student loan or credit card debt, continuing education, or starting a family. Saving money by opting for an inexpensive elopement is a fiscally responsible choice that can be just as meaningful and romantic as a more lavish celebration.

Finding Elopement Packages

Finding inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be easy, but couples should plan carefully to find the very best deals for their special day. Many resorts, hotels, and wedding planners in popular destinations offer elopement and destination wedding packages, and couples can contact different planners and facilities to inquire about less expensive options than the packages that may be advertised. Couples could also opt to hire a wedding planner on a consultancy basis for a cheaper rate, or they could make the wedding arrangements themselves if they are familiar with the destination and its legal requirements. The steps to finding the least expensive elopement options are:

1. Choose a destination. Exotic, far away locations will generally be more difficult – and more expensive – to plan.
2. Investigate package deals. These may be from planners, resorts, or agencies, but each package will have unique features and different prices.
3. Ask about cheaper options. Customizing some aspects of the festivities may allow couples to lower the price.
4. Plan early for the best deals. Popular wedding months such as May, June, and December often have higher prices if packages are booked at the last minute. Airfare should also be booked well in advance for the cheapest prices.
5. Save up to pay expenses. By saving before the wedding, couples can pay for the package and any other expenses right away without accumulating debt.

Costs

Elopement packages can be as cheap as just $100 or they may cost several thousand dollars for a couple’s perfect day. Factors that influence the cost include:

* Destination: Travel costs are a significant expense for elopements; couples who marry close to home can save much more. More exotic, popular destinations such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida, and Europe are also more expensive.
* Date: Peak wedding season dates are generally more expensive, even for simple elopement packages. Couples willing to marry during slower periods can often take advantage of lower hotel rates and other reduced prices. Another date consideration is the speed of the arrangements: elopements arranged at the last minute may incur rush fees.
* Guests: While many couples elope privately, including guests such as close family members, parents, and friends is also popular. The more guests there are at the festivities, the more expensive the package will be.
* Amenities: Many packages offer basic services for a minimal cost but also offer a range of additional services such as videography, cultural touches, hair appointments, live music and more for additional fees. Eliminating these extra touches will keep costs as low as possible.

Services

A basic elopement package will offer the bride and groom standard nuptial services such as a simple ceremony that fulfills the legal requirements for marriage, a few photographs, basic flowers, and perhaps simple music or a small champagne toast. This may seem too simple for many couples, but resorts and planners who arrange elopements frequently offer additional services for additional fees. Couple’s massages, commemorative certificates, souvenir toasting flutes, meals, and more elaborate ceremonies are popular add-ons. While these will increase the final price of the elopement package, couples may consider additional services as a way to personalize their special day. In particular, couples who may be saving thousands of dollars by not having a traditional ceremony and reception may enjoy splurging on extra touches to make their elopement even more memorable.

Making Inexpensive Weddings Elopement Packages even Cheaper

The tightest of budgets may require even more cost-cutting techniques. Ways a couple can make packages even cheaper include:

* Choosing a location such as a hotel or park close to home that will not require travel costs
* Opting for a private event without guests
* Eliminating all ceremony extras from the package
* Booking the elopement with the honeymoon for better deals
* Buying flowers and other accessories without including them in the package to better control costs
* Choosing a destination wedding dress and groom’s suit that can easily be reused

Inexpensive weddings elopement packages are a great way for couples on a budget to plan their special day without accumulating excessive debt. Even a small, private ceremony can be memorable and romantic without straining the budget, and by eloping, a couple may be even better prepared for the financial challenges of starting their life together.

Tips for the Maid of Honor

Maid of honor, we salute your decision to grab the microphone from the best man at toasting time. After all, your inspiring words need to be heard, too. Here's your complete guide to the maid of honor's toast -- what to say, when to say it, and how to get rid of those nervous butterflies.
Take It Seriously

In agreeing to toast the bride and groom at their wedding, you're not just speaking for all the guests, you're essentially a poet with an important story to tell. It's both an honor and a huge responsibility. Embrace this obligation with the grace and maturity it deserves.
Don't Procrastinate

We recommend writing your toast about three weeks before the big day. Approach this "assignment" with the same seriousness you would a college paper. Have someone you trust edit your work, and do a couple of drafts. Advance preparation will prevent hastily scrawled thoughts on cocktail napkins and last-minute panic attacks.
knot note

Not a drinker? It's fine to drink from a glass of water or other nonalcoholic beverage when toasting.
Cover All the Bases

While we encourage you to innovate and personalize the standard as much as you want, an expert toastmaster will usually:

* Express how thrilled she is to be at the wedding and thank the bride and groom (and their parents, if appropriate) for inviting everyone to be a part of their special day.
* Include a personal touch (a favorite memory, joke, or special secret) that will be emotionally significant to everyone.
* Offer encouraging (and often moving) words of advice for their future together. (A quote will usually work its way in here.
* Offer triumphant of well wishes.
* Conclude with the standard raising of the glass, saying "To Jane and John" (don't forget to take a sip!).

Pick an Appropriate Quote

If you choose to quote, make sure the quote you pick has real resonance for you and is relevant to the message or idea you want to share. Settle on words of wisdom that you can deliver with confidence, earnest emotion, and understanding. And remember, quoting is not required. If it feels at all pretentious or insincere, skip it, and substitute with something that comes from you.
Suss Out Your Style

Best man speeches are often wry retellings of zany shenanigans, droll commentary on the subject of marriage, and self-deprecating remarks -- often with knee-slapping, side-splitting results. Don't feel your speech has to be sentimental and poetic for the sake of contrast. If you're hilarious too, the crowd is in for quite a treat. Don't worry about stealing thunder.

On the other hand, if funny isn't your shtick, don't feel pressured to be a comedian -- just be yourself and speak from the heart.
Go for Short and Sweet

As you prepare your toast, keep it simple. Don't use words you normally wouldn't use. Try not to ramble -- toasts can be as short as two lines or as long as two minutes. Steer clear of X-rated anecdotes, goofy giggling, and sing-songy, gimmicky group efforts. Remember, this is your moment. Make it a class act.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once the toast has been written, practice reading it out loud obsessively to up your comfort level on stage. On the day of the wedding, grab one of the bridesmaids and ask her for final feedback on delivery, jokes, and hand gestures. You'll be grateful for the preperformance audience. Be sure to write out the complete speech (or transfer it to note cards) and bring the cheat sheet with you to the microphone (no, you don't have to memorize). Emotions and nerves can catch even the coolest of cucumbers off guard.
Set a Schedule

Toasting time usually happens once everyone has been seated and served champagne, but the bride and groom may want to have it happen between courses. Check with them; if they don't have a preference, the timing is up to you and the best man. When you're ready, simply approach the microphone stand as a toasting team. The crowd will be called to attention the old-fashioned way (clinking a glass with a utensil) or the bandleader or DJ may announce to guests that toasting is about to begin.

Traditionally, the best man is considered the toastmaster. For this reason, he may toast first, warming up the crowd for your turn in the spotlight. Of course the maid of honor can take over his role altogether, serve as comaster (a two-person show), or toast the couple right after the best man. We've seen double toasts work well in a variety of formats. You and the best man may want to determine who goes first and who follows based on the content and feel of your speeches.
Stay Calm, Cool, & Collected

Or at least fake it. No matter what, you're going to be nervous. Take deep breaths. Think pleasant thoughts. Maybe have a glass of wine, but don't overdo it. You definitely want to avoid that drunken honor attendant cliche. Remember, when it's all over, you get to party hardy. Speak slowly, and no, no one's going to care that your hands are shaking.
Get Creative

Is toasting too old hat? Knock their socks off with a dance performance, a song, or a reading of an original poem. Salute them in whatever fashion feels most comfortable. That said, if you're planning something really outlandish, check with the bride first.

Top 10 Wedding Tips for the Groom

1. Be there before the bride! Never, ever be late - and make sure your half of the wedding party are on time too, even the ring bearer. Camp out if you have to.
2. Even though it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress, don’t be ignorant of the colours she’s choosing for the rest of her wedding party. It would be a lovely touch if some of your accessories (cummerbunds, bow ties, kerchiefs, boutonnières) complimented hers. Black is a safe bet, but to coordinate shows thoughtfulness.
3. It’s the groom's responsibility to pay for the bride’s bouquet. However, at the end of the evening the tradition is for her to throw it to her guests to help them follow her up the aisle. A lovely touch might be to surprise her with another bouquet as your new wife at the honeymoon suite.
4. Consider an alternative to the tuxedo. Traditionally the morning suit was chosen for a daytime wedding, a tuxedo for an evening. For the modern marriage, a well-cut suit can be an alternative to the tux.
5. At the wedding breakfast – the first meal after the wedding (i.e. usually at the reception), if the wedding guests decide to toast the couple, it is NOT appropriate to join them in the toast – but rather you should acknowledge the toaster gratefully by looking at them and then thanking them after the toast. To join the toast would be to concur with the toaster and shows a lack of humility.
6. As the groom you will be required to make a speech. A few points to remember: Most importantly, compliment your new spouse and don’t be afraid to openly express you affection for her. Then similar praise is due the bridesmaids. Obviously you will thank your parents, the bride's parents and your groomsmen. And if you want to win a few points, make special mention of the bride's mother and how lovely she looks this evening….and don’t forget your own mother either.
7. Obviously “the mates” will be there and all eager to toast your new demise. Remember, this is your wedding night, not your stag, so watch your intake of alcohol. Drunk is not the condition in which to spend your first night of marital bliss.
8. If you are not leaving immediately on a honeymoon, organize in advance what you are going to do for your first night together and if it is to be a hotel, pick a nice one and enjoy using the room service.
9. Remember that you are now a couple and what you want is not necessarily the top priority, be thoughtful and attentive to your spouse’s needs.
10. Don’t forget to return rented tuxedos before you depart on your honeymoon as late charges can be exorbitant.

21 Century Wedding Must: Websites!

The Internet has made planning a wedding a much easier process for young couples of the 21st century. It is a tremendous source of information for everything you could ever imagine related to the big day. One application that is becoming increasingly popular is a wedding website where all of the details of the wedding can be posted along with many other terrific features.

There are many benefits to having a wedding website. There is a lot of information to disseminate, and by putting all of the information online; the couple eliminates the endless requests for information that typically occur when a wedding approaches.

Sallie Baldwin of Savannah Georgia, a recently engaged young woman, appreciated her wedding website for the information it provided for her guests. "I wanted a way for our family and friends to easily access information about events around the wedding. A lot of our family and friends don't live near us so it is a way for each other's families to get to know us as a couple immediately! "

Most wedding websites allow people to RSVP online. Emily Riggs of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, another wedding website user had a very positive reaction from her guests regarding the RSVP function. “We were so pleased with the way it worked out, 85% of our RSVP's came via email - including two sets of grandparents!” Her guests also found another benefit. “Everybody was printing our "Our Story", Pictures and Bios so they could save them.”

A huge benefit of a wedding website is that the couple can have a link to their online registry. This allows guests to see what the couple has chosen and to make a contribution without leaving their home. Kirk Spangenberg of Charleston, South Carolina appreciated that feature the most. “My favorite part is the link to the registry. I want to make it as easy as possible for people to buy us the things we have picked out for our wedding!"

There are also fun things for the guests to see on some wedding websites, like photos, a countdown, a poll and quiz about the happy couple. Some sites have additional features such as a special page for out of town guests. This allows the couple to provide their guests with all kinds of information about their city, suggested accommodations, places to visit, restaurants, and shopping. Tiffany Duggin of Los Angeles, California appreciated this feature the most. "I wanted a way for our family and friends to learn about things to do and see in Philadelphia “ (where the wedding is taking place). Our site had great links for restaurants, attractions, and lots of other great stuff in Philly.

Perhaps the greatest thing of all is that the couple can make everyone a part of the festivities, even those that could not attend the event. Lara Goldenberg of Montreal, Canada can attest to that. “We had a small wedding and could not invite as many friends and family as we wanted and many people who live far away could not make the trip. The website allowed everyone to be a part of our special day”.

Top 11 Guest Complaints about wedding receptions

We all know the saying "You can't please everyone"! While that may be true, these types of guest criticisms are easily avoided by careful planning -- and addressing them now will make everyone's memories of your wedding day so much nicer.

1. The DJ was obnoxious or played lousy music. Find the best wedding DJ available using recommendations from other brides and the advice of wedding industry professionals.

2. The music was TOO LOUD. Again, hire a great DJ who is experienced and focused on creating a fantastic overall experience for you and your guests. Other suggestions to avoid this common complaint: Move tables and chairs away from speakers and seat older guests further from the sound equipment.

3. Speeches were TOO LONG and we couldn't decipher the words. Keep speeches under five minutes. Ideally, they should last between two and five minutes. A good DJ will spend a few moments with each person making a toast or speech, teaching him or her how to correctly operate and speak into the microphone. He will also use a quality microphone!

4. We didn't know anyone at our table. Take the time to carefully plan your seating arrangement, placing guests at tables with others they know. They don’t have to be fast friends, just acquaintances or people with some kind of connection. Try to seat out-of-town guests, who aren't likely to know anyone, with others having similar interests.

5. I resented paying a dollar to dance with the bride. Unless it’s a long-standing family tradition, and you will offend someone if you break the ritual, the dollar dance is best forgotten.

6. We stood forever in the receiving line. The bride & groom, and their parents are the only required greeters. Better yet, couples should instead consider visiting individual tables during or immediately following dinner. (See #10 below)

7. We had too much time to "kill" between the ceremony and reception. Out-of-town guests are often at a loss for ways to fill the time between a two o'clock wedding and a six o'clock reception. Try to keep the down time to a minimum. When it isn't possible to hold the events within an hour or so of each other, ask the hall if it will open its doors early for your visiting guests (and ask them if there’s a charge). Other options include asking relatives or close friends to invite them to their home for a light snack, or arranging a hospitality suite for them at their hotel.

8. The centerpiece was so large that I couldn't see or talk to guests seated across the table. Smaller, shorter arrangements are best. Your centerpiece shouldn't be the center of attention (or main topic of conversation) at the table.

9. I was offended that I had to pay for drinks. Open bars are the accepted norm. If your budget is tight, offer wine and beer only -- or limit drink choices to “call” brands. You can also close the bar during the dinner hour to save on costs.

10. The bride and groom didn't stop by to say hello. Make the rounds of guest tables at your reception, but don’t spend too much time at each. A quick greeting, thank you or compliment will suffice.

11. I was never thanked for my gift! Share this task with your husband. Divide your list, write your notes at the same time, and make a pact to finish a certain number every night until they are finished. Dangle a carrot in front of your noses. When the last note is FINALLY written, reward yourselves with a special bottle of wine or dinner out. It is customary to mail thank-you notes within three months. You don’t want to wait that long for your carrot anyway, do you?

Successful Music Suggestions for the Thinking Bride

There is an old saying “the key to a great song is a good lyric”, but unless you are looking for a sing-along at your wedding, there are a variety of other factors which will invite your guests on the dance floor.

A great lyric can only take us so far and that’s where the volume, rhythm and tempo take over to either make your wedding reception pulsate or be put to sleep. Save the lyrics for your first dance with the lucky man, but watch the volume, understand rhythm and dictate the tempo for a wedding to remember.

Cocktail hour and dinner are a vital time during your reception to set the mood and make certain your guests are comfortable in their environment. Sacrificing your personal song preferences can sometimes be a benefit at these times, for if your tastes drastically vary from your guests, you will have a disconnect.

Music volume is the most significant factor in the comfort level of your audience. Volume is measured in decibels where 130 dB is the threshold of pain and 0 dB being the sound of a mosquito flying about 10 feet away. Where is the best spot to set your cocktail hour mix? Depending on the size of your crowd and room acoustics, it should sit in the 30-50 dB range, permitting a background sound. A level where you can easily let your friends and family mingle, converse together, and share thoughts about how beautiful the bride is. During the reception, an average “danceable” range of volume should be in the 90 dB range. The entertainment should make sure not to exceed levels of 110 dB which can cause ear damage, and chase your guests to corners of the room away from the speakers.

Entertainers often will bring a sub-woofer, which is an additional speaker that strictly emphasizes the bass response of their sound system. While in most cases this is effective to give a more wholesome feel to the music, it can often result in a muddy sound, drowning the vocals with an excessively booming bass. However, with insufficient bass, or “low frequency roll-off,” as it is sometimes called by audiophiles, you will be left with lifeless music resulting in thin mixes throughout the night. Thin mixes often sound glassy and cutting, thus resulting in temporary or even permanent damage to the ear. Even the most high end sound systems can have a thin mix if the right DJ isn’t behind the control boards, doing what he or she should be trained in extensively.

Once your volume is set, fixing the rhythm will likely be key factor in which guests make it to or stay on the dance floor the entire night. Even if heavy metal is your personal music preference, to have a memorable wedding where everyone was dancing, opening the dance portion of the event with a high energy Latin track usually appeals to everyone. Latin rhythms such as salsa, is a mixture of traditional Cuban, African and other Latin-American rhythms that traveled from the Carribean to New York in the 1940’s. The dance steps usually integrate swing dance moves along side foot patterns always stepping on the beat of the music. Songs such as Cup of Life by Ricky Martin and Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez usually do the trick to get those salsa lovers on the floor. Once those salsa lovers are out there, they tend to make the rest of the crowd get out of their seats. An experienced entertainer will know how to read your crowd and vary the rhythms of the night based on their requests, attire, demographics and personalities.

Tempo can be just as important as rhythm in keeping your guests motivated to slow dance, go back to the bar, or keep their hips shaking. Tempo is measured in beats per minute, abbreviated as BPM. The common tempo for a funky dance track is around 130 BPM while a slow dance can be listed around 70-80 BPM. Having an older crowd in the ages of 65 and up will usually require songs in the 90-100 BPM range including such as the standards of Frank Sinatra and certain Motown hits. Not only do they appeal to this age group as far as it being their “decade of music” but the tempos do not exceed a level of energy that they simply can not maintain.

In essence, searching for the right entertainment should be a search for an experienced entertainer. Laying out the form of your event should include a series of song suggestions to the DJ, always including general ideas of your rhythmic sets. These sets can incorporate anything from top 40 club, euro-trance, hip-hop, disco, to Motown, salsa, bachata and even easy listening for your cocktail hour. Always make sure to speak with your entertainment company about their knowledge of volume and song organization for an event. This makes sure that they know you are an educated consumer, and nothing less than a thinking bride!

Before You Shop For Your Wedding Dress

Tips and Tricks on Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for You

One of the biggest decisions you will face as the big day approaches is choosing the perfect wedding dress. The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming--particularly because a bride-to-be often starts shopping for her gown before many other details are determined. You might have had a clear mental picture of the perfect wedding dress ever since you were five years old. On the other hand, you may have no idea what you are going to wear or feel strange about the idea of wearing white. The important thing is to relax, and remember that there are as many different kinds of dresses out there as there are different kinds of brides.

Plan Ahead Take a few minutes to think about what you want. It will be helpful when you enter the maze of wedding dresses out there to know what your budget is, any details that are essential (i.e. I must have a full skirt, or my arms must be covered), and an idea of how traditional you want your dress to be. After all, if really a teal pantsuit would work best for you, it’s probably not worth your time to sort through racks of flouncy white gowns.

When to Start Shopping Give yourself ample time to plan- generally the rule of thumb is that you need to order your gown at least six months before your wedding. So you should ideally start shopping for your gown nine months or more before your wedding. (If you don't have this much time, its okay, just budget for some rush charges).

Be Comfortable! On your wedding day, you'll want to look great, but you'll also want to be comfortable- it will be hard to pose for all those pictures, dance, laugh and more if you're tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into your ribs. First- consider which wedding dress is most appropriate to your day – for example- consider a shorter tea-length or cocktail length dress for a beach wedding. If you're the kinda gal who likes to dance with her hands in the air, and anticipates doing the limbo, perhaps a strapless dress is not the one for you. Look for wedding dresses with removable sleeves or straps to give you the widest range of options.

A Dress that Fits Your Body Well Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. If a friend is making your wedding dress, ensure that you have agreed on a fitting schedule and chances to make adjustments. If you're looking for a bargain at a sample sale, or discount outlet, you should budget money for taking the dress to a good tailor. Many designers will ask for three fittings, and will closely tailor your wedding dress to fit you.

Saving Money on Your Wedding Dress If money is an issue, remember that the most expensive kind of dress is not necessarily the best kind. Many brides find a bridesmaids dress in white or off-white that works perfectly, and is hundreds of dollars cheaper. There are thousands of dresses to be had at sample sales, thrift stores, and ebay. Consider taking pictures from magazines to a friend who sews or seamstress and getting a price quote. If you choose to make your own dress, don't delay. The sooner you finish it, the sooner you'll be able to attend to the many other details of your wedding.

Most of all, remember- this is your wedding day. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now you're ready to start checking out dresses on the web!

Who Pays for What?

Modern weddings no longer have set rules on who pays for what. Traditionally, the majority of the wedding expenses were paid by the bride's family. However in these modern times, it is far more common that the expenses are shared. Each wedding will depend on individual situations.

You should discuss this matter with both families to come to an agreement that will best suit all the parties involved. It is not uncommon for couples to pay for all or part of the wedding themselves. The following is a breakdown of traditional costs for the traditional wedding.
The Bride:

* Groom's wedding ring
* Gifts for the groom and bridal attendants.

The Groom:

* The bride's engagement and wedding ring.
* A wedding gift for the bride.
* Gifts for the best man and groomsmen.
* Suit hire for himself
* Bride's & bridesmaid's bouquets, the corsages & boutonnieres.
* Celebrant & ceremony fees
* The honeymoon

The Bride's Family:

* Engagement party
* Newspaper announcement
* The Reception
* Bridal Gown & accessories
* A wedding gift for the bride and groom.
* Wedding invitations
* Ceremony & Reception flowers
* Photographer
* Wedding cake

The Groom's Family:

* Wedding gift for the bride and groom.
* Any general expenses they may wish to contribute.

The Attendants:

* Wedding gift for bride and groom.
* Hens night given by maid of honour or bridesmaids.
* Bucks night given by best man or groomsmen.

The Bride and Groom:

* Gifts of appreciation for parents or others who helped with your wedding.

Tips For Renting A Limousine For Your Wedding or Special Occasion

First Step: Decide the type of limousine (Standard Stretch, Super Stretch, SUV Hummer, Escalade, Rolls Royce) desired color, the number of passenger. How many hours you would like to rent the limousine.

Questions to ask when calling to inquire about renting a limousine

While most people assume that all companies are equal, well they are not. Most consumers concern themselves with the hourly rate first and this is a typical mistake, since most of the times you get what you pay for!

When you hear a price that is much lower than other companies be for warned it will probably mean the year, make and features of the limousine offered are older and over used. So the word to the wise: Pay the extra $5-15 dollars more per hour. For a first class vehicle and the professional service you can expect to get from a well trained driver. Besides when you consider that a typical 3 hour minimum you are only talking $75.00 dollars on the high end for a new six passenger limousine versus one that has gone beyond the 100,000 mile mark and the car looks like it too.

Multiple Vehicle Discounts

If renting more than one vehicle. Example: a limousine, a bus, be sure to ask about discounts that may apply to the second vehicle. Many companies offer special discounted rates when multiple vehicles are used.

Murphy's Laws Back Up

Will the limousine company provide you with a live person to contact during your scheduled event should you require any assistance. If not, be certain to obtain a contact phone number of an operating manager in charge.

Additional Questions To Consider

• How long has the limousine company been in business?
• Do they have testimonials from past clients?
• How big is their limousine fleet?
• What types and colors of limousine are available on your specified date?
• Do the vehicle have air conditioning and heat controlled from the passenger area?
• What are the cost?
• Are there minimum hour requirements?
• Is the gratuity/tip included in the final price?
• How much are tolls if applicable?
• Are the vehicles fully stocked and are the drinks complimentary?
• Does your company charge for driving time to and form the limousine rental company or does the time start when the driver arrives at your pick up location?
• How are the drivers dressed?

Some limousine companies have a uniform standard while others do not. The appearance of the driver is as important as the appearance of the vehicle and you will want to have your driver appearance professional and clean.

If renting for a wedding and want to display a "Just Married" sign can it be attached to the vehicle? If so, does the company provide a standard sign or allow you to attach your own. If so is their and extra cleaning or service charge.

Tips And Ideas On How To Find Unique Wedding Favors

Unique wedding favors aren't easily found on a shelf. When we say unique gifts, it obviously refers to one-of-kind present which aren't usually seen. A unique wedding favor has to be scoured at local flea markets and antique shops, and there you'll find unusual choices that can wow your wedding guests. Read and follow tips and ideas below to come up with unique wedding favors:

* First, plan, prepare and think outside the box. Make some research, browsing online and reading magazines relate to wedding can be very helpful. Or, head to a bridal show and grab some unique and fresh ideas about wedding gifts and favors for guests.

* Make is personalized. One of the easiest option to present a unique wedding favor is by adding personal touch. Consider personalized favors such as favor boxes, candle favors, soap favors and the like.

* Search for old items at local antique stores. Bizarre and unique wedding favors can be made from the image of the past.

* Explore your creativity and imagination, the purchase DIY craft materials at local craft stores. Start making a handmade unique wedding favors to show off your hidden creativity and skill with sentiment of thanks.

* Lastly, think of how to present it. Good wrapping and presentation can make a lot of difference which can capture anyone's eye. When presenting a unique wedding favors, jazz up a little bit by adding extra zest. Consider placing ribbons, beads and crystals or even organic and crafty embellishments. With such creative effort, you have created unique wedding thank you gifts to all that are worth to be remembered!

How to Dress for a Wedding Reception

Knowing how to dress for a wedding reception is important. If you're dressed too fancy or not fancy enough, you're going to stand out like a sore thumb. That's not the kind of lasting impression you want to leave on your fellow guests or the happy couple. Unless you're the bride or groom, it pays to learn how to dress for a wedding reception before you attend one.

Step1
Pay attention to the invitation. If it indicates anything like formal dress or black tie, then you know you need to dress to the nines for this event. This means a tuxedo or suit and tie for men and full-length dresses or ball gowns for women.
Step2
Take your cue from the venue of the reception. If the reception is going to be outside, you can usually get away with more casual clothing than if the reception will be in a formal ballroom.
Step3
Refrain from going too casual, unless the invitation specifically requests jeans and t-shirts. You're still attending a wedding, after all. Even the more laid-back outdoor venues require a degree of decorum. Business casual dress, such as khakis and polo shirts, are about as casual as you should go.
Step4
Avoid colors that are too loud and patterns that are too wild. Either one of these things will make you stand out in a bad way.
Step5
Keep the weather in mind. You should choose clothing that's appropriate to the season in order to be as comfortable as possible. Be sure to also check the weather report the day of the wedding, so you'll know if you should wear a coat or bring an umbrella.
Step6
Find out what other guests will be wearing. If you can match your style of dress to that of other people who will be attending the reception, you will rarely go wrong.
Step7
Ask the bride or groom what you should wear. This method is fool proof. It should also be used as a last resort, unless you're very close with either member of the happy couple. However, if the invitation doesn't give you any clues and the other guests aren't talking to you, then this is your best option.

* Dress sensibly. Don't wear high heels to a beach reception unless you enjoy sinking into the sand. Refrain from wearing a turtleneck to a poolside reception. If the reception is in an air-conditioned ballroom, bring a sweater in case you get too cold.
* Never wear white to a wedding or try to outshine the bride. This is considered very bad taste.

Planning: 10 Rules for Every Bride

You're a bride-to-be, so now you can indulge your every emotion and whim, right? Not so fast. It's most definitely your moment to be pampered and reign supreme, so maintaining perspective will make the whole planning process more fun and less mentally exhausting. We suggest you follow these 10 sanity-preserving rules:

I can live without lady's slipper orchids.

As you've discovered, there's a big world of amazing, over-the-top wedding options -- from caviar tastings to three-color origami letterpress invitations -- and many of them are jaw-droppingly expensive. If you find that you're being attracted to things that will have your budget bursting at the seams, it's time for a reality check. Ask yourself: What will those fragile flowers (or whatever your expensive obsession is) truly add to my wedding? If the answer is just "impressed glances from five in-the-know female guests," then you're better off spending that dough on something more people will appreciate -- a killer band maybe? -- or, better yet, splurging more on your honeymoon.


I won't make my bridesmaids look like clones.

Every good friend knows that along with the honor of being a bridesmaid comes the obligation to wear a dress in a color and style that's not of her choosing. So your girls accept that, but it doesn't mean they'll submit happily if you force them to wear identical shoes, jewelry, wraps, and hairstyles. In order to have a great time at your wedding, your bridesmaids need to feel attractive too -- something that's impossible if you've micromanaged their looks down to the lipstick hue. (Plus, buying a bunch of matching accessories they may never wear again gets expensive.) And your bridesmaids will look even better if you give them leeway to let their individual styles shine through the blush-colored chiffon gowns you've dressed them in. So let them choose their hair and makeup styles; give them more than one option with accessories like shoes, jewelry, and cover-ups.

I won't invite my second cousin's fling.

When you're putting your list together, a spirit of irrationally warm hospitality might take over, making you inclined to invite all of your single guests' guys/girls-of-the-moment. We know you're thinking: "What if they get married one day? I'll feel terrible if my cousin by marriage wasn't at our wedding." But remember, aside from the (big) expense of inviting every single person with a date, you don't want to celebrate the most important event of your life thus far with a bunch of people you'll likely never see again. Trust us, if you invite cousin Bill's arm candy, she'll somehow wind up front and center in half of the photographs, but he'll dump her before you return from your honeymoon, and you won't remember her name in a year. So make a rule about plus ones (maybe it's "only couples who've been dating for more than a year" or "only members of the wedding party get to invite random dates") and stick to it.


I won't obsess over my registry.

Once you delve into the world of fine stemware, charger plates, and exotic kitchen gadgets, it's only natural that you'll want to get even more immersed in it -- and start second- and third-guessing every registry decision. And online options make it all too easy to review and revise what you've asked for at every whim. So give yourself a deadline after which you're not allowed to tinker with your registry -- say, six months before the wedding -- so you can stop fixating on "bone china vs. Limoges?" and start obsessing over seating charts instead!


I'll loosen up about the rehearsal dinner.

As a bride, it's pretty much your inalienable right to micromanage every aspect of the wedding if you choose to. The rehearsal dinner, not so much. If you're lucky enough to have the night-before celebration thrown for you by the groom's family or somebody similar, everything will go most smoothly if you offer your input only when asked and on a few issues that are super-important to you. If your future mother-in-law sends out invitations you find unbearably tacky or fills the centerpieces with your least favorite flower, keep in mind that everybody in attendance will understand that the rehearsal isn't reflective of your style.


I'll write thank-you notes as the gifts come in.

Yes, you're busy, but you can always carve out 10 minutes from your schedule to write a thank-you note. So place your stationery box and a big sheet of stamps in the center of your desk and sit down to express your gratitude within 48 hours of a gift coming in. If you wait, your note-writing list will quickly grow to a frightening length, and it'll become that much more intimidating to tackle it. And if you let too much time pass before writing your notes, the gift-giver might wonder if you received the present.


I won't stress out about his bachelor party.

What happens on his stag night is totally out of your control and not for you to know or ever find out. He wouldn't be marrying you if he didn't vastly prefer being by your side instead of being surrounded by 10 intoxicated buddies and expensive entertainment named Bambi. 'Nuff said.


I won't have unrealistic weight expectations。

Choose a dress you look gorgeous in at your regular weight. Sure, you're likely to shed a couple of pounds in the weeks before the wedding due to a packed schedule and jitters, but consider that as a bonus. Don't strive to lose any more than that at the last minute. Crash dieting will make you exhausted and bitchy, and no number on the scale will compensate if you're too weak to handle the demands and savor the excitement of your wedding celebrations.


I won't let downers dampen my enthusiasm.

As you've no doubt already noticed, there are people out there who seem determined to make you feel bad about your wedding planning excitement. Maybe they're single and jealous, or not-so-happily married and bitter, or just the types who can't bear to witness other people's joy without trying to chip away at it. It can be hard to ID these people because their negativity is often backhanded and disguised as advice ("Don't stress about the details so much -- it's just a party that will be over in five hours!"), or because they might ask you lots of questions about your wedding day details only to teasingly call you "Bridezilla" when you answer. But once you've noticed that discussing your plans with certain people leaves you feeling defensive or deflated, cross them off your list of conversation partners. You have plenty of others in your life who are genuinely excited for you and eager to hear about (almost) every aspect of the planning process.


I'll make my album within one year of the wedding.

When you come back from your honeymoon, putting together your wedding album may seem like a daunting task. There will be so many beautiful and funny photos to choose from, and after months of daily wedding-related decisions, you may decide to take a break and do the album later. Not to mention the fact that a nice album doesn't come cheap, so it'll be tempting to wait until your funds have been replenished before shelling out for it. But as many of your married friends who had similar plans will tell you, the years slip by quickly, and it's all too easy to wind up with nothing but a proof book and some Snapfish albums on your fifth anniversary. So bite the bullet and order your album while the memories are fresh and you still have a little wedding planning momentum driving you forward.

Wedding Insurance... Can it really help you?

With an estimated 1.2 million people tying the knot this year, the average couple will spend between $16,000 to $20,000 on their wedding. With this price tag, few can afford to absorb the cost of a major nuptial disaster, like a caterer who doesn't show or a cancelled ceremony due to bad weather.

David Blunt, CEO and company president of InsuranceCompany.com encourages you to protect your wedding from potential disaster with wedding insurance. Wedding insurance policies can provide coverage for non-refundable deposits, wedding photographs, attire, gifts and jewelry, damage to rented property or serious disasters that may delay a wedding, such as a death or illness of a family member or member of the bridal party and all types of natural disasters.

These policies typically can cover up to $2,00,000 in personal liability if the couple becomes legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage during the wedding or reception. Wedding insurance is generally offered in pre-set packages or can be designed by couples on their own. A standard package policy should cost less than $200. By definition, the wedding insurance cancellation or postponement coverage will pay up to the coverage limit that you select and is subject to a $250 deductible, the nonrefundable expenses incurred when the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding or private event, reception or honeymoon, which must be cancelled or postponed for certain reasons beyond your control (excluding Change of heart).

This also includes sickness or injury to the bride, groom or anyone essential to the wedding, damage or inaccessibility to the premises where the wedding is to be held, loss or damage to the bridal gown, corporate or military foreign posting and job loss. This coverage also includes adverse weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom or any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential or, the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place.

The weather coverage is available only if the policy is purchased 14 or more days from the date of the event. "Failure to show" of the minister, or the person engaged to perform the ceremony is covered for Cancellation or postponement. Closure of the ceremony site or reception site due to "financial failure" is also covered for Cancellation or postponement. Additional expense coverage will pay up to 25% of the cancellation limit you select for any additional expenses necessary to arrange alternative services to avoid a covered cancellation or postponement of the wedding.

Here's some extra wedding tips...

* Protect your wedding presents. When presents begin to arrive, consider raising your homeowners or renters insurance coverage. A wedding present "floater" can be written the day gifts arrive and remain in effect up to 90 days past the wedding date.
* Take an inventory of all gifts with supporting photos or videotape. Keep the gift list and the persons name giving the gift. You never know when you'll need to ask them the cost of the gift.
* Insure your rings. Most homeowners and renters policies require additional documentation to insure valuable jewelry. Some type of disasters may already be covered under homeowners insurance policies or by the vendors themselves. Ask you vendor if they have some type of disaster insurance. Above all get a wedding insurance policy... you can then bypass the hassle with endorsements to your home or renters policy.

Walking Well in Your Wedding Gown

Walking attractively and well in a wedding dress depends on a combination of a number of factors: the style of the dress, width of the skirt, number and size of petticoats or other undergarments, the height of heels on your shoes, your comfort level in walking in that height heel, the floor/ground surface you will be walking on, and more.

There is no magic equation for this, but here are some considerations which should help you find a fairly comfortable wedding day walk.

~ Choose a reasonably low heel, one that you are comfortable walking in. And "break your shoes in" a bit by walking around the house in them before the wedding-- but not when cooking or cleaning or doing other potentially soiling activities.

~ If you never wear heels of any kind, if you expect to do a lot of dancing or walking distances, or if heels are very uncomfortable for you, consider your options-- bridal sneakers, flat sandals, ballet slippers, Isotoner slippers, etc. For many brides, their shoes are never seen unless they *want* them seen, but all of the options above can be decorated (by the bride, if she wants to try it) to have an appropriate, if funky, bridal flair.

~ Wear your petticoat and/or other unusual undergarment around the house to get used to how they feel and move.

~ Practice nice posture. Snug-fitting bras and shapers and tight-waisted petticoats all encourage you to stand straight, unlike our normal everyday clothing. Allow these garments to remind you to stand, straight and tall, for the increased impression of beauty and confidence this gives any bride.

~ Have your gown hemmed to the proper height. Some boutiques hem gowns so they touch the floor. Unless you will be wearing an actual *rigid hoop* petticoat, this is not a good idea. For confidence walking, reducing soil, etc., a full-skirted gown should be hemmed at least 1/2", but preferably more like 3/4" to 1" above the floor. My clients occasionally quarrel with me on this subject, afraid that it will "look funny", but I've never had a client sorry after their wedding that they had the additional room above "hard floor" level. Remember, you may well have to walk over plush carpet, grass, gravel, or any of a number of other surfaces.

~ Proper hem height off the floor also gives you a little extra room for imperfect postures. When your hem is measured and marked, the seamstress will ask you to stand straight, with equal weight on both legs, and look directly, level-ly, in front of you. Pay attention to these requests and do your best to comply with them. It will give you the most attractive and accurate hem. However, when you are moving in the dress later, remember that the hem was cut for you standing straight and looking ahead. When you look down, your hem will dip down in front, and this is when many brides step on their skirts. Try to lift your skirt gently with your hands when you need to look down to navigate steps or other activities, to counteract this natural dip-- and the tendency to tread on your skirt.

~ Last-- try to relax about wearing your gown, and don't 'fight' it. A full-skirted gown has a certain natural swing and movement. Some brides take to this naturally; some find it a bit disconcerting, and almost "artificially girly". But if your feet don't hurt, your hem isn't too long, you are used to your undergarments, you relax and enjoy yourself, and you feel really beautiful in your gown... chances are, you'll wear your gown quite well!!

Choosing a theme for your wedding

Choosing a theme for your wedding can be as simple as picking a color scheme, or as elaborate as creating a wedding based upon a particular era in history complete with historically accurate costumes & music.
For suggestions for simple themes: use your monograms throughout your wedding, from the design of your invitation to the designs on your wedding cake; or you could choose a location where you met, like the beach or the mountains, as your theme. Some couples base their themes upon a significant holiday, like Valentine’s Day or Mardi Gras, or a particular season when they met. You could base your theme upon a shared interest, such as mountain climbing, playing musical instruments or computer games, or an interest in history. Picking a certain era in art history can be a wonderful theme, such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Pre-Raphaelite, Baroque, etc. And some couples choose their theme based upon their careers, hobbies, or ethnic background.

Whatever theme you choose, remember to make it personal to you and your spouse-to-be. In this way, your wedding will be distinctly your own, & you and your guests will remember it long after they have forgotten all those other boring, cookie-cutter “white weddings” they will attend throughout their lifetime. As a graphic artist, I have included portraits of pets, coats-of-arms, musical instruments, fairies, favorite flowers, astrological signs, a compass rose (for two cartographers getting married!), Chinese symbols, Celtic knots, & Scottish plaids, among other symbols, into wedding invitations.

If you need help, a good wedding planner or custom wedding stationary designer should be able to come up with ideas to weave your theme throughout your wedding day. Invitations, flowers, table settings, placecards, centerpieces, menus, programs, & your wedding cake should all reflect your theme in some way. Keeping to a consistent color scheme & style brings it all together. But whatever theme you choose, enjoy planning your wedding!

Five Things Your Wedding Photographer MUST Offer

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.

A Wedding Photographer's Wish List: How You Can Help

Finding and hiring a professional photographer to document your wedding day is a sizable investment, in not only money, but time as well. By doing your research and hiring a professional that suits your style, you can rest assured that he or she is going to capture your day exactly how you want. But achieving the best possible results doesn’t end with the signing of the contract. Below are a few simple things you can do as a client before and on your wedding day to help you and your photographer capture the photographs of your dreams.

Develop a personal relationship with your photographer. Hopefully you have selected a photographer whose personality meshes well with yours, besides your fiancee, they are the person you will be spending the most amount of time with on your wedding day. By the time your wedding day arrives, you should consider your photographer a friend, not just another vendor. This can seem like a difficult task to accomplish, considering how busy and hectic the months leading up to the big day can be, but it can be done. Most photographers understand the importance of this dynamic and will take the initiative, but it does take a little bit of effort from you as well. You must make yourself available. Though most beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily have to take place in person. Phone calls, emails, any form of conversation will work. And it most certainly doesn’t need to pertain to the business of your wedding. The stronger this sense of friendship is between you and the photographer, not only will you feel more comfortable and relaxed around him or her, the rest of the wedding party will as well. As soon as the guard comes down, the photographic magic happens.

Be yourself. This may seem like common sense, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Most people aren’t used to having a photographer document their every move, especially with intimidating looking professional equipment. Though they may not realize it, people tend to carry themselves and act differently as soon as a camera is pointed at them, which looks stiff and unnatural in photographs. Others just freeze up altogether. Unless your photographer is giving you specific direction, the best thing you can do is relax, be yourself, and act as if the photographer wasn’t even there. Pay special attention to your hands, they are a good indication of how tense you really are. Relax your hands and the rest of you will follow. No need to put on an act, simply be yourself.

Don’t rush your wedding day. When planning the schedule of the day, allot a realistic amount of time for each separate event. Planning a shorter, more casual wedding is one thing, but attempting to pack an eight-hour event into four makes everything feel rushed, like you’re trying to run a race. Not only does it make it difficult for everyone involved to enjoy the day, it makes it more difficult to capture natural looking photographs when you’re sprinting from one thing to the next. Pace your day and cherish every moment, it is, after all, a once in a lifetime experience (hopefully).

Look through magazines, on-line, and, of course, through your photographer’s portfolio for specific examples of images, scenes, and body positions that appeal to you and share these ideas with your photographer before hand. It will give both you and the photographer a better sense of direction when working together. Also, if you internalize these ideas and are able to carry and position yourself in a similar way without having to be completely directed by the photographer, the photographs will look much more natural. The more the photographer must direct, the more awkward you will feel and it will show in the images.

Communicate with your fiancee about the photography. Often photography is of much greater importance to one half of the couple, typically the bride, but occasionally the groom. Sometimes the photographer wont even meet the groom until the day of the wedding, as everything related to photography was arranged and booked by the bride. This usually translates to the groom and groomsmen standing around in complete disinterest, with a ‘this is her deal’ attitude. If you communicate openly with your fiancee, and, even better, the core wedding party, beforehand about the photography, it will make it much easier and enjoyable to achieve your desired results.

Enjoy your wedding day. Again, this may seem like common sense, but with the anticipation and stress involved in planning the perfect day, it can be difficult to actually enjoy it. While there is certainly no way to eliminate the stress and worry completely, you can minimize it. If you don’t have a professional day-of coordinator, appoint someone you trust to handle the logistics of the day and let them worry about the details. You have been planning this day for months, even years, once it finally arrives, relax and enjoy it. You certainly deserve to and doing so will translate to more natural looking, joyous images.

Tips For An Amazing Maid Of Honor Wedding Speech

You have been chosen as maid of honor for your close friend's wedding, and even though the event is still weeks away, you are already fretting about what you are going to say in your maid of honor wedding speech. The maid of honor wedding speech is one of the most important duties of the maid of honor. The words spoken to the bride and groom, and their wedding guests, should convey the importance of the day and connect the guests with the couple on a more meaningful level. Even though the maid of honor wedding speech seems a little overwhelming, with a bit of early preparation and creativity, your speech can easily become one of the highlights of the bride and groom's special day.

Having the crowd hang on your every word is as easy as following a few simple tips.

1. Don't forget the basics! It's easy to forget the basic information when you start your speech, but do remember to introduce yourself and tell how long you have known the couple, as well as what your connection to the bride is. Many of the wedding guests may not know you, so this information is important.
2. Remember to thank the bride and groom for allowing you to be a part of their special day. The bride and groom could have chosen anyone, but instead, they chose you to play such a pivotal role in their day. By acknowledging this in your speech, it shows the couple, and the wedding guests that you appreciate them placing you in such a special role. It also shows you are honored by their trust in you, that they could depend on you to carry out the necessary duties in being maid of honor.
3. Use your history with the bride as a foundation for your speech. Whether you have known the bride since childhood, or only for a few months, sharing a special memory between the two of you shows the significance of your bond. It also highlights the positive aspects of the bride's personality that may have been a factor in drawing the bride and groom together. Remember, however, not to embarrass the bride with overly personal stories.
4. Infuse a bit of humor. While adding a joke or a one liner to the speech can break the ice and loosen up the crowd a bit, use caution as to not go too far. The last thing you want to do is offend the bride or groom, or any of the wedding guests. Keep the joke simple, for example, "I'm told that the best speech givers follow three simple rules: Stand up, speak up, and then very quickly, shut up. I'll try to stick to that advice." By keeping the joke clean and simple, you avoid the risk of losing your audience.
5. Don't be afraid to use a quote. There are thousands of wedding appropriate quotes out there. The most important thing to remember is to choose a quote that is appropriate for the couple. If you want to play it safe, a sentimental quote that speaks about everlasting love is always a good choice.
6. Get creative! If you don't want to go the typical route, consider doing something a bit different to honor the couple. Maybe a song or dance or even a slideshow could add a new dimension to the usual maid of honor wedding speech. If you opt to add a creative touch, remember to choose something that is in line with the couple's taste. A poem is also a nice touch to a maid of honor wedding speech.
7. Always end on a positive note. Wind your speech up with positive words for the couple. Wish them a long and happy life together and remember to offer your support.

Prepare your speech well in advance of the day and practice it over and over again to avoid stammers and jitters. Don't be afraid to take a few note cards to help you stay on track in the event you lose your place. Above all, have fun and remember you are honoring the couple on their special day. After all, your speech is a very important extension of their wedding ceremony.