consider planning for a “first look”!

“what is a first look”, you ask?

a “first look” is a brief portrait session before the ceremony on your wedding day.

now, i know what you’re going to say “but, it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding!!”

to that, i will respond with a brief history lesson! back in the day (hundreds of years ago!), marriage was more of a business transaction than the uniting of two lovers. (and the bride was the legal tender) fathers would, in essence, sell their daughters in an attempt to gain land, or favor with another father of the groom-to-be. so, as added insurance that the groom-to-be wouldn’t flee from the alter, the bride was kept hidden from him…just in case he didn’t like what he saw. this insurance policy turned into tradition, and then superstition.

well, times they have changed! people marry for love!

the benefits of a “first look”…

more time
with the bride and groom portraits out of the way, you can go directly to your cocktail hour or reception immediately after the ceremony!

less stress
by seeing each other before the ceremony, you’ll feel calmer, and more relaxed. which will reduce any stress or anxiety you may have 110%!

better light
if you’re planning an evening wedding, by the time the ceremony is over the available natural light may be limited, or worse, non existent! and natural light is by FAR the MOST flattering!

so, i know what you’re thinking “wow! this sounds awesome! but, how does it work?”

well, i’m glad you asked! the goal is to keep all the built up excitement and suspense by getting ready in separate locations. then, before the ceremony, when you are both dressed and looking FAB-U-LOUS, you’ll meet and get your FIRST LOOK! my job will then be to capture those smiles, tears, giggles, hugs, and kisses! (things you wouldn’t necessarily be able to do if your first look was at the alter in front of everyone.) once we’re done with the first look, and relaxed bride/groom portraits, we’ll get the bridal party and family/group shots out of the way, and you’re off to the alter! then onto your reception to PAR-TAY!

your wedding day should be spent with your new spouse, friends, and family! and that’s why i recommend a first look!

happy planning!

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hi! my name is marcia tumminaro, and i’m a wedding photographer. i photograph the real, emotional, and sometimes hilarious moments of gorgeous couples on one of the most important days of their life. i also photograph engagements, portraits, families, and whatever else peaks my creative interests.

if you’re interested in hearing more from me, please visit my blog:
marciatumminaro.blogspot.com

you can also check out my website for galleries, bio, and pricing info: marciatumminaro.com

With several film makers you can have a cocktail hour fillmed at the same time as a photoshoot at the same time another person is setting up mcrophones in the reception area. Thinking that one person can do the job, and do it well, and unobtrusively, will likely result in some major limitations on your final product.

In the editing room it’s helpful to have several angles to edit with so that a first dance can include a wide shot of the couple with the reception room and guests in the background; a tight closeup of the couples’ faces and arms about each other; and even a balcony or very wideshot of them dancing, shot from above. Similarly, during toasts, it’s great to ave a shot of the person toasting and a reaction shot of the couple and the guests as well. With multiple cameras you can have it all, and never see the cameras in the way of your guests.

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Naom Raiselle is the creator of GENERATIONS cinemastories in Brookline MA., a special event film studio tthat specializes in multi-camera filming and editing of fine event films. GENERATIONS’ films are characterized by their pristine live sound; their meticulous attention to detail,; expressive character portraits and highly individual creations. Every GENERATIONS cinemastories’ film is a one of a kind production.

Before the ceremony:

• Playing while the guests arrive before the start of the service.
• During the ceremony:
• As the bride makes her entrance.
• Leading the bride or groom down the aisle (or remaining at the back while they proceed).
• A slow air played during a mid-service candle lighting or flower presentation.
• A special piece piped during part of the communion service.

After the ceremony:

• The Piper saved as a “surprise” for the recessional, leading the newlyweds out in celebration.
• Playing as the wedding party and guests leave the service.
• Various festive tunes played outside as guests make their way through a receiving line.
• Leading guests from one area to another is another great use of a bagpiper
• Piping outside as guests arrive at the reception hall.
• Making a grand entrance for the newlyweds as they enter the reception hall.

Choosing a Piper:

Before hiring a bagpiper for your wedding ask these questions:

• How many years they have they been piping?
• Experience; How many weddings have they piped for?
• Do they belong to a pipe band that practices and competes regularly?
• At least a grade 4 or better piper?
• Price between $175 and $250? You can find a very good piper for around $200
• Charge extra for longer driving distances?
• Is the piper willing to do what you want or just what the piper wants to do? Flexible and easy to work with?
• Suggestions for tunes?
• Deposit?

Pipers do not usually attend the dress rehearsal, or if they do they will charge you extra for this.

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Authored by Kim Johnson “Michigan Bagpiper for All Occasions“.

I have been piping professionally in southeastern Michigan for 12 years at 100’s of weddings; each one is unique and special and I try to enhance this very special occasion and not take attention away from the bride and groom. I have 25 years of piping experience as a grade 4-3 competition piper with the pipe band Michigan Scottish Pipes and Drums. I am more than willing to work with a couple or family to make their wedding memorable and exciting; a wedding is about honoring and showcasing a couple, not about the piper. I charge around $200 for a wedding.

A wedding is a celebration of a tradition and traditions by their nature adhere to certain scripts. Below are the points general to any wedding but if the wedding is to include some ethnic traditions or special family customs, that photographer must be notified of all such details beforehand so that he or she is able to capture every key moment.

Behind the Scene

The dress on a hanger
Close-ups of any remarkable details on the dress
Accessories: flowers, shoes, jewelry, the rings
The bride getting ready (makeup, hair, jewelry, dress,shoes)
Family and bridesmaids assisting the bride
Others getting ready
Portrait of the bride
The groom getting ready (adjusting the ties tie or cuff links)
Portrait of the groom

Waiting for the Ceremony

The wide-angle view of the location
The groom waiting for the bride
The groom, the best man and the officiator
The ring bearer and flower girl
General view of the seated guests
Arrival of the bride

The Ceremony

The best man and maid of honor coming down the aisle
Each groomsman and bridesmaid coming down the aisle
The bride coming down the aisle
Wide-angle view of the ceremony
The vow and ring exchange
Signing of the marriage license
The kiss The bride and groom coming down the aisle
Any special musician, singer, speaker, etc.

Formal Photos Hands with the wedding bands
Formal group photos
Romantic bride and groom photos

The Reception

Details: centerpieces, the cake, decor
The wedding party entering the reception
Toasts
Cutting of the cake
The first dance
Dances with parents
Bouquet toss
Garter removal
Guests at each table
Dancing guests

Final Scene

The newlyweds waiving or walking away
Departing Limo

That’s it! Have a great shoot!

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PhotoHand.com will retouch your wedding photos at the starting fee of $3.50/photo for complete cosmetic retouching. Also, on offer there are custom-designed save-the-date cards and wedding invitations and wedding photo books from your photo material. With professional photo editing and photography retouching, skillful cropping and art effects, your book becomes an outstanding memorable piece.

Choosing the wedding dress is a unique shopping experience and with everything else to worry about, underwear may not enter your mind, but what’s under your dress determines how you look on your special day.  All eyes are on you and the last thing you want to worry about is a bra bulge or  tummy roll.  Be sure to bring along your support group when you go shopping and encourage opinions.

You have chosen your dress and it probably needs to be altered, this is when you need to choose the foundation garment.  Is your dress simple and sleek?  You might only need a slip to create a smooth line.  Is your dress formal and structured?  A corset could be the perfect detail to bring out the best in a wedding dress with a tight waist.   A padded or push-up corset will give the “girls” a little something extra and can be the perfect touch for a strapless gown.

Corsets are also outerwear.  Picture a fall wedding with bridesmaids in orange brocade corsets and cinnamon satin long skirts, carrying bouquets that include leaves in gold, brown and pumpkin.  An elegant and ornate bridal corset with a shimmering, sweeping skirt would be stunning and perfect in this setting and your bridesmaids will actually have an outfit they can wear again.

The stress of planning the wedding is behind you and now it’s time to relax.  Whether you’ve been saving yourself for marriage or been with your partner for decades, you still want to look and feel gorgeous on your wedding night and honeymoon.  And whether you have ample curves or no curves at all, there are many styles of lingerie to compliment your body type.

Large busted women will appreciate some support, a stretch lace bodice is both comfortable and flattering.  If you don’t like to expose your tummy, look for a babydoll style with a pretty skirt.  If you love your legs, find something short or with a sexy side slit.  Not real happy with your legs?  Try a dramatic full length peignoir.  Plus size lingerie is not always readily available in your local mall but there are many online stores that offer a wide range of sizes.

Slender women may have just as difficult a time choosing lingerie, you can create curves with proper lingerie.  Padded cups are one way for small busted women to enhance their assets.  Look for lingerie with seams that create a bodice, you probably would not be happy with an unstructured chemise, for example, that falls straight from the shoulders.   If you have a straight waistline, look for lingerie with side cutouts, like a skimpy teddy, that gives the illusion of a curvy waist.

Whatever you wear, try to relax and enjoy yourself.  This is the beginning of an exciting and happy life together!

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Cheri Krueger owns Oh Cheri!, an online store specializing in lingerie and plus size lingerie.

1. Find a venue that has a beautiful walk in space that is not included in the price of the space being used.

2. A venue that has more to it then the plain white 4 walls can lesson the decorations needed to fill the place to make it look fabulous.

3. The new trendy venues such as Mosaic Space, offers a dynamic design that can be worked with for less and leave your guest with the feeling of wow!

4. Remember WOW is always a good word for your guest 1st impression.

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Hi, I am Cynthia Grady the Operations manager of the Mosaic Space and holding wonderful events is my gift and passion.  Look on my blog at mosaicspace.com for more helpful hints that will make your event FABULOUS!!!!

The wedding vow is one of the things which makes the wedding more official. In fact, you have plenty of options when you are considering your wedding vow. One of the options is of course to use some traditional and standard wedding vow templates. As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong to use such templates. However, there are couples who would like to go for the option of writing the vow themselves. When you consider that it is one of the things to make your wedding official, it gives you a good reason to take the time to write it yourself.

There is no doubt that you will need to do some researches when you are trying to write your own wedding vow. Without and surprise, one of the ways to do your research is to search it on the web. You will be able to find a lot of samples on the internet. However, this can also create a problem to you. There are just so many options and samples you can find on the web. You may find it very hard to start writing your own because there are so many different options.

If you ask someone who has been writing his / her own wedding vow, you will certainly know that it is now easy to write it yourself. In fact, you will need to write it with your mind. You will need to be very clear about what you are actually writing. You may have already done your research. However, this is only the beginning of the task. You will still need to spend a lot of time to actually write the vow. Below are some tips for you to write a good wedding vow.

First of all, you will need to discuss with your fiance about the matter. It is very important that both of you would like to write the vow. He / She may want to use the traditional one or just get one from the internet. You will need to ask for the reasons for that. Of course you should also tell him / her the reasons for you to consider writing your own wedding vow. Remember, you should do that only if both of you agree to write it. You should never do it on your own. It is always important for you to have consensus with your fiance.

The hardest part may probably be the contents of the wedding vow. As mentioned, there are just too many options and samples out there. However, the baseline is that you should try to write it from your heart. You may also want to discuss with your fiance about the contents of it. There is nothing wrong to do so.

Brides and grooms should start writing it as early as possible. You have to make sure that you will have plenty of time to complete this task. You should also edit your vow one of two weeks before your wedding so that you can make sure that it is a good and perfect one.

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Florida beach weddings coordinator with wedding packages for Destin Beach Weddings all along the emerald coast that includes: Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Perdido Key, Navarre, Miami, West Palm, Sandestin, Seaside, Seagrove, Seacrest, Miramar beach, Grayton, Fort Walton all in Florida for romantic sunset weddings on the beach.

Stop Motion Wedding Invitation Video

This must have taken ages, but it’s certainly unforgettable (and I can’t get that song out of my head)!

The Invitation

So many options!

Fresh Hubby Of LA

Still laughing at this one!

Not Your Average Wedding Invitation

We all love waffles…

Fun Wedding Invitation Dance Video

Love the out-takes throughout…

The other hot topic is the discussion of the benefits of various types of camera equipment: The advantages of full frame cameras, or is Nikon better than Canon, etc. Much of this information has been posted to supposedly help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of all these approaches. However, when you read further, you often see that there is a slant towards the equipment or style used by that particular photographer. We recently read a web page where the photographer warned the reader to beware of wedding photographer’s who still shoot weddings using the traditional approach because it obviously means that they are using outdated equipment. Huh? So what does all this tell you? The answer: Nothing!

I recently attended a seminar by one of the leading wedding photographers in the country. Her input on this subject was enlightening. Although she, herself used digital capture and some film, she emphasized that what really matters is how the photographs look. Do they have impact? Do they tell the story of the day? She went on to say that she is growing tired of other photographers always asking her what type of camera she uses or what the benefits are of digital over film, etc, etc. “Lets talk about the photographs!” she exclaimed. She talked about how lucky we are in this era to have access to such great equipment and that even some of the lowest cost equipment can be used to make beautiful images.

I could not agree more.  What really matters is the end result - your wedding album. 25 years after your wedding you are not going to care if your wedding photographer used a $10,000 camera or a Kodak disposable camera. Will you remember if you hired a photojournalist or an illustrative photographer? Probably not. Its the photos that you will remember and cherish. I do use some of the most modern and up to date camera equipment, but I am not obsessed with it. I spend more of my time trying to figure out how to make the most memorable and artistic images possible. This is not accomplished by simply going out and purchasing a $1,800 lens that is so sharp that it practically allows you to see the pores on your subject’s face. Sharp, high quality lenses are important, but it is what the photographer does with them that matters. Find a photographer who talks about the images and not about how great his equipment is.

However, there are other factors important when choosing a wedding photographer. Developing rapport with your photographer is vital. A rude or bossy photographer can ruin a wedding for both the bride and groom. Look for photographers you are comfortable talking to. Make sure they can give you references and when you check those references ask how the photographer behaved at the wedding. Did he or she spend a lot of time eating food and drinking alcohol? Did he or she get along well with the guests? Calm Demeanor? Unobtrusive? Obviously, you want to make sure the photos are great, but these other factors can make or break your wedding photography experience.

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Mike Dubnoff

Dubnoff Wedding Photography

www.dubnoffphotography.com
(925) 686-4960

A photo montage on DVD with music and even narration, can be shown at the event and included on the main DVD. Still photos can come to life with dynamic digital movements coordinated with music.

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Stu Sweetow won last year’s San Francisco’s J Magazine Readers’ Choice Award as Best East Bay Videographer. He has 25 years experience producing professional videos, and he runs Audio Visual Consultants, the video service on upper Grand Avenue in Oakland.