Paul R Farmer Wedding Photography Treasure Island Florida

Wonderful Wedding Gift Ideas Most People Don't Think Of

2005-12-29T20:57:00.000-05:00

The wedding day is often stressful offer a day at the spa

Ever got stuck trying to come up with the "ultimate" wedding gift? Well, you are not alone. Each day thousands of people rack their brains trying to come up with unique wedding gift ideas, only to throw their hands up in frustration and buy any of the common wedding gifts being sold out there.

Below are some wonderful wedding gift ideas most people don't think of that you can use:

1. Gold-Plated Picture Frames - the perfect way to display favorite photos of their special day. Have them engraved with the couple's names and the wedding date for a treasured memory.

2. Etched Wine Glass - Have their wedding invitation, or other special verse engraved on a glass sculpture. This will be treasured for years to come, and definitely unique. Or, for a little variation, get the actual invitation, and mount it on a glass plate and finish it with matching colored paint.

3. Honeymoon Photo Album - this could be made out of wood, with something like "A Honeymoon to Remember" engraved on the cover a perfect place to capture those wonderful honeymoon memories.

4. Gift Certificates to a spa for the bride and groom are great before or after the wedding. The wedding day is often stressful, so you could offer a day at the spa to prepare them for the wedding day. Or, they could use it just after their honeymoon, as they prepare to resume their regular activities.

5. Keepsake Box - As time goes by, memories begin to fade, and what better and more unique gift than a special box where they can safely store all those precious mementos that become more cherished as the years go by This box is perfect for things like marriage license, special photos, place cards, vows, and all those other special keepsakes that often get lost as time passes.

6. Couples' Home Spa Kit - As an alternative for the day at the spa, you could give them a spa in a basket, including monogrammed robes, towels, and a few other relaxing items, like candles, bath and body lotions, some romantic music, and even engraved wine glasses accompanied by a bottle of wine for a special evening at home.

Now, who says coming up with the perfect wedding gift idea is hard? The next time you go to a wedding, try picking up any of the above wonderful wedding gift ideas and you would be surprised at how well it works!

About the Author

Mark Anthony is a wine gift enthusiast. He owns many wine-related sites, including Red Wine Secrets, Wine Cellar Secrets and Great Wine Clubs.

Beach Wedding Dress Ideas

2005-12-29T06:10:00.000-05:00

N. Redington Beach FL

A beach wedding can be much more inexpensive, and make you feel more relaxed.

Beach wedding dresses are seeked by many modern bride to be's who are able to think out of the box. The average wedding these days is budgetted between fifteen and twenty-five thousand dollars. Why would a bright young couple want to be burdened by an expense that large for just one day? A beach wedding can be much more inexpensive, and make you feel much more relaxed. The important part is that you marry the right person, not how great your wedding party is. Beach wedding dresses have the ability to make you look absolutely stunning on your wedding day.

Just remember, that beach wedding dresses are much more casual, not as long as a traditional wedding dress, and are much more comfortable. They are also usually much more colorful and made of much lighter material. More bride to be's are getting married in a variety of outdoor settings, and this is changing the way women dress on their wedding day. After all, you're not going to be very comfortable saying "I do" on top of a mountain peak or on a beach wearing a huge wedding gown with a ten foot tail.

It is your wedding day, so please don't get caught up into having a wedding a certain way just because it's been that way in the past. Beach wedding dresses may be able to give you a different perspective on the way you may want to spend your wedding day. Whether it's on the beach, on a boat, or on top of a mountain, make your day one that you and your guests will remember for years to come. This is your big day, you deserve to feeel comfortable and free. There are many accessories you can use to accentuate your beach wedding dress to make it unique and elegant, yet still help you feel at ease. What a great idea it can be to have your wedding on a beach. Imagine tieing the knot in a pair of sandals, or even barefoot. A great way to go for the modern day bride.

Dean Cecere is a successful author on a variety of everyday life issues. See Wedding gowns and bridal accessories
for more innovative ideas on how to make your wedding day one to remember.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Cecere

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

You Can Have An Elegant Wedding on a Small Budget

2005-12-22T18:14:00.000-05:00

N. Redington Beach FL

Some things that you may want to spend money on photography and rings

If you have a smaller budget, you’re probably afraid that all of your guests will realize it. But honestly, a twenty thousand dollar wedding isn’t necessary. Many couples have done it for a lot less, and no one could tell.

What’s important

Like coming up with the original budget, you need to determine what the most important things of the day are. Do you want the designer dress? Must you have the reception at a fancy hotel?

Some things that you may want to spend money on: photography and rings. These are two things that you will keep long after the wedding day, so these are the things that should be number one on the planning list. Don’t skimp.

A cheaper ceremony

If you’re able to have your ceremony outside, then that can be the least expensive way to go. Not only are you able to take advantage of nature, but many of the times, it will be free for you to use. Places that may work are parks and botanical gardens, friend’s backyards, and beaches. Of course, these are rather weather dependent, so you’ll have to have a backup plan as well.

Find someone that you know who is a minister to do the vows, and ask that their marriage gift be the fee. This is a perfect way to include your friend and save them the trouble of giving a gift.

Skimping on the reception

The best way to keep your costs low for the wedding is to have the ceremony and reception in the same area. Even if you do have to pay a fee, then it’s only once. Another way to cut down on reception costs is to have a light afternoon cocktail hour in lieu of dinner. You can serve appetizers and drinks instead of a pricey meal.

You don’t necessarily need a band to keep the fun going either. A lot of couples have found that a friend with a multiple CD player and a good variety of CDs is just as good as a deejay. And most friends are willing to help out at the wedding if they can anyways.

Be creative when you go out and look for all of the things you need for your wedding. You’d be surprised at how many things you can save on. One couple made their own programs, decorations, and had it at a friend’s house for about three thousand dollars. The guests exclaimed that they’d been to more expensive weddings that weren’t half as beautiful.

Something to think about.

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Spade

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Bridal Lingerie on your Wedding Night

2005-12-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

Your wedding night can be one of the most intimate times you will spend with your new partner

Is your wedding night coming up soon? Do you want something extra sexy and romantic to wear on what could be one of the most special and memorable nights of your life? Your wedding night can be one of the most intimate times you will spend with your new partner for life and today's sexy bridal lingerie is some of the most beautiful and sensual apparel for newlyweds to share on their first night together.

Of all of the complaints that men and women have about buying lingerie, the embarrassment of having to go into a store and buy sexy undergarments that would otherwise be kept private is the number one complaint. By using an online lingerie store you can buy those camisoles, bustiers, robes, corsets, sexy bras and baby doll outfits in the comfort of your own home at any time of day or night.

Online shopping for lingerie is becoming more and more popular and for a good reason. Not only does it eliminate the embarrassment of in person shopping, it is also extremely convenient. Additionally, with today's quick delivery options and discreet packaging, it is no wonder more and more people are buying their lingerie online.
All brides have their own tastes and preferences on their wedding night. One of the most popular requests is a sexy bridal lingerie costume, which includes a teddiette, veil, gloves and bouquet. Another favorite is the classic tapestry satin flower jacquard bustier with lightly padded under wire cups, hook and eye front, boning and a waist cinching lace up back. The garters are adjustable and removable and a matching thong is included. Don't forget to order the classic Sheer Nylon Stretch Stockings that invigorate and beautify the legs and mesh perfectly with the garter.

Remember, your wedding night only happens once in your lifetime. Be sure to make it the most sensual, intimate and memorable night of your life. Get your Bridal Lingerie today.

About the Author

NoneMike Harader is an expert author who writes on several topics including Sexy Lingerie and Sexy Shoes.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

The Key To The Perfect Bachelorette Party!!!

2005-12-14T06:13:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach FL Hilton Resort

a bachelorette party usually involves a night out with the gals

Planning a Great Celebration for the Bride-to-Be

Bachelors have been hitting the bars for stag parties for years. But why should the guys have all the fun? Throwing a bachelorette party for a bride-to-be is a fun way for the bride and her friends to bond and blow off a little steam before the big day. If youre planning a bachelorette party, there are many fun and original bachelorette party ideas.

What is a Bachelorette Party?

Bachelorette parties have risen in popularity within the last twenty years or so. While the bridal shower is still a traditional event for brides, a bachelorette party is a more laid back celebration. Like a bachelor party, a bachelorette party usually involves a night out with the gals.

Bachelorette Party Ideas: Locations

Bachelorette parties can take place at the home of the bride-to-be or the home of the person throwing the party for her. A hall or meeting room at a hotel can also be rented for the night. Restaurants often have rooms that can be reserved for private parties. You also might choose to take everyone to an event like a movie or a spa. Many bachelorette parties begin in one location and move on to a different location, like a bar, later in the night.

Bachelorette Party Ideas: Styles

The bachelorette party can be naughty or nice, depending on the brides preferences and comfort level. Most bachelorette parties include alcohol and many incorporate sexual themes. However, this is the bride-to-bes night, and while it can be fun to embarrass her a little, you dont want her to be horrified at the goings on.

Naughty Bachelorette Party Ideas

Hire a male stripper for the party or go to see a male strip show.

When each guest arrives, she writes down a task that the bride must accomplish before the night is over. When the list is complete it is given to the bride. The task list might include things like get a man to buy you a drink or get a mans phone number.

Give goody bags to the guests with inexpensive, naughty gifts inside. Many party supply shops and websites carry party favors specifically intended for bachelorette parties

Nice Bachelorette Party Ideas

Head to a spa. All the ladies can enjoy massages and manicures.

Take a tour at a nearby winery and enjoy some winetasting.

Go dancing.

Head to a microbrewery for a tour and to taste the products.

Responsible Bachelorette Party Ideas

Since most bachelorette parties involve alcohol, its necessary to arrange safe transportation for the party guests. A designated driver is one idea, or someone who would not normally be invited to the party, like a male friend. You could also hire a limousine service to carry guests to various watering holes around town. Some choose to charter a bus for the nights activities, while others use taxis to get around. Even if the bachelorette party does not involve alcohol, using a bus or limo service is a good way to keep guests together and prevent them from getting lost during the evening.

Want more tips for the perfect bachelorette party?? Learn more at our Party Ideas resource site your-one-stop-shop for Party Ideas!!! If planning the perfect party is important for you then visit out site now!!! http://www.partyideashq.com

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Bridesmaid Dresses - Choosing Made Easy

2005-12-13T06:07:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Hilton Resort, Florida

You'll have a much better time when the bridesmaids are happy

There are horror stories about how ugly bridesmaid dresses are, so brides need to pay attention and not become a statistic.

Though it's true that the dress may never be worn again, you also want to factor in that your friends are going to be photographed for posterity. And that you want them to still be your friends at the end of the wedding day.

Make it comfortable

Nothing is worse that a dress that doesn't fit the person. Just because the bride has a certain style in mind for her wedding party, she may want to think of the various shapes as well. Most dresses can be altered to fit most women, but plunging necklines or short skirts may not always be flattering.

One of the ways to avoid this is to ask your bridesmaids for their input on the dress that you choose. You can all go to a bridal store to try on different kinds of dresses. This can be a fun way to start off the bridal excitement--usually this takes place well before the ceremony.

Or you can give everyone some options as to what they would like to wear. Of course, this may mean that one person's choice does not win the vote.

Another option is to let everyone select their own dress, so long as it is a particular color that you want. This actually looks quite classy and each dress will reflect he individual's personality. A lot of brides will buy their wedding party coordinating jewelry to help everyone 'match.'

Choosing the color

There's a lot to be said for the basic colors that are available. Even if you are decorating the entire reception in lilac, you may not want to choose that color for your bridesmaid dresses. Pastels in general can be tricky.

Here's some advice.

Try to dress your bridesmaids for the season. If it's cooler, then select a deeper shade for the dresses, if it's warm, something lighter might be an option. Try a champagne color or a nearly white option. Not only will this look clean and classy, but you will also avoid the trap of looking like Easter eggs.

When it comes to the bridesmaids dresses, you want to remember that these are people that you love in the party. Talk to them about what they like or what they might like to wear. And although in the end, it will be your decision, you'll have a much better time when the bridesmaids are happy.

About the Author

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Why Choose a Beach Wedding

2005-12-11T09:57:00.000-05:00

Sunset Beach, Treasure Island FL

Destination weddings are a cost effective way of
hosting your wedding

Why Choose a Beach Wedding?

Once
the only an option for the rich and famous, beach weddings and
weddings in tropical destinations are becoming more and more
popular,and available, for the rest of us. With much of
the Caribbean only a stone's throw from the US mainland,
heading for the islands has never been easier!

So
why set your sights on distant shores for a beach wedding? The
answer seems simple - we get to travel as well as get married -
but actually there is more than one reason to get married
in another location and the benefits are numerous.

Cost
Effective.

Destination Weddings are a cost effective way of
hosting your wedding since both your wedding and your
honeymoon are in the same place. Additionally, most resorts
offer wedding packages at reduced rates, or even FREE, to
guests who are staying a certain number of nights. All
inclusive resorts roll out the red carpet to wedding guests
offering them free gifts, reduced rates for their wedding-party,
free wedding cake, and champagne and even a free wedding
planner! Since Destination Weddings typically host about
half the guest list of traditional weddings you can
literally cut your reception budget in half.

Side
Step Family Issues

A wedding away from home can ease tensions
and expectations between you and your parents and in laws.
There is less pressure to get married in the family church
or to seat the grandparents at the head table at a
Destination Wedding since all participants are more willing
to accept that all aspects of the wedding are going to be
different from the usual. Also, keep in mind that during the
planning processes you won't be bogged down with
family meetings to make every decision on your wedding...it
will all be up to you and your partner!

Be Unique

A far
off wedding allows you to embrace your imagination and your
fantasies. If you feel like holding your ceremony on a beach,
under palm trees in bikini and shorts then why not? By
freeing yourself of the conventions of home life you give
yourself permission to become creative about your special
day. Try out local customs and traditions and explore
exotic touches that will make your wedding unique and
individual.

Hassle Free

Destinations around the
world, and particularly in the Caribbean,have become savvy
to the destination-bride and have literally done all of the
work for you. Many locations have eased the rules and

restrictions on getting married in their location in order to
cater to offshore brides. Local wedding planners also take
the stress out of the planning process by simply doing
everything for you. Add this to the popular on-site
wedding that most resorts offer and almost everything is
taken care in advance of your arrival. All you need to do
is make your choices and show up.

Perfect for Vow Renewals and
Second Weddings

For those who have been there, done
that a Destination Wedding can be the perfect
alternative to the traditional wedding for second weddings
and vow renewal ceremonies. With so many secluded and private
resorts offering idyllically romantic packages for ceremonies
on the beach, in tropical gardens, or under waterfalls couples
get to have their wedding away from local town commentary.
Some resorts cruise lines also offer kids camps so that your
respective offspring can have an opportunity to bond during
the trip whilst you get a chance to spend quality time
alone with your new spouse.

Fun for Your Guests

Instead
of wishing you'd spent more time with friends and loved ones,
the Destination Wedding gives you the time to do just that.
Since many locations demand that you arrive a few days in
advance of your wedding ceremony you have the chance to
spend time with your guests over extended lunches and
dinners and to truly catch-up in a relaxed
atmosphere. An offshore weddings gives you a reunion
opportunity whilst also providing you with memories to last
forever.

The internet has made planning an island beach
wedding a breeze, or as easy as planning any other type of
wedding, at least! Web sites have sprung up, such as the <a
href="http://
www.islandbrides.com/">Beach
Wedding Guide</a>, that provide pretty
much
everything you need to begin your planning, walking you through

all the unique wedding destinations, and putting you in touch
with local wedding planners, photographers, florists,
hotels and resorts.

All you need to do is choose your
island!

-------AUTHOR CREDIT -----------------

Author
Credit:
This article is reproduced courtesy of

www.islandbrides.com/">Beach
Wedding Guide</a>. Islandbrides.com
provides the only
complete guide to planning your beach wedding or
destination
wedding in over 30 Caribbean locations.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Planning On The Web

2005-12-10T09:14:00.000-05:00

You can easily use the web to find DJs, photographers, videographers even a wedding planner

Planning a wedding? Whether you're a wedding planning pro or a do-it-yourself bride, I know one thing you don't: you aren't using the web enough.

The web has become the dominant way to shop for electronics, travel, cars, housing, even education. But you can just as easily use the web to find caterers, event halls, dressmakers, DJs, photographers, videographers--even a wedding planner if you decide to take a break from doing it all yourself.

Here's how the web helps you plan a wedding:

* Local search. No, you don't have to sort through vendors from here to Timbuktu. Local search technology now makes finding someone downtown as easy as finding someone anywhere. If you use Google, you only have to enter a place name along with your keyword to get a list of local businesses. Try "wedding planner fargo" (without the quotes) and see for yourself.

* Real people. The people you are buying from online aren't "virtual." They're as real as the people you'd meet in person. In fact, especially with local business, the website is just a first contact. You can always call them up or arrange to meet in person.

* Dedicated wedding information websites. There are now websites solely devoted not just to planning a wedding, but to catering, wedding cakes, even dying shoes for weddings. These same websites often have directories of wedding vendors arranged by location.

* Message boards and customer reviews. You wouldn't buy a book on Amazon without reading a review a customer had left. Now you don't have to buy decorations that way, either.

Web Wedding Planning Alternatives

The web has a lot of advantages over most other ways of discovering and evaluating wedding vendors. Just look at what your other options are:

* Recommendations from friends and colleagues. How much do your friends and colleagues really know about wedding planning? Very often, one person's idea of wedding elegance is any sane person's idea of bad, bad taste. Just look at anyone's wedding pictures. You can't trust this decision to your friends. This is your big day. It deserves a little research.

* Bridal fairs. If the vendors at bridal fairs were so great, why would they be trawling for business? Do you want an in-demand wedding vendor, or one who has to set up a booth and hand out free samples?

* Yellow pages. I remember the time my mother used the Yellow Pages to find a contractor to install some new doors. During the holiday season, the draft would blow out the candles in the window if they weren't electric. Anyone can get in the yellow pages--and believe me, anyone does.

Web Wedding Planning Advantages

* Selection. No offline source will ever have as many options, whether it's songs for the wedding reception or fabrics for the gowns.

* Ready information. As soon as you see an option you'd like to consider, you can find out all you'd ever like to know as easily as copying and pasting into Google.

* It's All in Writing. By their very nature, websites put a lot of information in writing. The written policies regarding shipping, warranties (if any), returns, and service will almost always be easy to access. (Hint: look for links to policies at the bottom of each web page.) The fact that everything is written down gives the vendor much less wiggle room to change the terms of the deal. Almost as good as the paper trail is the photograph trail--at least when it comes to merchandise. Save any relevant images along with the text.

* Better Business Bureau's Convenient BBBOnline. On the web, it's easy to check for Better Business Bureau membership. The site should have the BBBOnline logo displayed prominently on the order page. Click on the logo to be taken to the http://BBB.org profile for that business. The BBB page should say that business is a member in good standing. With the BBBOnline, the Bureau's ecommerce program, you can dispute a sale without having to go to the local Bureau where the store is headquartered.

In short, the web makes it much easier to get a perfect wedding.

About the Author

Joel Walsh is a freelance writer. Check out this website for wedding planning information and to find wedding vendors: wedding planning guide:http://www.bridalocity.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Do You Really Want a Wedding Videographer?

2005-12-08T19:42:00.000-05:00

So, you want to have your wedding videotaped? I tell you what ― you better think long and hard about it. Talk to your friends about it or to anyone who has had it done. Videotaped weddings are not for everyone! I know, I've videotaped countless weddings, childbirths, parties, and special events. During the course of shooting for the public as a self-employed videographer, I was able to see the before, during, and after effects of the events I serviced.

Do you sense skeptism from me yet? If you did, you correctly targeted my feelings about shooting real-time live footage. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it worked out, but more times than not, I strongly believe that my presence while shooting dampened and detracted from the events I went to. Now, don't blame me for being too intrusive either! I tried my best to produce quality footage in a dignified way, but there was a price to pay.

Not only did my services cost "an arm and a leg," but there was a larger price attached to it than that. People who are videotaped lose their personal privacy. They are on stage ALL THE TIME. Videographers hear just about everything. We see just about everything. We never stop looking at the people we are videotaping. If that is not bad enough, sometimes videographers even prompt you or your friends to perform or communicate.

Then, after it is all said and done, the videographer finally hands over the footage. As a rule, people do not see themselves as they really are. In knowing this, when editing, my main objective was to edit out unmentionable, unattractive footage. Even so, what I thought was admissible, many would shutter in self-condemnation, sad to say. So, be careful what you ask for, you might feel like your video footage is mirroring you back in ways you are not emotionally prepared for.

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jensen

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Photography That will last a lifetime

2005-12-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

Don Cesar Resort, St. Pete Beach FL

When it comes to wedding photography what is it you want from your wedding photos?

Having pictures that you can look at in the years that follow your wedding is just one of the things that you want to invest your money in. But if you're on a constricted budget, then there are also options for you.

Things to consider

One of the main things to consider when it comes to photography is what you want from your pictures. Do you want pictures of your while family or mainly of the two of you? If it a larger wedding or is a more private celebration?

You and your soon-to-be spouse should sit down and list all of the pictures that you would like to have in your wedding album--that is, poses for pictures. With this list, you'll be able to see if you should invest in a professional or consider other options.

Where do you want your pictures taken? Some couples like to have outdoor shots, so they will need to find a photographer that does that as part of their services. The length of time you would like the photographer to be at the wedding will also factor into the price.

Look at photographer samples to see if your styles match. If they don't, the photographer may recommend someone else. They want you to have good pictures, even if it's not with them.

When you're on a budget

If you're nervous about spending a lot of money on your photographer, but still want a lot of pictures--you're in luck. With the new and improved digital cameras, you have a better shot (no pun intended) to get great pictures.

Have a good friend (who isn't in the wedding party) volunteer to take the pictures. Since digital cameras show you what the picture looks like instantly, you can take as many as you need in order to get it just right. And the quality is just as good as many professional photographers.

Another way to get a lot of chances for good pictures is to place disposable cameras at every table. People love to take pictures of other people, so you'll get a lot of candid shots of your relatives and friends. Plus, the quality is pretty good, so you're not wasting your money at all.

It doesn't matter who takes your pictures as long as you get the ones that you want. If you want to have someone else do it, then invest in the professional. But for the budget conscious, having a friend or relative take charge is just as good.

About the Author

by Amy Spade

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Destination Weddings - St. Pete Beach FL

2005-12-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

Don Cesar Resort, St. Pete Beach FL

Destination weddings can add a little extra touch to the wedding of your dreams

No matter where you and your future groom are wed, your wedding will have the same meaning and give you the same new start to a beautiful beginning together, however destination weddings can add a little extra touch to the wedding of your dreams.

When planning a destination wedding talk about different places where you would like to be united. An advantage to having a destination wedding is being able to have your ceremony and honeymoon in the same location. One way to get some ideas about where to hold your destination wedding is to check out some of the different resort locations on the internet. Most resorts offer wedding packages that have everything included, even a wedding planner. All you need to do is provide the bride and groom! If you want more control over your big day use these tips and ideas for planning one of the biggest days in your life.

As with every wedding, prepare a wedding planner or organizer. This will keep tasks organized and remind you of dates that certain tasks need to be accomplished by. Remember that by having a destination wedding, you will be planning your event long distance, so it will be important to have a list of things that need to be done before you arrive.

When inviting guests to your destination wedding, send out announcements early, letting them know which hotel to call to reserve rooms, as well as dates and times for plane tickets so they can be purchased in advance. You may also think about having a large reception when you return home for those who cannot attend your wedding. Send out separate announcements for this and let them know they will have a chance to congratulate you at a later date.

For destination weddings it is important to check on regulations and laws. If you are being married outside of the United States, be sure to have passports, blood tests, a U.S. marriage license, if needed, and any other paperwork that will need to be completed. Stay ahead of the game so when you arrive at your destination everything is in order.

Also consider how you will get your attire to your destination wedding. Rather than trying to check everything in at the airport on the day you fly out, ship everything separately two weeks in advance. Call the destination and confirm that everything arrived in a peaceful state. This will also give you two weeks extra time in the event that something is damaged in travel.

Do not forget to hire a photographer, clergy, wedding planner and bakery to complete your wedding. For information on different services offered, you can contact the destination’s Visitor Bureau.

A few of the more popular destination wedding spots include Jamaica in the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, the blue waters of Hawaii, and Las Vegas, with its hundreds of wedding chapels.

As long as you plan ahead and expect a few challenges, your destination wedding is sure to be day to remember.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

How to Choose Your Diamond Wedding Ring

2005-12-02T08:19:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Hilton Resort

The more carats a wedding ring has the more it will cost

A favorite activity of everyone getting married is the incredible fun of going through a wedding ring selection process. But there are so many things to consider - and sometimes it can turn into a nightmare.

I've got to be honest here, everybody secretly wants a monster stone in the most beautiful setting possible. Do most women get it? No, not really. A perfect, flawless 3K diamond (or bigger) isn't realistic for most. Getting married involves a lot more than a flash ring which is going to have to be paid for and, of course, the bigger it is, the longer it's going to take to pay for it.

Like most young girls, you may have spent a lot of time dreaming of the perfect diamond wedding ring. Hopefully, you and your fiance decided to shop for rings together, or you have informed him of what you like. You will wear the wedding ring for a significant amount of time and it only makes sense that it's something that you like. If your knowledge of diamond wedding rings is limited to size, it's a good idea that you obtain more information before you make your wedding ring selection.

Consider some alternatives like "Loose or Set".

When most people think of a diamond wedding ring, they often think of a stone that is already set or mounted. You can actually buy a diamond only and choose a setting later. Why would you do this? The cost. When you shop for loose diamonds you will notice that diamonds are available in various sizes and shapes, including oval, round, and marquise.

Now let's say you are pretty much indifferent to the shape, but you might want to consider your hands. Certain styles complement certain types of hands. A good guide is to match the shape of the diamond to the hand. Do you have long, narrow fingers? Then an oval-shaped diamond or similar elongated style diamond for your wedding ring would probably work for you. Round diamonds usually are considered a good choice for most hands.

Now, what about the setting.

You really need to carefully consider the setting when shopping for a wedding ring. Should you choose platinum or yellow or white gold? Yellow gold is the setting that most people choose for their wedding ring. It is typically less expensive than platinum or white gold. But if you do choose a yellow gold wedding ring, be careful that you don't choose a higher quality just because you think it is better. As the quality of yellow gold goes up, the softer the metal becomes. A wedding ring set in 24k gold will be less resilient to scratches and more malleable than a ring that is set in 14k gold.

Platinum is by far the most expensive and most durable of the trio. White gold is a good choice for a wedding ring setting if versatility is important to you. White gold tends to go with everything.

White diamonds are by far the most popular. Did you know that you could buy a pink diamond? Diamonds are available in other colors, but these are typically more expensive. Second to the classic white diamond is the yellow diamond. When shopping for your wedding ring you will actually find more of these than any other color of diamond.

OK, now the big one - consider the cost.

Your budget probably carries the most weight in your wedding ring selection. A wedding ring featuring a diamond can cost as little as $100 and as much as $1,000,000. In general, the amount of money you can expect to pay for a diamond wedding ring will vary according to the type of stone and the setting. The more carats (that is the bigger the single diamond or the more smaller diamonds there are in total) a wedding ring has the more it will cost. Diamonds set in platinum will cost you the most. You can, however, spend much less on a wedding ring set in 14-carat gold. You can balance the cost by buying a wedding ring with a high number of carats and set in a less expensive setting.

Ultimately, you have to carefully consider your budget and your future. There is no single answer that will suit everyone. Some have the enviable pleasure of being able to buy whatever combination they most desire. For most of us, however, we need to begin our married life by using smart and careful selection to make sure our diamond ring not only suits and satisfies us, but also doesn't stress our finances.

About the Author

Richard writes on a variety of subjects for his own and other sites. If you're interested in great information and articles all about weddings be sure to visit Elena's Completely Weddings at http://Completely-Weddings.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?

2005-11-29T05:34:00.000-05:00

Tampa Bay/N Redington Beach Hilton

when selecting a wedding photographer the client has to focus on the end product

As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked more than anything else. Rarely will somebody ask me about my wedding photography education, awards, or professional memberships. I believe the root to this question lies on misinformation about the different qualities of film and digital.

Film

For a photographer with no computer experience or who does not want to spend the time correcting digital files film is the way to go. Film allows the photographer to photograph a wedding or event and at the end of the day be done with the process. When the time comes to print the photographs the photo lab will take care of color balance adjustments and retouching.
From a technical aspect film has a wider dynamic range than digital. This means than in high contrast scenes film has the edge. It can handle them better without blowing the highlights.

Digital

The greatest advantage for digital is the control of the photographic process in the hands of the artist. The photographer is not longer at the mercy of the lab to produce a photo that reflects his inspiration and vision.

Digital allows the photographer to shoot more frames without the expense of film and development, which can translate into a more complete coverage. After the event the photographer simply edits out the bad photos and you as the customer end up with the best selection of the day.
The digital medium is ideal for backup. Multiple copies of the event can simultaneously exist in different locations in the event of a catastrophe. With film there is always only one copy of the negatives, which could be duplicated, but the second copy suffers significant quality degradation.
With digital it is possible to produce different versions of the same photo including black and white, color, sepia, etc. through a very simple process.

Digital allows for a faster workflow. If your photographer offers digital gallery previews your photographs can be available in a matter of hours for viewing and ordering. In addition, slide shows and DVDs can be produced for the client.

Digital retouching in the hands of an expert can create amazing results.
Since there is no chemistry involved to develop digital the digital process is more environmentally friendly.

Resolution

In terms of resolution both film and digital can produce similar results. With the advent of 11 mega pixel and above digital cameras, digital has the edge for enlargements due to its lower noise levels and the lack of grain.
Many purist talk of the film look, which is basically film grain and noise that gives film its unique look. This film look can easily be simulated with digital image processing techniques.
Many people would be surprised to know that most photo labs will scan film prior to printing. In other words direct film to print is a myth. Digital photos when printed on true photo paper are virtually indistinguishable from their film counterparts.

What does the film vs. digital war means to the client? I believe that when selecting a wedding photographer the client has to focus on the end product more than anything else. At the end it doesn’t matter if the photographer uses film or digital. What really counts is the quality of the photographs that he or she will produce for your wedding day.
There are good and bad photographers using film or digital. Your task as a client is to weed out the bad ones and select a photographer that will capture beautiful memories of your wedding day.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit oregon
wedding photographer and
salem oregon wedding photographer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juan_Carlos_Torres

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Planning Your Second Wedding

2005-11-27T06:05:00.000-05:00

Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach Florida

Planning a second wedding can often be more difficult than planning the first

So you have decided to tie the knot for a second time. Take a deep breath and let the wedding plans begin! Planning a second wedding can oftentimes be more difficult than planning for the first. There are several factors that must be taken into consideration as you make the most important wedding planning decisions of all...What is the wedding budget, when to have the wedding, where to host the wedding, and who will be invited?

What is your wedding budget? Since this will be your second wedding, it is likely that you will be absorbing the entire expense. You are little older and wiser this time around. So determine the type of wedding you would like, then determine the type of wedding you can afford. Do you want a traditional wedding, a non-traditional wedding, an extravagant formal wedding, a formal/semi-formal wedding with only family and your closest friends present, or a romantic wedding retreat to a chapel? There are many different options available to you that vary in expense. Whichever option you choose, plan your wedding in a manner that expresses your unique style and celebrates your love.

If you have yet to set your wedding date, it is best to allow a minimum of six to eight months to plan your wedding. If you intend to have a large formal wedding and reception, you may wish to begin your planning a year in advance. This will allow you time to save money, reserve the ceremony and reception locations, minister, DJ or band, order dresses and complete any alterations, get the men fitted for tuxedos, and the list goes on. Keep in mind that many vendors are booked up to a year in advance. So you will need to reserve your date as soon as possible.

For many couples, choosing a wedding ceremony location is the easiest decision of all. Those that are members of a local church often opt to have a traditional church wedding. Others choose all-inclusive wedding chapels. If you prefer a different ceremony setting, you might consider hosting your wedding at a local hotel banquet room. Hotel banquet rooms vary in size and may accommodate thirty to three hundred guests. Most rooms are large enough to host your wedding ceremony on one side of the room while providing an elegant setting for your reception on the other side of the room. A flat rate is usually charged to rent the room, then you can add appetizers, lunch or dinner service to create an all-inclusive package. Most banquet rooms can provide a dance floor and accommodate a DJ. Be sure to call several different local hotels to check pricing, availability and menu options. You may be surprised at how much the prices vary. A more scenic option is to host an outdoor wedding at a local bed and breakfast. Search the yellow pages and the internet to find them and call for information. Some properties feature flower gardens or gazebos and a bed and breakfast offers you the option of a low to moderate-cost honeymoon right on the premises.

Who should you invite to your wedding? To answer this question, you must first decide where you will host your wedding. If you will be escaping to a romantic getaway to get married in a wedding chapel, you might want to invite only your closest family members to attend your vacation wedding, or you may want to reserve the special day for just the two of you. For medium to larger weddings, it is appropriate to include your close family members, extended family and closest friends. If your budget allows it, expand your guest list to co-workers and other friends. If you are on a tighter budget, make a list all of the people you wish to invite, then trim the list down leaving names of those with whom you maintain a close relationship(immediate family, best friends). If you have children from a previous marriage, consider the role, if any, that you would have them take in your wedding. While romantic getaways are tempting, if you have children, it is important to include them in your wedding plans. Give them a special role in your wedding, such as a bridesmaid, best man, or flower girl. Your new marriage can be a difficult and transitional time for your children. Even for those who welcome your fiance' with open arms. Having your children share in your wedding day will send a message that they will always be special and play a leading role in your life, regardless of the changes that may come.

While most of your loved ones will offer you support and encouragement, some friends or family members may urge you to tone down your wedding because this is your second marriage. Ultimately it is up to you and your fiance' to decide what is best for your situation. Just remember that while this may be your second marriage, you have been through alot to get to this point in life. Both of you have every reason to celebrate your love, and your love has no lesser value simply because you found one another the second time around. Thank goodness for second chances!

About the Author: Article submitted by M.Dawn of Southern Craftworks. Shop at http://www.SouthernCraftworks.com for personalized gifts for all occasions, wedding accessories, jewelry, baby keepsakes, candles, decor, and review more wedding planning tips.

Source: www.isnare.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Replace your Wedding DJ with an iPod

2005-11-26T07:59:00.000-05:00

Whether its true or not, most everyone agrees that wedding DJs are expensive. A popular tip circulating the net is to replace your wedding DJ with an iPod and DJ your reception yourself. While this may sound like a great idea, there are some things to consider. Just as with any do-it-yourself project, you must be aware of all facets before you start.

The first most important job for a good DJ is to play music that the crowd enjoys. A simple shuffle has no way of knowing who is dancing to what. A person does need to run things, but not just any person will do. Putting your 12 year old nephew won't do you any good. The person in charge of the music needs a large amount of music knowledge. A good DJ should have this knowledge. A good DJ should be able to identify a song based on a few bars hummed out of tune or a snippet of lyrics that are slightly incorrect. Your DJ must not have a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, and this is not as easy as it sounds. One simply has to think of all the Best men who have hemmed and hawed their way through a wedding toast with the microphone held at waist level. Also, does he/she know how to auction off a garter or any of the other traditional reception activities? If not, will the bride and groom want to do these things while they should be enjoying their guests? Oh, and just like you would give your wedding singer or officiant a tip for performing your ceremony, don't forget a gratuity for your impromptu DJ.

Unless you're a music collector, chances are you don't have a music library with waltzes, polkas, old country, new country, oldies, classic rock, new rock, soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, dance, etc. And, unless you want to subject your guests to your musical tastes, you should probably buy a selection of these songs. If you're not up on popular waltzes and polkas, or don't know which songs are currently topping the country Top 40, search the web. $25 dollars should buy you enough music on iTunes to cover enough various musical tastes that most guests will enjoy themselves.

Another task for a good wedding DJ is one who is covered by insurance. Sure, your homeowners policy *might* cover it, but I'd hate to see your premiums next year if an accident does occur. Don't think accidents will happen to you? Are you serving alcohol at your reception? If you're telling yourself, "All the drunk people I know never act like fools!", stop and think about that again. Besides, many venues require proof of insurance because they don't want to see their premiums raised because your grandma tripped on a speaker cable and broke her hip. Searching the web for "wedding event insurance" will yield a whole crop of insurers who will give you a $1 million dollar policy for around $200.

Equipment is of course another important factor a good DJ brings to your reception. Do you know where to get speakers? Or mics? Or Mixer?? Larger cities will have rental companies that can provide these things. You can even find many such companies by searching the web for "dj equipment rental". Most wedding sized systems rent for anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars per day. In most cases, you must provide a truck or van to transport the equipment. Now, do you know how to set these things up? If not, will the rental company give you a tutorial? Some rental companies will give you a tutorial when you pick the equipment up, but make sure to take notes, because if you have to call them later they will likely charge you for a service call. Some equipment rental companies will deliver, setup, and test their equipment as well as pick up later, but this is extra.

That being said, if you KNOW your group will interact without being prompted (or just don't care if they interact or not), and if you've got a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of music that will run your iPod (instead of enjoying your reception), and you have adequate insurance to cover any accidents that occur due to your iPod setup, and you have a large enough music library to make sure everyone gets to hear the music they want, and you're able to get your hands on adequate dance lights and speakers, and will be saving money by spending $550 to $700 then by all means use an iPod. You honestly have no need for a DJ.

If planning and organizing all this sounds like just one more hassle, you'd probably do better to hire a professional so that you can enjoy your reception and spend your first day as husband and wife doing something besides returning rental equipment. For a few dollars more you'll get professional equipment, professional knowledge from someone who has planned and performed at hundreds of weddings, peace of mind that any glitches will be resolved quickly, no hassles about tearing down equipment when the reception is over, and no worries about getting it back before you owe another day's worth of rental fees.

About the Authors: Tim and Tammy Smith own and operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company in Fargo, ND. They have been providing exceptional entertainment at weddings, proms, and parties since 1991. Visit their website at http://www.byrequest.dj

Tim Smith
By Request DJ & Karaoke Company - Yesterday's Traditions, Tomorrow's Technology.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Popular Wedding Hair Styles

2005-11-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing

Great hairstyle is the crowning glory to your personality. A wedding hairstyle holds much importance to enhance the overall beauty of the pretty bride. The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing. No wonder, you will be too busy in picking your wedding dress and accessories. But the wedding hair style is as important as your wedding dress. You have a number of hair saloons where you can get special popular wedding hairstyle. These styles have been adorned by so many beautiful brides.

The hair style, off course, depends on the dress you are wearing and shape of your face and hair texture. The hairstyle must be in accordance to the veil or the head piece of the bride. Also, the hair style should be set to make the bride a real princess.

Fulfill your dream of being a royal princess by wearing a sparkling crown on your head. One of the most popular head piece is the crown. It is classy and also easy-to-wear. To wear a crown, you can adhere to a simple hairstyle. You can pin up your hair on the top of the head to make a high bun. Also you can part your front hair and curl the back hair. After curling the back hair, pin them up high or let them down. After this, fix the crown and veil with the same pins. This will give you a more formal look.

If your wedding is a casual affair you can let all your hair down. Just pull them back and fix the veil with a beautiful wreath. Wreath is a half ring made up of flowers.

Flowers are an inseparable part of wedding hair styles. The beautiful flowers enhance the feminine looks of the innocent bride. You can choose from a variety of flowers. The most popular wedding hair styles incorporate the flowers like orchids and roses as they are available in so many attractive colors.

For a sophisticated look, you can pull all your hair back to make a low bun just above your neck. Flowers can be added individually around the bun or in the form of a ring. The most popular buns are the ones made after rolling your hair. You can tie your hair in to a low ponytail and roll over the rest of hair into rolls. A bun with 6 rolls is the hottest among the brides these days. After bun is complete, you can add certain accessories like flowers, hair brooch or simply some beads in the new hair style.

Las Vegas wedding hair style is also in vogue among the young generation brides. It is a funky hair style. In this wedding hair style the hair are pined loosely to make a bun on top of your head. The front hairs are let loose. The hair locks from both the sides of forehead and allowed to fall down on the face of the bride. Are you ready to embellish your crowning glory by now?

About the Author:

Marcus Grant, http://www.Prom-Hairstyle.net

Submitted at: Content-Articles.com
- The Premier Web Site Content Article Directory

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Enjoy The Love On The Best Honeymoon Beaches

2005-11-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

Honeymoon beaches offer warm scenic coastlines and sunny beaches

After the long wedding with family and friends, a honeymoon is a time for you two alone, away from everything else and just focus on the special moments. Thus, planning a honeymoon is very important and can make a big difference on how you enjoy your time together.

Honeymoons should offer excitement, adventure and romance for newlyweds looking forward to a private time to celebrate their marriage. Honeymoon beaches getaways offer warm and scenic coastlines, sunny beaches and exotic tours that are just perfect and absolutely romantic for a great start in life together.

Today more than ever newly married couples of all ages are opting for honeymoon beaches and cruises. After months of stressful wedding plans, all you two want is to lay back and not think about anything else then enjoying every moment together. With the right honeymoon package you can spend a care free honeymoon in one of the most romantic beaches at an affordable price.

If you're not sure where to go there are always travel agents that are more than helpful. Ask about honeymoon vacation spot that are within your budgets, look thru brochures and ask all the questions you need before choosing. Also, travel agents will inform you about the latest honeymoon vacation packages that will fit right into your budget.

Last but not the least avoid taking heavy luggage with you. This gives a chance to shop around and buy memorable things from your honeymoon destination. If you are making a trip overseas get travel insurance done to have a carefree and happy journey. Also keep all the essentials like your credit cards, medicines, creams, camera, some foodstuff and the like for it is better to have your own things than to hunt for them at a new place.

To assure a complete hassle free honeymoon, avoid taking heavy or to much luggage. Having to carry heavy bags and unnecessary items will be a hassle. Take only what's necessary for the trip and remember that you will most likely buy memorable things to take back. Also, keep all your important documents and medicines near your and organized for easy access, this will be very helpful especially if you will be traveling abroad.

Plan ahead, travel light, keep organized and take advantage of honeymoon vacation packages! Have a care free honeymoon and savor every moment!

About the Author

Victor A. is an expert author who writes for http://www.honeymoon-tourism-hotel-reservations.com/

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Is Digital Camera Technology Making Film Obsolete?

2005-11-22T19:51:00.000-05:00

Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the wall...

How is a digital camera different from a film camera? What are pixels and why are they important? What’s the difference between optical and digital zoom? What advantages do digital cameras have compared to film cameras? Let’s address these and other questions as we discuss digital camera technology.

First a short history and overview of digital imaging...

The technology began with television in the early 1950’s when researchers discovered how to convert video images to electrical signals for storage on magnetic tape. In the 1970's electronic still photo cameras were developed. These employed the first generations of solid-state image sensors. By the late 1980's megapixel sensors were introduced - the technology that paved the way to today's modern digital cameras.

Fundamentally, film and digital cameras do the same thing. Both utilize camera lenses to focus photographic images on a light sensitive medium where they are stored for later retrieval. But the way each camera does this is radically different.

Instead of capturing the image on film that must be developed and printed, digital cameras measure light and color characteristics using photodiodes built into a sensor - either a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) then converts the signal to binary, or digital, code. This code is sent to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) which adjusts photographic elements such as contrast and color, and compresses the file for storage in the camera’s memory, compact flash card, or other memory device.

Digital cameras have huge advantages when it comes to viewing and printing photos. It's nearly instantaneous! We can immediately look at the picture on the camera's LED screen, and if we don’t like it, delete it and shoot again. Or we download and view it on our computer's monitor. And the pictures can be cropped or enhanced in minutes on the computer with photo software and printed with a photo printer. Plus many digital cameras have optional printer docks that don't require a computer at all.

What’s a Pixel?

The human eye perceives a nearly infinite blending of light and color which high-quality film can approximate in a photograph. A digital image however, is a binary code file that records these variations as elements called pixels - short for picture elements.

Pixels are tiny squares of light and color, that when assembled create a mosaic. And like a mosaic, if the squares are small enough we see a smooth, photographic image. However, if the pixels are too big the transitions appear jagged or out of focus.

More pixels equal higher resolution and photos with clearer sharper detail, much like when you look at a mosaic with very small elements. For example, a 3 Megapixel digital camera can produce pretty good snapshots and even enlargements to about 8" X 10". But the more you enlarge, crop or otherwise manipulate the image, the larger the pixels become, degrading the photo’s quality.

Size Really Does Matter

The number of pixels the sensor produces is important, but so is the quality. The CCD sensors of many small digital cameras are about the size of a small fingernail, while some larger models will feature sensors up to about 1" across. There are conflicting opinions about sensor type and size, and the technology is advancing. But in general it can be argued that the photodiodes in a tiny CCD probably won’t be as powerful or effective as an equal number in a larger sensor.

So unless your most important considerations are the smallest and/or cheapest camera, you’re likely to be happier with the picture quality from a slightly larger model, assuming both have the same number of pixels.

All Zooms are not equal

The specs say the camera has 3X optical and 4X digital for a 12X total zoom. Sounds good, right? The answer is yes and no. Optical zoom works like a telescope, while digital zoom crops the picture. Using these zoom specs with our 3 megapixel camera example, here’s what happens.

Optical zoom brings the image 3X closer and uses all 3 million pixels. But digital zoom crops up to 75% of what the lens sees and the sensor is exposed to, so the photo now has about 750,000 pixels. Depending on lighting and other conditions, using full digital zoom may not even get you a good 4" X 6" print.

The Future of Digital Photography

The last few years have seen tremendous advancement in digital imaging technology. Some high-end digital cameras can now generate more than 12 million pixels and produce photos that rival medium-format film cameras. As with all electronic technology, it’s reasonable to expect even better cameras will come to the market over the next several years.

Photography purists will probably resist abandoning their film cameras as long as possible. But when comparing convenience, flexibility and quality, it seems inevitable that the majority of photographers will opt for digital over film photography - and probably sooner rather than later.

For more information on comparing features and finding the best digital camera to fit your photography style and budget, visit A-Z-Digital-Cameras.com and see our Digital Camera Comparisons page.

By W R Kirk
About the Author:

A-Z Digital Cameras.com is your complete A-Z resource for digital cameras and accessories including information, reviews and where to find the best deals.
This article may be reprinted in its entirety, with no changes, and this resource box included.
© 2005 A-Z Digital Cameras, All rights reserved.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Holiday Photo Cards: 3 Ways to Personalize Your Greetings

2005-11-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year when you are puzzling over ways to make your greeting cards stand out from everyone else's. Nothing could be more personal than making your own cards. Photo cards are a smart choice because there are a range of options and prices.

Snapshot Photo

When choosing a standard photograph for your holiday greeting card, you have two main options. First, you can scour your digital pictures from throughout the year and choose one that already works well for a card. Look for a picture that tells a story. One of my past favorites was a picture of my girls baking cookies together.

Second, and more fun, stage a picture with family members holding up words on construction paper. Dress them up in their parkas and mittens and have them hold signs that say "Let It Snow." Or take a picture of the family in front of the fireplace holding up cards with the year.

Custom Artwork

Do you have a little one who is a budding artist? Give him crayons, markers, glitter, and colored paper and tell him to draw what the holiday means to him. The less instruction you give, the more likely the picture is to show the holiday through the child's eyes. Take a digital picture of the artwork and add a cute border.

Scrapbook Photo

This is my favorite! Use your holiday card as a chance to show off what your family did this year. Lay out a page like you would if you were scrapbooking--with photos, captions, borders, or knick-knacks. Then snap a picture of your layout. Make sure to add your family name and the year. Get creative!

Making the Cards

To give your cards a professional touch, upload your digital picture to an online store to make your cards. Depending upon the store, you may be able to add borders, text on the inside, and text on the back. You can have them sent to you for addressing and mailing or do all of that online as well

About the Author:

Tricia Meyer is the owner of
Helping Moms Connect and Digital Picture King. She is the mother of two girls and lives in Fishers, Indiana.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Maid Of Honor: The Bride's First Lieutenant

2005-11-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

What Does A Maid Of Honor Do?

The scope of the maid of honor's role in the wedding depends upon (1) how much responsibility she is willing to take on, and (2) how much responsibility the bride is willing to delegate. Usually the maid of honor is chosen because she is 1 of the bride's very closest friends, and her job description as maid of honor is similar to her activities as a friend.

Aide-De-Camp

The maid of honor does much more than simply walk down the aisle ahead of the bride and stand beside her during the ceremony. She is the "highest ranking" personal assistant to the bride during the wedding preparations. The maid of honor shoulders some large responsibilities, such as hosting the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and helping to choose the bridesmaid's dresses.

But she is also there just to be supportive of the bride, to act as a friend and confidante, and to help her in ways both great and small. Throughout the weeks and months of wedding planning, the maid of honor is involved every step of the way, from choosing a dress and wedding location to helping wrap favors and set up for the reception.

Party Hostess

2 of the larger responsibilities of the maid of honor are hosting the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. As 1 of the bride's closest friends, the maid of honor is the ideal candidate to host these gatherings. She knows best what type of party the bride will enjoy, and what types of gifts are most suitable for the bride's taste. Because the bridal shower and bachelorette party are aspects of the wedding preparation the bride usually has little control over, she'll have the pleasure of not stressing about them. She delegates these duties to her maid of honor, and rests assured that her friend will handle them admirably.

Wardrobe Consultant

Many times the maid of honor plays a key role in selecting dresses for the wedding. She ordinarily chooses her own dress for the wedding from a selection provided by the bride. Once the color and style of the maid of honor's dress has been selected, she works hand-in-hand with the bride to choose the bridesmaids' dresses. Their style and color will complement the maid of honor's dress, while taking into consideration what looks best on each of the bridesmaids. The maid of honor often assists the bride in choosing her own wedding dress.

Adviser And Confidante

The wedding day is understandably hectic for the maid of honor. Although she has supported the bride throughout the planning process, her most important responsibilities take place on the actual day of the wedding. Besides standing at the altar beside her friend, the most important role of the maid of honor this day is to keep the bride calm and to handle any last-minute problems that may arise.

Angel-In-Chief

Like most things in life, few weddings go exactly as planned, and it is the maid of honor's duty to be sure that any problem does not upset the bride. Emergency supplies the maid of honor should keep on hand include: extra stockings, lipstick in the bride's color, tissues, safety pins and hairpins. These can come in handy if the bride has any last-minute trouble with her attire, hair or makeup. The maid of honor plays the important role of ensuring that the bride looks her best throughout the day.

Counselor And Friend

When all is said and done, the most significant role of the maid of honor is to be a friend to the bride. The planning and preparations, and the actual wedding itself can be very stressful and emotional for the bride. What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice. This, then, is the most important function of the maid of honor.

Visit Wedding Ideas to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer with a Website Here.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Cake Toppers

2005-11-17T20:42:00.000-05:00

When deciding on a topper for your wedding cake, try to find something unusual or one of a kind. The kind of wedding you are having, is a guide to the type of wedding cake topper you should select. If you are having a very formal affair, a topper with puppies dressed like a bride and groom, probably wouldn't work.

Avoid buying one of those cheap plastic bride and grooms that you can find in discount department stores, and some bakeries. Your topper should be as special as your cake, and reflect your dreams and taste, not those of the baker.

Use your imagination, there are some really humorous cake toppers available, that you might enjoy. However you may want to think about whether or not it might offend some of the guests on both sides of the family, like grandparents and other older relatives.

There are military, and police cake toppers as well as cartoon characters, teddy bears, animals, sports themed toppers to name just a few, as well as the traditional bride and groom.

Maybe you would like a wedding cake topper to reflect interests that you and the groom share. Do you both love music, dancing, hockey or bowling? You can likely find a topper to recognize that. Did you know, that there are Harley Davidson cake toppers available?

Of course you can get doves, bells, gazebos and hearts to adorn your wedding cake.

Any of these paired with the bride and groom figurine would look wonderful.

Fresh, silk, marzipan or frosting flowers can make a spectacular wedding cake topper, that will have everyone talking about the beautiful cake.

Maybe your Mom and Dad still have their wedding cake topper or perhaps your mother-in-law has her mother' topper. What a special significance either of these toppers would have, if used on your wedding cake.

It is possible to have a cake topper designed to your specific wishes. Marzipan artists can make figurines to resemble the bride and groom, or even a favorite pet. Churches, temples, your home or the car you just bought together, can all be created as a cake topper for your wedding cake. Swavorski Crystal will be offering some truly different but exquisite crystal cake toppers. I cant wait to see those.

If your wedding will have an overtly religious theme, then please choose your cake topper design, with that theme in mind.

About the Author

Would you like to learn more about cakes?
See 1.000+ of wedding cake pictures, read some more cake tips, find cake toppers and other supply at CakeChannel.com
See you there!

Wedding Traditions Unveiled

2005-11-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

Weddings are that special occasion where two people come together to celebrate their love for one another. Yet, was it always this way? How did marriage come to be, and what is the meaning behind some of the many strange traditions observed today?

We assume that marriage has always been a sanctimonious tradition; however marriage was not originally about holy matrimony or true love. The original intent of marriage was to insure a safe environment for the bringing up of children, as well as the acquisition and transfer of property. Indeed it is the rather superficial marriage of convenience which can be viewed as the original meaning of marriage. Eventually marriage became more about love, and less about property. Throughout that time, though, numerous different traditions and superstitions have surfaced. Here are just a few of these.

In Ghana, Africa, location is everything. Women in Ghana are viewed as the life force of the tribe. After all, they were where all the great warriors and chiefs came from. Because of this, Zulu culture referred to women as the great homes. Because of this status, it was considered customary for the husband to be, to move to his brides village.

The Mande people of Africa practice clitoridectomies (female circumcision). During this time, the women are taught how to be good wives. They are also taught a special secret language that is only spoken by married women.

A common African tradition is jumping over the broom. The broom has become a symbol of the sweeping out of the old, to welcome in the new. The part about jumping over is actually of North American origin. It was from the days of slavery, when slaves were not allowed to marry. By jumping over the broom, the couple was solidifying the seriousness of their marriage.

In 1076, in Europe, it was decreed that no man should give away his daughter, or other female relative, without a priestly blessing. Interestingly enough, it wasnt until the 16th century that priests were even required to perform wedding ceremonies. Another interesting medieval tradition: women at the time would pluck their hairlines in order to attain higher foreheads, which were considered more attractive at the time.

Conservative/Orthodox Jews have a neat tradition where the bride walks 3 to 7 times around her husband to be. This is done to signify that she is a protective wall for her husband, and that by stepping inside, their family status has changed. Ah, but what of the breaking of glass? This is done to represent the many, many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. It acts as a reminder of those bad times.

Interestingly, the Muslim faith doesnt really celebrate weddings. A marriage is strictly an officious occasion. The marriage occurs inside an office, rather than a mosque. The wedding is viewed as a private civil/religious contract. The only real tradition here is that the groom must give his bride a dower to serve as insurance for her future.

Japanese (Shinto) weddings are also small and private affairs, though they are far more elaborate. Both bride and groom sip three times from three separate cups of sake. It is done to guarantee luck and happiness in the marriage.

Chinese brides are given chestnuts and jujubes. This was done with the wish of the bride to conceive a son as soon as possible. Brides wear red dresses to symbolize the color of love and joy. As we shall see further down, Europeans viewed the color red in a completely different light.

Speaking of Europeans, many Eastern orthodox ceremonies featured the placement of wreaths on the heads of both bride and groom. It was done to symbolize their place as king and queen of the heavenly kingdom of Earth.

With such a wide variety of traditions out there, it is interesting to note that two of them are almost universal among human culture: the wedding veil and the wedding ring.

The Veil

Wedding veils saw their origin among the Romans. Ancient Romans believed that women were particularly susceptible to possession by demonic spirits during weddings (perhaps they had a lot of runaway brides back then). The veil was used to confuse these spirits. To further help the bride out, bridesmaids were dressed in clothing similar to the brides. They were to act as decoys for these demons.

When Christianity took over, the veil was changed to represent chastity and modesty. This really took off in Britain during the 1800s. During some Eastern ceremonies, the groom is not allowed to remove his wifes veil until after the ceremony. Jewish faith took the exact opposite approach. In some Jewish ceremonies, the groom first validates that the bride is his intended, before placing the veil over her face.

The Ring

Wedding rings are probably the oldest wedding traditions out there. They can be traced back over four thousand years, to the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians would make rings out of twisted pieces of plants. The ring was meant to symbolize a love with no end. Egyptians and Romans both placed the ring on the 4th finger of the females left hand. This was done out of the belief that there was a vein on the 4th finger that connected directly to the heart. It was called the vena amoris, or love vein. When Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, the vena amoris was replaced with a holy seal. Priests would take the wedding ring and touch the first three fingers of the left hand (thumb, index and middle) while reciting: the father, the son and the holy ghost. Upon reaching the 4th finger, the ring was placed on it to seal the marriage.

For a long while the ring went from being a symbol of endless love, to that of ownership. The Romans used it like a branding. It was worn by the husband's wife, to signify his ownership over her. Two thousand years ago, in Asia, this ownership concept was taken to a new level with "puzzle rings." These were rings that were worn by brides as a sign of loyalty. If a bride were to take her puzzle ring off, it would fall to pieces. These pieces could then only be put back together by knowing the solution to the puzzle.

So what of the history of other common wedding traditions?

One interesting tradition is the presence of a flower on the buttonhole of the groom. The flower matches one of the flowers in the brides bouquet. This was a holdover from medieval times, when a knight would wear his ladys colours in order to signify his love for her. I suppose that means that in one small way, chivalry isnt dead.

Then we have the confetti. Prior to being paper, confetti was originally a mix of

rose petals, rice and grain. Before that, it consisted of various sweets which were thrown over the couples as they emerged from the church. It originated in Italy. In fact, confetti is Italian for: candy.

Finally, what history of weddings article would be complete, without a brief rundown of some popular wedding superstitions?

The day that a wedding took place, was considered to be vitally important. As such, a little rhyme was concocted to allow future couples to pick the appropriate days for their marriage.

Monday for wealth

Tuesday for health

Wednesday the best day of all

Thursday for losses

Friday for crosses

Saturday for no luck at all

Then there was the month. Depending on what month one was married in, ones marriage could be glorious or tragic. By far the worst month of all, was May. This was due to the historic pagan belief that May was the start of summer. This was celebrated by the festival of Beltane (commonly called May Day, now). As part of the festival, couples were encouraged to have outdoor orgies to bless the crops and the Earth. Because of this, it was considered a bad month for a newly monogamous couple to marry. The best month of all, for marriage, was June. This was because June was named after the Roman goddess of love: Juno. Interestingly, June is now the second most popular month for marriages. August has recently taken over the top spot for weddings.

Next we come to the bridal dress itself. While most brides today marry in white (which symbolizes maidenhood), the tradition is only as old as the 16th century. Prior to that, brides chose whatever colour dress they would like. There was a general rule of thumb though.

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Blue, your love will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Brown, you will live in a town,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.

Green dresses were viewed as being a sign of promiscuity. This lead to the old saying that a woman has a green gown. This was meant to signify that she was rolling around in grassy fields. Back then, only Irish women were considered okay in a green bridal gown.

Last, but not least, we have the classic wedding rhyme: Something old, something new. It started back in Victorian times, but what does it mean?

Something old: This represents the friends of the couple and the hopes that they will remain friends throughout the marriage. This was traditionally represented by an old garter which would be given to the bride to be, by a happily married woman. It was done in the hope that the happiness would be passed onto the new couple.

Something new: The happy and prosperous future of the newlyweds.

Something borrowed: This is something lent by the brides family. It is often an item that is highly valued, and that the bride must return after the wedding in order to ensure good luck.

Something blue: This is an Israelite tradition. The bride would wear a blue ribbon in her hair to symbolize fidelity.

There is one more part to the rhyme that is often omitted:

And a silver sixpence in your shoe: The placement of money in the brides shoe was done to ensure wealth and prosperity in the lives of the new couple. For some reason or another, this portion of the tradition doesnt appear as popular. Perhaps that is why so many couples run into money problems?

So, when you are consulting the Ms. Manners of wedding etiquette, remember, its mostly just folk lore. Just be sure to bring the ring.

The Iconoclast is a student at the University Of New Mexico and part of the web building team at Gifteteria.com. View Wedding and Shower gifts at http://www.gifteteria.com/WeddingPage.html

Article Source: Article Hub

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Wedding Slide Show Productions

2005-11-15T20:38:00.000-05:00

Wedding slide shows are being shown at almost every wedding across America. Parents are having them made for their children, married couples are having them made for themselves, best men and maid of honors are having them made for the happy couple, and the list goes on. What are some of the reasons people are having these slideshows/video albums/photo montages made? And where exactly do they fit into the wedding ceremony?

Slide shows for weddings can be shown at rehearsal dinners, the reception, or both. Slide shows for rehearsal dinners can be very personal and should also include those in the wedding party as to make the slideshow more entertaining to the audience.

Slide shows for receptions are often shown while the bride and groom are still having their pictures taken. In this way, your guests are being entertained while awaiting the arrival of the new Mr.& Mrs. However, the most popular time to present the slide show is during the meal or immediately following the last person served. In this way your guests are being entertained while dining, and this takes the stress off of having to come up with "small talk" for an extended amount of time. Still others will simply allow the slide show to play in the background with no music, or sound. Just a continuous flow of pictures throughout the evening to give the guests something to look and to help keep the conversation between guests going - pictures have a way of creating conversational topics. This is good to do when there are no creative elements in the slide show presentation - just the fade-in, fade-out photo montage style slide show. But for a more creative slide show presentation you should opt to show the slide show continuously throughout the evening only after having shown the slide show completely through with the sound (when the slide show is finished just turn off the sound and let the show play in a continuous loop. But make sure you tell your slide show creating company that this is what you want to do).

The wedding slide show should consist of photos of both the bride and the groom from the time of birth through the engagement. In addition, when creating the slide show make sure to include photos of the guests when possible. This will most assuredly help keep your audience's interest peaked. Another feature you would most definitely want to include in the slide show is credits. Give credit to mothers, fathers, grandparents, the bridal party, and anyone else who helped to make this the most memorable occasion of your life.

Presenting slide shows at the reception is a wonderful way to display your relationship to all your family and friends. It will be especially meaningful to your out-of-town guests because it will help them get to know the new love of your life, how you met, and the joy you bring each other.

Once you've selected the photographs for your slide show, contact a professional slide show creating company, such as Sands of Time Multimedia Creations. Professional slide show companies are experts at creating the best slide show for your special occasion, and have all the equipment necessary to create a professional quality DVD or VHS. But don't make the mistake of putting this off until the last minute. Creating professional slide shows takes time, and so does the mail. So get started gathering up your photographs and video clips as soon as possible, and call your slideshow creating company for hints and ideas to help you create the best slide show possible to help make your occasion an event they'll all be talking about for years to come. And don't forget to order copies to give to the parents, grandparents, and other close family members and friends. They'll be glad you did!

About the Author

Sandra Clukey has years of experience and an intense passion for turning still pictures into beautiful, sentimental video albums for people everywhere and is the lead slideshow creator for Sands of Time Multimedia Creations. http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/ You can view some of her samples here: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/index-1.html

How To Look Great On Your Wedding Day

2005-11-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

Looking great on your wedding day means being radiant,
relaxed, and ready to start a brand new existence with the
person whom you've chosen to spend your life with. Your
hair, nails, makeup, dress - and how you look in that dress
- are all part of becoming the bride you want to be on that
special day. Since pictures taken on that day remain part of
your life forever, it's important to look and feel your
best.

Your dress is one of the most important items in your
wedding plans, so make sure you take enough time to choose
one that suits you - not your best friend, not your
bridesmaids, and not your mother. For the day of your
wedding, you'll want a dress in which you can stand, walk
and dance in without worrying about "wardrobe malfunctions"
or causing you discomfort. Allow necessary time if you
decide on having the dress made, but even if bought "off
the rack," you'll need to factor in time for tailoring and
any adjustments.

You don't want to overpower your dress and headpiece with
a flamboyant hair style or color that overwhelms everything
else. Keep it simple and classic, and remember to practice
the look you want at home or with your stylist before the
wedding day.

Have your nails professionally manicured the day before
the wedding. This is one thing you don't want to do far in
advance. Reduce the chances of a broken nail, chipped
polish, or if using applied nails, one coming off, by
having your manicure as late as possible. If you are not
inclined toward colored polishes or long fingernails, make
sure they are neatly trimmed, filed, polished, and buffed.
Your hands will be a focus of attention when showing off
that new wedding ring and for photos!

Makeup is the last thing you'll need to worry over, and
that comes on the big day, itself. Don't try to transform
yourself into a different person with dramatic eye makeup
or garish lipstick. Make the real you look better!

Use a slightly heavier hand than with your usual daytime
makeup so your photos won't have you appearing washed-out
looking, but don't overdo it. And if your wedding is at
night, with more subtle lighting, apply makeup as though
you were going to a club or restaurant at night - a little
heavier than daytime, but not much! Avoid deep red lipstick
as well as too-pale pink. Frosted eyeshadows or lipsticks
are definite no-nos.

Buy fresh mascara to avoid clumping. Also, if you have
sensitive skin, this is NOT the time to try a new brand.
The last thing you want to do is head for the altar with
blotches or zits thanks to an allergic reaction.

The night before your wedding is not the time for partying
so get eight hours of restful sleep. If you're having a
rehearsal dinner, or a bachelorette bash, make sure that it
ends early. Drink moderately or, better yet, not at all.
Bloodshot eyes and a banging hangover will not make for a
fun wedding.

Don't gourge yourself the night before because we all know
that there are strange forces at work which will try to
make your wedding gown just a wee bit snug in the morning.
To overcome excitement and nerves, try taking a long walk -
it can help with pre-nuptial jitters. A relaxing bath with
soothing background music, a cup of herbal tea, and you
should be ready to doze off with images of a happy future
marriage in your dreams.

With these tips, you're sure to have the perfect wedding
day. May this day be the beginning of a lifetime of joy
and happiness!

by Melanie Mendelson (c)2005

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Mendelson will help you lose weight fast for your
wedding. Visit her website http://www.DietForBrides.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

The Advantages Of Professional Wedding Photography

2005-11-08T05:51:00.000-05:00

...Professional wedding photography is certainly not cheap...

An important aspect of planning the events and preparations for your wedding lies in the selection of a photographer. Some people are intimidated by the concept of arranging for professional wedding photography because they fear the cost will be too exorbitant. Professional wedding photography is certainly not cheap, but it is one of those things in life where the old adage you get what you pay for is certainly true. You can use an amateur for your wedding photos if you so desire, but the difference in the end result will be readily apparent. Still, there are ways to get good quality wedding photography, performed by a professional, and still have enough cash left for the honeymoon.

When selecting a professional to handle your wedding photography, price will be a factor in your decision. While you get what you pay for, there is no reason to pay more than you have to. Before deciding on any one photographer or photo studio, do some comparisons. Look at the sample photos that you are shown and ask if they have samples you can take with you. Compare the look of the photos from each photographer with one another. If you find two that seem to be of similar quality but with vastly different prices, then the decision is easy. Obviously the less costly photographer can do the same or similar work for less.

Another consideration in selecting a professional photographer for your wedding is what you get for your money. Most professional wedding photographers offer package deals that include a set number of prints of different shapes and sizes for one price. These packages can vary greatly in terms of content and price from one photographer to another. Look at all they have to offer and make your decision after weighing what you think is the best deal for the money in terms of what you actually get.

One thing many people do not consider when selecting a photographer for their wedding is the impact of copyright law. The photographer may hold a copyright on your wedding photographs. If so this technically makes it illegal for you to create additional prints, copies, or even computer scans of the photographs for reproduction elsewhere. Find out when interviewing photographers what rights they exercise over your photos, if any. Youll find that most photographers do exercise some form of copyright over the finished product. Others will sell you the entire package, including the negatives for you to do with as you please. This is not the most important part of selecting a photographer, but it is something to consider carefully.

Professional wedding photography is one part of your overall wedding experience that will, unfortunately, cost you some money. There is no way around that if you want the best wedding photos you can get. With a little investigation and comparison, however, you can still save money on this most important feature and make sure that you get the absolute most for your money that you possibly can.

Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl