Day #10 - Use Those Enagagment Photos

An engagement photo session is almost considered a "must" have.  These are some GREAT photos to add to your wedding collection. This session will allow you and your groom to show your playful side on camera in conjunction with the love you share for one another. Plus, it's an added advantage for your photographer to get familiar with your body language so that he can capture only the best photos of you and your husband on wedding day.

But don't allow those photos to just live in your Dropbox.  Frame and showcase them on wedding day.  Use the photos in-conjunction with the wedding program or with table numbers.  Just another wonderfully way to add personalized touches

to your wedding day.

Will you be shooting an engagement session?  Is here a theme?

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - Carasco Photography; Rush Photography & Videography and George Street Photography

More Than Just Wedding Photography

 

After you have selected and hired your wedding photographer, don't just stop there! Think of using their services for additional projects that could only enhance your wedding experience.

Engagement session - These are some GREAT photos to add to your wedding collection. This session will allow you and your groom to show your playful side on camera in conjunction with the love you share for one another. Plus, it's an added advantage for your photographer to get familiar with your body language so that he can capture only the best photos of you and your husband on wedding day.

 

Boudoir Session - Tell me what groom would not like to see an album of sexy photographs (for his viewing pleasure only) of his bride-to-be?!?! Select a photographer you feel comfortable with and allow them to capture some shots of you in lingerie or your groom's favorite shirt. You will feel so sensual and pretty!

 

Rehearsal Dinner Coverage - Your photographer can attend this intimate, casual affair and capture photographs of your interactions with family and friends, especially those that have traveled for your wedding.

 

Day-After Sessions - These sessions take place after the wedding, of course, and will allow you and your husband to take more artistic shoots and not be confined to the hours allowed during the reception while you are trying to greet guests.  One the newest trends are the "Morning-After" shots that can range from steamy and sexy to playful and cute.  And if you haven't heard about it, bride's are doing "Trash The Dress" sessions where you may decide to jump in a pool, mud or play in the dirt while wearing your expensive wedding gown. I don't really know how conventional that is, but hey...thought I'd put it out there.

 

Until next time...WEDologize!

 

(photo credits - www.harrisonlongphotography.com;  www.rawphotodesign.com; http://primesourceentertainment.com; www.NYmag.com)

Announcing Your Engagement

 

You are now engaged and I know you want to shout it to the world, but more importantly, it's a happy time in your life and you want to celebrate! After the phone calls and face-to-face visits have been made, what can you and your fiance' do to announce your desire to say..."I Do".

 

Consider sending a few of your family and close friends an engagement announcement. Not to get this confused with a Save The Date, the engagement announcement will showcase your names and the date you became engaged, and a photo should you have one available. No information is given about the wedding date because the wedding planning really hasn't begun.

Put an announcement in your local newspaper or online. Many papers welcome engagement and wedding announcements. At minimum it should include: a photo of the happy couple, the date you became engaged and the names of your parents. 

 

You could also have a fun celebration or engagement party. This event is typically hosted by the bride's parents and can be as simple as cake and punch with a toast announcing your formal engagement. This would also be a great opportunity to announce your bridal party should you have already selected them to be in your wedding.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.Zazzle.com; blog.myjeanm.com)

Children and Wedding Planning

  Many couples are blending families and the adjustment for the child can sometimes be difficult. With all the wedding planning, the children could feel left out and it's very important to make them feel included during the planning process and on wedding day.  You do not want children to move forward into the marriage feeling resentful of their parent's new partner.

I've listed some suggestions below that just might help alleviate the "sad face".  Consider including a few, if not all, during your wedding planning.

• Allow the child to be involved in a few of the planning meetings and give their opinion and make sure to take them on appointments with you.
• Give the children perimeters, but allow them to select their attire for wedding day. 
• During the unity candle lighting or sand ceremony, have the child join you both at the altar and make them apart of this important ceremony. 
• Ask the children to come the altar before the pronouncement of husband and wife, and ask the minister to pronounce you as "Husband, Wife and Family". 
• During the ceremony, present the children with a loving token like a necklace or bracelet to show them they play an important role in the new family. 
• Include the children in the engagement photo session and display not only couple photos during the reception, but photos showcasing the "new" family. 
• Have a kids table with goody bags and treats during the reception.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.intimateweddings.com)

A Photo Finished Aisle (Day#4)

Your ceremony aisle doesn't always have to include flowers and/or an aisle runner.  But consider this sentimental idea of lining your grand walkway with photographs of you and your groom from birth to the very day you will stand at the altar as husband and wife.  Or use the engagement photos in lovely frames tied with ribbon to the ceremony chairs or pews.  Then after the honeymoon they could line the hallway of the home you share together :)

Until next time...WEDologize!

Engaged and Display

Now that you have hired your wedding photographer, it's time to schedule that engagement session. I have always heard from photographers that the session is more beneficial for them than the couple. Now of course, you get to have fun on film as a couple, but the shooter gets to learn your mannerisms, good and bad, so that he can capture your wedding day to the fullest. But what can you do with those photographs after they are edited, ordered and delivered to you? Instead of purchasing individual shoots or a book to leave at home, consider a display of your engagement session at the wedding reception. And below are some unique ways to do just that.

Have your favorite engagement photo framed and on display at the entryway of the reception.

Allow your guests to sign a matte around your framed engagement photo. Or create your own signage board showcasing several engagement photos. Either version can later be displayed in your new home for years to come.

And my fav just happens to be creating an album of all your favorite engagement photos and turn it into a guest book for your guests to sign as they enter into the reception. What a wonderful token to have after the wedding.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/; www.impressionsareeverything.com/; http://www.myweddingfavorsetc.com/; http://www.wheretogetengaged.com/)

I'm Engaged! Let's Celebrate!!!

You are now engaged and I know you want to shout it to the world, but more importantly, it's a happy time in your life and you want to celebrate! After the phone calls and face-to-face visits have been made, what can you and your fiance' do to announce your desire to say..."I Do".

Consider sending a few of your family and close friends an engagement announcement. Not to get this confused with a Save The Date, the engagement announcement will showcase your names and the date you became engaged, and a photo should you have one available. No information is given about the wedding date because the wedding planning really hasn't begun.

Put an announcement in your local newspaper or online. Many papers welcome engagement and wedding announcements. At minimum it should include: a photo of the happy couple, the date you became engaged and the names of your parents.

You could also have a fun celebration or engagement party. This event is typically hosted by the bride's parents and can be as simple as cake and punch with a toast announcing your formal engagement. This would also be a great opportunity to announce your bridal party should you have already selected them to be in your wedding.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(http://printableweddinginvitationsguide.com, www.weddingmantras.com)

CONGRATS on Your Engagement!

Congratulations on your engagement, Ladies! Now that your fabulous fiancee' has popped the question with the ring you've dreamt about for years, what are the next steps as you venture into the wedding planning arena?

1. Set the date - Select the date, month and year of your wedding. Of course, the date isn't set in stone until the ceremony and reception venue are booked, but at least you will know the season and a general timeline for your wedding.
   
2. Set a budget - Discuss the wedding budget with your fiancee' and both sets of parents to determine who is able to pay for what vendor or what financial contributions they'll be able to provide. This will then help you decide how elaborate of a celebration you are able to host.
   
3. Select your wedding party - Now is the time to ask your family members and/or close friends to play specific roles in your wedding. Make sure to select those that are genuinely happy about your engagement to avoid tensions down the line.
   
4. Settle on a guest count - Using a spreadsheet and talking with both sets of parents, begin compiling the wedding guest list to include names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
   
5. Hire a planner - Should you desire, reach out to planner as soon as you can. This person is a valuable resource when it comes to hiring vendors among their list of many talents.

Before you get stressed about the whole wedding planning process, remember this...over 2 million 1st time engaged couples pull this off each year and you certainly can, too!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Lights. Camera. Photo Extras!

After you have selected and hired your wedding photographer, don't just stop there! Think of using their services for additional projects that could only enhance your wedding experience.

Engagement session - These are some GREAT photos to add to your wedding collection. This session will allow you and your groom to show your playful side on camera in conjunction with the love you share for one another. Plus, it's an added advantage for your photographer to get familiar with your body language so that he can capture only the best photos of you and your husband on wedding day.

Boudoir Session - Tell me what groom would not like to see an album of sexy photographs (for his viewing pleasure only) of his bride-to-be?!?! Select a photographer you feel comfortable with and allow them to capture some shots of you in lingerie or your groom's favorite shirt. You will feel so sensual and pretty!

Rehearsal Dinner Coverage - Your photographer can attend this intimate, casual affair and capture photographs of your interactions with family and friends, especially those that have traveled for your wedding.

Day-After Sessions - These sessions take place after the wedding, of course, and will allow you and your husband to take more artistic shoots and not be confined to the hours allowed during the reception while you are trying to greet guests. And if you haven't heard about it, bride's are doing "Trash The Dress" sessions where you may decide to jump in a pool, mud or play in the dirt while wearing your expensive wedding gown. I don't really know how conventional that is, but hey...thought I'd put it out there.

Until next time WEDologize...

(photos compliments of Ven Sherrod Photography www.vsphoto.com)