TBWP

Archive for November, 2011

Have you always dreamed of an elaborate wedding reception, but have become content with a simple reception to save money and/or time? Well, you shouldn’t give up on your dreams. Your wedding is a special day and you don’t want to have to look back wishing you had done things differently. It is in your best interest to create the wedding that will be most memorable and happy for you. Despite widespread notions, having a celebrity-style wedding reception doesn’t have to mean cleaning out your bank account. By using some unconventional resources you can have the wedding reception to rival those of celebrities, but without the high cost.

Get Organized
Before you can actually start putting your celebrity-style wedding reception together, you need to get yourself organized. Think about what you want. At this stage, don’t worry about how much things will cost. When you get to the shopping stage you will be able to determine what is feasible or not. The main items you should include on your list are wedding venue, decorations, food and drink, placecards, centerpieces, and music.

Enlist the Troops
If you want to save money on your wedding reception-skip hiring a professional. These individuals are typically highly skilled in what they do and their fees prove it! Your best bet is to find people who are willing to help you for free. You shouldn’t have look further than your family and friends. Enlist the services of as many people as you can. This includes children. Children can be especially helpful with repetitive crafts, so include them in your wedding reception plans. Don’t wait until the last minute to solicit assistance. Let people know way in advance that you will need them to help you with your wedding reception.

Time to Shop
With your list of wedding reception ideas in hand, it is time to start shopping. The venue for your wedding reception will probably be the most expensive part of the reception. Cheap alternatives that don’t look cheap include restaurants and church halls. If you choose to have your wedding reception at a restaurant, make sure that you can use your own flatware, plates, and glasses. You can purchase elegant versions of these at discount shops for less than $100, depending on the number of guests you invite. Simplify food at your wedding reception by having three choices from which your guests can choose when they RSVP to your invitation. Caters charge less when you order by the plate. As an added touch you can place a delicious assortment of divinity on each table. For your centerpieces and decorations, hobby shops offer the best prices. You can find design ideas that you can create you and your troops can create for very little. Placecards aren’t a necessity, but if you have assigned people at tables, placecards will help people to find their table. You can create your own wedding reception placecards by purchasing an inexpensive greeting card software program and elegant paper. You will need an inkjet printer to print the cards. Unless you know someone who will offer you a cheap price for wedding reception music, skip the DJ and the live band. Creating a few CDs of various popular love songs is a less expensive choice.

Reward the Troops
A wedding dinner with the wedding party (bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents) just before the wedding ceremony is traditional. It is a good idea to either invite your wedding reception helpers to this dinner or to a separate fun event. At this event you should show your appreciation for helping make your wedding reception the best ever!

TBWP Tampa Bay Wedding Portal 2011

Why should you trust your memories to a professional wedding photographer?

It’s essential you hire a good, professional wedding photographer for your big day if you want wonderful wedding photographs. Wedding pictures will last a lot longer than the flowers, food and drink. You’ll be able to relive your wedding day every time you look at your photographs. You need a photographer who understands what you want and can be relied upon to capture every minute of your special day. The right wedding photographer can make you feel like a star!

When you hire a professional photographer, look for the following:

1. Specialized and well kept professional equipment (includes a medium format camera aside from a professional 35mm camera).

2. A valid and legal sales tax license.

3. Ask for latest proof of business insurance.

4. A permanent studio.

5. Membership in a professional photographic association.

6. Examples of recent work

Important points to consider:

Photographer’s level of experience and references – check the photographer’s background and ask for references. Meet with the referees personally in order to look at the photographer’s work as well as ask them if they were happy with the outcome of the work. Personally, I wouldn’t hire a photographer who hesitates to give references.

Photographic style – do the images appeal to you? Do you like the photographer’s style?

Personality – are the photographer’s ideas the same as yours? Can you communicate with him/her easily? Does he/she understand what you want regarding the style of photography?

Packages – ask about each package presented to you and the cost. If you’re not comfortable with the packages, can the photographer make one to satisfy your needs?

Accomplished work – ask how long it will take to finish your album, your bridal portrait and all the photos taken during the wedding.

Price – can you afford this photographer? Take the time to ask all that you need to know and make sure you understand all services and photos included in the cost.

Payments and deposits – if you cancel, can you get a refund? If the photographer, in any circumstance, does not show up, what happens? Can a partner take his place? Make sure you clear all of this with the photographer as well as discussing all your concerns. If the photographer’s answer doesn’t satisfy you, look elsewhere.

Contract – check and read it carefully before signing. If there’s anything that you don’t understand, ask for clarification or ask the photographer to leave you the contract overnight so you can study it. Make sure the contract includes everything you agreed on.

When looking at the photographer’s work, look for the following:

1. Each sample album must consist of only one wedding. Are there a lot of sample albums?

2. Is there a recent actual wedding that you could look at? Look through the photographer’s most recent wedding album.

3. Study each album well and see if the album tells the story of the wedding; not just similar photos filling up the album.

4. Are the portraits clear and did the photographer capture the subject’s mood?

5. Are all the photos done artistically? Is there a play of light and shadow?

6. Are candid shots taken? Are they clear and well composed?

Remember that your wedding photographs will remind you of your special day and can last forever. Once you have chosen the right photographer, enjoy being the center of attention on your big day. That doesn’t mean you have to act like Bridezilla, but you can certainly enjoy feeling like a star on your wedding day.

TBWP – Tampa Bay Wedding Portal