Wedding Guide

Friday, December 14, 2007

Wedding Videography Quick Tips

Videography Quick Tips

It is very important that you hire a professional instead of just recruiting some relative to take the video. Think of it this way: many people know how to work 35 mm cameras, but you hire a professional to take the wedding photos because he or she is trained to account for such variables as lighting and weather, and knows how to get the best shots.
Professionals offer the choice between one camera or two, to provide the coverage that you like best.
Professional videographers offer other advantages, such as a smooth editing process, special effects, and spliced-in music and childhood photos. All of these perks combine to form a video that is of a very high quality.
Pay attention to every detail in a videographer's demo tapes. Is the camera held steady? Is the edit smooth from one sequence to the next? How well does the emotion of the day come across? Do you feel like you were actually there? Is the sound quality good -- how clear can you hear the vows?
Meet with the person who will be taking your video to discuss your ideas. You may want to include personal, private interviews from the bride and groom to each other, and this is an option you should discuss with your videographer. Also talk about exactly what you want taped, where, and when.
Ask about the package deals that they offer. If one does not appeal to your needs, see if you can create your own. Check out the price you get for the type of coverage. Standard coverage includes the ceremony and reception, but be sure to ask questions anyway.
Also be sure to ask about the availability of back-up equipment, including lighting, in case something should break.
Try to arrange for the videographer to attend your rehearsal. This will give him or her a better chance to work with the layout of the church, and find out what restrictions are placed on where the cameras are allowed to be. If he can also film sections of the rehearsal, it will give you some "bloopers" to add to your finished product.
When you choose your videographer, be sure to get every detail in writing. Specify how long he or she will work, what the prices are, if food should be provided at the reception for him or her, and what the hourly overtime charge is. This contract is for your protection as well as the videographer's, since there are so many details to finalize that it would be easy to forget one or two.
You may want to ask about getting additional copies of the video for family and friends, since professional copies are of a much higher quality than their homemade counterparts. Find out if the video company keeps copies of each video on file in case yours gets ruined or you need another copy.
To keep your video in working order, store it at regular room temperature. Every three to four months, play the video to keep all the movable parts working (if you don't have time to watch the video, just fast forward and rewind through the tape).

Wedding Tuxedo Quick Tips

Tuxedo Quick Tips

The most popular choice among 1990's grooms is still the classic black tux, due to its elegant overtones. However, there is a lot of variety within today's black tuxedos that make them anything but ordinary. Your groom has to choose between dinner jackets and tails, notched lapels and shawl collars, different pocket styles, jackets with or without vents, and many other details.
While most men are still wearing the traditional white wing collar shirts, pants are popular in pegged, pleated, and plain front styles.
Many fathers and older groomsmen dislike the pegged styles preferred by many of their younger counterparts. To combat this problem, grooms are encouraged to forego the assumption that all groomsmen's pants should match, and instead allow their attendants to choose whichever style they are more comfortable with.
A complete tuxedo ensemble should include a jacket, shirt, studs and cufflinks, bow tie or ascot, pants, a vest or cummerbund, and formal dress shoes.
Only the ringbearer is allowed to wear the same tuxedo ensemble as the groom.
The fathers can be distinguished from the other attendants by matching their ties and vests or cummerbunds to their tuxedos instead of the bridesmaids' dresses.
Register with a tuxedo shop as soon as possible, and reserve tuxedo numbers and styles at least three months before the wedding.
Don't neglect to check in to make sure that your order was placed, especially if you plan to marry in the spring/summer season. Not only is this the time for the most weddings to take place, but it is also high school prom season, and therefore an especially busy time for tuxedo shops.
About two to three weeks before your wedding, bring in the entire male party for measurements. If an attendant is out of town, make sure a measurement card is filled out correctly so that the shop can order a fitting tuxedo.
Have the tuxedos ready for pickup no less than two days before the wedding. Insist that all attendants try on their tuxes before they leave the shop to avoid last minute surprises.

Wedding Transportation Quick Tips

Transportation Quick Tips

Limousine services and horse-drawn carriages are two of the most popular and elegant ways for couples to make their "getaway."
You should begin planning your wedding transportation within a year of your wedding.
When you go visit the various companies, check out the exact car or cars that you would be renting. Make sure that they are nice on the inside as well as the outside, and that whatever services you would contract to receive are in working order.
Find out what resources the company is prepared to call upon in an emergency. Are there extra cars available in case yours breaks down?
Copy down the license plate and/or serial number of the car you like to make sure that you receive that exact one.
Also verify that the company has the proper licenses and sufficient insurance.
A typical rental lasts five hours, and gives you ample time to get picked up, taken to the church, married, and then driven to the reception site.
Make the most of your rental, and have the limousine pick up other friends and family after you and the wedding party arrive at the church.
Typically, the maid-of-honor and the best man ride in the first car with the couple, and the rest of the wedding party follows in a second car.
Many couples find the Victorian charm of a horse-drawn carriage appealing. The broad range of carriage colors, sizes, and styles that they have to choose from make it possible for the couple to choose the right carriage for them.
When meeting with livery services, make appointments to view the carriages and horses. Make sure that both are clean and in good shape. Look for a livery owner who is flexible to your ideas, and knows how to make your ride romantic and special.
Many carriages come with convertible tops and pull-up windows to keep you warm and dry on your way to the reception.
You will need to decide if the carriage will carry just you two, or if you will include the best man and maid-of-honor. Most carriages can fit four grown adults quite comfortably.

Wedding Ring Quick Tips

Many independent women are seeking alternative stones and metals other than gold and silver in their engagement rings and wedding bands that reflect individual tastes as opposed to time-honored traditions.
Most popular among women are rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, but even more unusual stones are gaining popularity.
Men tend to prefer blue sapphires or black onyx, in making a more neutral statement.
Known as "the Four C's," the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight indicate the quality of the stone.
Cut refers to the shaping and faceting of the stone. A good cut adds priceless beauty to your ring without added expense. A well-cut faceted stone will reflect light back evenly across its surface area when held face up. If areas appear dark, the stone is probably too deep and narrow. If the stone appears washed out and lifeless, it is probably too shallow and wide.
Cut is the most important factor in determining a stone's quality. A well-cut stone reflects light from the top of the stone, while a spread-cut stone reflects light from the back, and makes the grease and oil that collect behind any stone much more visible.
Many jewelers may try to sell you by the size of the stone instead of the cut.
Ask if there is an ideal-cut stone for you to measure your prospective purchase against. If they don't know what you are talking about, they aren't aware of the proper information they need to ensure you that theirs is a quality stone.
The best diamonds are colorless and disperse white light into a rainbow of colors. Still, these diamonds are very rare and expensive, so you would be better off opting for a diamond with a slight tint that is invisible to the naked eye.
Clarity is determined by the presence or absence of inclusions, or tiny flaws. Most stones have inclusions, so you would do best to choose one with the least visible flaws.
Always examine diamonds free of any mounting, because often-times inclusions are hidden in this way.
Carat weight refers simply to the size of the stone. Carats are subdivided into 100 "points"--a fifty point diamond weighs one half of a carat. Choose a carat weight appropriate to your budget as well as your lifestyle.
For engagement rings as well as wedding bands, platinum is making a big statement. Fused with gold or by itself, this metal offers an interesting new look without an outrageous price.

Bridal Registries: Trends and Tips

Bridal registries have been including more untraditional items as well as the conventional crystal, china, and silver. Sporting goods, electronic equipment, artwork, furniture, cellular phones, answering machines, TVs, and computers are all popular choices.
Another new trend has been for couples to register with travel agencies or mortgage lenders. A cash donation may be made to help finance the couple's honeymoon or down payment on a house.
Visit many stores with your fiancée to find one which carries a variety of items that you both like. When you find the one you want to register at, go there on off-hours to avoid confusion and maximize personal attention from the bridal registry coordinator.
Register as soon as you can after your engagement, so that your registry can be used for engagement, shower, and wedding gifts. Your place of registration may be announced on shower invitations, and otherwise spread by word of mouth from family and friends. It should never be included as part of the wedding invitations.
When registering, ask as many questions as you can. Find out the store's policies on returns, deliveries, and special-orders. Will they mail a duplicate of your registration forms to you for verification?
Update your registry frequently to avoid receiving duplicate gifts. Many registries are now computerized, and offer the advantage of instant updating upon purchase.
Also keep up to date with thank you cards. Open each gift promptly upon receipt, and jot down the item, who sent it, and your initial thoughts upon opening it. Notes with a personal touch are always preferred, and failure to send a thank you card is a major etiquette faux pas.
As a general rule, keep the gifts in the $25-$75 range. However, don't neglect the lower or higher priced items.

Photography Quick Tips

It is essential to book your photographer at least nine months to a year in advance. Since the best studios are booked up to two years ahead, you should begin looking for a photographer as soon as you set your date.
Go to several studios and look through sample books, and keep your eyes open for quality.
The pictures should be clear, well lighted, and printed on professional grade paper to prevent the colors from fading over time.
Look at complete wedding albums from beginning to end. Don't settle for selected pictures from several weddings, because these will represent the photographer's best work.
Obviously, price will be important, but don't let it stand in the way of quality.
When you plan the schedule for your wedding, don't forget about your photography. Allow plenty of time for a variety of shots, especially if you will be going to a different location.
Take the time to sit down with the photographer and fill him or her in on the events of the day. A pre-wedding consultation is essential because that's where a photographer can get all the details of the wedding day.
Be sure to meet the person who will be responsible for photographing your wedding, and see how sensitive that person is to your needs.
Find out how long after the wedding the photographer will keep the negatives, in case you want to order more prints later on.
When you find a photographer you're interested in, ask for references and be sure to check them.
Once you've made your decision and come to an agreement with the photographer, put everything into a contract.

Wedding Reception Quick Tips

Reception Quick Tips

Since many of the most popular sites are booked even two years in advance, many brides reserve their reception hall even before their church.
Try to think about any special requests you may have before you begin touring halls. For example, many brides are requesting a non-smoking reception. If this is of interest to you, be sure to make your preferences known to the staff at the hall. Ask if there is a separate place for people who do want to smoke.
Most brides like to keep their ceremony and reception sites fairly close, so that their guests don't have to spend a lot of time driving.
Calling around for prices tells you nothing about what you're getting. What sounds like the best price over the phone could turn out to be an over-priced hole in the wall.
Be sure to find out whether the price includes table linens (there may be an extra charge for colored tablecloths or napkins), glass barware (some facilities use plastic cups to save money), china, table centerpieces, etc.
Think about such things as decor, landscaping, whether you prefer glass dishes and barware to paper products, whether you want colored table linens, etc. before you begin to visit sites.
Check out the bathrooms for cleanliness. Is the parking lot in good shape, and is it big enough? Were you comfortable with the staff and management of the site? See how your waiters and waitresses will be dressed, and ask if there is a coat room or valet service offered.
Visit each possible site once to narrow your choices down to two or three. Then, go back and visit each one again as if it were your first time there. You will amazed at how much better or worse a reception site will appear to you the second time through.
Many couples are also interested in having available an attractive place to take pictures in case of inclement weather on their wedding day. Ask if the hall has a formal foyer for indoor photos, as well as landscaped grounds or a nearby park.
If your reception will be during the summer, investigate the air conditioning and find out what happens if it breaks down.
Be sure to ask about security and whether there is an extra charge for it. Ask if the office is staffed during the reception in case there are any problems. It's important to have someone available to take care of your very request, even if it's as small as a change in the room temperature or finding a guest to take a phone call.
Look at what other events are scheduled for that day and how much time is allowed between bookings. If your guests are having a good time, you don't want them pushed out the door because another party has been scheduled right after yours. There should be, at the very least, an hour between bookings.
If the room is partitioned, find out what sort of group will be next door. The noise of their party may be an intrusion on your reception.
If you plan on bringing in some decorations, find out what limitations there may be, and when you or your supplier can come in to set up. How soon after the reception must the decorations be taken down?
Food stations, which can accommodate anything from hors d'oeuvres to a full meal, are being seen at more and more weddings. Each station will be placed in a different part of the room and will carry a particular theme.
Family-style dinners are also becoming very popular. When serving family-style, the servers will bring out large platters of food that are then passed around the table. The food is served in courses, so it tends to make the meal more leisurely and relaxed.
If you're planning a buffet, the most important question to ask when you're discussing the menu is whether you will be charged per person or by the plate. A "per plate" charge means that you will pay each time a person is served. If you have some heavy eaters in your family, you could end up paying three times for the same person's meal.
Find out if the serving portions on a buffet are fixed, or if you can have as much of an item as you want.
Look at your guest list and figure out how many drinkers you are inviting, versus how many non-drinkers. If a majority of your guests don't drink, you can shift money away from the bar and into an area your guests will be more focused on, like the food.
Some couples choose to save some money by offering only beer and wine instead of the more costly mixed drinks.
Be sure to arrange for bar service that lasts as long as the reception itself (the average wedding reception lasts between 5.5 to 6 hours). You can save some money by requesting that the bar stop serving alcohol at a particular time, but you should make provisions for some sort of beverages to be supplied until the reception is over.
Find out how many bartenders will be on duty, whether there are any corkage fees, and whether the facility has liquor liability insurance as well as food insurance.
If you are charged by the bottle, ask if you will receive credit for partial bottles. When you get to the reception, you should also politely ask the bartender to keep the empty bottles.
Believe it or not, there really are people who steal gifts from receptions, and it's pretty easy to do if the gift table is right by the door. After all the guests have arrived, ask the person overseeing the reception to lock the card box in an office until the reception is over.
Ask what provisions are available for your musicians. Make sure there is enough room and power for equipment and instruments. Is there any type of a bandstand or stage?
Are colored tablecloths or napkins available, and is there an extra charge for them? Also ask whether napkins for the cake are provided.
Some reception halls include a wedding cake in their package. Inquire as to whether you have to buy their cake, or if you can bring in your own. If they provide the cake be sure to get a sample, and find out how flexible they are on how the cake is decorated. Do you have one choice or fifty? Also determine whether there is any extra charge for cutting, serving, and boxing up the leftover cake.
Take some time to meet with the staff. It is most important to have confidence and faith in the people you will be working with to plan your reception. A couple should feel that the reception site is going to take care of things for them and that they are in good hands.
It is important that you ask about such things as deposit requirements, the hall's policy regarding refunds, what happens if the business changes owners or closes.
Find out exactly when the balance is due, and if the price includes taxes and gratuities.
Make certain that your agreement with the reception site is put into a legal contract. A contract is an absolute necessity to protect yourself and the hall, and guarantee that your reception will go as scheduled.