Wedding Layers

When you start gathering information about live bands to perform at your wedding reception, it is important to ask the right questions to get complete information.

Some of my calls sound like the bride or groom is going down a list in the yellow pages. “How much do you charge?” is the first question they ask. This makes me wonder – how important is the success of your reception to you? If the music is based only on price – not event experience, music timeline, expansive play list, attention to details, etc. – you can make a lot of expensive mistakes. The economy is challenging and price is important – but it should not be the only factor in your decision. “You get what you pay for” is an old adage that is particularly true in the music business.

Take for instance couples who decide that the “bar” band they saw last year was perfect for their wedding reception because: 1. the band was inexpensive; 2. the couple wanted something different for their wedding reception. The bride and groom sign a contract and put down their deposit. The couple do not know how large a play list the band has, they do not know if the band knows how to act like professionals and not raid the bar every time they take a break, or how to perform at an wedding reception without “concert” volume. Two months before their party, the couple find out from the band leader that the band broke up. It can be very difficult getting an established event band that late in the party process, let alone trying to get your deposit back from the “broken up” band.

Your best bet is to look for an established event band that has been performing at weddings for years. You will not be disappointed. You can decrease your stress level by knowing that you have hired a band that knows what they are doing, is an established business, and will be reliable. Remember that an established band’s best advertising comes from the successful events they play.

Here is some information that will help you make a more informed decision on your next step to booking the band:

- What kind of music do you like?
- Do you and your partner have similar tastes in music?
- What are your invited guests like? Family, friends from college, work related friends, parents and their friends, majority age?
- How many hours of music will you need: Ceremony, cocktails, dinner, and dancing?
- What did you enjoy/dislike about some of the music at the recent weddings you have attended?

How can you tell whether the band is experienced? Look for a long play list with a lot of variety; many recommendations from previous clients; many referrals from previous clients; great attitude; on-site video; audio demo.

Let me address band viewing at this point. Many books and magazines tell you to view the band if you are considering booking them for your event. Crashing a wedding – uninvited – to look at the band is tacky. If you have an experienced event band that has successfully performed at hundreds of weddings, with the references and videos to back it up, there is no need to look at them at someone else’s wedding. An established, experienced band will be playing song selections of the host, bride and groom. What if classic rock is the preferred style by the party, but you hate classic rock and want disco? Your presence divides the loyalty of the musicians – do they play for you or play for their current client? You signed the contract and paid for the band’s services explicitly for you and your guest’s tastes in music, not to provide a showcase for potential buyers.

Choosing a band is a big decision for your big day. Cut down the anxiety and hire an established band that knows what they are doing, so you won’t waste any valuable time worrying!

Cherryl Fonfara is the co-owner of Tasty Tunes & Talent, Inc. Home of the Dennis Keith Experience. She has performed at hundreds of weddings as a band leader and vocalist in the Dennis Keith Band http://www.denniskeithband.com Find more wedding tips at http://www.insiderweddingreceptiontips.com.

Author: Cherryl Fonfara
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

You have spent a lot of time and money planning your special day. You have taken great pride in the kind of wedding you are going to have. One thing you will want is your special day recorded for all time.

Pictures of your wedding and reception are something you will treasure for the rest of your life. You want someone taking those pictures who know what they are doing, and how to get the memorable shots.

Professional vs a Friend?

Most brides and grooms face this decision. They have a friend who loves to take pictures as a hobby and offers to take their wedding pictures as a gift. Saving money is something everyone wants to do, but there are some places you shouldn’t scrimp on. Your wedding photographs are one of those things. Unless your friend has a job as a photographer, hiring a professional is the best choice. Professionals will have the best equipment and have the knowledge to get the right shots.

When should you start looking for a photographer?

Your best bet is to hire one in plenty of time, preferable a year prior to your wedding date. Many photographers are booked far in advance, especially the really good ones.

How do I find a good one?

Finding a good photographer is not very hard. Wedding and bridal shows are wonderful places to get names and pricing information. Bridal magazines are another good place to look. Asking a friend who has had a wedding recently is an excellent way to not only find a photographer, but get a referral as well. You can also find listings for photographers in the yellow pages, but use this only to get a listing. Never hire someone without checking them out first.

Researching your choices

There are numerous ways to check out the photographers on your list. Most professionals have a web site. While you must remember the photographer put all that information on their site, it is still a good place to begin. They should have examples of their work, along with photo packages and pricing. You will also want to contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if the photographer has been reported. Most BBB’s have web sites, so checking is easy.

References

Any photographer in business should be able to give a list of past customers. When you call, be sure to ask the following questions:

1. Was the photographer on time?

2. Was the cost reasonable?

3. Did you get the pictures you wanted?

4. Did you get them in the time frame you were quoted?

5. Did you have any problems with the photographers, or their staff?

Past clients are more inclined to be honest with a potential customer than with the photographer themselves.

Once you have narrowed the list down to your favorites, it is time to start calling them for quotes. Remember to always get a quote in writing. It makes it easier later on to remember what the photographer promised. Here are eleven questions you should ask any potential photographer.

1. Are you licensed?

2. How long have you been a photographer?

3. Will you be taking my pictures, or will one of your staff?

4. If one of your staff will be taking the pictures, will I get a chance to meet them ahead of time?

5. Do you have set packages available, and what are the costs for each of them?

6. How long will I have to wait for my pictures?

7. Do you do wedding albums too, or do I have to supply my own?

8. How much time will you spend at my wedding? At my reception?

9. is there a charge for overtime, should there are problems or it takes longer than you originally quoted?

10. Do you do the traditional poses, as well as your own unique ones?

11. Will my photos be available online for family and friends to order for themselves, or must I do all my ordering through your directly?

You will have more event related questions to ask your potential photographer. One question you should ask yourself is if you are comfortable with this photographer. A professional photographer will strive to make your special day run smooth. A professional photographer won’t be pushy, rude, rushed, or annoyed. If the photographer you are interviewing seems to be any of these things, do not hire him. You will be stressed enough before, during and after your wedding; you don’t need your photographer to make it worse.

A wedding is a special even and deserves to be remembered. Photographs are an excellent way to show the beauty of the day and hiring the right photographer will make your memories all the more special.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

Author: Dawn Arkin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Gadget reviews

If it seems like all of the wedding gowns featured in the glossy bridal magazines cost many thousands of dollars, it’s because they do! This does not mean, however, that a bride working on a tight budget has to either settle for something that she does not love or break the bank to buy a great looking wedding gown. These tips on finding a budget wedding gown will help you find a bridal gown that you not only love, but can also afford.

Believe it or not, there are some truly breathtaking wedding gowns available for under $1000, even under $500. In general, it is far better to go with a simpler wedding gown which is well made from a high quality fabric like silk than a heavily embellished one which is cheaply made from poor quality synthetics. The first will look chic and modern, the second will look, well, cheap.

If you have your heart set on a very traditional full bridal gown, but your budget is tight, your best bet is to search creatively for a quality gown, rather than settle for one which is not well made. Sample sales and blow out sales can be a great way for brides to find a dreamy designer wedding gown at an incredible discount. Search the Internet for both local sales at bridal shops and huge discount gown events like the traveling Filene’s Basement “Running of the Brides” sale.

Speaking of the Internet, you might try looking on a site like Craig’s List to find a beautiful bridal gown which has either been gently worn or sometimes not even worn at all. There will be gowns for sale not only from canceled weddings, but also from brides who had a change of heart and bought a second wedding gown. Before buying a gown in this manner, be sure that the seller will allow you to try it on to make sure it looks as pretty on you as in the pictures, since you will not be able to change your mind once you have paid for the dress. Bring a friend along to give an honest opinion.

For brides who seek budget wedding gowns with a modern chic sensibility, a great place to shop is J Crew. In their bridal collection, they feature gowns in luxe fabrics like silk chiffon, taffeta, jacquard, and silk tricotine for under $1000 and in some cases under $500. The gowns tend to have slimmer skirts, either column or a small A-line, and are perfect for a beach wedding, a garden wedding, or a city chic affair. The wedding gowns at J Crew include many fashionable designs and details, from the popular goddess look to the asymmetrical style which is in vogue this year.

Another fantastic place to get a simple and high quality wedding gown for a great price is Thread. They have a huge array of gowns in both white and ivory which would be lovely for many types of weddings. Some of the styles are billed specifically as wedding gowns and others are shown as bridesmaid dresses, but do come floor length and in ivory. Much like J Crew, Thread dresses are made from beautiful fabrics like silk chiffon and a fluid matte silk. They even offer a full length white-on-white seersucker gown which would be stunning for a summer wedding. The Nordstrom website is another terrific place to find stylish ivory bridesmaid dresses which are wonderful options for inexpensive wedding gowns.

When choosing an ivory “bridesmaid” dress to wear as a wedding dress, the right accessories will help to make sure that you look like a bride. A long veil, elegant bridal jewelry, and a pretty headpiece will make sure that no one mistakes you for a bridesmaid in an ivory dress. In fact, choosing distinctive and unique accessories like bridal jewelry is one of the fun things about wearing a more simple wedding gown. It allows you to express your personal style, look gorgeous, and find a fabulous wedding gown on a budget – you can’t do much better than that!

Author: Laura Firenze
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace

Perhaps one of the most important types of rings that you will have to purchase is a wedding ring. Besides engagement rings, wedding rings are probably the most crucial of all ring purchases. The symbolism behind a ring of this type is so great that choosing a perfect ring is a very important task. There are many decisions a couple needs to make with regard to choosing wedding rings. Things such as metal type, style and size are part of this decision-making process. Another factor couples consider when purchasing wedding rings is price as they are often paying quite a bit on other wedding necessities. This article will provide an overview on various choices that come into play when choosing the perfect wedding band.
Type of Metal

Using the term metal alongside the word wedding band is not the most romantic thing in the world; however, the ring is indeed composed of a metallic material and one has a wide range of options when looking to purchase a particular type of wedding band. Gold is one type of material that a couple may choose to have their wedding rings made of. Rings made of gold come in either white gold or yellow gold in a variety of karats, i.e., 10 karat, 14 karat, or 24 karat. Another popular type of metal that wedding rings are composed of is platinum. Platinum wedding bands have become increasingly more desirable in the past few years. Platinum rings tend to be pricier than gold ones; however, it is a beautiful metal type that is strong as well. If it will not empty your pocketbook or wallet, platinum is a great choice for a wedding ring.
Size and Style

Couples in pursuit of the perfect wedding rings will also find that they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Almost any wedding band can be sized to adequately fit the finger of any individual. If you can find the perfect-sized ring without having to alter the size thereafter, then that is your best bet as frequent sizing of a ring may alter the strength thereof (this is usually only true if you have the ring sized more than once).

There are also a number of different unique and exquisite styles of wedding rings for both men and women. If you go to a jewelry store, you may be surprised at just how many different styles of wedding bands are available to the general consumer. You can have the rings engraved or even embedded with diamonds and other gemstones. Baguettes are becoming increasingly popular for womens wedding rings and these beautiful additions add so much to a basic ring. Some wedding rings will have various types of gems inlayed in them and individuals may sometimes choose to have their birthstone as part of their wedding ring to add a little something extra to it. There is so much that you can do to make your wedding rings unique and special.
Price

Another less romantic factor that couples need to consider when purchasing a wedding ring relates to pricing. As individuals are oftentimes on a strict budget while planning their wedding, they may have to set a limit of how much they are able to spend on wedding rings. There are a few ways to get the most bang for your buck when shopping for wedding bands.

End of season sales are a great way to take advantage of large discounts and still get the ring that you want. A lot of times a jewelry store or department store will have an end of season clearance sale on various types of jewelry, including wedding rings. By taking advantage of these types of sales, you may find the perfect ring at a great price. It is always important to keep an eye out for retailers who are having clearance sales.

Utilizing coupons is a second way to keep the total price of your wedding ring purchase to a minimum. Department stores will often print coupons in their mail circulars that may give you a good percentage off of the price of jewelry and since many department stores stock wedding rings, this is a great thing to take advantage of.

One last way to get a good price on wedding rings is to use the internet to find the perfect ring. Since shopping for a wedding ring over the internet may not appeal to all individuals, it is important to be aware of a certain little trick that will enable you to get a good price over the internet but choose your ring in a retail store. If you are in a particular store and see a wedding ring that strikes your fancy, try it on, find the perfect size and then go home and see if that store has a website. If they do, take a look online and see if that particular ring is offered at a lower price via the web. Sometimes you will get lucky, other times you wont. Regardless, it never hurts to take a peek and see.

These are just a few things to consider when trying to find the perfect ring. If you know what your options are prior to securing wedding rings, you will be more informed and feel better prepared in your quest for the most spectacular wedding ring.

Copyright 2005 Titanium Rings Studio

Author: James Strutton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger