Apr 17

Are you planning or considering a destination wedding? Need some help getting started with the planning of your destination wedding? Have you decided on a destination yet or on your ceremony and reception locations? Do you even know if you’re a good candidate for a destination wedding?
 
I know it can seem like a lot at first and it can be totally overwhelming but let’s see if we can get you pointed in the right direction.
 
The first thing you’ll want to decide is should you have a destination wedding or should you have a wedding close to home? Here are some things to consider while deciding:

  • Who is paying for your wedding?
  • What is your wedding budget?
  • Is this a first marriage for you and/or your fiance?
  • Do you and/or your fiance have children who will be traveling with you?
  • Where are most of your friends and family located?
  • How many of your guests do you think will be able to join you?
  • Do you have many relatives who are elderly and might not be able to travel?
  • Are there any others who you definitely want to have at your wedding who won’t be able to attend a destination wedding?
  • How picky are you about the finite details of your wedding?

Once you’ve determined that a destination wedding is going to work well for you and the important people in your life you’ll be ready to move forward with your destination wedding planning. It may seem like a daunting task but you’ll want to take baby steps for each aspect of the wedding planning process and it will go just fine.

If you’d like other brides to help you with all of these important wedding planning decisions come by and get all kinds of great (free) information at The Destination Wedding Site. Save time and avoid costly mistakes by learning from those who have already “been there.” Read some more thorough information about destination wedding planning on our site.

Author: Suzanne Franco
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: portmeirion porcelain dinnerware, bakeware & accessories

Apr 13

Finding a wedding photographer can be a daunting task given the sheer number of photographers in large Texas Cities like Dallas, Austin & San Antonio; A search of the Austin, Texas Yellow Pages yields over 393 professional photographers alone! And let’s not forget the “weekend warrior” photographer, who operates off of the photography grid and whose numbers can only be estimated. So how does a bride find the right photographer in a sea of wedding vendors? Here are some suggestions:

1. Referral = 1st hand experience. If you know someone who got married recently then make this your first lead. Check out the photographer’s website or portfolio and talk to bride/groom who hired them. If you like a particular photographer’s work and he/she gets a favorable review, make an appointment to meet with them. If you like a photographers work that you’ve found elsewhere, don’t be afraid to ask for references.

2. Pick a photographer based on his/her style. If you like his/her photos from past weddings, then you’ll probably like the photos they capture at your wedding! Find out what is the photographer’s primary style? Traditional posed shots? Candid or artistic? Photojournalistic? Other? Then decide which style you like best.

3. Try not to meet with too many photographers. Ideally you will want to select less than 5 wedding photographers in your area whose style you like and who are in your price range (don’t be afraid to ask this question when telephoning). Meeting with too many photographers will get confusing and will likely be counterproductive to your search.

4. Do you like the photographer you met with? This is the person that will be following you around for hours photographing you, your fiance and family/friends on your big day. Be sure it’s someone that you feel at ease with; otherwise your uneasiness will show up in the photos.

5. Ask to see images from an entire wedding (start to finish). Just about anyone can put together a slideshow of good pictures they have taken over the years. But a professional wedding photographer can capture great photos from every segment of a single wedding – bride dressing beforehand, ring exchange, kiss, formals, 1st dance, bouquet toss, etc.

6. Request a wedding day photo schedule. One element (possibly the most important) of wedding photography that is frequently overlooked is the Wedding Day Photo Schedule, which details when shooting begins/ends (i.e., number of coverage hours), who will be photographed during formal photos and provides a specific time line for each wedding event that will be photographed. If the photographer doesn’t provide one, then request it – it will be invaluable.

7. Is there a limit to the number of photos captured? Find out how many photos the photographer estimates will be captured on wedding day and how many photos will be provided after image selection/editing. Most photographers who use digital cameras can give you an estimate based on the number of hours of coverage provided at the wedding.

8. Do you get a CD with full-sized images? Many photographers are reluctant to provide you images from your wedding on CD, even though you may pay them handsomely for covering the event. Ask about getting the images on CD and if this costs extra.

9. Inquire about back-up cameras and equipment. Does the photographer you are meeting with have back up equipment in the case that his/her equipment malfunctions or fails? Professionals will frequently have on hand 2-3 cameras, numerous lenses, and at least 2 of everything else. Wedding photographers always have to be prepared for the unexpected!

10. Beware of inexpensive photographers. The old saying “you get what you pay for” is applicable when it comes to wedding photography. If someone posting on Craig’s List offers to shoot your wedding for $250, it’s probably b/c they are new to photography. If your wedding budget doesn’t allow you to hire a professional and you think that photographs from wedding day aren’t that important, then hiring an amateur may be OK. However, if images from the big day are important to you, then don’t skimp on photography; hire an experienced professional. You’ll be glad you did.

Sources:

1. www.yellowpages.com/categories/Austin-TX/photography, 2009.

Martin Whitton is a professional wedding photojournalist who lives and works in Austin, Texas.
Email: martin@mwwphoto.com

Author: Martin Whitton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Low-volume PCB maker

Apr 11

In this article I will explain the basic steps to preparing a wedding speech to remember.

There may come a time in your life when you are called upon to make a speech. Whether it is at work, a social function or a wedding it can be a daunting task especially if you have little experience or are the nervous type.

Making a wedding speech is usually where many of us are required to address a big audience and quite often for the first time.

The true art of delivering a sincere, heartfelt and interesting wedding speech is to prepare well in advance but on the day appear off the cuff and spontaneous.

Preparation

Preparation is the key aspect of planning your wedding speech. Make sure you allow several weeks before the big day.

If you are the best man try and find out as much information as possible about the bride and groom and also their families as this may help you include a funny story or two.

However make sure that whatever information you gather is correct. The last thing you want to do is blurt out a story about the bride or groom that is untrue and leave them feeling uneasy and embarrassed in their seats.

An important point to remember when including any jokes is to ensure they are tasteful and will not upset or insult anyone in the audience.

Play it safe and keep to mildly humorous subjects or better still make yourself the butt of the jokes. Remember the audience is there to watch the bride and groom get hitched not to watch a comedian so you do not have to have the latest side splitting gags.

Also, keep in mind the wedding guests are on your side and are there to have a good time so generally will laugh at the slightest attempt at a funny line.

Preparing a good wedding speech is all about the details. If you are an experienced speaker you may wish to deliver the speech from memory, however this is not advisable particularly if you are a novice which most of us are you will be better prepared if you have written notes to hand.

Your notes will be a lifeline should you clam up or lose your train of thought. Make sure your notes are short, clear and easy to read. Use postcard size card and clip them together or number them just in case you accidentally drop them and lose your place.

The best mans wedding speech should be around five minutes in length. Any more then this and you are in danger of boring your listeners especially if they have already sat through a number of other speeches. That said, if you are on a roll and have them laughing in the aisles you can stretch it to around ten minutes but not much longer.

Above all practice makes perfect! Again, make sure you have plenty of time before the big day to thoroughly rehearse. Take every opportunity to practice your lines and if possible recite them in front of a friend or two. Stand in front of a mirror to check your stance and posture. You can even record yourself on tape to check your modulation and tone.

Memorize your opening and closing lines in particular so regardless of any sections you may forget in between, you will always have a start and finish point embedded in your mind.

It can take weeks to prepare a good wedding speech, which will last only a few minutes but a considered and well thought-out wedding speech will be greatly appreciated by the audience even if you do fluff the odd line or two.

Vicki Churchill is the owner of Wedding Table Ideas a site that specialises in wedding table ideas and other occasions. Another great site to visit should you wish to have your wedding speech written for you is A Gift Of Poetry

Author: Vicki Churchill
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Low-volume PCB Assembly

Apr 7

Wedding rings are emblematic representations of the union between a man and a woman. And this is also true for engagement rings. An engagement is the initial step that eventually ends up in a wedding, at least the couples get engaged to get married in the near future. Thus, finding the perfect wedding ring could be a daunting task. Wedding rings are generally exchanged as part of the ceremony, normally as vows are uttered by both parties. Wedding rings are quite significant to a couple who have taken the decision to spend the rest of their lives together. The wedding ring almost acts like an official seal to of this agreement between the couple.

Wedding rings or engagement rings may be the smallest item purchased for the wedding or engagement but they have great significance. And sometimes wedding rings could get real expensive. This act of the couple is not just an indication of love between two people but everyone wants a ring that is made solely for them and as soon as you see it you will realize this. But it is always better to take time in choosing an engagement ring or wedding ring as it is something unique and it symbolize your commitment to each other in the years to come. If you are looking for nice and unique wedding rings, you just might not find them in your local shopping mall.

Generally local shopping mall jewelers may not have a variety of metals, fashions and finishes which you want or have in your mind. So it will be better if you straight away visit some designer jewelry stores that stores or stock a variety of fashions and different designs.

Mostly the metals that are used for these rings are white gold, titanium, silver and yellow gold and sometimes even platinum. Prices vary upon the metal and design you choose and of course, the budget is always a contributing factor but durability is an issue and that is why platinum is becoming so popular. In case of men, durability is a main contributing factor and that is why platinum is so effective.

The next most important thing after choosing a wedding or engagement ring is that the ring fits perfectly or not. Though it is always taken care by the by the jeweler to ensure there are no mistakes in sizing or fitting of the ring. It is just as important to ensure the ring is not so loose that there is a chance that it might be lost.

This wedding or engagement ring signifies the love and commitment for each other and such a noble commitment demands you buy ring that you will enjoy wearing for the rest of your life.

Suzane Dass is blogging about various subjects for quite some time now and her most recent blog post was about wedding rings and designer engagement rings. To learn more about her works visit http://designerengagementrings.blogspot.com

Author: Suzane Dass
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

Apr 5

The wedding photographer is responsible for taking ordinary people of all shapes and sizes and from every walk of life and making them look like Princes and Princesses on their own fairy tale day. Shopping for a wedding photographer is like buying a house; you get what you pay for, this makes it a daunting task. In the long run, selecting someone to take your photos is one of the most important decisions you will make while planning your wedding. Regardless of what type of wedding you have, it goes without saying that a photographer is an absolute necessity.

In my opinion, the best photographer is the one who gets the great shots but never interrupts the moment or the flow of everything. The sole purpose of the wedding photographer is to capture every precious moment of the entire celebration and present this as a package of beautiful memories to the couple to cherish as long as they both shall live. Another task is to capture the moments, all the joy, the tears, the emotions, kisses and bouquets flying high. Many couples underestimate the importance of carefully selecting a good photographer, randomly picking a name from the telephone book, believing that one wedding photographer is as good as the next. The first thing to consider hiring a professional wedding photographer is that he or she has just the right equipment and lights for photographing your wedding.

Photographers are faced with clients that have the highest expectations that you will capture inspiring images which will tell the story of the happiest day of their life. The role of the wedding photographer is very personal and it’s important that they have the right personality, in short, you need to trust your feelings, you need to “click” with them. The modern-day photographer is among the upper echelon of the photographic elite, both in status and in financial rewards. Only the best wedding photographers are capable of telling a story, capturing the romance, excitement and feelings of such a special moment.

Personality is one of the key factors for choosing the right photographer for you. At the end of the day you get it all: the desired portraits with parents and the true emotion of your wedding. With your wedding photographer you will spend this the most desired, longest and stressful day of your life. If you can trust him/her fully, and relax in his/her presence then that will transform into great photographs. No matter how good your wedding photographs turned out if your experience with the photographer were bad, the enjoyment of your photographs won’t be the same. Hence, choose the photographer who can be part of your wedding day, somebody sensitive, polite, attentive to YOUR ideas and your personality. When you choose your wedding photographer you cannot insure that the very same photographs like you saw at somebody else’s wedding will be taken, because every wedding is different, every bride is special, every groom is unique, the weather, the veil, the mood, every thing is just yours and the photographs will feature just YOUR special day.

For more info go to wedding photographer [http://wedding.cyberlens.co.za]

Author: Johns Ross
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker

Mar 15

Wedding planning can be a daunting task for young brides and grooms. Wedding planning typically involves a list of tasks to be completed on a timely schedule that can be overwhelming, but exciting, at the same time.

Things like the proper wedding announcement etiquette, seating arrangements, and the list of weddings songs are all decisions that need to be made in advance. Wedding planning can be difficult, but with wedding plan software, you can make the job much easier.

When wedding planning, you can find information and examples regarding proper wedding announcement etiquette. This might not seem like an important concept, but people will undoubtedly notice if you do not use proper etiquette.

Some things included in proper marriage announcement etiquette are: the way you refer to parents, wording used and the time frame in which you send them out. Sending invitations out with enough time for people to plan their attendance is crucial.

Whether your marriage planning includes a traditional or a non-traditional ceremony, chances are you can find marriage planning software to help achieve your goals. With the software, you can get ideas and other resources that will make your ceremony exactly what you’ve envisioned it to be.

Marriage planning software generally comes with worksheets and other materials that will help you and your spouse elect organize your special day with ease. Wedding planning software can be a great resource.

Once you begin your marriage planning and you have obtained a good software, your next step is to plan the ceremony. This includes the guests to invite, decorations needed, and a list of wedding songs that you want played.

You can choose a wide variety of songs, but the most popular include the traditional wedding march, Pachelbel in D Minor or some contemporary choices to fit your ceremony. Your list of wedding songs can be the best way to set the tone for the ceremony, whether formal or informal or formal.

Finding a good wedding planning software program is an ideal way to help you complete your wedding planning tasks. Many programs provide lists of things that you need to accomplish, as well as time frames in which to do them to ensure a smooth few weeks leading up to the big day.

You can try to do the entire process of wedding planning without software or any other aids, but there is no need to put the extra stress on yourself. Just enjoy the experience and make it as fun as possible.

Get your FREE wedding tips gift and the best information on the many things to do on your wedding planning at Mike Selvon’s wedding planner portal, and leave a comment at our wedding planner [http://www.mynicheportal.com/relationships/wedding-planning-and-you] blog.

Author: Mike Selvon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace

Mar 14

If you can list the many steps to planning a wedding, the daunting task is suddenly more bearable and less overwhelming. With the many resources available to you when planning a wedding, you can find countless books and websites providing steps to planning a wedding.

From guest-lists to music to food, the steps to planning a wedding are numerous — but they can also be fun. If you complete the steps to planning a wedding as a couple and approach it with the proper attitude, it will be a great experience for you and your fiance.

One of the steps to planning a wedding is getting creative wedding program ideas for the ceremony. Creative wedding programs can be a scroll outlining the order of events and the people involved.

Programs also include people’s relationships to the happy couple so guests get an idea of the role they play in their lives. Other wedding programs explain symbolism that might be used during the ceremony, such as the lighting of a unity candle or other meaningful gestures.

Another one of the steps to planning a wedding is the wedding reception itinerary. Deciding which events you want included in your itinerary can be difficult, but it’s a necessary decision. Your wedding reception itinerary tells the order of events, including at what point dinner is served, who will say the dinner blessing, who will be providing the toast, and so on.

The wedding reception itinerary helps the event flow smoothly so the guests do not get bored and leave before the night has begun. The DJs or master of ceremonies will need a copy of the wedding reception itinerary so they can make the appropriate announcements and keep things moving.

Tone of the most important steps to planning a wedding is figuring out the cost of the ceremony and wedding reception. To do this, the couple must look at what is included with the reception to budget wedding reception prices. Usually, the wedding reception prices will be the most expensive part of marriage, other than the honeymoon.

For a traditional wedding reception, the night typically includes music (either live or with a DJ), food, hall rental, decorations, and alcohol. When you begin listing the wedding reception prices, you might be overwhelmed. With proper planning and creativity, though, you might be able to cut your wedding reception prices in half.

Couples who are planning a wedding as a team generally learn a lot about each other. Many times, a bride elect will allow her groom to slack off on some of the decisions, but including him is important because it is partly his day, too.

You can bounce wedding program ideas off each other and plan out your reception itinerary as a team. Together, the steps to planning a wedding are less daunting and can be a great exercise in teamwork.

Get your FREE wedding tips gift and the best information on the steps to planning a wedding at Mike Selvon’s wedding planner portal, and leave a comment at our wedding planner [http://www.mynicheportal.com/relationships/the-steps-to-take-when-planning-a-wedding] blog.

Author: Mike Selvon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

Mar 9

Getting married soon? Nervous about the big day? Having jitters already? Learn how to beat the pre-wedding and wedding jitters. Overcome Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome, a term coined by former bride and wedding photographer assistant Victoria Carrington so that you will look and feel your best on your big day!

I was once a bride and I am now the assistant to Sam Carrington, my husband, owner of Sam Carrington Photography specializing in wedding photography. I have combined my experience with my continuing observation of brides and brides-to-be to coin the term Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome. Every bride knows that there is nothing more nerve-wracking than planning a huge event, especially one that will change your life forever (hopefully). How can you be aware of and overcome wedding jitters? The stress of a wedding comes from many sources and the first step to conquering a case of nerves is to recognize the causes of the stress. Stress and anxiety due to a wedding comes from:

- Planning- so many decisions to be made-how will you make the right choices? Choosing photographers, caterers, venues, florists, dress shops and cakes can be a daunting task, especially as most of us in this generation were not taught to entertain. How exactly do you know how to choose the right vendors? Various articles may point you in different directions. Each friend you talk to has a different horror story. The stress begins here.

-Perfection-everybody knows that your wedding day should be perfect right? That is not an easy ideal to live up to in any circumstance. Although we intellectually know that nothing can be perfect, our hearts still want the fairy tale wedding in which every little thing is perfect. Thinking about a breach in the desired perfection can lead to waking up in a cold sweat many nights before the wedding.

-Pleasing-so much of wedding preparation involves pleasing a myriad of others, some of whom may have opposing tastes and requests. At this delicate time of your relationship with your intended life mate, you must pay careful attention to his needs and the needs of his family. But what about your family and their wishes? And where exactly do your needs fit in here? Perhaps nowhere but it will be very stressful for you to figure this out.

-Position-some of the main stress of wedding planning may have to with determining your new role within your new family-to-be and sometimes even with your family of origin. You may need to jockey between your divorced parents or his, step-parents or even between your beau and his parents. The tension can wear you out and make you feel stressed. You may need to be a peacemaker or an umpire. In worst case scenarios, you may need to be block punches from being thrown.

You may be saying to yourself Yeah, all that stress stuff is true but I am too stressed to do anything about it. Anyway, a little stress can not be that bad can it?

Could I really have Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome?

The answer is-yes, stress can be very bad for you, your health, your relationships and ultimately for your enjoyment of your wedding day. The harmful effects of stress are well-known and they impact on your life as you are planning your wedding. Stress causes you to:

-not think as clearly as you should at times. You have a lot of major decisions to make and thinking clearly will be in your best interest. Being able to come up with a brilliant solution to a thorny planning problem will make you look good to your future family too.

-not feeling as good as you should. Physically, stress will wear you down. It will make you feel more tired yet it may make you not rest or sleep well at night. Stress can cause muscle aches, headaches and stomach aches. It can exacerbate pre-existing health problems at a time when you need to feel your best and get a lot done. Importantly, stress can also cause your body to be less resistant to germs and diseases as your immune functions get compromised. You certainly do not want to be sick on your big day!

-Not cultivate relationships like you need to. In this delicate time of navigating what will be the most important relationships of your life, you need to keep a clear head and be able to relate well to others, even those you may not like or with whom you may not have much in common. Stress can keep you so wound up that you do not trust anyone. You do not want that to occur.

You no doubt by now get the point that stress is bad. So what is a bride-to-be to do? First of all, I advise that you relax. How do you do that you ask? If you knew how to do that you would not be reading this article you say?

Well, our next step is to give you some tips on how to keep the stress level down before your big day.

Stress Busters to Help You Overcome Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome

-breathe. I mean it, really breathe. Throughout your long, busy and stress-filled days breathe and remember to breathe deeply and slowly. Taking a deep breath can be an immediate stress reliever. Just remember to breathe slowly. If you breathe too deeply and quickly you could get dizzy and feel faint. We do not want that to happen as you are engrossed in observing the intricacies of wedding cake decorating, for instance.

-brush up on your etiquette. A little please and thank you will build your patience and your character and help you to stop rushing around.

-Pray or meditate. For me prayer is the thing that works. Focusing on the Creator of all things for even a few minutes will make your problems, issues and concerns seem much smaller. Make this a regular habit and increase your quiet prayer time if you find yourself getting more stressed. Reading books about spirituality and similar topics, including the Bible, will also help you to stay focused on what is most important in this life.

-Stay connected to those you care about. It is easy to neglect our relationships when we get busy. Remember to still spend quality time with your groom-to-be after you are finished discussing wedding plans. Get to know your future in-laws better as you are working with them on wedding planning. Keep meeting with your girlfriends and do not feel that you need to discuss the wedding all the time. In other words, do not forget that the world does not revolve around you and your wedding and remember to take interest in what is going on in the lives of others.

-Take care of your physical health. Eat right and drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep each and every night and do not vary your sleeping and waking times too much. Get plenty of exercise, fresh air and sunshine.

-Pamper your body. Use luxurious lotions, fragrant bubble baths and tinted candles to create a relaxing environment for your body to de-stress. Get a massage, pedicure and/or manicure. Just taking a few moments out of a busy week or month on a regular difference can greatly reduce your stress level and help you overcome or even avoid Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome.

-Read a great book, go to a movie or even watch (mindless) TV if you must. Just find a way to lose yourself for a few minutes or hours (preferably using methods that are legal and not addicting).

-Speaking of addicting, it is probably best to avoid the serious stuff. I have seen one too many brides who seemed to be a little tanked up even before the ceremony and I tell you that it does not make for the best photos. If you start using say, alcohol for stress relief and treatment of Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome, you may come to rely on it for your wedding day and beyond. Save yourself some grief and drink sparkling Italian water instead.

-Most of all keep your perspective and have fun. Your wedding is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, a time of joy to be cherished and remembered forever. Make up your mind that you are going to enjoy the journey as much as you enjoy the destination of the big day. Yes, things may not go exactly as you plan. Count on that and let it go. Yes, some people may drive you crazy. But your wedding day will last in your memory as the greatest day in your life. Choose to be happy!

Victoria Carrington
Sam Carrington Photography
Serving Brides Nationwide
http://www.SamCarrington.com
Check out the wedding photos on our site today!

Author: Victoria Carrington
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Electric Pressure Cooker

Feb 14

Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not only does the photographer need to be able to produce outstanding memories of your wedding day but also has to be able to fit into the celebration and be highly professional every step of the way.

Often couples make the mistake of basing their decision on wedding photography entirely on price. At the end couples that decide on price get what they pay for.

It is wise to keep your budget in mind when selecting a photographer but it should not be an excuse no to do your homework and evaluate the quality and professionalism of the photographer. Remember, you will have to live with the consequences of your decision.

How to evaluate a wedding photographer?

The style of the wedding photography is very important. Is the photographer a photojournalist with heavy emphasis in documenting the wedding without directing? Do you prefer posed photographs with preplanned posing and controlled lights? Most couples these days prefer a combination of journalistic and traditional wedding photography. They look for a photographer that can capture the true emotion and spirit of the celebration as well as portraits that deserve to be framed.

Whatever style you prefer the photographer has to be a master of the craft. Take a close look at the photographer’s portfolio. Is the work consistent? Insist on looking at a complete wedding. After photographing 20 weddings, it is easy to have 20 lucky shots. Very few photographers have the guts to show you a complete wedding. Only the good ones do.

Are the photographs a true representation of the photographer’s work?
If you are considering a studio that has several photographers insist on looking at the work of the photographer that is going to photograph your wedding.

Does the studio or photographer offer high quality albums and custom printing? Nowadays it is common for some photographers to offer to photograph the wedding and hand you the proofs and a CD or the negatives with the photos and be done with you. Are you going to be happy with a set of proofs or would you want a fine album with custom printed photographs?

Has the photographer been in business for a considerable amount of time? Is this his first wedding? Is he a commercial or sports photographer beginning wedding photography? There is nothing wrong with starting out in a different photography field but you, as the client, need to know this. Wedding photography requires special artistic, technical, and people skills and a wedding it is not the place for a beginner to learn. Somebody interested in learning wedding photography should perhaps accompany a seasoned pro to weddings for some time before venturing out on his own.
Does the photographer carry good quality equipment and backup of camera bodies, lenses, tripod, lights etc? You will be surprised to learn that many photographers go to weddings with only one camera. God help you if that camera breaks in the middle of your wedding.

Personality plays a very important role in wedding photography. Hire the wrong photographer and you and your guests will suffer the consequences. Does the photographer listen to you? Does he have a controlling personality? Does he abide by the rules of the church, temple, or synagogue? Does he want to steal the show and be the center of attention? Does he have people skills? Does he dress professionally? Does he look and smell clean?

Before hiring your photographer please make sure that you answer all the questions above. As a last precaution check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are unsolved complains against your potential photographer.
Have a happy wedding and enjoy your beautiful photos. Please don’t forget to feed your photographer he or she will be working hard to capture your wedding memories.

Author: Juan Carlos Torres
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Netbook, Tablets and Mobile Computing

Feb 10

Choosing a photographer may be a daunting task, and staying within your budget may be even more cumbersome. You may consider asking a friend or relative to photograph your wedding for you; this is sure to be a bad idea for many reasons. A professional wedding photographer knows how to produce the best results in capturing all the moments by having years of experience and photography knowledge.

Finding a wedding photographer is a very easy task due to the number of photographers out there. There are numerous ways of going about finding one and many things you should take into consideration. The best way of course is being referred from another couple that got married recently and had their wedding photographed by a specific photographer. Please take note that by “photographer” I mean a specific photographer and not photographic studio with multiple photographers. Always be sure to find out who will be photographing your wedding.

There are numerous other ways to find a wedding photographer including news papers, billboards, the phone book and of course the internet. Over 70% of wedding photographers are sourced online. There are however a few things that you should know about searching for one on the internet.

1. Take Your Time
The first photographers you will find are mostly because of a large advertising budget. There is nothing wrong with this, but you should look at all available options.
2. Be Specific
When you use a search engine your search criteria should include your “state” and “professional wedding photographer”. The quotes will eliminate all general photographers and narrow your search to only wedding photographers. I recommend using Google.

Now that you know how to find a wedding photographer, which one do you choose? There are three primary factors that will determine which photographer to choose; style, price and personality. Style and price can be found on their website and is our starting point.

1. Style
There are many different style wedding photographers. Different examples are traditional, candid, formal, photojournalism, etc. Some photographers offer only one style, but the best photographers can offer all of these styles and would normally incorporate them into your wedding day coverage. It all depends on your requirements and needs. When viewing a photographers portfolio, remember that these are all his best shots. Always ask to see a full wedding coverage.
2. Price
You can spend anything from $500 to $10,000 on a wedding photographer. A good guideline is to spend about 10% of your entire wedding budget on a wedding photographer. Most photographers have packages that will include everything from the coverage to the album and final prints. Other photographers have complete al la carte pricing; if you are on a tight budget this is probably the best way to go. You will be able to select just what you want and can afford.

I would suggest buying your own wedding album and putting it together yourself. The cost of buying an album from the photographer is usually double the actual cost. Then of course doing it this way you can get it when you want and when you can afford it.

Considering style and price select your three top choices and schedule a meeting with them. There should be no cost for this. Before you meet with them you should pretty much want to hire them from the information that you have gathered about their style and price.

3. Personality
You want to meet with them to see how they present themselves and if your personalities match. You want someone that is personable and nice so they will get along well with you, your family, and friends. Never make an immediate decision, go home and think about it first and wait until you have met with all three. The meeting should be casual, discussing your wedding day in general. Never get sold on services that the photographer is trying to sell you at this point. Remember you have already decided you like the work and price before you got there, so there is nothing for the photographer to sell to you at this point. Just meet with them and get to know them.

Once you have made your decision, contact the photographer and let them know. Don’t forget to contact the other two photographers to let them know that you have decided to use another photographer and thank them for their time. Go over the details on the phone with the photographer you chose and get them to write up a wedding contract for you to review and sign. Do not pay a deposit until you have reviewed and signed the contract. Read the wedding contract very thoroughly; everything you are suppose to receive should be written down and have the price and payment schedule. Always make a very clear note of their cancellation policy.

Congratulations! You have a found your wedding photographer and have one scheduled. All you need to do now is schedule to meet with them about a month before your wedding date to go over the details again……and show up for your wedding!

Author: Jacques Janse Van Rensburg
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker

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