Posted by Patti Wellington on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 10:10 AM
You've chosen a date and picked a location - the next item on your list is your wedding photographer. How hard can that be? How many wedding photographers could there be? The answer: a lot. How do you find one that fits your needs?
At a time when technology and the Internet have melded to make it easier for brides and grooms doing research for wedding photographers, what matters most?
Step one: Start making a list of photographers you like
There may be 50 wedding photographers in your area, so where do you start? With a bunch of names, and look at their work... whose work moves you? Whose work clicks with your vision of the day? Don't be looking at a traditional wedding photographer if you love artsy photography- and vice-versa.
Here are a few suggestions on where to start:
- Ask your wedding planner... these professionals work with different photographers all the time, and because they know that their reputation may hang on how well the wedding photographer they recommend performs, they're generally going to point you toward good, solid photographers.
- Check out wedding photography websites
- Who does your venue recommend? Venues that have good experiences with photographers will often keep their names on hand. Keep in mind, though, that these lists are subjective and may or may not include the best talent around.
- And of course, when all else fails, Google knows pretty much everything.
Remember, the important thing is to get a good idea of what's out there and compile a decent list of names that you'd feel comfortable with.
Step two: Thin down the list
Once you have a decent list in front of you, it's time to start narrowing it down; How do you do that?
There are several factors that go into choosing a wedding photographer and every couple will have different priorities at the top. How good is their work? What do they cost? Do they have established businesses (an address on the website is one thing to look for), or are they just starting out? Here are a few ideas that may help:
Quality matters! Find the photographer's blog -this will let you see the kind of quality and consistency they deliver, shoot after shoot.. not simply the 20 best images they've ever taken and put on their website.
Yes, price is a consideration... but a quick word on that: in a year, or five, or ten, when the cake, food, and dancing are all a memory, your wedding photographs will be how you remember your wedding day. A recent poll indicated that 90% of all couples say wedding photography is the area they wish they had spent more on. Don't regret this decision based on your budget.
Step three: Time for a Face to Face!
Now is the time to meet your top choices. Call and set up a time to sit down face to face and get to know each other. You'll want to see what their wedding albums look like, talk about wedding packages, and get a vibe for how they'll tackle your wedding day. Also, does their personality match yours; are they stiff and rigid or outgoing and fun - which matches you better??
There are many lists of questions to ask a wedding photogrpahy online, so do some research. If you don't have that kind of time, email me and I'll forward you a list of questions I use when interviewing someone on behalf of my clients.
Do you have any questions or want more information about wedding planning? E-mail them to me and I'll contact you with an answer. Who knows, I might even write an article on it and post it in my blog. weddings@occasionsniagara.com
Posted by Patti Wellington on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 10:04 AM
Everyone wants a wedding like none other, but most couples don't know how to achieve it. Your ideas don't have to cost, they just have to be personal and creative.
When I work with couples, I really want to find out what their likes and dislikes are - what do they enjoy doing in their spare time, where did they meet, where are they going. Plus, we like to see what their favorite restaurant is and why, what colors do they like and what their favorite season is. All of these questions will help us create a real unique, fun-loving celebration.
Here are some really great ideas to work with. Hopefully they'll inspire you and help reveal your personal styles.
1. Locate the perfect location for your wedding
Finding the best spot to host your event will be the biggest test. Hosting a wedding in a local ballroom will provide a very different tone than having it in an old historical building. Try to research all the venues in your area so that you can locate a very distinctive venue just for you. Check out nightclubs, movie theaters, city top venues, trendy restaurants or art galleries. If you don't have access to those types of properties, try to covert one that will transform into your vision. With lighting, linens and all sorts of décor you could really transform a venue to the point where it may be unrecognizable. Think outside the box and call around to all the places you have come up with. You may be surprised at what's available in your area.
2. Colors and Textures
Build your venue up with lots of color and stick to using monochromatic palates, whether you use all oranges, violet, or blue colors, use your favorite ones. Try setting up different size tables using different types of shapes (some circular, square, and rectangular), then use different textures of fabric around the room. Some tables could have stripes; some solid and others could be silky or have a fun pattern. The color scheme will still remain the same. This will give your event some real personality.
3. Re-Arrange the table pattern in the room and have a variety of different centerpieces to add interest.
Arrange the tables in a more non-traditional manner. Then have three or four varieties of centerpieces placed on the tables in a non-uniformed fashion. This will really add interest to the room. Some guests may have been to the venue before, but this will be a completely different look. The centerpieces can be tall, some will be short, and others will be a mix of the two.
4. Bring Comforts of Home to the Big Event
If you're working with a massive reception hall, make it warm by adding lounge furniture to the space. If this is something you cannot afford, try having more tables but smaller amounts of guests at each. It will feel intimate to your guests. Also, add some nice ceiling and wall treatments to the venue and this will help the space feel smaller. You can also achieve this by getting a lighting expert in to place images on the walls and dance floor. Think of an enchanted garden look.
Do you have any questions or want more information about wedding planning? E-mail them to me and I'll contact you with an answer. Who knows, I might even write an article on it and post it in my blog. weddings@occasionsniagara.com
Posted by Patti Wellington on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 09:50 AM
I have a great working relationship with Tasha Rae from Tasha Rae Designs in Colorado. I have been referring her wedding invitations to all of my clients to her for the past couple of years and I think her work is fabulous. I found her products at a Association of Bridal Consultants convention I attended and fell in love with her work.
I contacted Tasha for some information for my blog, and here is the edited copy for your enjoyment:
Tasha was born and raised in Minnesota, and for the past 19 years, has called Colorado home. She lives with her husband and 2 daughters (one human and one canine).
She loves her jobs... being an Artist and a Mommy and finds them equally as challenging and rewarding. She studied art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and The Art Institute of Colorado.
When talking about her business, here's what Tasha said - "I can't say that Tasha Rae Designs really has a "Mission Statement" because each 'mission' is different. Every day is a new day and things are forever changing. I guess my business philosophy is something like this: You know that feeling you get when you find the perfect gift for someone and you can't wait to give it to them? That's how I try to run my business. My gift is my art, and I want it to be just what you wanted and imagined. If I can do that, then mission accomplished."
Samples: Unlike a lot of other companies, Tasha does not charge a fee for invitation samples; instead she asks that you donate a few dollars to your favourite charity and help those who are in need (if you need suggestions, see the attached link below) She also asks that people imit sample requests to 3 designs; here's a for a list of great charities - http://www.tasharaedesigns.com/charity.html
And here's a few pictures of her wonderful work:
Do you have any questions or want more information about wedding planning? E-mail them to me and I'll contact you with an answer. Who knows, I might even write an article on it and post it in my blog. weddings@occasionsniagara.com
Posted by Patti Wellington on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 09:35 AM
Over the past several years I've been doing a radio show on 105.1 The River called "The Wedding Planner" where I answer wedding related questions from people. I also contribute to a column in Osprey's Niagara Wedding Magazine called Dear Patti with the same premise. Here are a few questions and my responses:
Dear Patti
Q: My fiancé and I are footing the bill for most of our wedding and we are on a tight budget, which is making it tough to invite singles with guests. We would like to invite as many people as possible. Is it all right to invite single family members and friends without adding "and guest" on their invitations? My fiancé says we must allow people to bring guests out of politeness, but I don't want to remove people from our invite list so they can bring a guest with them. What should we do?
A: This is a longstanding debate. Your fiancé has a point - it is courteous to allow single guests to bring dates so they won't feel uncomfortable or left out. But your point is valid, too. If you can't afford the extra guests, it may be worse to cut people from your guest list because you can't let them or others bring a friend. Deal with this problem on a case-by-case basis. If you have unmarried friends and relatives in long-term relationships, you might want to consider inviting their partners. Then invite your single friends and relatives without dates, rather than cross them off your guest list altogether. If anyone complains, simply explain your predicament - that it was important they be there, but that you couldn't afford to invite dates. Then, carefully consider where to seat them at the wedding. You might want to place them with other singles so they won't get stuck at a table of couples. Who knows? Two of your guests might even make a match at your wedding!
Q: Our reception will be at a local winery, where amplified music of any kind is not allowed. We are hiring a trio for the ceremony, but since neither of us like dancing, we don't plan to have a dance floor at the reception. We do, however, want background music. The problem is our reception will begin at 7 p.m. Do you think our guests will be bored at an evening wedding without dancing?
A: This just means the feel of your wedding reception will be more like a dinner or cocktail party than a traditional dinner or dance party. If this is what you want, you are certainly free to do so. Guests will get the idea when they arrive and see no dance floor. And, since they will not be expecting dancing, they will probably mingle more. As well, talk to your musicians about intermittently changing the tempo of the music to jazz or something more upbeat to keep toes tapping. You don't have to dance to have a good time at a party - great conversation, wonderful food and beautiful music can make for an equally enjoyable evening.
Q: I am considering an outdoor wedding in April. My concern is inclement weather at that time of year. Can I make backup arrangements? How should I handle this on the invitations? Would it be in poor taste to list a second location in case of bad weather?
A: That's exactly what you should do. Plan an alternate location in case of bad weather - or plan to have an extra tent on hand at the outdoor site - and make sure your guests know the plan. It's completely appropriate to include this information on your invitations.
Q: Is it okay to tip wedding vendors? It seems foolish since we're already paying for their services, but, at the same time, I know they're working really hard and I don't want to seem rude.
A: Tipping and gratuity isn't mandatory. A tip is an added incentive for service well done. That said, unless one of your vendors really botches something, they'd probably expect at least a small amount of gratuity. Double-check your contracts, as sometimes the tip is included. If that's the case, you should not feel obliged to add anything. Otherwise, you should probably plan on tipping: hair and makeup professionals 15 to 20 per cent, just as you would at the salon; delivery people about $5 to $10 each; and parking, coat check or restroom attendants $1 per car or per guest. As for your minister or officiant, you should expect to tip them $50 to $100. Or, if you're an active member, plan to donate $500 or more to your church, synagogue or temple. Don't forget to tip the photographer. They work extremely hard and really only take one or two small breaks. Now, here's the good news: your bridal salon, cake baker, stationer and party rental company will not expect tips. To make it easier, designate someone - wedding planner, bridesmaid, groomsman or other family member - to be in charge of tipping. Set aside a predetermined amount for each vendor and place tips in sealed, labelled envelopes. You can even include a little note. That way, you won't have to worry about counting out cash when you should be dashing off on your honeymoon.
Q: We realize a receiving line is proper etiquette, but can we do without the wedding party and just include the bride, groom and our immediate family (mothers, fathers and maybe grandparents)?
A: Absolutely! Including the wedding party in your receiving line is always optional. Let your bridesmaids and groomsmen roam around and mingle while you, your parents and grandparents greet all guests.
Q: We have recently registered at two local department stores, and we're having a bit of a problem when it comes to letting guests know where we're registered. I'm not having a bridal shower, and I'm definitely not going to send registry cards in the invitations, so my question is: How do we let people know?
A: The only way to let people know is to tell them. Make sure your parents, wedding party and other close friends and family know where you're registered so when people ask them they can tell them. If people ask you where you're registered - or even what you would like as a gift - it's okay for you to tell them. It's not as if word can only be spread by those close to you.
Q: Where do the children in the wedding party sit during the reception?
A: Children generally sit with their parents rather than at the head table. If one of the child's parents is in the wedding party, then that whole family can be seated at the head table. In many cases, the bride and groom seat the family elsewhere, for instance, with their friends or other family members, even if the mother is a bridesmaid or the father is a groomsman. Basically, you can do whatever you think will make the children, their parents and you feel most comfortable. And, if you're not sure what that is, just ask them.
Q: We're getting married in September and this will be a second marriage for us both. When I mentioned invitations to my sister, she was appalled I was even considering them. She said you don't send invitations when you remarry - that that's the same as asking for a gift. Is this true? I don't care about gifts - I just want everyone to know I've found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.
A: How will guests come to your wedding if you don't send them an invitation? It's true that second weddings are less formal. But you still want to send nice, official invitations to your guests. Also know that an invitation itself is not a suggestion that you want a gift. If you feel strongly about guests not buying presents, feel free to include the words, "Your presence is your present," or something to that effect on the invitation.
Do you have any questions or want more information about wedding planning? E-mail them to me and I'll contact you with an answer. Who knows, I might even write an article on it and post it in my blog. weddings@occasionsniagara.com