Lots of brides have contacted us to assist them in their plans for their wedding day and interesting enough, when I ask a bride, “What are your top priorities with regard to your wedding?” and “What money has been budgeted for that portion?”, those questions stop most of them right then and there, or I…
The number one misconception about wedding photography is the belief that the photo is done when the shutter is clicked. After all, that’s the way most people take vacation photos or photographs of family and friends. Click. Done. So why on earth is wedding photography so expensive? The reality is that wedding photography is a…
It’s that time here in the St. Louis area where the heat and humidity can take its toll. Summertime means sweat and extra oil production which can lead to makeup that runs, smudges or even disappears. I’ve talked to a number of beauty makeup experts and I am going to share a few of their…
Our senses sample only a small slice of the reality around us. Infrared photography captures the strange and serene corner of the invisible world found just beyond visible red in the near infrared band of the EM (electromagnetic) spectrum…an area of visible light that is not visible to the human eye. Digital cameras today…
The strange thing about a couple planning their wedding is that most brides have been planning their wedding since early childhood, whereas the groom starts thinking about the wedding, and the cost, just after the engagement. Most brides think they know their guy pretty well, but here are some things that you might not realize….
Many of us pet parents feel that our pets are an integral part of our lives, and therefore want to include them in this wonderful day. At my son’s wedding, his dog was his “Best Man”. And with some couples, the pet was a huge part of what brought them together in the first place….
Many couples are choosing a small wedding as it can be far more intimate than a traditional large wedding and let’s face it a small wedding can generally be within the reach of most people’s budget. Inviting just a few close friends and immediate family members will allow you to choose options that might…
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something BLUE! Blue represents love, good fortune, and fidelity and is a very old and expected wedding tradition. How will you incorporate BLUE into your wedding day? I love how this Bride added a touch of blue to her shoes, and then painted the shoes to memorialize the day….
Now that you have announced your coming nuptials, one of the things you should decide is what role or part will your Mother play in planning this wedding. Some Mothers are “the” wedding planner, others are simply a participant, and then there is that role somewhere between the two opposites. This discussion with your Mother…
More and more I see brides opting not to hire a wedding planner. Budgets influence that choice many times, and other times, brides feel that they can easily handle the task themselves. However, let’s face it, as a bride, you will probably only experience a wedding once in your life. I’ve participated in a plethora…
Most of us have very limited knowledge when it comes to videography. Sure, it’s now on many newer digital cameras, but how much do we really know when it’s time to hire a professional. Yes, do ask the standard questions like how long will you be there and how many locations will you cover. But…
It’s your wedding day and it’s your time to walk down the aisle. So what music did you choose for your grand entrance? If you are still deciding…here are some suggestions: Canon in D (Most Popular) March from Lohengrin by Wagner (The traditional “Here Comes The Bride” music) What a Wonderful World by Louis…
A know a lot of members of the wedding party stumble and feel totally uncomfortable when it comes time to deliver their wedding speech. I’ve been to weddings where the Father of the Bride had a 5 page document that took over 20 minutes to present, and I’ve seen the Best Man be so drunk…
It’s crazy, but one of the many questions that I have heard the wedding couple ask is, “How do we cut the cake?” While at first thought you might think that’s a simple question, there are some etiquette rules even on this part of the wedding. So, let’s talk about this. Rule Number One…
Guys have it easy when they get married…life goes on. Us ladies on the other hand – well! First off, we have a choice whether to keep our maiden name, take our husband’s name, or perhaps, like some, hyphenate our name and his name. Some women choose to keep their maiden name for professional reasons,…
Wedding Professionals tell me that sometimes trying to figure out what brides really want is like learning to dance with two left feet. Extremely difficult because many times the bride herself doesn’t know. A bride will say that she wants an elegant, outdoor venue, on a lake with a candlelight ceremony, and then after an…
I’ve seen a fairly large number of weddings, and I can guarantee you that there has never been a perfect wedding. Here are seven things you might want to put on your checklist when you are planning your big day. Don’t forget the marriage license. Yes, it’s true. It happens and it happens quite often….
For those who studied French we all know the meaning of R.S.V.P. But more importantly then knowing what R.S.V.P. means (respond please) is understanding the importance of the R.S.V.P. as a part of the wedding planning process. With your invitations you should always include an R.S.V.P. Wedding etiquette generally includes a return card that should…
Are you the kind of bride that wants to see your guests and friends having a great time and mingling at your reception? A reception is a party and creating a party atmosphere can be easily accomplished with food stations. From a carving station to a pasta station, guests can enjoy a night to remember…
In many Jewish weddings the ketubah is an integral part of the traditional Jewish marriage. A ketubah is a printed document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom in relation to the bride. The ketubah explains the basic material, conjugal and moral responsibilities of the husband to his wife and it is signed…
Are you aware that almost one in four brides plans a destination wedding? It’s a trend that has been growing for the past 15 years, and probably will continue to get bigger. Couples plan a destination wedding not necessarily to keep the budget down, but to spend money on the people that matter the…
Let’s talk about table centerpieces. A beautiful, elaborate floral display will set you back anywhere from $25 to over $100+ per table. Here are some alternatives that will add elegance, style and sophistication: 1. You can still have flowers – just scale it back a bit. Create your designs around less expensive flowers, adding just…
There is no such thing as the perfect wedding. However, if you plan your wedding right you will be able to really enjoy the day. What’s your heart’s desire? – a big church wedding, a beautiful sunset wedding, a fabulous banquet to dance the night away? Don’t listen to your parents, your friends, or co-workers…
Okay, I’m going to sound off on a pet peeve. I made several calls today to bridal shops, and one of the larger chains here in town has a Voice System. The voice mail gave me four options, call for directions & hours – didn’t need that, call for alterations – didn’t need that, call…
For those of you who have not been involved in the wedding scene recently, many brides today decide to do a First Look. The First Look, which occurs just prior to the wedding, is where the bride and groom see each other. It gives them a private time to share their feelings, perhaps cry, and…
Do you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding? While I personally love a beautiful outdoor wedding there are many considerations that need to be made before moving forward with that event. First and foremost, you need to consider the weather. Will it be hot? What about the possibility of rain? What other elements…
You’ve been planning for months – maybe years? That day is soon here. Below is a quick checklist that should cover most of the items that you must be sure you have for the day to go smoothly. BRIDE: 1. Gown & Veil 2. Shoes, Hosiery, Undergarments 3. Something Old, Borrowed, New and Blue…
Most weddings consist of ceremony, picture taking, and reception. However, a new trend which is quickly catching on is the After Party. Many couples are choosing to continue to celebrate the special day with an After Party. And this After Party many times ends up being one of their favorite parts of the day. It…
Every bride needs some practical advice for relieving wedding stress. You won’t feel overwhelmed if you follow these simply seven steps: Lists are your best friends! This is the biggest party that you probably will ever plan so there will be hundreds of details, and more details. The beauty of lists, spreadsheets, budgets, and timelines…
If you are considering using a catering company there are six basic types of meal options: Breakfast or Brunch, Luncheon, Tea Reception, Dessert Reception, Cocktail Reception, Information Dinner and Formal Dinner. Dinner is the most traditional, and a Formal Dinner consisting of three to six courses are the most expensive. It’s important to find the…
Many brides have discovered the beauty of Black & White Photography. In Europe and on the coast, savvy brides are making their decision of photographer based on the ability of the photographer to produce a quality black and white image. A good black and white image is not simply drained of color, but displays high…
Brides tell me that one of the most challenging parts of a wedding is the guest list. From experience, I suggest strongly that before you announce your wedding to everyone, you and your groom develop some simple guidelines about inviting guests – or be prepared to suffer the consequences. For instance, your excitement of the moment…