Wedding Photography - Rules Beyond Picture Taking Part 2

Must read for professional photographers or those who want to learn to be a professional.

In previous article I wrote about some common rules that wedding photographers should follow. They were.. Be Professional, Be Early, Dress Properly, Check equipment before arriving, and introduce your self upon arrival.

Here are some additional rules that wedding photographers should adhere to:

Know the car routes for the day. The photographer should know the routes of the limos in advance. The processions can be delayed for any number of reasons and then take off suddenly. They generally do not ask if the photographer is ready. It is even a good idea to drive the routes before the wedding day especially if the photographer is not familiar with the area. You don't want people asking what happened to the photographer.

Predetermine best positions to take pictures. Once at the church or reception hall, the photographer should make a quick determination of the best positions to get the required shots. This way he can always be in a good spot to get the required shots without interfering with any proceedings.

Practice Crowd Control. Sometimes, the wedding party will draw a crowd while they are being photographed. For instance, after the wedding when the formal photos are being taken. Guests will run to get pictures of the great set ups by the photographer. Unfortunately, sometimes in their zeal, they will get in the way. The photographer should be polite in requesting guests to clear the way so he can get the shots he wants. This would be a good time to enroll the services of the wedding planner or the person you previously asked to help guide you through the events. Remember, a rude photographer will lose referrals.

Do Not sit down and eat. That is unless you are invited to do so by an authorized person. Even if you do, make it quick, because you don't want to miss something happening that you were not expecting.

Limit Socializing and stay away from the bar. Be polite to guests and keep it short and sweet. If they are interested in your services, give them your card or take their phone number and you can speak with them longer at a later time. They will understand stand that you are working. Any trip to the bar should only be for a non alcoholic beverage. You don't want to be perceived as partying and not working.

Let the Bride and Groom know you are leaving. When things are winding down, check with the bride and groom and ask if there are any shots they want that you might not have taken. (there is always that shot with Uncle Joe or Nephew Bobby that wasn't taken) This will show that you did a complete job and they won't be disappointed once you have left.

Following these rules should make a better day for everyone involved, and also make sure that you don't lose any referrals or extra sales because of your actions during the day.

Wedding Photo Album Compiling - Professional Or Amateur Photographs

The wedding photo album is a crucial part to remembering the best parts of your wedding ceremony. You can have one professionally compiled, which will consist of photos taken by a professional photographer and steer wedding; or you could have an album containing photos taken by friends and family members at the ceremony. This can give a unique insight into the ceremony as a whole.

If you are having a professional photographer take photos at your wedding, then chances are they will be including a wedding photo album with their charges. Many photographers offer a wide range of outputs you to choose from so you can pick out exactly what you want your cherished wedding photos sitting. However, these albums can be overpriced because they come from a professional. Like with most things, sometimes prices are jacked up simply due to the fact that they are being sold by a professional. It is possible to also get the photos from the photographer and compile your own album. This can be a more affordable alternative.

If you do not have a professional photographer coming to your wedding, then having the photos taken by the people who attended the wedding is a good idea. A wedding photo album that includes pictures taken by loved ones can do much more intimate than those taken by professional. What your friends and family lack in professional skill, they make up for in caring and being all over the ceremony. A professional can only be in one place at a time. If you have more than one person take photographs, then you can get every detail from different perspectives.

The album itself should be high quality solo last for years to come. The more common and more durable albums you can get will be made of leather. These can be customized to your liking if you want them to be, and they will last you for much longer than you may expect. These are where the more expensive options, but if you really want to album to last that is a good way to go.

Look of the album itself is almost as important as the photographs that it contains. Make sure that the album you choose is appropriately themed for your wedding so that you can look at the cover alone and recollect fond memories of that day. This way those memories will be ingrained into you forever, even the ones that you would not expect to remember.

It should be no small emphasis and how important the wedding photo album is. All of your precious memories of the ceremony will be stored within, and you will be able to look at them whenever you want. People cannot remember every detail of every day for but so long, and the same can be said even for days as important as your wedding.

Guest Book Alternatives: Wedding Accessories That Put the Keep in Keepsake

The wedding guest book is a time-honored tradition that nearly every wedding follows. Everyone has seen it, that stereotypical white book sitting lonely on a table. Some people love it. Some people hate it. Some people just don't know what to say. And what do you do with the book afterwards? Now there are many guest book alternatives, however, that can be displayed in your home after the wedding to enjoy for many years down the road. Learn about all the latest wedding accessories that present useful alternatives to the traditional guest book and put the "keep" in wedding keepsake.

Memory Boxes

The wedding memory box presents an easily personalized alternative to the traditional guest book. Stationery personalized with your names or monogram can be left out for guests to write their own personal message on, which when completed will be placed inside the keepsake box. The finished memento is a beautiful box containing the well wishes and advice from all those that attended the wedding that can be displayed in your home with other wedding mementos. Both stylish and sturdy, the memory box will stand the test of time and hold the precious memories of your wedding to be enjoyed for years to come.

If you don't want to pressure guests to write something as soon as they arrive at the wedding, you can also put cards at each table that double as place cards. On one side is each guest's name, and the other side is blank for them to write their note. Place pens on each table, and guests will have the ability to write a well-thought, meaningful message to the happy couple.

Other Decorative Containers / Wish Holders

If a memory box doesn't suit your style, you can always choose another type of container to hold guests' well wishes (just make sure the guest cards will all fit inside). Use a pear-shaped jar that represents you and your new spouse as "the Perfect Pair" or display an old-fashioned birdcage for an elegant, timeless feel. Other ideas include a large colored vase or flower pot for your spring or flower-themed wedding, a treasure chest for your beach wedding, or a cowboy boot for your country-themed wedding.

Framed Wedding Photo Mat

A signature photo mat is a great alternative to a traditional paper guest book, and something you can proudly display as a keepsake from your wedding day or special occasion. There are no special treatments needed for the mat - just have your guests sign it and it is ready to display. Inside the mat you can put one of your engagement photos while it's out at the wedding, and then put a wedding photo inside later on.

Metal Signature Keepsakes

As some cardboard signature mats fade over time, wedding companies are now also offering metal guest book mats as a more permanent and decorative option. Your guests etch their names onto the sturdy, metal surface with easy-to-use engraving scribes (generally included with each kit) and now your photo will be surrounded with personal handwritten messages that can be enjoyed for years to come. For the best results, choose a metal guest book mat with a titanium finish to avoid rusting or tarnishing.

With all these great ideas, you don't have to be bound by tradition. Choose a creative guest book alternative for your wedding, and you'll guarantee a lifetime of memories that you'll actually keep and read on a regular basis.

Become a Top Wedding Planner - Wedding Portfolio Do's and Don'ts

As a new wedding planner, you'll need to create a portfolio of your wedding planning experiences so you can show potential clients what you have done.

Here are some Do's and Don'ts for putting together your first one:

DO's

• Invest in an attractive, high-quality photo album or binder. Remember this is a representation of your work, make it impressive.


• Make sure you use clear, sharp, high-quality photographs taken with a digital camera, not a cell phone. Cell phone photographs are often too grainy when they are printed.


• Take the time to attractively organize the photographs on each page of your portfolio.


• Let the brides and grooms whose photos you use know they will appear in your portfolio.


• Be ready to talk about the photographs and other information you decide to place in your portfolio; for example, favors you created, worksheets you use for planning, etc. Practice what you'll say and remember to highlight the benefits of working with you.

DON'Ts

• Worry if some of the photos are from weddings you planned for free.


• Use photographs of anything you didn't do yourself. If things you didn't handle are in the photos, for instance, centerpieces that you didn't design, give appropriate credit.


• Include photographs from other types of events that you plan. For instance, don't feature photos from corporate events and children's parties, stay focused on selling the benefits of your wedding planning services.


• Just hand the portfolio to someone to let them look at it themselves. Review pages with them and tell the story behind each picture. If you show your timelines and worksheets, talk about how your clients benefited from your highly-organized system of planning weddings.


• Make up testimonials! (Yes, I've seen this.) Ask former clients, even those whose weddings you did for free, to give you testimonials that you can quote in all of your marketing materials, and ask them if they would be willing to be references.

Remember to bring your portfolio to your first meetings with potential clients and wedding vendors whom you want to add to your network. And don't be afraid to brag a little about the fabulous benefits your clients get when they hire you to plan their weddings.

Tips for Wedding Photos - Group Shots

Many a times, those precious moments in our lives are shaped and defined by our interaction with the people in our lives. One of the reasons we want our families and friends to be with us at our wedding is because they are the reminders of those defining moments in your life, and you know their presence will make the most significant day of your life even more special. Naturally, you would want these memories to be well-documented in the form of your wedding photographs, so that you'll always remember the people who were there to make that day special.

There's a lot that goes into a group shot and although it does indeed drain much of the time in your wedding programme, it is of utmost importance and sometimes signifies a tradition that must be upheld. Never mind the hassle; it is a great way to thank each of your guests and leave a lasting memory of their presence.

Moving on, group wedding photos also allow you to relieve your special moments, even in a story form. Perhaps you might want to take the group shots over different times during the wedding, or add an element of fun to it.

With relatives, it might be necessary to keep it formal as a form of respect. However, with your close friends or ex-school mates, you can always do it your way. Feel free to spice it up by portraying the very mood of the occasion. Be spontaneous without trying too hard - do what you feel comes along. Strike a balance between both types of photo shots and ensure that at the end, everyone has been part of a group photo and that they've all had a share of the magical moment.

Always honour those guests whom you might not know too well, or have a close bond with, making sure that none of your guest is left out. Ultimately, you want them to feel comfortable and know that they are acknowledged, not just someone you have to invite because of politeness or protocol.

Keep in mind you can never take too many photos, but do give priority on having quality photos taken with your direct relatives and family members for all the love and support they have given you. Make sure you make some effort to be considerate to your guests' wishes in terms of the wedding photographs. Although, some might still feel going to tables after tables for group shots take too much time off the wedding programme, but it does provide the best opportunity for you to formally introduce your spouse to your relatives and your friends.

In a nutshell, have a good time, and know that at the end of your wedding day, you'll have an album full of the day's precious moments to look at and feel the deep appreciation of those who have come your way to make that day extra special.

Creative Wedding Favor Bookmark Ideas

Here are some creative bookmark ideas and how to easily blend them into any wedding themed event like vow renewals, bridal showers and anniversaries. You can use photos or special themes and colors and transform your bookmarks into something more than just marking a place in a book or hanging as a refrigerator magnet. Your personalized bookmarks will become keepsakes that your friends and loved ones will keep on hand for years to come because they'll know you put a little of yourself into each one.

Each of these creative bookmark ideas will give you some ways to use your bookmarks or design them to fit whatever event you need to use them for, whether you're announcing your engagement or celebrating a vow renewal after a few years of marriage.

Whether you decide to use them as stand-alone favors or added to another type of favor like mints or candies, these ideas for bookmarks as favors or announcements are sure to help you decide how and where you want your bookmark favors to blend into your theme.

Ideas for using personalized laminated bookmarks for weddings & vow renewals...

We know that personalized bookmarks are an exceptionally easy way to say thank you to your guests for sharing your special day with you. Some of the ways that you can use your bookmarks as wedding favors are:

• Place them in your ceremony programs. Your guests can admire them while following the program along with your ceremony.


• Use a ribbon to tie the bookmark to another favor such as an organza bag with a candle inside or a small token box of mints to dress up the mints.


• For vow renewal ceremonies, add a photo taken from your original wedding to the bookmark to celebrate the years you've been together.

Creative bookmark ideas for bridal showers...

Show your shower guests how much you appreciate their gifts and sharing in the fun party that your bridesmaids have given you by including a personalized laminated bookmark in with any other favors or even as a stand-alone favor:

• Choose a custom bookmark design with a photo of a wedding dress or veil


• Design the bookmark with an engagement photo


• Clip a bookmark to the favor bag that you give to your guests.


• Attach a bookmark to custom wrapped candy bar

Ideas for using personalized bookmarks as wedding announcements...

Every couple has friends or relatives that were not able to attend the wedding ceremony or reception. Let them know they were missed and thought of by sending them a special personalized bookmark announcing your wedding day.

You can include it in with an announcement card or send them a ceremony program with the bookmark favor inside. Your friends and relatives will feel honored that although they were not able to be there in person, you still care enough to send them special favors anyway.

These are just some creative bookmark ideas that will help start the ball rolling and hopefully provide other options of how bookmark favors can be easily mixed with other favors or used alone as favors or even announcements of upcoming events.

Whatever the occasion, your family and friends will love receiving your little gift that says a lot.

How Can You Make Your Wedding Stand Out From The Rest?

Your wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life, and for this reason you will want to make it memorable - not only for yourself, but for your guests as well. To do this, you need to make it different from the run of the mill weddings with which most people are familiar. What you need is to inspire your wedding with a few unique wedding ideas. If you are stuck ideas, then read this article for inspiration.

The Location
In the past, most people got married in church, nowadays, though, this is no longer the case. Today, you can choose to marry almost anywhere. You can get creative with this, but a beach wedding always goes down well. Other venues may include castle ruins, ancient sites (think Stonehenge, but less well known - they don't let you get married there!), and even your garden. You will need permission, but often, the process is relatively straightforward.

Making an Entrance
One of the most memorable ways in which you can mark a wedding is by arriving in style. Many people choose to make a big entrance, but they usually opt for something cliche (although, we have to admit, nonetheless spectacular) such as a horse drawn carriage or a vintage car. If you wanted to opt for something different, you could arrive by helicopter (yes, it will be expensive), hover craft, bat mobile... you get the idea, you can get creative.

Reception
Once you have the vows over and done with, it's time to get on with the fun bits: the reception, meal and after wedding party. You will likely have guests arriving from all over the place, and you can make their journey truly worth their while. Wedding receptions have been hosted in many strange and unusual places, from low-lying caves to the top of the Eiffel Tower. You can really let your imagination run wild here. The great thing is that some of the best venues are the cheapest - the fewer the number of people that consider that location, the less likely the venue is to attract a premium.

Fancy Dress
You can spice up the ceremony by opting for a fancy-dress themed wedding. This will do away with many traditions, but it is becoming increasingly popular. Last year, for instance, we were invited to a grunge themed wedding - that was great fun and something c completely different. It was definitely a wedding to remember. Here, you can opt for a theme that means something special to you, and add a touch more magic to your wonderful day.

Fun Added Extras
It is becoming increasingly common to add fun and interesting features to the wedding. One thing that people are doing is bringing in a 'Wishing Tree'. This is a ceremonial centrepiece where people throw in their money and make wishes, or else attach notes to the tree by ribbon. This can be a fantastic way for people to give the wedding guests a little extra help in their earl life together, and at the same time, they get to make a wish. What better time to make a wish than on such a positive and happy occasion - surely, a wedding is a place where dreams come true.

Photo booths are also increasing in popularity. These are exactly the same as the booths you would find in a supermarket (the ones where you have your passport photo taken), but there are fancy dress items inside - guests pick an outfit then have their photo taken. They get to take away some fantastic memorial photos, and the machine will store the photos digitally for the guests, too.