Tips for Shooting a Vintage Wedding

Retro-themed weddings seem to be growing in popularity by the day (even celebrities are getting in on the act), and so demand for specialist vintage wedding photographers with relevant knowledge and experience is growing with it. While there's no substitute for rolling up your bloomers and testing the vintage waters yourself, it helps to be armed with some ideas so you don't feel like a bemused Marty McFly stepping out of the DeLorean for the first time when you dive into the shoot's planning stage. Here are some tips that will hopefully stand the test of time travel...

Polaroids are People-Pleasers!

If there's anything that makes a vintage-themed wedding more authentic, it's dead technology. Sure, if the wedding is '20's themed, then sourcing a camera from that era is probably out of the question, but Polaroids are still old-timey enough to delight the happy couple and wedding guests alike regardless of the wedding theme's decade.

The trick is to take people by surprise; start by taking Polaroids of people before and during the wedding service and if anyone asks, tell them they'll be in the official wedding photo album. Then, once the ceremony's over and you've snapped the bejesus out of the newlyweds, race on ahead to the reception venue and hang the Polaroids up in an attractive display so people can see pictures of themselves and their friends as they arrive. The delight on guests' faces will make the extra effort worthwhile.

Location, Location, Location

Sometimes the couple will have a location in mind for the post-service photos but often they'll be looking for guidance from the professional (that's you!). Here are a few thought-starters:

• Heritage-listed buildings - check with your local heritage association or tourist board for suitable places close to the wedding venue.


• Parks with bandstands - hell, you could even hire a couple of violinists to play while the couple embrace in matrimonial bliss!


• Old farmhouses and barns - these timeless buildings work for any era.


• Virtually any building with a weatherboard exterior - a touch of wear and tear on the wood is a bonus.


• Abandoned buildings - for the more adventurous couples, a disused school or hotel could provide an unbeatable backdrop by tying into the whole time-warp theme. It's not everyone's cup of tea though, so approach with caution!

Don't be afraid to think outside the box but be sure to scout the location ahead of time and for outdoor shoots, make sure you have an indoor fallback in case of inclement weather. Always remember that the couple's interests and opinions are what counts; no matter how in love you are with that old sandstone brewery down the street, it's no use pushing it as a location if the bride's strictly teetotal!

Props Mean Props

Once you have your location locked in, you may just need to throw in something extra to finish off that killer shot. Many companies specialise in hiring out retro gear from a huge range of eras, and you may even be lucky enough to stumble across a bicycle from the right decade (just make sure it fits in your car!). Try propping the bike up against a wall in the background with fresh flowers filling the basket but be mindful of choosing the right colours to complement the shot. If you plan to make a long-term commitment to shooting vintage weddings, maybe even scour local junk shops for a fixer-upper - the added bonus is you get to ride it around in your spare time!

Wedding Gift Ideas

A marriage is a joyous moment in the life of two individuals. A couple shares this beautiful personal moment with their near and dear ones, who rejoice in their happiness. A wedding gift is a tangible depiction of the feelings of the giver for the couple. A gift has to be carefully chosen, keeping the couple's individual tastes, likes and dislikes in mind, if it is intended to serve its purpose. Nothing is more distasteful and insulting than an inconsiderately given gift. A gift's value is not determined by its monetary value, but it must communicate the giver's thought appropriately and adequately.

While the market abounds in numerous gift options and alternatives, selecting the right gift for the couple can be a challenge sometimes. While one can overhaul the market, surf the net and burn a hole in the purse, choosing the perfect gift requires some thinking and a little homework. A giver should always strive to give something unique and different.

Personalized gifts always stand out and make a personal statement on behalf of the giver. A special memento, decorative crystal, or a paired watch with the couple's names engraved in it along with the wedding date is something memorable for the wedding couple.

For very close relatives, a hand-made scrapbook complete with family pictures, or a family tree platter with hand-painted pictures of family members along with their names, signature photo quilts, or customized ceramic plates with the couples pictures and wedding dates etched on it are a few ideal gift options.

In case of a hard-core golf fan, one can give a golf set with the couple's names engraved on it. A Bible with the couple's names and wedding dates engraved on it is an ideal gift for a spiritually inclined couple. It is necessary to be aware and informed about a couple's interests, hobbies, tastes and the like. A gift can be given based on this kind of information. Romantic gifts like photo pillows with the couple's portraits on it can also be given. One can also give gift certificates, home décor items, classic gift items like crystal and silverware, or various wedding mementos like a polymer clay image or metal candles, just right for the mantel and keepsakes.

The choice of exchanging gifts for each other rests on the bride and the groom. Couples can exchange framed love poems, engraved jewelry or even unconventional items like a vintage car, for those who can afford it. A thoughtful gift certificate to a relaxing spa or a recreational resort is just the right way for the bride or bridegroom to express their gratitude and love for their parents. It is the thought that matters, and mere framed poetry or a handwritten letter to the parent is also as valuable, if not more.

Parents can give bridal showers, a party to acquaint the couple to the family, or some personalized gift items, including gift certificates. Thank-you gifts need not be expensive, but should cater to individual taste. It should be given according to the kind of relationship one shares with the guests.

Top Romantic Gift Ideas For Your Wife On Your First Wedding Anniversary

Start as you mean to go as they say so when your first wedding anniversary comes up make a powerful gesture by 1. remembering about it and 2. giving a gift that demonstrates how much you care. Here are some top gift ideas for that all-important first wedding anniversary.

1. Tree Sapling

When you give a tree as a gift and plant it together, it's not just something to pretty up the back yard- it's a symbolic gesture because you can watch the tree grow and bloom just like your marriage!

Bonus points: put some thought into the type of tree: perhaps oak to symbolize strength, or a fruit tree which bears a favorite fruit, or a tree typical of where she grew up.

2. Paper Love letter

Paper is the traditional gift for first anniversaries. If you feel capable of expressing yourself in words then a love letter makes a very thoughtful and heart-melting gift. If you need a little help then you can take a leaf from the great romantic writers, literally by using material from a compilation of their love letters.

Bonus points: use really nice paper, whether that's handmade, recycled paper or the finest, smoothest paper money can buy. It's also worth using a pen with archival quality ink so that your words don't fade with the years.

3. Anniversary Album with 100 pages

The idea with this book is that you take a photo on the day of the anniversary, you add it in to the album and you write a few words about what's happening in your lives. Then every year you add another photo and a few more words. This is a gift with a big future ahead of it and it will get better and better with each year and each page that you add. It's also a very simple gift to start with, all you need is a wedding photo to make the first entry.

Bonus points: make it a heavy, substantial album with plenty of pages- it won't give such a great impression if there are only 5 pages or so!

4. Watercolor Painting Of Her Favorite Wedding Photo

This is another variation on the paper theme. Get a copy of the wedding photo that your wife likes the best and then have a local artist use it to make a watercolor version of it. It's something that you can have framed and that she will treasure.

Bonus points: get an artist who can make the style of painting that your wife prefers.

5. Paper Theme Gift Ideas

Paper is the traditional gift, here are some ideas on how to use it to your best advantage:

• Fortune cookie with custom, romantic message inside.


• Tickets to a special show, opera, play, move or other performance.


• Tickets for a special trip to visit some place romantic.


• Tickets for a spa, pamper day or other special treat.


• Jewelry wrapped in paper.


• A paper message in a bottle.


• A special book like an autographed edition, a first edition or something romantic.

Promotional Tips For a Wedding Photography Studio

One of the most essential elements of a wedding is the photography. This element preserves the memory of the couple's special day forever. Wedding photos record every detail of that day beginning with pre-wedding preparation, ceremony, reception, and the couple's send-off. Wedding photography also involves a wide range of photographic skills and equipment. Skills involved include a keen sense of timing as photographers must watch out for the ideal lighting condition, a heartfelt moment, an unforgettable expression, and the perfect shot of the bride and groom.

Wedding studio promotion can encounter several challenges due to competition with numerous other photographers. Studios need to learn how to stand out from the rest using effective marketing materials and strategies. Since the product or service sold is photographs, printed marketing materials are essential in conveying the concept and philosophy behind the studio's style.

The following are examples of printed promotional materials for wedding photography studios.

Booklets - Booklets are practical and handy marketing materials for a wedding photography studio. These materials can feature a collection of photos and captions illustrating the studio's concept. For studios with several wedding photographers, booklets can feature sections of the photographers' work including profiles, a list of services, equipment used, and field of expertise. Bulk orders of booklets can easily be printed through online commercial printing companies.

Catalogs - Catalogs can be used as helpful, in-house informational and promotional materials for a wedding studio. Studio owners can print them with larger photo prints accompanied by descriptions of suggested themes and details such as type of wedding, equipment used, venue, and date of wedding. A catalog can also be used to show several profiles of photographers in a wedding studio. Customized catalogs can be printed through the services of online printing companies.

Posters - Poster printing can serve as large-format, in-house promotional materials for a wedding studio. They can feature the studio's best wedding photos combined with powerful taglines. They can also be used to promote the studio at wedding fairs, trade shows, and exhibits. Online poster printing companies offer customized poster printing using digital or offset printers.

Create Your Own Wedding Invitations - Photos of the Couple Create a Personal Feel

There is a wide range of "Create Your Own" wedding invitations available on the wedding stationery market. These types of designs allow you to supply your own artwork to be printed on the front of the wedding invitations. Many couples choose to supply a photo of themselves but other artwork can be supplied such as a drawing or caricature of yourselves.

Most wedding stationery printers will give you a choice of how your design is printed. Colour or monochrome printing is normally available and some will give you the choice of sepia. In order to personalise your wedding invitations further you can sometimes choose the type of board the wedding card is printed on. This might include a white, ivory or pearlised card to choose from.

If you want to create a more sophisticated feel to your wedding invitations I recommend choosing monochrome printing on a white board. For a more relaxed feel to your wedding stationery choose colour printing. Cream board adds warmth to a design. Some cards can also be personalised with the names of the Bride and Groom and/or the wedding date. To add a bit of sparkle to your wedding cards have the names and date printed in foil.

When sending photos to the printers there are several things you need to consider. The first is the type of photo you choose, you might want a photo of you relaxed and comfortable or maybe a more formal shot. Some wedding photographers provide a pre-wedding shoot (sometimes called an engagement shoot), you might want to use one of the photos taken by your photographer to give a professional feel to your wedding invitations. Alternatively you might want some other artwork printed such as a caricature or an image of your church or wedding venue. Remember if you are using someone else's photo, for example a photo out of your wedding venue's brochure, get permission to use it.

The second is the overall quality of the photo, choose one that is clear and well lit. Also check the photograph for any unwanted guests such as dogs or random people in the background.

And finally the most important thing, the dpi or dots per inch. Most printers will request a 300dpi image, anything below this will come out pixelated. Think about when you print a web page off. The images look fine on screen but look terrible printed. This is because they are only 72dpi. Most printers will allow you to send a hard-copy of the photo to them, but they may charge a scanning fee. It is normally free to send a digital image.

Painting From Photo, Pictures Are the Best Gift for Your Loved Ones

Gifting definitely is an indivisible part of any festivity or occasion. No matter whether it's any one's birthday or wedding or anniversary, present is important to be given. This is because gifts as paintings are not simple things but symbol of love for the other person. This is the paramount means to convey your loving & caring emotions simply at any point of time. That is why for year present has been being shared or exchanged among people to strengthen their eternal bonds of earth. We have all, at some time or another, been stuck for gift ideas for our friends and family. Sometimes finding the right gift for a loved one can be a real challenge. It can be still harder to find impressive really unique that suits the person who you want to buy for, but we think that we have found the solution. It is painting.

Translation of picture from photo and drawings finished by passionate and skilled artists are an enormous way to pamper you and your loved ones, with means custom oil painting pictures from your own photos. The little gift scenery come unframed, but off course you can frame it yourself if you like. Each art creation is unique, and so is every sheet of this handmade paper. You can even order a personal small gift paintings yourself, made as a unique piece of art especially for you or for someone who is dear to you. A delightfully painted portrait on canvas conveys a message to your loved one that you truly care about their happiness. They'll be delighted that you made a special effort to reconstruct their most valued memory on canvas.

Have you seriously considered making a gift of a portrait painting? Not anymore! With the new photo to portrait technology it is now possible to make a painstakingly hand painted portrait painting from digital photographs. Oil paintings are always well-liked and appreciated by painting lovers and every art geek. World's finest painting and portraits are crafted with oil paints. These painted pictures come in impressionism, contemporary, abstract and in many other stunning designs and styles. Painted pictures are painters own imaginations which is created by the implementation of various colors, brushes and other tools to craft a masterpiece. Oil portrait painting is indeed ideal for gift-giving purposes.

Choosing a painting gives you never-ending choices; select one of your beloved wedding pictures, group of friends' photo, holiday memories, graduation, children's portraits or a cherished family photo. Turn it into works of art that will previous forever. Imagine magnificent artwork from your photographs. Have professional artists turn them into beautiful handmade paintings and drawings. It is perfect gift idea. These masterpieces serve as the best and excellent gifts for loved ones. These items are essentially influenced by the surroundings; these heart touching gifts have their own unique styles. Although with the modern era gifts options has got more varieties but still there is no comparison of these miniature art. Paint pictures like sun set, sun rise, meadow, mountains, river, sea, natural greenery and many more are also in trend to present them to loved ones. These paintings will represent your real love and respect to the receiver.

Photo Frame Wedding Magnets Make Great Wedding Favors

Picking the perfect wedding favor for your wedding is a fun but typically long process. There are many things to choose from for just about any theme- this is why the decision is so hard! What many people do not consider is the fact that most of these wedding favors get thrown away right after the reception! Photo frame wedding magnets, however, have come into the play recently to offer a unique solution to wedding favors as a whole.

One of the best aspects about photo frame wedding magnets is the ability to create them however you want. They can be custom created to match any theme and supply any information. There are many layouts to use as a template as well as stock shapes if interested. With the combination of creativity and the help of a magnet company that knows there stuff, a couple can have a unique wedding favor to hand out to their guests.

On top of being custom magnets they offer a special function to guests that have attended your wedding. Everyone loves a good fridge magnet! Depending on which selection and layout you choose, guests will be able to get more than just a specialized wedding magnet. For those that opt for the photo frame wedding magnet, wedding guests will get two magnets. The first magnet is the photo frame itself and the second is the punch out area of the frame.

When designing a photo frame wedding magnet, it is important to remember the above. The design should take in account that people will pop out the middle section in order to place a picture of their friends, loved ones or animals. Instead of just throwing out the middle section and wasting it, make it stand alone as an independent design. Maybe the center area is where information pertaining to the wedding will go or maybe a separate themed picture of you as a couple. Whichever the decision, photo frame wedding magnets are definitely worth the investment.

Overall, these magnet types are affordable and typically less expensive than the traditional wedding favors. Even if they are a little more than what other wedding favors were, they offer the guests so much more in return. Would you rather give guests a photo frame wedding magnet that they can place on the fridge and use or give them a favor that will just end up in the trash? If it ends up in the trash- how much were you really saving on that purchase?

Give guests what they want- something they can utilize and remember your special day by. Photo frame wedding magnets fit that mold perfectly and can be purchased online quickly and easily.