Wedding Planning On The Web

You can easily use the web to find DJs, photographers, videographers even a wedding planner

Planning a wedding? Whether you're a wedding planning pro or a do-it-yourself bride, I know one thing you don't: you aren't using the web enough.

The web has become the dominant way to shop for electronics, travel, cars, housing, even education. But you can just as easily use the web to find caterers, event halls, dressmakers, DJs, photographers, videographers--even a wedding planner if you decide to take a break from doing it all yourself.

Here's how the web helps you plan a wedding:

* Local search. No, you don't have to sort through vendors from here to Timbuktu. Local search technology now makes finding someone downtown as easy as finding someone anywhere. If you use Google, you only have to enter a place name along with your keyword to get a list of local businesses. Try "wedding planner fargo" (without the quotes) and see for yourself.

* Real people. The people you are buying from online aren't "virtual." They're as real as the people you'd meet in person. In fact, especially with local business, the website is just a first contact. You can always call them up or arrange to meet in person.

* Dedicated wedding information websites. There are now websites solely devoted not just to planning a wedding, but to catering, wedding cakes, even dying shoes for weddings. These same websites often have directories of wedding vendors arranged by location.

* Message boards and customer reviews. You wouldn't buy a book on Amazon without reading a review a customer had left. Now you don't have to buy decorations that way, either.

Web Wedding Planning Alternatives

The web has a lot of advantages over most other ways of discovering and evaluating wedding vendors. Just look at what your other options are:

* Recommendations from friends and colleagues. How much do your friends and colleagues really know about wedding planning? Very often, one person's idea of wedding elegance is any sane person's idea of bad, bad taste. Just look at anyone's wedding pictures. You can't trust this decision to your friends. This is your big day. It deserves a little research.

* Bridal fairs. If the vendors at bridal fairs were so great, why would they be trawling for business? Do you want an in-demand wedding vendor, or one who has to set up a booth and hand out free samples?

* Yellow pages. I remember the time my mother used the Yellow Pages to find a contractor to install some new doors. During the holiday season, the draft would blow out the candles in the window if they weren't electric. Anyone can get in the yellow pages--and believe me, anyone does.

Web Wedding Planning Advantages

* Selection. No offline source will ever have as many options, whether it's songs for the wedding reception or fabrics for the gowns.

* Ready information. As soon as you see an option you'd like to consider, you can find out all you'd ever like to know as easily as copying and pasting into Google.

* It's All in Writing. By their very nature, websites put a lot of information in writing. The written policies regarding shipping, warranties (if any), returns, and service will almost always be easy to access. (Hint: look for links to policies at the bottom of each web page.) The fact that everything is written down gives the vendor much less wiggle room to change the terms of the deal. Almost as good as the paper trail is the photograph trail--at least when it comes to merchandise. Save any relevant images along with the text.

* Better Business Bureau's Convenient BBBOnline. On the web, it's easy to check for Better Business Bureau membership. The site should have the BBBOnline logo displayed prominently on the order page. Click on the logo to be taken to the http://BBB.org profile for that business. The BBB page should say that business is a member in good standing. With the BBBOnline, the Bureau's ecommerce program, you can dispute a sale without having to go to the local Bureau where the store is headquartered.

In short, the web makes it much easier to get a perfect wedding.

About the Author

Joel Walsh is a freelance writer. Check out this website for wedding planning information and to find wedding vendors: wedding planning guide:http://www.bridalocity.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Do You Really Want a Wedding Videographer?

So, you want to have your wedding videotaped? I tell you what ― you better think long and hard about it. Talk to your friends about it or to anyone who has had it done. Videotaped weddings are not for everyone! I know, I've videotaped countless weddings, childbirths, parties, and special events. During the course of shooting for the public as a self-employed videographer, I was able to see the before, during, and after effects of the events I serviced.

Do you sense skeptism from me yet? If you did, you correctly targeted my feelings about shooting real-time live footage. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it worked out, but more times than not, I strongly believe that my presence while shooting dampened and detracted from the events I went to. Now, don't blame me for being too intrusive either! I tried my best to produce quality footage in a dignified way, but there was a price to pay.

Not only did my services cost "an arm and a leg," but there was a larger price attached to it than that. People who are videotaped lose their personal privacy. They are on stage ALL THE TIME. Videographers hear just about everything. We see just about everything. We never stop looking at the people we are videotaping. If that is not bad enough, sometimes videographers even prompt you or your friends to perform or communicate.

Then, after it is all said and done, the videographer finally hands over the footage. As a rule, people do not see themselves as they really are. In knowing this, when editing, my main objective was to edit out unmentionable, unattractive footage. Even so, what I thought was admissible, many would shutter in self-condemnation, sad to say. So, be careful what you ask for, you might feel like your video footage is mirroring you back in ways you are not emotionally prepared for.

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jensen

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Photography That will last a lifetime

  Don Cesar Resort, St. Pete Beach FL

When it comes to wedding photography what is it you want from your wedding photos?

Having pictures that you can look at in the years that follow your wedding is just one of the things that you want to invest your money in. But if you're on a constricted budget, then there are also options for you.

Things to consider

One of the main things to consider when it comes to photography is what you want from your pictures. Do you want pictures of your while family or mainly of the two of you? If it a larger wedding or is a more private celebration?

You and your soon-to-be spouse should sit down and list all of the pictures that you would like to have in your wedding album--that is, poses for pictures. With this list, you'll be able to see if you should invest in a professional or consider other options.

Where do you want your pictures taken? Some couples like to have outdoor shots, so they will need to find a photographer that does that as part of their services. The length of time you would like the photographer to be at the wedding will also factor into the price.

Look at photographer samples to see if your styles match. If they don't, the photographer may recommend someone else. They want you to have good pictures, even if it's not with them.

When you're on a budget

If you're nervous about spending a lot of money on your photographer, but still want a lot of pictures--you're in luck. With the new and improved digital cameras, you have a better shot (no pun intended) to get great pictures.

Have a good friend (who isn't in the wedding party) volunteer to take the pictures. Since digital cameras show you what the picture looks like instantly, you can take as many as you need in order to get it just right. And the quality is just as good as many professional photographers.

Another way to get a lot of chances for good pictures is to place disposable cameras at every table. People love to take pictures of other people, so you'll get a lot of candid shots of your relatives and friends. Plus, the quality is pretty good, so you're not wasting your money at all.

It doesn't matter who takes your pictures as long as you get the ones that you want. If you want to have someone else do it, then invest in the professional. But for the budget conscious, having a friend or relative take charge is just as good.

About the Author

by Amy Spade

Having pictures that you can look at in the years that follow your wedding is just one of the things that you want to invest your money in. But if you're on a constricted budget, then there are also options for you.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Destination Weddings - St. Pete Beach FL

  Don Cesar Resort, St. Pete Beach FL

Destination weddings can add a little extra touch to the wedding of your dreams

No matter where you and your future groom are wed, your wedding will have the same meaning and give you the same new start to a beautiful beginning together, however destination weddings can add a little extra touch to the wedding of your dreams.



When planning a destination wedding talk about different places where you would like to be united. An advantage to having a destination wedding is being able to have your ceremony and honeymoon in the same location. One way to get some ideas about where to hold your destination wedding is to check out some of the different resort locations on the internet. Most resorts offer wedding packages that have everything included, even a wedding planner. All you need to do is provide the bride and groom! If you want more control over your big day use these tips and ideas for planning one of the biggest days in your life.



As with every wedding, prepare a wedding planner or organizer. This will keep tasks organized and remind you of dates that certain tasks need to be accomplished by. Remember that by having a destination wedding, you will be planning your event long distance, so it will be important to have a list of things that need to be done before you arrive.



When inviting guests to your destination wedding, send out announcements early, letting them know which hotel to call to reserve rooms, as well as dates and times for plane tickets so they can be purchased in advance. You may also think about having a large reception when you return home for those who cannot attend your wedding. Send out separate announcements for this and let them know they will have a chance to congratulate you at a later date.



For destination weddings it is important to check on regulations and laws. If you are being married outside of the United States, be sure to have passports, blood tests, a U.S. marriage license, if needed, and any other paperwork that will need to be completed. Stay ahead of the game so when you arrive at your destination everything is in order.



Also consider how you will get your attire to your destination wedding. Rather than trying to check everything in at the airport on the day you fly out, ship everything separately two weeks in advance. Call the destination and confirm that everything arrived in a peaceful state. This will also give you two weeks extra time in the event that something is damaged in travel.




Do not forget to hire a photographer, clergy, wedding planner and bakery to complete your wedding. For information on different services offered, you can contact the destination’s Visitor Bureau.



A few of the more popular destination wedding spots include Jamaica in the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, the blue waters of Hawaii, and Las Vegas, with its hundreds of wedding chapels.



As long as you plan ahead and expect a few challenges, your destination wedding is sure to be day to remember.

About the Author: Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography