Paul R Farmer Wedding Photography Treasure Island Florida

Wonderful Wedding Gift Ideas Most People Don't Think Of

2005-12-29T20:57:00.000-05:00

The wedding day is often stressful offer a day at the spa

Ever got stuck trying to come up with the "ultimate" wedding gift? Well, you are not alone. Each day thousands of people rack their brains trying to come up with unique wedding gift ideas, only to throw their hands up in frustration and buy any of the common wedding gifts being sold out there.

Below are some wonderful wedding gift ideas most people don't think of that you can use:

1. Gold-Plated Picture Frames - the perfect way to display favorite photos of their special day. Have them engraved with the couple's names and the wedding date for a treasured memory.

2. Etched Wine Glass - Have their wedding invitation, or other special verse engraved on a glass sculpture. This will be treasured for years to come, and definitely unique. Or, for a little variation, get the actual invitation, and mount it on a glass plate and finish it with matching colored paint.

3. Honeymoon Photo Album - this could be made out of wood, with something like "A Honeymoon to Remember" engraved on the cover a perfect place to capture those wonderful honeymoon memories.

4. Gift Certificates to a spa for the bride and groom are great before or after the wedding. The wedding day is often stressful, so you could offer a day at the spa to prepare them for the wedding day. Or, they could use it just after their honeymoon, as they prepare to resume their regular activities.

5. Keepsake Box - As time goes by, memories begin to fade, and what better and more unique gift than a special box where they can safely store all those precious mementos that become more cherished as the years go by This box is perfect for things like marriage license, special photos, place cards, vows, and all those other special keepsakes that often get lost as time passes.

6. Couples' Home Spa Kit - As an alternative for the day at the spa, you could give them a spa in a basket, including monogrammed robes, towels, and a few other relaxing items, like candles, bath and body lotions, some romantic music, and even engraved wine glasses accompanied by a bottle of wine for a special evening at home.

Now, who says coming up with the perfect wedding gift idea is hard? The next time you go to a wedding, try picking up any of the above wonderful wedding gift ideas and you would be surprised at how well it works!

About the Author

Mark Anthony is a wine gift enthusiast. He owns many wine-related sites, including Red Wine Secrets, Wine Cellar Secrets and Great Wine Clubs.

Beach Wedding Dress Ideas

2005-12-29T06:10:00.000-05:00

N. Redington Beach FL

A beach wedding can be much more inexpensive, and make you feel more relaxed.

Beach wedding dresses are seeked by many modern bride to be's who are able to think out of the box. The average wedding these days is budgetted between fifteen and twenty-five thousand dollars. Why would a bright young couple want to be burdened by an expense that large for just one day? A beach wedding can be much more inexpensive, and make you feel much more relaxed. The important part is that you marry the right person, not how great your wedding party is. Beach wedding dresses have the ability to make you look absolutely stunning on your wedding day.

Just remember, that beach wedding dresses are much more casual, not as long as a traditional wedding dress, and are much more comfortable. They are also usually much more colorful and made of much lighter material. More bride to be's are getting married in a variety of outdoor settings, and this is changing the way women dress on their wedding day. After all, you're not going to be very comfortable saying "I do" on top of a mountain peak or on a beach wearing a huge wedding gown with a ten foot tail.

It is your wedding day, so please don't get caught up into having a wedding a certain way just because it's been that way in the past. Beach wedding dresses may be able to give you a different perspective on the way you may want to spend your wedding day. Whether it's on the beach, on a boat, or on top of a mountain, make your day one that you and your guests will remember for years to come. This is your big day, you deserve to feeel comfortable and free. There are many accessories you can use to accentuate your beach wedding dress to make it unique and elegant, yet still help you feel at ease. What a great idea it can be to have your wedding on a beach. Imagine tieing the knot in a pair of sandals, or even barefoot. A great way to go for the modern day bride.

Dean Cecere is a successful author on a variety of everyday life issues. See Wedding gowns and bridal accessories
for more innovative ideas on how to make your wedding day one to remember.

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

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

You Can Have An Elegant Wedding on a Small Budget

2005-12-22T18:14:00.000-05:00

N. Redington Beach FL

Some things that you may want to spend money on photography and rings

If you have a smaller budget, you’re probably afraid that all of your guests will realize it. But honestly, a twenty thousand dollar wedding isn’t necessary. Many couples have done it for a lot less, and no one could tell.

What’s important

Like coming up with the original budget, you need to determine what the most important things of the day are. Do you want the designer dress? Must you have the reception at a fancy hotel?

Some things that you may want to spend money on: photography and rings. These are two things that you will keep long after the wedding day, so these are the things that should be number one on the planning list. Don’t skimp.

A cheaper ceremony

If you’re able to have your ceremony outside, then that can be the least expensive way to go. Not only are you able to take advantage of nature, but many of the times, it will be free for you to use. Places that may work are parks and botanical gardens, friend’s backyards, and beaches. Of course, these are rather weather dependent, so you’ll have to have a backup plan as well.

Find someone that you know who is a minister to do the vows, and ask that their marriage gift be the fee. This is a perfect way to include your friend and save them the trouble of giving a gift.

Skimping on the reception

The best way to keep your costs low for the wedding is to have the ceremony and reception in the same area. Even if you do have to pay a fee, then it’s only once. Another way to cut down on reception costs is to have a light afternoon cocktail hour in lieu of dinner. You can serve appetizers and drinks instead of a pricey meal.

You don’t necessarily need a band to keep the fun going either. A lot of couples have found that a friend with a multiple CD player and a good variety of CDs is just as good as a deejay. And most friends are willing to help out at the wedding if they can anyways.

Be creative when you go out and look for all of the things you need for your wedding. You’d be surprised at how many things you can save on. One couple made their own programs, decorations, and had it at a friend’s house for about three thousand dollars. The guests exclaimed that they’d been to more expensive weddings that weren’t half as beautiful.

Something to think about.

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

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

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Bridal Lingerie on your Wedding Night

2005-12-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

Your wedding night can be one of the most intimate times you will spend with your new partner

Is your wedding night coming up soon? Do you want something extra sexy and romantic to wear on what could be one of the most special and memorable nights of your life? Your wedding night can be one of the most intimate times you will spend with your new partner for life and today's sexy bridal lingerie is some of the most beautiful and sensual apparel for newlyweds to share on their first night together.

Of all of the complaints that men and women have about buying lingerie, the embarrassment of having to go into a store and buy sexy undergarments that would otherwise be kept private is the number one complaint. By using an online lingerie store you can buy those camisoles, bustiers, robes, corsets, sexy bras and baby doll outfits in the comfort of your own home at any time of day or night.

Online shopping for lingerie is becoming more and more popular and for a good reason. Not only does it eliminate the embarrassment of in person shopping, it is also extremely convenient. Additionally, with today's quick delivery options and discreet packaging, it is no wonder more and more people are buying their lingerie online.
All brides have their own tastes and preferences on their wedding night. One of the most popular requests is a sexy bridal lingerie costume, which includes a teddiette, veil, gloves and bouquet. Another favorite is the classic tapestry satin flower jacquard bustier with lightly padded under wire cups, hook and eye front, boning and a waist cinching lace up back. The garters are adjustable and removable and a matching thong is included. Don't forget to order the classic Sheer Nylon Stretch Stockings that invigorate and beautify the legs and mesh perfectly with the garter.

Remember, your wedding night only happens once in your lifetime. Be sure to make it the most sensual, intimate and memorable night of your life. Get your Bridal Lingerie today.

About the Author

NoneMike Harader is an expert author who writes on several topics including Sexy Lingerie and Sexy Shoes.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

The Key To The Perfect Bachelorette Party!!!

2005-12-14T06:13:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach FL Hilton Resort

a bachelorette party usually involves a night out with the gals

Planning a Great Celebration for the Bride-to-Be

Bachelors have been hitting the bars for stag parties for years. But why should the guys have all the fun? Throwing a bachelorette party for a bride-to-be is a fun way for the bride and her friends to bond and blow off a little steam before the big day. If youre planning a bachelorette party, there are many fun and original bachelorette party ideas.

What is a Bachelorette Party?

Bachelorette parties have risen in popularity within the last twenty years or so. While the bridal shower is still a traditional event for brides, a bachelorette party is a more laid back celebration. Like a bachelor party, a bachelorette party usually involves a night out with the gals.

Bachelorette Party Ideas: Locations

Bachelorette parties can take place at the home of the bride-to-be or the home of the person throwing the party for her. A hall or meeting room at a hotel can also be rented for the night. Restaurants often have rooms that can be reserved for private parties. You also might choose to take everyone to an event like a movie or a spa. Many bachelorette parties begin in one location and move on to a different location, like a bar, later in the night.

Bachelorette Party Ideas: Styles

The bachelorette party can be naughty or nice, depending on the brides preferences and comfort level. Most bachelorette parties include alcohol and many incorporate sexual themes. However, this is the bride-to-bes night, and while it can be fun to embarrass her a little, you dont want her to be horrified at the goings on.

Naughty Bachelorette Party Ideas

Hire a male stripper for the party or go to see a male strip show.

When each guest arrives, she writes down a task that the bride must accomplish before the night is over. When the list is complete it is given to the bride. The task list might include things like get a man to buy you a drink or get a mans phone number.

Give goody bags to the guests with inexpensive, naughty gifts inside. Many party supply shops and websites carry party favors specifically intended for bachelorette parties

Nice Bachelorette Party Ideas

Head to a spa. All the ladies can enjoy massages and manicures.

Take a tour at a nearby winery and enjoy some winetasting.

Go dancing.

Head to a microbrewery for a tour and to taste the products.

Responsible Bachelorette Party Ideas

Since most bachelorette parties involve alcohol, its necessary to arrange safe transportation for the party guests. A designated driver is one idea, or someone who would not normally be invited to the party, like a male friend. You could also hire a limousine service to carry guests to various watering holes around town. Some choose to charter a bus for the nights activities, while others use taxis to get around. Even if the bachelorette party does not involve alcohol, using a bus or limo service is a good way to keep guests together and prevent them from getting lost during the evening.

Want more tips for the perfect bachelorette party?? Learn more at our Party Ideas resource site your-one-stop-shop for Party Ideas!!! If planning the perfect party is important for you then visit out site now!!! http://www.partyideashq.com

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Bridesmaid Dresses - Choosing Made Easy

2005-12-13T06:07:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Hilton Resort, Florida

You'll have a much better time when the bridesmaids are happy

There are horror stories about how ugly bridesmaid dresses are, so brides need to pay attention and not become a statistic.

Though it's true that the dress may never be worn again, you also want to factor in that your friends are going to be photographed for posterity. And that you want them to still be your friends at the end of the wedding day.

Make it comfortable

Nothing is worse that a dress that doesn't fit the person. Just because the bride has a certain style in mind for her wedding party, she may want to think of the various shapes as well. Most dresses can be altered to fit most women, but plunging necklines or short skirts may not always be flattering.

One of the ways to avoid this is to ask your bridesmaids for their input on the dress that you choose. You can all go to a bridal store to try on different kinds of dresses. This can be a fun way to start off the bridal excitement--usually this takes place well before the ceremony.

Or you can give everyone some options as to what they would like to wear. Of course, this may mean that one person's choice does not win the vote.

Another option is to let everyone select their own dress, so long as it is a particular color that you want. This actually looks quite classy and each dress will reflect he individual's personality. A lot of brides will buy their wedding party coordinating jewelry to help everyone 'match.'

Choosing the color

There's a lot to be said for the basic colors that are available. Even if you are decorating the entire reception in lilac, you may not want to choose that color for your bridesmaid dresses. Pastels in general can be tricky.

Here's some advice.

Try to dress your bridesmaids for the season. If it's cooler, then select a deeper shade for the dresses, if it's warm, something lighter might be an option. Try a champagne color or a nearly white option. Not only will this look clean and classy, but you will also avoid the trap of looking like Easter eggs.

When it comes to the bridesmaids dresses, you want to remember that these are people that you love in the party. Talk to them about what they like or what they might like to wear. And although in the end, it will be your decision, you'll have a much better time when the bridesmaids are happy.

About the Author

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!

Get the free course "Your Special Day from Start to Finish" now at at http://www.weddingdata.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Why Choose a Beach Wedding

2005-12-11T09:57:00.000-05:00

Sunset Beach, Treasure Island FL

Destination weddings are a cost effective way of
hosting your wedding

Why Choose a Beach Wedding?

Once
the only an option for the rich and famous, beach weddings and
weddings in tropical destinations are becoming more and more
popular,and available, for the rest of us. With much of
the Caribbean only a stone's throw from the US mainland,
heading for the islands has never been easier!

So
why set your sights on distant shores for a beach wedding? The
answer seems simple - we get to travel as well as get married -
but actually there is more than one reason to get married
in another location and the benefits are numerous.

Cost
Effective.

Destination Weddings are a cost effective way of
hosting your wedding since both your wedding and your
honeymoon are in the same place. Additionally, most resorts
offer wedding packages at reduced rates, or even FREE, to
guests who are staying a certain number of nights. All
inclusive resorts roll out the red carpet to wedding guests
offering them free gifts, reduced rates for their wedding-party,
free wedding cake, and champagne and even a free wedding
planner! Since Destination Weddings typically host about
half the guest list of traditional weddings you can
literally cut your reception budget in half.

Side
Step Family Issues

A wedding away from home can ease tensions
and expectations between you and your parents and in laws.
There is less pressure to get married in the family church
or to seat the grandparents at the head table at a
Destination Wedding since all participants are more willing
to accept that all aspects of the wedding are going to be
different from the usual. Also, keep in mind that during the
planning processes you won't be bogged down with
family meetings to make every decision on your wedding...it
will all be up to you and your partner!

Be Unique

A far
off wedding allows you to embrace your imagination and your
fantasies. If you feel like holding your ceremony on a beach,
under palm trees in bikini and shorts then why not? By
freeing yourself of the conventions of home life you give
yourself permission to become creative about your special
day. Try out local customs and traditions and explore
exotic touches that will make your wedding unique and
individual.

Hassle Free

Destinations around the
world, and particularly in the Caribbean,have become savvy
to the destination-bride and have literally done all of the
work for you. Many locations have eased the rules and

restrictions on getting married in their location in order to
cater to offshore brides. Local wedding planners also take
the stress out of the planning process by simply doing
everything for you. Add this to the popular on-site
wedding that most resorts offer and almost everything is
taken care in advance of your arrival. All you need to do
is make your choices and show up.

Perfect for Vow Renewals and
Second Weddings

For those who have been there, done
that a Destination Wedding can be the perfect
alternative to the traditional wedding for second weddings
and vow renewal ceremonies. With so many secluded and private
resorts offering idyllically romantic packages for ceremonies
on the beach, in tropical gardens, or under waterfalls couples
get to have their wedding away from local town commentary.
Some resorts cruise lines also offer kids camps so that your
respective offspring can have an opportunity to bond during
the trip whilst you get a chance to spend quality time
alone with your new spouse.

Fun for Your Guests

Instead
of wishing you'd spent more time with friends and loved ones,
the Destination Wedding gives you the time to do just that.
Since many locations demand that you arrive a few days in
advance of your wedding ceremony you have the chance to
spend time with your guests over extended lunches and
dinners and to truly catch-up in a relaxed
atmosphere. An offshore weddings gives you a reunion
opportunity whilst also providing you with memories to last
forever.

The internet has made planning an island beach
wedding a breeze, or as easy as planning any other type of
wedding, at least! Web sites have sprung up, such as the <a
href="http://
www.islandbrides.com/">Beach
Wedding Guide</a>, that provide pretty
much
everything you need to begin your planning, walking you through

all the unique wedding destinations, and putting you in touch
with local wedding planners, photographers, florists,
hotels and resorts.

All you need to do is choose your
island!

-------AUTHOR CREDIT -----------------

Author
Credit:
This article is reproduced courtesy of

www.islandbrides.com/">Beach
Wedding Guide</a>. Islandbrides.com
provides the only
complete guide to planning your beach wedding or
destination
wedding in over 30 Caribbean locations.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Planning On The Web

2005-12-10T09:14:00.000-05:00

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?

2005-12-08T19:42:00.000-05:00

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

2005-12-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

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

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Destination Weddings - St. Pete Beach FL

2005-12-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

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

How to Choose Your Diamond Wedding Ring

2005-12-02T08:19:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Hilton Resort

The more carats a wedding ring has the more it will cost

A favorite activity of everyone getting married is the incredible fun of going through a wedding ring selection process. But there are so many things to consider - and sometimes it can turn into a nightmare.

I've got to be honest here, everybody secretly wants a monster stone in the most beautiful setting possible. Do most women get it? No, not really. A perfect, flawless 3K diamond (or bigger) isn't realistic for most. Getting married involves a lot more than a flash ring which is going to have to be paid for and, of course, the bigger it is, the longer it's going to take to pay for it.

Like most young girls, you may have spent a lot of time dreaming of the perfect diamond wedding ring. Hopefully, you and your fiance decided to shop for rings together, or you have informed him of what you like. You will wear the wedding ring for a significant amount of time and it only makes sense that it's something that you like. If your knowledge of diamond wedding rings is limited to size, it's a good idea that you obtain more information before you make your wedding ring selection.

Consider some alternatives like "Loose or Set".

When most people think of a diamond wedding ring, they often think of a stone that is already set or mounted. You can actually buy a diamond only and choose a setting later. Why would you do this? The cost. When you shop for loose diamonds you will notice that diamonds are available in various sizes and shapes, including oval, round, and marquise.

Now let's say you are pretty much indifferent to the shape, but you might want to consider your hands. Certain styles complement certain types of hands. A good guide is to match the shape of the diamond to the hand. Do you have long, narrow fingers? Then an oval-shaped diamond or similar elongated style diamond for your wedding ring would probably work for you. Round diamonds usually are considered a good choice for most hands.

Now, what about the setting.

You really need to carefully consider the setting when shopping for a wedding ring. Should you choose platinum or yellow or white gold? Yellow gold is the setting that most people choose for their wedding ring. It is typically less expensive than platinum or white gold. But if you do choose a yellow gold wedding ring, be careful that you don't choose a higher quality just because you think it is better. As the quality of yellow gold goes up, the softer the metal becomes. A wedding ring set in 24k gold will be less resilient to scratches and more malleable than a ring that is set in 14k gold.

Platinum is by far the most expensive and most durable of the trio. White gold is a good choice for a wedding ring setting if versatility is important to you. White gold tends to go with everything.

White diamonds are by far the most popular. Did you know that you could buy a pink diamond? Diamonds are available in other colors, but these are typically more expensive. Second to the classic white diamond is the yellow diamond. When shopping for your wedding ring you will actually find more of these than any other color of diamond.

OK, now the big one - consider the cost.

Your budget probably carries the most weight in your wedding ring selection. A wedding ring featuring a diamond can cost as little as $100 and as much as $1,000,000. In general, the amount of money you can expect to pay for a diamond wedding ring will vary according to the type of stone and the setting. The more carats (that is the bigger the single diamond or the more smaller diamonds there are in total) a wedding ring has the more it will cost. Diamonds set in platinum will cost you the most. You can, however, spend much less on a wedding ring set in 14-carat gold. You can balance the cost by buying a wedding ring with a high number of carats and set in a less expensive setting.

Ultimately, you have to carefully consider your budget and your future. There is no single answer that will suit everyone. Some have the enviable pleasure of being able to buy whatever combination they most desire. For most of us, however, we need to begin our married life by using smart and careful selection to make sure our diamond ring not only suits and satisfies us, but also doesn't stress our finances.

About the Author

Richard writes on a variety of subjects for his own and other sites. If you're interested in great information and articles all about weddings be sure to visit Elena's Completely Weddings at http://Completely-Weddings.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?

2005-11-29T05:34:00.000-05:00

Tampa Bay/N Redington Beach Hilton

when selecting a wedding photographer the client has to focus on the end product

As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked more than anything else. Rarely will somebody ask me about my wedding photography education, awards, or professional memberships. I believe the root to this question lies on misinformation about the different qualities of film and digital.

Film

For a photographer with no computer experience or who does not want to spend the time correcting digital files film is the way to go. Film allows the photographer to photograph a wedding or event and at the end of the day be done with the process. When the time comes to print the photographs the photo lab will take care of color balance adjustments and retouching.
From a technical aspect film has a wider dynamic range than digital. This means than in high contrast scenes film has the edge. It can handle them better without blowing the highlights.

Digital

The greatest advantage for digital is the control of the photographic process in the hands of the artist. The photographer is not longer at the mercy of the lab to produce a photo that reflects his inspiration and vision.

Digital allows the photographer to shoot more frames without the expense of film and development, which can translate into a more complete coverage. After the event the photographer simply edits out the bad photos and you as the customer end up with the best selection of the day.
The digital medium is ideal for backup. Multiple copies of the event can simultaneously exist in different locations in the event of a catastrophe. With film there is always only one copy of the negatives, which could be duplicated, but the second copy suffers significant quality degradation.
With digital it is possible to produce different versions of the same photo including black and white, color, sepia, etc. through a very simple process.

Digital allows for a faster workflow. If your photographer offers digital gallery previews your photographs can be available in a matter of hours for viewing and ordering. In addition, slide shows and DVDs can be produced for the client.

Digital retouching in the hands of an expert can create amazing results.
Since there is no chemistry involved to develop digital the digital process is more environmentally friendly.

Resolution

In terms of resolution both film and digital can produce similar results. With the advent of 11 mega pixel and above digital cameras, digital has the edge for enlargements due to its lower noise levels and the lack of grain.
Many purist talk of the film look, which is basically film grain and noise that gives film its unique look. This film look can easily be simulated with digital image processing techniques.
Many people would be surprised to know that most photo labs will scan film prior to printing. In other words direct film to print is a myth. Digital photos when printed on true photo paper are virtually indistinguishable from their film counterparts.

What does the film vs. digital war means to the client? I believe that when selecting a wedding photographer the client has to focus on the end product more than anything else. At the end it doesn’t matter if the photographer uses film or digital. What really counts is the quality of the photographs that he or she will produce for your wedding day.
There are good and bad photographers using film or digital. Your task as a client is to weed out the bad ones and select a photographer that will capture beautiful memories of your wedding day.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit oregon
wedding photographer and
salem oregon wedding photographer

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

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Planning Your Second Wedding

2005-11-27T06:05:00.000-05:00

Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach Florida

Planning a second wedding can often be more difficult than planning the first

So you have decided to tie the knot for a second time. Take a deep breath and let the wedding plans begin! Planning a second wedding can oftentimes be more difficult than planning for the first. There are several factors that must be taken into consideration as you make the most important wedding planning decisions of all...What is the wedding budget, when to have the wedding, where to host the wedding, and who will be invited?

What is your wedding budget? Since this will be your second wedding, it is likely that you will be absorbing the entire expense. You are little older and wiser this time around. So determine the type of wedding you would like, then determine the type of wedding you can afford. Do you want a traditional wedding, a non-traditional wedding, an extravagant formal wedding, a formal/semi-formal wedding with only family and your closest friends present, or a romantic wedding retreat to a chapel? There are many different options available to you that vary in expense. Whichever option you choose, plan your wedding in a manner that expresses your unique style and celebrates your love.

If you have yet to set your wedding date, it is best to allow a minimum of six to eight months to plan your wedding. If you intend to have a large formal wedding and reception, you may wish to begin your planning a year in advance. This will allow you time to save money, reserve the ceremony and reception locations, minister, DJ or band, order dresses and complete any alterations, get the men fitted for tuxedos, and the list goes on. Keep in mind that many vendors are booked up to a year in advance. So you will need to reserve your date as soon as possible.

For many couples, choosing a wedding ceremony location is the easiest decision of all. Those that are members of a local church often opt to have a traditional church wedding. Others choose all-inclusive wedding chapels. If you prefer a different ceremony setting, you might consider hosting your wedding at a local hotel banquet room. Hotel banquet rooms vary in size and may accommodate thirty to three hundred guests. Most rooms are large enough to host your wedding ceremony on one side of the room while providing an elegant setting for your reception on the other side of the room. A flat rate is usually charged to rent the room, then you can add appetizers, lunch or dinner service to create an all-inclusive package. Most banquet rooms can provide a dance floor and accommodate a DJ. Be sure to call several different local hotels to check pricing, availability and menu options. You may be surprised at how much the prices vary. A more scenic option is to host an outdoor wedding at a local bed and breakfast. Search the yellow pages and the internet to find them and call for information. Some properties feature flower gardens or gazebos and a bed and breakfast offers you the option of a low to moderate-cost honeymoon right on the premises.

Who should you invite to your wedding? To answer this question, you must first decide where you will host your wedding. If you will be escaping to a romantic getaway to get married in a wedding chapel, you might want to invite only your closest family members to attend your vacation wedding, or you may want to reserve the special day for just the two of you. For medium to larger weddings, it is appropriate to include your close family members, extended family and closest friends. If your budget allows it, expand your guest list to co-workers and other friends. If you are on a tighter budget, make a list all of the people you wish to invite, then trim the list down leaving names of those with whom you maintain a close relationship(immediate family, best friends). If you have children from a previous marriage, consider the role, if any, that you would have them take in your wedding. While romantic getaways are tempting, if you have children, it is important to include them in your wedding plans. Give them a special role in your wedding, such as a bridesmaid, best man, or flower girl. Your new marriage can be a difficult and transitional time for your children. Even for those who welcome your fiance' with open arms. Having your children share in your wedding day will send a message that they will always be special and play a leading role in your life, regardless of the changes that may come.

While most of your loved ones will offer you support and encouragement, some friends or family members may urge you to tone down your wedding because this is your second marriage. Ultimately it is up to you and your fiance' to decide what is best for your situation. Just remember that while this may be your second marriage, you have been through alot to get to this point in life. Both of you have every reason to celebrate your love, and your love has no lesser value simply because you found one another the second time around. Thank goodness for second chances!

About the Author: Article submitted by M.Dawn of Southern Craftworks. Shop at http://www.SouthernCraftworks.com for personalized gifts for all occasions, wedding accessories, jewelry, baby keepsakes, candles, decor, and review more wedding planning tips.

Source: www.isnare.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Replace your Wedding DJ with an iPod

2005-11-26T07:59:00.000-05:00

Whether its true or not, most everyone agrees that wedding DJs are expensive. A popular tip circulating the net is to replace your wedding DJ with an iPod and DJ your reception yourself. While this may sound like a great idea, there are some things to consider. Just as with any do-it-yourself project, you must be aware of all facets before you start.

The first most important job for a good DJ is to play music that the crowd enjoys. A simple shuffle has no way of knowing who is dancing to what. A person does need to run things, but not just any person will do. Putting your 12 year old nephew won't do you any good. The person in charge of the music needs a large amount of music knowledge. A good DJ should have this knowledge. A good DJ should be able to identify a song based on a few bars hummed out of tune or a snippet of lyrics that are slightly incorrect. Your DJ must not have a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, and this is not as easy as it sounds. One simply has to think of all the Best men who have hemmed and hawed their way through a wedding toast with the microphone held at waist level. Also, does he/she know how to auction off a garter or any of the other traditional reception activities? If not, will the bride and groom want to do these things while they should be enjoying their guests? Oh, and just like you would give your wedding singer or officiant a tip for performing your ceremony, don't forget a gratuity for your impromptu DJ.

Unless you're a music collector, chances are you don't have a music library with waltzes, polkas, old country, new country, oldies, classic rock, new rock, soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, dance, etc. And, unless you want to subject your guests to your musical tastes, you should probably buy a selection of these songs. If you're not up on popular waltzes and polkas, or don't know which songs are currently topping the country Top 40, search the web. $25 dollars should buy you enough music on iTunes to cover enough various musical tastes that most guests will enjoy themselves.

Another task for a good wedding DJ is one who is covered by insurance. Sure, your homeowners policy *might* cover it, but I'd hate to see your premiums next year if an accident does occur. Don't think accidents will happen to you? Are you serving alcohol at your reception? If you're telling yourself, "All the drunk people I know never act like fools!", stop and think about that again. Besides, many venues require proof of insurance because they don't want to see their premiums raised because your grandma tripped on a speaker cable and broke her hip. Searching the web for "wedding event insurance" will yield a whole crop of insurers who will give you a $1 million dollar policy for around $200.

Equipment is of course another important factor a good DJ brings to your reception. Do you know where to get speakers? Or mics? Or Mixer?? Larger cities will have rental companies that can provide these things. You can even find many such companies by searching the web for "dj equipment rental". Most wedding sized systems rent for anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars per day. In most cases, you must provide a truck or van to transport the equipment. Now, do you know how to set these things up? If not, will the rental company give you a tutorial? Some rental companies will give you a tutorial when you pick the equipment up, but make sure to take notes, because if you have to call them later they will likely charge you for a service call. Some equipment rental companies will deliver, setup, and test their equipment as well as pick up later, but this is extra.

That being said, if you KNOW your group will interact without being prompted (or just don't care if they interact or not), and if you've got a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of music that will run your iPod (instead of enjoying your reception), and you have adequate insurance to cover any accidents that occur due to your iPod setup, and you have a large enough music library to make sure everyone gets to hear the music they want, and you're able to get your hands on adequate dance lights and speakers, and will be saving money by spending $550 to $700 then by all means use an iPod. You honestly have no need for a DJ.

If planning and organizing all this sounds like just one more hassle, you'd probably do better to hire a professional so that you can enjoy your reception and spend your first day as husband and wife doing something besides returning rental equipment. For a few dollars more you'll get professional equipment, professional knowledge from someone who has planned and performed at hundreds of weddings, peace of mind that any glitches will be resolved quickly, no hassles about tearing down equipment when the reception is over, and no worries about getting it back before you owe another day's worth of rental fees.

About the Authors: Tim and Tammy Smith own and operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company in Fargo, ND. They have been providing exceptional entertainment at weddings, proms, and parties since 1991. Visit their website at http://www.byrequest.dj

Tim Smith
By Request DJ & Karaoke Company - Yesterday's Traditions, Tomorrow's Technology.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Popular Wedding Hair Styles

2005-11-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing

Great hairstyle is the crowning glory to your personality. A wedding hairstyle holds much importance to enhance the overall beauty of the pretty bride. The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing. No wonder, you will be too busy in picking your wedding dress and accessories. But the wedding hair style is as important as your wedding dress. You have a number of hair saloons where you can get special popular wedding hairstyle. These styles have been adorned by so many beautiful brides.

The hair style, off course, depends on the dress you are wearing and shape of your face and hair texture. The hairstyle must be in accordance to the veil or the head piece of the bride. Also, the hair style should be set to make the bride a real princess.

Fulfill your dream of being a royal princess by wearing a sparkling crown on your head. One of the most popular head piece is the crown. It is classy and also easy-to-wear. To wear a crown, you can adhere to a simple hairstyle. You can pin up your hair on the top of the head to make a high bun. Also you can part your front hair and curl the back hair. After curling the back hair, pin them up high or let them down. After this, fix the crown and veil with the same pins. This will give you a more formal look.

If your wedding is a casual affair you can let all your hair down. Just pull them back and fix the veil with a beautiful wreath. Wreath is a half ring made up of flowers.

Flowers are an inseparable part of wedding hair styles. The beautiful flowers enhance the feminine looks of the innocent bride. You can choose from a variety of flowers. The most popular wedding hair styles incorporate the flowers like orchids and roses as they are available in so many attractive colors.

For a sophisticated look, you can pull all your hair back to make a low bun just above your neck. Flowers can be added individually around the bun or in the form of a ring. The most popular buns are the ones made after rolling your hair. You can tie your hair in to a low ponytail and roll over the rest of hair into rolls. A bun with 6 rolls is the hottest among the brides these days. After bun is complete, you can add certain accessories like flowers, hair brooch or simply some beads in the new hair style.

Las Vegas wedding hair style is also in vogue among the young generation brides. It is a funky hair style. In this wedding hair style the hair are pined loosely to make a bun on top of your head. The front hairs are let loose. The hair locks from both the sides of forehead and allowed to fall down on the face of the bride. Are you ready to embellish your crowning glory by now?

About the Author:

Marcus Grant, http://www.Prom-Hairstyle.net

Submitted at: Content-Articles.com
- The Premier Web Site Content Article Directory

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Enjoy The Love On The Best Honeymoon Beaches

2005-11-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

Honeymoon beaches offer warm scenic coastlines and sunny beaches

After the long wedding with family and friends, a honeymoon is a time for you two alone, away from everything else and just focus on the special moments. Thus, planning a honeymoon is very important and can make a big difference on how you enjoy your time together.

Honeymoons should offer excitement, adventure and romance for newlyweds looking forward to a private time to celebrate their marriage. Honeymoon beaches getaways offer warm and scenic coastlines, sunny beaches and exotic tours that are just perfect and absolutely romantic for a great start in life together.

Today more than ever newly married couples of all ages are opting for honeymoon beaches and cruises. After months of stressful wedding plans, all you two want is to lay back and not think about anything else then enjoying every moment together. With the right honeymoon package you can spend a care free honeymoon in one of the most romantic beaches at an affordable price.

If you're not sure where to go there are always travel agents that are more than helpful. Ask about honeymoon vacation spot that are within your budgets, look thru brochures and ask all the questions you need before choosing. Also, travel agents will inform you about the latest honeymoon vacation packages that will fit right into your budget.

Last but not the least avoid taking heavy luggage with you. This gives a chance to shop around and buy memorable things from your honeymoon destination. If you are making a trip overseas get travel insurance done to have a carefree and happy journey. Also keep all the essentials like your credit cards, medicines, creams, camera, some foodstuff and the like for it is better to have your own things than to hunt for them at a new place.

To assure a complete hassle free honeymoon, avoid taking heavy or to much luggage. Having to carry heavy bags and unnecessary items will be a hassle. Take only what's necessary for the trip and remember that you will most likely buy memorable things to take back. Also, keep all your important documents and medicines near your and organized for easy access, this will be very helpful especially if you will be traveling abroad.

Plan ahead, travel light, keep organized and take advantage of honeymoon vacation packages! Have a care free honeymoon and savor every moment!

About the Author

Victor A. is an expert author who writes for http://www.honeymoon-tourism-hotel-reservations.com/

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Is Digital Camera Technology Making Film Obsolete?

2005-11-22T19:51:00.000-05:00

Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the wall...

How is a digital camera different from a film camera? What are pixels and why are they important? What’s the difference between optical and digital zoom? What advantages do digital cameras have compared to film cameras? Let’s address these and other questions as we discuss digital camera technology.

First a short history and overview of digital imaging...

The technology began with television in the early 1950’s when researchers discovered how to convert video images to electrical signals for storage on magnetic tape. In the 1970's electronic still photo cameras were developed. These employed the first generations of solid-state image sensors. By the late 1980's megapixel sensors were introduced - the technology that paved the way to today's modern digital cameras.

Fundamentally, film and digital cameras do the same thing. Both utilize camera lenses to focus photographic images on a light sensitive medium where they are stored for later retrieval. But the way each camera does this is radically different.

Instead of capturing the image on film that must be developed and printed, digital cameras measure light and color characteristics using photodiodes built into a sensor - either a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) then converts the signal to binary, or digital, code. This code is sent to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) which adjusts photographic elements such as contrast and color, and compresses the file for storage in the camera’s memory, compact flash card, or other memory device.

Digital cameras have huge advantages when it comes to viewing and printing photos. It's nearly instantaneous! We can immediately look at the picture on the camera's LED screen, and if we don’t like it, delete it and shoot again. Or we download and view it on our computer's monitor. And the pictures can be cropped or enhanced in minutes on the computer with photo software and printed with a photo printer. Plus many digital cameras have optional printer docks that don't require a computer at all.

What’s a Pixel?

The human eye perceives a nearly infinite blending of light and color which high-quality film can approximate in a photograph. A digital image however, is a binary code file that records these variations as elements called pixels - short for picture elements.

Pixels are tiny squares of light and color, that when assembled create a mosaic. And like a mosaic, if the squares are small enough we see a smooth, photographic image. However, if the pixels are too big the transitions appear jagged or out of focus.

More pixels equal higher resolution and photos with clearer sharper detail, much like when you look at a mosaic with very small elements. For example, a 3 Megapixel digital camera can produce pretty good snapshots and even enlargements to about 8" X 10". But the more you enlarge, crop or otherwise manipulate the image, the larger the pixels become, degrading the photo’s quality.

Size Really Does Matter

The number of pixels the sensor produces is important, but so is the quality. The CCD sensors of many small digital cameras are about the size of a small fingernail, while some larger models will feature sensors up to about 1" across. There are conflicting opinions about sensor type and size, and the technology is advancing. But in general it can be argued that the photodiodes in a tiny CCD probably won’t be as powerful or effective as an equal number in a larger sensor.

So unless your most important considerations are the smallest and/or cheapest camera, you’re likely to be happier with the picture quality from a slightly larger model, assuming both have the same number of pixels.

All Zooms are not equal

The specs say the camera has 3X optical and 4X digital for a 12X total zoom. Sounds good, right? The answer is yes and no. Optical zoom works like a telescope, while digital zoom crops the picture. Using these zoom specs with our 3 megapixel camera example, here’s what happens.

Optical zoom brings the image 3X closer and uses all 3 million pixels. But digital zoom crops up to 75% of what the lens sees and the sensor is exposed to, so the photo now has about 750,000 pixels. Depending on lighting and other conditions, using full digital zoom may not even get you a good 4" X 6" print.

The Future of Digital Photography

The last few years have seen tremendous advancement in digital imaging technology. Some high-end digital cameras can now generate more than 12 million pixels and produce photos that rival medium-format film cameras. As with all electronic technology, it’s reasonable to expect even better cameras will come to the market over the next several years.

Photography purists will probably resist abandoning their film cameras as long as possible. But when comparing convenience, flexibility and quality, it seems inevitable that the majority of photographers will opt for digital over film photography - and probably sooner rather than later.

For more information on comparing features and finding the best digital camera to fit your photography style and budget, visit A-Z-Digital-Cameras.com and see our Digital Camera Comparisons page.

By W R Kirk
About the Author:

A-Z Digital Cameras.com is your complete A-Z resource for digital cameras and accessories including information, reviews and where to find the best deals.
This article may be reprinted in its entirety, with no changes, and this resource box included.
© 2005 A-Z Digital Cameras, All rights reserved.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Holiday Photo Cards: 3 Ways to Personalize Your Greetings

2005-11-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year when you are puzzling over ways to make your greeting cards stand out from everyone else's. Nothing could be more personal than making your own cards. Photo cards are a smart choice because there are a range of options and prices.

Snapshot Photo

When choosing a standard photograph for your holiday greeting card, you have two main options. First, you can scour your digital pictures from throughout the year and choose one that already works well for a card. Look for a picture that tells a story. One of my past favorites was a picture of my girls baking cookies together.

Second, and more fun, stage a picture with family members holding up words on construction paper. Dress them up in their parkas and mittens and have them hold signs that say "Let It Snow." Or take a picture of the family in front of the fireplace holding up cards with the year.

Custom Artwork

Do you have a little one who is a budding artist? Give him crayons, markers, glitter, and colored paper and tell him to draw what the holiday means to him. The less instruction you give, the more likely the picture is to show the holiday through the child's eyes. Take a digital picture of the artwork and add a cute border.

Scrapbook Photo

This is my favorite! Use your holiday card as a chance to show off what your family did this year. Lay out a page like you would if you were scrapbooking--with photos, captions, borders, or knick-knacks. Then snap a picture of your layout. Make sure to add your family name and the year. Get creative!

Making the Cards

To give your cards a professional touch, upload your digital picture to an online store to make your cards. Depending upon the store, you may be able to add borders, text on the inside, and text on the back. You can have them sent to you for addressing and mailing or do all of that online as well

About the Author:

Tricia Meyer is the owner of
Helping Moms Connect and Digital Picture King. She is the mother of two girls and lives in Fishers, Indiana.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Maid Of Honor: The Bride's First Lieutenant

2005-11-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

What Does A Maid Of Honor Do?

The scope of the maid of honor's role in the wedding depends upon (1) how much responsibility she is willing to take on, and (2) how much responsibility the bride is willing to delegate. Usually the maid of honor is chosen because she is 1 of the bride's very closest friends, and her job description as maid of honor is similar to her activities as a friend.

Aide-De-Camp

The maid of honor does much more than simply walk down the aisle ahead of the bride and stand beside her during the ceremony. She is the "highest ranking" personal assistant to the bride during the wedding preparations. The maid of honor shoulders some large responsibilities, such as hosting the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and helping to choose the bridesmaid's dresses.

But she is also there just to be supportive of the bride, to act as a friend and confidante, and to help her in ways both great and small. Throughout the weeks and months of wedding planning, the maid of honor is involved every step of the way, from choosing a dress and wedding location to helping wrap favors and set up for the reception.

Party Hostess

2 of the larger responsibilities of the maid of honor are hosting the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. As 1 of the bride's closest friends, the maid of honor is the ideal candidate to host these gatherings. She knows best what type of party the bride will enjoy, and what types of gifts are most suitable for the bride's taste. Because the bridal shower and bachelorette party are aspects of the wedding preparation the bride usually has little control over, she'll have the pleasure of not stressing about them. She delegates these duties to her maid of honor, and rests assured that her friend will handle them admirably.

Wardrobe Consultant

Many times the maid of honor plays a key role in selecting dresses for the wedding. She ordinarily chooses her own dress for the wedding from a selection provided by the bride. Once the color and style of the maid of honor's dress has been selected, she works hand-in-hand with the bride to choose the bridesmaids' dresses. Their style and color will complement the maid of honor's dress, while taking into consideration what looks best on each of the bridesmaids. The maid of honor often assists the bride in choosing her own wedding dress.

Adviser And Confidante

The wedding day is understandably hectic for the maid of honor. Although she has supported the bride throughout the planning process, her most important responsibilities take place on the actual day of the wedding. Besides standing at the altar beside her friend, the most important role of the maid of honor this day is to keep the bride calm and to handle any last-minute problems that may arise.

Angel-In-Chief

Like most things in life, few weddings go exactly as planned, and it is the maid of honor's duty to be sure that any problem does not upset the bride. Emergency supplies the maid of honor should keep on hand include: extra stockings, lipstick in the bride's color, tissues, safety pins and hairpins. These can come in handy if the bride has any last-minute trouble with her attire, hair or makeup. The maid of honor plays the important role of ensuring that the bride looks her best throughout the day.

Counselor And Friend

When all is said and done, the most significant role of the maid of honor is to be a friend to the bride. The planning and preparations, and the actual wedding itself can be very stressful and emotional for the bride. What the bride needs more than anything else during this time is someone who will offer a sympathetic ear and practical advice. This, then, is the most important function of the maid of honor.

Visit Wedding Ideas to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer with a Website Here.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

Wedding Cake Toppers

2005-11-17T20:42:00.000-05:00

When deciding on a topper for your wedding cake, try to find something unusual or one of a kind. The kind of wedding you are having, is a guide to the type of wedding cake topper you should select. If you are having a very formal affair, a topper with puppies dressed like a bride and groom, probably wouldn't work.

Avoid buying one of those cheap plastic bride and grooms that you can find in discount department stores, and some bakeries. Your topper should be as special as your cake, and reflect your dreams and taste, not those of the baker.

Use your imagination, there are some really humorous cake toppers available, that you might enjoy. However you may want to think about whether or not it might offend some of the guests on both sides of the family, like grandparents and other older relatives.

There are military, and police cake toppers as well as cartoon characters, teddy bears, animals, sports themed toppers to name just a few, as well as the traditional bride and groom.

Maybe you would like a wedding cake topper to reflect interests that you and the groom share. Do you both love music, dancing, hockey or bowling? You can likely find a topper to recognize that. Did you know, that there are Harley Davidson cake toppers available?

Of course you can get doves, bells, gazebos and hearts to adorn your wedding cake.

Any of these paired with the bride and groom figurine would look wonderful.

Fresh, silk, marzipan or frosting flowers can make a spectacular wedding cake topper, that will have everyone talking about the beautiful cake.

Maybe your Mom and Dad still have their wedding cake topper or perhaps your mother-in-law has her mother' topper. What a special significance either of these toppers would have, if used on your wedding cake.

It is possible to have a cake topper designed to your specific wishes. Marzipan artists can make figurines to resemble the bride and groom, or even a favorite pet. Churches, temples, your home or the car you just bought together, can all be created as a cake topper for your wedding cake. Swavorski Crystal will be offering some truly different but exquisite crystal cake toppers. I cant wait to see those.

If your wedding will have an overtly religious theme, then please choose your cake topper design, with that theme in mind.

About the Author

Would you like to learn more about cakes?
See 1.000+ of wedding cake pictures, read some more cake tips, find cake toppers and other supply at CakeChannel.com
See you there!

Wedding Traditions Unveiled

2005-11-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

Weddings are that special occasion where two people come together to celebrate their love for one another. Yet, was it always this way? How did marriage come to be, and what is the meaning behind some of the many strange traditions observed today?

We assume that marriage has always been a sanctimonious tradition; however marriage was not originally about holy matrimony or true love. The original intent of marriage was to insure a safe environment for the bringing up of children, as well as the acquisition and transfer of property. Indeed it is the rather superficial marriage of convenience which can be viewed as the original meaning of marriage. Eventually marriage became more about love, and less about property. Throughout that time, though, numerous different traditions and superstitions have surfaced. Here are just a few of these.

In Ghana, Africa, location is everything. Women in Ghana are viewed as the life force of the tribe. After all, they were where all the great warriors and chiefs came from. Because of this, Zulu culture referred to women as the great homes. Because of this status, it was considered customary for the husband to be, to move to his brides village.

The Mande people of Africa practice clitoridectomies (female circumcision). During this time, the women are taught how to be good wives. They are also taught a special secret language that is only spoken by married women.

A common African tradition is jumping over the broom. The broom has become a symbol of the sweeping out of the old, to welcome in the new. The part about jumping over is actually of North American origin. It was from the days of slavery, when slaves were not allowed to marry. By jumping over the broom, the couple was solidifying the seriousness of their marriage.

In 1076, in Europe, it was decreed that no man should give away his daughter, or other female relative, without a priestly blessing. Interestingly enough, it wasnt until the 16th century that priests were even required to perform wedding ceremonies. Another interesting medieval tradition: women at the time would pluck their hairlines in order to attain higher foreheads, which were considered more attractive at the time.

Conservative/Orthodox Jews have a neat tradition where the bride walks 3 to 7 times around her husband to be. This is done to signify that she is a protective wall for her husband, and that by stepping inside, their family status has changed. Ah, but what of the breaking of glass? This is done to represent the many, many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. It acts as a reminder of those bad times.

Interestingly, the Muslim faith doesnt really celebrate weddings. A marriage is strictly an officious occasion. The marriage occurs inside an office, rather than a mosque. The wedding is viewed as a private civil/religious contract. The only real tradition here is that the groom must give his bride a dower to serve as insurance for her future.

Japanese (Shinto) weddings are also small and private affairs, though they are far more elaborate. Both bride and groom sip three times from three separate cups of sake. It is done to guarantee luck and happiness in the marriage.

Chinese brides are given chestnuts and jujubes. This was done with the wish of the bride to conceive a son as soon as possible. Brides wear red dresses to symbolize the color of love and joy. As we shall see further down, Europeans viewed the color red in a completely different light.

Speaking of Europeans, many Eastern orthodox ceremonies featured the placement of wreaths on the heads of both bride and groom. It was done to symbolize their place as king and queen of the heavenly kingdom of Earth.

With such a wide variety of traditions out there, it is interesting to note that two of them are almost universal among human culture: the wedding veil and the wedding ring.

The Veil

Wedding veils saw their origin among the Romans. Ancient Romans believed that women were particularly susceptible to possession by demonic spirits during weddings (perhaps they had a lot of runaway brides back then). The veil was used to confuse these spirits. To further help the bride out, bridesmaids were dressed in clothing similar to the brides. They were to act as decoys for these demons.

When Christianity took over, the veil was changed to represent chastity and modesty. This really took off in Britain during the 1800s. During some Eastern ceremonies, the groom is not allowed to remove his wifes veil until after the ceremony. Jewish faith took the exact opposite approach. In some Jewish ceremonies, the groom first validates that the bride is his intended, before placing the veil over her face.

The Ring

Wedding rings are probably the oldest wedding traditions out there. They can be traced back over four thousand years, to the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians would make rings out of twisted pieces of plants. The ring was meant to symbolize a love with no end. Egyptians and Romans both placed the ring on the 4th finger of the females left hand. This was done out of the belief that there was a vein on the 4th finger that connected directly to the heart. It was called the vena amoris, or love vein. When Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe, the vena amoris was replaced with a holy seal. Priests would take the wedding ring and touch the first three fingers of the left hand (thumb, index and middle) while reciting: the father, the son and the holy ghost. Upon reaching the 4th finger, the ring was placed on it to seal the marriage.

For a long while the ring went from being a symbol of endless love, to that of ownership. The Romans used it like a branding. It was worn by the husband's wife, to signify his ownership over her. Two thousand years ago, in Asia, this ownership concept was taken to a new level with "puzzle rings." These were rings that were worn by brides as a sign of loyalty. If a bride were to take her puzzle ring off, it would fall to pieces. These pieces could then only be put back together by knowing the solution to the puzzle.

So what of the history of other common wedding traditions?

One interesting tradition is the presence of a flower on the buttonhole of the groom. The flower matches one of the flowers in the brides bouquet. This was a holdover from medieval times, when a knight would wear his ladys colours in order to signify his love for her. I suppose that means that in one small way, chivalry isnt dead.

Then we have the confetti. Prior to being paper, confetti was originally a mix of

rose petals, rice and grain. Before that, it consisted of various sweets which were thrown over the couples as they emerged from the church. It originated in Italy. In fact, confetti is Italian for: candy.

Finally, what history of weddings article would be complete, without a brief rundown of some popular wedding superstitions?

The day that a wedding took place, was considered to be vitally important. As such, a little rhyme was concocted to allow future couples to pick the appropriate days for their marriage.

Monday for wealth

Tuesday for health

Wednesday the best day of all

Thursday for losses

Friday for crosses

Saturday for no luck at all

Then there was the month. Depending on what month one was married in, ones marriage could be glorious or tragic. By far the worst month of all, was May. This was due to the historic pagan belief that May was the start of summer. This was celebrated by the festival of Beltane (commonly called May Day, now). As part of the festival, couples were encouraged to have outdoor orgies to bless the crops and the Earth. Because of this, it was considered a bad month for a newly monogamous couple to marry. The best month of all, for marriage, was June. This was because June was named after the Roman goddess of love: Juno. Interestingly, June is now the second most popular month for marriages. August has recently taken over the top spot for weddings.

Next we come to the bridal dress itself. While most brides today marry in white (which symbolizes maidenhood), the tradition is only as old as the 16th century. Prior to that, brides chose whatever colour dress they would like. There was a general rule of thumb though.

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Blue, your love will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Brown, you will live in a town,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back.

Green dresses were viewed as being a sign of promiscuity. This lead to the old saying that a woman has a green gown. This was meant to signify that she was rolling around in grassy fields. Back then, only Irish women were considered okay in a green bridal gown.

Last, but not least, we have the classic wedding rhyme: Something old, something new. It started back in Victorian times, but what does it mean?

Something old: This represents the friends of the couple and the hopes that they will remain friends throughout the marriage. This was traditionally represented by an old garter which would be given to the bride to be, by a happily married woman. It was done in the hope that the happiness would be passed onto the new couple.

Something new: The happy and prosperous future of the newlyweds.

Something borrowed: This is something lent by the brides family. It is often an item that is highly valued, and that the bride must return after the wedding in order to ensure good luck.

Something blue: This is an Israelite tradition. The bride would wear a blue ribbon in her hair to symbolize fidelity.

There is one more part to the rhyme that is often omitted:

And a silver sixpence in your shoe: The placement of money in the brides shoe was done to ensure wealth and prosperity in the lives of the new couple. For some reason or another, this portion of the tradition doesnt appear as popular. Perhaps that is why so many couples run into money problems?

So, when you are consulting the Ms. Manners of wedding etiquette, remember, its mostly just folk lore. Just be sure to bring the ring.

The Iconoclast is a student at the University Of New Mexico and part of the web building team at Gifteteria.com. View Wedding and Shower gifts at http://www.gifteteria.com/WeddingPage.html

Article Source: Article Hub

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Wedding Slide Show Productions

2005-11-15T20:38:00.000-05:00

Wedding slide shows are being shown at almost every wedding across America. Parents are having them made for their children, married couples are having them made for themselves, best men and maid of honors are having them made for the happy couple, and the list goes on. What are some of the reasons people are having these slideshows/video albums/photo montages made? And where exactly do they fit into the wedding ceremony?

Slide shows for weddings can be shown at rehearsal dinners, the reception, or both. Slide shows for rehearsal dinners can be very personal and should also include those in the wedding party as to make the slideshow more entertaining to the audience.

Slide shows for receptions are often shown while the bride and groom are still having their pictures taken. In this way, your guests are being entertained while awaiting the arrival of the new Mr.& Mrs. However, the most popular time to present the slide show is during the meal or immediately following the last person served. In this way your guests are being entertained while dining, and this takes the stress off of having to come up with "small talk" for an extended amount of time. Still others will simply allow the slide show to play in the background with no music, or sound. Just a continuous flow of pictures throughout the evening to give the guests something to look and to help keep the conversation between guests going - pictures have a way of creating conversational topics. This is good to do when there are no creative elements in the slide show presentation - just the fade-in, fade-out photo montage style slide show. But for a more creative slide show presentation you should opt to show the slide show continuously throughout the evening only after having shown the slide show completely through with the sound (when the slide show is finished just turn off the sound and let the show play in a continuous loop. But make sure you tell your slide show creating company that this is what you want to do).

The wedding slide show should consist of photos of both the bride and the groom from the time of birth through the engagement. In addition, when creating the slide show make sure to include photos of the guests when possible. This will most assuredly help keep your audience's interest peaked. Another feature you would most definitely want to include in the slide show is credits. Give credit to mothers, fathers, grandparents, the bridal party, and anyone else who helped to make this the most memorable occasion of your life.

Presenting slide shows at the reception is a wonderful way to display your relationship to all your family and friends. It will be especially meaningful to your out-of-town guests because it will help them get to know the new love of your life, how you met, and the joy you bring each other.

Once you've selected the photographs for your slide show, contact a professional slide show creating company, such as Sands of Time Multimedia Creations. Professional slide show companies are experts at creating the best slide show for your special occasion, and have all the equipment necessary to create a professional quality DVD or VHS. But don't make the mistake of putting this off until the last minute. Creating professional slide shows takes time, and so does the mail. So get started gathering up your photographs and video clips as soon as possible, and call your slideshow creating company for hints and ideas to help you create the best slide show possible to help make your occasion an event they'll all be talking about for years to come. And don't forget to order copies to give to the parents, grandparents, and other close family members and friends. They'll be glad you did!

About the Author

Sandra Clukey has years of experience and an intense passion for turning still pictures into beautiful, sentimental video albums for people everywhere and is the lead slideshow creator for Sands of Time Multimedia Creations. http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/ You can view some of her samples here: http://sandsoftimemultimediacreations.com/index-1.html

How To Look Great On Your Wedding Day

2005-11-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

Looking great on your wedding day means being radiant,
relaxed, and ready to start a brand new existence with the
person whom you've chosen to spend your life with. Your
hair, nails, makeup, dress - and how you look in that dress
- are all part of becoming the bride you want to be on that
special day. Since pictures taken on that day remain part of
your life forever, it's important to look and feel your
best.

Your dress is one of the most important items in your
wedding plans, so make sure you take enough time to choose
one that suits you - not your best friend, not your
bridesmaids, and not your mother. For the day of your
wedding, you'll want a dress in which you can stand, walk
and dance in without worrying about "wardrobe malfunctions"
or causing you discomfort. Allow necessary time if you
decide on having the dress made, but even if bought "off
the rack," you'll need to factor in time for tailoring and
any adjustments.

You don't want to overpower your dress and headpiece with
a flamboyant hair style or color that overwhelms everything
else. Keep it simple and classic, and remember to practice
the look you want at home or with your stylist before the
wedding day.

Have your nails professionally manicured the day before
the wedding. This is one thing you don't want to do far in
advance. Reduce the chances of a broken nail, chipped
polish, or if using applied nails, one coming off, by
having your manicure as late as possible. If you are not
inclined toward colored polishes or long fingernails, make
sure they are neatly trimmed, filed, polished, and buffed.
Your hands will be a focus of attention when showing off
that new wedding ring and for photos!

Makeup is the last thing you'll need to worry over, and
that comes on the big day, itself. Don't try to transform
yourself into a different person with dramatic eye makeup
or garish lipstick. Make the real you look better!

Use a slightly heavier hand than with your usual daytime
makeup so your photos won't have you appearing washed-out
looking, but don't overdo it. And if your wedding is at
night, with more subtle lighting, apply makeup as though
you were going to a club or restaurant at night - a little
heavier than daytime, but not much! Avoid deep red lipstick
as well as too-pale pink. Frosted eyeshadows or lipsticks
are definite no-nos.

Buy fresh mascara to avoid clumping. Also, if you have
sensitive skin, this is NOT the time to try a new brand.
The last thing you want to do is head for the altar with
blotches or zits thanks to an allergic reaction.

The night before your wedding is not the time for partying
so get eight hours of restful sleep. If you're having a
rehearsal dinner, or a bachelorette bash, make sure that it
ends early. Drink moderately or, better yet, not at all.
Bloodshot eyes and a banging hangover will not make for a
fun wedding.

Don't gourge yourself the night before because we all know
that there are strange forces at work which will try to
make your wedding gown just a wee bit snug in the morning.
To overcome excitement and nerves, try taking a long walk -
it can help with pre-nuptial jitters. A relaxing bath with
soothing background music, a cup of herbal tea, and you
should be ready to doze off with images of a happy future
marriage in your dreams.

With these tips, you're sure to have the perfect wedding
day. May this day be the beginning of a lifetime of joy
and happiness!

by Melanie Mendelson (c)2005

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Mendelson will help you lose weight fast for your
wedding. Visit her website http://www.DietForBrides.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

The Advantages Of Professional Wedding Photography

2005-11-08T05:51:00.000-05:00

...Professional wedding photography is certainly not cheap...

An important aspect of planning the events and preparations for your wedding lies in the selection of a photographer. Some people are intimidated by the concept of arranging for professional wedding photography because they fear the cost will be too exorbitant. Professional wedding photography is certainly not cheap, but it is one of those things in life where the old adage you get what you pay for is certainly true. You can use an amateur for your wedding photos if you so desire, but the difference in the end result will be readily apparent. Still, there are ways to get good quality wedding photography, performed by a professional, and still have enough cash left for the honeymoon.

When selecting a professional to handle your wedding photography, price will be a factor in your decision. While you get what you pay for, there is no reason to pay more than you have to. Before deciding on any one photographer or photo studio, do some comparisons. Look at the sample photos that you are shown and ask if they have samples you can take with you. Compare the look of the photos from each photographer with one another. If you find two that seem to be of similar quality but with vastly different prices, then the decision is easy. Obviously the less costly photographer can do the same or similar work for less.

Another consideration in selecting a professional photographer for your wedding is what you get for your money. Most professional wedding photographers offer package deals that include a set number of prints of different shapes and sizes for one price. These packages can vary greatly in terms of content and price from one photographer to another. Look at all they have to offer and make your decision after weighing what you think is the best deal for the money in terms of what you actually get.

One thing many people do not consider when selecting a photographer for their wedding is the impact of copyright law. The photographer may hold a copyright on your wedding photographs. If so this technically makes it illegal for you to create additional prints, copies, or even computer scans of the photographs for reproduction elsewhere. Find out when interviewing photographers what rights they exercise over your photos, if any. Youll find that most photographers do exercise some form of copyright over the finished product. Others will sell you the entire package, including the negatives for you to do with as you please. This is not the most important part of selecting a photographer, but it is something to consider carefully.

Professional wedding photography is one part of your overall wedding experience that will, unfortunately, cost you some money. There is no way around that if you want the best wedding photos you can get. With a little investigation and comparison, however, you can still save money on this most important feature and make sure that you get the absolute most for your money that you possibly can.

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

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

Digital Cameras + Photo Printers = Quality Instant Photographs

2005-11-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all the rage. You could shoot a picture and have the finished print in a minute or so.

...Happily, photo printer reviews disclose that even an inexpensive photo printer produces true photo quality prints.

The quality wasn't that great, but hey, you had your pictures now! Today with digital cameras and high-tech photo printers, we have quality instant photos virtually indistinguishable from processed prints. And unlike the old instant cameras, you have the digital equivalent of a negative for future use.

Happily, photo printer reviews disclose that even an inexpensive photo printer produces true photo quality prints. The main difference in printer prices is the number of features. Of course the best digital photo printers will produce better quality, but for the average consumer there's no noticeable difference.

Types of Photo Printers

The two types of true photo printers are: 1) thermal dye transfer (usually called dye sublimation), and 2) photo ink jet. A quick photo printer review reveals the differences.

Thermal Dye - These printers transfer dry pigments from a ribbon, usually 3 colors plus a protective clear coat. Most have a maximum print size of 4" X 6", but a few will print digital photo enlargements up to 8" X 10".

Many are portable, some even battery operated, and they have excellent resolution. For instance, 300 X 300 dpi on a thermal dye printer will match an ink jet's 1200 X 4800 resolution. And the print's clear coat makes it look and feel more like a conventional photograph.

Photo Ink Jet - Differences from traditional ink jet printers include; faster printing, inks formulated specifically for photos, and more nozzles applying the ink. Prints are very high quality and generally cost less than thermal dye transfer prints. Photo ink jet printers print photos up to 13" X 19", and can also serve as an all-purpose printer for your computer.

Tips for Comparing Printers and Printing Photos

If you want to print photos directly from the camera, both camera and printer should be PictBridge compliant. Most camera/printer dock combos are brand & model specific so if you replace either one, you can't use it with the other. PictBridge is a standard allowing any compliant camera and printer to interface with a USB cable.

When reviewing printers make sure they will print the sizes you want. Otherwise you may not always be able to get the prints you want, and/or waste a lot of paper and ink in doing so.

Just because a printer has a lot of whistles & bells, high resolution settings, etc., doesn't mean it will give you better pictures. Look for the features you will actually use, and by all means carefully compare the finished print quality for each printer.

Download some free photo editing software for easy picture enhancements. It isn't necessary to buy expensive computer software when you can find a free photo editor with a quick Internet search.

Photo printer technology has come a long way in the last couple of years. Do-it-yourself prints cost more per print than commercial services, but less than conventional film processing, and the convenience is well worth it.

About the Author:

A-Z Digital Cameras.com is your complete A-Z resource for digital cameras and accessories including information, reviews and where to find the best deals.
This article may be reprinted in its entirety, with no changes, and this resource box included.
© 2005 A-Z Digital Cameras, All rights reserved.

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- The Premier Web Site Content Article Directory

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

Digital Video Cameras: Not Your Father's Super-8

2005-11-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

Camcorders have been around for years, but today's sleek technologically advanced digital video cameras are huge improvements over the bulky VHS cameras of the past.

...Look at a few digital video camera reviews and it's easy to get confused, so let's examine the key factors to review when comparing digital camcorders.

High resolution video and CD quality sound are hallmarks. And even with features like image stabilization, full-color viewing screens and high powered zooms, many of these cameras weigh in at less than a pound.

Digital video camera applications are amazingly diversified. Preserving milestones and memories like wedding, birthday and vacation videos are just a few. Digital camera technology and super miniaturization allow hidden digital cameras to record activity at a business or home. It's said that many of us are recorded on a digital surveillance camera several times a day in our normal activities.

How to Compare Digital Video Cameras

Look at a few digital video camera reviews and it's easy to get confused, so let's examine the key factors to review when comparing digital camcorders.

Camera Format

Almost all digital video formats deliver 500 plus lines of resolution and CD quality audio. This is about twice the resolution of VHS with vastly superior sound. The following summarizes digital video camera formats:

MiniDV video cameras are compact, have broad software & hardware support, and can record several hours of video. They are the most popular video cameras.

MicroMV are ultra compact video cameras using the smallest video cassettes. These cameras record in high quality MPEG-2 format. Software/hardware compatibility is limited and cassettes are more expensive.

Digital8 video cameras are lower priced and also play older analog 8mm and Hi8 video cassettes. While slightly larger than MiniDV camcorders, they have wide compatibility with editing software and hardware devices. Some provide analog to digital conversion features for older videos.

Mini-DVD camcorders record directly to mini DVD-R or DVD-RAM discs. DVD-Rs can be played on most DVD players, while DVD-RAM discs require a DVD-RAM drive. Mini discs provide easy storage, but video recording time and editing capability are limited.

Micro-Drive and Memory Card video cameras offer ultra compact designs and like Mini-DVD cameras, easy search/access. The unique features of these cameras make them better suited to gadget-loving techies.

Image Sensor and Light Sensitivity

Digital camcorders use CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors to interpret light and color. In general a larger CCD delivers more pixels and better quality video. High-end video cameras feature 3 CCD's, each dedicated to a single color for better resolution. The CCD should be at least 1/6 inch, delivering 290,000 pixels or more. 1/4 to 1/3 inch with 690,000 plus pixels is even better.

Light sensitivity, or illumination ratings should be no higher than 7 lux. For low light videos, 2 lux or less is preferred. To capture digital still photos from your video, look for a still resolution rating of 1-2 megapixels.

Optical vs. Digital Zoom

Look for at least 10X to 20X optical zoom. Digital zoom is practically worthless because instead of zooming in on the subject, it crops the image, severely reducing pixels and degrading resolution.

Exposure and Focus Controls

These controls are automatic on almost all video cameras. But manual overrides provide better video in situations like focusing on a subject in front of a distant background or adjusting for unique lighting conditions.

Viewfinder and LCD Screen

The viewfinder may be black & white or color, largely a personal choice. The LCD viewing screen should be 2.5" or larger. If possible compare screens outside in sunny conditions as some will wash out so badly they're effectively useless.

Other Cool Features

Some will add significantly to the camera's cost, so carefully evaluate and decide which ones you will actually use (unless of course you simply must have the coolest video camera available).

Progressive scan rather than interlaced

16:9 widescreen mode

Wireless (Bluetooth) and remote control

High definition capability

Webcam, email and cell phone functions

Fade and other digital effects

There are many more options, but match these key features to your needs when doing your digital video camera review and you'll ensure your video camera choice provides the flexibility and enjoyment you want.

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- The Premier Web Site Content Article Directory

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Planning Destination Weddings - Where to Begin

2005-11-05T06:53:00.000-05:00

You have made the decision; you are going to have a destination wedding! It's all very exciting, the world is your oyster, but what do you do now? How do you start planning your destination
wedding?

...Many couples have successfully planned their own destination wedding and it is not as daunting as it may first seem.

There are a number of factors you need to take into consideration
before you begin planning your destination wedding. The most
important being why you have chosen to have a destination wedding
and not a wedding at home. What are the main factors motivating
your decision, for example, is it to save money, time, or eliminate
stress? Or do you simply want to put your personal stamp on the
occasion?

Once you've established this turn your thoughts to the type and
style of wedding you would like and how much involvement you would
like to have in its planning. Would you like a small intimate
affair or a grand occasion? Do you want it to be traditional or
adventurous?

Your answers to these questions will have a bearing on how you
should plan your destination wedding and whether you should use a
Tour Operator, Wedding Planner or plan your wedding yourself. Each
option caters for subtly different wants and needs and has both its
advantages and disadvantages.

If you are planning to have a small destination wedding and do not
want to spend your time worrying about the "little details" that go
hand in hand with planning a wedding at home, and value for money
and keeping costs low is one of your main priorities, then using a
Tour Operator may be the perfect choice for you.

If you would like to have a unique wedding that reflects your
individual style and personality or be involved in the decision
making processes but not the hands on planning then using a Wedding
Planner may be your best option.

Alternatively if you think you would enjoy the challenge of
planning a wedding in a foreign country or break into a cold sweat
at the mere thought of handing the responsibility over to someone
else, then planning your own destination wedding could be your
perfect choice. Many couples have successfully planned their own
destination wedding and it is not as daunting as it may first seem.

Once you have decided which option you wish to pursue be sure to
investigate a good selection of providers. Properly researching the
options and services available to you will provide you comfort in
the knowledge that you have chosen the right partner or partners to
work with, after all it is your wedding day and you shouldn't
settle for second best.

With careful research and planning you will be able to plan a
wedding that is unique, a wedding that is distinctive, a wedding
that surpasses all your expectations and is the talk of the town
for years to come.

About the Author

Natalie Wingrove successfully planned her own destination wedding. In order to share her experiences and offer valuable advice, hints & tips on having a destination wedding she has created the website www.weddings-abroad-guide.com.

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

A Wedding You Won't Forget!

2005-11-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

Ah, the wedding. It is one of the most joyous, and torturous, events you will ever face. It absolutely amazes me what we humans put ourselves through just to create that perfect celebration of love.

...A slideshow video will leave your guests with a smile on their faces and tears in their eyes!

The planning of a typical wedding is very difficult. I should know because I am planning my own right now!

There is so much that needs to be done and there never seems to be enough time. I have talked with literally hundreds of people who have gone through the planning of a wedding and I have found that its the little things that cause all the stress. Its easy to plan for the obvious, but the minute details can drive you insane!

One of the most overlooked details of a wedding is what I think one of the most important details. It is making your wedding special for your guests. You see, its easy to forget that the wedding is not just for you and your future spouse. Its also for everyone who attends your wedding. Its very important you dont forget about all the people who are special to you and who will be traveling from all over to be with you on your special day.

Picture this.the lights dim. A hush falls over the crowd. A slideshow video starts playing on the screen at the front of the room and it tells a story. What is this story, you ask? Its a love story! It is the story of you. It is the story of your future partner. It is the story of both of you. It is pictures of you both from birth to present, arranged with text, your special music, and just about anything you want to use to entertain your guests. It will leave your guests with a smile on their faces and tears in their eyes!

Most engaged couples I have spoken with love the idea of having a slideshow video in their wedding. The problem is that they think its either very difficult or incredibly expensive. Neither of those assumptions is correct. Its actually very easy to have one made. As matter of fact there are several companies online that will make a video for you. Obviously Im biased because I think our company is the best but I will give you some things to look for when shopping for a slideshow video production company.

Price. You have to be very careful here. Many companies advertise great prices, but they dont tell you about all the hidden costs. For example, Company X may say that they only charge $99.00 for a video. But if you read the fine print they charge an additional $2.00 per photo for scanning and another $1.00 for each picture enhancement. Once the video is complete, they will charge you another $50.00 just to preview it. So this $99.00 video just turned into a $500.00 video.

Previewing. Most places will not let you preview the video or, if they do allow it, they will charge extra to preview it. Its absolutely critical that you preview any slideshow video before you buy it. Previewing the slideshow video allows you to make sure you like all the titling, screen transitions and photo arrangement. You want the video to be exactly the way you want it.

Montage. Montage videos are what I refer to as a tech heads video dream. They involve constant panning back and forth and zooming in and out. They also feature fancy looking screen transitions where the pictures will do flips and spins and all sorts of other cool things. Now, these montages may look high tech but they are completely inappropriate for a wedding. A wedding slideshow video needs to be classy and tasteful. It doesnt need spins and twist, flips and twirls. It needs to have clean, smooth transitions. They need to flow from one picture to the next with elegance and grace.

Remember, you want your wedding to be special. You want your guests to remember your wedding with fondness. You want it to be an unforgettable experience. What better way than with a slideshow video that features your life up to that point! I hope your wedding is the best that has ever occurred. (Besides mine, that is!) I hope you decide to engage your guests by showing a beautiful, romantic slideshow video at the beginning of your ceremony. May you have the best of weddings and dont forget to have fun!

Paul Merryman is the owner of http://www.Slideshow-Videos.com. His extensive experience in making wedding videos has brought pleasure to many wedding couples. He is also Vice-President of Higher Motivation, Inc. Their free http://www.front-porch-attitude.com newsletter has helped many people learn to live life as life was meant to be lived!

Article Source: Article Hub

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Matrimony In The Digital Age: Wedding Web Sites

2005-11-02T21:15:00.000-05:00

Theres a new method of keeping your wedding memories alive that is gaining popularity among the young couples of today: the wedding web site. Wedding web sites are an online collection of images and stories detailing every facet of a wedding.

...If you choose to create a wedding web site there are a number of ways you can go about it
Everything from choosing bridesmaids dresses to ordering the cake and hiring the band is recorded and included on the wedding web site. Many couples keep their wedding web sites up and running after the wedding to serve as a sort of interactive online wedding album, hosting pictures from the ceremony, reception, and honeymoon.

One of the nice things about creating a wedding web site for yourself is the flexibility that the process offers. You can include as much or as little information about your wedding as you like. The site can be used as an electronic go-between, keeping family and friends updated and informed about the tasks youre completing in preparation for your wedding day, informing your guests of any last minute changes in planning, and letting everyone know details such as where youre registered for wedding gifts. The site can include a blog that you can update as often as you like, allowing you to share every detail of your wedding experience if you so choose. You can also offer your guests the ability to R.S.V.P. online, put up guest lists so everyone knows whos coming to your special event, and post an interesting history that describes how the two of you met, how long you dated, how he popped the question, and any other amusing or romantic anecdotes you desire.

If you choose to create a wedding web site there are a number of ways you can go about it. There are web hosting sites online that specialize in setting up and hosting wedding web sites. Most of these offer easy to use do-it-yourself web site building tools. If youre proficient in web design or own web design software like Front Page or Dreamweaver, you can get even more flexibility by designing the site yourself. You can also hire a professional web designer to create your wedding web site for you.

The wedding web site concept is just one more way that weddings are stepping out of the realm of ancient traditionalism and into the information age. Modern technology has created a wonderful way for you to be able to share your wedding memories anytime, anywhere with anyone that has a computer and access to the Internet. Now you dont have to worry about whether Aunt Edna in Sioux City will ever be able to see your wedding photographs. You can just send her an email message and give her the URL of your beautiful wedding web site. Your wedding web site is timeless too. As long as you keep paying the hosting (prices for web hosting vary greatly, but can be very low for this type of site), your wedding web site will remain online forever, allowing you to look back many years from now and remember your wedding like it all just happened yesterday.

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

Article Source: Article Hub

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

Priceless Little Wedding Planning Details

2005-11-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

...Successful planning the various details of your special day is crucial....

Your wedding should be the happiest day of your life, not a frightening remembrance of the past. The difference between a successful wedding and a disaster greatly depends on planning. Successful planning the various details of your special day is crucial. You should worry about not only the large details such as the wedding gown but about the smaller ones such as your wedding favors.

Once you determined what method you'd like to use to announce your engagement or wedding, you should start researching the details. For example, if you'd like to announce your wedding in a newspaper, you should find out about the procedure to submit your ad. It is usually best to call the newspaper or visit their Web site for more detailed information about wedding announcements. By the time you are ready to place your add you should have the following information available:

* your wedding date,

* wedding location,

* the bride's maiden name,

* your parents' names and where they live,

* where you will live when you are married.

Depending on how much space is allocated by the newspaper, you might include some additional information such as:

- names of your bridesmaids or made of honor and their cities of residence,

- your honeymoon destination,

- information about the bride's and groom's place of birth,

- education such as schools attended and place of employment or business.

Hopefully, your wedding day will be a smooth affair, but you should be prepared for emergencies on your special day. Your made of honor should be sure to have the following small but significant items available for emergencies:

- Band-Aids,

- clear nail polish,

- needle and thread,

- painkiller,

- a complete list of phone numbers of all the involved parties such as caterers and vendors.

Planning your wedding is a huge undertaking, and you deserve a break. When you feel stressed by planning your wedding, try to relax with some of your favorite music or read a good book. Put your feet up and just relax. Just closing your eyes, meditating can be a revitalizing experience. Clearing your mind can be a great stress reducer.

Your wedding reception is one of the most important components of your wedding day, so don't mess it up with a cash bar. Cash bars are a sure sign of bad taste. Don't do it. Inviting people to your wedding and then asking them to pay for their drinks is impolite. If cost is an issue, invite less people or make other arrangements. If you are on a budget, you might provide a limited selection of alcohol.

If wedding planning is not your favorite pass time or you just don't have time or afraid you might miss something important for your wedding day, you may want to consider hiring a professional wedding consultant. A wedding consultant can make the wedding planning process not only easier, but also perhaps more fun. After all, your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life.

George Meszaros is affiliated with Sweet Reflections; a leading provider of wedding favors http://www.sweet-reflections.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

Writing Your Wedding Vows

2005-10-31T21:10:00.000-05:00

...your wedding vows are the central purpose of the wedding....

Is your wedding going to be a very formal and traditional affair, or are you breaking a few rules to have an event that is uniquely your own? In either case, many brides and grooms are writing their own vows today, with varying levels of creativity. You can still do very traditional vows, or you can be very nontraditional. If you decide to try writing your own vows, there are a few things you should consider.

Traditional Vows Have Years of Meaning

There is history in traditional vows, and something moving about reciting the same vows as generations of men and women before you, promising a lifetime of love and commitment to each other. Many faiths have their own distinct version of the promises a couple makes to each other, and because they have been used for so long, they have depth of meaning already built in. Even if you decide to be very creative in writing your own vows, it would be wise to study traditional vows and consider what makes them so moving and incorporate some aspects of them into your own vows.

A Creative Expression of Commitment

Writing your own wedding vows allows you to be creative in the words you speak when promising your life to another. They allow you to create very personal and individualized expressions of marital commitment. Here are some ideas to help you put together the perfect wedding vows.

If you have any favorite love poems, stories, or songs, write down your favorite passages. Look through religious literature and select passages that are appropriate for your relationship or feelings. Consider how you really feel about this step in your life and about your soon-to-be spouse. After you've thought about all of this, begin writing it out on paper.

Do you best to verbalize how you feel, what you are willing to promise, and that this commitment is for a lifetime. Practice saying it out loud so you can make sure it's not too long, and that it is focused, not rambling all over the place. You may decide to write your vows together, write them separately but share them with each other ahead of time, or just surprise each other.

Whether you choose to use traditional vows, write your own creative expression of love and commitment, or use some combination, your wedding vows are the central purpose of the wedding. They deserve the time and attention it takes to make them a true expression of your hearts.

Christi Vega is the founder of http://www.CorpusChristiWeddings.com, the most complete online resource for planning a wedding in Corpus Christi, Texas. Includes information on wedding professionals, articles & checklists, planning calendars, wedding music, books, and more.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

What Is A Wedding Checklist and Why Do I Need One?

2005-10-31T05:30:00.000-05:00

...included on a wedding checklist reserving the date with photographer...

With everything a future bride and groom have on their minds getting ready for their big day, it is almost impossible to keep it all in order. To help you remember everything and minimize the headaches related to even the smallest of details, it is a good idea to prepare a wedding checklist.

Having a wedding checklist, which can be altered to fit your specific needs, will lessen the stress load each time you cross off a completed task. A wedding checklist will also ensure that when your big day comes, you haven't forgotten anything and you can relax and enjoy your day.

Some things that may be included on a wedding checklist are reserving the date with a florist, photographer and disk jockey; set the time and date of the wedding, and reserve your church and reception location. These starter steps should be done about six to 12 months before your date.

More ideas to add to your wedding checklist include establishing a wedding budget, choosing the wedding party and ordering invitations and announcements. You may also want to consider picking out your dress and hair piece, visiting a boutique to look at attire for the attendants and ordering your wedding rings. All of these things should be done as early as possible to save you time when the small details become a necessity.

Closer to your date, the wedding checklist you create should have reminders for you to order wedding flowers, address invitations, plan a rehearsal dinner with friends and family, select the music and order the wedding cake. These things should be done about four months prior to your big day.

About four to six weeks before your wedding, you will need to go over your wedding checklist and began mailing invitations, do a final fitting for your gown, select your groom's gift, be sure that thank you notes have been written and sent out for any showers and receptions that were thrown in your honor, and place your announcement in your local newspaper.

As you continue crossing tasks off your wedding checklist, it will become smaller and you will have a feeling of satisfaction and organization. The final details come two weeks before your wedding when you will need to make a final appointment with your florist to approve your flowers, go to the courthouse for a marriage license, change names on accounts and official documents and begin a list of wedding gifts and senders so that you will be able to send them thank you cards later.

Although these are just a few things that should be included on your wedding checklist, it gives you an idea of how many details you will be covering throughout your planning. If you stay organized with a list and give yourself plenty of time to complete each task, you will reap the rewards of having a peaceful beginning to your new life.

About The Author:

Your Wedding Helper is here to help you make your Wedding Day Perfect. Visit us now to get started planning Your Perfect Wedding Day

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Wedding Gowns - Getting the Best Out of Your Photographs

2005-10-30T07:15:00.000-05:00

...wedding gowns are made to make the bride look absolutely stunning...

One of the most important things to any bride is the wedding photography that captures the magical day, for years to come. Most wedding gowns are made to make the bride look absolutely stunning; however, not all wedding gowns photograph as well as they should, so it is important to consider what your short listed wedding gowns will actually look like, in the photographs.

Wedding Gowns and the Accessories that Make Photographs Special

The types of wedding gowns that will look best in your wedding photographs depend largely on the style of wedding photographs that you have chosen. If you are opting for the contemporary style of photographs that are not staged but actually follow the day, on a more informal basis, then you need to be aware that your choice of wedding gowns will be viewed from every angle.

On the other hand, if you are opting for a small selection of formal photographs purely from the front, then your choice of wedding gowns should focus on the detail at the front of the dress. If you have chosen to have only black and white photographs, it is worth considering what your chosen colors of wedding gowns will look like in monochrome.

Top Photography Hints for Wedding Gowns

Never forget how important the detail on the back of wedding gowns is. During the ceremony, your guests will have little to look at other than the back of your wedding gown. Therefore, it is important that all wedding gowns have some special detail and unique look; it is also a great opportunity for the wedding photographer and a picture from the back of the ceremony venue can be stunning!

Bear in mind that accessories can look a little strange in wedding photographs so it may be worth investing in accessories that are detachable from wedding gowns, so that you can choose whether to have them in a given photograph or not. This is a really good idea when the accessory is particularly detailed as it may be superb as part of a close-up picture, however, it may just look like a stain from a distance!

Another good idea is to have a cardigan or jacket as an accessory for your choice of wedding gowns. This way you can vary the photographs and the look that you present, throughout the day. Wedding photographs can appear a little repetitive; therefore it is a great idea to have a range of accessories and additions so that you can vary the photographs and make it look like you had several wedding gowns and not just the one!

Remember, your choice of wedding gown is going to be captured in your photographs for years to come. When you are choosing your perfect dress, consider its 'photograph ability' as well as what it will look like in the flesh - they are both equally important!

About the Author

Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingfinery.com

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8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting up a Wedding Registry

2005-10-29T06:54:00.000-05:00

...Typically you'll want to select two or three items per guest...

In theory, setting up a registry is simple. You decide on one or several stores, create a registry online or in person, select various items, and get the word out to your guests. In practice, things are a little more complicated -- but only a little!

With that said, here's the real deal on setting up your wedding registry and getting the word out without offending your guests. Remember that retailers can be an enormous help to both you and your guests. At the same time, you can’t take everything they say at face value.

Q: Where should I register?

A: Chances are, if you're getting married in your own town, you already know where "everyone goes" to set up and shop from a registry. If not, and guests are flying in from far away, pick from some bride-tested standbys likely to be present almost anywhere. Macy’s has a great reputation for registries, as does Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond and other retailers.

Before you choose your stores, be sure to stop by a wedding forum and get feedback from brides who have been there, done that. Store policies vary quite dramatically, ranging from the easy-does-it (who’ll give you cash back for returns off the registry, no questions asked) to the extremely restrictive (who’ll only let you exchange for another item *in that department*, requires a receipt for each item, and so on). You'll want to know about these policies and the store's overall reputation for bridal friendliness before you go in, or returns and exchanges could become a big hassle.

Q: I have a wide range of interests. How many stores should I register at?

A: Two to three stores is fairly typical. They don't have to be typical stores, though. If you're a wine drinker, and live in a state where it's legal to ship wine, set up a registry at one of the great online wine merchants.

Q: When should I register?

A: Although close family members may pressure you to start earlier, it's helpful to wait three to six months before the wedding. Not only are the vast majority of gifts bought within a day or so of the shower or ceremony itself, stores turn over merchandise so rapidly that any gifts you select earlier may be discontinued.

Q: What if I already have all the kitchen appliances and throw pillows I need?

A: Consider putting together a honeymoon registry instead, so guests can contribute toward a special meal or snorkeling trip or a night’s lodging during your honeymoon.

Q: When I signed up at Store X, they gave me a bunch of attractive registry cards to enclose with my wedding invitations. Should I do it, or is that tacky?

A: Sorry, but the consensus is almost universal -- it's uncouth to include any mention of gifts in your invitations. You can, however, tuck those cards into shower invitations. Perhaps the best solution is to include a note in your invitations that reads, "Please see our wedding web site at www.xyz.com" and place your registry information there.

Q: How many gifts should I register for? I don't want to look demanding.
A: Typically, you'll want to select two or three items per guest. That gives people room to choose instead of locking them into something they don't enjoy buying, or worse, forcing them to guess what else you might like, giving birth to the “second yogurt maker” type of gift.

If you have many guests, you can avoid creating a 16-page monstrosity for them to print out by breaking up your registry over several stores.

At the end of the day, “more is more.” Many retailers offer discounts on those items you registered for but didn't receive. Many stores also retain your registry for at least 12 months after the wedding. You may find it's best to register for everything that you plan to buy, even if you don't expect to get it as a gift; you can then purchase your selections for 10% or 20% off after the ceremony. Many brides also find friends and family tapping registries for gift buying ideas for birthdays and other holidays!

Q: What price range should I stick with when selecting items?

A: Generally, you should register for things you really feel you want or need, without worrying too much about the price. Some guests enjoy picking up a number of items in the low price range, and sometimes guests will group together to purchase bigger-ticket items.

Q: I've set up my registry just fine, but now I’m addicted to checking it online. How can I stop?

A: Sorry, there's no known antidote for registry-checking addiction, though it's a widespread phenomenon. Counting to ten, taking deep breaths or distracting yourself with double-fudge ice cream might be worth a shot.

Blake Kritzberg is circus-master at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at:
http://www.favorideas.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Wedding Reception Games for any Wedding

2005-10-28T20:14:00.000-05:00

...ask friends and family members about games they enjoyed at weddings they attended...

Click Here To view our N. Redington Beach Fl Wedding Gallery

The games played at weddings can be a big part of any great wedding ceremony. Every culture has its own tradition of wedding games, and these games can be a great reflection on the culture, and on the individual couple.

Planning the wedding games is an important, but often overlooked, part of planning the wedding ceremony. It is not hard to see why this would be so.

== There Are So Many Things Involved With Planning The Perfect Wedding ==

There are so many things involved in planning a wedding, from getting the perfect flowers to finding the perfect dress to ordering just the right wedding cake. It can be easy for little things, like planning the wedding games and choosing the best wedding favors, to get lost in the shuffle.

== Coming Up With Great Wedding Games ==

Many people who have never planned a wedding before are unsure about the proper wedding games to use, or where to find information on wedding games.

One great place to get ideas is, of cause, at other weddings. Think back to the weddings you have attended, and the games you have played at those weddings. Think about the games that were fun, and put your own spin on them for the wedding you are planning.

It is also a good idea to ask friends and family members about games they enjoyed at weddings they intended.

Many of the games used at weddings are similar, but there are always some unique and interesting games as well, particularly in weddings held in other religions or cultures.

== The Internet Is An Incredible Source ==

And of course the internet is an incredible resource for researching all kinds of wedding planning tools, including some incredible wedding games.

Be sure to peruse the many web sites and newsgroups devoted to wedding planning. These internet resources are some excellent sources of information on all kinds wedding games.

The beauty of the internet is that it allows you to quickly communicate with other people who have planned or are planning their own weddings, and share tips, tricks and secrets for wedding games and other aspects of putting together the perfect wedding.

About the Author

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/wedding_games.html

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographers in clearwater fl

Wedding Photography Tips for Wedding Guests

2005-10-26T20:44:00.000-05:00

Chances are that you will be attending a wedding or two sometime soon. And, chances are, you'll be bringing your camera to the wedding along with a gift or two for the happy couple. Here are some tips from the pros at the New York Institute of Photography, the world's largest photography school, to help you take great pictures of this memorable occasion.
...be respectful of the professional photographer

While most couples hire a professional wedding photographer to photograph the ceremony and reception, there's still plenty of room for you to also capture this occasion on film. Not only will you have a record of the wedding for your own pleasure, but imagine the joy of the happy couple to receive prints of events that the professional photographer did not see or wasn't asked to cover.

For instance, many wedding photographers no longer shoot those "table
shots" of the guests because these photos don't usually get purchased by
the bride and groom. This is the perfect opportunity for you. But shoot
these like a pro: Have some of the people at your table stand up and move
behind those still seated and take a group shot. Avoid showing the entire
table complete with half-eaten food, instead concentrate on the faces of
the guests.

Another photo opportunity exists at your table. Many bridal receptions
now include disposable "single use" cameras at every table. You may need to get the show rolling and coax your table mates to start taking pictures. Remember, the bride and groom can't be at every table to take part in the festivities so candid photos from these cameras can show the guests having fun in a way that professional photographers aren't likely to capture.

A couple of hints on wedding photography etiquette. If you want to take
photos at a church, synagogue, mosque or chapel, take your cues from the
professional photographer hired by the bridal couple. If you see that he or
she is not taking photos at the ceremony, chances are it is because the
clergy told that photographer not to do so. Respect the tradition and don't
take pictures. The same thing holds true for flash photography. Some places
of worship will allow it at the ceremony, others will not. If you see that
the pro is shooting, then take an aisle seat. It's the best place to get
nice close shots of the couple that fill the frame as they leave the
church.

One other suggestion on wedding photography is to be respectful of the
professional photographer. Don't get in that individual's way. You don't
want to ruin the photos that the bride and groom are paying the pro to
take, and the pro can do a better job of capturing many parts of the event
than you can. As we've indicated, there are plenty of different kinds of
shots for you too.

Photo Tips For You To Offer Your Wedding Guests

We thought it might be a good idea to take the dean's email one step
further. With more and more "wedding cameras" showing up at weddings and
receptions a bride and groom should be able to easily ask friends and
family to take some of these candid shots the article mentions.

Take the time to clear this with the photographer you are going to hire
- and try to bring this up early BEFORE you have hired the photographer and
you are then told that "it wouldn't be such a good idea".

As long as you have an understanding with your photographer and as long
as you make sure your friends and family are given a copy of the New York
Institute of Photography's article to have a better understanding of their
potential role and the necessary photo etiquette that you wish to have
followed
you should have a ball - and - you are likely to get some outstanding shots
that you otherwise would have missed.

For some more great photography information check out the New York
Institutes' website (www.nyip.com)

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer clearwater fl

Wedding Photography - Hilton Tampa Bay/N. Redington Beach FL

2005-10-26T04:52:00.000-05:00

...Photography can provide a lasting record of your special day...

A Moment In Time

Photography allows you to revisit your wedding day whenever you please.

Unfortunately it’s true that your vivid memories of the day will eventually begin to fade over time. Photography can provide a lasting record of your special day.

Choosing a wedding photographer will be a testing task. It’s a very powerful medium and will have a large influence on your memories of the day. The challenge is to find the professional who is perfect for you.

Choosing A Wedding Photographer

It’s just not worth taking a risk with your photographer. They only have one chance to get it right.

Look through the albums of married friends. Ask them how they chose, if they were happy, how much they paid, etc.

When you do see a professional’s work that inspires you, make contact with that photographer and view their portfolio of wedding images. Study the prints closely. They should be consistently clear, imaginative and emotionally appealing.

Essentially, you need to find a photographer who understands your vision. If you visit a studio you must speak to the person who will be taking the photographs, not anybody else. When you start talking about your wedding you will discover if they’re listening properly by the questions they ask you. Your photographer must be willing to take on your ideas, but you should definitely listen to the suggestions they make, if they are properly accredited and experienced they will know what they’re talking about.

A good photographer will spend a considerable amount of time with you before the wedding. They need to get a sense of you, just as much as you need to get a sense of them.

Although this sounds tremendously obvious, it needs to be said: you must like your photographer. They will be hanging around for the majority of the day, maybe even at intimate times such as when you are getting ready. It is important that you feel comfortable around them.

Bookings And Costs

You will certainly be surprised by how well in advance a good photographer is booked. It is typical for you to have to book about 12-18 months in advance. Just to be safe, you should start looking as soon as the date is finalised.

When it comes to photography, the price is a good mark of experience, skill and artistic flair. It is an industry in which you get what you pay for. If good photographs are important to you, cost cutting is not such a good idea.

These are images that will last beyond a lifetime, hopefully passed on through the family. The time the photographer shares with you is only part of the job, and it is certainly not an inexpensive business. You will be paying for high-quality film, professional cameras, lenses and lighting equipment, and excellent processing. On top of this, the album must be chosen and coordinated. Your photographer will spend a great deal of time on your wedding post-marriage. You should also budget for reprints and enlargements, no doubt family members will be insisting on copies.

Most couples will pay between $2000 and $6000 for their wedding photos. And some will pay even more for truly accomplished photography. It’s important that you’re clear from the beginning as to how they will quote for the job. Some photographers offer set packages, these can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Others will quote for time with prints charged separately. It is standard practice for you to pay for the whole service before the actual wedding. Commonly a booking deposit of 50% of the quoted cost of the package will need to be paid up front. With the remaining amount due before the day.

It is best to see your agreement in writing. You should certainly sign a wedding contract with your photographer. But before doing so, make sure you have all the relevant information such as cancellation fee, payment requirements, individual prints, album and page pricing, etc.

After You Book

Your photographer will contact you prior to your wedding to make a pre-wedding appointment to discuss the fine details - timing, location and any special photographic styles you would like. In general, allow a minimum of one and a half hours of free photographic time (excluding travel) after the service in order to do family groups, bridal party and more intimate shots at one or two locations.

Delegate a well-connected family member from both families to help your photographer with any query they may have in their search to shoot important individuals. This will allow the photographer to focus on what they do best, leaving the delegated family member/s to provide relevant information as it’s needed.

Make sure you rehearse your ceremony and work with the priest to allow professional photographs. You will have to consider the time of day, and amount of natural lighting. Discuss the photography with your makeup artist, as there are techniques to make you look your best in the photographs.

Typically most couples view the proofs once they’ve returned from their honeymoon. At this stage you will begin working with your photographer on the album or portraits. This is a very important process. It’s usual practice for studios to produce a set of proofs or prints that will help you determine which shots you want to include in the finished album.

This is your chance to bring the story of your wedding day to life.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer st.petersburg

Styles of Wedding Photography

2005-10-25T19:29:00.000-05:00

...There are four different approaches photographer’s use...

We all know that the wedding day will not last forever, and most once valued memories will be forgotten. In fact, the only thing that is left to remember this special day is your photos. Your wedding photographer must be a person that you are comfortable with and that you enjoy. You will not only be investing money into him/her, you will be investing time as well. During your wedding day you and your family will be interacting with this person all day. Therefore, you should not settle on the most economical photographer, however one base on their style and personality.

There for four different approaches that photographer’s use: Traditional, Photojournalism, Illustrative and Creative.

Traditional photography are any formal or informal portraits of the bridal party, family, and friends in close-up and full length, as well as candid photographs of key events at the wedding. Most brides choose this mixed version of photography for their wedding day.

Photojournalism means no posed photographs - all pictures would be taken without any instruction from or awareness of the photographer.

Illustrative photography looks like the photos that you see on billboards, and magazines. This is set up like a commercial photography shoot; the photographer arranges every detail of the image.

Creative or Artist photographer takes pictures from unique angles, lighting, etc. This type of photographer creates his or her artistic impression of your wedding day.

Marjory of all photographers use a mixture of all these styles, focusing on the traditional style; which parents of the bride and groom like J

When meeting with photographers view not only a portfolio of a mixture of weddings, also ask to view a album of a full wedding; and make sure to the photos were from current weddings and that he/she was the photographer. (Larger companies and even some smaller ones may have multiple photographers that shoot for them, or even sales representatives that meet with you.)

While looking at the photographs ask yourself these questions about style:

Are the posed photographs well lit, and pleasantly arranged?

Does the candid photos show emotion, and free of blur?

Does the illustrative photos have a focus point or convey a meaning of romance?

Are these the type of photos what I would what taken at my wedding?

If any of the photos do not please you, ask the photographer why the picture is this way or that. It may come to the point their view is not the same as yours.
It is best to choose a photography that will incorporate with your views, or him or hers view you are pleased with.

While looking at the photographs ask yourself these technical questions:

Is the light good; not to bright or to dark?

Is the lighting flattering to the mood it conveys?

Is the posing flattering?

Ask the photographer this one: Was there is flash used?

(Most all professional photographers use flashes, due to low lighting in churches, or unflattering shadows in an outdoor wedding.)

Again, if any of the photos do not please you, ask the photographer why the picture is this way or that. If you are viewing their portfolio just about very photo should be pleasing, free of distraction, and convey emotion.

Interviewing a photographer is almost always in person. If you will be traveling to another state for your wedding or a photographer is flying in to you, you should view on online gallery that consist of their resent wedding work and a full wedding, as well as talk to them over the phone. Most brides interview three different photographers before deciding on the best one that they enjoy, and like the style of. Budget wise, expect to invest 10% or more of your wedding budget on a professional photographer.

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer st.petersburg

Current Trends in Wedding Photography

2005-10-25T04:51:00.000-05:00

...The photographer is there to capture the true essence of the wedding day...

Wedding photography is an evolving field that requires artistic talent, vision, and highly technical expertise.

In the past wedding photography was almost always limited to stiff posses without much regard for the underlying story, emotion, romance, and behind the scene events of the wedding day.

Although there is still a big segment of the wedding industry that practices traditional photography with its preplanned poses, and recreation of the wedding peak events such as the kiss, the ring exchange, etc., the modern wedding couple demands a more contemporary approach to their wedding day.

Wedding photojournalism has been in vogue for the past decade. The central idea behind it has been the capture of the wedding events without any interference or direction from the wedding photographer. The photographer is there to capture the true essence of the wedding day. As a result of this realistic approach the photographs are a true representation of the wedding day. Hard core wedding journalistic will be totally opposed to posing any wedding related event. If it doesn’t not happen during the wedding it won’t be recorded. This includes family group photos.

Several photographers offer a hybrid approach to wedding photography, usually a combination of traditional and journalistic wedding photography. In this approach the photographer focuses on documenting the wedding day but the coverage also includes a session with the couple for formal posed or semi-posed photographs and also family group photos.

The latest trend in wedding photography is toward a more fashionable approach. Inspired on high-end fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, GQ, American Photo, etc., and wedding magazines the photographer seeks to make the couple’s fantasies real.
In the fashion wedding photography approach the goal is to make the wedding couple look their best. Their romantic interplay is glamorized to its maximum expression. The everyday couple becomes like wedding celebrities. Attention to detail is required to achieve the perfect look. This approach requires a great deal of artistic talent behind the camera and also great computer image editing skill to produce a unique photo. Half the photo is made on the camera with the second half achieved though digital image editing and manipulation.

Which style is best, is for you to decide. In our experience a big segment of the wedding couples want to capture the reality, details and romance of the wedding day but at the same time they have fantasies about their wedding and the way they should look.

When making a decision for a wedding photographer look closely to the photographer’s portfolio and see how it agrees with your philosophy on how your wedding day should be photographed. Regardless of your philosophy please make sure that you select a master of the craft, you and the next generation deserve masterpiece memories of your wedding day.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit http://www.juancarlosphoto.com and http://www.willamettephoto.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer clearwater beach

Tips For Choosing Great Flower Girl Dresses

2005-10-24T17:16:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Florida Wedding

...if she looks adorable the guests will be ...pleasantly pleased

If you're planning a wedding, you may be tempted to just buy a cute white dress for your flower girl, and have her carry a bouquet that matches yours. After all, she's just a kid, right? And if she looks adorable, the guests will be pleasantly pleased.

Well there's a bit more to it than that. Let's first take a quick look at the flower girl tradition.

Starting with the middle ages, flower girls were assigned a special job; to walk down the wedding aisle ahead of the bride and groom and spread grain (not flowers) in order to pave the way for a new beginnings, fertility and happiness in the marriage.

Today's flowers girls usually carry rose petals, and while they aren't believed to have special powers that will grant the new couple a harmonious relationship, they do tend to set the tone for a wedding.

Think about the last wedding you attended. If the flower girls came out in formal dark colored dresses, you quickly understood that the wedding would have a formal tone. On the other hand, if they came out in wispy flower girl dresses with roses laced into their hair, you knew that you would experience a more whimsical wedding.

In other words, the flower girls are generally the first part of the wedding party to walk down the isle, and because of that, they will make a strong first impression on your guests.

How will you dress your flower girls?

Here are some flower girl dress ideas for the most popular wedding themes around:

Cinderella Wedding Theme

If you are planning a Cinderella wedding theme, then extravagance and beauty should be a part of everything. And since your flower girls will be the first to appear, they need to set the tone boldly. For this theme, you should have more than one flower girl-three or four would be ideal-and then dress them spectacularly. Choose frilly white dresses with huge skirts and satin bows. You can tie in some of your wedding colors by adding fresh pale pink, yellow or blue flowers to their hair. In addition, they should wear satin ballerina slippers. Have them carry baskets decorated to match their dresses and throw tons of soft rose petals along the isle.

Beach Wedding Theme

Depending on the type of beach wedding that you want, you will have various choices with your flower girl dresses. If you want a romantic beach wedding, then put your flower girls in soft pastel tones or white, and use lots of fresh flowers-both in their hair and for them to throw. The flower girl wedding dresses can be shorter than in a formal wedding, and appropriate sandals would set the tone nicely. Instead of a basket, they could carry a pastel painted beach bucket filled to the rim with wildflowers to scatter along the isle.

If you have a stronger, more colorful beach wedding planned, why not have some fun with the flower girl dresses? Putting them in typical beach dresses to match your wedding décor would immediately let the wedding guests know that your wedding will be fun and adventurous.

Roaring 20's Wedding

Imagine a black and white wedding, wing tips shoes and ostrich feathers. That's the idea behind a roaring 20 wedding theme, and as you can imagine, a precious frilly flower girl dress simply won't fit the bill. With this type of gutsy wedding, you will have to get imaginative with them. Why not dress your flower girls in white satin flapper girl dresses, with bands around their hair and beads around the hemline? With this type of dress, you will certainly hear ooh and ahs from the crowd!

Garden Party Wedding

If you dream of an outdoor wedding surrounded by blooming flowers and ivy-laced arches, then your flower girl dresses should take on an entirely different style. White, off-white or pale pastel linen would be an ideal choice. In addition, a beautiful soft cotton dress with a muted flower pattern would be lovely, tied with a large solid satin bow in the back. Add lace up satin sandals and an armful of colorful tulips, and your guests won't be likely to forget your flower girls for some time to come.

As you can see, your flower girl dresses will set the mood of your entire event. Don't just automatically dress your flower girls in the typical dress, but instead get creative. What is the first thing you want your guest to see?

Use http://www.flowergirldressesjoy.com to quickly find flower girl dresses online including some great online bargains.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer florida

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Wedding Officiants

2005-10-24T05:42:00.000-05:00

Sand Key Park Wedding Clearwater FL

...hiring an officiant for your wedding is now standard procedure...

Tracking down a wedding officiant can be a little intimidating. Perhaps you remember a time when it was hard to get one if you weren't among the "regularly churched"! But times have changed, and hiring an officiant for your wedding is now standard procedure.

Basically, brides-to-be find themselves in one of two camps: Either they have a regular church and a favorite minister, who might be a longstanding family friend, or they need to find one through word-of-mouth or web sites.

The latter situation often costs more, but allows for a lot of flexibility. Depending on your tastes and faiths, you can often find a judge, a Catholic priest to marry you outdoors, a Rabbi to officiate at an interfaith wedding, a non-denominational officiant who encourages you to write your own vows, and so on.

How to find officiants

A good national directory for finding Catholic officiants is www.rentapriest.com.

If you're stuck for ideas, try asking vendors. Your florist or caterer is probably well acquainted with local options.

Another excellent way to find officiants is to visit a large wedding forum, like The Knot, and post on boards for your local geographic area. You can often get an idea of the flavor, preparedness, flexibility and even appearance of a popular local officiant.

When should you book an officiant?

Some officiants book early. If you're really particular about whom you want to do the service and can't budge on the date, try to book more than six months in advance. Some couples book a year ahead.

How much do officiants charge?

A minister at your own church may not charge anything at all, but may accept donations. In that case, a $100-200 donation is about average. Ask the minister yourself if there's any doubt.

An officiant you engage yourself will set his or her own rates. Rates generally range from $250-600, but some well-known officiants may charge more.

Do we send an invitation?

By custom, you invite your officiant to your rehearsal dinner as a guest. You also invite the officiant and his or her spouse to your reception with a formal invitation, just like other guests. Unless the officiant is an old family friend, he or she may decline to stay, but an invitation is proper. You aren't expected to invite the officiant's children.

Can you use a friend as an officiant?

It's done all the time, and can make weddings very personal. A father, mother, or the friend who introduced you can make for an amazing event. Be sure to pick someone comfortable speaking in front of large crowds, and brush up on your state's laws and licensing requirements. Here's a good site to begin your research:

www.northernway.org/marriagelaws.html

Your chosen friend or family member can become ordained "instantly and online" at the Universal Life Church, which in some areas will enable them to perform legal weddings. Again, be sure of your state's laws. Many times, ministers ordained by ULC will also have to register in their state and obtain a license before they can practice. Call your local county clerk for clarification.

Universal Life Church: www.ulc.org

Do I meet with the officiant before or after booking, and what should I expect at the meeting?

Ideally, an officiant will allow a "getting to know you" meeting before you book them, though not all will. Most at least offer telephone interviews, which helps you see how they fit with your personal style.

During your first meeting, the officiant will typically tell you about his or her background, discuss the logistics, bring up any premarital counseling requirements, ask some questions about your personal history, and show you a sample ceremony script. This is a good time to discuss special unification ceremonies or personal vows, bring up interfaith issues, and learn whether your officiant plans to attend your rehearsal.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for a huge selection of wedding favors, Bridezilla's weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date eCards, screensaver, wallpaper and web site templates.
www.favorideas.com

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer florida

Rockland: Maine's BestKept Secret for A Wedding Destination

2005-10-23T15:11:00.000-05:00

Bonnie Farmer Photography Camden Maine

I n 2004’ Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th anniversary, yet very few in the past would have ever considered it to be a place for a vacation, let alone a romantic getaway experience or wedding destination.

Perhaps, this is a draw back to the time when visitors would experience the unpleasant whiffs emanating from the SeaPro fish-rendering plant. In fact, it was not uncommon to hear the jingle: “Camden by the Sea, Rockland by the Smell.”

All has now changed in Rockland as SeaPro, along with the town’s two sardine-packing and other fish processing plants, have departed along with their odors. There is now a handsome harbor- front with a walking trail extending over four-miles connecting several points of interest as Snow Marine Park, Harbor Park, where the annual Maine Lobster Festival is held, Rockland Fish Pier, Coast Guard Pier, Maine State Ferry Service Terminal, North End wharves, Marie H. Reed Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

The latter two are often venues for some spectacular wedding ceremonies.

It is also home to The Historic Inns Of Rockland, a consortium of six independently owned inns that are dedicated to historical preservation, as well as providing their guests with a memorable experience within a locale that has reinvented itself as a mecca for the arts and outdoor activities.

In addition, three of these inns, LimeRock Inn, Berry Manor Inn and Captain Lindsey House have created a sub-consortium that inter-change and leverage their facilities offering a combined wedding venue that take full advantage of their unique attributes.

As all are in walking distance of one another, you can avail yourself of anyone of them for the rehearsal dinner, afternoon bridesmaid’s tea, wedding reception, and any other functions.

The gorgeous outdoor gardens of The LimeRock Inn make it an ideal choice to exchange vows providing plenty of space to move around.

The stately Berry Manor Inn with its drawing room, spacious parlor, dining room, and grand stairway, all presenting a Victorian flair, make this inn a most attractive wedding venue.

You can even engage the services of Captain Ken Barnes to perform the wedding ceremony. He and his wife Ellen are owners of the Captain Lindsey House. The intimacy of the Captain Lindsey House, that incidentally resembles a European style hotel, along with the Barnes’ wonderful collection of décor, relics, and authentic antiques acquired during their many years of travel, will surely provide the wedding guests with some interesting topics for animated conversation.

The combined number of rooms of these three inns is twenty- nine, and if you add the other three inns, Old Granite Inn, Waterman House & Gardens, and the Lakeshore Inn, you have a total of forty- four rooms to call upon. All total with roll-aways and cots you could conceivably accommodate about one hundred guests.

What is also noteworthy is that all, with the exception of the Lakeshore Inn, are in walking distance of one another. It should be mentioned that the latter is within an easy ten- minute drive from the others.

What is also interesting about these inns is their close proximity to many outdoor venues where wedding ceremonies can be celebrated. Here is a sampling:

· As mentioned above, the Marie H. Reed Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, is a very popular wedding venue offering spectacular panoramic ocean views of mountains, islands, Penobscot Bay, as well as schooners, island ferries, fishing boats depart and enter the harbor. There is also a small sandy beach leading to the historic Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

· Mt Battie located in Camden Hills State Park offers spectacular views of Camden, Penobscot Bay, and surrounding islands. During the autumn the foliage is breathtaking. If you are in the mood to add a little poetry to your ceremony, it should be pointed out that the famous poet and playwright, Edna St. Vincent Millay, who was born in Rockland, was inspired by the view from the summit of Mt. Battie when she wrote her poem “Renascence” which opens "All I could see from where I stood / Was three long mountains and a wood; / I turned and looked the other way, / And saw three islands in a bay."

· One of the most popular venues is the non-denominational Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel, set atop a rock ledge overlooking unbelievable lush gardens. The chapel can seat fifty, however, there are other spots nearby where you can exchange vows that will accommodate a larger party.

· Don’t forget to check out the Merryspring Horticultural Nature Park with its herb and rose garden, the Perennial Border, and the Birds and Bees/Winter Color Garden. In late summer, the 250-foot long annual border is the star of the show, with some flowers blooming well into October.

· Last but not least are the many lighthouses that attract couples from all over the globe. There is the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Owls Head Lighthouse and the Marshall Point Lighthouse

In order to reach these various venues and at the same time keep the wedding party together, many couples rent a trolley from the All Aboard Trolley Company.

In addition, the trolley provides you with the added feature of having some great photo opportunities.

No doubt, with all of these resources available and a little imagination, weddings in Rockland Maine can easily compete with the best of them at any other destination. One last important mention, in most instances it is necessary to contact the officials of your chosen venue in order to arrange a date and time for the celebration of your wedding.

A UNIQUE GIFT

If you are looking for that special gift for the bride, mother and daughter getaway, mother-in-law, or wedding attendants, the Lakeshore Inn, a member of the Historic Inns of Rockland, offers a reasonably priced Ladies Only Spa Weekend during the months of Mid-October through June. From their arrival on Friday evening until they depart on Sunday, groups of 4 to eight ladies experience a wonderful line up of mind and body presentations with learning sessions with spa treatments that include facial, massage, manicure, pedicure and paraffin wax treatments. In addition, owner Pam Masson serves mouth-watering gourmet meals.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A great place to pick up some excellent wines produced in Maine is Cellardoor Winery & Vineyards located in nearby Lincolnville.

For delicious sandwiches, soups, breads and pastries check out Atlantic Baking Co. You won’t be disappointed.

Norm and Lily Goldman are a unique husband and wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic destinations.

Basically, they meld art and words to create an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom made’ for the story – original story and original art.

You can view all of their articles and art work on sketchandtravel.com.
Norm and Lily have collaborated with several Convention Bureaus and Public Relations Companies visiting many romantic travel destinations, resorts and inns throughout the New England States and Florida.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photographer florida

The Pros & Cons of Beach Weddings

2005-10-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Clearwater Beach Hilton Resort FL

...A beach wedding can be much cheaper than a traditional wedding

Beach weddings are popular but they do present "special
issues". Failing to consider these ahead of time could leave you unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day!

There is certainly nothing that should dissuade you from
your vision of a beautiful seaside ceremony. As a matter of
fact, there are many benefits. Just know the issues and plan for them. Your wedding day will be a wonderful and joyous event!

The "Pros"

* A beach wedding can be much cheaper than a traditional
wedding. Who in this day and age can't afford to save money?
It is said that the average budget for a wedding these days
is between $20,000 to $30,000! That is an enormous and
unnecessary financial burden to be faced with!

Don't start off married life enslaved by your wedding day
debts. If you have that kind of money to spend, fine, but if
not, don't go there! Be practical and remember, the day is
what you, your loved ones and your friends make of it...not
how much you spent on it!

* A beach wedding can be a casual affair. It allows everyone
to relax. Your guests can dress comfortably and affordably.
Often brides-to-be are unaware of the financial strain they
place on their wedding attendants and guests. Not everyone
can afford to buy that wedding outfit.

* The wedding ceremony and reception can all be held right
there on the beach. No need to travel to different
locations. This is very convenient for everyone. Hey, even
the kids can have fun at a beach wedding!

* A beach wedding allows you to involve everyone in the
activities. Guests are not restricted to sitting quietly in
their seats. They can actually be a part of the celebration!

* Beach weddings don't always require a permit. If you are
having a small ceremony and do not require a section of the
beach to be blocked off...just do it! Simple yet lovely!

* A beach wedding is a modern and refreshing change from the
"stodgy" traditional wedding. It allows your creativity and
personality to shine through.

* There is no "right" or "wrong way" to plan a beach front
wedding. It can be large, small, romantic, whimsical or even
downright goofy! You can pay big bucks and hire everything
out, or, you can be cheap and make everything yourself. The
choice is completely yours!

The "Cons"

* The most important thing to remember when planning a beach
wedding is that "Mother Nature" rules! Depending on her
mood, she can brighten your day or rain on your parade! When
planning your celebration, be sure to plan an "alternate
location" should the old girl be cranky that day!

* The beach is usually a bit breezy so take that into
consideration when picking your location. Try to choose a
"cove" on the beach that is protected from direct winds.

* Be sure to check with local authorities regarding any
permits needed to use the beach. This should only be
necessary if you are having a large gathering and you want
to block off a portion of the beach exclusively for you and
your guests. Ask to be sure though.

* Check on the "Beach Rules". Ask questions. Can you have
candles on the beach? Can you play music into the night? How
late can you stay? Is there an area nearby for open fires
should you choose to barbeque?

* Speaking of food...don't forget about the seagulls! They
are notorious beggars and thieves. You can expect them to
attend your beach wedding, uninvited! As long as you keep
food covered and don't feed them, they will stay on the
sidelines.

* Remember the tides. You definitely do not want to be
surprised by the quick and unanticipated arrival of high
tide!

* On the beach, there will be bugs and sunshine! Make sure
you consider the comfort of your guests. Bring sunscreen and
insect repellant for those who did not remember to bring
their own.

* Chairs may sink in the sand if you do not rent flooring to
place under them. However, if you are planning a "beach
blanket" reception, you will not need chairs. Remember your
elderly guests though. Plan for their safety and comfort.
You will need to provide them with chairs and beach
umbrellas to protect them from the elements.

Beach weddings are absolutely beautiful but nature does
provide an element of uncertainty. Careful planning on your
part will eliminate most of them. Just remember...

If every hair is not in place due to the ocean breezes or a
seagull drops off his "wedding gift" a little to close to
the punch bowl...

These are not flaws or imperfections in your day. They are
"memories"! Cherish them and have fun!

About the Author

Cindy English is the publisher of Beach-Wedding-Themes.com
where you will find ideas for beach wedding themes full of
fun, fantasy and romance. Discover new places to shop and
things to make at: www.beach-wedding-themes.com

tags: wedding weddings photography florida wedding photographer

The Basics of Planning A Beach Themed Wedding - Part II

2005-10-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

...What time of day do you wish to have your wedding

In addition to the rules regarding the use of beaches, you will find there are many other considerations you will need to take into account when planning this type of wedding. Here are some additional questions you should answer when planning out your beach wedding theme:

* What time of day do you wish to have your wedding - sunrise, sunset, or early morning? I would suggest you do not have a beach wedding during the heat of the afternoon. Not only would it be uncomfortably hot for many people, beaches tend to be crowded during this period of the day. Remember, it also cools down a lot in the evenings when on a beach. Remind your guests to bring sweaters, jackets and some blankets just in case they are needed.

* What is the tide schedule? How high does the tide get at that particular beach? You will need to plan your wedding time around the tides. The last thing you need is having to suddenly pack up and leave because the tide is coming in and you didn't foresee this.

* As you'll probably be planning your wedding several months in advance, you'll need to determine the type of weather that normally occurs around your wedding date. What will you do if it rains or if the day is unusually cold or extremely hot? You will need to prepare a back up plan for these situations. Be sure to supply this information on your wedding invitations so guests will know where to go if there is a sudden change in plans.

* On the same note, the day may be beautiful for the most part, and then a sudden storm may crop up. Where will you and your guests go? Are there any facilities nearby that you can use to continue with your wedding festivities?

* Make sure you take a trip to the beach at the time of day you wish to have your wedding. Check on the noise at the ceremony location. How loud is the traffic from the road? Are there a lot of seagulls around? What about the sound from the crashing waves? All of these can drown out the ceremony and speeches said at your wedding.

* Are there mosquitoes at that time of year and how bad are they on the beach area? How can you control them and other bugs?

* Some beaches smell bad during certain periods of the day or certain times of the year. Check to be sure that this is not the case during the time period that you've chosen.

* How windy is it on that particular beach? Does it get a gentle breeze or fairly heavy winds? A breeze is nice to keep the bugs away and cool guests off.a steady wind can cause many problems though.

* Are you thinking of setting up tables or just use picnic blankets on the sand? How will you keep sand and other debris out of your food? Will there be chairs set up at the ceremony for the guests? Who will you hire to do this? Who will you get to take everything down and clean up the beach after the wedding?

* How will you supply music for the wedding ceremony and/or reception? If there is no electricity available for use with microphones or musical instruments, what are your alternatives?

By answering the above questions and having a good plan of action, you will avoid many nasty surprises at your beach wedding. Many couples don't realize all the work involved in planning this type of wedding. You may want to consider having just the ceremony on the beach with a few close friends and family, and then moving to an indoor location for the wedding reception.

There are many decorations and ideas that you can incorporate to give the reception area a nice beach theme flavor, without having to be outside on an actual beach. Either way, beach theme weddings can be very romantic and memorable for both the wedding couple and the guests. Just be sure to plan well for all possibilities and you should have a wonderfully romantic wedding day.

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. You can find more information, resources and articles about beach weddings at: http://www.wedthemes.com/beach-weddings.htm

tags: wedding weddings photography wedding photography

The Basics of Planning A Beach Themed Wedding - Part I

2005-10-22T10:45:00.000-05:00

A glorious sunset, a gentle breeze and your love by your side.
This is the romantic vision that usually comes to mind for couples
planning a beach theme wedding. However, the realities of
planning such a wedding can be a bit more confusing and
stressful. Here are some guidelines that you need to take
into consideration to help you keep things under control.

...These questions should help in confirming what regulations
are in force when using a beach for a wedding ceremony and/or
reception

Click Here to View Jesse & Karen's Wedding Gallery
Sept 3, 2005 Indian Rocks Beach Florida

Checking Rules and Regulations Regarding Beach Use
You will need to plan carefully for your beach wedding.
There are many laws and guidelines regarding the use of
beaches and each varies according to the location you
are in. If it is just you, your mate and a marriage official,
then there will be no problem for the most part. However,
you can’t just trod out onto an area of a beach with a
bunch of people and have a wedding. You will first need
to get permission to use the beach (whether it’s a public
or private beach) and then determine what is allowed.

Here are some questions you should get answered:

* Have you checked to see if the beach you have in
mind can be used for functions such as this? Is it a
public beach or a private beach?

* Do you require a special permit to use the beach for
a wedding? If so, where do you obtain one and how
much does it cost?

* Are there any restrooms nearby that can be used? Keep
in mind, most of the restrooms found on beaches are
basically outhouses. Will your guests want to use such a
facility?

* Are there any recreational buildings nearby that can be
used for preparing food, washing dishes, restroom ruse,
running electricity to the beach area, or can used in case
a storm suddenly pops up.

* Are you permitted to erect large tents to be used as shade
or to protect food from direct sun?

* What are the regulations regarding smoking on the beach
and the serving of alcohol? Many public beaches won’t permit
either. Private beaches tend to be more lenient provided you
keep all cigarette butts in a container and make sure the beach
is carefully cleaned after the festivities.

* Are you allowed to have a bonfire? What other regulations
are there regarding the use of tiki torches, candles, lanterns,
etc?

* Can you have a specific area of the beach designated for
your wedding to keep other beach goers from interrupting your
occasion?

* Are you allowed to serve food? Are there any waste cans
available for garbage or must you supply your own?

The above questions should help in confirming what regulations
are in force when using a beach for a wedding ceremony and/or
reception. Of course, that is only part of the equation. There are
many more questions that need to be answered and will be
addressed in Part II of this article.

Resource Box:

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Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website
designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme.
You can find more information, resources and articles about
beach weddings at:http://www.wedthemes.com/beach-weddings.shtml

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