By Peter Bruce posted on Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 2:43 PM - (General)
All the photos from Sarah & Josh wedding are up on line to every one can see them. No pass word needed. Just go to www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com Click on "Store" tab at top right & look for your photo.
PLEASE ALWAYS GO THOUROUGH THE WEB SITE AS GOING DIRECT TO THE STORE MAY LOCK YOU OUT THINKING YOU ARE SPAM
By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:06 PM - (General)
Please be careful out there. There are hidden cost from companies that can make your wedding hell. Here are some handy tips from Peter Bruce Photo on not being ripped off.
1. Wedding Band Equipment, you say what
Why it's hidden The cost of the wedding band includes fees for the musicians' time and the minimum amount of equipment needed. If your reception space is extra-large, then additional speakers and microphones could possibly be required to project the best sound quality. The cost Anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars How to avoid it Before booking your band or DJ you need to clearly explain the layout of the space (or have them check it out, if they're willing) so the vendors know exactly what they're working with. If they want to add in extra equipment, you should have them explain why it's necessary before you sign a contract or agree to pay for anything else.
2. Postage Stamps good old USPS can kill you
Why it's hidden Stationers don't advertise the shipping costs; if they did, you might decide to go with simpler (read: cheaper) invites. The cost Oversized, awkwardly shaped and bulky invitations will most often run you as much as $3 each to mail. How to avoid it Skip the fancy boxed invitations and multilayer cards, which can bulk up quickly and cost a lot more than you bargained for.
3. Wedding Dress Alterations
Why it's hidden wedding dresses are pretty pricey and stores don't want to scare away clients by listing alterations as part of the total cost. The cost A simple hem can be less than $150, but completely rebuilding a bodice or moving zippers can send the price soaring. How to avoid it Ask about what the store charges for every alteration you may need before you purchase the gown. If it's too much, don't be afraid to take your dress to a less expensive seamstress to have alterations done.
4. Photo/Video Overtime
Why it's hidden Your photo or video person are booked for just a certain amount of time, so if your wedding runs a little longer than you expected, they'll charge per hour. The cost Starting at $250 per hour How to avoid it When planning the day, factor in extra time for getting dressed and taking photos. You'll get a realistic sense of how long everything should take. Refer to this itinerary when booking your photo/video vendors. Can I say I don't charge by the hour. I am with you for the day. Flat rate
5. Welcome-Bag Delivery
Why it's hidden Most hotels don't factor in a welcome-bag delivery fee when you block rooms. And they may fail to mention the rate unless you ask -- they'll just add it to your final bill. Inquire within; they may even charge you a fee for holding the welcome bags if you drop them off before the guests arrive! The cost Up to $9 per bag How to avoid it During the booking process, ask about the hotel's policy on receiving and delivering welcome bags to guests' rooms. It may be free or cheaper if they hand the bags out at the counter as guests check in. If you don't want the extra charge, you can distribute them at the rehearsal dinner.
6. Rental Transport cost
Why it's hidden You'd assume that the rental companies would include these extra fees in the per-item costs (do they honestly think you're going to fit 150 chiavari chairs in your own car?), but surprisingly, they don't. The cost From $50 up to more than $500 How to avoid it Ask the rental company what their shipping and packaging fees are up front -- if the cost is too high for your budget, shop around a bit. You just might find that you'll actually save some money by renting items from a more expensive company that includes delivery costs at no extra charge.
7. Taxes death and taxes wil get you
Why it's hidden Even though these aren't exactly hidden -- we all know that there are taxes on almost everything -- most couples don't think about how much they'll end up owing during the planning process. The cost This will depend on the total amount of money you're spending as well as the location of the event (taxes vary in different areas). How to avoid it There's no getting around paying taxes, but paying the entire bill in one lump sum can help lower the overall price, especially in the winter when vendors have fewer weddings to cover their bills.
8. Cake-Cutting Fee,and this one is wrong
Why it's hidden If you use the cake provided by your reception site, the charge is typically wrapped into the cost. Going with an outside baker can jack up the price. Why? Because your venue's workers are responsible for slicing and serving each piece, then cleaning the dishes. This means more work for their staff! The cost From $2 to $5 per guest How to avoid it Go with the site's cake baker. Don't worry: They'll likely be able to work with your vision. If you're set on a particular cake baker, then call your venue and find out what the fee is before you sign a contract.
9. Coat Check,even more wrong
Why it's hidden When you book your venue in the summer, it's easy to forget just how cold it'll be in winter months like December. The cost The damage starts at around $200. How to avoid it Union rules may dictate the number of people who are required to work the coat check (and the amount they get paid). Have a good approximation of your total guest count when you book the coat checkers.
10. Gratuities,only tip if the service was good
Why it's hidden Many couples often think that the "service charge" is a tip for the event staff when it's actually an additional fee that the catering halls charge. For what? To cover their own cost for hiring servers. The cost Typically 15 to 20 % of the event's total food and drink fee How to avoid it Once you get the proposed fee, add the service charge percentage so it's already accounted for before the event. The last thing you want is to get hit with an unexpectedly huge bill that just about breaks the bank.
By Peter Bruce posted on Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 10:21 AM - (General)
Here is some other great advice from Peter Bruce Photo. Even though it is your day,there are going to be people who know better or just think that there in put help. Yes some times it does but over the years I have seen the bad and the good. Read on and learn.
SOME PEOPLE JUST WANT TO HELP
1.The very Testy Bridesmaid
Problem: "I love my maid of honor to death, but getting her in a dress that wasn't black or covered every inch of her was a task. If we found a color or a print, she would tell me that she didn't want to take attention away from the bride." My Advice: If one of your bridesmaids is a little nervous about showing some skin or wearing a bold color, it's better to find her an alternate option than to force her into something she's not comfortable with. For a modest maid of honor, make a strapless dress more conservative by incorporating a wrap, a fun cardigan, or a vintage bolero jacket in a complementing shade. Or play up your color palette in a subtler way with jewelry or hair fascinators. And look at the bright side, compromising now will give you a little leverage when you serve as a maid in her wedding.
2. The Wedding Know-It-All person
Problem: "My future sister-in-law is telling me I shouldn't wear a white wedding dress because it would be too harsh with my skin tone, wants to register for gifts with me (as well as tell me what to register for), and is suggesting where we honeymoon!" My Advice: When wedding suggestions cross the line from helpful to aggravating, it's time to redirect that input so that you don't end up arguing over something that might not seem so significant a few years down the line. Assign specific tasks to keep her busy but still involved, like helping you confirm orders with vendors or assembling favors.
3. The Doesn't-Know-Her-Place Wedding Guest
Problem: "One of our guests keeps insisting that we invite everyone on her 'party guest list' to our destination wedding -- I even found an open invite on her Face book account!" My Advice: Some wedding guests take it upon themselves to suggest a few invitees. And then some guests invite everyone on the Internet. Unless you want Tom from Face book raising a glass to toast your union, make sure it's clear that there's only one guest list for your wedding. Luckily, rationalizing a small guest list is a lot easier when you have a destination wedding -- just explain that you're having an intimate wedding with close friends and family only (she should feel honored that she's one of them!).
4. The Over-Eager Wedding Guest
Problem: "A woman my mother knows wants to do my ceremony music, and a customer of my mother's always volunteers to help and acts like she is family. I hardly know her!" My Advice: You know that expression about too many cooks in the kitchen? Meet its wedding equivalent. Having a lot of people offer to help you plan sounds like a blessing, but when assistance comes from left field, it can feel like more of a hindrance. If you feel like someone's eagerness is a bit more than you need, let her know how grateful you are for the offer, but that you're in great shape, planning-wise, and that if anything comes up that she could help with, you'll be sure to call.
5. The Children-Or-Bust Wedding Guest
Problem: "My husband-to-be has a niece and nephew (both under five), and his sister, her husband, and his parents said they would refuse to come if the children aren't allowed."
My Advice: A lot of couples choose not to invite children to their wedding, but if you risk a boycott by some VIPs, find a way soothe the situation. Offer to hire a babysitter and set up a private area with games, coloring books, and a few comfy pillows for little ones to crash on if the reception runs past their bedtimes. Your relatives might even offer to chip in once they see how accommodating you're being, but if they don't, the extra expense will be worth bypassing the drama of a fight with your new family.
By Peter Bruce posted on Monday, August 9, 2010 @ 6:40 PM - (General)
All the photos from Chritine and Zac's wedding at the Garden Pavilion are up on line to every one can see them. No pass word needed. Just go to www.peterbrucephotography.com Click on "Store" tab at top right & look for your photo.
NOTE YOU MUST ALWAYS GO TO www.peterbrucephotography.com TO VIEW. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO GO TO THE SITE DIRECT IT MAY NOT LET YOU IN.
By Peter Bruce posted on Sunday, August 8, 2010 @ 9:40 AM - (General)
There is some wedding advice that is so invaluable, I tell it to every bride and groom-to-be I know. In fact, I think it is advice that should be told early, and told often.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THE GROOM DOES FOR A LIVING BEFORE THE WEDDING
1... Have a wedding you can afford,your your father can afford
Rather than accruing massive wedding debt, pay for it as you go along. The number one thing couples fight about, according to psychologists and couples therapists, is money. You don't want to start off married life with a monkey (debt) on your back. A big formal wedding is nice for those who can afford it, but you don't need to "keep up with the Joneses" at the expense of your future happiness.And spend the money on the most important things.
2... Take time to savor your wedding,look from the outside in
To many couples say that their wedding was a whirlwind that they barely remember. Consider building in time for reflection- whether it’s a scheduled time between ceremony and reception where the two of you will enjoy a glass of champagne, or the moment when you change into your getaway clothes. Talk to each other during the reception about what you are enjoying and who you've talked to. That evening, take a few moments to write down what you remembered about the day.
3... Infuse your personality
Don't have a dull cookie-cutter wedding. Think about your hobbies, happy memories, and personalities. If you love to travel, consider naming tables after places you've visited together. If you are a fishing aficionado, consider fishbowls with live fish in them as centerpieces. Your wedding will be a thousand times more special and memorable.
4... Don't always follow tradition
Don’t spend money on things just because you think they're traditional. If you don’t really want it, don’t do it. A great example of this is the custom of using both an inner and outer envelope for a wedding invitation. Many couples these days are forgoing this option in favor of more modern and cost-efficient invites.
5... Don’t sweat the petty stuff and pet the sweaty stuff
A wedding is full of thousands of details and there are bound to be a few snafus along the way. Keep in mind the reason you are doing all of this- it's not to have the perfect cake baker, who is now too overbooked to make your cake. It’s to celebrate your love together, which you could do in a mud puddle, if you had to.
By Peter Bruce posted on Sunday, August 1, 2010 @ 8:17 AM - (Press Release)
Astor Courts, a riverside estate, was the venue where the former first daughter and an investment banker tied the knot. Pictures were released following the festivities.Chelsea wore a white strapless down with full skirt and silver beading around her waist. With a bouquet of white flowers in her hands, her father, former president Bill Clinton, walked her down the aisle.
Both Bill and Marc wore dark suits. Current U.S. Secretary of State and former New York Senator Hillary Clinton wore a fuchsia dress.
Chelsea Clinton, wearing a strapless white gown with a full skirt and silver beading around the waist and carrying a bouquet of white flowers, was escorted down the aisle by her father. The former president and the groom wore dark suits, while the mother of the bride wore a fuchsia dress.And the big thing,we could have shoot the wedding.
By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 8:44 AM - (General)
He dropped to his knee gave you the rock and you have started planing the wedding. Before you put down the cash to hold a place , check this list of dates you might want to steer clear of when booking your wedding.Over the years Peter Bruce Photo has seen a few bad calls on dates for weddings. Please let me know if this helps,And be a nice person and pass it on,post it on your site for others to see so they don't make the big mistakes.PS my Birthday is March 8th
DON"T GO CRAZY
Holiday Weekends...
Holiday weekend weddings have pros & cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!); plus, it's easier to host a Sunday wedding, which is often less expensive than a Saturday one would be. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having a holiday wedding might adversely affect your wedding guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to disrupt.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday) January 18, 2010 January 17, 2011
Presidents' Day (always a Monday) February 15, 2010 February 21, 2011
Memorial Day (always a Monday) May 31, 2010 May 30, 2011
Independence Day Sunday, July 4, 2010 Monday, July 4, 2011
Labor Day (always a Monday) September 6, 2010 September 5, 2011
Columbus Day (always a Monday) October 11, 2010 October 10, 2011
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday) November 25, 2010 November 24, 2011
New Year's Eve Friday, December 31, 2010 Saturday, December 31, 2011
Religious and Cultural Holidays...
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday March 28, 2010 April 17, 2011
Easter Sunday April 4, 2010 April 24, 2011
Passover (begins at sunset the night before) Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before) Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before) Wednesday, September 8, until nightfall on Friday, September 10, 2010 Wednesday, September 28, until nightfall on Friday, September 30, 2011
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before) Saturday, September 18, 2010 Saturday, October 8, 2011
Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before) Thursday, December 2, until nightfall on Thursday, December 9, 2010 Wednesday, December 21, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas Saturday, December 25, 2010 Sunday, December 25, 2011
Kwanzaa Sunday, December 26, 2010, until Saturday, January 1, 2011 Monday, December 26, 2011, until Sunday, January 1, 2012
Costly Holidays...
If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they're likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.
Notable Holidays...
April Fool's Day If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day. Thursday, April 1, 2010 Friday, April 1, 2011
Mother's Day (always a Sunday) Make sure your mom is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding -- but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, make a toast to all the mothers in the room at your postwedding brunch. May 9, 2010 May 8, 2011
Father's Day (always a Sunday) Ditto for Dad. June 20, 2010 June 19, 2011
Halloween Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume. (If you love the idea of it, get our top Halloween wedding ideas!) Sunday, October 31, 2010 Monday, October 31, 2011
Days of Remembrance...
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests. September 11, Patriot Day: It falls on a Saturday in 2010 and a Sunday in 2011. December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It falls on a Tuesday in 2010 and a Wednesday in 2011.
Super Bowl Sunday...
If you don't live in the host city and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your husband are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game instead of leaving on your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates and cities: February 7, 2010, in Miami, FL February 6, 2011, in Arlington, TX
Final Four/March Madness...
Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates and cities: Saturday, April 3, and Monday, April 5, 2010, in Indianapolis, IN Saturday, April 2, and Monday, April 4, 2011, in Houston, TX
Quirky Dates...
10/10/10 falls on a Sunday 9/10/11 falls on a Saturday 11/11/11 falls on a Friday
Other Dates to Avoid...
College reunions and/or homecomings, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
By Peter Bruce posted on Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 8:06 AM - (General)
8...Be Realistic With Your Time
When it comes down to the last month of your wedding planning (and when you're particularly harried) look at your mile long to-do list and cut three things. Yes, cut three things. Not crucial things that you just don't feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting "Just Married" signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Make a pledge to not think about them ever again.
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By Peter Bruce posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 8:40 AM - (General)
9... Engagement stuff
Setting the Engagement Party Date
An engagement party usually takes place within a couple months or so of the proposal. That being said, if you're planning to have a longer engagement, feel free to wait several months. Just make sure that your engagement party takes place closer to the time of your engagement than it does to your wedding date.
Compiling the Engagement Party List
People invited to your engagement party should ultimately be invited to your wedding, so the size of your engagement party guest list is really dependent upon your actual wedding day guest list. You might have as few as 10 or as many as upward of 100. When the host asks you to come up with a guest list, set it up so your closest family is first, followed by your best of friends, then go from there.
Engagement Invites
Your invites can be as simple or formal as you want , and really depend on the style & look you're going for. Word of mouth or an Evite is totally appropriate for a small, casual gathering at home. Then again, if your parents are throwing an elegant dinner at the country club, you may want to look into sending out formal paper invites. Get those invites out about a month in advance to give guests a good heads-up, or within four to six weeks if guests are from out of town.
Engagement Party Menu & drink Ideas
You really don't have to serve a 7 course sit-down dinner. Passed hors d'oeuvres, tasting menu stations, and family-style buffets are all great ways to go. Another idea: Theme your food. If you had your first date over Asian food, order up dumplings and sake-tinis for your guests.
Party Decor
Pick a style and theme that are completely different from your wedding day. So if you're planning a formal wedding go for a laid-back beach-themed engagement party with vibrant tropical colors and a casual outdoor setting. The real trick here is that you don't want to upstage the wedding day. So if you're planning to have simple decor at your wedding reception, it would be odd to order over-the-top floral centerpieces for the tables. That said, a few small arrangements from your local flower person will instantly perk up any space. Look beyond flowers as well . Get colorful fabric for the tables and food areas and work with your theme.
