By Peter Bruce posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 @ 1:14 PM - (General)
Some couples, for reasons of their own, do not want for children to attend their wedding reception.Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE have seen this many times. The reasons for this may range from trying to lower costs by trimming wedding guests from the list, to simply not wanting to put up with potential crying, wailing, or hyperactivity on the part of the little guys.
The debate on this topic can get fierce. Some people argue that it it is rude and improper to exclude the younger members of a family that is on the wedding guest list. Some insist that a wedding is all about family and the circle of life, and that eliminating children from attendance at the wedding is therefore inappropriate.
If you are thinking about the option of an Adults Only wedding reception, its critically important that you consider the matter carefully and realize that some may indeed find this to be a tad offensive, ungracious, or downright cold. Weddings are not typically adult only events - in fact, throughout history, children have played an important role in the symbolism associated with weddings - and therefore some might be offended that you are dictating that they must leave their little ones at home.
Ultimately however, your wedding day is YOUR day and the bottom line is that you have a right to be happy and have it your way on this one day out of your entire life. If, after carefully considering this, you decide that this is the way it is going to be, you should follow the following rules for this delicate situation...
Indicate that the reception is to be adults only by having the words "Adults Only Reception" or "Adult Reception" printed along with the reception location and time on the invitation.
Do not use phrases such as NO KIDS, NO CHILDREN, etc. The only correct wording is Adult Reception or Adults Only Reception.
This information should be printed by the printer on all invitations. You must never write ANYTHING by hand onto the invitation itself - whether it pertains to this or any other matter. Doing so is considered socially incorrect (in other words, tacky!) and inappropriate.
If you are excluding some children, the rule is that you must exclude all children. There must not be different rules for different people or some individuals will be deeply offended and hurt - and rightly so. The only possible exception to this would be any children who are in the wedding party. However, the jury is out in this area. While some etiquette experts feel that it may be alright to make this exception, there is a stronger belief that if the reception is to be adults only, no children should be included as part of the wedding party. Otherwise, parents of children who were not allowed to attend may feel slighted that clearly some exceptions are being made to allow children, while they were instructed to leave their kids behind.
You may be think this to be a little unfair. After all, you are probably very familiar with the children in your wedding party and you probably selected them on the basis of their exemplary behavior in public, while the same may not necessarily be true of the other children. It is for this precise reason that the jury, as I stated, remains out on this one. Give it some careful thought and if unsure, err on the side of caution by ensuring that no children really means NO children to avoid appearing offensive to any of your guests.
If cost issues are the reason you are contemplating the Adults Only route, keep in mind that the cost of feeding a child at the wedding will be considerably less than the cost to feed an adult. Most caterers or reception sites have children's menus from which they will serve kids under 12 years of age, typically at a dramatically lower cost.
Many caterers will not inform you of this unless you specifically ask about it. Inquire with your caterer about the availability of child's plates. This may solve the entire dilemma for you so that everyone can end up happy.
And what if someone does show up with their children, despite it all? Do you say something to them? Do you send someone over to ream them out? Don't even dream it. What good would that possibly do? Done is done. No sense in creating an unpleasant, uncomfortable situation. Nothing could be more unbecoming of a bride, groom, or host.
Best advice? that Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE can give you,take a deep breath, then let it go. Put it out of your mind and get on with having a good time. This day is going to fly by faster than you'll ever want as it is; don't waste a single moment of it caught up in negativity. Think happy thoughts on this day...happy thoughts only. Remember, this is the best day of your life! Enjoy it for heaven's sake.
We hope you enjoyed this as always please let us know
By Peter Bruce posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 @ 5:53 PM - (General)
Peter Bruce Photo & Video along with team bELLE were lucky enough to shoot Claire & Ian's wedding on 8/15/09 at the Palmdale Estates. It was originally part of the Old Mission San Jose garden, Palmdale Estates is a beautifully landscaped site, featuring dozens of stately palms and native California trees, verdant lawns, gardens and even a pond. In the midst of this lovely setting is Best House, a Tudor-style mansion whose delightful interior and grounds create a storybook backdrop for weddings any time of year. Built in 1915, the house reflects much of the elegant, ornate detailing of the period: graceful arched doorways, bas-relief ceiling moldings, crystal chandeliers, hand painted murals and gleaming hardwood floors. The Ballroom, though the largest space in the house, still has an intimate feeling with cream-colored walls, an oversized decorative marble fireplace and a huge leaded glass window overlooking the gardens. At one end of the Ballroom, a few steps take you up to The Music Room, a glitzy alcove with gold leaf walls and colorful stained glass window. At the other end are the formal Dining Room and Solarium, two light and airy rooms with an abundance of leaded glass windows and views of the "backyard".What a great place to shoot and this fun and happy couple made the Palmdale even better.
By Peter Bruce posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 @ 9:22 AM - (General)
Wedding Photographers & Wedding Videographers QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND THE PROFESSIONAL
At the end of your wedding day, after you’ve eaten the cake, after the flowers are gone and you’ve dry- cleaned and stored your wedding gown thinking to yourself when would be the next time you’re going to look at it, your pictures and your video are the only thing that will define your memories of the big day for the rest of your life. So it's very important to choose the right photographer and videographer. To help you make the best choice, we've compiled a list you should be checking.
PHOTOGRAPHY...
1. Research some photos by looking at magazines and/or on the web and define your favorite style of photography -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Seek out photographers whose forte matches your favorite style.)
2. What is the photographer’s approach to shooting weddings? Has the photographer shot many/few weddings? This question will give you an idea of the expertise and passion for his/her work. You want to hire a professional that is familiar with all the in’s and out’s of weddings so he/ she won’t miss any key special moments of your day.
3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both? Does he shoot 35 mm or medium format or both?
4. Make sure you know who is going to shot your wedding and that you’re looking at his work. If dealing with a one-person operation, find out who would cover your wedding in case of an emergency.
5. Do not make a list of every possible photo combination, you’re dealing with a professional and he or she shoots weddings for a living. Most likely he or she would get the obvious family combinations. Rather, give your photographer a list of must-take photos of unusual combinations: college roommates, co-workers and other pictures you definitely want shot along with your wish-list photographs. Make sure you leave free range for the photographer’s creativity to capture the festivities. This usually will get you the best results. Enlist a relative or a close friend to point out specific people for the photographer. Your wedding coordinator can do that, if you have one.
6. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kinds of prints you think you'll want, the amount of rolls of film, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?
7. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep the negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer? Do you get to see paper proofs or does he show you the proofs on video,DVD
8. Look at each photographer's work. Be sure to carefully examine the technical aspects of his work. Some things to look for:
photos are framed and centered well
photos are over- or underexposed
details are visible
people look comfortable and relaxed
But more importantly look on the personal level and ask yourself: do I like his/her style? Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. If you’re not comfortable with him/her you can rest assure it will show in your photographs. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!
9. Some of the most special wedding moments happen backstage while the bride is dressing, while the family is waiting, or right after the end of your ceremony when you sneak to a private room. Choosing a pro photographer with whom you feel extremely comfortable and don't mind inviting backstage will allow you to capture these moments. Keep your photographer aware of your whereabouts at (almost) all times.
10. Do not ask the photographer for references. After all, he/she would not give you the name of someone that he/she had a bad experience with. Ask to see thank you letters. If your photographer is a professional photographer, and has lots of experience than his/her past clients should have been satisfied with his/her services and would have sent some thank you letters. You can also ask other wedding professionals about your preferred photographer, as a good photographer would be well recognized by other wedding professionals in your area.
11. Once you've found a photographer with the skill set, style, vision, and personality you're looking for, you'll need to agree on a contract. Be sure to schedule a follow-up meeting to talk about specifics. Together, you'll decide how many hours your photographer will spend at your wedding, and you'll discuss your Must-Take List and any photos you don't want (the cake shot or the schmaltzy posed kiss).
12. A mixture of some posed and candid shots will round out and make your wedding album more interesting. If you favor candid, hire someone who specializes in a photojournalistic style, with real talent for capturing emotional, spontaneous moments keeping in mind that many portrait photographers can also shoot candid and most photojournalistic photographers hate to shot portraits. Determine your priorities and choose a professional accordingly. Your photojournalistic pictures will set the overall feel and look of your wedding album. Remember your most valuable photos would be the ones where you can see and recognize faces, like shots of family and friends. There's definitely a trend toward photojournalism and black and white photography at weddings. B&W photos convey more emotions and accentuate the essence of the subjects or objects being photographed. Color photographs capture the overall theme and feel of your wedding, like the room decoration, the bridal party colors and your flowers. If you are not sure whether or not you would like B&W photographs, have you photographer shoot everything in color and ask him to print some prints in B&W. With today’s technology it would be very hard for the untrained eye to see the difference between what was shot on B&W film and what was shot in color. You cannot print a color print from and B&W negative. However if you know you like B&W, have your photographer shoot it on B&W film for a better and a more rich contrast. Your best bet is a combination of both.
13.Make sure the photographer has backup equipment with him/her on your wedding date in case of an emergency. Also, make sure it is the same format and quality as the primary one. The photographer should have backup for all his/her equipment, cameras flash, lenses, filters, batteries, cables, etc.
14. Always look for a professional photographer to shoot your wedding day. But if you are on a tight budget and are thinking on looking for a talented photography student or you've always admired your cousin's skill as a shutterbug, consider this option. Just keep in mind that if the photographer doesn't have wedding experience, you might not get the great results you want -- and it might not be worth the savings. If you hire a relative and you value your relationship, having him/her photograph your wedding would exclude him/her from your day. Moreover, if she misses some important moments she would feel bad and you would have no recourse. Not to mention it could actually sour the relationship you so cherished before.
15. Ask to see an actual album of an entire wedding and if possible a proofs album to see the photographer’s raw material. Many photographers have put together sample albums of their best shots from many weddings. Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he connected with the couple and captured the mood of their day.
WHAT IT COSTS...
A Photojournalistic photographer will take many shots just to get the one special moment, and therefore would normally cost more than a portrait photographer. A photojournalistic photographer shoots between 1000- 3000 images at a wedding, while a good portrait photographer shoots on average 300-500 images. A good basic package could cost $1000-$1500, but you can easily spend three or four times that amount. You're paying for the photographer's time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, the finished product -- the prints and albums you order-- and for the artistic aspect and creativity of the photographer. If your photographer is in high demand expect to pay dearly for his services documenting your wedding. You may think you do not need that many photos but chances are that once you get to see the proofs you would want more than you first ordered. Especially if your photographer is a great artist!
VIDEO...
Videotaping a wedding is an artistic profession as is photography. Therefore, if you think you could use a family camcorder to videotape your wedding, think again. A good wedding cameraman requires more skill and professionalism than any other moviemaker in the video business. He/she should be familiar with the technical specifications of the equipment, and with all aspects of how weddings unfold. He/she should be an excellent documenter, and needs to be constantly ready to videotape, after all there is only one take and it has to be a good one. A good videographer will connect with you, capture the atmosphere, the excitement, feelings, and emotions at your wedding and preserve it for life on tape. A videotape account of your wedding captures the uniqueness of your wedding and you would want it be according to your taste and style.
* Just like photography take it upon yourself to find a professional videographer with whom you feel comfortable, someone you feel you can spend a whole day with. Meet with several candidates to compare,stop for prices, styles, and packages offered. If you're having trouble finding someone, contact WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) for a list of professional Videographers in your area.. Always view a tape from a prospective videographer.
Use this checklist when reviewing different tapes:
are the images clear?
is the lighting right (not too dim or too harsh)?
how is the sound quality?
was the tape edited well? Is it smooth and well put together? Does it flow or is it choppy?
does the tape look professional, or is it something you could do yourself?
do the special effects and transitions look professional?
But the most important element has to be the style and personality of your prospective videographer. Go with your gut feeling and taste.
Also check the following...
1. Has the videographer done many weddings at the location where you’re getting married? Ask to view a tape shot at the same location.
2. Is he/she a member of any national and local videography associations such as WEVA (http://www.weva.org) or AVP? These associations are dedicated to improving the industry and final products delivered to married couples. Has the videographer won any awards?
3. Has the videographer worked with your photographer before?
4. How many other weddings is the videographer doing on your wedding day or weekend? Make sure there are no time constraints.
5. Will the videographer you're speaking to be the one who will be shooting your wedding? Is it his/her work you are watching?
6. What types of cameras, tapes and microphones will the videographer use? Ask to see the equipment and ask around. Equipment is important, but using the most expensive camera does not guarantee the best result.
7. How much light will they use? Much of the ambiance and atmosphere of your event will be lost if room lights are on during the whole evening. Although, today’s cameras require very little light to get good picture, expect your videographer to use at least one light on the camera.
8. Will a backup camera be on hand for the event? How about back ups for the rest of the equipment?
9. How long does he/she keep the footage on file before recycling it?
10. Cancellation and refund policy.
Make sure to be specific about the following...
number of cameras to be used. Many videographers shoot weddings with multiple cameras but most weddings are shot with one camera. The number of cameras does not affect editing capabilities or quality. Skilled videographers can make a one-camera wedding look to have been shot with multiple cameras. Let your videographer know what you want to have covered with more than one camera, if you’re having a multi-camera shoot.
number of videos you'll receive, and complete package details.
overtime fee, if applicable.
reorder prices, if you should decide to order additional videos later.
Once your contract is definite, meet with your videographer and discuss the important events of your wedding day that you think may not be common to other weddings: For example, any special readings, songs during your ceremony, blessings, or dances during your reception. Let him/her know if your hair dresser is a good friend. Have him/her film the limo ride to the chapel. Those kinds of moments will make your video more unique.
WAYS TO JAZZ UP YOUR VIDEOTAPE
PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE VIDEO... Gather some childhood pictures, and snapshots of you (bride and groom) together and give it to the videographer to include in the final edited tape. Give your videographer a list of favorite songs to be use in the editing. Most professional videographers will give a song list from their library of CD’s to choose from.
SHORT VERSION VIDEO... Ask your videographer to include in the package, if it is not already included, a short version of your wedding video. If your final edited video turns to be longer than an hour long chances are you’re not going to watch it often with your friends and family. The short version tape would serve to entain your family and friends in all kinds of casual gatherings and the long version would be for your family archive and more sporadic occasions. You would find yourself watching and enjoying more your wedding video with a short account tape and you’ll appreciate your video investment more. Believe me, no matter how good The Green Mile was, after the fifth time watching it you can feel that it is three hours long.
PHOTOMONTAGE... Present a video montage at your rehearsal dinner or at your reception. Give your videographer childhood photos, slides, family films and videos, and ask your friends to give you some photographs they took of the two of you and give it all to your videographer to edit together along with a list of your favorite songs. You can make the video to be sentimental or comic and present it on a large screen or monitor. You can also loop in a corner throughout the cocktail hour and/or reception; your guests will get to know you even better, and it's a great conversation piece! It’s guaranteed to make your family and friends laugh and cry, all in the course of a few minutes.
FILM THE MAKING OF THE CELEBRATION... Have your videographer, or one of your friends videotape the making of your wedding. Have him/her document the preparations, planning, dress fitting, hairdresser meeting, meeting with the caterer, making of the cake and all the madness the morning of. Create a short documentary of the making of your wedding. It'll definitely make everyone laugh -- especially you!
YOUR WEDDING ONLINE... Find out if your videographer and photographer have the capability to upload a short version of your wedding video on the web, and/or post your photos. If they can stream it even better! Make sure to inquire about that option. If that is a possibility they will most likely be able to do the same with some of your pictures too. This is a great option to consider. You’ll be emailing your wedding images to everybody regardless if they were there or not.
By Peter Bruce posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 6:58 PM - (General)
We are always here to help you and make you look better. Here are 25 short and to the point ways to get the most out of yourself and look better in photos. Your big day is almost here. And that means that pretty soon someone is going to be snapping a ton of pictures of you two. Are you prepared...read on and this may help.
Just Be You on the day...
1. Just be Yourself... Really don’t try to look or be anything other than yourself. If you are self conscious about a certain things, it will most likely come out in the photography. Just be your and think positive. There you go the rest is a cake walk.
2. Chill lax... We’re often our worst critics when it comes to photo or video. Remember that you want to be seen the way others see you too. I know you want flattering photos, you want to make sure that it still looks like you in the pictures. So just relax and have fun.
3. Laugh... It’s flattering on everyone.Tell a joke,think of something funny,just have fun.
4. Think about the moment your in.... Capturing the feeling of the day, the emotion, excitement & intimacy is what it’s all about. Don’t look at your photographer, look at your man and savor everything around you. Your photographs will be beautiful & real.
5. Forget the camera is there... try your best to be playful and warm and look past the camera like it's not there.
6. Do an engagement session... This is so good for couple & photographer. The couple have an opportunity to relax and be in front of the camera and the photographer can get to know his or there couple .
7. Practice looking in the mirror... Look at yourself. Study your face and body in the mirror and judge yourself and then work at showing off your best parts.
8. Be comfortable in your skin... For both engagement and portrait shoots, wear clothing that is flattering, but comfortable as well. If your 5 inch stilettos are hurting your feet, it will show in your face,if you feel good,you look good and that will show. Trust me.
9. Keep makeup and eyelashes normal and classic... Don't over do it and do a makeup test run, so you know how you look before the wedding.
10. Mind the lens. Try to not allow one part of your body get closer to the lens as this will make that part appear bigger than the rest of your body.
11. Strike the pose... To make your neck look more elongated, drop your shoulders down and raise your chin up . Imagine that you are being pulled up by a string from the top of your head.
12. No bad hair days... If you are prone to have flyaways or random frizzies with your hair, have a toothbrush with hairspray at the ready (bridesmaid can carry it) One squirt and swoop will keep most frizzies and help your hair look super smooth for photos.
13. Have white chalk or baby powder handy... White chalk or baby powder helps hides stains on white wedding gowns. If you are worried about grass stains, general dirt or in case there is a spill on your wedding day, make sure to have some with you. It works in a jiffy and no one will know but you. Your dress will get a little dusty, don't stress, just focus on the positive.
15. If your not Ms. Banks... To help you look thinner, keep your shoulder to the camera and avoid facing the camera straight on. You can also hide behind the groom a bit or tuck into his armpit to slim yourself down.
16. Don’t look down. To stop a double chin, have your photographer shoot from above the eye level. Tilt the head a little sideways to hide the chin and have your photographer avoid shooting from the side to much.
17. Show them attitude.... Most brides feel insecure about her bare arms in a strapless wedding dress. To fix it... Instead of the arm laying flat against the torso and making it look wider, just toss the hand on the hip. It will make the arm much more toned looking.
18. Angle yourself... Balance your weight on your back foot and cross the other foot in front of the other in a T fashion. Pop a hip out towards the camera but at an angle. This is always slimming, especially when used with hands on the hips.
19. Natural light is your best friend... Getting ready in a room with big windows with soft makes for great pictures. Not only is the light beautiful, it is also flattering and makes your skin look amazing and soft .
20. Make sure your reception is well lit... The best wedding receptions seen in magazines have lighting covering the dance floor and on the cakes and table arrangements. Think about hiring a lighting company to light your reception or ask the venue/band/DJ to light your reception for you. The pictures will be amazing and you won’t regret it!
21. Don’t let it get dark during dancing... DJs & bands love a dark dance floor to entice people to get loose and no one can see how many people are up there . Photographers, of course, want this too and want to get fun dance shots of the crowd, but we need a little light to focus on people. Ask the venue ahead of time not to turn down the lights entirely. Also, during your first dance, have spotlights on you, people want to see you and nothing worse than you two fading into the back ground.
22. Use spotlights... If you are planning a candlelight ceremony,make sure to have a spotlight shining on the area where you will be standing and saying your vows.
23. Stop the squinty look... If the sun is really bright, close your eyes and ask your photographer to let you know when they is going to take the photos . Open them when they tells you and that will eliminate the squinty look. Use the 1 2 3 method.This also works if you typically wear glasses and do not want to wear them for portraits.
24. Baby Love yourself... After shooting hundreds of brides I can tell you that every bride is beautiful on this day, regardless if they think of themselves plain or normal, overweight etc. The transformation is always astounding. Accept it, believe it and be confident and it will show.Trust me.
25. Most of all be happy... Happiness is beauty and beauty come from within.
Hope these tips helped, let us know and please feel free to pass them on
By Peter Bruce posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 6:24 PM - (General)
5 Things Your Wedding Photographer should Offer you
You're getting married Congrats! You want your wedding to be as perfect & beautiful as you've always dreamed it would be. However, if you choose the wrong photographer, your day may be a lot less than perfect, and you may not be satisfied with the images your photographer captures. Bummer. So, how do you choose the right photographer?
Here's how. Make sure your wedding photographer offers you these five things. Then you can relax and feel confident the love, special moments and important details of your wedding day will be captured in beautiful images for a lifetime of memories.
Do you like the photographer's photos... Look at a fairly large selection of the photographers wedding photos, not just a few photos on a web site. It's best if you can see at least an album or two and a proof book of a complete wedding. The albums probably represent the best of the photographer's work, and the proof book shows all the typical images he or she captures during a wedding day. How do the images look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Does the lighting and the color look good to you? Is the photographer's style what you are looking for? Most of our bridal couples are looking for a mix of photojournalistic images and classic posed traditional ones. Make sure your photographer is capable of, and comfortable with, taking the style of images you want for your wedding. If you don't like the photographer's shots, there is no need to consider them further. Also, make sure the work you see was done by the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Some studios will show you a lot of good work from various photographers, but will not guarantee you will get the photographer whose work you like the best. Sometimes, a husband and wife team like ours is the best way to be sure the photographer's work you see is the work you will get.
Do you like the photographer's personality and mannerisms? Is the photographer confident, easy going and not a nervous ninny? Does the photographer have a good sense of humor? Remember, the photographer will be present through most of your wedding day, interacting with you, your wedding party, your family, and your guests. A demanding, inflexible, and uptight photographer can make your day unpleasant. I know you don't want that! Make sure you and your spouse-to-be get along well with the photographer you choose. If the photographer is going to have a second photographer help at your wedding, meet the assistant photographer and make sure you feel comfortable with them also. To get to know your photographer before you choose them, it is really important you meet with them personally. If it is physically impossible to meet with the photographer, you should make sure some of their testimonials from previous clients make you feel comfortable with the photographer's personality.
Does the photographer have a strong sense of professional commitment to photographing your wedding and a professional work ethic to go with it... Does the photographer use professional cameras, lenses and flash setup? Does he or she have at least some lenses that will produce good images in low light situations (f2.8 aperture)? Does the photographer use a soft box over the flash and keep the flash above the lens on both horizontal and vertical photos to minimize shadows in their images? Does he or she always bring a complete set of backup equipment, or bring a second photographer with another set of equipment, to every wedding? How will the photographer and their assistant be dressed on your wedding day? Ask them. Hopefully, they will professional enough to arrive dressed in a tux, suit, or dressy dress. Although, if your photographer is a man and he says he's coming in a dressy dress, you might worry a little about that :-). You should get the feeling that your photographer is dedicated to making sure your wedding day is wonderful, and that all of the love, emotions and important details will be captured in images you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your life.
Does your photographer have the experience to anticipate all the good things that will happen on your wedding day, and the experience to deal with the bad things that could happen also... An experienced photographer will have photographed enough weddings to anticipate and capture special moments during your day, and the important details that may easily be missed by a "newbie". An experienced photographer also knows that things do go wrong sometimes and will be able to anticipate and deal with them, often without you even knowing that something went wrong. That's why a complete set of backup equipment is necessary. My little kit of duct tape, extra cables, pen knife with scissors, and band-aids has been a life saver several times.
Does your photographer offer you the right value for you...
Not the right price, but, the right value. If your photographer doesn't have all of the above four characteristics, it may not matter what their prices are. If the photographer has all four, that's a big part of the value they offer you. In this case, the price should be less important. Just make sure your photographer will provide what is really important to you and is upfront with you about costs for everything you want. Someone who offers a "low" price up front may sound attractive. But, things change when you find they charge extra for every location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on. A photographer who charges twice as much, but includes almost everything, can often be a better value for you. But the bottom line is make sure they SHOOT OF FILM & get a digital file.
So, there you have it. Choose your wedding photographer based on the above five factors, and you will go a long way toward having the wedding of your dreams. We hope this helps, please let us know.
By Peter Bruce posted on Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 8:41 AM - (General)
For years brides have beem asking Peter Bruce Photo team bELLE the meaning behind the name of a flower. Some want to want just because,other want to put a little more thought in to there flowers. Our wonderful flower person from bELLE , Chelsea has spens hours putting together this list of flowers and there meanings.
Ambrosia: Reciprocated love Apple Blossom: Better things to come Azalea: First Love, Temperance
Baby's Breath: Innocence, pure heart Bamboo: Strength, Loyalty Begonia: A fanciful nature Bird of Paradise: Magnificence Blue Violet : Faithfulness Buttercup: Riches, childishness
Calla Lily: Magnificent Beauty Camellia: Gratitude Carnation-red: Alas poor heart Carnation-pink: I'll never forget you Carnation-purple: Capriciousness Carnation-stripped: Sorry I can't be with you Carnation-white: Innocence Carnation-yellow: Disdain Chrysanthemum-red: Love Chrysanthemum-white: Truth Chrysanthemum-yellow: Slighted love Clematis: Mental beauty
Daffodil: Regard, You are the only one Dahlia: Dignity, Elegance, Good Taste Daisy: Gentleness, Innocence, Loyalty and Romance Delphinium: Flights of Fancy, Ardent Attachment
Gardenia: Purity and Secret Love Gladiolus: Strength of character, Sincerity
Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty Honeysuckle: Bonds of love. Hyacinth: : Sport, play, games, rashness, flower dedicated to Apollo. Hyacinth-blue : Constancy. Hyacinth-purple : I am sorry, sorrow, please forgive me. Hyacinth-red or pink : Play. Hyacinth-white : Loveliness, I'll pray for you. Hyacinth-yellow : Jealousy. Hydrangea : frigidity, heartless.
Iris: Faith, Wisdom, Valour and Promise Ivy : Fidelity
Larkspur-pink: Fickleness. Larkspur-purple: First love. Lavender: Loyalty Lemon Blossom : Fidelity Lilac-purple: First Emotion of Love Lilac-white: Youthful innocence Lily-orange: Wealth Lily-white: Sweetness Lily-yellow: Gaiety, walking on air Lily of the Valley: Humility, Sweetness, Return of Happiness Lotus Flower: Estranged love
Magnolia: Love of Nature Marigold: Grief Mistletoe : Affection Morning Glory: Affection
Oleander: Caution. Olive Branch: Peace. Orange Blossom: Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness Orchid: Love, Beauty and Magnificence
Pansy: Thoughtful Reflection Peony: Happy Marriage and Prosperity Petunia : Resentment, anger Polyanthus: Price of riches
Ranunculus: Radiant, Charming Rhododendron: Danger Rose, Pink: Perfect Happiness Rose, White: Charm and Innocence Rose, Red: Love and Desire Rose-single red: I Love You Rose-Burgundy: Unconscious love Rose, white and red: Unity Rose, Orange : Passion Rose, Yellow: Joy and Gladness Rosebud: Beauty and youth
Star of Bethlehem : Purity Stephanotis: Marital Happiness Sunflowers: Pride Sweet Pea: Blissful Pleasure
Tiger Lily: Prosperity Tuberose: Dangerous Pleasure Tulip: Love and Passion Tulip-yellow : Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile. Tulip-red: Declaration of love
Violet-blue : Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true. Violet-purple : Thoughts of you, blue love. Violet-white : Let's take a chance, youthful innocence. Violet-yellow : Love of country.
Zinnia : Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend. Zinnia-scarlet : Constancy. Zinnia-white : Goodness. Zinnia-yellow : Daily remembrance.
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By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 8:32 AM - (General)
Wedding Cakes
While you may think it is very unimportant, the wedding cake is arguably one of the most important pieces of the wedding jigsaw. Aside from the bride, the wedding cake is one of the most looked at items at the wedding. If you get it right then everyone will be praising and if you get it wrong people will be talking about how bad it was no matter how good the rest of the wedding is. Therefore, the wedding cake deserves a substantial amount of your time and attention.
As is the case with most of the traditional wedding practises, there are new modern ways to do your cakes. However, the most stylish option is the traditional 3 tier white iced cake. This way, you can easily add decorations and everyone will be in awe. There are a number of pitfalls that you need to avoid if you want to get your wedding cake right.
Firstly, make sure you choose a sensible design. While fancy designs may look good in pictures, in truth, the more complicated the design, the more that can go wrong with the wedding cake.
Secondly, make sure you consult with the person making the cake. While you may have a clear idea in mind, they have made thousands of cakes before that they should be well placed to offer you excellent advice on the cake that is right for you wedding.
Third and finally, you need to consider the guests. There are two main things to consider in terms of the guests, firstly numbers of secondly tastes. You need to try and choose cake ingredients that you think everyone will like and you need to ensure that there is enough wedding cake for everyone. Again, it is important to consult with the chef because he/she will know how large the cake needs to be.
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By Peter Bruce posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 1:58 PM - (General)
History & Traditions
Throwing garters is considered to be the oldest surviving wedding tradition. Back in Dark Ages it was customary for friends, relatives and guests to accompany the bridal couple to the marriage bed. At first this was to safely see the married couple ensconced in their wedding bed and once established the crowd respectfully left the newly weds to their own company.
The wedding garter toss became a game of sorts. The bridal party would toss the garter at the grooms nose and the person who successfully landed the garter on his nose would be the next to marry.
The custom became rowdier and bawdier until the guests were eager to help the bride out of her wedding clothes. The wedding guests would try to grab the bride's garter for good luck. It is thought to forestall such impropriety, the bride's garter was given to the mob as a distraction. Soon this became an established custom.
Throwing the brides garter to the groom's men is what remains of the custom. In Northern England the old custom was for male guests to rush the bride at the altar when the ceremony was finished and remove her garter from her leg. In the panic this usually meant the bride was knocked over and trampled on.
Gradually brides made garters easier to detach and finally to avoid threat of injury they tossed their garters away at the end of the ceremony. Garters were imbued with fertility and the bride's garter signified consummation, fulfillment, and progeny and was always fiercely sought after. Untying the bride's garter had a deeply symbolic act. In the past the lucky guest to receive the bride's garter would wear it proudly on his hat, before giving it to the girl of his choice for luck.
One other variation on this custom in the 19th century was for the local youths to race from the church to the bride's house. The first was given the honor of removing the bride's left garter. He would then tie this around his own true love's knee as a guard against unfaithfulness. In the North of England , the custom was for the man to wear the bride's garter in his hat.
Tossing the garter was reintroduced in the early part of the twentieth century.Know a days, the groom is responsible for removing the garter and tossing it at the eagerly waiting groomsmen at the reception. Much tamer that the early days. Bride would also have a second keepsake garter that they would keep with their wedding dress.
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By Administrator User posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 8:10 PM - (General)
Some fun loving grooms smash a piece of wedding cake in the bride’s face as part of the post wedding festivities. But do you know where this custom began?
a. It’s the endless chocolate versus vanilla argument that started with Adam and Eve. b. Cake tossing was first observed in the 13th century when out-of-work millers invaded wedding ceremonies looking for clients. c. Giving a bride a rude shower of cake dates back to Roman times when it was thought to ensure her fertility.
The answer is below, but first let us know what you think of the photos…
Answer…
Wedding cake in a bride’s face is a fertility blessing.Can you believe that
Yes originally, the cake was not eaten by but thrown at the bride at her wedding. It developed as one of the many fertility traditions surrounding a wedding. Wheat was is a symbol of fruitfulness and was among the earliest grains to be ceremoniously showered on the bride and groom. In its earliest origins, the unmarried young women attending the wedding were expected to scramble for the grains to ensure their own betrothals, much as they do today for the bridal bouquet.
The early Roman bakers changed the “throw it” to the “eat it” tradition. These bakers were distinguished and respected in their trades. Somewhere around 100 BC they began taking the wedding wheat and creating small, sweet cakes with it; the cakes were eaten while the service was in progress.
I’m so glad that this tradition is no longer popular. There’s plenty of time for a food fight if that is your kind of thing – but not on your wedding day!
