Category: Weddings

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Getting the Best Possible Out of Your Wedding Photos

Pictures are worth more than thousand words, therefore your wedding photos must include some perfect combinations of humorous, serious outrageous and sentimental shots, because they are the ones you will treasure for the rest of your life. Here are some tips you should consider.

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For your pre-wedding meetings, make sure you set up some consultations with your chosen photographer at the venue of your wedding because it helps in all cases. Try to organize a consultation with your photographer late in the afternoon because that is the time mostly scheduled for couples’ photo-shoots. You need to make plans with your photographer, especially how the day’s events will unfold. For instance, your photographer needs to know when will the couple walk into the reception hall, and He needs to know where you want your pictures to be taken from. Adequate preparations for timing, and lightning will save you from any likely embarrassments.

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You need to book your engagement shoots ahead of time. The quality of photos taken at your engagement will help you work with your photographer ahead of the proper wedding. Engagement photo-shoots can serve as wedding photo-shoot trials and the quality you get can help you determine whether you can hire him for the next phase of your wedding program.

Dani Leigh Photography

The venue of the wedding must be arranged early so that your photographer can take pictures of the wedding decor earlier in the day, and just before the arrival of your guests. It is almost impossible to get excellent decor photos when your guests are already at the venue. Make arrangements with your photographer and ensure that he arrives not later than 3 hours before the start of the wedding ceremony.

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Preparing your venue for the wedding photo-shoots is important. Make sure you choose a large hall with lots of windows to provide natural lightning. Make sure you plan the overall look and feel of the wedding venue by de-cluttering and making the room as neat as possible.

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Try to get your wedding ceremonies done at one venue as much as possible, this will save you the hassle of moving your guests from one place to another as such can disrupt the effectiveness of your photographer. This will also save you some money, considering the fact that you are paying your photographer on an hourly basis.

Try as much as possible to keep the total number of your family photos to between 8 and 12 in order to save time and give the lists to your photographer as well as someone in your bridal party who can gather people when they are needed to take pictures.

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Rules for Wedding Tipping and Gratuity

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There will be many vendors that you deal with on a regular basis throughout the planning of your wedding. While you will be paying each of these a certain amount of money, it is always best to consider offering them a gratuity for their services as well.

While most are not required, others are built into the contract and some people who are planning a wedding find it helpful to know what is customarily given to these vendors. Below you will find the gratuity amounts that you should expect to pay so that you can add them into your overall wedding budget.

Caterers – Wait Staff – Bartenders

This is one area that the gratuity is typically included in the contract when you first sign it; normally around 15% – 20%. However, some feel as though their caterer did an outstanding job in regards to handling their guests and offer an additional dollar or two per guest for this reason.

An additional 15 to 20% is also typically included in the contract, but if it is not you should offer the additional gratuity to the maître d’ with an additional 1% to 2%. Bartenders are also typically given 15 to 20% gratuity, but if they are not also accepting tips from your guests, it is best to add an additional 10% on top of this amount.

DJs – Bands

Neither of these vendors require a tip, but many people offer one if they have provided an exceptionally nice experience for the bride and groom or the guests. For DJs, the standard is to offer a 15% to 20% gratuity. For bands, the standard is $25 per band member.

Limo Drivers

Many couples choose to have a limo driver to transport them to the wedding venue, to the airport or other locations before and after the wedding. It is standard to offer this driver 15% to 20% after they have completed their services.

Other Vendors

Moroccan Pillows

Other vendors that you may conduct business with throughout the wedding planning process are photographers, videographers, florists, and bakers. Each of these provide something special to your wedding and it is usually typical to provide them each with a 15% to 20% gratuity.

While this is not required, nor will it be added into the contract, some feel as though these vendors have done an amazing job and wish to reward them for their hard work.

Wedding Planners

This is one of the main vendors that typically receive a gratuity after the wedding. They are usually in charge of many aspects of the wedding planning process and help make sure that everything comes together as planned. The customary gratuity for the wedding planner is 10% to 20%, but an additional 10% to 20% is sometimes offered for an exceptionally good job.

Conclusion

Gratuity may be one area of your budget that gets overlooked when you are setting up funds for your wedding. While most of these areas are not required, it is still standard to offer a gratuity to the vendors after the wedding.

In order to make sure you have the funds available, you should make sure that you add the proper amounts to your budget so that you can properly thank your staff for their hard work.

Best For Bride

Best for Bride can help you plan your perfect day from start to finish. They specialize in the perfect gown, décor, and accessories that any bride will need to feel beautiful on her big day.

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5 Reasons We Love Winter Weddings

Winter isn’t usually a brides ideal time to get married, but there are so many reasons why we love winter weddings that it was hard to pick just five! If you aren’t sure when to hold your wedding, check out why we think a winter wedding is not only elegant, but festive and magical.

Many Vendors to Choose From

Not only will most vendors, suppliers and reception halls be available for any winter date you are thinking of, you’ll likely get a great price reduction as well. The winter months are a great option for the couple that is on a budget, but even if you aren’t, saving a little money by picking a wedding date in December, January or February will give you even more to spend on other things.

Seasonal Decor Looks So Chic

Think crystals, bare trees covered in ice and snow and even snowflakes. Place holders could be made out of a pinecone with a piece of sparkly paper with your guests name on it. Use lighting to your advantage and even add some blue lights to make everything feel like a warm ice palace.

Bridal Accessories Are Endless

Remember to think warm: there are so many choices when it comes to winter bridal accessories! Capes, faux fur stoles, hand warmers, gloves and so much more immediately come to mind as the perfect accent for a winter bride.

Any Color Palette Works

It’s true! You don’t have to think just blue or black for a winter wedding; any color palette works! Whether you want to keep with the winter theme and use black as a standout amongst white and cream colors and crystals, or heat everything up with a gorgeous red, the choices are completely up to you.

Comfort Foods

Serving (and eating!) comfort foods at your wedding will never feel so right! Your bar could offer after eight hot chocolate (that’s a hot chocolate with a shot of creme de menthe, topped with whipped cream!) and you could think about serving a creamy soup or stew, lasagna, shepard’s pie or casserole.

Ready to start planning your winter wedding? Head on over to Best For Bride and check out the wealth of winter accessories we have, as well as bridal dresses and more!

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Valentine Wedding Planning

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One of the most romantic times of the year to hold a wedding is on Valentine’s Day. It is the day that we devote to love every year and the perfect occasion to become married. Since the holiday is such a romantic occasion, there are many different design schemes to choose from and brides will find an endless amount of décor and attire options to choose from.

Choosing a specific theme for your Valentine Day wedding can also be something fun. Just as you will find many different styles of Valentine Day wedding dresses and décor, you will also find many different themes to choose from as well. Below are some options that are fun and romantic and that will fit nicely with Valentine’s Day.

Showing Love

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Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to hold a wedding around the story of your love. Every couple has special moments in their relationship and planning a wedding around that story is a great idea for any couple. If you met on the ski slopes or in Paris, there are some perfect decorations and attire ideas that can best showcase this history. You can also add to the occasion by including photos of your time together as well.

Valentine Invitations

Instead of sending traditional wedding invitations or save the date cards, dress up the theme by creating Valentine card styled invitations instead. It can even be fun to include Valentine cards for your guests to fill out for you instead of a wedding book. Then, you will have something fun to remember your wedding with and guests can provide a personal note to the happy couple. You can even use Valentine’s as place cards as well.

Romance is in the Air

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Another great idea is to create a wedding reception area that is filled with romance. Add soft lighting and colors that will make the room feel romantic and glamorous. Adding lots of candlelight to the room is also a great addition. If you have a space that allows a fireplace or fire pit, this can also create a romantic flow. Instead of champagne or wine for toasts, you can offer pink cosmopolitans or chocolate martinis instead. Decorating the tables with conversation hearts or red cinnamon hearts is also a nice touch.

Conclusion

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Make sure that you include your wedding cake design with the theme as well. Keep in mind that you can change the filling to be something that fits with the theme as well. Red velvet and strawberry are fantastic options. Chocolate covered fruits are also a romantic item to include as well.

There are so many ways that you can create a romantic Valentine’s Day wedding. Whether you are looking to add some simple romantic touches or go all out in the love department, you can easily create a wedding with a theme that fits perfectly with the holiday.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride will help you to find all the right supplies for your Valentine Day Wedding. They offer convenient locations as well as a large supply of dresses and wedding décor. You will be able to make one stop when you choose this store for your wedding day planning.