It's been several months since my last post (Dec 08 in fact) and while I apologise for my lengthy absence from blogging, I'm back in the saddle and ready to ride. Er, post that is.
Yesterday I was asked by a friend if all brides and grooms exchange gifts just prior to their wedding. While not "all" brides and grooms exchange gifts, certainly some do, and those gifts run the gamut from grooms gifting their brides with jewelry to wear for the wedding, to brides gifting grooms with a wedding morning massage.
There really are no set rules, no specific dollar amount to be spent, no special plans that "must be" made. The gifts could be as simple as a favorite photo of the two of you framed in a lovely leather frame, suitable for the office. It might be a book by a favored author with a loving inscription inside the front cover. Then again, budgets permitting, a groom might gift his bride with a stunning pair of diamond earrings to wear for their wedding, or a bride might gift her groom with a watch inscribed with their wedding date or some words of love.
The point here is that it's the thought that counts, not the dollar amount or making this gift exchange about yet another thing on the list that has to be attended to. Give a gift if your budget and time allow it and your heart so moves you. Give it the day of the rehearsal, or after the rehearsal dinner, or the morning of the wedding, or have one of your attendants deliver your gift while your spouse-to-be dresses for the ceremony.
Looking for something a bit more intimate? Consider exchanging gifts in a private moment right after the ceremony before continuing on to the reception. This is your first official gift to your husband or wife and as such will have even more significance. I happen to be a woman who believes a few heartfelt, handwritten words carry more weight than gold. So my favorite gift from my husband will forever remain the wedding vows he wrote and signed. To this day that remains my most cherished gift from the man who is himself ... the greatest gift.
Lori Lamb
Love U Mean It
Showing posts with label weddings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weddings. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monday, August 18, 2008
Hiring a Photographer
Before you hire your wedding photographer, get to know them by asking some questions;
1. Do you have photos of entire weddings that I can see?
Request to see the images from a few complete weddings, instead of just a sampling of several events. This way, you can better judge the photographer’s work and see how she/he photographs the entire spectrum of a wedding—the bride and groom getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, and the portraits. If possible, try to see a proof book: a collection of raw prints before they were retouched.
2. Do you have references I can call?
Ask to speak with two or three former brides. Ask them: Would you recommend the photographer to your best friends, and why? Was the photographer on time? How was he or she
dressed? Was he or she professional to work with throughout the entire process? Did the guests have any comments?
3. Do you post the proofs online, or will I receive negatives?
If your photographer shoots on film, you will receive traditional negatives. If he or she shoots digitally, the proofs should be posted online. Digital proofs posted on the photographer’s website
or on another specific site are usually available sooner than negatives, and they allow you to share your photos with family and friends soon after the wedding. Be sure to ask how long the
pictures will remain online.
4. Who will be photographing my wedding?
If your photographer works for a large studio, he or she may be one of several other photographers working for the company. Since every photographer has his or her own style, technique, and personality, it’s important that the person you interview and like will be the one doing the picture taking. Some studios do not know who will be shooting a wedding until the very day of the event. If the studio cannot guarantee you your first or second choice of photographers, consider moving on. You do not want to risk ending up with a photographer you
won’t be happy with.
5. When will my proofs, prints, and wedding album be available?
Find out your photographer’s turnaround time. Also, ask how long you have to choose the photos from your proofs and order your prints and album.
6. How many pictures will you take?
A photographer usually shoots about 500 exposures at an average wedding, but how many of those images will you have to choose from? Some photographers charge per roll of film, so find out that price as well.
7. What happens if you show up late or can’t make it to the wedding?
The photographer should let you know his or her backup plan in case of an emergency. He or she should supply you with the complete contact info of another photographer on call that day and the studio’s after-hours phone number.
8. Can I see a sample contract?
Your prospective photographer should be open with his or her procedures before you sign anything. The contract is a binding document that is agreed upon by both parties and should protect both. If he or she doesn’t show you a contract or use one, pick someone else.
9. Are you part of any professional associations, or do you have extra training in your field?
Someone who keeps up with the latest technology and information in the industry is serious and passionate about his or her work, which will show in the photographs and how he or she works with you.
10. What type of cameras do you use, and will you have any backups in case something breaks or doesn’t work?
If you want the best pictures, hire someone who uses the latest top-quality equipment. A true professional will arrive at the wedding prepared with more than one camera and lens.
11. How many years have you been photographing weddings?
Since a talented pro with fewer years of experience can outshine a 30-year veteran (and vice versa), what you want to know is whether weddings are the person’s specialty and if he or she enjoys photographing them.The photographer’s enthusiasm will translate into sharper pictures.
12. What do you charge for overtime?
Make sure the contract specifies the amount of time the photographer will be on the job and how much it would cost to keep him around if the celebration runs longer than scheduled.
1. Do you have photos of entire weddings that I can see?
Request to see the images from a few complete weddings, instead of just a sampling of several events. This way, you can better judge the photographer’s work and see how she/he photographs the entire spectrum of a wedding—the bride and groom getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, and the portraits. If possible, try to see a proof book: a collection of raw prints before they were retouched.
2. Do you have references I can call?
Ask to speak with two or three former brides. Ask them: Would you recommend the photographer to your best friends, and why? Was the photographer on time? How was he or she
dressed? Was he or she professional to work with throughout the entire process? Did the guests have any comments?
3. Do you post the proofs online, or will I receive negatives?
If your photographer shoots on film, you will receive traditional negatives. If he or she shoots digitally, the proofs should be posted online. Digital proofs posted on the photographer’s website
or on another specific site are usually available sooner than negatives, and they allow you to share your photos with family and friends soon after the wedding. Be sure to ask how long the
pictures will remain online.
4. Who will be photographing my wedding?
If your photographer works for a large studio, he or she may be one of several other photographers working for the company. Since every photographer has his or her own style, technique, and personality, it’s important that the person you interview and like will be the one doing the picture taking. Some studios do not know who will be shooting a wedding until the very day of the event. If the studio cannot guarantee you your first or second choice of photographers, consider moving on. You do not want to risk ending up with a photographer you
won’t be happy with.
5. When will my proofs, prints, and wedding album be available?
Find out your photographer’s turnaround time. Also, ask how long you have to choose the photos from your proofs and order your prints and album.
6. How many pictures will you take?
A photographer usually shoots about 500 exposures at an average wedding, but how many of those images will you have to choose from? Some photographers charge per roll of film, so find out that price as well.
7. What happens if you show up late or can’t make it to the wedding?
The photographer should let you know his or her backup plan in case of an emergency. He or she should supply you with the complete contact info of another photographer on call that day and the studio’s after-hours phone number.
8. Can I see a sample contract?
Your prospective photographer should be open with his or her procedures before you sign anything. The contract is a binding document that is agreed upon by both parties and should protect both. If he or she doesn’t show you a contract or use one, pick someone else.
9. Are you part of any professional associations, or do you have extra training in your field?
Someone who keeps up with the latest technology and information in the industry is serious and passionate about his or her work, which will show in the photographs and how he or she works with you.
10. What type of cameras do you use, and will you have any backups in case something breaks or doesn’t work?
If you want the best pictures, hire someone who uses the latest top-quality equipment. A true professional will arrive at the wedding prepared with more than one camera and lens.
11. How many years have you been photographing weddings?
Since a talented pro with fewer years of experience can outshine a 30-year veteran (and vice versa), what you want to know is whether weddings are the person’s specialty and if he or she enjoys photographing them.The photographer’s enthusiasm will translate into sharper pictures.
12. What do you charge for overtime?
Make sure the contract specifies the amount of time the photographer will be on the job and how much it would cost to keep him around if the celebration runs longer than scheduled.
Tell me again why I need a Wedding Planner
A wedding planner helps engaged couples coordinate the logistics of a wedding day. It sounds simple doesn't it? And it can be, if you have a wedding planner who believes that weddings aren't cookie-cutter events. While no bride really wants to be a "Bridezilla", there's no reason every bride can't have Her Day - Her Way.
Here's how I can help you ensure that your wedding vision becomes your reality;
Typically, a wedding planner's services include the following:
* several meetings with the couple to establish the couples vision and theme for the wedding as
well as to learn their expectations, needs, and to review their budget
* phone and email contact
* reviewing wedding vendor contracts to establish vendor obligations
* calling vendors to confirm details such as time of arrival and extent of services
* creating a timeline to schedule the events of the wedding day
* coordinate the wedding rehearsal
* provide in-person coordination of the events of the wedding day at the wedding venue
Many weddings are so elaborate that the bride can go crazy trying to organize it all by herself. This is where a wedding planner can be helpful. The planner is usually hired by a bride, and therefore treated as a vendor who has promised to deliver a service. The planner will stay in constant contact with the bride throughout the entire wedding planning phase, sense when there is a problem, and find a way to take care of it so as not to further stress the bride.
Wedding planners may actually be able to save the bride some money, even with their own fees factored in. Many planners have relationships with specific venues and/or vendors, and by providing them with multiple clients, may be able to receive discounted services .
Wedding planners usually have a thorough knowledge of a specific city/area, which may benefit brides monetarily as well. Planners know which venues are worth the money, and which are too good to be true, ensuring that the bride gets a fair value for the money she's spending.
Are you a bride who prefers to do the planning yourself? Do you just want someone to take the reins on the wedding day itself? I can help!
As a Day of Coordinator (or DOC's), a wedding planner is hired to work only on the wedding day, instead of the whole planning period. This way, the couple has total control over every aspect of the wedding, but has the ease of mind letting someone else make sure it comes together on the big day.
Like full blown wedding planners, DOC's are responsible for catching and troubleshooting any issues that may arise on the wedding day, so that the couple is free to focus on what they need to do personally to get ready.
This year, 21 percent of those marrying will use a wedding planner, according to Shane McMurray, author of the Wedding Report, a market research website.
There are so many components of a wedding - from the ceremony, to all the activities that take place during the reception. A wedding planner makes sure that you keep on schedule, maintain a great flow, handle any crises that may arise and make sure the day is worry and stress free for you.
Love U Mean It believes that every bride deserves to have her day - her way, and I'm here to help you do just that.
Contact me at L.U.M.I@cox.net to schedule an appointment to meet to discuss how my talents can best serve your needs. Since no two brides are exactly alike, all of my wedding planning packages are customized to your personal needs, with fees based accordingly.
Let Love U Mean It give you Your Day - Your Way!
Lori
Here's how I can help you ensure that your wedding vision becomes your reality;
Typically, a wedding planner's services include the following:
* several meetings with the couple to establish the couples vision and theme for the wedding as
well as to learn their expectations, needs, and to review their budget
* phone and email contact
* reviewing wedding vendor contracts to establish vendor obligations
* calling vendors to confirm details such as time of arrival and extent of services
* creating a timeline to schedule the events of the wedding day
* coordinate the wedding rehearsal
* provide in-person coordination of the events of the wedding day at the wedding venue
Many weddings are so elaborate that the bride can go crazy trying to organize it all by herself. This is where a wedding planner can be helpful. The planner is usually hired by a bride, and therefore treated as a vendor who has promised to deliver a service. The planner will stay in constant contact with the bride throughout the entire wedding planning phase, sense when there is a problem, and find a way to take care of it so as not to further stress the bride.
Wedding planners may actually be able to save the bride some money, even with their own fees factored in. Many planners have relationships with specific venues and/or vendors, and by providing them with multiple clients, may be able to receive discounted services .
Wedding planners usually have a thorough knowledge of a specific city/area, which may benefit brides monetarily as well. Planners know which venues are worth the money, and which are too good to be true, ensuring that the bride gets a fair value for the money she's spending.
Are you a bride who prefers to do the planning yourself? Do you just want someone to take the reins on the wedding day itself? I can help!
As a Day of Coordinator (or DOC's), a wedding planner is hired to work only on the wedding day, instead of the whole planning period. This way, the couple has total control over every aspect of the wedding, but has the ease of mind letting someone else make sure it comes together on the big day.
Like full blown wedding planners, DOC's are responsible for catching and troubleshooting any issues that may arise on the wedding day, so that the couple is free to focus on what they need to do personally to get ready.
This year, 21 percent of those marrying will use a wedding planner, according to Shane McMurray, author of the Wedding Report, a market research website.
There are so many components of a wedding - from the ceremony, to all the activities that take place during the reception. A wedding planner makes sure that you keep on schedule, maintain a great flow, handle any crises that may arise and make sure the day is worry and stress free for you.
Love U Mean It believes that every bride deserves to have her day - her way, and I'm here to help you do just that.
Contact me at L.U.M.I@cox.net to schedule an appointment to meet to discuss how my talents can best serve your needs. Since no two brides are exactly alike, all of my wedding planning packages are customized to your personal needs, with fees based accordingly.
Let Love U Mean It give you Your Day - Your Way!
Lori
Planning Your Wedding, Your Way
Welcome to Love U Mean It ... a wedding planning service for the bride and groom who wants it THEIR WAY on THEIR DAY. And why not? Why shouldn't you and your groom be the stars of your biggest story?
With Love U Mean It ... it's YOUR way, every step of the way. Big budget or small, home wedding, hillside, church or country club, I'm here to help you turn your dreams into reality.
Whether you want help planning every detail from A-to-Z, just a little guidance (such as contract review and vendor recommendations), or Wedding Day only assistance, Love U Mean It is here to meet your needs and take the hassles out of planning your wedding.
Contact me today at 623-330-0301 for a free consultation.
If you like what you learn, let Love U Mean It help you plan Your Wedding Your Way!
With Love U Mean It ... it's YOUR way, every step of the way. Big budget or small, home wedding, hillside, church or country club, I'm here to help you turn your dreams into reality.
Whether you want help planning every detail from A-to-Z, just a little guidance (such as contract review and vendor recommendations), or Wedding Day only assistance, Love U Mean It is here to meet your needs and take the hassles out of planning your wedding.
Contact me today at 623-330-0301 for a free consultation.
If you like what you learn, let Love U Mean It help you plan Your Wedding Your Way!
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