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Digital Photography - a New Option for Wedding Photography

One of the best changes in wedding photography has come about with the advent of digital cameras with more options than the original digital cameras. Wedding photography - with the right equipment - is now easier than ever and it could mean that you'll save a significant amount of what you expected to spend on your wedding photography package.

One reason that many wedding photography packages are still offered in film instead of digital photos is that digital cameras have only recently come to the point of producing the quality of photos expected for wedding photography. But with the new cameras able to shoot at 5 to 8 megapixels, it's completely possible to get wedding photography shots that are 8X10, 11X14 and even larger from a digital photograph.

Another important aspect of digital cameras that has made digital photographs an option for wedding photography is that digital cameras are now available with manual options. Manual focusing is important in wedding photography. Many shots are taken in which the person or item in the foreground is not the focus of the shot. With automatic focusing cameras, the lens naturally focuses on the foreground leaving the true focus of the shot blurry or out of focus. The newer digital cameras offer manual focus options along with manual light settings to take quality photos even in dim light, or with backlighting that would normally have ruined a digital photo. Because of the ability of the photographer to make adjustments for less-than-ideal situations, digital photographs are a viable option for wedding photography.

One great thing about digital wedding photography is the ability to purchase the entire package from the photographer and have prints made to suit your needs. You can typically get the entire wedding photography package on a single disc, then have a photo lab print up quality photos in any size and number you want. If you need a dozen photos of the bride and groom shoving cake into each other's faces, all you need do is order them. If you don't want anyone to ever see the photo of the bride's mom who was slightly tipsy at the end of the event, just don't order prints. You'll only pay for prints that you order and the order can be completely customized. Best of all, you can share those photos with others online via e-mail.

Today's Wedding Photography Articles
Stress and Weddings: The Making of Bridezilla
Every girl dreams of having the perfect wedding. From childhood we are bombarded these images of perfection in glamorous celebrity weddings whose unlimited budgets are reflected in the designer gowns, lavish jewelry, multitude of guests, and sumptuous buffet. For example, take Lady Diana Spencer's wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981. During the so-called wedding of the century, she wore a designer dress with a long train that cascaded down the aisle of Westminster Abbey with matching velvet shoes adorned with diamond buckles. It seemed to us like a fairy tale come true---a princess has finally found her prince. And so from these images we begin building our own vision of the perfect wedding. Whether large or small, we visualize every detail of this fantastic event, from the exact shade of white for the gowns to the particular recipe we want to use for the dessert course. For some women, the need to make everything about the day perfect has turned many a lovely bride into a creature known as Bridezilla. Bridezillas make an already stressful time in their lives even more stressful. And when the bride is stressed, everyone around her becomes stressed as well. These creatures subsist on nothing but their wedding plans and expect those around them to do the same. The lives of Bridezilla's friends and family depend on whether or not she gets what she wants, no matter how expensive or impractical it is. God help anyone who makes a mistake or tells her that she can't have what she wants, because she will eat you alive. So what fuels the rage of Bridezilla? Stress. Planning a wedding, especially large ones, can be difficult. Many brides also have to contend with meddling family members, budget constraints and time pressure along with the usual demands of daily life such as a job and/or children. Some women can handle the pressure, but others cannot and it manifests in psychological or physical ways. Bridezillas can be susceptible to mood swings, hysteria and irrational behavior which begins to affect the other parts of her life. But it is possible to avoid becoming a Bridezilla and having a stress-free wedding by following these tips: 1. Stop obsessing over the little details. In their quest to plan the perfect wedding, many brides forget that its the ceremony itself that's important, not the trimmings. There's no need to get into debt to create the perfect wedding. Spend your money where it counts. Money is one of the most powerful stress triggers, but careful spending will go a long way in easing your worries. Remember that some things in life are free. 2. Compromise. There is great wisdom in the saying, “Two heads are better than one.” Remember that you can't do it alone and that you don't have the monopoly on good ideas. Be open for suggestions. Ask your groom if he has any special requests that can be incorporated to the ceremony. 3. Delegate. Some family members may feel that they have the right to meddle with your wedding plans, which often leads to many arguments and tears. This creates an atmosphere of tension that can be extremely tedious and stressful. Try setting a specific task to each person and let them know that you appreciate their help. Deal with these people firmly and with diplomacy and make sure that they understand that you and your groom have the final say in all matters pertaining to the wedding. If all else fails, consider hiring a wedding planner. 4. Get organized. It pays to do a little research before purchasing a service or item for the wedding. Try attending a wedding-themed trade fair or similar gatherings for more inspiration. Keep a notebook and calendar for matters pertaining to the wedding, detailing what has been done and what else needs to be done. 5. Take time off from the wedding frenzy. Go away for the weekend with your groom, or treat your self to a spa date with your friends. Do what helps you to relax and during that time, avoid discussing or even thinking of your wedding plans. Stepping back helps you regain a new perspective on the matter and lessens your level of stress. 6. Let it go. There are just some things we can't control, like the weather. Focus on what you can control, and maintain a sense of humor. Laughing greatly increases your body's release of endorphins, engendering a sense of wellbeing and decreasing stress levels.

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How to Plan a Corporate Event Party
It is that time of the year! Before you know it, companies will start planning their corporate event parties for the coming holidays. These parties are usually done on behalf of the employees to spark moral and teamwork. So you are probably wondering how to plan a corporate event party? Well, a good rule of thumb is to start the planning stages 4-6 months prior to the date. If you are anticipating over 125 guests, then you will require more resources and this timeframe should be stretched from 6-9 months instead. Depending on your corporate culture will determine the way you go about planning a unique corporate bash. Location Location Location Going back to the guest list, you will first need to figure out how many guests will be in attendance. This will limit you with choices for a venue. If you are a larger regional or global corporation then you may need audio, visual, and hotel meeting space. If this is a less complex company, then a celebration at your local banquet facility might do the trick. If you have any out of town guests (CEOs, board members, honorary or distinguished guests) then you might want to locate your corporate event party near an airport for ease of logistics. The location should be allocated towards the largest portion of your budget; however there are other factors that are equally important. Hire the Right Team A team of professional vendors will be able to execute your vision without hesitation. A good question to ask your self is, 'how am I trying to leave an impact on at this party'? Regardless of the answer, your vendors including caterer, guest speakers, and entertainment are an extension of your reputation. A poor selection of vendors may leave a bad impression on your guests including those in management. This is the second most important area to invest your time and energy because it is the small details that can make or break a corporate event. Pick a Spontaneous Theme Do you remember your last past at your company from any of the previous years? If you have to think for more than ten seconds, then the planning committee did not do their job. When you sell or market a product, you have to establish an identity for your brand, and likewise when you plan and execute a successful party, you need to create a theme centered on your company. This theme should be different from past years. Try to implement your companies history and short term vision into the theme. There are many places to start and a good way to do this is to brainstorm with some of your co-workers to get some great ideas. Get Guests Involved We all know that one of the main purposes behind the company party is to ignite team building skills and employee moral. So how do you plan a corporate event party? Ask your guests, the employees. A great way to get instant feedback is with a newsletter addressed to all the employees. You can also mass e-mail a link to a survey for specific requests to all the employees. You might want to get an idea of the type of entrees guests might want. They will be able to tell you fun ways to promote team spirit and what type of vibe they are expecting from the party. The more you center the company party around your employees the more successful the event will be. Finally be Creative After you have read the above tips on how to plan the perfect corporate party, the final advice is to be creative. There are many stresses associated with being responsible for the company party, do not let this limit ideas. Many times people will not try creative ideas because they are afraid it will flop and management will put the blame on them. Just because it is a company party does not mean that waltz music will be played the entire evening. Just because it is a company party does not mean your guests should expect the traditional format with speeches and dinner selections. You will be surprised with the compliments you will receive if you think outside of the box. For example get a sushi bar, use Accent Lighting, or have an all white party. As you can tell the possibilities are endless. So if you want to leave a lasting impression on your guests keep them in mind and choose a theme that will surprise everyone including yourself!

Robert Reno works for Encore Entertainment. His team provides DJs and lighting for Michigan wedding receptions. Visit the following links for more info about <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com/2008/8/How-to-Plan-a-Corporate-Event-Party.html">how to plan a corporate event party</a> or the <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com">DJ in Michigan</a>.
Wedding Sponsorship - The Way to a Debt Free Dream Wedding
With the average cost of a 150-guest wedding fast approaching $30,000, savvy couples are embracing the idea of wedding sponsorship to defray their wedding costs. They have become intrigued with the idea of receiving complimentary goods and services for simply giving the sponsoring businesses recognition for their contributions. “We’ve found that there are couples who can afford to pay for their dream wedding, but still seek wedding sponsorship. They do so because they want to save a ton of money and they’re aware of the benefit to the sponsoring companies,” says S. Owens, owner of ThingsFestive.com and author of A Sponsored Wedding: The Complete Guide to Having Your Dream Wedding For a Song. “It just makes good sense.”

Those who have never attended a sponsored wedding are under the impression that there will be corporate banners and logos strewn about the ceremony and reception sites similar to those displayed during a professional sporting event. "The acknowledgment that you give to your sponsors doesn’t have to be nearly as in-your-face as a TV commercial. There are ways to effectively yet subtlely promote your sponsors to maintain the dignity and intimacy of your wedding", says Owens. "It's also important to keep in mind that you're not asking for a handout from sponsors. Couples who have the most success in securing sponsors are aware of the benefit to the sponsoring companies and emphasize the benefits in every contact with the company."

If set up properly, sponsorship can actually give your wedding “star status”. Your guests may wonder what connections you have that made the sponsors want to do this for you. Sponsors historically desire to connect themselves with attractive events. A perfect example of this is the "sponsoring" of couture evening gowns on the Oscars Red Carpet. Designers provide gowns to A-list actresses with the hope that the actresses’ answer to the question, “Who are you wearing?” will keep the designers’ names on the minds of their target market.

It's important to keep in mind that a sponsored wedding is not a corporate event nor is it a commercial starring the newlywed couple. It's a way to save thousands of dollars on your dream wedding by simply acknowledging those who provided products and services. In a non-sponsored wedding, if guests are impressed with certain elements of your wedding, they'll ask about the vendors or request contact information. With a sponsored wedding, you can provide that information without them asking and benefit from it as well.

S. Owens is the owner of <a href="http://www.thingsfestive.com">ThingsFestive.com</a> and the author of <i>A Sponsored Wedding: The Complete Guide to Having Your Dream Wedding For a Song</i>. This is copyrighted material and may be reprinted with the resource box intact.
How to Plan a Wedding Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal is generally held the day before the wedding. In the case of small, intimate weddings, the rehearsal may consist of only a few minutes of instructions prior to the ceremony. For some insight on how to plan a wedding rehearsal read the article below. The wedding rehearsal allows the participants the opportunity to practice specific duties - ushering, lighting of the candles, entrances and exits, special cues, variations in the service, and so on. The people required to attend the wedding rehearsal are the officiant or his or her representative, the bride and groom, their parents, and all the bridal attendants. Musicians and soloists may or may not attend. You should confer with the officiant concerning any last-minute changes in the order of the wedding ceremony. How to Plan a Wedding Rehearsal Make certain the officiant can correctly pronounce the names of the bride and groom. It is best to have only one person to plan the wedding rehearsal. However, your officiant and wedding coordinator may work together, each being responsible for different portions of the wedding rehearsal. You and your bridal attendants may use ribbon bouquets from your showers to practice carrying bouquets. Also, when the musicians are present, they should perform enough of each selection so that everyone is acquainted with the music and aware of any necessary cues. Bring the following items to the wedding rehearsal - cellophane tape (two dispensers for taping cards to gift packages) - guest book and pens - ribbon bouquets - programs

Robert Reno works for Encore Entertainment. His team provides DJs and lighting for Michigan wedding receptions. Visit the following links for more info about a <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com/2008/3/How-to-Plan-a-Wedding-Rehearsal.html">how to plan a wedding rehearsal</a> or the <a href="http://www.encorepartydjs.com">Michigan DJ</a>.
7 Tips for Finding the Right Wedding Suppliers
Organising your wedding is a huge task and it can be daunting at times. Not only do you have to find a great venue and a dress that makes you feel beautiful, you also have to find the right photographer, florist, cake, music, caterers and more. But, what is the best way to go about finding all these wedding suppliers?

Here are some tips to help you get started.

(1) Make a to-do list " be organised and get yourself off to a great start by making a wedding to-do list. There are a few things that you will need to organise as soon as you can such as finding a venue, booking caterers and choosing a dress. Other things such as choosing your wedding rings, ordering your cake and selecting stationery can wait until a bit later. Prioritise your list and put a rough date next to each item to help you remember when it needs to be done by.

(2) Get Recommendations from friends and family " how do you know which suppliers are reliable and provide a high quality service? The best way to determine this is by speaking to friends or relatives who have recently organised a wedding and ask them which suppliers they chose and which ones they were pleased with. Nothing can beat a recommendation from a friend.

(3) Go to Wedding Fayres " wedding fairs can be a lot of fun for you. You can sample a few canopies, wedding cake and perhaps some champagne, while chatting to a lot of different suppliers under one roof. This is a great chance for you to meet potential photographers, cake designers, stationery suppliers, caterers, videographers, dress designers and more, all within a few hours.

(4) Look in Wedding Magazines " many wedding magazines have a list of suppliers and adverts inside, usually on the last few pages. Many magazines also have real life stories with details and photos about recently married couples and often details on the suppliers used by the couple.

(5) Use the Internet " this sounds obvious, but it makes sense to visit Google or Yahoo and enter the name of your city or area along with what you are looking for e.g. "wedding cakes Manchester" or something similar. This gives you a great opportunity to check out the website of your potential suppliers before speaking to them in person. Often this can be a huge time saver as you can immediately eliminate suppliers that are too expensive or that are not to your taste.

(6) Use the Phone " don’t be afraid to phone round a few suppliers before you make the decision to speak to them in person. A lot suppliers do not have any details about prices on their website, so a quick telephone call to find this out can save you a lot of time.

(7) Be Prepared " finally, make sure you are prepared! Before you visit a potential supplier have a think about what you want. Talk about it with your fianc© and with your parents if they are helping to pay for the wedding.

Suzanne lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and is currently planning her own wedding. Visit her website <A HREF="http://www.weddinginedinburgh.com">Wedding in Edinburgh</A> for more tips and advice on wedding planning.
Wedding Day Planning
Planning Your Own Wedding
Adventure is just bad planning.

Roald Amundsen

So you decided to plan and arrange the wedding yourself. Well, it saves you much expense and gives you a lot of trouble. First, you need to plan carefully every detail of your wedding. Find or work out several checklists for not to forget anything. If you are armed with a good plan you will arrange everything without fuss.

Second, you won’t be able to do it alone. Try to find one or two volunteers to help you (think about your relatives or friends of yours as the associates). Then decide what exactly you can assign to them. With a bit of luck it would happen that one of the volunteers is an expert in a particular field of the arrangements.

Since then don’t bother your associates. Let them enjoy their responsibility. You can find the checklists quite useful here, too. Ask the volunteer associates to put a tick opposite each point done just for you to be sure everything is OK. The most important issues like choosing the wedding dress should be done by you personally. The same thing with wedding day jewelry.

BUDGET

Consult with your groom and both families. You will need to find out what you want and what exactly you can afford. Decide how to share the expenses and which way you can save not trespassing upon what is crucial for you. If you don’t hold the belief that you need a very traditional wedding, you can cut the cost of some unnecessary formalities.

PEOPLE

It’s easy to compose a guest list but it’s usually quite a problem to shorten it. Decide whether you want to invite kids or not. If not, think about how to tell that to their parents. Select the bridesmaids. Make room reservations for out of town guests. After the final editing give your guest list to the ushers.

Stationery. Order invitations and announcements, personal stationery and thank you notes. Send thank you notes as gifts arrive. Mail invitations.

Miscellaneous. Don’t forget about favors, candies, groom’s & attendant’s gifts.

ARRANGEMENTS

Apply for marriage licence. Then you can assign some of the further arrangements to your associates. Choose what you’d like to do yourself and assign the rest to your volunteers:

Prewedding Parties. Plan showers. Make reservations for bridesmaids’ luncheon and rehearsal dinner.

Ceremony & Reception. Plan the ceremony and inform clergyman of all the details of it. Plan the reception and go over details of it with caterer/hotel manager. Arrange transportation for the ceremony and reception. Order a wedding cake. Choose a florist, a professional photographer and a cameraman. Make music arrangements and check the selections.

Honeymoon. Pick a honeymoon destination. Renew passports and inoculations if necessary. Make honeymoon reservations and start shopping and packing.

BEAUTY

This pleasant work is all yours. Shop for wedding gown and keep in mind that several fittings will be required. Choose the hair style and jewelry. Be extremely careful with hair-coloring and perm and better do it in advance. Schedule hair and make-up appointment for the wedding day (don’t forget about the veil). Have manicure and pedicure done the day before wedding.

3 Food Based Theme Wedding Favors
Theme #1: Chocolate theme wedding favors Should you have white chocolate or dark chocolate wedding favors? Maybe a combination of both milk and dark chocolate almond would be a good idea? Or maybe choose a combination of white chocolate and dark chocolate in one wedding favor. The best idea is to have one flavor of chocolate for the wedding favors. The more flavors you have, the more costly the favors will become. You will probably already have a chocolate fountain, so you can than choose a different flavor of chocolate for the fountain Next you must decide on the design and style of the chocolate wedding favor. You could choose chocolate cookies on a stick, covered chocolate hearts, chocolate m&m's, chocolate mints, plain chocolate bars or get very extravagant and have little chocolate swans or chocolate basket wedding favors. Actually, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing the design and style of your chocolate wedding favor. But what is absolutely necessary to complete your chocolate wedding favors is the personalization on them. You must have the bride and groom's name and date of the wedding on the item, a sweet saying or at least a thank you on the chocolate wedding favor. These are very tasteful when written in an alternating chocolate on the wedding favor itself. However, this type of personalization can be more costly than a packaging on the outside which says "thank you for joining us on our special day." Either way you choose, a chocolate wedding favor is a hit at anyone's wedding. Theme #2: Cookie theme wedding favor Cookie theme wedding favour is the second option available for a bridal couple to look for their guests. Most couples want something that represents their wedding day and at the same, used as a nice token of their appreciation for the love and support of their wedding guests. Opting custom wedding cookie favors is a good choice for the wedding couple. The cookies can add nice d©cor to the wedding reception and the delicious treat well be appreciated by the wedding guests. Custom wedding cookie favors is a geometric cookie such as a rectangle, diamond, or heart shape to be frosted and decorated with the monogram or bridal couples' names is a very popular choice among couples. The cookie can be frosted with the colors of the wedding and can have other decorations such as hearts and bells or the cookie can be stylishly designed with the monogram. The cookies are often come from a butter cookie recipe but can be modified into various flavorings. Each cookie is wrapped in plastic wrappings and tied with a decorative ribbon. This tasty treat will be a nice finish to the wedding day. Wedding cake cookies are another nice design for wedding cookie favors. The cake cookie can be frosted to look like the wedding cake. It will give the guest the chance to take a piece of the wedding cake home with them. These cookies are wonderful for the wedding favors and also will be good to freeze for the first anniversary celebration along with the wedding cake top. It will help to bring back nice memories of the wedding day when the cookies are brought out a year later. Another nice cookie design for wedding cookie favors are tuxedo and bridal gown cookies. These cookies are cut in the shape of a wedding tuxedo or a bridal dress and are decorated respectively. This is an adorable design that will be well liked by all the guests. A good addition to these cookies would be to put a tux and gown together and have a label with the couple's new married name of Mr. and Mrs. to imply their wedding union. Fortune cookies will be a great choice for wedding cookie favors. These cookies can be decorated with toppings of frosting and wrapped with the rest of the cookies. The fortunes in the cookies can be suitable fortunes for a wedding reception and will bring a lot of fun and conversation to the party. Whether the couple opts the fortune cookie or another design wedding cookie favors, it will be a great treat for everyone. Theme #3: Edible theme wedding favor Wedding favors are a pleasant way of giving a small thank you to wedding guests and providing a small memento of the special occasion. One great idea is choosing an edible wedding favors. Edible wedding favors gives you the chance to provide the traditional wedding favor and also giving a little treat to end the day. It is also a fun way to express something from the couple or a cute way to say something about their feelings for one another. Homemade candy and mints for wedding favors are widely reminiscent and this traditional idea is still a great edible wedding favor idea to date. Several companies come out with specially designed or customised candies and mints suited for edible wedding favors. Bite sized candy or mints are available in cute pocket size tins with the bride and grooms name and wedding date on the tin. This idea can be practical as once the treat is eaten, the tin can be used for storing other small items. A cheap but fun idea is to have conversational hearts as the candy favor. These fun candies have cute wedding statements that are entertaining for the guests to read and share with each other. Other candy and mint edible wedding favors can include small boxes of truffles, monogrammed petit fours, personalized life savers, or personalized chocolate candy bars. A wide variety of unique candy and mint ideas are available for wedding favors and it suitable for a wedding couple that has a certain kind of candy that they specially flavour. It also served as a way to incorporate that treat into an edible wedding favor. Some companies offer edible wedding favors in the form of coffee or tea. Special concoctions of coffee or a favorite tea can be packaged in special wedding logo that tells the bridal couple's came and the wedding date. For a unique blend, the option of having a special cappuccino or hot chocolate blend can be incorporated into the wedding theme. These edible wedding favors will definite bring smiles to all the wedding guests.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit <a href="http://www.floralweddingfavor.com">floral wedding favor</a> to learn more about <a href="http://www.floralweddingfavor.com/wedding-cookie-favors.php">wedding cookie favors</a> and other <a href="http://www.floralweddingfavor.com/making-wedding-favors.php">making wedding favors</a>.
Fall Themed Coaster Wedding Favors
The fall season ushers in cool breezes, moderate weather, and beautiful foliage. You can bring your wedding in touch with the feel of autumn through incorporating foliage and fall colors into your wedding reception with unique fall coasters that you can offer as gifts to the guests at your wedding reception, bridal shower, or baby shower. Coasters make perfect wedding favors because they are practical gifts that your guests can use at their own parties and gatherings; or even in their day-to-day lives. Every time your guests use these autumn-themed coasters they will be reminded or your wedding and the part they played in experience the bond between you and your spouse. Here are examples of three elegant coasters that can become an impressive part of your fall wedding reception. Make your wedding memorable by bringing the feelings of the season to your reception! Maple Leaf "Fall" in Love Coaster:
This set of four 4"x4" coasters are made of high-quality cork and are as functional as they are charming. Each coaster is imprinted with a maple leaf surrounded by soothing fall colors that represent the alluring foliage of the season. The intricate yet stylized form of the maple leaf has always been a distinguished symbol of the autumn season. Design Glass Frosted Leaf Coaster:
This quaintly appealing set also includes four 4"x4" inch coasters, but these are made of superior quality glass. Each coaster is separated into four quadrants that form an alternately frosted pattern of a classic autumn leaf. These coasters are certainly a stylish gift for all the guests at your wedding celebration. Fall Wedding Impressions Glass Photo Coaster:
These very personal favors come in a set of 2, each coaster measuring 3.75"x3.75" and are made of heavy glass. A photo of approximately 2"x1" can fit in the center of each coaster. What an amazing way to show off photos of you and your spouse! Each coaster can become a personal gift to specific guests with different pictures or messages in the frame. Your guests can even insert their own photos into the coaster they received at your wedding. The coasters are a rich burgundy color and have impressions of fall leaves to bring the spirit of the season into the romance of the favors. All of these products add the touch of autumn to your wedding reception. Try using fall themed center pieces or decorations at your tables to really make the theme come to life.

Joe Palladino is the owner of Her Wedding Favors and offers elegant wedding favors at discounted prices. Unique <a TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.herweddingfavors.com/fall-wedding-favors.html">fall wedding favors</a> and the newest, most impressive<a TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.herweddingfavors.com">bridal shower favors</a> are also available along with high-quality <a TARGET="_blank" href="http://www.herweddingfavors.com">cheap wedding favors</a>
A Movie Producer's Technique for an Unforgettable Wedding Video
Nowadays, when you rent a DVD to watch in the comfort of your home, you can usually count on a “Special Features” section, where the movie producer includes a “back story” or “making of the movie” featurette. This same “back story” technique can easily be added to your wedding video to add a fun, “up close and personal” touch, in playful contrast to the formality of the wedding ceremony. And it doesn't require any out of the ordinary time or effort. The main focus of the back story should be pre-wedding, on-camera interviews with the bride and groom. The wedding rehearsal is a great opportunity for these interviews to be tape recorded. Interview the bride and groom separately. They shouldn't be allowed to listen to each other's interviews. You want their comments to be an entertaining surprise when they view the finished video. Conduct the interviews in a quiet space with adequate lighting. Make sure there are no harsh shadows and/or “hot spots” on the person's face or directly behind them. If you are relying on the on-camera microphone for the interview, you will have to move the camera approximately 5-6 feet from the subject. Set your camera/tripod at eye level, and then zoom in or out to compose your shot. Using a hand-held microphone, however, will give you the discretion to compose more complex shots by increasing your camera's range and flexibilty. Set up a a slightly off-center, head shot wide enough to include their upper torso. Be sure not to cut off the top of their heads...or conversely, don't have tons of empty space above their heads. Once your shot is set up, resist the temptation to zoom in or out. You will get better interview results by having the bride and groom direct their answers to you as you stand or sit off to the side of the camera. Try to be conversational so as to put them at ease. The only time that they should look directly into the camera is when you ask them if they have anything they'd like to say to their fianc©e. Here are some suggested interview questions: “You're getting married tomorrow. How do you feel?” “When did you know that _________ was the ONE?” “How did you two meet?” “What are you expecting from the wedding tomorrow?” “Is there anything you'd like to say to your bride/groom tonight?” You can also come up with your own questions. You are only limited by your imagination. Before you begin rolling tape, it is very important to instruct the bride and groom to restate the question in their answer. Example: Question:“How did you two meet?” Answer: “We met in a sociology class at the university... Question: “What are you expecting from the wedding tomorrow?” Answer: “Tomorrow I'm expecting... Explain to them that their answers need to be complete statements that makes sense all by themselves since the audience viewing the edited videotape will only hear their answer and not your question. Restating part of the question in their answer helps to avoid getting responses that don't make any sense. Also remember to keep your questions short. Short questions get long answers. Long questions get short answers. Don't be afraid to ask them to elaborate on any point that seems incomplete. At the end of the interview have them each look directly into the camera and blow a kiss, Next, have them pretend to catch a kiss, looking into the camera. And, of course, don't forget to tell them to, “smile.” Using this movie producer “Special Feature” technique will not only make your wedding video unforgettable, but exciting and fun as well!

Olivia Romero is an independent video producer with over 15 years experience as a writer, producer, director and editor. Olivia and her partner, Tony Jones, help couples save money by producing their own professional-looking wedding video. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.howtoweddingvideo.com">Wedding Video Secrets</a>. (c) Copyright 2007, I.M.M. of New Mexico, All Right Reserved
10 Tips For Catering The Bridal Shower Yourself
Planning a bridal shower can be frustrating, especially if you are planning on catering the event yourself. When you are getting ready to host a shower, it is important to take some time for planning and relax. Bridal showers should be a fun time to socialize with friends and families and should not cause stress. Here are ten easy tips to keep you sane when you host and cater a bridal shower.

Number of guests: When you get ready to host a bridal shower, the guest list will determine just about everything about the bridal shower. Work with the bride, or if you are planning on a co-ed shower, talk with the couple. Find out ahead of time, before you begin planning, how many guests they want to invite. The number of guests will tell you if where you can have the shower and how many you need to plan for. You might find it necessary to rent tables, chairs and serving platters or plates depending on the number of guests.

Time of day: Another tip for catering a bridal shower by your self is to determine what time of the day the shower will be held. This can be a huge help when you are planning for food. For example, a brunch will be easier to plan than a shower that is held late in the evening when a meal is expected. In addition, if you hold a shower in the late afternoon, you will not be expected to cater a large meal. You can plan for simple fare, such as fruit and finger sandwiches. Decide in advance what time of the day the shower will be and it will help keep you sane during the planning process.

Budget: Before sending out any invitations, know your budget. If you are on a limited budget, know what you can spend and stick to it. It will not be fun if you overspend and are left with a huge credit card bill after the shower. Let your bride know your budget and work together to plan a shower. It is possible to plan an elegant shower without spending a lot of money.

Plan ahead and ask the bride: Planning well in advance is the key in hosting a bridal shower. After you have talked with the bride and set a date, you can begin making preparations. If you plan on catering the event, never wait until the last minute. Delaying can cause a lot of stress. Instead, use an event planner or a notebook to record all the of the bridal shower details. Remember that a shower usually takes at least eight weeks to plan, so give your self plenty of time to make necessary preparations. When you cater the event, know beforehand how many guests you will serve and if there are food allergies or other preferences, such as the bride being a vegetarian. Make detailed shopping lists and know what you will need to buy before going to the grocery store.

Make ahead and get help: Catering a bridal shower can be easier if you know what you are serving in advance and prepare dishes ahead of time. If you are serving casserole dishes, look into making them a couple of weeks before the party and then freezing the items. You can also do this for certain desserts and appetizers. The night before the party is a great time to cut fruits and vegetables, decorate a cake and make finger foods. Making food ahead of time will help cut down on the amount of stress on the day of the bridal shower. Also, consider getting help from others when you plan to cater a shower. It is perfectly acceptable to host a potluck style buffet where everyone brings their favorite dish. You can also enlist help from close friends or family members to help you cook and prepare dishes.

Theme: If you have a theme for the shower, such as brunch, co-ed barbeque or girl’s day at the spa, you can prepare dishes to fit the theme. This will make planning easier and everyone will know what to expect. Having a theme can also help you choose decorations and tableware with ease.

Keep it simple and relax: These are two tips you should remember when planning a bridal shower. Most guests will not remember the lavish dishes it took you all day to prepare. Instead, they will remember the time they spent visiting with the bride. Keep the menu simple and everyone will enjoy the shower and you will not become stressed. Last of all, remember to relax. Take a deep breath and have fun. Do not ruin the shower by obsessing over every last detail. Have a good time and your guests will, too.

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