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It’s your wedding…one of the most beautiful days in your life.  How else can you make the perfect occasion last?  Capture the momentous event with great wedding photographs.  Read this guide to make sure you choose the right wedding photography service for your big day. 

The first thing to do is to give the most opportunities for the photographer when scheduling activities during the wedding day.  When planning the time of the wedding ceremony and of the reception, couples should incorporate the time that the photographer requires to capture all of the couple’s special moments.  There should be a gap between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception, to allow for more photographs for the bride, groom and wedding entourage, especially if they are in two different locations.  The photographers and subjects will have a more relaxed shoot and will enjoy all the parts of the wedding if the events are well spaced out. 

Next, think of important factors when selecting a wedding photographer.  The photographer should be able to show more than one complete set of wedding photos.  Couples should not accept someone who shows only selected prints of their best photographs from different weddings.  Ideally, all photographs from 3 to 4 complete wedding sets that are at least satisfactory should be a criterion of a professional wedding photographer. 

It’s also good to have a photographer that gives a package with unlimited coverage for the whole day.  Again, this way, photography will not be rushed.

Next, try to be aware of photography companies or individuals that contract out jobs to a pool of wedding photographers or even freelancers.  Salespersons often pose as actual photographers and try to woo customers.  Make sure companies deal openly, and ask them to show 3 to 4 complete weddings from each of the photographers they offer you, so you can choose.  Make sure the one chosen is the one that will cover your wedding.  Otherwise, it is better to find a photographer that personally shoots weddings.  A two-person team is an even better package because two points of view of the wedding can be taken.

Some photographers only offer the traditional wedding photography style, or strictly a photojournalistic style.  It is best to find a versatile photographer that can do both.

Lastly, couples should take note of some important questions to ask a prospective wedding photographer:

· Are colored and black and whites included, or would he charge extra for B/W? Dramatic effects can be made with black and white photographs, so ask if this is a premium.

· Are hand and digital coloring or digital color separation included in the package or would he charge extra for these? Better pictures are developed when the photograph colors are separated first, improved, and then printed. 

· What kinds of cameras does he use?  Does he use medium format equipment and have a back up?  Does have a “leaf” shutter or “focal plane”? 

· What lenses does he use? Does he use only one, or will he change lenses? Make him show you photo effects that he is able to achieve with different lenses and choose the ones which you like to appear with your photographs. 

· Is he willing to customize a package that is within your budget?

Asking intelligent questions will encourage photographers to deal openly with customers.  Remember, it’s your special day, and you should make sure that the wedding photography is something that will help you and your loved ones relive those wonderful memories.

Popularity: 18% [?]

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Bouquets of flowers have always been one attraction at any wedding and always part of the wedding tradition. A bouquet of flowers symbolizes a blossoming maiden and reflects her emotions. Therefore, wedding bouquets should be carefully selected and planned the same way you plan for your wedding gown. Here are just a few tips in choosing your wedding bouquet:

1. You should choose a flower that is in season to save money and time. This will make ording the flowers that much easier.

2. You can choose other alternatives like silk flowers especially if the flowers you prefer are not in season. 

3. Your bouquet should not over power you. If you are petite, the weight of the flowers may be too heavy for your build which may affect your posture and how you carry your gown.  So make sure they are light and easy to carry. Keep in mind your elegant gown and how the flowers are proportioned to ensure your gown doesn’t get hidden or drowned out by the bouquet.

4. The flowers you chose should last for the entire day.  Make sure that your flowers still hold up even at the end of the day so that you still look glamorous when taking those pictures. Using a bouquet holder is a good idea to keep the flowers fresh during the entire day. Also take the advice of your florist on which flowers easily wilt so that you can avoid those ones.

5. Don’t let your florist assume the flower design you like. You may want to take a picture or a printed copy of the bouquet style you prefer. Also bring a sample fabric of the gowns so that the florist can choose the correct shade of flower that will match the color of the gowns. Some bouquets may be decorated with ribbons, lace and silk materials. You can advise the florist on what specific designs you would like to add.

6. Why not choose a flower that has special meaning? This should not be difficult since most flowers have their own unique meanings. Stephanotis stands for happiness in marriage, Rose means love and being true, and Tulips stand for perfect love and declaration of love.

7. One of the first things to consider when opting for a bouquet is the style. Choose the bouquet style that will suit you and your personality. Bouquets are more personal nowadays and reflect the brides’ personalities.

For Nosegays, where flowers are clustered in a round form, can vary in sophistication and will fit any personality.  In Cascade bouquets, flowers are arranged in a descending form. These bouquets are voluptuous and can be the center of attention which are recommended for traditional weddings.

There are flowers where stems are wrapped around in ribbons and they are called Hand-tied bouquets. These bouquets bring a casual aura and are recommended for garden weddings. There are also Contemporary bouquets where flowers are arranged in style but with no geometric form. These arrangements of flowers represent the individuality of a bride and are mostly used in sophisticated weddings.

8. The top wedding flowers are Rose, Lilly, Orchid, Hyacinth, Tulip, Stephanotis and Daisy. You may want to follow the trend and choose these flowers for your bouquet.

Popularity: 25% [?]

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So you want to seal the deal. You’ve already proposed, she has accepted. Now, it’s time to get down to business and make it official.

Aside from your vows, there’s nothing more that makes it official than the exchange offering of wedding bands.  These are the rings that the you ,as bride and groom, will be wearing forever, ’til death do you part! So it is important for you to purchase a wedding band that you both like and feel good about.

One thing that you should consider when buying a wedding band, is both your personal style. This is a joint effort, so both parties should agree. It is essential that you are both comfortable with the rings that are chosen, because you’ll be wearing these rings for a lifetime.

There are a variety of wedding band to choose from, made from different materials. 14 karat white and yellow gold being still two of the most popular choices. A 14 karat gold wedding band is not entirely made of gold. It is mixed with an alloy of gold and other metals such as copper and silver.

Wedding bands also come in silver and platinum. Platinum is heavier than gold. It is considered to be  the most precious of all metals. It makes for a beautiful wedding ring because of its stunning white metal that shines after it has been polished.

Silver is not considered superior in quality. Silver metal tends to be very soft. Wedding bands made of silver are also more prone to discoloration. But they are very inexpensive. So if you are shopping on a budget you might want to consider this as an option.

In choosing a wedding band, the thickness of the band must be considered, as well, whether you want a wedding band with a design, or just a plain set of wedding bands.

Now, it is common for couples to choose the same style of wedding band.  You should visit a number of jewelry stores so you can see a wider selection and compare prices for the best deal.  If you have any questions you can always ask a professional jeweler to assist you. He or she can also offer you an expert opinion when it comes to your selection.

If you chose to have an engraving in you rings, you should already have a dedication in mind.  You should be careful in choosing the wording as these engravings are lasting.

Most couples chose to have their initials brandished inside their wedding rings. While others chose symbols, or dedications as a gesture, or profession of their love and devotion to each other. Engravings are a wonderful thing, because they make the rings more meaningful and special.

Ask your friends and family who are blissfully married to recommend some names of places where you can acquire the wedding bands of your dream.

If you cannot find a ready made ring that suits your style, you can always have them custom made. A lot of jeweler specialize in making wedding bands. Having your wedding bands made, actually is less expensive than purchasing in store wedding bands. The great thing about this is it also adds a personal touch to the ring selection process.

But in the end, it’s not really just about the rings, so don’t stress over the whole ring selection process. Rather enjoy and relish this special time, when you are about to be made future husband and wife, and bonded for all eternity.

Popularity: 20% [?]

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