A photo shoot is often something we want to get over with so that we can get back to our guests and get the party started! With that being said, the photo shoot is not something you want to go through half heartedly. By investing time and effort in this you will create lasting memories of your Big Day (and the guests will wait for you - they are not going anywhere!). To survive your photo shoot I would suggest you pack yourself a goodie-bag that would carry you through your photo shoot and the rest of your day - you can ask your maid of honour or a bride’s maid to keep this bag of miracles close-by.

Tissues and wet wipes

A session like this can be quite time-consuming and as a Very Important Person (if not the most), you want to be prepared to get through this and still look like a million dollars! Tissues and wet wipes will come in very handy when it feels like you are melting away - a great tool for damage control!

Touch-up make-up

Standing around with a permanent smile while the sun is beating down on you is no joke, but at least you can ensure that you look absolutely beautiful while doing it. Pack some touch-up make-up, especially lipstick and powder to take away any shine left by the weather (or your nerves).

Brush and clips

The weather (wind) or just going through the motions might have an unpleasant effect on the hair style you spent so much time on - more additions to your goodie bag would be a brush and extra clips or hairspray (if needed).

Props

A colourful sarong that can double up as a prop or a dark blanket to keep your dress clean while striking a pose would be a wise add-on. Ask your photographer whether he/she will be providing these items, if not pack them yourself. This will be used whenever you need to sit down (or get creative) in an open field, on a beach etc.

Bottled water and snacks

The bride is usually way to nervous to eat something before the ceremony and way to busy mingling to have something after the photo shoot. Pack some light snacks to have in between shots, like nuts, a banana and a bottle of still water (cheese curls and Fanta Grape would be a bad choice!)

With this life-saver goodie bag by your side, you are now geared for any unforeseen events. Take a deep breath, bum in, bosom out and smile!



Thanks to SA Wedding Photographers for contributing this article to our Weddings blog:

Cheap Wedding Invitations

Can you answer joey’s question about Weddings?:

I’m interested in a wedding cake that tastes good, not one that looks pretty. I never understood the concept of making food look nice but taste terrible. Sugar fondant, in my opinion, tastes and smells like caulking and buttercream is always too sweet and has a nauseatingly grainy texture. Are there any other alternatives to these two for the icing on a wedding cake? I’m having my wedding indoors in early spring so melting isn’t a problem.

Personalized Wedding Favors

A wedding is a dream come true for most people. A moment where a woman and man are called and combined by the holy sacrament of matrimony. During this time, the couple will exchange vows and legally offer themselves to each other. However, before coming to the exact point, the couple should consider careful and definitive planning and preparation. A well prepared wedding is perfect to leave long lasting memories not only to the wedded couple but also to all their guests and participants. But to plan and prepare for anything and everything is not easy. There are lots of factors that can make or break the celebration and therefore smart decisions are needed.

Starting with choosing ideal participants, while many tasks and responsibilities are followed during the planning and preparation, the bride and groom need to have assistance. Therefore, they want to decide who to play as their bridesmaid and groomsman. Traditionally, a bridesmaid is the bride’s choice among her female friends and family to stand alongside her to assist her. The bride has the privilege to choose more than one girl to play such role, and obviously, they should be single. Bridesmaids are typically the bride’s close relatives, friends or co-workers. With the groomsmen, they are chosen gentlemen that will assist the groom. Just like the bride’s situation, the chosen groomsman can be a brother, friends or co-worker. And because of their support and effort, most couples love to pay back. The couple’s way of showing appreciation is by means of giving special presents for their participants, especially bridesmaids and groomsmen. Gifts for them may come in simple or elegant items depending on the couple’s choice as well as the receiver’s wants. Choosing gifts for bridesmaids is the responsibility of the bride, while choosing gifts for groomsmen is the responsibility of the groom.

The selection for decorations and wedding favors follow. After the couple have decided on the theme of their wedding, they should follow what to incorporate to finish the look of the ceremony. Choosing what to decorate is easy with the wedding theme in mind, from color schemes, flower to ribbons. Example, if it is a beach-wedding theme, the color shades should be pastel and the decoration should coordinate with the beach-look like shells, sand, stones and more.

As for the wedding favors, the selection also varies with the theme of the wedding. If your wedding is simple and casual, settle with simple and casual-looking wedding party favors also, and do it the other way around if your wedding theme is elegant. Favors and keepsakes serve as mementos so your guests can easily remember your wedding day after the celebration has ended. But what makes it memorable is its feature and appeal. To find beautiful choices of themed wedding favors, consider browsing the Internet for different online stores that offer wider choices of wedding souvenirs. There’s a plethora of choices for these items to incorporate with your wedding theme. You may also find unique wedding favors. These favors are made customized and either enhanced with a personalized touch. Make it personal by scripting your initials or a personal message on desired items. After all, it’s always best to make special gifts that show how thankful you are on your big day!



Thanks to Janet R. for contributing this article to our Weddings blog:

Wedding Photography Pricing

Can you answer karpj’s question about Weddings?:

I’ve been asked to write a toast for my fiance’s father for our upcoming wedding. He is a formal Russian businessman, and I am looking for a traditional Russian toast that a father might give at his daughter’s wedding. If it was possible to have a translated toast, as well as the original Russian, that would be ideal. You could go back into history or it could be a poem or except from a traditional poem. Thanks!

Wedding Photography Pricing

Theme weddings seem to be increasing in popularity more and more each year and people are now looking for wilder and more outrageous ways to decorate and plan a wedding. One of the most popular wedding themes today is western weddings. People are looking to add a touch of the Wild West to their wedding. However, these themes are not easy to plan. People do seek help when it comes to getting western wedding ideas.  In actuality there are a number of ideas that can be used to create the perfect western wedding.

 

The typical thing that people think of when planning a western wedding of course is the music and the attire that they would expect their guests to wear. People are asked to forget about the tuxedos and suits and to wear jeans and cowboy hats. People are no longer expected to travel in cars but instead horse drawn buggies are used. However, once this is taken care of people wonder what else they can do to create a western wedding. Below you will find some great ideas for having the perfect western wedding.

 

1. Flowers- every bride is concerned about having the perfect flowers. Having a western wedding makes this so much easier as you can simply have wild flowers for your wedding. Wild roses give your wedding the perfect feel of the Wild West. You can also forget about flowers and you can add cactuses to your decorations. These are the easiest plants to take care of and you can even have tiny cactuses that can be given to your guests and wedding favours.

 

2. Faux leather ?a signature mark of western life is the use of leather for vest and chaps. Now you can create this look at your wedding by using faux leather to make tablecloths.

 

3. If you want to create a real rustic feeling then you can hang ropes instead of streamers at your reception. You can hang ropes of varying lengths and thicknesses.

 

4. Add a personal touch to your wedding by decorating your wine glasses. You can create a hand painted scene on your wine glasses and this can be done inexpensively.

 

5. In most cases you can plan this wedding somewhat inexpensively but if there was one area that you could splurge is on the wedding and party favours. For example you can create horseshoe place cards that will your guests the feeling of being in the Wild West. You can create these place cards yourself using a home computer. There are a number of different templates that you can use and all you have to do is print them off from their comfort of your own home.

 

It is important to keep in mind that when planning a themed wedding you can either go overboard and people can be overwhelmed with what you have done or you can do too little and leave your guests wondering what you were trying to do as a theme. This is something that you want avoid and it is also important that you seek the advice of friends and people who have been through this type of thing before.



Thanks to Ling Tong for contributing this article to our Weddings blog:

White Wedding Flowers