LATEST ARTICLES

How to Decide on a Wedding Photographer, Regardless of Price

By Dwight Craig -
0
Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is coming up soon, and you have a lot to plan for it. After all, it is an exceptional day for you and your partner. One of the most important things you need to prepare for is hiring a photographer. Hiring a photographer is important because you are making memories with your partner for life and your friends and family. However, there are a few things you need to know before finding the perfect wedding photographer.

What is Their Style?

This is an important question and should be the first one you ask. Although many people ask about price, price doesn’t matter to you because you want a perfect wedding photographer who matches your style.  For example, Nemus Photography out of Lake Tahoe has a light, whimsical style that fits well for natural outdoor shots, while others might have a more noir style fitting of cityscapes.

So, ask them what their style is when interviewing them before you ask them anything else. Are they photojournalists? Do they primarily do fashion shots? Or, do they use beautiful art to inspire them when photographing their targets? Make sure their style matches yours before you even think about hiring them for taking the most important pictures of your life.

Has This Photographer Shot Weddings Similar to Yours Before?

Ask the photographer who you are interviewing if they have the experience to shoot your wedding. Have they shot one like yours before? Do they know exactly how you want your shots done?

If they can show you that they have done a wedding like yours before, they are most likely the wedding photographer you want to hire. Of course, you could keep looking but, don’t forget, your special day is coming up soon.

How Long Have they Been a Wedding Photographer?

Specifically, you ideally want to ask them, not really how long they have been doing this as a profession, but you need to know how many times they have done this?

They could tell you that they have been shooting wedding photos for ten years but, in reality, they have only done 25 to 30 wedding shoots. If they have done a lot of them and can prove it to you, they may be your perfect photographer.

How Many Other Wedding Jobs do They Have That Day or Weekend?

Is this photographer shooting more than one wedding on the same day as yours or are they making yours a priority and only concentrating on yours that day or for the whole weekend?

It would be better if they didn’t have any other shots to do on the same day or weekend as yours so they can just concentrate on yours and not have to hurry up during yours.

Will There be a Contract for every Person Involved to Sign?

Ask them if they have a contract that you and your partner can read over, make sure it is to the both of your likings, and sign it. Make sure they sign it too. Having a contract with everything in writing before you hire this photographer for your wedding is a good idea.

This way, if anything goes wrong, everything that is supposed to happen is in writing, and you can take them to court if it comes to something like this. Hopefully, it won’t though. Having everyone sign a contract is a perfect idea before anything gets started.

Asking all of these questions and making sure everything is perfect for your special day is a good idea before hiring a wedding photographer. You want to ensure you know everything about them before hiring them for your wedding day. Don’t hire anyone unless all of the above is taken into consideration beforehand.

For Reference:

Nemus Photography


 

Ways of keeping track of your expenses when planning a wedding

By Dwight Craig -
0
Wedding Expenses

You might get wrapped up in excitement for planning your budget but keeping track of your expenses when planning a wedding is very important as it will help you avoid overspending. Moreover budgeting in advance is the best way of enjoying your big day as you will not spend more money then you have decided and it will help you to avoid the stress that is related to getting large bills after the wedding. When you keep track of your expenses, it will also help you save a large amount of money and therefore it is very important to make use of comprehensive wedding budget spreadsheet that will help you to track your budget. It will also mean that you will stay on top of the wedding spending as you will have complete control over the amount of money that you spend on your wedding day.

Different Methods

There are many ways of keeping track of your expenses when planning a wedding but the best way is to establish your wedding budget so that you can keep track and allocate your funds in an effective manner. This may mean keeping all your expenses in a simple spreadsheet, or it could mean utilizing more advanced software such as bookkeeping or accounting software (Xero Alexandria is an example of bookkeeping software in the cloud, a good fit for very expensive and complex weddings, often used by large scale wedding planners).

You will need to select a budgeting system while putting your accounting skills to test as it is the best way of tracking all the money that you spend. It is also your duty to explore the hidden extras and costs that are associated with your big day so that you budget will cover all these expenses without going overboard. Knowing your wedding priorities is also very important because you will need to take into account all the expenses relating to the wedding venue, food, catering, decoration and attire.

You will also need to have an extra room in the budget for covering the non-negotiable items of the wedding whether it is important or not. This is especially very important as you will have to make room for extra money that you might have for the unexpected costs that might arise later during the wedding celebration. Adding all the major and minor costs of your wedding to the budget is also very important so that you don’t tend to overspend.

Itemizing Bills

Itemizing your expenses is also very crucial as you will have an idea about how much money you are spending on all the items so that you will not be surprised with the extra money that you might have to spend later.

Relocating any extra funds is also the best way of ensuring that the actual costs matches up with the estimated costs so that you will have to keep track of your wedding expenses. You will also need to keep hard copies of all the bills as it is needed for keeping track of all your expenses and you will not have to worry about all the money that you spend for your wedding day.

Since weddings are considered as the biggest financial milestones in the life of every person, it is very important to plan it in an effective way for making it more memorable and enjoyable.

Financial Planning Tips for Weddings

By Dwight Craig -
0
wedding rings and cash

Weddings are supposed to be joyous events with memories that will last a lifetime. At times, though planning for the big day may come with huge financial headaches. Before blindly going down the aisle, you might need to know how to avoid some of those headaches. That is why this article will be giving tips on what you need to know about financial planning for weddings

Planning early

Just like any event planning early is crucial for a wedding. Financially, one is able to review various budgetary requirements slowly and broadly. One is also likely to get the right offers if you start searching early enough. Additionally, when you plan early one can start saving early for that wedding. Thus said, planning early ranks top amongst your checklist at financially hacking through with a wedding.

Straying from the plan and budget

Wedding MoneyOnce a plan has been made and a budget set, it is important to stay on course. Deviation from the main plan is most likely to cause a chain of events that will affect other aspects of the wedding. For instance, change in venue may lead to change in associated costs such as transportation costs. Changing course, should, therefore, be only entertained in the direst of circumstances.

Having the money issue aspect in check

Weddings can be an expensive affair. Financial institutions are well aware of that too. That is why wedding loans are now easily accessible. However, finding the best personal loans for weddings can be difficult, because a wedding is a one-time event, and not an asset (like a home or car). Weddings should be done within the couple’s means without jeopardizing the future financial health. For this reason, it is advised that couples fund their wedding from out-of-pocket funds. Accepting a little bit of help from family and friends is also allowed. However, even in such circumstances, the couple should not overburden their helpers.

Service Providers

Meeting and talking with service providers is important. More important, is being able to see if they are able to deliver. To do this the couple can choose to seek advice from other couples or use providers they have seen at work. Alternatively, the couple can look at the service provider’s portfolio to determine whether they are worth. If the couple is comfortable then they can look at whether their prices fit within the budget.

Furthermore, finding alternatives to some of the non-essential services can be a step toward cost reduction. Cost items such as flower, card, and venue decoration can be maintained at a bare minimum. Finally, it is important to book their services in advance. Towards this end, paying a deposit goes a long way in showing seriousness.

Venue and Venue scheduling

Venue is always a touchy issue for most wedding couples. Yet it needn’t be, Choosing one venue to use as for the wedding and the reception helps cut incidental costs. Moreover, choosing a venue that comes with prepackages such as food can also help cut costs. In such an instance, the planning team or couple should look for the most suitable offers available. Choosing wedding venues during off seasons has also been known to be cheaper especially for low budget wedding holders.

Involve other people to assist.

In between the anxiety and the rush to get things done couples are likely to get things messed up. That is why there are wedding planners, who sometimes are expensive. An alternative, though, is to onboard friends and family in the planning process. Thus, the couple will not be overstretched in their efforts to consult and get the best offers and quality on services.

Post-Wedding Finances

Finally, it is important to take note that weddings are one-day affairs. As a result, it is important to plan beyond the wedding. This means having a concrete financial plan to kick start the married couple’s lives after the wedding,

How Trees Can Add the Touch of Perfection to Your Fall Wedding

By Dwight Craig -
0

Fall or Autumn is the season of color in nature. Trees around you start changing colors and form themselves as multi-colored artworks. The whole world becomes more vibrant and glowing.

As the weather becomes perfectly enjoyable and the surrounding becomes spectacularly beautiful, most people have the intention of arranging their wedding in this season. When it comes to the wedding, you must think about the theme first. And I must say that rustic wedding theme will be the perfect in this fall season. Do you know how to make your rustic fall wedding more special? Consider tree branches. You have no idea about the power of trees for the perfect fall wedding. So, let’s have a look.

  • All the trees become very colorful in the fall season. So saying “I do” under a colorful tree will be really a beautiful experience. And the photographs will become wonderful too.
  • Bear in mind that the fall season begins very early up here in Maine, compared to other more southern areas.  Denver foliage, for instance, can begin up to 2 full months after Maines! (Source: www.treeremovaldenver.net).
  • Bright up your wedding with wood made lanterns. Especially in the fall season, you will get more options for lanterns in sizes, styles and shapes. Also, you can hang the lanterns from the colorful tree branches to create a spectacular visual appeal. Certainly, this can add a sense of elegance.
  • Use red, yellow, orange, brown, green golden and amber colored autumn flowers to decorate your wedding place. Make your wedding bouquet colorful too. Lily, dahlia, daisy, aster, marigold, zinnia, gladioli, rose, chrysanthemum are the most commonly used flowers in fall wedding in order to add warmth and color.
  • To add a rustic look to your wedding centerpiece, use the succulent plant.
  • Tree branches look great as fall wedding decor. You can place a tree branch on a table and decorate it with flowers and candles. You can keep thin tree branches along with flowers in a vase to add a decent and unique look to your wedding.
  • Tree logs are also useful when it comes to adding a rustic touch to your wedding in the fall season. Use them as candle holders and place on a slab made of wood.
  • Use a whole tree as your wedding centerpiece. A small sized tree with colorful skinny branches can make your decor sophisticated. To brighten it up, hang ornaments, candles, flowers or any other decoration of your choice from the tree.
  • Cranberry, acorn, pinecone are the main fall fruits. These fruits along with colorful leaves are also useful in a fall wedding. You can arrange a vase with cranberries and wheat. Or put all the fruits in a long glass and place on the table.

These are some unique ideas that I have shared today to make your fall wedding look perfect. Each part of a tree is useful in the fall season for adding the touch of elegance to the wedding. Autumn is the season of calmness and beauty. And such essence you need when you get married. So pick the fall season for your wedding. Leverage the power of trees and add a unique touch to theme and decor. Make the most important day of your life memorable.

If you are looking for the perfect venue for a Maine Wedding, please don’t hesitate to content The Jordan Pond House!  Our expert planners will be happy to walk you through all the steps to getting your big day set up perfectly!

Party Buses for your Wedding Transport – Yay or Nay?

By Dwight Craig -
0
Party Bus Bridal Party

Back in the day the most luxurious transportation for your wedding was a stretch limousine. It was usually a Lincoln model, had 6 doors and look like a really large sedan.  It was great! For the time. However times have changed, and nowadays we see everything from Stretch Hummers, Stretch Escalades to even Stretch Lambourghinis!

Some say it’s gotten out of hand, but one of the best things to come from the past decade+ of innovation in the luxury transportation sector is the Party Bus.  These things take the dance floor and bar and put in on wheels.  Hell of an idea, right?  They even include the “dancing” pole, although you might want to wipe that one down with some Lysol, if you know what I mean.

So what does this mean for your wedding?  Well, party bus rentals are great for having an all-out party, like a sweet sixteen, a prom, or a bachelor/bachelorette party. But they are also useful for transporting a large group of people from one place to another in comfort, a way to keep the dance floor going until you get to the hotel or next venue.  This is where it could work wonders for your wedding planning.

Take a look at a few of these pics to see what we are talking about:

Party Buses for your Wedding Guests or Wedding Party

There are a few ways you could go about leverage these mammoth party limo buses for your wedding, including:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

These buses can hold up to 50 people, so depending on the size of your wedding or your wedding party, it might make sense to hire one for the transport to or from your reception venue.  If you are planning on having a large wedding party with lots of bridesmaids and groomsmen, a party bus is a great way to reward them with a nice relaxing ride after they’ve put in so much work to make your big day a reality.

Long Transport between Venues

If you’ve planned a wedding that has a long distance between venues (like the Church and the Reception Hall), a bus could make that transport a lot easier for the guests or wedding party (especially a bus that is stacked to the gills with cocktails).  Trust me on this one, it makes even a few hours go by real quick, and it’s almost like you take the cocktail hour and your put it on wheels.  Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t need some more drinks when you get to the venue.  It’s wedding, there’s going to be drinks everywhere!

Airport Pick-up/Dropoff

The last cool way you could use a party bus for your wedding is to use it to pick up or drop-off your wedding party or guests from the local airport.  This is particularly important for destination weddings, or if you know large groups will be arriving together on the airplane.  It could also work well for hotel accomodations, etc.

While limos are a great way to pick people up, having a stacked bar, a TV and music entertainment is even better.

Last words

We hope this has enlightened you a bit about how you might go about leverage these new generations of wedding transport for your big day.  If you are planning on leveraging the Jordan Pond House for your wedding venue, please be sure to give us a call.  We can recommend vendors for your transportation that will insure your day goes without a hitch.

Thank you!

Party Bus Vendors:

https://atlanticlimousinemaine.com/limo-bus/

Tips for Planning the Perfect Wedding

By Dwight Craig -
0
Wedding Planner

Marriages might be made in heaven, but weddings are still an earthly affair. Planning for your wedding day is exciting, no doubt. In between the moments of preparing yourself for the biggest day of your life to handling the logistics, you might find yourself in a difficult situation. At a time like this, knowing where to start can mean all the difference in the world.

Relax; there’s no need to get worked up just yet. We’ve got some of the best tips directly from the wedding planner’s mouth to break down the big day into bite-sized chunks. These wedding planner tips for getting your perfect wedding are all you need to read.

1. Do the research – together!

A wedding is a joint ceremony, and should, therefore, be a joint effort from planning to preparation. Make sure you involve your partner in enjoying the highs and lows because you’re just going to get married once (hopefully). Choose the venue, plan the color schemes, pick out a theme if you would like to have any, and store all the valuable information in a diary. Match both your wedding ideals and choose the ones that match both of yours.

2. Choose the venue

You must choose the place where the wedding is to be held before everything else. When it comes to selecting a location, it might seem like a good idea to hold off till the last days, but this plan can dangerously backfire. You’d want to book your venue well in advance because other people get married too! The last thing we’d want is some other couple getting married at the venue of your dreams. Besides, bigger investments are best made well in advance for wiggle room.

Destination weddings also need to be planned further in advance, both for the sake of your vendors and your guests.  For instance, a recent couple traveled to Australia for their destination wedding, and luckily hired wedding planners Sydney to help coordinate the trip for everyone.  It took at least 6 months of planning before everything was set to go.  Keep that in mind!

3. Don’t worry about what the guests will think

When you’re faced with too many choices, it’s natural to feel a bit of anxiety in regards to how others will perceive your choices. However, don’t sweat yourself over it because your guests will hardly come to know what happened behind-the-scenes. They won’t know that prime rib was an option, but you decided to go for chicken breasts anyway. They won’t know that you decided to skip on silk and chose linen tablecloths. Focus on what works for you; not entirely for the guests.

4. Hire and shop locally

While it might be tempting for you to choose the best for everything, hiring the decorator from Paris and the caterer from Italy can set you back by a lot. A lot! Besides, planning and execution take a lot of time and effort, which are rather spent elsewhere in the pre-wedding days. Using local services maximizes the chance of things falling into place on the big day, especially as far as catering and decorations are concerned.

5. Take it easy!

Last but not least, don’t exhaust yourself to death. No seriously, don’t get so involved in the logistics that you lose sight of the thing that’s most important: your happiness! So, take a deep breath, hold your partner tight, and hope for the best.

Final words

Arranging a wedding is not rocket science; by keeping in mind these few simple tips, you can turn the best day of your life into something even better.

 

Choosing a Photographer for Your Wedding – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By Dwight Craig -
0
Beautiful Wedding Photography

There will be a time in our lives where we want to look back and relive the happy memories and cherish them, for they are the important parts of life. Getting married is not something we do, again and again, it is a once in a lifetime moment and every single couple wants to make it memorable, so that after years together when they reflect on their wedding day they can feel that love, emotion again. A wedding photographer does a great job of framing that memory in photos that stay with us a lifetime.

Choosing a wedding photographer is a part of preparation that takes place long before the big day. Even though wedding preparation are a big hustle bustle but, of course, every single couple only wants the best for their wedding, but not all of the couples have a limitless budget, so important planning must be done.

Now the big question is, how to choose a wedding photographer that will not turn your wedding into a living nightmare that you have to carry your whole life. Here are some simple tricks you can use when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer.

1. Do not just focus on budget

Not everyone is blessed with a hefty sum to spend on their wedding but focusing too much on a budget that you compromise is not a good thing especially when it comes to a wedding photographer. Choosing a person who offers budget price and good quality seems too good to be true and do not just choose anyone because they are offering the lower price. Make a wise decision and keep your budget little loose when you choose your wedding photographer.

2. Choose someone under contract

You seriously can’t think of hiring the first person you meet to be your wedding photographer. Choose someone who can offer you a contract for both videographer and photography so that all ends will be covered. It also offers assurance that a person must be good and experienced because only a confident and experienced photographer can offer.

3. Get recommendations and do thorough research

Yes, your relatives, friends, aunts and uncles can do more than just gossiping. Get recommendations from your near and dear one as well as check websites and do the research before finalizing the photographer. Sometimes you will land on recommendations that you might not have considered, such as a commercial photographer or someone from an adjacent city or town.  You can check their previous work and meet one or two clients that they work for.

4. Makes the choice that satisfies both partners

It is not the grooms or the bridegroom jobs alone to select the photographer. Actually, it is a mutual effort for a day from you going to start a new life of togetherness. Make decisions together that satisfy both partners.

A wedding can be a tiresome event for everyone but it is a life changing moment for the couple. It is good to have someone who can capture the moment that will go to be precious for the rest of the life. When you decide to choose a wedding photographer, make decisions wisely.

What You Need To Know About Destination Weddings In Tuscany

By Dwight Craig -
0
Wedding in Tuscany

One of the popular wedding destinations in the world today is Tuscany, Italy. It is known for its influence on high culture, artistic legacy, history, traditions and landscapes. The city is also regarded as the Italian Renaissance birthplace. These great features make it an awesome location for a wedding to take place. However, you should get everything you can on what you need to know about destination weddings in Tuscany. Some tips to help you are as follows:

Wedding planner

If Tuscany is the wedding destination of your choice, get a wedding planner who is experienced with local venues and vendors, or one who can recommend the best tours for your wedding party or honeymoon. There is nothing that can make a wedding a disaster as planning a wedding in a foreign country without someone who knows the region’s customs and area. A local renowned wedding planner would be a good choice.

The venue

There is a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to the wedding venue. You can go for one that allows you to rent a facility and choose individual vendors separately. Alternatively you can pick a wedding package that is all inclusive. Whatever your choice, make sure you get details of your rental. Find out the duration, restrictions, extras you are privy to, minimal stays and any other pertinent information.

Reserve the celebrant, town hall or church

Since a legal marriage has to be conducted in a celebrant (symbolic ceremony), town hall or church, chances of filling up are high. Once you decide on a date, start looking for a location that will suit your needs. It is advisable to pick a wedding venue that will be close to the ceremony as most of your guests may be foreigners, thus they will not be familiar with the location. A good wedding planner may be able to help you with this endeavor.

Wedding date

When you are choosing a wedding date, there are some things you have to take into consideration. Usually the best time to get married in Tuscany is between May and September. During this time, you will get long days meaning you can enjoy outdoor venues and alfresco dining. Take note you will need to book your venue 10 months before the wedding date to be assured of a great location. Avoid august as most businesses are closed and it is quite hot.

Type of ceremony

The fact that the wedding is in another country gives the couple two options. They can get married in their home country and have a symbolic wedding in Tuscany, or they can have a legally binding ceremony in Tuscany. A legally binding ceremony in Italy can only be done in a catholic church or through a civil ceremony in the town hall.

Final Verdict

A destination wedding in Tuscany is a great idea. The city has a lot to offer and can be a unique location for a wedding and honeymoon. However, you should know it will require a lot of planning. At the same time, the cost associated with such an occasion may be marginally higher than what you would expect for a normal wedding at home.

Why Choosing a Restaurant for your Wedding Reception is a Great Idea

By Dwight Craig -
0
Wedding Reception at a Restaurant

Deciding on an ideal venue for your wedding reception can be challenging at times. You have several options to choose from and you can opt for a hotel, catering hall or maybe have it under a tent in a beautiful garden.

The decision a couple makes depends on the time of the year, the budget, number of guests, etc.  There is yet another venue to consider for those who crave a fantastic meal in an elegant atmosphere: a restaurant venue.

We all know that in a wedding, food is the way to your guests’ heart and it makes the crowd feel welcome. Restaurants shine in this area of food and having the reception in a restaurant is like subjecting your guests to a four star experience. There are private rooms in many restaurants to accommodate receptions with some restaurants setting apart unique venues for special occasions.

To have a great wedding reception in a restaurant you need a few tips in your pocket which I have rounded for you.

Time of Year

The busiest months in the restaurant industry are November and December. You should consider having your reception anywhere in the year apart from these extra busy months.

Number of Guests

Restaurants have small and intimate spaces so the ideal number of guests would be less than 100. If it is a cocktail reception, you can settle for a higher number of guests but try to keep the number small for a more formal dinner.

Pricing Considerations

The price will generally depend on the number of guests and the time of the year. That said, considering that you book everything together; food, beverages, staffing and rentals, it tends to be cheaper than when you book everything separately. Restaurants have their distinctive look and their rooms are already decorated saving you expenses for decor which you would have paid for had you chosen other receptions.

Conclusion

Having a wedding reception in a restaurant is a great way to celebrate your big day, with the chief advantage being a slash on your budget. On the other hand, some couples may not be comfortable with the fact that the venue is already decorated because they would prefer a venue that is decorated to their specifications. However, you will find the decor in these restaurants appealing and there is a high chance you will like it.

Festoon and Fairy Lighting for Weddings: Yes or No?

By Dwight Craig -
0

One of the questions you will come across when planning for your wedding party is whether it would be a good idea to decorate the celebration venue with festoon and fairy lighting. If you ask experts, they would definitely recommend these lights and there are some pretty valid reasons behind that recommendation. Read on to get acquainted with the most important ones among them.

Even when planning a wedding reception, we need to follow a budget. Yes, there are exceptions, but for most of us abiding by a budget is essential. Being highly energy efficient, festoon and fairy lighting ensures that we don’t end up spending a lot on electricity bills. These lights are usually LEDs and consume as much as 90 percent less energy compared to the traditional incandescent lights. You must be wondering whether you should buy festoon lights for weddings and whether they would be able to light up the venue as beautifully as the standard bulbs. Rest assured; high quality string lights are capable of providing a warm, soft glow, exactly similar to the glow offered by traditional lights. This means, you will not need to compromise with the quality of lighting in the quest of saving on your energy bills.

Festoon Lighting at Weddings

The majority of the festoon lights are suitable both for outdoor and indoor applications. What’s more, some manufacturers are also making waterproof string lights for ensuring your outdoor party doesn’t come to a standstill if it starts raining suddenly. Another great thing about these lights is that they remain cool even after being used for several hours.

When it comes to versatility, few other decorative lights would score as impressively as the fairy and festoon lights. Other than using these lights for decorating the main party area, you will also be able to use them for decorating your rooms and patios. In addition, they can also be used as centerpieces and accent lights. Here’s another tip for you; if you hire an experienced professional for installing the festoon lights at the venue of your wedding reception, he or she will be able to make better use of these lights. These people are good at coming up with creative lighting ideas which will enhance the look of the venue even further.

High safety quotient is one of the main reasons why the majority of the users are opting for festoon and fairy lighting when it comes to organizing a wedding party. The high quality cables these lights come accompanied by ensure that people can concentrate on maintaining a romantic and intimate atmosphere instead of worrying about the safety of their near and dear ones.

The increased popularity of the festoon and fairy lights has forced most wedding party venues to prepare themselves for these lights. These venues have suitable points for hanging festoon lights from the ceiling (look around the ceiling to locate the fixing points). In addition, you can also use them to wrap and brighten up the pillars. These lights can be used to make the backdrop of the bar appear more attractive. They are even installed at the dance floor.

Napa Valley Weddings – How to Have the Perfect Wine Country Reception

By Dwight Craig -
0
Napa Valley Wedding Venue

With its astounding beauty and wonderful climate, California’s Napa Valley is a dream wedding destination. The wine country that exudes romance with its miles of lush rolling vineyards, Tuscan painted hills, and charming boutique hotels and restaurants offers an incredibly magical place to tie the knot. It is a place where you can be assured of making memories that will last a lifetime. If you would love to have a beautiful and elegant reception in Napa Valley, the tips below can help ensure you have the best of times as you blow your guests’ minds.

Have a budget and stick to it

Most couples who are looking to get married tend to go overboard when it comes to the reception budget. Avoid over-spending money that you do not have to please people, and when the day is over, you are left miserable trying to pay off debts rather than enjoy your union. Thankfully, Napa Valley offers different packages where you can pick the one that suits your pocket most.

Choose a suitable venue

This will probably be the toughest decision you have to make in the amazing wine country. From vineyard settings, high-class resorts, restaurants, country clubs, private estates, select wineries and lots more, you and your soul mate will be spoilt for choice. Take time and go through a couple of options by checking out pictures online to choose the one that you love most. If it is possible, visit the venue beforehand to make certain it is exactly what you want. Don’t forget to handle things such as decorations, lightings, sitting arrangements, and all other details that are needed to prepare the reception venue so that you and your guests’ jaws drop when you first step into the site.

Food and Drink

Food and Drink for Wedding

No one wants to have a party without something to munch or sip on. To keep the party going, you need to fuel up the guests so that people take their time to enjoy themselves rather than yawn into the night. If you are not sure of what to offer talk to the chef to ensure you get something that will excite the taste buds of everyone attending your party. Alcohol can be served after dinner if you can afford. Coffee can also work as it will keep people awake to dance the night away.

Plan the Events Carefully

Do not bore your guests with too many events as they might end up leaving you and your life-partner to enjoy the night on your own. Other than the traditional events such as first dance, daddy daughter dance, etc keep the events to a minimal. You should also remember to keep the speeches short and sweet. Here, you can get help from your close and trusted friends or wedding coordinators from Napa Valley who can chip in when it comes to ideas to make the reception a blast while relieving some significant stress off your back.

Get the entertainment right

Entertainment should be a huge part of planning your wedding reception in Napa Valley. Ensure that the playlist is curated in such a way that it matches your taste. Where possible, it is usually best to bring in a live band. They know how to keep the crowds going, and they also encourage audience participation. Just be sure that they plan their breaks accordingly so that the music does not stop when it is needed the most.

Have a surprise end night treat

If you would like your guests to stick around and not wander off in the beautiful wine country, you should promise that they will be a surprise treat at the end of the night. It can be anything from acrobats, belly dancers, flash mob, group photo booth or you can perform a song with the band just to wow the crowd. If it is allowed, you can plan a private wine tasting at night for your guests just before they retire to bed. You want the guests to be talking about the wedding reception long after it is done. They should not only fly out to enjoy the gorgeous sceneries Napa Valley has to offer, but they should also have a fantastic time at your reception.

Resources:

Napa Wine Tour – http://www.napawinetour.net – Perfect for after the ceremony on the way to the reception.

Napa Valley Wedding Venues – https://www.napavalley.com/event-planning/weddings/ – Great for your planning stages and picking out a venue for the big day.

 

Is Gold Old? The New Styles of Wedding Rings Popular Today…

By Dwight Craig -
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Styles of Wedding Bands

Popular wedding ring designs like gold and white-gold wedding rings with oval or pear shaped diamond have become very old-fashioned and generic nowadays. For this reasons, wedding ring designers and makers are coming up with different design ideas that are not only uniquely beautiful, but the styles and metals have all the quality to stand the test of time.

Here 4 new types of metals and also 3 new styles that are tending in the world of wedding and engagement rings have been discussed next. So, do read on to know what they are:

Rose Gold

Rose Gold Wedding Ring

Rose Gold as the name suggests has a warm pinkish hue which is truly unique and gives off a very romantic vibe when used as a metal for creating wedding rings. In fact, rose gold has gained so much popularity for its unique color that it is now exclusively used to craft other piece of jewelry as well. Here it is important to mention that the overall percentage of metal alloys of rose gold is exactly same as that of yellow and white gold.

Black Zirconium (Matt Finish)

This new metal that is making a wave in the jewelry world is made by putting standard zirconium through a special oxidization process. Because of this process, it turns black in color. Even though it can be polished to have a high shine, but designers are using the matt finish option to come up with some exceptional wedding rings.

Tungsten Carbide

Weddings rings are prone to wear and tear as nobody takes it off, so using a durable metal to create stylish wedding rings was long overdue. Tungsten carbide happens to be a compound of carbon and tungsten. Hence, it is not only durable and scratch resistant, but it also has a very shiny and bright luster. As it has a permanent polish, so it retains this luster even without any kind of maintenance (compared to traditional metals used). Besides, it also happens to be hypo-allergenic.

Chrome Cobalt

Cobalt Chrome Wedding Band

Following the same trend of new, hard precious metals is the cobalt chrome ring, which shines an illustrious shine of chrome and 5 times the strength of gold.  Because of this it is resistant to scratches and tarnishes, and can be worn with assurance that it won’t be harmed by knocking it around a bit.  Styles look great on men and are a very popular male wedding band.

There are also different styles used in rings today.  See 3 of them below:

Precious Stones/Colored Gems

The latest trend is using colorful precious stones in place of diamonds. A bright green emerald or a beautiful blue sapphire or a stunning red ruby can definitely stand out and bring that oomph that is commonly not found in generic wedding rings. This also gives an option to personalize the ring as one can choose a stone according to their favorite color or birth stone/lucky stone.

Square Bands

Square Wedding Band

Not only it is visually unique, but it is also practical to go for the square band style for a wedding ring. Because of the square shape, the ring becomes sleek which makes it comfier to wear than a standard round band. The edges do not constrict or pinch and allows stacking.

Vintage Style

A vintage design like Art Deco or Victorian style is technically an old design, but the beauty of this style is that it is timeless. Besides being glamorous, the vintage style can be personalized by adding other styles. For example, adding floral accent with this vintage trend will result into a unique and whimsical touch that will be special forever.

Beside these mentioned metals and styles, currently green gold and the use of colored diamonds instead of a traditional diamond are also being used to make wedding rings.

The Best Wedding Photograph Settings for Fall vs. Spring Weddings

By Dwight Craig -
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Spring Wedding Bouquet

Wedding is one of the big-days in one’s life. Everyone wants to capture the memories of this day in the form of photographs so that he/she can revive and enjoy these moments anytime throughout their life. for this reason the photographer has to consider several things to make suitable settings in fall weddings as well as spring weddings.

Photographic settings in Fall Wedding

Fall Wedding

The photographer has to consider color theme and types of flowers available in fall to make a suitable and decorative setting for wedding photography. Usually seasonal color schemes like gold, orange, mauve and cranberry red are preferably used in various mixes and match settings for fall weddings. These settings will not only make the environment colorful but also make everyone including the wedding couple look unique at this occasion.

One photographer who specializes in couples at City Hall in San Francisco shares these following tips:  While using color theme for photography in fall wedding flowers also play great role in making a suitable environment for the photographer. The seasonal flowers selected as per the color theme of the wedding can help in creating more beautiful settings for the wedding photographs. Amaryllis is one of the best flowers used during Fall wedding because of their availability in wide variety of colors to give a fantastic look to the entire atmosphere. The settings become more colorful for the wedding photographs if various other colorful flowers are used in combination to flowers of color theme. Along with the warmth of seasonal flowers and color theme traditional decoration lights can also help the photographer in making suitable setting for shooting memorable photographs of the couple and his/her guests.

Photographic settings for a Spring Wedding

Spring Wedding Couple

Spring is considered as the best season for weddings as all types of color themes, soft and classy as well as colorful and bold, suit to this season. Your big celebration can become more memorable if the combination of various color themes is selected for it as it will boost up the background of your wedding photographs. You can choose combination of chiffon yellow, seafoam green and tiffany blue for this purpose as the combination of dark and light colors will pair well with your wedding environment.

Like in any other season flowers play a great role in setting up suitable atmosphere for the photographers during spring wedding photography. The use of seasonal flowers like delphinium, tulips, anemone and daisies will give a sweet, elegant and colorful touch to the entire setting of the wedding venue as well as suitable for the photographer. If plants with colorful blooming seasonal flowers are used for decorating the venue then it can be more suitable setting for the photographers in combination with the seasonal color theme and flower decorations.

Conclusion

Thus, photographer can choose the best settings for the best wedding photographs in any season whether it is fall or spring wedding. Every wedding has beautiful decoration to make this big day memorable in one’s life. The photographers can also give their suggestions to the decorators make the settings more suitable for them. It will help in making their photographs more memorable as well as attractive for every viewer.

Unique Venue Ideas for Your Wedding

By Dwight Craig -
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You only get married once, so make sure that you do what you want. After all, it is your special day. Think of all the things you want and figure out how you want to do them.

One of the most important aspects of a wedding is the venue. It should reflect the sensibilities of the couple while also maintaining an air of respectability. This article presents a few unique venue ideas for your wedding.

The Beach

It has the sea, the waves, and the salty air blowing to keep you cool. This is perhaps one of the most romantic venues you could have. However, it is far from unique as countless couples have already done this for their own weddings. But this should not stop you, after all.

A Pond House

This is probably the better version of a beach wedding. The venue itself is overflowing with class yet remains subtle. It gives guests that feeling of exclusivity one would not get from a beach. More importantly, it is so romantic. It would do your wedding ceremony well if it were held in such a venue.

This article presents a few unique venue ideas for your wedding. Think long and hard about it.

Highly Recommended Cuisines for Your Wedding Banquet

By Dwight Craig -
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The food is crucial for any wedding. You need to think long and hard about the menu and how you plan to serve it. Keep in mind that the guests come for the ceremony but they stay for the food.

This article presents a few recommendations for the cuisines you should have for your wedding banquet.

Serving the Meal

Probably one of the best ways to serve wedding meals is family style. It is simple enough that you just put the different sides and entrees for each table so that the guests can share. It is an effective way to get people to talk to one another and is way less formal than having plated courses.

Appetizers

The general rule for appetizers is that you should have at least four and as many as seven. This is to keep your event from serving the same food over and over again while also keeping the costs in check. Listed below are a few recommendations.

  • Bruschetta
  • Sushi
  • Meatball sliders
  • Mini-grilled cheese sandwiches,
  • Tuna Tartare

Balancing costs and guest enjoyment is crucial when crafting the menu for a wedding banquet. Always remember that.