August 1, 2008

Wedding Theme - Brides With Tattoos

Are you one of the [many] women with tattoos on their back, arms, neck, and even possibly chest? Not only are you one of those women, but are you about to get married? This isn't as big as a problem as most think, so don't you worry. If you love your tattoos, there is no reason to attempt to hide your tattoos under make up or clothing if you don't wish to do so, instead why not incorporate the tattoos into the wedding?

Lets say you have a colored tattooed visible to others if you are wearing a strapless gown [which happens to be the very gown you fell in love with, but are unsure of wearing it due to said tattoo(s)] why not add the colors into your wedding. A splash of yellow, red, purple, or black, could be added to the details of the dress, wedding accessories, flowers, or tables. It could even be as simple as offering wedding favors that go along with your tattoo(s). After all, as a bride there is no reason why a passion such as body art should be a problem to have the perfect, elegant wedding.

Tattoos have been a part of weddings before, leaving the bride riddled with henna tattoos on their hands and arms, so this could be another thing to add to your wedding- getting your bridesmaids to have henna tattoos [or they may already be tattooed]. There are so many different ideas to play along with while being a tattooed bride, the idea of wearing white may not be for you, or you want to expose your tattoos even more than normal. Not only to mention you may want to have a near traditional wedding with your husband to be. All these ideas can still be pulled off without worry! You as the bride could get your bridesmaids to wear dresses that match their tattoos, or even the colors of yours.

Buying a dress is never easy, but making it your own is half the fun, adding a little bit of trim [if so desired] can be the deal sealer when it comes to visible tattoos tying into it, and doing this to the bridesmaids dresses can make them feel more apart of the wedding than before with their own little details that don't have to match the other dresses.

Lets not forget about what the tattooed bride can do with color, most tattoo artists, and people who enjoy tattoos, have a sense of creativity about them that they may not have fully tapped into. A wedding is a perfectly good time to do this and explore your creativity. Colors are eye catching, play with the mind and senses, not to mention creating a whole new environment that wasn't there before.

Flowers that match the colors in the tattoo, or that are in contrast of the tattoo can really bring a setting together. What would be even more interesting is if the bride had flowers tattooed on her and she incorporated those flowers in the wedding.
So lets not worry our heads off if we have tattoos that can be seen.

It's just a minor bump in the road that can make your wedding more special and more a piece of you than ever. So take another look at your tattoos, if you have them, and see what you can make of it- and how to make it into a fantastic, one of the kind, wedding that no one will forget.

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July 31, 2008

Seven Guidelines To Choosing The Best Wedding Photographer

Most of the time home photography is sufficient to record what is important enough to be remembered. But once in a lifetime events such as weddings deserve the extra touch of a professional photographer. There are plenty to choose from. How do you know which one is right for your special day? Below are seven principles to aid you in that choice.

1. Availability. Is the day free for the photographer to be present all day? Also, most people can't afford hiring a distant photographer just because they're good. How close do they live to the place the ceremony and reception will take place?

2. Skill. What is the reputation of the photographer? Do you have testimonials available? Can you view samples of their work? After all, photographing a wedding is more than just clicking and shooting. They need good equipment and skill. What will be the pixel range of the digital pictures? The more pixels, in general, the larger the file size but also the better the resolution. When enlarged they will still have the same clarity.

3. Personality. Imagine yourself working with them for several hours, planning your special day. Would they be good to work with? Do you think they would be pushy or would they try to work with your budget and wishes? Would they want to run the show or would they fit into your plans? Would they work well with any children in the wedding party?

4. Price. Of course, money must be a consideration. Weddings are expensive enough, the average U.S. wedding now at more than $20,000. You want your special day recorded but you don't want to go broke doing it. Are the options you want available with this photographer within your budget?

5. Service. How soon will others be able to see the pictures? How soon will you receive the ordered prints? If enlargements were ordered, when would they be available? Since digital is instant, is the option of displaying ceremony pictures during the reception available?

6. Options. You should be offered a wide variety of options from which to choose. Do you want rehearsal pictures and, if so, is the photographer available? How many pictures do they promise? Do they bring their own lighting or rely on natural lighting? What creative suggestions do they offer? Can family and friends print pictures that are posted on their website?

7. Integrity. What is their reputation about keeping their promises and delivering what they say? Will they be in place when needed and stay as long as you expect? Will all the parts of the package you chose be delivered as you expect?

You won't want to reply on an amateur to photograph something as important as your wedding. If you follow these principles, you will probably not be disappointed with the person you choose.

Del Haven Studio is the location of a proven Virginia Beach photographer who is experienced in expertly capturing all the amazing memories of weddings. Click the links to visit the site today and see slideshows of their work as a Virginia Beach wedding photographer, in corporate settings, and with personal or family portraits.

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July 28, 2008

Platinum Wedding Bands - Hold On To An Everlasting Promise With Eternal Bands

When we think of platinum wedding rings we often accurate.

Platinum, generally speaking, is 95% pure and does not tarnish or fade, so it remains the same as when you purchased it; for a lifetime. They are also hypoallergenic so they are idyllic for anyone’s skin situation and chemical makeup.

Platinum wedding bands have a brilliant, white luster that is expressed only by this metal. Because of that exceptional shine, diamonds reflect beautifully in every setting whether the setting is conservative or ornate.

The history of platinum wedding bands is very fascinating. The processing of platinum began in Ancient Egypt where rare metals and gems were used to adorn the living quarters of ancient rulers. Platinum was the metal of choice because of its unique beauty and resiliency.
Interestingly enough, in 1940, during World War II, it was barred, and you could not use platinum in jewelry and all production of it for this purpose ceased. By the 1980’s, the ban was lifted and once again platinum quickly became the most sought after metal of choice amongst those who love its look and the status it brings to those who wear it.

Platinum wedding bands are made with various alloys. Those made with ruthenium are much more resilient than those made with cobalt. But whichever one you choose, it will give you a beautiful shine and precious look that will cause people to question you about your platinum wedding rings.

Some people feel that white gold is very similar to platinum, but that is nowhere near the truth. White gold is actually yellow gold mixed with a specific mixture of alloys that make the yellow look a whitish color. Platinum wedding rings are naturally white and as already stated, are much harder and more durable than white gold.

Platinum wedding bands are much heavier than either yellow or white gold by just about 60% more. Most people love that heavy, smooth feeling on their hand; it feels like it has a great deal of worth; and it does.

Gold has always been announced as the metal of choice. Many are really surprised that platinum is more expensive than gold.

Apparently, one of the reasons for this is that is more rare than gold, but also it has to do with the amount of platinum that has to be mined to obtain a small amount.

To attain one ounce of platinum, manufacturers have to mine 10 tons of ore. In contrast, they have to mine 4 tons of gold to attain one ounce. Therefore, because it is found less than gold and it takes much more to produce platinum that you can use for your platinum wedding rings, the consumer pays more when purchasing it.

Platinum has always been a popular metal. There is very little platinum found in the world with only a few places it is mined.

When you acquire platinum wedding rings, understand that you are wearing a metal that is 30 times rarer than gold. It has been said that if all the platinum in the world were poured into an Olympic sized swimming pool and you stood in it, it would only be ankle deep.
Platinum wedding rings and platinum wedding bands are something that is rare, beautiful and will only rise in value. Enjoy this precious and rare bit of the Earth on your finger today. Check out some designer platinum wedding rings now!

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July 20, 2008

WEDDING PLANNER GUIDE - Wedding Planning Secrets

A wedding planner guide is necessary to help take the stress out of planning your wedding. Every bride wants her special day to go as smooth as silk but let's face it, unexpected things may happen. There are a huge amount of details that make up every wedding-big or small.

A timeline of what you will need to do is essential in your wedding organization. The further away your date is the better off you will be. A year before the date is a good place to begin your planning. However, if you don't have that much time you might think about hiring a wedding consultant to help out.

The last thing any bride or groom wants to happen is a catastrophe on their wedding day. Like photographers who omit family members from their photos or caterers who show up late and unprepared or, worse yet, they don't show up at all.

I went to a close friend's wedding reception and watched as the groom came to the gift table and started going through the envelopes. To his horror, he had forgotten that he had to furnish tips to many of the service people at the reception. He was horrified, to say the least, that he had to dip into the gifts that he was going to use for his honeymoon.

Today's bride and groom are, for the most part, young and have little experience when they begin a first marriage. For my friend, it was upsetting that he had spent so much money on his wedding reception and it didn't even cover everything. He certainly would have benefited from using a wedding planner guide that told him to get all his contracts in writing and know exactly what is included.

That is why it is essential to stay organized while planning the most cherished day of your life. Think about how disheartened it would make you feel to not have any photographs of your wedding to look back on.

The wedding business is a huge money making industry, but that doesn't mean you have to cash in the farm to pay for yours. If you choose a wedding date that is a minimum of one year in the future, you can start saving money on your current bills and give up those expensive dates at restaurants.

There is power in numbers. Wedding couples who network can often negotiate a better deal with vendors. To help keep you on your time line you should always stick to your wedding planner guide.

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PLANNING A WEDDING ON A SMALL BUDGET - You Can Do It

Planning a wedding on a small budget these days can be a truly daunting task for the newly engaged couple. Thoughts of how to have the perfect wedding day without going over budget will soon follow the marriage proposal. Scaling down the costs while still letting the bride have the type of wedding day she has dreamt about all her life do not usually go well together.

The price of your wedding can skyrocket when the bride and groom to be begin to discuss their perfect wedding. With some ingenuity and cost cutting planning it doesn't have to break the bank.

There are some amazing ways of keeping within your wedding budget, including your wedding invitations, flower arrangements, the reception and yes, even the most important investment-your wedding dress. Vendors hear the word wedding and immediately over charge you. You can reduce these costs without cutting out those things that matter most to you.

When and where to have your wedding reception will also have an effect on all the other purchases involved, such as the price of catering and floral arrangements. The wedding reception is probably your most expensive piece of the pie, so if you start looking for places that aren't strictly used for weddings then you will be able to slash a huge amount of your budget. The time of year and day of the week also play a part in costs. Another savings would be to really think about if you need a wedding planner to do the work for you. It's your wedding so why not enjoy the planning.

Another point in planning a wedding on a small budget is the purchase of your wedding dress. As the bride, you have already envisioned your perfect wedding dress. One idea is to find a trusted local seamstress who can create the dress from your description. Then you remove the cost of brand names, alteration and delivery charges. Maybe the mother of the bride has been saving her dress to pass on and you can then just get it altered or updated to fit your style.

There are many different things you can do while planning your wedding and still keep to a smaller budget. And the best part is you can still have a beautiful wedding day that your guests will remember for many years. Planning a wedding on a small budget requires communication between the bride and groom and all their family to stay on track.

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July 19, 2008

WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST - Start Your Wedding Off On The Right Foot

Your wedding planning checklist is essential to getting your wedding day details in order. From wedding invitations to picking out your bridesmaids’ outfits and groom’s tuxedo rental and all the details in the middle. Relax and be sure to have your Wedding Planning Checklist near.

A timeline of what you will need to do is essential in your wedding planning. The further away your date is the better off you will be. A year off is a good place to start your planning. However, if you’re short on time you might think about hiring a wedding planner to help you out.

Let us begin. These are the critical points for brides and grooms to plan:

Choose the date of the wedding - the bigger the wedding and more popular the reception locale the more time you need to book your reception.

One Year to Wedding: Determine your budget and pad this amount by 5-7%. Separate your must haves from your desires. Write it all down and keep it with your wedding planning checklist. Talk about your plans with the groom to be and your parents and get an idea of how much each will assist. Think about your location, theme and number of wedding guests. Discuss how many bridesmaids and groomsmen you will to have. Decide if you need to hire a wedding planner.

Six-Eight months: Go shopping for bridesmaids’ attire and the mother-of-the-bride’s outfit. Pick out the kind music you want. Contact your travel agent and reserve your honeymoon. Get your passport and whatever documents you will need for your trip. Save the date cards that should be sent to out of town guests.

Four-Five Months: Buy your wedding invitations. Shop for the groom's tuxedo and decide if you will rent or buy. Shop for the groomsmen and ushers’ attire. Pick out your wedding rings. Select the bakery for your wedding cake and make reservations.

3 Months: Enlist the help of your friends and family with planning the rehearsal dinner arrangements. Be sure wedding invitations are accurate in every detail.

2 Months: Get your wedding invitations in the mail. Buy wedding party gifts. Reserve a date at the salon and choose your hair style and make up for your wedding day. Create your vows.

1 Month to your perfect wedding day: Contact all vendors and confirm. Apply for your marriage license. Review the seating chart.

One day: Have lunch with friends or family and know that your wedding planning checklist has helped keep you on track.

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July 18, 2008

How To Preserve Candid Wedding Moments With A Digital Camera

So much happens at a wedding that without photographic images, many of the days events would be lost. Professional digital wedding photographers are usually hired to ensure that memories of the day stay captured and ready to be looked at whenever the couple desires. Looking at an image captured during the wedding or reception can bring the memories back even more than watching a DVD!

Creating that perfect shot isn't easy if you are taking photographs without help as there is only so much you can do on your own. Here are some tips if you find yourself at a friend or relations wedding taking photos with your digital camera.

First, if you want to take a picture of the couple or any other guest, make sure that the background is good and the shot will not be too crowded. Don't worry too much if you can't get a full body shot of the couple as you can get around this problem by taking a portrait shot of them which will solve the problem.

Although you don't always think about it at the time, try to ensure those wedding guests wearing spectacles either take them off or provide you with a semi-profile shot. If there's a couple or a group that you wish to include in the picture, you should use the zoom function in to get the ideal image but do not shoot against the light so that dark images appear.

Natural wedding photos always look better than staged ones but are more difficult to capture when you are too close. In this case a powerful zoom lens is a great advantage. Always be ready for the next wedding photograph because you can't ask people to repeat those unforgettable moments that everybody wants to see again and again.

Your digital camera should be equipped with enough memory to ensure that no great moment is missed. In other words, make sure to have an extra memory card - especially if you want to preserve as many moments as possible. As a general rule, if your camera has a 6 mega pixel resolution then you will need a large storage capacity card that will hold a few hundred shots at high resolution. A 1 gigabyte card should be sufficient.

The reason you need to set the cameras resolution to the maximum is because the colors will be richer. Plus, if you want to enlarge the photos, it won't be a problem. This is achieved by saving the images to your computer where you can print them out at your leisure on special photographic paper.

A new generation has grown up not really knowing what film photography is like, so to them digital wedding photography is quite normal.

Del Haven Studio is the business of a proven Virginia Beach Photographer who is experienced in capturing all the fullness of the moment. Visit the site today and see slideshows of her work as a Virginia Beach wedding photographer and in other settings.

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PLANNING A SIMPLE WEDDING

Wedding costs can escalate quickly when the bride and groom begin planning their wedding with thoughts of all the things they desire to create their perfect day, so planning a simple wedding is definitely the way to go.

Planning a simple wedding on a small budget can be a legitimately discouraging task for the newly engaged couple. Following the romantic marriage proposal with wondering how you are going to pay for the actual wedding can put a damper on your mood. The bride certainly doesn't want to have to miss out on the wedding she has always dreamed about.

A Wedding Planner Guide is the first item you will need to keep your stress levels from escalating when you are starting to plan your wedding. An important aspect of planning your wedding is to know what needs to get accomplished first and how much time will have to do that. The more time you have before your wedding day, the easier it will be to organize. One year is good basis for wedding planning. If you do find yourself in a time crunch, you may want to look into utilizing a wedding planner to assist you.

A themed wedding can be an easy way to keep things simple, yet make the day memorable at the same time. I will always remember the wedding I went to at, of all places, the bowling alley. The couple met when they joined a bowling team and shall we say it was love at first strike? This simple wedding was themed with bowling, from the wedding invitations to the bridal party, who wore matching bowling shoes. The groom and ushers wore bowling shirts instead of tuxedos. The imagination that went into creating themed wedding invitations and wedding cake made the day unforgettable.

Another simple wedding that I won't ever forget is the one I attended in San Diego, California. This was in a gorgeous state park that overlooked the beach. The wedding, while being simple, was also quite exquisite and refined. The bride wore a gorgeous dress that shimmered in the sunshine and we all enjoyed the cool breezes. The bridal party and wedding guests toasted with wine that was local to the area.

A well thought out timetable is essential to keeping your details organized. From wedding invitations to picking out your bridesmaid dresses and groom’s attire rentals and all the little things in between. Relax and make sure to have your wedding planning checklist nearby, you’re on your way to planning a simple wedding.

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July 16, 2008

Hiring A Limousine For That Grand Occassion

Are you considering renting a limo for the prom, a wedding, a business event, or for another type of event? If so, then you will want to make sure you select the right limousine service for you and your event. There are a few things to consider including the reputation of the company, the fleet of the company, the price, insurance, professionalism, and quality.

If you've already set your sights on a couple of service providers, grill their representatives on concerns like special rates, promotions, discounts, down payment and other modes of payment. It would also be good to find out what type of vehicles are they offering in their disposal, whether it be a Hummer H2 for outdoor excursions or night-time parties, or a standard Town Car type for more formal occasions. Ask them if they could make accommodations for the number of individuals that will accompany you on that event or occasion, and ensure that you get the best deals and the best cars to go with your event. You also need to point out the number of people who will be with you in the said event, and specify how many passengers for each vehicle. Try to point out the advantage of renting out multiple limos would be better than renting a limo bus. Routes, destinations, the actual date and time of the occasion can also be an effective bargaining chip to use in getting the best bulk rates with limo rental services. Try To Bargain, Or Ask About Extra Services & Perks: In checking out each prospective limo rental service, you need not be an expert evaluator to completely verify whether or not the limo rental service will deliver on its services as promised, you could simply do this just by looking at the quality of attention that their representatives or staffers are giving you, or the quickness of the response you get when you call them, or reach them online. In doing so, you will be able to find out what level of service you are likely to get when the event or occasion comes, and it would be good to use your instincts; once you feel that some aspect or concern doesn't feel right, then you should undoubtedly back off from the firm. Renting the right company can be often times be a challenging task, and you need to know that you too have rights as a consumer.

Click here for more detail information on hiring limo services go there - Limos For All Occasions!

Once you have identified all aspects of the limo ride, you need to research the company that you are renting the limo and chauffeur from. When considering a limousine service company, the most important factor is service. Indications of a limo rental company with excellent service will show from the initial contact. They will promptly answer your call and make you feel comfortable you have chosen the right company to be a part of your event. Your chosen limo company should be happy to provide you with a tour of their vehicles and run you through their fleet while answering any questions you have. Closely inspect the interior and exterior condition of the limousine to ensure cleanliness and proper maintenance. Be extremely cautious if a limo rental company offers to meet you in a parking lot.

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July 13, 2008

Top Reasons To Use A Professional Wedding Videographer In Houston

Can you remember everything that happens at your wedding? Of course, you can't. That is, unless it happens to be recorded on video! A pro video can be like a never-ending memory of your special day.

So here are some of the top reasons for hiring a pro like Houston wedding videographer TLC Productions for your special day:

It's just a fact - you are going to miss a great deal. Neither of you can be everywhere at the same time, but you don't have to miss a thing of your beautiful day. What was your fiancé doing and feeling just before walking down the aisle? What expressions did your parents or guests have on their faces when you were saying your vows? What were your friends doing on the dance floor when you were talking to other guests? The list is nearly endless…

You are creating a lasting record for the whole family. Many years from now, you will be able to look back at those special moments, sharing the memeories and emotions with your children and grandchildren. Hear the voices, see the laughter, and remember the happy times. This is truly priceless. It makes everything worth it. A well-filmed and edited wedding video becomes a piece of memorabilia that allows you to enjoy all of the details of your special day over and over again.

Your family and friends can't do it themselves. Even with access to seemingly sophisticated video cameras, your friends and family are extremely unlikely to have the professional quality equipment of a professional videographer, not to mention his or her extensive training and experience. Professionals do this type of work on a full-time basis and pay special attention to subtle but extremely important items like camera angles, sound quality and lighting, in addition to content. Frequesntly. more than one camera may also be employed to capture multiple angles of an event. However, the most important factor may be the professional, state-of-the-art editing techniques and equipment used to create a truly high-end presentation.

Professional videographers in Houston Texas can provide you with exhilarating, vivid images you can't reproduce with store bought cameras. You've planned and spent for a truly beautiful day and it ought to be captured with the same intensity. You will receive an individualized video that truly reflects you and your particular personality, full of inspirational, emotional sounds and images of your special day.

You most likely will not forgive yourself if you do not. It is important to learn from the experience of others. A recent survey revealed that 98% of newlyweds who did not hire a pro videographer highly recommend that others do so. It is producing a visual memory that future generations can enjoy for years to come.

But not just anyone can immortalize this day for you. It takes a pro like Woodlands videographer TLC Productions to capture and forever memorialize the precious memories of what you did, said and felt on such a very special day. To be confident you get a top-notch record of this once in a lifetime event, you should entrust the videography to an experienced professional.

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