Saturday, June 1, 2013

Visualsnap launches the next-generation of wedding photography

Visualsnap launches the next-generation of wedding photography


Popular wedding photographer Visualsnap has launched a new generation of wedding photography that responds to the changing way clients view and share their wedding photos.
May 13, 2013 -- Wedding photographer Visualsnap has responded to the trend in clients viewing their wedding photos on screen in preference to prints by introducing easy, immediate and social online private galleries as part of a drive to modernize wedding photography expectations.

Modern wedding photography typically delivers hundreds of photos, but unless the client is paying a premium for prints and albums there is rarely any consideration given to how those photos are viewed. Visualsnap Kent wedding photographer is one of the leading photography companies based in Kent that has responded by including real viewing benefits to his wedding photography service.

In addition to providing clients with a keepsake of digital photos on disc with usage copyright, the new Visualsnap photography experience extends to a sophisticated online gallery to maximise the fun and social aspects of shared viewing, or for convenient private viewing.  Clients can browse and view their wedding photography in vivid quality, download full resolution photos to print, or share any image or collection with friends and family instantly by email or through social networks like Facebook.  No additional software is required to enjoy the viewing experience.

The benefit for couples is that they now get instant access to their entire collection of wedding photos as soon as post-production is completed.  Clients can now enjoy a sophisticated viewing experience on any browser device, anytime, such as mobile phones and computers.  Visualsnap has delighted clients with this initiative, receiving praise on the ease of use and ability to not only share with friends and family anywhere in the world but also download and print favorite photos without copyright restrictions or additional fees.

Den from Visualsnap explained, "People don't really want to hang big wedding prints on their walls anymore, and while albums are a nice keepsake, they are viewed a few times then go into storage.  The convenience of having digital access to all your wedding photos where ever and whenever the urge to view or share them finds you inspired me to rethink what the next-generation of wedding photography should encompass. There's no point having amazing photos if nobody is going to see them, or worst still, if you lose or damage the photos.  My service is complete peace-of-mind, clients already love my photography and now they will love the easy viewing experience too."

About Visualsnap:  Visualsnap Wedding Photographer rapidly established a popular wedding photography business by specializing only in weddings across Kent, London and Surrey.   Bringing quality, experience and reputation in an geriausias affordable range of modern packages, Visualsnap consistently delivers bright, flattering wedding photography without the fuss of orchestration.

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer


It’s your honeymoon, and you get notified that your wedding pictures have finally been prepared. Instead of gazing into the moments of love captured between you and your new spouse, you see blurry screenshots of the back of your wedding cake—which you spent months deciding on—and the wooden panels of your venue dance floor. You have regrettably chosen the wrong photographer. Maybe now spending that extra few hundred dollars seems a little more appealing than cutting the deal with “that one guy.” After investing thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours organizing the day of your dreams, you want it to be memorable—the way you experienced it. Some say choosing a photographer is equally as important as choosing the right gown: you (and your dress pats geriausias) will be the star, but your photographer will capture the everlasting memories.
Here are some tips for choosing the perfect photographer:
  • Look at your budget. In most cases, be prepared to spend anywhere from 10-12% of your wedding budget on the photographer/videographer. (Remember: the price of prints, albums and discs will cost extra, so be sure to keep that in mind when organizing your expenses.)
  • Think about what style of photographer you would prefer. Would you rather have traditional posed photos or a lot of caught-in-action shots?
  • Decide on the amount of prints you would like. Depending on the price and quality of photographer, the range of pictures captured could vary anywhere from 100 to a few thousand per event.
  • Look at a portfolio! There is no better way to uncover a photographer’s capabilities than to see the work that he/she has already done.
  • And finally, CONFIRM. Confirm your reservation at the contract signing, a few months before, and even 1-2 weeks before the final wedding date. All of your planning, budgeting and researching are useless unless your photographer shows up!

The Qualities of a Great Wedding Photographer

The Qualities of a Great Wedding Photographer



Advertisement Feature

It is now widely accepted that there are a lot of people out there who can pick up a camera and take a pretty decent picture. More and more, especially in these austere times people are asking themselves if they can find savings on everything and that includes their wedding photography. Modern DSLR cameras are affordable and especially with their advanced technology have great automatic shooting modes. The temptation is to take a chance on a friend, to take your important wedding photographs.


In some circumstances, perhaps for informal portraits of you and your family it may be okay to take a chance with a friend or hobbyist photographer and if it goes wrong you can try again with a professional photographer.
But is the risk very different when it comes to your precious Wedding Photography? There are no second chances at weddings and the opportunity for something going terribly wrong is greatly increased if you don't get an experienced specialist Wedding Photographer.
But you have seen your friends take great pictures at weddings right? We all have and after the majority of wedding photographs start appearing on social media sites. The next thing, someone says to a friend, "hey I saw those pictures you took at X's wedding and they were great, can you photograph our wedding?"
What is missing here fotografas is the experience that ensures that in any circumstances, no matter what, you can expect a full set of great wedding images throughout your wedding day. For the most part, your friends’ photo will have been taken off to the side of an official Wedding Photographer or over their shoulder. The work of setting up the photograph will have already been done. Uncle Bob has not had to manage anyone such as large groups of guests, he has not had to make decisions and he has no time constraints. He has no brief to achieve, no list of must have shots and most importantly he has no responsibility for his images to be good every time.
What you are investing in when hiring an experienced Wedding Photographer is this. You are hiring a Wedding Photographer who can, not just take the odd decent wedding photograph given the right circumstances. You are hiring someone who can produce consistently good wedding photography when the weather is bad, when the lighting is poor, when there is little or no time during the tight schedule of the wedding day, when people don't want to have their photograph taken, in bad locations with little space and so on.
Perhaps just as important as that, is that they should possess a high level of personal professional qualities.
Wedding Photographers have to be excellent managers of people and they have to be completely and utterly without question patient. A good experienced Wedding photographer should remain calm in all situations period! They must not get impatient or rude with family or guests. Their presence on your wedding day should only enhance the day and never spoil it under any circumstances.
A good Wedding Photographer needs to be a decision maker. Things change during a wedding day. An ability to problem solve in an instant, make decisions based on the information at hand is essential. A good Wedding Photographer should be confident but never arrogant. A good Wedding Photographer should be polite and respectful at all times no matter what the pressures.

Wedding Photography Ideas

Wedding Photography Ideas


If you want beautiful and creative wedding shots then you need to start thinking outside the box, many wedding photographers will snap up that first kiss, the first dance and the cutting of the cake but these are all traditional and expected ideas. If you want your wedding photographs to stand head and shoulders above the rest then take a look at these sweet and sassy ideas for must have wedding photographer shots.
The Spontaneous Shots
Come of the best wedding photographs come from spontaneous shots, although a bride, may want to look polished and beautiful there is no greater beauty then being yourself. Allow your wedding photographer to catch you off guard with some fun shots when you are least expecting them. Remember a good Scott Morton wedding photography Melbourne is an artist so allow them the freedom to work with their creative skills.
The Moments Before
For your wedding photographer to truly capture the emotion of the day they will probably want to snap the moments before the big moment. Big moments can be overwhelming but the seconds before walking down the aisle is a great shot as it captures the pure beauty and anticipation.
The Little Details
Whilst many wedding photographers focus on the big things its actually the little details that can bring personality into your day, whether it’s a shot of the flowers on the table or a close up of a fruity cocktail, a guest rearranging their hat – all these things will add personality to your wedding album and help you spot the little moments you missed in all the excitement.
Get the Edge
The world is your oyster when it comes to wedding photography so why not think extreme, from jumping on the bed to walking your dog in your dress there is so much you can do! The trick is having a creative mindset and simply having fun with your wedding photographer.

E-Motion Images Partner Up With SEODesk

E-Motion Images, the wedding photographer London specialists, are delighted to announce their new business partnership with SEODesk.





E-Motion Images, the wedding photographer London specialists, are delighted to announce their new business partnership with SEODesk. This new relationship will see SEODesk bring their experience and talent in search engine optimisation in the intention of expanding awareness of E-Motion Images.
The specialist wedding photographers have achieved great success thanks to the word of mouth promotion that follows their wedding photography but in a competitive marketplace, E-Motion Images are keen to provide even more happy couples with the perfect memories of their happy day.
The partnership aims to build on the quality of the photography provided by E-Motion Images and the high level of customer service that the company provides. The wedding photographer London service provided by the company starts long before the wedding day itself. The firm believes that wedding photographs should capture the image and identity of the bride and groom and their invited guests. This specialist London wedding photographer service ensures that the personalities involved will be brought to the fore in all of the pictures. E-Motion Images aim to tell the story of the big day and can adapt to any situation or location.
In order to ensure that as many people know of this level of wedding photography service and to stand out from the crowd, SEODesk will be directing E-Motion Images with their website and online communications. SEODesk have a great track record in placing firms on the first page of Google for relevant searches and both parties are confident that E-Motion Images will soon become one of the first options people find when looking for London wedding photographers.About E-Motion Images:
Phil Bourne, the key photographer behind E-Motion Images has a history and portfolio that will invoke awe and envy at the same time. His work has been published in magazines such as Mojo, The Times, The Guardian, The New York Times and the NME, amongst others. E-Motion Images has been providing London wedding photography services since 2009, providing a unique editorial and creative reportage take on special days.

Photographer's Marriage Proposal Utilizes Camera In Unusual Way (PHOTOS)

Photographer's Marriage Proposal Utilizes Camera In Unusual Way (PHOTOS)



New York wedding and event photographer Jerrit Pruyn proposed to his girlfriend on camera -- but not in the way you'd think.

Pruyn popped the question to his girlfriend, Broadway actress Cara Massey, on Sunday by writing "Marry Me" on an iPhone screen protector and then sticking it to a camera, so Massey would see it when she looked through the camera to take a photo of him.

Pruyn told HuffPost Weddings that the inspiration for his proposal came from his passion for photography, which has rubbed off on Massey. He said Massey especially loves vintage cameras.

"Ultimately, I wanted to propose in a way that would be true to myself, to who we are as a couple and the creativity we share," Pruyn said. "Ideas for my proposal were starting to come together when Cara mentioned that she wished we had more photos together."

Take a look at the creative proposal below:





Last Sunday, Pruyn and Massey went to Duck Walk Vineyards on Long Island, where Pruyn set up the camera and tripod and asked Massey to take a photo of him. While she looked through the camera, he got down on one knee and pulled out the ring.

Massey happily accepted, but Pruyn said he purposefully didn't take any actual photos of the proposal. Instead, they plan on engraving the camera with the date and displaying it in their home.

"I knew we would both be overwhelmed with emotion (crying messes) and honestly I wanted to savor that moment," Pruyn told HuffPost in an email. "I wanted the moment that I asked Cara to spend the rest of her life with me to be something that only the two of us will share forever."

Click through the slideshow below to see more photos of the camera, and the happy couple after Massey said "yes."

Pre-Wedding Plastic Surgery

Pre-Wedding Plastic Surgery




(HealthNewsDigest.com) - "I did it" may be the first your words your fiancé hears before you say "I do." Yes, you finally told him that you had a mini facelift procedure done two weeks ago. Because you knew that all eyes on both sides of the family would be upon you at the church altar. So you felt you needed to look your best for the wedding photographer and had the procedure.

And you are as ecstatic about the results as you are about your future.

It's a growing trend among women who are opting for plastic surgery before taking their wedding vows. Partly inspired by the glamor of celebrity weddings and partly by the need for self-assurance, women in increasing numbers are looking to cosmetic surgery as a personal adjunct to picking out the right wedding dress.

A wedding is not simply a rite of passage. It is a merging of family histories. Professional photographs of your wedding day will someday become heirloom images of how you met your children's mother or father. It's not a sign of vanity to be concerned about your personal appearance as you walk down the aisle as the digital cameras are firing away.

Many women are choosing quick, non-invasive cosmetic approaches using Botox or injectable fillers or laser light treatments in order to remove facial lines and wrinkles or to add volume to their cheeks, chin, or neck line.  Soon-to-be brides also are having surgical procedures like eyelid surgery, cheek implants and fat transfer.

Fast forward ten, twenty, fifty years: there are also instances of couples having facelift surgery to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

On your wedding day you want things to be fairytale perfect. A pre-nuptial cosmetic procedure is just icing on your wedding cake.

While congratulations are in order on your blissful union, don't forget to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to see if the cosmetic procedure you have in mind is right for you.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Most Common Regret of Brides is Not Spending Enough on Wedding Photography

Most Common Regret of Brides is Not Spending Enough on Wedding Photography



Wedding photographer from Perth reveals why brides wish they had spent more on their wedding photos.
Perth, WA, May 17, 2013 - Two different polls, two different years, one result: 21% of the recently-married brides who were polled regretted not spending more money on their wedding photos. The first poll was conducted by photography website Shutterfly from 10th to 13th January, 2011, and had 500 participants. The second poll was conducted by New York Magazine for their current issue, and had 100 participants.

While the sample size may appear small, the convergent results cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. In the more contemporary of the two surveys, which provides more detailed data, flowers were the next item of regret at 16%, the wedding cake came in at 9%, the wedding gown came in at 9%, and everything else combined came in at 45%.

A second part of the recent poll asked the bride’s what they regretted splurging on the most. Flowers were number one at 17%, while photos came in second at 12%. Hair and makeup or third at 9%, the wedding gown was fourth at 8%, and the wedding cake was fifth at 6%, leaving everything else at 48%.

Peter Edwards is a wedding photographer with a wealth of experience in the Perth area, and is the owner of Peter Edwards Photography. He is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), and has also achieved a Double Master of Photography. His specialisation in wedding photography and the sheer number of weddings he has photographed make him uniquely qualified to interpret the data from the two surveys.

Edwards begins by pointing out a pattern that is obvious to him: “Everything mentioned in the poll is visual, because the visual element of a wedding is extremely important to the bride. That is why it is so important to hire the best photographer for your wedding instead of price shopping. It is no accident that photos were mentioned first, and no accident that the other visual elements of the wedding were mentioned as the next three most important items.”

Edwards continued: “When the wedding is being put together, it is often a reflex action to try and reduce costs. Sometimes, it is possible to find good work and an inexpensive price. Unfortunately, price shopping is usually hit and miss at best, and the bride ends up being disappointed at the quality of service she receives. Worse yet, when photography is one of the items at which the bride tries to save money, the results are almost always disappointing. This is false economy as if the purchase doesn’t meet expectations, no matter how small the amount paid there is no value. On the other hand an item purchased that is truly valued as time passes is priceless and the cost is soon forgotten and may even appear “cheap” on reflection.”

Edwards added: “Ultimately, when the wedding is over, your photographs are going to provide the most enduring memory of your happiest day. If there is one thing, and one thing only, to make sure you do right, it is to hire a professional and experienced wedding photographer. Professional wedding photographers know how to use light effectively, how to use their equipment to the best advantage, how to pose people, capture that moment and put people at ease. ”

Edwards commented further: “If a few of the visual elements in your wedding are a bit off, a great photographer can find a way to make them look good. However, a mediocre photographer only produces photos that look mediocre.”

Edwards concluded: “Don’t trust your most cherished memories to chance: hire a professional and preserve your memories for a lifetime.”

Peter Edwards Photography is a professional wedding photography firm from Perth. Not only do they specialise in weddings, weddings are all they do.

For more information, or to inquire about their services, call 08 9316 2465 or visit their website: http://www.peteredwardsphoto.com.au/

Choosing The Perfect Photographer, For Your Perfect Day

Choosing The Perfect Photographer, For Your Perfect Day


How do I choose my wedding photographer?

Photography is arguably one of the most important aspects to consider when planning your wedding. After all, your wedding photos are a long lasting reminder of how special your day was. They will be cherished by you and your spouse and will be admired for future generations to come.

Finding the right photographer is key to ensure your day is captured beautifully and in a way that pleases your style. Affordable Wedding Studio  is a team of high-end wedding photographers in Hamilton who capture weddings in and around the area. We want to help you make the right decision when planning a photographer for your special day.

When you are searching for wedding photography or video suppliers you’ll find three types:

The Over Priced Photographer

There is a small handful of fantastic wedding photographers and videographers who produce breathtaking wedding photography and video. The only thing is that they charge thousands of dollars for it.

The Dirt Cheap Amateur

There is a huge number of…well let’s be nice and say “less than talented” wedding photographers and videographers who produce mediocre work at best. They are in the price range you want for your wedding photography and video, but the results will be below your expectations.

The Perfect Middle

Don’t settle for a mediocre wedding photographer or videographer just because of a low price! And don’t go over your budget with extremely pricey rates.

Affordable Wedding Studio is different – we produce top quality, visually stunning work at a fantastic price. We have helped save couples thousands of dollars and have also saved them from being disappointment by mediocre photography.

Contact Affordable Wedding Studio today to book a consultation with our photographers. We want to capture your wedding to reflect the pure perfection the day will bring! Call  or email us.

Waiting for Wedding Photographs


Waiting for Wedding Photographs



How long would you wait for your professional wedding photos?  A newlywed couple in Bristol said they have been waiting for nearly one year.

But at least Jill and Todd Miano's wedding day went according to plan.

The Mianos told the Troubleshooters July 14, 2012, was one of the best days of their lives.  They had an outdoor ceremony.  They were surrounded by their family and friends.  And they had a professional photographer to capture the magic.

"I was so happy and he took great photos," Miano said.  "When we were posing, I saw him moving all around taking the pictures."

The Mianos received several "teaser" photos  from the photographer soon after their wedding.  But nearly one year later, they said they had yet to receive the complete photo package that cost them more than $2000.

"It's hard for me to ponder why someone would do this," Todd Miano said.

Most of the photos the couple has to remember their wedding by were taken by their guests.

The Mianos said photographer Marcin Rafalowicz promised the professional pictures would be delivered last November.  They claim Rafalowicz stopped recently stopped communicating with them.

The Better Business Bureau acknowledges newlywed couples should typically expect to wait six to eight weeks for their wedding photos.  However, the wait could take up to three months.

However, Rafalowicz told the Troubleshooters his normal turn-around time is four months.  He claims he sent the photos to Jill and Todd "quite a while ago", but that he doesn't normally track the photos.

Rafalowicz said he stayed in touch with the Mianos.  He also says he has plenty of happy customers.

The Troubleshooters spoke to two other customers who said they only recently received their photos after waiting more than six months.

Still, the photographer said he would prepare another disk of wedding photos for Jill and Todd Miano and send it to them.

The Mianos said they'll believe it when they see it.

"I don't care if the pictures have been perfectly centered or anything like that," Todd Miano said.  "I just want the actual pictures."

But several hours after we spoke to Rafalowicz, he emailed the Mianos.  He wrote he was sorry for the inconvenience.  He even wrote he would include a canvas-like print in larger format to compensate for the additional wait time.

The BBB said it's a good idea to put a time frame in the contract with a photographer.  They also offer the following advice:

Beware of unusually short time frames, shorter than two weeks.  It may mean they don't have a lot of business and have the time to devote or they are farming it out to someone else, however, it also may indicate that they are either offering a lowball time estimate to get your business or not take as much time as is required for a quality project.
Allow extra time for videos because editing is involved.
Call or send a friendly email a week or two ahead of the deadline to make sure they are on schedule.
Select a photographer who will have some "preview" photos posted for viewing or download within a week after the wedding, so that you may share the images with friends and family.
An experienced photographer will be able to have a clearer idea of how long it will take to turn around the photos than someone who is starting out and may get in over their head.
Ask whether they will attend themselves or have someone else doing the photography.
Check references and word of mouth.
Book the photographer for enough shooting hours to make sure that they can get the couple's preparations and the reception.  It will cost less to plan for that then to have to pay additional charges for going over the contracted limit.

And you can also learn helpful tips about choosing a wedding photographer from the Department of Consumer Protection:  click here.

NEWS FROM USA TODAY

NEWS FROM USA TODAY



If you own a decent digital camera and possess a modicum of skill, sooner or later someone will ask you to shoot something as a favor. Maybe it’ll be their kid’s t-ball game or a house they’re trying to sell.

If you’ve got the appropriate gear and some experience, you might feel comfortable accepting some of these assignments. After all, they’re a good way to put your skills to the test. And if it turns out you’re not up to the task, there’s no real harm done: There are a lot of games in a t-ball season and that house isn’t going anywhere.

But there’s one request that ought to put fear into any self-aware photo enthusiast: “Could I convince you to shoot my wedding?”

Wedding photography is, to put it simply, the most stressful, most demanding kind of photography you can do without setting foot in an actual war zone. You have precisely one chance to capture each crucial moment of the prep, ceremony, and reception—moments the bride, the groom, and their parents will hope to cherish for the rest of their lives. It’s not a task for amateurs.

So, what do you do when someone you care about asks you to take on such a colossal responsibility? If you’re a good friend, you say no. Say it as gently and apologetically as you need to, but just say no. If it’s your friend, or your sister, or someone you owe a favor, you’re naturally going to feel a lot of pressure to say yes. But “yes” is almost never the right answer. Here’s why:

1. You are not a professional. (And if you are, this article isn’t for you.)

Most successful professional wedding photographers either apprenticed as assistants or second shooters for established pros, or taught themselves through years of practice (and probably made plenty of mistakes along the way). They know all the tricks required to get the shots that couples and their families covet. They have the gear, backups for all the gear, and assistants. They have the people skills necessary to organize raucous groups of inebriated wedding guests into perfectly posed group shots. They know how to blend into the background to capture those spontaneous, intimate moments. They know flash photography like the back of their hand, and also know how to get the best results in places flashes can’t go. Unless you’re a pro, you probably can’t say the same.

2. Shooting a wedding for free is taking work away from professionals.

Opinions will vary on this one, even among pros, but there’s no denying that professional photography is a difficult business. The best photographers can make a good living at it, but the hours are long and unpredictable. Virtually all photographers work on a freelance basis, and work can dry up without warning. If your friends can afford to hire a pro, but ask you to fill in to “save a few bucks,” you should say no, because you’d be taking business away from someone who needs and deserves it.

3. Weddings are supposed to be fun, but shooting them is work. Hard work.

This may sound like a selfish point, but your friends’ wedding isn’t just about the bride and groom. The event is a celebration of their life together, and a party thrown for everyone who has helped get them to this moment, including you. Your friends are important to you, and the moment probably is, too. You deserve the opportunity to eat, drink, and be merry. You shouldn’t be sweating at the end of a long lens barrel.

You may have the idea that you can shoot the wedding, but keep it laid-back and casual. You know… hang out, eat some cake, drink a beer or two, grab some party shots and spontaneous portraits. The bride and groom might even encourage the notion. But for most wedding photographers, that idea evaporates as soon as the family arrives and stress begins to rise. Your friends might be cool, but what about the bride’s crazed mother or the groom’s drunk uncle? What happens when you start getting conflicting orders from rival factions? It can become a bad scene faster than you’d believe.

4. The personal repercussions of a botched wedding shoot can be dramatic.

If a professional makes a hash of shooting a wedding, it’s their professional relationship that’s on the line. There’s a contract to fall back on: Money can be refunded, formal apologies can be issued, and the unpleasant business can be finished, if not forgotten. But if you get in over your head trying to shoot your friends’ wedding, the only thing you have to lose is your personal relationship. Are you willing to risk losing friends you’ve known for years if you inadvertently ruin their wedding day? It might sound absurd, but you’d be surprised how easily this can happen.

But even with all these reasons to stay far, far away from the camera, there’s still going to be a part of you that’s tempted to say yes. How do I know? Because I’ve been in that position, and I’ve succumbed. I’ve attended several weddings as a second shooter and handled one as the primary photographer. Yep, guilty.

In my defense, I did it for the one good reason someone might do such a thing: My friends simply couldn’t afford anyone better.

Just play it safe and say no

There’s a legitimate difference between cutting corners and having no corners to cut, and when your friends are scraping the bottom of their bank account, a good friend can—and some would argue should—step in. But even in this scenario, you should play it safe. Sit down with your friends, talk about what coverage they want and what they can expect from you, and get everything in writing. (This sounds silly for a deal between friends, but trust me: just do it.)

If they do have some small amount of money to offer you, don’t be ashamed to accept it; it’s going to be real work, if you do it right. You might think processing the photos might take just a day, maybe two, but if you do it right you’re looking at hours and hours planted in front of your Adobe Lightroom install while they’re off on their honeymoon. And what will you get for your trouble? A crick in your neck and a heartfelt thank-you on Facebook.

If none of this sounds very attractive to you, there are alternatives you could suggest to cash-strapped friends — most involving crowdsourcing. They could buy a crate of disposable film cameras and hand them out to the guests. They could encourage attendees to bring their own cameras and set up a laptop with a card reader to collect everyone’s work. Or they could set up a Flickr group for post-wedding uploads.

My brief career as a wedding photographer wasn’t a disaster. The shots were acceptable—maybe even good—and I’m still on speaking terms with the bride and groom, though they moved out of the country shortly after the wedding. (Coincidence?) Even so, I can’t recommend anyone follow in my footsteps. If you love shooting and don’t have dreams of making a living with your camera, just keep on doing what you’re doing. Photography is too enjoyable a hobby to ruin with unnecessary stress.
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Wedding Photographer Visualsnap Issues a Warning on Budget Wedding Albums and Packages

 Wedding Photographer Visualsnap Issues a Warning on Budget Wedding Albums and Packages



 Visualsnap, a popular wedding photographer acknowledges that many newlyweds never get round to printing their photos. A wedding album remains a traditional keepsake for many weddings, and is often thought of as a long term investment to share with future generations. Good quality wedding albums do not come cheap, and this has resulted in many clients and photographers lowering their expectations in favor of competitive pricing.

For discerning brides and grooms, Visualsnap offers clients one of the best quality affordable albums available without the compromises that are often common with albums from other photographers. Pointing out the risks, Visualsnap notes that many albums offered in set packages are often small format , feature pages that do not lay flat, are easily damaged, show inaccurate colour reproduction and use printing inks that will fade with time. Avoiding these compromises in their product line, and making wedding albums entirely optional has proved a successful strategy for Visualsnap who prefers to ensure clients spend their budget on securing the best photography.

A Visualsnap spokesperson explained: “You only have one wedding album, it would be tragic to have it fall apart or see your photo memories literally fade away in years to come. At Visualsnap, gorgeous albums that remain affordable, optional and are backed up with the original digital photo files copyright free are included as standard.”

In response to customers who do not want an album, Visualsnap offers an online gallery permitting access to high quality viewing, sharing and printing anytime, on any web browsing device. Providing an immediate and convenient format for clients to view their entire wedding photo portfolio has helped Visualsnap reach out to a more modern and less traditional audience.

About Visualsnap
Kent wedding photographer Visualsnap provides documentary and contemporary wedding photography in affordable bespoke or set packages for clients across Kent, London and Surrey. Operating exclusively in the wedding photography sector, Visualsnap has championed the importance of customers being able to focus their budget on the photography and overall experience, rather than added extras.

Media Contact

Document Your Wedding on a Budget

Document Your Wedding on a Budget




Planning a wedding is all about setting priorities and in my opinion, hiring a high quality photographer is at the top of the must-have list. According to The Knot, couples paid an average of $2,379 for photography in 2012 (see full breakdown of wedding expenses here). This is just the average. When shopping around for a photographer for our wedding, I received quotes up to $15,000! Here are a couple ways to document your wedding without going broke.

1.    Find a one-stop shop. When hiring one company for photography and videography, they will often give you a break on pricing. But make sure to ask for a discount! The company might not voluntarily slash the bill so speak up.

2.    Negotiate the hours. I found that many wedding photographers and videographers base their pricing on a set number of hours per day. Instead of agreeing to a 12-hour day, ask if they can offer a reduced price for eight or six hours of work. You can also ask for ceremony only coverage.

3.    There's an app for that. Everyone loves a fun photo booth but they're not cheap! I received quotes ranging from $750-1200. Why not combine a DIY photo booth with a free photo-sharing app like WedPics? Make sure to create a sign with instructions for guests and go crazy with the props!

4.    Assign a hashtag. Check out this great post on A Practical Wedding blog about crowdsourcing your wedding photos on Instagram. But don't just limit this to the actual wedding. Include the rehearsal dinner too!

5.    Get the bride's POV. I came across this article about a couple hiding a GoPro in the bride's bouquet. Now this is a creative idea!

THE RISE OF THE UNIQUE WEDDING

Inside the rapidly changing nature of weddings.



Whatever the definition of marriage has historically been — or will become someday — the ritual of the wedding is certainly being redefined. And that’s a good thing. Now that Minnesota has legalized same-sex marriage, it’s clearer than ever that our ideas of weddings have moved away from a church, steeple and two heterosexual people.
Despite the changes, enthusiasm for weddings may not be going away. In 2010 the marriage rate was down to 51 percent from 72 percent in 1960, but interest may be on the rise once again.
Whether it’s couples hooking up via Facebook chat or ladies getting jazzed about floral centerpieces on Pinterest, the Internet seems to be revving our marriage motors.
Whatever is motivating us to get together, it’s a good time to get married in Minnesota. You can find love easier than ever online, and there are many options for nontraditional ceremonies and receptions that suit your relationship. And as of Aug. 1., Minnesotans will be able to marry knowing that everyone in the state can enjoy the same ritual — GLBT couples included. We set out to discover the issues, questions and opportunities people are facing now as they contemplate their weddings.
Making it Yours
“Weddings didn’t used to be about people who are soul mates trying to support one another in their pursuits in life,” says Colin Weaver, 25, a local painter who plans to tie the knot with his fiancée, 24-year-old waitress Megan Manion, in July. “But society’s changed.”
Weaver and Manion say they’ve done their best to plan a wedding that feels true to their relationship. “If I could have it my way, the wedding would be a pig roast and a couple kegs,” Weaver says. “We’d dance with our friends and family all night.”
“That is what we’re doing,” Manion interjects. “Although we’re having lamb.”
Both agree that they don’t want their ceremony in a church, because they’re not members of any particular faith and want to avoid “church tourism.” It was also important for them to keep the wedding small and personal. The couple designed and hand-letterpressed their own invites, and they’ve been collecting old vases and vintage centerpieces to add to the decor.
They pointed out the irony in trying to make a wedding personalized and different in a consumer society, when “personalized” and “different” are in high demand. Even the David’s Bridals of the world have figured out that people like quirky, letterpress invites, the couple says.
Another of the couple’s priorities is to steer clear of the patriarchy that still exists in how weddings are marketed and carried out. Manion laughs about the marketing around weddings, and how it inevitably catches up to brides. While she ignores the constant targeted banner ads she sees about wedding-day “nail bed treatments,” it doesn’t slip past her that most of the big business of weddings is still aimed at the bride.
So not only are Manion and Weaver splitting up the wedding planning so that Manion won’t have to shoulder it all herself, they’re also reconsidering the tradition of having the bride’s father walk her down the aisle. While she loves her father, she says the idea of being “given away” to her husband doesn’t sit right with her. They’re considering working around this by having all four parents walk both the bride and groom down the aisle.
A moment of hesitation came, however, when they found out the farm in Montgomery, Minn., where they booked their wedding had recently refused to host a ceremony for a same-sex couple.
“We sent them an e-mail saying ‘We disagree with you’ and explaining that the policy affects people in the wedding party,” Weaver says. For monetary reasons, they couldn’t cancel their reservation, but they are trying to be transparent and start a dialogue about the issue.
But while there are always challenges in wedding planning, the couple agreed that not everything has to be perfect for it to be the right time to get married. Weaver sums it up: “We were unsure about almost everything in our lives except for each other.”
What Really Matters
For many couples, the weddings that they imagined when they were growing up and the weddings they ended up having were not quite the same. This was the case for Lacey Criswell, 32, a wedding photographer whose own wedding helped give her insight into what matters — and what doesn’t.
“I thought about my wedding as a kid quite a bit. It’s pretty funny how it changed from what I thought about and where I ended up,” she says. “I thought I would have a huge diamond ring. I don’t even wear a ring now. I thought I would have a traditional wedding, big ballroom and cake and all that stuff.”
Criswell ended up marrying her husband, Alex Boutanes, in a black cocktail dress in a small, nonreligious ceremony with her family at the Lucky Strike Casino in Missoula, Mont. The process had to go quickly, as her husband, who is from Morocco, was in the U.S. on a fiancé visa, giving them only 90 days to get hitched.
“I didn’t miss [the material] things,” she says. “The things I remember are my first dance with my dad and saying my vows.” Noticing this has helped Criswell, as a wedding photographer, to focus on snapping moments between people more than anything else.
Has her experience shooting all kinds of weddings helped her tell which marriages are going to last — and which aren’t? While Criswell wouldn’t say she has concrete rules, she says she can tell that couples who talk about their relationship more than the material aspects of their wedding are more likely to make it.
Breaking Tradition
For Kevin Freidberg, 40, a Minneapolis-based copywriter, the material aspects of weddings were barely on the radar. Instead, his wedding was focused on living in the present. He married Andrea, a nurse, at the Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis. The wedding wasn’t actually a Buddhist wedding, he says, but it did emphasize his practice of Theravada Buddhism by focusing on simplicity.
Absent from the wedding were shoes, a bar, gifts, dancing or anything else that detracted from the couple’s ideal night. “We just wanted to hang out and talk,” Freidberg says.
The most spiritual son in a Jewish family, Freidberg says his family was initially taken aback by his wedding. “I had a little fight with my dad, which was fine. It’s hard to explain that it’s not really a Buddhist wedding — he cared more that it [wasn’t] a Jewish wedding.” He later caught his dad defending his wedding to his stepfather, so Freidberg knew he understood deep down.
As in Freidberg’s experience, the biggest growing pains when it comes to the changing nature of weddings may happen for parents. As they watch their kids get married later, move in with a significant other before a ring comes into the picture, and get hitched outside the church, the process can often be confusing. Some may have to accept that their kids will never get married.
Opting Out
For Wilson Lewis, 28, a Minneapolis Web developer working at Target, a wedding has never been in the picture.
“At its core, [getting married] is not something I am interested in participating in, in the same way I wouldn’t go to a movie or listen to music that didn’t interest me,” he says.
While movies tend to portray people who don’t want to marry as secret romantics who grew up in broken homes, Lewis insists there is nothing to psychoanalyze about his choice. His parents remain happily married today, he says. Instead, Lewis says it’s more a product of rational thought and preference. “Marriage is by definition a lifelong commitment, and if I imagine how different my life was 10 years ago, it would be naive and limiting to promise companionship in another 10.” He adds that he has no problem with the idea of other people getting married — it’s just not for him.
Lewis may be rare in that opinion.
“It’s a hard thing to not want to get married in a culture that emphasizes marriage,” Freidberg says. “[It’s] great that people still believe in marriage. It just sounds so innocent and kind of sweet.”

Peter K Photography Shares Things Couples Should Look for when Hiring a Montreal Wedding

Peter K Photography Shares Things Couples Should Look for when Hiring a Montreal Wedding
 

 


Wedding is perhaps one of the most auspicious events in one's life. It is the moment when two souls tie the knot with a hope to live happily ever after. It makes perfect sense to make this event as memorable as possible. Hence, people all over the world vehemently celebrate this event in accordance with their cultural traditions. What good are these memorable moments if they are not captured by the lens to be preserved forever? Wedding photography is consequently one of the most important aspects of any wedding. People all over the world understand the importance of wedding photography and do their best to hire professional wedding photographers who could preserve these special moments, for generations to come. If you live in the beautiful city of Montreal and are planning to hire a Montreal wedding photographer for your big day, but don’t know what to look for in the photographer, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we explain what you should be looking for when choosing a Montreal wedding photographer.

Montreal weddings are amalgamation of contemporary esthetics and traditional values. The values which are deeply entrenched into Montreal's society are clearly reflected at Montreal weddings, along with the contemporary outlook typical of developed cities such as Montreal. When searching for the perfect Montreal wedding photographer for your event, you should firstly assess the previous work of the photographer. By having a glance at the work of a photographer, you can quickly assess whether or not this photographer is what you are looking for. Secondly, you should also pay attention to the relevant experience of the Montreal wedding photographer. Always try to choose an experienced photographer who has some credible experience under his belt, since you would not want to spoil your special event by giving the reins of the highly important task of photography to some novice photographer.

Another very important thing to look for is to know what equipment the photographer would be using for your Montreal wedding photography. Try to get familiar with some basic knowledge about photography equipment. Then you would be able to better anticipate the expected quality of photography, from a specific photographer.

Most Montreal wedding photography service providers offer two or three photographers to cover the event. Two photographers are ideal for small to medium sized events where the main photographer focuses on the bride and groom, while the other assistant photographer captures the spontaneous moments of the event. This combination usually brings about fabulous results. Three photographers are usually only required for large Montreal weddings. So ask for at least two photographers to cover your event.

You should always try to hire a photographer who is willing to allocate a whole day for covering your wedding day. Some wedding photographers commit to two events in a single day, especially during the peak season. You should make sure to shun such photographers. Make sure to hire someone who is willing to give you a whole day in order to completely cover the entire wedding day, not just the event itself. This makes sure that all the emotions and details of the entire wedding day are captured.

Then there are other considerations to take into account, such as whether your photographer applies post-production to the photographs or not. Make sure to ask for post-production. It can really make a difference to the photographs and truly make them come alive.

If you are looking for top notch Montreal wedding photography which stands above the rest, look no further than Peter K Photography. Peter K Photography studio has years of experience under its belt. Myriad people have been extremely satisfied with the quality of Peter K Photography. The studio impersonates all the attributes discussed above, and then some.

Don’t let the biggest event of your life be forgotten. Preserve these cherished moments forever with Peter K Photography. Choose Peter K photography and get ready to be dazzled. So what are you waiting for? Head straight to www.peterkphoto.ca and see the difference for yourself.

Casey Fatchett Photography Wins Best New York City Wedding Photographer 2013 - Wedding

Casey Fatchett Photography Wins Best New York City Wedding Photographer 2013 - Wedding


Casey Fatchett Photography has won The Best New York City Wedding Photographer 2013 award for excellent wedding photography services. Casey Fatchett also became a finalist in the Top 10 Best Wedding Photographers in the United States and the Top 100 Best Photographers Worldwide.

New York, NY, May 24, 2013 --(PR.com)-- It is with great pleasure that we announce that Casey Fatchett Photography won The Best New York City Wedding Photographer in the 2013 Wedding Industry Experts Awards, an international panel of the wedding industry experts. Casey Fatchett named a finalist in the Top 10 Best Photographers in the United States and the Top 100 Best Photographers Worldwide.

Recognition for the very prestigious Wedding Industry Experts Award is determined by an open voting system and highly regarded among millions of people worldwide.

Casey Fatchett Photography places among the top wedding professionals in the world, representing not only amazing photographs but excellent service and thought leadership within the wedding industry.

About Wedding Industry Experts:

The Wedding Industry Experts is a world-wide independent panel of wedding industry experts that complete comprehensive industry monitoring and analysis. The panel publishes weekly industry reports that are available 100% free of charge. To achieve the goal of presenting a variety of perspectives on various industry topics the panel invited 50 planners and designers from across the globe - people who have demonstrated their expertise in business management and in planning or designing weddings.

About Casey Fatchett Photography:

Owned and operated by Casey Fatchett, an award-winning wedding photographer, Casey Fatchett Photography is based in New York City and photographs events throughout the United States and around the world. Casey Fatchett's photography work has been published in leading industry magazines and blogs. He also provides thought leadership to the wedding and photography communities through his writing and social media. For more information visit www.fatchett.com

Our Wedding Photos and Second Chances

My wife and I don't have a lot of great wedding photos. From our own wedding that is.



Just as everyone else, we were trying to be budget-conscious and I was just beginning my career as a wedding photographer when Brenda and I got married. I thought, well, we'll hire someone cheap and I'll just compensate for whatever shortfalls the photographer has since I will be taking photos as well. That was probably the only regret from our wedding day. I did take some photos, but there is only so much you can do before the bride says, "OK, you have to be in front of the camera, not behind it." And we did get the photos back from our photographer, but they were only mediocre at best; they covered all of the basics, but certainly weren't anything spectacular.

So, fast forward a few years and I am now a full-time wedding photographer living in San Francisco who shoots close to 40 weddings every year. Brenda and are always on the lookout for new and creative ideas and one day it just hit us. Why don't we go somewhere really picturesque and compensate for the uninspiring photos we got from our wedding day. We still have the dress, still have the bride, we have lots of camera equipment and infinitely more knowledge about wedding photography than we did back then. It was settled, we booked our trip the same night.

We started out in Las Vegas. The flights were cheap (although the food was horribly expensive), but we weren't there to stay, we rented a car and drove through Nevada, Arizona, and eventually ended up in the gorgeous state of Utah with Bryce Canyon being our first stop. I could not believe how fearless my wife was as she put her dress on and went out on that ledge. I took a few frames and rushed back to get her, that was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.

I'm happy to say that the rest of the trip was a lot less scary. We've hit snow, got lost in the desert sand, had a chance to shoot at Canyonlands, climbed a mile to the top of Arches National Park, discovered the stunning Valley of Fire in Nevada and ended back in Vegas where all I wanted to do all night was look through the photos I've taken throughout the trip.

It was exactly what we wanted and so much more. We now have some gorgeous photos of Brenda in her dress, but most importantly we have something no one else does. I look through hundreds of thousands of wedding photos every year and I've never seen anything like these. I'm willing to go pretty far to set the bar higher for all of us and hey, it doesn't hurt if I end up with some beautiful photos of my wife in the process.

There is one piece of advice that I took away from this whole experience. Invest in memories. The food will be gone, the music will fade and flowers will wither, but the photos of you and your loved ones on one of the most special days of your lives will last forever.

Wedding Photographer Stays Cool Amid AIPP Drama

Wedding Photographer Stays Cool Amid AIPP Drama





Competitions / Contest,Industry News,Photography in media,Wedding by jgordon
One of my favorite wedding photographers, Jonas Peterson, has been at the center of an online maelstrom in the past few days.
If you haven’t heard the story, here are the Cliffs Notes: Peterson won the Australian Institute of Professional Photography Queensland’s Photographer of the Year Competition on Monday. Tuesday, the award was revoked because AIPP claimed the couple in the images were not actually getting married, but rather actors playing the part. As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, the couple were actors, but they were actually getting hitched to each other. Plus, the organization accused Peterson of manipulating the image past what the rules allowed—also untrue. The kicker: this was all done publicly on Facebook, no one having checked with Peterson before posting the accusations.

The accused image © Jonas Peterson
Long story short, the AIPP apologized to Peterson (albeit spelling his name wrong on Facebook), but he was still disqualified because the image was taken in 2010, “about six months outside the two-year cut-off date specified in the competition’s rules,” according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
I emailed Peterson yesterday afternoon to ask how he was holding up (he said people have been tremendously supportive), and what lesson, if any, can fellow photographers can learn here? While a large part of him feels sorry and embarrassed for the organization that accused him, he said he was the most surprised by how much attention the matter has received online.
“I guess the lesson is to be very, very careful when it comes to what you say online,” Peterson wrote in an email. “The AIPP has now learned that the hard way and I feel for them, I really do. But photographers should also look at this and learn something. So often do we see photographers complaining about clients on semi-private forums. What you write online can be screen grabbed and sent anywhere, and often is. This is just another example of that. Always, always act in a professional way when dealing with business matters online. It’s common sense. Or at least it should be.”
A wise reminder we can all use, in every area of business.

Do the Bride a Favor Gives Tips on Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Do the Bride a Favor provides tips on how to choose the best wedding photographer for an event.



Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions a couple-to-be has to make. The photographer captures the essence of the wedding: the collection of personalities and traditions, and the joining together of two people. The Knot released a few tips on choosing a wedding photographer and Do the Bride a Favor is taking this article as inspiration for its own tips on deciding which wedding photographer is right for the wedding.
1.    Gather Examples
Finding examples of wedding photography that the couple enjoys is an important way to communicate to a photographer what the couple’s expectations are. Find pictures in magazines or on websites in order to get a collage of images that show what type of photography the bride and groom like. This can include portraiture, photojournalistic, or edgy styles. Keep these images to share with the photographer so he/she can try and use a similar style.
2.    Find Local Photographers
While looking in a telephone book for photographers may seem simple, many of the best photographers are found by word-of-mouth. Ask family and friends for advice and samples of work. Search the term ‘(local city/state) wedding photographer’ online. Travel to local wedding supply stores and see if they have a business board. Many of these vendors will showcase business cards from other wedding-related businesses, including photographers.
3.    Book an Appointment
Contact the photographer and set up a meeting. Booking a photographer should be done 6 months to a year before the ceremony. Bring a few of the favored wedding images to the meeting so the photographer knows what style is desired. Let the photographer know about any special moments or elements of the wedding that they should not miss.
4.    Think About the Options
Many photographers will bring a contract with them to a meeting but don’t be too eager to sign. Meet with a few photographers and decide based on their work and the connection they have with the couple. Trusting and enjoying the company of the wedding photographer is an important part of getting beautiful wedding images. Once a photographer is decided upon, keep them in the loop regarding the schedule of events, the venue, and other important wedding details. Many photographers will want to know which details of the event should be photographed such as the special personalized bridal favors or a custom Dubble Bubble candy buffet.
A photographer is an important part of a wedding. Giving thought and time to who gets the job will give couples the best chance of finding the right photographer for them.
Do the Bride a Favor gives tips to finding a wedding photographer, including settling on a style, utilizing local resources, and communicating what the ‘do not miss’ moments are to the photographer.
About Do the Bride a Favor:
Do the Bride a Favor offers advice and articles to party planners and brides to help them throw one-of-a-kind parties including original candy favors and unforgettable gifts.

Special touches and trends that can make your wedding day extra special

Special touches and trends that can make your wedding day extra special




Spring is in the air, and so is love.

If the Save the Date cards filling up your mailbox are any indication, it's wedding season.

Now is the perfect time to get hitched before those North Carolina summers start blazing.

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. You've got parents. You've got in-laws. And then you've got the big wide world of Pinterest, which can overwhelm anyone with its avalanche of creative ideas.

Your wedding should be a time of happiness, not stress. We took a look at some of the big wedding trends to give you a little help.

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

Photographer Faith Teasley loves telling a couple's love story - from the engagement through the wedding day - in pictures.

Teasley, who has a wedding photography business in Fayetteville, has seen more couples gravitate toward engagement photo sessions in settings that capture their personalities, rather than formal studio shots.

"We might go where they met, like a certain tree or a college campus," she said.

Engagement photos can be used for save-the-date cards and the couple's website and can be displayed at the wedding reception.

The sessions also help photographers get to know the bride and groom better before the wedding day, when the photographers will spend hours training a camera on the couple and their guests.

"It gets them comfortable in front of my camera," Teasley said. "Engagement sessions lead to better wedding photos. We're all comfortable with each other, and it just feels like we're hanging out on their wedding day."

For Carol Lima, who owns Caroline Lima Photography, there can be outfit changes and different locations, but the emphasis is on a site that reflects who the couple are, she said. She will collaborate with them to learn their interests, whether it's a lake if they like to fish or somewhere they like to spend time with their dog. She also scouts out pastoral locations that have simple backgrounds, lots of trees and greenery.

"When you add a lot to the photo, you lose the couple," said Lima, who lives in Raeford. "The focus needs to be on the beautiful."

She'll recommend poses and encourages them to interact - or steal a few kisses - while she snaps away. The direction tends to elicit her favorite shots.

"I want the moment in between," she said. "I want the giggle. I love the quiet moments, the one shared between a couple."

GOING DIGITAL

Having a wedding website is standard protocol to let your guests know about accommodations and registries and to share details about the big weekend. But after that, there's much more you can do digitally to help you plan and document your nuptials.

Pinterest

Pinterest can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, there are so many amazing ideas that look oh-so-cute and would be great for your hair, favors, dresses and the like. On the other, there are so many amazing ideas that you don't know how to choose.

When it comes to your big day, pick one theme and search accordingly. Do you want your wedding to look rustic or shabby chic? Maybe you have a color scheme in mind. Don't be afraid to be crafty, but stick with what's simple. You might think you have lots of time to execute a DIY wedding (and maybe you do). But be discriminating when it comes to picking projects. A DIY wedding takes more time than you might think, and you don't want to be stuck wrapping favor boxes the week before your big day.

When in doubt, pin your discovery. It's easier to pin now and delete later than it is to find it again.

Documenting the wedding

As soon as the bride is framed in the doorway, the cameras come out. From professional cameras to smartphones, weddings and receptions are extremely well-documented affairs. How do you get all those photos when it's over (and so you're not checking Facebook the entire night)? Tell your guests to download a wedding photo sharing app. WedPics, for example, lets you set up a private photo album with a real-time photo feed. There are five filters, and guests can upload photos, make comments and interact with other guests. Head to wedpics.com to download high-res photos and edit the galleries. WedPics, and a similar app called Wedding Party, are free. You also may consider setting up an Instagram account or feed (#love) for your guests, as well.

THE SENDOFF

Rice and birdseed are things of the past. Sparklers are the new bubbles. True, bubbles are pretty for pictures, but the soapy solution, if it lands just so, can stain your gowns. Make your grand exit a photogenic one to remember. With a nod to the traditional sword arch found in military weddings, distribute sparklers so your guests can create an arch for you to walk through. Order monogrammed matchbooks with the wedding date so your guests have a memento. The bride and groom should carry the sparklers, as well. Do a big dramatic dip at the end and seal it with a movie-worthy kiss. Trust us, it looks really cool.

Helpful tip: Teasley, the photographer, suggests buying wedding-friendly sparklers at sparklersonline.com. Others are too smokey, she said. Also, she said, some venues don't allow them for safety reasons, so check with the venue before lighting them up.

Other options to consider are sachet packets of lavender, rose petals (held in monogrammed paper cones), ribbon streamers, colorful confetti, and a procession led by a kilt-clad bagpiper.

BOUQUET ALTERNATIVES

When Kirsten Hausman was planning her wedding three years ago, she wanted something different than traditional flowers. She also wanted something eco-friendly within her budget. When she found unique paper flowers, she decided to make her own. By the end of the wedding, they were gone.

"The guests took them," she said with a laugh. "I was onto a good idea."

What started as a hobby for the Durham resident has turned into Flowerthyme, a full-time business of making the colorful paper bouquets. She sells them at itsflowerthyme.com and on Etsy.

"They have a quirky personality," Hausman said. "It's wonderful to keep your bouquet forever. You can display it in your house, or give it as a gift (to the wedding party) to let them know how important they were to you that day. It's a really cool option."

She carries paper in 60 colors of stock and can custom-match paper to the wedding colors. She likes to use recycled and old paper, even using sheet music, vintage maps and dictionary pages to customize the bouquet.

A bride can order a bouquet just for herself, Hausman said, or she can order smaller arrangements for bridesmaids and flower girls as well as corsages and boutonnieres for other members of the wedding party.

OTHER TRENDS

Animals allowed

If you have an outdoor wedding - and a well-behaved dog - why not invited your best canine friend? If your pooch is especially patient, you can consider dressing him or her up. The dogs can be part of the wedding procession, or can just sniff around the tables for wedding cake crumbs. Just keep lots of water bowls handy.

Wedding cake toppers

It's no longer about a plastic bride and groom plunked at the top of your wedding cake. Head to Etsy to buy customized toppers - birds, animals, your likeness - that reflect your wedding colors and personalities.

Fans

Keep your guests cool, particularly during hot Southern summers, with customized fans. Fans can be made in your wedding colors. Print the program on them, or have them serve as table numbers so guests can fan themselves at the reception.