Planning a wedding can be a daunting and very stressful task. We highly recommend you take six months to a year to plan your wedding and will outline for you an easy-to-follow schedule.
Twelve months before the Wedding
Creating a successful wedding photography business can be more of a challenge than one would think. Just because you can take a picture doesn't mean that starting your own wedding photography business will be smooth sailing. However there are certain building blocks one can take that will assist in creating yourself a successful start to your wedding photography business. First and most important building block is to build an efficient and thorough business/creative plan. This is the foundation and should include your objectives, your mission, and your keys to success.
Your foundation objectives will cover what it takes to produce the same outstanding quality results time after time, and what it will take to become recognized as a top wedding photographer. You mission should describe what you want to achieve and how you are going to do that. Your keys to success should include how you will fulfill your client's expectations and how you will accomplish this. How will you be competitive with your services offered? What kind of profits do you need to become successful competition?
Before you start you're first step is to find your identity. Have you figured it out? Be true to yourself and know your strengths and weaknesses as a photographer. Are you ready to start this financially and technically? Do you know your style and identity, and do you do it well? You should know how to describe your photography and vision. Are you more of a photo journalistic photographer who relies on natural available light and candid moments? Do you pre-plan and pose portraits and incorporate technical lighting skills giving a classic look. Or, do you mix it up with both, showing a full range of capabilities that give you your own modern contemporary style?
If you know what you want your photography and identity to look like but haven't achieved the look yet, maybe you need more work on your photography before you can establish your business.
Take a look at your photography and decide what level of talent you have and what potential you possess. Be critical of your work, but also have others critique your work for you. Learn how to use constructive criticism to improve your photography. If your identity isn't where you want it, ask yourself, what needs to be improved? Do you know your equipment (camera, lighting, etc) well enough? Do you know how to read and meter your exposures? Do you have the right equipment, i.e.: hi resolution digital camera and Photoshop? You need a digital camera to stay up with your competition. It is also of great importance to be proficient in Photoshop and Lightroom and your digital workflow. It is up to you to overcome any weakness with proper education and practice before you take on photographing a wedding.
Thirteen years ago, in the year of 1996, Brook Harvey-Taylor and Billy Taylor agreed to start Pacifica Perfume. Even in those years, the fragrance market was highly competitive so instead of launching fragrances, they created candles blended with beautiful perfume of their own choice. All were made from natural essential oils. Sales were rocketing.
At Fall 2008, Pacifica launched their range of solid perfumes: Tibetan Mountain Temple, Spanish Amber, Mexican Cocoa, Madagascar Spice and the one I reviewed here Avalon Juniper. All are made from organic coconut and soya wax with natural and essential oils. In short, 100% vegan! Its tiny tin - only the size of bottle cap of Hemaviton Skin Nutrient - eases the wearer to toss it to bags. It also suited the theme of the season: eco & airport friendly cosmetics.
To be frank, I never knew what Juniper is apart from a flash of earthy pine scent. Additionally, my knowledge of where Avalon Island is quite low, beside that mythical story of King Arthur's Avalon Island. Thus, when finding the entry at Google.com, it was quite a surprise finding a real Avalon city at Catalina Island, California, along with its native plan junipers California.
IMHO, this Avalon Juniper is not extraordinary. In fact, I could mistaken it easily with traditional rubbing balm. Actually, when we sniffed the smell directly from its tin, a freshness from grapefruit and flowery heliotrope would come out. A dab on the skin would melt the solid wax, leaving a slightly greasy layer scented with cinnamon and green, earthy juniper. In the end, I felt like I was wearing balm oil. Well..
Apart from that, I admitted there were some times I needed a relaxing me-time, gazing outside the window with a cup of tea, unobtrusive scent made for myself and only to a person sitting next to me. Its spiciness brought warmth to the body and later, to the heart.
As long as there have been weddings, there have been myths and superstitions to accompany them. Of course, like most things the ideas of myths and superstitions have come from far and wide the world. Some myths are lighthearted and gay, while there are some superstitions that can appear to be quite harsh.
1. Concerning rain on the day of the wedding, some say that many tears will be shed in the marriage, while others are thrilled as the occurrence of rain on a wedding day is considered to bring good luck and blessings to the lucky couple. Some even place a statue of the Virgin Mary in the windowsill to ward away rain and bad luck, while others may hang a rosary from the window or clothes line to insure a rain free wedding day. A rainy wedding day also foretells of many children to be born to the wedding couple.
2. Concerning myths and superstitions of a shoe and the wedding, long ago, the father would pass one shoe of the bride's to the groom to signify him giving his daughter away in marriage. It is also considered good luck for the groom's mother to throw a shoe at the bride as the couple leaves their reception so that the bride and her mother-in-law would forever be the best of friends. It is also considered to be good luck if a house cat eats from the brides shoe the week of her wedding. In addition, the bride must have a penny in her shoe while being married for good luck and wealth.
3. The brides wedding dress has its own myths and superstitions of colors and wearing. Long ago, it was considered good luck to have a piece of the wedding gown, so then the dress was literally ripped to pieces with the bride still in it. No dress was to be more becoming or longer than the brides wedding dress as she should be the center of attention on her wedding day and it brought good luck. It is considered unlucky for a groom to see his bride in her wedding dress as well as for her to try on the wedding dress more than one time after alterations. It is also good luck for the bride to enter the church of her wedding on her right foot, while walking down the aisle after the wedding, it is customary to remove both wedding rings to ensure there is no trouble for the couple should she remove them at a later time. As well, the bride should have all the bridesmaids sign the bottom of her shoe, and the name that has not been walked off is the next female to marry.
4. The wedding ring is considered sacred and should not be lent to others to try on, this is sure to bring back luck and even the possibility of unfaithfulness. If ever the wedding rings are removed by a bride it must be the groom who returns them to her fingers to continue the good luck.
I often get asked by brides and grooms about what dress codes they should put on their wedding invitations. Here is quick guide to the main dress codes and what they mean.
Black Tie
A black tie dress code is appropriate for a formal event (and would usually indicate an evening affair), where men wear a tuxedo and women wear a stylish evening gown or cocktail style dress.
White Tie
A white tie dress code is for an ultra formal event. It is more formal than black tie and calls for the most glamorous attire. This might include a ball-gown for ladies, gloves,stole, a clutch or evening bag and glamorous hair and make-up. For the men, it might include an evening tail coat, white shirt, white waistcoat and white bow-tie. Ultra-glam indeed! This is a chance to go all out!
When hosting a baby shower, consider what is really important to the new mom. Choose a theme based on her personality. Make the theme apparent in the shower invitations, decorations, games, food and gifts. To prepare, ask the mom-to-be for a guest list about four to six weeks in advance of the baby shower. Following are five fantastic baby shower ideas:
Many couples decide to give their wedding an original look that will make it one of a kind and memorable to all of their guests. An in their task to achieve this many couples decide to host a theme wedding.
While there are as many themes as couples getting hitch each year, one of the most popular themes nowadays is the peacock wedding theme.
The main colors for this theme are truly gorgeous and couples just adore celebrating and giving this theme their own signature. Blues and greens in different shades are usually combined with silver, white and gold.
But also the peacock theme can take a very different look with non traditional peacock colors. Just using the peacock design, more couples decide to use a different palette. Pinks, purples, lavenders, yellow and red are the most popular unconventional colors used for a peacock theme wedding.
And this theme adapts to almost any type of celebration, whether you want to have a vintage or modern look.
Getting to the airport on time is crucial if you do not want to miss your flight. In the last decade, security and check-in procedures have gotten more complicated, so you always need to be sure to arrive at the airport plenty early for a flight. So when you are booking airport transportation, what should you ask your limousine company? Booking a private car can often save money, compared to taxis, but can also reduce stress as you know you will get to the airport quickly and usually for a flat rate. Still, what information should you look for before you choose your airport limousine?
Price
How much will the trip cost? This is obviously one of the most important questions you will ask before you book a limo to take you to the airport. While most limousine companies will offer dependable, stylish transportation, but they will not all offer the same price. Nevertheless, if a company quotes a surprisingly low figure, you might want to start asking questions about licensing, insurance, and the quality of the vehicles and service. Generally speaking, the most cost effective transportation will be somewhere in the mid-range of quotes; if you book the cheapest car, you may sacrifice some luxuries, and if you book the most expensive, you may be charged unfairly. Ask for quotes for luggage fees, taxes, and any extras in advance.
Vehicles
In addition to the ultimate price of your trip, you probably want to get some information about the type of vehicles the company offers. Airport transportation through private car companies may come in all shapes and sizes from luxury SUVs to Lincoln Towncars. Do you want a stretch limo, or is a stylish sedan acceptable? When you ask about airport transportation, make sure to get as much information about the type of car you will be getting, as this will often affect the price. You can ask about the make, model, and year of the car, in addition to what services are included with the vehicle.
If you are planning a wedding, you know it can become expensive. There are so many things to plan and purchase. Inviting guests is a big concern. If you want to make your wedding invitations at home, you can save money. Not only will you save money but you can customize them to meet your needs.
Perhaps you want to have invitations that say Uncle Bill and Aunt Jenny, we request the honour of your presence at your wedding.... You can make each invitation unique to your guest. This will really personalize the event. Make your wedding announcements at home and you can totally make them individual. You can print them on your printer and make it easy and fast.
You don't have to make this a long process. Rubber stamping can become drawn out and expensive. By having your invitation set up and just changing the information as needed you will save time. You can even add kids names if you choose.
The best part about making your own invitations is that you have the ability to customize them in whatever way you like. You can add themes, wedding clip art, even put something unique to your relationship with the guest.
Get some supplies from you local craft store. You can get packages of envelopes with matching card stock. Many office supply stores will have these also. You can set your document settings to match the card stock. It really is easy to learn!
No one can resist a pretty face and a sexy body. There is something about beauty that appeals to everyone. Many people say that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a person by her looks. However, it is hard to disagree with another statement that says that it is easier to get to know and like someone, when the exterior is beautiful.
Harsh as this may sound, we are all partial to a pretty face. Although this is very unfair to those who are not born with the right looks, the whole of society operates much in the same way.
It is no surprise therefore that women will do absolutely anything to be considered beautiful within the standards set upon by the rest of the world. This is particularly true when one already wants to find her lifetime partner and get married.
Some of the things that women will do are the following: scout tons of magazines to be fashionably up to date, or even hire a personal stylist; go through the most ridiculous diet regimens to stay slim; religiously exercise to tone bodies; and spend lots of money on hair and make-up.
Other outrageous deeds would involve surgical procedures and treatments that enhance one's assets. This may involve dangerous medical operations to tweak minor details in the face, or take away flab in certain areas of the body. No pain, no gain they say. Beauty is priceless and must be achieved no matter the cost. But sometimes we wonder what true beauty really is. If one is to fall in love with beauty, it should be the kind of beauty that comes from within. Superficial enhancements therefore, are useless if we talk about real love.
Curtains
Windows are like the eyes on a house, and gorgeous curtains will set them off beautifully, adding an important element of the d矇cor to every room. Curtains not only frame a window but also offer privacy, warmth and shield the room and furnishings from too much sunlight. Before you even start to decide on a fabric choice, there is much to consider about your curtains first.
Lining
If it is a child's bedroom, you will need to consider using a blackout lining - this makes it much easier to get children to sleep on sunny summer evenings and it may even keep them asleep after 6 am on summer mornings too.
Interlining (which is a fleecy lining sewn between a normal lining and the curtain fabric) will add weight to curtains and make them look heavier and more luxurious. It will also exclude draughts and prevent the fabric becoming faded by the sun.
Add fuel to your style with Diesel watches. The luxury watch line take you beyond convention, setting new trends. Available in a range of retro and futuristic designs, these watches break the clutter with edgy urban styling. With Diesel watches on your wrist you are a style icon.
Popular men's watches are the analog-DZ1279 or Diesel Stealth. This has an extra wide genuine leather strap and a unique rectangular case. The precise movement is maintained by 3- hand quartz. Available in options of brown or black dial and cuff this water resistant timepiece is sure to get you compliments. If you're looking for something really cool and trendy go for the digital- DZ7123, a digital dial, brown leather strap watch for men. To enhance your style quotient this watch has a unique perforated case design with exposed screws. Its two-tone case is attached to a sturdy leather strap and is water resistant. This watch is perfect if you want to carry the smart and casual look.
Here's another men's leather strap watch DZ1299 that fits your budget, suits your style. This analog watch with futuristic design has synchronized date and time display features, a stainless steel case and a light-colored dial that is enhanced by a stripe, a second hand and an oversized number at the 3-hour mark. The genuine leather strap is designed to fit perfectly to the case. It is available in brown and black colors.
Feeling blue? Pep up your mood with the men's revo lens black rubber strap watch. Casual looking but seriously functional this exclusive watch flaunts a cool black rubber strap holding an eye-catching blue glass dial with day and date window and sleek stainless steel case.
The brand's Ladies collection is also highly acclaimed. The in-demand ones being the silver tonneau dial white leather strap watch- DZ5165. In a stainless steel case it features a clean, numberless dial with silver-tone; perfect quartz movement and a date window are added functionality. A glossy looking white genuine leather strap accentuates the look of this water resistant watch. Oozing with elegance is the Diesel Ladies Gold Plated Brown Leather Strap Watch. In a stunning gold plated case, brown dial with gold plated markers, a handy day and date window it looks great on feminine wrists. Simple but never understated this watch can be your everyday companion.