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Wedding Photography Tips for Brides – Capturing the Important Moments

Your wedding photos will be one of the most endearing memories that you’ll have from your big day. It creates beautiful memories that last forever. The album represents a solid record that can be shared over the next generations. Hence, you should put a lot of effort into planning out your wedding photos since you’ll have them for a lifetime. Below is a guide to how you can make your wedding photos authentically yours and some wedding photography tips for brides.

Wedding Photography Tips

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Wedding Photography Tips for Brides

Anything is possible on your wedding day. Things may take longer than expected or may not go according to plan. Expect to get dressed late, your cake damaged, flowers arriving late among other possible misfortunes. However, you need to understand that mishaps happen. Since weddings tend to be complex, it’s important to set a realistic schedule with extra time for a wedding photography session. This way, you’ll be able to know that there is a set time for every thing that’ll go on on your big day.

Let Your Guest List Take Account of the Photographers

Including them will be advantageous to both of you. First, it will give the photographers enough time to prepare for the shoot. Secondly, an invitation will guarantee a place for your photographers ensuring every moment has been captured.

Transportation

Arrange for inclusive means of transportation with your photographers. They should move with you wherever at whatever point you go. If possible, let them ride with you in the limo to the wedding or reception.

Artistic Portraits

Time is of the essence when it comes to making creative portraits. Ensure to spare at least an hour doing this. The photographer will guide you in every step. Patience and determination is the key to making these creative portraits.

Spare Enough Time for Hair and Make-Up

It’s important to confirm with your artists on how long it will take to complete your hair and makeup as the delays will definitely drag the big day behind. Always have a plan to complete the process before the program begins. Spare at least an hour to get your hair and makeup done. Doing this will ensure you have enough time for a photo session.

Get Ready

It’s important to decide on how you will ready during the wedding day. Decide if you want a peaceful and lonely morning, a morning with a few friends around you or getting ready in a filled room. Every preparation comes with unique motivation and a different environment.

Family Group Shoot

It’s advisable to take family group shoots immediately once the ceremony is over. In case you have large groups, then consider taking photos at the reception.

Indoor Receptions

Indoor receptions will require more illumination. Ensure you blend the right colors to match your wedding décor. For instance, pink, purple and orange colors will do wonders. Avoid low lighting such as green.

Tent Receptions

Tents are an ideal choice when it comes to wedding photography. The white canvas provides a good background when taking photos. Complement it with lots of candles and gleaming lights.

Outdoor Receptions

This type of receptions requires extra illumination to help warm up your photos. It also adds an element of liveliness to your album. Consider using lots of candles in hurricane vases to make it work.

Church Celebrations

It’s important to check with your church whether they allow photography. A professional photographer is flexible to work anywhere, a concept which may be different from what your church is used to.

The Bottom Line

With these wedding photography tips for brides, you should be well prepared for your big day. Be sure to plan in advance and come up with a realistic schedule to stick to, and you should be able to make the most out of the wedding photos that you’ll keep for a lifetime.

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Songs to Not Play at a Wedding

So, you are preparing for your big day. Things are all set. The guest list is ready and you have done all the arrangements to create lifetime memories. Now, this is the time to choose music and songs for your wedding.  Your main focus will be on the best and popular songs for all times to get the appreciations of your guests as well as to set their mood for the celebration. You might be choosing some popular songs for your dance floor, reception, and cocktail. However, you need to give equal importance to songs to not play at a wedding.

Songs to Not Play at a Wedding

Songs to Not Play at a Wedding

All your chosen songs might not be perfect for your wedding ceremony. You will have to make a list of the songs that you need to avoid. In fact, some of the popular songs might not be appreciated by your guests when celebrating your wedding. They might find the meaning inappropriate. Therefore, it is important to avoid all those songs that can really create an unfavorable environment.  

Are you a bit confused? Do you want to know which songs you should avoid in your wedding ceremony?  If yes, you are in the right place. In this article, we will help you with a list of songs that you can add in your not to playlist. You can also use your judgment to find out which songs will be inappropriate for your big day. Here are a few suggestions:

  • AC/DC – Highway To Hell
    • 1979, Rock
  • Aerosmith – Dude Looks Like a Lady
    • 1987, Rock
  • Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man
    • 2002, Pop
  • Aerosmith – Dude Looks Like a Lady
    • 1987, Rock
  • Black Eyed Peas – My Humps
    • 2005, Dance
  • Cole Swindell – Reason to Drink
    • 2018, Country
  • George Strait – All My Ex’s Live In Texas
    • 1987, Country
  • Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name
    • 1986, Rock
  • George Strait – All My Ex’s Live In Texas
    • 1987, Country
  • Ernie K-Doe – Mother-In-Law
    • 1961, R&B
  • Cole Swindell – Break Up In The End
    • 2018, Country
  • Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction
    • 1965, Rock
  • Journey – Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
    • 1983, Rock
  • J. Geils Band-Love Stinks
    • 1980, Rock
  • Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On
    • 1997, Pop
  • David Lee Roth – Just A Gigolo
    • 1985, Rock
  • Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
    • 1978, Disco
  • Kanye West – Gold Digger
    • 2005, Hip Hop
  • Drake – Fake Love
    • 2016, Hip Hop
  • Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
    • 1980, Punk
  • Jordan Davis – Singles You Up
    • 2018, Country
  • Old Dominion – Break Up With Him
    • 2015, Country

You can consider above songs to not play at a wedding. Most of them do not have an appropriate meaning to suit a wedding ceremony.

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Background Music For Wedding Dinner – Adding to the Ambiance

Background music for wedding dinner entails setting the right ambiance for your reception. This means that the music should not be too hectic or loud to prevent your guests from mingling, chatting, and enjoying their meal, and neither should it be too slow to make the room lull or make your guest feel bored. It should be a real balancing act to accommodate the needs of everybody and the atmosphere in your reception. If you want your wedding dinner to stand out, choose some of your favorite songs or your visitors requested tunes that were not dance floor-worthy. We have compiled the best background music for wedding dinner but before that, here are some tips that will ensure you choose the best.

Background Music For Wedding Dinner

Tips to Consider When Selecting Music:

Event Synergy says your playlist should have a mix of genres, a combination of unknown and popular songs, a variety of tempos, and a vibe that will accommodate all your guests and create the ambiance your guests will desire. Sometimes the best option is to hire a live band if it fits well into the budget.

 

When it comes to choosing the right background music, following your emotions may do the best for you. Do you want to feel romantic, celebratory, Background Music For Wedding Dinner or relaxed? There are definitely cool songs based on how you want you and your guests to feel.

 

One thing you must remember is to stay away from dance music. The best background music for a wedding needs to be low tempo and not energetic. Save that music for the dance floor.  Also make sure you allocate enough music for the time it takes for dinner to be done.

 

The Best Background Music For Wedding Dinner:

Now that you know the tips to consider when choosing background music for your wedding dinner, here is a list that will not disappoint you or your guests:

 

  • Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  • I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
  • A Thousand Years (Part 2) – Christina Perri
  • To Make You Feel My Love – Adele
  • I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
  • H.O.L.Y. – Florida Georgia Line
  • Use Somebody (Feat. Hannah Trigwell) – Boyce Avenue
  • Cowboys and Angels – Dustin Lynch
  • All of Me – John Legend
  • A Sunday Kind of Love — Etta James
  • Always Be My Baby — Mariah Carey
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley
  • Crazy Love — Van Morrison
  • Cross that Line — Joshua Radin
  • First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes

 

Bottom line

Your wedding is one of the most special days in your life, therefore it is essential that everything is perfect. Therefore selecting the best background music for wedding dinner is an important component on your wedding day.

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Wedding Ceremony Song Order – Keep Your Guests Entertained

It is every bride’s dream to have a perfect wedding, and part of making the experience ideal is having the ideal music to accompany her down the aisle just before she transits into her new life. Whether the ceremony is formal, informal, or religious, the wedding ceremony song order will create a poignancy and atmosphere to both the service and the vows. In an ideally planned ceremony, the music seamlessly flows through from start to end in perfect harmony, maintaining well preserved religious and family traditions, while also giving the event a deeper meaning to the ceremony.

The secret to bringing out this magic is in understanding the timing. Every phase of the ceremony is unique and has a distinct musical accompaniment. The music will help divide the entire ceremony into individual segments similar to the chapters in a book. Usually, the ceremony will be five independent categories. These unique five segments are as follows:

Wedding Ceremony Song Order

Prelude Music (30 minutes)

Prelude music starts when all the guests gather. If you have any specific requests for songs to play, be sure to tell the DJ beforehand so you know the songs will be ready.

Seating of the Families (optional)Wedding Ceremony Song Order

Usually, the couple chooses whether to include grandparents, both parents and sometimes they may also wish to include uncles and or aunts also.

Processional: Groom, officiant & Groomsmen (optional)

Traditionally, officiants and the groomsmen enter from the side minutes before the ceremony begins. Sometimes the bride may enter first, mainly if it is outdoor ceremonies where typical subtle entrances are not possible or somewhat difficult.

Processional: Bridesmaids, Groomsmen(optional)

If preferred, the groomsmen can escort the bridesmaids down the aisle. This happens typically just before the flower girl, ring bearer, and bride enter.

Processional: Ring Bearer & Flower girl (optional)

The ring bearers and the flower girls usually either walk as a pair or can walk separately. You can generally choose to go with a new song at this point or pick a song from the selection for the whole entrance of the wedding party.

Bridal Processional

When it comes to the bride’s entrance, she can usually be escorted either by her parents, father, a close relative, a close friend, or even children. Sometimes, the bride can also decide to walk down the aisle unaccompanied.

Special Music (optional)

You can choose to have instrumental music play throughout the ceremony, or you can choose to go without.

Recessional

After the couple has been formally announced, the recessional begins and ends after the whole bridal party and the guests’ exit.

Bottom Line

Music is not just a sound. It is an ideal means of expression, a distinct language in itself with the unique ability to express what even words cannot. Having the right wedding song ceremony order will bring your wedding ceremony to life. It’ll help set the atmosphere to your liking, too.

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How Many Songs Do You Need For a Wedding Reception – Perfect Amount

You’ve gone through a hectic vetting process but finally got the right DJ for your big day. Then it suddenly dawns on you that you haven’t yet picked a wedding reception playlist. Assuming your reception party lasts 4 hours, at a rate of 15 songs per hour, your playlist could easily clock 60 songs. So, how many songs do you need for a wedding reception and where should you start?

How Many Songs Do You Need For a Wedding Reception

 

Have a Detailed Discussion About Music with Your DJ

An experienced wedding DJ will be well versed in his/her trade. You can count on a savvy DJ to give you suggestions of music that will cheer up your guests. Show the DJ your playlist and ask for their honest feedback.

Select a Variety of Musical Styles

From your wedding ceremony to your reception, every small piece of your wedding has a different vibe. The chances are your reception will have guests How Many Songs Do You Need For a Wedding Receptionwith wide-ranging ages, from teenagers to older adults. The rule of thumb is to select songs that will, at the very least, cater to several age brackets. You want all guests to feel like they’re part of your special day.

Recognizable Oldies Are Excellent For Starting Dance Sets

Few tracks can beat oldies genres such as Disco, Rock, Motown or 60s rock at gaining the trust of older guests. The end game is to entice them so they can go with the flow once you switch to modern dance selections later on.

Use Non-Dance Tracks For Dinner or Cocktail Hour Music

If you’re a fan of non-dance selections such as Indie-rock, use them to set the atmosphere during dinner or cocktail hour. You want to avoid such music during open dancing after dinner unless you’re aiming for an empty dance floor.

Mainstream Selections Are Great for Open Dancing

After dinner, your DJ will have to work the crowd and engage a diverse group of guests to fill up the dance floor. The safest bet would be to use songs that most guests would recognize. For example, young adults will be familiar with classic party jams while adult guests will have heard some of the most recent popular hits.

Consider Using Line Dancers as Icebreakers

Line dancing has taken a back seat over the years but can work wonders for the right crowd. The Electric Slide or Cupid Shuffle, for example, can quickly fill up a dance floor with guests of all ages. The DJ can then gradually transition into the music you want to hear.

Ultimately, how many songs do you need for a wedding reception? The number of songs you need for your wedding reception depends on the length of the reception. However, it’s important to play your part in planning the music and work together with your DJ to make it a fun party.

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Songs for Bridesmaids to Walk Down the Aisle To – Best 10 Songs

Your bridesmaids have been there through it all. Therefore, selecting the right song for them to walk down the aisle to is important. Below you will find the best 10 songs for bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to.

Songs for Bridesmaids to Walk Down the Aisle To

 

Everything – Lifehouse

Lifehouse captures every possible emotion with Everything. Lifehouse is an opportunity for your bridesmaid to shine.

 

I Feel It Coming – The Weeknd

What better way to set the mood than The Weeknd’s I Feel It Coming. This contemporary ballad will set a sweet and subtle tempo for the bridesmaids walking down the aisle.

Songs for Bridesmaids to Walk Down the Aisle To

Home – Phillip Phillips

Home is a great jam by Phillip Phillips. The lyrics might inspire some waterworks, but it will keep a great tempo for the wedding.

 

Love on Top – Beyoncé

If you want to set a high tempo from the start, then Beyonce’s love on top is an ideal pick. Love On Top is a fun tune that will excite not only the bridesmaids but also all the guests.

 

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

There’s no denying it, Jason Mraz has an angelic voice. This song is sure to create a romantic and hopeful mood.

 

Crazy In Love – Jay Z and Beyoncé

Crazy in Love is a party tune that should be on every wedding playlist. The message it sends out is that you are so much in love and ready to share the high spirits with people as supportive as your bridesmaids.

 

You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin

This soulful R&B song packs enough feeling to make any woman walking down the aisle feel powerful. It’s also useful for creating anticipation before the bride makes an entrance.

 

Marry You – Bruno Mars

Marry You is now a wedding song, and it can also be a favorite tune for when the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Marry you has got an upbeat tempo that will add the fun into the party as they wait for the bride’s walk.

 

Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay

Coldplay has a mellow captivating voice for a wedding as well. The lyrics to Sky Full of Stars is just perfect for the bridesmaids to feel appreciative for walking with you all the extra miles to this great day.

 

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

This groovy song has the royal seal to it, having featured in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018. The classic mellow tune will serenade all guests and provide a memorable soundtrack for your bridesmaids walk down the aisle.

 

Every detail for your wedding needs to be perfect. Therefore, songs for bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to has to be perfect. Above are 10 great songs to pick for their beautiful walk.

 

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Songs Needed for Wedding – The Perfect Playlist

It would be an understatement to say that weddings are tedious. Unless you’re a big music fan, creating your own wedding music playlist is going to be the very last thing on your mind. While there are a few obvious moments when you know that you absolutely need music such as the first dance, bridal entry, etc.; there are also other moments that aren’t so obvious. This article will go over the songs needed for wedding so that you won’t have to risk not having certain songs for your special day.

Songs Needed for Wedding

While Getting Dressed

As much as people talk about them, the wedding jitters are real. To calm yourself down before the big moment, have your friends play your favorite songs; preferably those with fun memories attached so you can reminisce about the good times. Even if you’ll be by yourself, have a happy playlist you love on standby.

For The Ceremony Proper

Guests are usually seated, sometimes 30 minutes, before the bride shows up. While the guests are getting seated, you can have music playing to control the mood of the crowd. It sets a nice mood for your guests to mingle with each other and allows family from both sides to get better acquainted.

Songs Needed for Wedding

Check with your DJ or band for their prelude playlist. Listen to the songs and cross off any music you don’t particularly like. The different categories you’ll need different music for include:

  • The groom’s and parent’s entrance
  • Bridal procession
  • First kiss plus the recession

At The Reception

Aside from specific activities during the reception where you’d need special music, you can give your DJ free rein. Activities you’ll want to pre-select your music for include:

 

  • The bride and group’s grand entrance
  • First Dance
  • Father-daughter dance
  • Mother-son dance
  • Cutting the cake
  • Tossing the bouquet

Although this isn’t necessary, Event Synergy suggests that you can also prepare a list of songs that you do not want the DJ to play in case they are able to have free reign. Perhaps certain songs bring up bad memories, or whatever it is; it’s still your day, so you get to pick what shouldn’t be played.

Time to Pick Some Songs

 

Now that you have an idea about the category of songs needed for wedding, take your time to find something that will be meaningful to both you and your partner. Your wedding is meant to be the most memorable day in both of your lives, so be sure to not rush any single step.

 

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Wedding Food Station Ideas – Fun Food Options

One of the emerging trends for wedding is the use of creative food stations in place or as compliment to traditional catering options. Wedding is a one day experience. As a result, most people do their best to make this day special and memorable. A great way to incorporate your personality into the meals is to use a food station! Here we will brainstorm some wedding food station ideas.

Unlike traditional wedding meal format where guests are forced to queue for long period of time and eat meals that some guests are not comfortable with. Event Synergy says that besides music, the type of food is just as important to guests when they arrive. Wedding food stations are a good choice because they allow your guests to eat when they would like. They will also get to eat their favorite foods when they want.

Wedding Food Station Ideas

  • Popcorn station

Popcorn stations are one of the cheapest and easiest stations to set up. That is probably the reason why there are very common in weddings. It is a perfect snack that can be served any time, from post-wedding ceremony to pre-dinner or even late in the night.popcorn-wedding-food-station

  • Candy buffets and sweet bars

You have many options to choose from when it comes to candy and sweet bars buffets. For instance, you can choose artisan treats like the fudge, marshmallows, mini meringues or rock candy. All that you need to do is provide multiple handy bag for you guests to pick.

  • Grazing tables

This type of wedding station requires a little bit of help but the end result is satisfactory. Grazing table is highly recommended for couples who love charcuterie board and cheese. A grazing table actually comprises of breads, dips, fruits, salads, cheeses, cold meats and antipasti.

  • Dessert cake and treat tables

Cake tables will ensue that your guests crave for sweet products are met. However, to make the process easy and hassle free, it is recommended
that you hire professional to handle the baking.

  • Donut station

You will surely put a smile on your guests face when you set up a donut station. You can get creative by mixing various flavors and baking them in various shapes and sizes so that your guests can have wide variety of options to choose from.

  • Pie station and pie bar

Pie station and pie bar are perfect particularly for winter and autumns weddings. They are tasty and super cute. You can serve them in slices or pack them in pie pops or mini pies so that guests can eat on the go.

Above some ways you can incorporate your favorite foods into your wedding. The wedding food station ideas help create a fun environment where your guests can choose what they would like to eat.

 

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Top Wedding Trends for 2018

wedding bar


Photo courtesy of Hello Penny Bar

The Event

Intimate gatherings and grand affairs are both having a moment. “If a couple isn’t asking me to plan something cozy, they’re wanting to go all-out for the people they love. There is no in-between for 2018,” says Kindra Browne, owner of Simple Elegance in Kansas City. The one constant? Make it memorable.

Keeping it Simple: Intimate weddings provide a chance to interact with your loved ones in ways that simply aren’t possible when the guest count tops 100. Plus, smaller gatherings give you more room to show off your personalities. Food is often the focal point of these celebrations, with couples working closely with caterers to put together a menu that’s personal and special. These celebrations lend themselves to tighter table arrangements (think one or two long tables) and warmly lit surroundings so guests feel as if they’re at a fabulous, elegant dinner party. “The look and vibe is down to earth, approachable, but special,” says Alison Laesser-Keck of Alison + Bryan Destination Events in Santa Barbara, California.

outdoor wedding reception

Photo Credit: Melanie Julian Photography

Going All Out: At the other end of the spectrum are couples who are fully embracing their role as hosts of the biggest party they’ll ever throw. “Welcome parties, big rehearsal dinners, after parties, next-day brunches… these couples know it’s rare to have all of their loved ones together at the same time, so they are looking for more opportunities to spend time with everyone and celebrate,” says Browne. Dividing grand spaces into cozier vignettes helps create the illusion of intimacy, so here’s where lounge furniture and strategically placed floral arrangements and lighting become important. Interactive food and drink stations and a mix of table shapes (some round, some long, some square) also help break guests into smaller groupings — until you want them all together and going wild on the dance floor! Crowd-pleasing DJs and late-night snacks are must-haves at grand weddings.

wedding cocktail hour lounge
Original article At: Bridal Guide
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry planning for the royal wedding.

With 100 days until their big day, wedding expert Hamish Shephard weighs in on where the royal couple should be with their planning.

Today marks 100 days until Prince Harry and Meghan Marklesay “I do”.

Everybody knows there’s a lot to think of when there’s a wedding to plan and sure, they probably have a million and one helpers, but still – Meghan will likely want to know whether the table napkins will be white-white or cream-white. After all, it is her big day.

With the count down on, what should Meghan and Harry have sorted by now, and what are they likely to still have to plan? Wedding expert, and founder of bridebook.co.uk Hamish Shephard, weighs in…

 

What others will be dealing with

“Though the couple have said that they want control over most of the planning, it’s likely the most time consuming aspects such as the guestlist, seating plan, and logistics (Windsor Castle is going to need a lot of loos for all their guests!) will be handed to staff. This opens up their time to focus on the fun and special touches to the big day, and really inject their wedding with their own personality and tastes.”

The Dress

“By now, Meghan will certainly have either picked her final design for the dress, or be in the last steps of doing so. It’s important this is settled quickly as it will no doubt be made bespoke for her which will require a minimum of two months to complete. This doesn’t even include the final fitting – this will likely be done a couple of weeks before the big day to ensure that her dress truly fits like a glove.”

Food tasting

“Amidst all the activity and stress of wedding planning, the couple luckily have a lot to look forward to too. The choosing of the caterer is likely well underway, meaning that Harry and Meghan can enjoy themselves with fun tastings from the different potential caterers vying for the top spot. And it doesn’t stop there. As two self-proclaimed foodies, there is sure to be a lot of focus on building the perfect menu that will reflect their tastes and relationship journey (poutine for late night snacks perhaps?).”

The invites

“Weddings aren’t all about the couple, there are the guests too, of course. Though we all know the date of the wedding, invitations with more specific information and private details will have been sent by now, providing the courtesy of giving guests more than enough time to plan their timings (and their outfits) for the special day.”

View full article here!