Some might say that someone’s wedding day is the most important day of their life. It is a commitment only surpassed by the birth of one’s children. The key to a happy and well-organized wedding is preparation and organization. That’s the purpose of this step-by-step guide to wedding planningay of their life. It is a commitment only surpassed by the birth of one’s children. The key to a happy and well-organized wedding is preparation and organization. That’s the purpose of this step-by-step guide to wedding planning. Some may think all the hype about wedding planning is just over the top; however, that is not the case. Planning your wedding can be one of the most complicated things to do, especially if you don’t prepare yourself for the long list of things to do. This quick little wedding checklist should help you manage all aspects of your wedding.

A step-by-step guide to wedding planning: the breakdown

Let’s divide wedding planning into three stages.First, we’re going to talk about the budget, venue, guest list, and theme for the wedding. We move on to the when once we know where we’re going.Those are the first and most important things to consider and decide before taking any further steps.

Then we move on to all bookings and reservations related to wedding planning. Think of aspects such as the catering, the band, and the photographer. The last thing we will cover in this wedding checklist is the bridesmaids and the bridesmaids; the best man and the groomsmen; the ushers, the ring bearer, and the flower girls.

Step-by-Step Wedding Planning Guide: Part One

The first thing to consider when you start planning your wedding is the budget. This is usually a touchy subject, as traditionally it is the bride’s parents who foot the bill. However, now that we have entered the 21st century, like many other common traditions, no longer are the parents expected to bear all the financial burdens. The money can come from anywhere, but the important thing is to get a realistic estimate of what you have to spend. Once you know how much you can spend, you know how much you can afford.

The next thing on the wedding checklist in this step-by-step wedding planning guide is the guest list. Many think that this is the most difficult part of planning a wedding as it has to be based on the budget. Choosing how many people will be on your guest list necessitates most people being aware of the venue and theme.This is because of how special this day is. It’s all about how many close friends and family members you want to share your special day with. Some may want to determine the location, theme, and guest list all at once, as these will make the largest contribution to the total cost. Anyway, the guest list is a critical factor when considering a realistic budget to allocate for the other aspects of your wedding.

Now comes the wedding checklist for the venue and theme. The further ahead you book where you want to have the wedding ceremony, the cheaper it gets. Some people are very traditional and want to get married in a church, but for those who want to choose another special place, there are many alternative venues to consider when planning your wedding.

Here are some ideas for planning your wedding venue:

• The park
• The beach
• A place of historical importance
• A place of personal significance
• at a family or friend’s house
• Overseas

Once you have determined the location, the theme is next on the wedding checklist. The theme and the location sometimes go hand in hand. For example, if you choose to have a beach wedding, then the theme will most likely be based on some luau. After choosing a theme that fits your budget, location, and guest list, you can move on to the more intricate parts of planning your wedding, such as the actual reservations and bookings. (See section two of this step-by-step wedding planning guide.)

The last aspect covered in this wedding planning section is all about when. Ask yourself: When do I want to get married? There are 12 months in a year. Some are hot; some are cool; some are hot; some are cold. You may want to choose a special time of year that is important to both of you when planning your wedding date. This could be a reminder of when you met, based on a special vacation you shared, or just your favourite time of year.

People come in all different likes and dislikes, meaning the groom might want the wedding in the dead of winter, while the bride may want the flowers to bloom as she walks down the aisle. Compromising on the time of year to get married is just one of many compromises that must be made during the wedding planning stages.

Wedding Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide, Section Two

This section of the wedding checklist deals with the reservations and bookings of all the fine details of a wedding, from the caterer to the band, and from the wedding venue to the photographer.

When planning your wedding, if one thing isn’t properly reserved or booked, it can mess up the whole thing. It never hurts to double check and then triple check again. The last thing anyone would want is to show up at their wedding venue and find nothing has been arranged there. For the most part, booking and planning your wedding activities months prior to the actual wedding saves a lot of money. Last-minute weddings always cost more than weddings planned far in advance.

This next section basically consists of the more intricate and detailed tasks outlined in this step-by-step wedding planning guide. This is important for the overall flow of the wedding.You need to choose a caterer for the reception meal. The catering company must be reliable and professional in what they do, and above all, provide quality service and tasty food. Caterers can provide test samples during your decision-making phase to ensure that the proposed menu will suit the tastes of the bride and groom.

Coordinating the music is usually a fairly simple aspect of planning your wedding. All it really takes is a musician, band, or DJ who can be versatile enough to accommodate the couple’s music preferences. It’s important to look for a semi-professional band; one of the worst things would be if they didn’t even show up. You might also want to find someone who has experience with weddings because they have to entertain the guests and keep the reception mood and events flowing while guiding your guests through a series of pre-designed reception events.

So at this point in the marriage checklist, one should first look at the kind of music that the soon-to-be married couple enjoys together. This same logic applies to choosing your photographer, as this is an important decision as the photos taken will be wedding memories forever.

Step-by-Step Guide to Wedding Planning, Section Three

This is the last part of this wedding checklist, and it deals with the wedding party. This part of wedding planning is perhaps the most difficult. Choosing the actual wedding party is very important, not just for the bride and groom but also for those who are chosen.

It is a great honour for most to be chosen as the best man or bridesmaid; that’s a given; but it’s also an honour to be randomly chosen to participate as a bridesmaid, groomsman, flower girl, and/or ring bearer. This is usually what makes up the wedding feast, although additional roles and positions can be added or removed depending on the wishes of the bride and groom.

Wedding Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide—Under Review

While there are other aspects of planning your wedding that should be on your wedding checklist, this step-by-step guide to wedding planning should get you well on your way to making the right arrangements and decisions. The most important thing to remember when planning your wedding is the budget. Once you know how much you have to spend, everything else will fall into place!

Theme #1: Chocolate-themed wedding favours

Should you have white chocolate or dark chocolate wedding favors? Perhaps a mix of milk chocolate and dark chocolate almond would be a good idea?Or maybe choose a combination of white chocolate and dark chocolate in one wedding favor.

The best idea is to have one flavour of chocolate for the wedding favors. The more flavours you have, the more expensive the favours will become. You probably already have a chocolate fountain, so you can choose a different flavour of chocolate for the fountain. Next, you need to decide on the design and style of the chocolate wedding gift.

You can choose from chocolate chip cookies on a stick, covered chocolate hearts, chocolate m&ms, chocolate mints, plain chocolate bars, or go really extravagant and have little chocolate swans or wedding favours in a chocolate basket. Actually, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing the design and style of your chocolate wedding favor.

But what is absolutely necessary to complete your chocolate wedding favours is their personalization. On the chocolate wedding favor, you must include the names of the bride and groom as well as the date of the wedding, as well as a sweet saying or at the very least a thank you.These are very flavorful when written in an alternating chocolate pattern on the wedding favour itself. However, this kind of personalization can be more expensive than an outside package that says “thanks for coming on our special day.” Whatever you choose, a chocolate thank-you gift is a surefire hit at any wedding.

Theme #2: A cookie-themed wedding favour

Cookie-themed wedding favours are the second available option for a couple to consider for their guests. Most couples want something that represents their wedding day while also being used as a beautiful token of appreciation for the love and support of their wedding guests. Opting for custom wedding cookie favours is a good choice for the bridal couple. The cookies can add a nice touch of decor to the wedding reception, and the delicious treat is well appreciated by the wedding guests.

Custom wedding cookie favors, such as a geometric cookie such as a rectangle, diamond, or heart shape to frost and decorate with the monogram or names of the bridal couple, are a very popular choice among couples. The cookie can be glazed with the colours of the wedding and can have other embellishments such as hearts and bells, or the cookie can be stylishly designed with the monogram. The cookies are typically made from a butter cookie recipe, but different flavours can be substituted.Each cookie is wrapped in plastic packaging and tied with a decorative ribbon. This tasty treat will be a nice end to the wedding day.

Wedding cake cookies are another fun wedding cookie design. The cake biscuit can be frosted to look like the wedding cake. It gives the guest a chance to take home a piece of the wedding cake. These cookies are great for the wedding favours and will also be good to freeze for the first anniversary party along with the wedding cake. It will help bring back fond memories of the wedding day when the cookies are released a year later.

Tuxedo and wedding dress cookies are another creative wedding cake cookie design.These cookies are cut out in the shape of a wedding dress or a wedding gown and decorated, respectively. This is a cute design that will appeal to all guests. A good addition to these cookies would be to put together a tuxedo and dress and have a tag with the couple’s new married name, Mr. and Mrs., to imply their marital union.

Fortune cookies are a great choice for wedding cookie favors. These cookies can be decorated with frosting toppings and wrapped with the rest of the cookies. The fortunes in the cookies can be suitable for a wedding reception and will bring a lot of fun and conversation to the party. Whether the couple chooses the fortune cookie or another wedding cookie design, it will be a great treat for everyone.

The third theme is edible wedding favors.

Wedding favours are a fun way to thank wedding guests while also providing a memento of the special occasion.A great idea is to choose edible wedding favors. Edible wedding favours allow you to give traditional wedding favours as well as a small treat at the end of the day.It’s also a fun way to say something about the couple or about their feelings for each other.

Homemade candies and mints for wedding favours are very reminiscent of this traditional idea, and this traditional idea is still a great edible wedding favour idea to this day. Several companies have come up with specially designed or modified candies and mints suitable for edible wedding favors. Bite-sized candies or mints are available in cute tins with the couple’s name and wedding date printed on the tin. This idea can be practical because, once the treat is eaten, the tin can be used for storing other small items. A cheap but nice idea is to have “jovial hearts” like candy. These fun candies have cute wedding statements that are entertaining for guests to read and share with each other.

Other edible candy and mint wedding favours can include small boxes of truffles, monogrammed petit fours, personalised lifesavers, or personalised chocolate bars. There are many unique candy and mint ideas for wedding favours available, and they are ideal for a bridal couple who has a favourite type of candy that they flavour themselves.It also served as a way to incorporate that treat into an edible wedding favor.

Some companies offer edible wedding favours in the form of coffee or tea. Special brews of coffee or favourite tea can be wrapped in a special wedding logo that indicates the arrival of the bride and groom and the wedding date. For a unique blend, the option of a specialty cappuccino or hot chocolate can be incorporated into the wedding theme. These edible wedding favours are sure to bring a smile to all the wedding guests.

What is a wedding planner?

Essentially, a wedding planner is a professional whose expertise and contacts can make your wedding a day of absolute perfection. He or she is the pivot of your event; the one who finds the services and suppliers you need; who negotiates contracts; who mediates and manages the various companies involved in your day; and who ensures that everything runs smoothly. Popular alternative job titles include wedding coordinator, wedding consultant, wedding designer, or even wedding specialist. I will use the terms interchangeably in this article.

Planning weddings is a lot of fun. But like any other job in this world, things don’t go smoothly. Planning a wedding with the expectation that it will be a day to overshadow all others can take an incredible amount of time and effort, not to mention the stress and worry! There are highs and lows, times of great joy and times of great stress and pressure.Weddings are awaited events: some brides have fantasised about walking down the aisle in a pure white gown and tiara for 30 years or more!It is certainly a challenge that you have never encountered before. And when you add both work and a hectic social life before marriage to the equation, the achievement often seems monumental. It is an honour not to be taken lightly.

Why use a wedding planner?

These days, with so much to do and so little time to do it, hiring a professional marriage consultant is increasingly seen as a sensible way to ensure a stress-free engagement and a potentially flawless wedding. In the US, it’s the norm: most couples getting married use a wedding planner. It is a huge industry that provides invaluable value to couples during a time in their lives when stress and worry need to be eliminated and time is of the essence.

Slowly but surely, couples in the UK are waking up to the realisation that a wedding planner is not just a luxury reserved for the rich and famous. A good consultant is now as comfortable planning a small and intimate family celebration for 12 people as she is planning a large party for 500 or more people.Using their expert knowledge of the industry, along with extensive databases and links to leading suppliers, an established wedding planner will have the foundation for building the perfect wedding. They give you unlimited access to any supplier in the country that meets your requirements. Unless otherwise specified, their priorities are solely with the couple, their marriage goals, and the all-important budget. And when you find an advisor you trust and feel comfortable with,

The very best wedding planners have diverse skills. They are extremely practical, versatile, knowledgeable, and resourceful. Their job is to assist both the bride and groom in the lead-up to the big day. On the day itself, the bride takes centre stage while the wedding planner works tirelessly in the background.

During the planning process, they will bear the brunt of the daily tasks. They will design, plan, coordinate, and manage the event from behind the scenes, giving couples valuable time to relax and enjoy their engagement and look forward to their dream wedding.

The wedding planning process

As with most wedding consultants, we usually start with a conversation with the couple to find out exactly how they envision their wedding day, from the moment they wake up in the morning to the moment they leave the party amidst an explosion of fireworks at the end of the night. While we often see the groom shy away from the initial planning process, we always try to encourage his input. It is vital to try to get him “on board” as early as possible, as you can be sure that 2-3 months later, when many of the important decisions have been made, he will start to take an interest and realise that this wedding lark may not be as boring as he initially expected! Regret is a terrible thing that we only discover after the fact!

Once the all-important wedding plan or briefing has been prepared, it is the job of the wedding consultant to begin locating the appropriate wedding venues, suppliers, and wedding services. Of course, the wedding location is central. Once this has been shortlisted, inspected, and booked, the other wedding services and suppliers required can be sought and shortlisted for the client’s consideration. While the wedding planner will arrange all venues and services and provide well-informed guidance and advice, the choice of companies to use is at the discretion of the couple. No pressure should be exerted by a wedding planner at this time. If it happens that you feel pressured, it could be assumed that the planner is working on behalf of the said supplier, so be insistent and remind your planner that their role is to help.

Once all the vendors have been selected, the set designed, budgets met, and timelines finalized, it is common for the wedding planner to assist with the rehearsal and then oversee the wedding day to ensure the needs of the bride, groom, and wedding feast are fulfilled.

“Can I justify the added luxury of a marriage counselor?”

It is often the case that a wedding planner can save you money. They can negotiate special discounts with the venue and other wedding services, which will then be passed on to you. If a discount is not available, they can also find you a location or supplier that offers a high-quality service at a competitive price.

Wedding planning fee

Pricing structures are determined based on the needs of the couple, and since every wedding is unique, the wedding coordinator’s fees often are too.

As a “rule of thumb,” for the complete coordination of the entire event, a portion of the wedding budget is usually charged. Percentages vary from consultancy to consultancy but are usually between 10 and 15 percent. Usually, minimum rates apply.

A bride who needs a coordinator to assist on the day will usually be charged a flat rate or an hourly rate. Again, fees vary from company to company and sometimes from season to season. Approximately, one would expect to pay in excess of £70.00 an hour for a reasonable coordinator on the day of the wedding.

Alternatively, you will find that there are different packages for couples who have specific purchasing and/or contract negotiation needs. You may be charged a flat rate for this service or a percentage of the specific budget allocated to the said service; for example, if you have set aside £3,000.00 for a photographer, the planner’s fee may be 10%, or £ 300.00. Again, fees fluctuate from advisor to advisor, but ultimately, the amount you pay will reflect the amount of time and effort you put into dealing with your personal requirements. It also depends on how long the advisor has been active. Of course, those new to the industry need to charge lower rates in order to compete for business.

Other services you may be able to find include assistance in the 4 weeks leading up to the big day, helping you manage any last-minute stress and minor issues that so often come up. Alternatively, wedding planners can manage the invitations and RSVPs or even search for the wedding rings and honeymoon.

• You will see that just about anything is possible. You are only limited by your imagination and, of course, your budget! The first can possibly be expanded under the guidance of your wedding planner. The latter must be strictly observed in most cases. However, we recommend that you allow yourself a backup allowance of up to 10% of the budget to cover any unforeseen circumstances and situations along the way. The final finishing touches and last-minute attention to detail can make the difference between an average wedding and an exceptional one, and it’s the finer details that are often overlooked when planning your own wedding.
• Conclusion
  The primary function of a wedding planner is to design, coordinate, and project manage a client’s dream wedding, from concept to realization, precisely and according to the client’s wishes and requirements.
• We have clearly seen that planning a wedding is a complicated, time-consuming, and often stressful task. It’s a job best left to professionals.

Sam Ketterer is a professional consultant with Absolute Perfection Wedding Consultancy Ltd., London, UK. He is happy to answer any questions about this article.

What is wedding photography?

This may sound like a strange question to most couples, but most would answer that wedding photography is the type of photography done during weddings. That is partly correct. But that simplifies the meaning of wedding photography too much. The art of wedding photography has changed a lot in the last twenty years. Today, it can even have a different meaning for each couple.

In the past, wedding photographers were technicians behind an almost mystical black box that very few would even attempt to operate. Back then, couples hired wedding photographers to take photos of their big day. It’s just to record the event. And the one they chose does maybe six weddings a day.

In 2010, almost all wedding guests had their own digital camera that could take well-exposed photos at a very minimal cost. What it means is that professional wedding photographers should have something more to offer their couples. At the same time, the digital revolution enabled wedding photographers to offer something unique to the new technologies.This is one of the reasons wedding photography has improved compared to years ago. It also attracted people who would never have ventured into wedding photography without the new technology of digital photography. Wedding photographers who, at their best, provide beautiful and stunning images that capture the wedding in an artistic and narrative way, sometimes evocative and most of the time flattering.

But it also means that you are a wedding photographer these days; one must be able to offer something that has not been seen before. True to the complexity of wedding photography today, it couldn’t be more true that all wedding photographers are the same and all couples want the same kind of photography.

Here’s a guide to photographic methods.

The good thing about the internet is that it makes it easy to research the work of a large number of wedding photographers. Check out some photographers’ websites, and you’ll be amazed at the different photographic styles.

Reportage photography is also known as documentary or photojournalism photography; it is best described as having an approach that simply covers and documents the event without guiding the bridal couple or their guests. Instead, it tries to capture the event as it happens in the most natural and creative way possible.

Traditional wedding photography is used to describe the old-fashioned way of lining up the bridal couple, their guests, and their family for traditional photos.

Contemporary wedding photography can be described as glossy, which can be more trendy than traditional wedding photography.

My humble advice is to look beyond wedding photography labels.It can be more confusing than helpful in deciding what kind of wedding photography is right for you as a couple. Another reason is that the style is often a combination of different photography styles. Third, it means that wedding photographers only offer one style of photography during their wedding shoot.

In reality, weddings offer wedding photographers the chance to showcase different styles of photography. Sometimes wedding photographers just can’t ask the couple to move to a place where there is better light during the wedding ceremony. It’s also quite common for couples to expect formal photos that show them at their best. Even the most modern weddings require traditional and formal family photos.

Many photographers excel in one style of wedding photography, highlighting their skill, and it can even be part of their marketing strategy. Some would describe their type of wedding photography as a mix of classic and modern. It could be a combination of reportage and contemporary.It is imperative to spend time with the bridal couple where they are instructed to be their best. It gives them the kind of pictures that can be described as fine art. The limited time at weddings makes it important for a wedding photographer to be a good director.

Choose your photographer.

For couples, the best way to decide which wedding photographer is right for you is to decide together what kind of wedding photos you expect. Maybe you want something traditional, meaning you want a professional wedding day report without too many interruptions.

You may also be a photography enthusiast and want to have a creative set of wedding photos. You may be looking at a high-end and contemporary style of photography.

Once both of you as a couple have decided what type of wedding photos you want, you can start researching different photo galleries for quality. Be warned that galleries represent the best work of photographers, so it’s very important to preview an entire wedding to ensure consistency.

Awards of excellence can help you decide which photographer is best suited for your wedding. Membership in a well-known professional body is also something to consider.

It is vital that you, as a couple, can communicate with the photographer and have the understanding to share your wedding photography goals. As much as photography style is an important factor, you and your wedding guests expect a high level of professionalism, organization, and experience on your wedding day. Finally, you should consider the wedding packages offered by the photographer.

Budgeting for photography

There is no such thing as an appropriate budget for weddings. What may be more useful is the percentage in terms of value relative to the total wedding cost.

Professional wedding photography will define the memories of your wedding day. You are going to entrust a photographer to use his skills to capture your wedding as if it were taken through your eyes. Talk to your wedding planner about how much you think you should spend on your wedding.A good wedding planner can help you determine the right budget and if you need to spend more to get the kind of photography you want.

The price of a good wedding photographer sometimes comes as a surprise to couples. But quality wedding photography comes at a price. The more skilled a photographer is, the higher the fees he can demand. Keep in mind that it’s not a one-day event for wedding photographers, but it takes days to plan, capture the wedding, and spend time editing the images and designing the wedding album. Ultimately, as a couple, you have to make the final decision about how important it is to have a quality wedding photographer and whether it is worth the price to pay for it.

Discover more from Nap Beltran’s powerful internet marketing tips for photography. Visit his blog for more tips on how to make your business succeed online. for specific “how-tos,” along with more completely free lessons, advice, a photographer forum, a contributor gallery, and much more. It is a must-visit for photo enthusiasts!

“Viva Las Vegas!” sang Elvis Presley in 1964, as Lucky Jackson did in his film Viva Las Vegas. While the legendary singer and movie star may have moved on, there’s no shortage of ordained Vegas ministers who look strikingly like him! Couples looking to be married by the king himself have a variety of wedding options to choose from, including 12 complete packages, all for less than $299.

1. $177 for the “Love Me Tender Elvis Package” available at the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather Wedding Chapel

Week Kirk O’the Heather Wedding Chapel has been marrying lovebirds in Las Vegas for over 70 years.Up to eight guests of their choice can watch Elvis walk the bride down the aisle and perform two songs. The package also includes a CD with five candid photos (including the copyright), the use of a bouquet, music, a witness, and a wedding scroll as a souvenir.

2. $185 “Elvis Memories” Special available at The Elvis Wedding Chapel

With the “friendliest service, best price, and best Elvis” in Vegas, the Elvis Wedding Chapel has been featured on “The Girls Next Door,”  “Wild Weddings,”  CNN, PBS, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and other television programs. This wedding package includes limousine transportation to and from your hotel, a fresh rose presentation for the bride, two songs performed by Elvis, and a DVD of the ceremony to capture the memory of your special “Elvis Vows.”

3. “Love Me Tender Elvis Wedding” for $199 at Mon Bel Ami Chapel

While not available on Saturdays, this wedding package offers great value for couples looking to tie the knot for Elvis. Included in the price is your favourite Elvis hit sung by the king himself, a long stem rose for the bride, a boutonniere for the groom, and a complementary ceremony photo with Elvis on a CD. In addition to the availability from Sunday through Friday, a maximum of ten guests are allowed.

4. $199 for “Viva Las Vegas Elvis Wedding,” available at Graceland Chapel

Let Elvis sing the famous “Love Me Tender” tune, then dance away to the classic “Viva Las Vegas” theme song after exchanging vows at Graceland Chapel. A long-stemmed rose and boutonniere are included in the package, as is professional photography (prints are sold separately). In addition, you will not only leave with your own wedding license, but you will also receive a copy of Elvis and Pricilla’s! English, Spanish, and French ceremonies are available at Graceland Chapel.

5. $199 for the “Viva Elvis Package” available at The Las Vegas Wedding Chapel

This wedding package is very affordable and even includes the ministerial fee!(worth $60), as well as a generous digital photo package (including 13 professional prints and copyrights), a bouquet of fresh flowers with six roses, and complimentary limousine service for up to eight people. As if this wasn’t enough, Elvis will perform two songs, and you will also receive a copy of Elvis and Pricilla’s marriage certificate.

6. $267 for the “Burning Love Elvis Package” available at the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather Wedding Chapel

The newlyweds and up to 12 of their guests will enjoy a mini-concert of three Elvis songs after a beautiful wedding ceremony. Literally translated from Scots as “The Little Chapel of the Lucky Flowers,” Wee Kirk O’the Heather is the original Las Vegas wedding chapel and a historic landmark in the city. Also included are eight candid photos on a CD (with copyrights), a fresh bouquet of three roses for the bride, a souvenir wedding scroll, and a witness if needed.

7. $269 for the “It’s Now or Never Elvis Package” available at the Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel

When it comes to your wedding, Vegas Adventure Weddings promises to “take all the stress out and put all the adventure in!” and this package does not disappoint. After arriving in a 2007 Courtesy Superstretch Limousine (transportation provided for the bride, groom, and up to four guests), Elvis will lead the bride through the 26-foot chapel aisle for the ceremony. Post “I-dos,” the newlyweds and their guests will enjoy three songs performed by Elvis. A single fresh rose presentation and boutonniere, as well as 12 photos from the event on a CD (with copyrights), are also included. The best part of this package is the option to add the lighting of 50 candles for an incredibly romantic atmosphere for just $40 more.

8. Loveland Wedding Chapel offers “The Elvis Wedding Special Package” for $275.

This Vegas wedding package perfectly combines the beauty and elegance of the hotel chapels with the affordability of the “Las Vegas strip chapels.” Not only will you enjoy hearing Elvis play three songs, you’ll be able to watch the performance over and over with the video of the event included in this pack! Also included are 25 digital photos, a silk bouquet for the bride, a boutonniere for the groom, and use of the chapel for up to 20 guests.

9. $288 for the “Elvis Wedding Package” available at Lily of the Valley Wedding Chapel

Located directly across the street from the Las Vegas Marriage License Bureau, the Lily of the Valley Wedding Chapel believes in blessing your marriage, family, friends, and associates. With 70 photos and videos, this wedding offers the most generous photo and video package of the group’s “Under $299 Elvis Wedding Packages.” In addition to hearing Elvis sing three songs, you can also dance with him and receive gifts and photos autographed by him. A bridal bouquet and boutonniere round out the floral package, and if you need a best man, the chapel can provide one too. Notary, planning, and pre-marital counselling are available on request, and both romantic religious and civil ceremonies are offered. Please note that the minister’s fee is an additional $250 on top of the wedding package cost listed above.

10. $295: “Elvis “Hound Dog” Wedding Package” available at the Elvis Chapel

As if enjoying Elvis perform three songs of his choice wasn’t enough, Elvis will present you with two Elvis sunglasses as you exchange special “Elvis Vows”… and it’ll all be captured on the DVD video included in the package price!Also included are 35 high-resolution digital photos on a CD and the option for a live webcam to capture all the hip-shakin’, Hound Dog action for those back home. Other package amenities include a bouquet of six roses for the bride, a copy of Elvis and Pricilla’s marriage certificate, and complimentary round-trip limousine service for up to six people. While gratuities are extra, taxes are included in the listed package price.

11. The “All Shook Up Elvis Package” costs $299 and is available at Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel.

This Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel Package includes all the amenities of the “Now or Never Elvis Wedding Package” listed above (including limousine transportation for up to six and three songs performed by Elvis), plus the added romance of a 27-foot covered aisle with rose petals and a presentation of two fresh roses for the bride (and a matching boutonniere for the groom). There are twice as many photos on a CD (24 images in total), and that alone makes this pack worth the upgrade. You can also add the lighting of 50 candles to create an incredibly romantic atmosphere for an additional $40.

12. $299 for the “Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Package” available at The Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas

Elvis vows, a three-song mini concert, and a first dance to an Elvis song of your choice truly epitomise the Vegas wedding experience! You can relive this entertaining wedding experience whenever you want with the high-quality DVD of your ceremony, 25 professional digital images (including copyrights), and the five 4×6 prints included in the “Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Package.” Also included is a bouquet of fresh flowers from six roses, a copy of Elvis and Pricilla’s marriage certificate, a live webcam from the event, and complimentary limousine service for up to eight people. And the best part is that the minister’s fee is included in the package price!

All of these 12 Elvis Vegas wedding packages offer great value, low stress, and an all-inclusive option for couples looking to exchange vows in front of the king.

However, when choosing an Elvis wedding package in Vegas, keep in mind that many packages do not include taxes or gratuities. The minister’s tip is typically around $60, while performers, limousine drivers, and photographers also expect a tip. Your tip should, of course, reflect the level of service you believe you have received and take into account the total price paid for your wedding package.

Before confirming a wedding package, always ask the wedding coordinator what the final price for the package is after taxes and what he or she recommends as an appropriate tip.

Recently, my cousin got engaged, and I will be his best man. Naturally, the topic of who would be his wedding videographer came up. His answer was simple: What should I look for in a wedding videographer? Being in the business myself, I would like to shed some light on the subject.

Experience

If you’re looking for a wedding videographer, look for someone who shoots weddings all the time. A busy wedding cinematographer will shoot an average of 20–35 weddings per year. More than 35 weddings can be considered excessive.

First of all, make sure your videographer has done more than thirty weddings. If he or she has done more than fifty weddings, he can easily be considered a skilled videographer.

I wouldn’t really put much weight on it if the videographer says he or she has two, three, or five years of experience. It doesn’t matter much. It’s about how many weddings he or she has done. The more, the merrier.

Why is experience so important to me? Because in DSLR video, focusing is extremely important and difficult, and practise makes perfect. Unless you prefer video that goes in and out of focus, you should look for a videographer who will keep your video sharp.

One versus multiple videographers

Ask if the videographer can show you videos that he or she shot alone at a wedding. And then they’ve done work with two or three videographers. This is really important.

Depending on your budget, you may want to go with just one wedding videographer instead of several. See samples of his or her work while shooting a wedding video on your own. Ask what the best position is for him or her to take during the ceremony and reception.

Ask to see work while also working with different videographers. how they position each camera during the ceremony and reception.

Ask to watch clips of a wedding video more than one time. Many wedding videographers emphasise the climax more than the wedding video itself. I’ve seen videographers miss important parts of the ceremony because they were trying to get an exotic angle from the aisle floor or slider. They do this just to create more production value for their highlights to show future customers.

DSLR

Another important point to discuss is their equipment. If you’re paying a wedding videographer, let’s say over $2000, make sure they use DSLR cameras, preferably Canon cameras.

There are many videographers who still use regular HD cameras, which will give you an acceptable image but not the cinematic look that DSLR cameras would give you.

Lights

Ask about lighting. Discuss the lighting during the ceremony. Churches usually have good lighting, but if the church isn’t lighting it well, ask the wedding videographer how they handle low-light situations.

It is very important to ask about lighting for the reception. How do they plan to use them, and what kind of lighting equipment do they use?

Reception rooms are usually very dark, which makes shooting wedding videos very challenging as you need to ensure good lighting without ruining the mood. Make sure your wedding videographer has adequate lighting for introductions, the first dance, the dance with parents, speeches, and cake cutting—all important moments of the reception.

Ask about lighting while dancing. Check that they don’t use too much lighting that could ruin the atmosphere of the reception or the lighting that the DJ or lighting specialist is using for your wedding. But make sure they use a good light source to illuminate your dancing guests.

Sound

Picture quality is only half of your wedding video; sound is the other half.

A wedding video with poor sound can affect the quality of the video.

Ask the wedding cinematographer how they capture sound during the ceremony and reception, especially if you’re getting married in a church that has a lot of reverberation. Just make sure they mimic the officiant or officiants, the groom, and the podium. They should be able to capture good sound from anywhere people are talking or singing.

Make sure they put a microphone on the singer, or at least have recording equipment nearby if they don’t have more lavaliere microphones or if there is more than one singer.

Sound in the reception hall:

The reception is very noisy. People are cheering, talking, etc. Talk to your videographer and make sure they get the sound from different sources, for example, by connecting their recording device directly to the DJ or band. Wedding videographers also need to capture atmospheric sound (ambient sound is important to get reactions from your guests).

Being inconspicuous

An important point to discuss is how they work. I’ve seen videographers who are so pushy that they have 2 or 3 videographers very close to the bride and groom during the first dance or when dancing with their parents. They are so pushy that it is impossible for the wedding photographers to get a decent picture of the couple. Many videographers, trying to capture exotic angles or images for their highlights, get loud and noticeable during the wedding ceremony and reception. Make sure they are respectful, unobtrusive, and have a good working relationship with the photographers or other suppliers.

Video length

Ask how long your wedding video will be. I’ve heard of wedding cinematographers charging a lot of money for their service but only providing a 5-minute highlight reel and raw footage. Paying a few thousand more will get you 20 to 30 minutes of wedding video. They reason that a video longer than 30 minutes could be boring, and people wouldn’t enjoy it. I’m one of those wedding videographers who doesn’t believe that. I think the client could get a nicely edited wedding video of the entire wedding without it getting boring. If you want to jump to a particular part of the video, there are always the chapters. Just go to the scene selection on your DVD or Blu-ray and select what you want to watch. Don’t get me wrong; a shorter version of your wedding video is great, and we offer it too. In reality,

Turn around

Ask about the lead time for the work. There are many studios that promise a first draught of your wedding video within five or six months. I think that’s too long. I provide a first draught of a wedding video within two months of the wedding day, so I can’t really comprehend six months.

Check how the final product is delivered. Many companies still only supply their customers with DVDs, and what good is it to record something in HD if it comes in standard definition? Other wedding videographers will charge extra for Blu-rays. So make sure you know the final format. Even if you don’t have Blu-ray, make sure you get Blu-ray.

Inquire if they provide unlimited online access to the video or digital copies for your mobile device.

Check if they allow changes to your wedding video and what the terms are for those changes.

A wedding video is one of the best memories you will have of your wedding day. You need to make sure you get the best wedding video possible.

Have a happy marriage!

Recently engaged? What’s next? 5 pointers to get you started on planning your dream wedding!

So your fiancé recently proposed, you said “yes,” and now you’re getting ready to plan your wedding. What should a girl do now?

Many women are excited and somewhat overwhelmed when it comes to planning their wedding. They really don’t know where to start. This is completely normal, so don’t panic. If your car breaks down and needs repairs, you wouldn’t fix it yourself. You would take your car to a mechanic, a trained expert in car repair, right? (the So why take one of the most important days of your life and a huge investment of money (average wedding costs $25,000) at a very overwhelming time in your life to plan your wedding all by yourself? You deserve to get a little help from a professional wedding planner (like me) to get you started, put you on the right track, get you organized, spend your time wisely,

Well, I’m here to help you plan your amazing dream wedding. Here are my 5 tips to get you started and on track to your dream wedding day!

1. You’re engaged! To celebrate!

This is such a special time in your life, so make sure you celebrate! If someone offers to host an engagement party, don’t turn them down. This is your time to feel beautiful and get used to becoming a radiant bride. Enjoy every moment of your engagement because before you know it, it will be over.

2. Decide what kind of wedding you want.

It’s important that before you do anything else, you really need to sit down and figure out what your dream wedding day looks like. Many couples skip this step altogether, and what ends up happening is that they don’t have the wedding day of their dreams and then can’t stop thinking about it. If you talk to many married couples, many brides will tell you that they didn’t have the wedding day of their dreams. They may make excuses because they don’t have enough money or time to plan it. But what they really lacked was a process and an expert in weddings to help them make decisions, see it from a different perspective, and make the impossible really possible! But what they did was plan to get everything done and get through the day, hoping that everything would go well. That saves a lot of stress! But what if I told you that’s not what your wedding day should be about? It should be about an exciting milestone in your life where you come together to become husband and wife. Once you say “I do,” you are giving your guests a great experience (your vision) to celebrate with you.

3. Decide how much you want to invest in your dream wedding day.

Wedding budgets don’t have to be scary, unless you want them to be. Come up with a number and make sure it is realistic for the number of guests you will have at your wedding. Where will those funds come from? Keep in mind that when parents help contribute to the wedding, they will often begin to dictate what you can and can’t have. Some couples have no choice but to pay for their own wedding, maybe with a student loan, and a new home on top of that. Make sure it’s an amount you’re comfortable with and that you’ll sometimes have to sacrifice in certain areas to have your dream day. But I know it’s possible because I’ve helped couples achieve their dream weddings with budgets between $15,000 and $70,000.

4. Start researching ceremony and reception venues.

Once you’ve set a date, you really need to secure your dream location ASAP. Where do you see yourself getting married? Outdoors, indoors, in a church, in a garden, by the waterfalls, on a farm, in a rustic setting, in a banquet hall… the possibilities are endless!

5. Get some support from a professional wedding planner (for free).

I remember what it was like to plan my wedding. I kind of felt like “a deer in headlights” with no idea where to start. I knew what I wanted for my wedding, but it wasn’t possible to achieve (or was it?). not with that attitude). I spent hours and hours Googling and asking around about suppliers and the locations of friends and family. I thought back to other weddings I attended and assessed the venue. But did I really want someone else’s wedding? No! But I chose the easiest way because scheduling was just too time-consuming and stressful. It was a full-time job in itself. And I barely saw Steve while I was planning our wedding on my own. And even worse, even though our wedding was amazing and our guests are still talking about it, I listened to everyone else. And I didn’t have my dream wedding, and now, after 2 years, I’m still thinking about it. I wish I had known what a wedding planner could have offered me.

I’ve been there and done that (more than 25 times) as a wife and now experienced wedding planner.I don’t just plan weddings; I help brides (and grooms) through a very overwhelming and often stressful time in their lives. I’m here to hold your hand and take you through the emotional roller coaster that is wedding planning. Nothing means more to me than ensuring that you have the wedding day of your dreams and that you have everything you desire for YOUR dream wedding.Make it a personal day that reflects who you both are. I want to make sure you stay on budget, match you with the best suppliers and locations for your needs, and then give you the tools to truly SHINE like the star you are and do nothing but enjoy every moment of the day!That’

If you’d like more help designing your dream wedding, start here with my FREE Special Report, “Designer Secrets Revealed: 7 Easy Ways To Get Wedding WOW Factor,” and you’ll also receive a subscription to my popular e-magazine, “Wedding Wishes By Stephanie Thompson,” which contains even more great wedding planning tips and tricks.

Well, beautiful bride-to-be, I hope this helps you find the right direction for planning your dream wedding. Congratulations, and enjoy this wonderful time in your life!

Every moment counts.