Shoot Your Wedding | Four Tips To Help Your Photographer Capture The Photographs You Desire
Finding and hiring a professional photographer to document your wedding day is a sizable investment, in not only money, but time as well. By doing your research and hiring a professional that suits your style, you can be rest assured that he or she is going to capture your day exactly how you want. Here are a few tips to help your photographer capture the best images of you.
1. Develop a personal relationship with your photographer. By the time your wedding day arrives, you should consider your photographer a friend, not just another vendor. This can seem like a difficult task to accomplish, considering how busy and hectic the months leading up to the big day can be, but it can be done. Phone calls, emails, any form of conversation will work and it most certainly doesn’t need to pertain to the business of your wedding. The stronger this sense of friendship is between you and the photographer, not only will you feel more comfortable and relaxed around him or her, the rest of the wedding party will as well. As soon as the guard comes down, the photographic magic happens.
2. Be yourself. This may seem like common sense, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Most people aren’t used to having a photographer document their every move, especially with intimidating looking professional equipment. Though they may not realize it, people tend to carry themselves and act differently as soon as a camera is pointed at them, which looks stiff and unnatural in photographs. Others just freeze up altogether. Unless your photographer is giving you specific direction, the best thing you can do is relax, be yourself, and act as if the photographer wasn’t even there. If your nervous about getting your picture taken, then definitely do the research and pick someone that does not have a large crew and piles of gear that will take you away from your moment. Pay special attention to your hands, they are a good indication of how tense you really are. Relax your hands and the rest of you will follow. No need to put on an act, simply be yourself.
3. Look through magazines, on-line, and, of course, through your photographer’s portfolio for specific examples of images, scenes, and body positions that appeal to you and share these ideas with your photographer before hand. It will give both you and the photographer a better sense of direction when working together. Also, if you internalize these ideas and are able to carry and position yourself in a similar way without having to be completely directed by the photographer, the photographs will look much more natural. The more the photographer must direct, the more awkward you will feel and it will show in the images.
4. Enjoy your wedding day. This may seem like common sense, but with the anticipation and stress involved in planning the perfect day, it can be difficult to actually enjoy it. While there is certainly no way to eliminate the stress and worry completely, you can minimize it. You have been planning this day for months, even years, and once it finally arrives, relax and enjoy it. You certainly deserve to and doing so will translate to more natural looking images.
Premium Vendor Showcase | Pine Forest Jewelry
What was your inspiration for creating a jewelry store?
Creating a business that deals in expressions of love, beauty, inspiration, sentiment, emotion, creativity, and provides real value beyond the intangibles.
“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”
John Ruskin
English critic, essayist, & reformer (1819 – 1900)
Tell a little bit about the history of your store:
Pineforest Jewelry, Inc. is a Texas corporation that has serviced the East Houston community since May 1, 1986. The directors are “Diamond Jim” Mills, the President and CEO, along with his wife, Linda Mills, the Secretary/Treasurer and store manager. Pineforest Jewelry is a full service jewelry store with retail, custom design, repair, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and internet divisions. The entire operation is housed in the 7200 square foot building owned by Mills Diversified, Ltd. It is located in a central business area on the east side of Houston at 1141 Uvalde Road, Houston, TX 77015, two blocks north of I-10 East.
The retail division provides gold, silver, and platinum jewelry, moissanite jewelry, diamond jewelry, pearls, jewelry for children and teens, loose diamonds, precious stones, mother’s rings, ArtCarved class rings & Gold Lance class rings, gifts, collectibles, jewelry boxes, many brands of watches ranging from Pulsar to Rolex, and clocks. An extensive inventory is further enhanced by a unique catalog operation. “Diamond Jim” is an associate gemologist accredited by the Gemological Institute of America. He is one of a select group of jewelers in Houston authorized by State Farm Insurance to provide insurance replacement and appraisal services.
Pineforest Jewelry provides a complete state-of-the-art shop in order to provide you with the best possible service. Gary Mills, and his wife, Aline Budenstein, manage the repair, manufacturing, and wholesale operations. Gary Mills is an associate gemologist accredited by the Gemological Institute of America. He has extensive knowledge of all aspects of repair and manufacturing, as well as knowledge of the tools, equipment, and supplies used by the jewelry trade. Through the shop, not only is jewelry and watch repair provided, but also true custom designs by wax or metal fabrication, computer aided design (CAD), and custom mixing of gold alloys for color matching of castings and repairs. The shop utilizes laser fusion technology for the very finest in repair. The shop is one of the finest in Texas, and its custom work is among the best in the nation. Also offered are hard-to-find specialty services such as baby shoe bronzing, hand engraving, precious stone 
& diamond re-cutting, computer generated laser photo engraving, antique rose and green gold jewelry repair, complete rebuilding of worn gold Rolex watch bracelets, pearl and bead restringing, and many other services. You are invited to take advantage of the gratis ultrasonic jewelry cleaning while you wait.
What makes your store unique to guys getting ready to propose?
1) Provide education in the form of vital diamond buying information; available as an in-store presentation on screen from our website as well as personal tutoring from Diamond Jim
2) Provide a printed booklet, “Your Guide to Buying Diamonds”
3) Provide a 128-page book entitled, “Twenty Ways To Pop The Question” so that she will never, ever forget that day… nor will she ever forget how you carefully created a very special moment in her life
4) Provide diamonds with GIA certification
5) Provide diamonds selected by Diamond Jim that exceed all the competition in value relative to cut, color, clarity, and carat weight
What type of bridal jewelry do you offer?
A complete variety encompassing everything from trio sets to custom masterpieces, with price ranges from a few hundred dollars to $30,000.
What are five tips that you can give to guys searching for rings?
1) NEVER give her a vacuum cleaner, appliance, or cash instead of a ring… even if she says it is OK. (If you risk talking yourself into this trap, you are operating under the advice of a fool.)
2) NEVER give her jewelry from a pawn shop or a flea market… or for that matter, from ANY store that sells underwear. (This is guaranteed to show poor taste and provide proof positive of just how cheap you and the jewelry are.)
3) NEVER give her one piece of jewelry thinking it will cover TWO occasions, such as birthday and anniversary, or Valentine’s Day and birthday. (This is a death knell to any relationship, and possibly for you, literally.)
4) Weed out the incompetents and jerks, and deal with the professionals
5) NEVER make your decision based on anything other than what she wants as far as diamond shape, metal color, and style. (Ask her sister, mother, friends… but NEVER buy what YOU think she will like. NEVER!!!)
For more information about Pine Forest Jewelry, visit their profile.
Groom’s Cake Tradition
Anyone who has ever watched Ace of Cakes needs no explanation as to the fun and usefulness of the groom’s cake. The tradition of the groom’s cake began as a way for the guests to be able to take home individual pieces of the cake to enjoy later at home. The wedding cake would be eaten at the reception as usual and before the guests left, the groom’s cake would be packaged up for the guests to reminisce over and enjoy at a later time. This tradition has evolved into being a gift from the bride (usually) and is a reflection of the groom and his personality. It is to be a gift for the groom although now it is usually served to guests along with the traditional wedding cake.
Although the groom’s cake does not need to be a surprise, it is a great way to give the groom his own spotlight on a day that tends to be more bride focused. While the main wedding cake usually has a flavor that appeals to everyone, the groom’s cake is traditionally a flavor that the groom will especially appreciate and love. It also is a great way to break the ice before the cutting of the wedding cake and can be a very fun way to start dessert! How can a cake show a groom’s personality? It is really amazing what people are now able to do with cakes. You can showcase the groom’s interests, hobby, job, or even an inside joke that you can explain to your guests if you feel inclined! This will also let them in on a little something special with your relationship and will make guests feel included. The cake does not need to be (and should not be!) a flat sheet cake that you get at your grocery store. Visit Ace of Cakes for great ideas and flavors. The possibilities are really endless!
Another option is to serve the groom’s cake at the rehearsal dinner instead of at the wedding reception. This way, the attendants get something special that will not be available at the wedding and this way, you aren’t serving two cakes at your wedding reception. Also, because the groom’s cake is traditionally supposed to be a bit smaller than your wedding cake, it’s great to serve for a smaller set of people. Whatever you choose to do, get a bit of your groom’s input but don’t give away the surprise!
Gifts Between Bride and Groom
What’s better than your wedding day? Presents from your honey before it all begins on your big day! This is a nice tradition especially since you aren’t supposed to be seeing each other that day at all. Getting a little gift delivered to you from your sweetie is the perfect way to start your wedding day. It makes the anticipation even greater plus it’s a perfect reminder of how wonderful your fiancé is. So, what do you get?
For grooms, this could really be all over the place. It could be tickets to see the Red Sox right after you get back from your honeymoon, a leather flask, a cigar set, a set of Brandy glasses, etc. Basically what I would recommend is getting him a gift that you know will annoy you. Hate it when he lights up that cigar? Show him how much you care by condoning it on this one special day. When he gets that monogrammed lighter from you, he’ll have to smile and be so glad he’s about to marry you. Of course I’m not encouraging you to get him a gift that you genuinely disapprove of (like a set of shot glasses if you hate alcohol) but something you know he will appreciate and will be a bit of an inside joke.
For brides, the gift is fairly easy: jewelry! You can either go with diamond earrings to match her engagement ring, a tennis bracelet or a ring to adorn her other hand. If you’re trying to stay in a budget, anything sentimental will also do. Even if you do something as simple as writing her a note, we will love it. You can get many sentimental keepsakes as well such as Reasons I Love You Stones or a Silver Wedding Rose. Basically you can’t go wrong when you get a gift that has anything to do with love or our relationship.
It’s rare that I condone personalized gifts (as in monogramming with names & dates) however I would highly recommend this when gift giving ensues between the bride and groom. The reason I’m not into monogramming your wedding date onto gifts for the guests is because they are less likely to use a frame with your wedding date on it because it’s not super relevant for them. Although I’m sure they did enjoy your big day, this gift is not practical for them. However, the tides turn when it comes to personalized gifts for your fiancé. Of course you want to remember the specific date of your wedding! Of course you want loving phrases monogrammed on your gift for each other, it’s a day of love! This also adds a sweet and personal touch to whatever gift you give. She will always appreciate and love jewelry but when it’s engraved with your wedding date and a line from your vows (for example) the gift becomes that much more precious and she will always think of your wedding when she sees it.
Choosing Your Wedding Party
Well, it’s time to start sifting through your friends and family to put together your wedding party! The idea of picking your wedding party is that you pick people who are close to you and your fiancé as well as people who are fit for the job. Not everyone can handle the stress of being in the wedding party! Although picking your wedding party is a very personal decision, take a few of these tips into consideration before you officially ask anyone to join you and your fiancé on your big day.
To girls, being asked to be part of a wedding party is a big deal. Most girls know the kind of commitment involved and are very excited to be picked for the job! However, to be sure, let your friend or family member know the kinds of responsibilities that will be expected of her right away and give her the chance to say yes or no. Do not assume that she has been dying to drive 5 hours to your town/city to watch you try on your wedding dress, then drive back for her bridesmaid dress fitting, then back again for the bridal shower then once more for the bachelorette. Although most girls don’t find this to be a problem, some do. There are a lot of things that come up for a bride in the wedding planning process so be sure your maid of honor and bridesmaids are excited to be the ones to help you along with this process. You deserve to have girls by your side that are just as excited about your wedding as you are! Also try to pick a couple girls in your wedding party that are a bit experienced with the process. Because they will be responsible for making your bachelorette, bridal shower, and dress fittings a fun time, it helps to have someone a part of the process who has been there before. Will they be weirded out if they need to help you pee because you already got in your wedding dress? Will they be there to hold your hair back because you’ve had too much to drink at your bachelorette? Keep these questions in mind when making your final decision!
There are some things that the groomsmen need to do that they may find difficult during the ceremony. These things include: not drawing attention to themselves, not being idiots, not being fidgety, and being generally quiet and respectful. Then there is the time when they do not need to be quiet and respectful, and that’s the bachelor party. If they are your groomsmen, they will need to be invited to this event. Will they be a Debbie Downer? Will they be on the opposite end of the spectrum and be totally out of control? This is where it gets tricky when deciding whether or not to ask family or the bride’s family to be a part of your wedding party. Will it be awkward if your future brother in law sees you getting a lap dance? On the other hand, it could be some interesting family bonding! Some other things to consider that are crucial to your choice are: are they reliable and will they be on time? There are only so many things you can control the day of your wedding but try to pick people for your groomsmen that aren’t perpetually late and actually care about other’s time schedules. These things are useful on your wedding day.
Ultimately, you will know who is right for your wedding party. There are people who have been in your life that have always been there for you and will want to be there for your wedding day in a big way. Sometimes, people’s feelings will get hurt because they assume that they will be chosen to be your bridesmaid/groomsmen and they just didn’t make the cut. Be prepared for this, but don’t let it stop you from making the right decision for yourself and your fiancé. This is your day and you deserve to enjoy it with your family and friends!
Ask A Bride: What if my fiance’s parents won’t pay for the rehearsal dinner?
What do I do if my fiancé’s parents will not pay for the rehearsal dinner? For whatever reason, they have not made any plans for a rehearsal dinner and time for planning it is running out. Is it bad etiquette for my fiancé and I to host a small rehearsal dinner ourselves? And how would I go about doing this?
Carly, Boston
Carly,
As I’m sure you are finding out, this is a very sticky situation not only between you and your future in-laws but between you and your fiancé. You are stuck between wanting to plan things for your wedding and not wanting to offend your fiancé and his family. First, if you have not done so already, I would have your fiancé run some interference for you. Maybe his parents are a bit unfamiliar with wedding customs? It’s best to find out first before starting your own planning. Maybe they are super late planners? As the bride, I know this option is terrifying. You want everything planned ahead of time and perfectly! But some things are simply out of your control and this could potentially be one of them. Find out if they have any plans of putting together something at all. If it is neither of these options, it is definitely not out of the bounds of etiquette for you and your fiancé to host the rehearsal dinner because it is pretty vital. When planning your dinner, tread lightly. Although you may be a bit miffed that you are having to pay for this out of your own pocket, you will still need to invite the in-laws who are not willing to pay for it (that is, if they are a part of the wedding). Since this may have not been in your original budget, I would encourage you to keep it small. Perhaps host it at your or your parents place or a casual restaurant to keep it within budget. You don’t need to do anything big or offer an open bar. Keep it simple with reasonable entrees but also keep in mind that this is a sort of thank you for everyone closely involved in the wedding. You may just want to serve something simple like chicken and offer beer and wine for your guests. Another important thing to remember: as tempting as it may be, don’t do any of your complaining at the rehearsal dinner about having to host it yourselves. Keep it fun and simple for everyone!
If you have a story of late comers at your wedding or advice for our future bride, please share it with us!
If you have a question for our bride, feel free to post a comment with your question or send a tweet to @getengaged!
The Dress Code
If you’re not sure what you should be wearing to the wedding, check the invitation to point you in the right direction. On most wedding invitations, the dress code will be provided. There are different levels of attire ranging from beach casual to the most formal of affairs. Here is a guide to better understand the suggested dress code beginning with the most formal:
White Tie
A white tie wedding is extremely formal and not very common for weddings today. A white tie dress code invites guests to dress up in their most glamorous wears. This dress code requires men to wear to tuxedos, a white vest, and is completed with a white bow tie. Ladies are asked to wear full length formal gowns accessorized with elegant jewelry. This attire is usually reserved for high end political dinners and galas, and of course, the Oscars!
Black Tie
Black tie is the second most formal dress code, the one most typically suggested at a formal evening wedding. Ladies may wear evening gowns, usually floor length, typically in darker tones. A dress higher than knee length is not appropriate. Men are expected to be wearing tuxedos complete with cummerbund and a black bow tie with a patent leather dress shoe.
Black Tie Optional
As the title suggests, black tie optional provides the guest with the option to attend in formal attire, but also allows for men to opt for a dressy suit with a tie, and women to select cocktail dresses or fancy separates. Where black tie suggests a woman wears a floor length gown, black tie optional offers the opportunity to wear either a floor length or knee length dress.
Cocktail Attire
Cocktail attire requests that men attend wearing a fashionable suit and for women to wear cocktail dresses. Floor length gowns are too dressy for this occasion. A cocktail dress is usually at or above the knee. Cocktail attire is meant to be chic and fun!
Dressy Casual
Dressy casual will require different attire depending on the time of day for the wedding. A day wedding that is dressy casual will allow for less formal day time wear, perhaps a nice dress or pantsuit. Men can attend in slacks and a nice shirt. Jeans and tennis shoes are not appropriate.
Beach Attire
When a wedding is to be held on the beach, the factors of the environment are brought into consideration when suggesting a dress code. For a beach wedding, men typically wear linen shirts and pants which are more comfortable on the sand and under the sun. Khakis and neutral tones are most typically seen. Men do not wear ties for beach attire and may wear a nice sandal. Women typically wear pretty sun dresses for the occasion, perhaps an upscale sunhat, and dress sandals which are appropriate as you will be on the sand for the ceremony.
The Marriage License
Perhaps the most unglamorous part of the wedding planning process, obtaining your marriage license is obviously very important. The requirements vary by state, but the general rules stay the same for this procedure. The most important advice I can give is to call the courthouse ahead of time. The clerks will generally give you more information than is on their website. Had I not called ahead of time, I wouldn’t have found out they accept cash only and close at 4.
Some other important reminders?
You may be required to get a blood test to prove you don’t have any venereal or other such transmittable diseases. So if you have something of this nature and haven’t shared this fun fact with your lady, you may want to do so before the county clerk does it for you.
If you are close blood relatives, you cannot get married. However, in some states first cousins aren’t considered close enough and you guys can get married if your love is strong. This also varies by state so if you’re engaged to a close relative right now, look this one up according to your state.
There are time restraints surrounding your marriage license. Some states require you to wait a couple days before you receive your marriage license so find out if this applies to you. If it does, do not wait until the last minute to get your license as it will prevent you from legally getting married on your wedding day. States that require a waiting period are:
- 1-day Waiting Period: Illinois, New York, South Carolina.
- 2-day Waiting Period: Maryland.
- 3-day Waiting Period: Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington.
- 4-day Waiting Period: Delaware.
- 5-day Waiting Period: Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Another time restraint is how long your marriage license is good for after you get it. As in, if you don’t get married within 30 days after obtaining your license, it is no longer valid. This is a hard one to deal with for those of us that like to get things done WAY ahead of time. Again, this varies by state.
The most important thing to remember is to bring your identification with you and most states require both parties to be there. So also remember to bring your fiancé. Call ahead and be prepared! It will save you multiple trips to the county clerk’s office.
Weekly Dance Watch: Maid of Honor Speech
Having trouble writing your Maid of Honor speech? No worries, you can use the videos below as inspiration as well as tips on what not to do in some cases. The best advice to take away from the videos below? Be prepared (see fourth video) and everyone loves a funny well prepared speech. Also, keep it about the couple! If you have tips on how to write a great Maid of Honor speech, let us know!
Wedding Insurance
So you’ve chosen the day you want to get married and the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. How do you protect all the money that goes into this joyous occasion? Wedding insurance! This is certainly not a bad investment as so much money and hard work goes into planning a wedding and there is much that can go wrong before the big day arrives. What do you need to know before deciding whether or not wedding insurance is for you?
Can you afford it? Before deciding whether or not wedding insurance is right for you, see if there is room in your budget for it. Luckily, most wedding insurers base their prices directly on how much your budget is for the wedding so contact the company directly for a quote. Don’t assume that the price is astronomical or not worth it in relation to your budget. Even small budget weddings can experience insurance worthy disasters! Be sure to find out what the deductible is that you will be responsible for paying should you need to call in your wedding insurance back up. Not all places require a deductable payment, however be sure to find out if there is one and if so, factor this into your wedding budget.
What do you want to protect? When researching wedding insurance, you will be reminded of the little details of your wedding. It’s up to you what details you want to protect. You can find places that will insure things from your wedding dress right down to the camera roll the photographer is using. While you will be tempted to insure every last detail, insure according to what you can afford. If your budget allows you to insure your entire wedding, go for it! This will allow you peace of mind in the weeks leading up to the big day and will probably afford you a good night’s sleep the night before.
Like any other insurance, shop around for the best price for what you need. If you only plan on insuring the dress or the vendors, find the best price for those specific needs. If a company only offers to insure the whole wedding and you have a specific idea in mind of what you want, keep looking. Like auto insurance, you can also pick how much coverage you want for each specific item. You may not want to insure your flowers for as much as you insure your wedding location. Also, most wedding insurance companies have a limit as to how close to the wedding you can obtain your insurance. If you are thinking about getting wedding insurance, the sooner the better. Lastly, before you settle down with one company, be sure to do thorough research on their reliability. The best way to waste money is to insure your wedding with a company who won’t be there for you in the end if something does go wrong!
For scary wedding mishaps that will make you want to get wedding insurance, visit WedSafe!
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