Wedding Competition

Media Release: Wedding Photography Competition Thursday 9th October 2008

J [studios], a Melbourne based wedding and portrait studio, is offering one lucky couple the chance to win the wedding photography free of charge. Jessie, owner & principal photographer of j [studios], knows just how important photography is. Through her work with the Australian Community of Child Photographers she has seen countless families of sick children helped by having beautiful images of their families. It is the main reason she became a photographer. Inspired by a photographer in the US it was decided to run a competition to offer one couple the chance to win their wedding photography. Which is undoubtedly one of the most important days of their life.

Announced on the 8th of October on the j [studios] blog, the competition for a couple to win their wedding photography free of charge will run until December 15th when 5 finalists will be chosen, with the winner to be announced on the 1st f January 2009. The wedding must take place in 2009 within 100km of Melbourne CBD and is only available on dates that are not booked already.

J [studios] is looking for a couple who have overcome a lot and may not have the funds to afford a wedding photographer. They are looking for a genuine couple to share their special day with.

The couple chosen will win a full day of coverage (8 hours) with two photographers, a 10in Wedding Album, 16×20in Canvas Print, A DVD slideshow and full digital negatives.

Full details of the competition can be found at the j [studios] blog www.j-studios.com.au/blog/

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Wedding Planning – The Secrets The Experts Don’t Want You to Know

I wrote this article for Ezine Articles and thought that it should probably go on this blog as well!

 

When planning your wedding things can get out of hand very quickly. Stress and emotions can often cause plenty of friction throughout the wedding planning journey. To combat this stress, follow these tips below.

1) Start well in  advance. If you can, try not to leave your planning until 3 months before.

2) Talk with your partner about what parts of the planning process they want to be involved in. I remember sitting down with my partner and asking what he wanted to do and what he wanted/trusted me to handle. This made everything a whole lot easier.

3) Set a budget straight up. Don’t wait until you find out what dresses cost, or roughly how much the reception can cost. Set a realistic budget at the start.

4) Start saving. Put a small amount away each week in a different bank account. Get it taken out of your pay directly before you even see it. You’ll be surprised at how easily and quickly this money adds up.

5) Find some friends to keep you grounded. Tell them your budget for things and ask them to help you to stick to it. So if you have a budget for your dress at $800, they can help you when you feel tempted to buy the $1500 dress! And trust me, it will happen!

6) Organise your reception, photographer and place of ceremony early. These are the things that book out well in advance.

7) Ask for help if you need it! Don’t be afraid or think that you might be ‘imposing’ on friends if you ask for help. Many will be glad to be involved.

I also highly recommend getting a DIY organiser. These can help keep all of your papers and information in order. They also include table seating plans, budget plans, essential photographer list plus so much more.

Have a fantastic Wedding!!

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Planning a Wedding? Plan a Wedding Planning Checklist First

Article sources from Ezine Articles, written by Asheesh Mani

A well-made wedding planning checklist can do wonders for any wedding day. It’s just that some people don’t realize its importance and later regret. Is your wedding on the cards? Have you really found the love of your life and have decided to settle down? Well, that’s obviously great news and calls for a wonderful celebration, isn’t it? The excitement mounts as the days pass by, once you get engaged. But, honestly ask yourself, ‘Are you all set for the day?’ If you have doubts, that means you need to create a wedding checklist.

Priorities Really Matter, So Act Accordingly

The wedding planning checklist should be such that it covers all the ‘major to minor’ aspects of the marriage on a priority basis. You can set your priorities first, with the help of your spouse and both the families. This would help you to think over the issues you might slip out on, if you plan alone. An ideal list should first mention the exact date and time of the ceremony, followed by the exact budget, venue and number of guests. The attire comes next to be worked on, along with drinks and delicacies for the invitees. The music, being part and parcel of any occasion should not be missed out. Also, you can add other sources of entertainment for your guests.

Follow Your Budget

For some, preparing for marriage is a matter of sheer excitement as they have many people to look after the arrangements. But everybody is not that fortunate. There are people who have to make all arrangements on their own. Some have limited budget whereas some have shortage of time. So, it is always advisable for everyone to come up with marriage planning checklist. The most common cause of concern for anyone can be the budget under which he has to make all the things done. If you too are losing your sleep over this issue, you can get back your peace of mind by preparing a wedding cost checklist. It will help you to stick to your budget.

It is most important to keep in mind that the best is possible only if you have enough time and patience. While preparing the checklist, don’t overload your list with tasks that are not easy. Moreover don’t waste time just thinking, strategize the great event by means of a wedding planning checklist and have a blast!

A well-made wedding planning checklist can do wonders for any wedding day. It’s just that some people don’t realize its importance and later regret. For more information visit weddings-marriages.

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The Key to Effective Wedding Planning

written by Amanda Jane

Wedding planning calls for many hands. You would need to apportion the tasks amongst many people and follow up each to ensure that nothing is going amiss. Unless, you have a consultant doing the job, you need an elaborate checklist to bring your event to a successful end. We provide some hints on what you can do to organize a marvelous ceremony.

The date precedes all other planning elements in a wedding. It marks the reference point from which all services are procured. You need to choose the date with great care. It has to be one on which many people would be available. It must not coincide with a holiday, popular event or working hours. The date must conform to the theme of your wedding.

First, make a list of all that needs to be done. Next make another list of all who can help and then match the tasks with the helpers. For example, your sister can help with the decoration whilst your mother assists the caterer with the choice of food. It is helpful if you have people close to you assisting. They know your preferences, that of the family and have more at stake in the event than any other person. They therefore make the best associates as far as planning is concerned.

Start organizing early. You have nothing to lose if you book your transportation three months ahead of time. You need to secure all services ahead of time so you do not suffer any disappointment. Early booking can also save you some money through low season discounts.

Many couples would book a service and then discard the receipt or invoice. This habit must be avoided. You need to keep all evidence of contract so you can reasonably argue about any dispute that may occur. You would need the receipt to prove obligation in case a change in management occurs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Jane http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Key-to-Effective-Wedding-Planning&id=1239140

 

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10 Things an Usher Should Know – Wedding Boot Camp

10 Things an Usher Should Know by The Wedding Boot Camp

 1. All ushers should be at the location about 45-60 minutes before the ceremony will begin. Upon their arrival, they should put on their boutonnieres if they haven’t already. Boutonnieres can be tricky to put on (especially for nervous fingers) so, it’s a good idea to have someone there to help them.
2. Ushers should smile, be friendly, and greet the guests as they escort them to their seats.
3. Traditionally, the usher offers his right arm to the woman (the oldest woman if a group or family is being escorted). Another option: the ushers can walk the guests to their seats rather than offering their arm.
4. Family and friends of the bride are seated on the left side of the aisle (facing the altar) and the groom’s family and friends on the right. If one side of the church becomes more full than the other, the ushers should begin seating guests on the other side.
5. Based on the guest list, you should have a good idea of how many to expect on both sides. If you know one side of the family will have more guests, then instruct your ushers ahead of time to “fill in” the more empty side.
6. After all the guests are seated, the parents of the groom are seated. Sometimes the groom’s mother is escorted by the groom. Next the mother of the bride is escorted in, sometimes by the best man or the head usher.
7. The first pews are reserved for immediate family of the bride and groom, and the parents sit in the front pew. Be sure to instruct the family and the ushers ahead of time on who should be sitting where, especially when it comes to divorced parents. If the parents are divorced, the father is seated in the row behind, or if the parents get along well they can be seated in the same pew.
8. Once the groom and best man are in place at the altar the ceremony is ready to begin.
9. After the ceremony is completed and the wedding party has recessed, two ushers will escort the mothers back down the aisle. Some mothers prefer to walk back with their husband – in this case, the usher will simply lead the couple out.
10. Then, the ushers will help escort or direct the rest of the guests out of the church beginning with the front pews and working their way back.
 
Alternative: Some couples now go back down the aisle and release each pew after greeting their guests, in lieu of a receiving line.

 

 

Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au

 

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Wedding Planning by the Zodiac – Aries

Previously I found an article on wedding planning using the Zodiac. I have another article to share with you written by Bridget Mora – this time for the Star Sign – Aries.

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Looking for fun inspiration in your wedding planning? A great idea is to plan a wedding based on your astrological sign. For the bride born under the sign of Aries, this means full speed ahead!

As the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries is a natural leader. You can be headstrong at times, as well as impulsive. In the hurry to get things moving, sometimes the Aries can forget to make a plan first. This is balanced out, however, by your natural enthusiasm and contagious sense of adventure.

An Aries bride will not be a wallflower. She will be happiest with a wedding that is bold and exciting. It should express her personality and zest for life. If you are the sporty type, a unique adventure type of wedding might be just your style. When you see a bride who is getting married while scuba diving or hang gliding, she is probably an Aries!

Assuming that you decide to have your wedding in a more conventional venue, look for ways to make the room sparkle and come alive. Bold and interesting elements will make the reception feel like you. Consider things like: an Asian theme with red and black lacquer decorations, an evening reception bedecked with rented crystal chandeliers to match your crystal bridal jewelry, or a sports themed wedding highlighting your favorite activities.

Aries likes it hot! For the menu, ask the caterer to create a menu of spicy foods, like Mexican, Southwestern, Indian, or pan-Asian. An around-the-world themed reception would suit the adventurous side of an Aries bride. It would be like traveling the globe without leaving the room.

Since an Aries loves to be in motion, great dance music will be a must for the reception. Pick a band or d.j. that will keep the party jumping all night long. A fun idea is to start off with more classic wedding music and then bring out a d.j. to play dance hits into the wee hours of the morning.

Because she likes to move, an Aries bride will not want a wedding gown that is restrictive or cumbersome. Forget about dresses with skirts so straight that you can barely walk, or skirts so full that it practically requires a team of horses to drag you around the room. Look for a gown that is easy to move in, and you will feel great. To add some drama, spice up your ensemble with flashy crystal bridal jewelry.

The toughest thing for an Aries is going to be staying on track and planning the wedding in a methodical fashion. An Aries will have a tendency to jump from point A to point D, while skipping over points B and C entirely. This sense of adventure will serve an Aries well in many parts of her life, but when it comes to putting together a wedding, sometimes you need to do things in a certain order to ensure that no detail is overlooked. The headstrong Aries may also find herself clashing with her mother over matters of taste and decorum. If you encounter these issues, it could be a great idea to hire a wedding coordinator, both to keep you on task and to keep the peace in the family!

You want to plan your wedding in a way that will really reflect who you are. That is what makes the affair memorable for the guests, and enjoyable for the bride. For the Aries bride, be sure to use your wedding to highlight your great sense of fun, adventure, and love of life.

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com – [http://www.silverlandjewelry.com/swarovski_crystals.html]Crystal bridal jewelry will delight any bride with a dramatic side.

 

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Wedding Planning – Cutting Costs??

 

Although this is a news clipping from the States, it has some great ideas in it. Not only are they feeling the ‘recession blues’ higher interest rates and rising petrol costs here in Australia are also taking a toll.

So how do you make your wedding planning easier in these times? I highly recommend purchasing your own DIY wedding organiser so that you can keep yourself in order. Also, take note of the below suggestions!

 

Couples are finding ways to cut wedding costs – Los Angeles Times

Worried about the economic slowdown, many are tying the knot on a shoestring budget. By Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

August 27, 2008 A typical bride-to-be, Katrina Macrae has bought a dress, browsed different varieties of flowers and settled on a date and location for her April nuptials.

But her bridal gown is actually an ivory-colored prom dress that she picked up for $160. The flowers will be purchased wholesale from the flower district in downtown Los Angeles the day before the wedding. And she’s getting married to her fiance, Scott Smith, on a Sunday, when location fees are usually cheaper.

At a time when the average wedding costs about $30,000, Macrae, of Redondo Beach, plans to spend $8,000.

“Planning a big, expensive wedding was kind of an unnecessary expense,” said Macrae, 26, a quality analyst for Sony Pictures. “We didn’t want to be exorbitant, and definitely the economic crunch makes us feel that more strongly.”

Planning a cut-rate wedding might seem out of step with the gauzy dream of the big day, but lately, more brides have been thinking thrifty as the economic slowdown has left them worried more about the higher cost of living than whether to serve chicken or filet mignon.

“There’s no question that the recession has affected the wedding industry,” said Jolene Rae Harrington, director of creative content at Here Comes The Guide, a wedding planning resource. “Brides still want to realize their wedding dream — they just need to be more creative in how they achieve it.”

That includes inviting fewer guests, getting married on off-peak days such as Fridays and Sundays, crafting handmade wedding favours and holding receptions at low-cost or no-cost venues such as parks and beaches.

Concerned about rising fuel and food costs, bride-to-be Megan Turner already was driving and dining out less and reducing vacation travel. Then, in April, she was laid off from her job at an architectural firm because of the cooling housing market, and Turner said she realized more than ever that a wedding shouldn’t mean “starting your life off with debt.”

“You want to give your family and friends a nice evening, but also, there’s got to be some lines drawn,” said Turner, 30, an architectural project planner from Orange. “It’s really important for us to start saving because we don’t know what the future is going to bring.”

So Turner held a garage sale with proceeds going toward her wedding. Instead of buying wedding favours, Turner’s sister, a student at a culinary school, will bake sugar cookies for guests to take home. And when Turner learned she’d have to fork over $4.25 per guest for a cake-cutting fee, she scrapped plans for a wedding cake and ordered cupcakes.

“If it saves us money, then I’m all for it,” she said.

At stationery showroom Artiface in Costa Mesa, where custom invitations average $9 a set, an increasing number of budget-conscious brides are ordering unassembled invitations to save money, said owner Kristy McTaggart. The invites are printed and cut to size, but brides use do-it-yourself kits to affix the ribbons, jewels and layers themselves.

“A lot of times, on a typical wedding order, a bride will save $300 from doing that,” McTaggart said. “We’ll show them how to do it, and off they go.”

Other times, brides simply forgo traditional wedding details — usually choices that are made toward the end of the planning process such as photography, flowers and music, Harrington said. Instead of hiring a DJ, “now we’re hearing of couples just throwing on their own mix tapes.”

Even companies that advertise low-cost wedding services are feeling the pinch.

Jan Sanders, owner of Budget Wedding Photography in Los Angeles, said that despite charging hundreds of dollars less than elite photographers and allowing clients to name their own price, business has been slow. This is happening even though it’s peak wedding season and the weddings taking place seem smaller.

“They’re looking at every angle to save,” said Sanders, who charges $1,350 for a seven-hour wedding package. “I don’t blame them at all.”

Last year, Sanders was booked for six or seven weddings in June — so many that he split the work with other photographers. In the same month this year, he had only three weddings to shoot.

One prospective bride called Sanders back after he quoted her a price, saying she’d changed her mind about hiring a professional photographer and had asked a relative to take the pictures instead.

But couples should be wary of cutting too many corners.

“There is no substitute for an experienced professional,” Harrington said. “That’s something you can never turn the page back on.”

Like many young women, Krista Lenggiere dreamed of an extravagant fairy tale wedding. But after getting engaged this year, she and fiance Kevin Ward began looking for ways to trim expenses.

At first they considered dipping into Ward’s savings for their May wedding but decided to save the money “for a rainy day — in case I lose my job or he loses his,” Lenggiere, 26, said.

The Santa Ana couple also want to take advantage of the real estate slump by buying a house before prices rise.

“We shouldn’t spend our down payment on a house on our wedding,” said Lenggiere, an office manager at a plastic surgeon’s office. “We’re doing the whole want-and-need thing right now — I really want a horse-drawn carriage to take me away, but I don’t need it.”

So Lenggiere has had to make some concessions. She bought her wedding dress on sale and negotiated a lower location fee. A friend will be doing her hair and makeup free, and guests will receive homemade CDs as wedding favours.

“After a certain age, you can’t live in Fantasyland anymore. You have to live a real life,” Lenggiere said. “I — for the most part — am still getting my dream wedding.”

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Wedding Planning – Using the Stars to Guide You

Have you ever thought of using the stars to help you in your wedding planning? Bridget Mora outlines how you can use your zodiac sign to help you with your wedding planning.

Do you need help starting the wedding planning process? A fun approach is to plan your event based on your zodiac sign. Gemini, the twin, is the sign for brides born from late May to late June.

If you are a Gemini, you are outgoing, vivacious, and talkative. Wedding Planning should be fun for you, because you are very social and know how to throw a terrific party. Geminis make wonderful hosts, because they are experts at the art of small talk and making people feel included in a group.

A Gemini’s wedding should be cheerful and lighthearted. Have fun with festive decorations. Happy flowers, such as bunches of gerbera daisies would be a terrific choice for centerpieces. They could be arranged in clear round glass vases with an interesting colored swirl design. Your table linens should be anything but boring white. Look into unique linens in your favorite color, or layer one color over another for a custom look.

Because Gemini is known as the twins, people sometimes accuse them of being two-faced or wishy-washy. This is not the case! It’s just that the Gemini has a flexible mind that is able to see both sides of things. You are comfortable with opposites.

A bride could really play up the idea of duality in her wedding design. Bold pairings of colors, food, flowers, and other elements will make for a wedding that is creative and original. Look for a caterer who is willing to create interesting food pairings for the reception. You could contrast salty and sweet, hot and cool, or spicy and refreshing. Be brave in your menu planning, but do offer some safer options for your less adventurous guests.

Every bride wants a beautiful wedding gown, and the Gemini will certainly be no exception. It may be difficult for her to choose just one, as she probably has one part of her personality that would shine in a sophisticated high-fashion gown, and another part of her that wants to feel like a princess bride. If you truly cannot decide, you would not be the first bride to purchase two gowns. Be a princess during the ceremony and then a sleek sophisticate for the reception.

Accessories add so much flair to a wedding ensemble. Pearl is the birthstone for June, so pearl bridal jewelry would be ideal for a Gemini bride. There are many fabulous types of pearl bridal jewelry available, so there is something to suit whichever aspect of your personality that you decide to play up. In keeping with the theme of duality, an incredible choice would be a necklace that alternates black and white pearls. Truly stunning!

Enjoy planning your wedding, Gemini bride. It is your chance to throw the party of your dreams. Use your zodiac sign as a fun way to guide you through the process of creating a wedding that your guests will never forget.

 

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Wedding Planning – Quick Tips

Wedding Planning can be a nightmare, or it can also be one of the most fun things you will ever do.

Hilary Basile has put together the following checklist for a smooth wedding day:

• Make sure everyone arriving from out-of-town is met by someone, knows where everyone else is staying, etc.
• Pack an “emergency kit” containing things like spare panty hose, sewing supplies, aspirin, etc. to take with you to the wedding.
• Attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. You may choose to give gifts to attendants and each other at this event or at a more private moment.
• Do something to relax and enjoy the company of your out-of-town friends.
• Assign responsibilities to your wedding party, such as handing out corsages, greeting and seating guests, checking on vendors, etc.
• Confirm your wedding day transportation.
• Visit your beauty salon for a manicure and pedicure.
• Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.

Your Wedding Day!

• Give gifts to your parents.
• Make sure you eat something.
• Visit your beauty salon for hairstyling and makeup. Bring your veil and headpiece.
• Make sure your wedding dress is pressed and steamed.
• Bring your written vows or poems to be presented.
• Pack relevant items such as your wedding dress, veil and headpiece, shoes, gloves, jewelry, makeup, perfume, nail polish, curling iron, curlers, brush, hairspray, bobby pins, mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste, iron or steamer, garter, ring pillow, going-away outfit and shoes, undergarments, wedding night bag and honeymoon suitcases.
• Enjoy your wedding!

Don’t let wedding planning become a stressful time. I highly recommend purchasing a DIY wedding planning folder that you can keep yourself organised with. A great one to get started with is the Essential Wedding Planner and Organiser. It has divided tabs with pouches to store cloth materials, and pockets to store those ripped out magazine pages!

Get Yours Today!!