Thursday, July 30, 2009

8 great hair tips...


8 Wedding Hairstyle Ideas

. . .
If ever there was time to make the most of your hair, it is for your wedding day. Your bridal hairstyle can look like a million with imagination and the skills of a good hairdresser. Wedding hairstyles range from a more coiffed version of your everyday hair to an elaborate and dramatic look and style.

Perfect wedding hairstyles flatter your face, your wedding dress and your veil. They suit your personality while accentuating your best features and minimizing your weak ones. Here are some suggestions for different kinds of hair.

1...Hair swept back or up shows more of your face and profile. This style can be especially nice for formal or evening wedding.

2...A wedding up-do will accentuate your neck. This look can range from a simple French twist to a style mass of big ringlets.

3...Hair worn down or loose has a more casual look, perfect for daytime, outdoor, and informal weddings.

4...Long hair
can be worn back, loose, braided, or entwined with beading or fabric that matches your gown.

5...Medium-length hair is nearly as versatile as long. It can be curled, straightened, tucked behind your ears, or brushed loosely down.

6...Even brides with short hair can have a long, thick wedding day hair style. Clip on hairpieces and extensions are available in a variety of colors and styles.

7...Short hair can be versatile, from sleek styles to curly. Tiaras, decorative booby pins, combs, and hair clips all look stunning worn in short hair.

8...Bangs
can be worn several ways: soft, fringy, angled, or textured. If you've never had bangs, experiment with them well in advance. If you've always had them, this is not the time to sweep them aside and bare your forehead.

Current styles are important, but should be secondary to what is right for you. Something may be "in" but all wrong for you or your dress. Whatever style you choose, have practice sessions in the week before your ceremony. Do this and your wedding day will most certainly be a fabulous hair day.
We hope this was of help and please let us know, we love feed back!...

Best Peter & team bELLE

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Will my photographer capture everything...



What do I look for in a wedding photographer...

 

Well I tell couples that the number one thing to look for in their wedding photographer is personality, I call it bed side manner. Your wedding photographer is probably the only person who will be with you for the whole wedding day. They will be mixing with your friends and family all though the wedding. They will be shooting everyone. So, when you are meeting them, you are checking them out for comfort. See how you feel with them. Can you see yourself with them all day long . Could they be your friend pretty easily? This is a very important.When they are photographing you, you are apt to feel more comfortable in front of a friend than a wedding photographer.

The second next thing to finding a wedding photographer is when looking at their work, make sure that you really connect with it. When looking at their albums, try to see yourself in these pictures. If you can do this, and they seem like they might fit, you may have found someone for you. One key here is to understand that we do not all just take photos of people. We all have styles, approaches, and different ways of doing things. Make sure you walk through your wedding day with the photographers you are interviewing and ask them how they might approach different issues throughout the wedding day. A real pro should have great answers for you on a wide variety of topics that you bring up to them.

The last thing is price. The wedding photographer you choose should be close to your budget, otherwise you might be wasting your time meeting with them. However, some couples underestimate the cost of photography at first, and have to make adjustments once they see what it costs. The bridal magazines seem to perpetuate myths about the cost of photography. However, in the end, price is a component of the decision, but it should not be the main factor. If you find someone who really fits the above, but is $999.00 more than you budgeted, maybe you can cut back in other areas. After all, the photography lasts forever and is the only thing you will have after everything is gone.

Hope this helps you, as always...Feed back please.

Best Peter & tean bELLE

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Video...


The ABC's of Wedding Video

. . .

Just when you thought selecting a video person couldn’t get any more complicated, well it has. DVD, with its amazing features, can be the greatest thing to happen to your wedding video, if it is done right. It can also be one of the most complicated to understand. Read this and learn what you need to look in aDVD...

More Is not Always Better...

Most videographers will provide a demo DVD's. This, after all, is one of the best ways for you to view a prospective studio’s work. But be sure to view a full length DVD. This is important when shopping for a DVD wedding video because unlike a simple VHS tape a DVD has no set time limit. A DVD’s length is determined by how much the images are compressed during production. Depending on the quality of the production equipment and how much the video is compressed, the visual quality of the end product can be affected. Therefore, that 20-minute demo might look great, but will your full-length version look as good? Do yourself the favor and ask to view a full length DVD.

In-house Versus Out-house...

It is more desirable to have the DVD completely done in house by the actual wedding studio as opposed to an outside agency. This gives better control of quality. When bELLE video create a DVD we use different compression levels for different parts of the video to optimize the visual quality. For instance, we compress the ceremony part smaller than the reception. Why you ask. The ceremony is comprised primarily of people standing or sitting, therefore it can be compressed more without any noticeable loss of picture quality. On the other hand, the reception contains video of an action filled room full of people dancing and lights flashing. If I compressed the reception at the same level as the ceremony, the ceremony would look fine, but the image quality of the reception would deteriorate. An outside company would be more inclined to have the entire video compressed at the same level.

Technology Speaking...

Mass duplicated DVDs, such as those you buy at Blockbuster, are created with a different process then the one your wedding video will be done in and may not be compatible with some players that are more than two years old. Fortunately, DVD players today cost little more than a good VCR. Also remember that the quality of your wedding DVD will only be as good as the equipment used to tape it. There is no magical cure for poor camera quality and shooting.

Know What You Want...

One of the benefits of a DVD video over a typical VHS is that you can have chapter points that allow the viewer to instantly go to various points of the video, similar to changing tracks on a music CD. You can go from your vows to the first dance in just seconds. This will eliminate the need to pay extra for a shortened version of your wedding video. It’s also another reason why you should view a full length DVD sample rather than a 10 minute demo DVD . This feature will allow you to get a good idea of the length and quality without having to sit through an entire three hour production. Since these chapter points must be programmed into the DVD during production, please don’t assume that your DVD will have them.... Be sure to ask about this ahead of time if you want this feature for your wedding DVD.

We hope this helps with your video, and as always let us know

Best Peter & bELLE team

What are you doing back there Honey...



Bachelorette Parties happen about one or two months before the wedding we recommend not be prior to two weeks of your wedding day! This is to make sure there are no accidents to stop the bride and grooms wedding day (falling and spraining ankle, or worst, etc God forbid). It is really great that it is about a month out from the wedding so the girls who are lucky enough to make it can share a closeness, stories and remember all the inside jokes and hopefully male strippers that were at the and partying together and build an excitement about the Wedding day. When is a good time to send out the invites to your bachelorette party. These should be send out one to two months before the wedding, followed up with a phone call or e mail. With the busy life style most people have now a days three months is not to much time. The timing also depends on the location, if it is along way away, more notice should be given. Also keep in mind rooms at nice hotels, such as Las Vegas sell out fast.

What should we do and what type of party should it be ?. Questions keep getting better. Make sure it is something the bride will like, she does not want to be bummed out before her wedding and remember a day like this forever in a bad way. Peter Bruce Photo & Belle Fine Weddings recommends that someone, like a sister or close friend be very hands on. Just because a person seems fun and wild it does not mean they know the bride and will do the best interest of her.


Photos ?. Well as a photographer I am always happy to come and take the photos and or video at your bachelorette party. But if you don't want me there or any member of Belle, then take photos, lots of them. But be careful, we are living in a time where everything is open and no one can hide. It is not like the old days, where you took photos, dropped the film off at the corner Walgreens and you could edit them your self. Everything is now on Flicker, You Tube, Apple, Snap Fish, Shutter Fly, My Space and Face book, NO ONE can hide any more. And things can be Photoshopped in or out fast. Also be nice to the bride to be, no groom wants to find photos after you have kids that are well, you know ("I did not know she was a ____")

Drinking ?.Of course it is a party after all, but back to the photos, do you want to be known as the DRUNK at the party and don't push the bride, she should have fun, but that is it. This is why you have your Bachelorette Parties weeks or months before the wedding. Could you think how bad you would feel as a bride having a hang over on the day of your wedding. Everyone love a budweiser or better still a grey goose vodka on the rocks or two. But don't kill yourself. If one person is trying to get the bride wreaked, please stop them, as most brides mainly just wants to have fun. Remember girls just want to have fun. If you are not staying in a all in one hotel in Vegas or New York, don't drink and drive the DUI is not worth it. Who should pay for the drinks, not the bride and have a American Express, Visa or Master Card in file with the bar. And tip well.

Make an album of the bachelorette party for the bride (no bad photos of the bride, people can laugh at anyone else but her). There are many on line album companies like Apple or Snap Fish even blurb, one we like is Memento Press in San Francisco. Better still scrapbook it for the bride, go crazy and put lots of stuff in it, collect stuff and scrapbook it together, what a great personal gift.

One last word from us don't hang out with boys to long, you are there for the bride, it is nice to flirt,but you are there for the bride and her Bachelorette Party. If one girl whats to go off with a guy, let her. MAKE SURE she is safe, but don't bring down the party just for her .

Ever ones job is to make sure the bride has fun and is safe !.

Have fun and party...

Peter & team bELLE



Saturday, July 25, 2009

Photo tips for your guests...


Photo Tips for your Wedding Guests

"Brides & Grooms please pass this on to all your guests it will help them"

. . .

Now that it is summer, chances are that you will be going to a wedding sometime soon. And, most likely you'll be bringing your camera to the wedding along with a gift for the couple. Well Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE would like to help you and give you some tips for taking better photos at the wedding. I have always thought it your photos come out better than mine, time for me to hang up the camera and I mean that in the nicest of ways.

Most couples hire a professional wedding photographer to photograph there wedding, there's still plenty of room for you to also capture your perspective of this time occasion on film,notice I said FILM .There are lots of moments that happen among the guests that will never be captured by the pro photographer. Please stay out of the pro's way. He or she has a big job on hand. And, never shoot over the pro's shoulder. That won't be appreciated and could interfere with the job.

Concentrating on recording the fun that you and your family and friends have at the wedding. Not only will you have a record of the wedding for your own pleasure, but imagine the joy of the happy couple to receive prints of events that the professional photographer did not see or wasn't asked to shoot.

Example, many wedding photographers no longer shoot those table shots of the guests because these photos don't usually get purchased by the bride & groom.(see my example of table shots) This is a great time for you to shoot. But shoot these like a pro, Have some of the people at your table stand up and move behind those still seated and make a group shot. Avoid showing the entire table complete with half eaten food and 8 bottles of empty wine, instead concentrate on the guests face.

Another photo opp exists at your table. Many bridal receptions now include disposable cameras at every table. You may need to get the show rolling and coax your table mates to start taking pictures. Remember, the bride & groom can't be at every table to take part in the festivities so candid photos from these cameras can show the guests having fun in a way that professional photographers aren't likely to capture. You may get some funny shoots with these single shot cameras. Also keep them away from young kids.

A couple of hints on wedding photo etiquette. If you want to take photos at a church, synagogue, mosque , take your cues from the professional wedding photographer hired by the couple. If you see that he or she is not taking photos at the ceremony, chances are it is because the prest told the photographer not to. Respect the tradition and don't take pictures at this time. The same thing holds true for flash photography. Some places of worship will allow it at the ceremony, others will not. If you see that the pro is shooting, then take an aisle seat. It's the best place to get nice close shots of the couple that fill the frame as they leave the church.

One other suggestion on wedding photography is to be respectful of the professional wedding photographer. Don't get in that there way. You don't want to ruin the photos that the bride and groom are paying the pro to take the photos, and the pro can do a better job of capturing many parts of the event than you can. As we've indicated, there are plenty of different kinds of shots for you too.

Hope this helps your guests and please pass it on to them.

Peter & team bELLE

Make up tips from the Photographer...



From the photographers point of view

Wedding Makeup tips...



Every bride wants to look her best and most beautiful on her wedding day, but wedding makeup for your face can be a little daunting. How do you make sure your makeup stays on all day, looking fresh for your wedding photos, and manage to make you feel a little like a model, but still look like you not like the makeup truck hit you.
I have spent many years shooting weddings and I have realized that the best wedding makeup is actually the same makeup tricks that they used on top models for their photo shoot. The dynamics are just the same, whether it be a bride at a wedding, or a top photo shoot. Photos are taken. And the make up must stay on all day. The bride wants to look wonderful, but her self.

If you are having a Pro do your make up, which say you should as the triangle between bride/photographer/make up is one of the most important for a photographer/videographer Here are some tips that will help you make sure that you get the look you want...

#1...Many hours maybe days went into choosing your dress, ring, flowers. Don't let your makeup take a backseat to this. Take the time to go through magazines and pull out makeup styles that you really like, even tear out the ones you don't like. It could be how a certain feature is played up, or that great lipstick color, or how the skin glows, or even how they used way too much eyeliner. All this is easy to say and show to a makeup artist, with pictures. It helps a lot to show what you want in photo form rather than trying to describe it. . There is a lot of truth in the adage that says "a picture is worth a thousand words". It really gives a lot more information with a visual sense.

#2... To some wear and tear on your nerves on the wedding day, by all means, schedule a consultation, or even better, a complete makeup application before the big day with your makeup artist. Plan it for the rehearsal dinner, or a special evening out alone with your man, or a get together with all the bridesmaids. Don't overlook this very important step because this way you can see if you like your makeup artist's style and how you look.

Here are some things to bring to your consultation...

Tear sheets from magazines, of makeup you like and hate.

A picture of your wedding dress . This gives the make up artist a good idea of the style of the dress and the wedding. Is it romantic or Dramatic This gives an idea of your style and taste.

The shade of lipstick that you like to wear. If I don't have it, using yours is no problem. This is also a great test to see how long your lipstick will last during the evening.

Your most favorite waterproof mascara. I recommend using your tried and true mascara, and yes, waterproof. You just might be shedding tears of joy. If it's your brand, you do not have to worry about watery eyes, redness, allergies, etc.

Remember, your makeup run through is the time to play around, try different styles, colors, etc. And don't be afraid to say if you don't like something. Makeup is easy to take off and and put back on. Once you have your look down, make sure the makeup artist writes everything out on paper, and notes makeup items you may not have that you'll needing for that day. And don't forget, if your makeup rehearsal is set for a romantic dinner with your man, have the makeup artist change the lipstick or eye makeup a little so your groom can't tell you are wearing the same thing for your wedding day. We wouldn't want him seeing the same look twice.

If you planning on doing your makeup yourself... Here are some good tips & tricks that you can use in photo shoots that you can easily incorporate into your look to make it last all day...

#1... Make sure your foundation is an absolute perfect color match. Color blend along the side of the jaw and blend in 2-3 strokes. Is it gone? It should be. If not, or you find yourself blending forever and a day , if you have the wrong shade. It's not that it blends in, but how fast. I can make any shade blend in if I blended it long enough.

#2... For under eye circles, the easiest way to lighten them is with an opposite color applied on top first. If your darkness is gray, lightly brush a soft pink eye shadow on first, and then apply your foundation. If the darkness is more blue, try a matte light peach shadow. You'll find yourself using much less concealer & foundation.

#3... Using a good concealer is easier when you have the perfect shade. Don't go 2 shades lighter than your skin, as this actually makes the darkness appear more dark & muddy. Mix your concealer shade with a drop of your foundation and apply. You want your skin tone to appear one even shade.

#4... To keep foundation and concealer on all day, take a Kleenex folded into squares, and lightly press into the foundation before you powder. This removes excess oils from the foundation and leaves pure pigment on the face. If you find this removes too much foundation, then apply a little more than you think you need, and then press. You'll find that foundation stays on for hours .

#5... Very lightly brush on loose powder with a large brush to set. This is not the time to press powder into the skin with a powder puff. This actually can make your skin look and get shinier much faster.

#6... Apply your blush next. Get a blush brush that is the size of the apple of your cheek for a perfect application. Pick up your color and tap onto the apples of the cheeks, slowly blending back towards your temples. When you have enough on, take a clean makeup sponge and blend. This one step makes your blush look real, rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin. Also, by applying blush first, if you look great with just your blush on, you have the right amount. If it looks too bright or harsh, lighten it up.

#7... Lips next. To last all day, powder your lips first, then apply your lip pencil filling in the entire lip. Don't worry too much about the outline of the mouth. Then, apply your lipstick shade, blot, powder, and apply again. By blotting and powdering, you are actually removing the excess wax in the lipstick that causes it to bleed. Once finished, then apply a light coat of lip gloss if desired in the middle of the bottom lip.

#8... Brush & fill in eyebrows if they need them with a shade that's 1-2 shades lighter than your eyebrow hair color. Too dark, and you can start looking a little harsh. Brush through with a toothbrush after wards to look more natural.

#9... Last but not least, your eyes, this is important as everyone looks at the eyes. A soft shimmering cream or white is beautiful on the brow bone, and the inner corners of the eyes, both above and below the lashes. This wakes up the eyes and creates a beautiful highlight. To make eyes appear larger, apply a sand or taupe in the crease of the eye. Blend so that the shadow fades well. Keep your eyes looking neutral and real, while the colors emphasize the cheeks and lips. Make the most dramatic part of the eye your lashes and eyeliner as this looks the best in pictures. Take a black or brown pencil and line the lashes on the outer 1/2 or 1/4 of the eye. Blend in with a Q-tip. Then, take your mascara and a eyeliner brush, and lightly line the eye with your mascara. Once it's dried, smudge again, and you1ll find that your eyeliner will stay on forever. If your mascara is waterproof, that's better. And remember to curl your lashes before, not after mascara, this is imoprtant


#10... Finishing Touches are very important. When you're done with your look, you may want to apply a little more blush, and then finish with a final brush of loose powder. Make sure everything is blended very well. If you feel like you have a lot of makeup on, lightly mist with a soft spray of water to set it . This will take away the feeling of makeup on your skin and also helps to set the makeup. If you want your skin to glow, lightly brush on a soft shimmering eye shadow or the new shimmer loose powders. To avoid over doing it, just dust across the tops of the cheekbones and collar bones. For a more over-all glow, you can even go across the forehead and chin.

Remember makeup is important and a good Pro does not cost much.
We hope this helps and please let us know

Peter & team bELLE

Friday, July 24, 2009

number 3 in tips...


3 important things your wedding Photographer must offer...

So you're getting married, Congrats. You want your wedding day to be as wonderful & perfect as you've always dreamed it would be.But, if you pick the wrong wedding photographer, your day may be a lot less than perfect, and you may not be happy with the photos your photographer shoot for you. Bummer man. So, how do you go about choosing Mr photoright?

Glad you asked and as always we are here to help. Make sure your photographer offers you these 5 things. Then you can relax and feel confident the love, special moments and important details of your wedding will be captured with wonderful photos .


Do you like the photographer's work...

  1. Look at a good selection of the photographers wedding photos, not just a few photos on there web site. It's best if you can see at least an album or two. The albums probably represent the best of there work. How do the images look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Does the lighting and the color look good ? Is the photographer's style what you are looking for? Most of our couples are looking for a mix of photojournalistic photos & classic posed traditional shots. Make sure your photographer is capable of, and comfortable with, taking the style of images you want for your wedding photos. If you don't like the photographer's work, there is no need to consider them further. Also, make sure the work you see was done by the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Some studios will show you a lot of good work from various photographers, but will not guarantee you will get the photographer whose work you like the best. There is one company in San Francisco does this a lot and will not tell you who the photographer is till weeks before the wedding.
  2. Do you like the photographer's personality or bed side manner...
    Is the photographer confident, easy and out going. Does the photographer have a good sense of humor? Remember, the photographer will be with you through most of the wedding day, interacting with you, your bridal party, your family, and your wedding guests. A demanding, inflexible, and uptight photographer can make your day really bad. I know you don't want that! Make sure you both get along well with the photographer you choose. If the photographer is going to have a second photographer help at your wedding, meet that assistant photographer and make sure you feel comfortable with them as well. To get to know your photographer before you choose them, it is really important you meet with them personally. If it is physically impossible to meet with the photographer, you should make sure some of their testimonials from previous clients make you feel comfortable with the photographer's personality.
  3. Does your photographer offer you the right value?
    Not the right price, but, the right value, There is a difference. If your photographer doesn't have all of the above characteristics, it may not matter what their prices are. If the photographer has all these, that's a big part of the value they offer you. In this case, the price should be less important. Just make sure your photographer will provide what is really important to you and is up front with you about costs for everything you want. Someone who gives you a "low" price up front may sound good. But, things change when you find they charge extra for every location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on. And never pay for overtime. A photographer who charges twice as much, but includes almost everything, can often be a better value for you overall.

Well there you have it. Choose your wedding photographer based on the above 3 factors, and you will go a long way toward having the wedding of your dreams. Good luck and congratulations again. As always let us know.

Cheers Peter & bELLE


Thursday, July 23, 2009

Talk to your photographer...




Photographer's Wish List. How the you can help us...



Finding a wedding photographer to shoot your big day is a sizable investment, in time and money. By doing your research and hiring a professional that suits your style, you can rest assured that they are going to capture your day exactly how you want it to be done. But achieving the best possible results doesn’t end with the signing of the contract. I know I am working for and with you, but here are a few simple things you can do as a client before and on your wedding day to help you and your photographer shoot the photographs of your dream wedding.

Develop a personal one on one relationship with your photographer. Hopefully you have selected a photographer whose personality goes well with yours, besides your fiancee, they are the person you will be spending the most amount of time with on your day. By the time your wedding day arrives, you should consider your photographer a friend and team mate, not just another vendor. This can seem like a difficult task to accomplish, considering how busy and hectic the months leading up to the wedding day can be, but it can be done. Most photographers understand the importance of this dynamic and will take the initiative, but it does take a little bit of effort from you as well. Make yourself available. Though most beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily have to take place in person. 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 will as well. As soon as the guard comes down, the photographic magic can happen...

Be yourself with your photographer. This may seem like common sense, but it can be more difficult than most people think. Most people aren’t used to having a photographer shoot their every move, especially with intimidating looking pro equipment. Though they may not realize it, people tend to carry themselves and act differently as soon as a camera is pointed towards them, which looks stiff and unnatural in photographs. Others just freeze up totally. Unless your photographer is giving you specific direction, the best thing you can do is relax,chill and be yourself, and act as if the photographer wasn’t there. Pay extra attention to your hands, they are a good indication of how tense you really are. Relax your hands and arms and the rest of you will follow. No need to put on an act, simply be yourself and it will all look great.

Please don’t rush your wedding day. When planning the schedule , allot a realistic amount of time for each separate part. Planning a shorter, more casual wedding is one thing, but attempting to pack an eight hour event into four makes everything feel rushed, like you’re trying to run a race. Not only does it make it difficult for everyone involved to enjoy the day, it makes it more difficult to capture natural looking photographs when you’re sprinting from one thing to the next. Pace your day and remember every moment, it is, after all, a once in a lifetime experience.

Look through many magazines, on-line, and, of course, through your photographer’s portfolio for specific examples of photos , scenes, and body positions that you like and share these ideas with your photographer before the wedding. It will give both you and the photographer a better sense of direction when working as a team. 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.

Talk with your fiancee about the photography and video. Often photography is of much greater importance to one half of the couple, typically the bride, but sometimes the groom. Sometimes the photographer won't even meet the groom until the wedding day, as everything related to photography was arranged and booked by the bride. This usually translates to the groom and groomsmen standing around in complete disinterest, with a ‘this is her deal’ attitude. If you communicate openly with your fiancee, and, even better, the core wedding party, beforehand about the photography, it will make it much easier and enjoyable to achieve your desired results.
I even like to meet the brides maid before the wedding as they will be the number point of help for you on the wedding day.

Enjoy your wedding day,really enjoy it. Again, this may seem dum to say, but with the anticipation and stress involved in planning the perfect day, it can be difficult to enjoy it. While there is certainly no way to eliminate the stress and worry completely, you can minimize it. If you don’t have a professional day of coordinator, appoint someone you trust to handle the logistics of the day and let them worry about the small details. You have been planning this day for months maybe years, once it finally arrives,enjoy and chilax. You certainly deserve to and doing so will translate to more natural beautiful photos.

I hope this has helped and as always please let us know...

Cheers Peter and team bELLE

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

10 wedding tips...



Top 10 Wedding Planning Tips...

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting things a girl will ever do, but it can also be one of the most stressful. As a photographer I see all of the excitement and frustrations that a bride goes through. Here is a list of 10 good and helpful tips,hope they help...

#1...Invite people to participate in your wedding party because they care about you, not out of obligation. I can not tell you how often a bride asks someone to be in her wedding out of obligation, and is only frustrated by that individual's lack of interest and participation. This is the one of the biggest and best days of your life. Only get people involved in the wedding who genuinely share in your happiness and love. If they don't, there is no way they can behave the way you might expect them to.

#2... Watch your budget. It is so easy to spend more on your wedding than you planned or may be able to afford . There are so many great choices available to brides that you should not have to put yourself in debt to have the wedding you want. If you start out with a budget, stick to your budget and find alternatives that allow you to do it. You do not want to start your new life with your partner paying off wedding bills for many years to come

#3...Put everything on paper. When you book your vendors, anything that you discuss, including special arrangements or deals, that you want included in your package for the quoted price make certain is written in the contract. People can't remember promises they made to you a year ago verbally, so make sure all the details are written in the signed contract and keep back up copies.

#4... Get organized. In order to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks involved with your wedding,get and stay organized. Make an action plan by week of what you are going to do, and keep track of progress. This will help you to keep your thoughts and plans in order.And stop you from going crazy.

#5... Pursue proper etiquette. Following proper etiquette has two big advantages. Firstly, you will avoid embarrassing social blunders that can ruin your most special day. Secondly, since weddings are an emotional event for everyone involved, not just the bride and groom, it is important to keep all relevant parties happy and excited. By following the proper rules of etiquette you can never go wrong. People cannot argue with what is right!

#6...Compromise a little. Knowing how to compromise will save a lot of stress and money through the planning process. You, your groom, and families all should enjoy the wedding and be proud of it after it is over. While the couple should do what makes them happy, be open to suggestions and sensitive to the feelings of those with you. If you disagree with their recommendations, talk about it calmly until an understanding is reached. It will make the day more enjoyable for all.

#7... Confirm & follow up... Make sure as the wedding date gets closer, about 2 to 3 months before, that you follow-up with your wedding vendors such as the DJ's, limos, photographer, florist, and videographer to confirm your arrangements, provide any last minute instructions, and confrim timing of all that is happening on the day. It will make you feel secure and will insure that they understand your want and needs on the day.

#8...Relax,chill & enjoy. Your wedding should be a fun, happy, beautiful time. Do not let the planning process kill that for you. Take moments to step back & enjoy what is happening. Especially on the day of your wedding, just enjoy it for what it is . At that point, you have done all you can and it is in the hands of the trustworthy people you have hired.

#9... Start planning early ... Locations and vendors book up earlier and earlier each year. So to make sure that you get exactly what you want, start booking early. It also gives you plenty of time to find investigate other options if your first choice does not work out.

#10...Know your Vendors. The reputation of the vendor you choose is of the utmost importance. Avoid unpleasant surprises on the day of your wedding by selecting service providers with impeccable records.

We hope this help,please let us know


Best Peter & team bELLE


Monday, July 20, 2009

top 10 list...





So you want to celebrate your big wedding day outdoors? We have done hundreds of out door wedding and have seen almost everything. Here are 10 good tips for having an outdoor wedding...
#1... Let your guests know in the invitation that it’s an outdoor wedding, so they can dress appropriately for the day.

#2... Enclose detailed maps in your invitations, so guests can find their way and not get lost.

#3... Make sure you have enough bathroom facilities. If the outdoor reception is at home, you
might want to consider renting a portable bathrooms. Most rental places have wedding models, complete with a flush toilet and sink.

#4...Make sure your wedding site is in an area that won’t get muddy or flood out if it rains.

#5...Make sure the site has access to electricity,you don't want the noise of a genearator.

#6...The general rule of thumb for a sit down reception is to allow for 15 to 20 square feet per guest. If you do the math, and make sure your tent is big enough.

#7...If you are having the outdoor reception at a private residence, find out ahead of time where the tent will be placed. That way when you are doing your spring/summer planting, you can choose flowers in your wedding colors and plant them around the tent.

#8...Offer parking that is close by it should a wedding not a hike for your guests.

#9...Let the neighbors know you are having an outdoor wedding reception ahead of time so they won’t be outside with lawnmowers and leaf blowers.Or maybe invite them so the music does not bug them.


#10...Have mosquito and bug spray handy. Citronella candles are not enough if mosquitoes decide to crash your party. Also if it during the day have sunscreen and umbrellas

We hope this help and let us know...

Regards Peter & team bELLE

top 10 list...

So you want to celebrate your big wedding day outdoors? We have done hundreds of out door wedding and have seen almost everything. Here are 10 good tips for having an outdoor wedding...
#1... Let your guests know in the invitation that it’s an outdoor wedding, so they can dress appropriately for the day.

#2... Enclose detailed maps in your invitations, so guests can find their way and not get lost.

#3... Make sure you have enough bathroom facilities. If the outdoor reception is at home, you
might want to consider renting a portable bathrooms. Most rental places have wedding models, complete with a flush toilet and sink.

#4...Make sure your wedding site is in an area that won’t get muddy or flood out if it rains.

#5...Make sure the site has access to electricity,you don't want the noise of a genearator.

#6...The general rule of thumb for a sit down reception is to allow for 15 to 20 square feet per guest. If you do the math, and make sure your tent is big enough.

#7...If you are having the outdoor reception at a private residence, find out ahead of time where the tent will be placed. That way when you are doing your spring/summer planting, you can choose flowers in your wedding colors and plant them around the tent.

#8...Offer parking that is close by it should a wedding not a hike for your guests.

#9...Let the neighbors know you are having an outdoor wedding reception ahead of time so they won’t be outside with lawnmowers and leaf blowers.Or maybe invite them so the music does not bug them.


#10...Have mosquito and bug spray handy. Citronella candles are not enough if mosquitoes decide to crash your party. Also if it during the day have sunscreen and umbrellas

We hope this help and let us know...

Regards Peter & team bELLE