Just a quick entry for tonight - picked up a great out-of-town guest tip -
Give each guest coming into town the name of an in-town “buddy” (willing family member or friend) that they can call if they are lost, or their travel plans go awry, or just for directions to a store or pharmacy. It will make your guests more comfortable with their trip and you won’t have to worry about them, knowing they are in good hands.
Posted in: Articles
Just a quick note about what I mean when I say I “attended” or “went to” or “celebrated” a wedding -
What I do for a living - I’m a wedding videographer. But for me, that extends far beyond being “hired to tape a wedding”. I’m there to capture memories - to create an heirloom for the couple and their families to treasure for years to come. It’s about capturing life - emotions, laughter, tears, firsts and lasts and in betweens - and it is so hard to wrap that in a brief phrase. So when you see that, realize that I am, inadequately, expressing the honor I feel, and the happiness it brings me, to celebrate with a couple as they begin their new life together, and to capture the events that made their day so special.
Went to a wonderful wedding this weekend ! Heather and Jeff had a lovely ceremony at St. Augustana church. They had written their own vows, and memorized them, and it was such a romantic moment, as they spoke from their heart as they promised themselves to each other. The flowers at the church were lovely - the pews were decorated with bouquets of flowers and wide ribbon bows, very striking.
Really unique attendant dresses - black dresses with rose colored sashes - the sashes wrapped from the top of the back, around the front in a cummerbund-type effect, then back to the back, in a knot, with long graceful sashes to the floor. Very striking effect.
The reception was at Indian Creek Country Club. The decorations were lovely, and the catering, by Abraham Catering, was delicious - the apricot chicken was my favorite. (www.abrahamcatering.com)
Adam Davis, with Complete Music, was the DJ - what a fun DJ to work with. He had the guests up and dancing all night, and everyone at the party was having a really good time.
Their photographer, Jeremy Johnson (www.jeremyjohnsonphoto.com), was really great to work with. I’d seen his work, and had been looking forward to working with him. The engagement photo of Heather and Jeff that was displayed at the wedding and reception was just gorgeous - perfect color, lighting, really a beautiful effect overall. I am frequently (by older relatives at the wedding) mistaken for the photographer, and at this wedding, I would have had to take that as a compliment!
We wish Heather and Jeff many sunny days and romantic nights on their honeymoon trip this week.
Read a great article on “The Knot” about things guests don’t like about some weddings - something to consider, so your friends can go home saying “that was the best wedding ever!”
#1 Guest gripe - Receiving Lines - a 200 person wedding can easily take an hour or more to get all the guests through the receiving line. “Today” ideas - at the reception, go table-to-table and greet guests - or - bride and groom release guests by row after the ceremony - it goes more quickly, and the people in the back get to stay seated while they wait.
Also making the list -
Awkward timing pauses between ceremony and reception - if there is an hour or 2 between the end of your ceremony and the beginning of your reception (too much time to do nothing, not enough time to do something), consider offering your guests suggestions of what to do during that time.
Some ideas I’ve seen -
- Wedding at a church? Perhaps provide cold drinks and munchies in the social hall or lounge - just a place to sit, visit, spend time with family and friends that they may not have seen for a while.
- Reception at a hotel? Consider asking the hotel for a hospitality suite or conference room - again, somewhere to visit and relax.
- Or, offer a map with a few spots of interest in your town - a museum, historical site, Barnes&Noble or Burger King could be just the thing.
Where to sit - 2 issues -
- Nowhere to sit during the cocktail hour - a.k.a. “I shouldn’t have worn these shoes!”
- Lack of table placecards (seating plan) - ending up with nowhere to sit, or having to split your famliy one person here, one person there. Worried about repercussions between who-sits-where? Be as considerate as possible, then dismiss your worries - it’s your wedding day, have confidence that the people that love you are cool with whatever wedding arrangements you have made.
The article also had some ideas that guests loved - Read the whole article -http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=A20424144710
We’re freshly back from our international Wedding and Event Videographer’s Association (WEVA) annual convention in Las Vegas, NV, and we have a few new and exciting offerings for our brides and grooms!
Coming soon - more entertainment for your guests at your reception in the form of bigger and better Love Stories, Photo Montages, and Instant Edits.
A new way to preserve your memories of your special day - digital memory books from Heritage Makers - include photos from your photo montage, still frames from our video, honeymoon pictures - whatever would make the best keepsake for you. A great gift for family and wedding party members as well.
Interviews with wedding vendors - information about planning your wedding - no-fail tips and tricks for keeping it all running smoothly - coming soon!
Posted in: Articles
Technorati - a great search engine for blogs on different topics - like a “google” for bloggers - this post is to register our blog with technorati.