Engaging Images

This is probably the only time in your life where you will hire a photographer to take pictures of you. While there's no question that you will love your wedding pictures, it'd be nice to have some great shots of the two of you together in a less formal setting.

Talk to your photographer about scheduling an engagement portrait session. Some photographers include one in their wedding packages and others may offer a discounted rate because you hired them for the wedding.

Scheduling time to capture special moments between you and your fiance is great for three reasons:
1 - fabulous pictures for your home, holiday card, parents and grandparents
2 - you'll have a great photo for the engagement or wedding announcement in your local paper
3 - both of you will become more comfortable with your photographer and in front of the camera

You should not hire a photographer, or videographer, if you aren't comfortable with him or her. Of all the vendors you hire, the photographer and videographer will be in your face, literally giving you instructions on how and where to stand, on your wedding day. If you're not comfortable working with who you've hired it may show in your wedding pictures.

Talk to you photographer about scheduling an engagement portrait and what his or her costs are. And if you are still meeting with photographers, ask them if they’ll include a portrait, or portrait session in the package you buy.

The picture above was one of the many beautiful moments captured by Los Angles based photographers, Lindsey Hinderer & April Killingsworth at Sweet Monday Photography. Their wedding package includes a complimentary engagement session. To see more of their work, checkout their blog.

Numero Uno

Some couples decide to personalize their reception tables by selecting words, places or anything they can think of. While it's great to be creative, if you have a long guest list it can be difficult for people to find their seats if tables aren't numbered.

Think about it. If there are a lot of tables, numbers help guests find their seat because the room is divided into even and odd numbers. If someone is searching for the "romance" or "Paris" table it will be more difficult to find because the table could really be anywhere in the room. And lets face it, you don't have time to handout a map to guide them.

If you want to expand on your theme then use numbers and display them in creative ways - calligraphed or printed in an interesting font, print them on colored/themed papers, or find an interesting material to use.

The metal numbers pictured above are from Gauge Inc. They can easily stand on a tables and would be great for a wedding with a modern or art deco theme. The company also makes metal letters and monogrammed cake toppers that you can save as a wedding momento.

Reel Weddings

I love wedding movies. They're great for ideas - you may find a dress, cake, flowers, shoes or even a hairstyle you like for your wedding. I know someone who chose their wedding song based on a song played during the reception scene in Father of the Bride. In fact I spoke with a planner this week who gets hired to find wedding crashers to actual crash real weddings.

A new film, License to Wed is premiering this summer. It stars Robin Williams and Mandy Moore. The film opens July 4th, and you should check it out for inspiration as well as good time. Remember to take a break from planning and spend non-wedding time with your fiance.

The film is holding a sweepstakes for two tickets to the premiere, and two nights accommodations at Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, $1000 cash and transportation too.

The contest ends on May 31st, so enter today because this could be a pre-wedding honeymoon vacation!

Candyland

I went to the Stationery Show this week and finally saw one on my favorite kid brands - Eeboo.

I looked through their line to find gift ideas for a flower girl and came across these candy themed notecards.

I loved having a penpal as a kid, and think it's important to get kids writing - not just texting. There are several designs including butterflies and animals. But I'm partial to the Sweet design, because I have something of a sweet tooth.

In the Bag

Because I didn't bring a camera, I have to wait for friends to send their pics from the wedding in Barbados. So in the meantime I thought I'd write about other fun wedding things.

Finding the perfect gift for your bridesmaids is always a tough task. You want to buy something that they'll like and use for years to come.

Stephanie Johnson designs fabulous travel bags for cosmetic and toiletries. Whether or not your girls will have to travel to and from your wedding, they will love these stylish accessories for future trips.

The collection above is the Soho pattern and comes in a myriad of sizes. There are dozens of patterns and bags to choose from so you can pick the right one for each 'maid's personality and needs.

Destination Wedding: Setting the Scene

I am still getting used to being back in New York. We had the best time at the wedding in Barbados. The next few posts will be about the destination wedding I just attended. I didn't bring a camera (I need to buy one), so I'm waiting for our friends' pictures to get e-mailed to me.

The wedding took place on an estate the couple rented, and they let the environment around them help set the scene.

For the ceremony guests sat in the center of a manicured lawn, surrounded by palm trees, feet from the shore.

To help guests cool off before the wedding, bamboo fans were placed on each chair. A tag with the couple's names and wedding date were attached to the handle with ribbon. These were great for both cooling off and as a shade to protect my shoulders from a sunburn.

Since the wedding took place in the late afternoon, the bride rented chandeliers that were placed in the tents and over the yard for lighting. The ceremony area was used for dancing and relaxing after dinner.

Depending on what gets sent to me tomorrow, I'll write about some of the other wedding details or parties that took place over the long weekend.

Thanks to Sanford and Adrienne for this photo.

First Class

So I'm off to Barbados for a destination wedding. My husband is a groomsman, and we've been looking forward to this wedding/mini-vacation for almost a year. No computers and cell phones allowed.

I picked up the PB Travel First Class Travel Package and plan on taking it with me for the flight. The set comes with a blanket, pillowcase and eye mask.

The comfy blanket ensures that I'll be warm and the pillowcase will give me an extra layer of protection from an unsanitary pillow. (The person who used it last might have been a drooler.)

PB Travel makes a variety of travel items that you should think about picking up for your honeymoon. Their products come in great colors and are an inexpensive treat that you're sure to use for many years.

As for the wedding, I'll post pictures and blog about the details next week. Enjoy the weekend, and don't forget to wish mom a Happy Mother's Day.

Bar Fly

Planning a wedding in Los Angeles? Stop by The Bridal Bar for vendor recommendations and ideas. With DVDs and portfolios to flip through, you're sure to find everyone you'll need for the big day, including: photographer, baker, videographer, make-up artist, caterer, stationer and florist.

If you don't plan on getting hitched in LA, you can still get inspired by The Bridal Bar. Add the Bridal Bar Blog to your list of favorite sites and get great ideas for your big day.

The Handwriting on the Card

If you're looking for a less formal feel for your wedding you should call Rebecca at Bluebird Studios. Her one-of-a-kind whimsical style is perfect for a casual affair. I think it would be great for an oudoor, rustic setting.

Rebecca can calligraph your invitation envelopes, place cards, seating cards or any other part of your stationery wardrobe that can be personalized with hand lettering.

Bluebird Studios has been featured on Daily Candy, in Brides' Reception magazine and a myriad of other websites, blogs and magazines.

Indie Bride

I recieved an e-mail from the writer of Indie Fixx earlier this week. She put together a list of great items for a summer wedding.

Products on the list include custom engagement and wedding rings, interesting wedding day details, invitations and registry recommendations. I highly recommend you check it out.

People Who Need Style

We've all been there. Shopping for bridesmaid dresses is not every girl's favorite task. The fear that the bride will choose the ugliest one, that she swears you'll be able to wear again, is a familiar feeling.

People magazines website, People.com, wants to know what your ugliest bridesmaid dress looks like. You can upload images of your dress - crop or blur your face so you don't embarrass yourself - and post a description of what you really think of it. You can also comment on other ugly bridesmaid dresses, maybe you'll find that your wasn't so bad after all.