I Do

2012

Planof

ActionSteps to take to plan the wedding of your dreams

Money

A financial plan for your wedding

Talks

Get Your

Tips to look your best on the big day

Glamour On

Planning Made easyCongratulations! you and the Person of your dreaMs are eMbarking on a new life together, and we Couldn’t be haPPier for you. it’s tiMe to Create a day you and your loved ones will never forget. sound iMPossible? hardly! Just let us show you how.

Changing attitudes and a Changing eConoMy have Changed the way CouPles get Married. today’s CouPles are being More Mindful of their budgets – but they’re not letting that get in the way of throwing an awesoMe Party! our 2012 bridal Planner will guide you through all the MoMents of the big day.

our exPerts’ tiPs will show you how to Make the Most of your tiMe, energy and budget, while keePing your wedding’s style and fun faCtor sky high.

dive in. follow our tiPs. Plan a wedding that your guests won’t soon forget.

it’s never been easier to do.

in this issue

3 Budget4 Invitations6 Cakes7 Fashion & Beauty10 Honeymoon11 Flowers13 Music & Entertainment14 Photo & Video

h e r e w e g o !2 I Do 2012

by taniesha robinson CTW Features

a dreaM wedding with all its PoMP and CirCuMstanCe easily Can turn into a nightMare if a CouPle still is Paying for it years after walking down the aisle. if there’s one lesson Cou-Ples should take froM the reCent reCession, it’s this: get real. get real about the bottoM line and what Matters Most for Creating lifelong MeMories.

“in deCiding how to fund your wedding, to a Certain extent, you’re setting a PreCedent for how you’re going to Manage your finanCes together when you’re Married,” says linda leitz, a Certified finanCial Planner with PinnaCle finanCial ConCePts in Colorado sPrings, Colo. here are soMe sMart stePs for starting your finanCial future together on the right foot.

Pre-Wedding Planningit’s iMPortant to get a “values-based vision” of your wedding first, says williaM tiMPson,

a Certified finanCial Planner at finanCial foCus, in livingston, n.J. this vision addresses all of the Must-haves for the Celebration rather than every whiM. “onCe you have that vision down, then you Can begin finanCial Planning,” tiMPson says. he also suggests Creating a seParate savings aCCount to add to regularly in PreParation.

CouPles who have More tiMe tend to sPend More, says laura west, a Certified finanCial Planner with west finanCial advisors Certified in nevada, iowa. she suggests sPending only three to six Months Planning: “you have to Make quiCker deCisions, and you don’t add as MuCh of those bells and whistles.”

Cutting Costs“all those shows that are on tv really get woMen thinking that they need to have this off-the-Charts wedding,” west says. but budget-friendly eleganCe is Possible when a CouPle foCuses on what’s iMPortant to theM Personally.

after finalizing their “values-based vision,” they Can target areas where Costs Can really raCk uP – Mainly the dress, flowers and food.

Planner leitz advises CouPles to travel off the beaten Path for deals. thinking about not only the tiMe of day but the day of the week and the tiMe of year has always been a way to save Money on a wedding. off-season – late fall, winter or early sPring – and weekday Plans don’t Put you in high CoMPetition for venues.

Ask for helpwhen CouPles have beaten the unConventional Path down to dust and are still CoM-

ing uP short in funding their wedding. it’s tiMe to turn to faMily and friends for helP. tiMPson suggests CouPles start with their Parents. “they’ll be Pleased to see that

you’ve Put together a budget and that you have a vision and that there’s a reason why you’re doing this,” he says.

if the bottoM line still lies overhead after exPloring all Cost-saving oPtions, a sMart CouPle will know it’s tiMe to aMend their Plans – oPt for a longer engageMent Period to allow for saving More for the wedding.

whatever you do, don’t go into debt, tiMPson says. “it’s a really tough way to start a relationshiP.”

The Smart Couple’s Guide to Financially Planning a Wedding

Top Finance Rules for NewlywedsFinancial problems are a leading cause of divorce in America. Follow these rules to put your marriage on the path to success.

1. Communicate. “With money, each of you doing what you want to do when you don’t agree ends up catastrophic,” says Linda Leitz, of Pinnacle Financial Concepts.

2. Sign up for free budget software like Mint.com. “It allows you to make educated decisions on where you can reduce expenses if you need to,” says William Timpson of Financial Focus.

3. Set goals. “If you’re not working toward a goal, you’re just spending with no regards to what you want to achieve for your financial situation,” says Laura West of West Financial Advisors.

4. Have what Leitz calls a “checker amount” – how much either spouse can spend without checking with the other.

5. Avoid debt.

6.Take advantage of company benefits.

b u d g e t 2012 I Do 3

s tat i o n e r y i s yo u r guests’ first iMPression of your wedding, so you want to Make sure it’s fun, grabs their attention and gets theM exCited about your big day.

you Can look at your stationery in three Parts: the save-the-date, the wedding invitation and enClosures, and the day-of PieCes. whether you’re getting your stationery Profession-ally designed or going the diy route and designing and Printing theM yourself, you’re going to need to visit a stationery shoP to get your hands on soMe PaPer and CheCk out design styles. tyPiCally, exPeCt to sPend around 5 PerCent of your budget on your statio-nery, inCluding Postage, but adJust as neCessary.

Save-the-Dateas soon as you have your wedding date set in stone – the venue is booked – you should send

out a save-the-date. it doesn’t Matter if it’s a year out froM the wedding or nine Months out or seven – the Point is you want your guests to get your wedding on their sChedules asaP.

Calling all guests!i n v i t a t i o n s

After the invite itself, you should include an RSVP card, which should be self-addressed and stamped. There’s a line where the guests fill in there name and how many will be attending. Don’t forget this! (We’ve seen it done!):

M

Will attend

Will not attend

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4 I Do 2012

you don’t need to go overboard on details; Just your naMes and the date to keeP oPen. if you have a wedding website already set uP with details about the Cer-eMony, reCePtion and aCCoMModations, inClude the url. and, of Course, you Can Mention that a forMal invitation will follow.

Wedding Invitation and Enclosures

let’s get this out of the way right now: do not inClude registry inforMation on the invitation – anywhere – it is unCouth! you’re inviting your friends and faMily to Join in your wedding Celebration; you’re not inviting theM to bring you gifts! (you Can list registry info on your wedding web-site.)

the aCtual wedding invite is where you offiCially invite your guests. Plan to Put these in the Mail around two Months Prior to your wedding. for soMe More Creative ideas for wording your invites (and a quiCk PriMer on the basiCs), visit offbeatbride.CoM and searCh “wedding invitation word-ing.”

the rsvP Card (self-addressed and staMPed) is where guests will aCCePt or deCline invitation and, if you’re having a seated dinner, Mark their dinner seleCtion (see sidebar). list a date in whiCh you’d aPPreCiate their rePly by, usually four weeks before the wedding date.

as Mentioned, you Might have all the Pertinent info on your wedding website, but you’ll want to inClude a Card seParate froM the invitation that lays out the wheres and whens for your reCePtion and aCCoM-Modations.

Day-of Pieces the invitation Might be the Main attraCtion, but there are still soMe PaPer PieCes you need for the big day:

• Programs: if you’re having a CereMony in a house of worshiP, this will list info for the offiCiant, readings, the wedding Party, etC.

• Table numbers/names

• Escort cards and Place cards: esCort Cards tell the guest whiCh table they are at. PlaCe Cards show theM where at the table they are sitting.

• Menus: an outline of dinner, set with their PlaCe Card, is a niCe touCh.

• Thank-yous: if you want to get a JuMP on showing your gratitude, it Can be worth-while to invest in stationery with your

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2012 I Do 5

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6 I Do 2012

By anna sachse

CTW Features

If you’re a sucker for sweets, the cake is probably the star of your to-do list.

To ensure you get a baker whose culinary and aesthetic abilities you adore, Sharon Alexander, owner of boutique bakery Sweet Sen-sations in Newnan, Ga., advises booking at least six months prior to the big day. But first, schedule tastings with a few top contenders, inquire if they bake from scratch or use mixes, and ask to see lots of pictures of cakes they did for actual weddings – if a baker clearly specializes in a classic look, they may not be the best fit for your col-orful, topsy-turvy request.

In general, plan to order a cake that would serve about 80 percent of your guests, as some people don’t eat cake and others will leave before it’s served. Prices typically range from $400 to $1,600 or more, depending on the town, cake size and ingredients – fondant is more expensive than buttercream, and intricate details like sugar flowers and royal icing can really bump up the bill.

In this era of “Ace of Cakes,” couples who are looking to personal-ize the traditional tower of tiers certainly can have an architectural masterpiece that replicates their city skyline or a scene from “Star wars.” But Katelin Gallagher, senior editor for Projectwedding.com, suggests using textured buttercream and herbal accents for a more organic look, or considering fondant cutouts for a contemporary vibe. Or stick with a simple white exterior and focus on memorable flavor. Alexander loves Neapolitan and coconut-and-lemon-curd cakes, but her top pick is a chocolate cake with dulce de leche filling. “It tastes like a candy bar!”

If you want something visually unique, you can add a groom’s cake, the southern tradition that is gaining popularity across the country. “we’ve done just about anything you can imagine, including flooded woods, the groom’s dog, cars, stadiums, computers, mountains, games, etc.,” says Alexander. Need more unique dessert inspiration? Gallagher recommends checking out IAmBaker.net, Bakerella.com and Eri-caOBrien.com.

Sweet Treats

C A K E S

If your mantra is “more is always better,” consider getting a small, one- or two-tier cake for cutting, and then offering an array of favorite treats. Gallagher loves pretty pastries like macarons and cake pops, as well as heart-warming sweets like Whoopie Pies, cookies-and-milk and sea-sonal desserts like mini hot chocolates, pumpkin pie and berry tarts. For even more flair, include a DIY dessert sta-tion, and let guests build their own gooey s’mores, giant ice cream sundaes or colorful shaved ice.

f a s h i o n & b e a u t y

Get Glamorous from Head to Toe

Dress for Successyou tyPiCally need to order a

gown froM a traditional wedding salon about six Months in advanCe, so start shoPPing around early, vis-iting the go-to boutiques and shoPs in your City. if you’re in a rush, hit uP PlaCes like david’s bridal where you Can buy off the raCk and walk out the door, advises raChael leon-ard, fashion direCtor for brides Magazine. J. Crew and bhldn, anthroPologie’s bridal line, also are good, quiCk resourCes. however, if you have aMPle tiMe, you Can often get aMazing deals on designer dresses by CheCking out flash-sale sites like theaislenewyork.CoM or ruelala.CoM, or attending a brides against breast CanCer event. (note: wedding dress PriCes Can range anywhere froM $500 to $10,000 or More.)

another Possibility – if you need flexibility with the tiMeline, Pay-Ment oPtions and design eleMents – is having a CustoM gown Cre-ated for you, notes deedee viCory, owner of bridal alteration studio the wedding seaMstress and bridal boutique d’lola Couture in arvada, Colo. or, for a truly Cost-effeCtive way to wear soMething unique and

Meaningful, viCory sug-gests having your dress-Maker redesign a beloved vintage wedding gown into a new style that feels ConteMPorary.

regardless, before you settle on a dress sourCe, it’s helPful to think about details like the forMal-ity of your event – for exaMPle, if you’re having a ChurCh wedding, you should Probably skiP that

baCkless nuMber. that said, keeP an oPen Mind – you Might be the avid-ly anti-straPless tyPe, but it turns out this PoPular style is esPeCially flattering for your body tyPe.

looking for soMe fashion-forward leads? the latest trends in short dresses are a great ’60s tra-Peze look and a short-in-the-front/floor-length-in-the-baCk heMline, whiCh Can really showCase a fabu-lous shoe, says leonard. she’s also seeing Color on the bridal runways, inCluding Pale PeaCh, a dark lilaC and for the More gothiC bride, blaCk or a blaCk-and-nude look. (viCory says that red and green are the Most CoMMon requests for Color in CustoM gowns.) other unConventional trends inClude

with her gorgeous gown, elegant aCCessories, sleek Coiffure and glowing visage, the bride is the quintessential iCon of a wed-ding. but Modern woMen also want their look to refleCt their individuality. if that Pressure has you in PaniC, take CoMfort. these beauty guidelines will get you feeling both ChiC and unique.

by anna saChse, Ctw features

A simple, bold cuff is smart way to accessorize a showstopping gown.

On trend: Short-in-front, long-in-back gowns, like this ivory organza gown with organza silk embroidery and curved hem from BHLDN

2012 I Do 7

f a s h i o n & b e a u t y

low-draPed and sheer baCks, and front or side slits – Just be sure to avoid ankle straPs, as they Can Make legs look shorter and thiCker.

“we’re also starting to see an inCrease in brides who want sleeves for Coverage,” says viCory, “and laCe is beCoMing PoPular again, whiCh i would say is a direCt result of the royal wedding.”

Sugar on Top

shortly after you order your dress, you’ll want to settle on your shoes – you should bring theM to your first fitting, as they May affeCt the alterations. it’s Possible to Push PurChasing a wraP and/or ClutCh to the last Minute, but you’ll ideally want to deCide on any hair aCCes-sories (a veil, fasCinator, hat, Crown or CliP) and Jewelry a few Months Prior, as they May iMPaCt your hair and MakeuP ChoiCes.

you want Jewelry to CoMPleMent your gown, not CoMPete with it. if the dress is a showstoPPer, stiCk to siMPle droP earrings and a bold bangle or a striking CoCktail ring. but if the dress is siMPle, a Chunky, Colorful neCklaCe Might be the PerfeCt foil.

for headwear, gina ludwig, owner of hair CoMes the bride (whiCh sells all Manner of bridal aCCessories, as well as eMPloys hair and MakeuP artists aCross the Country), is seeing two trends.

Gina Ludwig, owner of bridal-accesso-ries maker Hair Comes the Bride, lists these essentials for a big-day beauty emergency kit. Stash these go-to products in your clutch or enlist your coordinator or maid of honor to do the carrying:

Baby wipes: They can remove makeup and most stains

A mini sewing kit: Inexpensive ones are available at drugstores

Bobby pins

A travel-size bottle of hair spray

Safety pins

Extras: White chalk to cover stains on dress or shoes, hem tape, extra earring backs, pain reliever, Band-Aids, clear nail polish, eye drops, tweezers and an energy bar

BEAuTY EMErGENCY KIT

On trend: vintage-inspired birdcage veils

8 I Do 2012

f a s h i o n & b e a u t y

first, vintage-insPired birdCage veils and CoMbs, Pins or tiaras in antique silver, tyPiCally with rhinestones and/or Pearls. “Just Make sure you don’t overdo it with vintage hair, MakeuP and aCCes-sories,” she warns. “you want to CoM-bine vintage eleMents with a Modern touCh.” the seCond trend she’s seeing is deliCate faux flowers – a lovely addition to the softer, More “undone” trend in bridal hairstyles right now, ludwig says.

Practice Makes Pretty

to nab your Preferred MakeuP art-ist and hair stylist, sChedule at least five Months out. Just keeP in Mind that if your wedding is on a saturday during Peak wedding season (late sPring through early fall), you should Probably Plan even farther ahead, if Possible, says anni bruno, owner of nyC faCes in new york, who regu-larly is booked for weddings a year in advanCe. you’ll also want to set uP Consultations/trials – your style Pref-erenCes May Change as you get Closer to the big day, so shoot for four to six weeks out.

the PriCe for hair and MakeuP varies drastiCally based on the ven-dor’s loCation and exPerienCe, but, in general, you Can exPeCt to Pay $25 to $150 for a trial and $50 to $400 for the day-of serviCe. you’ll save Money going to

2012 I Do 9

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by lindsey roMain

CTW Features

are honeyMoons an endan-gered sPeCies? seeMingly. in 2010, 81 PerCent of Married CouPles went on a honey-Moon, down froM 93 Per-Cent in 2008, aCCording to a study done by the wedding rePort. as CouPles Continue to CrunCh nuMbers to Make wedding ends Meet, hon-eyMoons have beCoMe one of the Many saCrifiCes. after all, they have Many years of wedded bliss ahead of theM in whiCh they Can travel.

but it doesn’t have to be that way. loris fusCo,

roManCe and travel Planner for Montrose travel in glen-dale, Calif., suggests Carving out a budget for the honey-Moon in the initial wedding Planning ProCess so it isn’t a last-Minute exPenditure that breaks the bank.

another way to keeP honeyMoon PriCes low? don’t be afraid to travel in the off-season. try a fall wed-ding instead of a suMMer one, esPeCially if a honey-Moon is iMPortant to you.

“June is traditionally PoPular, but oCtober has beCoMe the new June, with CouPles taking advantage of the off-travel seasons and lower available PriCes,” fusCo says.

aCCording to fusCo, destination weddings are PoPular for 2012, sinCe they allow the whole faM-

ily to exPerienCe the fun of beaChes, sPa days, yoga, surfing and sCuba diving. this way, the newly Married CouPles Can stay in their retreat for the honeyMoon while the rest of the guests head hoMe.

“troPiCal loCations reMain the Most PoPular destinations,” fusCo says of destination weddings and honeyMoons, noting that MexiCo is one of the toP ChoiCes given its Many oPtions of all-inClusive luxury travel and honey-Moon PaCkages at More affordable PriCes. “fiJi is also really PoPular beCause there are so Many sMall and Private islands that are less Crowded and that offer features suCh as bungalows and More Private beaChes and settings for CouPles.”

retreat & relax

h o n e y M o o n10 I Do 2012

f l o w e r s

by anna saChse

CTW Features

Just as a stunning PieCe of Jewelry Can really set off a wedding gown, beautiful blooMs are like aCCessories for your big-day déCor. but we’re not Just talking deCoration here – with Count-less Colors, textures and oPtions for arranging, your florals also are an easy way to Create the vibe for your event.

Petal Planningif you’re a fan of flowers, booking the shoP or event designer

who will Create your arrangeMents May be at the toP of your to-do tiMeline. “but don’t hire the florist until after you’ve seleCt-ed your venue and date, and seCured your Main vendors – band, Catering, and PhotograPher,” says karen bussen, author of the “siMPle stunning wedding organizer” (stewart, tabori & Chang, 2011), whiCh has a seCtion on what to ask ProsPeCtive florists

Give Your Event a Fresh Feel

2012 I Do 11

f l o w e r sand how to CalCulate Costs. “then you’ll have a better sense of what your déCor budget is and what kind of aMbienCe you want to Create.” six or seven Months out should be a safe bet.

before Meeting with vendors, Peruse Maga-zines, books and websites for ideas. raChel bowes, owner of seattle-based finCh & thistle event design, says that blogs are her PriMary sourCe of wedding insPiration beCause there are so Many, and they uPdate daily. “but i also like the british wedding flowers Magazine, whiCh is available at Craft stores in the u.s.”

as for the average bill, you Can exPeCt to Pay out about 8 to 10 PerCent of your total budget for blooMs. however, the aCtual nuMber varies widely, dePending on faCtors like your desired aesthetiC (e.g. lush and glaMorous versus Mini-Malist and ChiC versus siMPle and rustiC), the tyPe of flowers (think seasonal and loCally grown blooMs to save Money) and the size of the event. in addition to reCePtion CenterPieCes, for a traditional wedding you’ll likely want bouquets for the bride and bridesMaids, bouton-nieres for grooM, grooMsMen, ushers and dads, Corsages or sMall Posies for Mobs and Mogs, and Possibly Petals and head wreaths for flower girls. but you Can use flowers anywhere, froM Chair-baCk garlands, alters and the Cake, to win-dows and restrooMs.

onCe you have an idea of the aPProaCh, Color Palette and PriCe-range you want, bussen reC-oMMends Meeting with a CouPle vendors who seeM like a good fit before Making your ChoiCe.

Flower Forwardwhile the over-the-toP, roMantiC look still res-

onates with Plenty of CouPles, More and More Modern Pairs are Preferring a siMPle, Clean and/or less forMal aesthetiC that’s still striking. for exaMPle, instead of one large, elaborate Center-PieCe, bowes suggests using lots of sMall-bud vases and bottles in varying heights and shaPes. “that way your florist Can showCase a few aMazing blooMs, suCh as Peonies, garden roses and orChids, to their full Potential, and use less exPensive flowers and foliage as aCCents in the MaJority of the vases.” as an alternative, bussen loves subMerging exotiC flowers. “one steM of bird of Paradise or heliConia Makes a great table aCCent when turned uPside down in a glass vase,” she says.

for eCo-friendly CouPles, bowes reCoM-Mends using a sMall Potted tree (Citrus, olive, CyPress) in a lovely Pot as a unique CenterPieCe, while bussen is a fan of live PhaelenoPsis or dendrobiuM orChids intersPersed with a few votive Candles.

Real flowers are glorious, of course, but if you’re crafty, there are numerous ways to personalize your “floral” design. For example, Bussen suggests making all your bouquets out of ribbon remnants, coiling the pieces into rosette-style shapes and wir-ing them together. Or you could fashion the bride’s bouquet and groom’s bout out of vintage brooches or buttons. Paper blooms provide a rustic look, while fluffy ostrich feathers feel elegant. “Just make sure your

bouquet suits your dress and the overall spirit of your celebration,” Bussen says. As for alternative centerpieces, Bussen recom-mends collections of different candles (pillar, votive, even floating), stacks of favorite books, vintage picture frames, or mixing and match-ing these elements. Want a more natural vibe? Bowes likes piles of gourds and pumpkins in the fall or seasonal fruit in clear vases for a mod-ern look year-round.

Alternative Arrangements

12 I Do 2012

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M u S I C & E N T E r TA I N M E N T

By anna sachse

CTW Features

Sure, you want the ceremony to be meaningful and the din-ner to be memorable, but what really makes a wedding a party – be it refined or rollicking – is the entertainment. And to get this party started, the most important element, of course, is this music.

According to TheKnot.com & weddingChannel.com’s 2010 real weddings Study, most cou-ples begin researching bands and/or DJs nearly eight months before their wedding, and book the music maker six to seven months out. The study also found that, on average, couples nationwide spent $2,920 for a band and $854 for a DJ. That said, prices vary widely depend-ing on experience, notoriety and location, with large, popular bands in big cities often costing $20,000 or more.

To find great, reliable per-formers, first ask your friends who’ve recently gotten mar-ried what they thought of their band/DJ, advises Anne Chertoff, contributing editor for wed-dingwire.com. You also can search the vendor listings in city-specific bridal magazines or on wedding-related websites. If

someone strikes your fancy, try to see them in action at a wed-ding, bridal event or individual show; but if a live viewing is impossible, Chertoff recom-mends requesting a DVD or video so that you can get a good idea of their professionalism and stage presence as well as their sound and musical range.

If you find that a particular band or DJ’s vibe is music to your ears, the next step is to set up an interview. “Explain what you’re thinking in terms of musi-cal selections and see if they get excited,” says Anja winikka, site editor for TheKnot.com. You’ll also want to ask about their experience with weddings (hopefully lots!), what kind of sound system they use, what requirements are included in their contract, if you can create a do-not-play list and if they’re willing to learn/acquire songs that aren’t already included in their repertoire.

Have ample funds? In addi-tion to the band or DJ that can offer something for everyone, personalize your event with a ukulele, harpist or trio for the ceremony (consider clas-sical renditions of rock songs for your walk down the aisle!), and a line dance, swing or salsa band that could play during the

cocktail hour and/or part of the reception.

But if you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll likely be better off opting for a DJ (who also can emcee and play many genres of music) or springing for a single band that’s capable of playing ceremony, cocktail hour and both dinner and dancing, says Chertoff. Filling up an iPod or laptop with your favorite tunes is another way to save money, and about 9 percent of couples now choose that route, accord-ing to the 2010 real weddings Study. But take note: You’ll still need an emcee, you should be prepared for technical glitches, and it’s key that you assign a point-person to start and stop the device for special dances and toasts, or to skip to the next song if the current one just emptied the dance floor.

Party rockin’

These days, girls (and boys) who just wanna have FUN at their wed-dings are looking beyond music to entertainment that includes every-thing from elaborate photo booths, lawn games, DIY dessert or cock-tail buffets and crafting guestbook stations, to karaoke and mechanical bulls (seriously, mechanical bulls). These extras can really amp up the festivities and are a great conversa-tion starter, says Winikka. But keep in mind that a wedding isn’t a Bar Mitzvah where you need a lot of activities to keep the kids from get-ting bored, adds Chertoff. Choose one or two wow-factor add-ons so that your guests have a great time, but the dinner tables and dance floor aren’t empty all night.

Fun and Games

2012 I Do 13

by lindsey roMain

CTW Features

in this era of foolProof digital CaMeras, ever-ready sMart-Phone CaMeras and viral videos, anyone and everyone Can be a PhotograPher or videograPher. wedding exPenses are going nowhere but uP, so relying on a friend or faMily MeMber to snaP a few shots Might seeM like a way to Make ends Meet.

when it CoMes to the wed-ding day, though, finding a Professional – rePeat, Pro-fess-ion-al – PhotograPher or vid-eograPher who Can CaPture the tone and eMotion of a wedding is iMPortant. here’s how to ensure great Photos and videos without breaking the bank.

Keeping a Modest Budget

the reCession has slashed the wedding budget for Many Cou-Ples, but one of the Positives of suCh finanCial turMoil is a foCus on the truly talented wedding doCuMentarians.

“the reCession has weeded out CoMPanies that Provided inferior CustoMer serviCe,” says ChristoPher figueroa, a new york-based wedding videogra-Pher.

figueroa suggests that future brides and grooMs use CustoM-er-review sites like yelP and weddingwire to helP find the PhotograPher or videograPher that’s PerfeCt for their big day. reading reviews froM other

CustoMers Can Point a finger in the right direCtion: do you want soMething alternative and funky, ClassiC or Modern? the web Makes it easier to find the right Person in that niChe.

the reCession also has Meant a refoCus for veteran CoMPanies, says gary freedline of video keePsakes, whiCh oPerates in beverly hills, Calif., and MiaMi. his CoMPany had to rethink PaCkages, PriCing and style. this translates to More affordable oPtions for high-quality serviCe.

linda Chervenak Maze, a wedding PhotograPher at art of affeCtion PhotograPhy in gainesville, fla., says that Most of her CoMPany’s Clients sPend about $2,000 to $3,000 on

their serviCes, a little higher than the average $1,515 Most CouPles Paid in 2011 for a PhotograPher, aCCording to the wedding rePort’s annual wedding PhotograPhy and videograPhy rePort. Maze says she’s notiCed that while CouPles Cut Costs at all Cor-ners, PhotograPhy is one of the exPense Categories that

has retained its MoMentuM. “their PhotograPhers are

the one Part of the day that they will be able to share with faMily and friends for the rest of their lives, and this ConCePt seeMs to be helPing our busi-ness Maintain its value,” Maze says.

Look Out For Phonies

aCCording to freedline, it’s iMPortant to keeP an eye out for aMateurs that Might Provide illegitiMate serviCe.

“what has hurt the industry is aMateurs buying CheaP dslr CaMeras and oPening uP shoPs that are not legal, not liCensed, not ColleCting taxes and that do not have exPerienCe or ProPer gear,” freedline says.

and while friends and faM-ily MeMbers Can be extreMely helPful resourCes for a less exPensive wedding, it’s the

MeMories Made easy

P h o t o & v i d e o

“Brides should only hire legal vendors – their deposits and memories are at stake.”

– ChristoPher figueroa

14 I Do 2012

P h o t o & v i d e o“friend of a friend of a friend” sourCes that should raise eyebrows.

“brides should only hire legal vendors – their dePosits and MeMories are at stake,” freedline says.

Choose a Service That Matterswhether you’ve CoMMitted to a videograPher and Pho-

tograPher or are still whittling down your ChoiCe, foCus on the PaCkages and oPtions that will truly CaPture the MagiC of the day. figueroa says his reCaP serviCe is his Most PoP-ular – it’s a four- to five-Minute highlight reel of the day’s Most MeMorable MoMents. an oPtion like this keePs the PriCe More affordable and the video More to-the-Point.

freedline also notes that short-forM videos are a More PoPular and Modern oPtion, although older faMily MeM-bers tend to favor feature-length wedding videos. “[Par-ents] feel Cheated if they end uP with a seven hour event that is over in three to five Minutes,” freedline says.

for PhotograPhy, Maze says she’s notiCed a trend in “first look” PhotograPhs, or Photos that doCuMent the Pre-wedding festivities, like Putting on the dress and getting hair and Make-uP done. this allows PhotograPhers to get More artistiC shots and CalMs the nerves of the bride, who Might find these snaPshots enCouraging.

Maze also reCoMMends that brides and grooMs look for interesting, inexPensive venues with good Photo oPs.

“it affords us new and interesting subJeCt Matter and baCkdroPs for PhotograPhs,” she says.

P h o t o & v i d e o

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2012 I Do 15