So you have been invited to a formal event and the invitation reads “black tie required”. What this means is that you have to wear a tuxedo, vest or cummerbund, black bow tie, and tuxedo dress shirt. If you don’t already own a tuxedo and are thinking about if spending the money on a tuxedo will be a good investment, than this brief article will help you decide whether to buy or rent. Below are a few deciding factors to consider:

Frequency of Use

If black tie events will be a more frequent occurrence for you in the future, that buying a tuxedo is most likely the better option. Renting a complete tuxedo consisting of tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, tuxedo shoes, cummerbund or vest, and the tuxedo itself, will usually cost between $80 and $120. Buying a quality set made from fine wool will range between $400 and $600. Keep in mind that classic tuxedo’s will never go out of style. It is very traditional attire that has been around for more than two centuries. So if you plan on attending a black tie event more than 5 times in the next few years than buying a new tuxedo will be the way to go.

Lifestyle Changes

Besides frequency of use, your lifestyle has some impact on the buy vs. rent decision. If you know that you might be moving quite frequently due to your job or family, then minimizing your wardrobe will make moving much easier. Also think about how much closet space you have available. If you are living in a small New York studio, then adding an entire new outfit to your wardrobe might be unpractical. The tuxedo should be hung in a somewhat ventilated area to protect the fabric and lining. Stuffing it into a duffel bag is not an option.

Weight & Body Changes

Think about if you will keep the same body type. If you are currently over weight and have set the goal to yourself to lose 20 pounds, then wait to buy your tuxedo until you have accomplished your goal. Having spent a good amount of money on your new outfit might be a nice additional motivation to keep the pounds off once lost.

So, take the few pointers above into consideration before you head to the mall ready to spend the hard earned cash. Weather you choose to rent or buy your tuxedo, do some research on the place you are purchasing from. A quick search on the internet on customer reviews will usually be a good starting point.

Mr Pohl is a regular author for articles related to men’s fashion. He himself has a passion for wearing designer neckties and bow ties.

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The wedding cake is a big part of the reception, let alone the wedding itself. That said, it’s always a good idea to know where you stand by finding out the average wedding cake prices and what you’ll be expected to pay.

First and foremost, you should realize that most bakeries charge per “slice” rather than per “cake. This system will allow you to easily determine how much the whole cake is going to cost, not to mention how much money you can spare for custom designs and cake icing.

Here is a Rundown of Wedding Cake Prices:

Simple Cake: A simply made cake with just a few decorations, cheap icing, and a basic design will cost about 1 to 2 dollars per slice. If it’s a small wedding with only about 100 or so people, you can spend about $250 to $300 and get a elegant cake that’ll please everyone.

Not-So-Simple Cake: A wedding cake that has multiple tiers, better icing, a nice design, and beautiful decorations will run about $4-7 per slice. If the guest list is long, the total cost will climb quite quickly: $5 per slice multiplied by 500 equals a massive $2500.

Complicated Cake: A 3 or 4 tier cake with the works — tasty icing which won’t bleed, elegant designs, fabulous decorations, etc. — can cost anywhere from $8-12 PER slice. If you’re on a budget, then this is pretty much out of the question. Then again, if it’s a wedding of only about 50 people, you can spend $10 per slice ($500 total) and really dazzle your guests.

3 Easy Ways to Get Lower Wedding Cake Prices

1. Sacrifice some of the fancy-schmancy designs & decorations to get a lower cost per slice.
2. Choose a cheap, easy-to-manage icing like butter cream rather than fondant.
3. Use an online step-by-step guide to bake & design the cake yourself. Rather than paying dollars per slice with a private bakery, you’ll pay just PENNIES!

Now you know exactly what to expect, as well as how to save, when it comes to wedding cakes & wedding cake prices.

For more detailed information about wedding cake prices and to discover great money saving tips & ideas for your wedding, try visiting http://www.Dream-Weddings-on-a-Budget.com. Photo by tracyhunter

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Your wedding day really is one of the most important days of your life. Making everything perfect for this day is a daunting task. Finding the correct venue, selecting the perfect wedding dress, picking the most beautiful invitations, and choosing wedding flowers, are just some of the things you have to contend with.

Let’s see if we can’t make these tasks simpler. Today we will go over everything involved in getting the right flowers for your wedding. Finding the perfect flowers starts long before your wedding day. Here are some things you should consider beforehand.

• What colors are you using in the wedding? This is a very important factor affecting the whole wedding. Flowers are available in almost every color these days. You wouldn’t want to fall in love with a certain flower and then find that it doesn’t work with your color scheme at all.
• Decide if you want sophisticated or simple flowers. Roses are the flower of choice for traditional wedding services. If you want something different, a little more modern, go with orchids or tulips.
• The budget is a big consideration when choosing wedding flowers. Flowers such as carnations are less expensive than roses, and roses cost less than orchids. Know your budget before going to the florist to pick the flowers. If your flower budget is small, use artificial flowers. There are some really good options out these days in the artificial flower line. Your wedding won’t suffer if you have to use them.
• How many people in your wedding party need flowers? Make sure you know the number of attendants before getting flowers for your wedding. Your wedding bouquet is the most important. Some brides have one bouquet that they keep and another to throw at the reception, so decide if this is something you wish to do. All of the bridesmaids need flowers, as does the maid of honor. The flower girl if you have one and the Mother of the bride will need flowers. You’ll also want boutonnières for the groom and his attendants.
• Another thing to remember when choosing wedding flowers is decorating the church and reception hall. Some places flowers are used in the church are at the altar, on the end of pews, and the front door. If you want to go all out, throwing rose petals along the isle is nice. For the reception hall, you’ll need centerpieces for each table, a larger centerpiece for the bride and grooms table, and flowers around the wedding cake. Remember to take the colors used on your wedding cake into account when picking flowers. You wouldn’t want anything to clash.

As you can see, there are quite a few things to consider when choosing wedding flowers. You want the wedding to be beautiful, and picking the perfect flowers will go a long way in achieving this goal. A little organization and planning is all it takes to have the perfect wedding.

Photo by Whimsical Chris

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A wine and cheese party can be a great way to get together with friends or for a special bridal or wedding shower, birthday party or other celebration. It be easy to put together with a minimum of work even if you don’t know much about wine or cheese! You can throw together a simple but elegant party without a lot of fuss and have an interesting theme to boot. A wine and cheese party may be the quintessential choice for an elegant bridal shower party. Women love to nibble and graze and putting out a beautiful spread of cheeses, crackers, fruit and wine (along with some bite size desserts) is just perfect. It is the selection and variety of these items that will set your party apart and above the typical wine and cheese bridal theme party.

The Wine:

Like everything else – serve a variety. Two whites and two reds are perfect.   For the white – offer one on the sweeter side (perhaps a Riesling) and one more on the dry and crisp side (a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc).   As for the red choices – try one on the ‘lighter’ side (Pinot Noir or Beaujolais Nouveau are good choices) and a full bodied one (a French Bordeaux or Californian Cab would be perfect). Of course make sure there are non-alcoholic beverages too – whether water, club soda or the like.

The Cheese:

You’ll want to offer at least four types of cheeses. It is important to vary the taste and texture of these, as well as the aesthetics.  My recommendation would be a good Cheddar (white or yellow), a blue (Maytag blue is a nice choice if you don’t want anything too strong), a soft cheese such as Camembert (make sure you bring it to room temperature so that it is at its creamiest when served) and a Gouda. Put a tented place card in front of each cheese with its name on it – your guests will want to know what they are sampling.

I recommend putting a jar of fig preserves (if you can’t find fig, you can use raspberry) next to the Camembert cheese. Crackers topped with preserves and a bit of Camembert is absolutely scrumptious.

I also love to serve a ‘melted’ cheese, either in fondue form or better yet – a brie en croute. The later is a round of brie cheese wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden. I like to first cut the brie in half (top and bottom – NOT side by side). On the bottom half I spread a thin layer of peach jam, chopped pecans, a teaspoon of brown sugar and just a teeny dash of cayenne. Put the top half over it and then wrap it in the pastry. This can be made a day in advance (not baked though) – just cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.

The Crackers:

Make sure you vary the crackers you put out – just like the cheeses. A butter cracker (such as Keebler Townhouse®), a seeded flat bread cracker and hearty a whole wheat cracker makes for a nice assortment. If you can find other interesting crackers, by all means, include them.

Fruit:

Of course grapes are a perfect compliment and a ‘must’ for a wine and cheese party. Make sure you serve at least two colors of grapes (green and red). Set out in bunches is how they look the loveliest. But don’t stop there – pears are also a natural. Cut the pears into slices right before the guest comes and rub a lemon over their surface to help prevent them turning brown. Cantaloupe and honeydew melons are also a natural compliment. Either cut into thin slices or into cubes.  I also love to put out bowls of pomegranate seeds. Not only are they beautiful to look at – they are a delicacy for most.

Sweets:

Keeping with the theme of the party – bite size nibbles such as miniature cheesecake bites, chocolates (truffles and caramels) and/or small biscotti all would work well. These can be set out from the start – no need to ‘serve’ this after the wine and cheese. Coffee and tea should also be served.

Debra Rosenberg is a party planner and constant home entertainer. She also recommends the terrific bridal favors available at DivaEntertains.com including their personalized beauty favors and custom custom wine favors.

You may also wish to consider ordering custom wine labels.

Photo by Vincent Ma

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While traditional weddings and vows are still the most popular there has been an increasing trend for something different. It may be a value for money, adventure or exotic wedding and the travel industry has certainly benefited from the change.

According to recent surveys the average cost of honeymoon is $1,402 per person. This compares to the average of $421 per person for a “normal vacation”. Those aged 18 to 24  spend the most at about nearly $2,000 per person. Over one third spend in excess of $2,500. The U.S census records state that 2.5 million people get married annually and it is easy to see why newly-weds are a force in the market.

The following gives some examples of honeymoons taking place today.

The All-Inclusive Honeymoon

Although Jamaica was responsible for starting the trend of all inclusive packages this has spread and practically every Caribbean destination offers these facilities. All-inclusive make it less stressful. Everything is taken care of from the flights, hotel, food, drinks, tips and other items.

For those that wish to get married at the resort the price of the minister or officiant’s fee, the cake and the marriage license will be included.

In many instances all the guests will also be included.

European Destinations

The United Kingdom is the most popular European destination followed by France and Germany according to the North American Association of Tour Agents.

Additional more honeymooners are traveling to less traditional places such as Malta, Turkey or Portugal. With the opening up of the eastern Europe places such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland are also seeing an increase in honeymoon couples.

Mexico and Canada

The devaluation of the currencies in Canada and Mexico has increased the popularity of these countries as honeymoon destinations.

Mexico offers sun, sand and surf with everything the Caribbean islands has to offer, but Canada is surprisingly more popular.  Couples looking for a white honeymoon find it in ski areas such as Banff, Whistler, and Jasper, and those seeking big city culture seek out cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

It is considered that a persons’ money can go up to 40% further in Canada. The other interest in Canada is the fact that they can experience France without going having to take the time and spend the money necessary to actually go there.

Staying Close to Home

Despite the growing attraction of traveling abroad for a honeymoon the largest percentage still remain with the U.S. It does of course make a great deal of sense since the size of the country ensures that most types of honeymoon can be catered for.

The most popular city destinations are Las Vegas, Orlando, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco

The quick trip is also increasing in popularity. Lifestyles today are very different and peoples’  needs have changed. More and more time is spent working and in many instances couples already have children, either because of a previous marriage or started a family prior to deciding to get married. Taking a long vacation is not practical when there is a family to look after.

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Your wedding invitations are crucial. They create your wedding’s first impression to family and friends and set the tone for the festivities to come. They should reflect your wedding’s theme and level of formality. Ideally, they impress and intrigue, and kept in a scrapbook or album can continue to do so for many years.

Start at your local craft store. You’ll find tons of ways to express your chosen colors and motifs. Wedding invitation kits are widely available and will save you the time of buying components separately. If you wish to choose your own elements, check out the specialty paper selection – elegant invitation papers include vellum, linen paper, mulberry paper, and parchment. For card-style invitations, pick a heavy weight paper like cardstock for the outside card and a thin paper in a complementary color for your inserts. Be sure that whatever you plan to print on will work with your printer’s ink type and fit in the feed tray. Buy more than enough sheets to complete your project, inevitably you’ll have to trash a few. And don’t forget the envelopes!

Another option is to have your designs printed and cut for you at your local copy shop. You can print your design on a sheet of white paper (called a “proof”) for copying, or you can burn it onto a data CD as an Adobe file (.pdf) and have it printed digitally for better clarity. Visit the copy shop before you start designing to familiarize yourself with their paper options and find out about prices, completion times, and any guidelines concerning your chosen format. Keep in mind that color copies are more expensive than having a black-and-white design printed on specialty paper – which you can take home and customize with stamps, punches, and cutters.

Paper punches, stencils, and rubber stamps can be used on invitations, RSVP cards, and envelopes, re-used for matching programs, placecards and favors, then re-used again after the wedding to make photo albums. Choose two or three that compliment your theme and each other, including one for edges and borders.Be advised that these wear out, some more quickly than others. If you find something that you must have on all 75 invitations, 200 programs, 200 placecards etc, it’s a good idea to buy several, especially if they’re inexpensive. Inkpads, paint, and fabric paint are available in a dazzling array of colors and finishes. If you plan to reuse rubber stamps, pick up some stamp cleaner too.

A paper trimmer makes quick work of multiple cuts and can be fitted with a scoring blade for straight smooth folds, or blades that cut decorative edges. It’s an invaluable tool for any desktop publisher. How about waves along the edge of your turquoise or sand-beige beach wedding invitations? Use a gold inkpad to stamp a sun in the upper right corner and a shell-shaped paper punch in the bottom corners (save the paper shells as they are punched out, to sprinkle around or glue onto stuff).

Use the same edge cutter or rolling stamp to make matching envelopes! Embellish the edge and/or corners of the adhesive flap before sealing, leaving plenty of adhesive in place to ensure a secure seal. Keep the cut-off pieces to adorn something else.

For the text, choose a font that compliments the “feel” of your theme. For contemporary, pick a sleek, clean font, maybe one that’s all capital letters. Use script for a more traditional or formal impression. There are even fonts that look like calligraphy. If you don’t see one you like, look online for free and low-cost fonts you can download. If you choose an ornate font, ensure that it can be read easily by asking a few folks to read a sample.

Look at other wedding invitations to determine the wording you wish to use. There are lots of ways to say “please come to our wedding”–find one that feels right to you and complements your theme and the mood you want to evoke. Vary the font size and character spacing: use bigger text and/or wider spacing for the info you want people to see first, like your names (full, including middle names and any suffixes like “Jr.” or “III”) and the date and location of your wedding. It’s traditional to spell out the numbers, as in: “on the sixteenth day of December/two thousand and ten/at seven o’clock in the evening”. (The slashes represent line breaks.)

If your ceremony and reception are at the same location, put the words “reception to follow”. If you want guests to sport any specific kind of clothing, such as formal black-tie attire (tuxes and gowns), say so. Have someone read the invitation aloud to you to make sure your text sounds appropriate, natural and gracious.

Repondez s’il vous plait! It’s French for “respond if you please,” better known as “RSVP,” and it’s “de rigeur” (expected) for wedding invitations. You will probably want to include this at the bottom of your invites, along with your specified reply deadline.

Design your RSVP cards small enough to fit inside your invitations. Give guests options of “Will attend” or “Regretfully decline”. Designate spaces to specify number of attending guests and meal preferences if needed. Be sure to include small stamped self-addressed envelopes (use your printer to put your address).

An alternative to RSVP cards is online RSVP via e-mail. Many wedding websites offer it free, and they can automatically track guests’ responses and compile a guest list for you. If your family is “techno-savvy” it saves a whole lot of time, money, and paper.

A stamp or seal on the envelope’s flap after sealing is an elegant finish, ensuring that your invites will be received with due excitement. When you have completed a prototype invitation, take it to the Post Office and have it weighed to determine how much postage you will need. You can buy wedding-themed stamps or have custom stamps made with your own image for additional cost.

Photo by Jonathan Vo

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For any couple planning a wedding, a long list of factors comes into play from invitations, music, and even alcohol consumption at the reception. Of course, while the wedding should be a time of vibrancy and life, it is also a time of responsibility, especially when alcohol will be served. The key is providing the right amount of alcohol so guests can enjoy a drink or two but without going so far that drinking becomes a potential problem. One of the best ways to ensure your reception is perfect would be working with a reputable caterer.

Whether you are planning a fancy sit-down dinner or just appetizers, finding the right caterer is essential to a wonderful reception. But where do you find one if you have never thrown a catered party before? There are several places you can look to find caterers in your area.

The Phone Book

You can find the names of caterer’s in your area here. Many have web sites where you can find services and sometimes estimates. But only use this as a starting point. Never hire a caterer without first checking them out.

Friends and Family

Know someone who has hosted a catered event? Ask them who they used, if they liked the caterer, and how much they were charged per person. A satisfied customer is the best referral.

At Work

When your company hosts a catered event, who do they use? If you’ve been to one of their parties you already know if the food is good. Ask the event coordinator for the caterer’s contact information, and what they charge. It’s always possible you can get a discount because you work for the company.

Now that you have a list of possible caterers, it is time to get some quotes. Always get a written quote that spells out each item you want and the estimated cost. You should know by now what kind of reception you want, but it doesn’t hurt to ask about other kinds as well. You may find it more cost effective to have a different type of reception.

Don’t forget to ask questions while getting those quotes. Here are some questions you should ask during the quote meeting.

License and Liability

1. What is your license number?

2. Do you have liability coverage, as well as liquor liability coverage?

All of these protect you from liability should something go wrong during the reception. Hiring an unlicensed caterer is a disaster waiting to happen.

Costs

1. What is the estimated cost per person for my ideal reception?

2. How about my second and third choice?

3. What are some of the additional costs we might incur during the planning stages?

4. Is there a ceiling on anticipated food price increases?

While these costs are all going to be estimated, a good caterer should be able to give you an idea of the final costs.

Staff

1. What is the standard attire for their wait staff?

2. What is the staff-to-guest ratio?

3. If the reception runs late do to unforeseen circumstances, what are the overtime costs?

4. Is extra time even possible, or will there be a job booked after ours?

You don’t want to have your reception manned by an unprofessional wait staff. On the same note, you don’t want to have too few staff taking care of your guests. If there are problems that cause your party to run late, you want to be sure to have the caterer and their staff sticks around for the end.

Food and drink concerns

1. Is there a set menu, or can we pick from different food items?

2. Can your kitchen staff handle special dietary restrictions – allergies, diabetic or kosher menu requirements?

3. How much food will we need for our number of guests?

4. How many bottles of wine and/or champagne will we need for our number of guests?

5. What about non-alcoholic drinks, are those included with the cost of the meal or as a separate item?

6. Do you have refrigeration if the reception is held out doors?

These are basic food and drink questions; no doubt you will have many more event specific questions. Knowing how much food and drink will be needed is the sign of a good caterer. There isn’t a lot of guess work here; experience should dictate the amounts needed.

References

1. Do you have a list of past clients?

2. Is it possible to view the catering of another reception to check food display, wait staff, and service?

3. Can you sample the food on the menu suggested by the caterer?

Some caterers are more than willing to let you see a set up, and watch their staff in action, but it is really up to the customer if that is possible. Do not take it as a sign that they are trying to hide something from you. Some customers aren’t willing to let strangers into their events.

Policy questions

1. Have you worked at my reception site before?

2. Do you set the tables and provide linens? Is there an additional cost for that service?

3. Do you clean up the food and drink, and remove the trash?

4. Will I receive a confirmation letter with the details of my party spelled out?

5. What is the payment policy? Can I pay by check, credit card, or is cash the only option?

6. What is the tipping policy for the wait staff and set up people?

7. What is the minimum number of guests needed? And when do I have to provide the final guest count?

It’s nice to have a confirmation letter, with all the details in it, so you know for sure that everything you discussed with the caterer has been understood. Also having a set date to provide the final count is crucial for both you and your caterer.

A final note. Always check out a caterer with the Better Business Bureau in your area. Most BBB’s are online and checking for problems is quite easy.

Finding the right caterer will make your reception run smoother and make your special day even more special.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

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If you grew up like I did with a romantic vision of what my wedding should be like, then no matter how many questions there are to ask yourself, you’re sure of one thing, it needs to be perfect. Nowadays not everyone appears as concerned about finding the perfect dress, but for most of us – deep inside – it really does matter.

As soon as you begin planning or the big day, choosing your wedding dress becomes an urgent need for most brides. Nobody wants to wait. While dealing with wedding stress and preparations, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to try on different styles and find the one who says “you”.

The theme of your wedding will be an important point when selecting that special dress. Are you getting married on the beach? If so, you might choose a light airy style. Have you decided on a formal affair? Then by all means, go all out and wear a white dress covered in silk and lace. Whatever type of occasion your wedding will be, your dress will play one of the most important roles in it!

It’s also important to think about the month and season you are getting married in. If you are having a middle of summer wedding, then you probably shouldn’t wear a wedding dress with double layers or long sleeves. After all, this is supposed to be the most memorable day of your beginning together. You don’t want the biggest memory to be how much you sweated through the whole ceremony!

When choosing a wedding dress, try on comfortable styles. Walk around in them, if kneeling is part of your ceremony, then kneel in the dress. You need to certain that you will be comfortable in your choice. The beauty of the dress is only half of your decision – the other half is looking beautiful, happy and elegant. And you won’t look – or be – happy if you are holding your breath so seams do not pop or you’re itchy from the lace on your arms.

One mistake that a lot of brides tend to make when choosing a wedding dress is with the size. If you are planning on losing weight before your big day, do not buy a dress the size you think you may be come the wedding day. Instead buy the size you are on the day you choose the dress. It will always be easier to take a dress in if it is too big. It’s an awful job trying to add material for a dress that ended up being too small.

With the expense of weddings, some couples try and cut back by making their own flowers, having a family member bake the wedding cake or hiring a friend to take wedding photos. Although it is okay to cut back and still have your dream wedding, don’t skimp when choosing your wedding dress. If you cannot afford to hit a wedding boutique and pay their prices, try wedding consignment shops, who offer ‘like new’ dresses at an affordable price. Remember too that there are many discount wedding dress shops.

Whatever style, color or price range you eventually decide on when choosing your wedding dress, don’t forget that it’s you your fiancé fell in love with, not your dress. The dress adds to the ambiance of the day, but it isn’t the real centerpiece.
After you have chosen your wedding dress hang it in the bag it comes in and don’t show it to everybody. Give guests something to look forward to when they see you for the first time walking down the aisle. And unless it is truly unavoidable, don’t let your future husband see your dress at all before the wedding. They say it’s bad luck and even if that’s just a superstition, it certainly does spoil his surprise!

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You have spent a lot of time and money planning your special day. You have taken great pride in the kind of wedding you are going to have. One thing you will want is your special day recorded for all time.

Pictures of your wedding and reception are something you will treasure for the rest of your life. You want someone taking those pictures who know what they are doing, and how to get the memorable shots.

Professional vs a Friend?

Most brides and grooms face this decision. They have a friend who loves to take pictures as a hobby and offers to take their wedding pictures as a gift. Saving money is something everyone wants to do, but there are some places you shouldn’t scrimp on. Your wedding photographs are one of those things. Unless your friend has a job as a photographer, hiring a professional is the best choice. Professionals will have the best equipment and have the knowledge to get the right shots.

When should you start looking for a photographer?

Your best bet is to hire one in plenty of time, preferable a year prior to your wedding date. Many photographers are booked far in advance, especially the really good ones.

How do I find a good one?

Finding a good photographer is not very hard. Wedding and bridal shows are wonderful places to get names and pricing information. Bridal magazines are another good place to look. Asking a friend who has had a wedding recently is an excellent way to not only find a photographer, but get a referral as well. You can also find listings for photographers in the yellow pages, but use this only to get a listing. Never hire someone without checking them out first.

Researching your choices

There are numerous ways to check out the photographers on your list. Most professionals have a web site. While you must remember the photographer put all that information on their site, it is still a good place to begin. They should have examples of their work, along with photo packages and pricing. You will also want to contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if the photographer has been reported. Most BBB’s have web sites, so checking is easy.

References

Any photographer in business should be able to give a list of past customers. When you call, be sure to ask the following questions:

1. Was the photographer on time?

2. Was the cost reasonable?

3. Did you get the pictures you wanted?

4. Did you get them in the time frame you were quoted?

5. Did you have any problems with the photographers, or their staff?

Past clients are more inclined to be honest with a potential customer than with the photographer themselves.

Once you have narrowed the list down to your favorites, it is time to start calling them for quotes. Remember to always get a quote in writing. It makes it easier later on to remember what the photographer promised. Here are eleven questions you should ask any potential photographer.

1. Are you licensed?

2. How long have you been a photographer?

3. Will you be taking my pictures, or will one of your staff?

4. If one of your staff will be taking the pictures, will I get a chance to meet them ahead of time?

5. Do you have set packages available, and what are the costs for each of them?

6. How long will I have to wait for my pictures?

7. Do you do wedding albums too, or do I have to supply my own?

8. How much time will you spend at my wedding? At my reception?

9. is there a charge for overtime, should there are problems or it takes longer than you originally quoted?

10. Do you do the traditional poses, as well as your own unique ones?

11. Will my photos be available online for family and friends to order for themselves, or must I do all my ordering through your directly?

You will have more event related questions to ask your potential photographer. One question you should ask yourself is if you are comfortable with this photographer. A professional photographer will strive to make your special day run smooth. A professional photographer won’t be pushy, rude, rushed, or annoyed. If the photographer you are interviewing seems to be any of these things, do not hire him. You will be stressed enough before, during and after your wedding; you don’t need your photographer to make it worse.

A wedding is a special even and deserves to be remembered. Photographs are an excellent way to show the beauty of the day and hiring the right photographer will make your memories all the more special.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

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Jars of Honey as Wedding Favors

Smart couple that you are, you’re holding to a budget for your wedding. Starting off in your married life with debt from the wedding hanging over your heads isn’t a picnic. As you know, everything is pretty expensive these days. Just take a look at the price of a gallon of gas, a loaf of bread, or gallon of milk. We all need to be frugal in our day to day lives and planning a wedding is no exception.

If you and your fiancé are paying for your wedding yourself, you really know how expensive things can get. It seems everyone from the reception hall, the caterer, florist, and music providers are telling you they need money. Watching pennies when planning the wedding will really pay off in the future.

Next, select inexpensive wedding favors. There are many fantastic, yet inexpensive options for favors available to match every personality, color, and theme. Also, keep in mind, just because something is inexpensive doesn’t mean it is cheap. If you’re careful when selecting favors for your wedding guests, only you will know how much that you paid to thank your guests.

Believe it or not, buying your wedding favors is actually more economical than making the wedding favors yourself. The reason why? By the time you purchase the favor box or bag, decide what you’re going to put into the bag such as candy, nuts, or something that matches the wedding theme like seashells, you’re already over $1 and many cases over $2 per favor.

If you are able to spend about $2 per favor, there are many great favors to choose from. Wedding favors under $2 each are coaster sets to match every wedding color and season, cookie cutter favors wrapped in organza that matches your wedding color and an array of candle wedding favors.

Quite a few candle wedding favors are less than $2 each and are available for every wedding scheme. Do your friends consider you the perfect couple? Choose the “perfect pair” pear candle set. This favor is less than $2 each. Cinderella themed wedding? Choose a carriage candle favor. Beach theme wedding? Then you should take a look at the flip flop candles.

Are you looking to keep your wedding favor budget under $1 each? Don’t stress because you have just as many choices for favors under $1 as under $2. A great inexpensive wedding favor is first a place card holder at the reception then a great take home gift for your guests to use as a photo frame. Another favor under $1 that is also very “green” are Wildflower seed packets. These seed packets look fantastic sitting in a basket by the exit door for your guests to scoop up on the way out. Not only is this favor less than $1 each, but if continues to give back to your guests as a wildflower garden.

Following are some inexpensive ideas that generally cost $2.00 or less per item:

• Jars of Honey (see image above)
• Personalized magnets
• Decorated candles
• Personalized shot glasses filled with chocolates
• Heart-shaped wine stoppers
• Heart design corkscrews
• Wine charms
• Glass photo coasters
• Small, wrapped, potted plants or flowers
• Personalized mint tins
• Photo frames

By choosing your wedding party favors wisely allows you to provide a nice thank you to your guests while staying within your budget.

Denise Sanger is the owner of BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com which has a diverse catalog of Wedding Party Favors along with a library of party planning resources.

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