Fun Weddings

Fun Ways to Make Your Wedding More Fun!

Every bride and groom want their guests to enjoy themselves at their wedding!

Here are some quick tips on how to make your wedding more fun!

1. Take the lead!
   Your guests won’t know a lot of the people at your wedding. If you show your guests that you’re having fun, they’ll be more likely to relax, join in and have fun with you!
   
2. Photo Fun!
   Talk to your photographer about taking some fun photos. Jump photos are very popular, with everyone in the photos leaping into the air. Or you could hire a fun photo booth as suggested on my blog post.
   
3. Interaction Plan
   Sweet stations or buffets are a good way to get guests talking. Also, mixing up the tables will encourage guests to speak to people they don’t know. Also, Talking Tables have a lot of cute ideas to encourage chattering guests.
   
4. Some Surprises!
   Having a brief running order, and knowing what is coming next is important for a smoothly running wedding. However, the odd surprise such as throwing your bouquet or a funky wedding dance.
   
5. Something old
   Following some of the old traditions such as throwing the bouquet, or the garter, or wedding speeches can often be one of the most fun elements of a wedding.

Wedding Photos

Have the Perfect Pictures

A friend of mine just got married at my wedding venue and she looked completely amazing in all the wedding photos. She had a spectacular dress and her hair and makeup were perfect, it all gave me a glimpse of what my far off distant wedding (287 days to go) will be like!

It also got me thinking about wedding photos.

There are a number of things to think about when planning your wedding pictures: what shots you want, how you want to pose, who you want in the photos, what story you want your wedding to tell. Even the order the photographs appear in the wedding album is something you need to decide!

Wedding photos should tell the story of the day: the venues, the events, the fine details and the people involved.

Establishing Shot

Every album needs what the pros call the ‘Establishing Shot.’ Be it a stunning church, a stain glass window, your spectacular venue or your wedding dress, an establishing shot shows the mood and atmosphere of the album.

You will always remember where you got married, but an establishing shot will mean that your venue is immortalised in your wedding album.

The Details

In the rush of the day, you may miss some of the little details in your wedding.

The favours, the diamantes, the interesting little details that can go so easily missed.

You’ve spent hours sticking flowers and ribbon on place settings, glued your fingers together making your seating plan, these details in place you may want to see.

That shot of your wedding rings (showing off your fantastic nails), your new husband’s boutonniere, these are things you will want to remember.

Getting Ready

With the excitement building up, everyone very busy, sometimes the ‘getting read shots’ are some of the most animated.

For your getting ready shots, if you’re getting ready at home, make sure your rooms are tidy! Nothing ruins a romantic getting ready shot than background clutter!

Also, many women don’t like photos taken before they’ve donned their makeup so make sure that you avoid too many of those and focus on getting dressed shots.

I Believe There May Be Men at This Wedding?

Remember to devote some time to photographing the men in your wedding. This is something I will need to remember. It’s easy enough to focus on the girls getting ready, but remember your h2b will be nervous too! Lets capture that!

Also, it’s good insight into what’s happening while you’re busy getting ready. Your groom will be greeting people at the church or the reception venue, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of him looking nervous!

The Family

A shot with your new in-laws and with your family is a wedding album essential!

Your family have been such a huge part of your life, photos of you with your family will be treasured forever. Your family will also love having photos of you all dressed up!

More on wedding photos coming soon!

Stop Looking!

An End to Wedding Fayres

My wedding dress is all paid for, except for any adjustments it may need, and as I got it in a sale, the money is non refundable…

… So why do I keep looking?!

picture from www.wedding-points.co.uk

I was flicking through Wedding Ideas magazine yesterday, and I thought, ‘Oooh, that’s a nice dress.’ No! No!! No!!! I think the dress I’ve paid for is absolutely gorgeous and I do completely love it and feel really special and smiley when I wear it, but I was still looking.

And last month, mother and I went to a wedding fayre at my wedding venue.

picture from vickysphotoblog.co.uk

When we first started the planning process we would spend hours at wedding fayres, talking to the vendors, learning about weddings and the industry. I asked questions about dry cleaning suits and delivery of cakes, photo albums and menu choices.

Last time we were at a wedding fayre we spent longer driving there and back than we did at the venue!

It’s time to stop looking!

With so many weddings things planned and paid for, it is definitely time to stop looking and concentrate on what we’ve already arranged!

picture from www.work-for-mums.com

My advice for organised brides out there is: don’t look once you’ve booked!

Band or DJ?

Your Musical Choice

Every bride and groom want their wedding to be memorable. Be it a romantic wedding abroad, a small intimate wedding with close friends or a wild party with everyone you know, all brides and grooms want their wedding to stick in the memories of those they love.

One of the ways to do this is to have an amazing evening reception.

Picture from weddingphotos-video.co.uk

Guests often say it’s the good music that sets the atmosphere for a fantastic evening reception. But should you get a band or a DJ?

Have a Band

Bands add a fantastic atmosphere to any venue. The hum of the instruments, the amps and the crowd all add to a fantastic atmosphere.

Bands often play your favourite songs but with the band’s own unique twist. Guests will have fun singing along with the band!

Look at the cost, is a band cheaper than a DJ?

A band might have a set song list that they’ve rehearsed which would mean your 60 yr old Aunty Winnie can’t request an obscure Chris Rea song (nightmare!). You will only have the songs that you want.

picture from The Wedding Singer © Juno Pix

Don’t Have a Band

The songs they play won’t be exactly the songs you like, they will have the unique twist the band adds to it. That might not be to your taste.

Bands are often more expensive than a DJ. Not always, but the bands I looked into when booking entertainment for my wedding were a bit more expensive.

Bands don’t always bring with them the flashy lasers and mood lighting that a DJ might provide.

picture from wedding-blog.wedalert.com

Get a DJ

You will be able to have the exact songs that you like. Want On the Floor by JLo? They’ll have it! You can supply your DJ with a list of songs, guests can write in to request songs.

You can provide a DJ with a list of songs so that all the songs you and your guests want to listen to will be available, and only those songs.

DJ’s often provide all the lighting and entertainment for the evening reception and they’ll set it all up by themselves.

Venues often have a recommended DJ. Working with someone who is familiar with the venue is always helpful.

^{picture from seattleweddingzone.com}

Don’t Have a DJ

DJ’s aren’t going to provide the same atmosphere as a band. Nothing compares to live music, even if the DJ is really good.

My Choice:

I am very excited to be having a wedding DJ!

Not only will he play loads of fantastic music, chosen by h2b, but he also provides all the amazing lighting to add atmosphere and mood to the reception party.

He has a plasma TV screen to show photos from during the day (which my friend had at her wedding in Hong Kong and I thought it was a fantastic idea for showing evening guests what happened during the day!) and he also takes photos during the reception, if you choose.

Why I Chose a DJ

I’m not really a band person, and neither is h2b. H2b loves the hip-idy hop music which doesn’t really sound right from an indy band.

However, my cousin had a band at his wedding and it was fantastic!

My pros and cons for each may sound very negative, but if you choose a DJ or a band, either will add your personality to the wedding. If you’re a bit of a rock chick, a band will perfectly reflect your fantastic personality. If you’re a bit of a cheesey bopper, a DJ will play all your favourite dance hits!

picture from photo3.co.uk

If you’re toying between a band or a DJ, I hope this post has helped! I think it’s best to book what feels right. Your guests will have a fantastic time what ever you choose because they’ll be celebrating with you!

Who Needs to Kiss the Bride?

Technology in Weddings

I found this hilarious picture retweeted on Twitter by tweetmywedding. I found it very fitting for this day and age.

As a Facebook addict myself, I was thinking of updating my Facebook status and changing my name on Facebook and Twitter in the car on the way to the venue! Maybe posting a blog post about how it all went. Of course, I might be busy, swept up by the moment, but then again, my internet addiction may win out! 

I have read a number of tweets, not from brides or grooms but from guests, that detail weddings and wedding rehearsals. Congratulations to brides and grooms the second they sign the register, photos posted live to Facebook and Twitter, even videos of the vows streamed live.

Technology is entering into weddings more and more. The technology involved in the Royal wedding transported images of the happy couple around the world. Fans were tweeting all through the wedding, Facebook statuses were being updated, millions of blogs followed the wedding. The video of the Royal wedding was streamed live through the internet.

Couples in America and Japan are being married by robots!

Technophile couples are arranging for a robot minister to say their vows and over see signing of the register.

While this doesn’t appeal to all brides and grooms, it does add a very unique and space age touch to your special day.

A lot of couples are opting for live streaming of their wedding to the internet!

If your elderly grandma can’t travel, or your pregnant best friend lives abroad but still wants to be involved, live streaming does involve more people in your special day. Personally, I have a lot of family abroad and this sounds like a viable option, but does it take a little of the sparkle out of your day?

 

I think an important question is, does technology add to or detract from the sparkle of your wedding day?

Obviously, the photographs are one of the biggest parts of the day. You might choose to have a videographer to capture all the best moments. However, would you like your guests to be tweeting through your ceremony? When will you update your facebook status, if at all?

My chief bridesmaid has put her foot down and forbidden me to carry my iPhone on my wedding day, which solves that problem! I can see her point. It is important to be in the moment and focus on your day. I’ve been told it zooms by so fast.

Whatever you decide for your wedding, I hope you have the most amazing day!

Stories of My Absence

Apologies

I want to apologise to my regular visitors about the lack of posts recently. While weddings are my hobby, I do also have a day job and that has been sapping all my time and energy this week and consequently I haven’t had time to blog.

I will, however, update you on recent events:

Bridesmaid Dresses

We have a date to try on the bridesmaid dresses. I may only be taking 3/5 of the bridesmaids to this measuring session, however I do think it’s a positive step forward.

Menu Choices

The menu has been confirmed and we will be designing and making the menus to go in the invitations at some point this week.

While I am mega busy (I think people are following the cliché, if you want something doing, give it to someone who’s already busy!) I find doing wedding things really relaxing so I try to concentrate on that.

Right! Best get back to work. Check out the blog tomorrow for more posts!