by Don LaVange via Flickr

The reality in life is that there are professional photographers for a reason. Actually, many reasons, all of them reasons why you want to have a professional taking pictures at your wedding, especially if you’re hoping to have lost lasting memories that look great. Let’s take a look at some of them.

1. Photographers have cameras with very expensive lenses that can capture the best shot in any light. For most of us, even with a flash if it’s too dark our image isn’t going to look right. With the flash we’re going to get people with red eyes or light in their eyes. A professional photographer probably has a camera lens that cost more than your 52″ flat screen TV.

2. Photographers have a great idea of how to get people to pose so that what comes out is a great picture. You’d think that all of us have creativity in us that would make us great at staging but we’re not. And even if we were good at staging, our pitiful little cameras wouldn’t get the best shot.

3. Professional photographers know how to stay out of the way. You ever notice how, when you’re trying to get a good shot, suddenly someone seems to be in the way? Or maybe someone else is taking a picture and their flash throws off your shot? Professional photographers have learned how to get out of the way and also how to get the shots they want even if a lot of other people are taking pictures at the same time. And during the wedding ceremony and at the reception they’re rarely noticed by too many people unless they stop at the table to ask if they can get a table shot.

Saving money by doing DIY projects for your wedding is certainly not a new concept. But, the tips keep getting better and better. Making your own favors can not only save sone dough, but also make the traditional gesture more personal. Below are some tips that you may just find helpful.

Homemade baked goods wrapped in cellaphane.
Burned CD’s with the music from your wedding packaged in a decorative label.
Hot chocolate mixes or cookie mixes in mason jars.
Homemade salt or sugar scrubs.
DIY mini-notebooks (matchbook notebooks) out of recycled paper towel roll
Make your own wedding soap favors using the simple melt and pour soap method! Choose scents you love and get creative with packaging.
Lollipop flag favors: These adorable candy favors double as seating cards for your guests!

Hope these ideas have gotten some of your creative juices flowing. If you have any great DIY wedding ideas you’d like to share, feel free to comment and let us know!

And if you really want to get into every to do with DIY weddings, be sure and join Powerbrides where you can be a part of the DIY Weddings Group and share creative ideas with lots of other brides.

One our favorite trends of the past three years are wedding dresses with pockets! Seems like this has been a bit of a controversial topic–brides either love it or hate it… but have no doubt, pockets are here to stay.

Wedding dresses with pockets can be on just about any style gown, including short gowns and sheath. However, the ball gowns with pockets are just maginificent. Why pockets on a wedding dress? Pockets make the dress hip and chic. Different poses can be done for the wedding photos–a hand in one pocket, a bouquet in the other–how great?

When the pockets are not being used, they are not visible, so no worries about taking any of the elegance away from the dress. Pockets are also a great way to staff a tiny mirror for make-up checks, tissues for those tearful moments, or whatever tiny tidbit you feel is needed! No need for a bridal purse with these gowns!

Designers that tend to love the pocket look include Pricilla of Boston, Vera Wang, Amsale, Maggie Sottero and many more!

The rule of thumb is that cash bars should not be a part of any wedding. But what if you are on a tight budget? What are your options?

Limited Bar

Save a ton of money by eliminating expensive liqours from the bar options, and offer affordable beer, wine and champagne or sparkling cider for the toasts. However, if you have your heart set on at least one cocktail option, make it a one-choice deal, a signature cocktail, if you will. It will cut down on the anount of liquor you need to pay for andyou will have the choice to choose a cocktail that is sophisticated, but moneysaving. Think a decent quality vodka with a choice of juice, such as cranberry.

Limited Time Open Bar

 Brides.com suggests reducing the time the bar is open. For example, have an open bar only during the cocktail hour, then make it a cash bar. This way, you are letting your guests know how much you appreciate them without breaking the bank. Also, during dinner, you could  include a bottle of wine or two  for each table, and keep the bar closed. You will be surprised how much money this will save.

Supply your own bar

Feel free to ask your caterer or venue manager if you can supply your own alcohol. You can buy it in bulk to drastically reduce costs. And if you buy only beer, wine and champagne, you will save even more. You will still need to pay the caterer a bartending fee, but think of the massive savings, and you can take home the left over alcohol to boot! 

Going off the beaten path a little bit, here are 5 wedding songs with the word “wedding” in them that you might enjoy. Some of these were actually pretty popular at one point but their day has come and gone. One of these, the last one, isn’t even on an album, but once the video got out from the live performance many couples decided they wanted this song performed at their wedding. We hope you enjoy this bit of entertainment on a wonderful Friday, and don’t forget to check more on Bridepower.com for your wedding information and, of course, discount wedding dresses.

For instance, every year thousands of brides will send in letters and videos to the Today Show to become that year’s winning couple, which comes with all sorts of amenities that include a designer wedding dress. The entries range from the sad to the funny, and there’s a lot riding on all of it, including the time wasted waiting to see if they’re selected. But when they are, the top prize is definitely worth it.

There are also contests around the country that offer brides other chances to win wedding gowns. Last February the website PrettyGeeky had a Maggie Sottero wedding dress giveaway where brides had to write in to tell the company why they were deserving of winning a free wedding gown. We also wrote back in June about the Alfred Angelo wedding diva contest where brides had to send in videos saying why they deserved to be the top diva.

Of course very few things turn brides into contestants more than TV shows geared towards brides. There’s a show where brides compete against each other for the right to wear a designer wedding gown, while at the same time the designers are competing against each other to see which dress the winning bride will select. And then you have shows like Say Yes To The Dress, where cameras follow a bride around as she tries to find the perfect wedding dress; of course she’s getting paid for it, but brides have to write in to compete for the right to be selected for the show.

And finally there are websites geared towards weddings like Bridal Guide that sponsors all types of contests throughout the year to win wedding gowns, honeymoons, and their best package, the $5,000 wedding giveaway which includes a designer wedding gown as well. All it takes is creativity and you could win all sorts of things without spending more than the price of a stamp.

The problem was that the wedding show never happened. Everything was set up and promoted online; brides-to-be and vendors paid thousands to participate and attend the event. The wedding show venue was never booked; they were never even contacted. The criminals guilty of the scam got of “scotch free” with thousands of dollars.

Here are three things you should do to help protect you from wedding scams.

1. Call specific places on your own to verify that they are legitimate and really are having events. Whether it is a hotel or a hall; place a call to make sure things are on schedule. If you are shopping for yourself you’re probably doing that anyway, but if you’re going through a third party, you should always verify these things.

2. Verify online companies by doing a quick search and and look in to the company. If a company is legitimate, you’ll not only see a lot of references to the company but most of them will be good references in some fashion. While doing your research you will be able to tell whether someone is getting a lot of complaints or not without even having to read all the content.

3. If you ask for a list of references, call at least one of them. No one will give you someone to check on that’s a bad reference, but if someone can give you a list of at least 5 references they’ve worked with it shows they’re a known source or service. True, there are some new people in the market who may not have built up a solid resume yet, but in that case you need to meet them in person, drop by their store or meet them for some coffee – you can learn a lot from meeting someone in person.

See More:

Phony bridal show pitch defrauds thousands

8 Wedding Scams

How many people should you bring when shopping for your wedding dress?

It is one of the most important items you will shop for and whom you choose to tag along will help make or break your decision. Who you bring with you will have their perspective of how you should look and sometimes you won’t be on the same page so choose wisely!

So much about your dress represents you – the style, the color, the shoes, the jewelry, even the veil, all reflect how you want to look and feel on your special day. Just as you knew “He” is the one is how you will feel about the right dress.

My advice is the smaller the entourage the better when you are first looking for your dress. Emotions will run high why cause yourself any extra anxiety. Once you found it bring them all in for your final fitting or even better when you get it home!

Do consider bringing your Mom – it is a special day for her too. But beware, you may be looking at strapless wedding dresses and she wants you in the high lace collar dress with the long sleeves even though your getting married in JULY! Stand your ground but be diplomatic in your response of “What are you thinking????!!!!!!

Hmmm,,,,,, on second thought maybe you should bring her in when you’ve narrowed your choices.

Do consider your siblings though they can be brutally honest and you may become the major act in a comedy fashion show. I know from first hand experience and it wasn’t pretty. You’ll need a tough skin for this choice.

Do consider one honest friend – male or female – your shopping companion that picks those outfits you always get compliments on how great you look. They won’t let you down.

Ladies do beware of bringing those friends that can be the jealous type, the say yes to everything friends, or negative Nellie’s. It will just leave you frustrated and confused.

Do give your bridal salesperson as much information of what you are looking for so they can help narrow your search process. Pull pictures from magazines and online of dress silhouettes you would like to try on. Trust your salesperson they are the professionals – yes they want to make the sale but they also want you to look your best! Do have a budget for your dress but remember there is the chance you will fall in love with the more expensive one!

Do go with your gut, you will know when you have the right dress on. You will feel beautiful as well as have that special glow. I know it sounds corny but it’s true.

See more:
Before You Buy Wedding Shoes – Wedding Shoes 101
How to Buy a Wedding Dress
The Brides Shopping Checklist

The Holiday Season is upon us Fa-La-La-La-LA! and I can’t help but notice that among the toys, tools, electronics, & clothing ads are diamond engagement rings?????? Huh???

Think the little blue box from Tiffany’s, “He went to Jared’s” or Every Gift begins
with Kay……………….

Truth be told December is the most popular month to get engaged – some grooms to be pick Christmas Eve for the special moment while others choose Christmas Day. Either one is a wonderful choice for bringing family and friends together to
share in your joy.

If by December the question hasn’t been asked don’t despair because New Year’s is the second most popular day – why not ring in the New Year with some major bling!

Third on the most popular day to pop the question is of course Valentine’s day – which is truly for the romantic at heart.

No matter what day your beloved chooses it will be remembered for years to come. By the way….mine picked tax day not romantic but he remembers our anniversary every year!

fun facts from thestylistcloset

See Also:

What Season is Best for Your Wedding