Just a few tips to make sure you are dancing the night away.

•  Wear your shoes around the house or office at least a week before the wedding.  Let your feet get used to the new pressure points, so you don’t develop blisters the day of the wedding.
•  Spray your feet with an anti-perspirant to avoid hot, sticky feet.  This also helps if your shoes are dyed since you don’t want your feet to be a lovely shade of claret.
•  Do a little dance in the driveway or on the sidewalk to rough up the bottom of your shoes. We want you to walk down the aisle, not slide.
•  If you are wearing different shoes for the reception and the heel is lower keep in mind your hem will be too!  If you are dancing you might want to pin up the front of your dress to avoid an embarrassing fall.
•  If your feet swell in hot weather make sure you are well hydrated and that you put your feet up for a few minutes before the wedding.
•  Lightly powder the inside of your shoes to avoid rubbing.
•  Bring moleskin (you can purchase at most drug stores) that you can place on your foot if you develop a sore spot.
•  Try Foot Petals (available at Alicia’s Bridal) to cushion all the right places like the ball of your foot, the back of your heel etc. Comfort is not overrated!
•  Pick the right shoe!  If you have wider feet, don’t pick a tiny strappy sandal if your feet tend to swell. If you always wear flats don’t wear a 3 1/2” heel for your wedding without lots of practice.  If you wear flip flops remember the sound you will make walking down the aisle.
•  Enjoy your wedding!

Pam

Tuxedos for your wedding party can be the easiest part of planning your wedding if you do it right!  Most wedding parties are scattered all over the country and getting them correctly fitted prior to arriving at your wedding is essential.  When at all possible, deal with a local in stock tuxedo shop* in your area that owns all of their tuxedos.  Your groomsmen can send in or submit their measurements to the shop online and have a fitting when they arrive in town.  Most sent in measurements, (up to 60%) are not completely correct.  An in stock tuxedo rental shop will have the ability to correct any mistakes quickly when the groomsmen arrive in town for the wedding. Most big box chain stores get their inventory from out of state and cannot make changes unless they have a week to get a new tux shipped in.  You don’t want to risk your wedding pictures being ruined by an ill fitting tuxedo.

Steps to take when you have out of town groomsmen:

• Acquire courtesy measurement card with necessary measurement requirements.  See link for more details. http://www.formalhouse.com/content/formal_house/reserve_a_tuxed.asp
• Pass out or mail your cards to the groomsmen, ring bearer, dads, etc., who are out of town.
• Tell the recipients to go to a near by tuxedo shop to get their measurements as a courtesy.  Most tuxedo shops or menswear stores will do this free of charge.
• Then call, email, mail, or submit online your measurements to your local shop.
• When your groomsmen get into town for the wedding, have them go in and try on their tuxedos.  The benefit of an in stock warehouse is their quick response to problems if incorrect measurements are present.
• Then, you have a great wedding, with the men in your party looking sharp for your pictures!

**an in stock tuxedo shop has all of their inventory in the same building (or next door), allowing them to fix anything at the last minute, possibly even provide you a different coat or pair of pants and have them altered for you before the wedding.

Have you ever stood in front of the camera thinking, “These pictures are going to turn out great!” Then when you get the proofs back, much to your dismay, you feel unattractive and don’t want to display any of the pictures? Pictures are usually an important essential to your Big Day. You will want to have those memorable photos to look back on throughout the years and proudly display. So, now that you have hired the photographer, what can you do to ensure your pictures turn out great? Here are some tips and tricks to try out for your wedding day (or any other day for that matter). Brides and Bridesmaids read on!

1.      Take A Stance

When standing, don’t split your weight evenly. Put yourself on either one foot or the other. You will feel more natural this way. By putting most of your weight on one foot, you will create curves. No one wants to look like a stone statue in a picture. Bend your free knee and it will immediately sculpt your body into an array of photogenic angles.  By pushing your un-weighted foot forward, into a T-stance, you will add length to your leg making you appear taller.  If you are looking for a stance that will give you a slim-limbed look, try crossing on ankle over the other.

2.      We are never fully dressed without…?

A smile! 

When we are feeling awkward or embarrassed our facial muscles usually tighten, which limits you to one of two things: smiling or not smiling.  To loosen up those muscles, repeat out loud, “A-E-I-O-U.”  This will relax your muscles and give you a more natural range of expression.  Also, a helpful trick is taking aspirin before taking pictures.  It helps to ease a headache that can occur from spending several hours holding smiles and poses. Aspirin can also help relax muscles.  Take a deep breath and remember why you’re being photographed.  The thought alone will likely put a genuine look of joy upon your face.

3.      Take the weight off of your shoulders.

Whether we like it or not, our posture conveys a strong message to how we are feeling.  Remember, straighten your back, toss your shoulders to the rear and engage your abdominal muscles.  Good posture not only makes your dress look better, but formal wear is designed with the assumption that the wearer knows how to hold the shape.  By standing tall, you get the most from your dress.  Try pushing your hips slightly forward.  This will create flair and a classy look that compliments your waistline.

4.      Idle hands are the devil’s plaything.

Hands.  By not knowing what to do with them, they could look awkward in photos.  You’ll think, “What was I doing with those things?”  Let one hand hang naturally and put the other casually on your hips.  Tell your guys: “don’t clutch your lapels,” they should slip a flat hand into their front pocket.  As for your ladies: try to point your elbows to the back to add shape to narrow hips.  Or, point the elbows outward to create more space around voluptuous frames!

5.      Take it from the top!

To adjust the appearance of a round face shape and elongate the neckline, lift your chin away from your body!  Angle your face at a 10-degree angle from the camera to get rid of extra chins.  Try tilting your head to the sky to de-emphasize a strong nose.

6.      Grading on the S curve.

By turning sideways and bringing your shoulders back to face the camera and accentuating the curve of your back, you gain some control over your hip lines.  This is especially good when the photographer shoots from slightly above, bringing more depth to your pose.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Pictures

·        Get used to the wedding attire before the big day.

If you feel statuesque in your dress, chances are, you’ll look like a statue in your pictures.

·        Arrange to meet the photographer at the venue before the wedding.

Discuss any additional lighting that might be needed.  The photographer can only do so much with bad posture.  Good posture is largely lost in bad lighting.

·        Consider an engagement session with your photographer.

This will ease your tension on the big day and you’ll get to know the photographer.  He or she will then have a pulse on what you need.

Look Sharp!

·        Don’t fidget with your strapless dress or bow tie!  Ever seen a flowergirl tug at her tights all night?  It’s an insecurity and you want to appear confident.

·        Don’t feel guilty about pouring through fashion magazines.  By doing this, you can find a pose you like.  Try to recreate them and share them with your photographer so they can help you achieve them.

·        Don’t cross your legs while sitting in your gown, it’s not lady like while wearing a formal dress.  Instead cross your ankles and put your knees together.

It might be helpful to practice some or all of these tips and tricks before the Big Day.  You want to make it look natural and not something that requires work!  Good luck and happy posing!

It is essential to find the perfect photographer for your wedding day.  A well-chosen photographer will make your day smoother and carefree.  To find your perfect fit, consider these tips…

Tip #1:
Know Your Style

To understand your true photography likes and dislikes sit down with your significant other and look through magazines, websites, and venue albums – any pictures you two can find to help define your personal photography style.  What I recommend, is cutting out pictures from magazines or other images that catch your attention.  Really think about what you want your photographer to capture on the big day: more traditional family pictures, candid shots, etc.  Once you start to research and do something deep thinking, you’ll see a photography style start to emerge.

Tip #2
Find a Match

Scrolling through websites is a perfect way to view albums and the photographer’s work quickly and conveniently.  Try to look for websites that give a wide range of weddings and wedding locations, providing testimonials from recently married couples.  Also sneak a look at the baseline prices for photographers; if the price is below your budget, you’re off to a great start.  Photographers have additional prices for travelling fees, extra prints, editing, etc. so make sure to be conscious of those before setting up appointments with individual photographers.

Tip #3
Meet the Photographer

Many couples are confused by photography studios who have them interview with a photographer or a salesperson who is not the photographer who will actually shoot on the day of their wedding.  Make sure to spend sufficient time in order to find a person that blends well with both you and your significant other.  It is important to find a photographer who understands your needs and wants – it is essential to have this understanding.  Look for a photographer who is fun, professional, and genuinely interested in taking pictures the way you want your wedding day to be remembered.

Tip #4
See a Start-to-Finish Album

A well-trained photographer should have several albums to view at the designated meeting time.  Consistently creating hundreds of stunning photographs in a single session requires a tremendous amount of training and skill.  Make sure there is a mutual understanding of the type of album you want, if the photographer has the power to create it, and find out how much the particular album runs.  It is essential to love the album or coffee table book that you will purchase to remember your big day by. 

Tip #5
Look for Professionalism

Whether it is an in-home studio or a commercially located studio, a professional photographer should and will always be fully invested in you.  It is crucial to find a photographer who is well established, referred by multiple places and consistently surprises you with creative touches and their attention to detail.

Tip #6
Invest in an Artist

Your wedding album will soon become one of your most treasured heirlooms.  Invest in an artist who will photograph your wedding day in a way that tells your true, unique story.  Be aware of all  prices and make sure that you, your significant other, and the photographer are all on the same page regarding exactly what you want to capture on your wedding day.

Blog inspired by Azzura Photo

Nina

Wedding dress shopping is probably the most stressful part of a wedding.  You want something that looks amazing, goes with the feeling of your wedding, and is comfortable.  How on earth are you going to find all of that in one dress?

Don’t stress.  No, really.  I have some great tips for having a good experience dress shopping; tried and true!

Don’t go alone, but don’t bring an entire entourage with you, either.  Two, maybe three at most.  The more people you bring with you, the more opinions you’ll hear.  Make sure the people you bring are familiar with your sense of style, but will also be honest with you if something doesn’t look right.

Bring along some bottled water, and some snack bars.  It’s a lot of work, lifting all those gowns over your head all day long; they’re a lot heavier than they look!  Even if you have a consultant in the dressing room with you, it gets very warm, and having water is a great way to stay happy, and keep your energy level up.

Bring a camera.  Even if you purchase a dress your first day out, it’s nice to have pictures of your dream dress to look at all day long.  :)  If you don’t pick a dress, then you can go home and compare the pictures.  It makes the decision making process much easier.

If you find the gown you want, and are absolutely in love with it, purchase it.  There is some logic to continuing to look, but it can get out of hand very fast.  Soon, all the dresses will look the same, and the process won’t be fun any more.  This is supposed to be fun!  However, don’t let anyone talk you into a dress either; you’re the one wearing it.  If you don’t think it’s the one for you, then don’t buy it.  The last thing we want is for you to regret your choice.

Bring a sense of humor.  Stay lighthearted, and just have fun.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You’re going to look absolutely amazing, and have a wonderful day on your wedding day, and we want every step of the process to be fun.  Laugh.  Lots.

Now that you are armed for a big day of shopping, one last thing; good luck!

Kirsten

A lot people have been asking recently why they need someone to help them find a wedding dress.  After all, they can shop for their own party dress; how is a wedding gown any different?  (Ok, so maybe it isn’t –quite- the same, but you get the idea.   Well, there are lots of reasons.  A wedding isn’t just a party; it’s probably the biggest party you’ll ever have.  Plus, it’s a party all about you.  You shouldn’t have to worry about a thing. 

When you come into a bridal shop, the job of your consultant isn’t just to find a pretty dress for you.  This day is going to be preserved in your memory forever, and you want everything to be perfect.  We have a lot of experience in the field of weddings, and are well equipped to help you.  First things first; your consultant should help you establish or explain the feeling you want your wedding to have.  Are you going for romantic, rockin’, elegant, or beachy?  There are millions of choices, so your consultant should help you express that both in words and your dress.

The consultant you are working with should have a firm understanding of their available stock.  So, once you two have figured out the kind of wedding you want, she should be able to pinpoint the style of gown that will flatter you the best.  Wedding gowns aren’t like regular dresses; at least, the good ones aren’t.  They are incredibly structured, made with high quality materials and built to flatter any body shape.  When a gown is correctly made and sized, you should look your absolute best.  Your consultant should be able to point you in the right direction, and help you find the perfect gown.

Once you’ve found your perfect gown, her job isn’t done yet.  Next, she should help you pull together your whole look, which includes things you see and things you don’t.  Each dress is built to have a specific type of undergarment to help the dress look just the way it should.  There are so many options to consider, and your consultant can help you figure out what you want to wear to look your best, and be as comfortable as possible.  On top of that, she can also recommend different accessories for you to wear with your dress; jewelry, shoes, veil, that sort of thing.  Nothing is beyond her scope in making you look your absolute best that day; everything should come together flawlessly.

But you aren’t the only one in this wedding.  You’ve got your best girl friends, plus the men in your life.  And since they’ll be in your everlasting pictures too, you’ll want them to look great too.  Your consultant should help you unify the whole group with bridesmaids dresses and colors.  There are tons of options out there, so make sure you ask your consultant to help you find just the right look for each girl.  Some shops will even help you with your tuxedo style.  This makes everything flow even better, when you can coordinate everything through one location.  The consultant you’re working with should help you make sure everything goes just the way you want.

Because you’re new at this, you may not have all the contacts you need for planning your wedding.  However, many consultants have all the local resources you could ever need.  We have close relationships with all kinds of vendors in the area, and will only recommend you to ones we trust.  Everything is available from florists to caterers to photographers.  All you have to do is ask.

Of course, all of our consultants here will gladly offer you every service you need.  We understand the need to shop around; after all, this is a big decision.  However, we want you to feel like royalty everywhere you go, and with every vendor you work with.  Why on earth would you want to work with someone who didn’t truly care about your wedding day?

Kirsten