Choosing a Maryland Wedding Photographer

To a loving couple in Maryland who plan to tie the knot, their wedding is definitely one of the most celebrated events in their lives. It is a time when their families and friends can gather to witness the vows exchanged by a couple full of love for each other. It is when two hearts are bound to share a lifetime together and it is where treasured memories are being captured in photographs that will give meaning and happiness for the bride and groom, as well as their guests, in the years to come.

The bride and groom would really want their precious moments captured by a skilled Maryland wedding photographer. In choosing one, some factors need to be considered to ensure that the wedding photos are really in good hands. It is also very important to do some research before you make any decision.

Find out if the person you want to be the official photographer on your wedding day does Maryland bridal photography for a living or just for fun. Check out the portfolio and see if you like the photos that were taken. Imagine yourself being photographed by that person and see if you like what you can picture on your mind. It is also highly desirable for a photographer to be able to always shoot beautiful photos so that no shot is ever wasted.

Make sure that the wedding photo professional whom you have met and was assigned to your wedding day is really the one who will show up on the big event and not just anyone available on that date. Ask yourself if you can get along well with this person. It is easier to work with someone who has an outgoing and friendly personality especially when you will be spending much of your time with that person on your wedding day. Choose a MD bridal photo expert who is also well-groomed and whatever the person wears on that day should not conflict anything at the wedding.

Another factor you need to consider is whether the price range of this wedding photographer meets your budget. Sometimes you may have a tendency to exceed the allotted funds as long as you get what you want but if you are in a tight budget, you need to really stick on your available resources. Check out if the person assigned for your bridal photography offers packages or a la carte. Ask if the services are fixed or can be customized and how much time will be given for the services. You also need to inquire how long it will take to deliver the album, portraits, proofs, etc.

You have to read the contract carefully. Make sure that everything is clear to you and fair on both sides. If any problem arises and the issue is brought to court, only what is written in the contract is honored and not what was promised.

References from previous clients are a good source of information. Request from your Maryland photographer a list of former customers and check them out personally. If the person refuses to give out references or does not have any, don’t waste your time and continue your search for a photography expert.

By: Cassandra Cruise

The Tradition of Wedding Toasts in Honor of the Newlyweds

It is common at every wedding to have wedding toasts made. It is by tradition and a way of wishing good luck and happy years ahead for the couple. The tradition of toasting dates back to the early 17th century to honor a woman, whose name was seen as figuratively giving flavor to the drink. Another cultural tradition on toasting came from an ancient belief that our ancestors offer sacrificial liquids to gods in the form of blood or wine. The offering is made in exchange of prayers for longer life or healthy living. Since then, toasting became part of wedding celebrations to honor the bride and the groom.

One of the funniest parts of wedding celebrations can be the wedding toasts. Most of the time, it is the best man who delivers the funniest toasts during the party. And most often the jokes are directed towards the groom, lightly teasing him for fun. Such is true perhaps because the best man is a witness to all the ups and downs that the bride and groom went through from the courtship up to the engagement and even during their entire relationship. The best man has always been the groom's best friend so he can see the funny side of the partners' relationship.

The most serious wedding toasts, meanwhile, are delivered by the bride's father. This is perhaps the father is both happy and sad. Happy because his daughter is finally married and will have her own family. The father is sad as well because his daughter will now have a life of her own. However, the bride's father can also do some funny toasts. This is his way of hiding his real emotion over her daughter's marriage. It is common knowledge that fathers of the brides are masking loss with humor during weddings. But most often, the father is serious about the toast and offers advice to the newlyweds.

But perhaps the most emotional wedding toasts are reserved for the mothers, both of the bride and the groom. Mothers are always emotional so it is expected that if they will make the speech, they will cry. This is perhaps the reason why at wedding receptions, the mothers are not making such toasts. They simply go along with the party and have some chat with the guests. However, there are times that the mother proposes a toast and gives a funny speech as well. The bridesmaids as well do the toasts to honor her best friend, the bride, for the wedding.

Although wedding toasts are often done during weddings, this part of the celebration is always spontaneous. When the participants (bride and groom, the best man, the bride's maid, the parents and the entire entourage) are all on a single table that is the time when the toasts are done. But most often, the best man or the father have already prepared for their speech. But the funniest toasts are still those done spontaneously and those that tease either the bride or the groom.

By; Nikki

How to Have a Worry-Free Wedding

You can have a worry-free wedding when you know that everything that you want and everything that you need for your wedding has been well taken care of. Wedding planning can be a tedious, tiresome and stressful task. There are a lot of things that need to be done and you may think that it is impossible to accomplish them all especially when you can give only a little of your time for the wedding preparations. You have to think of the location of the wedding ceremony. Will it be in a chapel, a church or other possible destinations? You also have to think of other aspects like the reception, catering, food and beverage, invitations, wedding cakes, drinks, flowers, photographer, videographer, make-up and hair, minister, gown, DJ, band, and wedding favors. All these things really need your dedicated time and effort but if you do not have the luxury of time to attend to them, allowing a team of experienced wedding professionals or an experienced wedding planner is highly recommended.

When you hire a wedding coordinator, you spend money for the time that the planner is spending to do all the tasks for you. You are also paying for their knowledge and experience that will help you stay within your budget and ensure that all the details are handled appropriately.

Make sure that you select only the experienced wedding professionals or planners because it is an essential factor for you to have a worry-free and problem-free wedding. With all the details that need to be coordinated, it is not wise to entrust your wedding preparations to someone who has not planned a wedding before. Ask about the planner’s experience and the number of weddings they handled.

Ask for references from the planner or coordinator to learn about the satisfactory level of their previous clients. If they don’t provide you the information of their past customers, don’t waste your time and move on to another one. Choose someone who listens to you and understands what you have in mind.

Find out about their fee structure and request for a written outline of the possible costs involved. Avoid paying all the fees 100% upfront unless the planner has a concrete reputation. You can opt to give the final payment after the event has ended. Since the coordinator handles the payment of services obtained from vendors, make sure to get the original copies of invoices instead of a payment statement.

Be honest with your wedding professional on the budget for your wedding for the latter to be able to come up with a realistic plan based on your resources and requirements. Have an open mind on the suggestions of the planner on alternatives being offered especially when your ideas will make you go over your finances.

When everything is properly done by your hired wedding professional, you will definitely have a worry-free wedding and all you need to do is enjoy your special day and cherish the memories for the rest of your life.

By: Cassandra Cruise