Bride's Guide to Better Wedding Photos

I'm sure you already know that choosing the right wedding photographer is more important as choosing the right groom. Just kidding. Getting the right photographer is important, but there are lots of things that YOU can do to ensure that your wedding photos are as good as they can be.

1.Pre-Wedding Photo shoot.

Having a pre-wedding photo shoot can improve your wedding pictures more than anything else you might do. Think about it, your photographer is VERY comfortable on his end of the camera. The time you spend with your photographer in front of the camera will help you become more comfortable being the subject. Try to get to know your photographer. Have fun. Be crazy. Let's face it; those "magazine bride photos" that you have been looking at do not happen all by
themselves. They are well planned, rehearsed, and the photo that you finally see in the magazine was probably picked from hundreds of photos. The more time you spend with your photographer, the more likely it is that he will capture that one special moment that only happens once.

2.The Pose.

"Chin up, a little to the left, shoulders back, stand on one foot, hold your breath...hang on?don?t move. " Any photographer worth his salt should be able to pose you in an elegant and attractive position. Do you know the reason for all these the contortions? By lifting your chin you banish the double chin. Holding your elbows away from your body reduces the apparent width of your torso and accentuates the bosom. Shifting your weight to your rear foot cocks your hips into a position that gives you a sexy curviness. There are many other little tricks your photographer may teach you. Just listen and he will not lead you astray.

3.Hair and Makeup.

Your wedding day is not the right time to experiment with makeup and hairstyles. Be sure to plan a separate day to have a hair and makeup "dress rehearsal". If you plan to wear a headpiece, use this time to make sure that it will fit with your hairstyle. If you plan it right, your photographer may be available to take some formals on this day too.

4.Props.

Give you photographer the tools he needs to be creative. When ordering flowers for the wedding, be sure to order an extra single rose, boutonniere, ribbon or other inexpensive items that the photographer can use in your photos. Don't forget to have a copy of your wedding invitation that he can incorporate into the detail shots of your big day. Photos of wedding rings with flowers,invitation, maybe even your shoes and garter can really add to your album.

5. The Bouquet.

How should you hold a bouquet? In a single word.. DOWN!! Never hide your thousand dollar dress with a hundred dollar bouquet. If you?re a five foot bride, do not order a 3 foot cascading bouquet. It's going to be a long day. By the end of the day, you will be wishing that your bouquet was smaller, lighter, more durable, and maybe even artificial. And if it's too big you may
even injure your guests during the bouquet toss.

6. Backgrounds and angles.

Remember, your wedding day is all about you. Many times complicated backgrounds in your photos distract the viewer?s attention away from the bride and will take away from your photographs. Keep backgrounds as simple as possible. Interesting angles are what keeps the images of a professional photographer from looking like the images of "Uncle Joe". Everyone knows what a wedding looks like from 5 feet 6. You may see your photographer lying on the ground or climbing trees. Don't laugh at him. That's why he gets paid the big bucks.

7.Lighting

When choosing your venue and time of day, keep lighting in mind. If your wedding is outdoors, the best light happens 1-2 hours before sunset. If your wedding is indoors, try to avoid buildings with high dark ceilings and few windows. Since natural light will look much better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will be the brightest. By the way, photographers hate fluorescent lights. They make you look green.

8.Single Use Cameras

Lots of people use them and they seldom work. You may get a few good photos here and there but don't expect too much. You'll probably get a whole camera full of photos of Cousin Skip's girlfriend that you hardly know. Your three year old niece will probably take a lot of pictures of people's belly buttons. And if anyone gets tipsy at the reception you may get a lot of photos of the ground, shoes, or eyeballs (from holding the camera backwards). Your photography is best left to professionals.

Well that's it for "The Bride's Guide to Better Wedding Photos". Congratulations on your big day. Now let's make those memories last!

Mark Parker is a Birmingham Alabama Wedding Photographer. His work can be seen at www.marksbrides.com.

Congratulations to the Honeymoon Giveaway Winner!!

Congratulations!!!

Tanya Darby of Florida - You and your Fiancé are the lucky winners of our Hawaiian Giveaway, drawn on April 1, 2007.

WedAlert's next drawing for a Honeymoon Giveaway is on October 1, 2007. So Register now.

The winner of the next honeymoon giveaway will have the choice of the following:

All Inclusive Vacation at The Casa Del Mar in La Romanna in the Dominican Republic with a minimum 6 Day / 5 night stay; OR

The Coco Kreole in St Lucia with a minimum 6 Day / 5 night stay.

The Honeymoon Giveaway is sponsored by EBTS travel planning.

Contest terms

Honeymoon in Australia, ideas for vacations and unique honeymoon destinations

You can experience your honeymoon in a different light when you escape away to Australia.

The land “Down Under” has all the ingredients to create a truly romantic getaway, whether you are looking for a candlelight dinner before a night at the Sydney Opera House, or the bliss of a private island getaway on the Great Barrier Reef.

For those who want to make their honeymoon unique, but still want the “classic Honeymoon experiences” – great beaches & sun, candlelight dinners under the stars, a romantic night out in an exciting city, vintage wine at a picturesque chateau – there is no better destination than Australia.

Visit vibrant, cultural cities with great entertainment and nightlife, such as Sydney and Melbourne; beautiful stretches of beach where you can enjoy the sun and sand, from the Whitsunday Islands to Bondi Beach and Surfer’s Paradise; gorgeous scenery and a romantic candlelight dinner at a vineyard in the Barossa, Yarra, or Hunter Valleys; view exotic wildlife at Kangaroo Island; snorkel and dive among thousands of fish in the Great Barrier Reef; dinner by candlelight in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest; or gaze at a sky full of stars unblemished by manmade lights after the sun sets behind Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in the heart of the Outback.

The Honeymoon Specialists at Magical Escapes Vacations have put together the following sample itineraries for a wonderful honeymoon:

Alluring Australian Honeymoon
Footloose & Fancy Free
Rock, Reef & Rainforest Indulgence
Two Wonders in One
Classic Elegance Top to Bottom
Wine & Wilderness

Enter Australia to learn more about these destinations.

Eco-Chic Weddings: Green Wedding Tips

Green is becoming the new white when it comes to weddings. Eco-chic weddings are becoming increasingly popular among couples.

Here are some tips when planning an eco-friendly green wedding, which incorporates ecologically and socially responsible products and services.

• Location: The first element to set the tone is the location. Environmentally aware pairs are opting for botanical gardens over ballrooms. Many couples are having their nuptials on untouched terrain, for example nature preserves, the beach, parks or their own backyards.

• Keep it local: Whenever possible, use local resources for your wedding. In addition to saving on transportation, you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy.

• Bridal gowns: Wear natural fibers like organically grown cotton, silk and hemp, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you are having a dress designed, make sure that it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials or chemical dyes. Many brides to be are also turning to vintage dresses or pre-worn wedding gowns from their family members which also adds a hint of nostalgia.

• Invitations: Use recycled or tree free paper for your invitations.

• Catering: When choosing your caterer, find one who specializes in organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan diets are popular for many reasons including health, ethical and environmental concerns. Speak to your caterer to discuss and create an interesting and delicious menu sans meat, dairy and processed sugars. For example, an interesting and delectable entrée would be herb-roasted seitan with grilled artichokes, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze and wasabi mashed potatoes. Support local farms orchards and vineyards by buying your produce and wine there. The demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend overall in the catering field. Choose organic wine which is made from grapes and grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals which damage soil and water. There are many organic wine vineyards to choose from.

• Wedding cake: Find a baker that will make a cake with organic, natural and fair trade ingredients. Be sure to serve fair trade coffee!

• Transportation: Show up in style, Get chauffeured in eco-chic hybrid limousines or opt for the old fashioned horse and buggy.

• After the ceremony: Have guests toss freeze dried flower petals or ecofetti (biodegradable confetti). Eco friendly Birdseed or biodegradable rice is also popular.

• Flowers: Find a local florist who recycles everything they use from the flowers and foliage. Use potted living plants as centerpieces for the tables instead of cut floral arrangements. Select arrangements that can be replanted, and invite your guests to take them home to replant.

• Favors: Organic chocolates make great gifts with a personalized note printed on recycled paper. Jars filled with organic jams, jellies or honey. Handmade soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.

• Candles: Use soy candles, its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.

• Photography: When choosing a photographer, make sure you chose a photographer that works in digital format. Digital photos are easier to share and much more environmentally friendly. No harmful chemicals, film or wasted paper. If you are set on film photography, there are less toxic developing methods, discuss this option with your photographer.

• Honeymoon: When planning your honeymoon, consider the rainforest in Costa Rica or an amazing adventurous escape at an eco friendly holistic luxurious spa in Africa or Fiji.

By Kristin Ciccolella, WedAlert

How to Pick Your Best Man for Your Wedding

Congratulations. You asked her to marry you and she said "yes" without hesitation. You know which girl you want to spend the rest of your life with. But first, there is boot camp to get through – it's called planning the wedding.

A vital step after popping the question is to pick your best man. This guy will be most involved in your wedding and carry the brunt of the responsibility of your groomsmen. Your best man will most likely throw your bachelor party, he'll hold your wedding rings on the big day, he'll convey your wishes to the other groomsmen, he gives a toast and short speech at the wedding reception, and pretty much stands by your side and keeps you from going nuts throughout the whole planning process and on the wedding day.

That being said, your best man should be someone responsible and reliable. Don't pick one of your underachiever buds for this job. You want someone that won't let you down.

A high school or college friend or roommate that has been part of your life on an almost daily level is a good choice. If you are fortunate enough to have a long-term friend, then your choice is a no-brainer. Your best friend is the obvious choice.

If you have one brother, he is also a good candidate for the best man. Your best friend could drift away after college as the years go on, but your brother will always be your brother.

If you have more than one brother, I would hope that you have a long-term friend you can pick as the best man. And then let your brothers all be groomsmen. This way you are not singling out a favorite brother and causing strife amongst the other brothers. But if one brother was the closest in age to you, got along with you the best, and spent the most time with you of all your brothers, then there is nothing wrong with picking him as a best man.

Sometimes a guy will pick his father to be his best man. This is very touching and tells the world that you and your dad are really best friends and understand each other. It's an unexpected twist and will mean a lot to your old man. Don't feel pressure to do this just because it would be you being nice to your dad. He'll be in the wedding in a tux anyway, just like the bride's dad.

You could break tradition and have a woman as "the best man". Although, a title such as "groom's honor attendant" is a better choice. This is a controversial move and may spark some gossip on the wedding day. Your bride is supposed to be your best woman friend. Several eyebrows could be raised amongst the older guests, but the younger guests may not think anything of it. If you are considering this, please be sure to discuss it with your bride-to-be. You want to make sure that all guests are focusing on you and your bride and not one of your attendants.

Whatever you do, go with your gut feelings. It's your choice and anything goes these days. You pick your best man based on who you want to be by your side as you embark on married life.

This article was provided by Lisa Gunther. Lisa is a freelance writer and product reviewer for Gunther Gifts which provides for groomsmen and engraved gift needs.

Related articles:

Choosing Your Groomsmen
How To Give The Perfect Best Man Speech
Best Man - The requirements and duties of the Best Man