Danielle and Nathan

Worse Wedding Advice #9

9.) "MY MOTHER SAID I SHOULD HAVE THE COCKTAIL HOUR BEFORE THE CEREMONY SINCE GUESTS WILL BE WAITING AND THIRSTY."

Really?? What is mom thinking?? Do that and your guests will be sauced before you exchange your vows. Instead, open the bar during the reception as normal, and serve nonalcoholic beverages like lemonade iced tea, and water with lemon slices beforehand to take care of those thirsty guests. Besides... Alcohol doesn't quench thirst... it just makes you thirstier and wanting to drink more.

Worse Wedding Advice #4

4.) "LET YOUR BRIDESMAIDS CHOOSE THEIR DRESSES... IT'LL BE FUN!!"

Not. That is a disaster waiting to happen. Unless you are looking for the unmatched, Ross “dress for less” look on your wedding day, you need to set the precedence and the guidelines. It’s one thing to let them each choose a different style… but in the same color range as each other. And naturally you want the dresses to compliment your wedding style and the style of your dress as well as be able to match the groomsmen. The only time this rule wouldn't truly apply is if your are having an eclectic vintage themed wedding, but you would still want a few guidelines for your bridesmaids to follow.

Worse Wedding Advice #1

Ok... so here is the list of worse wedding advice, beginning with #1:

1.) ORDER YOUR WEDDING DRESS THE SIZE YOU'D LIKE TO BE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.

NOT a good idea!

We all want to weigh less and look the best for our special day… but lets get real… some goals cannot be accomplished overnight, and as hard as we may try… what if you only reach a size 9 and not a size 7??

It’s harder to let the dress out than it is to take it in!! Order your dress the size that you are… and then, if you lose the weight… SWEET! Have it altered and taken in, in, in!!!

Blair and Cody

Beautiful!

Beautiful Parasols!! You just gotta love the color they add to your wedding photography!!

Location, Location, Location....

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"Location, location, location"... that is normally a quote you would hear from your realtor... however, the same is true for wedding photography. Even if it is someones backyard... be sure to choose a couple of off-site locations for some fabulous shots! Check out my website at http://www.deborahmariephotography.com/ and find me on Facebook!!

No Cookie Cutter Wedding Photography!

1st... be sure that you and your photographer "click"... Just because a photographer has been in the business for 20 years, doesn't mean that he is the one for you! You want a photographer who is interested in you... not just in making money.
2nd... Your photographer should be asking you questions.... about your likes and your dislikes, your style, what you are looking for, what your desires are, etc. There are way too many photographers who do cookie-cutter weddings. What may be wonderful for one bride, may be most undesirable for you!
3rd... Be sure that your photographer includes consultations. Your photographer should meet with you... in person if possible, or at least through emails, phone conversations, etc in order to find out more about you and what your desires are for your wedding photography. You will also want your photographer to meet you at the wedding venue, or at least visit it themselves if at all possible, before the wedding date in order to get a good feel for the surroundings and have a basic plan before the wedding itself.
For more information, visit my website at http://www.deborahmariephotography.com/ and click on the link at the bottom that says "FAQ's"... there are many answers to questions in there that you may not have even thought about.

Great Location for Wedding and Photo's

Are you looking for a great location for your wedding? You might want to think about a winery wedding! There are so many wonderful winery destinations in California and Oregon to choose from... Southern Oregon, Napa, Sonoma... way too many to mention. Many of the location site's are filled with history and beauty... ambiance to die for! And the photo op's are fabulous!!

Rachael and Kyle

Love these kids!!

Getting married this coming September 11th in Eureka, CA

9 Hot Wedding Trends!

Here's the latest in wedding photography and how to make it work for you.

A wedding photo is meant to preserve your fabulous day for the rest of your life -- it's not just your new profile pic on Facebook after all! But nuptial shots can look stiff and boring if you're not careful -- or worse, just like everyone else's. How can you make them unique? Here are new wedding photography ideas that'll take you from pre- to post- "I do."

Before the Reception...

1. Become the Center of Attention... instead of flowers, fill photo cubes with different shots from your dating history or world travels and then use them as table centerpieces. It's a great conversation-starter and a nice way for guests to learn more about the early stages of your relationship. And unlike fresh blooms, you can decorate your home with these afterward.

2. Be the Favors.... Have your photo imprinted on cookies and leave one at each place setting. Opt for a black-and-white, vintage-looking image so it doesn't come out cheesy. Wrap the cookie in wax paper and tie with a ribbon. Then let wedding guests eat their hearts out -- and your faces off!

3. Head to the City.... Engagement cityscape shoots are popular because of the iconic quality of posing by recognizable landmarks. No skyline? Shooting against an urban brick wall can convey the same message. Use your favorite image in your save-the-dates or, for instantreception decor, blow up one of the pictures, mat it, and set it on an easel near the escort cards. Display other shots in your table cards.

During the Reception...

4. Ditch the Formality..... Try some casual shots, like the bride sitting on a staircase right after the wedding ceremony, breathing a sigh of relief, with champagne at her feet. Or consider finding an "unofficial" setting. If your reception is at a country club, take pics on the golf course. Ask your photographer to get candids of your group making their way there. It's those between-the-moments photos that always turn out best.

5. Go Behind the Curtain... Rent a photo booth and a technician to troubleshoot. Have guests tape wacky shots next to their messages in the guest book. Or create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room. Hang a nine-foot-wide seamless paper for a backdrop and bring a printer so guests can take photos home.

6. Let it Slide.... Run a slideshow of images from the ceremony and cocktail hour from your photographer's laptop and project them on a screen during dinner. Guests will love looking at what they just experienced, and they'll have plenty to talk about at the tables.

After the Reception...

7. Go Digital Instead.... of mounting a few photos on a wall in traditional frames, display a bunch in a single digital frame. Upload multiple images from a memory card or your computer and watch a slideshow of your day. You can even add music. It makes a great gift too.

8. Book 'Em.... Skip the traditional album (the one with thick-as-cardboard, single-photo pages) in favor of high-quality coffee table books. The images are printed on paper, and the layout is more like what you'd see in a magazine. Opt for a leather-bound or Lucite-covered book for a classic look that's less stuffy than a traditional album.

9. Learn to Preserve.... Enlarging some final prints on museum-quality, fiber-based, silver paper will definitely be worth the purchase down the road when your precious memories are still intact. A photograph on this paper could last for several hundred years. When archiving your photos and negatives, choose acid-free boxes, negative-sleeves, and binders. They're pricey, but the absence of acid prevents your photos from yellowing or deteriorating.

For more ideas and information, contact Debi, www.deborahmariephotography.com