{Calling all brides} Two of the most difficult parts of planning a wedding are picking the photographer and your dress. I'll add that these are also two of the most important things. I have listed a few helpful hints below to hopefully help make your searches go a little smoother. {Enjoy}
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most significant choices you’ll make when planning your wedding. A good photographer will be intimately involved in your wedding, helping you think ahead of time about photo opportunities gauging the mood of the crowd, capturing subtle moments and intense emotions and remaining unobtrusive.
The photographer is one of the few vendors you’ll work with after the wedding, so choose well. Good wedding photographers book up early, so start your search as soon as you set the date.
To find a good photographer:
Call recently married couples who you know well enough to ask to see their photos.
Call caterers, banquet directors and wedding consultants and ask for their recommendations.
Look at the wedding portraits printed in your local newspaper and check for the photographer’s name.
Check out “real wedding” features in bridal magazines. Talented photographers have often shot these, which is why they’re being featured.
Obtain a list of wedding photographers from the Internet or by calling a trade organization like the Professional Photographers of America.
Surf the Web for studios in your area.
Consider flying in a photographer from another area. Airfare and room rates may be reasonable.
If relatives or friends who are photography buffs suggest that they want to photograph everything as well, tell them politely that you prefer them to be true guests and just enjoy themselves. Flashes from other cameras may set off lights that the photographer has set around the room. If you prefer to have no flash photography during your ceremony, state your wishes in the program.
If you like a photographer but feel you need to do more homework, say so. Ask the photographer to hold the date for a short while or at least give you the right of first refusal. Then make your decision as quickly as possible.
Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012
EDITOR: KIM FORREST | PHOTOS: CONDE NAST DIGITAL STUDIO
{The Trend: Illusion Necklines}
We saw lots of unique necklines this season, but "most spotted" goes to the illusion style, in which a sheer, delicate, and often embellished layer of fabric veils skin that would otherwise be exposed. (Think of illusion as "strapless, with coverage," noting its power to transform a sassy, "look at my boobs" situation into something soft, elegant, and romantic.)
(Gown by Carolina Herrera)
{The Trend: Two-Tiered Skirts}
Last season in skirts, three-dimensional florals hit critical mass. This season, designers focused on hemlines, creating skirts with two distinct tiers. Call it an exaggerated form of the peplum detail from previous seasons, and this time, it's superflattering—the top tier is a genius way to camouflage wider hips.
Gown by Christos
{The Trend: Horsehair Trim}
Don't worry, animal rights activists, horsehair does not come from our equine friends; it's a synthetic fabric often used on the underskirts of gowns to create a cleaner shape and a crisper hemline. Continuing with the trend of turning dresses inside-out (see last season's corsets), designers are now exposing this underlay fabrication, either as a visible hemline treatment or a lavishly looped sash or bodice detail. It works to create incredible volume and dimension on ballgowns and also provides a unique, frothy-yet-modern textural element.
Gown by Rivini
{The Trend: Blush}
Wearing a wedding gown in a non-white or ivory hue was, until recently, considered a pretty radical move. Then, a few seasons ago, we began seeing subtle pops of color—from the faintest hint of silver or lilac to bright lettuce green—but color was still the exception rather than the rule. This season, however, blush and pink shades appeared on dozens of runways, marking its official debut as an expected—not quirky—wedding gown hue. Perhaps this has something to do with Reese Witherspoon's blush Monique Lhuillier wedding gown. If Reese, a paean to traditional, conservative dressing, chooses pink, it's clearly time to give it a try.
Gown by Wtoo Brides
{The Trend: Lace Sleeves}
Since April bridal market fell just a few weeks before the Royal Wedding, several designers were inspired by Kate Middleton and what she might wear. For a great majority, this meant lace sleeves—a sleeker, more contemporary version of the voluminous sleeves that engulfed the youngPrincess Diana so many years ago. Turns out the recently dubbed Duchess of Cambridge did end up wearing lace sleeves to her wedding, and it's only a matter of time before this regal look catches on in a big way. We can't wait.
Gown by Legends by Romona Keveza
Call recently married couples who you know well enough to ask to see their photos.
Call caterers, banquet directors and wedding consultants and ask for their recommendations.
Look at the wedding portraits printed in your local newspaper and check for the photographer’s name.
Check out “real wedding” features in bridal magazines. Talented photographers have often shot these, which is why they’re being featured.
Obtain a list of wedding photographers from the Internet or by calling a trade organization like the Professional Photographers of America.
Surf the Web for studios in your area.
Consider flying in a photographer from another area. Airfare and room rates may be reasonable.
Wedding Dress Trends for Spring 2012
{The Trend: Illusion Necklines}
We saw lots of unique necklines this season, but "most spotted" goes to the illusion style, in which a sheer, delicate, and often embellished layer of fabric veils skin that would otherwise be exposed. (Think of illusion as "strapless, with coverage," noting its power to transform a sassy, "look at my boobs" situation into something soft, elegant, and romantic.)
(Gown by Carolina Herrera)
{The Trend: Two-Tiered Skirts}
Last season in skirts, three-dimensional florals hit critical mass. This season, designers focused on hemlines, creating skirts with two distinct tiers. Call it an exaggerated form of the peplum detail from previous seasons, and this time, it's superflattering—the top tier is a genius way to camouflage wider hips.
Gown by Christos
{The Trend: Horsehair Trim}
Don't worry, animal rights activists, horsehair does not come from our equine friends; it's a synthetic fabric often used on the underskirts of gowns to create a cleaner shape and a crisper hemline. Continuing with the trend of turning dresses inside-out (see last season's corsets), designers are now exposing this underlay fabrication, either as a visible hemline treatment or a lavishly looped sash or bodice detail. It works to create incredible volume and dimension on ballgowns and also provides a unique, frothy-yet-modern textural element.
Gown by Rivini
{The Trend: Blush}
Wearing a wedding gown in a non-white or ivory hue was, until recently, considered a pretty radical move. Then, a few seasons ago, we began seeing subtle pops of color—from the faintest hint of silver or lilac to bright lettuce green—but color was still the exception rather than the rule. This season, however, blush and pink shades appeared on dozens of runways, marking its official debut as an expected—not quirky—wedding gown hue. Perhaps this has something to do with Reese Witherspoon's blush Monique Lhuillier wedding gown. If Reese, a paean to traditional, conservative dressing, chooses pink, it's clearly time to give it a try.
Gown by Wtoo Brides
{The Trend: Lace Sleeves}
Since April bridal market fell just a few weeks before the Royal Wedding, several designers were inspired by Kate Middleton and what she might wear. For a great majority, this meant lace sleeves—a sleeker, more contemporary version of the voluminous sleeves that engulfed the youngPrincess Diana so many years ago. Turns out the recently dubbed Duchess of Cambridge did end up wearing lace sleeves to her wedding, and it's only a matter of time before this regal look catches on in a big way. We can't wait.
Gown by Legends by Romona Keveza
