Welcome to The Wedding Vendor Guide

The title of this post is a little self-explanatory. If you’re worried about experimenting in the wrong way with colours and designs, here is a list of classics that will never fade. Consider them your back-ups in a way, if that pink leopard print doesn’t end up going with the lime green chair covers, I’m here to help:

- A strapless Cinderella dress. This dress is timeless, otherwise the fairy godmother wouldn’t have conjured it up would she? This attire eliminates your worries about your thighs looking big in a little mini, your concerns that your back rash will be exposed in the strappy dress; it’s perfect classic wedding.  (A tip though, make sure that it’s snug and if you want to be even more careful, buy fabric double sided tape for it and your bra, you really don’t want anything to slip the day of.)

- Your hair down in loose curls. Loose curls are much safer as you won’t have to worry about them really losing their shape and putting more hairspray in during the night. Loose curls actually tend to look more styled the more naturally-worn down they get. They almost always frame the face of every blushing bride beautifully

- Champagne colored flowers for your bouquet can never go wrong. With a creamy base to the coloring, they’re bound to match anything from your shoes down to the brown of the wood of the seats.

- Chocolate for your favors. As much as the thought is nice, your guests probably don’t want a little trinket that says “Mr. and Mrs Charming” on it. Chocolate is always a big crowd pleaser and if you want to take it a step further, you can pair up with a charity and donate the money to it. Helping people will never go out of style (As seen on the JACOB shirts).

- The Top 40 for the DJ to play during the dance. My advice is to not try out that new song that your friend recommended, stick to what you know. Big crowd pleasers are always songs that were popular when you were teenagers, the top 40 of your generation. And of course you have the YMCA, the Locomotion and Twist and Shout to rely on.

- Black and white photographs. They hide any blemishes you were worried about and seem to make things look more artistic. They might not capture the red of the flower but they won’t capture the red of your pimple either.

- Plain diamonds or pearls are everlasting and will compliment almost anything you wear. Pick classic cuts like a diamond-shape or just a round one. Then you don’t have to worry about your ears or your wrists looking fat or something.

You can’t go wrong with any of the things I have listed. But hey! Kudos to you if you want to wear a strappy dress, have your hair straight, carry green flowers, use picture frames as favors, play Metallica all night long while colored photos are taken and your alligator skin bracelet slips off.

Seriously, it’s your wedding. Do whatever you want, just know there are always these classics to fall back on.

Yesterday, while coming up the stairs from the basement I spotted a white container labeled “Our Wedding.” I pulled it out from the shelf and opened it to reveal 2 DVDs. Curiosity pulled me to pop them into the player and I sat for about an hour and a half reliving a wedding I had attended.

It struck me at how much of a difference the quality of your video can affect how you look back on the day. My parent’s video that I had dug up a couple of years ago had been shot by my uncle with one hand held camera and lots of, “Is this on?”s. The shots on the screen in front of me were of a professional. They had different angles, mics set up and really captured the mood of both the quiet and laughing moments.

Similarly, I discovered the beauty in the wedding photographs. They were bound in a magnificent album, with different sized photos and a great mix of candids, still-life’s and posed ones. The colours seemed to leap off of the album and you could tell that the shots were both artistic and taken by a pro.

And then, an epiphany came to me as suddenly as the lightning flashes the stormy sky; your videographer and photographer are just as important as you are at your wedding. Weird thing to say considering you are the one about to be wed, but let me take a moment to explain.

You have the ability to re-live your wedding over and over again. You can achieve this goal with a quality photographer and videographer. They capture the moments that you might not necessarily see on the day of. They are the ones that get tangible proof of things that you forget had happened.

With the perfect photographer, you can refresh yourself on how chocolate-y your cake really was. You can actually see the swish of your dress as you dance.

With the impeccable videographer, your ceremony and reception can happen all over again in your living room. The hilarious speech that left you rolling on the ground can bring you tears a second time. And a third time. And a fourth.

But how to achieve this? It’s certainly been stressed that this is of utmost importance and you probably don’t want to screw it up. Here’s some things you can do to help guarantee some outstanding memory keepers:

For the photographer:

Look online to find some examples - Not only will you might be able to find people online that are perfect for you but if you don’t, you’ll at least be able to find examples that come close to what you want. Bring these samples to your interviews/appointments with the photographer.

• When you have an interview with them, consider having them show you how they would take their pictures. Don’t just look at their portfolio, it might not be proof enough of their talent. Ask them to take 2 minutes to help act with you how they would take pictures. Maybe even just talk to your partner and have them take pictures of you and see what moments they capture and how they do it.

Make sure that everything you discuss is written down on paper and that you and the photographer both take a copy. Then, you eliminate the risk of telling them that you had agreed to one free DVD and they deny it because there is no proof.

Pick out what kind of lenses you want them to use. Different lenses will give you different quality photos and you want to make sure that the colours you have chosen stand out. There’s nothing worse than faded colours on a picture when they were stunningly vibrant the day of.

Always ask them to make double the amount of pictures that you want. You’ll get variety and be able to choose from 5 different shots of the same thing depending on the lighting and angle. Even the slightest change can make the biggest difference in photography remember.

Make sure that there is always a photographer taking shots. They can eat at different times so not one moment is missed. There is never an insignificant moment, you will want to remember and capture everything.

For the videographer:

Before the wedding, make sure you tell the videographer what things you really want them to get. Everything else will be like icing on the cake. Make sure that they understand that for example, you cutting the cake is important. Some videographers may have worked with other customers that did not put stress on that particular moment, but everybody’s different.

Make sure that there is more than one camera. You’ll want different angles to make things like the ceremony not one, long, continuous shot.

Get a mix of people looking at the camera and not. Have the videographer ask a few people if they would like to say anything but make sure that the majority of the film they are just in the background filming.

Tell them to not be afraid to go up and get some footage. You don’t want the filming to be done from in the corner or it’ll look like something done by a cowering person in the corner.

Tell them that the footage should include everybody. BUT, and I mean this in the least-selfish way possible, it is your wedding and you should be in the main view of the camera. You want them to capture the hysterical toasts but you also want your reaction to the things that they said. There’s no real rule to what the ratio should be, but a good videographer will know to edit the film to your reaction when something funny has just been said instead of keeping the view on the toast-giver grinning sheepishly.

Preserving the memories of your wedding will pay off. After watching the video, the couple I was with seemed to become nostalgic and were happier remembering the fun that had happened that day. Your photographer and videographer are your memory keepers. And trust me, this is one memory you really don’t want to fade.

Before you go on to read this wonderful piece of work I have put together you should know that this entry is catered to people who are attending the wedding rather than hosting it. Just in case you didn’t figure that out, but I’m sure you did.

Writing a toast for a wedding can prove to be a difficult thing. You want to say something meaningful but words just don’t seem to fit. You want to congratulate them, not in a mocking way, but sincerely. However at the same time don’t want it to be the boring-run-of-the-mill “I wish you eternal happiness” speech. There is a way to achieve this perfect toast and there are a few key factors to keep in mind that will help you on your way to creating it for the happy couple:

1) Avoid inside jokes - You might think it’s hilarious but unless this happened at that wedding in clear view of all the guests and it’s sure that everybody will completely understand what you are getting at, don’t go there. It’s extremely awkward for the people not in the loop and they will lose interest in your speech when you and the only other person who gets it are rolling on the floor with laughter.

2) Avoid any attacks at people other than the bride or groom. Although they may be just for fun and laughter, you probably don’t want to make a comment about the bride’s mother. If you’re going to poke fun at somebody, make it the person who’s getting married that you know best; they’ll know that you mean well. And if you do choose to give them a little roast instead of a toast, make sure to laugh when you do it. Not, of course, in a Joker/Heath Ledger-I’m-insane-and-take-pleasure-in-your-pain kind of laugh, but a light chuckle to let them know that you’re joking and that you truly love them.

3) Try opting for a poem or something interesting that makes people want to listen. From personal experience, a poem is a great way to make a speech fun while saying the things you want to express. And try making the poem rhyme, it might take a little longer but it sounds very clever and entertaining when it comes time to present it.

4) Remember that this speech is about them (The newlyweds) and not you. Although you could ramble on about how happy you are for them (Which is lovely don’t get me wrong), remember to talk about how happy they are going to make each other. You yourself will know how joyous you are but the more you express it, the more insincere it sounds. It’s a shame that it happens, but it’s a harsh reality the toast-givers of the world have to live with. So don’t forget to relate everything back to them rather than how you are feeling. People (Especially those who don’t know you) will want to hear about the bride or groom that invited them, not about you.

5) Cater the speech to the couple. The last thing you want is for it to sound like a generic one you came up with that could apply to any wedding you attend. Add in little details that you know the couple will enjoy and remember. You want your toast to actually be words of celebration, not just an obligatory thing that must be done. Commemorate with and for them.

6) Pull inspiration from other toasts. When you go to a wedding you are not speaking at, pay specific attention to the things that make a great speech. The audience will shift according to how they are enjoying the speech. Look up toasts or think of ones that really meant something to you at your wedding. I’m not saying plagiarize (I’m sure my high school teacher’s would hunt me down and throttle me if I did encourage that) but figure out what makes a great speech and draw from that. Sometimes it’s easy to have a base to start on rather than just a blank piece of paper.

Toasts and speeches can really communicate how happy you are for the bride and groom. Bear my tips in mind and you’ll hopefully have an easier time with the writing of yours. But worst comes to worst, we all know that a picture is worth a thousand words so if need be, all you got to do is smile. Good luck and happy writing!

There is nothing anybody wants more than for their wedding day to be perfect. After all, some would say that it’s the most important day of your life. And though others question the reasoning behind it, claiming it to be just society’s way of making us think that we must get married in order to prove our love and would even go as far as to say that it’s the last legal form of slavery, they still want it to be nice. At the very least.

The way to get perfect results is what we have been taught since we could walk, or rather when we were learning to walk; our parents said “Practice, practice, practice.” I’m not saying physically go to a church (Or wherever you are having your wedding) and walk down the aisle (Although you should never rule that out!) but do the things that most people don’t think of when they are preparing.  These are the things that you don’t practice at the rehearsal, holding a bouquet of flowers and your to-be-husband’s hand is easy enough, it’s the other stuff that will help you on the big day. Consider practicing:

1) Your makeup - This philosophy can be applied to both routes you might be taking: doing your own or (the more likely) getting it done by a professional. You desperately don’t want to dislike your makeup on the day of as it is quite hard to hide your face and divert attention when you are the one getting married. Whoever is doing your makeup should have a test run about a week beforehand. Leave your makeup on for a couple of hours and see what it looks like once it has settled in. (Make sure that the weather is about the same as it will be when you wed. This would mean not doing your test run in December when you are having a  July wedding). By the end, you will not only have perfected the look you want (Maybe even take a picture so you know exactly what you want to look like when the day comes!) but you will also know if the amount put on was enough to last.

2) Your hair - Yes, it will be a little bit of a pain to sit to get your hair done when it’s not even your wedding, but it will be worth it. You will have the time to work our with your hair stylist what you like and don’t’ like about your hair and they will have time to fix it until it’s just right. (And when it is, go ahead and take a picture! Not all of us have photographic memories you know!) On your wedding day, it’s usually appointment after appointment and you don’t have time to stop, let alone go to the bathroom. Work out the kinks (No pun intended) on that practice day. As well, similar to the makeup, you will see how your hair lasts throughout the day. Again, do this on a day where the weather will be like it is on your wedding day. Test everything out so it’s all set.

3) Your wonderful shoes - Remember clunking around in your mom’s heels? Or maybe you hated those stilettos as a teenager and opted for Converse sneakers? Either way, a woman needs to be comfortable in her footwear. Even if they are similar to what you wear everyday, they’re still new (Or fairly new I hope) and have never been worn (Same thing goes for vintage shoes; although they’ve been worn, you yourself have never worn them). Strap on your shoes and go for a walk on your driveway and in your house. Get used to the feeling of the shoes on different types of ground. Scratching the bottom of them on the driveway will actually prove to be great for the traction on more slippery surfaces. Your foot needs to be accustomed or at least vaguely familiar with the shape and fabric of the shoe. This is also where you can figure out where you want to put extra padding or grip instead of scrambling on the day of in between the photos and the reception dinner.

Practicing and getting used to these three key items will surely help your day run a lot smoother. (Literally too if you take my shoe advice!) And if you’re a real keener, do it a couple of times! You’ll notice that you will always find one little thing that you want to change every time you do it. But relax, even practicing one time can help you so much and practicing just once for that one-time-only event is worth it!

The summer is truly a beautiful season. Even those who love the rain don’t mind a bit of sun. The lemonade, the cooling of the ocean, the clothes, the romantic and starry nights. It’s no wonder summer weddings are the most popular. Who wouldn’t want perfect evening weather? And who really has a problem with the light breeze that cools you down? Do I hear an objection to the sun making your teeth look even whiter in your photos?

I didn’t think so.

“But wait!” the practical side of my brain says. What about the parts of summer that people hate? The sunburns, the sweat stains on your new clothes? What happens to your wedding when the evening becomes humid and sticky? Or when there is no light breeze but rather gusts of hot air? And don’t even forget about that beautiful sun being the cause of you and your newlywed squinting in every picture the photographer takes.

Have no fear! Summer weddings can be just as easy and breezy as those Covergirls seem to be, and here are some tips to smooth out your troubles.

1. Look stellar as supposed to sticky - One of the main concerns of summer weddings is the perspiration that’s involved. We know that we can’t exactly command our bodies to stop producing sweat, but we can do some things to help slow down the process.

a ) One thing to keep in mind is stress. Don’t get all jazzed up or worried about something on the day of, this anxiety will try to find a way out and it will use your sweat as an outlet. (Very scientific and factual I know, but it’s actually completely true!) So don’t run around on the day of, it’s your day to shine, but in a non-sweaty way.

b) This could go without saying, but I’m saying it anyway: wear antiperspirant! The reason behind the choice of antiperspirant rather than deodorant is that deodorant just takes away the smell of your sweat where as antiperspirant is well…opposed or anti-perspirant. We know that it’s not healthy to stop your body from sweating as it’s natural and it needs to, otherwise you’ll explode or something (Again with the laboratory-proved facts) but this is just one day. Because who really wants sweat stains on their wedding dress? And if you’re a groom-to-be reading this, the place where you rented your tux probably won’t be pleased with the spots underneath the arms.

(Another tip: Put some on the soles of your feet, awkward as it may be, it’ll keep you from slipping and sliding along the aisle in your heels)

2. Keep your munchies close, but your cucumbers closer - One thing a lot of people don’t think of is their hunger and thirst on the big day. You’re bound to want something to eat and drink in between the actual getting married, the photographs, the walking around at the reception and dancing. Sometimes you’ll find it hard to get to the caterers and I’m guessing you don’t think your wedding dress is fit for the local convenience store, not that you would have time anyway. So the question is posed: what to do?

a) Try to have little snacks stashed away in places you’ll be in large chunks of time. The limousine is a good place for things, but remember to keep in mind that people will be snapping photos of you all day so don’t go for the bright green, stringy snacks you really love. Try opting for a banana or food that’s quick and easy to pack as well as quick and easy to smooth away from your teeth.

b) The cucumber with or without a glass of water is a great way to keep yourself full and content as well as hydrated. The cucumber actually cools you down and paired with a bottle of water (With it or in it is your choice!) will relax you, cool you and quench your thirst.

3. Let the others do the crying - The general pull of gravity combined with the heat on your face can prove problematic. Do yourself a favor to avoid either fixing your makeup all the time or just not liking how it looks in the pictures.

a) Wear water-proof makeup, it’s as simple as that. Your sweat is basically water so why not repel it with the advanced technology we call water resistant? Ask whoever is doing your makeup to use as many water-resistant products as they can.

b) Don’t go overboard with anything. There’s a time to explore and be experimental and I suggest that your wedding day is not that time. Stick to lighter layers of makeup, heavier caked-on application will only shift and sag throughout the day and night. As well, your skin will feel lighter and freer, making you feel that much cooler. You don’t want to wipe your forehead and take off the 20th layer of foundation off with it.

c) Use specific applicators. Some makeup artists use their fingers as their main source of makeup application, but ask them (Nicely of course) to use a brush. Brushes tend to only apply the makeup that the person applies. This sentence sure sounds dumb but in all honesty, the brush will apply the amount of makeup in accordance to the amount of pressure that was applied to it. With fingers or even Q tips, the amount of makeup is less controlled and with fingers, some sweat from said finger is applied as well. And sweatiness aside, brushes give more defined, exact looks as they can have sharper edges that are more particular than the rounded area of a human finger.

4. Things Are Always Better Up Than Drooping - Your hair is always a factor in everything you do, so what you do with your hair on this particular day has a lot of weight. There is no real rule as to what to do with your hair but rather suggestions as what to do to help it once your decision is made.

a) If you decide to do an updo you’ll find yourself nice and cool throughout the day which is great. Make sure that there are no stray hairs loose otherwise they’ll stick to your neck without your notice and that might not be something you’ll enjoy later on.

b) If you’re a little more loose (In terms of your hair) and you do a half up or just leave it down, there are some more things you should have in the back of your head. Curls are extremely popular as they are fancier than your usual hair appearance. And all is well if you want curls but make sure your hairdresser uses extra hairspray. The humidity and moisture in the air will deflate your curls throughout the night leaving you with most likely stringy hair at the end. If you don’t want hard, stiff curls, ask them to use non-aerosol hairspray that will still retain the shape but not mold it and glue it to that form forever. Even if you decide to leave your hair exactly the way it is, still spray some hold into it. This way, your hair won’t become limp throughout the day. This goes for straight hair always.

5. Hide your face only at night - Veils are a wonderful traditional garment that make spectacular additions to a bride’s attire, but they can get tiresome and somewhat annoying during the day. You want to go with what your picky mother-in-law says, but you don’t want to be blind and miss things throughout the ceremony.

a) The one and simple solution is to wear the veil halfway through your photos and at the dinner portion of the reception. The traditional aspect will shine through in your photos and you probably will have already seen the photos taken beforehand to trust what the photographer is doing. During the meal of the reception, there is less movement and therefore less heat. You will feel more comfortable and relaxed if you wear your veil when you are moving around less.

6. Even though you’re wearing white… - Your dress is going to be the thing that’ll make or break your sweat. I know that the huge Cinderella-esqe skirt is beautiful, but just bear in mind that well, hers was made by her fairy godmother and it probably didn’t weigh a thing.

a) Wearing a dress with a full skirt is fine. Just find one that you’re comfortable in. A dress that has sequins poking you will only irritate you during the day and you won’t look back with pleasure but rather with comments like, “I hated that dress.” You want something that both your eye and your body likes.

b) Choose the dress that fits you best. This is without the girdle and the tummy tucker. We understand that you want to look your best, but in a summer wedding if you have a slip, a girdle, a bustier and a petticoat on underneath, things are sure to heat up faster than they would on the honeymoon. Choose the dress you love and that you love yourself, and just yourself in.

And the general rule of thumb? Keep a little bottle of perfume, one of those sample ones maybe, inside the pocket of your groom-to-be. You probably won’t stray far from him ever so it’ll be handy. If however you find yourself caught up with other friends that night, have your maid-of-honor stick it in her purse, a girl’s best friend is always equipped and ready on the wedding day.

Summer weddings are a blast. Use these guidelines and your summer wedding is sure to be a blast as well as breezy rather than a gust of malodorous wind.

Your carriage is waiting, you have no evil stepsisters or stepmother to speak of and your prince is anticipating your arrival. There will be no need to leave a glass slipper behind or fall into a forever-lasting sleep, he’ll be there and you still are to be wed. However, you stop in your tracks when you remember one slightly problematic thing, you don’t have a dress.

Luckily enough for you, Kirstie Kelly has partnered with Disney to give the wedding public a huge strew of wedding gowns designed based on the princess’s we all know and love. From the everlasting traditional Cinderella to the cultural and beautiful Jasmine, Ms. Kelly has released wedding attire that is sure to be the envy of the entire kingdom.

It may seem childish and slightly immature to buy a Disney Princess gown for your wedding dress but be rest assured that this bridal attire is of the highest sophistication. The lines are traditional and the colors are elegant.

And isn’t there something nice and romantic about wearing a Disney dress? A little girl never forgets the feeling of twirling in a dress and making it poof up. There’s something magical about wearing a dress that was inspired by the same princess that inspired you and your ideal of romance.

And how many people do you know that wore a Disney wedding dress? Sure, there’s Vera Wang and the rest of them, but we’ve heard it before. This is something different, something relatable. Every little girl wanted to put on Sleeping Beauty’s dress and dance around with the handsome prince. And now you can.

You’re drunk. Things seem to be swirling slightly and the flashing lights that were once distasteful and annoying seem to give you a sense of glamor and adventure. Here, anything seems possible.

Result? Marriage.

The appeal of the Las Vegas wedding has hit millions. The spontaneity of making life decisions can give you a thrill. The idea of doing something crazy with the person you love is charming. But the extremity of this feeling is probably going to fade faster than your hangover will the next morning. So before the cheering and the tossing of the bouquet begins, think about what the after affects are.

This article is in no means an outlet to lecture those about to be wed in Vegas but rather a place where those who went the traditional route can relax that at least one person agrees with their decision.

The appeal of planning beforehand may not be totally palpable at first, but the execution of the planning is worth the wait. Brides who struggle through decision after decision, from florals to live music or a DJ, see the choices they make come to life on their special day.

It may seem tedious to discuss the benefits of planning but then again, who actually stops themselves from talking about topics they enjoy even though they’re being repetitive? The answer is no one so why shouldn’t we?

With an impromptu wedding, the bride won’t be able to look back and say with ringing truth that it was magical. The sparkle at a wedding comes from the people being relaxed, their laughter as a sign that everything is going exactly the way they imagined it. Las Vegas’s wedding tend to be trimmed with an explosion of emotion that might seem crude and over-the-top later on. The photographs from a planned wedding will be filled with dancing, decor and delight whereas the pictures from your night in Vegas may include dancing, but we’re guessing the effect looking through the pictures won’t be the same.

When others look through your photos they might wonder where they are. A favorite pastime of some is riffling through wedding pictures to remember the joyous night and stir the memories that came from it. With an unplanned wedding, those who have gave so much to you and your life, have the opportunity to experience it with you ripped from their hands. With a planned wedding, they will not only be able to reflect back with you and remind you of the intricate details that slip your mind but they also will have seen and experienced the (theoretically) one wedding you will ever have.

And what will you have gotten married in? Your jeans and a tank top? Statistics say, and we assume that nobody keeps a spare wedding gown on them during all trips. Part of a wedding is finding that one perfect dress. Without planning, your opportunity to go and harass salespeople who will oblige to your needs, your chance to try on every dress you want without somebody wanting to go to another store is gone. Poof! Vanished.

The bottom line here (Figuratively of course, not literally) is that planning pays off. Spontaneous weddings can happen anywhere and we don’t want to pick on Vegas. But taking the time and effort to think through your wedding and what you want for and from it is worth the while. The night you design is completely yours for the taking, as opposed to the next "adventurous" couple who’s about to do the exact same thing at the wedding Chapel on The Strip in Vegas.