How To Choose Your Musicians

Music is part and parcel of any wedding. For that matter, music is an inherent part of any important ceremony. Since the dawn of man, music has always been part of life. It adds a certain something to any occasion. Think about it, most any special occasion that you go to will have music to accompany it. This is all the more true for a wedding.

That is why couples who are planning their wedding put a lot of consideration into the choosing of the music for their wedding. Yet more than determining what songs will be played during the ceremony and reception, couples nowadays also focus a lot on the musicians. Live music is often more used than canned music for the main reason that it sounds better. Here are some things for you to consider when choosing musicians for your wedding.

Amateurs or professional musicians? This is one question that many couples ask. On the one hand, there are amateurs as talented as professionals who charge very affordable fees. On the other hand, professionals are very much used to this kind of work. One concern is that amateur musicians may not have the same work ethics and level of professionalism yet. They may not be as reliable as the professionals. I am not generalizing but merely giving you a heads up. I guess it all boils down to how well you know the people. If you feel that you can totally trust an amateur musician and that you love his or her work, then go ahead. Of course, if you feel more comfortable with the more seasoned musician, then that is the way you should go.

In the process of choosing a musician (or musicians) for your wedding, one of the first things you should ask for is a demo tape or CD. You should also inquire if it is possible to see them perform live. More than that, ask for references so that you can verify their talent and character.

If you are not dealing directly with the musicians – many of them have agents or representatives – try to arrange a face to face meeting with them as it may help you assess the compatibility of the person or group with you and your partner’s needs and preferences. Last, if you have some idea of what kind of music you want for your wedding already, make sure that the musicians will be able to play it in a way that meets your expectations.

What To Look For In a Photographer

A wedding being one of the most important events in our lives, it is but natural to want to capture every moment on film. Yet on the day itself, you will not have the time to worry about who is taking the pictures or whether they are taking the right shots. That is why looking for the perfect photographer for your wedding day is an important thing. Here are some things you should look out for when choosing photographers.

Check the photographer’s work. Of course this goes without saying. When you ask to see his or her work, see if you can actually take a look at complete wedding albums. That way, you will have a good idea of how yours will look like. One thing to consider would be the photographer’s style. Ask yourself if it suits you and your partner. You probably have ideas of what styles you want for your pictures already. Ask the photographer if he will be able to conform to your style if needed. Also check the coloring and lighting, even the backdrops that he or she uses. One more important thing is to make sure that if you like the work, the same photographer will be the one to attend to your wedding. This is especially significant when you deal with a studio which has several photographers.

Having like a photographer’s work, you should also meet the person. It is vital that you and the photographer can work together in harmony. That is, your personalities should somehow jive. The last thing that you would want on your wedding day is an uptight and demanding photographer who would snap at everyone. Despite his talent, you need none of that attitude on your wedding day.

More than his work and personality, also check his experience. How many weddings has he covered? For how long has he practiced photography? Does he have enough experience to be able to anticipate things that might happen during the wedding?

Most importantly, weigh the price you have to pay for the value that you will be getting. Check if everything fits into your wedding budget. The photographer’s work may be pretty awesome but if the price is way beyond what you have planned on, do not be suckered into making a deal. Remember that photos are not the only thing that you have to spend on. Find a good compromise wherein you will be happy and meet your budget as well.

For The Bride Only

It may seem ironic but when we talk about wedding stress and all that is related to it, we normally think of the bride. Now I can think of a thousand and one reasons this is the case but I won’t go into in here. The fact is, whether we like it or not, stress has a way of getting into the picture when it comes to weddings. That is probably why you would find a host of articles on this topic in magazines and other publications for weddings. As I was browsing the Internet the other day, I came across an article called Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul. Now I know that you are probably familiar with that series of books which offers inspirational messages to all sorts of groups of people. As I read the title, I was thinking, why not? Brides are probably one of the groups that need this kind of material. Let me share with you some of the insights I read in that article.

1. Keep Perspective - remind yourself that the wedding is only one day in your life. When things get out of control, close your eyes and remember the reason why you are planning this wedding in the first place.

2. Don’t Assume Your Groom Doesn’t Want to Help - ask him what he’d like to take responsibility for; and then let him. (note: some grooms may follow the cliché and decline this offer.)

3. Know That You Can’t Control Everything - realize this and accept it!

4. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate - If you act like you can handle everything, people will let you. Spread the duties.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff - people won’t remember whether or not your invitations had those cute little tissues enclosed.

6. Treat The People You Cherish with Love - the wedding is one day; your family and friends are forever.

7. Allow Others to Vent - give your fiancé, family and bridesmaids permission to tell you when you’re going off the deep-end.

8. Take the Heat - give yourself permission to hear them. Do Something for Yourself Every Day - the catch is that it must not involve the wedding.

These are probably all common sense tips, really. The thing is, in the heat of the moment, brides will probably not be thinking about common sense anymore. It is understandable that one can easily get carried away. Yet it is always nice to be reminded of these things, isn’t it?

[tags]weddings, wedding planning, wedding stress, bride, Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul[/tags]

Dealing With Stress

Though weddings are one of the most momentous occasions that we can go through in life, they are also usually accompanied by a lot of stress. Come to think of it, perhaps the accompanying stress it is due to the importance of the occasion. In any case, the stress is there. The question is, do we really have to undergo all that stress? Of course not! It goes without saying that there will be some degree of stress involved but I do believe that it is not a necessity to go through undue stress over a wedding. It all lies in how you handle the preparations. Here are some tips on how to deal with wedding-related stress.

You’ve heard it before – mind over matter. The truth is that your wedding is important. More than that, it is supposed to be one of the happiest occasions in your life. As such, your whole attitude towards it should be positive as well. The key to handling stress is to have the right outlook. This occasion is going to be a happy one and you will not let anything ruin it – even things that you cannot control. That should be your way of thinking.

Of course, you should also be realistic. No matter how positive you are, if you do not make plans and prepare for the wedding, it is unlikely that you will get the wedding that you have been dreaming of. As such, planning as early as possible is another key to dealing with stress. If you plan as early as you can, you will be able to cover the bases. Hopefully, less stress will come your way.

With the help of other people, you can also lessen the load on you and your fiancé. Do not keep all the tasks to yourselves. For sure, family members and friends will be more than willing to help you come up with your dream wedding. All you need to do is ask.

Last, come up with a budget and stick to it. A lot of stress arises due to financial complications. Think of what you want and what you can afford, set your heart on it, and then stick to your plan. That way you will not create undue stress due to monetary issues.

Always remember, there are some things that you can control and there are some that you just can’t. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

[tags]weddings, wedding planning, wedding tips, stress[/tags]

How To Get Rid of Those Pre-Wedding Nerves

With or without a wedding coordinator, you as a bride (or groom) will most likely still experience a case of pre-wedding nerves. That is a given, I suppose. Even those who have civil weddings experience the same thing! This is because your wedding is more than just a big event. It is something that will change the course of your life. Its effects last more than a day. The fact that you are going through a life changing experience is more than enough to give anyone nerves. Add to that the fact that you want everything to happen without a hitch – you got a potential disaster on your hands. That is, unless you keep your cool and keep these things in mind.

First, delegate. Do not try to handle everything yourself. It may be your day but that does not mean that you have to do everything yourself. If you insist on doing this, you will be a mess on the day itself. There are so many little details that need to be taken care of during the day of the wedding itself. I am sure you have as many friends and family members who would be more than willing to take it upon themselves to deal with the various tasks. Ask for their help!

Second, be prepared for emergencies. It is Murphy’s Law. If anything can go wrong, it will and at the worst possible time. Now that is quite a negative way of thinking I know. Still, being prepared will help you iron out those wrinkles in an easy manner. Having delegated all those little tasks is one way of being prepared. Another is to have a little emergency kit. For example, have a needle and thread handy in case of tears. Make up for re-touching. If you are prone to fainting or acidity spells, have medicine with you. And so on.

Third, and most important I think, is to keep your sense of humor. There is nothing like humor to banish nerves and gloom. There are some things that you just cannot control, that is a fact of life. So if the weather goes awry and you are having an outdoor wedding, smile and find a solution. The flowers are late? Shrug it off and take things in stride. Do not let little things that you cannot change ruin the best day of your life!

[tags]wedding, wedding day, wedding tips, pre-wedding nerves[/tags]

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