For all their joy, weddings are sometimes charged with potentially explosive situations. These may be the feelings of divorced parents, stepparents and children, either yours or your future spouse.
If you can, observe one rule at all times: Don’t Push! Include all the children in all appropriate wedding planning and festivities, but be sensitive to their reactions. No whatter what the relationship with the former wife or husband, be as amicable as possible in discussing any wedding plans involving the children.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Schedule a special visit with your clergyman or officiant so he/she can meet with the children. Many ceremonies include vows for children, emphasizing the formation of the new family and recognizing their place in it. Ask children if they want to participate in such vows, and respect their decision and feelings.
Children may shun the speaking role, but be eager to be in the wedding party. It would be appropriate to consider them for ring bearer, altar boy, usher, flower girl, bridesmaid, guest book or gift attendant.
If the children choose only to attend the wedding as guests, accept this decision gracefully. Make arrangements for special seating, perhaps just before your parents are seated.
Be sure to include the children in the receiving line if you have one, even if they did not participate in the actual ceremony. Introduce them in their old and new roles. For example, ” This is Michael’s son and my stepson, Josh.”
Have formal pictures taken of the new parent and new stepchildren alone. These photos may later be a treasured gift.
As important as it is that the children understand that the new parent is in a sense marrying them, too, it is also important that they respect the new relationship between the two adults. So, if you are taking a honeymoon trip after the wedding, take it alone. Plan a special family trip later, but reserve the honeymoon just for the two of you.
If the children will be living with you and your spouse, include them in appropriate decisions about their new circumstances.
Be prepared for some tears, especially if children are small. Probably the most important thing you can do is avoid making any assumptions; about anything. Be open and communicate with them. Including the children in the ceremony can enhance the wedding and lend a firm base to your new blended family.
I cannot reiterate often enough, that in this economy, you need to know who the real wedding professionals are. In this day of ”wannabe” vendors in this industry, there are less than desirable businesses out there that you don’t want to deal with. There are inexperienced and unreliable people and how is the bride supposed to know what is truth and what is fiction?
Ask for references and ask to see a wedding in progress, if that is applicable to the service in question. Ask questions and compare apples to apples. Know what you are contracting for and be confident in your decision, before you commit to a service.
Whenever I hear about or see a bride who has been disappointed, I cringe at the lack of integrity from people who are spoiling the bride’s experience. My advice is that your wedding day is far too important to have it spoiled. Hire people you can trust because you don’t want to risk having your day ruined by someone who is not qualified. Seeing finished pictures, tasting the food, knowing where the flowers originated from, all help you to know who you are dealing with.
The only fireworks you want to have during your wedding are the ones you pay for and enjoy. If a service provider clearly is a hobbyist or you feel any doubt in your mind about them delivering your services- don’t contract them to do any work for you.
Qualified experienced professionals are not hard to find, and at The Wedding Guide, we only deal with reputable businesses, which eliminates those worries for you. But the above advice is still the same, as we all have different expectations.
 Chalet Studio Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel JUST AS YOU WOULD any other legal documents for large items you purchase- such as a car or home- be sure to have a written contract and/or a letter of commitment from each of your wedding services. This is the only way to assure that you and the service provider agree on all details. Include a departure, goods that will be delivered and time of delivery, contracted costs, overtime costs, deposits required, balance due and due date.
If you have a list of details (such as types of flowers in each bouquet or arrangements) or items to be included (like the total number of tuxedos and their sizes that you are renting) amend the contract to include that information. Both you and the service provider should sign and you should both have a copy. The contract should clarify any price increases and clearly state that you will pay the original quoted price.
Since your reception will likely be the most costly item in your wedding budget, that contract should contain the most details. If you are purchasing a wedding “package”, make sure that all those items are specifically listed in the contract, from the exact food items and courses that will be served that evening to the brands of liquor poured at the bar to the style of the service (white-glove, full tuxedo) that will be attending to your guests that evening.
If your reception facility is undergoing a renovation, that should be noted in your contract along with the completion date, as well as any provisions they will make should the renovation not be completed for your day. Any special considerations for your event that are being made by your facility should be noted in your contract. For example, if they are providing table arrangements for you or they are providing an extra bar during the cocktail hour, make sure the contract states that clearly.
Other services such as disc jockey and limousine services should provide times when all events are happening and when and where they will be to service you.
Have someone bring your contracts to the wedding to answer any last minute questions or concerns.
The Tuxedo was first worn in 1886, the invention of the New York dandy, and it use has evolved until it is now worn for special afternoon as well as evening events.
It’s distinguishing features are the satin lapels and the outside stripe on the trousers, and the most popular colours are black and various shades of gray. At contemporary weddings, men often wear cummerbunds and bow ties in colours and sometimes metallic or iridescent fabrics. Bow ties are a very popular men’s fashion accessory that are making a huge comeback.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Most formal for daytime weddings, before 6 p.m., is the cutaway coat with its grey vest, and striped gray and black trousers.
Black full dress is the most formal of evening wear, although sometimes it is worn for daytime weddings in colours or white. The collar is very formal, with a white tie, and the vest should never be seen below the edge of the coat.
On all formal wear, studs with inset stone are used instead of buttons. The shirt also requires cuff links. Since the trousers are worn high above the waist, suspenders are another necessity as well as the black dress shoes.
When choosing the groom’s wedding attire some guidelines are in place. The formal wear chosen should not clash with the colours the bride has chosen. Today’s weddings see the colour coordination of fashion in tandem with the them and colour of the wedding.
The groom’s attire should never upstage the bridal gown, but complement it; it’s a nice touch for all the photography that will take place during the day and it gives a special feeling to your commitment. Given that a bride spends so much time and energy finding the “gown of her dreams,” the groom should be dressed in a tuxedo, taking his place beside her, looking the best he possibly can. Your wedding day is not an ordinary day. Dress the part and share the excitement of special.
Experienced wedding planners also suggest that someone in the bridal party bring an emergency pair of men’s black socks. Groomsmen have been known to show up in white socks!
There aren’t many milestones in life and on your wedding day, spend the money and rent or buy that tuxedo to celebrate this very special day of days. You don’t have the luxury of going back and doing it again and you will be guaranteed that the two of you will look like a million dollars!
What better gift for your beloved than a sensuous portrait of you looking your romantic best? It’s also a great gift to yourself to capture your best look professionally for posterity.
Boudoir, or glamour photography is not a new concept but is finding a resurgence during the last couple of years. A boudoir shot could reveal a candid playful shot of you alone or one with your special man. Whether you choose a playful romantic picture in feminine lingerie or a playful seductive look in your favourite blue jeans and a lace top; your photographer’s goal should be to capture your expressions and feelings.
 Sensuous and beautiful flowers are perfect prop for a boudoir/glamour session, Photo by Sheryl Davies
Boudoir is intimate and before you begin, you should select a photographer who makes your feel relaxed and at ease. Many photographers work with an assistant or encourage you to bring a friend or family member with you so you will feel comfortable.
Before you begin, ask your photographer to outline exactly what the session will include. Find out how much time you will need, what special services the time will include and of course what the charge will be. Some sittings include professional hair and make-up sessions and a number of clothing changes. There may be special props, or backgrounds you may wish to use, as well a selection of clothing.
Your finished boudoir session can be turned into a beautiful gift. A wall canvas is the most popular but a personal calendar with different poses for each month is a fun way to give your spouse a special wedding gift.
Many of our Windsor|Essex County area professionals offer this service and the results are spectacular and capture you at this place in time, during your engagement.
You have arranged for all your wedding services; flowers, photography, invitations, your menu and a DJ, but don’t overlook the single detail that will make yours a visually stunning wedding; your face! The makeup you wear every day is probably not the best choice for your wedding day. So before saying, ” I Do”, take time to find a good makeup artist to do the job for you.
Spas, beauty salons, a friend referral or a photographer can lead you to a competent and trustworthy professional. We urge you to do a trial run for your attendants and your moms before the wedding day, to ensure that everyone loves the results. You’ll want a coordinated look so your photos are terrific. What you don’t want is for anyone to feel that they don’t “look too overdone”! This dress rehearsal will ensure that everyone is comfortable and confident for the big day.
A professional is there for you when you are too nervous to keep that mascara wand steady and your excitement cannot be contained. It is not the time to do it self – after all it is your wedding day! Pamper yourself and leave the job to a professional!
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