2016 Wedding Season

I have been so blessed this year.  2015 wedding season is not even close to finished and I am so excited to capture the weddings of all of the amazing couples I have the honor of working with this year.  It is looking like 2016 will be another wonderful year.  We have been getting inquiries daily and dates are starting to fill.

Wedding Day {The Timeline}

 
I love a good timeline.  It is a great way to ensure you have adequate time to accomplish what you wish to, especially in terms of photography, on your wedding day.  As much as I would love to be able to squeeze forty family portraits into fifteen minutes, odds are that is not going to happen.

Finding the Right Linens {Guest Post by Celebration Linens}

I truly believe that while picking out a linen vendor, as well as any vendor for a special event, it is very important to get to know and trust who you're working with on a personal level.  I love getting to know my clients and helping them come up with a design that fits their style and vision.  A personal experience and costumer service for my clients are what is absolutely most important to me while running Celebration Linens.

Finding the Right Dress {Guest Post by Brides by Jessa}

6 Tips for picking THE Dress

My name is Jessica Attere and I am the owner of Brides by Jessa, a new bridal boutique in the Iowa River Landing in Coralville. I am going to share a few tips for picking out the dress you will wear on one of the most memorable days of your life.

Finding the Right Wedding Planner {Guest Post by Soirée}

Congratulations!  You’re engaged!  You’re going to be wed to the man or woman of your dreams, and it’s everything you have been wishing and hoping for your whole life.  You are so excited and cannot wait to spend the rest of your life with this person. 

Now what? 

Why I Love Unplugged Weddings

We spend so much of our time plugged into a device; whether it’s a laptop, phone, tv, etc.  It is crucial we take time to unplug and be truly present in the moments that matter.

Finding the Right Wedding Day Transportation {Guest Post by Limo Bus Cedar Rapids}

As a Limo and Bus service it's important to have staff that are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about people having fun. Be sure that the company that you're looking to book with actually owns their vehicles.  You're probably wondering how you'll go about this, and it's easier than you might think.  When you're calling around for quotes, ask companies if they show their vehicles.  If they don't, this should be a major red flag.  When companies don't own their vehicles, they give service to the highest bidder and leave everybody else in the dust without their deposit in hand.

An Honest Note from a Wedding Photographer

I have said it again and again, I love weddings.  I do so with all my heart and am honored to be asked to capture so many beautiful days.  I want you to have the absolute best wedding experience, so here are a few words of advice to keep in mind when planning your wedding photography.

After the Wedding

Many hours are spent on the day of the wedding, capturing the event to the fullest.  The wedding day is just the beginning of the process.  After our gear is packed up and we say our congratulations to the happy couple, the behind the scenes work begins.

Finding the Right Videographer {Guest Post by NEPO Productions}

When it comes to Weddings, "The Big Day", Photography and Cinematography are two totally separate art forms and industries. One does NOT negate the other. What the photography leaves you wanting is the sound and the motion of the moment. For example, applause as the groom kisses the
bride, the sound of the Father of the Bride choking up as he gives his speech, or hearing the vows that you spent so much time writing and choosing. There are countless other examples.  Don't rely on your Videographer to shoot still pictures, and don't rely on your Photographer to shoot video.  Each of them have their own expertise and each should be a part of your big day.  We as Wedding Filmmakers are not here to eliminate the idea of a Wedding Photographer, we are here to join them in the purpose of preserving your day, which in essence, will be something you, your kids, and extended family will want to see for years to come.

The Wedding Day {Time Line}

You spend so much time planning all the beautiful details of your wedding: your dress, the center pieces, the flowers, the bridesmaids dresses and jewelry, and so much more.  It is also important to take a moment while planning your amazing wedding to consider the time line of your wedding day.  Yes, you will start your hair at 9:00, your ceremony will begin at 2:00, and your meal will be served at 5:30. But what about the important moments in between?

A Jack of All Trades {Weddings}

I'm such a hopeless romantic at heart.  I love Love, so weddings are naturally something I adore.  Two people who are fully smitten with each other, surrounded by those who love them, all in a beautiful setting;  there's nothing to not like!  On a wedding day, it is my job to capture not only portraits, but also the moments shared by everyone involved.  These moments vary from the joyful hugs and laughter as the bride and groom celebrate with guests to the quiet, intimate moments when the happy couple takes a moment to whisper "I love you" to each other.  Through the years, I have learned many useful skills that I have used to help many wedding days run smoothly so these important moments can continue to happen.

Finding the Right Stationery {Guest Post by Zephyr Weddings}

 

 Coordinating everything your guests receive - from the save-the-date to the invitation, the ceremony to the reception, all the way to the thank you card as newlyweds – is the ultimate in planning. I truly believe it is these thoughtful touches that make your wedding stand apart from the rest and let your guests know how special this day is to you. 

With custom design work, it is never too soon to get started.  Schedule your initial consultation as early as 12-15 months before the wedding date for save-the-dates, 6-9 months ahead for invitations.  When scheduling your first appointment, it is best to have set your wedding date and to have finalized some details regarding your ceremony and reception locations.  Whether you will be married at a formal church, in a rustic barn, or on the shores of a tranquil lake – the setting will provide important clues for your designer in translating the style and mood of your invitation.  We have many tips and tools on our website to assist you in wording your invitations and addressing your envelopes – two areas in which couples usually have the most questions. Then, at your personal, face-to-face consultation we offer additional advice and suggestions for communicating clearly to your guests what to expect. Formal? Casual? What should I wear? Where do I stay? What type of gift should I bring? These are all questions that can be answered by a thoughtfully designed invitation. At Zephyr Weddings, your designer will continue to offer solutions to your questions as they come up throughout the design process. We understand that each wedding is unique and any special circumstances need to be treated individually.

 A custom designer does not use templates, so you know that your invitation will be unlike anyone else’s. Using any colors, sizes, shapes, fonts, artwork and styles, Zephyr Weddings specializes in creating designs that fit you and no one else. Online retailers often limit your choices for colors or graphics. Their prices can be deceiving as well. An invitation may be advertised as $1.29 each, but when the envelope, rsvp card, enclosure cards, return address printing, and shipping costs are added the total is much more. We understand you need a complete invitation suite, so our pricing includes everything you will need from beginning to end - concept, layout, design, revisions, a printed proof, specialty paper and/or pockets, invitation, enclosure cards with a hand-drawn map and accommodations, envelopes, and addressing.

Our most popular invitation element is the pocket enclosure. This style presents your invitation while securing your rsvp and enclosure cards within a pocket, keeping everything together. We always dress up the outside of the pocket with a tag, wrap, or tie featuring your monogram or your names and wedding date. Another unique way to personalize your invitation is a timeline of events from the cocktail hour and first dance, dinner and cake cutting, all the way through to the midnight snack bar and after-hours party. It can be a fun way to let your guests know what to expect and to get them excited about your day. Another idea that we love is a welcome card for out of town guests listing your favorite local restaurants and suggestions for local sight-seeing excursions to make the weekend unforgettable.

Custom options are wide open and may include ceremony programs, table numbers, place cards, menus, large seating charts, and reception signs, all to coordinate with the style of your day. We can even help you with thank you cards and holiday cards after you are married. Your guests will be impressed that not one detail was overlooked!

Guest post by Celeste Hutchinson

Zephyr Weddings

www.zephyrweddings.com

319.351.9360

What Do Professional Wedding Photographers Do?

It is easy to think your photographer shows up at your engagement session and wedding, takes some pictures by pushing a button on their camera, then goes home and uploads them for the world to see.  While, perhaps, there are some budget photographers out there who do not invest their time, energy, and creative vision into your wedding day, that is most certainly not the case for my studio.

Finding the Right DJ {Guest Post by Unique Events}

In our field, like many others, we have a generic title, "DJ". The differences in what makes a bad DJ bad and a great DJ great are many! Some differences have to do with communication, execution or experience. Some have to do with preparation, training, and most importantly passion! When you get a DJ that is passionate not only about what they do for their client (DJ), but passionate about the actual client, it is a completely different experience!

Finding the Right Wedding Photographer for You {Part 5: Investment}

Weddings are expensive events; between the gown, tuxes, the limo, the venues, food, drinks, decorations, and the many other pieces that go into creating your dream wedding day the expenses add up.  Deciding your budget can be a more difficult task than you'd imagined.  Inevitably there are some aspects of your wedding that require a larger portion of your budget than others.  Photography is one of these key elements of your wedding day well worth the investment.

Finding the Right Wedding Photographer for You {Part 4: Products}

Will you want to display your engagement portraits at your wedding?  Perhaps you would love for your guests to sign their names and write their warm wishes in a custom guest book?  How will you display your amazing images after your wedding day?  Do you want to create a stunning gallery on your walls so you will always be reminded of the joy and beauty of your wedding?  Would having a custom designed album to tell your wedding day story be something you would always treasure?  These are important things to consider when hiring your photographer.  Ask to see examples of your photographer's products.  Look through their albums.  Feel the materials they use.  Look at their layouts.  See examples of their guest books.  View a gallery display.

Finding the Right Wedding Photographer for You {Part 3: Services}

It is important to think about what you want from your photographer.  What are your expectations?  Wedding photography services vary greatly from photographer to photographer. Do the photographers you are looking at offer packages or do you build your own wedding day coverage?  If they offer packages, can you customize them to fit your wedding dreams?

Finding the Right Wedding Photographer for You {Part 2: Personality}

Once you have narrowed down your selections of photographers to the ones whose photographic style fits your wedding dreams, it is important to select a photographer whose personality matches yours.  You want to work with someone with whom you get along.  You will be spending many hours on one of the most important day of your lives with this person.  They will be by your side during the laughter, happy tears, and quiet moments on your wedding day.  You want to feel comfortable with them.  If you feel at ease with your photographer, you will look more relaxed and natural while in front of their lens.

Finding the Right Wedding Photographer for You {Part 1: Photographic Style}

Now, it may seem obvious that you should check out a photographer's work before contacting them to photograph your wedding day.  This is so essential.  There are many wonderful photographers in the market with a wide variety of photographic styles.  It is important you select the photographer who's style fits your vision of your wedding day.