How to Pose for Perfect Wedding Photographs

So, you are getting married? Congratulations, by the way. Have you called the wedding photographer yet? A photographer is one of the most important components of your wedding. It is a fact that wedding photography does not mean random pictures of the bride and groom. An excellent photographer will do his best to capture those shared looks, the warm laughter, the pulsating excitement and the unlimited fun. It is a popular belief that an able photographer is always prepared for unpredictable mishaps and can make just about any situation work. But the truth is that both the bride and groom, the wedding planner (if any) and the photographer need to co-operate with each other for making the photographs look stunningly beautiful.

No one knows better than you how you want your wedding snaps to look. In this aspect the importance of posing may be discussed. Does it sound funny to you? Believe it or not, posing happens to be one of the most important aspects of wedding photography. A photographer may have the best lighting, camera, and post-production knowledge in the world but still get stuck with dissatisfied clients if he fails to make them look gorgeous, comfortable, and contented. For a few ideas you may take a look at the following list of poses. You can always improvise to suit your own style.

Strike the basic pose in which the spouses are standing close to each other with no gaps between their bodies. Both of you can hold hands in the middle. Or the groom may place his hands in his pocket and the bride can place her hands on her hip.

Another pose has the bride hugging onto the bicep of the groom with one hand. She places her other hand on his shoulder.

Forehead to forehead without the kissing is considered to be an intimate pose too. Make sure to close your eyes so that it doesn't look like you two are staring each other down.

Meeting in the middle is the ultimate cute and happy pose. The bride and groom should stand a few feet apart, bend at the hip with backs straight and meet in the middle for a kiss. The background plays a big role in the case of this pose.

How can we forget the dip? This pose not only adds action to a scene but is the ultimate reflection of the 'sweeping off one's feet'. The groom should use his legs to dip to have a strong base. The bride should either grab around his neck or hold hands with him as they dip and kiss.

Then there is, of course, the kiss. When you decide to strike this pose make sure you have closeness, proper hand placement and genuineness.

The kiss on the cheek is also a classic pose. You can change your expressions to make the picture look either simple or funny or intimate. The groom holding the bride from behind is also a lovely pose.

The Bridal Dance - How to Stop Worrying and Enjoy Yourself

Does the thought of your bridal dance make you a little queasy? Many couples are a bit uneasy about being in the spotlight alone with all their guests watching them at their wedding. Don't worry! There are things you can do to make yourselves more comfortable.

First, pick a song that means something to you and your fiance. Usually, this is a slow song, though it doesn't have to be. If you really feel like you have two left feet, take some dance lessons. Ask your teacher to work out the simplest moves possible for your song, and then practice - a lot! It's essential that your moves become second nature, so you can keep it together when all eyes are upon you. Make sure your DJ or band will be playing the same arrangement of the song that you're practicing to, so there will be no unpleasant surprises that could spoil your carefully worked out choreography. If you have hired a band, and you're really concerned about how they will play your song, you might consider asking the band leader about the possibility of having it played on CD if it would make you feel more at ease.

Most bridal dances last between three and four minutes, but you don't have to be alone for the whole song if you feel uncomfortable. You can dance by yourselves for a minute, and then your MC can bring your guests onto the floor to join you for the rest of the song. You can add all the guests at once, or add the parents, bridal party, and the rest of the guests in groups. This is often preferred by wedding planners, and it's a great way to get the party started!

12 Amazing Las Vegas Elvis Wedding Packages Under $299

"Viva Las Vegas!" sang Elvis Presley in 1964, as Lucky Jackson in his 1964 movie Viva Las Vegas. While the legendary singer/movie star may have moved on, there's no shortage of ordained Vegas ministers that look remarkably like him! Couples wanting to be married by the King himself have a variety of wedding options to choose from, including 12 complete packages all for under $299.

1. $177 - "Love Me Tender Elvis Package" available from the Wee Kirk O' the Heather Wedding Chapel

For over 70 years, the Week Kirk O'the Heather Wedding Chapel has been marrying lovebirds in Las Vegas. Up to eight guests of your choice can watch as Elvis walks the bride down the aisle and performs two songs. The package also includes a CD with five candid photos (including the copyright), the use of a bouquet, music, witness and a souvenir wedding scroll.

2. $185 - "Elvis Memories" Special available from The Elvis Wedding Chapel

Boasting the "friendliest service, the best value, and the best "Elvis" in Vegas", the Elvis Wedding Chapel has been featured on "The Girls Next Door", "Wild Weddings", CNN, PBS, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and other television shows. This wedding package includes limo transportation to and from your hotel, a fresh rose presentation for the Bride, two songs performed by Elvis and a DVD of the ceremony to capture the memory of your special "Elvis Vows".

3. $199 - "Love Me Tender Elvis Wedding" available from Mon Bel Ami Chapel

Although not available on Saturdays, this wedding package does offer great value to couples wanting to tie the knot in front of Elvis. Included in the price is your favorite Elvis Hit sung by the King himself, a long stem rose for the bride, a boutonniere for the groom and a complementary ceremony photograph with Elvis on a CD. In addition to Sunday through Friday availability, a maximum of ten guests are permitted.

4. $199 - "Viva Las Vegas Elvis Wedding" available from Graceland Chapel

Be serenaded by Elvis as he sings the famous "Love Me Tender" melody, and then dance away to the classic "Viva Las Vegas" theme song after exchanging your vows at the Graceland Chapel. A long stem rose and boutonniere are included in the package, as is professional photography (prints sold separately). In addition, not only will you leave with your own wedding license, but you'll get a copy of Elvis and Pricilla's too! English, Spanish and French ceremonies are available at Graceland Chapel.

5. $199 - "Viva Elvis Package" available from The Las Vegas Wedding Chapel

Providing excellent value for the price, this wedding package actually includes the minister's fee! (A $60 value), as well as a generous digital image package (13 professional prints, including copyrights), a six-rose fresh flower bouquet and courtesy limo service for up to eight. As if this wasn't enough, Elvis will perform two songs and you'll also receive a copy of Elvis and Pricilla's marriage certificate.

6. $267 - "Burning Love Elvis Package" available from the Wee Kirk O' the Heather Wedding Chapel

The bride and groom and up to 12 of their guests will enjoy a mini-concert of three Elvis songs after a beautiful wedding ceremony. Literally translated from Scottish, as "The Little Chapel of the Lucky Flowers," Wee Kirk O'the Heather is Las Vegas' original wedding chapel and is a historical landmark in the city. Also included are eight candid photos on a CD (with copyrights), a fresh three-rose bouquet for the bride, a souvenir wedding scroll and a witness, if needed.

7. $269 - "It's Now or Never Elvis Package" available from Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel

When it comes to your wedding, Vegas Adventure Weddings promises to "take all the stress out and put all the adventure in!" and this package does not disappoint. After arriving in a courtesy 2007 Superstretch Limousine (transportation provided for the bride, groom and up to four guests), Elvis will walk the bride down the 27 foot chapel aisle for the ceremony. Post "I-do"s, the newlyweds and their guests will enjoy three songs performed by Elvis. A single fresh rose presentation and boutonniere, as well as 12 photo images of the event on a CD (with copyrights) are also included. The best part of this package is the option to add on the lighting of 50 candles for an incredibly romantic atmosphere for only $40 more.

8. $275 - "The Elvis Wedding Special Package" available from Loveland Wedding Chapel

This Vegas wedding package perfectly merges the beauty and elegance of the hotel chapels with the affordability of the "Las Vegas strip chapels". Not only will you enjoy a hearing Elvis perform three songs, you'll also get to watch the performance time and time again with the video of the event which is included in this package! Also included are 25 digital photos, a silk bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, and the use of the chapel for up to 20 guests.

9. $288 - "Elvis Wedding Package" available from Lily of the Valley Wedding Chapel

Located immediately across the street from the Las Vegas Marriage License Bureau, the Lily of the Valley Wedding Chapel believes in blessing your marriage, family, friends and associates. With 70 pictures and video, this wedding offers the most generous photo and video package of the "Under $299 Elvis Wedding Packages" of the group. In addition to hearing Elvis sing three songs, you'll also get to dance with Elvis as well as receive gifts and pictures signed by Elvis. A bridal bouquet and boutonniere round out the floral package, and if you need a witness the chapel can provide one, too. Notary, planning, and pre-marital counseling upon request and both Romantic religious and civil ceremonies are offered. Please note that the minister's fee is an additional $250 on top of the above listed wedding package fees.

10. $295 - "Elvis "Hound Dog" Wedding Package" available from the Elvis Chapel

As if enjoying Elvis perform three songs of his choice isn't enough of a treat, you'll get two pairs of Elvis sunglasses presented by Elvis while exchanging special "Elvis Vows"... and it will all be caught on the DVD video included in the package price! Also included are 35 high resolution digital photos on a CD and the option for a live Web Cam to capture all of the hip-shakin', Hound Dog action for those at home. Other package amenities include a six rose bouquet for the bride and a copy of Elvis and Pricilla's marriage certificate and complementary round-trip limousine service for up to six people. While gratuities extra, taxes are included in the listed package price.

11. $299 - "All Shook Up Elvis Package" available from Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel

This Vegas Adventure Wedding Chapel package includes all of the amenities in the "Now or Never Elvis Wedding Package" listed above (including courtesy limousine transportation for up to six and three songs performed by Elvis), with the added romance of walking down a 27 foot aisle covered in rose petals and a two fresh rose presentation for the bride (and a matching boutonniere for the groom). Double the amount of photos are included on a CD (24 images in total) which alone makes this package worth the upgrade. You can also add on the lighting of 50 candles to create an incredibly romantic atmosphere for an additional $40.

12. $299 - "Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Package" available from The Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas

Elvis vows, a three song mini-concert and a first dance to an Elvis song of your choice truly epitomize the Vegas wedding experience! You'll be able to relive this entertaining wedding experience again whenever you choose with the high quality DVD of your ceremony, 25 Professional Digital Images (including copyrights) and the five 4x6 prints included in the "Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Package". Also included is a six rose fresh flower bouquet, a copy of Elvis and Pricilla's marriage certificate, a live Web Cam of the event, and courtesy limo service for up to eight people. And best of all, the minister's fees are included in the package price!

All of these 12 Elvis Vegas wedding packages offer great value, low-stress and an all-inclusive option for couples wanting to exchange vows in front of the King.

When choosing an Elvis wedding package in Vegas, however, you should be aware that many packages do not include taxes or gratuities. The minister's gratuity is typically around $60, while performers, limo drivers and photographers will also expect a tip. Your tip, of course, should reflect the level of service you feel you received and take into consideration the overall price paid for your wedding package.

Prior to confirming a wedding package you should always ask the wedding coordinator what the final price is for the package after taxes, and what he/she recommends as an appropriate gratuity.

You should also remember that wedding packages and pricing are subject to change without notice so it's best to contact the chapel directly for the most up-to-date wedding package information.

Wedding Speeches - 10 Things To Say

1. Don't tell mother-in law jokes. There will usually be one or two mother-in-laws present and you could spoil the day by offending them. You never know what people will consider funny so its safer not to tell such jokes.

Learning about this subject will help you more in the long run than you may realize, until the time comes when you really need it.

2. Never tell dirty or rude stories. Take a alarm from the photographer who trapped on tape the father of the bride whipping the best man because he had blemished his daughters wedding by generous a cobalt discourse. The bride was crying in the background. filthy stories are not correct for an juncture where there is assorted circle particularly on a day when people are particularly touchy. also there may be clergy present or elderly people who would be shocked.

3. overlook the tutors unsavoury prior. Best men are regularly tempted to tell stories about what the tutor has done in his wicked prior. It might offend the bride still and it is safer to cite some fight where he baffled your luggage on holiday or knocked you out in a congenial football meet quite then citing his victory with other women.

4. Never thank the lodge workforce. They are rewarded to do this job and you don't thank the florist the take or the photographer for burden their work. If they do a good job remit a letter of credit or advise a particularly useful worker to the management if you desire.

As we take the journey through the final part of this article, you can look back at the first part if you need any clarifications on what we have already learned.

5. Don't give away family secrets by citing a sore issue like alcoholism or betting. Weddings discourses should be congenial and activist.

6. Never symposium about prior matrimony's. This is a new jerk for the fasten and prior matrimony's should not be cited. If the children of a prior matrimony will be present prove with the fasten whether or not they should be cited.

7. overlook motto And now I desire to thank and then give a long register. If there are people to be cited they should be bamboo into the wedding discourse by motto something ardent-hearted or witty about them.

8. Never say something that superstar moreover will be motto. The father of the bride traditionally toasts the fasten for example. If you are acting as best man or dialect in another space you should prove it with the fasten as to who is generous the toast to the bride ad tutor.

9. forever prove before citing a late family element. Some people might find it too mournful for you to do so on what should be a exultant day.

10. Don't go on too long. A good wedding discourse is about content not part.

Realment a discourse should be quick bequeath them craving for more So cut it quick They'll be shouting Encore.

The complexities of the subject matter within this article strive to give you a better look at what this subject is all about.

Wedding Photography - Capturing Great Photos of the Groom

The focus of any wedding ceremony is always the bride. In tradition, the guests gasp while taking in her beauty as she walks down the aisle. Most wedding photographers also focus on this moment in time by devoting most of the wedding photography to her. While the pictures do serve to memorialize the bride's emotions on this most important of days, the groom often provides a different form of emotion in these pictures.

The Tradition Of Photographing The Bride

Most wedding photographers focus their "pre-wedding" photography on the beautiful bride and her bridesmaids as they prepare for the ceremony. The way they take their time in creating the most perfect image for the day with their makeup, hair, and dresses lends an air of sophistication and refinement to a wedding album. While the beauty of these moments are alluring and refined, they are often lacking in the intense excitement the groom and his groomsmen bring to wedding photography.

A Party Atmosphere

Filled with nerves and emotions, the bride and groom usually handle the hours before a wedding ceremony in very different ways. Women tend toward the reserved, fussing on little details, holding back tears, and making sure everything is perfect. However, men tend toward excitement, even participating in a little high jinks and tomfoolery before the ceremony, encouraging more of a party atmosphere.

These moments of mischief provide wonderful wedding photography opportunities. Getting these extraordinary shots of the groom and his groomsmen before the ceremony will tell a totally different story than those of the bride and her bridesmaids in the wedding album. While both the bride and groom are nervous before their wedding, they usually express it in opposite ways.

Capturing photos of the groom allows wedding photographers to tell both sides of the story in pictures through contrasting pre-wedding photography. A teary eyed photograph of the bride hugging her mother before the wedding tells a much different story than the groom grinning ear to ear as he tosses a football with his buddies out on the church lawn before the wedding. However, both photographs tell a stunning story through wedding photography.

Capturing A Memorable Story

It is important to capture those moments of playfulness, emotion, and even fear through wedding photography, especially as they happen unpredictably. After all, once these moments have passed, they're gone forever, but when captured by a wedding photographer, they tell the story forever.

The bond between a bride and her bridesmaids is different than between a groom and his groomsmen. By taking advantage of photojournalistic opportunities on both sides, you also capture that bond of friendship, resulting in a wedding album, not just about the relationship between the bride and groom, but that also shows the love the bride and groom have for their friends and family.

The job of a wedding photographer is to document a captivating love story through photography. The hours before a wedding offer insight into that love story plus a whole lot more. Wedding photographers in Chicago, or in any other city, who go beyond traditional wedding photography to also take a photojournalistic look at the groom will find surprising moments of charm, emotion, and joy between him and his groomsmen.

Feed Your Wedding Vendors - Especially the Photographer

More than a few brides have scoffed at the notion that photographers require dinner. I mean, come on. You're paying someone a small fortune to press a button for a few hours, and now he demands a dinner break on your tab. You're ready to tell the guy off.

I feel for you. I wouldn't want to pay an extra $80 to $120 for a fully plated dinner after writing someone a large check.

Does the photographer deserve the meal? It depends.

No one working fewer than four hours should require his client to foot a meal break. But you shouldn't deny anyone food who works six hours or longer. A reasonable photographer won't disappear for a long time to enjoy his meal. He's on the clock.

Think about it from the photographer's view. He's dragging around fifty pounds of equipment, probably covered in sweat, while maintaining a big smile and professional demeanor. He manages the subtleties of your family member's relationships and fulfills every one of your requests. Plus, he only has one chance to get every photograph right. That's some pressure. If he's starving, then he may just not be on his game.

Nearly every site and caterer, fortunately, offers the vendor meal option. It will save you money and satisfy the photographer. The meal should run $8 to $30, depending on your vendor.

I honestly enjoy opening the vendor box and breaking out the club sandwich, fresh fruit and cookie. It's always chocolate chip.

I typically eat nearby the reception area at the same time the guests are enjoying their dinner. It's the only time at a reception when nothing else is scheduled to happen. I tell the DJ or band leader where I'll be. I check in on the room while I'm eating, and if the clients decide to stand up and visit tables, then I get up, too, and follow them around. Dinner can wait, and cold sandwiches don't get colder.

Do you have to pay for the meal? Most photographers require a meal as part of their compensation. So, if your favorite photographer also requires food, then you'll need to request a vendor meal for him.

You could negotiate. I had one client who didn't want to pay for a meal. I told them that was fine, but I'd have to go their hotel's bar to order a sandwich. I couldn't go for nine hours without eating. They didn't want me straying too far, so they decided it would be best to order me vendor meal and have it served with dinner.

It was a good decision. The bride's father stood up during dinner to make an impromptu, tear-jerking speech. I was sitting outside the ballroom and heard him start. I dropped my food and went in right away to capture the entire event. The client later told me that the extra $15 was worth every penny to have those photographs. I humbly agreed.

As a side note, be prepared if you hire a band. They take breaks every 45 minutes and require guest meals for every member.

You can see wedding photographs taken by a photographer with a full belly at http://richdutchman.com/#/party/

Copyright Rich Dutchman 2010 Article may be reprinted in its entirety with proper crediting to the author.

Wedding Photography Editing Tips and Tricks

Good editing can make all the difference to a wedding shoot. The following tips may help you to pull the most out of your photographs.

This article is intended for wedding photographers who shoot with digital cameras.

Tips:

Shoot and edit in RAW.

I can't tell you the number of times I have used RAW to save shots that would otherwise have been unusable. You obviously can't do all your editing in RAW but since RAW captures much more in formation than the highest quality JPEG most adjustments will look better done in RAW.

1. 
   Adjusting Exposure. The biggest advantage of RAW is the ability to adjust exposure, and restore blown out highlights or detail lost in deep shadows. Often however I will adjust exposure to increase already dark shadows, or blow out already bright highlights, to achieve various artistic effects or just to just increase the intensity of the photo.
   
   


2. 
   Use RAW when converting to black and white. Generally if you want a black and white image you want to do the conversion in RAW, not JPEG. Converting to back and white in RAW will result in a higher quality black and white image.
   
   


3. 
   Go easy with saturation. Over saturating a photo is an easy way to ruin a photo, and can easily look great on your screen and really bad in print.
   
   


4. 
   Don't over sharpen images. Sharpening artifacts look awful on large prints, be very careful how much you sharpen images. I prefer to just shoot with a sharper lens and then use no sharpening or noise reduction, for the most natural look possible. If you want to add punch to your images consider using curves or dodging and burning instead.
   
   

Don't wast time on bad photos

One of the biggest mistakes I have made is wasting time editing photos that will never look really great. There is really only so much you can do even with RAW, so unless it's an important shot keep your editing simple, that way you will have more time to focus on your best shots.

Tricks:

Use Vignettes

I use vignetting extensively to add depth to, or to frame my images. The trick to good vignettes is that they shouldn't be noticeable. If a vignette is noticed by a non photographer then it's to strong. I use a lot of feathering and sometimes even multiple vignettes to achieve a more powerful vignette effect that is still not obvious. I even sometimes use this vignetting technique with color filters to create depth through color, or to liven up an otherwise boring sky. There are several ways to create vignettes with photoshop, but this level of detail goes beyond the scope of this article.

If your shooting with a full frame sensor then the vignetting technique is less needed as full frame sensors capture the natural vignettes present in many lenses.

Dodge and burn

This is one of the most traditional photography techniques and was used in the darkroom long before computers where invented. For those not familiar with dodging and burning it is basically a manual way of lighting and darkening different areas of a photograph. I will often further burn, to darken shadows and give greater focus to a subject. Or, I dodge to soften the shadows on the brides face. I recommend dodging and burning because it gives you a lot of artistic control over the photographic process, whiles still allowing for a natural look.