Wedding PR: Why Press Matters for the Wedding Professional

Public Relations is, quite often, synonymous with the heavy hitters in the wedding industry- from celebrity planners to the five star properties. The tragedy is that wedding professionals may not see the need to diversify their business strategies to include the discipline of Weddng PR.

The good news? Because many wedding professionals do not incorporate it into their own agenda, it is all the more reason to jump on the bandwagon. In a potentially oversaturated market, wedding PR could very well be what makes you stand out from the rest.

Wedding PR should be a necessary component to every wedding company's strategy, as it forms and fosters your company's public image on an ongoing basis through various techniques and self promotion. In short, wedding PR tells the world how it should see you.

Wedding PR takes on many forms, and the easiest way to get acclimated is to become a resource for your respective media channels- be it the local newspaper, wedding blog or trade magazine.

I spend a great deal of time speaking with the media, as well as writing for them. What has always absolutely perplexed me, however, is that many of my phone calls end with a journalist's standard lamentation that they can never get wedding professionals to call them back.

Free press is invaluable and often takes but a moment of one's time. We're always talking about the importance of being a resource to your brides, but what about being a resource to the media? If the local wedding publications and wedding blogs needs to get their hands on a red cake, then either provide it for them, or connect them with someone who will. The sooner you become seen as a resource, the quicker you'll find your name in the headlines.

Not sure where to begin?

For local contacts, comb magazines, newspapers, web sites and blogs to find journalists who may benefit from your area of expertise. If you have friends and colleagues who may have pre-existing relationships with targeted journalists, ask them for assistance in an introduction. If you're already advertising with certain wedding magazines and wedding blogs, ask your sales representative who would be a relevant contact from the newsroom.

From there, create, and continue to update, a wedding PR media list for when the time comes to share newsworthy information and events about your company. When you do find yourself featured down the road, this list will come in handy so you can immediately send along a thank you, expressing your gratitude for the press.

In the wedding industry, many blogs, e-zines and magazines already list instruction as to how to pitch them, often in their "contact us" page. This is exceptionally helpful for those with unique services and products, as the media is always interested in fresh content. Oftentimes, they also offer you the opportunity to contribute your very own article. Should you find that you have a particular knack for writing, this is a wonderful avenue to find yourself some instant press.

There are also several, sometimes complimentary, programs to assist you with your wedding PR strategies. Help a Reporter Out (HARO), is a free, online service that instantly allows you to become a source to nearly an unlimited amount of media outlets. HARO sends three sets of queries straight from the journalists, three times a day, Monday through Friday. It's then simply a matter of finding one that matches, and pitching the journalist. If the journalist is interested in using you for his or her article, then will be in touch and suddenly, you'll find yourself serving as a resource for the wedding industry.

You may also want to consider joining Two Bright Lights, a relatively new online marketing and public relations program that streamlines the process of submitting wedding photography to blogs and magazines. This is a particularly effective program that allows you to upload up to one hundred images per wedding, add all the wedding professionals involved and fun wedding details, and then submit to a host of well regarded wedding blogs and magazines. The cost to join is minimal and the return, invaluable.

Above all, remember this: do not assume that the rest of the world knows about you and your going ons, and by all means, don't be afraid to broadcast it. Before long, you too could be front page news thanks to your wedding PR strategies.

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding marketing and wedding pr firm OFD Consulting. She is regular contributor to wedding marketing journal WedLock magazine and offers wedding marketing and wedding pr advice for wedding professionals in her Weddzilla advice column "Ask OFD." She loves ruffle table runners and Royal Wedding Tchotchkes.

What to Wear to Your Photo Shoot

Your photo shoot is about you, whether it be for a wedding, your new born baby or just some family photos, so you need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing in order to feel comfortable in front of the camera. There are general guidelines for what is and is not a good idea with regards to some accessories or colours so bear those in mind when choosing what would make you feel your best.

Generally, it is not recommended to have props, clothing or patterns that detract from the subjects of the photograph as they must remain both the centre of the photo and focus of the viewer's eyes. This means that you should not wear bright colours that drastically contrast with the colour of the skin, such as orange, red or yellow. You want to bring out your most natural and beautiful natural tones without them being overpowered by a bright jumper. Also, avoid wearing large or bold patterns or logos on your clothing (if the photo shoot is not aimed at business advertising) as you want to remain the main focus of the image without their being distracting or overpowering features.

Depending on what you want to achieve from the photo shoot, you can wear an array of styles of colours. If you are having the shoot for a couple's portrait then you may want to keep the focus on your faces which means having a subtle one-tone clothing style, with added touches being different textures of materials, such as a silk scarf or heavily knitted jumper. This all depends on what you want to achieve and what you want the focus of your images to be. The same goes for accessories or jewellery, where simpler or streamlined and elegant is the most suitable for traditional portraits. You may also want to coordinate your clothing so that if you are doing a family portrait that you are wearing similar colours or clothing so to keep the focus on your faces rather than the differences in clothes. The colours don't need to be the same, but they should harmonise with each other so that they do not detract from the intended focal point of the photos.

It is always advisable if you want to look a little slimmer, to wear black clothing that is neither too tight nor too baggy; you don't want to look like you are wearing a banana skin or a tent. Also, if the photo shoot is not for modelling, then it is not advised for you to wear shorts or skirts that are too short as they limit movement and flexibility that could lead to rigid photos.

Apart from the clothing, it is advisable that you bring a hair brush, some hairspray, if you use it and some light powder to touch up any shiny parts of your face during the shoot. Please see our other article on How To Prepare For Your Photo Shoot for more information.

It is most important for you to be comfortable in your clothing but you must also feel confident and fabulous so that you can relax and make the most of your photo shoot.

Add Unique Silhouettes to Your Wedding Invitations Through Creatively Cut Cardstock

Aside from being one of the most important events of your life, your wedding will also be one of the most awaited celebrations for your family and friends. For this reason, it's essential that you're able to impress them even before the big day by sending out creatively done invitations. Using cardstock with unique silhouettes is one way of doing this.

To create such wonderful invitations, you can purchase creatively pre-cut stationery, look for plain cardstock that can be professionally die cut or laser cut, or create your own creative invites using custom wedding invite kits and DIY ideas.

Creatively Cut Cardstock
Many online stationers offer creatively cut cardstock. The bloom cardstock style with four "flower petals" that fold open to reveal the actual invitation is one of the most common designs.

For this cardstock, you can apply different design techniques such as the tone on tone or the ombr矇 effect to make them more interesting. You can also choose one color in different tones for each section or part of the invite. For instance, you can choose dark blue for the envelopes, royal blue for the blooms, and light blue for the invites.

Printing Methods
If you'd like to achieve a more interesting silhouette for your wedding invites, purchase sturdy cardstock and have them die-cut or laser cut. You can create your own design and add a personal touch to achieve a unique silhouette and deviate from the usual rectangular-shaped invites.

By using die-cutting or laser cutting techniques, you can create invites with uncommon geometric outlines such as rounded or zigzagged edges. You can also choose to have unique shapes such as a wedding dress or a tuxedo, a Victorian fan, an old scroll, a heart, and other designs related to your wedding theme.

If you're looking for something more unique and intricately made, you can take inspiration from lace and create intricate cardstock for more romantic-looking invites. On the other hand, if you want to go for a more subtle take on these printing methods, you can use a symbol such as a single flower or a small heart, and use it as a recurring accent in all your wedding stationery.

DIY Ideas
If you are feeling crafty, you can learn different paper-folding techniques and apply them to your invitations. One of the simplest ways to do this is to transform your cardstock into pleats similar to those seen on skirts and dresses. On the other hand, you can also get inspiration from origami techniques and fold cardstock into flowers, wedding dresses, tuxedos, windmills, and other unique designs to add a whimsical touch to your invites.

Through creatively cut cardstock and different design techniques, you can turn your budget wedding invitations into unique and treasured keepsakes that will wow your guests in anticipation for your big day.

Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Cars for Your Event

Your wedding is probably the most important event in your life and so naturally you want things to be perfect. One of the most important elements of a wedding ceremony is the car. However, when it comes to renting a wedding car there are probably hundreds of cars to choose from which can make things very confusing. If you are on a limited budget probably choosing something cheap may be your best bet. But if you want to find the best car and your budget is flexible then the following tips should help you find something that will make a great impression.

Car types

The market for wedding cars is huge and you'll get a good idea of the sheer number of luxury cars available by visiting any wedding cars rental service. Since, your wedding is a special occasion a luxury car should be your first consideration. However, you have to choose between two categories i.e. a vintage luxury car or a modern one. The number of modern luxury cars available ranging from BMWs to Mercedes and Jaguar are staggering. But you'll need to do a bit of searching around if you want to find a vintage car.

For instance, if you want to make a big statement you can chose a classic Rolls Royce or even a Bentley complete with a well dressed uniform wearing chauffeur. The other option you have is a limousine made from exotic cars. But with a limo you will have to make sure that there is ample parking space available.

Distance considerations

When looking through all the wedding cars available you also need to consider the distance you are going to travel i.e. from the hotel to the church, the reception and then back to the hotel. At times couples may also chose to travel to their wedding photo shoots prior to going over to the reception which may be a rather lengthy detour. So, the rental you chose should be able to cover the distance with ease. It should also be comfortable to ride in.

Comfort level of the car

Your wedding day as much as it is joyful it is also stressful both for you and your bride. This is why it is important to choose a car which delivers a smooth experience. Even though luxury cars are supposed to be comfortable some of these cars are more comfortable than others. Your task would be to choose the most comfortable of the cars available so that you and your bride has some time to unwind when on the road. The car should also be large enough to allow your bride to easily step into and out of the vehicle without trouble. That being said you need to consider this bearing in mind the size of the wedding gown your bride will be wearing.

The number of businesses offering wedding cars on rent are a dime a dozen. However, keeping the above in mind and the limited time you have to find a vehicle it pays to only stick with reputed wedding car dealers. This will ensure that you find the best car in the shortest time period.

Tips on Choosing the Best Wedding Rings for Men

Getting a man to put a ring on it can be hard, but even more so to put a ring on his own finger. Some men have a natural aversion to jewelry that isn't some sort of piercing but one thing is certain and never changes - when they truly love you, they will wear anything you want them to, even for as long as a lifetime. However, that doesn't mean putting up with something that they don't like or feel uncomfortable wearing. Choosing wedding rings for men is similar to when women choose their wedding rings - they want their personality to show and they sure as heck want to be comfortable while doing it.

First off, wedding rings for men are available in a lot more styles and materials that go with anything in their closet. There may be some embellished with a row of diamonds or two, but that is mostly based on the personal preferences of the wearer. A wedding ring can be the most important piece of jewelry a man wears and as such, it needs to be well, perfect.

The first thing you need to know is what type of metal appeals to your man best. Men's wedding rings can be crafted from the traditional silver and gold, as well as platinum, sterling silver, stainless steel and tungsten, which offer a very masculine look in addition to being very durable. If you are on a budget, you may want to consider rings in sterling silver and stainless steel which are usually the most affordable options but if you want to go up the ante a bit, you can go for gold, platinum and tungsten. If your man happens to have sensitive skin, platinum, titanium, stainless steel and tungsten are popular hypoallergenic options.

The fit is also an important option as far as choosing the best wedding rings for your man is concerned. You can choose from three types: the comfort fit, the half-round fit and the pipe band. If your man is the type who isn't used to wearing any kind of jewelry, the comfort fit is your best bet since it is designed to provide the most minimal contact between the ring and his skin. The half-round wedding band on the other hand, with its traditional curved exterior, is for the man who wants a traditional wedding band while a pipe band offers a more contemporary look with its straight edges and flat top.

When fitting your man for his ring, make sure that it is at least 5mm to 7mm wide, as anything thinner than these sizes indicated can look too delicate on his finger. It may be a good idea to have him try on the rings to see which one he will feel comfortable wearing every day, especially if he is not used to wearing any kind of jewelry. Better have him try something on and like it rather than choose something for him that he's likely to take off more often than

Many men will choose the plainest, lightest wedding band if given the chance but if you are bent on having a matched wedding set, you can probably convince him to put even just a single row of diamonds or even just a small diamond for just a hint of sparkle. The important thing is not to push your preferences on him as this is also something he needs to do for himself just as much as he is doing it for you. Make sure the choices you make are something both of you are comfortable and happy with as this is something you will have to live with for the rest of your lives.

Wedding Photography and the Economy - Is it Really Worth It?

I don't know about you, but I know I was not wise enough to make the right moves to be rich today. My family is not historically financially well off either. Working my way through these down economic times is a tough. If you're getting married soon you might want to read on to help you focus.

The obvious truth is that economics affect the financial decisions you make regarding your wedding. Non of this means you cannot have a great wedding. After all there are many places around the world that do not require a lavish wedding. However, in nearly all of these places you will find a photographer. This is where an experienced photographers come in. Experience to make the less than lavish (and the lavish) look great on your wedding day.

Photographs are items that all of us cherish at one time or another, e.g. baby photos, school plays, graduations,... this is especially true when our family and friends get together for an event such as a wedding. Make sure your wedding photographer is capable of capturing those treasures.

How would you like to be served? You must decide if you want the simple 'stand against a wall and smile with your arms around your family' photographs, OR do you want 'all of the emotion of the day brilliantly captured' photographs. Do you want that photograph of your husband to be with the rare tear on his face to show? He loves you. You want to see that moment everyday you look at your wedding photographs. Isn't it a special moment that would make you tear-up too?

Photographs may not be important to everyone: Honestly, why spend one single dime on photography if your expectations are simple and you are not worried about great moments of emotion being captured in a photo? Just about anyone can get a group of folks standing and smiling in front of the cake with the bride and groom in the middle. An overly dark suit of the groom which you can't see and the bride's dress details blown out so much that it's to the point of only looking like a white table cloth. Heck, you can save some money on the dress too because it'll never be seen to remember in print either.

When Photographs are important to you:
Experienced Professional Photographers...
* will capture the great moments for you.
* will treat you as if you are special to them.
* have access to the best albums in world.
* will have the tools to do a complete service for you.
* will be on time no matter what.
* will be there for you!

We're now in the digital age: Fact of the matter is there are so many "professional" photographers these days due to the advantages of digital photography. You have to ask though, why wasn't photography in so much demand many years ago when film was the only option? My guest is that many did not see it as an easy buck as they do today. Watch out for those who have a business card and website and say they are "professional" photographers; Many of them just picked up a camera at Best Buy on their way to meet with you....their first camera ever. Everyone is trying to find a way to survive in this down economy.

Our economy is hurting you and the photographer you may decide to hire. You want to save money; they want to make a few dollars to help make ends meet. Though you two are not on the same page! You want to save money but you also want absolutely beautiful wedding pictures captured by someone who cares about your wedding day and the work they provide you as a client. Again, they want financial ends to meet.

The unfortunate truth is that once your wedding is over you can not repeat the day to have it professionally captured due to the many errors made by the less experienced photographer.

The nitty gritty is that EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL photographers cost money. There is no other way to put it. You rarely will get away with a quality photography product that did not cost more than you expected. This is because quality is learned over time and effort (training, practicing, etc). It's kind of simple really. People get college degrees and make more money than those without. Even if they do the same kind of work. Why? Training, experience, dedication......or maybe they should go to Best Buy and buy a certificate from the printer paper products section and print a degree. I dunno, but you should seriously consider being true to yourself and think about how you will feel when you look back at your wedding pictures. Do you want to talk about how bad the photographer was or do you want to cry and laugh as you think about the day while looking at great photographs? That's something you have to put your money into.

How to Make Your Wedding Photography WordPress Blog Super Fast!

When starting a Photography WordPress site many of your posts will include images of weddings you have shot and may also include a dynamic photo scroller to make the blog more interesting to your followers.

Your main goal is the obvious to build a great blog which is popular and is informative to your viewers. Once you have established yourself as credible in your niche you can become extremely popular. This sounds exciting but there will be a problem when this arises. Your Web Server will begin to slow causing your blog page to load like a fully laden freight train.

Increase in traffic spikes can sound great, but having your blog post load in longer periods will cause your viewers to flick channels before your page loads.

There is a great solution to avoid this which is simple and takes a few minutes of your time to optimise your blog site. Thank god for the tech savvy gurus online who have dedicated their cause to making technology more efficient and in this case creating super dynamic WordPress Plugins to avoid slow load up times.

After experimenting and some research on Google we have narrowed down the list of plugins that will make your blog page speed up like the bullet train in Japan.

Plugins to Make Your Wedding Photography WordPress Blog Lightning Fast

Below are four WordPress plugins which is very easy to install and will increase the loading time of your blog substantially.

• WP Super Cache by Donncha O Caoimh- " A very fast caching plugin for WordPress. Excellent for increases in traffic spikes which will slow down your WordPress blog. In a nutshell WP Super Cache caches a static (one time generated) copy of that webpage, and then every time a new visitor comes, it preferentially gives them the cached version of the page. Hence, reduced Blog loading times. "

• GZIP Output by Austin Matzko- "This plugin automatically compresses CSS, Javascript and HTML output, allowing it to travel faster from your blog to a visitor's browser. "Gzipping generally reduces the response size by about 70%. Approximately 90% of today's Internet traffic travels through browsers that claim to support gzip."

• WP Minify by Thaya Kareeson- "This plugin uses the Minify engine to combine and compress JS and CSS files to improve page load time. Like the previous plugin, it also automatically shrinks the size of your files without you having to do anything. Goto the plugin file and upload it to your server."

• Free CDN by Phoenixheart- "If you have static files (images, javascript, css) taking a long time to load and slowing your site down, you may benefit by installing Free CDN. "Briefly, a CDN is a content delivery network. Static files are cached on the CDN and pulled from their servers instead of your own - which means that your server has to do less work, and potentially can serve more people at once, faster."

Optimising your blog page is so important to keep your blog loading time to a minimum. You will find that people trying to load a website which takes a long period of time will leave that site in a jippy. Installing the plugins shown above will significantly increase the speed of your blog loading time.