The Hashtag

Courtesy of Pixabay

We did choose a #hashtag for our wedding, simply because we wanted to be able to see all of the pictures that were taken at the wedding.  Granted, you will probably never get to see all of them, but we wanted as many as we could.
     Of course, not many people anymore use disposable cameras, and when they did it cost an arm and a leg to get them developed.  With social media, it comes pretty simply to get your hands on more pictures than your photographer may not get.
 So with that being said,  we decide to create our own make-shift photo booth and we will  have people use our hashtag.  So I would recommend at least picking out some short of hashtag to use.  (Note:  Keep it short and simple)  Then you can simply comb your social media sites and collect them . I, being one that still prints pictures, was not to fond of the disposable camera option.  If you would like, I did a post not too long ago, about why I still print pictures.

Back to Printing

So. In conclusion, create a short and sweet hashtag that you can use to get the most out of your pictures.  And, if your like me and still print, there will always be a photo book to look at years down  the road.  Cause we all know that VCR's will last forever, just like Facebook right?

The List...

This might be one of the regrets that I have so far. While I am typing, the current bride to be, is off at the wedding shower.  Just about a year ago after we became engaged, we started to put together a guest list.  During this last year we have added guests, and even as we are approaching crunch time we are still adding.  We have already received several gifts in the mail from those who are unable to make it, and it is becoming more difficult to keep track of the guests, RSVP's, thank you's, and the gifts.

Some will give gifts, at the bridal shower, some at the wedding, and so will even send them in the mail to your home.

My regret so far is that we didn't create some sort of spreadsheet.  Of course, you have a list of names, but if you have access to an Excel program, I would highly recommend creating some sort of spreadsheet to house all of this information. This way you can keep track of names, addresses, gifts they have given, thanks you's.

This is the only regret so far, but I think it would have been well worth it if we would had a spreadsheet to go off of.

The Registry...The fun Part!

Courtesy of Pixabay

Like everything that we have done for this wedding, we did our research for our wedding registry.  Everything seems pretty consistent between testimonies that we read, and the places that we registered.  If you are inviting 250 people to the wedding. you should assume that most people would but several gifts each. Example:  If you list a several cooking utensils, someone is likely to but them all.  (Depending on the price range of your gifts). We registered for items from very inexpensive to larger items, such as luggage and appliances.  Just a few things to remember:

• Include lots of variety. 
• Take into consideration that some of the items you register for may be seasonal, and you might have to update it several times. Our engagement lasted a year, so as we added to the guest list we also added to the registry.  
• Keep in mind that you most likely will not get everything on your registry.  The important thing to remember is that these people are your close friends and family, and they are here to share in your joy.  Don't make them feel like an very expensive gift is a cover charge to get into your wedding.  
• Some people prefer gift cards rather that something on the registry.  This gives you options.  
• Some places we found will give you a discount on items that were not purchased after the wedding.  This is something to ask the venue or outlet that you register at.
• Some of the things that we registered for were things that were just a mere update of what we already had.  
• Don't overwhelm your guests either.  When you have a guest list of 200-250 people, no one wants to scroll through 800 items that you registered for.  
• Don't forget the THANK YOU notes.  (It makes all the difference!)   

This is the rather fun part of the adventure, but don't overdue it or not enough.  It's too easy to let your frustrations run away with you, just relax and enjoy it!  It will all be worth it in the end.  AND the best best part is that you might get a new Crockpot!

There are many weddings out there...this is just ours!

How we chose a wedding photographer...

This is solely based on how we chose a photographer for our wedding day.  I realize that there are thousands of lists that couples work through in order to narrow it down, but this pertains more to what we wanted. 

• Know what it is that you are looking for on your wedding day.  Do you want just several pictures, with two hours or so of coverage;  or are you wanting to document the entire day.  
• Do you have a large wedding party or a small wedding party. 
• What are you willing to spend?
• Do you want edited pictures, or non-edited pictures? ( You might be surprised when you look around the number of people that want strictly pictures from the camera).
• Do you want someone that prints the pictures for you, or are you looking for a CD so that you can print your own pictures?
• Are you wanting a photographer that offers, add-ons? (i.e - free guest book, printed canvas, wedding album, video)  
• Do you want bridal portraits, or engagement photos? - in most cases you can find a photographer that does both.  
• Do you want one, or more photographers, to cover your day?

These are just some of the questions that we covered before we made a decision.  We looked around in the areas and selected about four that interested us.  We looked at their work, pricing, do they have a website?, and especially reviews.  Don't hesitate to ask another wedding couple who photographed their day. Lastly, DON'T go with someone for the simple fact that they are cheap.   If you are on a more confined budget, continue to research who is around you, and share with the prospects what types of services they would offer for what you are willing to pay.  You might be surprised.  Please DO NOT throw yourself at the first person that offers you a $100 deal for the entire day! You will most likely regret it.

Remember to book early!  Most photographers book over a year in advance.  If your day is planned for early spring/summer that becomes PRIME TIME!!!

YOUR TIP HERE:  Research, research, research!  Read, ask questions, and don't be afraid to tell people what you are looking for.  

P.S. - I will share with you after the wedding who we chose.  I'm sure if you are from the NWA area you know who they are...it may start with KD!

Wedding Videography

This is just a small note about our wedding video.  I briefly laid out in a previous post as to why we felt that it was important to have a video of our wedding day. I just can't stress enough  how important it is to do your research.  At first, we decided against doing a video, because we had a photographer documenting the entire day. We looked around and found that in some cases a video-grapher was just as much as a photographer.  No! Several people that had one done, being married ten or so years, said they have probably only watched it twice up to this point in their marriage.  Several others, said even if they had one they may have only watched it twice.  So, some further online research told us that even though it was't at the top of the list, many people wish that they had something small to look back on for that special day.  

• Your day will go by very fast, and you won't likely remember everything that happened. 
• They will be little things that you won't see at your wedding, but things that people may mention in future years.  
• It;s likely the only way you will get to see everyone that shared your day!

In conclusion, we have a video camera that we have chosen to give to a friend.  Nothing fancy, no credits, or set to music, we just wanted something very simple to watch if we ever felt the need. There are so many programs and apps out there now, that you can easily edit and create your own if you want.  So this is what we went with. 

This is my advise - Do some online research, and do a video.  You wont have to hire a fancy professional, but if you have a video camera, USE IT! Or you might look into renting one....

Valentine' s Weekend

This was our weekend.  We just stayed simple this year, but it was a great weekend nonetheless.  We started with a 5K run on Saturday morning, and Sunday with dinner, making invitations, and a Jenga game that she had made for me.  

Here's you tip:  Never let a good chance to document/photograph a moment get away.  It will give you something to look back on  years in the future. Also, don't forget to print the pictures. Currently, I am racking up a collection of photo albums that I know I will get some use out of.   (If you'd like, you can search the post about why I have gone back to printing.)   

Click on the link entitled "Our Wedding" on the right side under topics, and follow our journey.  

This was our weekend!

Our Superbowl 

This was the first time in a long time that both of us stayed at home and watched the game.  Usually we are attending a party of some sort, but this year we kept it simple. As you can see from below, this was our living room for the weekend.  

It was an endless sea of mason jars, ribbon, and little plastic flowers.  Like I have said before. anything that you are able to do by yourself, Go For It!

Do some research, and find out what others have done for their wedding, and make sure that yours is something that you want to do. If you need help go to Google, and search "wedding regrets".  We asked several married couples how they would do it different, and read several articles about things that couples wished they had done.  In the beginning we decided against have a videographer, after some reading and conversation we decided to have one.  We have camcorder, gave it to someone who knows how to use it, and away we go!  We decided that we just wanted a simple video, nothing fancy, just footage of the wedding.  With all the gadgets and apps out there now, there are plenty of options to make in your own.  (My next post I will write why we decided against a fancy video)