The Kid Casino

Wedding Photojournalism is getting its fair share of attention
these days, but don’t jump into the water quite yet. Knowing
your wedding style and what feel you want to radiate from your
pictures is very important to choosing the correct style
photographer.

Is your Wedding Formal, Semi-Formal or Informal

Haven’t thought of it yet? Well get going! What are you waiting
for? Knowing this will give you a better indication on what to
look for in a wedding photographer.

Traditional Photographers for a Formal Style

There is
no law written in stone, but if you are having a formal wedding,
you would probably want to hire a more traditional wedding
photographer. Almost all pictures are posed for and perfect down
to the last detail therefore accentuating dignity and grace. The
downside to this is that the those spontaneous and special
moments may not be captured, because candid shots are less
likely to be taken.

A Traditional and Photojournalist Balance

If you are
having a semi-formal wedding you probably should look for a
photographer who has a balance of both traditional and
photojournalist styles. That way the photographer can capture
the light-hearted moments while still creating that elegant feel
with traditional classical photography. Take a good look at his
portfolio. Is he equally good at both or does he lean strongly
towards one or the other?

Photojournalists for an Informal Style

Are you having a
informal wedding? More likely than not, you’ll have more
light-hearted fun than in a formal setting. These rare moments
are captured far better if you hire a wedding photojournalist,
because he is capturing your day as it happens. The down side is
that he may catch you at an awkward not so pretty moment and its
more expensive. Being that you chose an informal wedding, this
may not bother you as much.

Check the Photographer’s References

This cannot be
stated enough. Going by a portfolio is not enough. Call up his
references. You’ll be surprised at how many wedding vendors give
references of clients who were not that happy with their
service! Research the national Better Business Bureau. Is there
a multitude of complaints? If there was one complaint, was it
resolved? (Well at that point you might want to look elsewhere
regardless. Why take chances.) Please ask a lot of questions.

Choose the Photography Style You Want

OK so what was
the point with all of the above? These are guidelines. It is
perfectly legal to hire a wedding photojournalist for a formal
wedding and vice versa. If you are looking to capture more
candid shots at a formal wedding you could still go with a
photographer who has a mix of skills. Your photographs may give
off a more semi-formal aura as a result though. Just remember to
take your time.

If you’ve ever wondered about the validity of body language analysis, here is something new and exciting to ponder.

Though we may be aware of body language, and be able to fake different positions to fool onlookers, this is not possible when we are asleep.

At night, our body naturally and involuntarily adopts the position that feels the most natural.

This has resulted in a study, showing that the way you sleep with your partner at night, might be a true reflection of the actual emotions being felt and the true dynamics of the relationship.

Loving Spoon:

This signifies happily “married, loving and still wanting physical contact and closeness. This self evident position, is where one partner basically lies on their side, with the other, closely behind them, folding into their back. Usually the arm of the partner at the back is draped over the stomach area of the first . This way, you can pull each other closer together, feeling very intimate.

A really good sign of a close emotional relationship and friendship not burdened by any sexual frustration,is shown by the body language in this case.

Honeymoon:
This is the time when you just can’t get enough of each other. You are acting like new lovers, with the “I can’t believe you want me” mind set.

Here you want to just about crawl into each other and have as much open physical contact as possible. In this position, you would lie hugging each other face to face. Generally this might be with one partner more on their back and not just a side by side position. This, the most romantic position sends the signals that there is total commitment and reassurance, whilst touching as much as possible.

Bottom to bottom:

This is a good compromise from the sometimes overbearing first two positions. Each partner lies basically on their side of the bed, facing to their side, but their buttocks still touching. This is the most comfortable sleeping position that still involves physical contact. There is reassurance that the physical aspect of the relationship is still alive, but does not take top priority in the overall picture.

Because it is actually more comfortable to sleep on your own, the startling part here is that you’re still trying to maintain some form of contact even in a semi or unconscious state.

Distant and apart.

Here the sleeping partners, lie on their own side of the bed, as far apart as possible, turned away from each other.

Trouble brews here. This relationship has died, or at the very least has gone through a very trying time. Because body language doesn’tlie, the partners sleeping behavior signifies, that in fact they would rather be on their own. If you find yourself sleeping like this permanently, this usually signifies emotional distance during waking hours as well.

Looking at the four scenarios above, you can quickly tell at what stage your relationship is.
Of course, we are talking about a normal healthy physical pre-condition. Either partner being unwell, would not count.

Also, none of this is etched in stone. Most couples will in fact go through a range of these positions during the course of a night.

The predominance, or total avoidance of one or other position, will however give great clues to the overall state of the relationship. If you detect a certain pattern here, you can effectively use this to determine the state of your relationship and take appropriate action.

In this way body language analysis is indeed effective.

Remember keep on loving

Udo

Udo Vieth is the founder of Relationship Secrets ,a site dedicated to make your relationship sizzle.

Regardless of the type of wedding reception you wish to have, taking the time to plan and work out all the details of what needs to be done is very important. This advice applies whether you are planning a small intimate gathering of a few close friends and family after the ceremony or if you want a lavish reception.

Couples are often surprised at the amount of time and effort involved in personalizing and organizing a perfect reception, which needs to be done several months in advance. The following tips are intended to guide you through some of the wedding reception details that you will need to address.

Begin By Pre-Planning and Organizing

Before you start any wedding reception planning make sure you know your exact budget. There is no point in organizing a lavish reception for 200 people if your budget only allows for a small toned-down gathering of 50 people. Your budget will not only include the cost of the reception venue, but also the food, favors, decorations, music, cake, table linens and tableware, any additional entertainment, etc. The reception will take the largest chunk of your budget.

I also strongly recommend that you purchase a good wedding planner book to walk you step-by-step through the wedding planning process. These books provide some great information on details that you might miss or not even think of. Plus, they provide you with a place to record and store all wedding information for quick retrieval.

One of the cheapest (since it’s free) ways to find out more about what’s involved in planning a wedding reception is to start by talking to friends and family about their wedding experiences. Write down any advice and tips they might give, as well as references to caterers, DJ’s, etc. Word of mouth is often the best way to locate exactly what you’re looking for.

Choosing a Location

Deciding on where to hold your wedding reception can often times make a key difference in how well it goes… and how fondly it’s remembered by you and your guests. Take your time with this. Get recommendations and check out all venues thoroughly.

Be aware that the number of available locations will be much more limited for weekends and certain times of the year… often popular spots are booked a year in advance. You may wish to consider having your wedding during an “off-wedding” month, such as January or during the week, rather than on a weekend. Cost wise, it will be much cheaper as well.

While at each reception location there are several details that you should pay attention to. Available nearby parking, adequate bathroom facilities, cleanliness of the location, and ample room for dinner and dancing… these are just some of the things you will need to look at.

Familiarize yourself with the location to learn what can and can not be done, especially in terms of decorating.

Keep a list of all locations and facilities that you visit and try to get a floor plan of the building. This will certainly help you out when you are deciding on the arrangement of tables, DJ or band stand, where to place the cake table, etc. Make sure you also get all prices quoted and contact details in writing.

The Nitty-Gritty Reception Details

There are many details that you need to attend to such as your seating arrangements, coordinating table linens to match your theme, finding a baker to make your wedding cake, whether to use a decorator or not, and who to use for entertainment.

Make a list of everything that needs to be taken care of then start delegating some of the tasks to your attendants and family members. Keep in mind that some flexibility is essential in the planning process too.

Decorating is an important part of your overall wedding plans. Make a list of the various types of decorations you’ll need such as table centerpieces, balloon bouquets, and specific theme items.

One of the other most significant aspects of planning your wedding reception is the meal that will be served. You will need to decide if it will be a full-course sit-down dinner or a buffet. If you’re planning a low-key, intimate reception with family and close friends, plan on food and drink that is less formal and more fun.

Once you think you have everything planned out on paper, take the time to walk through the event from start to finish. For example, what will everyone be doing when they first arrive at the reception? When will guests be seated for dinner? What will happen during the meal? When will you cut the cake? When does the dancing begin? By going through each aspect of what will happen at the reception, you will be assured that you’ve taken care of all the details.

A Few Other Reception Tips

Keep your guests updated in regards to any changes to wedding details throughout the planning process. A good way to do this is to register with a personal wedding website. New details can be added and quickly updated, which family members and guests can then quickly access online.

Delegate, delegate, delegate! Try to get other people to help out as much as possible. This will take a large load of errands off your back and all you need to do is supervise the process. Having fun and being relaxed is what you’re aiming for.

Hopefully, the above guidance and advice will give you some direction and inspiration as you plan your own special and personalized wedding reception.

About the Author:

(c)2006. Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Read more about how to personalize your wedding reception details at http://www.wedthemes.com/wedding-planning.shtml

REDUCE WEDDING STRESS - RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!

You’re a bride-to-be, certainly a revered title. Some might even
say the envy of all hopeful marrieds…. But you’re
bombarded….

Advertisements, to-do lists, future in-laws, the tiniest of
mundane details - they all demand to be tended to - and the
resulting stress can overpower what’s supposed to be a joyous
time period in your life. So how do you reduce stress? Emerge
from the pile of fabric swatches, font styles and contracts and
…..just….breathe. During your engagement, step away from
wedding planning, and take time to enjoy yourself as a fabulous
single woman.

Kicking your heals up and relaxing as your task list expands
exponentially may sound impossible. In reality, allowing
yourself some time to rejouvenate will not only reduce wedding
stress, it will ultimately make your wedding planning more
efficient. Have you ever tried going for a morning run without a
good night’s sleep the night before? The same applies to wedding
planning.

Here are some easy methods to reduce wedding stress:

Reclaim your life and your self. What activities comprised your
free time before wedding planning seized your soul? Reading?
Jogging? Shopping? Crafts? Don’t let those activities slip; take
that time to yourself and enjoy the relaxation that comes with
doing something that you enjoy. Even if just for a few hours a
week - it will make a world of difference.

Reconnect with friends and loved ones. Has it been weeks or
months since you spoke with your best friend or sister (NOT
about the wedding)? Losing contact is easy when you’re busy or
believe loved ones are out of touch with your life. Take some
time to reconnect with your closest friends; ask them about
their lives. Keep them up-to-date on your wedding planning - but
also discuss other aspects of your life. You are a multi-faceted
person, after all.

Cater to someone else for a change. Yes, this is one of the few
times in your life when the attention is solely focused on you
and your life decisions, and you should enjoy your time in the
spotlight. That said, don’t get caught up in the selfishness of
being a bride. Do something unexpected for someone else. Take a
break from wedding planning and cook a friend dinner, serve a
meal at your local soup kitchen, babysit for acouple who could
use a break…You will be surprised how good (and relaxed) you
will feel by making others feel appreciated, and you will
immediately reduce stress.

Spend quality time with your fiance. It’s sadly ironic that in
the planning of a new life together, couples often struggle to
find quality time with one another in the present. The best way
to begin a marriage on the right foot is to avoid neglecting
your relationship now. Building a life as one should always be
your top priority, (remember - it IS the reason behind the big
party!) so enjoy romantic evenings together and try not to talk
about the wedding. Focus on your relationship and your future
beyond the wedding day.

Above all else, don’t lose sight of what’s important and don’t
lose sight of yourself. Keeping this in mind will reduce wedding
stress - we promise! Savor every moment of your engagement, and
arrive at your wedding positively radiant.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable
wedding celebration, visit www.elegala.com, your ultimate
wedding planning resource.