New Blog from a friend of mine...

Hey everybody!
My wedding and event planner friend, Jenessa Bailey, has started a new blog. Make sure to add it to your reading list. She's super smart and has a lot of invaluable advice for anybody planning a wedding. Check it out here: http://www.jbaileyoccasions.blogspot.com

She also wants to write some pieces for this blog. Can't wait!

Bridal Fair / Wedding Fair coming up in Springdale, AR

To all you planning brides, mother of brides, and grooms:
A wedding fair is scheduled for October 14th, 2007, at the Springdale (AR) Holiday Inn and Convention Center. There are going to be lots of vendors, two fashion shows (at 1pm and 3pm), and a Wedding Photography seminar (hosted by Benfield Photography!) We're very excited to present so cool things going on with wedding photography. You DON'T want to miss it!! For more info, contact Heather at The Morning News (479-872-5124). Come by and see me!

Mixin' it up... what to look for in a DJ

I photographed a wedding recently and have become friends with the married couple. We talk about their wedding a lot, and there are many great things about it to keep us talking. The setting was beautiful, the flowers were wonderfully arranged, the food was outstanding.

You'd be shocked, then, to learn that the bride was very unhappy with her DJ. She said to me that she wished she would have just made a mixed cd and gave it to a friend to play at the wedding reception.

Now, I do not think that friends and relatives should ever be substituted in for a bona fide wedding professional. However, I do think that the concept has a few things relevant to couples who are planning a wedding.

#1 - Pick a DJ you feel comfortable around. Like choosing a "friend," a DJ should be personable and caring. You obviously don't want somebody who is primarily concerned about money. The more caring a wedding professional is, the more they will go the extra mile on your wedding day to meet or exceed your expectations.

#2 - Make a mixed cd. This part of her plan was actually pretty good. A DJ would surely not mind (especially if requirement #1 was met) playing your cd during dinner, or during your reception program. This ensures that you have the right music for the moment (that fits your style). It could also be a fun and/or romantic activity for you and your fiance(e) to work on together as the wedding day approaches.

I know it sounds simple, and there are obviously other things to consider, but following these easy tips can help ensure that the music of your wedding day is everything you planned it would be.

Bridezilla: Left at the alter!

Bridezilla, on the WE channel (www.WEtv.com) is one of the most entertaining shows in TV land. I have been fortunate enough in all my wedding photography that I've never encountered one myself, but I often imagine what I'd do in those situations. I've never, however, prepared for what happened to the bridezilla who was left at the alter!

I'm pretty sure it was the bride's daughter who was the true 'zilla, as she proceeded to run the prospective groom off with her abusive language, guilt trips, and money stealing.

The strangest part of this episode was that after he didn't show up at the church, they still went on to the reception! Meredith and I both found this so strange. I know that I wouldn't want to show myself... I'd be so embarrassed! And what's more (would I do this??), the photographer still took pictures - is that a time you really want to remember?

No, wait! The strangest part was that he called the next morning and whisked her off to Vegas for a quickie wedding. What lady would stand for having him walk back into her life after being stood up at the alter?! Especially after he not have the decency to at least call her on the wedding day.

The folks at WEtv should have saved that one for the finale. Good stuff. Really good stuff.

P.S. I hear they are coming out with "Groomzillas" - how do I sign up?! ;)

Did Shakespeare write his own vows?

That's an interesting question. I happen to know a lot about Shakespeare being an English teacher for 5 years. However, this is something I don't know. I would guess a lovely sonnet would suffice, but he had a way of writing these for a man (who obviously was not his wife). This is getting weird... time to move on.

This past weekend, I photographed a wedding where the bride and groom wrote their own vows. A daunting task, in my opinion. However, I've found some pretty cool thought provoking questions from a website that helps overcome the wedding day writer's block:

(from wedding.lifetips.com)
* When and where did you first meet?
* What was the state of your life before the two of you met?
* At what point did you realize you were in love? Describe the feeling.
* What inspires you about your loved one?
* What life goals and dreams do you share?
* What have you learned from each other?
* What qualities make your love unique? What qualities will keep it strong?
* How has your view of the world changed since you fell in love?
* What do you most look forward to about life with this person?
* What are some special moments in your relationship? Use them all, even the sad times as well as the happy, moving, or profound.
* What happened the day you asked her to marry you? How did you feel?

Budgeting for weddings... but how?

I recently read an article, The $28,000 question: Why are we all hypocrites about weddings? that was part funny part true about wedding planning and budgeting.
If you're planning a wedding, which you likely are if you're on this blog, read this for some tips about making the most of your wedding budget (i.e. prioritizing). It is good information. If my girlfriend would prioritize, I already know that she would say, "You need to spend money on the rings and on the pictures, because that's what you're going to have as a reminder of your wedding day." Valuable words from a girl who knows just about everything.

Trash the Dress session - not your mother's bridal portrait

I don't know if this is for you, as it takes a special kind of soul to want to do this, but some brides are trashing their dress in a photoshoot after the wedding. I know, because I've done one (click here for some images). The is actually a site that I belong to, called trashthedress.com and showcases lots of images from TTD sessions. If this is for you, then you've found another way of making this wedding experience unique. If it isn't, don't send hate mail. ;)

Welcome to Jitter Free Me.

This was created to help brides not only in the Northwest Arkansas area, but all over the US. As a wedding expert, I will write about everything wedding related I can think of. In addition, I will get help from wedding professionals in the area to further help you plan your wedding.

I've created icons for different categories of wedding tips. This makes it easy to navigate through a lot of information quickly.

If there is something you would like to hear about, feel free to drop a line and I'll see if I can't help you!

Happy planning!
DB

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