Unique Wedding Tips

Capturing the perfect wedding day video takes more than just luck. There are a number of factors involved that should be considered when you’re planning your wedding video whether you’re the one behind or in front of the camera.

1. Experience

Make sure the videographer has considerable experience, has just about seen it all and can anticipate what is about to happen in order to capture events as they unfold. Take note of any recommendations from people you know or testimonials to this regard.

2. Communication

The videographer must be prepared to liaise with other people who have key roles in your day, from the photographer to the hotel manager, in order to be alerted to upcoming highlights such as cutting the cake and the speeches as well as ensuring s/he is updated of any changes to the schedule.

3. Post Editing

The video service should be able to provide additional interesting extras, such as background music and slow motion shots, which will give your finished video a professional and polished touch, distinguishing it from a regular home movie.

4. Expertise

The wedding video should be a professional piece of work, make sure that as well as having top quality equipment, the videographer also advocates technical knowledge such as an understanding of white balance, manual focus and shutter speeds. Ask to see examples of their work to judge the picture quality for yourself.

5. Lighting

When discussing locations for the wedding day, ensure that the videographer has lighting equipment suitable for indoor filming and will be able to transport it to each venue, to ensure each picture is evenly lit and exposed.

6. Sound

Ask if it is possible for the groom to wear a tie-clip microphone in order to pick up both sets of vows being made. Even the most confident of couples can be softly spoken when exchanging vows and this is the most important moment in your marriage ceremony that will want to be relived. This inconspicuous device will record voices onto the video, which may otherwise be lost.

7. Discretion

The ideal videographer will be unobtrusive and record the day without becoming a feature of it. Choose someone who understands the sensitivity needed to get all the shots whilst remaining invisible. Look for comments highlighting this ability when checking recommendations.

The caterer has a very important role in your wedding. Therefore, you should take extra care in hiring the right caterer for you wedding day. Just like hiring any other vendor, you have to make your selection based on facts not feelings. The caterer may be an individual or a business. Even if the caterer is an individual, she still has to operate as a business. The caterer cannot legally cook at home and serve the food at your event. It is illegal for a caterer to use an unlicensed kitchen to prepare food.

The caterer you hire should be experienced not only in catering events, but catering weddings. During your interview process, you should ask about the kind of events they have catered. Ask about the size of the events, how many guests they catered for. Ask if they had to deal with any emergencies or unexpected events. To learn about how they deal with emergencies may help you understand their level of professionalism.

You should never hire the first caterer you meet. It may be tempting to hire the first caterer, especially, if you hit it off really well. It is in you benefit to meet with several caterers before you make your final decision.

You must check references before you make your decision. If a caterer does not have any references, walk. You don’t want anything to do with a caterer that offers no references. References are important, but they do not provide an absolute protection. You may be able to visit the caterer’s kitchen, so you can see their operation in action. A visit can help you examine their organization and cleanliness.

Caterers get booked well in advance, so hire one early. You should have a caterer lined up no less than 6 months prior to your reception. If you can find one a year before your event is even better. The more time you leave yourself to hire a caterer the more chance you give yourself to hire the right caterer.

Once you have made a decision, it is time to put it all in writing. You should insist on a written contract. The contract should include the details, of the menu, the date of the event, what is and is not included.

What would a wedding reception be without the traditional wedding toast? It’s like having a wedding cake without the icing. The wedding toast is a profoundly moving gesture, as it conveys to the bride and groom the heartfelt wishes of everyone who attended the wedding.

Sequence of the Toasts

The wedding toast is usually given first by the best man, then the father, the groom and the bride, and then followed by those who would like to give a toast. Versions may vary, however.

Other traditional sequences of wedding toasts also follow the best man as the first one to give the toast, followed by the groom who says a few words to his bride, parents, family, and members of the wedding party. After which, the groom is then followed by other people such as family members or friends who also want to give a toast, and then lastly, the father of the bride who thanks everyone for attending the wedding.

On the other hand, a nontraditional manner of the sequence of wedding toasts starts off with the emcee toasting the bride and groom. This is followed by the groom saying a few words to the guests and his bride, followed by the bride giving a little speech to her parents and in-laws, and finally, the father of the bride thanking everyone who shared this special day with them.

The Actual Toast

Ever since a monk named Dom Perignon invented champagne, it has since become the number one drink during wedding toasts. So before performing the wedding toast, make sure that your own glass as well as the glasses of other people (most especially the bride and groom’s) are also filled with drink.

Stand next to the bride and groom when giving your toast, and using a spoon, tap your own glass in order to get people’s attention. Raise your glass using your right hand held straight from your shoulder, and then you can begin the wedding toast.

Wedding Toast Tips

Preparing the Speech: Practice!
Giving a wedding toast, albeit a short one, in front of so many people can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. However, it doesn’t really have to be, not as long as you come prepared. Write your speech down so you would know exactly what to say. Let it come straight from your heart, so that you would be able to convey the sentiments you want to impart to the couple you are toasting. You can also try showing it to someone for comment so that you can get feedback in improving on your speech. Remember to keep on practicing until you feel confident and comfortable enough to deliver it in front of a crowd.

K.I.S.S.
Keep your wedding toast brief and straight to the point, since you wouldn’t want to divert attention away from the happy couple. Nobody wants to listen to an extremely long speech, so remember this word—K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short and Simple). A good measurement of a wedding toast is around 3 minutes.

Giving the Speech
In giving the wedding toast, speak loudly and clearly especially if you don’t have a microphone, so that people would understand what you’re going to say. Talking loudly gives you a certain presence, and now that you have the audience’s undivided attention, it’s important to hold it by not mumbling your words. So remember to talk slowly, because this is not a race to get you to finish your speech as fast as you can. Remember, people actually want to hear what you have to say.

Make Eye Contact & Smile!
Having your speech or cue cards printed out is indeed a great help in giving a wedding toast, but remember not to read it straight out from beginning to end. Make eye contact with the audience, so that they would feel that you really are speaking to them. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the most important detail of all: Smile! This is a joyous event, and your smile should actually say so!