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Posing with your bridesmaids – how to make sure you have fabulous photos

bridesmaids

You can get some of the best possible wedding photos, when posing with your bridesmaids. Not only do these girls oblige to smile, pose and make the entire experience non-stop fun, they look great too.

After all the effort you’ve put into color co-coordinating their outfits and planning their look to the last detail, it is only worthwhile that you take some time to also think of how you want them in your wedding pictures. This allows you to make the most of the shoot, and avoid classroom style boring photos.

Check out these tips for getting the best wedding pics with your favorite girls, and see which of these can be added to your photography plan.

1.Plan in advance

Bridesmaids under Heather's veil
Image Credit: Blaise Alleyne, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]

You will of course have chosen your perfectly matched bridesmaids dresses, and bought the accessories. So, we aren’t bothering with that bit. What we are talking about is planning ahead, so your girls are ready on time, and will look great. Work with your planner (or do it yourself, if you don’t have a planner) to set up a schedule for the morning, and see to it that your girls are dressed on time. If any of the girls have a habit of being late, set up a different schedule for her. In all cases, add plenty of extra time, so there is no chance of not being ready on time. Put one of the super-organized girls in charge, so you needn’t stress, when you should be getting dresses yourself.

2.Have a hair and makeup trial well ahead of time

You do not want any nasty surprises on the big day. So, get your girls to join you on a hair and makeup trial, well ahead of your wedding day. You can make a note of what can be improved, any hiccups that can cause delays, and make changes to the plan accordingly. This will also give you a chance to see how the girls will actually look, rather than just go with a general idea and feel disappointed if you do see what you expected.

3.Share the list of photos you must have, with your photographer

There is plenty of inspiration for unique photo ideas on this board on Pinterest. You are bound to find a few poses that you simply must have. Note them down, and share them with your photographer, so he remembers to capture them on your special day. Also include combination photos with bridesmaids and groomsmen, bridesmaids and groom, with special accessories you’ve ordered for the occasion or fun poses. Make sure you have a healthy mix of orchestrated and action shots, so you do not miss on any of the fun, even while getting everyone in focus.

4.Plan their bouquet positions and other details ahead

Bridesmaids 5
Image Credits: outreachr.com, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]

This makes all the difference between good and great photos. Find a comfortable pose for your ladies, where they all hold the bouquets at the right height so their posture is good, and the pictures will look splendid. If there is a special design feature on their dresses, like a keyhole back, or you’ve chosen colorful shoes or umbrellas to complete their look, get these finer details captured on camera.

Visit us at Best for Bride, to choose the best bridesmaid dresses for the biggest event in your life. Browse through our gallery today, and find those that will work best for your wedding.

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A guide to help you get the best deal from your wedding vendors

The first big event that most brides have to plan is their own wedding. So, it is unlikely that they have worked with vendors to discuss such big plans, before.

More wedding plans?Image Credit: Dion Gillard, via Flickr, CC By 2.0

If this is the case with you, we know that you may be worried about making the right decisions and handling everything right. This guide will take you over the points that will help you work with your vendors well, so you can get the best deal possible for your wedding.

Decide what you want before you begin looking at vendors

Having a clear idea of what you want for your wedding, is the best way to start. You and your fiance should first decide what type of wedding you want, the theme you would like, anything specific that you would like to have at your wedding, the style of reception, the location, and all such relevant details, before you even start considering who will do it for you. This will help you start looking for the vendor who will be able to deliver to your expectations, while meeting all the other factors.

Do your research

Talk to other brides who were married recently, to get a fair estimate of what your wedding costs will come to. You can obtain recommendations for vendors this way, and it will also give you a fair idea of whether you have any overheads to consider. Some vendors offer discounts on referrals, and if you are lucky, you may find the vendor you seek at a much lesser price, this way.

Fix your budget

One of the biggest problems brides face is finding vendors within their budget. The way around this is to prepare your budget in advance, so you know the maximum limit you can afford to stretch to, should it be required. First plan your overall budget, and then divide it into the various components. Fix the upper limit for each, and make a firm decision that you will not exceed it, come what may.

Look for vendors within your range

There is only so much you can negotiate with a vendor, so be realistic with your expectations. If a vendor you love is way over your price range, be prepared to look for other options. This vendor may even be able to refer you to someone who can work within your budget. Shop around and you should be able to find the right person for the job. Just make sure you start early and have enough time to research.

Be open-minded about options, and everything will work out

If you have your mind set on working with a particular vendor, but your budget doesn’t allow it, try to work out a solution with the vendor. Some vendors will be open to working on a lower budget if you allow them full freedom to work their magic with what is available within this price. You will have to communicate what is important to you, and they will execute their plan, with that in mind.

At Best for Bride, we can help you with every wedding planning need. Get in touch with us, and we can help you find the right deal for your budget, and plan the dream wedding you always wanted. What are you waiting for, come visit us today!

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3 Tips to help you stay calm on your wedding day

So, your long-awaited wedding day is finally here! Yay! But, why is it that you suddenly find yourself a bundle of nerves?

Don’t worry, this is nothing unexpected. Most brides find themselves buckling under the pressure of the events that are to unravel and can hear their heartbeat in their head even as their wedding day approaches. If you think the pressure of your wedding day will be too much to handle, these tips will help you calm down a little and relax as you enjoy this lifetime celebration of yours.

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Set your schedule for the wedding day in advance

It is a great idea to plan and organize what you will do and at what time, before you set out on your wedding day. Allot a reasonable time frame to each activity and make sure that you stick to it on the day. Divide your schedule into an organized list of activities that you can follow in the same sequence on the day, and get ready on time. You can begin making this list well ahead of time, and refine it to be just right by the time of your wedding eve. Make sure the schedule isn’t jam packed, and you have some buffer to relax. Also, put all the things you need to get ready in place on the night before the wedding day, so you do not have to stress over where something is on the day itself.

Start the day early and on the right note

You have an idea of how long it will take you to get dressed and be out of the door. Set your alarm an extra hour early, and begin the day on a relaxed note by indulging in a long warm shower or doing some meditation. This extra time will allow you to compose yourself and be better prepared for the demands of the day. Don’t do anything that is wedding-related at this time, and you will find yourself better prepared for the rest of the day. Have a good, healthy breakfast and plenty of water to hydrate yourself. Stick to the allotted time, but make sure that you do not let your mind wander towards unwanted thoughts of things that can go wrong.

Be prepared for every situation

As you may have heard already, the most unexpected things can happen on the actual day. Whether it is a weather problem or vendor issue, the best way to handle it is to be prepared for anything and everything. Plan for every worst case scenario you can think of. Once you know you have a plan in place, you can handle the stress better, should things indeed take a turn for the worse. Set up an emergency kit, or buy one online so you are covered for any wedding dress mishaps. Follow up with your wedding vendors ahead of time to ensure everything is progressing as per plan. Check on your bridesmaids to make sure they know when and where they have to be at any point of time. Run your checklist by your mother or maid of honor and add anything that you may have missed.

With all luck, everything should go well, and you will not have to struggle with anything you worried about. For more information on how to plan your wedding, or to choose your wedding dress to look great on your wedding day, visit us on Best for Bride.

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Bridal Manicure : Do’s and Don’ts

As a bride, you have to plan everything from head to toe, to look flawless and fantastic on your wedding day. This includes your nails. From classic French manicures to gloriously glittered nail art, you can have anything you want on your hands. The choice is yours!

To make things easy for the beautiful bride, here is a roundup of all the things you need to consider when preparing for your wedding manicure. Check it out!

Try, try, try; and then try some more

Don’t stick to the age-old French manicure for your wedding, unless it is the only thing that you are satisfied with. Try on multiple colors, designs and even file your nails in various shapes till you zero-in on the one look that suits you best. If you want to play it safe with a single color that goes with your wedding dress, make sure you test various shades to locate the perfect match that suits your skin tone.

If you will be changing outfits for the ceremony and reception, pick a shade or design that will be suitable for both dresses. Another thing to consider is the color of your wedding bouquet. Your nails should match the colors of the flowers in it.

Don’t skimp on nail polish or nail care products

Shell out a few extra bucks for a better product that will last longer. Also, make sure you get multiple bottles. You will need one for the bridal manicure session, one for your emergency bridal kit and another to go into your honeymoon travel bag. If you are getting your manicure at a salon, make sure you take your bottle along, so you get the entire work completed, even if the salon has run out of your chosen shade.

Should your nail chip at the last moment, having an extra bottle will make sure you are prepared for this emergency. Similarly, make it a point to get good hand and nail care products for your wedding. This includes cuticle oil, hand moisturizers and nail varnish removers.

Get your nails done just in time

This simply has to wait till the last minute. It is recommended that you get a gel manicure just the day before your wedding, so it lasts through your wedding, and will even see you through your honeymoon. Gel manicures do not chip, but that doesn’t mean you can be too safe. Always have that extra bottle handy, should you need it at any time.

Prep for your manicure by taking good care of your hands

Your hands, and nails, will receive personal attention in several wedding photographs. Be prepared to show them off in your wedding bands, holding the bouquet and when cutting the cake. If you want them to look pretty and polished, spare some TLC on your hands. Do not bite or chew your nails. Rub cuticle oil into the nail beds regularly, and use a good hand moisturizer from today, so your hands look supple and smooth in time for the wedding.

Follow these tips, and you will be ready to nail it on your wedding day with fantastic looking hands.

For more wedding tips and all your wedding shopping needs, visit Best for Bride.