Without further ado, here is some valuable advice from an expert on how to select your photographer!

1. It’s important to not get caught up in the sales approach! Ask the photographer to show one or two complete weddings – preferably of the venue that you are getting married at. Typically this will be 500-800 images from a single event, which should demonstrate how professional and consistent the photographer is throughout the wedding day. Since most studios are digital these days, it shouldn’t be a problem asking to see complete weddings. If a couple is expecting to receive 500 images, they should not be disappointed when only 50-100 images are acceptable to them when they look at the proofs. The more images shot on the day, the better! It’s also worth asking when the proofs are be ready after the wedding – Typically it’s 3-6 weeks.

2. Meeting a photographer at their studio doesn’t necessarily mean that the person you meet with is going to be the photographer who shows up on the wedding day. In the contract, I would recommend the name of the photographer be written in, since many studios have more than one photographer. The photographer should also have liability insurance. There are some venues that require this from their vendors, because if anyone were to get injured by tripping on photo equipment, the couple and venue should not be held responsible. Also, it’s not unreasonable to ask how the photographer will be dressing the day of the wedding.

3. Meet with 3-6 photographers, and don’t be pressured to sign a contract.  At the same time, don’t wait until that last minute to hire one. I recommend hiring a photographer 6 months to a year before their wedding. Also, it is perfectly acceptable for couples to contact the studio with any additional questions after their initial meeting, as well as having a final meeting prior to the wedding to confirm details.  I prefer meeting in person at the studio two weeks before the wedding to finalize everything and create the timeline. Once a timeline has been made, I recommend asking the photographer to send you a copy by email, so you can forward it on to your other vendors. This will help to cut down on mishaps on the day of the wedding. The photographer is probably going to be spending more time with the couple than any other vendor on the wedding day, so good communication and compatibility is key.

4. The wedding day is one of the most important moments in a couple’s life. They should feel comfortable enough to discuss anything with the photographer, especially shooting style. Technically if a photographer captures images digitally, which the majority of us do, ask if the images are to captured in the raw format. The raw format is a much better way of working during the editing process, and will lead to amazing photographs. Once raw images are edited, they can be converted to jpegs for simplicity.

5. Lastly, referrals are always a good way of finding a photographer. If this is not possible, the Internet is a good way of seeing if the photographer is respected by the industry. Just because an individual owns a $5000 digital camera, doesn’t necessarily mean that they know how to use it.

 We want to thank Yves for being our guest blogging guinea pig. Keep checking back to the blog to see some posts from other great vendors in the area!

WHITE symbolizes purity and cleanliness. In western cultures, white is a symbol of innocence, and in eastern cultures it is a symbol of mourning. White creates a feeling of openness, so if you are planning a wedding in a small venue, consider white drapery for your walls to create an illusion of space.

BLACK represents sophistication, power, and in some cultures, is symbolic of life or rebirth. It is a very versatile color, and can be paired with almost any color to create the look you might be going for. While not for the faint of heart, black can add the perfect amount of elegance to any event.

RED represents excitement, passion, and intensity. Red creates strong emotions and grabs attention. Red causes a rise in heart rate and blood pressure and is known to spark one’s romantic side. Another bold color selection, red certainly isn’t for everybody, but it adds elegance and romance when it is done right. And what girl does’t love a RED rose?

 ORANGE is vibrant, exciting, and energetic. It creates a playful environment, and grabs the guests attention right away. Orange is also very eye catching and comes in multiple shades, that ensures it is a color that will look good on any skin tone.

YELLOW is cheery, warm and alert, but be careful! Bright yellow can be fatiguing to the eyes and can create feelings anger and frustration. But, if your heart is set on bright yellow, try using it as an accent color instead of a main color for your wedding. It will bring those feelings of cheeriness, without the pesky eye fatigue.

GREEN represents nature, health, and tranquility. It also creates a calming effect, relieves stress, and helps with the healing process. Green also symbolizes growth, which is perfect for a wedding where two people will begin their lives “growing” together!

BLUE symbolizes peace, trust, and loyalty. It is an extremely popular and neutral color, and it is easy to see why!  The sight of the color blue has been know to lower one’s pulse and body temperature, and can lend the feeling of serenity to any event. Shades of blue are typically easy on the eyes and are universally flattering on any skin tone.

PURPLE represents royalty, wisdom, and wealth. It is an exotic color commonly associated with extravagance and luxury, and it also creates a spiritual connection for some people. It is a very popular color used for event lighting, as it adds drama to the room, without being too bright. Purple is an eye catching, and pleasing color that will accent a white bridal gown beautifully.

PINK symbolizes joy, tranquility, and love. Pink represents a sweet and gentle nature and plays a very essential role in the world of love and romance. Although pink is a shade of red, it is less intense and pairs well with other pastel shades. Pink is a beautiful color for an indoor or outdoor wedding!

What colors will you pick for your wedding day? Let us know!

The couple chose a color palette of pink and purple which can be seen in the gorgeous flower arrangements, that were made by Adam’s mom! Didn’t they turn out wonderfully? The combination of beautiful roses and vibrant day lilies really made the arrangements pop.

The couple had a lot of little touches that were on trend, just like the signage above. We think these personalized signs are so cute, and they work perfectly in a rustic setting like Murrieta’s Well.

Natasha and Adam had their reception inside the barn, which they wanted to dress up a little bit. Our champagne GOBO washes on the walls really helped complement their pink and purple color scheme. The addition of one of our 12 Light Crystal Chandeliers over their sweetheart table adds a little intimacy and romance.

Congratulations Adam and Natasha!

• Santorini is known for its gorgeous sunsets, rich Greek cuisine, and breathtaking views. It seems that Santorini is custom made for honeymooners! You can enjoy kicking back on red and black sandy beaches, or strolling the beautiful towns all along the coast soaking up all of Santorini’s wonderful history. Located about 100 miles southeast from the mainland of Greece, couples have the opportunity to explore both the Greek Isles, as well as mainland Greece. Greek is a country where antiquity meets edginess, and Santorini is the epitome of that! Explore Greek ruins by day, and party the night away at a modern club situated right on the beach.

• Maui is always a popular honeymoon spot with jungles to explore, volcanoes to tour, and plenty of trails for you and your sweetie to hike and horseback ride. Maui is a great place for the two of you to relax with gorgeous sandy beaches, cute little towns to stroll through, and luxurious spa resorts to take advantage of. If Maui is your honeymoon choice be sure to spend an evening at the Old Lahaina Luau. It is one of the most popular things to do in Maui and if you haven’t been to a Luau before, this is the one to be at! You’ll dine on a traditional meal of roasted pork, Pulehu steak, lomi lomi salmon, and a local delicacy known as poi, which you HAVE to try. You will witness plenty of hula dancing and other entertainment all set along the water front at sunset.

•  Venice is, in one word, enchanting. The “city of water” and it’s breathtaking Grand Canal offer water taxis and intimate gondolas to tour around this beautiful city in one of the world’s most romantic countries. Taxi-ing through the waters of Venice, you may hear a faint violinist playing as you drift underneath the Ponte deli Scalzi (Bridge of the Barefoot).  This city is filled with ancient bridges, intriguing storefronts that you can’t help but visit, and mouth-wateringly delicious food. It is said that one of the world’s best sunrise spots is at St. Mark’s Piazza in Venice, so you can’t miss that! Another plus- there’s no need to rent a car on this honeymoon, because traveling by canal or on foot is the only mode of transportation!

• Turks & Caicos is another beautiful get away for any newlywed couple! White sand beaches with crystal clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and a light hearted, fun loving atmosphere are perfect for those beach loving couples, who just want to chill with a cocktail on a beach somewhere. It is an exclusive and secluded hot spot offering some of the world’s best conch fritters and steamed Caribbean lobster, which can be enjoyed at any of the local seafood spots. More adventurous couples will enjoy taking advantage of some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling locales of the Caribbean.  With 40 islands and cays, this destination has so much to offer!

• Paris is a bride’s ultimate dream honeymoon paradise. Known as the city of love, the city of lights, and the city of fashion, Paris will make for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. Lined with cobblestone streets, and some of the worlds most beautiful architectural sights and divine cuisine, Paris is considered THE lovers paradise. Dining atop the famous Eiffel Tower, touring the Musée du Louvre, and visiting the Notre-Dame Cathedral are only a small selection of the excursions that await you in Paris. No matter what activities you plan, Paris will never cease to amaze you and your hunny!

• Bora Bora is said to be “the most beautiful island in the world” by James Michener, author of Tales of the South Pacific. It may be on the pricier side, but this six mile long, 2.5 mile wide island is filled with volcanoes, lush jungles, and a plethora of marine life filling the lagoon. There is so much for a couple of newly weds to do on this gorgeous island! From renting jet skis, to dining in – yes I said IN – the water, or just relaxing on the sandy Matira Beach, this tropical island paradise is a must see. Private resort bungalows line the beach and offer the perfect amount of privacy and breathtaking views for any honey mooner!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Rachel and Donnie really wanted to create an intimate and romantic space in the Barrel Room for their ceremony, and having the drapery in the ceiling was a great way to achieve that look. Add some GOBO patterns down the aisle and a Custom Monogram GOBO on the wall, and we had achieved the look they were going for!

Rachel and Donnie had seen photos of our 12′x12′ beaded chandelier, and LOVED it….but they wanted to take it up a notch to create a dramatic centerpiece in the Ballroom. This was the perfect opportunity to nest our 9′x9′ beaded chandelier inside the 12′x12′! We are obsessed with how this chandelier photographs. It looks like rain!

Congratulations Rachel and Donnie! We wish you two nothing but happiness in your future together!

]]> http://fantasysound.com/rachel-and-donnie-get-married-on-new-years-eve-at-the-palm-event-center/feed 0 http://fantasysound.com/drapery-and-gobo-washes-at-the-palm-event-center-5 http://fantasysound.com/drapery-and-gobo-washes-at-the-palm-event-center-5#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:09:41 +0000 lindsay http://fantasysound.com/?p=5197

Photo by Brandon Wong Photography

Photo by Brandon Wong Photography

Photo by Brandon Wong Photography

Photo by Brandon Wong Photography

Photo by Brandon Wong Photography