Some Great Advice From First Coast Weddings and Events

You’re Engaged! Now What? Five Things To Do Right Away

Published by heather on December 27th, 2011 in Coordinating, Helpful Tips.

Re-posted from the First Coast Weddings and Events blog -
Congratulations! He popped the question, and you said yes. (Maybe the ring is a pretty sapphire stunner inspired by this year’s royal wedding!) Your head is probably swirling with a million ideas. We’ve put together a list of the top five things you should do BEFORE anything else – even before picking out a dress or looking at venues!

1. Let Your Families Know. Start with your parents, and set up a time for them to meet each other if they haven’t already. Next, share the news with siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And of course your best friends! Once you’ve made these personal announcements, you can make it “Facebook official” and let everyone else in the world know.
2. Get Your Ring Insured. This is a step most brides and grooms don’t think about. If you have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, talk to your agent about adding the ring to your policy. You’ll probably need an appraisal, and the original purchase receipt.
3. Talk About Dates. Even if you don’t have “the” date picked out, you should discuss a general time of year, and whether you will be willing to have a Friday or Sunday wedding. Talk about dates with your families, and also with your officiant or house of worship to make sure you avoid any religious holidays.
4. Make a Guest List. You’ll need input from your families here too! Ask each set of parents to make their own guest list, and combine them with yours. From this wish list, you can scale down if necessary. It’s important to have a ballpark idea of how many guests will be invited before you start looking at venues, and of course for budgeting purposes.
5. Come Up With A Budget. If your families will be contributing financially, talk to them about the amounts they are comfortable with. Make a list of your priorities (drop-dead photography, incredible food, over-the-top florals) and then start breaking down your budget based on those priorities. You may want to use an online calculator like the one on WeddingWire.com to help you get started.

Once you have these steps taken care of, you can start looking at wedding gowns, interviewing wedding planners, and searching for the perfect location for your big day.

Thanks First Coast Weddings and Events for some great advice.  Be sure to contact them.  They will make your wedding planning stress-free!

Helpful Tips For Hiring A Wedding Photographer

Congratulations!  He popped the question and you said YES!    Here are a few helpful tips when interviewing and hiring your Wedding Photographer.  Since you are on a photographers blog I will be
telling you my qualifications.  We would love to talk with your about your photography needs for
your special day.



1)  Establish your budget for wedding photography.  That being said bear in mind that price should
NOT be the only reason for hiring a photographer.  The old adage you get what you pay for is  usually true.

"Your limo is here.  You said get the cheapest one I could get." (photo shared by Laugh It Out)


2) Make sure your photographer is a professional. This is a once in a lifetime event and you do not
want to trust your images to a "weekend warrior". I encourage you to hire a photographer that is
 active with the local, state, and national professional organizations.  I am a Nationally Certified
 Professional Photographer.  Less than 3% of professional photographers have earned this
 certification.  I belong to all professional organizations and sit on the board of directors for the
 Jacksonville Professional Photographers Group.


3) Determine what style of photography you like. The different styles include:
    Traditional- This includes a more formal style of photographey. Images are posed (i.e. the
    family and bridal party alter images, formal bride and groom images, cake cutting, etc)
    Photojournalistic- This is more of a "reporter style" of photography. The photographer captures
    moments as they happen.

  Most brides like a combination of both styles. If this is your preference make sure that the
  photographer knows how to comfortably pose you for the formal images. 


4)  Make an appointment to meet with the photographer at their place of business.  Notice their work they have on display.  Make sure that the images are properly exposed.  One quick way to tell is if there are details in the whites and the darks.  The bridal gown should not be a "hot glowing" and the darks should not be so black that there are no highlights.  You want to make sure that the beading, lace, and other details are shown in your images.



5) Ask to see a complete wedding album from a single wedding.  You want to see the photographer's work for an entire event, not just a few of their best images.  Again check to make sure that the images are properly exposed, do you like the style, are the images creative to name a few things.



6)  Ask how many weddings they photograph a day.  We only accept one wedding per day.  Weddings
tend to run behind and I do not want to cut one wedding short or be late to the next one.  That is  not fair to anyone involved!



7)  Ask if they carry back-up equipment.  I carry duplicates of every piece of equipment that I use.
If a camera or lens fails you will not even know.  The replacement is there and we can continue 
without interruption.



8)  Last but certainly not least.... Make sure you like your photographer.  They are the vendor you will be interacting with the most on your wedding day.  If there a personality clashes that is not good for anyone.


I hope you find these tips helpful.  We would love to speak with you.  Call us 904-704-7071 to schedule an appoinment. 



.

Wishing You and Yours a Merry Christmas

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.  We are honored by the trust that our clients place in us.


We will be closed December 24th, 25th, and 26th to celebrate with our families.  we will by available by appointment only december 17th-30th.


We are closed December 31-January 2nd to celebrate the new year  Normal business hours
will resume January 3, 2012.


Look for some exciting new sets and ideas in 2012!  It's going to be a great year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tequila Christmas Cake

Thanks to Divine Design Cake Boutique for sharing their famous recipe!

Once again this year, I've had requests for my Tequila Christmas Cake recipe so here goes: 

1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1 cup brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
Nuts
1 bottle tequila
2 cups dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. Take a large bowl; check the tequila again to be sure it is of the highest quality. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point, it is best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eegs and add to the bowl and chuck iin the cup of dried fruit. Pick the fruit up off the floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit getas stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the tequila to test for tonsisticity. Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something. Check the tequila. Now shift the lemon ice strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 s and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe the counter with the cat.

Cherry Mristmas

Home For The Holidays

Our Home For The Holidays Campaign is going strong.  Many families have taken advantage of having a family portrait created in their home.  as our flyer states your home is the perfect backdrop to add a personal touch to your portrait.  And now is the best time to uodate your family portrait...  when everyone is gathered for the holidays.

Call our studio today to schedule your session.  If you do not a portrait in your home we can offer an on-location or studio session.  Like us on facebook and we will give you 50% off our session fee.

Winter Wonderland Is Coming!!!!

                    
                       Winter Wonderland Is Coming!

Grab your child's winter sweaters, coat, hat, scarf, and mittens and join us in our winter wonderland set.  Your child will love playing in the snow, making snowballs, and playing with our sled and ice skates.  Frosty The Snowman will even be there for your child's enjoyment.

This session is being offered Friday December 9th and Saturday December 10th.  Call 904-704-7071 today to schedule your session.  Hurry.... sessions will not last long with this adorable winter scene!

Not a Kouture Kids member?   Ask about our special pricing for this set.