2018-01-31

Smart Tips To Choose The Perfect Banquet For Your Wedding

So, he finally he popped the most awaited question and you finally said yes!

Congratulations!

What next?

Undoubtedly the wedding preparations. I don’t mean to stress you out but it’s seriously an understatement to say that you’ll have thousands of things to look after so as to make the most important event of your life a success! So, it’s time you get working with every little detail right from your wedding dress to the venue.

Specifically talking about the wedding venue, a perfect one is crucial for a memorable celebration. For most of us, a banquet hall is a standard location for a wedding and even for corporate events. No matter whether you wish to get married in your hometown or that of your would-be hubby, a banquet hall can be the best and the most reasonable option. However, choosing the one that fits all your requirements would take a lot of hard work.

Ahan! That doesn’t mean you’ve got to worry about it. Here are the best tips to help you out with the same. You may thank us later (wink)!

Start your search well in time:

It’s all about timing.

You start well in time and you end up grabbing the best options!

You keep on delaying it and you’ll have to settle for something that is just “okay”.

So, when searching for a perfect banquet hall for your wedding, it is important to start your search early enough to grab the best offer. The reason behind this advice is that just like wedding designers or photographers, the banquets are also booked months in advance. So, if you’ve always wished to get married at one of those popular banquets in your city, you may simply lose out on the opportunity to do so!

Create a guest list:

Yes, that’s what you should start with!

Before deciding the location or venue or the banquet, prepare a guest list. Pick up a pen and a paper and jot down the names of all your relatives whom you wish to be there on the most auspicious day of your life. Also, it is advisable to start with the most important names. Creating a short list will make it easy to add on the names as and when you feel like.

Wondering how it would help?

Well, a guest list that’s prepared well in advance will help you get the other things sorted with utter ease. The list will help you get a clear idea about the number of people going to attend your wedding. Moreover, it will help narrow down your search for an appropriate banquet hall for your wedding.

Decide the location:

Already have a dream wedding destination?

Do you wish to get married in your hometown or your would be better half’s or is it some far away destination?

If you’ve not yet decided the location, sit down and have a meaningful conversation with your would-be hubby about the same. However, you need to be careful about the location you’re choosing. Just make sure that you know the location well and that the guests can reach there easily without any problem.

Other factors to be considered while deciding the location is whether it is connected to the main road and public transportation. Lastly, consider the parking and transportation cost as well.

Set a budget:

Once you’ve created a guest list, it’s time to indulge in some serious research. Now that you have an idea about how spacious a banquet you require, you may search online or even ask your near and dear ones for suggestions.

While searching for an appropriate banquet, you may apply another filter apart from the capacity and location. Have a clear idea of how much you are ready to spend and then search for the banquets that fall in that range.

Try and explore different choices and get estimated cost of the wedding ceremony for the number of people you are going to invite. Once that’s done, compare all the available options so as to grab the best possible deal.

Choose an appropriately sized banquet hall:

The size of the banquet you will be booking matters a lot!

You ask me why?

Okay let me ask you two simple questions:

i) Do you want your guests to feel cramped and uncomfortable with little or no place to move?

ii) Do you want your guests to feel ill at ease due to more than a space that’s required to accommodate all of your guests?

Your answer to both these questions would surely be a big NO! Isn’t it?

But that’s what will happen if you choose a banquet with a capacity smaller than what you need or larger than required respectively. So, it’s advisable that you keep your guest list handy and consider the number of people who will be attending the event. When you have an exact idea of how many people will be coming, you can make a clear decision about which wedding hall to hire. This will actually help choose a wedding hall that best suits the size of your party.

Check for availability:

This is yet another reason why you need to start searching your wedding banquet well in time.

As a matter of fact, there are a number of banquets that may not be available at the time of year you hope to marry. Suppose you wish to marry in winters and the place where the banquet is located becomes isolated during those months due to heavy snowfall. Or you may wish to marry during the monsoon when some other banquet is not available due to the transportation issues due to fog.

So, that clearly means, it’s no use booking that banquet for your D-day and you should look for some other option.

Pay attention to the interiors:

A negative publicity would be the last thing you would like to get on the most important day of your life. In fact, it’s more of a nightmare for anyone! But unfortunately, that’s what you would be getting if you do not pay attention to the interiors of the banquet you are about to book.

Make sure that the banquet you choose is clean, modern, and well cared for. Though you may feel that the decorations can cover up for all the imperfections, if the venue itself is dilapidated you simply won’t have much to work with.

So, make sure that the interiors of the banquet are in their best condition so as that they light up with the decorations later.

Get a clear idea of the amenities that are offered:

As a matter of fact, most wedding halls provide basic amenities for their clients which include seating furniture and basic decorations. If you are looking for add-ons like audio/visual equipment, charging stations or free Wi-Fi, it’s best to mention it to the banquet director.

You may indulge in a meaningful conversation and talk about facilities such as ample parking, restrooms, caterer wares and other necessities. If they do not provide these additional amenities, you may have to look after them on your own.

Make sure if you can work with your own choices:

There are a number of places that work exclusively with specific caterers, bar services or audiovisual providers. Is your chosen banquet one of them?

Well, if yes, then you’ll probably have to drop the idea of hiring your favorite DJ for your wedding. In a dissimilar scenario, the management may allow you to work with your choice of caterers or entertainers but only after you pay extra for that. If you are okay with that, you are good to go!

Ask the necessary questions well in advance:

Wondering what questions?

Questions like:

i) Is the venue booked for other weddings on the same date and time?

ii) If yes, what arrangements will be made to keep your guests at ease?

You may either rely on what’s being told or simply visit the wedding hall on a night when more than one event is taking place so as to get a better idea. If you are satisfied with the arrangements, you may consider taking the booking process forward. In case, what you see doesn’t please you, you may simply move on to other options.

Ensure that the management can efficiently handle your menu demands:

Depending on the theme and style of your wedding, you may opt for a formal sit-down meal or a more casual buffet style set up.

You may wish to serve finger foods and cocktails or a daytime luncheon depending upon your decided budget. You may further have your own concerns regarding gluten-free and vegetarian or vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.

Whatever your menu requirements are, just make sure that your chosen banquet service is efficient enough in handling them. Ensure they are particular about the labeling if both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are served. Also, confirm that hygiene tops their priority list.

Make arrangements for your wee hours’ celebrations:

Your D-day is obviously the most important day of your life. You might wish to enjoy the day to its fullest, won’t you?

But what if the wedding hall you wish to book doesn’t allow that?

So, instead of being unsure of it, it’s better to make sure the venue doesn’t have an early curfew. Make sure that you are well aware of the rules and regulations of the banquet and the area around so as to plan everything accordingly.

Learn about the tiniest things that may throw your event off:

Make it a point to consider anything and everything that might throw your event off.

Ensure a transparent communication with the banquet owner. Confirm everything from the deposit fees to the final payment due dates so as to make sure that it doesn’t hurt your budget in any case.

Try and negotiate:

There’s nothing bad about negotiating! All that you need to remember while doing so is- don’t be the first to state a number!

Yes, just sit back and allow the banquet director to give you a start price. Once you’ve got a number, go on a negotiating spree. Simply tell him that you just can’t go with the range that he just specified though you love his work.

In case, the banquet director asks about your budget instead of stating a number, offer a lower price than your actual budget. Also, try to give the impression that you are considering other options as well. This will help negotiate further.

Consider visiting the shortlisted options:

This is indeed an important thing to do. You won’t really get to know the place unless and until you visit it personally.

So, get out there and visit all the places that you’ve shortlisted and meet the managers. This will not only help get to know the place better but also let you know if the property owners are professional enough to make your D-day a success.

As an additional advice, consider observing how long it takes for them to reply to your email requests or calls. The more time they take, the more lightly they tend to take their responsibilities. So, you know what’s the best thing to do in that case, right?

Get all the terms and conditions drafted into a contract:

Once you have finally made the choice for the wedding banquet hall, it’s time to take that last step. Ask the property owner to draft a sample. Thereafter, take the time to study each clause.

There’s no harm in being a little extra sure about everything that you’ll be investing your money and time in. Go through each and every point mentioned in the contract right from the requirement of minimum food and beverage fees to the availability of an option to switch rooms. If you feel you are okay with all the terms and conditions, you may simply sign the contract and book the venue.

Here’s an additional advice for you:

Do not forget to enjoy the most special day of your life to its fullest.

Hope this article helps you with your wedding planning and you thank us later (wink)! Congratulations in advance!

Source : Party Vapours

Wedding Planning,Banquet Halls For Wedding,How To Choose A Wedding Hall,Tips To Book The Best Wedding Banquet

2018-01-30

Clever Hacks To Hire The Best Catering Service For Your Wedding

Caterers Weddings How To Choose The Best Wedding Catering Service Tips To Hire The Best Wedding Caterer Wedding Catering Service

Let me tell you a secret today- There’s something that your wedding guests may be concerned about more than your costly wedding decor or magnificent wedding attire or even your ultra expensive jewelry!

Wondering what it is?

It’s the catering service that you’ll be hiring for your big day!

They say- The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

That’s true for everyone present at the event. Your wedding guests may or may not remember what you wore or how gorgeous you looked on your D-day. They may appreciate the glitzy decoration and all the other impeccable arrangements. But the delicacies they taste at your wedding will be stuck in their minds and taste buds for a much longer time! So, if you fail to hire a great catering service for such an important day of your life, you may simply screw up all the memories for yourself as well as your guests.

Food is undoubtedly the most integral part of any occasion, be it a wedding or a corporate event. In fact, for most of the people, it’s actually the reason they are going to an event! So, it’s imperative that you choose the best catering service so as to make your wedding a day to remember for you and your guests alike!

But how do you do that? Want to know? Read on.

Create a list of all the elements you require:

You obviously want everything to be perfect at your wedding, don’t you? So, why not make a plan?

Startup by creating a list of needs for the party. This will help employ an organized approach towards your ultimate goal. Mention everything starting from the date and time of your wedding to the venue to the choice of dishes to be served and so on.

Make sure that your list of needs is well-written. Further, ensure that it is consistent throughout all of your conversations with the various catering companies. This will help get the most appropriate quotes from the catering companies.

Let a number of proposals flow in:

Once you have specified your needs like the number of guests you are expecting, the kind of event you are planning, let a number of proposals from catering companies flow in. This will help have a number of options to choose from.

When you are done shortlisting the catering companies, it’s time to weed out the most inappropriate choices. Just filter all the proposals as per your requirements. Compare and contrast the cost, service, and menu options.

Consider the preferred venue list provided by your wedding venue:

As a matter of fact, there are a number of venues that have a preferred vendors list. It may or may not be a compulsion to work with one of the listed caterers. However, here’s a fact that you should consider before opting out of the catering services provided by the venue.

The fact is- those wedding caterers would be familiar with things that may go wrong. Their experience in catering for that particular venue may help you put up an impeccable event. Also, you never know, those vendors may even have a number of privileges that they can offer you!

Watch out your budget:

Now that’s one of the most important aspects of hiring a catering service for your wedding. So, it’s imperative that you are clear about your budget.

Once you have decided a budget, let the caterers know about your budget so that they can customize the package according to your requirement. Watch out the kind of communication they have and clarify all your doubts so that you don’t have any hidden costs to be paid for, on the very day of celebration.

Check for availability:

How would you feel if all your wedding guests are waiting for the delicacies to be served and your caterer is nowhere to be seen?

Sounds quite horrifying, doesn’t it?

Well, that’s what happens when you fail to ensure the availability of your wedding caterer for your D-day! Also, it’s a fact that just like the wedding designers or photographers, the caterers are booked faster than you could imagine. So, it’s advisable to fix the caterers beforehand to avoid any sort of confusion and embarrassment.

Ensure the quality and sustainability:

Nobody would want their guests being admitted due to food poisoning right after the event is over! So, it’s very important to ensure the quality and sustainability of everything that’ll be served.

Go for a catering service that offers you amazing presentation and soul-satisfying taste. The best kind of catering service is the one that’s flexible enough to let you customize the menu just the way you want.

Indulge in a thorough research:

Rather than relying on what the catering services claim, indulge in a deep research and find out what the customers have to say. People who have used their services know the best as to what kind of services the companies provide. So, try and leverage WOM.

Go through the online reviews, testimonials and other proofs so as to get deeper insights into the company’s services.

Track down the past clients for a better investigation:

Yes, investigation! After all, you wouldn’t want to be fooled by a catering company! It’s important to go through the online reviews when searching for any service online but that shouldn’t be the only thing to rely upon.

The reason?

Well, that’s because online reviews may or may not be authentic. Thanks to the hater clients and the fake reviewers. You can’t really figure out as to which catering company is good or great! That’s why you’ll need to go a step further and track down some past clients of the caterers you are considering. Reach out to them and indulge in some meaningful conversations. This will ensure that you are getting the straight story.

Make sure to visit the catering office:

It’s important for you to be able to trust the catering company you are about to hire. That’s how you’ll be able to collaborate better and put up a great event! However, credibility doesn’t come easy!

So, it’s advisable that you visit the office of the caterers you are considering before you hire them. This will help you know if they have a clean and hygienic kitchen and a professional staff.

Once you are confident enough about their professionalism and you’ve identified the quality and service you should expect at your own event, you may proceed the booking process.

Ask for catering pictures for past assignments:

Wy catering pictures?

Well, there are a number of reasons. These pictures can:

i) give you an idea of how their events are generally set up

ii) help you get a better understanding of their work elements from service ware to those finishing touches

iii) help you know the caterers’ specialties and decide what all you would like to inculcate in your wedding.

Review the menu:

Time for a reality check- All catering services are not necessarily suitable for all kinds of events!

So, the best solution is to choose the one that best suits your requirements. Review the menu that the catering services provide and don’t forget to inquire them about their specialties.

Be clear about your budget, preferences, dietary restrictions and so on. Communicate all your requirements to the caterers and make sure that you’ll be provided with what you’ve specified.

Do not go overboard with the menu:

While reviewing catering options, you’ll get a hell lot of options to choose from. You’ll see a wide variety of starters, main course dishes, desserts, beverages and more. You’ll be tempted to include more and more of those dishes into your wedding menu.

But hey! What about your budget? Do you wish to burn holes in your pockets?

Obviously not! So, make sure that you don’t go over your catering budget. Doing so will not only eat away at your money but also cause chaos at your event pressurizing your catering company to live up to your expectations.

Figure out who is in-charge of rental equipment:

The seating arrangements are crucial when it comes to wedding planning. You obviously do not wish to get that last minute shock of a party with mouthwatering delicacies but no seating arrangements, isn’t it?

Well, that’s why you need to figure out beforehand who is in-charge of the rental equipment, such as tables, chairs, linens, silverware and more.

Choose an experienced catering team:

The newbies in the catering business may offer a number of enticing offers that you may fall for. But your wedding day is obviously not the time to skimp on quality, right?

So, it’s better you opt for an experienced catering team to serve your guests on the most special day of your life. A highly professional catering company with an experience in delivering exceptional and inspired weddings and events will ensure you a mishap-free event.

Be mindful of the staff you require:

You wouldn’t want your wedding guests to keep waiting with empty glasses or growling tummies, right?

But that’s what happens when you run out of staff. So, it’s imperative that you have a clear idea of the amount of staff you will need for your event. For this, you’ll need to discuss your plans with the head of catering.

Depending on the event type and scale, the head of catering can help you be sure of the staff required and can further help ensure that all your requirements will be met.

Conduct 2-3 tasting sessions:

This is necessary to ensure that the caterer you choose delivers the best version of what you want on the most special day of your life. So, it’s advisable to set up 2-3 tasting session with each of the shortlisted caterers.

These sessions will not only allow you to fully understand the quality, style, and presentation of their food but will also help choose the best one of all. Moreover, you’ll be able to know how professional a company is and how seriously it takes the hygiene.

Be sure if you wish to serve your own drinks or catered ones:

As far as the booze is concerned, there is no hard and fast rule as to what you should be doing. The only thing to be kept in mind is that you have enough of booze until the end of the event!

You may opt for a catered beverages if the service falls in your decided budget. This will include everything from the hard drinks to the glassware to the chilling, serving and washing services. However, if all of this exceeds your budget, you may simply supply all the booze yourself. It may save you some money on booze but you’ll still have to pay the caterer for beverage management.

Whether you decide to bring your own booze or opt for catered beverages, just make sure that you do not run out of drinks before the event ends. Especially if you decide to supply the beverages yourself, ask your caterer for advice on quantities required.

Ensure the flexibility of the catering company:

The key to an impeccable wedding planning is transparency. Whether it’s your designer or makeup artist or the caterer, make sure you are clear regarding whatever you require.

Also, make sure that the catering service that you are about to hire is capable of anticipating all your special requirements. Indulge in a meaningful discussion with the catering company and figure out how they handle dietary restrictions, on-site changes, late additions and other such changes.

Once you are sure that your wedding caterer is flexible enough to adjust according to your requirements, you may proceed with the bookings.

Be careful with the contract:

Once you’ve finalized a catering service, get each and every detail drafted into a document. Ensure that everything from the selected menus to the number of servings to the beverage service details is jotted down in the contract so that there’s no confusion at the last minute.

Now that you have the most effective tips for you, you can easily hunt for the best catering service in town!

Source : Party Vapours

Caterers,Weddings,How To Choose The Best Wedding Catering Service,Tips To Hire The Best Wedding Caterer,Wedding Catering Service

2018-01-24

Myths Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Stop Believing Right Away!

Weddings Wedding Photographer Wedding Photography Myths Wedding Photography Myths Debunked

So, you’ve booked a breathtaking venue for your wedding, hired the best designer and makeup artist in town, chosen the best-suited catering service and even suggested your choice of the bridesmaid dresses.

But what about the wedding photographer?

Your wedding will be a few days long affair but the stills captured would remain with you for life. All those candid moments would be treasured for life so that you can live all those moments over and over again, each time you open your wedding album. You would want to have the best of them, won’t you?

But what if the things do not end up the way you expected them to?

It’s a fact sweety! All your wedding memories may simply be ruined for life if you fall a prey to the ever so famous wedding photography myths! Here are the top myths that every wedding photographer seriously wants you to stop believing right away!

Myth #1: I can book the wedding photographer once everything else is done!:

Well, if that’s what you think, you are probably going to end up regretting your decision.

The reason?

The best designers, caterers, decorators and most importantly, photographers in the industry are booked faster than you realize. Booking your wedding photographer well in time is as important as booking your wedding venue. So, make sure that you book for the most suitable wedding photography service well in advance. This will not only help you take advantage of the finest professionals but also help enjoy the best rates (wink)!

Myth #2: Wedding photography costs way too much (unnecessarily):

It’s true that wedding photographers have to charge higher rates than what the other photographers charge. However, what they charge is not unfair. That is because wedding photography is not just a few hours job.

The wedding photographers may have to spend 14-16 hours on feet depending on when the wedding begins and ends. Once the wedding is over, a large amount of time goes into the preparation, backing-up the files, editing the images and a lot more.

Myth #3: I don’t need any recommendations, research will do just fine:

You’ll probably open up your laptop and start browsing for the best wedding services right away. After all, those search engines have it all. Whether you search for the best jewelers in town or the best car rentals, you’ll get a number of suggestions as soon as you hit the search button!

But is your research enough to come to a conclusion?

Look, when it’s about the most important day of your life, it’s always better to look out for suggestions from those who have already experienced it. Though a thorough research may help you find out a photographer who can provide everything that you desire in your mentioned budget, an advice based on a similar experience wouldn’t harm you. It will only help ease out the decision making process.

Myth #4: Wedding photography is all about having fun:

There’s a common perception that wedding photography is more of fun and less of serious work.

NO! It’s nothing like that.

Wedding photography is more about resisting all the temptations of enjoying at the wedding, dancing to the latest dance numbers, mingling with the strangers around and what not! It’s all about being professional amidst a joyous atmosphere because the photographer has taken a paid assignment and it’s his responsibility to capture each and every moment that’s precious to the couple-to-be.

is is a taboo myth that deserves explaining. It’s important to understand that every genre of photography has its particular demands and characteristics, much like every musical instrument is played differently.

Myth #5: A breathtaking wedding venue is enough to get those perfect clicks:

I don’t deny the fact that a mesmerizing venue is a must for a memorable wedding experience. But believing that it’s the only criteria you need to fulfill for getting stunning wedding clicks is not what you should be doing.

You ask us why?

Well, a skilled wedding photographer wouldn’t depend on the wedding venue. He/she can provide you with the best wedding shots even if you get clicked on a basic background. All that your wedding photographer needs to make subjects look wonderful is a good lighting!

Myth #6: Anyone with a good camera can be your wedding photographer:

Just because your BFF just bought the latest DSLR in the market does not mean he can cover up the whole event using his photography skills. You need to know that there’s a huge difference between a professional wedding photographer and a casual amateur who just bought the latest camera gear.

Your BFF’s DSLR may no doubt give you some amazing pictures but for those impeccable clicks that you’ll be cherishing, throughout your life, you should go for a professional wedding photographer.

Myth #7: Wedding photography is a part-time job:

A wedding photographer’s job is not over once the wedding is over! In fact, it’s just a 50% completion of his job. The rest of the job has to be done once the occasion is over. He has to spend days or even weeks working retouching the photos so as to meet the customers’ expectations.

This doesn’t end here! Once it’s all done, it’s time to hunt for a new assignment. This includes marketing of one’s own photography, garnering new assignments, setting up appointments and so on!

Myth #8: We’ll be done with the group shots within seconds:

That’s yet another stupid myth that your wedding photographer would want you to stop believing right away!

Things that seem easier may not really be that easy. That’s exactly what happens when it’s time to pose for some group shots at the wedding. In fact, group shots take much longer than you can imagine.

The reason?

Well, that’s because while you are in a group, you’ve to coordinate with a bunch of people to get that perfect click. Also, more people means more suggestions which further means more efforts in getting everyone do what you’d like them to do. So, it’s advisable to set aside plenty of time for group shots rather than ruining everything up and then blaming it on your “skilled” photographer!

Myth #9: You need to shortlist and hand over a list of poses to the photographer:

The professional wedding photographers out there have their own style of working. All of them are unique in the way they capture the special moments in people’s lives. Moreover, they’ve been there in this line for years now. They know what’ll work for you and what wouldn’t. All thanks for their expertise!

So, when you decide to shortlist some of the sassiest weddings poses for your D-day from different sites and magazines, remember, you are wasting your time on an absolutely unnecessary step! You are, in a way, hindering your wedding photographer’s creativity.

So, instead of handing out a long list of poses, you should rather prepare a list your family groupings and any special details you have. It’s better to trust your wedding photographer and let him/her do what’s the best for you!

Myth #10: A wedding photographer who masters photoshop is the best choice:

Don’t you wish your wedding photographer to keep it as real as possible?

Won’t you love to feel all those chills and live all those moments every time you take a walk down the memory lane?

Wouldn’t it be cool to treasure your authentic wedding memories for life in their best possible version?

Well, if that’s not really what you long for, you may hire a wedding photographer with the craziest photoshopping skills. However, if you wish to keep it real, it’s better to search for a true wedding photographer who has been trained in the art of photography and really knows the craft.

Photoshop has undoubtedly changed a lot in the world of photography but the professionals relying on it can’t really provide what’s real! So, it’s better you hire someone who can capture the most amazing pictures and not someone needs to correct all of their mistakes on a computer.

Myth #11: Two mediocre wedding photographers are better than a single, expensive one:

Now, that’s something crazy!

No, seriously! It’s like wasting your money. Your wedding- the most important and the most special day of your life is not the time to skimp on quality.

You may believe that hiring two mediocre photographers may help you save money and get more photographs than what you would be getting if you hire a single, expensive wedding photographer. But, think over it, is it really the right time to choose quantity over quality?

Well, if you ask me, my answer would be a big “NO”!

Wondering what makes me say that?

Well, that’s certainly because I wouldn’t want to regret later! So, it’s better to focus on the talent and portfolio of the photographer you are considering.

Myth #13: It’s mandatory to visit the venue with your wedding photographer:

Again a plain and useless myth!

As mentioned earlier, it’s not only the venue that’s responsible for the good or bad quality of your wedding photographs. Visiting your wedding venue along with the hired photographer won’t help.

Wondering why?

Well, the everything from climate to the light conditions that you witness at your wedding today may not be the same when you visit it tomorrow at the same time. In other words, you can’t just be sure about the plans that you make regarding your wedding photographs!

There are instances where the wedding photographer may want to visit the wedding venue and in that case, you may happily take him/her to the respective destination. But believing that it’s mandatory to visit the venue so as to assure the quality of your wedding stills is totally useless.

Like I already mentioned above, the quality of the photographs is determined more by the quality of the light at the time of shooting than the location. So, you can instead try and focus on the timing of your photo shoot so as to help your photographer get the best shots from your D-day!

Myth #14: All wedding photojournalists refuse to take formal portraits:

The photojournalists love to keep it real. They are better off letting the moments come out naturally rather them directing them. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t take any group or portrait shots.

Okay, there may be some of them who strictly refuse to shoot formal portraits for you but not all are the same. In fact, they are more than happy to do formal shots as well. The only condition they are most likely to put forward is that the session will be shorter than you may expect it to be.

Myth #15: Wedding photographers are good photographers:

More than a myth, this is a generalization that every wedding photographer is subjected to! All thanks to our (humans’) tendency to generalize things as per our convenience.

Now, that’s something that your wedding photographer wouldn’t be liking at all! That’s because a good wedding photographer doesn’t need to be good at anything else.

Expecting a wedding photographer to be good at some other form of photography is futile. Someone who is passionate about shooting emotions and all those candid moments one can only encounter at a wedding cannot be expected to shoot sports or a fashion event! Same is the case if you expect a sports or a fashion photographer to shoot a wedding!

It’s all about the expertise in a single domain! So, it’s better to keep your expectations up their oi your head and let your wedding photographer do what he believes and what you should try to understand, he/she is good at doing!

Now, that you know what all is a myth and what all is a reality, it’s better you get rid of all that every wedding photographer secretly wishes you to stop believing asap! This will not only help you hire the best wedding photographer for your D-day, it’ll also help you gather the best memories of the most special day of your life! So, rise above all these tacky myths and hunt for the best person to shoot your wedding!

Source : Party Vapours

Weddings,Wedding Photographer,Wedding Photography Myths,Wedding Photography Myths Debunked

2018-01-20

The Best Mehndi Artist And Some Cool Tips Will Give You The Darkest Mehndi!

Bride Mehendi Ceremony Weddings Indian Wedding Mehndi Ceremony Mehndi Design Tips To Make Your Mehndi Darker

Mehndi or Henna holds a great significance in India and middle-east. Women in the Asian and Persian countries have long been using this fragrant herb to adorn their hands and feets on different occasions for centuries!

Talking about India, mehndi is more like a tradition. Women in the country can be seen getting their hands decorated with intricate henna designs on different festive occasions. In fact, mehndi is said to be one of the essential parts of bridal makeup in Indian weddings.

Apart from adding to the beauty of an Indian bride, mehndi is said to have a number of beliefs related to it. Here are some of the prominent ones:

i) It is believed that the women whose mehndi leaves a dark color will get immense love from her husband!

ii) Another belief states that the darker a bride’s mehndi, the more she’ll be loved by her mother-in-law!

iii) Mehndi is also considered to be a symbol of fertility and hence is used in wedding ceremonies.

iv) There’s yet another belief that henna is a medicinal herb and helps calm the nerves of the bride. So, it provides all the destressing therapy needed to shoo away all the wedding stress.

Now, whatever belief of all the ones mentioned here a bride-to-be may follow, there’s one thing that’s straight up in her head- her wedding is incomplete without mehndi. So, it’s imperative that she looks out for the best mehndi artist in town and follows some clever hacks so as to get the darkest of mehndi designs so as to look impeccable on her D-day!

If you are going to be a bride soon and looking out for the best tips to get the best of the mehndi results, here’s all you need to do:

Choose your mehndi artist wisely:

You’ll obviously want your mehndi design to be out of the world, won’t you?

Well, then you’ve got to work on it sweety!

Conduct a thorough research and search for the best mehndi artist who matches all your requirements. Once, you’ve shortlisted some of the mehndi artists, go through their design samples and if possible, go for a quality check beforehand. Ask the artist for a patch test so as to know if the artist keeps up to all the claims, uses good quality mehndi and so on!

Book your mehndi artist well on time:

Once you’ve found the best mehndi artist for you, be quick enough to do the bookings. It’s advisable to book your mehndi artist weeks before the ceremony.

You can then meet up the artist and tell him/her in detail about the type of design you wish to get adorned for your wedding. It’s always better to get familiar with your mehndi artist beforehand so as to be at ease on the final day!

Finish off your beauty treatments before the mehndi ceremony:

This is very important if you do not wish to waste all the efforts of your mehndi artist and all your money that you’ll be spending for the same.

So, it’s advisable that you go for waxing, pedicure, manicure and other beauty treatments before the mehndi ceremony. The best time to do all these things is 3 to 4 days before the occasion.

Watch out the henna quality you’ll be using:

As a matter of fact, natural henna tends to last longer than the one with chemicals added to it. Moreover, it imparts a beautiful color.

But how do you differentiate between natural and chemical based henna?

Well, the one that contains chemicals is blackish in color and the one that’s natural is more of greenish in color. To be on a safer side, you can simply make the fresh henna paste at your home. You can even ask your mehndi artist to do that for you.

Make sure you apply it just in time:

The best time to get your hands and feet adorned with mehndi is 1-2 days before the big day.

The reason?

Mehndi is believed to give its darkest shade after a few days. So, it’s better to plan your mehndi session at a gap of 1-2 days before the wedding. This will help get the best mehndi color for the most special day of your life.

Avoid drinking too much water or juice:

As a matter of fact, too much fluid intake before your mehndi session can affect the darkness of the pattern.

No, really!

So, it’s advisable to keep at least a 2-hour gap between your meal and the mehndi session.

Make all the arrangements beforehand:

In order to get a consistent mehndi color throughout your hands and feet, it’s very important to maintain the design flow. You break the flow and you’ll ruin the design.

So, ask your mehndi artist to prepare a list of everything they’ll need while applying mehndi. Once, you’ve known whatever they need, make all the necessary arrangements and then sit for the application.

Go for bold mehndi designs:

The final shade of your mehndi also depends upon the choice of your design.

Yes, the design itself!

Thicker patterns tend to appear darker while the thinner ones are not that dark. The best solution is to opt for a design which has thin lines as well as the thick ones. Doing so will help adorn intricate designs that’ll look delicate due to the thinner lines inside and bold due to the thicker lines surrounding them.

Choose an appropriate place and dress for the ceremony:

Your mehndi ceremony is going to take hours to complete. So, it’s imperative that you make yourself and your mehndi artist feel comfortable. Wear something that’s comfortable and doesn’t mess with the mehndi application.

Next, choose an appropriate place for your mehndi ceremony. Avoid sitting in direct sunlight. Choose a place that has enough light for your mehndi artist to do his/her job comfortably.

Get rid of any oil or dirt before the application:

Before your mehndi artist starts squeezing out his/her creativity through the mehndi cone and onto your hands, make sure you’ve cleaned your hands well.

Make sure that there’s no oil or dirt on your palms hands and feet before the mehndi application. However, you need not use soap and water for that. Instead, just use a cleanser on a cotton ball to wipe off.

Rub your palms for a heating effect:

Body heat is said to help the mehndi penetrate deeper into your hands and feets. So, it’s advisable to rub your palms against each other just before your mehndi artist is about to start with his/her job.

Also, make sure that you switch off your AC while applying mehndi. This will further help keep your body temperature from cooling down.

Apply some eucalyptus oil for great after effects:

You need to avoid the usage of soaps and water and skincare products right before your mehndi artist starts applying mehndi. However, you can massage your hands and feet using a few drops of eucalyptus oil.

The essential oil wouldn’t only make your hands and feet smell good but also help darken the color of mehndi.

Say no to artificial drying techniques:

Be patient and let your mehndi dry naturally. After all, you’ll only live all these moments once, right?

No matter how irritated you feel or how tempted you are to use something to dry your mehndi asap, just sit there and let it dry on its own. Don’t move your hands up or down or sideways to dry the mehndi as it will only cause it to spread. Also, using blow dryers or any other artificial dring technique will only ruin the design. So, just sit back and relax. Your patience will pay well!

Dab some lemon-sugar mixture on your hands and feet:

A mixture prepared using lemon and sugar is said to help the mehndi penetrate deeper into your skin.

Once your mehndi has dried out completely, apply a mixture of lemon and sugar using a cotton ball. Avoid applying too much of the mixture as it would destroy your mehndi design.

Wrap up your hands using cling film:

This is yet another technique for getting the darkest possible shade of mehndi. All you’ll need is a cling film or any other sealant.

Once your mehndi has dried and you have applied the lemon-sugar mixture, you can then ask your mehndi artist to wrap the cling film around your design. This technique will protect your body heat from dissipating outside. This will further help your body heat to cause your mehndi release dark color.

Keep the mehndi applied for a longer time period:

Once you’ve got your mehndi wrapped up, it’s now time to keep it in there for as long as possible. It is advisable to keep your mehndi applied for at least 6-8 hours.

If you wish to get the best results, you can let it stay overnight and remove it the next morning.

Use a butter knife or a card to scrape-off your mehndi:

Your mehndi artist would probably ask you to avoid using water to remove the dried mehndi in any case!

Instead, use a butter knife or a card to scrape off your mehndi. Stay away from soap and water for at least 12 hours after you’ve removed your mehndi. That’s because any contact with water will only lighten the color.

Use olive oil to take off your mehndi:

If you find it difficult to scrape off the henna from your hands, you can simply dab a cotton ball into olive oil and apply all over your hands. This will help moisten and remove the paste.

The oil can even help get rid of the sticky lemon and sugar sealant that you use for darkening for your mehndi.

Do not exfoliate just after removing your mehndi:

That’s what any mehndi artist will suggest you. Any skin care products that come with exfoliating properties should be avoided immediately after removing your mehndi.

What I mean to stay is- stay away from body scrubs or moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy if you really want your mehndi to grow darker and not get scrubbed away with those exfoliators!

Avoid using alcohol-based sanitizers:

Just like you should not be using soaps or handwashes to wash your hands after removing mehndi, you should also be avoiding sanitizers.

The reason behind this is- most of the sanitizers are alcohol-based and they may interfere with the oxidation process thus drying out your skin. That’s something you wouldn’t want to happen, right?

Leverage the power of balms and oils:

Once you’ve removed the mehndi crust, you can apply a balm like Vicks Vapor rub or Tiger balm over your hands and feet. You can even replace the balm with mustard oil or pickle oil.

A generous application of the balm or oil will help henna to penetrate further into your skin and will eventually give a darker color to the design.

Try darkening the mehndi color with clove fumes:

This is a widely spread technique used to darken the mehndi color. It is said to be quite effective.

All you have to do is put some cloves in a pan, turn on the gas flame, and let the cloves roast. Once you see the smoke rising, place your hands in such a way that your mehndi gets exposed to it. Stay there until your hands start hurting due to the heat.

Apply a thin layer of foundation:

Foundation is said to oxidize when mixed with the body heat.

Believing this scientific explanation, some makeup experts suggest applying a thin layer of foundation over the mehndi, once you’ve scraped it off. You can try this trick as well!

Don’t stress if nothing works:

Don’t be disheartened if nothing works for you. There’s an instant fix for it as well.

Wondering what it can be?

Well, all you have to do is dip your hands into a mixture of limestone and water. This is a tried and tested trick that’ll surely help but only if you’ve not removed your mehndi using water.

Lastly, make sure that you moisturize your hands before going to bed at night. It will help protect the color and darken it further.

Hope these tips are helpful!

Source : Party Vapours

Bride,Mehendi Ceremony,Weddings,Indian Wedding,Mehndi Ceremony,Mehndi Design,Tips To Make Your Mehndi Darker

2018-01-18

Top Bridal Makeup Crimes You Ought Not To Commit On Your Big Day!

Bride Makeup Bridal Makeup Mistakes Wedding Makeup Artist

Every woman in this whole wide world wishes for a fairytale wedding where she would look like a princess and her hubby would be the prince! Both of them would be dressed in the most beautiful attires of their life. Everything from their hair to their makeup to their footwear would be impeccable!

Okay, fine! That’s just an imagination or you may say an expectation. It’s time for a reality check now!

It’s a no-brainer that your wedding day is prone to certain mishaps, no matter how perfectly you’ve planned everything. Of all the things that may possibly go wrong and ruin your D-day memories for life, is a bridal makeup fail!

No one would like to look like a blunder on the most important day of their life! Especially when you are the bride! So. it’s imperative that you’re not partaking in any common wedding makeup mistakes ahead of the big day. Here are the most common bridal makeup mistakes that you need to avoid at any cost!

Sticking to the latest trends:

Trends or should I call them fads?

Well, that’s what today’s social media savvy generation follows. You may come across a cool makeup trend on YouTube or Instagram or Facebook. The trend may go viral within minutes of its introduction and you may be dying to try it on yourself.

Go on, try it! But make sure you avoid doing that on the most important day of your life! The reason is simple- Trends change constantly and something that is considered to be the sassiest trend today will be out of fashion tomorrow. Just like the makeup trend may become outdated after 2 years of your marriage, so would your wedding pictures!

So, it’s better you keep the trends out of your wedding plans and have your makeup done in the classical and neutral style, which is timeless.

Asking your friend to be your wedding makeup artist:

Refrain from allowing your best friend to be your wedding makeup artist unless and until she is a professional!

You ask us why?

Well, firstly, a professional has appropriate experience in bridal makeup. She would be familiar with all the issues related to bridal makeup. Her expertise would help you look drop dead gorgeous for those magical wedding day stills!

Secondly, if you get all made up and you’re not happy with the result, you can tell that to your makeup artist. She would come up with the perfect solution for you instead of feeling bad about it.

Simply put, indulge in a meaningful research and hire a makeup artist for your wedding. Let your friend enjoy your wedding!

Neglecting a makeup trial:

Once you’ve hired your makeup artist, it’s better to get familiar with the way your wedding makeup artist works. Hiring your makeup artist and meeting her on the final day won’t give you time to try different bridal looks.

So, it’s advisable to schedule your trial at least three months before the wedding.

This would not only provide you enough time to experiment different looks for the big day but would also help be confident about your bridal look!

Overdoing facial procedures:

This is yet another mistake that the brides-to-be make. They rush out for getting the extreme facial procedures like peelings, tans, teeth whitening and more.

It’s okay to opt for skin treatment procedures a few months before your marriage. These treatments would surely help get your skin ready for the big day. However, you need to be mindful of the treatments you opt for. It’s advisable to avoid overdoing all such treatments as they would simply lead to harsh consequences.

Neglecting moisturization on the big day:

You obviously wouldn’t want all your money and efforts to be ruined due to dry, flaky skin on the final day. But that’s what you end up having if you fail to moisturize your skin.

So, make sure that you nourish your skin and provide it enough moisturization so that it stays smooth and supple on your wedding day. Consider using face oil the night before and face lotion the day of.

Skipping primer:

Primer is a magical makeup product. It can help vanish all the fine lines and pores on your skin so as to facilitate makeup application.

However, if you neglect it, all your makeup would end up filling your pores and fine lines, making you look disastrous on your wedding!

So, in order to achieve a makeup coverage that lasts all day, make sure to apply primer before applying that first drop of makeup!

Overusing concealer:

You’ll need to hide all those blemishes, dark circles, and acne so as to look flawless in your wedding pictures. That’s what a good concealer will help with. However, you need to be careful with the amount you’ll be using.

As they say- an excess of everything is bad.

Same is the case with a concealer. Overusing concealer is also just as bad. Ensure that you use it just enough to hide all the imperfections.

Using the wrong shade of foundation:

Most women commit this crime not only on their wedding but in their day to day lives as well. They fail to recognize the correct foundation shade for their skin tone.

There’s a common misconception that foundation should be used to make it look like you have a tan. That’s what you’ve got to ignore. Instead, ensure that you check your skin in various lighting situations and choose a shade that looks natural according to your skin tone.

Going overboard with contouring and blushing:

Just like too much concealer looks bad, excess of contouring may simply create a heavy contrast between your face and the rest of your body. So, it’s suggested to use contouring to sculpt your face so as to define your features in the best possible manner.

Same is the case with a blush. Excess of it may make you look like a clown.

I am sure that’s not what you wish to look like on such a special day!

So, it’s better to know what’s the correct procedure for applying the blush. Just concentrate on the apples of your cheeks. You can further emphasize your cheekbones by applying a little bronzer right underneath. Do not forget to blend both the blush and the bronzer appropriately.

Using excess of setting powder:

Applying excess of powder under your eyes won’t provide you the desired mattifying look. As I mentioned earlier, an excess of anything is bad! That’s what would happen in this case as well.

The powder would simply sink into any tiny wrinkles and magnify them and show up in all your wedding pictures. So, it’s suggested that you use as little as a powder under the eyes or skip it all together.

Being careless with the brows:

Nonetheless, to say- Your brows frame your eyes.

In fact, the way your brows are shaped can simply change the way you look! Ignoring them or getting them waxed just a day or two before may simply land you in trouble! So, it’s better you have them professionally waxed just in time. Thereafter, make sure that you do not experiment with them right before the big day. Just stick to the natural shape of your brows and use an eyebrow enhancer in a shade that matches your hair color.

Going crazy with the eyeshadows:

Most of the brides-to-be skip the application of eyeshadow base. They further go on getting their eyes colored with all sorts of color on their eyeshadow palette!

You surely do not need all that unless you wish to take part in fancy dress!

But if you don’t, it’s better to apply an eyeshadow base to keep your eyeshadow from creasing and wearing off. Further, try and stick with neutral colors such as nude, beige and chocolate to make your eyes look impeccable.

Using normal mascara:

You obviously do not wish to look like a zombie just after an emotional moment during the wedding. But that’s what you’ll have to face if you opt for a normal eye makeup.

So, it’s advisable to wear waterproof eye makeup. Make sure everything from your eyeliner to kohl to eyeshadow is smudge proof so as to keep that zombie look at bay!

Not exfoliating your lips before applying lipstick:

Chapped flaky lips do not look good. They may simply ruin all your wedding photographs. They would further get all your guests talking about how bad they look!

You wouldn’t obviously want all that to happen, right?

So, save yourself from all the embarrassment by exfoliating your lips before applying your lipstick or lip gloss. You may use a homemade sugar scrub for the same or simply buff away the dead skin on your lips using your toothbrush.

Neglecting the power of a lipliner:

As a matter of fact, the mighty lipliners extend the wear of lipsticks. They help define your lips in a better manner. So, if you think skipping applying a lip liner is not a big deal, you may simply land yourself in trouble.

Instead, make sure that you line your lips with a lip liner in a nude or exactly the same shade as the lipstick. Also, ensure that you blend the liner and lipstick seamlessly for that impeccable look.

Not paying attention to the rest of your body:

If you plan to wear a gorgeous dress that would expose your body to some extent, you just can’t afford to let your body be without makeup.

Yes, that’s a fact!

If your wedding attire is strapless or exposes your chest, arms, back, or legs, you wouldn’t want those areas to look different from your face! That’s simply embarrassing!

So, it’s better that you address those areas with a non-transferrable shimmer lotion. Do not neglect body makeup as it would only make you look weird on the most important day of your life!

Skipping the setting spray:

It’s not just a quick spritz that you may neglect just because you don’t find it that significant. It can actually be your best friend on the best day of your life.

It’s a no-brainer that your wedding day is going to be a long and a busy day. You may or may not get time to touch-up. So, it’s better to keep all the potential drama at bay using a makeup setting spray.

The wonderful makeup product would not help lock all your makeup artist’s efforts, it would also leave you looking radiant and drop-dead gorgeous throughout the day.

Not letting your makeup dry:

Applying a layer over another layer of makeup without letting it dry will not let it last longer.

So, if you want that your makeup products to last for a longer time, make sure that you give them some time to dry between each step of makeup. You can either let it dry on its own or you may simply use a dryer set in the cool setting if you are running short on time.

Touching your face once you’re all dolled up:

That’s not just a bridal makeup mistake, that’s a crime!

No, seriously!

Touching your face once the wedding makeup is on may not only spoil it but would also give a chance to all those bacteria to get onto your face! So, it’s better you avoid doing that. Keep blotting papers and powder handy for preventing the shining face instead.

Not having a backup:

It’s always better to be prepared for the worse, even if you are confident enough that nothing would go wrong!

Your D-day is going to be a long day sweety! Also, you’ve got to look your best self throughout the event. So, no matter how great your makeup products are, you’ve got to have a backup. Ensure that you prepare an emergency makeup kit with the essential elements for timely touchups.

Your emergency bridal makeup kit should contain everything from blotting tissues to safety pins to bobby pins to eyeliner to the nail paint that you’ll be wearing for your wedding!

As they say- Prevention is better than cure! Avoid these makeup blunders and you’re all set to be the best version of yourself on the most important day of your life! After all, you’ll only live all those moments once!

Source : Party Vapours

Bride,Makeup,Bridal Makeup Mistakes,Bride,Wedding Makeup Artist

2018-01-12

Your Ultimate Guide To A Perfect Dreamy Beach Wedding!

Wedding Planning Beach Wedding Beach Wedding Tips Tips To Host A Perfect Beach Wedding

Do you dream of getting married to the love of your life in a breathtaking island paradise?

Have you always been fascinated by the idea of taking the wedding vows close to mother nature?

Are you a typically romantic soul?

Well, then a beach wedding is your kind of a thing!

It’s a no-brainer that the beaches are romantic settings. They can be the perfect wedding backdrops, without you requiring to spend a penny on the wedding decor! The entire idea of a dusky wedding on a serene beach is just too amazing, isn’t it?

But, for a fact, nothing comes easy! Especially when it comes to a heaven-like beach wedding, there is a lot to consider to put up a great ceremony. Though beach weddings are beautiful, heartfelt affairs with beautiful natural backdrops but they require intense planning to be successful!

Here are the coolest hacks to make your dream beach wedding a success:

Hire a wedding planner:

It’s all about playing safe!

When you have a professional wedding planner to guide you, you can simply eliminate all the hassle related to the wedding planning. Everything from finding the perfect venue to contacting vendors, to setting up, and coordinating the entire affair would become so much easy and stressfree if you hire an efficient wedding planner.

So, consider indulging in a thorough research and find the best suitable wedding coordinator to make your D-day a success!

Start the venue search well on time:

You may have a dream destination for your dreamy beach wedding or you may simply have a number of options shortlisted over time. What you need to know in the very first place is that deciding on a perfect one can be time-consuming and even overwhelming.

This further implies that you need to start your search well in advance and take time to learn about the typical weather for your particular destination.

Consider how busy the beach will be:

Once you’ve decided the venue for your romantic beach wedding, take a note of how busy the beach will be on the desired date.

As a matter of fact, public beaches are the busiest on bank holidays and weekends. If you do not mind people strolling on the beach while you take the vows at a particular location on the same beach you may proceed with the wedding planning. However, if you want to avoid all the chaos and rather want your D-day to be an intimate affair, you can search for a private beach or a seaside resort that’ll allow you an uninterrupted wedding.

Know the best time to get married:

When we talk about a beach wedding, all we can picture is a breezy affair. A calm and serene atmosphere surrounding the couple taking vows.

But, it’s not at all the way it seems to be!

If you fail to learn about the best times to get married at a beach, you may actually end up ruining the most special day of your life. For a fact, the best time to get married at a beach is in the morning. The low tide time is the best to avoid the roaring ocean noises while sunset is the best time to get the most magical beach wedding pictures.

You obviously wouldn’t want your ceremony start time to be engulfed by the ocean. Also, having guests washed away to sea is a super bummer. So, make sure that you adjust your wedding timings accordingly and keep the ceremony as short as possible. Also, ensure that you check the seasonality of rain and get familiar with the local ocean tide table.

Pick a theme and weave your invitations around it:

You can make your D-day a fun affair by picking up a unique theme and planning the entire affair around it.

You may opt for a theme-sailing or a Hawaiian/tropical theme so as to spice up the affair! Not only will a great theme help make your wedding an extraordinary affair, it’ll be remembered by your guests for life!

Once you’ve chosen a theme, you can then do some research on creative and affordable ideas for your invitations. Let your invitation reflect your style and help your guests to get a glimpse of everything they should expect from the dreamy affair.

Get familiar with the beach laws:

Most beaches around the globe have some rules and regulations tied to them. For instance, some beaches prohibit alcohol consumption while others prohibit bonfires.

No matter whatever location you pick for your wedding, it’s your first and foremost duty to get familiar with the local rules and regulations. So, make sure that you check with the local government to see what regulations they have regarding events and gatherings.

Make arrangements for amplification:

The wedding stills from a beach wedding may look magical. They may give out an idea as to how calmly the entire ceremony would have taken place.

But do you know the entire atmosphere is far too noisy?

Yes! there’s a lot of background noise between all the winds and waves. So, it’s advisable that you arrange for microphones and a good sound system for the ceremony. Also, make sure that the microphones are covered with windscreens so as to be clearly audible to all your guests.

Further, make arrangements for electrical power, generator, and proper amp circuit requirements for entertainment purposes as well.

Make your guests feel comfortable:

You wouldn’t want your best friend, who traveled all the way from foreign to attend your marriage, to return back to bad memories, right?

So, make sure you make your bestie and all your guests feel comfortable at your wedding. Start with a shoe check, where guests can swap their shoes for flip-flops so that they do not have to spend the entire day in shoes filled with hot sand! You can further provide portable washbasins, benches, and towels so that they can wipe sand off their feet.

Make sure you inform everyone to bring sunglasses along so that they do not have to face the harsh glare of the sun. You can further ease out the entire thing by creating a canopy to cover the seating area. Lastly, don’t forget to provide insect repellents to keep all those creepy bugs at bay.

As far as your old grandma is concerned, make it a joyous affair for her by considering flooring or temporary decking for them to walk on. After all, she had been waiting for it for so long!

Take those extra precautions:

When you decide to get married on a private beach, you have all the arrangements done in the right manner.

But when you choose a public beach, things are different. You have to put little extra efforts. You need to find out if there are bathrooms. If not then you should probably hire an upscale portable lavatory for a few hours so that your guests do not face any difficulty.

Be mindful of your attire and makeup:

As a matter of fact, not all dresses and fabrics work for a beach wedding.

When it comes to beach wedding attire, you should rather opt for an airy sheath or other light fabrics like sheer silks and chiffons. These fabrics not only allow for enough air movement, they also help you look drop-dead gorgeous.

Coming to hair and makeup, it’s advisable to use waterproof makeup so that it doesn’t smudge away on a harsh sunny day. Opt for cream based eyeshadows, blushes and more. Lastly, consider an updo rather than just letting your hair down as it’s always breezy by the seaside. However, if you still wish to let your locks down, ensure that you have the most amazing hair products in place so as to look gorgeous all day long.

Make way for those sassy heels:

It’s a great idea to have a barefoot beach wedding but not every bride would give up her gorgeous heels for a beautiful beach wedding!

So, the best solution is to bury a wooden walkway that leads to the ceremony under the sand. This way, you can still have a magnificent seaside wedding wearing those killer beauties!

Get working with your wedding photographer:

Your wedding will be a day-long affair but the memories will be lifelong. Why not capture the best possible moments?

For that, you’ll need to coordinate with your photographer or wedding planner. You’ll have to know the best times to get the most beautiful D-day stills. For a fact, sunsets are the most amazing times to click the best kind of pictures!

You can even head out with your wedding photographer before the big day and experiment with the photography at different times. This will help you know the best times as well as strike the best poses on the final day!

Make the reception a cozy affair:

If you wish to party all night, remember that the temperature often drops on or near the beach.

So, if you want your guests to burn the floor all night, make sure that you keep them in the highest of spirits. Make sure that you arrange for snuggly blankets or pashminas for your guests to wrap up in. Also, make arrangements for comfortable footwear for the dancefloor!

Be wise with the wedding decor:

You don’t really need to spend on wedding decor when you are getting married on the beach as you’ll already have the best of mother nature’s offerings to decorate the surroundings!

Still, if you wish to go ahead with the decorations, you can incorporate fun beach-themed items in your decor. You may use starfish, sea glass, sand dollars and flowers with colors that pop against the sand. You can consider putting up a chuppah or wedding canopy. For the best decoration results, do it in sections so the breeze can blow through it.

Make sure that your flower decoration is made up of orchids, chrysanthemums, and others that stay fresh for a longer time! Avoid using tall centerpieces as the beach wind would probably blow them away. Lastly, consider weighing down the centerpieces with some heavy items.

Food and drinks:

If there’s anything that your guests will secretly be delighted about the most, it’s your wedding menu. So, make sure it impresses them and they remember how your wedding treat tasted, that too for months (wink)!

It’s better to opt for a fondant cake as it would stay longer in the heat. Strictly avoid the ones that contain buttercream or cream cheese.

Consider adding drinks with fresh citrus bases and herbs to your wedding menu so as to keep your guests feeling refreshed during the entire ceremony. As far as the food is concerned, you have a variety of options to offer to your guests. You may add items like baked and grilled meals, garden salads and exotic seafood to make your D-day a delicious affair!

Rehearse:

Just like you rehearsed for those school skits over and over again in order to perform your best, consider rehearsing for the most special day of your life.

You ask us why?

Well, it goes without saying, it will help ease out the things further. In fact, if you rehearse at the same time as the planned ceremony, you’ll actually be able to confirm the tidal movement and indicate the best position and angles for the ceremony sun-wise.

Be prepared for the worst:

No matter how efficiently you’ve planned your wedding, the big day is always prone to mishaps.

Sad but true!

Especially when it’s a beach wedding, the probability of things going wrong is higher than usual. It may either be the rain or the wind that makes things unbearable. We can’t just deny the fact that weather is unpredictable so it’s best to always have a foul-weather option.

In other words, be ready with a plan B. Make indoor arrangements so that the things do not mess up even if the weather betrays you!

Last but not the least, don’t forget to enjoy! After all, beaches have always been related to the peace of mind and that’s exactly what you want yourself and everyone else to experience at your D-day!

Source : Party Vapours

Wedding Planning, Weddings, Beach Wedding, Beach Wedding Tips, Tips To Host A Perfect Beach Wedding

2017-12-27

Stunning Cocktail Recipes To Start 2018 With A Bang!

Party Cocktail Ideas For New Year's Eve Party Cocktail Recipes Christmas Celebration Christmas Party Mood Tips To Set Christmas Mood

2017 has almost ended. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the New Year’s Eve!

Aren’t you?

What’s your idea of a new year party? Parties, fun. dance, music, friends, gossips, cocktails, and stuff?

Oh wait, did I just say cocktails? Well, that’s what you would be looking forward to entertaining your guests with, this new year’s eve, isn’t it? Come let’s help you discover some exotic cocktail recipes to light up your new year’s party!

Brownie cheesecake cocktail:

Step into the new year with this yummilicious cocktail. All your guests are sure to go gaga over this crazy concoction.

This desserty delight can be prepared by layering a cocktail glass with liqueurs, cheesecake, brownies, and dark chocolate. Just top it up with chocolate shavings and you are all set to clean bowl your guests!

Last word fizz:

Cocktail preparation can’t get any easier.

All you need to prepare this foamy luscious cocktail is an egg white, gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice, and powdered sugar. Simply combine all these ingredients in a cocktail shaker, cover with lid, and shake vigorously until froth is formed. Once done, remove the lid and toss in some crushed ice and the beauty is ready to be served.

Midori melon ball drop:

This colorful delight is sure to light up the faces of all the guests at your party.

And the best part? It is too easy to make this gorgeous drink!

Just combine citrus vodka, Midori, and a few lemons. Add that amazing, perfectly blended soft flavor with elderflower and garnish with melon balls for that “Wow” effect!

Cranberry-Orange Gin Fizz with Thyme:

Red is the most wanted holiday color.

Why not offer this perfect blend of red color and a tongue tickling taste to your guests this new year’s eve?

All you have to do is pick up a cocktail shaker, add some cranberry and orange juice, thyme and gin and shake it till all the flavors come together and the concoction reaches its best self!