(Source: Shaun and Renee)

There are many different issues that can arise when hiring and trying to control several different vendors. From miscommunications to intentional misses, here are a few tips to avoiding these issues.
 
1. Pretty obvious, hire a wedding coordinator/planer (at the very least for day of coordination) they know where vendors may stray or miss and will see it before you thus allowing for you to enjoy your day.

2. Have absolutely EVERYTHING in writing. Friend or no friend, every little detail must be in writing. If you don’t get it in writing don’t expect it to happen. Thus using email to do confirmation is your best option, try not to use phone because it’s not in writing.

3.Communicate with your vendors. Plain and simple, if you don’t tell or ask them, they don’t know. Provide them with a detailed schedule – or hire a planner to do this.

4. Ensure your vendors know who the other vendors are ahead of time. i.e your venue knows which cake company is brining the cake.

These were done over a year ago and I realized that I hadn’t posted all the lovely photos by ENV Photography.

I believe decor does not need to be expensive or difficult to have an impact.

One single flower can make such an incredible impact. Those are carnations, a simple inexpensive flower but when bunched together it looks fabulous!

This setting is a little more elaborate, but it’s the details that make it so eye appealing. Simple scrapbook paper, and some feathers make all the difference!

Something a little different but very beautiful - paper cranes. Get a group of girls together and make a bunch, very cost effective and they look sensation!

Think outside the box! These buttons are a fabulous way to add color to your table. You don’t need to shop at a ‘wedding’ store to find items. Look at a fabric or scrapbooking store for unique items to set your wedding apart.

Are you looking for more scrumptious photos by the fabulous Jen Williams from this past weekend’s photoshoot with me? Well below are some more but if you want to see the full collection you’re going to have to hop over to her site: Wedding Decor Inspiration - and you’re going to want to go and read the accompaning article!

(yes that’s me, three years ago doing rock the dress - ENV Photography)

A group of great photographers from Edmonton and the surrounding area are getting together to raise money for breast cancer research, through an event we are calling “Rock the Dress for Breast Cancer”.

This is an event where women can come out in their old wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, or grad dresses to look & feel beautiful while raising money for a cause that affects women all over the world!

**ALL proceeds will be donated to the “Relay for Life” event**

Cost: $100 will get you a 45 minute one on one shoot with a professional photographer, and a disc with 20 high res. images.

Exact Locations are TBA – Each Photographer will be choosing their location, and once you are booked with your photographer, we will be contacting you with all your information!

Erik Hornung, ENV Photography, and Lightside Photography are three of the fabulous photographers involved – check them out and sign up!

See the news clip on Global!

Contact Rachelle Hall (Crave Photography) to book your session: Rachellemarie_hall@live.ca

More info on facebook too: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=344282728967

Wow, what a picture! This photo was taken by the lovely and talented Jen Williams of a sample set up I set up as an example of how beautiful you can make your wedding with a bit of time, creativity, and a few details!

I have been eyeing these for a while, I just can’t make up my mind which one to choose. How awesome are these stamps - they would make quite the impression on your guests!

(Source: 1, 2, 3, 4)

See what I mean this is just a basic sample of what is on Etsy. I’m having a hard time deciding, but I will have to buy two one for home and one for bussiness so at least I don’t have to narrow it down to one

I just had to share this wedding I stumbled upon when I was looking for inspiration for a client. It is simple, vintage inspired, and oh so beautiful!

What a cute table, how could you go wrong with the spray painted heart?

This is by far my favorite idea, how awesome and creative is the aisle runner/linner?

Simple and cute center pieces!
(Source)

(photo credit: Shandro Photo)

This is a big debate many couples go through. Do you take photos before the wedding, “First Look or First Glance”, or do you wait to see each other until the ceremony. Most people are over the whole superstition idea but still like the idea of ‘walking down the aisle to your groom. It is fabulous, however, following the ceremony you have to take photos afterwards (and perhaps after your receiving line). This can be VERY time consuming and perhaps you don’t think your guests mind waiting 3+ hours for the reception, but trust me they do. Have you gone through it for them, probably.

But here are the pros to taking photos before hand - most photographers will take only the two of you alone; having your groom with his back to you and then you come out and he will turn around. This gives the two of your intimate time alone (no priest, no bridal party, no parents, no guests) - you have no idea how rare that is going to be on your wedding day! The photographer will be there to capture the first glace of your groom and if he was going to cry when you walked down the aisle he is going to cry then too. Not to mention your flowers - crisp and green, your make up - fresh, your groomsmen - sober, and your bridesmaids - blissful.

In my opinion, if I were doing my wedding over I would do first look photos, hands down.

(source)

Eco friendly weddings don’t have to be expensive; in fact, they can be quite the opposite! You don’t need to go and buy new things made out of recycle product to be eco friendly, here are a few suggestions on how to make you wedding eco friendly and uber chic:

- Find a venue that allows you to have the ceremony and reception on the same site, that way guests don’t have to drive.

- Have more of an eclectic wedding and don’t worry if all the vases aren’t the same. Go to a second hand store and buy vases or to a antique store to purchase some – or even, my favorite go garage saleing!

- Use recycled paper for your invitations. It’s not hard to find anymore, and comes in array of colors and textures.

- Create a wedding website instead of having several inserts.

- Use local vendors; don’t fly a photographer in from Toronto for your Edmonton wedding.

- Edible or Plant favors. These are more eco friendly as most guests will use them, plus they weren’t shipped from across the world and made in a polluting factory.

- Have group transportation for photos, to and from the reception. This is fabulous especially if your reception is in a little known location.

- Rent or buy and resell items instead of having single use items (i.e cutlery, glasses)

- Make stuff. Plain and simple instead of buying your escort cards/décor/table numbers/favors make them. You might not be able to make everything but a little bit of a personal touch goes a long way.

- Have a smaller wedding.

(Lovebucket Photography)

Once you have walked down the aisle, cried, eaten cake, and tossed the bouquet the ONLY tangible memory with is your photos. It is not a decision to be taken lightly and if there is ANYTHING you should splurge on, it is the photos. I cannot tell you how many times I overhear (whether it is from a MOH or sister, cousin etc.) that they should have spent more money and time on the photos.

Take your time to select the perfect photographer, don’t be in a rush – there are several different styles, qualities, and price points to choose from.

So what is the average cost of a ‘middle ranged’ photographer in Edmonton?

You’re investing about $2500-$3500. Now with that being said, yes you can find a good photographer for a lesser amount depending on the package, but this is the average cost. The packages from photographer to photographer differ. Some include the High Resolution files (you can print big photos) some don’t include them at all but include an album. Do your research don’t be disappointed.

Also keep in mind when taking photos, the average session should be 2.5-3 hours to get enough shots of the families (15-30 minutes), the bridal party, and the two of you!

Check out Edmonton Wedding Photographers to see work from some Edmonton’s finest photographers.