5 Tips to Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer

by Phil Thornton

Selecting a wedding photographer is possibly one of the most impactful decisions you can make during your wedding planning. Your wedding photos should last a lifetime and be a direct reflection of your special day. A good wedding photographer will capture the essence of your wedding and convey that emotion through the images. Here are five simple tips to follow when searching for your perfect wedding photographer.

* The Internet is Your Buddy
Most brides (and the occasional groom) know that the internet is a very valuable tool when researching vendors and looking for wedding inspiration. Directory and search engine sites like Google are great for searching through a ton of resources all in the same place. This saves you time and puts great vendors right in front of you. Once you have developed a short list of photographers whose work you love based on your initial impression then you can really dig into each site individually. Many successful photographers operate blogs. Checking out a photographers blog is a great way to learn a little more about them, find some more recent work, and even peak into their personality. These days if a photographer doesn't have a website my suggestion would be to skip them. If they aren't using the web they are most likely extremely outdated or not serious about their profession.

* Your Cousin/Sister/Aunt/Friend
You might be tempted to skip the expensive professional wedding photographer and use your best friend who has a great camera. Please don't make this mistake. Wedding photography requires experience to do it right. There are a hundred things that go on during a wedding that you must capture, correctly, the first time. A professional knows where to be, what to look for, and how to capture an image unobtrusively. Professional photography gear is also critical for shooting wedding. Many times off camera lighting or specialty lenses are needed that most amateurs just don't have.

* Chemistry
It really is all about chemistry. Make sure you take the time to interview the photographer you are considering. This is a very common and acceptable practice and if the photographer is not happy to meet with you before hand, move on. Your wedding day should be fun and relaxing. If your photographer doesn't "click" with you it will only create stress. After booking your photographer you should feel confident that they are reliable, trustworthy, and can deliver the photos you expect.

* Product Overload
Your first encounter with a photographer might seem a little overwhelming. There are literally hundreds of available products and services for you to choose from. My advice is to select a photographer based primarily on their skills and images. Products can usually be added at any time after the wedding. Don't choose a less talented photography simply because they offer a free print or promotional product.

* Background Check
A few questions you might want to ask your prospective photographer are:

1. Are you a full time photographer or part-time?
2. May we see a completed wedding (all images.)
3. May we have a few references to contact?
4. Are you insured and is your business registered?

These questions will give you a better idea about your photographers background and whether or not they are legitimate. If the photographer acts offended or defensive it may be a sign that they are hiding something.

Just remember, go with your instinct and the selection process should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Happy hunting!

About the Author

Phil Thornton is a Nashville Wedding Photographer and co-owner of Phindy Studios. Visit http://www.phindystudios.com for more photography information and inspiration.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

The History of Wedding Rings

by Dunnright

The wedding ring is the final gift a couple will give each other prior to marriage. Some might say that the very first gift a couple gives each other is a promise ring - which most consider a pre-engagement ring. Then as a couple gets more serious they then give engagement rings to each other.

Many couples look forward to the moment when they'll slip a ring on their beloved. The look of love in their eyes, that moment when the ring is on their finger and they realize that they are theirs forever. What most don't realize is that these moments with wedding rings have been happening for centuries. The meaning and symbolism behind a wedding ring is rich and as intricate as its own love story. It deserves to be told so that couples know exactly why they use wedding rings.

This wedding ring is a symbol and throughout time this symbol has stood for love, devotion and at times simply for an arrangement between families. The physical structure of the wedding ring has changed and adapted as different cultures have fashioned it into different forms to make it look beautiful. Some materials are more plentiful in different areas - and other materials or precious metals are considered to be more valuable in other areas. But the meaning behind the symbol has remained the same throughout time and over continents. "I love you" "I want to be with you forever" and "You are mine."

A ring in its simplest forms is a circle: meaning 'eternity.' What more could every couple want than the pure desire to spend eternity together? Most couples choose to have a sentiment or romantic saying engraved inside their wedding rings. This makes that universal symbol so much more personal for each couple.

Symbols exist throughout our culture. Even the materials the wedding ring is made out of can be seen as symbols of love and devotion. Most wedding rings include diamonds. Diamonds are literally indestructible; they are the "forever" stone you want to select to represent your love. Rubies are another choice that represents love, passion and preciousness. While the wedding ring itself is seen as valuable - the symbolism of the wedding ring shows that your beloved is valuable to you. By giving them a valuable ring - you are showing the world just how valuable they are to you. In older days - you might also be protecting your 'property' (when women were considered property and possessions).

The wedding ring was worn in later times just as it is today, on the left hand, third finger. This is because of the strong-held belief that the vein in this finger travels directly from the heart. This belief was affirmed as women began wearing their wedding rings closer to their hand and then their engagement ring on that same hand - affirming this belief about this hand being so close to your heart.

Wedding rings have been worn in many traditions. While the traditions may be slightly different - the sentiment and meaning - to love, treasure and honor one another forever - remains very much the same. In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians, rings are exchanged not at the wedding service - but at the betrothal. The groom's ring is gold and the bride's ring is silver. In Greece rings are exchanged by couples as they are engaged they are worn on the left hand, fourth finger - and at the wedding they are switched to the right hand. In England, a wedding ring has traditionally always been exchanged. This appears to come from the long-standing belief that marriages were made as arrangements to exchange not just love and honor - but goods or property as well. This belief holds true for most European countries.

During World War II and the Korean War it became popular for men to wear wedding rings. This reminded them of the wonderful wife they had waiting at home for them. After these wars, men began to wear wedding rings to show their faithfulness, devotion and love. Now most men wear wedding rings in many cultures around the world.

About the Author

This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Article Source: Content for Reprint