They’re Photographers, Not Magicians
By Jessica Johanningmeier

Great photos do not just happen by magic. While the skill and talent of the photographer are invaluable to the quality of the finished product, there are things you can do to help make your photos look fabulous. A good photographer can make the most out of a less than ideal situation, however, why not give them great material to work with in the first place? Here is a list of things you can do to increase the WOW-factor of your photos:

1. Clean up. A good photographer will be able to show your wedding in its best light. Don’t handicap his or her photo taking by giving them a messy room to take pictures in. There is only so much they can do by shooting different angles and retouching in Photoshop. Clean your space and make sure your bridal party and family understand and help with the process. If your photographer has to spend the first 15 minutes on site cleaning up, you’ve just lost 15 minutes of photo opportunities. Likewise, if there is not time to clean up, your photographer will have to spend extra energy hiding the left over fast food remains, your bridal party’s suitcases and other clutter that is littering the space. Instead of just focusing on taking great pictures, your photographer is now distracted hiding garbage and clutter. Also, with all the left-over food and half-empty drinks, it’s very possible someone will spill something on your picture-perfect look or you’ll have an encounter with your flower girl’s nuggets and fries, and you’ll be left getting ketchup stains off your veil. (P.S. Carbonated water helps with this if you find yourself with spills to clean up – just test in an inconspicuous area first!). So, make the bed, close the closet doors, and take out the trash!

2. Stage Your Space. Once the space is clean (or preferably kept clean from the beginning), you need to think about staging. Give your photographer a gorgeous setting in which to create your photos. Open blinds and drapes to let in natural light. Remove unnecessary clutter well before the wedding date. Clutter includes everything from too many knickknacks and souvenirs to too much furniture in the room. Electronics and wires everywhere don’t make a great photo backdrop, so move them to an unused space or unplug wires that are in view. You needn’t redecorate, but removing clutter and mismatched items can help make your space picture perfect!

3. Dress to Impress. Of course you’ll look fabulous in your gown, but what about before - while you’re getting ready? Do you really want to remember your special day with pictures of yourself in a ratty t-shirt and sweat pants? Think about having a personalized “Bride” robe, embroidered towel wrap, hoodie or t-shirts made (these make great gifts for your bridesmaids too). Any personalized attire is a great touch for your photos.

4. Don’t Do Your Makeup in the Bathroom. If you’re planning on taking photos of your hair and makeup being done, set up in a pretty location – by a well lit, nicely draped window if possible. The alternative is a cramped bathroom with everything in the room reflecting in the mirror (including the toilet, used towels and scattered personal hygiene products). You don’t want the narrative for your photo album to be “Here’s my dress and, oh, here I am sitting on the toilet getting my hair done...” Find a pretty spot to set up your beauty team!

5. Schedule, schedule, schedule. Hair and makeup always takes longer than you plan, as does lacing up your corset dress and there is always something that gets misplaced or someone who gets lost. Stress shows in pictures, and there is nothing more stressful than having to rush to avoid being late to your ceremony. Create a timeline by talking with your wedding vendors and then stay on schedule! If you have members of the bridal party or family who are habitually late, tell them to arrive well before you actually need them. Create checklists for items you’ll need on the big day (www.theNOWBride.com has check sheets for you to download!) and check off all items as you pack them. Keeping an Emergency Kit on hand is also a great idea (theNOWBride.com has a list of items that should be included in this too!) to help avoid last minute trips to the store for key essentials like pep to, band aids, dress tape, sewing kits, contact lens solution or safety pins.

6. Get Steamy! Steamers are a great way to make sure you and your bridal party look your best before heading out. Start early in the day with your steaming or ironing and always test an inconspicuous area in case the fabric does not take well to steam or heat. Your photographer can “virtually iron” your dresses with Photoshop, but this will take hours of retouching and will cost a pretty penny.

7. Spoil Yourself! If you can afford it, have your own and your bridesmaids makeup and hair professionally done. This is your big day, and you should treat yourself to this little luxury… besides, you want to look pristine! Always do a trial run of your look ahead of time and take some pictures to see if you like how you look. The alternatives are finding out on the day of (usually when it’s too late) that the smoky eye you thought you wanted really looks better in your mind than on your face. If you do your makeup yourself, avoid overdoing it and looking like bozo the clown on your wedding day. Also, remember that your nails will show in close-up photos of your ring exchange and cake cutting, so treat yourself to a manicure too!

8. Show Your True Colors. Don’t tan just before the wedding – especially if you’ve never done it before. If you are new to tanning beds or spray tans, you shouldn’t opt for it at the last minute.
It’s a proposition that should be tested many months before the wedding so you can see how you look and how your skin reacts. Photographers can’t do much about a fake-n-bake super orange tan – and believe me it will show in your photos – especially when you’re the only Oompa Loompa in the picture. Other than making ALL your pictures black and white, you will be left red-faced looking at your orange face in all your pics. Oh, and yes, while your pro photographer may be able to camouflage a bad tan after hours of retouching, your friends will not be inclined, nor probably have the skill-set to retouch the pictures they’ll be posting to Facebook. P.S. The same advice goes for changing your hair color right before the wedding!

9. Drink Lots of Water! Dehydrated skin does not photograph well and you’ll look several years older with incredibly rough skin. Hydrated skin is more plump and smooth – a super plus for super close ups! While you’re at it, start a skin care regime of proper makeup removal, cleansing and moisturizing in the months preceding the wedding. You’ll be glad you did!

10. Keep it Roomy. Make sure the space you’re getting ready in can accommodate your entire party! If your space is overcrowded, you’ll end up with a photographer who cannot move to get pictures. If you’ve elected to get ready in a hotel room, the typical room can only hold 3-4 people comfortably with all their “accessories.” Trying to fit all 7 of your bridesmaids, your flower girl and her mom, your mom, your photographer, videographer and yourself (plus everyone’s bags and dresses) into a small space will result in lots of photos taken from the one place your photographer has left to stand (in the corner by the nightstand), and if your photographer can’t move to get different angles, you’ll have pretty boring photos.

11. Make a List! Take some time before the wedding to create a list of family photos you want your photographer to take, and discuss the timeframe to complete these photos with your photographer. The list should include first names so that your photographer can call out people by name – your grandmother may not respond to “Grandma” being called out by an unfamiliar voice. Better yet, designate a photo coordinator who knows everyone in the photos (and isn’t in the photos herself) to collect the people needed while the photographer is setting up shots. Also, let everyone who will be in photos know when and where to be before the day of the wedding (a great rehearsal dinner itinerary item). Many will forget, but many will remember and can help remind others, and this will save time before and after your ceremony.

12. Hire a Professional Videographer! If you are planning to have your day filmed, hire a professional camera person who has experience shooting weddings. What on earth does the video have to do with the pictures, you ask? Amateur videographers or your Uncle Bob, for instance, can actually ruin your photos if they don't know “the ropes” of weddings. Professionals know how to work together so that everyone gets good angles and will be mindful of staying out of each other's shots. Very often amateur camera people on both sides (photo and video) have no idea how their presence is affecting the event; often in an attempt to get “the shot” they jump in front of the pro and obliterate the view of a key moment or park themselves 5 feet behind the bride and groom for the entire ring exchange so they can get the “close up” and end up blocking everyone's view! Pros know that amateurs aren't maliciously trying to ruin their shots, but it is very frustrating when all they can provide the bride is a shot of the back of the videographer's head where the photo of her dad giving her away should have been.

13. Enjoy Yourself! The best photos will happen when you relax and get lost in the moment, and you allow your photographer to capture your happiness. If you’ve planned your day properly and kept things organized, there is no reason why you can’t “let your hair down” and have a great time.

 

Easy, Breezy Makeup Tips    
By Melissa Willis

_{Photo Credit: Eau Claire Photographics}

Your wedding day: The most special, glamorous, memory- making day of your life and you want everything to be perfect. Well, perfect is often unattainable, and when you can achieve the elusive state of perfection, it often comes at a very high price. A wedding can be an expensive venture so where can you make concessions and still have a fantastic event? One area is makeup application for your pre-wedding events, like your engagement portraits and parties. “What, what, what?” you say, “Why would someone who does make up for a living suggest that I do it myself?” This makeup artist is a realist, that’s why.  If you can’t afford a makeup artist or maybe just don’t want one, here are some helpful tips for you.

Before you even think about glamour, get your skin in the best shape possible by finding a good skin care regime that works for you. It doesn’t have to be expensive just make sure it includes cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and moisture balance components. See a dermatologist if you need to take care of any special concerns.  Remember—it is far easier to clear up imperfections than it is to cover them up.  

Starting with foundation, remember your makeup is meant to enhance your natural beauty. The goal is for people to say, “You look great!” You don’t want people to say, “Your makeup looks great!” Statistically, nearly half of all women are wearing the wrong shade of foundation.

Foundation should be blended into the jaw line, and the color should disappear into your skin. Foundation is meant to even out your skin tone and nothing more. If you choose to use a powder with your foundation, it should match your foundation.

Now that you’ve used your skin care and applied your foundation and powder, let’s move on to glamour. Luckily, there are no hard and fast rules these days regarding glamour. You should wear what makes you feel like a million bucks. When preparing for your wedding, you want to look like you. If you normally go “au natural,” now is not the time to bring out the spackle and false eyelashes.

Eyebrows are the picture frames of the face so make sure to tweeze and groom them. If you have any sparse areas or if your brows are really light in color, fill in with a blonde eyebrow pencil for a more natural look.

Before starting the application of eye shadow colors, apply an eye primer to hold the color in place and prevent creasing. Apply from the lash line to just below the brow. The key to making eye color look flawless is to blend, blend, and blend. No one should be able to tell how many eye colors you are wearing.

Moving on to eye liner, waterproof liners are best for wedding festivities. Whether you line only the top lash line, only the bottom, or both, keep in mind that lining all the way around any eye will make it look smaller and closed. To open up the eye, line about halfway across the top and halfway across the bottom. Smudge the lines with a Q-tip. Mascara should also be waterproof. Two coats make a dramatic look (make sure the first coat is completely dry before applying the second coat).

When applying cheek color  note that wherever your brush lands first is where you will have the highest concentration of color. If you like more color on the apple of the cheek, start there and follow the natural cheek bone back towards the hairline. If you like more color toward the hairline, start there and work towards the apple of the cheek. Cheek color application should make you appear as though you just ran up the stairs or you were actually blushing.

When choosing a lip color, consider your wedding- day kiss and the mark you will leave on your new spouse. You want a color that will show up in photos but not one that will require a special team of people and products to remove. Using a lip liner will extend the wear of your lip color and also give a more defined look. Use a lip primer if you have a challenge with your lip color bleeding.

If you choose to do your own makeup, you can achieve a flawless look with a little effort and practice. Get together with your bridal party and have some fun with this. Work together. Take some photos to see how your “look” photographs and whether or not you need to add or remove anything. You can do it!

 

Money Matters

By Jessica Johanningmeier

^{iStock Image}

While browsing the planning boards I came across a topic I've been seeing with more frequency over the last year. Is it common to pay the photographer/videographer the final balance before the wedding? I've had several of my own clients and prospects (mostly destination weddings) who seemed surprised that the balance was due before the wedding day also, so I feel compelled to throw my two cents worth in on this topic.

While I can't speak for other areas of the country, nor all vendors in general, paying the balance prior to the wedding is a common practice here in New Orleans. Some photographers require the balance 2 months before the wedding, others a week prior and some will accept payment on the day of. It all depends on the photographer's policy.

Here are a few guidelines to consider:

1) Ask up front (before you book) when the final balance is due. This way, there are no surprises. Usually the balance will be before or on the day of the wedding. If you feel uneasy about paying upfront, ask yourself "Why?" Is there something about the vendor that makes you uncomfortable? If there is, try to pinpoint it. Could it be that they're fairly new in business? If need be ask for references, ask to see an entire wedding they shot (or several preferably), and carefully compare them with other vendors. Especially with photography and video and the ease of using digital cameras, the ability to set up shop as a "professional" photographer or videographer has never been easier. Ask a lot of questions: how long have you been in business? How many weddings have you done as main camera person? Etc. While there are very experienced pros who do still have other "day" jobs, there are many more newbies with very little experience. Their portfolios, experience and price should match. A newbie with a limited/poor portfolio and few weddings under his or her belt charging the same as someone with years of experience and an extensive, well done portfolio should make you nervous. You should get what you pay for. If you pay top dollar, you should get top service/quality. If you pay bottom dollar, you will on rare occasions be pleasantly surprised, but more than likely you will get a product that matches the price.

2) An experienced professional with an established business and professional image is not usually looking to rip people off. Most established businesses have invested a lot of time and money in building their business, buying equipment, advertising, creating samples, etc. If a vendor takes your money and does not show up or does a bad job at your wedding, they know the backlash they can expect to receive. They stand to lose a lot of business if their other clients discover they did so, not to mention the added difficultly of booking new business. It is simply not worth it for them to rip someone off. Yes, even the best can conceivably have an off day, but this should be rare. It is very important that you do your research and check references before hiring any vendor to make sure that you are hiring professional people who will deliver what they promise.

3) Now, on to why most vendors expect you to pay up front: many wedding photographers and videographers (and quite the majority of wedding professionals) are small business owners who are heavily or entirely dependent on their income from weddings to pay their bills. They do not have the luxury of a paycheck from the corporate office and only get paid if they have work to do. In other words, if they can only do one wedding per weekend, that leaves them with only 52 days out of the year to work and get paid. They cannot afford to show up for a days work and potentially not get paid or wait for payment indefinitely if the client falls on hard times. They've passed on other jobs that day, shown up and done their job and need to be assured they will be compensated. Even though some may argue that (for photo or video) that they still have the final product that can be held until final payment is made, this doesn't necessarily mean much. For example: Many years ago while working for another photographer, a bride asked if she could pay her balance after the wedding. She had paid her deposit, had booked a nice package, had planned a nice wedding and seemed trustworthy, so the photographer agreed. He went to the wedding, did a beautiful job, got the film processed, assembled the proof albums and called the bride to let her know the photos were ready. A year later, the photos were still sitting on the photographer's desk waiting to be picked up. The bride did not have the money to pay her balance and had never come to claim the albums. The photographer had only been paid the deposit (which he spent on film, processing, albums, and paying his assistant) and had thus worked for free or most likely at a deficit as his expenses likely exceeded the amount of the deposit. Had he required payment up front, the bride would have either had to come up with the money to assure he would be there or lose her deposit if she could not. This photographer learned a very expensive lesson, one wedding vendors take very seriously.

There is also the issue of professional image involved. If a bride fails to pay her balance and the photographer/videographer does not give her pictures/video to her, the guests have no idea that about the situation. All they can see is that it's been so long and the bride still does not have her album or dvd! You can probably be sure that the bride wouldn't be advertising that they stiffed the photographer/videographer and it's unlikely that the guests (potential future clients) would think to ask such a thing. The photographer then would not only have worked for nothing or next to nothing that day, but their business reputation could be seriously damaged. The last thing they want is a guest from such a wedding telling a friend who is about to book them that they know someone who never got their pictures or video!


Hopefully this post will give a bit of insight into the payment process, a vendor's perspective and steps a bride can take to help protect herself when booking.

 

Flower Power
By Carlo Loria

Usually, when one thinks of choosing wedding flowers, color is always the first priority. If you’re a bride who’s having trouble selecting your flower colors, then think about using your favorite fragrances as a guide to narrow down the selection. Do you prefer the smell of roses or maybe freesia? If you’re asking yourself, “What do these smell like?” then it’s time to step into the great outdoors and visit your local florist for a crash course in flowers. Don’t be afraid to ask florists the basic questions. They want you to be informed; not only does it make their life much easier, but it also saves you hours of looking through photo albums and magazines trying to make a decision. The next time you visit the florist you’ll know exactly what to ask. Instead of sounding like “I want a few of those small, blue ones with a bunch of those big pink ones.” You’ll sound like, “I would like an arrangement of blue hydrangea with pink tuberroses and white Casa Blanca lilies.” An informed bride is a
stress free bride!

Floral by Grow With Us Florist

Florist Ashley Bateman of Nola Flora provides a helpful list of fragrant flowers that work well in arrangements. “Lilies—like Siberia, Conca D'or, Casa Blanca, Sorbonne and Starfighter, Gardenias, tuber-roses, garden roses and spray roses, stock, freesia...these are really sweet florally. Then there are flowers like lizianthus, pink peppercorn, hypericum berries-- all more spicy peppery.” Bateman offers a great word of caution: “For table centerpieces for a seated meal event, you might not want to use highly fragrant flowers.” The combination of food and flower fragrances sometimes clash. Focus on using
the fragrant flowers in bouquets, boutonnieres, and in arrangements located in high traffic, non-food areas.

To achieve a truly grand fragrant effect, some brides and their event planners like to decorate with entire trees; not only the flower itself but the whole tree or shrub is a guest at your wedding. It may sound like it's unkind to nature, but you're actually doing mother nature a favor by not cutting flowers for one night. This sort of decoration is a simple way to add height and volume to your wedding flora.

You can use the trees and bushes to create or define an aisle or entryway, add dimension to ceremony spaces, add height to a table-top arrangement or enhance a dull, empty space. If the trees and bushes are small enough, you could even give them away as wedding favors. Another great thing about this option is that you can choose whichever kind of container you want and how you want to decorate it. Fortunately, in Louisiana, we are blessed with a sub-tropic climate that grants access to many locally grown, floral trees and bushes for most of the year. It is important to remember to choose the appropriate flowering bush or tree for the right time of year. Magnolias and jasmine tend to bloom in late spring and throughout the summer, while citrus trees bloom in the late winter months around December, January and February.

If fragrance isn't your thing, but you still like the tree/bush idea, then try topiary bushes. They're healthy, green bushes that are cut and shaped into different sorts of shapes: boxes, diamonds, curly cues, etc. Bamboo, which comes in tiny table-top sizes or larger sizes, adds a peaceful, Zen-like effect to any space and fills your wedding with good karma!

For our earth-friendly couples, Bella Blooms Floral owner Diem Vu has a great idea. She has used easy-to-find and easy-to-carve balsa wood to create a lovely bouquet with wooden flowers that look nothing like wood. Think of the possibilities wood provides: you can paint it, stain it, or just leave it all natural!
    
If you’re a bride who loves sparkle, and you absolutely need everything to be jewel encrusted and glittering at your wedding, Diem has created what some term the “bling bouquet.” As seen in the Earth Angels feature in this issue, the arrangement is basically a bouquet-sized bushel of glittering, rhinestone brooches and rings. Imagine wearing jewels in your hair, on your body, and your bouquet!

Photo by Studio Tran & Bouquet by Bella Blooms

If you’re a destination wedding bride, try a shell bouquet. Shells are just like flowers. They come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. The possibilities are endless with some wire and a bucket of shells. You can even take the shell idea one step further and wear shell necklaces, bracelets, and headpieces to match your bouquet.

On to table arrangements! There are several costeffectivetable arrangement ideas to help if the flower budget is tight. Either on their own or mixed with flowers, candles are the first go-to table space filler. Luminous Events of New Orleans provides a wide variety of candle shapes and sizes. Also they have a vast amount of beautiful, glass vases which they arrange individually into a flattering display.

A recent trend involves incorporating frames of various shapes, sizes, and styles into your decor as seen in the Rustic Chic Feature by Bee’s Weddings and Events in this issue on pages 76-77. The frames can be positioned upright on a surface, hanging in the air, or on the walls. These frames can serve simply as decor or they can become an integral part of your reception entertainment. You and your guests can either pose for pictures within the frame, or have the frame positioned on the wall with the inner, empty area filled with flowers, then pose in front of that for pictures.

Floral by Bee's Weddings and Events

The possibilities are endless when decorating your ceremony and reception. Your décor should ultimately be a reflection of yourself; and remember when in doubt consult a professional. You’ll have to live with those wedding photos and memories forever so make sure your decor is something you love!


 

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Free Magazine Locations
N.O.W. Magazine always recommends calling the following vendors before visiting to make sure they currently have copies available.

Downtown/French Quarter:

- Babs Evangelista Photography –  504-261-3744

- Bourbon Orleans Hotel – 717 Orleans St.  New Orleans, LA    504-523-2222

- Bourbon Vieux - 501 Bourbon Street  New Orleans, LA   504-586-1155

- Cajun Encounters Travels - 504-834-1770

- Chartres House – 601 Chartres St.  New Orleans, LA   504-504-586-1155

- Chateau Bourbon- 800 Iberville St.   New Orleans, LA   504-586-0800

- Clarion Herald - Clarion Herald P.O. Box 53247 New Orleans, La. 70153   504-524-1618

- Eau Clairie Photographics - 504-432-7879

- Exquisite Events - 504-975-4089

- Funtastic Fotos -  504-466-9209

- Hilton Garden Inn (Convention Center)- 1001 S. Peters St.  New Orleans, LA  504-525-3400

- Hilton Garden Inn (French Quarter) – 821 Gravier St.  New Orleans, LA  504-324-6000

- JW Marriot Hotel New Orleans – 614 Canal St.  New Orleans, LA  504-555-5571

- La Bayou - 208 Bourbon St.  New Orleans, LA   504-586-1155

- Le Pavillon Hotel – 833 Poydras at Baronne   New Orleans, LA  504-581-3111

- Loews New Orleans Hotel – 300 Poydras Street  New Orleans, LA   504-595-3300

- Louisiana Superdome-  Sugarbowl Drive  New Orleans, LA  504-587-3663

- Maison Dupuy Hotel- 1001 Rue Toulouse & Burgundy  New Orleans, LA   504-535-9177 ext. 6114

- New Orleans Marriot-  555 Canal Street   New Orleans, LA   504-553-5571

- New Orleans Marriot Convention Center   859 Convention Center Blvd.  New Orleans, LA  504-613-2886

- Oceana Grill - 739 Conti St.  New Orleans, LA  504-525-6002

- Omni Royal Orleans Hotel - 621 St. Louis St.   New Orleans, LA  504-529-7022

- Ralph & Kacoo’s – 519 Toulouse St.   New Orleans, LA   504-522-5226

- Renaissance Arts Hotel - 504-412-2572 or 800-431-8634

- Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel - 504-412-2572 or 800-372-0482

- Riverfront Restaurant - 504-586-1155

- Royal House -  441 Royal Street   New Orleans, LA   504-586-1155

- Royal Sonesta Hotel – 300 Bourbon St.  New Orleans, LA   504-553-2205

- The Parisian Courtyard Inn - 504-581-4540

- Second Line Weddings and Events - 504-432-8702

- Squareface Photobooth - squarefacephotobooth.com

- The Stationery Studio –  504-581-7248

- Studio Vieux Carre –  504-528-8888

- The Chicory – 610 South Peters St.  New Orleans, LA  504-521-8055

- Tipitina’s – 233 N Peters  New Orleans, LA  504-566-7095

- Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination - 504-261-0484

- Unique Weddings In New Orleans - 504-305-3522 or 504-473-4254

- W Hotels of New Orleans –  333 Poydras    New Orleans,  LA  504-207-5039

- Windsor Court Hotel – 300 Gravier St.   New Orleans, LA 70130  504-596-4787

 
Destrehan:

Elmwood / Harahan/ River Ridge:


- Bell Journee Photography - 504-512-7010 or 504-512-6612

- Body Styles Fitness Spa - 504-738-5926

- Champagne Palace – 701 Elmwood Park Blvd.  New Orleans, LA   504-734-2244

- Courtyard on the Ridge – 407 Folse St.  New Orleans, LA 70123   504-737-6660

- La Louisiane – 9643 Jefferson Hwy  River Ridge, LA   504-296-3227


Houma:

- Kristen Guin Photography –  504-209-8050

- Your Day Production - 504-273-0005 or 985-227-4579

 
Kenner:

- Big Easy Limos - 504-466-4477

- Elegant Linens, LLC - 225-315-1819 or 504-481-5221

- Messina's Catering/Yur Event Rentals - 2717 Williams Blvd., Kenner LA 70062 504-469-7373

 
Lakeview:
 

- Dyle Films – 504-813-4183

- Le Deux Soeurs –  504-812-1556/ 504-508-2786

- Revive The Lakeview Hair Salon – 234 W. Harrison Ave.. New Orleans, LA 70124 504-265-8761

 
LaPlace:

- Posh Productions –  504-655-0347

 
Lower Garden District:

- Race and Religious – 501 Race St.  New Orleans, LA  504-523-0890

Metairie:

- Bee's Wedding & Event Floral Design - 504-830-4031

- Bella Blooms Floral Weddings & Events –    504-957-3670

- Brenda Sison Photography –  504-492-0472

- Bustles & Bows Bridal Boutique – 3230 Severn Ave.  Metairie, LA  504-780-7090

- Cafe' Royale -  3343 Metairie Rd., Metairie, LA 70001 504-304-8438

- Celebrity Limosine Service - 504-888-LIMO...504-888-5466

- Chamber Music Enterprise – 504-495-3303

- City Catering – 3116 South  I-10 Service Rd. East   Metairie, LA    504-831-1030

- Fine Art Exposure - 3204 W. Metairie Ave S. Ste B  Metairie, LA  504-914-7262

- Flawless Bride - 504-473-3621

- Grow With Us Florists – 106 Metairie Heights Ave.   Metairie, LA   504-837-9449

- Instashots – 504-931-4095

- John’s Tuxedos – 3200 Houma Blvd.  Metairie, LA  504-455-5353

- Oscar Rajo Photography –  504-837-6611

- Spoofs Photobooth - 504-231-5342

- Stacy Marks Photography –  504-237-2173

- Studio Tran - 504-258-7260

- Rudman's Card and Party Shop - 504-833-1286


Mid City/Gentilly:


- Bob Bradford Photography - 504-943-2622

- Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots - 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 701119  504-9481285

- Melissa’s Fine Pastries –  504-472-8572

- New Orleans Museum of Art – 1 Collins Circle  New Orleans, LA  504-658-4139

 

Mississippi/Gulf Coast


- Angie Stenum - 228-861 - 0557

Northshore:


- Boogie Booth - P.O. Box 581 Mandeville, La 70470   504-457-8033

- Bridal Manor - 985-893-0391

- Fleur De Lis Event Center - 1685 N. Causeway Blvd.  Mandeville, LA   985-626-9118

- Images by Robert T –  985-966-2793

- NOLA Bash - 504-388-8637

- Olivier Couture – 1901 Highway 190   Mandeville, LA  70448  985-674-6994

- Terrington Films –   985-892-8379

 
New Orleans East:


- Southern Oaks Plantation – 7816 Hayne Blvd.  New Orleans, LA   504-245-8221

- The Royal Cakery – 10800 Morrison Road Ste. 106   New Orleans, LA    504-246-2065

 

Uptown:

- The Bride’s Lounge -   1920 Magazine St.  New Orleans, LA   504-301-0316

- Dunn & Sonnier Flowers – 2138 Magazine St.   New Orleans, LA   504-524-3235

- The Elm’s Mansion and Gardens - 3029 St. Charles Ave.  New Orleans, LA   504-895-9200

- Get Polished Events – 1920 Magazine St.  New Orleans, LA   504-301-0316

- Margaret Gardens Inn -  1133 Margaret Place, New Orleans, LA 70130 504-522-7677

- Nola Flora - 4636 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA  504-891-3333

- Nuance New Orleans – 728 Dublin Street   New Orleans, LA   504-865-8466

- Pigeon Catering – 5900 South Front St.   New Orleans, LA    504-262-0412

- Sweet Art Photography – 406 Magazine St.  New Orleans, LA  504-333-0080

- Tupelo Honey Design - 3712 Magazine Street  New Orleans, LA 70115  504891-1333

 
Westbank:


- Abbey Printing – 429 Wall Blvd.  Ste. 10   Gretna, LA    504-392-7774

- Ardent Studio –  504-236-3205

- Cedar Grove Tchoupitoulas Plantation – 6533 River Rd.  Waggaman, LA   504-431-5743

- English Turn Country Club - 1 Clubhouse Dr.  New Orleans, LA   504-392-2200

- Event Rental - 524 Amelia Street, Gretna, LA 70053  504-362-8368

- John Alwert Photography –  504-362-5942

- Luminous Events of New Orleans –    504-864-6331

- Royal Palm - 1901 Manhattan Blvd.  Harvey, LA   504-644-4101

- Squareface Photobooth –   504-914-4767

- Wink Event Design & Event Planning -   1901 Manhattan Blvd.  (Ste 105)  Harvey, LA  504-296-9965

 
Baton Rouge & Surrrounding Areas:


- Ali Beasley Designs - 225-200-3237

- Claire Elyse Photography - 318-805-1421

- Robert Faust Photography –  225-698-9323

- Blue Note Press –   504-383-8908
 

 

 

 

Choosing Favors that Favor You

By Carlo Loria

 

The wedding favor is a necessary, finishing touch for the detail oriented bride, but often times is an over looked detail that’s either saved to the last minute or cut out of the budget all together. If  you’re questioning whether or not to provide favors at your wedding, here are a few things to remember and a few ideas to help you make the best selection. As a bride, you are left with very few physical reminders of your wedding day. Yes you have the dress, pictures, video, and the piece of cake in the freezer; but things like the venue are disassembled and the flowers thrown away right after the wedding. If you want your guests to have that extra physical memento of your wedding day, consider favors.

Handkerchief Courtesy of Nuance New Orleans

                      Anthony Graziano, owner of Funtastic Fotos, explains that "In just seven seconds, guests can create a video which is printed as a flipbook on-site in 90 seconds." No longer do your guests have to wait until the end of the wedding to take home their favors, nor do you have to worry about taking home all of the extra favors after the wedding. Graziano adds, "Props such as boas, beads, hand held signs, as well as a custom designed cover with the bride and groom's name and wedding date personalize the flipbook. Whether they are in front of the white background or green screen that places them on a float, gondola, or in front of the Eiffel Tower; your guests will always remember their wedding and treasure their favor." Graziano explained another flipbook idea, "The bride and groom can even create their own flipbook ahead of time which can be used as their save-the-date or as an additional favor at the wedding." He gives a compilation of all the flipbook videos made by guests at the wedding to the bride and groom. 

 

Flipbook provided by Funtastic Fotos

 

                 

               Another on-the-spot photo company, InstaShots, provides a great variety of options for photo favors. Owner Gretchen Lauer provides a slew of props for guests to use in their photographs. These images are quickly printed on site and placed in a custom photo folder or on a magnet. Lauer's packages offer unlimited magnet favors with helpful staff members present from beginning to end. What makes Instashots’ photos distinctive, besides their on-site availability, is the option to customize a photo by adding borders and text.  Lauer explains that she personalizes the photos with a "thank you for sharing our special day.” Lauer adds, "The bride can receive a DVD of all the photos created so that she and her groom can go through and have a laugh."  InstaShots even offers a convenient option for guests who would like copies of a certain photo. On the back of each magnet, there is a label that provides guests with InstaShots’ website where those copies can be purchased. A great idea from Instashots is save-the-date magnets. They’re easy to print, easy to pass out, and you'll constantly be on the minds of friends and family when they visit the refrigerator!

 

Finally, a photobooth can add tons of interactive fun for your guests. Some photobooth companies even provide a scrap book and art supplies for your guests to put together a fun memory book of all the fun they had for you to cherish for years to come! 

 

Photobooth courtesy of Boogie Booth

 

              Whatever favor you choose, you can’t go wrong if you focus on making it fun for your guests!

 

 

 

 

Sweet Sweet Selections
Selecting a Wedding Cake
By Jean Hailey

A wedding cake is the universally served creative confection for all weddings. Everyone loves wedding cake. The bride and groom deserve to have a cake that is not only delicious, but one that you both will remember forever. Today, cakes provided by artistic bakers and caterers are a literal banquet for both the eyes and taste buds. Wedding cakes are both visual and culinary extravaganzas. These artistic bakers are creating cakes as edible art. Bakers can fashion cakes that look like gift boxes, ships, musical instruments, city landmarks, square shapes, heart shapes and any shape imaginable.

Many couples stick with the traditional-looking wedding cake, but inside this wonderful package might be surprises such as carrot cake with cream cheese, classic genoise with white chocolate icing, even cheesecake with ice cream. While most wedding cakes are still mainly white, whimsical designs and colorful accents can turn them into a visual and edible work of art. You can have whatever kind of cake you want, after finding the perfect baker to create your dream cake. It is all up to your vision or the baker or caterer’s creativity.

The number of wedding cake designs is endless. Almost anything is possible. The most recent trend is an elegant, stacked cake, without columns, but smooth corners, delicate borders, and edible artwork. As you begin your search for the ultimate wedding cake, expect to see creations you never imagined; cakes resembling beautifully decorated hat boxes or wrapped gifts, sweet layers supported by sleek glass pillars, and about anything you can imagine. You will see cakes that you can’t envision actually slicing.

Photo by Studio Tran & cake by Royal Cakery

Your cake should coordinate with the rest of your wedding. The wedding cake design should be made after you have made the decisions about the dress style, theme, and reception décor. These basic decisions can serve as a guideline for the design of your wedding cake.

Choose a cake that is well suited with the venue’s style, the season, your dress, the flower arrangements, or the menu. You may want colored accents such as sugar flowers or icing ribbons.
Have samples of fabric swatches for your baker if needed. Along with your creative baker, create a cake that will be a beautiful part of your wedding, not a sideshow.

One of the hardest decisions can be the flavor selection. You might consider a multi-flavored cake. This is a wonderful option if you want to give your guests diversity. Some brides choose a layer of chocolate cake, layer of carrot cake and a layer of yellow cake. Ask your baker for ideas. Wedding cakes have the assurance for looking good but should also be delectable in taste for all guests waiting for that first slice. The texture and flavor of the cake is important so when you’re out shopping, don’t hesitate to ask for samples of cake flavors.

Begin shopping for the wedding cake six months to a year before the date, even earlier if you’ve requested a truly unique cake, if the bakery you have chosen is very popular, or if your nuptials are in a peak season. Make sure that you are familiar with the style and quality of the chef’s work before you buy.

Inquire whether the baker bakes fresh or works from frozen cakes. Some will bake early in the week, and then freeze the cakes, decorating them on Friday. Generally this involves handling the finishing touches on the day of the wedding. Fresh will probably taste better.

Most importantly, interview bakers in person, ask lots of questions, bring photographs of designs that you like, and then determine if they are qualified to create the impression you desire. As you check out their portfolio, make sure you are looking at cakes they have made personally, and not just pictures in magazines and books. Magazines and books are great for exciting ideas, but you need to see the baker’s actual workmanship and level of proficiency. It is your responsibility to find the perfect cake designer, but it is your designer’s responsibility to grasp your dreams and make them a reality.

Below are some very important questions to ask the baker:

-How many years have you been in business?
-May I see your portfolio?
-Have you made all of the cakes in your portfolio yourself?
-Do you charge additional for each layer of the cake being different flavors?
-Do you charge additional for fillings?
-Is there a delivery fee?
-How soon do you bake the cake before the wedding?
-Do you customize cakes, or do I have to pick a design in your portfolio?
-Do you have cake tastings? Can I participate more than once?
-Do you specialize in any particular technique or art form?

Once you’ve found your baker, don’t take a chance of losing them. Sign an agreement and leave a retainer so that someone else doesn’t book your day and time. Remember to get copies of receipts and keep them on file for your records. Remain in contact with your baker and update them on your most recent ideas.

Custom sketch by Melissa's Fine Patries

Here are a few cake do’s and don’ts: Keep the weather in mind if your reception will be outdoors. Direct rays from the sun could melt the frosting. Cakes should be kept indoors, if possible, or in the shade. If the cake will be placed outdoors, first place it in a refrigerator or freezer, if possible. (Do not freeze it, however.)

Have the cake delivered as late as possible so that it doesn’t stand for several hours before being cut. By considering your location and choosing a style of cake that works best in that location, you can have a lovely cake without unpleasant surprise to spoil your day.

For many brides, a wedding cake is a major part of their reception. There are hundreds of options and fun ideas for wedding cake designs that will surprise and delight all of your guests. The cake may be the only thing that you have a chance to sit down and eat the entire day, so make sure it’s delicious and an amazingly, sweet selection.
 

Photo by Images by Robert T
 

Q: What are questions I should ask when considering a vendor for my wedding?

A: There are several things you should ask vendors before booking with them, especially if they are not well known in the wedding industry. Everyone has to start somewhere, but you want to be sure the people you are giving your money to are reliable and can perform the task you are paying them for. Here are a few of the things you should look for:

1. Ask for references with phone numbers and check them. The references can be past clients or other wedding professionals that they work with. If the vendor is unable or unwilling to give you references, this is a huge red flag.

2. Ask how long they've been in business and what experience they have especially with an event similar to yours. Your wedding is a once in your lifetime event and you want to make sure that the vendors you hire have the skills and experience to manage the day's events and troubleshoot any possible problems that may pop up.

3. Find out if they have a business license and appropriate insurance. Having these is a good sign (though not a guarantee) that you're dealing with someone reputable; absence of a business license and insurance is a good clue you should look elsewhere.

Have a question for the N.O.W. girls? Email us at info@neworleansweddingsmagazine.com

photo credit: istockphoto.com/robbiverte

Visit our Facebook fan page and vote for your favorite REAL woman N.O.W.

Facebook.com/NOLAWedding

Shannon Lathrop:
As the Maid of Honor in the wedding, Shannon has been by my side through the whole process. With my Fiancé stationed in California, She came down for 5 weeks this summer and has gone to appointments after appointments with me. She even picked out my dress, a dress I would have over looked if she did not tell me to just try it on! Thanks to her, I know that my wedding will go well on December 18th, 2011.  It is very rare to find one of your best friends in your sister and that is why I am nominating Shannon to be N.O.W.'s real woman.
~Erin Lathrop (sister)

Colleen Johnson:
I would like to nominate my mother, Colleen Johnson, for the N.O.W. Mother of the Bride Day contest.  She is the most selfless person I know with the biggest, purest heart.  She loves to plan events and have a good time, and I know when the time comes for me to walk down the aisle she will be my rock that will keep me sane and plan the most fabulous day of my life!  I couldn’t do it without her, and it’s her turn to be in the spotlight!
~Christina Johnson (daughter)

Jean Hill:
I want to introduce you to my wonderful mother and best friend.  She is my rock.  She made my perfect fairy tale wedding come true.  I'm so happy y’all are doing a section about Moms. I truly feel that she is the perfect mom.  There isn't enough I could do to show her how much I appreciate her and what she does for me and my husband. I love her so much, I wouldn't know what to do without her.
~Julie Martin (daughter)

Victoria Lam:
I've stood in 3 weddings within the last couple years and played a major role in each.  It is truly such a beautiful day that takes not only a lot of time and planning but a group of supportive friends to help you through the smallest details to the biggest underlying decisions in life! From helping pick out the dresses to the colors, to planning the bridal shower and bachelorette parties, I'm so honored and thankful to have been there every step of the way.

Lisa Bordelon:
For a year and a half she did pretty much all of my planning when I was busy with
work.  After all of the hard work she put in to make my wedding the most special day of my life, she didn’t even get to enjoy herself because she ended up slipping in the church and breaking her hand at my rehearsal.  My mom is the most loving and caring person I have ever known and I wouldn’t having grown up to be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for her. That is why I think she is a REAL woman!
~Ashley Pereira (daughter)

Jill Mercer:
I would like to nominate my mother, Jill Mercer, for the Mother of the Bride Contest.  Throughout the span of her career, she has nurtured and guided every one of her brides to their graceful positions at the end of the aisle.  She has served as "The Mother" of hundreds of brides, giving them insight, as well as inspiring them to start their new lives with strength and peace.  Even when life throws her bad days, her first priority is to make her bride's day more extraordinary than ever. Her grace, beauty, and intelligence have enlightened many lives within the wedding industry. Her kindness and sincerity motivates people to new levels of their lives.
~Katie Mercer (daughter)

Sally St. Pierre Gerstner:
My mom and sister are perfect to feature for mother of bride and bridesmaid. I want to nominate them b/c they are my best friends!  My sister is my second best friend....behind mom of course :)  When I was in school, she supported me and helped me in so many ways. And now, she is raising three kiddos without her husband who is deployed while also supporting me in planning this wedding from afar.
~Erin St. Pierre (sister)

Margaret St. Pierre:
My mom and sister are perfect to feature for mother of bride and bridesmaid. I want to nominate them b/c they are my best friends!  As a single parent, my mom always put us first. We never did without or missed out on anything. We were loved and that's what we knew best. She raised us to believe family was the most important thing in life and that our siblings would be our best and longest friends, and she was right. We are one of the closest families I know.
~Erin St. Pierre (daughter)

Visit our Facebook fan page and vote for your favorite REAL woman N.O.W.

Facebook.com/NOLAWedding
 

Say Yes to the Dress: Choosing the Perfect Bridal Gown for You
By Christina Johnson

_{Image by Claire Elyse Photography}

It’s finally happened! You are getting married! Congratulations! A lot of things will need to get done in the months leading up to your wedding, and one of the most important things you will need to do is find your wedding dress. Whether you think of yourself as a princess and want the big fairytale gown or you want something more traditional and timeless, most women set out in hopes of finding the perfect gown. What would your dream wedding be without the perfect wedding dress, right?

You will find yourself flipping through bridal magazines and visiting bridal shops trying to find the dress that seemingly speaks to you. In the face of it all, you might get overwhelmed or maybe even panic a little bit. You might wish you had a fairy godmother to help you with the array of choices that are out there when it comes to wedding dresses. With a little guidance and patience all of the worry can be avoided.

Start early when it comes to choosing your wedding dress. It is recommended that a bride start looking for her bridal gown 8 to 12 months before her wedding date. “This will give ample time to shop without feeling pressured or overwhelmed,” say Maestri.

You must also allow time for alterations. Keep in mind that if you try on the dress and it looks like a lot of fabric will have to be taken in, you should probably start looking for a different design. Taking in too much fabric will change the design and overall look of the dress. Alterations are always necessary when it comes to fitting your bridal gown but too many could ruin the dress.

One of the most important things to consider is a dress that flatters your figure and one that you will feel comfortable in. You want a dress that you will exude confidence in. You have to remember that you will be in the gown for most of the day, during the ceremony and reception, as well as when you are dancing and greeting your guests. All eyes will be on you on your wedding day. It’s your time to shine, so it is important to accentuate your greatest assets to look your absolute best.

_{Image by Bob Bradford Photography}

“Essentially, whenever we are asked about which silhouette flatters each body type, our answer is usually the same --any of them!” says Maestri of Bustles and Bows. “We don’t like to box anyone into a certain area, especially when we know that one change to the neckline, or taking a layer from under the skirt could make it the dress of their dreams!”

Finding the right dress is a process, and it is not unusual for a bride to try on many different gowns. “You have brides that will try on 1 or 2, then brides that spend months trying on over 100 gowns!” exclaims Bridal Manor. “I will say that they do tend to come back to one of the first dresses they tried on.”

 Maestri agrees that most brides end up choosing one of the first gowns they try on, if not the very first one. “While opinions from family and friends are helpful, YOU are what matters,” says Maestri, and it is important to “listen to your own voice and go with your gut” when choosing your wedding dress. Do not buy a dress with everyone else in mind. This is your wedding day and it is all about you! Keep that in mind when choosing your gown.

Let’s start with the tall bride, a bride 5’8” or taller. Many may think that taller brides usually have the advantage because just about anything will look good on them. According to Maestri, bridal gowns are cut approximately for someone who is around 5’10.

This can be an issue, or it could be an advantage. Bridal Manor says “If anything, [tall brides] sometimes have to choose a company with the option of custom lengths, which can narrow their choices.”

“It can also be an advantage in some situations,” says Maestri, “because a lot of gowns are styled and designed for a taller girl.” While fewer alterations will have to be made in terms of length for a tall bride, there are no styles a tall bride should avoid. It all comes down to the proportion of the bride’s figure.

If you are a petite bride, stay away from gowns that may overwhelm your figure. When it comes to full skirts, “the dress wears them and not the other way around,” notes Bridal Manor. You want the attention to be not only on the dress, but you as well. It's your day after all! Bridal Manor also notes that petite brides should look to designers with custom cuts, especially when it comes to lace gowns.

If you have an hourglass figure, you have a defined waist and your shoulders are about the same width as your hips. With this type of body, you definitely want to accentuate your waist. Both Maestri of Bustles and Bows and Bridal Manor agree that hour glass figures can pretty much wear any style.

“They have the curves for a fitted trumpet, or the shape for a drop waist ball gown,” notes Maestri. “As long as their personality fits the dress, go for it!” exclaims the team at Bridal Manor.

For the bustier bride, the goal is to not look too top heavy. You do not want your bust to be the main focus on your wedding day. Busty brides should look for gowns with ample cup allowance, says Maestri. “A lot of empire waists and some sweetheart necks do not offer enough room for a chestier girl. If they are looking to minimize and draw attention away from the bust, one shoulder gowns, as well as gowns with straps offer support and coverage.”

On the other side, “A gown with straps does provide extra support,” says Bridal Manor, “but [a bride] may be surprised that they like a strapless gown with a corset back.”

_{Image by Oscar Rajo Photography}

Bridal Manor and Bustles and Bows agree that a sweetheart neckline is one of the most flattering necklines for a smaller bust and petite frame. “Sweetheart necklines and pleating can enhance the bust line, and cups can always be added to any dress by your seamstress,” suggests Bridal Manor.

“Plunging necklines also do very well,” say Maestri for a smaller bust and petite frame as it “opens up the chest and neck and help elongates the torso.” Full-figured brides should try ruching when it comes to choosing their bridal gown-as it is always one of the more flattering elements on a dress. “It really enhances and brings out the natural curves of a full figured girl by both concealing and shaping,” says Maestri.

Brides with narrow, straight, or boxy figures tend to do well with a natural waist silhouette. “Diagonal ruching and a drop waist can give the illusion of feminine curves,” notes Bridal Manor.

“An a-line or full skirt will create curves that almost seem to be natural,” says Maestri. Adding a belt to the waistline will also help to create a defined waistline.

Another important aspect of bridal dress shopping is choosing the right undergarments. Virtually all designer bridal gowns have everything you would need built into them, from molded cups, boning, crinoline and underwire, but some dresses do require a little something extra.

“If your dress happens to be slinky, we recommend a pair of Spanx, as it will smooth out the lines of the gown and eliminate panty lines as well as belly button indentations,” says Maestri. “Basically the least you can put under your gown the better. Long line bras and the like will cause your gown to stretch [over the course of the night], and create the very unflattering, pulling and tugging on the top of the gown.”

No matter what your body type, the best advice is to try on dresses. Keep an open mind and never be afraid to try on something out of the box. You may have envisioned yourself in a particular gown, but until you try it on, you will never know which dress will be the one. The dress you fall in love with could be one you would have never expected. There is a dress out there for every body type and there is a dress out there that is perfect for you!

_{Image by Robert Faust Photography}