EDITORIAL Damos la bienvenida a todos nuestros lectores en este primer número de Weddings & Quinceañeras del año 2017. Esperamos contar con su preferencia durante todo este año, porque seguiremos trabajando con pasión, dedicación y todo el corazón; junto a la bendición de Dios para darles a conocer tendencias de vestuario, salones, decoración, alimentos, limosinas y entretenimiento entre otros temas relacionados para que tú día especial sea un momento inolvidable. Para todos los que colaboramos y hacemos parte de esta empresa es un privilegio llegarles a ustedes a través de nuestra revista. Iniciamos un nuevo año de actividades con el propósito de continuar compartiendo información valiosa con la comunidad y con el firme proposito de ser la guía con la información más completa para aportar una solución a esos complejos preparativos de unas de las fechas más importantes de nuestras vidas y lo hemos consolidado con éxito. En esta edición encontrarán interesantes artículos, los proveedores de servicios y productos mas completos y una pequeña muestra del majestuoso evento que fue el ExpoShow 2016 Summer Edition. Sabemos que la disfrutarán mucho, como nosotros lo hicimos preparandolá para ustedes.
EN EL COVER
SPRING EDITION 2017
EQUIPO
Presidente Gladys Carreño
Vice-Presidente Angel Patiño
Directora General EXPO Diana Correa Asist. de Presidencia Paula Pinzón
Gerente Administrativo Juan D. Contreras Asist. Administrativo Camilo A. Correa
Gerente Karen A. Contreras
Asist. Gerencia Francisco J. Correa
Servicio al Cliente Diana Correa
Asist. Servicio al Cliente Camila Contreras
Contador JJ Multiservice, Inc.
Diseñador Jonathan Lareo
Web Master Enrique Reasco Edición Angel Patiño
Distribución La Misión Import
(832)274.9109
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Conoce nuestro website www.weddingsandquinceaneras.net Contáctanos weddingsquinceaneras@yahoo.com
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Todos los derechos reservados. Prohibida la reproducción total ó parcial de los artículos, ilustraciones, imágenes, fotos y demas contenidos. La dirección no se hace responsable de las opiniones, textos y fotografías publicadas en Weddings & Quinceañeras Magazine. Contenido publicitario es responsabilidad de los pautantes. El editor se reserva el derecho de publicar cualquier anuncio que juzgue inconveniente y de cancelar cualquier contrato publicitario con contenido o descripción de carácter inapropiado. 12
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CONTENIDO
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RECEPTION HALL
Things To Consider
Before Booking Your Venue
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The question of where and when a quinceañera party will take place are not always as easy to answer as a people would like them to be.
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Gone are the days where a family would select the one quinceañera venue in their hometown and then check that task off the planning list. Since the number of venue options are infinite now, people need to think about a wide variety of questions before the go ahead and select their space. Choosing a venue might seem like a task consisting only of liking a space or not, but in reality there is way more to consider than that. Our simple rules for booking the right quinceanera venue...
Understand The Logistics
At The Time Of Day
Saturday is still the most popular day for to go out and visit venues. But one of my most important rules is to go back for a second visit at the very time of day your event will be held. If you visit a venue at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning and you are planning to have your party at 5 p.m. in the evening, you probably won’t be getting the same view of the venue. It only seems logical to be able to see the venue at the very time of day you will be hosting your party but it is something that, most of the time, you will need to ask for. Everything from how the light floods into the space, to if a cold draft sweeps through the hallway can help you figure out if this is the venue you want to spend your money on. Visiting the venue is also the perfect time to bring with you your planner or coordinator and have them take a look. Oftentimes those wedding professionals have a different take of a venue and might offer some good advice.
With all the emotion and excitement that comes with the early stages of planning it is very easy for family to see a venue, get excited and sign the contract. While it may seem ho-hum, remembering to consider the logistics of the venue can actually save you big headaches later on. Everything from how many guest you will need the venue to fit, the season and time of day you want to have your wedding and any special accommodations your guests might need.
Here’s a big Question: Should a couple pick the venue before having a guest list or should they get a guest count and then pick the venue? It is not easy to have a guest count two weeks into the planning process but if you don’t have an idea of what size you are going to have you will not be able to pick a venue confidently. No firm count is needed to look at venues, but one of the first questions the venue will ask is how many guest you’ll be hosting. Having a rough idea — whether it be 60, 125 or 300 guests — will allow you to cross venues off your list without having to go look at them in person since almost every venue lists their facility size online.
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Taking into account what style party you want will help you choose the venues you need to visit. If a modern minimalist is what you have your sights set on, you might want stay clear of any country charm venues.
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The Venue Is Full Service Or Not Privacy varies widely from place to place, as does the importance couples place on it. If you’re having a daytime event in a public spot, such as a park, beach or botanical garden, be prepared for strangers to trek past your party. They may even smile, wave and come by to offer their good wishes. If this is okay with you, go for the park. If not, opt for a lawn on a private estate or golf course. Or, hold the reception at a restaurant or gallery that will allow you to buy it out (as in, guests only). Be sure to ask about available security at your site to keep gate-crashers at bay. Don’t think that just because you’re indoors, you’re safe from uninvited guests. Banquet halls and hotels often hold more than one affair at a time. If there’ll be other events going on simultaneously in rooms close to yours, you may hear karaoke-loving guests singing their hearts out to the sounds of Madonna through the walls or meet them over the hotair dryers in the bathroom. If this bothers you, try to schedule your wedding when there won’t be another one next door.
Ask, Ask & Ask Again If this is impossible, visit the site on a dual-party night and see how the sound carries and whether there really are any major people problems before you make a decision. Light can make—or break—the mood and the space. If you’re marrying during the day, make sure your hall has plenty of windows. Who wants to spend six hours in a dark room when the sun is shining? If it’s an evening affair, make sure the room’s not too dim—or that the lighting can be controlled for the big entrance, dinner and dancing. If you’re marrying outdoors, say, at dusk, will you be able to set up candles if necessary? Visit the site at the same time of day that you’ve chosen for your wedding. Even if the space looks romantic by candlelight, you may be surprised by the sight of that outdated carpet during the day. You’ll also miss a chance to see how sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows completely transforms the room, if you only check it out in the evening.
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BRIDAL & QUINCEAÑERA BOUTIQUE
Dress shopping
Should Be An Enjoyable Experience
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Confusion over appointment times, sample dresses that don’t fit, unfriendly shop assistants, and dream dresses that look terrible when they’re tried on, can all combine to produce a shopping trip from hell.
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Match Your Dress To Your Style Think about the type of party you want to have when you are choosing your dress. Which season have you chosen? Will it be a formal evening affair, or a casual beach party? Are you celebrate in a garden location, or an historic building? If you are having a themed you might want to make your dress part of that theme. On the other hand some quinceaneras go out and find the perfect dress and then use that to influence their theme.
Know What Flatters Your Body Type There are so many different styles and cuts of quinceanera or wedding dress that there will always be something to suit your body shape. The key is to choose something that will accentuate your best features, while drawing attention away from the parts you aren’t so keen on. Remember these key points: • Empire line dresses will lengthen short legs • Dropped waist gowns will compensate for a short waist • V-necks are very slimming and perfect for larger busted • Detail and gathered material at the bust is great for flatter chests • Horizontal lines widen the body and vertical lines elongate it Don’t be tempted to try to hide the parts of your body you don’t like under layers of structured fabric as this will only draw attention to them and give an overall chunky impression. Conversely, make sure your dress isn’t too revealing as you don’t want to be self conscious all day, and you don’t want your photos to be something you later cringe over. Many brides make the mistake of buying a dress that is too small with the idea of dieting into it. Although you will undoubtedly lose some weight before the party, you are unlikely to lose whole dress sizes, so it is much better to buy a gown that fits and plan plenty of fittings close to the big day to make any necessary changes. If you buy a dress that is ultra trendy you can guarantee it will date your party photos, and it may prevent you looking as bridal as you would like. Instead of choosing a gown because it is fashionable, choose one that you love and that makes you look and feel wonderful. It is better to add your own personal character to a simple dress using jewellery, shoes and other accessories, than to take an outfit directly off catwalks and regret it later.
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JEWELRY SPECIALIST
Popular Wedding
Ring Trends
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If you’re a nontraditional bride or just want a unique engagement ring, there are plenty of options out there. From colorful center stones and vintage-inspired designs to mixed metal settings, we got the scoop on what’s hot right now in bridal jewelry.
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Check out popular engagement ring trends you can shop:
Rose Gold
Square Bands
There’s a reason why this pink gold is making a huge Not only are engagement rings with square bands totally comeback—the feminine rosy shade flatters all skin tones. sleek, they’re also more comfortable than round bands. Square edges won’t pinch or constrict your fingers.
Colorful Diamonds
Vintage-Inspired Designs
If you’re looking to go the nontraditional route, a colorful diamond is a beautiful choice. Fancy-hued diamonds, like yellow and pink, stand out from the crowd without feeling Take a cue from vintage-inspired trends and consider a too over the top. If you want to make a bolder statement, ring with Victorian or art deco flair. You can’t go wrong with an engagement ring with an heirloom quality—it’s try an ultra-modern chocolate or black diamond. both glamorous and timeless.
Rose Gold
Elaborate Side Views
There’s a reason why this pink gold is making a huge comeback—the feminine rosy shade flatters all skin tones. Intricate details on the sides of your band mean your ring will look amazing from all angles. We love the chain-link effect of this setting—it symbolizes the eternal bond of marriage (and looks modern).
Colorful Gems
If you’re considering a colorful center stone, you don’t have to go with a diamond—there are lots of other amazing options out there. Sapphires are great alternatives to yellow and pink diamonds, and rubies and emeralds give off an instant vintage vibe. Another thought: A stone with multidimensional color, like alexandrite, creates a cool color-change effect.
Floral Accents
Marquise-Cut Diamonds A round-cut diamond may be the most popular center stone, but pear-shaped and marquise-cut diamonds are making a comeback. A huge plus about these tapered cuts? They instantly slim and elongate your fingers.
Mixed Metal Prongs
Engagement rings are blooming right now with flowers, Mixed metal prongs (or prongs that are a different metal petals, vines and other details plucked straight from the than the rest of your engagement ring) can create a garden. A floral-inspired halo adds a whimiscal touch to this more seamless look with colorful center stones and are feminine ring. a simple way to mix up your engagement ring setting. Opt for yellow gold prongs with a yellow center stone, or rose gold to play up a pink one.
Scrollwork Settings
More organic looking than a traditional, vintage-inspired ring, an ornate setting with scrollwork (or flourishes that resemble scrolls) has a playful, one-of-a-kind feel.
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MAKEUP & HAIR STYLIST
Easy Steps To Do
Long Lasting Party Makeup
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While picking up a gorgeous dress for the party might not be a tough task for you, not all of you would be having the expertise to do a stunning party makeup.
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The correct kind of makeup is very important to complete your look. Another important thing is that the party makeup is very different from your daily makeup. So, here are some easy tips for you to have the perfect party makeup and keep it lasting for long too.
Prepare For Makeup Wash your face with lukewarm water before using any makeup product. After pat drying, use a moisturiser, depending on your skin type, to avoid dryness. A moisturiser will also create a good base to apply foundation and make it stay longer. Make sure you moisturise your face and neck at least 20 minutes before you begin with your makeup.
Foundation Pick a silicone-based foundation to fill the pores. Apply the foundation uniformly all over your face. Do not forget to apply on the neck as well. Special winter foundations are also available these days. They are hydrating for the skin and do not chap or dry up in the cold weather.
Hair Spray Shabby, unkempt hair can spoil any look instantly. So, once you are done with your hairdo, use a good quality hair spray to keep it in place.
Eyeshadow And Eyeliner Always use waterproof products for the eyes when it comes to party makeup. These are smudge-proof and last for longer period of time as compared to the regular ones. Spread the eyeshadow uniformly on your eyelids and then apply the eyeliner. Prefer a black or brown coloured liners for the base. Use coloured or glitter eyeliners after applying the base liners.
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INVITATIONS & MORE
How To Choose
The Perfect Invitations
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Similar to choosing the perfect wedding dress, ordering invitations can cause bridal panic attacks. First impressions last forever, and wedding invitations set the tone and theme for the entire affair.
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Similar to choosing the perfect wedding dress, ordering invitations can cause bridal panic attacks. First impressions last forever, and wedding invitations set the tone and theme for the entire affair – not to mention the fact that they’ll last forever in your mother-in-law’s scrapbook.
Theme
Many brides struggle with creating the perfect theme for their weddings. In my experience, brides begin with a theme in mind, but it goes out the window once they see invitation samples they love. Keep an open mind about invitations, especially if you have no locked-in theme or color scheme. Sometimes, actually viewing product samples is the difference between liking an invitation and ordering an invitation. My best advice when it comes to planning a wedding is to stick with a color theme, rather than stick to a design theme. Narrow design themes can eliminate choices before you’ve even considered them.
Design
Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. What one bride loves, another bride hates. For example, more outgoing brides could feel that a metallic pocket fold with a satin ribbon and rhinestone buckle perfectly sets the stage for an elaborate, flashy wedding. On the other hand, traditional brides may love classic invitations, featuring a white cotton cardstock with black, gold or silver lettering that appears simple and elegant. In any case, I have found that bold-colored ribbons or colored rhinestone embellishments have negative effects on wedding invitations.
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CATERING EXPERTS
New Quinceanera
Food Trends
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Looking for the best way to feed guests at your reception?
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These trends and recipes will make the food at your quinceanera stand out, while still being fun and whimsical. From specialty cocktails to mini apps and late-night snacks, we’ve got all the ideas you need to chow down in style.
Shrink It Down
Keep It Healthy
Sometimes mini versions of your favorite meals make even more of a statement than their full-sized counterparts. A single meatball is topped with spaghetti and a bit of sauce for a classic dish that guests can eat in one bite.
Appeal to guests lighter sides by putting a few delicious good-for-you options on the menu. The baby-Greek salad is a mouthwatering appetizer that is a cinch to whip up.
Lose The Fork Make cocktail hour stress-free for guests by offering them foods that don’t require utensils. Lamb-and-pistachio meatballs are served on toothpicks for extra-easy devouring.
Upgrade Your ComfortFood Your home-cooked favorites are instantly elevated when served in unexpected ways, like gruyere-and-white-cheddar or mac-and-cheese served in a dainty ramekin.
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Serve Breakfast For Dinner Breakfast is always a crowd-pleaser, so why not serve it at your quinceanera party? The bacon cup filled with scrambled eggs is an elegant twist on the classic morning staple.
Include A Beverage Complement your favorite meal with a cocktail. For a black-tie wedding, try caviar and vodka. Having a more laid back affair? Sliders and a craft beer are just the ticke. Keep the snacks coming — especially after everyone has worked up an appetite on the dance floor.
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Introduce New Food Ideas
Don’t Forget Dessert
Think shots are only for frat parties? Think again. These wedding-worthy, sangria-inspired gelees are infused with sweet wines and subtly undercut with citrus flavors, making them elegant and delicious.
Though dinner is the main course, delicious desserts will ensure your wedding ends on a sweet note. One unexpected option? Nutmeg-dusted beignets served with mini malted milkshakes.
EVENT COORDINATORS & PARTY RENTALS
Tips for successful
Event Planning
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Event planning can turn even the most capable person into a ball of nerves. But if you’ve been selected to plan your company’s next holiday party, awards banquet or open house, relax. Our helpful tips can make the process go more smoothly and successfully.
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Initial Considerations First, consider how you want your event to look and feel. Think about: What kind of event are you holding? Who will attend? What is the reason for the event or celebration? What do you hope to accomplish? Do you have specific goals or outcomes that you expect? Keep in mind that your event should generate goodwill, excitement and enthusiasm about your company. You should use it to grow your business and as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with employees and your clients and customers.
Planning Your Event Once you’ve defined the basic parameters, then you’re ready to proceed with planning.
Make A Checklist Create a checklist to provide a step-by-step guide to organizing and executing a special event.
Develop A Budget This will provide you with a financial “blueprint” for the event. The budget should be specific, and include revenue opportunities (sponsorship, ticket sales, donations, etc.) as well as expenses such as printing, permits, insurance, speakers, food, supplies and security. Maintain good records, keeping track of all income and expenses. Also, expect the unexpected, extra expenses will come up — so plan ahead.
Schedule Facilities The location and site of your event is critical for success. Selecting a site is more than just finding out what rooms are available. There are many factors to consider, including room capacity, whether you’re having an in/outdoor event, if there are special needs for ramps/elevators, if you’ll need a podium, stage or special equipment, and how many tables and chairs will be necessary for guests.
Have Plenty Of Food And Drinks What kind of food will you serve? Lunch? Snack foods? Dinner? Buffet? Sit down? What kind of beverages will be available? Will they be served in a can, punch bowl, or some other way? If you intend to serve alcohol, ensure plenty of designated drivers are available to transport those who may be unable to drive home.
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FLOWERS & MORE
Ways To Decorate
Your Venue With Flowers
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As much as we love pom poms and bunting, flowers are still the number one way to decorate your wedding venue – they can instantly change the feel of a room and you can use them to dress everything from your pews to your cake! Take a look at these creative new ideas.
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Centrepieces Flower centrepieces are nothing new, but more and more brides are coming up with fresh new takes on a floral focal point. We love the trend for fresh flowers in decorated jam jars and bottles – it’s perfect for DIY weddings and won’t break the bank! You can use coloured ribbon or lace to create a pretty vase out of an old jar, or just use colourful empty food containers if you’re a little DIY-impaired. We love the metallic tins used for golden syrup, as they also have a vintage vibe. Just be sure to mismatch for a quirky, eclectic look!
Pew ends and aisles Pew ends might conjure up images of old-fashioned arrangements in churches, but using flowers to decorate your ceremony space can be a modern way to ensure that every part of your wedding is personalised to you as a couple. Tying small bunches of your chosen wedding flowers to the aisle chairs with ribbons is a subtle way to introduce your wedding theme and will make your ceremony even more beautiful. Why not put single blooms in small tealight holders and hang them from the chairs? A more dramatic botanic decoration is lining your aisle with potted trees to bring a touch of the outdoors inside. This is a more versatile decoration than you think, and you can even customise the trees – try fairylights for winter, or butterflies for summer. Once your big day is over, you can take the trees home and plant them in your garden as a reminder of your day.
Cake decorations We’re seeing a lot of real brides using fresh flowers to decorate their cakes, and with good reason – it looks more up to date than traditional sugarpaste decorations and just as beautiful. A few blooms on top can be enough to bring a simple cake to life, or you can decorate each tier for the full effect. Just make sure you discuss your options with your florist! You can also use flowers to decorate your cake table – just make a few extra centrepieces and surround your cake with them to make it more of a focal point. You can put your bouquet here too, to save it getting abandoned or lost. Finally, why not sprinkle the cake table with petals for a truly pretty look? When it comes to decorating your reception space, the sky is the limit! We love to see dramatic floral pieces in plainer venues – a marquee, for example, is the perfect blank canvas to decorate with flowers and natural touches. Try hanging a large hanging arrangement from the ceiling, like a floral chandelier – just make sure to use a lot of greenery to add bulk without your flower budget going through the roof!
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LIMOUSINE RENTAL
Renting a limousine or party bus
Can Be A Fun Way To Transport Family
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Renting a party bus or a limousine is the preferred mode of transportation for weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties and other festive events. It’s also a great way to safely transport family, friends or employees to and from an outing, sports event or concert.
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Here are some tips to make sure you have a smooth ride when renting a party bus or limousine:
Make limo rental reservations At minimum, you’ll want to reserve a month in advance and confirm the reservation a week before the event. However, if you’re planning to rent a limo for a wedding or another event that doesn’t have a flexible date, you may want to make a reservation as far as a year out.
Plan details Some companies want to know more about the event so they can arrange for decorations. Some companies, in fact, specialize in certain events. In addition, have a good idea of how many people are riding, the number of hours you expect to need service and the distance you expect to ride. Pad a little extra, in terms of number of people or time it will take, for each of these categories.
Choose your limo rental or party bus vehicle Not every limousine is a stretch and not every limousine is a sedan. Though a stretch SUV may not reflect the desired elegance for a wedding, it may be just the ride for a bachelorette party.
Decide on refreshments Part of the fun of renting a bus or limo is starting the party before you arrive at the event. Check with the company about its policies and offerings for food and beverages.
Consider your music Though some companies offer radio or satellite radio, you may prefer to bring your own music on your iPod or mix CD. You’ll want to discuss this preference in advance.
Choose your route Are you going straight from Point A to Point B, or are you planning to meander, making stops at places along the way? You’ll want to inform the limo company and driver of your expected itinerary — especially since many companies charge for fuel.
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CAKES
Tips To Help You
Choose Your Wedding Cake
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Sure, planning your day can be extremely stressful, but there’s certainly some fun aspects of it as well. For example, wedding cake tasting is definitely one of our favorite parts of planning! You get to taste all these delicious cakes and desserts and decide which one will be the one that you have at your reception when you and the love of your life finally tie the knot.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
5 Event Photography Tips
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From An Event Planner
Shooting event photography can be a tricky game – photographers must be able to tell a strong visual narrative and get the shots that the client requests, while still adding their personal touch.
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It’s also important to be known by the right people, as the market continues to be driven by word-of-mouth.
1. Different firms have different aesthetic specialties If you’re a photographer trying to partner with an event planning company, consider whether your style and approach will mesh. “At CCW, we want photographers to capture candid, or certainly natural photographs that convey a mood. Long gone are the days when you have people line up in front of the church, or those other really orchestrated shots. I don’t know of anybody who does that anymore. People seem much more attracted to natural, in the moment, narrative.”
2. Learn to work with a firm and take direction “We’re very big on creating moments in the events – different opportunities for exciting photographs. Because if you’re going to spend one, two, three hundred thousand on an event you definitely want to have memories that are well shot and well photographed. That’s why we often make suggestions to our photographers before the event. We don’t spend hours and hours, but we certainly do offer our advice and want to find photographers who are amenable to collaboration.”
3. To promote your work, create well-curated online galleries “If you have a nice online portfolio, with high quality, creative and well-curated photographs then we would be much more inclined to bring you onto a project,” he says. Not only does this get you the job, but it could help the firm bring in new clients, too, which means more business for everyone. “Good photographs are a huge selling point. A lot of clients can’t envision the event, even if you use very descriptive language. When we have photographs, they can evoke a mood and can convince a potential client to come on board with us.”
4. Build and work off of your people skills. Word of mouth is still a huge source of promotion. “I find that most of the time you get business in this industry it’s because people attend an event, like it, and ask who did it. It’s very much a referral-based industry.”
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5. Establish partners outside the industry. When it comes to marketing tactics, suggests partnering with local vendors who also specialize in mood catering or branded events. For example, if an event requires costumed wait staff or a performance requires actors with theatrical makeup, then a photographer who works with local costume designers and makeup artists will be an easy sell for the planner building a crew in the area. Jeremy says, “partnering with makeup artists seems highly effective because makeup, and the way photographs look, go hand in hand.”
You should know what the desired outcome of the shoot is. For an anniversary, it may be the toasts people give. For a wedding, it’s probably the whole event in general, and ‘the kiss’ and the ring ceremony in particular. Make sure you know what the client wants, and be sure to deliver. If you are the client, define in your own mind exactly what you want. In either case, the simplest way of ascertaining what the client wants is to ask, “What do you want?” It will clear up any questions before it’s too late. Make sure that whatever it is, is firmly planted in your mind before you go on. Make certain you know the ins and outs of the particular event you’re shooting. There’s a big difference between photographing a wedding and shooting a football game. For sentimental events, like weddings or anniversaries, usually the pace is a bit slower, and you’ll probably have a chance to move around more smoothly, not harried (but be ready!) There will be times when you get one shot at ‘the moment’ (the first kiss at a wedding, for instance,) but most ‘moments’ will come smoothly (and often-times there will be a schedule). Know the schedule. For a sporting event, there are no ‘re-do’s’ – if you miss the game-winning goal, you’ve missed it, and that may be the most important thing you were supposed to get! Be familiar with the sport; it will let you know when you get breaks.
Photography Styles You Need to Know The first decision you’ll need to make is whether to go with digital or film (or a mix of both, which some photographers will do). Digital is the most common way of shooting. The biggest advantage? Time -- depending on your photographer, you could see snaps just days after your wedding. Digital cameras can shoot in very low light -- a perk when you’re photographing an afternoon-into-evening. And thanks to a display screen, your photographer can preview shots and adjust accordingly. “A digital photographer has more freedom to explore lighting options and angles,” says Jasmine Star of Jasmine Star Photography. “You can push creative boundaries without the limits of film.” For you, that means lots of images to pick from when putting together your album. Images shot with film have a soft, organic quality to them. “Film has a better range, from highlights to shadows,”. But shooting with film is, well, more work and more money too. In addition to purchasing rolls of film, processing and editing images take time. “Not all portraits have to be a couple in full frame looking at the camera,” “With Pinterest taking over events, it’s easy for things to look similar -- when you can deliver unique and artistic moments that are only for that couple, it becomes very special.” Photography is not just about the photographer. A couple’s willingness to have fun and enjoy the moment can take a photo to the next level.
ENTERTAINMENT
Hire an Entertainer
You Can Trust
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This can not be over-stated enough. Opt to meet in person with the bands and DJs you are considering. Don’t be too busy for this one. It’s well worth making time for.
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Decide Up Front on the Goal of your Playlist Are you hoping for a raging all-nighter? Will this be a daytime “no dance” reception? Start with your purpose in order to ideally craft your playlist. Many times, engaged couples struggle between two competing influences: maximum dancing vs. showcasing their music tastes. Yes, everyone of us has some wacky favorite jams. Every couple has some “inside joke” songs from their dating era. It can be very challenging for a wedding entertainer to throw those songs into the mix though and still deliver a packed dance floor. If the goal is to maximize the dancing, you might have to sit through a few songs you don’t love in order for the DJ or band to get the crowd going. On the other hand, if your preference is sticking to your playlist (whether people are dancing to your choices or not), it is likely that there will be less dancing.
Choose Music that Creates the Right Energy Symphony music during dinner might lull your guests to sleep instead of priming them to get up and dance. If half of your guests are over 50 (statistics show the average wedding guest is in their 50s), instructing your band not to play anything older than 1990 might alienate a lot of people who were hoping to squeeze in a few dances. If there will be children present, opt for PG-13 versions of songs. If you absolutely must have an off-thewall request played, tell the DJ or singer the story behind the song to help give it context, meaning fewer guests will feel alienated. For example, tell the DJ this Irish jig at your Indian wedding is from a music festival you and your fiance went to while on a trip to Ireland. Now knowing the context, your guests can laugh and smile along with you instead of scratching their heads in confusion and reaching for the car keys! Your preferences + the expertise of a trustworthy, professional wedding and event entertainer = a wedding playlist that’s just right!
10 Unepected Questions to Ask • How will you prepare for my wedding? (What will your planning process be for my wedding?) • Do you have any uncut video footage of a recent wedding performance I can see? • Have you had wedding-specific training (such as a MarBecca MCing or Make It Grand workshop)? • What do you do for professional development? • What is Plan B if my DJ/band leader gets in a bad car accident on the way to my wedding? • Do you offer a money-back guarantee? If not, why? Is it written in the contract? • What is your philosophy on getting a crowd like mine (Bilingual? Same-sex? Some old guests, some young guests?) to dance? • What kind of microphone do you have for my ceremony officiant, if applicable? (An omni-directional lapel or lavalier microphone is ideal as it will be invisible in your photos, be hands-free for your officiant, and pick up not just the officiant but also you and your fiance repeating your vows.) • What genres of music are your forte? What genres are you least familiar with? • If applicable, will the band takes breaks? How long? How ofen? Will it be silent during those breaks?
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CHOREOGRAPHERS
Choreography’s Wedding
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Dance Tips
Begin your dance three to six months in advance. Performing a choreographed quinceañera dance is a new skill, so take more time for this process so that you can build your confidence.
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Beginning early ensures that you will have time to feel comfortable with your steps and be worry free for your big day. If you only have three months or less, we can work out a dance that will put you at ease and make you look great!
Song
Timing
Before anything else, you need to choose your song. Pick music that makes you feel great and expresses the feelings you want to convey. Double check the lyrics to make sure they give the right, appropriate message. You can be as creative as you like with your song choice, but remember that a song with a clear, steady beat will make dancing together much easier.
There’s no right or wrong point in the reception to schedule your first dance. Maybe you want to save the best dance for last? It’s a good idea to think carefully about when the choreographed dance best fits into your wedding, rather than adding it as an afterthought. Make sure that there is an announcement just before the dance so that guests won’t miss it.
Length A wedding dance should be approximately two to three minutes in length. Guests will lose their attention if it is longer. Plus, you will know your steps better and look more confident. An outstanding short dance is much better than an average long dance.
Practice Start practicing in the shoes you will be wearing on your quinceanera day. Wear your underskirt if you have one, because it will feel different to move in for both the bride and the groom. Getting used to moving in your wedding attire will make you more confident.
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SOCIAL EVENTS
Make a Memory
At The Perfect Venues
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When it is time to start planning for that very special day, only a very special place will do... You have probably dreamt of your quinceanera or wedding day and how you will look.You envision the wedding location, your gown and bouquet, your groom, and the decorations.
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DIRECTORY
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