If you are going to plan the perfect wedding free from hassle and without burning a hole in your pocket then you are going to have to be prepared to do a little research and learn how to negotiate a better deal for the services you require. Hiring a wedding planning expert can definitely help you save time but you will be paying for their services which will add to your cost base. Organising a wedding months in advance gives you plenty of time to do your research and preparation without causing you stress. A do it yourself approach requires an investment of your own time. If you want to save money then this is a great way to go. It can actually be fun and a challenge to plan a low budget wedding. For the uninitiated there are eight areas where you can save the most money.

These 8 areas will require to draft up a budget to establish your guidelines. If you have a figure to work with then you can allocate amounts to each of these 8 areas. By working out the essential costs and trading off on non essential areas you can reach a balanced approach.

How to plan a low cost wedding: Focus on these eight specific areas.

Food:

When it comes to food there are a number of creative ways to save on food costs. Wedding venues that cater for the event will build healthy margins into the food they serve as is expected when running a business. They will also charge differently depending on the day of the week and time of the day. By doing some leg work you can pick a venue and establish your cost guidelines that fits in with you budget allocations. Sometimes picking a venue that doesn’t break the bank and using your own source of catering can end up being cheaper. Examine the options before you proceed.

Bar:

Buying wholesale will definitely save you money. If you use a reception center this is not likely permitted. By hiring your own venue you may be able to assemble your own team of caters/waiters and supply the alcohol and food. If you find a suitable venue then this low budget wedding tip can save you thousands alone.

Wedding attire:

In general, the more formal you make the occasion the more expensive the cost. Consider employing a less formal approach. You can still look stunning by selecting wedding attire that doesn’t cost a fortune. Custom made dresses are often expensive and if you do some research you can often find a discount designer dress at a greatly reduced price.

Flowers:

Select flowers that are stunning in appearance but not as expensive as high end alternatives. There are also other ways to employ decorations that can minimize your investment in flowers. By having one main centerpiece and using other decorations you can greatly reduce the money you need to allocate towards floral arrangements.

Photography & Videography:

This is a major cost and is something you will need to carefully consider. Having a professional do the job is essential because it is something you will cherish for years to come. If you are investigating cost cutting in this area you need to make sure that the person you employ has the necessary professional expertise and experience to be able to deliver a high quality reproduction of the event. You can go for a student to reduce costs but you need to make sure they will be able to handle the job.

Music:

If you are going to hire someone to provide the music this will add additional expense. You can save in this area by using prerecorded music or by hiring a person who is musically talented but doesn’t charge professional rates. Asking friends can often produce someone who is talented and can be booked at a greatly reduced cost.

Honeymoon:

Saving money on your honeymoon depends on a number of factors including the time of the year, duration and the honeymoon destination. You will have to be prepared to do extensive online research to find bargains. You can often get a great deal by traveling at the end of the season. Making use of any frequent flyer miles can also help reduce your honeymoon costs.

Guest List:

Keeping the numbers down will greatly reduce your costs. If you have a large guest list then you will need to find an approach that reduces the cost per head. You can also save on your wedding invitations by creating your own. If you add humor to the occasion you can often create memorable invitations that will really strike a chord with your friends for very little outlay.

The above represents some basic guidelines to plan a cheap wedding. The more you research the more creative solutions you will find. It just takes time and a little effort. Creating a memorable wedding that doesn’t cost a fortune is attainable for everyone provided you are prepared to do a little leg work.

By: Claire Edwards

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At this time of the year last year I was in a state of panic. It is natural to be in a panic before a wedding. It was the most important day of my daughter′s life after all, and one of the most important days of mine. Everything had to be just right. I needed to know that everything was perfectly in order. Of course, I knew I was being irrational. Before a gala occasion of this importance, it is almost natural to be irrational. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help myself. Everybody in my family told me to calm down, but it did not help. And then the bad news struck.

It seems that the flower arrangement has been messed up by the florist. Even though we gave him careful instructions. I am well aware that flower arrangements for weddings are among the most important decorative elements. They were the last thing that we picked out, and meant to reflect all the other elements. You see, flower arrangements for weddings don’t stand alone. They have to match the bridesmaid dresses, the bridal gown, and the decorations of the room.

Nothing will look right if the flowers have not been taken in account. I had worried that the flower arrangements for weddings would not look right, but it did not even occur to me that the florist would ***** up the order. I figured that it might look different once we got into the room and not reflect the other elements of the d?cor the way that I wished. But it was more than I could take when he screwed up at the very last minute.

It wasn’t like the flower arrangements for the wedding were slightly off. They were plain old wrong. If the flower arrangements for weddings had been, say, a lighter shade of purple instead of the dark purple that I had chosen, it would have been alright. As it was, they were completely different. I presume that he mixed them up with some other flower arrangements for weddings ordered by some other wedding party. They were probably having the same deception that I was having at that moment. Instead of the dark violet floral bridal bouquet that we had desired, we are presented with a series of Calla lily arrangements. I think that calla lilies make very nice flower arrangements for weddings, but they didn’t go along with anything. They clashed horribly. All the guests were polite about it, but I can’t believe that nobody noticed. So, a little warning if I may, make double sure about the company you will be dealing with. Surprises are nice but not all the time.

By: Paul Zayer

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Wedding etiquette is just like any other type of etiquette when it comes to tipping.  If you are given a service, it is essential that you provide a tip to the person that is providing it to you.

Tipping is a way of thanking an individual for a job well done.  Therefore, if they do not do a good job or there is some large problem that is not able to be rectified, the tip should be lessened or not provided.  But, remember that this is the source of income for the service provider.

So, who do you tip and who is supposed to tip them?  Here are some general rules to help you to decide what the right way to handle payment in the form of tips is.

Who to Tip

The first thing to take note of is just who you should be tipping.  One rule of thumb for this is to take a look at the final bill.  Today, most of the opportunities for tips are often applied right to the final bill. 

For example, in most restaurants, a large party will have gratuity added to the bill.  But, that does not mean that this is the right amount to tip (it may be too high or too low) and it does not mean that you have to pay for it at that level

If you pay gratuity in the final bill of your service provided for your wedding, should you give a tip on top of this to the service provider?

If you feel that the service provider has gone over and beyond what was expected of them, then it can be appropriate to provide them with more of a tip for your needs.  If you feel that the tip is not enough, then by all means, a larger tip can and should be left. 

But, Which Services And How Much?

Knowing when to tip is just as important.  There are several opportunities that you will have to give a tip at.  Here′s a breakdown of some you should take note of.

-    Those that include a tip already in the final bill may be the caterer, the banquet managers, waiters, bartenders, and bridal consultants.  Here, a tip is generally about 15%, but should only be provided if the service is over and beyond the standard since you are already tipping them in the bill.

-    Your Limousine Driver.  You should tip the limo driver for your service.  Notice in the contract if there is an amount of gratuity already listed.  If so, it is not necessary.  If not, or you receive high levels of service, a tip of 15% is appropriate.

-    Photographers, florists and musicians.  If not provided in the contract, a tip in the amount of 15% to 20% is appreciated.  Of course much more is for better service.

-    Priests, Rabbis and Clergymen.  This is one tip not to be forgotten as it is not provided elsewhere.  The groom should provide a tip to be given by the best man to the official.  Commonly, this amount should not be less than $100.  While it is a donation, it should always be provided.  More should be provided if the official had to drive a long distance.

-    Civil Service.  Since there is no cost set here, it is appropriate to provide a tip of $50 to $100 for the civil servant that is providing the service.  Often, there is a suggested donation posted in these offices.

-    Musicians and organists at the ceremony.  These services may have gratuity in the contract, so make sure that you check first.  This is only the case if you actually rent the church for use.  If not, then a tip should be provided as well.  The tip can range form $40 to $75 depending on the amount of service and the quality that is provided. 

Tipping should not be something that is forgotten.  If the groom can not remember to do the tipping, then the best man should step in.  It is necessary to show appreciation and follow proper etiquette for tipping.

By: Joe Silla

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This is an interesting article written for informal or modern wedding invitation wording.

There are a few rules you should keep in mind when wording your wedding invitation and stationery:

Who is inviting your guests?

The style of wedding invitation and dress code should match the wording of your wedding invitation

Check your spelling and grammar

Wedding invitation wording can be a contentious issue!!! The wedding invitation wording isn’t always based on who is paying or who is paying the most! Weddings are emotional times for families and friends, so it’s always best practice to be upfront and flexible.

If your preference is for a more modern, casual or relaxed wedding, you should consider the following when constructing your wedding invitation wording:

? Modern wedding invitation wording does not typically use titles before names

? Use relaxed language, eg. ‘&amp’ instead of ‘and’

? The inclusion of phone numbers and email address in RSVP details

Once again it is important to be clear about who is inviting your guests, with more modern wedding invitation wording your options increase. For example: the bride’s family may be hosting the guests, the bride and groom may be hosting the guests or the bride, groom and all parents may be hosting the guests!

Sample wedding invitation wording, where the bride, groom and all parents are hosting the guests.

Kay & Clint

together with their families

would love

…………………..

to celebrate their marriage

………………….

You may also like to incorporate the use of a short poem or romantic saying on your wedding invitation, for example:

You have shared in our children’s lives and now we

Alan &amp Robyn Stoles

are delighted to invite you,

Todd, Regan & Samantha

to celebrate the love and marriage of

Ava and Harrison

at

………………

on

……………

Once again, the wedding invitation wording and dress code could coordinate, for example if you would like a beach, cocktail or garden wedding, where the dress code is casual, lounge suit or after five, then your wedding invitation language should reflect this.

Another issue is which printer is the most suitable for printing your invitation.

The first question you should ask yourself when choosing to print your wedding invitations is, laser or inkjet?

Printer options can greatly affect your wedding stationery choices, below are some useful tips on what printer you can choose to print your wedding invitations.

If you are creating your own wedding invitations, the printer you are using can determine your paper choices. Many manufactures will state on their packaging what printer the paper is compatible with – test printing is always advised if you are unsure. Some papers with inclusions and most handmade papers are not print compatible at all, so choose wisely.

A useful tip to keep in mind when selecting your wedding invitation paper and stationery is, if the paper is metallic or pearlescent, it isn’t suitable for an inkjet printer. The wet ink does not adhere to the metallic/pearlescent surface of the paper and therefore will not dry and simply smudge off. You can purchase a special pouch to rub over these papers which places a coating on the paper and then you can use it in your inkjet printer. Once again, test printing is always advised.

If it does not state on the manufacturers labeling what printer the paper is compatible with, consult the customer service representative. Always ask which printer the paper is compatible with, this includes your envelopes.

What’s the difference between printers?

The difference between laser and inkjet printers is heat, toner and ink.

A laser printer works with heat and dry toner, like a photocopier and takes large barrel-type toner cartridges. Laser printers are usually more expensive to purchase, especially colour laser printers, however are generally more economical to run in terms of consumables (toner).

An inkjet printer works with wet ink and takes smaller flat box-type ink cartridges. Inkjet printers are usually less expensive to purchase compared to a laser printer, but are generally more expensive to run in terms of consumables (ink cartridges).

Laser printers will give your print work a sharper more professional finish and you don’t have to wait for the ink to dry.

By: Wedding Guru

About the Author:

Wedding comes in all shapes and sizes these days and you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the wedding of your dreams. There are several small things you can remember when planning that will have a big impact on the overall budget.

? Consider the date and time of the wedding. The cost of the exact same site can vary greatly so choosing the right month can significantly reduce costs. Certain sites have peak months, days, and times in which their rates will be more. At some sites, Thursday night weddings or the Sunday before a holiday can dramatically reduce the price tag.

? Site choice is important. As mentioned above, there are certain peak times for locations so choosing a time that is off-season can drastically reduce costs.

? Take advantage of decorations already provided. Many sites already decorate for Christmas and leave it up through the New Year making this a great time to have a wedding because you don’t have to add many flowers.

? Consider your drink options. Either skip the champagne toast (it can be up to $16 per glass at certain sites) or if allowed bring your own champagne for guests. Also, eliminating alcohol all together can save tremendously on costs. If you want to offer alcohol but can’t afford the cost the site charges, ask if you can bring in your own. Even if there is a cork fee you will still save considerably. You can also offer a cash bar or provide drink “tickets” to guests that allow for one free drink and then they pay for the rest if the site will provide the services.

? Revisit the menu. Perhaps plan to offer a nice spread of hors d oeuvres instead of a full course meal. If planning a sit down meal, minimize the options guests have or choose a customized pasta bar that will be less expensive then meat entrees.

? Be smart when buying your dress. Opt for a dress that is embellished with glass beads instead of crystals. Also, if you are able to pay cash for your gown you can often get up to 20% on the price.

? Decrease the size of your bridal party. Even though most attendants pay for their own gown or tux, the bride and groom are still responsible for gifts, rehearsal dinner costs, and bouquets and boutonnières.

? Flower saving tips. If you know someone that can do your flowers, consider buying wholesale and let the put the flowers together. If you choose to use a florist, put the majority of your flower budget into arrangements that are most noticeable such as your bouquet and centerpieces.

The most important thing to do is set the budget before you begin the planning. Once you have the budget you have to stick with it. Try to stay within your budget by reworking various aspects of the ceremony when necessary. This will ensure that you aren’t dealing with unexpected bills and debt once you return from your honeymoon.

For additional wedding related tips visit: www.verysupersexylingerie.com

By: Stephanie Elms

About the Author:

When planning your wedding it can sometimes be a chore to plan and to organize as to what should come first. It can also be confusing as to what steps in which direction I need to go when organizing events of my wedding day. Here you will find helpful wedding tips that you will surely find beneficial. The first thing you should do when starting your plans to put together a wedding is to set your budget, this is extremely important. Before you make any decisions you must first check your finances and decide how much you are willing and can spend on your wedding.

To me the next thing that should come to mind is choosing a wedding date, this may sound silly but believe it or not he can make a difference for instance, time of year and season will determine not only your budget but also friends and family who can attend. With setting a date and time of year for the wedding comes choosing a theme is going to be at beach theme, fall theme, some are winter? All these decisions are equally important.

Another important factor that goes along with your budget would be deciding on the size of your wedding party and guess that you plan to invite. If you decide to have a large wedding bridal party this can sometimes lead to big expense with gifts and rehearsal dinners, you get the idea. Also you want to be careful about who exactly you are going to invite. This will help keep the costs down.

Once you have decided on a theme the size of your bridal party reception guests and your budget now we can move forward. Some things may be easy when planning a wedding such as the Church where you plan to wed. Next a good idea would be for the bride and groom to go out and purchase wedding rings, follow closely by picking and booking your photographer, DJ and someone to film the video.

Where almost home! You will need to schedule and participate in a premarital counseling classes, I have done it myself and actually it’s quite fun! From there you will need to decide on what food and refreshments you will have at your wedding reception hall and of course along with that would be choosing your wedding favor souvenirs for your special guest who attended your wedding reception celebration.

More on the home stretch now! From there it actually gets quite easy. At this point the bride and groom will get fitted for their gown and tuxedo, followed thereafter by choosing a wedding cake. Once you have all this in order to last thing would be to pick out your wedding invitations and prepare them for mailing.

As you can clearly see that wedding planning does take time and extreme effort, but if you give yourself enough time and careful thought putting together a big event, as well as a memorable event like a big wedding things can go rather smoothly.

By: Joe Palladino

About the Author:

The world may seem to be shrinking, but in reality, it’s just become more accessible with improved technology, such as the internet and transportation. Weddings are also affected by this global trend, and many couples are choosing to incorporate their heritage into their ceremony.

Are Bilingual Wedding Invitations Necessary?

Although one language is traditional for wedding invitations, in today’s diverse climate, especially when one or both sides of the family might speak a different language, couples are opting to print the wedding invitations in two languages so everyone can enjoy reading the invitation wording.

Bilingual wedding invitations aren’t a necessity, but they can function as a welcoming gesture if many of the guests speak a different language. Bilingual wording can also act as a respectful nod towards a couple’s heritage. If you choose to print bilingual invitations, inform your stationer before you select an invitation style, since typically one language is printed on the front, with the other language on the reverse side.

When to Choose Bilingual Wedding Invitations

The most popular reason to use bilingual wedding invitations is if either the bride or groom (or both) have a different cultural background. For example, if the groom and his family are from Sweden and the bride is American, they might choose to recognize his heritage by printing the invitation in both English and Swedish. This allows both families to be involved and feel included in the ceremony.

Again, if either the bride or groom wants to incorporate certain traditional elements from one or both backgrounds, then bilingual invitations might be used to prepare guests for these elements. For instance, if the bride has an Indian background and chooses to dress in a traditional wedding dress and color, then she might have the invitation printed in both English and Hindi or her native language.

However, having a biological cultural background is not a necessity for bilingual wedding invitations. Some couples have experienced a different culture so completely that they want to incorporate it into their ceremony. Although neither the bride nor the groom has this cultural background, they could choose to print the invitations in both languages and simply explain the significance to guests.

The final reason is simply a hospitable gesture to guests. If a couple has many friends that speak another language, they might choose to incorporate this into their wedding invitations to make these friends more comfortable attending the wedding.

Tips on Translating

Ideally, you can either translate the wedding invitation wording yourself or enlist the help of a close friend or relative who not only speaks the language, but has excellent spelling and grammar. Sometimes a person is conversationally fluent from growing up speaking the language, but never learned to properly read and write it because English was taught and spoken at school. If that is the case, consider hiring a translating service. Since wedding invitation wording is a small job, it shouldn’t cost too much.

Using bilingual wedding invitations is a personal decision that can honor a cultural background, welcome a large group of foreign guests, or even highlight an interest outside the couple’s own culture. If translated correctly, this gesture will help make your wedding more special and uniquely yours by incorporating a treasured culture into your special day.

By: Grace Chen

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Before sending out the wedding invitations, or even choosing the perfect wedding ceremony location, you will find yourself flipping through bridal magazines, and window shopping for that perfect wedding dress. It has been a childhood dream of yours to appear stunningly beautiful with all eyes on you on that very special day. Your wedding videography will surely capture your captivating beauty and overwhelming happiness as you walk down the aisle to your groom. It will be no surprise that choosing that perfect gown will prove to be one of the most challenging and exciting part of planning your wedding.

Bridal gowns come in a variety of styles, colors, lengths, materials and prices. This provides the bride to make a choice based on personal preferences without her options being limited. Whether your wedding is a traditional or a more modest gathering, your wedding dress should be able to reflect who you are. It is a good idea to do a lot of research to be prepared when it’s finally time to choose that gown. Here are a few tips to have a stress-free shopping trip for that wedding gown.

? It will be very difficult to make the final decision on your own so take a family member or friend with you when you go shopping. You will need them to impart an honest opinion on the dresses you are trying on.

? Before you start shopping, it is important you have already figured out your budget. If it′s a little tight, one way you can save is to pick out a pattern from a top designer and hire a dressmaker. Pick out less expensive but quality fabrics.

? Start early by shopping seven to nine months before the wedding. Some manufacturers take at least five months to make a gown and another two for the alterations.

? Come up with a schedule of store visits. Call up boutiques ahead of time to find out the price ranges of their gowns and ask for an appointment. In this way, you can work out a plan where to go to first and not be rushed. Try at least 5-7 gowns in each bridal boutique. Have a notebook with you and write down descriptions of the dresses so you can remember what the dresses look like.

? Be open-minded. A gown always looks different on a model or on a hanger. You may not like a style of a particular gown, but you will be amazed that it will completely transform you once you have it on.

? You should make the most of each fitting. In adjusting the gown to your size, it will usually take two or three fittings. Try sitting, hugging and dancing in your wedding dress. Try waving you arms to make sure the sleeves are not binding.

? Examine the dress meticulously to make sure the quality is worth the price tag. Do not be afraid to ask what materials the gown is made of. A great tip to know if the dress is made well is to look inside. You should examine the seams and stitches and determine if the sewing looks solid and professional.

? The best advice probably is to be realistic and confident. It is important you accept who you are. Learn to highlight your assets and be confident about it. Choose a gown that best compliments your body shape. Whether you are pear-shaped or petite, wearing the right cut for your body type will accentuate your best features.

Keep in mind that finding the perfect dress takes effort, patience and a lot of research. Give yourself enough time and surely when it’s finally your moment to walk down that aisle, you will be a vision of beauty to all your friends and family especially your groom that will all be captured in your wedding videography.

By: Juhlin Youlein

About the Author:

Every wedding is as unique as the couple getting married. What may appear as traditional to one person may be totally new to another. Shortly after the engagement has been announced, the couple should discuss with both sides of the family about the sharing of wedding costs.

Traditionally, the family of the groom has paid for the rehearsal dinner. However, this should not be assumed and should be included in the discussion about sharing the costs of the wedding.

Often the marriage finances set nervousness in the mind of the people. Make a list of various fixed or variable costs.

Fixed costs include expenses which have to be incurred at any cost irrespective to the number of guests.

Variable guests can have more impact and they can be controlled flexibly.

A wedding generally covers many ceremonies, some may be optional or some may be compulsory.

A wedding is an occasion which demands various things like costumes for the couple, refreshments, decorations or the meals.

A small optional get together between the two families can be organized and planning for the cost allocation can be done.

A simple engagement party can save may bucks. The key to this question lies with the bride and groom. Only close friends, family members and close relatives can be invited. It is not a gift-giving occasion and in fact, the purpose of the party may not be announced until the guests have arrived.

Once a couple engages, the next probable ceremony is wedding. The wedding plans are in the works to make the upcoming wedding a sure success. The bride and groom invite a lot of people to share special day to have fun and enjoy.

Generally, guests pay their own way for traveling and accommodations and send or bring wedding gifts or flowers.

The secret to the success of any wedding is good communication, listening and sharing ideas. Friends and relatives can also help the bride and groom. They can support them throughout their wedding.

Instead of going for the lavish decors, adore the simple ones.

While deciding about the marriage costs, you can work with some smartness and logic.

You can cut your costs and show how smart and talented you are?

Since it is your own wedding party, you won’t be able to DJ your reception since you will be busy cutting the cake, dancing with your parents and being in every picture. You can take the services of your best buddies and make them perform a few things like handling guest, acting as bar tenders or playing DJ for your party. This will save lot of money and your pals will be pleased by the gesture.

But, there are plenty of before the wedding things you can do your self. Consider making your own veil, arranging flowers since the cost is in the labor and not the blooms themselves. You can write out invitations and design and print them using your computer.

If you are looking for a creative, unique and original invitation with which to impress your guest and set the perfect tone for your wedding or party, then you can send memorable invitations that is handcrafted and completely unique to you and your event.

Enjoy the wedding and the memories you will have to share.

By: Rafi Michael

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Most brides spend years dreaming of their perfect wedding day. So it is not surprising if they invest countless hours picking out the wedding gown and looking for the ideal wedding ceremony venue. Every little detail has to be just right. When planning for a wedding, many things are taken into consideration, from the bridesmaids dresses to the food in the wedding reception. It is a never ending checklist of things to do from the moment you got engaged until the end of the honeymoon.

Although this may be an overwhelming task, it is still essential to keep in mind some of the most important aspects for your wedding like the wedding videography. Let’s face it, your wedding will happen in just a few hours but a wedding video will last a lifetime.

A wedding videography is a way of relieving your special day over and over again. It will record the wedding ceremony, the reception and all other details of the wedding precisely how it happened. It helps remember the bride walking down the aisle, the wedding vows and the happy faces everyone had on that special day.

Before choosing a wedding videographer, it is a wise idea to do a lot of research. Referrals from friends and family will be a good start. Take time to view videos of their other work to make sure you are getting a true professional. Here are basic tips to consider before making a final decision on selecting the best videographer for the job.

The first tip is to ask how many cameras will be used on the wedding ceremony and reception location. A big wedding will usually require two cameras on the ceremony and another two for the reception. On the other hand, for smaller weddings two for the ceremony and only one camera for the reception are good enough. It is also important to ask if they have 3-chip cameras. These cameras will definitely create a high quality wedding video.

You should also request for actual videos that were done by the videographer. Most professionals have collections of their work posted on their websites. This will give you an opportunity to scrutinize their work and decide if their style will work best for you.

It is also important to ask about the editing. This should be an option for you. Collaboration with the videographer through every part of the editing process is essential so you can add a personal touch to your wedding video.

Audio equipment like wireless microphones will make a difference on how the video will turn out. A professional videographer must be knowledgeable on the proper placements of this equipment so the voices will be clean and heard easily.

Choosing a videographer may take a little time and patience but think of it as an investment. Only a video can bring back the moment when you and your husband had your first dance as a married couple. As time goes by, this wedding video will prove to be something that would last as long as your wedding rings.

By: Juhlin Youlein

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