Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Weddings are a time for existing family and new family to come together, to get to know each other, to love each other. What better way to do this than over a delicious, authentic Italian meal? Being of Italian decent, I know there doesn’t ever have to be a reason to feast, but if there is an occasion to celebrate (think bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, engagement party)…boy, is there ever a feast!
The kind staff at Buca di Beppo specializes in family-style Italian dining. Here you will choose appetizers, entrees and desserts to share with your entire table. Imagine a spread of Mozarella Caprese and Apple Gorganzola salads, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Baked Rigatoni, Cheese Manicotti, Chicken Marsala and Eggplant Parmigiana topped off with homemade cheesecake and Tiramisu. Serving any meal in this fashion gets the conversation going: “Pass me the…” or “Is there anymore…” It’s a great and clever way to break the ice for those events where everyone starts out as strangers. Believe me, after a meal like this, everyone will be family!
Buca di Beppo has several private dining areas and can accommodate a group of just about any size. Their Tomato Room will seat 25 and their Family Room will seat up to 70. There are also several other rooms available that will accommodate any guest count in between. Already have a rehearsal dinner venue reserved? Buca di Beppo also hosts engagement parties, bridal showers and bachelor or bachelorette parties.
Actual rooms at Buca di Beppo in Franklin, TN/Cool Springs. Photo (above/below) by Hiroyuki via Panoramio.com.
Girl party at Buca di Beppo. Photo via Buca Facebook page.
Some additional advantages of hosting your next wedding related event at Buca di Beppo include a variety of private event menu options, a unique dining experience, and an experienced Sales Manager to help you plan your event. Contact Holly Curtiss at hcurtiss {at} bucainc {dot} com to check your date for availability.
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Posted by Lindsey |
Filed under: Bridal Showers, Luncheons, Parties, Cakes & Catering, Wedding Venues and Locations1 comment »
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Peter, Whitney and the entire staff at The Collection are true professionals. As premier wedding photographers they take their love of photography seriously. These guys travel the nation attending and speaking at photography conferences to help grow their business and to ensure that they are on top of their game. So when we started to wonder what might be changing in the wedding photography field we knew exactly where to go. We asked Peter a few questions we thought might help guide your decision on which trends you want to follow.
All images courtesy of The Collection
Matted wedding albums have renewed interest
ABG: Are there any ideas, concepts or products you see making their way to the forefront?
Peter: We are seeing a rejuvenated interest in matted albums. There are some amazing high quality matted albums out there that are not the same albums your mother has. They are very artistic and have a museum quality to them. A matted album tends to focus more on the images and less on the album design. It's very timeless.
More photographers are willing to collaborate, which leads to more creativity and a win for brides!
ABG: What inspired you at the photography conference you attended in Boston recently?
Peter: What we were most inspired by was the number of photographers that were willing to help each other. It was such an amazing group that truly wants to see each other grow as artists and business owners. We were very honored to be the only photographers invited to speak that were not a part of the Boston community. From Inspire Boston and other conferences we have attended recently, we have been very inspired to become more creative and artistic with our work. We really want to focus more on the power of the single image and show how much of a story you can tell within one amazing photograph.
Some photographers are doing short videos
One thing that is becoming more popular is having photographers shoot bits of video at the wedding. Peter told us that photographers and videographers oftentimes use the same exact cameras so it seems like a natural transition. We got Peter’s opinion on the trend:
ABG: What are your thoughts on the integration of videography by photographers? What are some pros and cons?
Peter: There is definitely a continuing convergence of these two fields. I think we will see more studios that offer both services as a package. This is great for the bride who is looking to save some money and still have both services. However, I feel the highest quality studios will still focus on one of these two mediums and not both. A great videographer knows that telling a story through video is different than telling that story through photography and vice versa. There are a lot of similarities between these two mediums, yet they are still executed differently because the end presentation must be kept in mind. I'm excited about what technology is allowing us to do. Both photography and videography are going to be making some great changes in the next couple years.
We are excited to see what the future holds for photography, too. The one thing that will hold true forever is that if you go with what you love, chances are, you’ll always love it. If you love the digital, graphic design element that comes with the coffee table style albums, go with it. In order for your photos to speak to you now and down the road, the bottom line is: you have to love your photographer. So get out there and find somebody to love…that loves photography!
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Posted by Lindsey |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Inspiration & Trends, Photography0 comments »
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Most brides are on the lookout for something that sets their wedding apart from everyone else’s. Some choose a unique venue. Some go with an outrageous dress. Some brides are searching for a grand gesture, while others are looking for just a little something to keep their guests talking for months and years to come. One of the most interactive ways to pep up the entertainment at your wedding is a photo booth. Remember, a photo booth should NOT replace a professional photographer, but it's an excellent addition to your wedding.
If you are considering a photo booth for entertainment at your wedding, keep reading to learn more about booths based on our convo with Amy at Photo Booth Nashville
ABG: Are photo booths still popular?
Amy: Yes! We get as many calls today as we did when we opened in 2007 as the first provider of digital photo booths in middle Tennessee from people saying “what a unique idea! I’d never heard of having a photo booth at my wedding until someone told me about a wedding they were at that had one.” Anyone that has seen Photo Booth Nashville at a wedding, party or corporate event can attest that it’s still a great way to preserve memories from the occasion and literally bring people together for some good, clean fun!
Custom graphics with your info + wedding date
ABG: What makes Photo Booth Nashville stand out amongst the crowd?
Amy: Our booths offer a choice of color or black-and-white prints and we offer a wide variety of props if clients choose to include them. It has been our experience that “busy” backgrounds tend to distract the eye from the people in the photos, and they’re typically obscured anyway, so although customized backgrounds are possible we advise against them. From small children to grandma and grandpa, photo booths bring out the creativity in everyone, so gimmicks like special effects on photos have never been necessary in our booths.
ABG: How does Photo Booth Nashville stay on top of the trends/technological advances in the industry?
Amy: We’re the only middle Tennessee photo booth company that belongs to the International Photo Booth Association (americasphotoboothassociation.com). We’re part of a large network that is constantly working together to improve our products and share ideas to make the photo booth experience we provide second-to-none. Many other providers build their photo booths in their garages so they simply don’t have the benefit of collective research & development and product support that we do.
ABG: What should couples ask before signing a contract with a photo booth company? Anything they should be aware of?
Amy: Especially in today’s economy, pricing is very important. We encourage potential clients to ask lots of questions about what is included in their rental. Is their advertised price inclusive of scrapbook, attendant, and high-resolution digital copies of the photos from their event? Many companies advertise a low price then gouge clients as the event approaches with expensive add-ons.
Almost every company advertises unlimited prints like we do, but it’s important to ask about sitting times. Unlimited prints won’t mean much if each sitting takes 4 or 5 minutes. Other questions should include quality of digital copies included (some companies provide only low resolution digital copies and up-sell for print quality discs), what city their booths originate from, and how many booths they own (make sure they have a back-up in the event of equipment failure).
Ask what their booths are made out of – ours are all-steel construction and weigh over 800 lbs. In other words, the size of the check you write is important, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” definitely applies for photo booth rentals. We like to say you can serve McDonald’s hamburgers at your reception and save a lot of money on catering, but you’ll be serving your guests McDonald’s hamburgers.
Guest comment book using their photo booth pics!
With Amy’s advice on how to shop for photo booths, I hope I’ve made your search for something exciting to add to your reception a little shorter. So put on your best smile or silly face, get out there and get creative with Photo Booth Nashville!
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Posted by Lindsey |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Music, Lighting + Transportation0 comments »
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Let’s face it. The economy, though on the up swing (fingers crossed), still leaves a little to be desired. While you may be able to cut corners in some areas, you simply must hire the best wedding photographer your budget will allow. That has us asking the question: Are there things a couple can do to save on wedding photography without hiring a non-pro or a less than desired photographer? We interviewed the wonderfully creative and artistic Jenna of jHenderson Studios to get her honest thoughts on the subject. Here's what she had to say...
Beautiful Wedding Photography Ain't Cheap + Takes Time
Let me explain why wedding photos by professionals are usually fairly expensive: they're worth it. Let's face it, after all is said and done, after months and months of planning and thousands of dollars spent, the only item that will last beyond the day of the wedding is the photos. True professional wedding photographers know this, and that is why we spend hours upon hours perfecting our skills and truly knowing our craft. We want to create beautiful images for you that you're going to love, and we're willing to do the hard work that is required.
Weddings are very difficult to photograph; with restricting time lines, varying lighting conditions, and any number of the personalities of wedding party and family members that are involved, it takes someone with experience and great skill to be able to look past it all and create the beautiful photos that are going to last a lifetime. Beyond creating the images, shooting a wedding is difficult for other reasons. We usually spend 8+ hours on our feet with little to eat and few breaks, and our work doesn't end there. Post-processing and album design still remain to be done until you have the final, wonderful memories of your wedding. Haven't you seen the photos from your parents' wedding? Don't you want to be able to share photos with your own children someday?
In my opinion, this is the area of your budget that shouldn't get cut. It's always so sad when I see weddings of great details and beautiful people who hired a mediocre photographer, just to save some cash.
Determine Your Favorite Photographer(s) + Inquire/Research for Promos/Savings, Options
Every photographer offers different packages and products, and if you've found your dream photographer, it's important you communicate with them to see how they're willing to work with you. It's unrealistic to expect a photographer to discount their services because you're on a budget. Sometimes, photographers and other wedding professionals may be willing to offer discounts for weddings that don't happen on a Saturday or during the high season (May-October). For example, I would be likely to lower my minimum for a Friday wedding in November, but not for a Saturday in June.
Something else to keep in mind is purchasing a disc. It may be cheaper to purchase individual prints from your photographer vs. buying a disc with a full release; be sure to ask your photographer which would be the better option.
You might also consider only hiring a photographer for portraits & the ceremony, or only ceremony & reception, depending on your priorities, although some photographers might not offer this for Saturday/high season weddings. Again, the key is to communicate with your photographer.
{ABG adds - always start with our list of bridal savings as you research specials/promos. It's always changing and will save you thousands of $$.)
Hire Your Dream Pro Photographer for Post Wedding Sessions
If you still just can't find it in your budget to hire your dream photographer, consider doing a post-wedding portrait session with them. You can hire someone who is perhaps less expensive for the wedding day, then plan a time another day to put on your wedding dress/suit again and have a session with the more expensive photographer. This way, you can have great bride and groom portraits without having spent quite as much.
If you must hire someone who is new or has very little experience, it might be a good idea to plan a time to walk through the venue with him or her where your wedding will be happening. This way, they can get a feel for the layout and the lighting and be prepared for situations that may arise.
And based on one of Jenna's personal experiences, there’s proof it’s important to spend the money on good photography, no matter what your budget.
I once had a bride whose entire wedding cost her $4,000, and she spent $2,000 of that on me! If she'd hired an inexperienced photographer, her wedding would have looked like $2,000, but instead, it looks like a $10,000 wedding. That's what a professional photographer does: we take any situation and make it look the best it can possibly look. You may not be able to save money without compromising quality, but I can almost guarantee you won't regret having beautiful photographs.
So whether you are a diehard do-it-yourselfer or are planning a wedding on a royal budget, spring for the best photographer you can afford. All the people (wedding professionals, photographers and past brides old and new, just to name a few) that preach this on a daily basis can’t be wrong. Your photos are what will last a lifetime; there is no disputing that.
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Posted by Lindsey |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography1 comment »
