How To Give The Perfect Best Man Speech

by Kiss the Bride Wedding Directory on April 10, 2012

So you’re going to a wedding and you have to make a speech, but you sure as hell know that you don’t want it to be a boring old speech like you know every one else’s is going to be like. You want people to remember your speech and rightly so. It doesn’t matter if you’re the father of the bride, the best man or just a friend wishing the lucky couple well, making a memorable speech and making people laugh will add something to their wedding day.

Funny and vulgar are two different things. A lot of people, especially men tend to think that to be funny you have to be vulgar and rude and embarrass the newly weds, this is not true. My brother recently had the honor of being best man at his best friends wedding and the night before the big day, I think he was more nervous then the groom. My brother has always been an out going guy, but when it came to making a best man speech, he just couldn’t think of what he wanted to say and he was nervous as heck having to stand up in front of all those guests and give a heart felt speech.

It’s been said that people fear public speaking more then any other one thing in life. In this article I’m going to give you a few tips I passed on to my brother that you can take and turn your speech into something memorable. With these tips, I assure you, you won’t embarrass yourself in front of the whole wedding party.

  • Tip 1 Stand up while speaking

Always, always stand up when giving a best man speech or a toast. Make sure you have the gatherings attention first before you speak, and the best way to do that is to stand up and wait for quiet. Standing up is the first rule of any good public speaking and a wedding is no different.

  • Tip 2 Plan what you want to say

Never try and wing the speech. Giving a best man speech needs to be planned and written down well in advance. My brother started working on giving his best man speech weeks in advance. Unless you are a really confident public speaker, this is the best way to make sure you say everything you wanted to say.

  • Tip 3 Practice makes perfect!

Practice your speech until you know it off by heart. There is nothing worse then giving a best man speech and having to look down at your notes constantly. Fidgeting with paper is a big no no.

  • Tip 4 Keep it clean

If you and the best man have known each other for a while and you’ve had some wild times together, this is not the time to air his dirty laundry. People think that giving a best man speech gives them the right to embarrass the groom and upset the bride, this is not the case. Don’t mention the trip to the strip joint or anything of that sort.

  • Tip 5  Keep it short

No one wants to be bored for hours with your speech. Make it short and to the point and don’t forget to add emotion when giving your best man speech. The wedding isn’t about you, it’s about the bride and groom, don’t forget that.

I hope these tips have given you some pointers on what to do when giving your best man speech. Good luck!

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How To Shop For Your Most Perfect Mother Of The Bride Dress

by Kiss the Bride Wedding Directory on April 3, 2012

Your daughter’s wedding is announced. She has butterflies in her stomach and one thousand and one things to do. Her “butterflies” becomes yours and your thoughts are racing just like hers. You, as her mother, will help her plan her dream wedding, just like your mother planned yours. At the back of your mind……”What am I going to wear? Will I look just as beautiful as my daughter on her wedding day? So many people are going to be looking at me as well….”

Fret no more. Here are the RULES but like all rules, they may be broken or should I say improvised and revised to suit you. I say….whatever makes you and/or your daughter happy!

1. Confer with your daughter. She will come up with a color scheme for her wedding.

2. Ask her whether she wants the color of your dress to complement her wedding color/colors or almost match it. Examples of complementary colors to a red color theme is burgundy, wine, claret red, dark pink, and purple. As for a “match”, it would certainly be difficult to have an exact match of the colors, as your dress will be of a different manufacturer, style, fabric, and dye. So, do not stress over this.

3. You, as the mother of the bride, will decide on a color or colors, after consulting your daughter. Suggest to her to be flexible on the choice of colors—perhaps two or three choices would be great. Mother of the bride dresses are not made like bridesmaid dresses, the latter being preordered and tailored months ahead of time for the occasion. Shopping for a mother of the bride dress can be a headache and nightmare rolled into one, especially for the plus size woman or if you live in a rural city.

4. Do not forget to involve the mother of the groom. After you have an idea of what color you would or should be wearing, inform her. She will definitely appreciate that as she will be in a panic mode as well, going through the same motions as you will soon be, looking for that perfect “mother’s” dress.

5. Shop as soon as you can. Finding YOUR dress is important too. Understand that you are shopping for a specific style that you like and look great in, a specific color, and then a specific size. Then, you will need to allow sufficient time for professional tailoring of the dress, to get it to fit just right! Also, what about the accessories like shoes and jewelry? You will be surprised how many ladies come to my online store www.audreysmotherofthebride.com hoping to find their dress within a WEEK of the wedding!

6. Shop bridal or department stores first. You can get a first hand look at the styles out there and the type and quality of fabrics. Do not ignore online formal wear stores. Visiting an online store is easy and stress free as they are sources of good ideas of what you would like to wear on that special day.

7. Take care of yourself in these nerve-wrecking times of preparation. Remember, you need to look good as well, although it is your daughter’s wedding.

8. Now, sit back and relax. You have found your most perfect mother of the bride dress and have a few more weeks to spare. Give yourself a big pat on the back!

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How to Look Good in Wedding Photographs

by Kiss the Bride Wedding Directory on March 27, 2012

The dress was beautiful, you got through the ceremony and reception without a hitch, but just when you thought your wedding was perfect, your pictures come back and you look awful. What can you do to make sure that your photos are as beautiful as the memories you have?

• Never scrimp on your photographer. Nobody’s going to remember if your bouquets had daisies or rare, exotic orchids. But years from now, your great grand children will be looking at your wedding album. They’re not just souvenirs, they’re heirlooms. Spend on them.

• Avoid complicated hairstyles and veils. You’ll be walking around, too busy talking to guests to check the mirror. You don’t want your veil hanging to the side, or your bangs plastered to your face. Keep it simple and elegant. If you want a dramatic veil for your walk down the aisle, look for a style that allows you to detach part of it, leaving you with something less cumbersome at the reception.

• Buy or make a small clutch bag or pouch that matches your gown. It should carry blotting paper, pressed powder, lipstick and blush. Ask your maid of honor to keep it handy for you.

• Wear waterproof mascara. You will cry a lot. It’s guaranteed. Black mascara will run and leave unflattering raccoon eyes.

• Don’t wear heavy powder eyeshadow. Again, you will cry. You will also sweat from walking around in heavy makeup, a thick gown, and hundreds of guests milling around you. Powder smears and cakes, and ends up under your eyes.

• Don’t wear sheer lipstick. You’ll eat it off. Or if you do, wear a matte or semi-matte base and apply the sheer lipstick as a top coat. Be sure to blot well, or it’ll end up around your mouth or on your teeth.

• Don’t wear heavy shimmery makeup, unless it’s applied by a professional makeup artist. It doesn’t photograph well under less than perfect lighting conditions. If you do, apply only on the eyes.

• Bridal makeup should be soft and romantic, not harsh. Natural pinks are most flattering, and really make you look like a “blushing bride”. Avoid hard-edged contouring and dramatic browns, unless blended well and kept close to the eyeline. Even lipsticks should stick to the pinks and brownish pinks. Bright reds look too harsh worn against a white dress.

• You’ll need good foundation that lasts long but doesn’t cake. The trick is to apply moisturizer first and let it “set”. This will prime your skin. Apply a matte or cream foundation, then concealer. Dust powder foundation with a brush.

• Take good photographs right after the ceremony, when everyone’s make up is still intact. You should have solo shots, couple shots, and group photos with your entourage, friends, family members.

• Ask for a few black and white photographs. They always have a soft, romantic feel.

• If you’ll be having outdoor photographs, light is most flattering in the morning and at dusk. Avoid any outdoor shots from 11 am to 2 pm; everyone will just be squinting.

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How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer And Feel Like A Star On Your Wedding Day!

by Kiss the Bride Wedding Directory on March 20, 2012

Why should you trust your memories to a professional wedding photographer?

It’s essential you hire a good, professional wedding photographer for your big day if you want wonderful wedding photographs. Wedding pictures will last a lot longer than the flowers, food and drink. You’ll be able to relive your wedding day every time you look at your photographs. You need a photographer who understands what you want and can be relied upon to capture every minute of your special day. The right wedding photographer can make you feel like a star!

When you hire a professional photographer, look for the following:

1. Specialized and well kept professional equipment (includes a medium format camera aside from a professional 35mm camera).

2. A valid and legal sales tax license.

3. Ask for latest proof of business insurance.

4. A permanent studio.

5. Membership in a professional photographic association.

6. Examples of recent work

Important points to consider:

Photographer’s level of experience and references – check the photographer’s background and ask for references. Meet with the referees personally in order to look at the photographer’s work as well as ask them if they were happy with the outcome of the work. Personally, I wouldn’t hire a photographer who hesitates to give references.

Photographic style – do the images appeal to you? Do you like the photographer’s style?

Personality – are the photographer’s ideas the same as yours? Can you communicate with him/her easily? Does he/she understand what you want regarding the style of photography?

Packages – ask about each package presented to you and the cost. If you’re not comfortable with the packages, can the photographer make one to satisfy your needs?

Accomplished work – ask how long it will take to finish your album, your bridal portrait and all the photos taken during the wedding.

Price – can you afford this photographer? Take the time to ask all that you need to know and make sure you understand all services and photos included in the cost.

Payments and deposits – if you cancel, can you get a refund? If the photographer, in any circumstance, does not show up, what happens? Can a partner take his place? Make sure you clear all of this with the photographer as well as discussing all your concerns. If the photographer’s answer doesn’t satisfy you, look elsewhere.

Contract – check and read it carefully before signing. If there’s anything that you don’t understand, ask for clarification or ask the photographer to leave you the contract overnight so you can study it. Make sure the contract includes everything you agreed on.

When looking at the photographer’s work, look for the following:

1. Each sample album must consist of only one wedding. Are there a lot of sample albums?

2. Is there a recent actual wedding that you could look at? Look through the photographer’s most recent wedding album.

3. Study each album well and see if the album tells the story of the wedding; not just similar photos filling up the album.

4. Are the portraits clear and did the photographer capture the subject’s mood?

5. Are all the photos done artistically? Is there a play of light and shadow?

6. Are candid shots taken? Are they clear and well composed?

Remember that your wedding photographs will remind you of your special day and can last forever. Once you have chosen the right photographer, enjoy being the center of attention on your big day. That doesn’t mean you have to act like Bridezilla, but you can certainly enjoy feeling like a star on your wedding day.

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How To Choose The Perfect Engagement Ring

by Kiss the Bride Wedding Directory on March 13, 2012

Of all the pieces of jewelry that you will ever have to purchase the most important one of all is her engagement ring. This is the ring that she will carry with her and most likely wear for the rest of her life. At least as long as things go the way you are planning! Choosing the right ring is going to make your life much happier and she will be able to feel proud every time that she walks out of the house.

In order to choose the right engagement ring you need to know what she likes. Find out what her tastes are in jewelry because there are many different kinds of rings out there on the market today. Some of the rings are every traditional and stately and others are more modern and interesting. The choice is yours but if she doesn’t like it that can be pretty bad for you both. It is a very important thing to learn just what kind of ring she will like the best. So how can you find this out without asking her?

Talk to her family and friends. Let them know what you are planning and make sure that they don’t say anything! They most likely have a good idea of what she will like the best. Ask if there is a type of ring or a shape of stone that she has always talked of. Perhaps she has always wanted a trinity engagement ring or a princess cut solitaire diamond, or maybe she wants some colored gems in her engagement ring. Find out these kinds of things before you go shopping for the ring and you will have a much better chance of choosing appropriately.

If you have a definite idea of the engagement ring that you want to get for her and you cannot find it in any stores then you are going to have to look into getting it custom made. There are many jewelers, most of the higher end ones, that will be able to do design the perfect ring for your favorite woman. They can help you bring to life any ideas that you have in mind. We are talking about talented and creative designers who have been doing this kind of thing for years. If you are ready to take the matter into your own hands then you need to get a fantastic designer to work on your engagement ring. This also adds a personal touch that no store bought ring can do.

If you want to pick the way the ring works but you do not want to go to the time and expense that a custom ring can cost you can choose to put it together yourself. There are all kinds of website that will allow you to customize an engagement ring in just a couple of minutes. The choices that you will get to choose from will not be as advanced as a true custom ring, but you will be able to choose the shape and size of the diamond, as well as the setting and the kind of gold.

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