If you are planning on freezing the top tier of your wedding cake for your first wedding anniversary, there are some easy steps you can take so that the cake will still be tasty one year down the road.
After the wedding, immediately remove the cake from the cake box and place it in a large 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Put the sealed cake inside a second Ziploc bag, so that it is double-bagged. Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the second bag, as well. You can then put the sealed cake back inside the cake box. Next, wrap the cake box in plastic wrap, so it is sealed. Place the cake box in the freezer.
When your anniversary rolls around, and you are ready to indulge in your walk down memory lane. Remove the cake box from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw for about 24 to 48 hours. Free the cake from its wrappings and allow it to thaw for another hour or two at room temperature. Then serve it up and reminisce!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Quick Tip: Share your Shots with your Photog
Even if you've hired a photographer known for his photojournalistic style, you'll probably still want some formal posed shots of family and the bridal party. It's best to give your photog a list of all the shots you want, including each grouping of different family members and bridal party members, at least two weeks before the wedding. Ask him how much time he will need for all of the formal shots and then factor enough time for all of the desired shots into the wedding day timeline. It's ideal to do all of the formal groupings of family members and the bridal party photos before the ceremony and during the cocktail hour, so once the band starts playing during the reception, you can enjoy the party and dance the night away!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Stop Before You Shoot! Tips for Capturing Good Video Footage of Your Wedding
Welcome back Mike Fisher from Storymix Media, who will be guest blogging about tips for shooting good DIY video footage at your wedding.
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In our last guest post, we explored the reasons for capturing video of your wedding. If you have opted for getting the video shot by a non-professional, we have advice for making sure your cameraperson gets the scenes you want and the best results possible.
The key to getting the important shots and scenes for your movie is planning beforehand. If you have a game plan, you are much more likely to be ready when those great moments present themselves. Here are some tips:
General
1. Know thy equipment. Be sure to understand the functionality and features on the camera. A Flip cam will have very different capabilities than an expensive camcorder.
2. What extras will you need? Extra batteries, tapes, and flash memory cards aren't sold at the bar. Prepare the night before.
3. Key shots list. Make a list of the important moments you want to capture. Here are some shots you'll want:
Shooting Video
1. Two cameras are better than one. Multiple angles and more coverage will result in a better final edited movie.
2. Nice and easy. Be conscious of how quickly or slowly you pan and zoom. A nice smooth movement will prevent your viewers from getting seasick due to the jerky to and fro common in home movies.
3. Have tripod, will travel. Using a tripod will make it much easier to get great video shots. If you know you'll be shooting from one spot for a while, your legs and arms will thank you. There are also great table top tripods available on the market that are easy to travel with and do a fine job keeping your footage still and smooth.
4. Film near a stereo speaker at the ceremony. If you have more than one camera, position one camera near a stereo speaker. Even if you can't get good video, the audio can be added later with the appropriate footage.
5. Get a lot of closeups of the couple and guests. Catching facial expressions and emotions makes for great video.
For more detailed tips and explanations for producing good quality video footage, check out our blog: www.My-Photo-Video.com.
In our next guest post, we'll discuss the questions to ask if you decide to hire a professional videographer.
As part of these great tips, Storymix Media is offering their Custom Wedding Video Wedding Mix package to one lucky reader. This $200 value product is great for turning your DIY raw video into a great 20-30 minute highlight movie that will be a treasured keepsake.
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post by November 21st with an e-mail address to contact if you win. You will receive an additional entry if you follow us on twitter and send us a tweet. We will randomly select a winner on November 22nd. If we don't hear back from the winner within one week, we will randomly select a new winner. No purchase is necessary to enter.
-----
In our last guest post, we explored the reasons for capturing video of your wedding. If you have opted for getting the video shot by a non-professional, we have advice for making sure your cameraperson gets the scenes you want and the best results possible.
The key to getting the important shots and scenes for your movie is planning beforehand. If you have a game plan, you are much more likely to be ready when those great moments present themselves. Here are some tips:
General
1. Know thy equipment. Be sure to understand the functionality and features on the camera. A Flip cam will have very different capabilities than an expensive camcorder.
2. What extras will you need? Extra batteries, tapes, and flash memory cards aren't sold at the bar. Prepare the night before.
3. Key shots list. Make a list of the important moments you want to capture. Here are some shots you'll want:
- Walking down the aisle
- Vows
- First kiss
- Leaving church or venue
- Entrance into reception
- Best Man's toast and Maid of Honor's toast
- First dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son dance
- Bouquet toss
- Guests - don't focus just on the couple, but go easy on the guests' toasts
- More than ceremony and reception - your wedding experience also includes the rehearsal, bridal shower, honeymoon, etc. Try to include those moments too if possible.
Shooting Video
1. Two cameras are better than one. Multiple angles and more coverage will result in a better final edited movie.
2. Nice and easy. Be conscious of how quickly or slowly you pan and zoom. A nice smooth movement will prevent your viewers from getting seasick due to the jerky to and fro common in home movies.
3. Have tripod, will travel. Using a tripod will make it much easier to get great video shots. If you know you'll be shooting from one spot for a while, your legs and arms will thank you. There are also great table top tripods available on the market that are easy to travel with and do a fine job keeping your footage still and smooth.
4. Film near a stereo speaker at the ceremony. If you have more than one camera, position one camera near a stereo speaker. Even if you can't get good video, the audio can be added later with the appropriate footage.
5. Get a lot of closeups of the couple and guests. Catching facial expressions and emotions makes for great video.
For more detailed tips and explanations for producing good quality video footage, check out our blog: www.My-Photo-Video.com.
In our next guest post, we'll discuss the questions to ask if you decide to hire a professional videographer.
November Giveaway!
As part of these great tips, Storymix Media is offering their Custom Wedding Video Wedding Mix package to one lucky reader. This $200 value product is great for turning your DIY raw video into a great 20-30 minute highlight movie that will be a treasured keepsake.
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post by November 21st with an e-mail address to contact if you win. You will receive an additional entry if you follow us on twitter and send us a tweet. We will randomly select a winner on November 22nd. If we don't hear back from the winner within one week, we will randomly select a new winner. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Review & Giveaway: Custom M&Ms
Everybody is familiar with M&Ms candies, but what you may not know is that M&Ms can be customized! I was recently introduced to custom M&Ms and thought it was such a great idea to incorporate into a wedding reception or shower. The process is very easy. Just go to the My M&Ms web site to get started. The first step is choosing colors for your M&M mix. You can pick up to three colors to include in the mix. There are 20 color options, so you can easily match them to your wedding color scheme.
Next, you personalize the M&Ms by adding messages, images, or clip art. The names of the bride and groom fit well. You can even upload a photo of their faces that will appear on your M&Ms! You can also choose from images of a wedding cake, wedding bells, or champagne glasses.
Once you've customized the images and messages that will appear on your M&Ms, you move on to select the packaging. If your planning to use the custom M&Ms as favors, you can have them packaged and sent to you already in favor bags, tins, or mini-boxes. The favor options cost between $4.19 and $4.99 each. But if you want to sort them yourself or display them on a candy buffet, there is a five pound bulk bag that contains about 50 servings for $129.99.
The only thing it seems you can't customize is the type of M&M. Currently, the custom M&Ms are only offered in the regular milk chocolate variety.
Whenever I talk to brides, they are always looking for ways to make their wedding unique. I think displaying custom M&Ms on a candy buffet or offering bags of your personalized M&Ms as wedding favors are great ways to make your wedding stand out and impress your guests.
This month we're doing our first giveaway! Do you want to try out custom M&Ms? We're giving away three seven ounce bags of all white M&Ms customized with images of wedding bells and wedding rings to one lucky winner! Try them out to see if you want to make your own custom mix or use them in an upcoming wedding shower or reception.
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post by October 31st with an e-mail address to contact if you win. You'll receive an additional entry if you become a follower on twitter and tweet to us at @CamilleMcLamb. We will randomly select a winner on November 1st. If we don't hear back from the winner within one week, we will randomly select a new winner to make sure someone gets the goodies! No purchase is necessary to enter.
Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary samples of custom M&Ms to review and complimentary bags of custom M&Ms for our giveaway.
Do you have an idea for a wedding product for us to review? Let us know in a comment or e-mail us at info@CamilleVictoriaWeddings.com.
Next, you personalize the M&Ms by adding messages, images, or clip art. The names of the bride and groom fit well. You can even upload a photo of their faces that will appear on your M&Ms! You can also choose from images of a wedding cake, wedding bells, or champagne glasses.
Once you've customized the images and messages that will appear on your M&Ms, you move on to select the packaging. If your planning to use the custom M&Ms as favors, you can have them packaged and sent to you already in favor bags, tins, or mini-boxes. The favor options cost between $4.19 and $4.99 each. But if you want to sort them yourself or display them on a candy buffet, there is a five pound bulk bag that contains about 50 servings for $129.99.
The only thing it seems you can't customize is the type of M&M. Currently, the custom M&Ms are only offered in the regular milk chocolate variety.
Whenever I talk to brides, they are always looking for ways to make their wedding unique. I think displaying custom M&Ms on a candy buffet or offering bags of your personalized M&Ms as wedding favors are great ways to make your wedding stand out and impress your guests.
M&M Giveaway!
This month we're doing our first giveaway! Do you want to try out custom M&Ms? We're giving away three seven ounce bags of all white M&Ms customized with images of wedding bells and wedding rings to one lucky winner! Try them out to see if you want to make your own custom mix or use them in an upcoming wedding shower or reception.
 |
| Giveaway bags are similar to the picture but contain all white M&Ms. |
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post by October 31st with an e-mail address to contact if you win. You'll receive an additional entry if you become a follower on twitter and tweet to us at @CamilleMcLamb. We will randomly select a winner on November 1st. If we don't hear back from the winner within one week, we will randomly select a new winner to make sure someone gets the goodies! No purchase is necessary to enter.
Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary samples of custom M&Ms to review and complimentary bags of custom M&Ms for our giveaway.
Do you have an idea for a wedding product for us to review? Let us know in a comment or e-mail us at info@CamilleVictoriaWeddings.com.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
How to Plan a Theme Wedding
Couples today are increasingly choosing not only a color scheme for their weddings but also a theme. The challenge is making the theme evident yet tasteful. Follow these steps for a successful theme wedding.
Make it Meaningful: When picking your theme, choose something that is meaningful to you. I recently had a bride who had lived in France as a child, so she planned a wedding reception with a French travel theme. If you are a movie buff, you could do a Hollywood Glam theme. Whatever you choose, some of the best themes reflect something about you or your interests.
Do it with Decor: Of course, you'll want to incorporate the theme into your decor without overdoing it. Try picking two areas of the reception room to focus on, most commonly the entry and the tables. With my French themed bride, she used luggage tags as her escort cards to direct guests to their tables as they entered. Rather than using table numbers, she named each table after a famous landmark in France. The centerpieces were Eiffel Towers covered by flowers. These touches were elegant while still showcasing the theme to guests. Similarly, with a Hollywood theme, you could name the tables after famous actors and actresses from the black and white movie era and then decorate the centerpieces with feathers.
Mix it up with Music: At any wedding, it's best to have a variety of music that will please both young and old guests alike. But if you have a theme, it's fun to let it come through in a few songs during the reception. When you make your grand entrance into the reception room, enter to a song that relates to your theme. With a Hollywood Glam idea, you could enter to the theme song from Casablanca. Or, as guests eat dinner, play relevant songs in the background, such as famous movie theme songs.
Fresh ideas with Food: Add a touch of surprise with your meal by adding in the theme to your food. For example, with my French themed bride, she had a crepe station. If you are giving guests menu cards, give each course a witty name that reflects your theme, such as Yellow Brick Road Lemon Tart for dessert for the Hollywood themed wedding.
Finish it off with Favors: Finally, as guests leave, hit them with your theme one last time with an a propos favor to take home. My French themed bride sent her guests home with traditional French macaroons. But if you were doing that Hollywood theme, you could give out cute cups of movie popcorn or chocolate clapboards.
Having a theme can add some fun and whimsy for your guests. Incorporate the theme into the key elements that we mentioned, and you'll pull off a unique yet elegant wedding.
Do you have a wedding planning question you'd like answered? Leave a comment or e-mail me at info@CamilleVictoriaWeddings.com.
Make it Meaningful: When picking your theme, choose something that is meaningful to you. I recently had a bride who had lived in France as a child, so she planned a wedding reception with a French travel theme. If you are a movie buff, you could do a Hollywood Glam theme. Whatever you choose, some of the best themes reflect something about you or your interests.
Do it with Decor: Of course, you'll want to incorporate the theme into your decor without overdoing it. Try picking two areas of the reception room to focus on, most commonly the entry and the tables. With my French themed bride, she used luggage tags as her escort cards to direct guests to their tables as they entered. Rather than using table numbers, she named each table after a famous landmark in France. The centerpieces were Eiffel Towers covered by flowers. These touches were elegant while still showcasing the theme to guests. Similarly, with a Hollywood theme, you could name the tables after famous actors and actresses from the black and white movie era and then decorate the centerpieces with feathers.
Mix it up with Music: At any wedding, it's best to have a variety of music that will please both young and old guests alike. But if you have a theme, it's fun to let it come through in a few songs during the reception. When you make your grand entrance into the reception room, enter to a song that relates to your theme. With a Hollywood Glam idea, you could enter to the theme song from Casablanca. Or, as guests eat dinner, play relevant songs in the background, such as famous movie theme songs.
Fresh ideas with Food: Add a touch of surprise with your meal by adding in the theme to your food. For example, with my French themed bride, she had a crepe station. If you are giving guests menu cards, give each course a witty name that reflects your theme, such as Yellow Brick Road Lemon Tart for dessert for the Hollywood themed wedding.
Finish it off with Favors: Finally, as guests leave, hit them with your theme one last time with an a propos favor to take home. My French themed bride sent her guests home with traditional French macaroons. But if you were doing that Hollywood theme, you could give out cute cups of movie popcorn or chocolate clapboards.
Having a theme can add some fun and whimsy for your guests. Incorporate the theme into the key elements that we mentioned, and you'll pull off a unique yet elegant wedding.
Do you have a wedding planning question you'd like answered? Leave a comment or e-mail me at info@CamilleVictoriaWeddings.com.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Quick Tip: Getting Outdoor Wedding Photos Without Staining Your Dress
On your wedding day, you'll most likely want to take photos wherever you can to get a great shot with a beautiful background. You may be traipsing through grass, gardens, fields, or even vineyards in your gorgeous white dress. Here's a great tip for getting those fantastic photos without staining the bottom of your wedding gown or its train. If you're taking a photo outside or in an area that could stain your dress, simply spread a white sheet out on the ground. Stand on the sheet (or cut a hole in the sheet where you'll stand) and arrange your dress and train so that the sheet is hidden underneath. In the picture, the sheet will be invisible while the bottom of your dress is protected. Now you can just smile and say cheese!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Bride and Groom Gift Giving Guide
Though you're the one getting married, you're not the only one who should receive gifts! There are several people to consider giving gifts to as a thank you for their participation in your wedding.
It has become customary to give gifts to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. For ladies, the gift could be a monogrammed tote bag or earrings they can wear with their bridesmaid dresses. For gentlemen, an engraved business card holder or a subscription to a beer of the month club are appropriate gifts. If you have program attendants or additional ushers, don't forget to include them. The gifts can be given at a bridesmaids luncheon or rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding.
The joy of marriage may be gift enough for the happy bride, but jewelry is an added bonus! Grooms, get brownie points by surprising your bride with a present before the wedding. You can't go wrong with a bracelet or earrings that she can wear down the aisle. Send a groomsmen or your wedding coordinator to the bridal suite on the day of the wedding to give the gift to your bride as she is getting dressed with her bridesmaids. Not only will you impress the bride, but you'll get on the good side of all her best friends.
Don't forget about your parents. Particularly if your parents are helping to pay for the wedding, it is a nice gesture to give them a small token to say thank you. A gift certificate for a nice restaurant, cuff links for your dad to wear with his tux, or tickets to the symphony are great parent gifts. Present the gifts to each set of parents privately the day before the wedding.
Give back to your guests. For out-of-town guests, put together hospitality bags filled with snacks and tourist info that they will get when they check in to their hotel. It is quite common to give guests a small memento to take home from the reception as a wedding favor. Jordan almonds are a traditional wedding favor, but couples are getting creative, sending their guests home with luggage tags, coasters, flower seeds, and photobooth photos. Wedding favors can be displayed all together for guests to take as they leave the reception, or you can put a favor at each place setting.
Use your wedding as a chance to say thank you, not only for help preparing for the Big Day but also for years of friendship of support. A simple gift can convey the message.
It has become customary to give gifts to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. For ladies, the gift could be a monogrammed tote bag or earrings they can wear with their bridesmaid dresses. For gentlemen, an engraved business card holder or a subscription to a beer of the month club are appropriate gifts. If you have program attendants or additional ushers, don't forget to include them. The gifts can be given at a bridesmaids luncheon or rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding.
The joy of marriage may be gift enough for the happy bride, but jewelry is an added bonus! Grooms, get brownie points by surprising your bride with a present before the wedding. You can't go wrong with a bracelet or earrings that she can wear down the aisle. Send a groomsmen or your wedding coordinator to the bridal suite on the day of the wedding to give the gift to your bride as she is getting dressed with her bridesmaids. Not only will you impress the bride, but you'll get on the good side of all her best friends.
Don't forget about your parents. Particularly if your parents are helping to pay for the wedding, it is a nice gesture to give them a small token to say thank you. A gift certificate for a nice restaurant, cuff links for your dad to wear with his tux, or tickets to the symphony are great parent gifts. Present the gifts to each set of parents privately the day before the wedding.
Give back to your guests. For out-of-town guests, put together hospitality bags filled with snacks and tourist info that they will get when they check in to their hotel. It is quite common to give guests a small memento to take home from the reception as a wedding favor. Jordan almonds are a traditional wedding favor, but couples are getting creative, sending their guests home with luggage tags, coasters, flower seeds, and photobooth photos. Wedding favors can be displayed all together for guests to take as they leave the reception, or you can put a favor at each place setting.
Use your wedding as a chance to say thank you, not only for help preparing for the Big Day but also for years of friendship of support. A simple gift can convey the message.
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