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Boston Wedding News – The Royal Wedding

February 19, 2011 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment
kate middleton - ROYAL WEDDING

Along with the identity of the wedding dress designer, the actual design of Kate Middleton’s dress is the most closely guarded secret of the wedding. Based on my knowledge of previous royal weddings, and from what I’ve heard so far, here’s what I predict Catherine (as she prefers to be called) will be wearing on the big day.

The Dress

First off, Catherine’s gown will not look anything like Diana’s, and I anticipate that it will be white rather than a cream or ivory hue. While the strapless look is popular with many celebrity brides, this is a royal bride, and that transcends mere celebrity. This means no strapless styles, no spaghetti straps, and no to anything that exposes the shoulders. If you look at previous royal bridal dresses, every one of them features sleeves. The last major royal wedding was that of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in June 2010 — a wedding I covered from Stockholm, and she was the first royal bride to have a gown with an off-the-shoulder wrap neckline with short sleeves.

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Catherine has a fabulous figure and looks sensational in the stream-lined silhouettes she favors, however we definitely won’t be seeing a slinky sheath dress like the one Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore to her wedding. On the other hand, I don’t think Catherine’s dress will feature a big, ball-gown skirt either, although it will have some fullness to it to complement the grand scale of Westminster Abbey. So something with an A-line or a Princess-style skirt (how appropriate) with a fitted waist will be most likely.

There will be a train but nowhere near the length of Diana’s 25 ft. train as I’m told that Catherine is not into very long trains – it’s simply not her taste. The bridal bouquet will contain a sprig of myrtle to symbolize lasting love and fertility – a royal wedding tradition started by Queen Victoria.

Victoria also set the trend for white wedding dresses when she wore one to her wedding in 1840. Previously, black and red were popular bridal gown colors, and royal brides traditionally wed in silver. I wouldn’t be surprised if Catherine’s gown incorporates striking details such as silver embroidery. Rania al Yassan (now Queen Rania of Jordan) wore a gold embroidered dress to her 1993 wedding.

The Tiara

Royal insiders told me that shortly after the engagement announcement on November 16, Catherine was invited to Buckingham Palace where the Queen had instructed that every tiara, along with other dazzling jewels from the royal vaults, be laid out for inspection in a ballroom. This was when Catherine chose the tiara she will wear on her wedding day. The British royals have a substantial collection of priceless heirloom jewels and tiaras, and the general public has only seen a mere fraction of what is in those vaults. There are many pieces of historic provenance that haven’t been seen or worn by members of the royal family in decades.

I suspect that Catherine will wear a tiara of relatively modest size, and one that has not been seen for quite some time. I don’t think she will be wearing too much other jewelry at the wedding as she tends to favor a less is more aesthetic- perhaps just a pair of earrings or a necklace.

It should be noted that the tiara Catherine wears to the ceremony is not necessarily the same tiara she will receive as a wedding present. There has been some speculation that Catherine might be given the beautiful diamond and pearl drop tiara that Diana had worn to stunning effect. This tiara, known as the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, was made for Queen Mary (the Queen’s grandmother) in 1913 by the royal jewelers Garrard. The Queen gave it to Diana as a wedding gift and after the princess’s death, it returned to the royal family. If the Queen bestows William a dukedom, it’s most likely to be the Duke of Cambridge title. So it will be a wonderful tie-in for Catherine to be given the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara as she will then be the Duchess of Cambridge. Nice scenario – but it won’t happen. First of all, the tiara is too closely associated with Diana, and the young couple have already said that Catherine will be forging her own path and identity. Secondly, Diana often complained that the Lover’s Knot was heavy and wearing it gave her a headache. So that rules it out.

The Veil

To veil or not to veil? Royal brides customarily wear a veil on their wedding day but the question is whether Catherine will wear one over her face as she proceeds up the aisle. If Catherine was a princess of royal blood, I can tell you emphatically that she will not have a veil covering her face. None of the royal-born princesses such as Princess Anne, Princess Margaret or the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) when she married, had worn a veil over their faces. However, since Catherine is not royal-born, she will have a choice, and I think she’ll choose to have a veil over her face like Diana and Sarah Ferguson before her. It lends an air of mystery, and goes so well with the romantic image that she loves.

The Hair

As for how Catherine will be wearing her hair, all brides at royal weddings have their hair pulled off their faces, so there won’t be a repeat of Catherine’s hair falling over her eyes like we saw during the engagement announcement and interview. However, I don’t think we will be seeing her thick hair pulled back in a tight knot. Catherine knows what suits her, and it isn’t anything too severe looking. So on the wedding day, her hair will be pulled back from her face, but done loosely with a soft effect.

The Shoes

The latest news from my royal contacts is that Catherine has commissioned four pairs of shoes for the wedding day – each pair with a different heel height. Considering that she will be spending much of the day on her feet – at the ceremony, during the reception, the balcony appearance, the official photo shoot, not to mention dancing at the evening party afterwards, this sounds like a very smart move.

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Boston Wedding Trends – “Scrapbooking” It’s a Work of Art

September 19, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment
WeddingChannel.com

Scrapbooking 101: Capturing Your Memories With Flair

You may think of scrapbooking as an archaic process befitting those from your grandparents’ generation, however, it is more of an art form that is an expression of your personality, whether it be eccentric or traditional. Megan Thome, a scrapbook expert at K&Company, a craft company based in Parkville, MO, refers to scrapbooking as “a trendy new verb [which has] the unique capacity to be a tangible personal expression of something meaningful to the individual.”According to our experts, a wedding is the perfect time to start a scrapbook. “[It] is a milestone, and milestones are ripe with opportunities to scrapbook,” says Thome. “There is usually a beginning (the proposal), a middle (the engagement) and the grand finale (the wedding) which are three components to any great story.” Courtney Cochrane, a scrapbook buyer at Michaels’ headquarters in Irving, Tex., says that with a scrapbook you can capture the particular moments that made the day special. “So much time and effort has gone into planning a day that reflects your personality and your love for your spouse, you don’t want to forget any if it.”

Now that you have decided to start your scrapbook, read these tips to make the process easier and to ensure a truly original work of art!

  • Journaling is just as important as the pictures Cochrane says: “It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words—but in 10 years from now you may forget how you were feeling and what you were thinking. Journaling is the best way to relive an event with feelings and thoughts.”
  • Let your wedding scrapbook tell your personal story. Julie McGuffee, host of Scrapbook Memories, a television program on PBS, says it is perfectly fine to use the computer for funky graphics and fonts, but to ensure there’s something handwritten in your scrapbook. “It is possible to have a font created from your own writing, but nothing beats the real thing.”
  • Make as many scrapbooks as you like. Melissa Ierlan, a photo scrapbook expert at Eastman Kodak’s corporate office in Rochester, N.Y., suggests having two scrapbooks, one for the professional poses and one filled with other photos such as from your engagement, bridal shower/bachelorette party, reception and honeymoon. “The engagement, bridal shower and other wedding-related events are just as much a part of your wedding day as the big day itself!” says Madsen. “So don’t be afraid to include everything in one all-inclusive album.”
  • Use supplies that are archive-friendly. Marianne Madsen, managing editor of Creating Keepsakes, a scrapbook magazine based in Salt Lake City, Utah, says acid-free adhesives, pens and papers will extend the life of your photos and memorabilia.
  • Size matters when selecting a scrapbook. Ierlan suggests basing this decision on the number of photos. A scrapbook usually has at least 20 pages (10 pages, back and front). The traditional 12×12″ two-page layout has room for four to 10 (4X6″) photos depending on how the photos are cropped. Smaller sizes include 8.5×11″, 8×8″ and 6×6″ scrapbooks.
  • Choosing a motif for your scrapbook is not as difficult as you think. Thome suggests getting inspiration from your wedding theme. Whether you are having (or had) a funky, traditional, romantic or trendy wedding, Thome says there are an abundance of coordinating accessories to choose from.
  • The color wheel is your friend. Cochrane says use a color wheel (found at any craft or paint store) to choose complementary colors. “[It] provides foolproof direction on colors that complement or contrast with each other.”
  • Creative cropped pages are the key to a finished look. Ierlan suggests to crop people from the background, cut pictures into shapes or use scrap pieces of photos as a border or other decoration on pages.
  • Perfect photos. Thome suggests using the pictures from your professional photographer in your scrapbook, but to first scan copies and print them so you don’t ruin the original. Ierlan recommends using an editing device such as Kodak EasyShare software for correcting red eye and contrast. Also, Adobe Photoshop provides many more editing tools to create perfect pictures.
  • Don’t forget the groom. Thome advises that although you are the one creating the book, you should also include the groom’s thoughts and views. “If he isn’t the type to directly contribute to the scrapbook, remember things that he said at certain points and use old notes or e-mails that refer to wedding plans or feelings.”
  • Include as much memorabilia as you like. “The goal is to acquire the mementos as they are happening; you can decide what you’ll use and what you’ll toss later,” says Thome. If it is too bulky, photocopy or photograph it. Things to include: invitations, napkins, a flower from your bouquet, local newspaper announcement (spray it with a deacidification spray or scan the article itself) and news from that day. The list goes on: a champagne cork, garter, cards you received, sheet music from the ceremony and reception, menu, ribbon and charms used on the bouquet, your place cards, scraps from gift wrap, fabric swatches, plane tickets from the honeymoon. You can use these items as either the background or the focal point. “A page could include a faded image of a cake as the background, or scan greeting cards from guests and shrink them for use as decoration on pages,” says Ierlan. Other things to include are cute stories told by the guests and groom, funny things that happened on the wedding day or the days leading up to the wedding.

Trend watch

  • McGuffee says digital scrapbooking is on the rise since digital cameras are more affordable with easy-to-use software. You can design your pages on the computer and then print them out yourself.
  • According to Thome, wedding scrapbooks are becoming more elegant and timeless in their design. Also, “we’re seeing loads of layering and dimension along with coordinating textures, [which] can be incredibly inventive.”
  • Madsen says mini albums are very popular for documenting the engagement, bridal show and other wedding-related events.

Tools of the trade

  • Photos and memorabilia
  • A post-bound album/book (12×12″ is the most popular, and look for ones that can accommodate extra pages/protectors)
  • A 12″ fixed blade paper trimmer to crop papers and photos (McGuffee uses Fiskars’ 12″ Euro Trimmer)
  • Fine point, straight edge scissors
  • Straight edge
  • Acid-free paper/card stock; solid colors or patterned papers
  • Acid-free adhesive, such as Tombow, and glue dots, adhesive tabs, tap runner, etc.
  • Acid-free black marker
  • Acid-free journaling pen with archival ink
  • Different color pens including metallic, glitter and pastel pens
  • Corner rounder for pictures
  • Embellishments (decorative stickers, glitter paper, embossed vellum, pearl brads, engraved metal photo corners and charms, punches, flowers, buttons)
  • Other items are decorative scissors, paper punches, page refills, stamps and inks, die-cutting systems, computer and printer for creating titles, captions and writing stories
  • Scrapbook magazine, Web site, or TV show for inspiration
  • A space to work

Specialized tools

  • Trimming/cutting systems, which encompass shapes, punches and corner-rounders
  • Photo software, such as Photoshop Elements
  • Photo printer
  • Die-cutting systems and accessories, such as from Sizzix

Getting started: sources of inspiration

Magazines

  • Creating Keepsakes
  • Scrapbooks, Etc.
  • Paperkuts
  • Simple Scrapbooks

Web sites

  • creatingkeepsakes.com (also a magazine; runs Creating Keepsakes University)
  • twopeasinabucket.com (an online scrapbook community that offers message boards for scrapbook enthusiasts to offer each other tricks of the trade
  • scraptalk.com
  • michaels.com
  • kandcompany.com

Television

  • Scrapbooking (on DIY)
  • Scrapbook Memories (on PBS)

Craft stores (teach the techniques of scrapbooking)

  • Michaels
  • Creative Memories (hosts events for scrapbookers of all levels to learn the basic and more advanced tricks of the trade)

Specialized services

If you don’t have the time to make a scrapbook, Thome recommends consulting your local scrapbook retailers since they offer classes and know craft teachers who may be willing to take your project. But keep three things in mind: “It will cost you more than you think, ask to see their previous work, and give the crafter as much info and memorabilia as you can.” McGuffee suggests you add journaling. “This way it will be your story and much more personal.” Ierlan says this is a fairly new service but check the phone books under photographers, wedding coordinators, bridal shows and photographic publications. She also suggests contacting storybookjournal.com, which provides higher-end photo scrapbooks.

http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-photography-tips/articles/scrapbooking-101-capturing_your-memories-with-flair.aspx

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Boston Wedding Photography Tips – What to Expect

September 19, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment
WeddingChannel.com

What to Expect From Your Photographer

What to know before you meet your photographer.

Photo: Isabel Lawrence Photographers

When the time comes to hire your wedding photographer, there are several things you should take into consideration before making a final choice. In this article, I have highlighted some key points to consider when searching for a professional wedding photographer.

First, make sure that you start the selection process early, as most good photographers book up at least six months to one year in advance. Visit a minimum of three photographers — this will help you make comparisons and choose the right person for you. Ask for referrals from friends or co-workers who have been through the selection process already, and ask the event staff where you will be getting married — chances are they will have a few referrals to give you.

Demand Professionalism: Make sure the appointments you set are with reputable professionals. Take note right from the beginning about how you are treated on the phone and how soon you get a call back if you leave a message. The little things make a big difference. Never forget, this is a service business. Also, make sure that wedding photography is at least 50% of the photographer’s business.

Portfolio: Ask to see the photographer’s work. Make sure that the person whose work you are viewing will be the one actually photographing your wedding. Ask to see work from an entire wedding, preferably an album or a set of proofs from a recent wedding they have photographed. Look for examples of styles that you would like to see in your wedding images, such as photojournalism, black and white, family groups and possibly, special effects. And remember, you must not only like your photographer’s work, you must also like your photographer.

Ask About Prices And Services: Find out what type of services are offered, such as how many hours of the photographer’s time are included in the price and what his/her overtime rate is. Ask how many images you will get back, and if the price will include black and white film as well as color. Does the package price include an engagement sitting and, if not, how much does a sitting cost? The most important thing to know up front is what the package price does and does not include. Also be sure to ask how much reprints, extra albums, wall portraits, frames, etc. will cost. TIP: Often you can negotiate a better deal up front for extras than if you wait until after the wedding.

Don’t be pressured to commit to a package on the spot. You are not buying a used car; you are investing in images that will appreciate in sentimental value over time. Make sure you make the right investment.

Schedule An Engagement Session: The engagement session is a casual portrait session done with your photographer months before the wedding. I recommend it to everyone getting married. It’s a great way to get to know your photographer and for he/she to get to know you. Also, you get to see yourselves on film before the wedding, and if you are happy with your engagement images, you will feel more at ease in front of the camera on your wedding day.

Ask About Backup Equipment: No matter what type of equipment your photographer chooses to use — 35 mm or medium format – he/she should have backup equipment available on your wedding day. Cameras do break — it’s happened to me, but I keep extra equipment on hand for such times.

The Contract: Make sure that once you agree on price and pertinent details, you put them in writing. A contract is there to protect you and your photographer. Items you should outline in the contract include the name of the person you chose to photograph your wedding, the date and exact times of the day’s events, the total price and what that price includes, and any other information you deem necessary. If your photographer doesn’t have a standard contract, insist on one or look elsewhere.

Your Photographer’s Wedding Attire: Make sure to discuss what you expect your photographer to wear. Understanding the appropriate dress code helps your photographer to blend in with the crowd and appear less obtrusive.

The Wedding Day: On the day of the wedding, you should expect your photographer to be punctual and well organized. He or she should be appropriately dressed to attend your particular wedding and should maintain a pleasant attitude throughout the day. TIP: You might ask the photographer you are thinking of hiring for three to five recent clients to contact for references. If a photographer is confident in his or her work, there should be no problem granting this request.

Turn Around Time For Proofs: You should expect to get your wedding proofs or images back within two to four weeks after your wedding. I tell my clients two weeks, which gives me enough time to edit and sequence the proofs so they are displayed in the order of the day’s events.

With the Internet adding convenience to every aspect of our lives, wedding photography hasn’t been left out — there are quite a few companies that work with professional photographers to post your wedding images on a secure web page. You and your family and friends may view proofs and place orders online, making it possible for your friends and relatives all over the world to see your wedding images. If this is a service you are interested in, ask your photographer if he or she has a company that they work with to provide online proofs.

Your Albums And Prints: The length of time it takes to process your complete order will vary from photographer to photographer. I tell my clients to expect the pictures in 10 to 12 weeks. There are many factors which can affect the length of time you may need to wait for your finished order, including the size of your order, the number of albums in your order, the extent of retouching required, and any desired framing. If you choose to get references for your photographer, you might want to ask the other clients how long it took to get their completed orders and albums.

Finally, once your wedding day has past and your relationship with your photographer appears to be over, be sure to tell your friends and family if you were happy with his or her services. Photographers work off referrals and they are always greatly appreciated. Also remember that most wedding photographers do other types of photography as well, so keep us in mind for your family portraits in the future. It’s always nice to get repeat business, and to see familiar faces and watch families grow.

http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-photography-tips/articles/what-to-expect_from-your-photographer.aspx

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Boston Wedding Photographs – Makeup Tips

September 10, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Boston Wedding Photographers – 7 Hot Hair & Makeup Tips for Timeless Wedding Photographs

Hair and makeup are critical to excellent photographs, but one of the most troublesome parts of the day.

Here are my suggestions based on my experience.

Courtesy of: Jim’s Photo Blog

1) Always, always have a run through of hair and makeup prior to the wedding day. You do not want any surprises.

2) Be very, very clear with your hair and makeup person what time you must be finished (discuss this with your photographer). In my experience, more people run late from hair and makeup than from all other reasons combined. Remember, running late from hair and makeup means loosing photographic and other opportunities. It means you have less time to be with your friends, less time to dance, less time to celebrate. Beautiful hair and makeup are means to an end not ends in themselves.

2A) Discuss finish time with your hair and makeup people in advance and get a commitment from them to meet it.

2B) Remind them when they begin what time they agreed to.

2C) Do not hesitate to remind them again as they go along. I had a bride once who was 45 minutes late. I asked her what happened. She said that the hair lady kept talking and every time she talked she stopped working. Enough said.

3) The bride should not be the last person to be done. We can start photography without some of the bridesmaids or mom, but we cannot start without the bride.

4) No gloss, no frost, no shine. You do not want to use gloss lipstick or any other shiny products on your face on the wedding day. Gloss or any kind of shiny makeup will reflect the flash of the photographer’s light and look like tiny mirrors on your lips. Stick with matte.

5) If you are planning any black and white photographs on your wedding day tell your professional makeup person and do not wear lipstick that is too dark. You do not want to look like Elvira in a wedding gown.

6) If you have your makeup professionally done you may feel they have put it on a little thick or heavy. They probably haven’t. Photography diminishes the look of makeup and you will look less made up in the pictures than when you look at yourself in the mirror.

7) Take the long view when you plan your appearance on your wedding day. Imagine what you will think when you look at the pictures twenty years from now. A look that’s very trendy today runs some risk of looking silly in the future. Natural and real never goes out of style!

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Hire Professionals – Wedding Day Horror Stories

September 10, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Wedding-Catering Train Wrecks

It’s your Most Important Day Ever. So why is the caterer stealing your liquor with your cake in his mouth?

Courtesy of: Francis Lam

For a few wonderfully anthropological years, I made my money as a cater-waiter in a stately old building in town surrounded by faceless suburbs and cornfields, which is to say that I have ended up working more weddings than Liz Taylor. I’ve heard the theme from “Titanic” more times than James “King of the World” Cameron, I’ve seen people straight-up own the Electric Slide, I’ve seen a hen house’s worth of Chicken Dances.

To a cater-waiter, these things are as inevitable as death and people complaining about taxes. There’s a certain strange jadedness you develop, though, when someone’s Most Important Day Ever is, for you, just another day in which you punched in for work. You stop noticing, for example, what the bride is wearing or how proud the happy couple is. You start to hope, for example, that the guests get wasted, because a bigger liquor tab means bigger tips, and, really, because that’s when the fun starts.

This was also a period of my life where I ate most of my meals at work, and that eventually led to an inappropriate familiarity with the food behind closed doors. More than once I have served wedding cake to a happy bride and groom while noticing their cake crumbs still stuck to my mouth

I’m telling you all this because despite my rather loose-cannon social skills, I was actually a good cater-waiter, charming and efficient and sometimes even wearing a clean tuxedo shirt I bought at the mall prom-rental headquarters. And so I read with interest Rachel Holmes’ post the other day on wedding catering nightmares at the Guardian’s food blog.

Some of these were, in fact, nightmarish: “23 May 1891, a British Medical Journal article tells of ‘Wholesale poisoning at a wedding feast’. 60 guests sat down to enjoy a banquet of gluttonous delights. Only 20 of them got up again. The rest were rolling around on the floor, clutching their bellies and having seizures.”

Happily, most of her stories — and the ones in the comments — were of a less fatal wedding nightmare variety: light-saber decorations for wedding cakes melting into “flaccid worms by serving time” and grooms cooking for their own weddings with broken ankles, hopped up on morphine and lots of drink (“Happiest day of my life!”). Or my favorite one, from a woman who rented a cotton candy machine, which turned out — surprise! — to be a liability around drunken men:

“[It] resulted in [my] brother-in-law trying to candyfloss his head a la Marge Simpson. Which WAS an inspired idea but sadly one that was doomed to failure — you end up with a head covered only in itchy pink sugar crystals and a broken machine that sends all future candyfloss attempts flying up the walls and ruining the caterers’ beautiful black velvet curtains.”

There comes a time in every wedding caterer’s life, though, when nearly any near disaster can be put into perspective with the phrase, “Hey, at least there was no violence.” Because a possessed cotton candy machine is really nothing compared to wedding violence.

Like, for example, the time my manager Lisa decided, a half-hour before the reception was supposed to end, to shut down one of the two bars because people were getting, well, sloshed. The groom must have sensed a disruption in the Liquor-Force, because he marched up to her and, straight-up Darth Vader-style, grabbed her by the face and said, “Little girl, you are going to leave the bar open.” I stood by, small and afraid, and now, in retrospect, see I should have been wishing for one of those light-saber cake decorations. Lisa stayed firm and composed, and the groom realized that having the second bar for another 30 minutes probably wasn’t worth a night in the poky, but then his darling bride ran up from the dance floor. When she saw what was happening, her eyes grew wide and enraged. She began screaming. “You bitch! You bitch! I’m going to remember you for the rest of my life! You’re going to be the bitch that ruined my wedding!”

Her new husband held her, pulling her away, trying to calm her down, and I wondered who, exactly, was ruining what here. I watched the wedding videographer get this all on tape. We resuming packing up the vodka, when suddenly Princess Drunk-Leia broke free from the groom and charged back at us, windmill punching and looking for blood. The groom took three lightning steps and tackled her, holding down her arms lest she actually whack us and let an army of lawyers ruin their honeymoon, too.

I walked into that reception hall every Saturday hoping to feel the pride of a job well done, and the bride and groom walked in thinking this will be the day they ride a unicorn into the sunset if only the fairies don’t pick them up and carry them off first.

The fact is that there is an unbridgeable gap of emotional investment when you have this yawning disconnect between a lifelong fantasy and the human, mundane reality of caterers just doing their jobs and having to follow boring old rules like not letting people drive home half-passed-out from Long Island iced teas. What’s really interesting about weddings aren’t the vows and the joining of clans — it’s the fact that you have people living on totally different planets while being in exactly the same room, and those planets freak out when they’re reminded of one another.

Moral of the Story?

Hire professionals with impeccable references!

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Perfect Image Photography

September 7, 2010 By bostonweddings 2 Comments

Perfect Image Photography

Weddings & Very Special Events – Middleton, MA

978-774-2946

“Professional Photography & Video Services Since 1988″

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

We have provided high quality wedding photography and video services since 1988. We are a medium sized studio with several highly experienced, creative photographers and videographers. They are easy-going, Friendly and courteous; the type of people you would want around on your wedding day.

Our Albums are custom made-to-order and are guaranteed to last a lifetime. You can design your own photography package, or establish a budget for us to work with.

Our videos are taped utilizing 3-chip, low light video cameras, which provide network broadcast quality. We then edit your video with our Digital Editing System. Extensive editing assures a family heirloom on DVD that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Perfect Image Photography - CLICK HERE for our WebsitePerfect Image Photography - CLICK HERE for our Website

We are the proud winners of The Knot – Best in Weddings Award for 2008 and 2009 – As voted by local brides, as well as the 2009 WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award!

We capture love, we capture time…

…A responsibility we welcome. We offer personal service, skill and sensitivity to make your day the special day it was meant to be. We are committed to quality and our only goal is your total satisfaction.

Although we offer services for other types of special events, the vast majority of our work and the basis for our fine reputation is the wedding work we have done. We have provided high quality wedding photography and video services since 1988 (note the 80′s fashion in the picture to the right). We are a medium sized studio with several photographers and videographers, which assures you backup personnel. Our people are highly experienced and do great work. They are easygoing, friendly and courteous; the type of people you would want around on your wedding day.

We shoot two types of photography: film and digital. We mainly shoot in a digital format, which allows unlimited coverage of your special day. Of course, for those customers requesting film, we only use medium format, 2 1/4 inch cameras. Regardless of the shooting format, we always bring lots of backup equipment. Our albums are custom made and inscribed to order, and are guaranteed for a lifetime. You can also custom design your own photography package.

Your family and friends can view and order pictures from your wedding day online at a password protected site. You can even design a multi-sized print “Storybook” style bridal album online, or we will gladly do it for you.

Our wedding videos are taped utilizing 3-chip, low-light digital video cameras, which assures raw footage of Network Broadcast Quality. We then edit your video on our Non-Linear Digital Editing Systems, utilizing digital transfer technology. Extensive editing assures a family heirloom that will be enjoyed by the generations to come. Your video can include “growing up” pictures, and honeymoon photos set to the music of your choice. Titles, special effects and classical music video montages are also included. Videos of your special day can be obtained on both Broadcast Quality VHS tapes, and DVDs.

The Perfect Image Praise! Accolades from our Customers.

We had John as our photographer. He was amazing. Very unobtrusive and the pictures came out beautiful! Many people came up to me after wedding wondering why I didn’t hire a photographer–he was THAT out of the way.

I even asked my husband if John was there for the ceremony! And Vladamir is the person who we signed the contract with–extremely nice–Sharon the other manager was nothing less than wonderful!

Brooke and Tim

The photographer we used for my son’s Bar Mitzvah was Wessly and he was wonderful. He made everyone feel very comfortable and at ease. He was very professional and very efficient at doing his job. The photos came out beautiful and we had so many to choose from. The person putting together our album is Heidi and she is wonderful. She made the process so easy. It truly was a pleasure working with the Perfect Image and I would highly recommend them to anyone.

jmoroney

Very professional, beautiful pictures, responsive to my requests. I would use this vendor again.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your wonderful team for helping make our wedding day so special and truly unforgettable. We truly do not have words to describe how extremely pleased we are with the amazing service you provided us. From the first day that we met with you until the day we had our wedding album and video in our hands, you were all nothing less than superb!

The photographer and videographer that we had on our wedding day were excellent. Not only were we so impressed with the quality of the photographs and video but we were also impressed with the way they were able to connect with our family and with us. They worked so well together to ensure that both our video as well as our photographs captured and told the story of our wedding day. The photographer was so personable and even spoke Spanish when directing our family for the photographs as to make them feel more comfortable. He did nothing but add more joy and excitement to our special day!

Vladi, we love our album and video!!! Heidi and Jane were able to edit our photographs and video in such an elegant and beautiful way. Everyone who sees our wedding album and wedding video has to comment on the quality and uniqueness they hold.

We are getting ready to celebrate our first wedding anniversary soon but the truth is every time we watch our wedding video and every time we look at our photographs we marvel at how we relive all those moments as if they were yesterday. Your professional and exquisite work is what has allowed is to do that.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If we could go back and re-plan our wedding day again, we would have chosen your studio again. There is nothing we would want to change about the service you provided us. It was perfect!

Thanks again and my god bless you all.

With Best Regards and Sincerest Thanks,

Francisco & Celeste Frias

Vendor recommendation from AllStar Entertainment & Up-Lighting

Over many years, AllStar Entertainment has worked with Vladi and his staff at countless weddings. Although we are two completely separate companies, we work together so well that we will both discount our services if hired as a package.

Visit either of our websites for details. One visit to their showroom will be proof of the caliber of their work, experience and talent.

Perfect Image Photography - CLICK HERE for our Website

About The Perfect Image
We have provided high quality wedding photography and video services since 1988. We are a medium sized studio with several highly experienced, creative photographers and videographers. They are easy-going, Friendly and courteous; the type of people you would want around on your wedding day.

Our Albums are custom made-to-order and are guaranteed to last a lifetime. You can design your own photography package, or establish a budget for us to work with.<BR><BR>

Our videos are taped utilizing 3-chip, low light video cameras, which provide network broadcast quality. We then edit your video with our Digital Editing System. Extensive editing assures a family heirloom on DVD that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
FAQ for The Perfect Image
What primary photographic style do you identify with?
Contemporary, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Traditional / Posed
What do your packages include?
Albums, Custom Graphic Design, Digital Files, Flush Mount, High Resolution Images, Matted Prints, Negatives, Prints, Proof CD of All Images, Thank You Cards, Video Montage
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes
What primary style do you identify with?
Documentary, Short Form, Storytelling, Traditional
What do your packages include?
Ceremony, Edited Video, Montage – Childhood / Dating, Montage – Music Dubbed Over, Montage – Wedding Highlights, Multiple Videographers, Multiple Cameras, Online Highlight Films, Pre-Ceremony, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner
What formats can the final video be in?
Blu-Ray, DVD

The Perfect Image Photography Studio

100 South Main Street In Middleton, Massachusetts,
Directly across the street from the Middleton Golf Course

978-774-2946

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Lightshed Photography Studio

September 7, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Lightshed Photography Studio

Daniel St. John – Lightshed Photography

79 Washington St. – Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978.854.5348 – Email: info@lightshedphoto.com – www.lightshedphoto.com

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

Lightshed Photography Studio - CLICK HERE for More Information and the official Lightshed Photography Studio Website

About Our Team

Three photographers make up the core of LightShed Photography Studio:

Daniel St. John spent the majority of his earlier years penciling mini-masterpieces and, unlike most photo success stories, did not receive a “hand-me-down” camera from his great grandfather at the ripe age of two.

The coming of Daniel’s photographic age came much more in his own style: when he realized that the click of a button produced an image much faster then a pencil ever would. Throughout his four years at the Maine College of Art and one year at the Hallmark Institute of Photography he acquired the talent and business ethic he would need to successfully open and operate his studio.

Kendra Hack, the only member of the team born outside of New England, brings a unique “southern hospitality” from Northern Indiana. Not only did she spend the better part of her high school years sculpting and photographing, but her core family values make her a pleasure to work with and a wonder with children.  Throughout her ten-month tenure at the Hallmark Institute of Photography she perfected her technical photographic technique and strives to put her best foot forward on each and every assignment.  She is the glue that holds the team together.

Robert Reynolds discovered his passion for the arts at an early age. He began working with oil paints in middle school, and developed this skill well into college. This practice was set aside Freshman year in exchange for black and white photography, which took hold and continued to develop until receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Maine College of Art in 2006.  Immediately following graduation, he began commercial pursuits, resulting in assignment photography for Brown Publishing Network, The Bay Club of Portland, ME, and Dirigo Property Management. He joined Lightshed Photography Studio at its birth in 2007

To You – Our Future Client

To ensure proper communication regarding your session, we always meet with our clients prior to the photographic session; we call this your pre-portrait consultation.

This meeting is roughly 15-30 minutes, and will cover the basics including proper dress for the shoot, hobby-related prop ideas, and an overview of our style. Remember: we want to photograph you! You can help us do that by speaking up with any special requests/ideas/concerns you have about the session!

Speaking about the session, we always schedule it during this meeting. A payment (creation fee) will be needed for us to hold the agreed upon date and time, and can be made by cash, check, or credit card.

Next comes the photo-shoot.

Please be punctual!

We want to provide you with as much time as possible before the next appointment. We encourage you to bring some of your favorite music to help loosen up, but feel free to dig into our stash as well! Typically, we take care of formal shots towards the beginning of our shoots, and use the second half to focus on more experimental, conceptual, even outrageous shots that may take longer to create.

Our average session runs 40 minutes, and will typically provide up to forty images for you to choose from during your viewing session. Please remember, we take upwards of hundreds of images during the shoot – the images presented to you during the viewing session are the result of our time and effort to provide you with the best of the best.

Lightshed Photography Studio - CLICK HERE for More Information and the official Lightshed Photography Studio Website

Lastly, we’ll have you back for a viewing session!

This is our presentation of your proofs, and will typically consist of one or two selections from each outfit, background, and pose.

Enjoy this viewing over coffee, soda, or our selection of wine (if of age).

We have ordering options that are sure to meet your needs.

Your order is placed upon payment, and you can start counting down the days until these images furnish the walls of your home!

Lightshed Photography Studio - CLICK HERE for More Information and the official Lightshed Photography Studio Website

Lightshed Photography Studio

Daniel St. John

79 Washington St.

Salem, MA 01970

Phone: 978.854.5348

Email: info@lightshedphoto.com – www.lightshedphoto.com

Lightshed Photography Studio - CLICK HERE for More Information and the official Lightshed Photography Studio Website

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Hamilton Hall Salem, MA – Weddings

September 7, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Hamilton Hall Weddings and Very Special Events

Hamilton Hall Salem, Massachusetts

Tricia Schott – (978) 744-0805 – e-mail: info@hamiltonhall.org

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows - CLICK HERE

“Your special occasion or event deserves a setting as memorable as Hamilton Hall”

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

Hamilton Hall is the Federalist gem of historic Chestnut Street, which has been called “the most beautiful street in America.” The Hall has hosted many memorable social and cultural events, including debutante balls, dinners for heads of state, and a visit by French hero Marquis de Lafayette in 1824.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

Photo Courtesy of:  A Brilliant Photo

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

The scene of impressive social gatherings since it was built in 1805, Hamilton Hall features an elegant period ballroom that graciously accommodates from 50 to 180 people amid stunning architectural details and decorations.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows
Wedding in the Park – Photo: Benoit Photography, Gloucester, MA

Other notable rooms are available, as you have the private use of the entire site, and a lovely park facing the Hall makes the perfect setting for an outdoor ceremony or photographs.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

The ballroom has a spring floor, an innovation that renowned architect Samuel McIntire included to allow guests to dance for hours without undue fatigue. Hamilton Hall can accommodate up to 350 for a cocktail party and the ballroom seats up to 160 people for a sit down dinner with dancing.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows
Photo: Daniel Doke, North Reading, MA

Hamilton Hall can accommodate up to 350 for a cocktail party and the ballroom seats up to 160 people for a sit down dinner with dancing.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

Other rooms include the Lafayette Room, the Pickering Room, and the Old Kitchen, now known as the Brick Hearth.

Hamilton Hall Weddings & Very Special Events - Boston Bridal Shows

Photo Courtesy of:  A Brilliant Photo

Photo Courtesy of:  Media Crush

Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Call our Facilities Manager, Tricia Schott – (978) 744-0805
e-mail: info@hamiltonhall.org

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Paul S. Robinson

July 18, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Paul S. Robinson Photography – 508-278-5530

Wedding & Special Events Photography

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Why Hire a Professional Photographer?

With the rapid advances of digital technology just about everyone you come in contact with has a camera of some kind. Whether it be a cell phone with a camera or a consumer level camera, the digital age has changed the photographic world as we know it. This does not, however, make the average person a photographer.

There are technical aspects of photography that the average person either does not know or simply does not understand. Do you know what the relationship between the shutter speed settings and the aperture settings is? Do you know how the ISO ratings can affect your image exposure? Then there is the tricky use of the light needed to create a photograph.

As a trained professional, the photographer knows the answer to these questions and knows how to set his or her camera for just about every lighting situation. It is not a point and shoot world for the professional photographer. There are so many aspects of photography that the professional had better know about before going out and photographing a job.

Does the photographer know what to do when the church is dark and all the lights are already on? Does the photographer know what to do when photographing in a warehouse with gas vapor or florescent lights on the ceiling? Can the photographer capture the moments at a wedding that are priceless?

These are the questions the professional photographer should be able to answer. These are the reasons you should hire a qualified professional photographer. When you need a plumber do you call a professionally trained plumber or do you call Uncle Charlie who knows a little about plumbing?

When you need quality and you need the job done right you call a professional. So when you need a photographer don’t rely on an amateur, call on a trained professional to get the job done right.

Paul S. Robinson Photography gets the job done right.

You will be proud that you hired Paul S. Robinson Photography to photograph your wedding.

Paul S. Robinson Photography

For More Information about Paul S. Robinson Photography CLICK HERE

Proudly Serving Our Customers For Over 15 Years

Email:  psrstudio@verizon.net
Call:  508-278-5530

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Cook Productions

May 18, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Cook Productions – Woburn, MA – 781-937-7750

Award Winning Photography & Videography

WINNER of TheKnot.com’s BEST OF BOSTON WEDDINGS 2010

Cook Productions CLICK HERE!

A message from Tim:

Cook Productions is your simple solution for award-winning, professional, elegant wedding photography and videography – and top-notch customer service. We shoot in a very modern, elegant style, and never use “cheesy” poses or graphics in your video or photos.

You will receive one-on-one customer service – I know each one of my clients personally, and aim to meet their individual requests and preferences. We are not a huge national company, but instead a small, independently owned boutique studio in Woburn, MA. All of our cameras and editing equipment are new, fully digital systems, and we feature the best Bridal Albums in the world, along with HIGH DEFINITION cinematography!

We offer a refreshing, honest approach to our pricing. We currently do not have a published, set price list – but instead, we ask for your input into your custom package. I’ll take a look at our services and products, and come up with an a-la-carte collection that works. So let’s talk about creating something beautiful! Tell us what you’re looking for, and what you’d like to invest, and you have my word – we’ll do everything we can to make it a reality!

I invite you to visit our studio and explore the services and products we can give you for your wedding. I look forward to meeting you!

-Tim Cook

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

Cook Productions - CLICK HERE

Award Winning Photography & Videography – CLICK HERE

Cook Productions – Woburn, MA – 781-937-7750

WINNER of TheKnot.com’s BEST OF BOSTON WEDDINGS 2010

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Julie Surette

May 15, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Julie Surette Wedding Photography

781-258-7703

Julie Surette Wedding Photography

My style is a mix between photojournalism and traditional wedding photography.

My goal is to photograph the story of your day as it unfolds in a manner that is natural and detail orientated.

On your wedding day, I will use an unobtrusive, artistic style to create a beautiful record of your special day.

I use my fine-art background and sharp eye to creatively document the beauty, romance, and fun of the most important day of your life.

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

Julie Surette Photography

781-258-7703 – 329 Cabot Street , 3rd Floor , Beverly, MA

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Dan Doke Weddings

May 1, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Dan Doke Photography

978-664-3811 or 888.326.3653

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

Daniel Doke Photography

429 Park Street North Reading, MA 01864 – (978) 664-3811

Dan’s team consist of an array of close knit photographers.

Each of whom has studied under Dan for several years to acquire the style of Daniel Doke.

We will help match you with a photographer to meet your specific needs. Knowing which photographer you have chosen before your wedding, will put your mind at ease.

This openness with our clients allows us to capture moments of love and emotion and create albums that illustrate the candor and beauty of your day.

For pricing information on these photographers, please click here.

More about Dan…

Add to the list his recent induction this past weekend as the President of PPAM, Dan is a nationally recognized modern photographer with traditional skills; he uses contemporary posing, digital enhancements and lighting techniques. His strong technical skills and experience in commercial, fashion, portrait and wedding photography are constantly expanding through seminars and interaction with world leaders of photography and digital imaging.

Daniel Doke Photography has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Award 2010. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

Motion Picture…

Daniel’s Motion Picture is truly a unique blend of video clips, still photography and audio. Imagine capturing moments in time that can not only show the emotion but can make you feel as though the time has never even past. By blending all three media’s we are able to tell the true story of your day, we are, at the heart of it, storytellers after all. Every time you watch your Motion Picture you will be brought back in time and not only remember the emotion of the day, but you will be able to hear the laughter, see the tears and feel the joy. Your Motion Picture is something that you will pass on for generations to come so that you can share these special moments in history with your loved ones.

Just imagine a photo of you on your wedding day with tears in your eyes while going to a small video clip of your husband telling you how much you mean to him. To be able to view this for years to come is priceless and will bring a smile and a tear to your face every time you watch it.

Daniel Doke Photography
429 Park Street North Reading, MA 01864 – (978) 664-3811

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Santiago Valencia Wedding Photography

January 6, 2010 By bostonweddings Leave a Comment

Santiago Valencia Wedding Photography

Capturing those moments and memories so that you can look back and feel what it was like to awe everyone with your dress, dance your first song as husband and wife and take a bite of that delicious cake is what I do.

As a wedding photographer that wants to stand apart I focus on supreme customer service, fantastic images and a satisfaction that is beyond your expectations.

I would love to hear from you. Call me anytime, let’s talk and meet.

I know the job you have at picking a wedding photographer is a huge one.

Let me try and make it easier for you by knowing that I’m someone you can trust and knowing that your images will be something you’ll love seeing over and over again in the years to come.

– Santiago Valencia

Please click on the “FS” (full screen) Icon located at the bottom right corner for Larger Photos and “SL” (slide) for a Slide Show.

Give me a call for more information.

I’d love to hear from you. Se Habla Espanol – (et un peu du Francais).

SANTIAGO VALENCIA WEDDINGS – 310-733-7392

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