Lindsay and Ted's Greensburg Wedding

Lindsay and Ted were married on August 27, 2011. We started the day with Lindsay at the Sherton Four Points in Greensburg.

The Ceremony was held at First United Methodist Church in Greensburg.

We stop off at Twin Lakes Parks and the Bridal Party had a great time

The reception was held at Giannilli's II.

And of course we had the Photo Booth there....can't imagine a wedding without a Photo Booth.

We took advantage of the beautiful night sky to end a wonderful day.

Watch for all of Lindsay and Ted's wedding at www.dgmweddingphotos.com

MOTHER NATURE VISITED OUR WEDDING!

Many people on the east coast have weathered Hurricane Irene.  There were stories of couples trying to move up a beach-side wedding and families trying to navigate traffic.  Some couples could not use the beach backdrop setting for the wedding photos due to unprecedented weather. We can’t control Mother Nature and when Things Go Wrong – They Can be the Best Parts of the Day - so don’t panic. 

Having a backup plan can be the key to any successful wedding day.  As a professional photographer, being able to think on your feet and remain cool in the face of adversity creates a sense of calm.  The calm filters through the wedding party and helps to prevent panic.  When Mother Nature provides rain - pull out the umbrella for a cozy picture.  

Rain doesn’t daunt this couple - rather they look like they are prepared to journey through life together no matter what may come their way.   Weddings are about celebrating – they should be fun.  

Raindrops and all be sure to "Capture the Moment and Treasure The Memory"!

 

Honeymoon Checklist - Are Your Ready?

Last week we looked at some of the top honeymoon spots.  With all the planning that goes into your wedding - couples should be sure to set aside some time to plan their honeymoon. 

Some sound advise from the Weddingchannel.com.  Already dreaming about running away with your soon-to-be-husband to some tropical paradise? Before you book your flight and hotel, you might want to take a step back and do some research first. After all, the last thing you want to do on your honeymoon is sit around in your room all day sunburned, sick, or just avoiding the rain.

Begin With a Budget

Always keep your budget in mind as well as a few different destinations and dates for your honeymoon. It’s really important that you have a little flexibility in your calendar, as you can possibly lower the price of your trip by a few hundred dollars if you don’t travel during the weekend. Research costs for airline travel, car rental, lodging, and any special rates, promotions, or tours that are perfect for honeymooners.

The Documents

Once you choose a location, figure out the identification you’ll need, such as a passport. Also, ask your doctor about required medical clearances or strange diseases to be wary of as well as any shots you’ll need. Finally, it’s a smart precaution to photocopy your identification documents (passport, driver's license), travel itinerary, airline tickets, and credit cards in case of theft or loss.

Travel Advisories

Now and then, the US State Department issues warnings and advisories for countries deemed unsafe for American citizens to travel to. If you’re traveling abroad, look up this information and plan accordingly. Also, it’s important to know the location and contact information of the local US Embassy in case of an emergency.

Know What to Do

When booking your trip, contact the local tourism bureau and request a map, brochures, and any details regarding special events in the area. If available, purchase a travel guide, such as a Frommer's guide, and read over the details before you arrive at your destination. Having this knowledge and a rough plan can save time and put you more at ease when you arrive. Also, inquire about the expected seasonal weather in the area during the time you’ll be there.

The Weather

Weather can play an important role in your honeymoon planning. While the Bahamas and Mexico are currently the most popular destinations for American honeymooners, they’re not an ideal setting if you’re getting married in the fall due to the hurricane season. It’s always a good idea to speak to a travel agent first and let them make suggestions before you set your heart on one location. After all, you want this trip to be memorable -- NOT stressful.

Can you think of anything we missed?  If so…post your comments so others won’t forget.

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Part of the fun of planning your wedding is your honeymoon.  From beaches, all inclusive resorts, theme parks, to out of the way hide-away islands, couples can find their special place!  Honeymoons come with all types of budgets and in all shapes and sizes.

According to the Travel Channel www.thetravelchannel.com the top ten destination spots are:

Camino Real Acapulco Diamante Acapulco, Mexico  The Camino Real offers well-designed rooms overlooking the private Pichilingue Beach, as well as fine dining and a variety of activities. The hotel's convenient location allows guests to appreciate the night life of Acapulco by night and the natural beauty of the beaches by day.

The Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada The Bellagio offers fine accommodations and a fun night life, but also gourmet dining, stunning gardens, an elaborate pool complex, a first-class spa and even fine art on display. Las Vegas' romantic side is undeniable, and the whirlwind of available activities is sure to provide an unforgettable vacation.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Alberta, Canada The idyllic lake setting makes Chateau Lake Louise a popular honeymoon spot even in the warmer months, when guests can take advantage of the resort's outdoor activities, which include horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking.

Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida  There's no better place for a fairy tale honeymoon for the bride and her Prince Charming than at Walt Disney World Resorts. Newlyweds can choose from packages such as the honeymoon escape, the deluxe escape and the romantic escape, which combines time at a Disney resort with a cruise to the Bahamas.

Amankila Mangiss, Bali, Indonesia Overlooking the Lombok Strait in East Bali, the Amankila offers stunning views of the sea and a lovely three-tiered pool. A day away from the resort promises an experience of rich culture steeped in religious tradition at one of the island's 10,000 temples.

Grand Hotel Florence Florence, Italy  The hotel is ideally situated near the picture-worthy Duomo cathedral, the splendid Uffizi Gallery and the shops at Ponte Vecchio. This need not be the only stop on a Mediterranean adventure, and many honeymooners may choose to travel on to other Italian hot spots, such as Rome, Venice and the Amalfi coast.

Caneel Bay St. John, US Virgin Islands  Located on the 5,000-acre Virgin Islands National Park, the Caneel Bay resort is surrounded by seven beaches and offers a wide range of pampering and activities -- a visit to Honeymoon Beach is a must for all lovebirds.

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia  Nestled on an island in the lagoon of Bora Bora, this resort invites newlyweds to revel in post-wedding privacy in a bungalow perched above the lagoon on high stilts. The Canoe Breakfast brings the morning nosh to new levels as breakfast and fresh flowers are loaded into a canoe and delivered to your room.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Beach Resort & Casino Palm Beach, Aruba  The focus is on serenity by day, when couples can enjoy the island's fine beaches, pool complexes and spas, and on action at night, when the island's clubs and casinos come alive. Meet Lady Luck, but be careful not to lose your shirt at the Copacabana Casino, which re-creates the feeling of Rio at Carnival time.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Big Island, Hawaii  Say "aloha" to romance at this Four Seasons resort, where you can spend your days lounging by the adults-only Palm Grove Pool or exploring the natural King's Pond pool before heading off to the luxurious spa for a relaxing couple's massage.

Each honeymoon spot offers a unique style and activities.   Does your honeymoon fall into one of these destinations?  If not…share your honeymoon destination or experience with us.  We’d like to hear from you.

Tune in next week for our Honeymoon Checklist.  Until then….Smile - Capture the Moment and Treasure the Memory! 

Wedding Album Styles - Which One Are You?

Because every couple’s tastes are different, there are many wedding album styles from which to choose.  DGM Photography by David Garrard allows brides to customize their wedding albums: choose your cover from four Collections, each one with its peculiar features and design style.

The “Traditional Collection” provides the taste of the wedding album in a classic look with contemporary touches that create both modern and traditional styles in harmony.

 

Luxury fashion pervades every detail of the wedding photo albums "Contemporary Collection", turning the album into a real “objet d’art” to show and admire.

A wedding album is not an ordinary collection with the “Retro Collection”.
This collection features highly sophisticated elegance thanks to the combination of fabrics and leathers and eccentric colors.

 

The evolution of WeddingAlbum highlights a glamorous experience with innovative materials in the “Evolution Collection”.

 

There is an album style to fit every taste.   Which style are you?  Leave us your comments.

Not All Wedding Albums Are The Same

Wedding albums vary by photographer and sometimes a less expensive album may lead to disappointment with the end result.  Depending on the album type and how it is bound can leave spiral bindings called grippers n the middle of your pictures.  Would you rather see a seamless binding in your album so your eyes flow from picture to picture without being interrupted by a spiral binding?

This special process puts the perfect amount of pressure on the spreads without damaging the protective film or expelling the emulsion.   The result? No unpleasant ‘pinking effect’ on the fold of the spread.   The picture depicts an extended page in a couple’s wedding album.  

 

 

Give us your opinion - would you rather see a spiral binding in the middle of the bride’s gown or the continuous page flow?

Next week we will feature the different styles of album collections.