Three Cheers for Beautiful Pictures!

They always say pictures are important. Two friends of mine recently tied the knot and the bride went through many of the pictures and couldn't believe they were from her own wedding. "You never realize how fast it will be over!" So in order to preserve your happy day here are some suggestions for interviewing Photographers and some talented Georgia photogs for your viewing pleasure.

1. Look at a wedding from start to finish.
Always ask to see a finished product rather than just the best shots over the career of the photographer. This will ensure you understand what you will get at the end of the day and give you some clue about his or her personal style.

2. Ask who will ACTUALLY be shooting your wedding and look at their work not simply the headliner of the studio.
Just because the big name will not be there does not guarantee bad shots but be sure you know so you are not surprised on the big day. Ask how many weddings the photographer has done in their career? Are weddings their primary job? And do they have references you can call?

3. Digital proofs
Find out about the proofs at the end. Can you access and print them without contacting your photographer? Will you recieve a copy of any of the shoots (via book or copies)? Who prints the pictures and can far away relatives access and print them without help? Will you receive a CD with all your photos or only some?

4. Style
What stle of photos does your photographer prefer? If you prefer modern and funky prints pay careful attention to the number of pictures that represent shots you would like of your own wedding. If there are very few examples it is unlikely you will be happy with your pictures. Also emphasize important pictures to you so the photographer will know what is important to you. If there are special people not on the traditional list mention them. If there are particular pictures you want tell them or bring examples from other weddings or photographers.

5. Pricing
Be aware! Before you sign a contract be sure you understand what services you are paying for (and those you are not.) Will they be there all day? Do they have an assistant? Is he or she included in the contract? Will you receive a digital copy of all prints? If they have to travel what costs are you responsible? How many cameras will be there? Does the package include engagement photos? These are all questions you need to answerv before you sign on the dotted line.

6. Film Quality and Photo Editing
This is an important question many couples forget to ask. Does the photographer use exclusively digital or do they use film as well? What about black and white shots? And finally how much photo editing is done on the pictures? The use of photoshop can make pretty pictures beautiful but you want someone who is adept at editing and will produce a product you will cherish.

As promised here is a list of noteworthy shutter bugs in Georgia:

Sara and Slava Slavik:
Beautiful and romantic pictures, well edited with intuitive knowledge of what is flattering.

Tony Harrell:
Classic wedding style serving south Georgia. A note of warning, the website is a bit unweildy but the photos are good quality so there are worth the wait.

Edward Zeltser:
Photojournalist with reasonable prices but top quality pictures.

Jessica Sibley:
Great images with a flair for unique images and as an added her website is excellent! Also she presents a complete wedding on the site from start to finish.

I will put up more as I find them andd if anyone has a suggestion please feel free to let me know!
Good luck,
AZAW

Recipes to Make Life Taste Better

It is my philosophy that life is much to short for bad food. With that in mind I have found some resources with exceptional recipes that are both beautiful and flavorful. You don't have to be a world class cook to prepare a great meal.

The first website is Williams Sonomna.

The great thing about this site is there are not so many recipes that you are overwhelmed but all of them are well thought out and beautiful. They certainly remind you that you first eat with your eyes!
**Note** Today I made the leek and Canadian bacon tart and they turned out beautifully!


The second collection is the blog from elise.com called Simply recipes.

This is a blog website but there are many different recipes as it is well established. The best part is that with every recipes comes a picture of the finished product. I find that while in the kitchen with a new recipe, I always feel more confident when I know what the end result should look like. Also the pictures help me chose recipes if I am not looking for anything in particular.

Another great website if you don't have an all knowing mother to consult for cooking advice is
In particular there is a posting called "47 Things I Wish My Mother Had Taught Me About Cooking" which is a stellar resource even for the more adept cook. They also provide many recipes and general advice that everyone can use with an emphasis on international foods.

As much as I hate to admit it, Rachel Ray deserves a mention here. Here 30 minute meal is a life saver and many of the meals are inventive and fulfills my preference for pictures.
http://www.rachaelray.com/food.php
Her voice leaves a lot to be desired but she is a smart and quick cook with plenty or recipes for a quick but filling and tasty meal.

***A note of recipe collections like allrecipes or epicurious***
Many people love these websites as super cookbooks but in my experience (though limited) I have found them a bit unwieldy with few pictures and numerous repeats. I prefer collections like those mentioned above because they are well appointed with sure fire recipes and careful instructions. If you slready have something specific in mind they are a great resource but for browsers like myself the afore mentioned are my preferences.

Good luck and good eating!
AZAW

Great Options for a Bride's Handbag

Hello all,
If you are like me you have a predilection for large handbags. Which is absolutely fine. On your wedding day however, you may want something a bit smaller for your essentials not all your clothes for your honeymoon. For that reason I have searched the endless web resources and found some beautifully bitsy bags for the big day.
Before I get to them though I wanted to suggest a short list of essentials for your impending nuptials. Women have a tendency to bring everything they might need or nothing... That being said I do believe there is a happy medium to be found so that you are not overloaded but you aren't saying "Darn, I wish I had a kleenex!" So here is my list of top essentials for I do:
1. KLEENEX- You are going to cry, and if you don't someone else will. A travel kleenex pack will never be a disservice on such an emotional day so always have one with you.
2. Touch up kit- If your make-up artist will not be folowing you through the day have them provide you with a kit for self touch up before pictures. Without it you will look washed out once the flash bulbs pop.
3. Cloth Band-aids- Just in case your Jimmy Choos are meaner than they look stash a couple of these in your purse and you can dance all night.
4. A tester size of your perfume for touch-ups
5. Your lucky penny- carrying a small memento that keeps you calm or makes you focus on it instead of the big day will help you relax and channel the nerves away instead of balling them up.
6. $20 in fives- You never know who will need a fiver to run and grab a bottle of water or tip the valet.
7. Breath mints not gum- gum smacking is tacky at best ladies
8. Ibuprofen- just in case a headache strikes or you are sore from the previous night's activities.
9.Tiny bottle of clear nail polish- Few women are wearing stockings these days but nail polish is always good for stopping a run, fixing your nail or fixing cracks or breaks in your vail or tiara.

As for the handbags here are some beautiful ones I have found both traditional and offbeat:
Moyna bags- they have a wide variety of vintage bags but also chic bags for the modern bride http://www.moynabags.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/bags.html?L+scstore+fvhv4998ff741f74+1382055489

As always etsy has a beautiful selection for the independent and chic bride:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_8&listing_id=16416099
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat2_galley_11&listing_id=16771260

This pretty satin clutch with a brooch from advantage bridal
http://www.advantagebridal.com/sabrclwibr.html

This leather clutch is a bit non traditional but is certainly pretty enough to grace your day
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=314306&CategoryID=27691&LinkType=EverGreen

This collection is dramatic with satin and feathers perfect for an evening wedding and something you can use even after your dress goes into storage
http://www.julehandbags.com/pages/main/collections.html

Custom Handbags ensure you get just what you wanted
http://prettygoodthings.com/
http://www.freddyandma.com/index.php/freddyma/bridal_services/

I hope these resources will help you ladies find the perfect match for your day and remember you don't need the kitchen sink. Carry only what you need and ask your MOH to carry a cell phone with a list of essential contacts so you don't have to worry about them.

The Flower Dilemma

Hello all,
A couple of days ago a friend of mine (and one of my brides) were chatting about her impending wedding and the challenges of planning an overseas wedding (she is getting married in Scotland!) The colors of the wedding are burgundy and sand and she is looking for the flowers that will be available to fit her color theme in her fall wedding.
So for Bella here are some beautiful and so unusual options for an autumnal bouquet.

Red and Burgundy Fall Flowers

Ranunculus- like a carnation or mum ranunculus comes in hundreds of colors and is very dramatic alone or grouped with other flowers such as roses, callas, or lush options such as dahlias
http://www.longbeachweddingflowers.com/files/Image/bouqRanunculusMix_300px.jpg

Dahlias- these little beauties are available as big as dinner plates or small enough to wear as a hair ornament

Spider Mums

Hocus Pocus or Black Magic Roses

Berries of all sorts

Orchids- they have become a chic addition to any floral arrangement and the prices have dropped as they have become more popular. Here are a couple of types that look beautiful in red

Vanda orchids

Orchid Oncidium Sharry Baby "Sweet Fragrance" AM/AOS

Red Mokara Orchids

Astillbe

Callas- don't be discouraged if at first you don't see the colors that you are looking for, callas come in many beautiful colors just be persistent and you will be rewarded!

Montbretia

Amarillyis

Gerbera Daisies

Remember red is a passionate and rich color but using too much of the dark dark red will look like you carried a black hole as your bridal bouquet in pictures. To solve this problem add a contrasting color or bright colors to your arrangement. But if you are determined to carry all Leonidas roses use ribbons wrapped around the stems, pearls, feathers, crystals, or even autumn leaves to add interest and light to your arrangements. Flowers are a great way to set the tone of your wedding so be as creative as you want to be and overall have fun!
http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/results.aspx?type=3,11&wedding_details=Bridal%20Bouquets,Bridesmaid%20Bouquets,centerpieces&colors=red&flowers=20071003

Good luck and happy planning
AZAW