Scam #1: Bridal Shops Cut The Dress Manufacturer Labels Off Wedding Gowns

How the scam works: Some bridal dress shops remove the dress manufacturer’s label from wedding dresses on the racks to prevent you from comparison shopping with other stores. If you can’t tell which model of dress it is, then you shopping blind. We get angry email from dress shop owners justifying their crime with bogus excuses like “we don’t like tire kickers that come in here, waste our time, then go somewhere else”. Wow, I feel sorry for car dealers then. How many people do you think stream in and out of dealerships every day before one of them buys? Yet I don’t see Toyota removing the Toyota tag off your car so that you cannot comparison shop. This is considered an unfair and deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission’s Textile Act, punishable by federal district court action for civil penalties up to $11,000 per violation, federal court proceedings, as well as other legal remedies. This strict regulation is similar to the law that requires all manufacturer labels to be present on mattresses until removed by the consumer. This wedding gown label removing scam is illegal and unethical, yet many shops who pull this scam on you will use all sorts of Jedi mind tricks to “prove” they are within their legal right, when of course they are not. Some bridal shops do it as a means to substitute cheaply made knock offs for the original higher priced custom made couture.

How to avoid the scam: If you walk into any bridal shop and you see this nonsense, just turn around and walk out. Any bridal store that thinks this low of you, with no regard to your legal rights provided by the FTC, and operates in this unethical mode, will surely pull other tricks on you later. If they think nothing about lying to you about this, then you can probably expect they will lie to you about returns, about delivery dates, about alterations, and even whether they are an authorized reseller of your wedding gown. If you are foolish enough to continue doing business with a bridal shop after all this, then you should at least get everything in writing about which wedding dress manufacturer and model, and size of the wedding gown you are buying, and any promises of alterations or any other guarantees about ordering time or refunds. If they refuse this, then only the biggest fool in the world would buy anything from that bridal shop.

What to do if this scam happens to you: Inspect your dress before you leave the shop and verify the designer label is on it. If it is not, then leave the wedding dress at the store, and immediately file court action against the shop. You should also enlist the help of the dress manufacturer. You should immediately file a complaint through your state’sAttorney General Web site and indicate they are violating the FTC’s Textile Act. Next, you should fill out the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Complaint Form. Lastly, you should report them to the Better Business Bureau, so that other brides doing research before shopping for a wedding dress can have a heads up. Also try a local TV consumer reporter, businesses hate to be featured on the news in a bad light.

You should always check a wedding vendor’s background before you consider them for an interview, using the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org). Also look them up on your local county court records to see if any claims have been filed against them by other brides.  Search for them on RipoffReport also to see if there are any complaints.

Congratulations! By tomorrow evening, you will finally be married. You have been waiting months (maybe even years) for the big day to finally arrive. Your dress has been pressed, your bouquet has been designed and your family and friends have all arrived in town in honor of your wedding. By now, everything has been settled on and you are simply waiting for tomorrow to hurry up and come. To help you relax a bit more and to prevent you from forgetting anything, here is a checklist of items to remember for the day before the wedding.

* If you plan on getting your nails done, schedule a manicure and/or pedicure for today. Not only will it help you feel more pampered and beautiful, it will serve to relax you. If you have time, you can probably schedule a massage or facial, as well. It is best to schedule your nail appointment closer to the wedding day so there is less time for the paint to chip or flake off.

* Some couples choose to drive themselves straight from the wedding to their hotel (or the airport, if they are heading straight to their honeymoon), but if you have scheduled a limo or luxury car service to transport you to the ceremony, reception and beyond, give the service a call to confirm times of pick up.

* Make sure that you put everything you will need for your wedding day into easy-to-carry bags. This includes, but is not limited to, your wedding dress, shoes, jewelry, accessories, makeup, hair products and purse. Leave all of these items somewhere where you will not forget them (by the front door, for example).

* If you and your spouse-to-be plan on taking off for your honeymoon immediately after the wedding reception or early the next day, be sure to pack your luggage and all necessary and important documents you will need to travel (passport and driver’s license), as well as your purse or wallet.

* Tonight is your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, so be sure to prepare for that. Do not forget to bring the gifts you have purchased or made for your wedding party and parents to the rehearsal dinner so you can hand them out. If you or your fiancé plan on giving a toast at the dinner, remember to bring these along.

* Sometime before or after the rehearsal dinner, have a quick meeting with your wedding party to discuss any extra duties that may be performing at the wedding. For instance, if you do not have separate ushers, you may ask the groomsmen to temporarily fulfill these duties before the ceremony begins. Now would also be a great time to hand off wedding rings to the best man and maid or matron of honor for safekeeping.

* Most importantly, try to relax and get a good night’s sleep. You will be running around all day on your wedding day and will not have a chance to simply sit back and catch your breath, so enjoy these last quiet moments before your big day tomorrow.

Marketing

1. A wedding videographer not only has to take videos of a wedding, but he must go out and sell himself to get work. This involves analyzing the cost of different forms of advertising and deciding which is best for him. Some advertising mediums a wedding videographer can consider are newspapers, bridal magazines, bridal fairs and television advertisements. 
   
   He can also drop off fliers at reception halls and churches which host weddingsand receptions, along with meeting with the individuals in charge of those locations to make strategic working alliances where they recommend each other to potential clients.

Meeting With Potential Clients

2. The wedding videographer must sell herself to potential clients. This means she must make sure she has up-to-date examples of her work. Not only should they be up to date, they should also cover a large variety of different types ofweddings. She should always have these available in case a potential client stops by her office instead of calling to schedule an appointment.
   
   When meeting with potential clients in a face-to-face setting, the videographer should make the clients feel as if their needs are her needs. She should show an expertise in the field but not come across as if she is unwilling to accept suggestions and input from the clients on their wedding day. The videographer must make the clients feel that she knows they are the most important people on that day, and their wishes are his first concern.

Maintaining Equipment

3. Nothing can be more embarrassing or damaging for a wedding videographer than arriving at an event and having equipment problems. He should test his equipment on a regular basis when in his office, especially equipment that has not been used for an extended period of time. All batteries should be fully charged, and his inventory should be well stocked for items he needs during the wedding event as the videographer.

Editing

4. The videographer should set aside blocks of time during the week to do her video editing. She must anticipate that potential clients can arrive at her office at any time during working hours and plan for this. To successfully plan for this situation, a wedding photographer should plan for twice as much video editing time as she feels she will need. It’s easier to find other work-related activities to complete with the extra time if she allots too much time, instead of creating more time if she allots too little.

Customer Relations

5. The videographer should set aside time to meet with clients and present his finished product to them. A videographer should never just mail out a finished product or hand it to the clients without offering to review it with them if the clients wish. Positive relations with clients can lead to word-of-mouth advertising, which, in effect, is free advertising, essential for wedding videographers.

Preparing For And Videotaping Events

6. A wedding videographer will not have events every day, but this is an essential part of his day on the day of an event. He should arrive early for the event to examine the facility and identify the best locations for doing his videography. This also allows him to be available to his client for any last-minute instructions.
   
   During the event, the videographer must be flexible and able to adjust. Every event and every client is different. Meeting their needs and wishes will help ensure additional work.

When it comes to wedding planning  the most important thing first and foremost is to set a budget and stick to it. If you do this before you do anything else then it will really help before you get carried away with all the buzz and excitement that only planning a wedding can bring. At the very least it will pay off dividends to have an amount that your really don’t want to go above whatever happens.

Something else to factor in at this stage is if there is anyone that is likely to chip in and pay for anything or at the very least towards something.  It can sometimes be an awkward conversation to have but one that is in your best interest to broach at the outset.

Decide what is the most important section of your wedding day to you both. Is it the location for the actual ceremony or maybe the reception and party afterward? It may even be that your honeymoon is the most important thing to you both. Decide this again at the outset so that you can apportion relative amounts to whatever means the most to you both.

If one of you is a list person why not create a spreadsheet or keep an expenses notebook? It’s often amazing how seeing things written  down in black and white can help pull in the spending reins a little! Think carefully before you spend large amounts of money or lay down large deposits. Especially in the case of an unforeseen emergency  find out if deposits can be clawed back. Consider wedding insurance as well and get some quotes for this to cover things that you wouldn’t even consider happening a year down the line. Seek a second opinion on large financial outlays from someone  whose opinion you respect. Check the terms and conditions on everything!

If you or anyone close has a  talent for being creative then a wedding is the time for using it. Get family and friends together for a brainstorm on who can be the most creative using the least amount of money. This could be fun, too and really gets everyone involved. Someone might be able to offer your something you hadn’t even considered or knew about. .. a home baked chocolate wedding cake, wedding flowers from someone’s wild flower collection or maybe a ride in your great uncle’s vintage car?

People will still get married recession or not  and wedding gifts will still need to be bought but maybe this is the time to use all our skills for getting the most amount of fun out of spending the least amount of money on a wedding day!

Drink Water
Skip the diet soda and start getting your fill on water. Besides being good for you, water helps your body get rid of toxins, and constant sipping can help keep you from over-snacking. So grab a bottle you can tote around with you and figure out how many refills you’ll need to get your daily fill. Eight glasses a day is a good round number, but the amount of water your body requires is really based on your weight. How much do you need? Divide your weight in half. The resulting number equals the ounces of water you should be drinking every day.
Tip for the taking: Get a filtered water pitcher for better-tasting water, and add a few lemons or limes to your water bottle to give it some flavor.

Gargantuan servings are one of the main calorie culprits of weight gain.

Slim Down Servings
Gargantuan servings are one of the main calorie culprits of weight gain. Start with small portions and take more only if you’re still hungry. Experts even suggest that it’s better to eat four or five small meals with moderate portions throughout the day than to have two or three large meals.
Tip for the taking: Carry healthy snacks with you when you’re on the go like fruit, nuts, or granola bars. Healthy munching will not only keep your energy level up, it’ll also keep you from binging on a big meal when you finally do sit down to eat.

Fill Up On Fruits and Veggies
If you fill up on fruit and vegetables every day, you’ll have less room for more fattening treats. To keep your snacks interesting, find a good produce store where you can pick and choose from more than just carrots and celery sticks. Stash some exotic fruit in your bag for when you’re running errands or at work. While you’re at it, buy a good knife to make prep work on fruits and veggies painless and quick.
Tip for the taking: When cutting back on calories, it’s crucial you take a daily multivitamin. Lack of vitamins and iron may leave you tired and inclined to reach for a candy bar or fatty snack.

Cut Back on Booze
A celebratory drink can cost you 150 calories or more. And that’s if you only have one! Even if you’re in the habit of having just a few drinks a week, cutting back on alcohol can save you hundreds of calories in the end. Save the cocktails for the special occasions coming up and sip water instead.
Tip for the taking: Can’t give them up entirely? Try alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so you won’t feel left out of the festivities.

Exercise!
Yes, this is an obvious one. But seriously — do something (anything!) to get moving. Twenty minutes of exercise a day will do wonders to boost your energy and kick-start the calorie burning process. Walk to the grocery store, take the stairs at work, or at least do a few laps of window shopping in your local mall. If you’re serious about shedding inches, aim to do 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise (running, cycling, swimming) three or four days a week. Get a six-month workout regimen here.
Tip for the taking: Choose a time of the day when you usually feel motivated and energetic — that way, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. If you’re a morning person, hit the gym before work. But if you’re the “don’t talk to me till I’ve finished my coffee” type, an evening or even a quick lunch workout may be better for you.

Should we have our wedding recorded on video?

If you feel the occasion is a significant event in your life and you would like to share it with friends and relatives who weren’t there (perhaps even future descendants), video is a good way to do it.  Video can record character, personality and emotion in a way that still photos do not. At a recent wedding fair, a presenter said: “I am holding two boxes. One contains your great-grandparents’ wedding photos, and the other contains their wedding video. You can open only one. Which do you choose?”  The audience choice was unanimous, to the surprise of some- everyone chose the video.

Won’t the video cameras annoy guests and ruin the atmosphere?

That depends. There are a wide range of video cameras, and video camera operators. Believe it or not, it is possible to have professional video unobtrusive enough so that guests do not realize a videographer is present. For example, I normally work without any additional light, and people have commented that the photographers with their flashes were much more noticeable than I was. This can involve tradeoffs. While it is possible to record in dimly lit reception halls, extra light can improve the video image in these circumstances. You may prefer to have additional light during the toasts and the first dance so that the audience, as well as the cameras, can see people clearly.

My brother has a video camera, why not just put it on a tripod in the back and let it run?

This is possible, but you may not be satisfied with the results. I have done many event videos using a fixed, unmanned second camera and the notes that follow are based in large part on that experience.

First, remember tripod legs stick out and if the tripod can be knocked askew by the foot of a passing guest, it will be, with virtual certainty, unless someone re-checks it after everyone else is seated. Event coordinators have been known to move unattended tripods. If you’ve found a good viewpoint, the photographer may like it too and stand directly in front of your camera. Maybe even on a stepladder.

Second, consider the viewpoint and zoom setting: do you know exactly where everyone will stand, and where they will move? You are probably setting up the camera while the room is empty. When the guests are all standing, what will the camera see? At outdoor weddings, the parents / grandparents in the front row often bring parasols for shade, which may block your view completely. Even indoors, an unwritten rule of events is that the tallest guest will sit, or stand, directly in front of your camera.

Third, how long does your battery actually run? Older batteries may not give the expected service even if they appear fully charged. It’s safer to plug the camera in, if an outlet is within reach, but arrange the cord to prevent anyone from tripping over it.

An unmanned camera in the back of the room will give you some video, but as you would imagine, it is not as interesting to watch as a manned camera that is skillfully framed and smoothly follows the subjects of interest.  The sound from the back of the room will have room echoes and will not be very clear. Without a good sound system, quiet speech from the front of the hall will likely be difficult or impossible to understand. Even if there is a good sound system, the recording will have room echoes (if indoors) or very likely wind noise, traffic, airplanes etc. if outdoors. The saying that “sound is more than half of the whole” is widely held to be true in video and movie production. If you can record sound separately from a mic near whoever is speaking, either direct to the camera or assembled later in editing, you will get a much better quality video, but this involves more equipment and more time and setup than just one camera and tripod.  For example, if the bride, groom and officiant are in one location, readings are made from a second location, and musicians play in a third location, that requires a minimum of three microphones & associated sound gear to properly record.  Often a venue is accessible for setup only one hour before the ceremony starts. Properly setting up and checking out several microphones and cameras in this timeframe is not trivial even if you are familiar with and have practiced with all the gear.

Our friend has a camcorder, perhaps they’d be happy to do our wedding video as a gift?

See the previous question above. Depending on what you want, this might work. If you just want someone to keep a camera in the back pointed in the right direction, and you don’t need to hear the vows, readings etc. clearly, this would be reasonable.  If you’re looking for a video that’s interesting to watch and listen to, and your friend has all the camera gear and sound gear, and is skilled and experienced, you might get a great wedding video with clear audio and a logical presentation of well composed and focused images.  Just keep in mind that a good quality full-length video will occupy several weeks of editing, so be aware of the magnitude of this gift.  If your friend does a good job, they will be focused on the camera, and will experience your wedding as a camera person, and not as a guest. Some volunteer videographers are put in an awkward position when members of the wedding party treat them as hired staff. Consider the effect on your friendship if the video does not meet expectations.

Another consideration- does your friend have two cameras?  Most wedding videographers will use at least two cameras for a ceremony, for example one camera showing a fixed-wide angle shot of the entire area, with another for selected angles and closeups. Normally couples want to see the entire ceremony, but it’s pretty much inevitable that the shot from a single camera is blocked or unusable at times, for any number of reasons.  Does your friend have several external microphones and/or can record direct from the venue’s sound system?

Is an edited video worthwhile?  Why not just get raw tapes of the entire day?

Raw tapes are useful for archival purposes, but the edited video is the one that you will want to show show friends and relatives. Of the many differences between amateur and professional video, one of the most important is editing.  A well edited video flows smoothly from start to finish, combining the best camera views and audio tracks at any given time, engaging the viewer’s attention and emotions.  A highlight video compresses time to a concise view of the most significant events, again flowing between them seamlessly.  People remember quality productions, and want to see them over again. A more common reaction to viewing straight unedited tapes is boredom or resentment at the time involved.

Candy buffets are one of the hottest wedding trends. They bring out our childish inner-spirits and are a great way to thank guests for attending your wedding.

In addition to candy buffets being a great wedding favor, they are also a fun wedding decoration.

Our “Pree Pree’s Kandies” Candy Buffet designer will work with you to select the best candy to fit both colors and theme of your event. We take the time to custom design your Candy Buffet table so that each one is unique.  The varieties and designs are endless and are only limited by our imaginations.

- Pree Pree’s Kandies

The spring 2010 bridal runways were swarming with new wedding gown trends. Read this article to find out what trends you can expect to see in the bridal shops when searching for your perfect wedding dress.

1. Flowers. Wedding dresses on the spring 2010 runway are embellished with flowers ranging from tiny to large. Who needs a bouquet, when you can wear romantic flowers on your gown?
2. Metallic fabric. Many designers used metallic fabrics on their wedding dresses or embellished them with metallic sashes, lace, and flowers.
3. Beading. You can find gowns that are covered from head to toe in beads to gowns embellished with a touch of beading.
4. Lace. All over lace is a huge trend in the spring 2010 wedding dresses. It’s incredibly romantic and can be worn for a day or night wedding.
5. Ruffled tiers. Brides shopping for their wedding dresses will find many that have ruffled tiers from the waist down or at the bottom of the gowns. The ruffles add texture and movement to the dresses.
6. Asymmetrical necklines. One shoulder wedding dresses are everywhere on the bridal runways and are giving strapless gowns a run for their money.
7. Feathers. Many wedding gowns on the spring 2010 runway are embellished with feathers. Some only have a few and some are covered.
8. Touches of black. A black sash, black flowers, or black beading adorn wedding dresses on the runway this spring.
9. Color. Lavender, pink, green and blue are popular colors for wedding gowns this spring.
10. Mini dress. One of the hottest current wedding trends is wearing a mini wedding dress. This is perfect for the quirky bride or the bride looking for a second wedding dress for the reception to dance the night away.

Brides shopping for wedding dresses can guarantee that they will find the above trends over the next year in the bridal shops while trying to find the ideal gown.