Here are the gifts you can look forward to this week…

Monday:

Book Duo: The Conscious Bride and The Conscious Bride’s Wedding Planner from Sheryl Paul, The Conscious Bride

Tuesday:

The Rock and Roll Alphabet, a kid-friendly rock retrospective storybook, featuring images from Chuck Boyd

Wednesday:

The girl’s shirt of your choice from Tiny Hiney children’s wear

Thursday:

3 chances to win this hottie woman’s dress from XCVI

Friday:

Gift basket of maternity conscious skin care products from Amalou Skin

Can you stand the excitement? These will make perfect gifts for brides, engaged couples, expecting mothers, parents, kids and anyone else! Of course, you could always just keep your prize for yourself (we won’t tell!). If you want to know what’s coming, make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Twitter. Check back regularly so you don’t miss any chances to win!

As Wedding Photographers, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is “Should we see each other before the ceremony?”

Although some brides like to be traditional, we think you should. Here are some of our top reasons you should consider doing a first look:

1. It’s so nice to see each other for the first time privately (besides your photographers…of course). It allows for you both to spend a few minutes really taking in the moment and feeling the emotion together without anyone else around. We like to take the bride and groom off by themselves for at least 30 minutes after the first look to capture the couple portraits at a time when you are feeling amazing. Traditional couples who don’t do a first look seem to feel rushed after the ceremony to complete the long list of family, wedding party, and couple photographs while everyone else waits on them to finish. It puts more pressure on us as photographers when the bride and groom are anxious to get to their celebration. If you choose to do a first look, it might turn into some of the only un-rushed, alone time you and your fiancee will get all day.

2. Enjoy your reception. You spend a lot of money on the cocktail hour/reception, you might as well have fun. If we have to do couple photos, plus family/wedding party, it easily takes the entire hour…and some sometimes it can get a bit stressful because everyone is ready to go celebrate.

3. It’s really nice to have great close up photos of that first moment. Of course, your photographers should have photos of the ceremony as well, but it doesn’t allow them time to set up the photos and have control of the area like doing a first look does.

4. Consider the time of day: The light is better during the day, or at sunset, that it is at night. If you want your couple or family photos taken outside, you’ll need to consider what time of day the photos will take place.

5. It’s a stress reliever. Believe me, the brides and grooms that see each other at a first look are instantly calmer and happier. There is just something that happens that is a bit magical and can’t even be explained.

It’s good to discuss these points with your fiancee before making your decision. Whatever your choice, we are sure it will be the right one for you. There’s no reason to let the little decisions weigh you down. Either way, your wedding day will be your best day yet….we hope you enjoy the entire process of getting there.

************************

Drawing from graphic design backgrounds, Moss and Isaac (ie. Leigh Anna Thompson & CJ Isaac) take a documentary storytelling approach with their wedding photography…using well-crafted portraiture and detail photographs to round out the tale of the wedding day. With an easygoing spirit, Leigh Anna and CJ put people at ease with their southern charm and the large smiles that they can’t seem to wipe off when they have a camera in hand. Their passion lies in capturing the fleeting moments…the look, the kiss, the excitement, the details…all of the beauty and emotion that surround the milestone moments of people’s lives. Contact them via: info@mossandisaac.com or 646-470-5266. Follow their work on Facebook and Twitter.

The Honeymoon: Kick off life as a married couple right! Make your dream honeymoon come true by registering for travel costs, accommodations, lavish dinners, and local activities. Check out what this couple did for their honeymoon across Europe.

Weekend Trips: Whether you like camping trips or beach days, fill your weekends with your favorite activities by registering for these excursions and the gear to go with ‘em!

Date Nights: Don’t let the romance go when you get back from the honeymoon. Keep the spark alive by registering for dinners, movies, and anything else that makes the perfect date night.

Cultural Events: Museums, performances, sporting events – have fun and keep learning!

Marriage should be fun – and with a registry filled with your favorite activities, it will be!

Every week you’ll be able to enter for something very exciting – from books, to clothes, to other goodies! But this is just the beginning to whet your palette – next week we’ll have a new giveaway EVERY DAY! That means FIVE chances to win big!

To get you excited for a whole week filled with swag, we’re starting this week with something sweet just in time for Valentine’s Day from Kreated by K. Here are the details:

You’ll get…

A mini jar filled with conversation hearts and topped with a variety of specialty cake pops.  It’s wrapped in cellophane with a ribbon and heart tag to give to that special someone. Since they’re freshly made with only the finest ingredients, you’ll want to enjoy your treats within 1-2 weeks.

It’s from…

Kreated by K is a custom bakery offering fun, hand-crafted baked treats. Kristan personally designs and prepares each order to ensure the highest quality. She offers many unique treats perfect for all events! K has a diverse and seasonal menu, but don’t hesitate to ask for your dream treat as she is always excited to mix, match and invent! Find Kristan on Facebook and Twitter for more!

To enter…

If you haven’t done so already, ‘like’ our Facebook page. Then, drop a comment on our wall telling us who you’ll be sharing your gift with (it’s ok if you’re keeping it for yourself!) Want to be entered twice? After you comment on our wall, find the original FB post about the giveaway that links to this article, and click on ‘Share’ to re-post it to your wall and share with ALL your friends. That’s right, a double entry, just for sharing!

Contest ends Friday, February 3 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be notified Saturday the 4th and you’ll get your prize just in time for Valentine’s Day!

1. Share Your Story and Home Ownership Plans: In your Registry Note, describe your new home in detail. Do you have a specific type of home in mind? Are you going for a down payment or doing a remodel? Or are you building your own home from the ground up? The more guests know about your new home plans, the happier they’ll be to help you get there!

2. Create a Gift List: Don’t leave your guests guessing! Instead of a Home Fund for guests to donate to, create a Home Gift List with gifts that guests can actually give you. They’d much rather give you a gift than donate to a fund to feel like they’re really giving you something special and unique. Our Rapid Registries are perfect for setup!

3. Make It Personal: Guests love the intimate experience of picking out a special gift that they’ll always be remembered for, so make sure the experience of perusing and shopping from your registry is as gratifying as possible by personalizing your site. Add a Welcome Note to introduce your guests and make them comfortable with the process. Our Greeting Bank is perfect for inspiration! Fill out the About Us so family and friends can read all about your relationship and upcoming marriage and plans.

For a gift that’ll last a lifetime, there’s nothing better than a new home!

The key to sticking to your wedding budget is to do your homework first! Approach the planning process from a standpoint of strength and knowledge to barter and negotiate with the best results. If done successfully, the wedding couple will save money on their Big Day!

1. Review the big picture and put your dollars into what is really important. Don’t spend money on expensive appetizers when simple cheese and fruit platters might very well suffice. Do you really need to spend $20 per bottle for champagne or will a simple one-glass champagne toast be just as nice? Barter with the venue to see if they might offer a complimentary glass of champagne to all of your guests. If you are using a hotel for the reception and generating room nights, you are in a better position to barter.

2. Opt for less pricey food. Eliminate the carving stations of prime rib and jumbo shrimp, opting for more inexpensive fare such as chicken, fish and mini appetizers. Barter with the venue to provide you with something comparable at a lower price. Mini crab cakes could easily replace the jumbo shrimp.

3. Skip the cake. Instead of the big wedding cake, suggest that the venue create a wedding cake using mini cupcakes. The rule of thumb is that most guests take two bites of dessert and the remainder is tossed. Let your caterer know you want something that is tasty and a great photo op, but not something that re-creates Princess Diana’s. Set a budget for the dessert and stick to it.

4. Go seasonal. Serve seasonal vegetables instead pricier items that are out-of-season such as asparagus, artichokes and exotic fruits such as mangoes, papayas, etc.

5. Talk to the venue. Ask the venue whether you can purchase food on consumption. Many venues won’t propose this to a bride, but the benefit is that you pay for food and drinks that are actually consumed.

6. Negotiate with the reception hall. Maybe they’ll provide the space free with a guaranteed amount that you will spend on food and drinks. In addition, negotiate the contract where the venue reduces their service charge — perhaps from 18% to 16%.

7. Ditch the bottles. Request pitchers of water instead of bottled water.

8. Lunch over dinner. Negotiate for the luncheon menu for your evening dinner function. It’s basically the same menu and dinner menus always cost more.

9. Barter for complimentaries. Perhaps the venue will throw in charger plates, perhaps they will provide you with a one night stay if you are using a hotel.

10. Reduce the number of invited guests to your reception. Instead of 200 guests, you can probably live with 150. If you multiply 50 people x $40 per person, the savings is $2,000.

11. Research the venue. Consider their ‘peaks and valleys’ in deciding when to host your reception. You can negotiate a better price during a less popular season or timeframe. June, July and August weddings will cost you more.

12. Go smaller. Suggest using smaller plates to control guests’ consumption.

13. Buyer Beware – Do some research and compare whether the venue’s ‘wedding package’ will actually save you money. Many venues hire a florist to create the centerpieces and then mark up the price when offering them to you. It might be well worthwhile to hire your own florist. In addition, some deals sound too good to be true, and you’ll often end up spending more money in the long run. Save money, but be a wise and smart shopper in making decisions for your wedding needs.

**********************************

Greg Jenkins, partner of Long Beach-based event planning and production company, Bravo Productions, has 25-years of experience in the special events industry.  Jenkins is a five-time Gala Award nominee and has won two Galas by Special Events Magazine. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, or reach him by email.

• Share the News: Welcome friends to your site with a personal message, and then share the happy news! As you learn more about your pregnancy, keep your guests updated with health status and the due date.  Your website also has a guest book for all your friends’ good wishes.

• Shower Details: Keep all the details of your baby shower in one place, so guests know where to look for the date, location, and anything else.
• Create a Registry: All your information is in one place when your registry is attached to the site! With a Deposit a Gift registry, you can register for absolutely anything you want.  Sure, babysitting promises aren’t as cute as more onesies – but you’ll sure need it!

Pregnancy is an exciting and busy time! Make it easier with a baby website.  With all the important info in one place, you’ll take a lot of pressure off yourself to keep everyone updated!

Register For What You Really Need:

A Deposit a Gift registry lets you register for what you actually will use long term: money. But it’s not just money for money’s sake; it’s money to be used for exactly what you need, when you need it. You can register for things that you never could with traditional store, and you have the flexibility to buy as needed instead of everything at once, such as:

• Furniture and other big ticket items
• Outings to bond with your baby
• Child care
• A head start on saving for college
• Classes to expose your baby to new things like: swimming, music and yoga

What are the Benefits of an Alternative Baby Registry?

Given that a lot of the baby gear decisions are based on lifestyle preferences, it’s important to give yourself the time and space to figure out your parenting style and what works for you.  Therefore, a traditional registry can often be inefficient. An alternative baby registry is perfect for:

• Group gifting to make it easy for people to go in on big ticket items like strollers and furniture
• Having cash on-hand to stock your nursery using flash sales and discount sites instead of paying full price
• Avoiding the pressure of buying EVERYTHING at once for your baby
• Investing in long term items and services for your baby – ones that last and have value like furniture and swim lessons

Registries are a fantastic way to make it easy for friends and family to know what you need, but you shouldn’t feel pressured to go the traditional route if that doesn’t fit your style. A Deposit a Gift registry can help you manage and customize what you buy for your new baby to give you the most flexibility with this new phase of life.

Masculine Baby Accessories

The heading may sound like an oxymoron, but there’s a whole industry catering to hip dads who don’t want to carry around flowered diaper bags. Companies like Diaper Dude and Storksak design bags with these dads in mind: they come in solid dark colors like carbon grey and army green, not to mention in brown and black leather.

Stylish Functionality

It’s no secret that you need to tote a lot of gear when you have kids. Luckily for the fashion-conscious dad, slim cargo pants are currently on-trend, so these guys can stow some of what they’ll need in those pockets for easy access. I like this khaki pair from Lands’ End Canvas, the black camo’s from Rogue or J Brand’s vintage trooper cargo.

Dark Matter

The first thing I usually hear from clients who are parents is how easy it is for clothes to get ruined from drips, drools and worse. With this in mind, new dads should look for machine washable clothes in forgiving dark colors.

Know Your Fabrics

Style-savvy dads can further protect their clothes by wearing stain-resistant fabrics. A company called Nano-Tex has engineered an incredible fabric called Nano-Care Stressfree that literally repels stains; brands like Gap, Levi’s and Eddie Bauer sell clothing made with this technology. New dads can also protect themselves from looking worn out by wearing fabrics that look better when a little wrinkled. Think chambray, linen or flannel shirts and washed cotton chinos from inexpensive stores like Uniqlo.

Basic Grooming

It can be easy to get lax about haircuts, hair trimming and shaving once the little one shows up, but part of looking good is maintaining these elements of style. Many hair stylists make house calls, making it easy to fit cuts into your busy schedule.

Stay Organized

When you’re sleep-deprived, you won’t want to contend with a messy, confusing closet. Clean and organize your closet regularly so you can get dressed quickly. And if you need help, call in a professional.

Most importantly for new dads: Have a clear game plan at the outset. There’s no need to descend to a dad jeans + hoodie combo when you can just as easily put on a casual sport coat and well-fitted jeans – even if you’re just heading to the park. I hope the above tips help, and I welcome your questions and comments!

*******************************

As seen on CBS’s The Early Show, in Men’s Health magazine and in The Wall Street Journal, Julie Rath runs Rath & Co., an Image and Style Consulting service that gives men an extra edge. Julie specializes in image and style strategy, color analysis, closet edits, wardrobe planning, and personal shopping. She hangs out mostly in stores and other peoples’ closets, but otherwise you can reach her at julie@rathandco.com or 646.434.7842.

Case In Point: the wedding registry.  How many couples really need or even want table settings for twelve, or crystal bowls and vases? Especially in a city where extra space is hard to come by, the typical registry just doesn’t always make sense.

This is where a cash wedding registry comes in.  It allows couples to register flexibly so that you aren’t stuck with physical items for which you aren’t ready or don’t have space.  Using the format of a traditional registry to communicate your non-traditional wishes is a way to abide by etiquette and is sure to please guests because it looks, feels and functions just like a department store registry. This way you get exactly what you want, not ‘stuff’ you don’t and guests still have the fun of picking out a special gift.  If you can dream it, you can add it!  From honeymoons to home down payments, electronics to a Broadway show, even date nights and charity. Yes, it’s true, a non-traditional registry can include all that and more!

Register For Your Honeymoon

Modern minded couples who aren’t looking for more household items absolutely love honeymoon registries!  Instead of dishes or towels, friends can give you nights in the honeymoon suite, flights to your dream destination, romantic dinners and all the memories that come with them.

Register For Your Home

A non-traditional registry is perfect for the big-ticket items that are difficult to register for at a department store because they make great group gifts.  For city dwellers, fancy china and appliances are hard to fit into a small apartment.  If you’d prefer is a new flat screen TV or new (grown up!) furniture, then put your guests’ generous gifts towards something that will truly be of use in married life.

Register For Date Nights and Hobbies

The fun doesn’t have to end after the honeymoon.  Keep romance alive by asking that guests help you purchase dinners and tickets for date nights.  Or, set aside some time for fun and register for what you love to do together, like camping equipment, beach supplies or cooking lessons.

Register For Cultural Activities

When you live in a place that’s just brimming with culture, it’d be a sin not to take advantage of it!  Register for show tickets, museum passes and even yoga classes.  What better way to use your gifts than by gaining new experiences?

Weddings are all about tradition, but be excited to go in a slightly different direction if that’s what is more meaningful for you.  Guests want to give you a special gift, so if the traditional ‘stuff’ isn’t for you, give them options that would really make you smile and that you’re sure not to return. There are lots of options out there to let your creativity run wild. Have fun and happy registering!