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Category: Wedding Blog

Wedding Toasts & Speeches

Tips for Hiring the Right Wedding DJ

While there are many important decisions to make when planning your wedding or special event, none may be as crucial to its success as the

Saying Yes To The Dress – In The East Bay

Saying Yes To The Dress – In The East Bay

By Nicole Duffin / Amos Productions

The proposal day has come and gone. You are ENGAGED! Now what? For many brides-to-be shopping for the perfect wedding dress is on top of the “to do” list. However, finding your dream gown can be more stressful than fun when considering all the details that can factor into your dress selection. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of your wedding day since you were little, dressing up in princess dresses, tiaras and mommy’s jewelry, and pretending to walk down the aisle. Or perhaps you pore over images of multi-million dollar celebrity weddings, wishing you could duplicate such extraordinary affairs. Maybe you rely on social media sites such as Pinterest to inundate you with wedding photos, DIY projects, and color and theme options. Do you want your dress to reflect cultural or religious traditions? What about the season of your wedding, the venue, the theme, the style, fabric, and fit? Wedding dress selection can easily be the best and worst part of wedding planning.

Most importantly, your wedding gown should be a reflection of YOU, whether it’s flashy or conservative, haute couture or classic, satin or lace. Finding the right bridal shop that can not only provide your perfect dress within your budget, but can also satisfy all the additional “gown factors” can prove to be a challenge. Do you prefer to shop at larger chain stores, like David’s Bridal, where scores of gowns can be found in every price range, but often at the cost of one-on-one customer service? Or do you prefer smaller boutiques known for personal service, but where the selection of gowns may be limited and higher priced? Finally, do you prefer the privacy of your home where online shopping offers a convenient, yet risky option for your wedding dress selection? A huge array of gowns at every price range awaits the online bridal gown shopper, and on the surface, this appears to be a convenient, viable option. However, wedding dress sizing is not comparable to normal clothing sizes, can vary greatly between designers, and poses a definite problem for anyone ordering online. Likewise, the quality of fabric and craftsmanship, as well as fabric color may cause brides to “best guess” which gown will fit, have the right feel, and be the perfect color.

Wherever you decide to embark on the hunt for your perfect gown, be sure to schedule an appointment and allow plenty of time. Be open to trying on different styles, fits, and fabrics. Your dream dress may end up being one that you never would have imagined loving. The East Bay boasts a number of bridal shops which are unique in their inventory as well as their approach to serving brides-to-be. Highlighted here is an interview with Jamie, the owner of J’aime Bridal in Pleasanton, as well as a list of other special East Bay bridal stores and boutiques.

We would love to hear about your wedding gown shopping experience and how you decide on the dress of your dreams. Please post your story below and share your experience!

INTERVIEW with Jaime Zile of J’amie Bridal in Downtown Pleasanton, CA
Nicole / AP: When is the best time to shop for a wedding gown?
Jamie: I always suggest weekday appointments whenever possible. Weekdays are quiet and often brides that come in onweekdays have unlimited time and the entire salon and staff to themselves.

Nicole / AP: How much time should a bride allow to order a gown?
Jamie: Dresses can take up to six months to arrive in the store, so plan early to make sure the dress you love can be yours by your wedding day. Several designers try to keep styles in stock for immediate delivery, but that is never guaranteed.

Nicole / AP: What is your advice about who to bring to the bridal gown appointment?
Jamie: I recommend no more than two to three people, those who are most important to the bride. Too many opinions can be overwhelming to the bride.

Nicole / AP: How do brides typically find the perfect gown?
Jamie: Don’t eliminate anything at first glance. I can’t tell you how many brides have not wanted to try on the gown they ultimately selected. Most of our brides know within a few minutes if they like a gown or not and sometimes it takes trying on a gown several times to be sure it’s the one.


J’aime Bridal, Pleasanton
Bridal gowns priced under $2000, including a large selection ofplus sizes and bridal party dresses. http://www.jaimebridal.com | 925-846-8459

Kinsley James, Walnut Creek
Couture bridal salon with frequent trunk shows and a sample sale collection.

La Soie Bridal, Walnut Creek
Gowns priced under $5000 and selection of bridal accessories such as headpieces, belts, and jewelry.

Gesinee’s Bridal, Concord
One-stop shopping for bride, bridal party, mother-of-the-bride, and bridal accessories.

David’s Bridal, Milpitas
Large retail and online store with gowns starting at $100.

Blossom’s Bridal & Formal, Dublin
Large selection of stock wedding gowns and bridal party dresses at budget prices.

Wedding Games

Wedding Games – Yes or No?

Wedding games can be a great way to keep guests entertained at your special event and have become popular parts of many memorable wedding days. They provide something for your guests to do while the wedding party is getting photographed and can be the perfect ice breaker for guests who haven’t met. The key is deciding how and which games to incorporate into your special day, without becoming tasteless with overly silly or questionable game choices.

Outdoor wedding receptions can take advantage of yard games that can enhance a beautiful venue and act as an extension of your theme or décor. Choose games that are special to your love story. Here are some fun examples:

Ring Toss – The exchange of wedding rings can be represented by this game. Create your own ring toss set, incorporating wine glasses or bottles painted in your wedding colors and decorated with jewels.

Cornhole – Customize this popular game by painting your wedding date, names, or Bride and Groom on the boards and make bean bags that coordinate with your wedding colors and theme.

Giant Jenga – Create a giant-sized Jenga game with large wooden blocks painted in your wedding colors and imprinted with fun facts about you and your new spouse.

Wedding table games can help entertain guests while waiting for the meal to be served or for tables to be called to the buffet. They can also provide an easy way for table-mates to get to know one another. Some popular wedding table games are:

I Spy – This popular game is not only fun for the guests but also provides candid photos for the bride and groom to enjoy after the wedding. On each table place a list of items for the guests to find or do and then photograph on their personal or disposable table cameras. Photo ideas you can incorporate are a group selfie, the youngest and/or oldest person at the wedding, dance moves, a special kiss, clinking champagne glasses, and the sunset, to name just a few. The possibilities are endless.

Bride and Groom Trivia – Create a list of trivia questions about the bride and groom for the guests to answer. The DJ or a member of the wedding party can read the answers and reward the person with the most correct answers with a prize, or at least with recognition that they know the bride and groom the best.

Board Game Centerpieces – Games, such as dominoes, Uno, Trivial Pursuit, and Yahtzee can be incorporated into your table décor, creating colorful centerpieces and providing endless entertainment for guests of all ages.

Games for the whole group, wedding party and guests, are a great way to get the crowd to interact. Popular large group games include:

Wedding Shoe Game – In this popular game the bride and groom sit back to back, each holding one of the bride’s shoes and one of the groom’s shoes. The DJ reads questions and the bride and groom hold up the shoe of the person who best represents the answer to that question. In addition to preset questions, ask guests to submit questions as well. Some sample questions might include:

  • Who is the better dancer/singer?
  • Who has more shoes?
  • Who is the best driver?
  • Who falls asleep first while watching TV?
  • Who is the best cook?

Anniversary Dance – This is a great way to get your guests up and dancing. First, the DJ invites all married couples onto the dance floor. He/she then announces various years of marriage, asking those who have been married one year or less to leave the dance floor, then five years or less, until only the couple who has been married the longest remains on the dance floor.

Finally, if you have a number of children attending your wedding you may want to include some activities just for them. Some fun examples of children’s games are:

Mini I Spy – Provide disposal cameras for the kids and lists of pictures of items for them to find and photograph. Fun photo ideas can include a ponytail, a colorful shoe, a half-eaten piece of cake, someone dancing in a silly way, and a wrapped wedding gift.

Kids Dance Off – Challenge the kids to get on the dance floor and show off their best dance moves for a special “kids only” song. Gather around and cheer them on.

Wedding Color Book – Create a customized color book of your wedding. Include crayons or colored pencils and stickers to keep the little ones busy while seated.

This represents just a few of the ways and types of games that can be incorporated into your wedding, should you decide to do so. Games will undoubtedly keep your guests entertained, but they may not fit into the vision of your wedding. Do you like the idea of games at your wedding and have you played them at weddings you have attended? We would love to hear your thoughts as well as learn about any other fun and crowd-pleasing wedding games you have played.

Advice For Every Bride

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Advice For Every Bride:

In today’s world there are so many means to receive information. Social media plays a huge role in spreading information via websites and applications, allowing users to create and share content while participating in social networking and bringing together people and ideas from around the world. Wedding planning today is so different from the past when brides relied on bridal magazines and bridal shops to help them with all their wedding details. Today’s brides have a myriad of unlimited resources including, bridal magazines and bridal websites, industry professionals, Pinterest, specialized apps for the phone, and, of course, Google. Endless sources of options and advice can be overwhelming and exhausting and may not help you focus on what you really want for your special day. A better way to gather wedding information may be to pulse previous brides or industry professionals for their advice. They have recent wedding experience will likely have lots of tips, and mishaps, to share with you as you navigate the wedding planning process.

I was a bride once and like many girls, my friends and I grew up dreaming of our wedding day. We fantasized about our groom, the wedding, and all the details of the day. As the planning process for my actual wedding progressed and the day, preceded by years of anticipation, finally arrived, the wedding and reception literally flew by. Six hours of time was gone in what felt like minutes. From wedding prep, to endless photographs, to hugs and well-wishes from family and friends the pre-wedding hours were a blur. Before I knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle, pose for endless photos, dinner, toasts, dancing, cake, bouquet toss, more dancing, more photos, and then, in what seemed like a blink of the eye, my wedding was over. Looking back on the wedding planning process and wedding day, the advice I give to brides is to try and enjoy the actual moments more. Though weddings involve a lot of people and timelines, ultimately the day is yours, your friends and family are there for YOU, and the special moments aren’t going to happen without you. Enjoy every minute!

Here at Amos Productions we are blessed to work with wonderful couples on a daily basis. One of our recent brides, Stacey DeMoss, offers her best advice to future brides.

“Future brides and grooms need to make sure they hire professional vendors. Hands down it’s the best decision they could make. It takes all of the stress out of the day knowing that you have an amazing team making sure your day turns out fabulous.”

We also have the opportunity to work with many wonderful industry professionals at local venues around the Bay Area. Allison Bruley is the Corporate Event/Office Manager for Beet’s Hospitality Group at Palm Event Center in the Vineyard and Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery. I had the opportunity to ask her as an Industry Professional what advice she would offer to brides and grooms.

“My advice for the bride and groom is to make it a priority to stop and appreciate the moment You have to consciously take time to make that happen. With the whirlwind of the day you can get wrapped up and have it pass by without truly feeling like you are present. When coordinating events I make my clients take a deep breath and soak it all in. They always appreciate the reminder!”

I was also curious to hear from Allison on how vendors can best serve the bride and groom.

“My advice for vendors is to set a realistic expectation with your client…even if it’s difficult. Clients often come to us with grand visions that can be difficult to execute. We cannot let our desire to please the customer lead to disappointing them in the long run. If you develop a relationship with honesty your clients will trust your advice.”

There are many common words of advice from bride to bride as well. In researching first hand stories it seems that no matter how much advice a couple receives from family, friends, and planners, details can be forgotten or, after the fact, brides wish they had done something differently. Missed photo opportunities, vendor timeline confusion, or décor delays can be better planned and accounted for prior to the wedding with the help and advice of industry professionals who coordinate such events on a daily basis.

Here is a list of some of the more common words of advice from past brides in random order:

Have a Plan
Delegate a bridesmaid, family member or friend to take care of all of the important day of responsibilities for you. Are there gifts that need to be taken home, a guest book that needs to not be forgotten, or vendor tips to be handed out? Make sure you assign these duties in advance so someone else can take care of them on the day of your wedding. Select a person you trust will not forget any of the items you assign to them. As the bride, you should have confidence that all details are covered and not have a thing to worry about on your wedding day.

Bridal Party Timeline/Itinerary
Create an itinerary that details the wedding week/weekend for your entire wedding party and anyone else that will be a part of this special day. This will ensure that everyone knows where and what they will be doing and will not need to contact you to see what is expected of them and what’s to come next.

Eat
Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated on your wedding day. Not eating or drinking (water) can make you feel weak and tired. Snack throughout the day and ask your caterer to pack you and your groom a “to go” dinner and dessert for after the wedding. You won’t pay attention to how hungry you are until after all the festivities conclude and you realize you’ve barely had time to eat since you walked down the aisle.

Allison Bruley has witnessed time and time again brides and grooms missing their meals.

“Adrenaline is a powerful appetite suppressant. At Beets we try everything that we can to get them to eat. We follow them with a cart of food during pictures and we guard the head table during dinner. Even with all of this effort they still do not eat! This is why we send them home with a goodie bag of late night snacks. From personal experience, you should prepare to get back to the hotel and have that hunger hit you like a freight train. Ultimately you may order room service but you can’t say we didn’t try!”

Take Pictures Before You Say “I do”
While this can be a controversial issue and many brides and grooms look forward to the first reveal at the actual wedding ceremony, it is becoming more common for brides and grooms to take special photos before the ceremony. This keeps guests from waiting and also allows the bride and groom to be more involved in the cocktail hour and other events leading up to the reception. If you choose to do a first look, work with your photographer and videographer to find a secluded location to see each other for the first time. Take in the moment away from family and friends and get those special shots before the ceremony.

Anna, the owner of Ultra-Spective Photography in Livermore shared her thoughts on a “First Look”. As a photographer she gets to know her clients first and finds out what is important to them. If her clients tend to be more traditional they will stay traditional. Some of her clients want to attend the cocktail hour with their guests and traditional items aren’t as important to them, so they choose to do the pictures prior to the Ceremony. Anna admits this can be a tricky topic.

“As you know the traditional first look at the altar can be a very emotional moment and sometimes it’s nice to keep this tradition. BUT in terms of photography, of course, we get better images for the “first look” if we do it prior to the ceremony. There are pros and cons to both and it’s a balance between creating amazing images and being true to telling the story of the day.”

Anna provided a short list of the pros and cons regarding before or after Ceremony photographs.

Photos Before The Ceremony
The advantage to doing pictures before the Ceremony is the photographer will have more control over lighting and it allows the bride and groom more time with their guests. The disadvantage is the bride and groom will have to be ready for the wedding day much earlier and guests who come early may see the couple before the actual ceremony. The element of surprise is also gone, which Anna says can be a good or a bad thing. Some brides and grooms like the impact of seeing each other the first time at the ceremony, while others get nervous.

Photos After The Ceremony
The advantage of doing pictures after the ceremony is that the sun, except during the winter months, is usually lower in the sky, offering a softer/prettier light. The disadvantage is obviously the bride and groom have less time with their guests and cocktail hour participation is usually not something they get to experience.

Stacey DeMoss opted to do her photos prior to her Ceremony.

“Doing a first look and getting as many pictures out of the way before the Ceremony is the way to go. We were able to enjoy our cocktail hour with our guests instead of taking pictures and then we snuck away before sunset to get some romantic ones. Best decision.”

Soak in the Moment
You have spent months and months planning this day. From the food, cake and music to your various vendors, table linens and lighting options, every detail has been thought out and accounted for. You have enjoyed the planning process, stressful or not, and now your vision for your special day has become reality. You are surrounded by people who love and care about you and these same people mean the world to you both. Look around the room, see the people there, feel the love that surrounds you and embrace the amazing feeling you feel. This day is filled with emotions that will last you a lifetime. Marriage isn’t always easy, so remember these special moments and being able to reflect on them always will be such a blessing. Focus on the two of you, not everyone in attendance. It’s not about keeping the reception party going, it’s about making memories with your spouse. This is a blissful day; soak up every minute of the love and excitement.

Toast
Feel free to speak up during the toasts. You have all of your family and friends there to celebrate you. Say a little something to all of them and it will mean so much. Often at weddings you only hear the best man and the maid of honor speak, sometimes the parents. Change it up and surprise everyone.

Tell Your Love Story
Guests will love to hear your story, coming from you. This is a memorable way to share your love, include everyone else and leave a lasting impression. This differentiates your story from everyone else’s.

Lock In the Venue
It’s important to lock in the venue and date first, before making any other major decision. You don’t want to buy a wedding dress in plans of having a summer wedding and then the venue you book only has winter dates. Your dress, decor, linens, flowers, menu, etc. typically revolve around the time of year of your wedding.

Hire a Videographer
A lot of brides and grooms wait until the end to book a video of their celebration. Weddings are expensive and videography often is last on the list. But, why? These brides and grooms often regret not having a video to watch and tell the story of their special day. Videos are sentimental gifts that can be enjoyed between you and your newlywed, your family and friends for years to come.

Stacey DeMoss admitted, “To be honest we weren’t planning on hiring a video team for our wedding, but after seeing our teaser video I’m so glad we did. We really enjoyed seeing the live action for the wedding day.”

Check out the Wedding Video Teaser that Amos Productions produced for Stacey & James.

Get Personal Recommendations Before Hiring Vendors
Take your time and don’t rush your vendor selections. Spend more time planning and enjoying and less time rushing and stressing. Make sure your special day is a reflection of you, and choose vendors that can accommodate your vision. Family and friends may make recommendations, which you may choose to consider and can be a great starting point in your planning process. But ultimately, the day and those who contribute to it should be your choice.

Delay Your Honeymoon
Delayed honeymoons are becoming increasingly popular among newlyweds in this ever so busy lifestyle we live, filled with distractions and unreasonable demands. Most couples are on a budget and by waiting for certain seasons, flights and accommodations can be cheaper. It’s also nice to get things put away after the wedding, finish up last minute projects and complete everything at work before you head out for a week or two. You may be able to relax and enjoy your trip more, rather than worry about lingering items on the to-do list. Being spontaneous and booking last minute travel deals can add to the excitement of a delayed honeymoon getaway.

Don’t Let Perfection Get the Best of You
What bride doesn’t want her special day to be perfect? The event is an expression of you and your love. But, keep in mind that some of our best memories are those we don’t expect or plan for. Embrace the unexpected and don’t let it ruin your day because in the end, all the details will be forgotten and the overall impressions of your special day will be the most treasured. After all, wedding isn’t about perfection but about the love you share.

Stacey DeMoss expressed this perfectly when she said, “Make sure the day is about you as much as possible and NOT about your guests or family wants.”

In the end, the best advice is to plan ahead, don’t sweat little things that can’t be controlled, roll with the unexpected, stay on budget, and try to complete the planning a few weeks before the big day. Steal special moments with your significant other throughout your wedding day, remembering just why you, your family and your closest friends are there. Soak up your vision, as this will be one of the BEST days of your life. Your dress will be amazing, the food will be scrumptious, the flowers will bring romance to your reception, and the cake will be perfect. Keeping your perspective realistic will make you a happy bride indeed!

We would love to hear your stories and advice, whether you are a past bride, a bride to be or an acquaintance of someone getting married. What do you feel is the most important piece of advice for someone planning their dream wedding? Please share your experiences, ideas and any information that may come in handy to a bride and groom planning their wedding day.

Planning The Perfect Proposal

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Planning the Perfect Proposal

The day has come and you are ready to embark on your journey of “happily ever after”. You and your love have been together for a while and things are going great … and you’ve decided it’s time to pop the big question. So exciting! The only problem is you can’t decide how to propose. A wedding proposal is an unforgettable event that marks the initiation of engagement and commits to a mutual promise of marriage and lifelong commitment to one another. It may be important to you to make your proposal perfect and create a memory that will never be forgotten. Here are a few ideas to help make your proposal extraordinary.

Setting
Are you interested in proposing in an intimate or public setting? What would your soon to be fiancé want? Keep in mind that not everyone likes to be the center of attention and a public proposal may seem overwhelming to a person who prefers a more intimate moment. Would your love want family and friends around during this noteworthy moment? If so, you could plan a family and friends dinner or you could wait for a holiday that you share with these special people. If the two of you prefer to do things alone, you can always plan a romantic, more intimate proposal, with family and friends nearby to share in the exciting new right after.

Special Place
Do you and your love have a place that is special and sentimental to the two of you? If so, it may be fun to select that location for your proposal. It might be the park where you first kissed, the restaurant you had your first date, or the place where “I love you” was first expressed. These unforgettable places are now part of your relationship’s history and, when incorporated into a marriage proposal, can signify how far your relationship has come and how much you have to look forward to.

Special Song
When the two of you hear a certain song, do you stop for a second, smile, and reminisce about special memories that the song invokes? Perhaps it was the first song you danced together to, or a song that played in the background of the car when you reached over and kissed each other. It may be fun to incorporate this song or the lyrics into your proposal.

Professional Photographer / Videographer
A professional photographer or videographer can capture the magic of your proposal, including the scenery and emotions that will create a piece of your story to be shared with family and friends. Capturing the priceless look on your love’s face when she or he realizes a proposal is really happening, will be something to treasure for years to come.

Flowers, Candy, Special Meals
Creative flower bouquets can add a touch of beauty and sentimentality to a proposal. Ideas include creating a proposal bouquet that includes a number of flowers representative of the number of months/years that you have been together or a bouquet of local flowers from the location where you will honeymoon. Including flowers in your proposal scenario can also lead to a special tradition where an additional flower is added to an anniversary bouquet each year. Candy or a special meal at your proposal can also commemorate a special first dinner date or any especially fun or romantic moment you shared.

New Memory
Creating new memories especially for your proposal will be exciting for both of you. A dream vacation, a special day planned just for your love, a favorite holiday, or an elaborate surprise will all take on additional meaning when a proposal for marriage is included. At this point in your relationship you know important to your future spouse and what types of things you enjoy as a couple. It will be easy to incorporate some or all of those things into your proposal scenario.

Surprise!
Will your proposal be a surprise or will your love be included in all the details? Does your future spouse hate surprises but love romantic gestures? These are all things to consider when planning the proposal. If you want the proposal to be a surprise but also want help selecting the ring, you could plan a dinner date near your jeweler, stop in to look at rings “for fun” before or after dinner, and then return to purchase the ring. At a later date, you can then plan your surprise proposal with the perfect ring that you know she or he will love.

It’s important to stay true to yourself during your proposal, making sure your words are heartfelt and not over-rehearsed (no notecards!). A proposal can include thoughts about how much she or he means to you, when you realized she or he was “the one” and the moment you knew you were in love. Your proposal might include fun facts about the two of you and your excitement about your future together. Perhaps you told your family and friends about being in love before you told your love, or maybe those same family and friends knew you were in love before you told them. Include such things as you express your feelings to your one and only.

Congratulations to you and your loved one. We are excited that you have found the person you want to spend your life with. We would love to hear your proposal story! Please share with us your special moment and if you need help during the planning process, give us a call! Amos Productions is here for you!!!

Don’t Be That Guy

We can’t tell you how many times guests step in front of our video cameras to take their own photos or videos. It happens the most during the kiss or the ring exchange. The video above was from a Newscast in Sacramento, and we just had to share.

Below is an article we found of the Huffington Post. You can find a link to the article at the bottom.

How To Nicely Tell Wedding Guests Their Phones Aren’t Invited

Just before Heather Letostak’s wedding ceremony began, the priest made an announcement: No phones allowed.

“He kind of joked around,” said Letostak, who got married in May. “He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and told the guests, ‘The bride and groom have requested that you guys sit back, be present in the moment and turn off all your devices.’”

While a few people still snuck pictures, Letostak said most turned their full attention to her and her husband Brian’s ceremony, which took place on a farm in Akron, Ohio. Now she urges engaged friends to unplug their weddings, too.

“Whenever anyone asks about wedding advice, I say, ‘Think about an unplugged wedding,’” Letostak said. “‘You tell people to put down their cell phones, put down their iPads, whatever electronic device they have, and be with you in that moment. They’re going to be able to take that moment longer in life with them than a picture might last.’”

As people become increasingly aware of how annoying their phone addictions can be, they’re more accepting of requests to power down during wedding ceremonies. Brides and grooms who want their guests to fully participate in their big day instead of Instagramming it have started telling guests to turn off their devices, usually just for the duration of the ceremony.

Letostak got the idea for an unplugged wedding after reading a 2013 HuffPost commentary by Corey Ann Balazowich, a photographer in North Canton, Ohio, who eventually ended up photographing Letostak’s wedding.

Exuberant guests and their electronic devices are ever-present at weddings, Balazowich said. Guests have ruined some of her photos with their phone camera flashes and by jumping into frames to take pictures. Once, she even failed to get a photo of a couple’s first kiss because a family friend maneuvered in front of her right at that crucial moment.

“I didn’t get the actual kiss because it was a quick kiss,” she said, adding that she could tell the newlyweds were “a bit disappointed.”

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Balazowich has also heard ringtones interrupt a ceremony and kids playing video games throughout the event.

So how do you tell your guests that their phones aren’t welcome at your wedding? Anna Post, co-author of Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette, Sixth Edition, said there are a few ways to do it. You can include an enclosure in the invitation to give guests a heads up. It’s a good idea to have the officiant or best man make an announcement ahead of the ceremony reminding everyone to turn their devices off, she said, and you can include a mention of the request in the program. A sign outside the venue is less discrete, but gets the point across.

“Whatever message you take, it needs to be nicely put,” Post said. “Get ‘please’ in there.”

Post said that it’s entirely fair to ask that guests turn their full attention to the ceremony, but restricting people from using their phones during the reception may be going too far.

“They’re going to want to take photos, maybe with each other,” she said. “They’ll want to check in with the kids or the babysitter.”

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Some couples take more dramatic steps to get their guests to power down. Xochitl Gonzalez, co-founder of AaB Creates, an event design and planning firm based in New York City, said she has set up a phone-check station and collected phones before ceremonies. One couple that had a destination wedding in Maine asked guests to turn off their phones for the entire weekend.

Gonzalez said it helps to add something like a photo booth so that people can still feel like they’re documenting something they can take with them.

“We’re addicted to documenting things now,” she said. “You can satiate the addiction, but in a controlled environment.”

SOURCE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/15/how-to-nicely-tell-weddin_n_5990380.html

Writing Your Wedding Vows

Writing Your Own Vows

Writing Your Wedding Vows

Writing your own wedding vows can be an amazing way to express your love and commitment in your own words. It’s a perfect way to personalize your wedding and to show guests exactly what you love about each other. Why settle for words that most other couples have used when you can be unique and create an atmosphere that is yours in its entirety. Finding the words to express exactly how you feel may indeed seem daunting, but when you do, it will surely be a special touch for both you as a couple and for your wedding guests.

Traditional wedding vows are historically the foundation of most marriages.
I, ______, take you, ______, to be my husband/wife, to have and to
hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness
and health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.

The promises and commitments these vows express are meaningful and universal. However, for some couples, traditional wedding vows do not embrace their emotion and vision of the future as a married couple.
Non-traditional vows can encompass whatever you choose, from memories about the past to visions of the future together. Some couples enjoy writing original vows together, reminiscing about the origin of their relationship and their commitment to the future. Others prefer the suspense of writing vows separately and hearing them for the first time at their wedding. Whether you choose to write your vows separately or together, you may want to think about mirroring them in terms of tone, style and length, in order to maintain flow and consistency throughout the ceremony.
Getting started can often be the hardest part of writing vows. Here are a few ideas to discuss with your fiancé that may help both of you focus your writing.

• How long should the vows be?
• Should mutual phrases begin and/or end both sets of vows?
o Example: I promise or I can’t wait to begin my life with you
• Will your vows will be serious, or humorous, or both?
• Will you include special memories from your relationship?
• Will you include promises and parts of your relationship/personality you will work on?
o Example: Strengths and weaknesses
• What is the greatest thing about the person you are about to marry?
• When did you know you were in love and know you were ready for marriage?
• What does marriage mean to you; why do you want to be married?
• What is the most important promise you will make?
• What will marriage change and what will stay the same?
• How will you support each other during difficult times, how has your life improved since you met, and what can you accomplish together?
• What do you respect most about your partner? What inspires you most? What do you miss when apart?

Most importantly, when you write your own vows you can craft phrases that represent you, your relationship and your personalities, as well as reflect your commitment to each other. The words you write should be words that you are comfortable expressing in front of all of your family and guests. They should sound like you and be an expression of who you are and who you hope to be as a married couple. It’s OK to borrow from poetry, books, and spiritual books, but be careful not to let those words overpower your own. Allow plenty of time to reflect, write and edit and don’t forget to practice, practice, practice!

At Amos Productions we have the opportunity to work with so many engaged couples. One of these couples, Rachel and Kevin Batstone, shared their thoughts on why writing their own vows was so important to them. While Kevin’s concern was more about making his vows interesting and interactive, Rachel’s primary goal was to create something that felt right to her and that exemplified what love meant to her and to them as a couple.

We felt more strongly about what we didn’t want it to be, than what it “should” be…we knew we didn’t want ours to look or feel or be anything other than who we are as a couple. As we planned our wedding and worked on the ceremony script and vows, we focused on what made our relationship uniquely “us”. We both felt that this was an opportunity to create something that reflected who we are, what we believe in and to share that with the people who we love and mean the most to us in our lives.
– Rachel & Kevin Batstone

Whether you are inspired to write your own personal statement of love and commitment or you decide to take a more traditional approach, make sure your promises are meaningful to your relationship and will be something you treasure forever.

Did you write your own vows? Do you have any input for future couples? We would like to hear from you?! Please leave a message for us below!

Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals

Looking for a Wedding Professional? We have been working in the wedding industry since the early 90s, and we’ve had the pleasure to work with many great wedding vendors over the years. Below is a list of the best of the best Wedding Professionals in the San Francisco East Bay Area. As a professional gesture, please be sure to mention Amos Productions when you contact them.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

ultra-spective photography     Anna Vickroy     925-449-9879     www.ultra-spective.com
YJM Photography     Yves M     510-382-0280     www.yjmphotography.com
Cauchi Photography     Bobbi Cauchi     800-675-9337     www.cauchi.com
Eli Photography     Eli Pitta     510-429-9525     www.eliphotographer.com
Danny Dong Photography     Danny Dong     408-429-0158     www.dannydong.com
Bel Inizio Photography     James Willard     925-833-2634     www.belinizio.com

FLORIST:
Flower House     Jinger Leonard     925-960-1375     www.theflowerhouse.com
Delford West Flowers     Karl Eckel     925-606-8818     www.delfordwestflowers.com
Livermore Valley Florist     Sharon     925-443-3450     www.livermorevalleyflorist.com
Bloomies on Main     Sarah Velen     925-931-1290     www.bloomiesonmainca.com
Nicole Ha Designs     Nicole Ha     408-421-0388     www.nicoleha.com

OFFICIANTS:
Chris Thielen     Chris Thielen     925-980-6384     www.personalwedding.net
Weddings by Steve     Steve Siglin     510-697-5534     www.stevesiglin.com
Weddings by Hank     Hank Visscher     925-687-6591     www.weddingsbyhank.com
White Robed Monks     Father Robert Dittler     415-292-3228     www.whiterobedmonks.com

WEDDING PLANNERS:
Caitlin Arnold Weddings & Events     650-229-8616     www.caitlinarnoldweddings.com
Events by Renee Rivera     510-798-9281     www.eventsbyreneerivera.com
Carolyn Wilson Events     925-315-9598     www.carolynwilsonevents.com

CATERERS:

Checkers Catering     Sandee Munroe     925-968-1121     www.checkerscatering.com
On The Vine     Dave     925-518-7244     www.onthevinecatering.com
Wente Catering     Heather Jones     925-456-2425     www.wentevineyards.com
Scott’s Seafood     Jennifer Franklin     925-934-0598     www.scottswc.com

CAKES / BAKERY:
Cakes Delight     Fatema Nuruddin     925-373-7786     www.cakedelight.com
Shawna Bakes     Shawna Heiden     480-586-4268     www.shawnabakes.com

ACOUSTIC MUSIC:
Elegant Touch of Strings     Sherry Lewis     925-625-4363     www.baysbest.com
Magnolia Jazz Band     Robbie Scholosser     408-245-9120     www.magnoliajazz.com

LIMOUSINES:

Black Tie Limousine     Joslyn Scarlett     925-730-0824     www.blacktietrans.com
4GQ Limousine     Jay Bhati     925-550-9989     www.4GQLimo.com

PARTY RENTALS:
Pleasanton Rentals     Cherie Marini     925-468-0624     www.pleasantonrentals.com
Classic Party Rentals     Mike Mori      209-521-1530     www.classicpartyrentals.com
Napa Valley Linens     Diana Cardenas     925-459-0470     www.nvlinens.com

WEDDING INVITATIONS:

Wedding Paper Divas Online     866-594-1226     www.weddingpaperdivas.com
Papyrus Online     800-789-1649      www.papyrus.com
Tiny Prints Online     877-300-9256     www.tinyprints.com

Videography: Capturing Every Moment Of Your Wedding Day


*Check out some of our samples above to see and hear the quality of our work.

Capturing Every Moment Of Your Wedding Day

Creating the perfect wedding can take months of planning, organization, and coordination, while the actual day of your wedding often seems to fly by in an instant. Professional videography can capture every moment and detail of your special day, ensuring you have memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Why hire a professional videographer?

• Time Capsule
A videographer records all the special moments of your day and creates a treasured memory for you, your family, and future generations to enjoy for years to come. Professional videographers are trained to see “the big picture”, to record not only the bride and groom but also the myriad of other people and details that make your wedding day noteworthy. Your crazy uncle doing the Funky Chicken on the dance floor, your flower girls playing hide and seek behind the draping, the sound of your father’s laugh, and candid conversations wishing you well in your marriage are just a few examples of funny or special moments that may have been missed and will be surely treasured forever. While memories fade and loved ones grow old, videography captures moments, emotions, and people as they are on your wedding day for you to enjoy and cherish forever.

• Moments You Missed
No matter how hard you try to be everywhere and see everything on your wedding day, many noteworthy moments will be missed. A videographer captures the bride and bridesmaids getting ready in one area and the typical shenanigans of the groom and groomsmen dressing in another area. He will capture the intimate moments of the bride and groom waiting for their grand entrance into the reception as well as the wedding guests enjoying cocktail hour. With professional videography, every moment and every part of your wedding day can be relived over and over again.

• Motion Picture
The responsibility of a videographer is to create a motion picture of your wedding day. Their role is essential in capturing the sights, sounds, mood, and emotions that can transport you back to that special time every time you view the video.

Why cinematic vs. traditional video?

Cinematic video is the art of storytelling. It does that through images, speech, and music, shot in short clips rather than the traditional, consecutive documentation of every minute of your wedding day. The ultimate goal of cinematic video is to capture the mood and emotion of your wedding day, to tell a great story, your story, from beginning to end.

Why Amos Productions Video?

Our goal at Amos Productions is to capture your special day using the latest technology, equipment, and training by our professional videographers. While Smartphones can certainly record fun, impromptu videos of the day, they cannot compare to the quality recording, editing, and experienced videography that will ensure a professional result. Our top of the line video cameras allow our videographers to work with all types of lighting and audio scenarios. The Amos Production staff ensures that camera settings are correct and are experienced to both anticipate events and be ready for the unexpected, while keeping shots steady and avoiding bad angles or backdrops.

Amos Productions offers years of videography experience in both wedding and corporate video production. We are excited to tell your story in a non-intrusive, artistic, and professional way.

Be sure to click the green link above to request a quote, or feel free to contact our office by phone or email. 925-449-3847 or info@amospro.com

wedding videography

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