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Tag-Archive for "water Island virgin islands weddings"

Destination wedding guest and activities. Author: Aug 04

Once the wedding ceremony is planned, invitations are out, travel is booked and accommodations are made what’s left when planning a destination wedding?

Well, if you are inviting guest many couples plan some day activities or excursions.  Not all of your guest will want to participate; some will want to venture off on their own. And not all activities have to be a full day or paid by the bridal couple. Get your wedding planner involved, chances are they know of great ideas and may even be able to book them for you

With many of my couples planning a wedding in St.Thomas or St.John, we often schedule at least one meeting where we discuss all of the possible activities that can be offered.

Whether it’s sail to Buck Island for day of scuba diving and lunch, a volley ball game on the beach or friendly happy hour.  It is always nice to be able to keep your guest involved.

The best way to find out the amount of participation you would get for various activities is to post it on your wedding website.  Request input from guest, ask them to leave comments if they would be interested or have any suggestions.   It’s as simple as that.  It’s a great way to find out before booking the activities that your future family gets seasick on anything less than a cruise ship, or that hiking a day in St. John is too strenuous for Grandma and Grandpa.  It is also a great idea to post a tentative schedule of getting family and friends together at least once a day.  For the guest who want to venture off on their own,  post the date and time for the grooms dinner, rehearsal, and wedding so that guest can schedule their time.

It’s not your responsibility to provide a full schedule of activities but it’s just nice to have some sort of planning to make guest feel welcome.

Category: Destination wedding vendors, St Thomas wedding packages, vi wedding packages, Virgin Island Weddings, Wedding tips, What to know when planning a destination wedding.  | Tags: , , ,  | Comments off
25% discount on all custom designed Graphi wedding album with booking Author: Dec 17

Since your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, it only makes sense to have pictures taken.   Pictures are memories, to keep and give to parents and friends.

I have discussed about if you should have Uncle Joe take your wedding pictures or getting a professional photographer in previous blogs. This time I would like to talk about what to do with your pictures after the wedding.

Do keep them on the DVD? Send them in emails, print a few out to give to parents? Maybe frame a couple for keepsakes?

Let me tell you, when living life as a couple, things happen, jobs change, children are born, you move to different living locations, life just takes you down a winding road.

Along the way, what happened to the DVD of the wedding?  When you hit that special anniversary and the kids want to know when, where and what was it like.  What have you got to show them?   If you are like me, you know there is a shoe box somewhere with everything in it but where is it?   Where is the DVD?  And oh ya, this maybe 20 years later, do they even have DVD players anymore?

  Remember 8 track tapes?

Just remember that pictures never go out of style and can always be found when in a photo album. 

Now, with that being said and because I believe so strongly in it, we are giving a 25 %  discount on any custom Graphi Album  to  our wedding couples.

 This photo album will hold memories and a real life story.  It will show a progression of two people who were separate come together.   It will show the sun, sand, sky and ocean of the best wedding location in the world.  It will hold their wedding ceremony from beginning to end.

Book any St Thomas wedding, St. John Wedding or wedding renewal package from Beach Weddings by Deb that contains wedding photography.

The  Graphi Album will be custom designed by Gary Felton.

To view detail a Graphi Album.

This offer expires May21, 2011.  All weddings must be booked and the date reserved to qualify.    Only eligible for wedding held in 2011.

Don’t let a lost DVD become your memory.

Category: How to pick a photographer, st thomas photography packages, St Thomas wedding packages, Uncategorized, vi wedding packages, Virgin Island Weddings, Wedding tips, What to know when planning a destination wedding.  | Tags: , , , ,  | Comments off
When to Hire a Wedding Planner Author: Nov 10

I have just attended a wedding as a helper for a photographer I know. 

The couple was arriving aboard a cruise ship. Their plan was to have a ceremony followed by cake and champagne.   The venue was a beautiful tropical garden setting which eight inches of rain the previous day, had made the grounds wet and soggy.

The Wedding was scheduled to begin at 11 am.

What the couple didn’t know was that their cruise ship line stays on Eastern Standard Time.

The Island is on Atlantic Standard Time an hour earlier.

What should have been a relaxing morning getting ready, turned into a series of frantic calls to vendors changing the time of the wedding. 

What the couple didn’t know was that the transportation they reserved to move guest from the ship to the venue was not large enough to carry 15 guest and 3 handicap scooters.

What should have been a leisurely ride from the ship to the venue turned into three trips back and forth.   This resulted in additional money for transportation.

What the couple didn’t know was that the money they paid for the scooter rental and their transporting was wasted. The venue had a no scooter rule due to width of paths.

What the Bride didn’t know was how to get into a wedding dress, and no you do not put it over the head if you just spent two hours getting your hair done.

What the Bride didn’t know was that packing a Brooch bouquet in your suitcase would break it apart.  It was too late to order fresh flowers.

What the groom didn’t know was that being the last person to arrive would set the ceremony back even more, waiting for him to get dressed.

What the couple didn’t know was that if you give Uncle Joe a video camera, he is going to use it, even if it means getting in all of the professional photographers pictures.  Kind of hard for even a professional photographer to shoot around him.  Which cost more?  Uncle Joe or the professional photographer?

When hiring a professional Photographer don't wast money with guest in the pictures.

What the couple didn’t know was that when hiring vendors for an one hour wedding, the ceremony length has to be discussed with Aunt Jane who is officiating it.  Otherwise it will run on and on and on.

What the couple didn’t know was when the ceremony is stopped in the middle, so that an attendant can retrieve forgotten rings, it just adds more time to the vendors already overtime clock.

What the couple didn’t know was that all the times the professional photographer was delayed so that guest could take pictures cost them money and lost pictures.

What the couple didn’t know was that all the delays and miscommunication would cost them in overtime they had to pay to vendors.

What the couple didn’t know was that when planning a destination wedding outside of the U.S. there is sometimes cultural difference in business and vendors.

What the couple didn’t know was that it would have been more enjoyable, less stressful and less costly to have a Wedding planner.

They know it now.

Category: St Thomas wedding packages, vi wedding packages, Virgin Island Weddings, Wedding tips, What to know when planning a destination wedding.  | Tags: , , , , , ,  | Comments off
11 Make-up Tips for your wedding photographs . Author: Apr 08

You have made the decision and picked a photographer for your wedding day.  Before breathing a sigh of relief jot down a few of these tips from Make Up Artist Steve Moore of Moore Agency in Atlanta.  “I always recommend that you use professional makeup artist but if you can’t remember these tips. ”

  • Stay away from tanning booths or using fake tan sprays or lotions leading up to your wedding day.  The color orange shows up too much in photos. 
  • Blend, Blend, Blend. 
    • You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day.  Many makeup professionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition T.V. because it’s light weight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage. 
  • Sometimes less is more.
    • You can get dramatic with eye makeup but use less makeup for day weddings and more for evenings. 
  • Don’ skimp on concealer
    • Use a moisturized concealer on the thin sensitive skin under the eyes.  If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream.  For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, and then cover with concealer. 
  • Not all mineral makeup is created equal.
    • Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance.  In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup.  It won’t white-out the bride under a flash. 
  • Use waterproof makeup with staying power. 
    • You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup.  Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof.  And in case you cry, have a tissue or handkerchief to gently blot your tears right at the eyes. 
  • Keep your lips moisturized and colored.
    • Dry lips look dreadful in photos.  Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often.  Matte and gloss lipstick both photograph well and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition. 
  • Don’t forget the groom.
    • If the groom is red faced due to too much sun or partying, a little powder can help.  That goes for the shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wishers’ makeup smudges off. 
  • Don’t sprinkle on glitter.
    • In photographs, it tends to look like little white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera. 
  • Remember to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and décolletage – you want your head to look like it belongs to your body. 
  • Don’t get buggy. 
    • It may not seem the place to have this –  but applying bug spray will keep the sand mites and mosquitoes away.
    • it will also  stop red welts from forming on face and neck and make for a more comfortable photo shoot.

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21 steps to plannig a destination wedding in the U. S. Virgin Islands Author: Mar 21

Getting married is an exciting time in your life. It can also a very stress full time. More and more couples are choosing to have a destination wedding. Having one in the U.S. Virgin Islands means no passports are required. It also means your ceremony could be on any of the multiple beaches, tropical gardens  or one of several denominational Churches located on the islands.   A destination wedding can be as simple as bridal couple on a secluded beach or as elaborate as inviting 200 guest.
Regardless of the size of your wedding these steps can lead you through it.

1. Set a date for wedding.
2. Determine a budget.
3. Research destination location for ceremony (I am partial to St. Thomas, St. John in the Virgin Islands)
4. Research travel arrangements. Cruise or air reservations.
5. Determine the number of guest that will be attending.
6. Choose your wedding party,
7. Reserve wedding planner or coordinator and have consultations.
8. Your wedding planner will then with your approval arrange:
a. Hair and makeup appointments.
b. Reserve Flowers for ceremony and reception.
c. Wedding Cake.
d. Reserve wedding ceremony and reception locations.
e. Reserve music for ceremony and or reception.
f. Reserve caterer for reception.
g. Arrange toasting table after ceremony.
h. Arrange for chairs at ceremony.
i. Arrange for transportation to and from ceremony and reception for wedding party and or guest.
9. Reserve photographer if not included in package and have consultation.
10. Send out save the date cards.
11. Set up website for guest with destination, travel, hotel information.
12. Place wedding announcement in local press.
13. Arrange for wedding dress and or attire.
14. Coordinated wedding party attire.
15. Send out invitations.
16. Visit jeweler for wedding bans or wait and visit one of many in St. Thomas or St. John.
17. Finalize travel and or hotel arrangements;
18. Mail in marriage license and wedding applications to wedding planner to bring to court house.
19. Arrive to destination.
20. Pick up marriage license at courthouse in St. Thomas.

There are, of course, many more things than those listed above that you will need to put on your specific wedding planning checklist that are personal to your wedding, but the above will give you an idea of the things you need to include.

Remember, planning a wedding at home is challenging, planning one in a distant location can be over whelming. A wedding planner that you feel comfortable with will give you the ultimate reward of a happier and more stress-free wedding day.
21. Have a wonderfully planned and happy wedding Day.

Category: Virgin Island Weddings, What to know when planning a destination wedding.  | Tags: , ,  | Comments off
How to choose a wedding photographer in the Virgin Islands Author: Mar 07

As a wedding planner here in St. Thomas and St. John I often get asked why I do not include photography in my services or packages.
Let me explain first that I like taking pictures and consider myself an amateur photographer.
But a little knowledge can be dangerous and with something as important as a wedding, I would not consider risking the wedding couple’s happiness to an amateur or part-time photographer.
Today let’s look at the difference between a photographer and a professional photographer.
With today’s economy it is very tempting to have Uncle George take the wedding photos. After all he has been taking pictures for years, he likes doing it, and his camera looks impressive.
First of all, ask yourself what would happen if Uncle George’s camera battery goes dead or the pictures were accidentally deleted.
What if (and this has happened) there was something on the lenses of his camera and every picture had a streak across the middle.
Would Uncle George and you still be able to talk to each other at family functions?
So, if I have your attention, I will give you my two cents. Wedding photography is an investment. It increases in sentimental value over time to become a treasured family heirloom. Fifty years from now you should be able to show your wedding pictures at your anniversary.
A true professional photographer will never run out of anything. They have back up equipment with back up files management which means your photo’s will never get lost or destroyed.
The pieces of equipment a professional has goes far beyond the camera’s and back up camera’s, it also includes an expensive array of lenses, lights, computers, printers, hand held flash meter, several different flashes and battery packs to name only a few.
A true professional photographer will be unobtrusive to the ceremony.
A true professional photographer spends hours behind the scene editing, making sure your photo’s are color-edited, retouched, and creating an album or online gallery.
Photography is a skill and an art. A professional doesn’t simply shoot a camera; he or she has to be able to capture the day. Your wedding is special and unique so should your album be. Let me first clarify – I believe creativity is innate in a person – and the best equipment can’t make an uncreative person a creative photographer.
Most wedding photographers in St. Thomas or St. John rely heavily on websites but when looking for a professional don’t assume that a website makes him or her a professional. Photographing a wedding imposes some of the greatest pressures a photographer will experience; that’s why skill is important. Photographing a wedding requires a special type of skill set, experience and a keen understanding of how to anticipate, in addition to great people skills and etiquette.
When checking out photographers website look to see if;
Do they include full albums or complete client online galleries on their website for you to look at or just the best shots of several?
Check their credentials for experience and education. Remember you get what you pay for.
Does the photographer belong to any professional association?
Are the group a shot choreographed, is everyone’s face showing or is anyone looking away or squinting into the sun?
How long has he or she been in business?
Will the photographer you talk to, be the one doing the photography on your wedding day?
Does the photographer do his or her own personalized editing or send them off to be done?
While these suggestions are a great place to start in looking for photographer only you can decide what is most important for your wedding day.
Just remember the photos will last long after the cake is gone.
In closing I could not have made my point as well as Judge Joe Brown , this video is hard to watch but a professional photographer would have had top of the line equipment that would allow him or her to shoot within the church, a rebel XT cost about $700.00 the Cannon series 1 that the Judge mentions cost $8000.00. So take a look and see why choosing a professional is so important

Category: General, How to pick a photographer, Virgin Island Weddings  | Tags: , ,  | One Comment
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