PopSugar

The New Post-Wedding Wedding Dress Fate

FabSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:01:33 -0700

So last week was officially Wedding Weekend Week on the Sugar Network, but we just couldn't wait until honeymoon week to tell you about this: the Trash the Dress Movement. It's a simple answer to that age-old quandary of what to do with your wedding dress once the Big Day has come and gone. It was so expensive that you don't want to shove it in the back of your closet for the rest of eternity, but at the same time, where else are you going to wear it, the grocery store?!

The Trash the Dress movement was started by Las Vegas wedding photographer John Michael Cooper, and involved him convincing women to wear their wedding dresses in water, on horseback, in snow, around a grungy city - all for the sake of a few irreverent wedding photos. In one case, a woman was even photographed standing in her burning wedding dress! Granted, the wedding dress is pretty much ruined after the fact, but I think this is a fantastic idea!

To see more Trash the Dress photos, go here or here.

Ooh La La: Give Your Dude an Old-Fashioned Thrill With Vintage Boudoir Photography

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:29 -0700

Remember Glamour Shots? The beyond cheesy photography sessions at your local mall that took you from sweatpants victim to vixen with a tube of lipstick, a boa, and a soft-focus camera lens?

It's thankfully gone the way of Clear Pepsi and died with the '80s. But the idea at its core was a valid one: Sometimes we want to dress up and take pictures of ourselves looking like hot pinups. Samantha Jones did it for herself, J.Lo did it for Ben Affleck, and now you can do it - tastefully!

La Photique specializes in "vintage glamour photography" and will provide hair, makeup, outfits, and photography to make you into a playful, vintagey boudoir girl ala Rita Hayworth here (not a nudie bordello dweller). The packages run about $500-$1,000, but I think they'd make an excellent wedding gift for your groom, or if you are the groom, for your bride - which would be totally selfish. But fabulous.

Source

Yummy Links: From Food Photography to Budget Weddings

partysugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:45:36 -0700

Tips for taking the most beautiful food photos. - Vegan Yum Yum
Learn how to participate in a hunger challenge. - Cooking With Amy
Simple and delicious: Asian pear and gouda grilled cheese sandwich. - Chow
More on Hershey's chocolate's new formula. - Candy Blog
Chopping chocolate is easy if you use a serrated knife.- The Kitchn
Hold a bake sale for kids' cancer.- The Epi-Log
Why do Italian noodles cost a lot more than their Chinese counterparts? - Serious Eats
Breakfast ideas to keep you full until lunch.- FitSugar
Tricks for keeping your wedding menu costs to a minimum. - InStyle Weddings

Source

Selecting the Right Wedding Photographer

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:42 -0700

Now that we're in full wedding planning mania, you've already started on your wedding website, and sorted out your online wedding registry, so hopefully you still have enough vigor left in you to start your search for your wedding photographer! Since this task is one of the most important for your big day (next to the dress of course), you'll want to put some serious thought and effort into choosing the right photographer to capture your wedding. If you have no idea where to start, I can give you some tips on how to hit the ground running.

Film or Digital?
Although digital photography might be something you are leaning towards (since you all are so tech savvy!), there are some factors to consider for both. The rich depth and grain of film photography is something unique that you can only get with film. Sure, your digital photographer can fiddle around with Photoshop for each of your photos to try and bring out those same qualities, but it's just not the same. Besides, I'm sure that would be a ton of OT for the poor guy, and who knows how high that would bring the cost of the service! But digital photography also has its benefits. To see what they are, read more

When shooting with digital cameras, for each image captured, you have instant feedback. You can adjust the settings, angles, and light right away to make sure you get just the right pic. . . and you won't be disappointed if a roll of film turns out crappy when you get it back. Plus, there is essentially no limit to how many photos can be taken. Also, if you are interested in getting your pics onto a disk, website, coffee table book or want to turn them into an awesome slideshow, digital is the simplest and easiest way to do it.

What style?
There are some photographers that specialize in portraits, and some in wedding photojournalism. Wedding photojournalism is something that has become more popular in the past decade due to its ability to capture candid moments that really bring the photos to life.

FAQ
After you make those essential decisions, it's time to pick a few photographers and meet with them. Here are some important questions to keep in mind when interviewing your selections:

Ask if they are the ones who will be photographing your wedding, and if the samples you are viewing are from their portfolio. If not, ask to meet the photographer that will be shooting your wedding and check out samples from their past events.
What is included in the packages, and what is the breakdown of costs. Ask if there is a way to customize a package to fit your needs and ideal budget.
Will an assistant be used? If so, is that an added fee?
What is the estimated time frame for finished photos?
Are CD's, proofs, and photo albums an added cost?
How many rolls of film do they typically use, and what is the cost per roll?

Hopefully these tips can get you on your way to choosing the perfect photographer for your big day! Do you have any tips to share? Leave them in the comments below! Plus, check out more of our wedding coverage on I Do Sugar.

Source

Share Your Stunning Photos!

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:20:16 -0800

Have you had a chance to take a look at some of the impressive photos in the GeekSugar Community? Why not submit some of your own! We have a group called Cool Capture, where you can upload images that you're proud of, and share any special photography techniques you used to take the pic as well as the model of the camera.

On that note, I know you've probably had a hard time taking your eyes off this beautiful photo that reader aggiemsd took while exploring her beautiful city of San Diego. Taken at Torrey Pines State Reserve aggiemsd says she used her Canon PowerShot SD940IS to capture this amazing pic.

Be sure to upload your photos, and you might be featured on GeekSugar! There are lots of ways to share, so read on to learn more.

Six Smart Tips For Better Wedding and Engagement Photos

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:42 -0700

Are you having a wedding on a budget? Or do you just want to preserve a few before-the-big-day moments in a photo session? Either way, going the DIY route is a totally do-able option - as long as you follow a few guidelines. We asked Meg Messina, a San Francisco-based photographer, to share her secrets for going behind the lens.

For six of her best tips, read more.

Photograph at the Right Time of Day
"This is the simplest tip, because it lets natural light do most of the work for you. When the sun is directly overhead or high in the sky - say from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - it creates harsh, unflattering shadows. Shooting before or after will give you fewer shadows and a more even glow. Use morning light for a beautiful cool tone and late-afternoon light for a look that’s warm and soft. If you have to shoot mid-day, make sure it’s cloudy or overcast - or find a big spot of shade."

Pick Your Wardrobe Wisely
"His-and-her sweaters? All-denim outfits? Bad ideas. The goal here is not to match but to coordinate your clothing. Choose colors that complement each other and avoid patterns that clash. And most importantly, stay away from logo tees. You might love a band, but your engagement photo is not the place to advertise."

Use Flash to Make Your Photos Pop
"It’s very common for flash to be too strong - wiping out details and creating ugly red-eye. But when used correctly, your on-camera flash can add a nice glint to your photos. The surrounding light may cause your flash not to trigger, so first, set your flash to 'on' instead of 'auto.' Next, tape a small piece of tissue paper over the flash. The paper will act as a diffuser, softening the light just a bit before it hits your face. Make sure the tape itself does not cover the flash or you’ll be left with weird shadows. Now take a few test shots to determine how close to stand to the camera. Find the correct distance and angle and this little burst of light will add a beautiful glint to your eye."

Use a Digital Camera With a Self-Timer
"If you have a friend willing to press the shutter button, that’s great. But a self-timer and a tripod (or a safe flat surface) will work just fine. Unless you’re more experienced, stick with digital so you can see what you’re getting and make adjustments as you go along. The first step is to frame the shot on your fiancé from behind the camera, leaving room to one side for you to jump in. Set the self-timer and be ready to get in place as soon as you press the shutter button. A self-timer is a great way to eliminate the stiff posed look some photos have. There’s no time to pose because you’re running into the frame!"

Don’t Skimp on Printing
"If you want high-quality prints of your photos, take the files to a high-quality printer. There’s a huge continuum of photo printers, from drug stores to high-end labs, and something in the mid-to-high range is the way to go. Drugstore printers use machines and lower quality ink and paper. Since they’re dealing with a larger volume of customers, your prints may lack the attention to detail that make them look great. A high-quality printer will use better materials and trained professionals who make adjustments to the image before running it through the machine. They may also offer retouching services, if you need to remove a blemish, an under-eye circle, or whiten your fiancé’s teeth. Even if you decide not to have prints made, labs can improve photos before you email them out or post them online. "

Have Some Fun and Show Your Personality
"This is the most important tip of all. Your engagement photos are meant to capture your personalities as individuals and as a couple. Find a way to show that in your setting, activities, or expressions. For example: was your first date in a photogenic spot? Use that spot as your background. Do you love backpacking or camping together? Photograph yourselves in a tent. Are you both complete goofballs? Take a photo with your eyes crossed and tongues sticking out. Whatever your version is, know that you’re not confined to a perfectly posed smiley photo. So create a photo that is unique to you!"

Photograph courtesy of Meg Messina Photography

Cool Idea: A Haunted Wedding

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:29 -0700

After I wrote my post about California haunted houses, one of my Sugar friends emailed me to say that she'd actually gotten married in one of them!

She writes, "I got married at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. It’s such a beautiful old house, and the grounds are absolutely breathtaking. The main house is the part that’s supposed to be haunted, and I have to admit, it is a little creepy. It’s charming and old-fashioned, full of gorgeous antiques, but it absolutely feels like a haunted house. We held our ceremony in the gardens, our reception on the patio, and stayed in a carriage house behind the main building, so we pretty much avoided the potentially haunted areas entirely (and that wasn’t an accident)!"

Have you ever attended a wedding in a haunted home, or someplace that was rumored to house spirits? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

Photo courtesy Kristyn Stroble Photography

How-To: Create Slideshows and Movies For Your Reception

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:05:10 -0700

If you haven't noticed, it's wedding season here on the Sugar Network and I've been busy telling you how to keep up with your own wedding website, pick out the perfect photographer, and manage all those photos - yours and your guests - after the big day. This week, we're moving into the wedding planning stages, and today I'm talking about slideshows. But this isn't the after-the-event, it-was-such-a-beautiful-day slideshow, this is the slideshow you play during your reception, usually packed with photos of you and your betrothed throughout your relationship together.

Although I've already given you some tips on what you should consider when putting together your slideshows, you may not know where to begin once you have all your photos chosen. If you don't have a Mac (I know I've talked your ear off about the simple joy of iPhoto), you can still make professional-looking slideshows and videos with your PC. Who woulda thought, right?

Find out what software you should consider, and what to do with those stacks of (nondigital) photos when you read more.

If not all of your photos are digital, it's OK - you can scan your photos, get them onto a CD and ready for uploading just by toting them down to your local Walgreens (or similar drug store that offers photo developing). And you're on your way to getting all your treasured pics into a slideshow.

Once you have all your photos uploaded to your computer, all you have to do is choose your software to start putting it all together. With any of these programs, you can arrange your pics, choose your (optional) background music that will play during your slideshow, and will even let you add in video clips if you want to switch things up. My first love is iPhoto, mostly for its ease of use and ability to export to not only a DVD but to your website, mobile phone, and iTunes to enjoy later.

But for you PC users out there, software like DVD Picture Show, My Memories Suite, and MediaShow 4 will get you the same great results, accommodates photos and video clips, and will export online or to a CD/DVD.

Do you have a photo program you'd like to recommend? Let us know about it in the comments below!

Source

Cool Idea: Take the Flowers Off the Table

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:00:48 -0700

Looking for a cool way to display flowers at your wedding reception? Forgo the standard table arrangement and ask your guests to look up instead.Want to re-create this floral look for your big day? Find out how when you read more.

Use CB2 Teardrop Vases ($4.95) hung from the ceiling. These handblown vases have a cut and polished opening for easy hanging. Use filament so it looks like the vases are floating, and instead of arranging the blossoms outside of the vase, gently arrange them into the belly of each vase.

Source

Capture It! Photo and Media Guide For Prewedding Parties

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:32:37 -0700

Bridal showers and bachelorette parties are low-stress trials for the big day. They help build anticipation for the main event and allow brides-to-be the opportunity to be showered (pun intended!) with love, laughter and encouragement from her closest friends. There are plenty of online services that will help the hostess prepare for the party - from invitation websites to games - but it's crucial to come up with a plan for capturing special moments on the day of mindless fun. If the lady of the night is planning on tricking out her wedding reception with cameras, video games, or photo booths, she's likely the type of gal who wants her shower or bachelorette party memories snapped as well. Follow these suggestions to ensure you get every sweet and silly moment on record.

View Slideshow ›