This is one of the most common questions when it comes to wedding etiquette and gift giving tradition. If you are asking yourself if this is a strict rule of wedding etiquette and if it can be applied with different degrees of strictness, than this article will help you find the answer.

Keep in mind: You get an A+ for sending regrets ASAP. It’s amazing how many invited guests do not respond to save the date cards which they get from the happy couple.

The family member (or a close friend) has cited the standard guideline for gift giving – If invited to a wedding ceremony & reception party, a gift is sent regardless of whether or not the invited guest comes. This may sound a bit silly, but it’s actually a common practice. So, yes, that is the black & white answer. In a best case scenario, those invited to a ceremony are close enough to bride and groom or their families which they wish to give a present regardless of whether they will come or they will stay at home watching movies.

The situation you found yourself in presents the logical exception to the rule. If someone isn’t close to the happy couple (or their close families) they can skip the gift giving tradition if declining wedding invitations. This is usually the case when the bride and groom get overly excited and invite to the ceremony basically anyone who was ever important to one of them – a good pal from college who has not been seen since, however swore a pinky oath to be there on the wedding (as silly as it may sound now). From your college days’ perspective, you have played (probably) the most important as well as a very influential role in their student days, and they might want to honor that ‘allegiance.’ For the bride and groom, college roommates are turning what was a pro relationship into a social one, and you should consider the good old saying that says: “Don’t mix it – it gives you a hangover!”

I believe you have come up with the very best decision. Your personal note to both bride and groom is actually a present in itself and one which perfectly shows the caring and important role you have played in a college days. I am quite sure a roommate will love your note as much as an expensive present.

Tags: wedding gifts

For professional photographers, it is extremely important to be constantly coming up with new ideas, brand new backdrops, compositions as well as creative poses so that the photographs do not actually mimic the wedding photos of a close family member.

Therefore, in order to be a professional wedding photographer who constantly manages to be original with each young couple and adds a touch of sparkle to each photo, here’re several tips and suggestions to keep in mind.

Before the photo shoot, do a lot of planning. Make sure you study the young couple’s style as well as individuality in order to be able to customize every photo. This will prevent strange expressions as well as gestures. For the bride-to-be and a groom-to-be, assign them to practice smiling and tell them to warm-up with simple ‘face workouts’ which superstars use in order to loosen up the tension in the body and especially face. Just for an example, certain ‘face workouts’ include pursing lips and moving them in a circular motion, and also stretching and massaging.

Creative Wedding Photo Shoot Ideas

Check out web pages of big portrait studios such as Walmart Portrait Studio for info on creative photo shoot ideas.

Choose personalized props – Props work in favor of the bride-to-be and a groom-to-be when posing. Because they have something to focus on, a young couple will definitely feel much more at ease. What’s more, it adds creativity to any picture; choose props which relate to the individuality, education and so on.

Use emotions – For standard pre-wedding pictures, have the bride and groom display a variety of different emotions.

Use action – Shoot the bride-to-be throwing a handkerchief to the groom-to-be.

Use angles – Create fun and amusing pre-wedding photo poses by using various angles. This is something professionals from Walmart like to do. Shoot from above, just like looking down from an airplane; from below, just like the photo is being taken by a small kid; and from a big distance, just like the professional photographer is standing on the other side of a street or a public square.

Use lighting effects – Play with various tones of lighting (shade patterns, shadows and so on). This will affect the pose by adding an emotional depth to the picture. Just for an example, a simple dark silhouette of the bride and groom will evoke the emotion of intimacy as well as warmth.

Tags: photo shoot ideas