Where Should We Go??

He wants activity; she wants leisure. He wants pulsating nightlife; she wants gentle trade winds while watching the moon rise. Sound familiar??

If deciding on a honeymoon location has been a challenge, then maybe you need to take a step back and first decide on what type of vacation you want and then narrow down the destinations. And many cases, the right location can satisfy the dreams of both.

First and foremost you don’t want stress on the honeymoon. So planning is essential. And since 85% of couples use a travel agent for honeymoon planning, why do it yourself.

Here are some basic categories to get you thinking:

• Beach Honeymoon – A long-time favorite of honeymooners. But beaches today go way beyond the beaches of Myrtle Beach or Florida. Today honeymooners are traveling to the South Pacific in addition to Mexico and the Caribbean for the white sand and sunshine.
  
• Cruise Honeymoon – Gives you many options from the mega-ships with everything from Vegas-style revues and shopping malls to small ships with only 120 passengers cruising on the Danube River in Europe.
  
• Mountain Honeymoon – Skiing in Aspen during the day and a romantic fire in the room at night may be ticket for you. But don’t forget to consider Switzerland’s St. Moritz or Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.
• Adventure Honeymoon – Zip lining in Costa Rica may not be for everyone but it certainly is a lifelong memory. If your dream is a safari, it can be one of the most romantic things you’ll ever do.
• Big City Honeymoon – New York City and its superb restaurants and theaters still have the hearts of honeymooners. However, European cities such as Paris, Vienna or Florence are luring many honeymooners these days.
• Cozy Honeymoon – Just want to get away and enjoy each others company, then many a quiet Bed & Breakfast is for you. Pick a delightful New England town for its quant shops and great seafood and you’re all set.

These are just to get you thinking and talking. Begin early and share the planning. Marriages should start on the right foot, and there’s no better “right foot” than the perfect honeymoon.

Contributed by Grand Rapids Travel Agent Anna Kruse of Dolphin Vacations.

Should We Have a VIDEO???

Many couples struggle with several of the decisions that face them. One such decision is whether to have their wedding captured on DVD or not. Issues of cost, quality and “will we ever watch it” leap to mind. While only you can answer those questions, please consider the following:

COSTS: Can range from $400.00 to $3,000.00 depending on many factors. You need to look at the total package. Who will be filming, and what will they look like? How many weddings have they filmed? How many cameras shoot the ceremony? How intrusive are they? What type of sound equipment is used? How extensive is the editing? How many hours are they with you? How long is the finished product?

While $3,000.00 is too high for a Wedding Video, $400.00 is no deal, remember, you get what you pay for. A cost ranging between $800.00 to $1,500.00 is reasonable for this type of production.

QUALITY: Depends on several factors, experience, shooting style, editing, camera angles, sound and camera equipment. Ask many questions in this area.

WATCHING IT: If your wedding video is produced properly and by professionals, you will watch it over and over again. Think about watching with your kids’ years from now.

If you don’t have your wedding day captured by professionals you will regret it. Don’t make the wrong decision, it’s to important of a day and to important of a detail. It’s the only way to truly relive the excitement and emotion of your wedding day.

Contributed by Grand Rapids videographer Steve Hiaeshutter of "We'll Shoot You" Video Productions.

Types of DJs - What is Best for You?

In the world of wedding entertainment, there are two types of disc jockey (DJ) services: independents and multi operational. To help you think through which DJ is best for your wedding, here are some things to think about.

Large Multi Operational Disc Jockey Services

The multi operational services will have a large number of djs. They hire people, just like any employer would for a job and train the new DJ, using a system they have found to work. Unfortunately, since most of the new DJs are there because the position is a job, not a passion, the multi operational companies have a high turn over of employees. Most of the DJs that start end up staying a year or less and will most likely after a summer. The DJs themselves only earn about $100 of the $600 you are spending with their company. The other $500 goes back to the company to spend on what ever they see fit.

Large multi operational DJ services will book as many events as they can. Once the events start rolling in, they will find DJs to fill the need. In my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. There are some good DJs, however the ownership knows that not every DJ is at the same level of talent and skill when he sends them out for a job. The ownership plays a game of large numbers, hoping that the few “bad DJs” he has will work fewer events than the “good DJs” he has.

Independent Disc Jockey Services

Many Independent DJs come from larger multi operational DJ services. They made a choice to do things their way and go out on their own. Independent djs get most of their business from referrals. They are proven djs and have very good skills. Obviously, if someone is out on their own and doesn’t have the necessary skills to find new bookings and make current clients happy, they will soon be out of business. Since the DJ market is very competitive and customers have so many choices, if a DJ doesn’t make his current clients happy, he will last about two seasons. After that, the new business will dry up simply because he didn’t satisfy his old client base.

Independent DJs own their own equipment and don’t “share” it with 15-20 other DJs, like the multi operational DJ services do. They typically take pride in their equipment, and like any business today, have to keep up with the hottest technology and newest trends in their industry.

Most independents, if already booked for your date, can help refer you to a associate who is an independent DJ as well. This is a win-win situation for all the parties - The bride is happy, because she gets an experienced DJ. The DJ who does not have an event is happy, because he now has a booking. The DJ who refers the event is happy because he knows the bride is being taken care of.

Tips for your Grand Rapids Wedding

This author does not claim that all independents are good, and large services are bad. However, some of the risks involved with using a multi operational DJ service are:

1) They have much higher overhead, and thus they must book a lot more events, where they send out inexperienced DJs. Quality therefore suffers.

2) They don’t spend the time planning and customizing the bride’s event like an independent. Quality therefore suffers.

3) They don’t invest in more equipment because they know their “newer” DJs don’t yet know how to use the equipment. Quality therefore suffers.

4) They don’t work every week like an independent. Even the good DJs for the larger services only work about twice a month in the peak season. Quality therefore suffers.

The best thing to do is to look around and investigate all your options. Spend some time looking. Compare and talk to other brides you trust. However, if a bride tells you that XYZ service was great. Find out the name of the SPECIFIC DJ from XYZ, and make sure you get the same one. Otherwise you might be stuck with the “newbie”.

Probably the best way to find the right DJ for your weddings is to ask for references from the vendors you’re already using. They have some great experience and insight as to which DJs are good and which DJs are bad. Don’t be afraid to ask!

Contributed by Grand Rapids DJ, Rich Kosty of Encore Music.

Rates are Low, Now is the Time to Buy

You’re engaged and getting ready to start your new life together. Where will you live? If you’re thinking of buying a house, now is a great time to buy! Interest rates at 5.875% to 6.125% and home prices lower than they’ve been in 5 years! With a down payment of as little as 3% you can purchase a home to start off your new life together.

There are more houses on the market today than at any one time in many years, this means more choice for you. There’s an old saying about investing and it applies to real estate today: Buy when the market is low, Sell when the market is high! Now is the time to buy.

Banks Aren’t Lending Money Today, I Won’t Be Able to Get a Loan.

If you listened to the popular press today, you would think nobody can qualify to purchase a home. That’s just not true. If you have good credit or no credit, you can qualify to purchase a home today. Before you start going to open houses or chose a Real Estate Agent, contact a mortgage professional to qualify for a loan. This will save you a lot of time and headaches, a qualified mortgage professional can walk you through the qualification process and help you find a mortgage payment you will be comfortable with. You may qualify for more than you’re comfortable spending each month, so it’s important to match your comfort level with your payments.

Do we have to wait until we’re married?

You can purchase a home together before you’re married if you chose. We can use income from both of you and put both of your names on the house. Both of you don’t have to move in until you’re ready. So if you’d like to buy the home of your dreams and move in when you get back from your honeymoon, it can be ready and waiting.

How Do We Choose a Mortgage Professional?

Steer away from someone who’s giving you the hard sell. Mortgages should be more about consultation and education than about pushing you to buy something. After speaking with your mortgage professional do you have a comfort level that they will represent you in your purchase transaction?

Do they have a Certification? Any initials after their name? Most certifications require continuing education and passing of a test, so you can be sure these professionals are up-to-date and knowledgeable. Ask if they’re a member of the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association or Michigan Mortgage Brokers Association, both organizations promote ethics with their members. Ask if your Mortgage Professional will attend your closing with you. If the answers to these questions are no, keep looking!

Contributed by Grand Rapids Mortgage Pro, Deb Laakso. Visit her website at www.grandrapidsmortgagepro.com

Why Is It So Difficult to Compare Wedding Photographers...

Burger King and Taco Bell may be in the same business of fast food, but they don't have the same menu items. While each enterprise sells food - their pricing structures and quality are different and cannot be directly compared. The same holds true for wedding photographers.

With many photographers moving into the digital world, the choices, pricing and especially quality issues become even more confusing. The quality differences alone can change dramatically from photographer to photographer based on the type of equipment used. Digital cameras run the entire gamut from a few hundred dollards for consumer grade models to $10,000 for the top professional brands.

In wedding photography, like any other business, the cost of human labor is one of the most costly components of hte total expense. All of the following items are offered by Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images and most wedding photographers. When looking to compare wedding photographers, keep these basics in mind:

1. Engagement photo sessions: Either in the studio or at a location of your choice. This includes an hour photosession and then more time by Tiberius Images at the computer editing the best images.



2. Prep time for your wedding day: Do you want your photographer to test his equipment before showing up on the most important day of your life? We carry backup equipment with us on your big day, just to make sure.
   



3. Time on your wedding day: Many studios include a 4, 6 or 8 hour package for your big day. Just ask yourself, what photo memories are you willing to do without? Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images offers full day photo packages that include unlimited time and unlimited photographs on your wedding day.
   



4. Add an Assistant: Some studios may say they will have two photographers there, but more than likely one photographer is better than the other. Or other options include an "assitant" that acts as a "go-fer". Tiberius Images offers the opportunity for a second full time, professional photographer for your wedding day. Click to view work from our professional assistants.
   



5. Editing and Assembling your proof book: Some photographers simply download photographs and present the unedited images to you. When you invest in having beautiful wedding photographs why would you want to see the one's that are only "partially done"? Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images spends hours upon hours editing each image that is presented to you.
   



6. Online Proofing and Ordering: Tiberius Images offers a FREE personal website for your wedding photo galleries. This gallery is customized with your information and photographs and includes options to order photographs at your convenience whether in Michigan or California. Click to View a Sample Website.
   



7. Professional Printing: Do you really know where photographs are printed? Most consumers print at major stores like Sams Club, Costco or Wal-mart. I know professional photographers that do this as well!Photos are meant to be viewed and cherished, why take the risk of printing photographs somewhere that may not be up to professional standards? Tiberius Images uses only professionally printed and color balanced printers from the top labs in the USA!
   



8. Wedding Albums: Are you a do it yourself type person or someone without much time for "creative things"? Many studios leave the task of creating your wedding album up to you with little or no help. Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images hires a professional graphic design company to layout and assemble your wedding album. Click here to see a sample wedding album.
   



9. Who will you work with: Many studios delegate the task of wedding photography to less experienced photographers that they pay an hourly rate to. Many companies "spring" the person on you 1 week before your wedding. What if you end up not liking the photographer's personality?With Tiberius Images, you can be sure you'll be working with owner Russell Climie or a highly trained associate photographer who you WILL MEET BEFORE YOU HIRE US.

The total wedding package consists of a minimum of 40 hours of work by the studio for each and EVERY client. While the items above explain the variables of time and effort, they do not address the issues of talent, skill, technique or experience level. The time and labor of an experienced professional is more valuable on a per-hour basis than that of a raw beginner or a weekend only hobbiest. These important points will reflect both the asthetic and technical qualityof your wedding photographs. A photographer who uses a $3,000 camera will likely charge more than one who uses a $300 consumer grade camera. Interested in seeing how Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images began his career?

While all wedding photographers are in the business of taking pictures at your wedding - THE SIMILARITIES END THERE! There is a wide range in levels of personalized service and in the quality and quantity of your treasured photographs. Asking a wedding photographer on the telephone "how much do you charge?" is like calling a clothing store to ask "how much are your dresses?" In the end, if you don't like the dress or it doesn't fit - it doesn't really matter how much it costs.

Think Outside the Bouquet

Beyond the most established uses for wedding flowers - room and table decor, boutonnieres, corsages - flowers of all varieties are being used to enhance your special day in many non-traditional ways. View photos of these items by visiting Grand Rapids wedding flower specialist at Grand Rapids Dream Weddings.

For example:

• Welcome gifts for out-of-town guests and members of the bridal parties (Welcoming them in their hotel rooms or guest rooms)
• Thank you gifts for those people who make the bride and groom's day special
• Rehearsal dinner and wedding brunch decor
• Decorations for wedding transportation
• Floating arrangements for ponds or pools
• Accessories for the bride's hair, in some cases replacing the more traditional veil
• Small nosegay or cluster of flowers for the mothers of the bride and groom to hold instead of the traditional shoulder corsage that easily get crushed due to excess hugging

Brew’s Tip of the Month
For your wedding, ask your florist to create guest table centerpieces with 4-5 separate clusters of flowers so that each couple can take a part of the centerpiece home.