Best Shoes for Your Wedding

There are as many styles of weddings as their are brides. Picking your shoes can be a challenge, do you want a heel or not? Peep toe or closed toe? Here’s a list of the perfect shoes for a variety of brides:

1) Beach Bride

While many brides choose to go barefoot for a beach wedding, you may want to have shoes for photos or the reception. We suggest a simple flat sandle. We love this Tory Burch thong sandal. Or, for a little more bling, these gold flat sandals from Jimmy Choo.

2) Modern Bride

For a modern bride, a sling back is the perfect choice. This slingback from Christian Louboutin has the perfect amount of glitter and glamour.

3) Vintage Bride

For brides with a vintage style, you can’t go wrong with a bit of old Hollywood glamour. This peep toe from Badgley Mischka is perfect.

4) Budget Bride

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, look no further than these sandals from Lulu Townsend. They would be lovely with a shorter dress for your reception.

5) Bold Bride 

For brides that are looking to make a statement with their shoes, you’ll want to choose a bold option. If you’re wanting to look like a rock star on your wedding day, take a look at these dazzling crystal-studded suede pumps from Christian Louboutin. We also suggest this bold 5″ heel in metallic leather from Giuseppe Zanotti.

What kind of bride are you? What type of shoes do you plan to wear for your wedding day?

How to Avoid Being a Bridezilla

Planning a wedding is stressful. Not only are you planning an event, but you’re also making big decisions when it comes to the budget. And, of course, managing relationships and conflicting ideas of what the big day should look like. No bride sets out to be a bridezilla. But with the stress of the wedding day, sometimes it happens to the best of us. Here are 5 tips to avoid being a bridezilla.

1) You can’t have  the perfect wedding

At some point, you’ll have to come to terms with the fact that you can’t have a perfect wedding. It doesn’t exist. Something is bound to go wrong, but you’ll just have to roll with the punches. Chances are, your guests won’t notice that the place cards came on the wrong paper or your veil is a couple of inches shorter than you wanted.

2) Focus on the marriage

It’s easy to get caught up in all the details. While planning a wedding is exciting, it’s also stressful. By focusing on the reason for the wedding – spending the rest of your life with the groom – you’re bound to keep things in perspective.

3) Crazy diets will make you crazy

Many brides hope to lose weight before their big day, but crazy diets have a tendency to make brides a little crazy. Extreme dieting and exercise can leave you feeling drained. If you’d like to drop a few pounds, talk to a nutritionist to find out how you can do it so that you feel healthy and energized for your big day.

4) Hire quality vendors

It is a lot easier to give up control on your wedding day when you have hired vendors that you trust. When you’re hiring wedding vendors, ask a lot of questions. Everyone from the caterer to the wedding videographer will be able to provide you with samples and references – hire people you trust so you can let them handle the details while you enjoy your big day.

5) Be thankful

So many people are investing time and money into your wedding. Take time to appreciate the people that are going to be part of your big day. If your parents or other family members are helping financially, make sure they feel appreciated. Be sure to let your bridal party know how excited you are for them to be part of your wedding day. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, but commit to being gracious.

What tips do you have for brides to avoid being a bridezilla?

5 Tips for Getting Your Wedding Featured in a Top Wedding Blog

For many brides, a wedding is a culmination of a year or more of planning. You have spent countless hours scrutinizing every detail of your big day to ensure perfection. Whether you had an unlimited budget or chose to go the DIY route, your nuptials can help inspire other brides in search of their own beautiful wedding day.

If you are looking to have your wedding featured in a wedding blog, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The wedding experts at McElroy Films compiled a list of tips to help brides increase their chances of success:

1) Submit Inspiring Photos and Video

Pick and choose the images to submit carefully. Most wedding websites and blogs are looking for magazine style photos. Photographs should highlight the most memorable parts of the day and show off all of the details that brides take time to create for their wedding day. You can look at past features to see the style of photos that the publication features to get an idea of the types of photos to submit. You can also submit your wedding video to increase your chances of being included.

2) Share a Great Love Story

When looking for real weddings to feature, many editors are also looking for an inspiring love story. Rather than writing, “the bride and groom met in college and got married a few years later”, brides should share details of their love story. For example, “Sarah and Nathan met in a history class in college and Sarah instantly thought he was charming and would be perfect fit for her best friend. So she set them up on a blind date. When her friend came down with the flu and couldn’t make it, Sarah and Nathan ended up hanging out instead. She had no idea that would be the beginning of epic love story.”

3) Follow the Guidelines

Whether a bride is looking to submit her weddings to a magazine like The Knot or a wedding website like Style Me Pretty, there are guidelines for submission. Some require images to be a certain size, others ask for specific credits for vendors. For the best chance of being included, brides should follow directions for submissions carefully. Even if an editor loves the wedding images, if they have to track down information, they may move to the next submission.

4) Offer Exclusivity

Nearly all wedding magazines and websites are looking to feature real weddings that are exclusive to their publication. Brides should do research to see what publication will be the best fit, and start there. If their wedding is not chosen, then they can submit it for other publications.

5) Be Kind.

Editors for leading wedding publications get hundreds of submissions each month. They carefully go through them to find the ones that fit their publication and current needs. Unfortunately, they can’t include every submission, so it is important that brides are gracious when dealing with rejections. Sometimes weddings aren’t a good fit at the time because of the season or current trends, but editors may be able to use it in the future and would be more likely to want to work with a kind bride.

Here’s a few blogs if you’re ready to try:

Green Wedding Shoes (http://greenweddingshoes.com)

StyleMePretty (http://www.stylemepretty.com)

Ruffled (http://ruffledblog.com)

Brides (http://www.brides.com)

100 Layer Cake (http://www.100layercake.com/blog/)

Wedding Chicks (http://www.weddingchicks.com)

5 Tips for Hiring Your Wedding Videographer

A videographer is on the must-have list for many couples planning their wedding. While photographs capture moments from the wedding, a timeless wedding video can help you relive your big day for years to come. The bride and groom can’t be everywhere on the day of their wedding, and your wedding video will help you see the big picture of your event.

Here are 5 tips for hiring your wedding videographer:

1. A photographer isn’t a cinematographer

Wedding photographers are great at what they do; they take amazing photos that capture the moments from your big day. These days, many photographers are also offering wedding videos as part of an all-inclusive package. Unfortunately, brides are ending up disappointed with the quality of their wedding videos. Many photographers are just starting to work with videos, but true cinematographers went to film school and have worked in the industry for years.

2. Watch the demos

When hiring a videographer, you should always watch samples and demos. Pay attention to the details. For your wedding video, audio is very important. Often, the quality of audio separates professionals from amateurs. You want to make sure that you can hear your vows and the speeches clearly.

3. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Most of us are looking to get a good deal, especially when it comes to a wedding. However, there are plenty of wedding videographers offering bargain basement prices for videos. If someone is offering a price a lot lower than the competitors, you should definitely find out why.

4. Stick to your budget

Many videographers offer video packages for weddings. But, most will be willing to work within your budget, creating custom packages. They can help you pick and choose what is most important to you.

5. Make sure the style fits

These days wedding videos range from documentary to very cinematic. Make sure that you see samples of work that align with your style. A cinematographer that exclusively focuses on documentary style filmmaking may not be the best fit if you’re looking for a cinematic wedding video.

5 Unusual Boston Wedding Venues

Boston is home to some of the most beautiful wedding venues in the country. From the State Room, with views overlooking the breathtaking Boston skyline, to the Harvard Club, there is no shortage of extraordinary wedding venues in this historic New England city.

However, whether it’s because of the cost, timing (popular venues book 18 months out) or the desire for something different, many couples are choosing unexpected wedding venues in Boston. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Cambridge Brewing Company

When it comes to weddings, sometimes it can feel like it’s all about the bride. A wedding at the Cambridge Brewing Company is sure to make the groom, and all of his friends, very happy. The brewery also focuses on locally grown ingredients, so the food is sure to be fresh, and of course, delicious.

2. Griffin Museum of Photography

Located in Wincester, the Griffin Museum has an idyllic setting on the Judkins Pond. This unique location features vaulted ceilings and unique photographic exhibits. They have a lawn for outdoor weddings, and plenty of room inside the spacious gallery for receptions.

3. Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Home to America’s oldest car collection, the Larz Anderson Auto Museum is located in the original Anderson Carriage House of the Anderson Estate, now Larz Anderson Park. Inspired by the French Chateau “Chateau de Chaumont-Sur-Loire”, the carriage house in Brookline was built in 1888 and is a romantic and unique wedding destination.

5. New England Aquarium

Not only is the New England Aquarium one of the top tourist destinations in Boston, it’s also a popular wedding venue. There are a variety of venue options at the aquarium. Whether you want to dine alongside 80 penguins in the main exhibit gallery or prefer a harbor view, this is an unusual, and breathtaking, location for a wedding.

5. Fenway Park

If you are looking to have an event your guests will be talking about for years, a wedding at the historic Fenway Park is sure to fit the bill. America’s most beloved ball park has a variety of locations where they can accommodate weddings, from the roof top deck to the luxurious EMC club.

Top 5 Modern Wedding Traditions

A wedding is one of the events in our lives that is still steeped in tradition. From the music to the dress, many brides follow time-old traditions when planning their big day.

Here are 5 modern traditions gaining popularity:

1. Trash the Dress

Modern brides are getting more mileage out of their wedding dress with trash the dress photos. Many photographers capture these moments in water, taking photos under towering waterfalls or on sandy beaches. These days, brides are opting for paint, or even mud, to get these one-of-a-kind glamorous photos in their wedding dress.

2. Wedding Videos

Long gone are the days where Uncle Mike stands in the back of the church recording couple’s wedding ceremony with a camcorder. Many couples are opting for professional wedding videos to document the cherished moments of their day. Still photography is important, but a wedding video allows couples to relive their wedding.

3. Ditching the Send-Off

Guests throwing rice at the happy couple as they head off for an exotic honeymoon destination was once a time-honored wedding tradition. Now, the roles are reversing, modern brides and grooms are choosing to close down the party and make sure their guests get home safely.

4. Father Daughter Dances

Many brides still have the traditional father daughter dance at their receptions. Some are choosing to dance with other influential members of their lives, as well. Many brides are choosing to honor their mothers with mother daughter dances at their weddings.

5. Seeing Each Other Before the Wedding

Not seeing each other before the wedding has been a long-standing wedding tradition. But having the time to capture beautiful wedding photos after the wedding can be challenging. Instead, people are opting for first-look photos, capturing the tender moment when couples see each other for the first time.

The Best Reception Entrances of 2012

Some weddings are the picture of class and civility; formal occasions that test your knowledge of etiquette and waltzing. And then some weddings take the celebratory part of weddings seriously. Kara & Scott’s wedding party took their entrances and turned them into incredible masterpieces. Watch and learn how it’s done my friends! We challenge any of our brides and grooms to out do them in 2013!

Enjoy!

 

Important Tips for Creating the Best Pro Wedding Video

The pros at McElroy Weddings let you know the tips and tricks to a stunning wedding video.

You and your fiancé have chosen to have your wedding day filmed by a professional wedding cinematographer, and you want to know: What can we do to maximize the quality of our video? The truth is, even the best equipment can limit a true professional videographer when faced with external variables such as hectic schedules and low light. Here are a few items to consider when planning your wedding that will definitely take the quality up a notch.

From Lighting to guest management. Read the whole list here on PRWeb http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebTips-for-Creating/Best-Wedding-Video/prweb10143883.htm

Top 10 Boston Weddings

In 2011, McElroy Weddings filmed over 90 weddings ranging from venues such as the Boston Public Library and the Taj, to Nashoba Winery and the Worcester Art Museum. Here are our staff’s picks for the best weddings of 2011 (in no particular order):

1.    Sweta & Kunal

When Kunal couldn’t find an elephant or a horse to ride into his wedding, he simply went for a cherry red Ford Mustang convertible, but the ensuing parade of friends and family was no less grandiose and fun as they wound their way to the Westin Hotel. The service was typical Hindu affair save for the breath-taking Sweta who, despite spending the service mostly silent and subdued, definitely stole all the attention with her piercing gaze and ornate garb. However, it was after the service when the real fun began, as the newly weds posed for some incredible photos and danced the night away.

See Trailer!

2.    Jessica & Michael

When a wedding takes place in a library, one would expect a quiet affair, but not in the beautiful, historic Boston Public Library. Jessica & Michael spoke their vows within the stone courtyard with smartly dressed guests and a gurgling fountain nearby creating an old-world, extravagant atmosphere. After, the new bride and her groom withdrew to the library’s brick and marble ballroom to celebrate their marriage with friends and family. The whole scene was magical, especially when night fell and the courtyard became a spectacle of orange candlelight and delicate flowers.

See Trailer!

3.    Josh & Meg

Barns aren’t for animals! They are prime wedding destinations. Especially the Barn at Gibbet Hill. The orange sun streaming through the lush landscape and bathing the newlyweds in a blanket of glowing warmth seemed to mirror the newlywed’s unending affection for one another as they walked into the sunset. Later, Josh and Meg’s entrance through the heavy wood-framed doorway into a space bristling with friends and family cheering from all sides was easily the grandest start to a reception last year. And when the dances and cake cutting were complete, Josh sat himself down with his guitar and serenaded his new wife . . . No, that doesn’t just happen in movies!

See Trailer!

4.    Tara & Michael

The moment Tara & Michael chose to marry at the Wequassett Resort along the Cape, they knew they would have a spectacular wedding in one of the best vistas in Massachusetts and New England. But a perfect wedding day on the beach has to be preluded by a seafood dinner with friends, a talented drag queen, and good conversation. By the time the next morning broke over the croquet lawn by the sea, dozens of hands began meticulously preparing for the service to come: Lining up chairs, stringing flowers, and humming sweet melodies. The guests were met by a stout bagpiper, then a string quartet and when Tara finally made her way down the terraced hill to Michael, the sun shone through the overcast and kept on gleaming until day’s end.

See Trailer!

5.    Dave & Kate

What stood out about this wedding was the creativity and thought that went into the different details. The bride chose to use sunflowers for her bouquets, and she made them herself the morning of the wedding! The bridesmaids wore royal blue dresses, offering a strong contrast to the flowers. The colors looked beautiful in their formals when they were all together outside. To show their quirkiness, the bride and her bridesmaids wore yellow sunglasses, while the groom and his groomsmen wore blue and yellow sneakers. Going along with the sunflower theme, the table assignments were written on jars with sunflower seeds in them. A great addition to the reception was an outdoor photobooth where the guests could dress up and take pictures together.

See Trailer!

6.    Gina & Mike

One word I would use to describe Gina and Mike’s wedding is “fun.” From the girls getting their makeup done, to the formals on the boat deck, to the dancing at the reception, the bride and groom along with their family and bridal party seemed to be having a great time. Sometimes keeping to schedule can be difficult and/or stressful on one’s wedding day. However, everything seemed to be easygoing and enjoyable. What was also cool about this wedding was their beach theme, not to mention they got married on Cape Cod. The bride’s heels were yellow with painted on seashells. Also, the reception included a cake with painted starfish and seashells, centerpieces filled with sand and shells, and Cape Cod chips on every table.

See Trailer!

7.    Melissa & Reese

My favorite part about Melissa and Reese’s wedding was their formals. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather and their location, they took photos all throughout the Boston Commons. They posed in the gardens, by the Swan Boats, and on the carousel. It was almost as if they were two kids again. The colors look stunning in their video. Also helping that was the bride’s pink bouquet and heels. Melissa and Reese took more formals in a residential area with a hot pink umbrella. The way the light was shining casted a shadow on the couple, and all you see is the silhouette of them kissing. What I also liked about the wedding was their theme: travel. At the reception, the table assignments were posted on luggage tags. Also, they had a map hanging up where guests could pin different cities and countries they have traveled to before.

See Trailer!

8.    Ariel & Tyler

Ariel and Tyler proved that you don’t have to have an extravagant wedding for it to be enjoyable. Their wedding day was simple, yet elegant. They got married at the Red Barn at Outlook Farm. Their ceremony took place in the same room as their reception; it included barn style posts and beam construction with a fireplace to give a homey feel. What also stood out were the couple’s formals. The venue includes a wedding garden and a golf course. Before they even got onto the green, the groom drove the golf cart as the bride leaned on him with her bare feet hanging over the front. On the course, the videographer was able to get shots of them using the slider; the groom dipped his bride next to the hole, walked with her hand in hand, and sat with her on the green.

See Trailer!

9.    Kelly & Eric

Kelly and Eric got married at the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. This venue is stunning due to the rows of grapevines and its openness. It’s a quaint spot for a wedding because it’s so isolated from everything else. Kelly and Eric were able to take their formals in the middle of the vineyards. The weather on their wedding day was beautiful so they were able to take amazing photos. Also, her bouquet really popped in the footage because of the red flowers. Besides the vineyard, they were able to take formals inside where all the barrels of wine were.

See Trailer!

10.    Mike & Zina

Mike & Zina got married at the Cruiseport Gloucester with the assistance of their seven bridesmaids and nine groomsmen. It was hard to miss the bride and groom and their bridal party since they were dressed in bold red dresses and flowers. Not missing out on the excitement were the bride’s two dogs. The two of them were decked in a wedding dress and tuxedo. Between the gorgeous photos taken by the water and all the dancing at the reception, Mike and Zina’s wedding was a blast.

See Trailer!

Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod

Tara & Michael had an spectacular wedding at the beautiful Wequassett resort on Cape Cod. The Waquassett is one of the most romantic, sophisticated and memorable settings in New England. The couple exchanged their vows on a beautiful seaside lawn, surrounded by lush flowergardens with a backdrop of the pulchritudinous Pleasant Bay. We sent out three videographers to document the timeless event.

The Wequassett Resort: Tara & Michael from McElroy Weddings on Vimeo.

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