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 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.

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.

MIT Endicott House

Hyatt Harborside in Boston

The Westin in Waltham

Omni Parker House

 

The Lake View Pavillion

Jim & Janise’s wedding at the Lake View Pavilion was absolutely amazing. The Lake View Pavilion provides aquaint and beautiful outdoor setting for a ceremony and reception, which harbors a lakeside backdrop and cobblestone gazebo. The Grand Ballroom is very luxurious, fabric-draped cathedral ceilings, with an incredulous view off of a balcony overlooking the lake. This wedding is a perfect make for a magnificent affair steeped in elegance and romance. The unmatched beauty of Lake View Pavilion will take your breath away. Enjoy this wedding trailer and see for yourself!!

View Trailer Here!

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