Enagement shoot ideas

One of the easiest ways to give your engagement session a little more flair is to incorporate props that will give your images more personality. Here are just a few ideas to get you started!

If either of you play an instrument bring it along, consider different styles of hats or glass to change your look and add some fun without changing clothing. Balloons (one big or lots of little ones) are becoming very popular in engagement shoots for that extra fun factor, as are home made signs. For a personal touch why not bring along your pet to the shoot. My personal fave is shoes. If you've got some fabulous ones, bring them. And of course flowers are simple but effective.

Another fun way to personalize your engagement shoot is to come up with a theme that fits your relationship such as particular periods - pick one that suits you best and roll with it incorporating location, clothing and styles. Perhaps you have a favorite film you'd like to reenact or why not have a professional photographer shoot the actual proposal!

Regardless of what props and style you opt for, get out of the park and off the beach and find some locations that are really unique. Go to places that are important to you and that fit your personalities. Think about the location of your first date or where you got engaged, where you met, an old library, a sweet shop, some old markets, a local fair or even a museum.

Professional Wedding Planner - Do you need one?

When it comes to planning a wedding, the devil is in the detail.  Wedding gowns, eues, cakes, invitations, the list for a bride-to-be can be endless, but what about all the little things that make the day truly special?
If planning your day seems like an overwhelming task, then it might be time to call in the experts. Wedding planners offer different levels of service, from planning the entire event to organising just a few aspects.

But what do wedding planners actually do, and how will you benefit from having a professional help you plan the most important day of your life?

A stress-free wedding
A wedding planner should take on the role of your best friend – someone who has all the contacts, ideas and experience to help you plan your dream day and someone who most importantly, is there every step of the way to ensure you’re focussed on the bigger picture. That being said, you may want to hire a planner to organise just a few of the big ticket items, such as sourcing a space or providing creative inspiration, rather than having someone do everything from hiring suppliers to handling all the finishing touches.  Either way, a resourceful planner will point you in the right direction and help you find exactly what you want with the minimum of fuss and provide sound advice.

Expense
The cost of a wedding planner varies depending on how much involvement your planner has but in every circumstance, hiring a planner should save you money, not just stress! Good planners have strong relationships with suppliers and are skilled at negotiating lower prices, they are are also aware of all the hidden costs associated with big events, such as security, bottle removal and cake-cutting fees, which can help you avoid a budget blow-out.

Choosing your planner
When it comes to deciding on a planner, it goes without saying that it is crucial to do your research. Websites will give you a good first impression, but you should make appointments and meet potential planners in person to make sure you are comfortable with their approach and style of work. My advice is, go on your gut instinct. If it’s like catching up with an old friend, she’s the one.

Timing
For brides who want to work with a planner, timing is reasonably important. Any good planner will prefer to meet potential clients as early as possible and spend time getting to know the couple. Consider employing a planner eight to twelve months before your wedding date. The more time you have, the more choices you have when it comes to suppliers, especially if you’re planning to wed in peak seasons, such as spring and summer.