4.22.2014

Top 4 Reasons to Plan an Intimate Wedding Reception

Weddings are the most memorable events in a couple’s life, apart from the birth, perhaps, of their first child.  And with that, couples, especially, the bride, always want it to be unique, maybe extravagant and impressive.  The decision on the kind of wedding to have – whether it be grandiose or intimate – is also affected by the couple’s interests, theme and even budget.  Those who want an intimate wedding reception decide on it for several different reasons.  They may be:

      1.  The guest list.  Couples who opt for an intimate wedding want to be surrounded exclusively by people who have meant so much to them and have played a vital role in who they have become.  They often limit their guest list to family and close friends.  Having a smaller guest list also allows both sides of the family to get to know each other better.  Close friends who may have brought the couple together can also share the couple’s story and add a romantic touch to the occasion.

      2. Budget.  An intimate wedding reception could also be dictated by the budget.  Wedding receptions are the most costly aspect of planning a wedding.  Trimming down the budget for the reception can be a constraint.  On the other hand, it has some perks.  Firstly, you get an intimate wedding.  Secondly, it helps you get creative.  You might want your attendants to help make your tokens.  It could be eco-friendly, like printing your invitations on recycled paper or going digital.  Thirdly, it could mean a free venue.  The reception can be held in either of your parent’s backyard or it can be held in a school hall of which your friend is the principal or the dean.

      3. Venue.  The venue for your wedding reception may not be dictated by the budget but a place could be your choice for the meaning it holds.  You may be a camp worker and find that a spot at camp is ideal for the kind of wedding that you have in mind.  Or maybe, you and your soon-to-be spouse are outdoorsy types and there’s a spot near a hiking trail or a park which you think provides the best scenery for an outdoor wedding.  Both ideas may not necessarily limit the number of guests, but the venue may call for a laid-back but intimate wedding.  Laid-back doesn’t also mean unsophisticated.  It can be simple, yet elegant.

4. Opulence.  Yes, that is correct.  If budget is not an issue for you, you can go all-out on a very unique wedding.  Instead of a band or a dj, you might want a string quartet for that romantic and intimate feel.  If you choose to hold your reception in a club or exclusive resort, you might have a cocktail party first, followed by a sit-down dinner with several courses paired with vintage wines and maybe, a wine fountain.  Most of all, you can hie off to a grand honeymoon, whisked off by a helicopter or a yacht.  Now, isn’t that romantic?  


For more useful tips visit our website: www.pictureandcinema.com

4.20.2014

The Best Wedding Venues in San Francisco - The Regency Ballroom

The Best Wedding Venues in San Francisco through the eye of a Professional Wedding Photographer 

Weddings at The Regency

Any bride would do her best to make her wedding truly memorable not only for her and his groom, but also for the guests.  Guests are not mere acquaintances of the couple but are special people who have been part of the couple’s lives.  It is no wonder that weddings are planned with detail to the point that sometimes brides become bridezilla.  But at The Regency Center, special consideration is given for brides.  The Regency Center takes out the stress of planning for a wedding.  Knowing that a couple faces the constraints of budgeting, the couple can choose from a great list of preferred vendors.

If the couple has a caterer in mind, The Regency Center also welcomes outside catering.  This is advantageous if a couple has a friend or relative who is a caterer and would probably give discounts and freebies as a wedding gift.

There is no in-house wedding coordinator or planner at The Regency Center but their people, like Bailey Nakano, their Private Event Sales Manager, works with couples or their planners and coordinators to achieve that special wedding event that any bride envisions.  Bailey’s experiences have taught her that couples are often concerned with how much time they can use the venue.  That is understandable because every host wants to make sure that guests have a good time during their wedding.  And that’s what The Regency Center offers – hourly rates for use of the venue.  In that way, couples can stretch their budgets.

When it comes to working with vendors, The Regency Center expects open communication from them so that details are not left to assumptions and the couple gets what they envisaged.  Couples are also entitled to several ocular inspections so that they have a feel for the venue and are able to take advantage of its old-world charm, having been built in the early 20th century. 
If you expect around 380 guests for your wedding, you can use the Regency Ballroom.  It has a stage for a band and a dance floor; 430 if you prefer to do away with the dance floor.  You or most likely, your family, can use the parlor to catch up on the lives of your relatives who might be from out of town.  They might prefer the privacy and calm of the parlor when the wedding party is in full swing.



If your budget constrains you from a larger crowd, opt for a Sutter room, which accommodates crowd of 300. It also has a stage and an annex room if you go slightly over a guest list of 300 or if you want an area where your guests can lounge around after your wedding program.

Lastly, if you desire a more intimate gathering that accommodates 200 guests, there's the Lodge. You still have a stage and dance floor. What makes this room a lot more intimate and romantic are its stained glass windows and a charming pipe organ. On the same level as the lodge are the Candidate Room and the Regency Room which can made as parlor or lounging area. Such rooms can also hold engagement parties or used to receive guests before the actual banquet if you are to follow the Chinese wedding tradition.



You can read more here about The Regency Ballroom: http://www.theregencyballroom.com/

You can read soon about the next one of the Best Venue of San Francisco!

For more useful tips visit our website: www.pictureandcinema.com

4.07.2014

Lifestyle and street photos - www.pictureandcinema.com


















Some Useful Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners - www.pictureandcinema.com

There will be hardly any happier moment in one’s life than the birth of a baby. Apart from the parents, everyone else in the family greatly celebrates this occasion and showers their love and affection on the newborn. And, it is only apparent that people would like to capture the tender moments of their infant by means of photographs and treasure them for a long time. Newborn photography calls for specific skills and professional photographic services like Picture & Cinema specialize in it delivering exceptional pictures of babies. However, if you’re keen to do this yourself, following are a few useful tips from our years of experience:
·       Feed your baby just before starting your photography session. With a full belly, babies will be a lot happier and will sleep soundly without creating any trouble in your picture taking.


·       Keep the baby awake for a couple of hours prior to the photography. This way, they will get tired and fall asleep at the time of taking photos if you want them to be clicked in their sleep. Giving them a bath is a good way to keep them active.


·       Morning is the best time for newborn photography since it has been found that most babies have a sound sleep during this period. Babies may not be in the best of moods in the afternoon.


·       Pay attention to keeping the baby warm. Since you’re going to take their pictures without clothing, you should keep the room as well as any blanket to cover them suitably warm. This aids your baby in sleeping more soundly.


·       Capture your newborn’s images as early as possible. It is advisable to photograph your baby within the first 2 weeks after birth. This is the period when they sleep deeply, curl up easily and give lovable postures.




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·       Be patient as newborn photography might be time-consuming. It takes time to have the right pose and capture the small details like yawning, keeping the palms on the chest, etc.


For more useful tips visit our site: www.pictureandcinema.com