One trendy post processing technique is called Texturing. The key to texturing is picking the right type of textures, and the right combination to give the photo a special feel.

Boe Lefebvre, of Pokedog Photography, utilizes a variety of techniques. For example, he says:

"I might overlay an image of a scuffed up cement wall to give the image depth, and then add a vivid image of green grass for color, and finally a blurred image of bright street lights to vary the tone and exposure. There can be millions of combinations and unlimited layers created to craft a work of fine art that a wedding couple could have printed on canvas to hang on their wall as a conversation piece, without feeling the need to pull it down after the one year anniversary."

www.pokedog.com

By Ben Rose

Let me start by saying that I love Christmas music. If I could only take 1 album to a desert island it would be a fight between an Elvis and a Chipmunk’s Christmas album.

That said, nobody who books me for a Party/Wedding in December wants to hear Christmas Carols all night.

My top 10 songs for holiday parties and weddings during the holidays goes something like this…

1) At Last, Etta James: This is the perfect first dance for a wedding or any couple in love.

2) Can’t Hurry Love, The Supremes : Get the party off to a great start; when we rock this one out, the dance floor fills instantly.

3) I’ll Be Home for Christmas: You can’t have happywithout sad, and this may be the saddest song of all time…if only in my dreams.
4) Twist and Shout, The Beatles: Even the Beatles turned to this one when the party needed a boost.
5) White Christmas: An obvious choice, but I like to speed it up into a fun ska number.

6) Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison: The most requested song in the book, but we don`t hold that against it.

7) Baby it`s Cold Outside: A witty, charming duet you can only play…when it’s cold outside.

8) Island in the Sun, Weezer: Counter-programming for the people that are sick of the cold.

9) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Monty Python: A lot of people get depressed during winter (especially Christmas), and if my rocked-up version of this one doesn’t cheer them up nothing will. It’s also on my new album, Cowtown.

10) Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Lastly, the most beautiful song ever written. Whether the Bride is walking down the isle or the party is winding down someone will have a tear in their eye.

For more of Bens’ insights…http://www.benrose.ca

photo source: www.weddingstar.com

Guest favors are a unique and practical way to add color or personalization to any event. Not only can they be used to complete your decor, but will also be a great keepsake for your guests. Edmonton Wedding and Party Centre is an exclusive retailer or both Kate Aspen and Wedding Star products that are sure to add a bit of wow to any wedding! Visit www.edmontonwedding.com for more details.

Looking for a unique way to create the perfect wedding without leaving your backyard? Special Event Rentals provides a range of sculpted, high-peaked, white pole and frame tents to accommodate the most intimate of events to grand, all out bashes. Seating anywhere from 10 to over 1000 people, Special Event Rentals can help make your dream outdoor wedding a reality!

Mix it up! Try using a bold color like the Tiffany Satin and Aqua Organza (pictured above) or the Chocolate Eternity and Amethyst (pictured below) to add some pop to neutrals such as whites, beiges, and browns. Any season is a great season for color, so try adding some to your fall, winter, spring or summer wedding. All linen provided by Special Event Rentals. Decorating and coordinating services provided by Event Planning Headquarters.

Despite its name, The Drowsy Chaperone should keep audiences wide awake and entertained.
“It’s actually a musical within a comedy,” director Max Reimer says. “The (character) Man in Chair tells the story of a 20s musical (that) actually materializes before the eyes of the audience.”  According to Reimer, The Drowsy Chaperone is about a showgirl that is getting married but she and the groom are both getting cold feet. In fear of losing the showgirl in the entertainment industry, gangsters try to stop the wedding.

“There’s an intelligence behind it, and the more you know about musical theatre, the more you love it,” he says.

The Citadel’s production of the show also includes three local actors – Julien Arnold, John Ullyatt, and Susan Gilmour. Reimer has returned to the city where he says it all started.

Click Here to Read More at The Edmonton Examiner!

Congratulations!

You’re getting married! Getting engaged is usually one of the most romantic, unforgettable events of your life. Excitement, tears, fears, congratulations, bridal jitters,
and love abound but so does the reality of planning the big day. So how do you get everything looked after without getting overwhelmed and also being able to take time to enjoy this

Two Great Ways To Plan Your Wedding

Enjoy our Wedding Survival Guide and Planner online. To start using this valuable tool click on the banner below:

Click the banner below if you would like to download the free wedding planner as a PDF.

The word is out, Alberta’s own Jillian Harris, star of this seasons The Bachlorette, and Ed Swiderski are engaged! And according to the Calgary Herald, they are opting for a down-home Alberta wedding. Click on the link below to check out the article:

“Alberta wedding a possibility for Bachlorette”.

 Jillian Harris and Ed Swiderski got engaged in Hawaii, on the set of
The Bachelorette. (Photo: ABC)

Part 1: The Engagement Party

This party serves as the official announcement of the engagement. When extending invitations to guests, you may wish to not state purpose of the party (i.e. the engagement), as it is often nice to make the announcement a surprise. For a wonderful selection of invitations for your engagement visit The Paper Tree.

The party can be hosted by either the bride or groom’s family. It is the host’s responsibility to announce the engagement with a toast.

The form of this party can range from a formal sit down dinner to a more casual summer barbecue, or even a cocktail party. Making this a catered dinner will let the bride & groom-to-be have a night to relax before the planning busyness begins. Check out Ovation Catering & Banquets, serving the greater Edmonton region. The formality of this event should be established by both the bride and groom as well as the host, as this party sets the tone fore the rest of the engagement.

Severed Shoe - a broken heel is basically impossible to fix on the spot so act like a boy scout and always be prepared. Bring an extra pair of shoes with you. They don’t have to be the exact same shoe - just have the same heel height. If you don’t have a spare pair, don’t do barefoot - at least not for the ceremony or the pictures. Borrow some shoes from a guest or one of your bridesmaids. Even if they don’t match, most people won’t notice. However, they will notice your ten little piggies poking out from under your dress. If you still have a lot of time before the wedding, ask a friend to run out and get a new pair of shoes for you.
Check one of our Bridal Fantasy exhibitors Mayfair Shoes .

Absent Officiant - surprisingly this does happen to a fair number of couples. See if there is another wedding going on in your ceremony venue and find out if that officiant can marry you. Check the phone book for a marriage commissioner or you can have one of your friends ordained online. You will have to check if that would be legitimate in your area. If none of those options work see if there are any lawyers in the crowd who can legally marry you. Finally, you can ask someone to conduct the ‘spiritual’ ceremony and go down to the courthouse the next day. Keep in mind - it’s not the piece of paper that makes you married, it’s what in your hearts.

Sweaty Groom - wedding day nerves combined with a hot day equals a perspiring groom. If you’re prepared for this, then your groom won’t have to worry about showing any wet spots. Bring an extra shirt for the groom - two if you know he’s going to have a problem. If you can’t get an extra, have your guy duck into the prep room at your ceremony site and blow-dry whatever spots you can see with the cool setting. Carry some antiperspirant for him in your emergency bag.