Grand Opening - A Portrait Boutique

For those of you who live in the Chicagoland area Love To Promote is excited to share that we will be displaying our gift items at A Portrait Boutique.

A Portrait Boutique is a new Photography Studio they are opening their doors October 11th with a big bash!! We will have an actress from PBS television singing, free hot dogs, a local caterer will be bringing goodies, face painting, pumpkin decorating for the kids and a local DJ - Groovin Greg will be there. If you are in the Plainfield area and want to stop by we will be launching this fun-filled event at 11AM until around 3PM.

We will have excellent door prizes and free bandanas for all doggie visitors. Bring your friends neighbors, children and pets to this FREE family fun event.

A Portrait Boutique/Love To Promote (Displayed)

www.aportraitboutique.com

14722 S Naperville Rd. - Suite 106

Plainfield, IL 60544

Feel free to visit my website to learn more about my business www.LoveToPromote.com
We sell a full line of accessories, personalized gifts, promotional products, invitations, and announcements.

A Portrait Boutique's owner Lesa Zonsius takes pride in what she does, she will be offering pet portraits, outdoor photos, as well as family portraits. She has several backdrops and is great with children. You will have fun taking pictures at her lovely boutique.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PHOTOGRAPHER

When planning a wedding there are many choices you have to make and it may seem overwhelming which is very common. However, when looking for the right photographer to capture your memories it is not as complicated as you may think. First ask friends and family members if they have a recommendation of a photographer. Also look online for other bride's feedback of their photographer at places like The Knot etc. Visualize your photos and how you want them to be. That will help you decide if the photographer can achieve what you are looking for when viewing their portfolio. Make a decision what type of personality you are best suited with. It is very important that you feel comfortable with the photographer as you will be with them all day long and so will your family and friends.

Here are the basic questions you may want to ask when interviewing photographers:

• How long have they been in business?
• What are some locations they have worked at?
• Are they a member of a photographer's organization?
• Who is the photographer you are hiring and are you able to meet or talk with them before the big day?
• Look at the photographer's samples not samples of other employed photographers.
• What type of photography style do they offer - candid, traditional or both?
  Candid is not posed and usually non-invasive. Traditional is staging shots and is a hands on approach throughout the day. Both is when traditional shots are staged mostly during house coverage after you are dressed and after the church as well as park coverage. The rest of the evening is usually done in candid style and you are left alone except for a few traditional shots during the cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss, etc.
• Can you speak with their former clients for references?
• Do their packages include albums and if so what exactly are you getting?
• Do they offer the digital negatives?
  You may want to be sure they are the high resolution images as they sometimes may not offer that. High resolution is the highest quality as they were taken which ensures that you can print a large photo without loosing quality.
• Make sure there are no hidden costs. Sometimes there is a pricing method that is just a starting point and may not include certain things such as all day coverage, upgraded albums, print quality and or sizes.
• See if they can throw in an engagement photo if you go with their high end package. Some photographers are more than willing to include something with their highest package. It doesn't hurt to ask.

This article was written by Lesa Zonsius of ZonCom Productions Inc..
Visit their website at www.Zoncom.com for more information on their services.

Most Popular First Dance Songs

First Dance music: First dance as husband and wife.

• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• Can I Have This Dance? (Ann Murray)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• It Had To Be You (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
• I Cross My Heart (George Strait)
• I Swear (John M. Montgomery or All 4 One)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Michael Feinstein)
• When You Say Nothing At All (Allison Krauss)
• Faithfully (Journey)
• No Ordinary Love (Sade)
• Here And Now (Luther Vandross)
• I Can Love you Like That (John M. Montgomery)
• Power Of Love (Celine Dion)
• Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)
• Everything I Do {I Do For You} (Bryan Adams)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)
• All My Life (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• I'll Be There (Mariah Carey)
• On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)
• At Last (Etta James)
• Don't Know Much (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)

*These are the most requested songs, but there are many others. Ask your DJ.

7 Great Tips Before You Get Married!!

1. The most important: Marry the right person. I didn’t say the perfect person since they don’t exist but marry the right person for you. Marry your soul mate. Someone who makes you laugh, that comforts you when you are down, who loves you for who you are now what you look like . Someone you want to grow old with.

2. You can never be over-prepared. Read books. Prepare. Befriend married couples and ask them lots of questions. Take pre-marital counseling classes.

3. Make the planning process easy - Keep it simple and ask for help when you need it.

4. The Wedding isn’t a show. It’s a worship service and celebration. Don’t do stuff to impress people but rather, make choices that are meaningful and reflect you and your relationship.

5. Honor your parents. The wedding isn’t just for you. It’s an opportunity to honor your guests, your family, but especially your parents. Carve out time during the actual wedding ceremony to speak heart to heart to your parents and let them know how much you appreciate them.

6. PLEASE do not go into DEBT to just put on a fancy party. The location, food, and glitz in the end it will be a memory - Save your money for a down payment on a house or go on a great Honeymoon.

7. It only happens once. So ENJOY!

How To Choose A Wedding Ring

Teddy Shattock, managing director of Aldridge Jewellers on London show us how to choose a wedding ring. The selection of a wedding ring could be one of the most critical decisions of your life; so get it right with VideoJug's assistance. To see this video or more like it visit this site at: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-choose-a-wedding-ring

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Step 1:

Determine your ring size

Before buying your wedding ring, make sure that you know your ring size. Use a ring sizer that you will find at a jewellers to determine your ring size. You can also watch our film, "How to work out your ring size" for some helpful tips.
You should allow enough time, about eight weeks, before your wedding for the ring to be fitted or altered in any way so it is ready for the big day.

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Step 2:

Match your engagement ring

The most helpful starting point when choosing a wedding ring is to remember that it should complement the engagement ring. Choose the same metal for your wedding ring as that of your engagement ring. Traditionally, the wedding ring goes on first. Try them on together to see if the wedding band needs to be specially shaped to fit the engagement ring. It is not essential to wear the wedding ring on the same finger as the engagement ring. You may prefer to move your engagement ring to your right hand once you are married to make space for the wedding ring on the left hand, especially if it is elaborate in style. This allows each ring to stand alone and shine in all their glory.

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Step 3:

Which metal?

Wedding rings are usually made from yellow gold, white gold or platinum. They can be 9k, 18k or 22k gold. The higher the karat number, the softer the gold so if you work with your hands, buy a lower karat to avoid scratches. White gold is a popular choice as it can also be worn with silver or platinum jewellery. Platinum is the hardest metal and does not need to be mixed with an alloy so it is safe for allergy sufferers. It is a more expensive choice than gold.

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Step 4:

Gem set rings

Although some cultures only allow plain wedding bands, gem set wedding bands have become very fashionable. These can sometimes overpower the engagement ring when worn on the same finger. If you do decide to buy a diamond set wedding band, you may find it looks best worn alone on your left hand.

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Step 5:

Wedding Rings for men

Although this was not always the case, it is now very common for men to wear wedding rings. The man's ring usually matches the woman's and is made from the same metal. It should be a slightly wider band to suit a more masculine hand shape. The most common choice for men's wedding rings are plain bands. If you are not used to wearing a ring, a comfort fit ring is recommended. This is oval in cross section and has rounded edges so allows more flexibility.

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Step 6:

The right choice

Whichever wedding ring you choose, make sure it is one that you are happy to wear for the rest of your life. It can be any design you like as long as it reflects your personality and style. The right wedding ring will be as timeless as your relationship.

SAVE THE DATE CARD ETIQUETTE

SAVE THE DATE CARDS

About Save The Date Cards - This pre-invitation mailing officially announces your wedding date and lets guests know that they will, in fact, be invited to the celebration. If your wedding will be on a holiday, save-the-date cards would be typically send a year to six months in advance. If it is a destination wedding make sure to make that known to your guests and send those out 8-12 months in advance.

Are Save The Date Cards Necessary? Only if you are having your wedding on a holiday weekend, during the busy summer months, or if out of town guests will need to make travel arrangements. Consider it a heads up for those you really want at your wedding.

Who Do I Send Save The Date Cards To? Anyone you really want to come to your wedding. A must is Bridal party, Immediate Family members, and close friends. Once you send them out there is no turning back so be sure you really plan to invite them to your wedding.

Do I Need To Include "& Guest" On The Cards? Be as specific as you can. Being upfront about who is invited also gives families with uninvited kids enough time to plan for child care, and out-of-town guests enough time to figure out their travel needs. Be sure to use their formal names not nicknames on these cards. Address them exactly as you would your formal invitations.


To order your Save The Date Cards visit our secure website at :
www.LoveToPromote.cceasy.com

Invitations Explained...

Choosing invitations can be intimidating if you don't know what some of the terms or names mean. You will find on this Blog explanations to the terms used:

Seal n Send Invitations:
This type of wedding invitation is mailed to guests as a single-folded piece (that does not include an envelope) having the respond postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal. Due to the respond piece being a postcard, you will end up saving on postage for the return mailing.

Announcements:
This is often used for people you know that will not be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card. This can also be used for family members that live out of town or that are elderly and can't make it. Announcements can be printed on the same paper as your invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place.

Reception Cards:
This lists all the details for your reception, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert. Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.

Response Cards:
These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations. The response card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your wedding invitation. Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also have a mailing address already printed on it so all your guests have to do is fill out the card and mail it back by the date you have printed on it.

Lined Inner Envelopes:
For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your wedding invitation ensemble. Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose. Some selections may include this with the price of the invitations.

Envelope Seals:
These self-adhesive labels add a nice finishing touch. They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.

Our professional staff is always eager to help you choose the perfect invitation for your special day feel free to call me personally at 1-815-603-2324 or call us toll free at:
1-877-290-8487 access code KCS90

Love To Promote is a proud dealer of Carlson Craft Invitations, Fine Accessories, Gifts, & more...