Summertime is perfect for capturing a great portrait. By taking advantage of the weather, your location possibilities are endless! While not everyone is as photogenic as the next, these photo tips can help you capture the perfect shot!

The 3 Keys To A Dynamic Portrait

• Good Lighting
• Creative Locations
• Great Poses

Body language speaks loudly about one's character, especially in a picture! With a little practice and confidence, you can create a beautiful and unique picture.

Head:

• Lean slightly toward the camera to give your face more definition
• Tilting your head back gives an attitude of  "punk"
• Tilting your head back to the "high" shoulder expresses a fun and flirty look
• Tilting your head down toward the "low" shoulder express power
• Find the best angle and work with it!

Eyes:

• Look slightly above the camera
• Smile with your eyes, but don't squint

Mouth:

• Create  a natural smile, not showing too much of your gums
• A three-quarter smile is perfect
• Think of something funny, your first crush, go ahead and laugh a little
• Keep your smile as natural as possible; A forced smile can make you look stiff

Shoulders:

• Pull your shoulders back and suck in your stomach slightly
• Turn your body 3 quarters toward the camera

Arms/Hands:

• Hold arms slightly away from body
• Keep elbows slightly and naturally bent
• Girls, fingers should look long and elegant
• Guys,  hands should be slightly fisted

Hips:

• Tilting your hips forward will make you seem more slender

Legs/Feet:

• Standing with legs hip width apart give an air of strength
• One leg should hold your body weight while the other leg is bent or extended behind like a graceful dancer
• Feet at different angles or heights will add more depth
• Standing 3 quarters toward the camera with one foot pointed toward the camera will make you seem more slender

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Stand in front of the mirror staring at your self a for a few minutes, watch how your face changes with each emotion. Try different smiles, angles, attitudes and see what works best for you. Be creative and let your personality shine! When you are ready for your portraits, contact a photographer in your area and arrange a time and location. Go with what is natural, think happy thoughts and be confident. You will be happy with the end results!

This post is brought to you by Austin Wedding Photographers.
Not in Austin, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a wedding photographer near you!

So you've been asked to be the Maid of Honor, now what? As you know, being the maid of honor is an honor indeed! The bride has chosen you most likely because you are her closest and most trustworthy friend. She is putting her faith in you to help through the planning and celebrating stages of one of the most important days of her life.

As the maid of honor, you are now her right hand man. Well woman, for the next few months! Even though the responsibilities of the maid of honor are great, the most important one is to be there for the bride when she needs you. Be her shoulder to lean on, her advisor when she asks and best friend through the emotional stress that she will go through!

Here is a list of what is expected from the Maid of Honor:

To be the leader: Of the bridesmaids, assigning duties, planning dress fittings, planning the pre-wedding parties and arranging all bridesmaid's activities.

To help the Bride when choosing invitations, wedding colors, flowers and of course the cake!

To attend ALL pre-wedding parties

To host or co-host bridal shower

To plan the Bachelorette party

To keep track of gifts received at all pre-wedding parties

To coordinate bridesmaids attendance to the rehearsal; arranging for transportation and lodging

To make sure that the bridesmaids are ready for the ceremony with their flowers, dresses, hair, makeup and accessories

To hold the groom's ring during the ceremony

To hold the bride's bouquet during the vows

To sign the marriage license

To play hostess at the reception

To collect and secure gift envelopes at reception

To stand in the receiving Line

To make sure that the bride eats during the reception

And finally, to make a toast to the bride and groom

Although the list of responsibilities may seem overwhelming, you are allowed to delegate to the other bridesmaids if help is needed. Be sure to remember that this is the bride's day, you are there to aid her in making this day as carefree as possible! And don't forget to have fun!

This post is brought to you by Saint Louis Bridesmaid Dress Suppliers.
Not in Saint Louis, MO? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find bridesmaid dresses near you!

In the US it is customary for the maid/matron of honor and the bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses.  But what happens if the dress the bride picks for the maids is very expensive and not all the bridesmaids can afford the dress?

With the tough economics times, this predicament is happening often. What should you do if this problem comes up as your planning your wedding? What is the proper wedding etiquette?

These are your friends so you're going to have a heads up on their personal issue such as a job layoff.  Good etiquette dictates that you speak to each woman and make sure they feel comfortable with the price.

If not, offer to pay for the bridesmaid dress. If you can't afford to pay for the dress yourself, then it is time to reevaluate the dress choice.  Can you rent them?  If n0t, is there a suitable less expensive substitute?

Keep in mind that you want these women to be a part of your wedding. It is one of the biggest days of your life.  The bridesmaid dress they wear shouldn't be as important as them not being at your wedding.

Family can make this issue a bit tricky, especially when it is your new family that may be having the money issue.  What I suggest for instance, if your new to be sister-in-law is the one with the money issue then your fiancé should speak with his sister.  You should definitely be there when he does.

In this case, you and your fiancé should offer to pay for the bridesmaid dress.  Let her know that it is a gift that you would like to share with her, because you both want her in the wedding party.

The best thing you can do when faced with this situation, is to not make a big deal out of it.  Work with your friends and family to come up with a solution.  Remember, the key to a great wedding is for it to be conflict free.

This post is brought to you by Bismarck Formal Wear providers.
Not in Bismarck, ND? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find a formal wear supplier near you!

Is it proper wedding etiquette to ask that children not attend a wedding?   Yes, it is your wedding so it is your decision.  However, expect backlash if you've decided not to include children at your wedding.  What isn't proper etiquette is to have it printed or even hand written on the invitations NO Children.

To easy any backlash, you can explain to your closer relatives and friends that you're not able to accommodate all the children.

In large families, you could be looking at another dozen or more guests and that can be costly if you're having a dinner reception after the ceremony.

You will be hit with all types of pleas to allow children.  Stand your ground and be firm, but nice.

A good way to head off any problems would be to get your wedding party in on spreading the verbal word that this is an adult only wedding and reception.

Write or visit friends and relatives who have kids and explain to them why you've made a choice to not have children.

Be forward and blunt with any guest who tells you they will be brings their kids.  Tell them, "I am sorry, but we aren't able to accommodate any children".

They may retort back with, "We won't be attending your wedding".  At that point tell them your sorry they made that decision and they will be missed.

One thing you might consider is by setting age limits, such as no children under 10.  If you're afraid that cousin Jen's little boy will cause a ruckus just as you're sharing your vows during your wedding ceremony, hire a child-care and set aside a room for the kids.  This way you can enjoy a beautiful wedding sans the wails of a fussy child, but they can still come to the wedding reception.

Remember it is your wedding and your choice to make on who is invited.  Stand firm and make no exceptions. By standing firm, you may very well hurt guests feelings so much that they may not attend the wedding.  As you make your decision to say no children and have an adults only wedding, be sure that you can accept that your favorite friend or relative won't attend. Create a wedding that is truly special to you and fits your needs.

This post is brought to you by Louisville Wedding Reception Location providers.
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Ask The Celebration Advisor:

Maybe you can help me with this awkward situation. I am a stepmother to a great daughter who I helped raise since she was 3. She is getting married in
June and her dad and I are paying for most of the expenses(wedding dress, cake, reception, except for
a few decorations the bride has bought). We have hired a DJ for the bride and grooms to choose, photographer, and wedding invitations and rental hall for the reception. She keeps coming up with things that need to be paid for.  Of course with all the planning my husband and I are excited about helping decorate
the reception venue. My daughter told me 3 weeks ago that her mom wants to do all the decorating.  Do you think it is unreasonable that me and her dad be there
to help not do everything but to get the food table together?  I know this day is very important to her mother but we are starting to feel used. What do you think we should do? I want everything to run smoothly and friendly.

–Sandra

Celebration Advisor Reply:

First of all, congratulations on your special occasion. Almost every wedding has an awkward situation arise during the planning process, most of which have a solution. In a perfect world, parents and extended family would sit down, discuss responsibilities and stick to those plans. However, many times the wedding planning process ebbs and flows as new ideas and people enter into the mix, bringing with them unique benefits and occasional problems.

You are on the right track with your desire for the wedding to go smoothly. Too often people focus on themselves, rather than the bride and groom, and relationships become disjointed and dysfunctional. I am sure your generosity has not gone unnoticed, although I understand your desire for input on things that matter most to you.

Given that you and your stepdaughter appear to have a close relationship, I would sit down and calmly and diplomatically discuss your desires and any concerns you may have. Keep in mind that it is her special day, and you may have to adopt a no-strings-attached view of financing the event. However, I trust your relationship is strong enough to endure a sensible discussion to reach a compromise. In fact, it appears you have already have an offer ready by requesting only to decorate the wedding reception tables.

Just remember that your stepdaughter is most likely trying to please all parties and finding it difficult to find a balance between making you and her mom happy. Approaching her in a sincere, calm fashion will let her know your wishes. In fact, she may be happy to oblige.

This Celebration Advisor response is sponsored by St. Augustine, FL, wedding planners.

It's that time of year again, when young men and women will take their finals and move on to their next stage of life. Graduation invitations will arrive, money and gifts will be exchanged, and young boys and girls will take a major step into adulthood.

Many of these graduates will receive monetary gifts to help them as they move to college, begin jobs or move out to live on their own. Writing thank-you notes for such a gift can be difficult. Unlike weddings, where many of the gifts are for immediate use, thanking people for a gift money is much more difficult, particularly when the recent grad is unsure of his or her plans for the money.

Still, however, thank-you notes are a must for anyone who gives a gift of any kind, no exemptions. The good news is, by following a few basic guidelines, writing graduation thank you notes doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it can turn into a rewarding experience of thanking those who have shown valuable care and support.

1. Personalize your notes. I know, sending a generic thank-you note to 50 people would be so much easier. However, adding a personal touch to a card to someone who took the time to send you a gift is the only way to go. Famous etiquette expert Peggy Post said it best: "Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given."

Handwritten notes are by far the best when thanking someone for a gift. Do not print generic cards with only your signature. Sit down a write a few sentences and sign. It doesn't have to be a lengthy note, but a few words thanking the sender will go a long way.

Choosing a unique design is another way to add a special touch to a thank-you note. Cards no longer have to be simple, white and monogrammed. They can have sparkle, color and whatever personalization you choose. Sending your thanks in quality stationery shows that put extra effort in showing your gratitude.

2. Be Timely: This is probably the most difficult part of thank-you etiquette to observe. Trips, moving, studying and countless other activities get in the way as recent grads try to cram as much in over the course of their last summer vacation before school begins in the fall. Sending thank you notes is probably toward the bottom of their list, somewhere next to packing and doing the dishes.

Still, when it comes to graduation thank-you notes, the sooner the better. Although, keep going if you're still sending them out after a few months. The main point is to make certain every gift giver gets a proper thank-you.

3. Be Specific. This could fall under the "personalize" category; however, it is vital to note how the gift will be put to use. Once again, this would be much easier if it was mixer or photo frame, but any effort to let the giver know exactly how they helped will be greatly appreciated. For example, if Aunt Abigail sent $100 and a congratulatory card, a possible reply would be:

Dear Aunt Abigail,

Thank you for sending the thoughtful card and check. Your generosity will certainly come in handy when it's time to purchase text books in the fall.  Thank you for thinking of me, and I hope to see you when I return home for Christmas break.

Sincerely,

Bobby

As you can see, a note does not need to be long to be effective. Also, acknowledging the amount of a monetary gift is optional. In fact, it may be a useful way of letting the sender know that the amount arrive in tact. Don't, however, base your efforts on the value of the gift. Put the same effot into each thank you note.

4. Thank those who didn't send gifts. If you have friends or loved ones who came to your gradation, send them a thank you note as well. Let them know that you are grateful for their attendance and look forward to seeing them again when you return home.

As you can see, while necessary, sending thank-you notes following graduation doesn't need to be difficult. Acknowleding those who have supported you throughout the years and made an effort to see you through to the next step is a vital part of gradution. Take the time to thank them, as they took the time to lend their support.

This post is sponsored by Atlanta, Georgia, invitations and stationery.
Photo by Robert Crum via Flickr Creative Commons.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: We're getting married in Siesta Key, FL with just family (less than 20 people) and having a wedding celebration 2 weeks later. I'm not sure of the activities that should take place at the celebration. Do we cut the cake (again?), does anyone make a toast, do I throw the bouquet, do we dance at our wedding song? I just want it to be special and want to share with everyone in our lives how happy we are. Please help! Kristi

Celebration Advisor Reply:

In this situation, you can plan it just like a wedding reception following the ceremony. Think of it as a belated wedding reception which can be hosted by the couple, the bride's parents, the groom's parents or other family members or friends.

You can include all components of a wedding reception — music, food, cake, flowers, toasts, etc. It can be as formal or as informal as you would like. You can wear your wedding dress and throw a bouquet or you can wear cocktail dress or evening gown. You can cut the wedding cake or have it cut and served to your guests.

When you have a wedding reception a few weeks after the ceremony, you can change the tone of the reception without breaking any etiquette rules. A formal wedding must have a formal wedding reception. In your case, you would not have to have a formal reception. This gives you the opportunity to throw the kind of party you really want.

The only constraint in this situation revolves around gifts. When the reception is held weeks after the ceremony, gifts are not expected. Should guests bring gifts, you should not open them until after the party and you should immediately send thank-you notes.

Remember to send invitations four to six weeks in advance.  Below is a sample of the wording for a belated wedding reception hosted by the bride's parents:

Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Danenger

request the pleasure of your company

at a reception

in honor of

Mr. and Mrs. Simon Barger

[etc]

Good luck and may your wedding reception be the party of your dreams.

I had a friend ask me this a few weeks ago when she was planning her wedding. Her wedding invitations were gorgeous but the script for each was becoming a chore. Her biggest question when asking for my help was "do I still put mom's name on the invitations?" Her mother has been deceased for a few months.

I wanted to say "no" immediately but I knew that it was a sensitive issue. It's still a pretty fresh wound for her so I didn't want to write it off so fast. Instead, I gave her the options that wedding etiquette provides and asked if those would be acceptable.

First, it is not acceptable to put a deceased person's name on the invitation. Instead, the surviving spouse (if there is one) is noted. This is because the wedding invitations typically list only those who are hosting the wedding. While her mother undoubtedly shared in her joy on the wedding day, she was unable to be with us and therefore could not be listed on the invitations. This did not please my friend so I gave her several other options that did not go against the grain of wedding etiquette.

• Ask guests for a charitable contribution in the deceased's name in lieu of wedding gifts
• Include the deceased in a wedding toast, or let the toastmaster know that this would be nice
• Choose the deceased's favorite wedding cake flavor, place a small note beside the cake explaining this
• Cutting a piece of cake in honor of the deceased and either eating it later or presenting it to the surviving spouse

There are many other options that make it a sweet, honorable thing to pay tribute to the deceased. I felt especially compelled to find some way to pay tribute to my friend's mother because she was such a special lady. She raised a great daughter and we both cared deeply for her mother. We knew that we couldn't include

We wanted to keep a line of distinction between a wedding celebration and a memorial, so we chose to honor my friend's mother with a wedding cake tribute. The second tier of my friend's cake was chocolate fudge with vanilla buttercream icing. My friend and her groom (who was also close to her mother) cut a piece together after eating their own piece. They presented it to my friend's father which was sweet because he had not remarried. Had he, we may have considered something else.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I have a few wedding guests that I would like to invite to the ceremony but not to the reception. We have a 250 person guest list but our reception hall only holds 175. Is it ok to invite some to the ceremony but not the reception? ~ Ella Marie in San Jose CA

The Celebration Advisor: Honestly, it's not a good idea. You won't get scolded by the wedding etiquette gods, but you may burn a few bridges with friends. To prevent any hurt feelings, wedding etiquette dictates that you should avoid this if at all possible. One solution is to find a bigger reception hall in San Jose or near there. Another solution is to narrow the guest list to the 175 most essential people. Since this will definitely hurt feelings, my best advice is to opt for a large reception hall. Otherwise, you'll have a lot of offended people to deal with after the honeymoon and who wants that?

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Do the brides and brooms parents, grandparents sit at the head table??? What is the proper etiquette for their seating arangements??? Please e-mail ASAP, Please and Thank you!!! ~Dianne

The Celebration Advisor: Wedding reception seating etiquette can be a tricky issue, but it's best to keep in mind the golden rule of head table seating:  the head table is reserved for the bride, groom, and wedding party. This includes groomsmen and bridesmaids. While parents and grandparents may have a table reserved for them, it is typically a separate table situated close to the head table.

Here are a few other etiquette tips for wedding reception seating. Hopefully this will clear up many issues that you may have.

Order of Seating at Head Table — Regardless of the shape of the head table, the order of seating always allows for the maid/matron of honor to sit on the groom's left and the best man to sit on the bride's right. Spouses may sit with members of the wedding party if space is available at the head table. If not, spouses (and sometimes children) are seated together at a separate table.

Seating Parents and Grandparents — Parents and grandparents are usually seated at the same table. The bride's parents and grandparents are seated together, often with their children, children's spouses, and grandchildren if space is available. The groom's parents and grandparents are seated at another table, often with their children, children's spouses, and grandchildren if space is available. If space is an issue, families are seated together accordingly (parents and children along with any additional guests of that group).

Seating the Minister — The minister and his or her spouse are generally seated at the table of the bride's parents. Grandparents may also be seated at this table as it is common to seat families together.

Seating Divorced Parents — This one is not as tricky as you would expect. Divorced parents and couples (remarried or not) should not be seated at the same table unless their relationship is exceptionally jovial. All divorced partners and their new spouses are seated as individual families. (i.e. the married couple, their children, their parents, and any additional guests of that group).