Would a Photo/ Video App be up your Aisle?? Part I

I LOVE THIS APP!! 

Excuse the 'overly' enthusiastic text squeal!!! 

I'm still getting the grip of writing a blog and I find my blogs are based on fact and info. You are going to see another side to me. I'm a tech and app Geek!! Love functional apps, ones that make our day to day lives more fun, sharing our experiences with our closest and fondest loved ones. Unfortunately my iPad doesn't have enough GB's to hold all the apps I have downloaded over the years! Believe me, there are quite a few!  (O.o)

Well, today, finally, I have had the time set aside to 'play' with this 'new to me' fab app, which I have been wanting to investigate for quite a while. I can advise, it does drain the battery life of my iPad, so if you don't need it, just delete and download when you need it again. 

Anyway to my amazement, the abundant features automatically installed, I can agree it must be the #1 Wedding App out there today and what's more, IT IS FREE!!! Yes, you did read that correctly, it is FREE!!! 

In this blog, I'm going to go through as many features as possible without boring you to tears. It is mainly an image based blog to show you what it looks like so you don't need to waste your time investigating it, soooooooo, here we go. 

The images are taken from my Apple device as screen shots. Android users may have a slightly different view. 

So, to start off with, this is what the developers say about the App in the Apple Store. 

https://www.wedpics.com/

        

Apologies for the large and slightly blurred images. I hope you can make out the text information thou. So, after downloading and launching the app, the following screen appears. You have the option to set up as a bride and groom or join a wedding also cleverly to sign up or use as Demo, which I did just that. 

Next, I logged in with my personal Facebook profile with reassurance they wouldn't post on my timeline through Facebook. Thumbs up for that!

Still Curious?? Read on! I think the Project Tester is coming out in me, (past life career!)

So as the Demo has already been set up by the developers, dummy names and dates are used. From here you can join an album, create your own, print etc. I'll get to that later.
My name Demo is in pink and there is a notification welcoming me to the app.

From here, you have the option to view the photos already uploaded, you have the chance to include your own photos or you can order prints! *brill*

Below you will see you can add Video content too! How cool is that?!?!

Obviously access permissions are required. 

If you are a guest, this wedding photo/ video app allows up to 20 photos to be uploaded from your library! Saves time so you can enjoy the celebrations as they are happening!

Below you can choose an album to add your photos to.

Here you see I have uploaded a few photos from a recent wedding fair, my showcase table and myself included. See here where you can Tag Friends, place them in an album already created or create your own and allow other guests to include their photos to collaborate one large album.  

The next images are self explanatory. 

 Uploaded Photos.

Ok.... I think that just might be enough for now! ;D 

Part II is coming up soon very soon!

www.embracing-life-ceremony-certificates.com (World Wide Delivery) 

Need to chat to me but location is an issue. 

Contact me to organise a video conference. Skype, Facebook Messenger, Blab... I love Apps remember! ;-) 

www.embracing-life-ceremonies.com 

Vanessa 

Planning your wedding? Are you stuck? Overwhelmed?

Belated Happy New Year to you, 2016, the year of the Red Fire Monkey! The Chinese New Year begins on 8th February, a New Moon Day.

Are you wondering what I am waffling on about? Well, in the holistic world, the New Moon day is a good day to set good intentions, make a plan for the month ahead and take a note of it every day. If you stick to it, you will see within that fortnight on the Full Moon, you have taken many steps forward. By continuing onto the next New Moon, you will feel some self satisfaction you have achieved something.

What is this got to do with Weddings, you ask? Well, I can only imagine, having been there myself many moons ago, no pun intended, planning your Wedding from start to finish is a daunting and for some overwhelming thought! So, where do you start?

Take a slow deep breath right now, right down to your tummy and then let it go, exhale. Do this slowly, just a few times or you may feel lightheaded.

I love the idea of starting something on a New Moon. Still curious, well here's my explanation.

It is not a requirement to start your list on a New Moon, but it is considered a new moon is about new beginnings, fresh start, making plans and I use it as a tool to set goals for myself and if you want to discipline yourself, start your To Do List then. Your list doesn't need to be fancy. It is just a list with headings of what needs to be booked, ordered etc. When I was planning my wedding I purchased a jotter, tore out pages, wrote the headings on the top of the pages and stapled them together! When I was finished or completed something, I would remove the page and obviously keep it near by for reference.
So to start off, section off your list onto separate pages ie Photographer on one page, Hair on another, Hotel maybe keep two or three pages, Ceremony, Music...  When you make contact with the vendors, make a brief note of who you spoke to, when you called and what you discussed and note these details. Soon you will see, 'Your Planning Bible' will start to work for you, keeping you on track.
If you combine this with the Mrs2Be Wedding Planner Guide, you will be the best organised and stress free couple.

So, make it your mission this week to purchase a nice notebook and a few tabs. Section the book off into the different vendor categories and when you have completed your booking, make a note of it.
For appointments, take a note of them but also duplicate them into a diary.
Tip: If you have access, use Google Calender and add invitees so everyone is kept in the loop.

In a fortnight, you can review all your hard work and see how far you have become!

Below is a quick list of heading ideas to start you off! ;)

• Ceremony Venue
• Reception Venue 
• Room Décor
• Ceremony Music
• Reception Music
• Entertainment (photobooth, magician, dancing, dinner entertainment)
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Hair 
• Makeup
• Suits (if applicable)
• Dresses (if applicable)
• DJ
• Florist
• Cars
• Honeymoon
• Invitations
• Cake

Research is Key but don't get too bogged down thou. Pop over to my Pinterest page to get some wonderful ideas on diy projects, wedding theme colours, tips, hairstyle ideas, beauty tips etc... There is something for everyone! 

Happy Planning!!! 

~Vanessa~ 

Seasonal Wedding Bouquet Inspiration July - December

Seasonal Wedding Bouquet Inspiration

July Wedding

Bouquet by: Ruby & Grace

Your inspiration: A beautiful array of sun-kissed colours; strawberry ice cream, handfuls of raspberries and freshly cut green grass.

LOOKBOOK: VINTAGE WEDDING FLOWER IDEAS

You could try: ‘Miss Piggy’ roses, ‘Pepita’ spray roses, peonies, fountain grass, guelder rose and pittosporum. 

August Wedding

Bouquet by: Get Knotted

Your inspiration: Choose a freshly-picked arrangement inspired by summer woodland walks. Think brilliant bundles of wild flowers, grasses and berries.

LOOKBOOK: VINTAGE WEDDING FLOWER IDEAS

You could try: ‘Sweet Avalanche’, ‘Upper Secret’, ‘Pepita’ and ‘Dark Hypnose’ roses, thlaspi, alstroemeria, hypericum and asclepias.

September Wedding

Bouquet by: Robbie Honey

Your inspiration: Garden-fresh shades of seasonal purple are perfect for a vibrant late-summer feel.

LOOKBOOK: BOLD AND BRIGHT WEDDING BOUQUET IDEAS

You could try: A simple bouquet of freesias.

October Wedding

Bouquet by: Philippa Craddock

Your inspiration: Crisp golden leaves and berries represent the change in season. Robust blooms will represent a bountiful harvest.

You could try: ‘Boheme’, ‘Love Unlimited’, ‘Memory Lane’ and ‘Quick Sand’ roses, waxflower, ligustrum berries, papaver seed heads, eucalyptus, scabiosa and skimmia.

Philippa says: “This bouquet includes dusky pink and orange roses, seed heads and berries to give a real autumnal feel.”

November Wedding

Bouquet by: Pollen Nation

Your inspiration: Seasonal roses will fill your bouquet with warm colour and a variety of dark green foliage will add texture for an arrangement that’s undeniably autumn.

LOOKBOOK: VINTAGE WEDDING FLOWER IDEAS

You could try: ‘Red Petite’ and ‘Cherry Brandy’ roses, alstroemeria, waxflower, eucalyptus and twisted willow.

December Wedding

Bouquet by: By Appointment Only Design

Your inspiration: Mirror a snowy December landscape with delicate and graceful blossoms. A loose gathering of widely available gypsophila will make a dramatic statement when bunched together en masse.

WINTER WEDDING BOUQUET IDEAS

You could try: Gypsophila and narcissi.

Annual Bouquets Content Ref

Seasonal Wedding Bouquet Inspiration January - June

Seasonal Wedding Bouquet Inspiration

January Wedding

Bouquet by: The Divine Flower Company

Your inspiration: With crisp mornings, bare branches flecked with frozen dewy droplets and silver foliage, January calls for a bouquet which replicates the cool colours of winter. 

You could try: ‘Akito’, ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Exclusive Sensation’ roses, ranunculus, eucalyptus and waxflower.

February Wedding

Bouquet by: Love Lily

Your inspiration: Complement a snowy cluster of white blooms with a hint of colour – the dusky lilac in these anemones mimics the blue-grey feel of the season.

You could try: Lilac, ranunculus and anemones.

March Wedding

Bouquet by: Nadia di Tullio

Your inspiration: Spring is a time for new beginnings. Embrace the abundant blossoming blooms and seasonal pastel hues with a straight-from-the-garden bouquet featuring a textural variety of inky purples and fresh green foliage.

You could try: ‘Memory Lane’ roses, ‘Cari Lavender’ and ‘Rosita Purple’ lisianthus, ‘Delta River’ freesias, astilbe, astrantia, veronica, mixed eucalyptus, syringa, senecio, viburnum berries, dried lavender and clematis.

April Wedding

Bouquet by: Rebel Rebel

Your inspiration: Love the idea of one simple hue? Give your bouquet extra ‘oomph’ with large, fluffy heads and feathery foliage for an enchanting spring feel that suggests romance. 

LOOKBOOK: VINTAGE WEDDING FLOWER IDEAS

You could try: Ranunculus and astilbe.

 May Wedding

Bouquet by: Hayford & Rhodes

Your inspiration: Combine soft spring shades with a touch of drama as you welcome in the summer season.

You could try: ‘Memory Lane’ and ‘Sweet Avalanche’ roses, ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peonies, anemones, freesias, lisianthus and lilac.

Charlotte from Hayford & Rhodes says: “Fragrant peonies come into season, a firm favourite for bouquets.” 

June Wedding

Bouquet by: Emma Lapin Flowers

Your inspiration: Cheery hues are all around, from your on-trend coral nail polish to the sunshiny yellow blooms growing in your garden. 

You could try: ‘Bowl of Cream’ and ‘Coral Sunset’ peonies, ‘Irischka’, ‘Talea’, ‘Vendela’ and ‘Sweet Avalanche’ roses, craspedia, eustoma, stachys and brunia laevis. 

Emma says: “This bouquet will add a lovely burst of colour to your look, and looks great against even the most subtle of materials.”

Annual Bouquets Content Ref

What is a Civil/ Partnership Wedding?

What is a Civil Wedding/ Partnership?

Civil / partnership weddings are for couples that do not wish or cannot have a full religious Wedding Ceremony, but want something more than a wedding in a registry office, during office hours. It is important to note that civil/ partnership ceremonies are not legally binding though, so you will have to get officially civilly married in the Registry Office first. 

A civil/partnership wedding ceremony tends to be very personal and meaningful and the officiant will work with the couple to decide on the style that will suit them. Guests to a civil/ partnership wedding ceremony may have reservations at first (a religious relative or an overbearing parent!) however, it’s often the case that the most skeptical guest will be the most impressed at the end of the ceremony.

The format is actually very similar to a traditional church wedding. Traditionally the bride will walk down the aisle, there are readings, music, vows and an exchange of rings. The only difference, is that there is no mention of God.

The officiant will talk about the couple coming together to celebrate their love for each other and mark their commitment to each other in front of their family and friends. The readings can be poetry, prose, or song lyrics! The civil celebrant will make suggestions and common readings would be Shakespearean Sonnets, Yeats poems etc. No surprise, the readings are usually around the themes of Love, Marriage, Commitment and Friendship.

Couples that opt for a civil/ partnership wedding, will often write their own vows which makes the whole experience even more personal for them and the guests. For those of you who are maybe divorced and getting married for the second time round, or non religious people who are still looking for “special occasion” then this is ideal.

R.I.P.ie

Have you seen or are you aware there is an Irish on-line up to date death notice website? This wonderful informative website is a wealth of knowledge, where you can find all you need on one site. 

They cover the following: 

• Death Notices
• Services Directory
• Popular Resources
• Search for Recent Death Notices by Surname, County , Town
• Practical Information 
• Sympathy Cards
• Frequently Asked Questions

Death is not something we wish to think or consider when we are busy with our lives, but we all know that day will come to us all. Being prepared and informed is vitally important and will help making the right decisions in any circumstances. Below is some practical information to get you started should you need information to prepare. Follow through to R.I.P.ie to the practical information section for more details. 

Before a death

Making a will

What is a will? The practical steps involved in making a will and what happens when someone dies without having made a will.

Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney is a legal device in Ireland that can be set up by a person (the Donor) during his/her life to allow another specially appointed person (the Attorney) take action if the Donor is absent or becomes incapacitated.

Legal Arrangements for Incapacity

The various legal arrangements which a person can make for looking after his/her affairs if he/she is unable to do so, for whatever reason.

Advance Care Directives

An advance care directive in Ireland is a statement about the type and extent of medical or surgical treatment you want in the future, on the assumption that you will not be able to make that decision at the relevant time.
 

Source: www.citizensinformation.ie

Checklist - My Possessions

Putting your affairs in order is vital to help those who are left behind when you die.

A will is a witnessed document that sets out in writing the deceased's wishes for his or her possessions, (called his or her 'estate'), after death.

Reasons for making a will

It is important for you to make a will because if you do not, and die without a will, the law on intestacy decides what happens to your property. A will can ensure that proper arrangements are made for your dependants and that your property is distributed in the way you wish after you die, subject to certain rights of spouses/civil partners and children.

Checklist of where your possessions are kept:

It is also advisable to complete and keep updated a list of your assets. You can use a form such as that produced by the Citizens Information Board, which I have made available to download below.

It will make it easier to identify and trace your assets after you die. You should keep the list in a safe place.

• The form Where my possessions are kept  pdf format.

Source: www.citizensinformation.ie

The Civil Celebrant: 9 Fascinating Funeral Traditions

The Civil Celebrant: 9 Fascinating Funeral Traditions