Wedding Planning with a Wedding Website- Planning tools from Ottawa Valley Wedding Photographers

In this digital age we can accomplish so much on-line.  Wedding Planning is no different.  As a follow-up to our last blog about wedding planning and the apps that are available (To re-read that post click here) there are also wedding websites that can help you to keep track of all those details and ideas for your special day.  Wedding websites can turn the daunting task of wedding planning from a scary and sometimes overwhelming challenge into an interactive piece of cake!  Wedding Websites can be personalized, and customized to suit both you and your wedding theme.  They can help you keep your guests informed and up-to-date with scheduled events like your Bridal Shower, Stag and Doe, or Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. You can provide information about accommodations and directions for out of town guest and much more.  They are also full of planning tools like seating charts and budget trackers.

You can search the web and see both paid and free wedding websites.  Here are a few free Wedding Websites we have found with some great tools to keep you organized and your guests informed.

The Knot: (Free)

http://uw.theknot.com/admin/choosedesign

The Knot offers a free wedding websites, you need to register but it is quick and easy and The Knot Wedding Website works with The Knot Wedding App we covered in last week’s blog so you will always be able to access your planning info no matter where you are.  Your account is automatically updated weather you use the app or the website so you will be able to keep track of all the details that will make your dream day a reality. The Knot also offers several other interactive planning tools that are all designed to work together.  Once you register on their site you will have access to all these tools no need to register over and over.

The Knot is a must to check out for anyone planning a wedding!

In the top left corner you will see My Knot, click on this to go to a page full of thier “Planning tools”.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planner.aspx

MyWedding.com: (Free)

http://www.mywedding.com/free-wedding-websites

Offers free wedding websites with over 600 designs that suit any wedding theme and style. Our simple, yet elegant themes make your free wedding website easy to navigate and beautiful to look at.  Organize wedding details on your free wedding website. Sort your important information easily on each page. Share how you met on your “Our Story” page. Share photos in your gallery. Prepare the “Accommodations” and “Attractions” page for your out-of-town guests.  Make their trip as worry-free and as enjoyable as possible! Invite your guests to pre-wedding and post wedding events on your “Wedding Events” page.  Simple and easy to set up and use

WeddingWire: (Free)

http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-websites.html

At WeddingWire.com, the entire process has been laid out for you… you are guided through each step of the set up and can create a beautiful site with over 100 designs to give you site that perfect touch.  Once created your site will automatically providing you with a list of helpful reminders such as tasks, timelines, upcoming events and more. You can easily add tools to help your guests book flights, check the weather, get directions and more.

Do you have a site that you would recommend? Please feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.  Happy Planning!

PictureDefence.com ~ Image Theft Affects all Photographers including Ottawa Valley Photographers

I know I promised the next blog would cover Wedding Websites and I promise I am working on the Wedding Website blog but but I thought this topic was VERY important.

As many of you know I am a moderator on the Phototips forum. (www.phototips.biz)

Recently Jimmy the owner of Phototips podcast, blog, and forum has written a few blogs about someone on Facebook stealing other photographer’s images and using them as his own.  As photographers we work hard to capture beautiful images and when someone steals your images and uses it as their own it is shocking…it is also against the law.

Last summer I had to contact a photographer whose wedding and engagement session we were hired to capture.  It came to our attention that he was using some of our photographs on his website and Facebook page.  Our solution was simple (a solution that I pursued with Jimmy’s help) I wrote him a letter and asked him to either remove the images or to put a note on each and every image that said the image was taken by Special Treasures Photography.  He removed the images. We chose not to pursue the fact that much of his website is a copied and pasted version ours, our clients know our work speaks for itself, but the answer is not always as simple.

To help photographers when this happens Jimmy created a website called PictureDefence.com that offers a detailed step by step instructions on how to handle this situation using the proper methods when it happens to you.  While this is written mostly for US photographers it also applies to Canadian photographers and we need to be active in making sure that this behavior is not allowed to continue.

Remember it is against the law to use, alter, edit, and post without credit to the original photographer!

To See Jimmy’s blogs by clicking one of the links.

http://www.phototips.biz/2013/01/did-facebook-consent-to-image-theft.html

He followed that up with:

http://www.phototips.biz/2013/01/phototips-members-take-down-30-websites.html

So what can photographers do?

Visit and support www.PictureDefense.com and spread the word!

http://www.phototips.biz/2013/01/help-someone-stole-my-images.html

Wedding Planning Tools- There is an App for That! Ottawa Valley Photographers

You’ve all heard the phrase there’s an app for that and for tech savvy brides that couldn’t more true.

While taking some time to set up my new tablet that Santa brought me I have been spending a lot of time searching for useful apps, widgets, and cool stuff to use on my new toy.   I came across several Wedding planning apps that some of our 2013 and 2014 brides can use to help the planning process.

There are several free apps available and a search of your apps store whether you have an iPhone or android device will generate several available apps.  Here are a few that we have taken a look at that just might help you plan your dream wedding!

Our Wedding Planner (Free – For Android Devices)

Our wedding is a simple app to help you plan the perfect wedding.  Manage your guest list, to-do list, budget and vendors all in one place.

Putting together your guest list is easy with this wedding planner. You can import all your guests directly from your phone contacts and manage the invitations that have been sent, received and pending as well as assign tables for guests to sit. This app is also a great way to keep tabs on those plus ones (or twos , or threes)

If you import vendors from your contacts into the application you can quickly reach them to make sure everything is on track.

With so many things that need to be done, the app is pre-populated a task list so that nothing is left out. You can add to the task list as well as set reminders for the extra important stuff. This app even sets due dates based on your wedding date so that your schedule is evenly spaced

Our wedding also helps give you an idea of how your budget should be allocated across the different categories. Get estimates based on your total wedding budget and time estimates relative to your big day.

There is even a countdown to the time left till you walk down the aisle with our customizable countdown widget.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wepala.weddingplan&hl=en

The Knot – Ultimate Wedding Planner! (Free for a limited time for iPhone and iPad)

If you are already using The Knot’s wedding website then this app is a perfect fit for you.  Your iPhone planner will automatically synch up with your tools and account on TheKnot.com.  You will need to sign up to use all the tools available but signing up is free.

The knot app allows you to count down the days to your wedding, keep on task with their ultimate wedding checklist which is personalized just for you and get your budget and track payments with their easy-to-use budget tool and much more!

http://wedding.theknot.com/special-wedding-features/wedding-planner-app.aspx

The Knot currently does not have a planning app for Android users but they do offer checklist for your cell or smartphone called My Mobile Checklist. It is also free.

It’s the exact same checklist that you use on TheKnot.com — now in a new mobile phone format.

Use your mobile to view your reminders and check off wedding-planning tasks while you’re out and about. No matter where you log in to your wedding checklist it will already be up-to-date. Easy!

http://wedding.theknot.com/special-wedding-features/the-knot-mobile-checklist.aspx

You can get a free The Knot wedding website here: http://uw.theknot.com/admin/choosedesign

I promise for our next blog will talk all about wedding websites which can help keep brides (and grooms too!) organized

Wedding Planning Complete (Free- iPhone and iPad a “Plus” version also available for $ 3.99)

This app offers a countdown, detailed budget guides and tracker, seating charts you can customize, guest lists to manage with an RSVP tracker and detailed checklists.  It keeps all your essential planning tools right in the palm of your hand.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/wedding-planning-complete/id460302797?mt=8

The plus version can be found here and will cost $3.99:

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/wedding-planning-complete/id537977538?mt=8

iWedding Deluxe ($5.99 for iPhone and iPad)

iWedding Deluxe is a wedding planner and organizer app. It will organize, guide and inspire you, while keeping all the vital information at your fingertips. Feature packed with To-do Lists, Budgeting, Guest List organization and much much more.

If you’re looking for an app that includes everything in one, then iWedding Deluxe is a great option. The app offers guest list organization, multiple to-do lists, easy budgeting tools, gift trackers, and a seating plan chart — a one-stop shop for all the details you need to juggle.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwedding-deluxe/id336602601?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6

We all know how much planning, organization and hard work goes into planning your dream day, having tools to help keep you organized can really help the planning process and make it less stressful so you are able to enjoy your special day!

And don’t forget we are also here to help if you have any questions!

Please Note: all the above images are screen shoots taken from the web to show you the apps features.  We did not design or photograph any of the images or apps above.