Tip #1
Providing your guests with disposable cameras is a wonderful way to add candid shots to your album. Make them available at your reception (never at the ceremony since a flurry of shutters snapping will distract from what is really important… your vows) by placing them at the entry table, at dinner placesettings or in baskets around the room. Make sure you get them back before guests leave by having a wedding party member collect them, or designating a camera return location by the door.

Tip #2
Most photographers retain ownership of the negatives. Ask your photographer if or when you might be able to purchase the negatives and what the cost will be.

Tip #1
Start an ideas folder. As you begin to explore options, you will find hundreds of ideas that you’ll want to discuss together. Rather than rely on memory to coordinate those tidbits of inspiration (trust me, memory just can’t do the job), invest in a binder that can keep them close at hand for you. Include: note paper for jotting down spur of the moment thoughts

Tip #2
Talk with other couples who have been there and lived to tell about it. Not only will they be uniquely able to understand how excited you are about your celebration, they will be able to provide valuable insight into the whole process. Don’t know any same sex couples who have had a ceremony? Mine your straight married friends for information. Despite the differences between straight and gay wedding ceremonies, planning any event takes a little finesse and these folks have pulled it off! Take advantage of that experience.

Flowers have a long history of being a secret language between lovers. Discover their hidden symbolism and you might just want to imbue your wedding flowers with meaning.

Acacia - Concealed Love
Acorn - Life and Immortality
Almond (Flowering) - Hope
Ambrosia - Your Love is Returned
Amaryllis - Pride, Poetry, Beautiful but Timid
Anemone - Sincerity, Expectation
Apple Blossoms - Hope, Good Fortune, Better Things To Come
Arbutus - Thee Only Do I Love
Aster - Love, Daintiness
Azalea - Fragile, Passion, Take Care of Yourself for Me, Chinese Symbols of Womanhood
Baby’s Breath - Innocence, Pure Heart
Bachelor’s Button - Single Blessedness
Bells of Ireland - Good Luck
Bird of Paradise - Freedom, Magnificance
Bittersweet - Truth
Bluebell - Constancy
Blue Violet - Faithfulness
Calla Lily - Beauty
Camellia - Admiration, Perfection
Camellia (Pink) - Longing for You
Camellia (Red) - You’re A Flame In My Heart
Camellia (White) - You’re Adorable
Carnation (General)- Fascination, Pure and Deep Love
Carnation (Pink) - I’ll Never Forget You
Carnation (Red)- My Heart Aches For You, Admiration
Carnation (White)- Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love
Cattail - Peace, Prosperity
Chrysanthumum (Red) - I Love
Chrysanthumum (White) - Truth
Crocus - Cheerfulness, Gladness
Daffodil - You’re the Only One, The Sun Is Always Shining When I’m With You, Respect
Daisy - Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never Tell, Purity
Dandelion - Faithfulness, Happiness
Fern - Magic, Fascination, Confidence, Shelter
Fern Maidenhair - Secret Bond of Love
Forget Me Not - True Love, Rememberance
Forsythia - Anticipation
Freesia - Trust, Innocence
Gardenia - You Are Lovely, Secret Love, Purity, Joy
Geranium - I Prefer You
Gloxinia - Love At First Sight
Heather - Future Fortune
Heliotrope - Devotion, Faithfulness
Hibiscus - Delicate Beauty
Hyacinth - Loveliness, Constancy
Iris - A Message For You
Ivy - Wedded Love, Fidelity, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor
Jasmine - Amiability
Jasmine (Yellow) - Grace and Elegance
Jonquil - Love, Me, Affection Returned, Desire
Lavendar - Purity, Silence, Luck
Lilac (Purple) - First Emotions of Love
Lilac (White) - Youth
Lily (Cala) - Beauty
Lily (Day )- Coquetry
Lily (Tiger) - Wealth
Lily (White) - Majesty, Purity, Virginity, It’s Heavenly To Be With You
Lily (Yellow) - I’m Walking On Air
Lily of the Valley - Return of Happiness, You’ve Made My Life Complete
Lupine - Imagination
Magnolia - Nobility
Marigold - Sacred Affection
Mistletoe - Kiss Me, Affection
Mum - Hope
Myrtle - Love, Hebrew Symbol of Marriage
Orange Blossom - Purity, Virginity, Marriage
Orchid - Rare Beauty, Love, Beauty, Refinement
Pansy - Merriment
Peach Blossoms - I Am Your Captive
Peony - Gay Life, Happy Marriage
Ranunculus - You Are Radiant With Charms
Rose (Burgundy) - Unconscious Beauty
Rose (Coral) - Desire
Rose (Lavendar) - Enchantment
Rose (Orange) - Fascination
Rose (Peach) - Modesty
Rose (Dark Pink) - Thankfulness
Rose (Pale Pink) - Grace
Rose (Red) - I Love You
Rose (White) - Innocence
Rose (Yellow) - Friendship
Rose (White and Red Together) - Unity
Stephanotis - Marital Happiness
Sunflower - Adoration, Power, Warmth, Nourishment
Sweet Pea - Blissful Pleasure
Tuberose - Dangerous Pleasure
Tulip - Passion, Love, Perfect Lover
Tulip (Variegated) - Beautiful Eyes
Veronica - Fidelity
Violet (Blue) - Modesty, Faithfulness, I’ll Always Be True
Violet (White) - Let’s Take A Chance On Happiness’
Water Lily - Purity of Heart
Zinnia - Affection