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General Photos

Photo Canvas or Brush Strokes Canvas: What’s the Difference?

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So perhaps you begged and pleaded or just got lucky enough to get the best wedding photographer you could afford. Now you have a wedding album that you will cherish forever. What else is there to do? I mean, how often do you look at your wedding album or if you are a bride-to-be, how often do you think you will? You could select your favorites and put them up all around your home, but if you live in a small apartment, this could end up looking like a wedding theme park.

It’s really a shame to keep these beautiful photos stashed away, but, after the first year, some couples feel awkward keeping them on the coffee table and they end up either in a drawer or under baby bottles and other items that begin to take precedence in this central location.

There are options which give these memories the place they deserve. Two that I can think of are photo canvas and brush strokes canvas. The really wonderful thing about that very expensive wedding photographer who took those breathtaking photos is that you can enlarge the pictures and make stunning, large pieces of art that can be hung on the wall or arranged in clusters to create a “moment” in the room instead of the aforementioned theme park.

So, What’s the Difference Between a Photo Canvas and a Brush Strokes Canvas?

Photo Canvas

A photo canvas is a photo printed on gallery quality canvas. This is also called a canvas print. The canvas is stretched, or gallery-wrapped, onto an internal wood frame (called stretcher bars) and displayed. The print is intended to look just like your original photo, only printed on stretched canvas rather than a less-than-creative poster print. An image that goes completely around the sides of the frame is called a gallery wrap which creates a three dimensional effect of the mounted print. The most obvious advantage of the photo canvas is affordability. This is often a less expensive alternative because the picture doesn’t require framing and the stretcher bars do not need to be varnished or treated. The result is a traditional art work that suits any modern home.

Brush Strokes Canvas

A brush strokes canvas  starts by using the same high resolution professional wedding photo but a graphic artist will go over the photo image by hand on the computer to give the photo the look of an oil painting with actual brush strokes. The image is then printed onto a canvas, and stretched for display. This detailed process is what makes your canvas look more like a painting than if you were to print the photo on canvas without the paint brush application. The considerable advantage here is the added texture that instantly gives your photo the appearance of a portrait painted in an artist’s studio. That said, choose your photo wisely. This may not be the best format for one of your more candid shots, but a captured intimate moment may be just right. Give it some thought. This is a piece of art, after all.

When investing in one of these master creations be sure your image editors know their way around composition, contrast, color management—and of course canvas fine art printing. Many shops will offer free retouching (if you choose) for color and exposure correction as well as red eye, date stamp and minor blemish removal.

Beautiful Brush Strokes CanvasIs it worth the cost? Definitely. It is a meaningful gift that that will remind your beloved of that most important moment that began your lives together. So go ahead, and hang one over the fireplace in the living room. Your new canvas will also go a long way to alleviate any guilt you may have for storing away your wedding album well out of reach of spilling bottles. It is also the perfect conversation starter that will also be a socially acceptable reason for bringing out the priceless wedding album, yet one more time for your visiting guests.

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General Photos Wedding Tips

Wedding Photo Books vs. Wedding Albums

What’s the Difference and which is Right for You?

photo book or wedding albumNo two weddings are exactly alike. This is because we take our unique personalities and pour them into our special day. Your personality as a couple can also determine the way in which you wish to capture and cherish your big day’s special moments. Read on to decide if you should order a wedding album or a photo book from your photographer to show off your coveted pictures.

First, it is important to understand the difference between the two books. A wedding album is a large, bound book that is designed with slots and/or framed spaces to hold hundreds of pictures that get developed by your photography pro. They come available in a number of finishes and are the most traditional way to display your images. All images are housed safely underneath a rich and smooth leather cover, which can usually be embossed. A photo book on the other hand, can be large or small and has dozens of design layout options for photographers to digitally arrange your photographs without printing them out or mounting them. The book comes available in a hard, soft, or leather bound cover which can also be customized to the couple’s liking.

Couples who consider themselves classic, traditional, and who hosted a very formal ceremony and reception generally stick to tradition and order a wedding album. Its timeless design appeals to conservative couples who want to replicate their parents’ albums and who want to ensure a long lasting, high quality “house” for their cherished photos. While these albums are elegant, they can be rather expensive. Couples spend anywhere from $500-$1,000 (and up) on these bound keepsakes, so if you are on a tight budget, a photo album is not for you.

Couples who consider themselves modern, technology savvy, creative, and outgoing generally gravitate toward the new trend, photo books. They tend to love the design layout options and really let their creative juices flow during the design collaboration with their photographer. They also love the fact that they don’t have hundreds of loose photos floating around and have only their top 25 favorite (or so) in one place. Many photographers include a DVD with all the wedding images on it so couples can print out the ones they want or load them onto their computer for other purposes. Couples spend anywhere from $75-$200 on photo books, so if you are on a budget, this is perfect for your wallet!

Be sure to consider the pros and cons of each before you make your final wedding photo decision!

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General Uncategorized Wedding Invitations Wedding Tips

The “I do” Thank-You | 3 Etiquette Tips for Sending Wedding Thank-you Cards

 

Wedding Thank you Cards

It is very easy for couples to get caught up in the magic of the post wedding, newlywed couple moment. However, it is essential to keep in mind that many people made your special day possible and a lot of time, effort, and money has been given to you and your partner. Show how grateful you are by following these basic, after the “I do” thank-you card etiquette tips.

Tip #1-Be Prompt

If you live by the philosophy, “Better late than never;” rethink this motto-quickly! You don’t want your guests to think you are ungrateful or entitled, so the sooner you send out your thank-you cards, the better. If you think you are too busy moving into your new home, unpacking wedding gifts, packing for your honeymoon; think again. Many brides bring their thank-you cards with them on their honeymoon and fill them out as they wait in the airport or during their flight. Generally, thank-you cards are sent two weeks after you receive the gift; immediately is best, but no later than three weeks after big day. This also gives brides time if they are using a photo from the wedding day. Buy your thank-you cards early — you can often save money by ordering your thank-you cards at the same time as your matching save the date cards and wedding invitations. And, you will have them on hand. Work in small batches! The last thing you want to do is get so burned out from writing that your notes start to sound cliché and your handwriting less than beautiful.

Tip #2-Thank-you Before “I do”

If you receive a gift or card from guests who aren’t able to make your event, or who simply wish to celebrate early, it is best to thank them immediately. You will be less likely to forget to send out a card if you don’t wait until after your celebration. Your thank-yous serve as an acknowledgement to friends and family members that you received their generous gifts.

Tip #3-Skip the Generic Thank-you

Some couples have a generic thank you message that they have printed on their cards. This one size fits all approach doesn’t seem genuine and may offend guests. Be sure to hand write each card, thank the recipient for each specified item gifted, and include a warm, personalize message to add a special touch. Your guests will be honored that you put time and effort into their thank-you.

Custom thank-you cards are always appreciated and are the furthest thing from generic. Thank you cards range from a classic ecru 3 ½ by 5 with a top fold and embossing to a 4.25 x 5.5 customized photo card. Take your time to pick a style that reflects both of you. If you are in love with your monogram (who isn’t?), remember that it is not appropriate to use your married monogram until after the ceremony. A good wedding stationery designer can guide you with the myriad choices or browse through the many choices available online.

Be sure to stick to these three tips to ensure you are prompt and express your gratitude in a genuine and meaningful way.