Venue:  Tudor Arms
Event Design/Lighting and Planning:  Shi-Shi Events

I’m thrilled Z Media came to me for an article about wedding lighting!  This is a subject we’ve been passionate about for years, and as of 2009 we have a whole division of Shi Shi dedicated to your wedding lighting, fabric, & sound needs.  Lighting is without question the single most transforming element you can include in your wedding design.  Today, I’m going to give you 5 awesome tips for making your lighting design tops!

#1.  Hire a pro

Why do you need a professional lighting designer?  You need a lighting designer for the same reason you need a professional florist, photographer, wedding planner and entertainment.  A professional will make sure to conduct a site survey of the venue with you to go through the best treatments for the space, talk with you about the decor you have already planned, and to make sure you have enough electrical capacity to do what you want to do.  Your lighting design should be in line with the space and the rest of your wedding design and a pro will ensure that everything is cohesive.  Your lighting designer will ensure you have a plan and that it includes all the dimmers, controllers, and programs you need to transition moods over the course of the evening flawlessly.  They’ll work with your other vendors, like your photographer, florist, and planner to be sure you have the best lighting for all of the evening’s activities.  Follow spot for your first dance?  Check.  Super over the top escort card display that needs highlighting?  Check.  Want a rosy glow for cocktails, candlelight for dinner, and the magenta flush of a club for dancing?  Check, check, & check!

#2.  Use a combination of treatments

Just like you look for multi-dimension when planning your tabletop arrangements, bouquets and so on, your lighting could fall flat if you choose just one treatment.  Start with the basics.  Candles are a must; candlelight is always welcome and always adds a gorgeous glow.  Always include it at any party you plan.  A color wash of the room is almost always necessary; house lighting never truly does a room or the decor you’ve chosen for it justice.  If you start with a wash of light you can build on that many different ways.  You may choose up-lighting to highlight architectural features or the perimeter of the space, a pattern to project on the ceiling walls or dance floor, a monogram or phrase on a wall or dance floor, or pin spots to accentuate specific design elements, guest tabletops, or your cake.  Or you may prefer globe lights, string lights, or lanterns as part of your plan.  That’s why a professional is so important; they can build your design and layer it with ease, helping you get the most value for your lighting budget.  By using multiple treatments, you’re adding further dimension to the room and creating deep visual interest for your guests.

#3.  Accent, don’t overwhelm

Combining lighting treatments isn’t the same thing as overwhelming a space with light.  The absolute worst is when lighting takes over a space and all you see is the lighting design.  A true lighting designer would never allow this to be the case.  Your wedding reception space should not resemble the interior of a UFO.  Light is a powerful design element and it needs to be in the hands of someone who knows how to use it for good, not for “how many up-lights can I get in this room”.  You may be offered free add ons for up-lights or 30 up-lights for the price of 15 and while these are powerful sales tactics, they aren’t the best means to an end in terms of good lighting design.  You want a professional lighting designer who will work with you on a plan to accentuate all of the hard work you’ve put into developing your decor, not drown it in light.  Your lighting design should serve 3 purposes; it should wow your guests, highlight and accentuate your space and decor, and guide the eye around the space exactly the way you want the eye to go.

#4.  Color is key

Everyone’s skin looks smashing in soft rose light without fail.  Other shades flattering to all skin tones are amber and magenta.  Almost every color is safe to use somewhere in your lighting design with the exception of green.  Never never never use green on skin; it does just what you think it would.  Yuck.  Every other color on the spectrum is fair game.

#5.  Don’t forget outside

Does your space have a courtyard where guests will be mingling throughout the night?  Stairs that need lit for after dark?  Trees with low-hanging branches that could be adorned?  Globe lights, lanterns, and glass orbs filled with candles are some of our favorite treatments for those types of spaces.  Again, we’re not trying to light everything, but rather guide the guests’ eyes and keep visual interest as the day progresses from afternoon sunlight, to dusk, to dark.  Lighting is a way to allow your guests to continue to explore your venue and find cozy places of their own after dark.

So that’s it!  Just keep those 5 tips in mind, and you’ll be off to a running start when it’s time to develop your wedding lighting plan.

Love & light,

Gina Shi Shi

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So planning your wedding has you all stressed out and no wonder why-with place cards, seating charts and dress fittings to worry about who wouldn’t be?  With all that planning how can a bride, or groom for that matter, achieve radiant and glowing skin for his or her big day (because let’s face it-the pictures last forever)?  Taking care of your skin need not be complicated, by following these steps now you can achieve your best bridal skin.

1.)  Cleanse.  Choose a cleanser that is balanced for your skin.  For example, if you have dry skin try a cream cleanser or for oilier skin types, try a foaming cleanser.  Ingredients like glycolic acid or antioxidants like vitamin c help to gently exfoliate while cleansing.

2.)  Exfoliate.  Regular exfoliation is a must for radiant skin.  Exfoliating helps to remove dull skin cells and reveal fresh glowing skin.  This step need not be abrasive, in fact, exfoliants that contain fruit enzymes or milk derivatives work more effectively.  This step should be done 1-3 times a week depending on skin type, more often for oilier skin and less frequent for dry skin.

3.)  Hydrate.  No-I didn’t say moisturize.  So whats the difference your asking yourself.  Moisturizers can contain ingredients that can cause dead skin cells to adhere to your skin which can result in a dull complexion.  Hydrators give your skin the “drink” it needs to maintain proper functions.  Hydration products that contain hyaluronic acid can hydrate your skin and can temporarily plump the skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles.

4.)  Protect.  Yes it’s true-SPF might be the single most important thing you can do for your skin.  Most undesirable skin characteristics such as, uneven skin tone or wrinkles, can be linked back to improper use or no use of a skin protection factor.  An SPF of at least 30 is enough to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the suns rays.  Look for ingredients like Zinc or Titanium in your sunblock to ensure a physical block to the sun.

5.)  Keep Calm.  Stress can do a number on your skin.  Staying calm is the best way to combat that potential last minute break out.

Following these simple-yet effective-skin care tips will ensure amazing skin not just for your wedding day but for the rest of your happily ever after!

Bonnie Thomas
Makeup Artist & Stylist
Kajal by Kimberly
KAJALBYKIMBERLY.COM

As a makeup artist, some things never go out of style. Things like healthy and moisturized skin or defined brows or lashes coated in a few layers of a great quality mascara.

Where is Spring 2013 taking us? From the looks featured on the runways of New York Fashion Week, it looks like we’re in for a ride through cherry red lips, doll-like lashes and skin as dewy as the day is long.

What I love is how each person can interpret it for themselves. In a consultation recently with a bride, she said, “I’m so afraid of red lips!” I laughed with her and we came up with a beautiful cherry red lip stain that will give her depth of color without being severe.

Red lips provide a gorgeous focus on the face. Pair down the eyes with matte nudes and tight dark liner to make the lips the true star.

(Designer: Miele Image Imaxtree)

Bronzed skin will give you a glow and an understated confidence as you anticipate the warmth of summer days. Try a matte lip a few shades away from your own lip pigment to give your look something fresh and natural.

(Holmes & Yang image)

Lashes change the game. They bring you to a new level and offer a drama that will fit any personality. Try a matte eye, lush and wispy lashes and natural tones of blush to stay timeless and fresh.

(Jean Paul Gaultier – image by Imaxtree)

Spring always welcome fresh and bright colors. We are seeing shades of yellow, blue and purples galore. Try a lilac matte or shimmer shadow on any shade eye and pop open your peepers in one generous sweep.

(Bobbi Brown Lilac Rose Collection)

If there is one thing that is certain for Spring (and always), be confident, wear makeup to show off your best features and love yourself.

XO,

Jessica Miller
Makeup Artist & Stylist
Kajal by Kimberly
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
kajalbykimberly.com

We’ve used a bunch of companies over the years for printing.  Some good, some not so good.  For the last couple of years, we’ve been using Wedding Paper Divas for all of our couple’s invitations, save-the-dates, wedding shower invites, thank you cards – etc.   They have great graphic designs and incredible service.   They also offer free wedding websites that can key into some of their top invitation designs giving a consistent look and feel.  Check them out!  We highly recommend them.

Happy New Year to everyone!  2013 is upon us.  Don’t look back.  Don’t let anyone tell you you aren’t amazing.  Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t be different.  Each year is a new beginning.  You decide who you are going to be and what roads you will travel.  Spend 2013 looking forward.  Many of you will tie the knot this year or the next.  Everything will change.  This is a milestone event in your life that you will always remember.  Make it uniquely you.  Share this time together and enjoy the ride.  Welcome to the New Year!

—Christopher and Julie

It’s heaven for us as photographers when couples step outside the box.  A perfect example was our recent wedding with Erin and Pat.  Erin has a perfect sense of styling and knew when to break with tradition to make her wedding totally unique.  Everything from her dress to her selection of venues contributed to the overall look and feel of the wedding.  It fit the two of them as a couple perfectly.  As we approach 2013 and beyond, don’t be afraid to be different.  Create something that will be remembered for years to come and will be uniquely yours.  If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask us.  We’re here to help.

We love the first look.  If you are looking for a great way to spread out your wedding day schedule, consider seeing each other and doing your photographs before your ceremony.   This is often the best option for giving us adequate time for photography while making it easy on your guests.  You can then do your ceremony a bit later in the day followed quickly by family photographs, cocktail hour and your reception.  This is great for those attending your wedding who no longer have to figure out what to do during a long break between the ceremony and reception.  Well over half of our couples now do first looks and we’d highly recommend it!  It makes for a much more relaxed day for everyone.

—Chris and Julie

The more we work with brides both on their wedding day and their Fashion Art shoots, the more we realize that everything has to work together to complete your look.  Working with tried and true professionals for hair, makeup and dress alterations makes a qualified difference in the final look of your images.   If you aren’t used to being in front of a camera on a regular basis, its important to know that there will be a ton of light being thrown around during the time we spend with you.  You need pros who are familiar with making you look amazing under these unique circumstances.  We have a short list of people we know will make you look good.   As part of our Red Carpet program, contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

—Chris and Julie