How To Arrange a Mascot Appearance For a Wedding?

Guests are sure to remember when a 6 foot mascot enters the reception room.  Mascot visits are great for one of a kind photo ops for you and your guests.  So to help you send out this invitation, we’ve gathered the contact info for some of the most popular mascot appearances for a wedding.

 Detroit Tigers’ PAWS appearances start at $125.00 an hour. (313) 471-2224 or PAWS@detroittigers.com!

Michigan State University Spartan appearances starts at $450 plus travel.  (517) 432 0014 or sprtyrequ@msu.edu!

Detroit Lions’ Roary appearance fee is determined by time and travel needs.  (313) 262-2248 orRoary@DetroitLions.com!

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How Do I Look My Best In Wedding Photos?

You have the perfect dress, your makeup is flawless and your hair gorgeous, but you’re still a little worried about how to look your best in your wedding pictures.  But you still have one question – “How do I look my best in wedding photos?” These tips will have you looking as good as you feel!

Relax.  Your wedding day photos will capture any stress that you are carrying.  First, and foremost, relax before starting wedding day photography.  Your wedding photographer works for you, so if you need  moment to collect yourself – do it!  When you are ready to begin your wedding day portraits, take a deep breath, tilt your chin down, raise your eyes just above the camera and smile.

If you find that having the focus on you gets to be too much, have a seat, walk together or just spend a few moments talking.  Your photographer can shoot from a distance, capturing genuine, intimate moments.

Slimming Tips.  Before your wedding day, practice standing in front of a full length mirror.  Look at your reflection and then stand up straight.  You’ll notice the instant slimming that takes place as you lengthen your spine.  Try to get into the habit of practicing good posture.

Whenever you angle your body, you reduce the amount of yourself in the camera lens.  Practice angling your body 45 degrees from the camera, but continue to turn your head towards it.  By pointing your front leg and shifting your weight to your back leg, you maximize this thinning effect.

Work the pose!  When you hold your bouquet, pose next to someone or alone, be sure to leave a little room between your arm and body.  When your arms are held tightly against you, the arm muscles spread, which will make them look heavier.  Bending your elbows helps to diminish this effect.

Ask for photos that show movement, which allows the body to be shown in a natural way.  Walking, running, dancing, and twirling can all be incorporated into dynamic, flattering poses.

The Perfect Smile.  “I hate my smile” is something photographers often hear.  The reason for that is most people, don’t know how to give a pretty, but fake smile. Look at pictures of yourself that you find flattering.  Were they shot from the same angle?  Is your smile similar in each?  Share some of your favorites with your photographer so he understands what you think is the best for you.

When smiling for your wedding day photos, try these tips for the perfect smile:

Most people prefer a smile that shows the upper teeth without too much gums.

Tilt your head a bit as you pose. Most faces really do have a “good side” as faces are not perfectly symmetrical.

Keep your top and bottom teeth slightly parted.  If they aren’t your smile may look forced.

Take frequent drinks or run your tongue over your teeth to keep them moist and sparkling.

Kissing Shots.  This is a fun one to practice! Practice almost kissing; much more flattering than pursed lips, smushed faces or the dreaded “duck face”.  Slightly parted lips brought in close give you the look of a kiss, but still allow your face to be soft and relaxed.

Additionally, not every kiss needs to be on the lips.  A kiss on the cheek, neck, forehead or hand can be actually be more intimate than a standard kissing photo.

Hire A Professional Photographer.  Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event – and there is only one chance to capture the look, feel and memories.  Select a professional wedding photographer whose work you’ve seen, reviews you’ve read and comes referred by people you trust.

Go Pro With Your Look.  There are many ways you can save on your wedding day, but don’t cut costs when it comes to your wedding day look.  Pamper yourself with a professional hair and makeup session on your wedding day – just be sure to go for a trial run at least one month in advance so you’ll have time to adjust if necessary.

Get the right dress – for you.  You will feel confident and look great on your wedding day when you have a wedding dress that fits well.  Whatever your body type, pick a dress that you feel comfortable in and make it yours!  Be sure to have professional fitting and alterations – no bride wants to spend the day adjusting her dress or looking uncomfortable in pictures.  (Click here for wedding dress shopping tips)

Engagement Sessions.  Most couples have never spent a day being professionally photographed.  If your schedule allows, consider an engagement session with your photographer.  It’s a great opportunity to get to know your photographer, practice poses you’ll use on your wedding day and generally get comfortable in front of the camera.  Not to mention all the great images you’ll get!

Schedule Time.  An often overlooked aspect of great looking wedding photos is the time it takes to create them.  A photography plan can prevents you from spending too little, or too much, time on your wedding photos.  A photographer will likely have suggestions their experience tells them works well, but can only understand your unique wishes by developing a plan with you.  Generally, you’ll want to allot one hour for your Romantics photos as a couple.  (Click here for more photo schedule information)

Partner With Your Photographer.  Your photographer will have creative ideas and can draw upon their experience to help pose and guide you for your wedding photos.  But it’s also important that you share how you are feeling.  Do you need more or less direction?  Does something feel uncomfortable?  Do you have a great idea you were hoping to try?  Sharing this information with your photographer helps to create wedding photos you’ll love.  Don’t be shy – this is yourwedding day!

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What Should I Write In My Wedding Thank You Cards?

“What should I write in my wedding thank you cards?” is a question for many brides.  Last week we shared what to write for your Save The Dates, so this week we are answering your questions about the wedding thank you cards.

Who Do I Have To Send A Wedding Thank You Card?  Wedding etiquette states that you should send each guest a handwritten note of thanks.  Your note should specify the gift, give thanks and share how you intend to use the item.  If the gift was money, you do not have to specify the dollar amount, but again, you should indicate how you will spend the money – and not on paying for post wedding bills.  The giver has presented you the gift of money for your life moving forward so the purpose of setting up your new home, downpayment on car or house, purchase of a BBQ, etc. would be more appropriate.

When Should I Send My Wedding Thank You Cards?  In general, guests will expect your thank you to arrive within two months of the wedding date.  While it is usually signed by the couple, the thank you card may be written by the bride or groom.

What Should I Write In My Wedding Thank You Cards?  Your thank you note should include the name of the giver, the gift and how it will be used and your genuine thanks.  You may also make mention of your appreciation of their extra help, long travel or any other special things the giver did for your wedding day.

If you are at a loss for words, the following wedding thank you sample wordings may be just what you need to get you started.

We sincerely thank you for your love and support.  We couldn’t be more blessed having friends and family like you in our lives and sharing in this beautiful time in our lives.

We would like to thank you for celebrating our joy and sharing our love. You will always be part of our fairy tale. Your generosity and kindness are sincerely appreciated. Dreams do come true.

“Gratitude – like love – lives and grows in our hearts.”   Thank you for being part of our wedding day!

Our wedding day was special because we were blessed surrounded by the people we love. Your thoughtfulness and support are truly appreciated. Thank you for sharing in the start of our new life together.

Our wedding would not have been complete, without the support and love of our family and friends. We sincerely thank you for celebrating our love, sharing our joy and for being a part of our lives!

Thank you to close relative or friend

Dearest Aunt Jane,

Thank you for the beautiful crystal candleholders.

Mike and I are looking forward to having them on our dinner table.

We hope that you and Uncle Joe will join us for a meal once we are settled into our new home. 

It was such a pleasure to share our wedding day with you.  

Love,

Becky

Thank you to an acquaintance

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brown,

Thank you for the monogrammed towel set.

They are the perfect color to complement our new home.

It was wonderful to meet you at our reception, and we are glad that you were able to join us and our families. 

We look forward to getting to know you better.

With Love,
Jared and Becky

Thank you for cash

Dear Uncle Kyle,

I want to thank you for your generous wedding gift. We plan on using it towards a deck for our new home.  When it’s complete, we hope you can join us for a barbeque. It was fantastic to see you at the wedding, and Becky and I hope to see you soon.

With love,
Jared

Thank you for gift without attendance

Dear Samantha,

Thank you so much for the beautiful picture frame.  It will be perfect for our wedding photo. I’m sorry you were unable to
attend the wedding as you were greatly missed.  We hope to see you soon and share pictures from our wedding day.

With love,
Becky

How Should I Send My Thank You Card?  You may choose to do so in a thank you card, on a postcard or in a letter.  Regardless of the format you choose, you should include a handwritten message with each.

How will you thank your guests?  Comment below.

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