June 1st, 2011
Welcome to wedding season! In the United States, June is the busiest month for scheduled nuptials and related events. Even if your big day is coming up in just a few weeks, you still have plenty of time to create a showstopping (yet tasteful) wedding photo montage. These practical tips will help ensure that you have an elegant and classy montage of memories at your wedding.
Keep It Short
This is the most common rookie mistake in the creation of photo slide shows. And why shouldn’t it be? It can often be difficult to edit down the lives of two extraordinary people into just a few minutes’ worth of images. However, if it’s a truly tasteful slide show you’re after, the shorter, the better. Ideally, you’ll want to keep your slide show to an absolute maximum of ten minutes (although seven minutes is truly perfect). Any longer, and your family will merely feign interest while your friends wonder why they aren’t included in more of the photos (after all, there’s a snapshot featuring every pet you’ve owned since the third grade). Keep it short and sweet.
/>Stick to the Topic
Yes, we know how much you love the maid of honor, how she’s stood by you through think and thin, and how much you appreciate and value her friendship. But she’s not the one you’re marrying! Keep your photos relevant, which means the majority of the photos should be of the bride and groom, with a sprinkling of photos including parents, grandparents (if you’re close to them), milestone events, and a smattering of siblings and very close friends. Remember, the more people you include, the more likely you are to leave someone out and have to deal with hurt feelings.
Skip the Embarrassing Stuff
The easiest way to make your video montage tasteful is to choose appropriate photos. That means no drunken binges, no pictures of you-know-who with what’s-his-face, no ex’s, and no childhood photos of the bride or groom in the bathtub. Anything incriminating should be omitted. When in doubt, leave it out.
Choose Classic Music
This is not the optimal time to showcase the Billboard top five, or your favorite hip hop ditty. Your wedding slide show should be classic, so choose a classic love song or two, the song you will dance to at your wedding (for your first dance together as husband and wife), or “your” song that’s stuck with you since you first began dating. After all, you don’t want to look back years from now while watching your slide show and say, “What on earth were we thinking?”
Once you begin coordinating your slide show, the next item to check off your list is the projector rental. Don’t pay more than necessary for outdated and questionable equipment at the hotel or reception hall – instead, trust the projector rental professionals at Projector123.com. From outdoor weddings to indoor events, Projector123.com rents only top-notch equipment at surprisingly affordable prices. Best of all, we’ll ship your rental projector to any location you specify, so you won’t need to transport the rental projector from location to location. Click here now to make your reservation.
May 13th, 2011
As we near the peak of summertime wedding season, you may find yourself in a position to plan a wedding shower for a relative or close friend in the near future. Here are our best tips for making it memorable.
 Surprise! (Or Is It?)
One of the most basic questions to answer while planning a bridal shower is whether or not you want it to be a surprise. Be sure to consider the bride and her personality and wishes, not just your own! Some people absolutely love surprises, while others most certainly do not. Additionally, some people are downright impossible to surprise. Another factor to consider is the additional work that goes into creating a surprise shower – you’ll most likely have to involve the groom, create a diversion, and remind everyone to keep it under wraps.
To Theme or Not to Theme?
Next, think about whether or not you’d like to create a theme to the shower. A theme is not necessary, but it can be a fun way to tie things all together. Some sample bridal shower themes are: his and hers; around the clock; lingerie; barware; kitchen shower; linens and things; garden party; etc.
Couples, or Just Girls?
More and more couples are experiencing joint showers, where couples are invited and the groom gets to participate in the fun. This type of shower is most appropriate when the couple’s friends are mainly comprised of other couples.
Make It Special
The more personal touches you can add to a bridal shower the better. Don’t think she won’t notice that the ink on the invitation envelopes was her favorite color, or that the centerpiece was made from her favorite flower. For a true wow-factor element, rent a projector and display a custom made slide show of the bride and her courtship with the groom. Remember to include pictures of her with her family members, because the mother of the bride deserves a little recognition, too!
When you’ve set the date for the wedding shower, the next step is to reserve an LCD projector for rent from Projector123.com. Discover why so many people choose Projector123.com for all their projector rental needs. Click here to get started now.
May 11th, 2011
Welcome back to part two of our two-part series on planning audiovisuals for your upcoming wedding and/or associated festivities. In our prior installment, we looked at when to rent a projector, how to create the outcome you desire, and the pros and cons of soliciting help with your project. In today’s installment, we’ll address the logistics of putting it all together for the main event.
Step 4: Creating a Video Montage
This step may be somewhat time consuming, but it is often easier than it sounds. Even a person with no experience in this arena can create a stylish and sophisticated slide show relatively quickly and easily. First, gather all the images you’d like to use. If you plan to use baby photos and other older images, you will need to scan photos to gain digital images. Once you have all your images gathered, begin to put them in the sequence you desire. You may prefer to start with childhood and work your way forward to present day, but this is not absolutely necessary. Once you’ve got the sequence selected, consider what music you’d like to associate with the slide show, and gather those songs or soundtracks. Now you’re ready to begin assembling your slide show, so you’ll need some kind of software, which can be as simple as Microsoft PowerPoint. Add the images, ensure the order is correct, create an opening and closing slide, add transitions, and insert the music. Once you’ve reviewed your slide show and it meets with your satisfaction, burn it to a DVD (it’s a good idea to make at least one backup copy, though you may want a few extra copies for parents and other loved ones) and you are ready to go!
Step 5: Decide on the “When”
Next, it’s time to decide when is the most optimal time to showcase your slide show. For a slightly less formal wedding reception, you might consider letting the images run on a loop throughout the reception. Or, you may prefer to attract everyone’s attention and fun the montage just once during your rehearsal dinner. Depending on who is attending what event, it may be appropriate to run your slideshow more than once during the different festivities. Whatever you decide, it’s a good idea to make some notes about which events and at what point during the events (after the toasts, continuously, during dessert, etc.) you’d like it shown.
Step 6: Inform the Players
The last step is to inform the appropriate personnel about what you’ve decided. For example, tell the banquet coordinator at the restaurant where your rehearsal dinner will be held (and explain that you’ve already arranged for a rental projector, but you’ll need a screen or blank wall), the reception hall, the maid of honor, etc. Lastly, remember to bring the DVD (and a backup, just in case) or entrust this task to your most responsible friend or family member.
Your wedding is the most special time of your life, and when you choose to celebrate the occasion with images and visual memories, trust Projector123.com to supply your rental projector. You can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality rental projector, with easy 1-2-3 setup instructions in ample time for your event. Click here to reserve a rental projector for your special day right now.
May 9th, 2011
In the U.S., summer months are by far the most popular season for wedding celebrations. If you’re planning a wedding in the upcoming weeks and months, it’s not too late to add a dramatic and tasteful slide show or photo montage to your nuptial celebration. Here are our best tips (in a two-part segment) for audiovisual support during wedding season.
Step 1: Get Started Now
Once you decide to create a photo or video slideshow, go ahead and reseve your rental projector immediately. After all, the only reason to delay this step would be if you were awaiting confirmation on a date, and most folks set their wedding date nearly a year in advance. Reserving a rental projector now means one more to-do item crossed off your massive list.
 Step 2: Imagine the Outcome
One of the best ways to create audiovisual support that suits you personally and fits in with your celebration is to begin by thinking about how you’d like it to appear. Does your rehearsal dinner need a slide show to enliven the mood? Does the family of your betrothed wish to get to know everyone better? Do you need some kind of dramatic display at the reception, or the morning-after brunch? A montage can be just the ticket for adding drama, deepening rapport, filling in backstory, or providing a lively focal point.
Step 3: To Help or Not to Help?
Next, consider whether or not you’d like to delegate all or part of this responsibility (or simply collaborate with a partner or two) or handle it yourself. Odds are, there is someone in your family or close circle of friends who has a knack for (and love of) this kind of creation, and they would almost certainly be delighted to assist. Then again, you might prefer to hold the content a surprise and therefore keep it under tight wraps. The choice is entirely up to you, but be sure to consider your skill set – are you capable of putting together the kind of slide show you’ve been envisioning?
In the next segment, we’ll look at logistics of putting it all together and pulling it off. Be sure to return next time for the conclusion of this wedding audiovisual planning series.
In the meantime, why not take a moment now to reserve your rental projector? It’s easy to do, and just takes a minute when you start by clicking here to access Projector123.com.
October 19th, 2009
Planning a fall wedding? Here are some clever resources for just such an occasion:
1. Fall Wedding Details
This comprehensive site offers advice on color and venue selection as well as fabulous ideas for fall favors and more.
http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings/fall-weddings.aspx
2. Fall Wedding Advice
What about the weather? This site offers tips on avoiding some of the more worrisome caveats about planning an autumn wedding.
http://www.elegala.com/go/ideas_advice/for/plan_a_fall_wedding/
3. Finding Your Personal Autumn Style
Did you know you have a personal fall style? This handy website offers advice and picturesque ideas for choosing your personal fall style, to ensure that your wedding reflects your unique personality.
http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/seasonal-themes/fall-wedding-theme/
4. Choosing Fall Wedding Colors
Hooray! Orange and brown aren’t your only options for a fall wedding — here are some delightful color combinations you might not have considered.
http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/articles/experts/mindy_weiss/fall_wedding_colors.asp
5. Fall Weddings on a Budget
Your wedding day doesn’t have to skimp on magic and beauty just because you’re on a budget – this helpful website offers tips for making the most of your fall wedding budget.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1763648/5_tips_for_planning_your_fall_wedding.html?cat=23
6. Color My Closet
Do you know your ideal shade of wedding white? Certified Color Consultant Lauren Battistini is starting a Color Revolution — Lauren can assist you in choosing a white wedding dress that perfectly suits your coloring and skin tone, as well as choosing the most optimal makeup colors to complement your personal color palette.
http://ColorMyCloset.com
7. Slide Show Projector Rental
Planning a video montage or slide show of the happy couple? Projector123.com rents projectors for weddings, bridal showers & luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and more. Click here to reserve your DVD projector rental.
http://www.Projector123.com
Know of a great fall wedding resource? Share it here in your comments.
July 22nd, 2009
Here are some FABULOUS resources for song selections for anyone planning a wedding, rehearsal dinner or couple’s shower…
Timelessdvd.com not only offers wonderful suggestions for choosing appropriate wedding songs (including possibilities for the photo/video montage) but also includes categorized lists of song titles, artists, and lyrics.
This site, AOL Radio Blog, features best “first dance” songs for weddings.
Lastly, DiscJockeys.com, features the 200 most requested songs (as reported by mobile DJs across America). Whether you’re planning a DJ or a band for your wedding reception, we recommend browsing this top 200 list to find “must-have” songs to include in your request list.
For your wedding montage, be sure to rent your wedding projector from Projector123.com, the top resource in professional quality consumer projector rentals.
July 13th, 2009
With so many details to plan for an upcoming wedding, it’s no wonder brides get frazzled when it comes time to choose music for their slide show trip down memory lane. If you’re like most brides-to-be, you probably have a list of at least a dozen favorite tunes you’d love to include, but you’ve got to pare it down to just 3 or 4 songs.  Here are some helpful tips:
1) It’s in the Meaning
Choose songs that are meaningful to you as a couple — whether it’s the first song you danced to, the song you fell in love during, or the song that defines you as a couple. Your montage won’t only be shown at your wedding — it’s a compilation you’ll treasure for years to come, and if the songs you choose have a special meaning, then you are far less likely to tire of listening to these tunes year after year.
2) Skip the Sap
Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” is a classic and certainly, the lyrics apply to ANY happy couple, but it’s slow tempo and drawn-out feel is far too sleepy for a quality slide show. Same goes for “Always and Forever” by Luther Vandross, “Nothing Compares to You” by Sinead O’Connor, and “Angel Eyes” by the Jeff Healey Band. These are all great songs, but see how you feel after listening to them 3 times in a row! Take your time and think — you can find songs with lyrics that are just as beautiful as these, but with a tempo that feels more cheerful and appropriate for a fun or nostalgic slide show.
3) Mix it Up
Nobody says you have to choose songs all from the same decade, genre or artist. Feel free to mix it up, and let the music match your slideshow (or the phases of your life, if you’re creating a montage that starts with baby photos and progresses to couplehood).
4) Less Is More
Slideshows should be kept to a max of 10-12 minutes, which really only gives you time for 3-4 songs. Remember that you have picture books for a reason — for your keepsakes. You don’t have to include every memory, every great photo, or every song you love. In this case, less is definitely more.
Be sure to rent your projector in plenty of time for your wedding or rehearsal dinner. Get a projector rental quote from Projector123.com who offers fast, reliable affordable LCD projectors.
June 25th, 2009
Let’s face it — bridal showers can either be fun and enjoyable or boring and dull.
 If you’ve got a close friend who’s getting married and you’ve taken on the task of planning her bridal shower, here is an easy instructional guide to get you started on those first hard-to-tackle steps.
Focus on the bride. Too many bridal showers fail because the planner is coming from the perspective of what SHE likes, instead of thinking of the bride herself. Business and leadership expert Stephen Covey says “Begin with the end in mind” but this can definitely apply to party planning too! Put yourself in the bride’s shoes for just a moment and imagine being totally happy at the END of the shower. What was it about the shower that made it so successful?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Depending on the size of the wedding, a bridal shower can be a huge undertaking, so don’t be afraid to ask another friend of the bride (or another bridesmaid or family member) for help. A few caveats: make sure it’s someone who knows the bride well AND whom you can work with (for example, the bride’s domineering aunt may not be the best choice), and talk up-front about how you envision sharing the expense, to ensure there aren’t any unpleasant surprises down the road.
Set a budget — and stick to it. Do your research and don’t go overboard. Choose 1 or 2 special areas to splurge on (flowers, favors, food, location, decoration, invitations, etc.), and keep the rest simple. Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a wonderful event for the bride and her friends & family.
Decide whether or not to make it a surprise. Remember: what would SHE like best? If it’s not going to be a surprise, be sure and choose a date that works well for the bride.
Choose a date and select a venue. These may go hand-in-hand, depending on the popularity of the venue you choose or the host’s availability if you have an in-home shower.
Once you’ve made it through these steps, the event will really start to come together. And if you’re planning to showcase the bride in a photo or video montage (highly recommended!) then remember to reserve your bridal shower projector rental from Projector123.com.
June 22nd, 2009
Summer time in America is generally the busiest bridal season of the year. If you’re a bride-to-be who is planning the wedding of her dreams, you’re no doubt looking for those extra-special touches that will make your wedding really shine.
Think you’re not “techy” enough for a photo or video montage? Think again.
 Putting together your own photo or video montage is easier than you think. In fact, you may find that the toughest part involves choosing which photos to include, and which to leave out. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for this task — although it’s not especially time-intensive, it can take awhile to gather childhood pix from parents and grandparents, and to collect yearbooks and snapshots from family and friends.
The next step involves choosing the perfect music for your slideshow, you can visit the iTunes store or Amazon.com to purchase copies of the songs. While sites like Limewire and Pandora may be fine for listening to music, you’ll want to ensure you have the highest quality sound for your slide show, so it makes sense to purchase a licensed copy if you don’t already own it on CD or MP3.
Computer applications are readily available to help you put together your montage, including iMovie (for the Mac) or PC software like Slide Show Maker, PowerPoint and Photo Story Platinum.
But don’t feel like you’ve got to take on this task all by yourself! Odds are, someone in your wedding party has the technical knowhow (and the enthusiasm) for spearheading this project. You’ve got plenty to take care of, so why not rely on your friends and family for support? Ask around and find out who loves technical projects in the family and then ask that person to collaborate with you and your groom on the photo montage. You’ll save yourself time and stress and the other person will surely be excited to give their time and talents to help make your day the best it can possibly be.
 Another alternative is to use a service like One True Media, who can create your custom slide show for you.
Whatever option you choose, be sure to count on Projector123.com to deliver the professional-quality projector rental for your special day. Our experienced staff can assist you in choosing the right projector, selecting a screen or alternative viewing wall, and creating a smooth and gorgeous photo or video montage.
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