We are on ETTV!

Our Principal Wedding Consultant, Sherrien Shui was invited to speak at Channel 62.6 ETTV America's talk show - MD Talk （蔣亮話）about the culture of red envelop (wedding gift).
If you received a wedding invitation from a Chinese-American friend, you might find no bridal registry coming with it because it's too embarrassing to ask people for gifts in Chinese culture. 
What should you bring to the wedding, then? That's easy—just cash, a check or a gift card that you know the couple can definitely use, like a Target or Walmart card. The monetary amount in the red envelope should be equivalent to a nice gift that would be given at a Western wedding. It should be enough money to cover the guest’s expense at the wedding. For example, if the wedding dinner costs the newlyweds US$100 per person, then the money in the envelope should be at least US$100. The Chinese custom of money giving is meant to help the couple pay for the wedding. If you agree with the concept and want to be totally culturally appropriate, put the money or gift card in a red envelope. 

For all occasions, certain amounts of money are to be avoided. Anything with a four is best avoided because four （四） sounds similar to death （死）. For weddings, even numbers, except four, are better than odd. Eight is a particularly auspicious number. Nine means longevity and everlasting. The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Folding the money or giving dirty even wrinkled bills is in bad taste. Coins and checks are avoided.
If you don't read Chinese, however, make sure you pick a red envelope with no Chinese characters on it, because most of the red envelopes with Chinese characters are used to give money during Chinese New Year or for birthdays. You can write your best wishes for the couple on the plain red envelope and use that in lieu of a wedding card. For weddings, a short message, typically a four character expression, and signature are optional. Some four character expressions appropriate for a wedding red envelope like 天作之合 (marriage made in heaven), 早生貴子 (may you soon to have children) or 百年好合 (happy union for one hundred years) are appropriate.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding different cultures and wedding traditions.

Golf Themed Destination Wedding

Photo Credit: Tommy Lu of Bellasposa Bridal & Photography

Cindy and Leon both live in Suzhou, China. Leon studied at a professional golf training school in Los Angeles years ago. After returning to China, he worked for a large golf accessories company as a manager. Cindy is a dance teacher and a performer. They met on a golf course in China. Leon's parents were referred to us by our mutual friend. They contracted with us about a month before their wedding. Thanks to the modern technologies, we were able to communicate with the couple via Skype and WeChat, using video conferences to confirm all the designs and vendors. Within a month, we found them the perfect venue, booked all vendors, created a design that exceed their expectation and plan a cozy and unique wedding for them and their guests. 

Twogether's Wedding Team:
Destination Wedding Planner: Sherrien Shui 
Venue: Pacific Palms Resort
Florist: Robinson's Flowers 
Audio: AVL Productions 
Lighting, Chairs & Dance Floor: The Music Man Productions 
Ceremony Musicians: Elegant Music 
Reception Entertainment: Climax Band 
Officiant / Reception MC: Sherrien Shui
Linen Rentals: Elegant Designs Specialty Linens 
Wedding Cake: Nini Bakery 
Photographer: Bellasposa Bridal & Photography 
Cinematographer: Ailey Artsy

Video Credit: Ailey Chen of Ailey Artsy

We are on Style Unveiled!

We're thrilled to have been featured on Style Unveiled for Karen & Henry's beautiful wedding at The Langham Pasadena. Of course, this splendid event wouldn't have been possible without our team of dedicated vendors as well as the amazingly talented Jeremy Chou Photography​.  Karen & Henry were truly a treat to work with and we’re so happy that their beautiful day can now inspire others! 

Check out the photos on http://styleunveiled.com/real-weddings/a-los-angeles-wedding-photographed-by-jeremy-chou/

10 Things You Should Never Tell Your Wedding Florist

Written by Colleen Oakes, Author of the Elly in Bloom 

After designing weddings for eight years, I decided to pursue my love of writing over my love of floral design. The result was the Elly in Bloom series. It gave an honest (and often sharp) behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be "the help" on every bride's perfect day. Here are some of my favorite (real!) lines from hundreds of consultations. And let me just add that for every bridezilla, there were probably 10 delightful brides, something that those in the industry know very well...

1. "I love (enter expensive flower name here), but I have a really small budget."
This is like telling a car salesperson, "I love Mercedes Benz, but I have a used KIA budget... but can I still get a Mercedes Benz?"

2. "My dress is not quite ivory, not quite white, but like a diamond-white, only more like a champagne eggshell, but with cosmic latte pearls, which add kind of this creamy-white to it, but I don't want flowers that are snow-white, I want a ghost linen with hints of..."
There are two shades of white to wedding florists: cream and white. Please pick one.

3. Slides pictures of Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes across the table. "Can you do something like this for an $800 budget?"
How do I say this in the kindest way... NO.

4. "I love the look of lilacs, but the smell makes my eyes water. Is there any way we can remove the scent but keep the flowers?"
Absolutely. Totally a normal request. Let me grab my vacuum cleaner hose.

5. "I would like to take pictures outside on the surface of the sun (i.e, Colorado, Arizona, California, middle of the summer, hottest day EVER) or in Antarctica (Chicago, Minnesota, mid winter, -102 degrees), will my antique hydrangeas last?"
Nope. But let me guess, you still want them...

6. "I would like an exact replica of Princess Kate's bouquet, but have a very limited budget."
A safe assumption would be that if the Duchess of Cambridge can afford it, us mere mortals cannot. May I interest you in a bouquet rocked by that girl you went to high school with?

7. "Is there going to be someone who will stay at the wedding to watch the flowers?"
They are flowers, not children. Besides, if I want my flowers to become alive and eat people like in Little Shop of Horrors, I will give them the command BEFORE the wedding.

8. "I know you are on your way to my wedding right now, but I was wondering if we could change our theme from Great Gatsby to Vintage Southern, and make all the white flowers a soft green and maybe add some yellow and pink shades? Is it too late? I mean, we are paying you to get what we want."
*Bangs head on steering wheel*

9. "I don't want to pay for something that just dies in a day."
That's okay, I completely understand not wanting to pay for something that will only be used for one special day. You also might have a problem with the following items: venue, wedding food, wedding cake, wedding dress, invitations, favors, alcohol, officiants, musicians, bridesmaid dresses, "Bride" embroidered underwear, 242 umbrellas and 30 tiny bags of personalized M&M's.

10. "So, I've made a few thousand Pinterest boards containing a few hundred pins each for you to look at for inspiration. We'll just start with the 'Wrap Inspiration Board'..."
Oh please, Lord no...


Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/colleen-oakes/10-things-you-should-neve_b_4646345.html

Why Wedding Photographers’ Prices are “Wack”?

This is an interesting article I found it online. I personally think this Florida photographer should emphasize on her quality of work and services rather than her equipment and expenses. $2,500 is actually not expensive for wedding photography in Southern California nowadays. The price range for an experienced and published wedding photographer in Southern California starts at $4,500 up to $15,000 if he/she receives an award. However, I found this article interesting. So I'd like to share with you all.

Earlier today my friend and fellow photographer posted a link to a craigslist ad from a woman in Seattle looking for a wedding photographer. The woman was upset because she thought that $3,000 for a wedding photographer was “wack” because all we do “is hang out at a wedding taking tons of photos and editing them” and that we are “making so much money its crazy.”

I first read this post earlier today while I was running errands and my head almost exploded. I immediately started drafting a horribly mean and punishing response in my head, but by the time I got home, I realized that this is probably a common misconception and that maybe I should try to explain why photographers charge what we do for our work.

Before I post my response, I want to thank all of my brides who appreciate my work and think that I am worth the price. This response is not meant to offend anyone. I understand many people are on a budget — especially in this economy — and I understand planning a wedding is both expensive and overwhelming. I always try my best to work with my couples and offer customized and discounted packaging options for those who are on a tighter budget.

I just want to state again, that being a photographer doesn't mean that we wake up in the morning, photograph a wedding for 8 hours and then go home and our job is done. Those of us who are lucky enough to be able to support ourselves as full time photographers don’t just work as photographers. We are also small business owners, which also comes with the job of doing all of our own marketing, sales, accounting, scouting, art directing, managing our offices and studios, being our own webmasters, doing our own post production, designing, blogging, being students, being mentors, researching, etc…

Sorry for the novel. Here was my response:

Dear Bride,

I am a wedding photographer in the Erie, PA area. Wedding season only last about 4 months here, so I photograph an average of 20 weddings per year for an average of $2,500/wedding (which totals about $50,000/year).

• That being said, I am a small business owner, so I pay all of my taxes, totaling about $15,000/year, which leaves me with a gross income of around $35,000
• Of that $35,000 I pay $600/month in rent for my small house and garage which I converted into my studio (which is where I would be editing your wedding images).$35,000 – $7,200 = $27,800
• Then I have my car, which I would use to get me to and from your wedding, which I pay $400/month for the lease, plus $200/month in car insurance. $27,800 – $7,200 = $20,600
• To get to your (and my other brides) wedding consultation, second wedding pre-consultation, the wedding itself, and to and from the printers I spend $840/year in gas money. $20,600 – $840 = $19,760
• I also have $500/year insurance in case you sue me, or if any of your drunk guests would happen to break any of my equipment. $19,760 – $500 = $19,260
• You also probably found me through my website, which I pay $30/month for hosting, and another $30/month so that you can view your photos online and share the images with your friends and family. $19,260 – $720 = $18,540
• Or perhaps you found me through my advertisements in the newspaper or local bridal magazines, or a bridal show that you attended that I paid to have a booth at. $18,540 – $1,000 = $17,540
• I also pay $250/month for my own health insurance in case I were to get hurt at your wedding. $17,540 – $3,000 = $14,540
• I pay $200/wedding for a second shooter for your wedding, so that you can have more images and different angles, as to make sure you get the best images possible at your wedding. $14,540 – $4,000 = $10,540
• I also need to have a new pair of shoes ($100) every season because my shoes get worn out and dirty from season to season. $10,540 – $100 = $10,440
• I need high speed internet so I can upload all of your images online, my home phone for my business and my cell phone so I can communicate with you. $10,440 – $2,500 = $7,940
• Oh yes, and I also pay a lawyer to make sure my contracts are iron clad and an accountant to make sure that I am paying all of the taxes I need. $7,940 – $500 = $7,440
• Sometimes I attend workshops and seminars to teach me how to better my business, and make my client happier (that would be you), as well as keep up on the trends and learn new techniques so that I can make sure you have the best quality images available.

That would technically leave me with about $7,000/year to feed myself, buy groceries, pay for my heat and electricity, clothe myself, etc. But, usually I end up reinvesting whatever I have left on upgrades and new equipment:

During your wedding, I bring my professional equipment that I use so that I can make sure you have the highest quality images.

• I have 2 Canon 5D Mark II cameras (because you always need a backup in case of a camera malfunction, which would ruin your big day’s photographs) which cost $2,500/camera = $5,000
• I also have quality lenses which can capture your special moments in low light situations:
  Canon 24-70 f/2.8 lens = $1,200
  Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens = $1,300
  Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens = $500
  Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro = $600
• …and I have speed lights to catch the fun moments at your reception:
  2 x Canon 580EX II = $1,200
• Also multiple battery backups and memory cards, lens filters, light stands, umbrellas, light boxes, external battery packs and a bag to carry everything in = $1,500
• Because this is equipment, sometimes I need to have it serviced or cleaned to make sure it is all working properly = $200

After spending 8-10 hours at your wedding, I then come home to my home office and spend about 20-25 hours editing your images, creating your album, blogging about your wedding, posting pictures on Facebook, ordering you prints and burning your DVDs.

• I edit your photographs using a 27-inch iMac computer = $2,500.
• I edit your photographs on Adobe Lightroom ($200) and Adobe CS5 ($400 for the upgrade and $900 for the new program).
• I print your DVDs on a printer which costs $300 and which uses $200/year in ink.
• I buy the DVDs and jewel cases you’re getting printed for $300/year
• I archive all of your photographs on 2 x 2TB external hard drives = $500.
• I also back up all of my photographs online so if there was ever a fire in my office, you would never lose your photographs = $400/year.
• I also have office expenses as far as buying paper, staples, envelopes, packaging, filing cabinets and files, etc…
• I also spend time and money ordering your prints and albums, paying for shipping, going to the post office etc.

All of that being said, I’m usually in the hole at the end of the year, and take on many family portraits, senior portraits and corporate jobs in order to make ends meet.

Photography is my passion and my livelihood, and it is also expensive. Yes, it seems like a lot of money for one day, but one day isn't all we spend on your photographs or on our business. You will spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress or flowers or a venue or on catering which you are going to have for only one day, but your photographs will be the only thing you have to remember that one day for the rest of your lives.

I’m extremely insulted by your craigslist post and hope this sheds a little light on why we charge $3,000 for one day of your memories that are going to last you forever.

– Nikki Wagner, Photographer

Original Article: http://petapixel.com/2012/01/26/why-wedding-photographers-prices-are-wack/

Wedding Menu Tasting Tips

As wedding consultants, we are attending many menu and cake tasting appointments with our clients. We usually will distribute a stack of index cards for our clients to rate the food and write their reviews. When the food is served at the table, we first vote among all attendees of the display of the food. After all, first impression is important. Then, we will each take a bite of the food. Based on the taste of the food, we write our reviews. After we finish eating one category (e.g. hors d'oeuvres, appetizer, salad, soup, intermezzo, entree and dessert), then we go over the reviews of each dish, conclude the selection of each category, then try on the food of the next category. We take pictures of each selected item and keep them in the client's file, so we can remind the catering services and their banquet service team on the day of. 

Here are some tips about the menu selection:

Seafood-
If you want to select a seafood for your guests, sea bass is our top choice. 

Salmon and sword fish's textures are not preferred for most Asian guests. If the chef cannot control it well on the wedding day, it will taste like rubber - very hard to chew.









Cake- 
As for cake, we recommend you to match your theme color inside out. If your theme color is pink, it's best that you have a vanilla cake with raspberry or strawberry mousse filling. It will look good on the picture. We do not recommend to have chocolate cake because when you eat your first slice of cake in front of your guests, your teeth will be covered with chocolate - not so pretty. 

Hors d’oeuvres-

Hors d’oeuvres may be served or displayed for a maximum of two hours. Count the number of people who have RSVPed to your event. 

For assistance with determining the amount of hors d’oeuvres needed for your event, use the following formula: When no dinner is being served, guests generally consume 10-12 hors d’oeuvres per hour. With dinner, offer 6-8 hors d’oeuvres per hour per guest. 

100 guests x 7 hors d’oeuvres each = 700 hors d’oeuvres per person 

700 hors d’oeuvres per hour x 1 cocktail hours = 700 hors d’oeuvres for the event 

Now select your menu: 100 tomato bruschetta, 100 chicken satay, 100 canapés, 200 coconut shrimp, 100 deviled eggs, 100 dumplings, etc. You can reduce your hors d’oeuvres count by adding in dips or carved meats.

Wine- 
A good way to select wines for your wedding is to taste a variety for the best pairing with your menu. Look for at least one red wine and one white to serve at your celebration. Two wines that go very well with many different types of foods and that can be served year-round are Sauvignon Blanc for a white and, among reds, Pinot Noir. Both of these are lighter in body and less fruity than Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. 

  

Wedding Gown Shopping Tips

This is probably the most exciting and yet stressful experience in your wedding planning - finding the perfect wedding gown!

Before you make an appointment with any wedding gown stores, I recommend you flip through some bridal magazines and get a general ideas of what style(s) you like and bringing in pictures to show your consultant the day of your appointment. This will help give your consultant to understand what styles tend to catch your eye. If you are one of our clients, we will submit the pictures for you prior the appointment. So by the time you arrive the store, your pre-selected wedding gowns are already waiting for you in the dressing room.

Do not go to a wedding gown store without an appointment. You will need a designated consultant to help you selecting and trying all these wedding gowns. It usually takes at least an hour...sometimes up to 4 hours trying on all these dresses. Without an appointment, the process will take longer. In the busy wedding season, you might not have any consultant available to assist you nor a dressing room for you to change. 

Going alone to an appointment is not a brilliant idea. First of all, you will not be able to see the back of the dress...and most of us will ask for a second, third, or even sixth opinion when we purchase a wedding gown. Wedding gown could cost you thousands of dollars. So this is not a small expense of your wedding budget. I recommend you bringing people with you to help you making your decision since the selection can be overwhelming.

Make sure you bring your heels with you and proper bra for the gown. Be on time for your appointment.  If you are any later than 20 minutes from your scheduled appointment time, don't be surprise some stores might release your appointment to another bride on their waiting list.

I would suggest bringing a strapless bra and a pair of heels to get the full effect of the gowns. You may also want to try on veils and accessories to match your wedding gown.