PETER BRUCE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Sexy Wedding Boudoir Photo tips by Peter Bruce

2009-11-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have shot many brides getting ready and both Brides giving the gift and Grooms getting the shots have always been happy the did some cool fashion type boudoir shots.Given the gift even Tiger Woods would be over the moon if his wife did this.
Here is the full low down on what to do from my blog,just click on the blog tab

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

So let me know what you think
Peter Bruce photo & video

Purple Orchid Inn by Peter Bruce

2009-11-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

The Purple Orchid Inn does another good wedding for a fun couple from Flordia
Check all the details and fun photos at my blog...
www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & VIdeo

Sex to the sounds of bells

2009-11-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

See what happened to old grandpar when the chyrch bells rang. Here is a funny story

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Let me know what you think

Peter Bruce Photo & Video

St Franics Drake wedding with a LOTS of Vodka by Peter Bruce Photo

2009-11-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

Can anyone say VODKA
St Francis Drake hotel rocked with Tiffany & Gene
Check out all the photos at this blog.

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog/73/Tiffany_Gene_why_Peter_Bruce_Photo_likes_the_Place_Sir_Francis_Drake.html

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & Video

Jokes on the groom

2009-11-11T09:53:00.001-08:00

Want to play a joke on the groom,try this good one from Peter Bruce Photo & Video.During the wedding ceremony, when the minister/preacher/priest comes to the part about, "If anyone has any reason why these two people should not marry, speak up now or forever hold your peace..." have this 4-to-6,iyear old boy running up the aisle loudly yelling, "Daddy, daddy." It works better if the groom does not know the boy.

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & Video

The best in the Business by Peter Bruce Photo

2009-11-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

Over the years Peter Bruce Photo & Video has worked with many wedding planners. I am here to tell you it is hard to beat Sanford the wedding coach ,he is one of the best around... Here is a little info on him.

"The mission of the Wedding Coach is to help you and your fiancé enjoy the entire planning process from start to finish. We combine your vision with our experience to create the wedding of your dreams. Our formula for great weddings is founded on our belief that this is one of life’s most precious moments and you deserve to treasure every minute of it.

The Wedding Coach is run by CEO and founder, Sanford Marshall. Sanford has spent ten years as the Regional Director of Special Events for The San Francisco Bay Club one of the premier private health and social clubs in California. With this extensive event planning experience, Sanford has developed robust relationships with partners in the restaurant and hotel industry, and has reciprocal associations with numerous wineries, photographers, private chefs, caterers, hotels, destination resorts and more. It is with these colleagues that Sanford will help you achieve your wedding vision with style, elegance, and if you’d like a little flair."

-Sanford Marshall

Hope you enjoyed Best Regards Peter Bruce Photo & Video

Fun couple in Fog

2009-11-07T09:01:00.001-08:00

Peter Bruce Photo & Video was lucky enough to shot this great couple wedding at Mira Vista was the perfect place to host this couples weddiing even with the fog. Located only 20-minutes from downtown San Francisco, Mira Vista made the wedding feel like you are a world apart from the big city. The banquet room boast some of the most magnificent views in the entire Bay Area after the fog cleared. From the San Francisco skyline to the distant Mount Tamalpais to the Golden Gate Bridge, the views are vast and breathtaking. And once the sun had set over the Bay, there warmly lit banquet room created an equally glorious ambience for great food and wold dancing. Designed in the 1920s by the notable Bay Area architect W. H. Ratcliff, the clubhouse is a supreme example of the English Tudor Revival.

I hope you enjoyed the wedding as much as I did,this couple were the coolest and the there family and friend were the best

Please let me know

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & Video

First Things First ladies the Engagement...

2009-10-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

Amid all of the excitement in the weeks surrounding your engagement, there are a few tasks you'll want to take care of right away. Here, five must-dos from Peter Bruce Photo and, most important, how to have a good time accomplishing them.

Start Spreading the News...
You may want to let people in on your engagement as soon as the ring is slipped on your finger. Or you might want to keep the moment private a bit longer. However you share the information, even if you veer from tradition, you should tell your parents first, then other family and friends. You'll make phone calls of course, but you can also send email, or have cards printed. You could even throw a party (and no, you don't have to invite everyone on the engagement-party guest list to the wedding). Have fun with it: Turn photos of the two of you holding a "We're engaged" sign into table decorations or posters.

Discuss a Date...
Once the word is out, expect lots of questions, including "When are you getting married?" Reveal a date if you have one, or let curious friends know plans are in the works -- as they should be, especially if you want to hold your wedding at a popular time of year, such as June or over a holiday. Locations, photographers, caterers, and other professionals book up early, sometimes a year in advance.

Think About the Big Picture...
Envision the type of wedding you both want -- maybe it's the event of childhood dreams or one that reflects your grown-up tastes. For Let your imagination run free.

Even if you are set on a formal event in a ballroom, considering other possibilities, such as a seaside ceremony or a Sunday brunch, may change your mind or reinforce your choice. The same holds true for selecting the time of day and mood of the wedding.

Prior to making any decisions, figure out what you have to spend and whether your families will contribute. Make sure you and your fiance are in agreement about your priorities before talking to your parents about budget and logistics.

Register for Gifts...
Surprising as it may seem, as soon as people find out about your impending nuptials, presents will start flowing in. It's never too early to register, not only to help ensure you get something you like and need, but also to make it easier on friends and family who are pondering what to purchase. Even if you don't select everything right away, at least go to one store and decide on some things for your list. You can always add more later and register at other stores. Try to limit your registry to three places. This way, it'll be easier to manage. And, in case you don't get everything you put down, many stores will keep your registry active for as long as a few years.

Insure Your Ring...
You may never want to take off your priceless new treasure, but realistically, you'll have to at times. It's a good idea to talk to an insurance agent about coverage in case the stones or the ring itself ever need to be repaired or replaced.

You will first need to get a appraisal by a certified independent gemologist; most jewelers will provide this service upon purchase. And make sure you understand all the terms of the policy. Find out whether you are covered if the ring is lost, stolen, or damaged, and what stipulations there are, if any. If the ring is damaged, does the company give you a check so you can have it repaired by the jeweler of your choice, or do you have to use one of their jewelers? You'll also want to know how long the claims process takes.

You might be able to add a jewelry rider to your existing homeowner's or renter's policy; if not, set up a separate policy. And, most important, take very good care of your ring -- when you're wearing it and when you're not -- because that's the best insurance of all.

We hope this helps you get started. Please let us know

Best Regards Peter Bruce Photo & Video

Old St. Hilary's & Art & Garden Center by Peter Bruce Photo

2009-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Melissa and Sean hail from New York by way of the Bay Area. They came back for their wedding and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Their weddding was a day full of family (the groom's mother married the couple), friends (old and new) and love. The guests were stylish, the setting was gorgeous. The bar of candy, soft and vibrant flowers, and the steel drum band showed how much fun this couple is. Peter Bruce Photo & Video was happy to be there to capture their day.

See more photos below...

Old St. Hilary's, a little history...

Wildflowers surround Old St. Hilary's, Tiburon's iconic hillside landmark, which was originally a mission church named for St. Hilaire, Bishop of Poitiers. The heirs of John Reed—who held title to El Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio, the Mexican land grant that included the Tiburon Peninsula—deeded the one-quarter acre site for $2 to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which built the church as a place of worship for local railroad workers in 1888.

The building is of significant architectural importance because it is one of the few remaining Carpenter Gothic churches to survive in its original setting. It is constructed of redwood, with redwood doors and a Douglas fir ceiling. Amber glass replaced the original stained glass windows after they were broken. The stained glass window above the door has been restored and depicts St. Hilary (fourth century), patron saint of scholars. It was a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lyford.

The current electric lights are replicas of coal-oil chandeliers, which were lowered with ropes that brackets on the walls held in place. Heating and water are modern additions. Original furnishings include the white altar rail and two stands for statues on either side of the sanctuary, as well as the restored Stations of the Cross in the nave. A donor salvaged the cross from a church in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Most of the permanent furnishings are donations in honor of local residents. They include the concert piano and custom-made docent desk, chair and table, as well as oak pews that are reproductions of the originals. A group of local volunteers created the needlepoint pew cushions that feature local wildflowers.

The church was deconsecrated to make way for a new, larger one and was headed for destruction until several individuals intent on preserving local history established the Landmarks Society and purchased the site and building in 1959. It has served as a schoolroom and town meeting hall and is now a popular setting for weddings, concerts and other memorable events.

Landmarks Art & Garden Center a little history...

The property was part of the earliest settlement on the Tiburon Peninsula—John Reed's Mexican Land Grant, El Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio. The Cottage (c. 1870), believed to be the oldest structure on the Tiburon Peninsula, was originally a bunkhouse for workers at the Rancho's brick kilns in an area called the Hilarita, which was named for Hilarita Reed Lyford, heiress to the 1834 land grant. Working class homes and a dairy, which was located where Reed School is now, were part of the neighborhood as well.

When the Northwest Pacific Railroad came to Tiburon in 1884, it added a stop called Hilarita station to the tiny community. The trains served passengers and also carried bricks from the kilns to construction sites in the North Bay and to ferries for transport to San Francisco.

After the kilns stopped operating, and theo Rancho no longer needed to provide housing for workers, the Reed heirs expanded the bunkhouse and turned it into a residential cottage, which they rented to tenants. In 1944, artist William Newman and his wife Helen, an ardent conservationist, purchased the property and transformed the farmyard into a garden while preserving the historic house.

Fifty years later, Mrs. Newman bequeathed the property to the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society for use as an art center and to preserve the gardens. The society took on the task of restoring the cottage in typical farmhouse style and bringing it up to modern building codes, using rough-hewn materials from the original building as well as those of similar age.

The Newmans created the country garden and did most of the work themselves with guidance from a plan by Leland Noel, a noted landscape architect and botanist. The Landmarks Society preserved mature trees, shrubs and plants that had survived years of drought and neglect and made modifications to allow public use and accommodate current conservation practices. Master gardeners and volunteers planted the terraced acre with colorful flowerbeds and created restful vista points, and local residents contributed thousands of used bricks to complete the terraces and pathways.

The cast-iron bell at the side of the cottage was originally a fire bell for Belvedere Island, sounding the alarm to let firefighters know that their services were needed. When telephones came into vogue, operators began calling firefighters to alert them, and the bell found a new home at Belvedere School where it summoned children to class. It also chimed daily at 4 p.m. to tell children playing in the islands open spaces that it was time to go home. It now hangs from a farmyard post, and celebrants ring it to mark special occasions.

The lovely 5-foot-by-7-foot pagoda birdhouse is a Victorian garden folly that dates from the 1890s, a time when oriental objects were fashionable, and was a fixture in the garden at 207 Beach Road, Belvedere, for many years. Mindful of its history, the owners donated it to the Landmarks Society for preservation in the Art & Garden Center.

We hope you enjoyed these photos and a little history. Please let us know

Best Peter Bruce Photo & Video

Carmel Valley Ranch at its best

2009-10-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Peter Bruce Photo and Video was lucky enough to shoot Janine & Davids wedding at the beautiful Carmel Valley Ranch. What a fun couple and a wonderful wedding.

Carmel Valley Ranch has vibrant flower gardens, delightful climate, and expansive mountains that make Carmel Valley Ranch an exquisite retreat to host every sort of celebration. Accompanied by the gourmet creations, events are culinary journeys designed to please the palate and to create an indelible impression.

It is surrounded by landscaped gardens and lush woodlands, Carmel Valley Ranch is an iconic Monterey wedding and special event location exuding a contemporary style and modern sophistication.You can treat yourself to a round of golf. Or enjoy an invigorating match of tennis. Lounge by the large heated outdoor pool. Majestic oaks, rolling fairways, and radiant gardens provide the picture backdrop for your ceremony, reception, or landmark celebration. With exquisite gourmet cuisine served throughout the resort, your romantic Carmel wedding is sure to be a culinary experience not to be forgotten. Dine and dance under a twin-peaked tent - bordered by lush foliage and sparkling lights. Exchange your vows in the tennis garden, beneath a blanket of stars. Step outside of the grand ballroom for a champagne toast on the terrace. There guests discovered a world of relaxed elegance and astonishing natural beauty in this remarkable location.

Thanks for making me part of your great day,hope you enjoyed. Please let me know

Best Peter Bruce Photo & Video

Fairmont hotel San Francisco

2009-10-06T19:24:00.001-07:00

The Fairmont signing with Rami and Todd and team bELLE was there to shoot it

I had the great pleasure of photographing Rami’s and Todd’s wedding at
the Fairmont Hotel this weekend. This couple had gotten married about a
year ago and now were celebrating their union with family and friends .
The ceremony outside on the Pavilion Terrace was serene and joyful against
the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline.
The guys had a fantastic first dance routine , a combination of Salsa and
Rumba I think( I’m no dancer myself) , that wowed the whole room. After
a delicious dinner , Val Cunningham, Todd and Rami’s dance instructor,
led everyone to the dance floor for a fun and funny Swing dance lesson.
The rest of the night was a merry blur of love , dancing and - yes - “air
guitar”!

Enjoy,and please let us know

Bernadette from bELLE and Peter Bruce Photo

Yell it out for Peter bruce photo new blog

2009-09-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

Everyone following this site, the millions of you out there. I have a new site with the blog connected to it. Please start to follow it,book mark it. Pass it on to others, twitter it, Digg it and hope you enjoy it.

Here is the link

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Big time wedding tips.

2009-09-24T15:39:00.001-07:00

There are lots of things to think about when brides plan their wedding. In the rush they tend to forget about taking care of themselves on the day of their wedding. A number of simple but practical tips to help pave the way to truly enjoying your day.

And every bride has lots of things to think about when she's planning her wedding, but so many tend to forget about
taking care of themselves on the day of their wedding. And it's important that those small, but mighty, details not escape even the most well prepared bride!

What should be at the top of every bride's list on the day of her wedding is to relax and enjoy it! Whether you've been working with a pro wedding coordinator have done all the planning and preparation on your own, it's now the big day and you deserve to have at least as much fun as any of your guests.

Here are 5 simple, but practical tips from Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE to help pave the way to truly enjoying your
wedding day...

Making Up is (Not) Hard to Do...

Create a wedding day make-up bag two weeks before your wedding day Do a complete test of your wedding-day look (make-up, hairdo and shoes), for as long as you expect to have it together that day, so you'll know if it will "go the distance."

Put together a little make-up bag for touch ups that you can take along with you the day of
the wedding to keep you looking your best. And on the big day, have a friend, bridesmaid, or family member hang onto it or stash it somewhere handy so you can get to it when you need it. Be sure to use waterproof mascara, and don't forget to pack the hairspray!

Hint

When purchasing your make-up, see if you can persuade the sales gal at the cosmetic counter into giving you samples of everything you're buying (they've got 'em, you know they do). They won't take up much room and it will be more than enough for the day!

Day of "Emergency" Kit...

Get together a emergency kit for those unexpected emergencies just like the back-up, make-up bag for touch ups (say that three times fast!). Consider an "
emergency kit" filled with items you may need on your
wedding day. Fill a small bag with items such as a travel size sewing kit (you'd be amazed at the magic tricks just one safety pin can perform) nail polish which is clear (for panty hose/stocking runs), an extra set of panty hose or stockings, throat lozenges, and aspirin. Other ideas for the "
emergency kit" include tissues, breath mints, tampons, hand cream, and band-aids.

Hint

Most of these items can be found in the travel size bins in your local drug store.

Food for Thought...

Start your wedding day with healthy and filling nourishment. Since most brides don't get to enjoy the meal served at the reception, you really should consider having something to eat before
the wedding, no matter how worried you are about how the dress fits! While food may be the last thing on your mind on your
wedding day, it's nonetheless important that you start the day with some healthy and filling nourishment. It's going to be a long (and wonderful) day and you'll want to have plenty of energy so you can keep dancing and socializing for hours!

Hint #1

Stash a power bar snack in your purse or "
emergency kit."

Hint #2

Pre-arrange for there to be something to eat at your honeymoon hotel (believe it or not, most couples are starving after the
wedding day festivities and will want to re-fuel before
the wedding night festivities!)

If the Shoe Fits...

Kick off the heels & settle into a more comfortable shoe; you know those stunning, sexy, strappy, ultra-high heels that work perfectly with your wedding gown? They'll be great for the ceremony and for the formal pictures, but if you're planning to kick up your heels at the reception, you'll be better off kicking off the heels and settling into something more comfortable. So get a pretty, more practical pair of shoes that you can change into to keep your dogs from "barking" the entire week after the wedding!

Hint

It's not a bad idea to practice walking in the shoes you'll be wearing during the ceremony. Take a test run in the shoes and
the wedding gown and get used to both.

Point it Out to a "Point Person"...

Keep track of time with an itinerary and a point person. Whether you've worked with a wedding consultant or carefully planned everything yourself, you should have an itinerary for the big day. Make copies, give them to a few good friends and/or close family members, then choose someone to be the "point person" who will make sure things are running smoothly and reasonably on time. You will be able to rest easily knowing at least one of your deputies will keep track of the time while you're busy greeting those out-of-town guests and brand new in-laws whose names you can't quite remember!

We hope this helps you,please let us know

Best wishes Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

The best Wedding Budget advice

2009-09-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

A wedding budget is absolutely essential to planning your wedding. In fact I think setting your wedding budget is one of the first things you should do. Peter Bruce Photo & bELLE have put together this handy wedding budget worksheet to plan out what you'll need to pay for, and how much you should plan to spend on each thing.

We recommend you print this wedding budget worksheet and put it in your planning notebook so it will be handy whenever you are out shopping or talking to your vendor. Please let us know.

Your Wedding Budget Worksheet

My Total Budget (hope dad felt good this day) $___________

Expenses	% of total budget	Your estimate	What you actually spent
Ceremony Location fee, officiant fee, marriage license, musician's fees, ring pillows	3%	______	______
Reception Reception Site, Food, Drinks, Rentals, Cake, Favors	48%	______	______
Attire Dress, Headpiece/veil, undergarments and hosiery, shoes, accessories, jewelry, hair and makeup, Groom's Tuxedo or Suit, shoes, bow tie, cuff links, studs, suspenders	10%	______	______
Rings His and her rings, engraving	3%	______	______
Flowers Ceremony, bride's bouquet, maid-of-honor and bridesmaid bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, centerpieces, flower-girl basket	8%	______	______
Music Ceremony Musicians, Band and/or DJ, cocktail hour musicians, sound system rental	8%	______	______
Photography Photographer and Videographer's fees, albums, additional prints, disposable cameras for candids	12%	______	______
Transportation Transportation for wedding party, guest shuttle and/or parking attendants	2%	______	______
Stationery Invitations, response cards, thank you notes, postage, calligraphy, guest book	3%	______	______
Gifts Bridesmaid and groomsmen, parents, welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

Trivia question on wine...

2009-09-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

As you’re planning your wedding you may be caught up in the smallest of details. There are a lot of things to know and to keep up with. Let’s see how much you really know. Today’s Wedding Trivia Question is...

How many servings are in a bottle of Champagne?

a. Isn’t a bottle a serving?
b. Five servings
c. Servings? Pass the bottle and let everyone have a sip!

Answer... A fifth of Champagne will fill five Champagne flutes.

While we’re on the subject, do you know the tradition of clicking wine glasses and where it came from? As with many of our food traditions, the clinking of glasses traces its root to the health and safety of the drinker. In this case, it goes back to the tendency of nobles to kill each other off by poisoning their food!

Wine was very commonly drunk during medieval days because it was one of the only safe liquids available. Water was often polluted, and milk was both useful for other things and thought to be for children only. As the wine was often full of sediment, a poison was easily introduced into it.

To prove that his wine was safe, the host would pour a bit of his guest’s wine into his own glass and drink it first, to prove it was safe. If the guest trusted his host, however, he would merely clink his flagon against that of his host’s when his host offered his cup for the sample. The ‘clink’ (or perhaps ‘clunk’ back then, since wood or metal was more common for drinking vessels) was a sign of trust and honesty. Later, as metal and glass became more common, the chiming noise also brought a festive feel to events, and brought to mind the ’safe’ feeling of church bells

Hope this was good, please let us know

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Lafayette Park hotel,why Peter Bruce photo love it...

2009-09-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Why Peter Bruce Photo likes Lafayette Park hotel

Few hotels are given any kind of special recognition, so the fact that the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa is one of the few in the East Bay to get a Four Diamond Award should tell you something right there. Namely, that they maintain an impeccable standard of comfort, ambiance and service. With its distinctive architecture—dormers, shuttered French windows, and peaked roofline—this local landmark looks like a French chateau. Behind its high walls, European charm abounds in lovely courtyards, a variety of event spaces, and a luxurious full-service health spa.

Just by walking around the hotel, you’re struck by how its design and décor make you feel welcome. In the atrium-like lobby, sunlight streams in through windows 60 feet overhead, illuminating the sweeping oak staircase and white marble floor. On cool days, the couches in front of the oversize fireplace are the obvious place to relax. The warmth of wood is everywhere—even in the intricate inlaid floors in front of the elevators.

Step outside into the sunny Fountain Courtyard, and you quickly realize how idyllic this spot is for a ceremony or champagne reception. Enclosed by the golden walls of the hotel, the space becomes an Old World plaza with a trickling limestone fountain in its center, ringed by potted rose bushes, manicured trees and flowers.

From the Fountain Courtyard, it’s a short walk inside to the Independence Ballroom where larger receptions and parties are held. The coffered ceiling is outfitted with handmade crystal chandeliers and spot lighting, which can be adjusted to create any mood.

Smaller ceremonies take place upstairs in the Wishing Well Courtyard. Named for the rose-entwined stone wishing well in its center, this petite patio is also embraced by the hotel’s walls. As you gaze up at the shuttered windows, wrought-iron balconies and clinging ivy, you once again feel like you’re in the middle of a French countryside inn. That European flavor carries over into the nearby George Washington Room, a more intimate reception space. Here, the Early American/French décor features gilt-framed mirrors, marble-topped consoles and a deep green carpet set off by fleur de lis border designs.

A wonderful Lafayette Park amenity is their European Day Spa,brides can enjoy this the day before the wedding. In addition to providing an appealing selection of face and body treatments, the Spa features a fitness pavilion, a pool and poolside café, an outdoor fireplace and a Jacuzzi. The bride and her attendants will not be able to pass up an opportunity to indulge here before and even after (why not!) the Big Day. Everyone staying overnight will appreciate the nicely appointed rooms, many of which have their own wood-burning fireplaces. The hotel also offers a complimentary premium room for the honeymoon couple, and special rates for wedding guests.

We hope you enjoy the photo from the weddings we have done there, let us know

Best Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Fun tricks at weddings...

2009-09-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Smaller or larger tuxedo

A friend got married and I, being the best man, decided a humorous practical joke was in order. One of the duties of the best man is to make arrangements for the pick up and return of the groom's tuxedo.

After final fitting, rent an extra coat jacket that is either three or four sizes smaller or larger than the groom's. Explain to the tux shop what you're up to. Pick up the groom's fitted coat, switch with the extra rented coat, and deliver to the groom only when it becomes time to actually get dressed.

The friend of mine wore a 42 long, but the one I provided was a 38 short. Talk about some serious fun! Don't reveal that you know anything as long as possible.

Write on the bottom of shoes

Someone once took a large black ink marker and wrote "Help" on the bottom of the groom's left shoe and "Me" on the bottom of the right shoe. So when he knelt down for his vows, the entire congregation saw it. Of course, this will only work if he must kneel with back to congregation (i.e. Catholic wedding). Make sure you get it so that it is readable with the shoes side by side, left to right, toes toward the floor. Do this far enough in advance so that the paint is dry before the groom wears the shoes to avoid damaging carpets.

Besides "Help Me", other possible message to write on the soles are (with varying degrees of cruelness): Left Shoe (I'm With) Right Shoe (Stupid [pointing arrowhead]); Left Shoe (Quick, Call 911!) Right Shoe (Never Mind, I'm Doomed!)

Cheap plastic rings

A groom buys the engagement ring at a jewelry store. As the groom enters the room, we "have been talking about" the news that says the jewelry store he just went to is being investigated for selling plastic diamonds to unknowledgeable customers. This didn't work too well but maybe if you have better actors in your group it would.

I'll just call my lawyer about this

Another on that I have seen pulled is to have someone speak out at the time the minister asks, "If anyone has good reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."

They had a pregnant lady stand up and say, "Oh, never mind! I'll just call my lawyer!" It rattled the groom's mother so much that she fainted.

A secret pregnant lover

At the rehearsal dinner for my boss' daughter and son-in-law-to-be, a loud eight-months pregnant teenage girl suddenly appeared at the back of the room screaming ten minutes worth of curses that would befall the groom if he didn't marry the pregnant girl like he promised. It was set up by the boss' wife, and I am told that the groom very nearly burst into tears protesting his innocence.

One way ticket across the country

A groom's friends decided to throw his bachelor party the day before the wedding, and as often happens on these occasions, by the end of the evening, everyone was completely drunk, and none more so than the guest of honor, who promptly passed out in a corner of the room.

When he woke up, he found himself sitting in an airline seat with no wallet or money or anything on him except a one way ticket to San Francisco. He was worried sick until he finally arrived at San Francisco from New Jersey, where he found a ticket at the courtesy counter back to New Jersey. It seems that one of his prospective in-laws worked for an airline and had some comp airfare to use.

The groom got back to New Jersey barely four hours before the ceremony, and was barely able to stay awake long enough to say "I do".

Do you already have a child?

During the wedding ceremony, when the minister/preacher/priest comes to the part about, "If anyone has any reason why these two people should not marry, speak up now or forever hold your peace..." have this four-to-six year old boy running up the aisle yelling, "Daddy, daddy." I understand from a friend who played this joke on a relative that it took almost an hour to get the wedding started again.

Balloons

Obtain access to their getaway car. Fill with balloons. A few extra helium balloons in the trunk with their luggage is a nice touch.

Add some peanuts

If you can get access to their luggage after they have packed, add styra foam peanuts in whatever nooks and crannies are left.

Impossible to drive away

Jack up the car, put blocks under the axle, then lower the car onto the blocks. When the newlyweds try to make their getaway, watch them rev...and rev...and rev.

Brake wired to the horn

The best man at my friends wedding rigged the horn to sound every time the brake was pressed, they drove half way down the road until they realized what was going on and had to return to fix it.

I deserve to be married

For a small fee, you can get an agency to have a pregnant "ex-girlfriend" appear at the service, in a wedding gown, claiming the groom-to-be the father of her child and demanding *she* should be the one to be married. The one I saw even had a bunch of dead flowers with her!

Who has the ring?

When the groom asks the best man for the ring, he turns and nervously says he doesn't have it, who then turns to the next groomsman and asks the same question, and so on until the last person turns and grabs a giant box of Cracker Jacks that contained the wedding ring.

The whole church was rolling as the best man and his co-horts had the last laugh. It was truely classic.

Laughing gas in balloons

At a friend's wedding, the bridal party filled their car with balloons--all filled with laughing gas. They put them everywhere, under seats, in the glove box, etc. They popped the balloons, and everyone was relaxed and laughing. But balloons were popping all during the trip of their honeymoon. They said they enjoyed the trick.

We hope you had fun with this

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Elope and love...

2009-09-05T12:34:00.001-07:00

Destination Wedding Website

. . .

You’ve made the big and great decision to do a destination wedding, you want Peter Bruce photo to come and shoot it, and you now face the task of making sure that people from around the globe meet up in one location for your special day. Meanwhile, you want to be free to enjoy one of the most joyous events of your life. Admittedly, it can be a difficult balance to strike, but there is help. A well designed wedding website can facilitate good communication, something any wedding planner will tell you is a critical ingredient to ensuring the success of and simplifying the planning for your destination wedding. Your guests need to know all the necessary information about your wedding so they know where to go and how to get there. At the same time, feedback from your guests can give you the information you need to plan an event everyone will enjoy. An informative and interactive wedding website can help open the lines of communication between you and your guests and thus make the event more enjoyable for everyone.

To get the full benefits from your destination wedding website, you’ll need to take what are some common features in wedding websites and adapt them to accommodate the special needs presented by your destination wedding. Here are some features to look for and some tips on how to use them to their full potential.

An online RSVP can be a handy tool for any destination wedding; for a destination wedding, however, it can really be put to work. A creatively designed RSVP gives your guests a convenient way to give you their vital information as well as their input on your wedding plans (if you want it!). In addition to asking for the typical information, you might consider additional entries such as flight information and arrival date, hotel where the guests would like to stay, any special requests they might have for activities and anything else pertinent to your wedding plans. Arrange to have the results sent to your wedding email address and you’ll have all this useful information stored away in one place for future reference.

Since it’s likely that some can not make it to your wedding, two common website features take on an even greater importance for your wedding website. First, a guest book allows all your friends and family to send well wishes across the miles. Their messages can be sent to your email and/or posted on the site for all to enjoy. After the wedding, these messages can be saved and treasured as part of your wedding memories. Second, having links to your online gift registries provides your friends and family a quick and convenient way to send gifts whether they can make it to the wedding or not. Obviously, this is a deal for them and for you!

Last but certainly not least come the critical information pages that provide the meat and potatoes of your site. Some important things to detail for your guests include local information such as maps and directions; local information (airports, ground transportation, etc.); restaurants and local activities to keep them well fed and entertained; local weather links and wedding specifics. In providing this information on your site you will have created a handy reference for your guests and a simple way for you and your family to avoid having to repeat information. Be sure to include any other information or deals you’ve arranged for your guests such as airline deals, hotel deals, rental car arrangements, and anything that you feel would be of use to your wedding guests. If you’re planning pre and post-wedding activities a wedding itinerary may also be a useful edition to your site.

Finally, let’s take a look at some good tips for making the most of your wedding website. If possible, it’s best to announce your web address with your “save the date” cards. This gets your web address to everyone who needs it and clues your guests in on your plans to communicate with them via your site. By no means does this mean that you have to have your website completed by that time. Having at least one working page with a welcome message and a note on the how you plan to use the site is sufficient. The important factor is that your guests know to check your site for updates and changes . This alone can save you hours of phone calls and other correspondence. You might even consider creating a mailing list for guests who would like to be contacted via email when your site is updated. This point leads us to our final necessity for a successful destination wedding website: flexibility, and lots of it! Since wedding plans evolve over time, you will need a website designer that is willing to update your site as information comes in and as it changes. Make sure you understand your designer’s policies before committing to any one company. A cheaper site may not end up so cheap after you’ve made 8 changes at $15 per update. You might consider making an advance agreement for a certain number of updates at a price you’ve agreed upon in advance.

Ready to start simplifying your destination wedding with a wedding website? Yes or no, you’ll do well to remember the cardinal rule of weddings if things get too overwhelming, too involved, or just plain too much, you can always elope! Rest assured that no matter how you choose to wed your website won’t be wasted. Should you cut the guest list to two, you can always use your site to display your photos and tell everyone about the wedding they missed!

We hope this helps with your get away wedding, please let us know

Best Peter Bruce & team bELLE

B's the brides new friend, BLOGS that is...

2009-09-04T07:58:00.001-07:00

YOU CAN BREAK TRADITION WHERE YOU SEE FIT...

Wedding blogs are the new bridal magazines (and of course ours is the best right). Ask any newlywed. The Internet is swimming,drowning with posts on do-it-yourself favors, centerpieces, place cards and invitations. Looking for a rustic bouquet wrapped in twine and dried anise? Your dream arrangement is only a Google search away. Clever brides and grooms showcasing highly personalized soirees have planted wild ideas in my head and loosened the reigns on what I perceived as an industry fraught with “rules.”

Cheers Peter Bruce photo & team bELLE

I love you man...

2009-09-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Clean one liners for your wedding speech

We thought you may like somethings to laugh about

At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, 'Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?' The other replied, 'Yes, I am, I married the wrong man

After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, 'You know, I was a fool when I married you.' The husband replied, 'Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice.'

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted' . Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.'

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.

Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.

I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always.

Losing a wife can be hard. In my case, it was almost impossible.

I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months - I don't like to interrupt her.

Just think, if it weren't for marriage, men would go through life thinking they had no faults at all.

My girlfriend told me I should be more affectionate. So I got two girlfriends.

A husband said to his wife, 'No, I don't hate your relatives. In fact, I like your mother-in-law better than I like mine.'

A man meets a genie. The genie tells him he can have whatever he wants, provided that his mother-in-law gets double. The man thinks for a moment and then says, 'OK, give me a million dollars and beat me half to death.'

How do most men define marriage? A very expensive way to get your laundry done free.

A man said his credit card was stolen but he decided not to report it because the thief was spending less than his wife did.

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.

Let us know what you think...
Cheers Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Five reason to have fun at your wedding...

2009-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

There is some wedding advice that is so invaluable, We tell it to every bride and groom-to-be I know. In fact, I think it is advice that should be told early, and told often.

1... Don’t sweat the small thing

Your wedding is full of thousands of details and there are bound to be a few snafus along the way. Keep in mind the reason you are doing all of this it's not to have the perfect cake baker, who is now too overbooked to make your cake. It’s to celebrate your love together, which you could do in a mud puddle, if you had to.

2... Take time to savor your wedding day

To many couples tell us after the wedding that their wedding was a whirlwind that they barely remember. Consider building in time for reflection whether it’s a scheduled time between ceremony & reception where the two of you will enjoy a glass of champagne,food or the moment when you change into your getaway clothes. Talk with each other during the reception about what you are enjoying and who you've talked to. That evening, take a few moments to write down what you remembered about your wedding day.

3... Infuse your own style

Don't have a cookie cutter wedding. Think about your hobbies, cherished memories, and personalities. If you love to travel, consider naming tables after places you've visited together. If you are a fishing aficionado, consider fishbowls with live gold fish in them as centerpieces. Your wedding will be a thousand times more special and memorable, if your put your own flare in to it.

4... Don't always follow tradition

Don’t spend money on things just because you think they're traditional. If you don’t really want it, then don’t do it, it is your wedding dam it . A great example of this is the custom of using both an inner and outer envelope for a wedding invitation. Many couples these days are forgoing this option in favor of more modern and cost-efficient invites.

5... Have the wedding you can afford too

Rather than accruing massive wedding debt, pay for it as you go along. The number one thing couples fight about, according to psychologists and couples therapists, is money. You don't want to start off married life with a monkey on your back. A big formal wedding is nice for those who can afford it, but you don't need to "keep up with the Joneses" at the expense of your future happiness.

We hope this helps you out, keep it real and have fun.
Best Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE

Best men,you need this advice and then make them cry...

2009-08-21T10:12:00.001-07:00

The best mans toast can make or break a wedding and you want to make, also make people cry.This Best Man speech idea list from Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE helps you to prepare roasting the groom, the thank you's, the toast proposals, and other Best Man speech ideas.

1. Thank the groom for his speech and for asking you to be best man.

2. Compliment the bride and her looks on behalf of the maids of honor or bridesmaids and the other helpers.

3. Toast to the parents of the bridal couple.

After the ceremonial opening it's time for a teasing best man speech idea:

4. Mention some funny incidents or averted disasters of this ceremonial wedding day.

5. Tell about your relationship to the groom.

How did the two of you met?
How has your friendship developed?
How you came to be best mates?

6. Come up with some jokes about his years of study, job skills, hobbies and achievements. But avoid nasty or rude best man speech ideas. Don't go too far. For example don't mention his escapades with other women in the past.

Show photos of embarrassing moments for the groom and tell the story.
Looking for a prop, an old toy, sports wear, a school award, and so on, can also result in a good best man speech idea.

7. Tell teasing anecdotes how the bride and groom have met.

How did he tell you about his new love, what did he exactly say?
How has he changed?
Did he behave differently?

8. What is your perspective on the growing relationship between bride and groom? Give some heart felt comments about the happy couple.

9. Give some words of advice and your Best Man ideas about love and marriage. Be somewhat sincere and emotional now.

10. Propose a toast to the bride and groom. Congratulate or bless them, and express your best wishes to the bride and groom, wish them a long and happy life.

We hope this helps you out,pass it on and please let us know

Best Peter Bruce & team bELLE

Use your teeth man...

2009-08-19T12:26:00.001-07:00

Tossing of the Garter

Today, the tradition of the wedding garter is tame in comparison to Paris France of the 14th century. In the USA the bride wears two garters; one as a keepsake garter and the other for the throw away.

Both garters are worn on the right leg just above the knee.

Before the removal of the garter, the bride first throws her bouquet to the single women at the wedding.

The groom removes the throw away garter from the brides leg, hopefully he removes it with his teeth , but more appropriately nowadays he uses his hands. He does this while the bride is sat in a chair on the dance floor.

After the garter has been taken off, he then throws it to the single male guests. The male guest then takes the garter and places it on the leg of the single female guest who has caught the bouquet.

Those that catch either item are said to be the next to marry. In some instances, it is said that they will marry each other.

The keepsake garter is removed later in private during the honeymoon night.

Numerous wedding garter traditions have been obtained over the years that still seem to become rules of etiquette today. Take a look at a few that are still popular and some that have long since been forgotten.

The garter tradition originated back to about the 14th century. In parts of Europe the guests of the couple believed having a piece of the bride’s clothing was thought to bring good luck. They would actually destroy the brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. Obviously, this tradition did not sit well with the bride, so she began throwing various items to the guests – the garter being one of them. It became customary for the bride to toss the garter to the men. But this also caused a great problem for the bride….sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom derived at having the groom remove and toss the garter to the men. With this change, the bride began to toss the bridal dress to the unwed girls who were eligible for marriage.

Another interesting custom dated back to the ancient times where the wedding garter represented the virginal girdle. When the groom removed the garter from the bride, this represented the bride’s relinquishment of her virginity. WOW

An Old English custom was while the bride & groom were in their bridal chamber, the wedding guests would sneak into the chamber picking up discarded stockings and throwing them at the couple. Whoever flung a stocking that hung on the bride or groom’s nose, would be the next to marry.

“ Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe”

Did you ever wonder where the custom “Something Blue” comes from?

Well wearing something blue dates way back to biblical times when the color blue was considered to represent purity, faithfulness and fidelity. Back then the bride would wear a piece of blue clothing or a blue band around the bottom of her dress. The ancient Roman maidens also wore blue on the borders of their robes to symbolize their love, fidelity and modesty, while the Christians associated it with the purity of the Virgin Mary.

We hope you found this interesting and enjoy the photos,please let us know

Best Peter Bruce Photo and team bELLE

Don't go cross eyed looking for a photographer...

2009-08-14T09:38:00.001-07:00

The Top 25 of the questions from Peter Bruce Photo and video & team bELLE that you could ask your photographer

Have you ever shot a wedding at our venue location before? How did it work out?
What’s your primary style? Posed & formal, relaxed, photojournalistic, candid, traditional?
Do you shoot in color or black and white or both?
Do you use an assistant? Is there an extra charge for one?
Will you have backup equipment available? And what happens if you get ill?
Can other people take photos while you are taking photos?
What types of photos will be taken (B/W, Color, Antiques, etc..)?
How many photos come in each package? What is the breakdown per photo?
Will you accept a list of specific photos to be taken?
What attire will you and/or assistants wear?
What time will you arrive and how long will you stay?
Should the event last longer than scheduled, will you stay? Extra charge?
How long after the event will the proofs be ready?
Do you have liability insurance?
What type and how much assistance will your provide in planning an album?
Do we get the negatives or what is the charge?
Is this your recent work that I'm seeing on your website?
Do you provide a written contract and guarantee?
What are your policies regarding proofs?
Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
When is the remaining balance after deposit due?
What percentage are the taxes?Always give the photographer a tip, they have all your images
Is gratuity included in the price?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel)
What are the refunds/cancellation terms?

We hope this helps you with the hugh task of picking a photographer, and as always please let us know your feed back is important to us. And have fun at your wedding.

Best Peter Bruce & team bELLE

Acqua hotel at it's best...

2009-08-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Why Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE like Acqua...

Worldly travelers will tell you that Mediterranean countries, the long, often blank public walls of houses and buildings hide marvels within—fountains and gardens that create soul-nourishing private islands of repose.

The Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley is just like that. Travelers along the 101 freeway behind it see a three-story building with an inconspicuous façade of warm stucco and some windows. But wait step into the hotel and walk through to its other side—the one that unfolds along an arm of Richardson Bay and suddenly the world opens wide up. There, across a sweep of water, loom the wooded ridges of beautiful Mill Valley and the southern part of Mt. Tamalpais. Many of the hotel’s rooms, designed by a canny architect, have balconies and front on this side, facing the mountain.

The ultramodern Acqua, opened in Mid 1999, and has quickly acquired a local reputation as a hip, stylish location. Its spare visual details rely on an expert meeting of horizontal and vertical planes made from stark and simple materials. Even the concrete floors, unadorned but buffed to a high shine, lend an industrial elegance to the hotel. Variations in paint tones, such as brilliant flat whites juxtaposed with light earth tones, make the eyes race from one pleasing volume and shape to another. The waterfall that flanks the fireplace in the airy lobby has a deliberately sculptural feel to it.

The hotel’s bay side area, accessed through the lobby’s great glass doors, is a natural wedding site. A spacious lawn runs from one end of the property to the other, bordered on one side by a pedestrian promenade that runs along the water and on the other by a large patio area that has quickly become a favorite gathering place for knowledgeable locals seeking a drink or meal with a beautiful view. A wide brick walkway bisects the lawn and connects the promenade to the patio. With its backdrop of San farncisco bay and hills, the walkway can double perfectly as a bridal aisle to her wedding.

The main architectural element of this hidden from the freeway side of the hotel is a dramatic outdoor spiral staircase that leads from the patio to a second-floor terrace. The terrace is sheltered under a large arching steel canopy, itself a beautiful architectural statement. Couples often marry on the terrace, then glide down the staircase in a stately procession to a reception on the patio.

Indoors, the Richardson Room features floor-to-ceiling windows, with easy access to the bayside patio. This event space can be divided into 3 smaller rooms of needed.

Catering for weddings is provided by Piazza D’Angelo, a Mill Valley restaurant which has consistently ranks among local residents’ favorites in the Pacific Sun’s annual “Best in Marin” contest. The hotel provides a liaison who works with the caterer and client.

We hope this gives you an inside to Acqua hotel and we hope that we can work with you on your wedding one day.Please let us know what you think.

Best Peter Bruce & team bELLE