PETER BRUCE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark hopkins hotel

2011-10-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

What a fun wedding at the Mark hopkins hotel this week end. These people from Boston know how to party
See more photos at...
Peter Bruce Blog

Best regards
Peter

Kendra & Tom on the bay

2011-08-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to shoot the wedding of Kendra & Tom on the Commodore Yault on San Francisco Bay
check out all the photos here ....

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Bridges wedding for Sara & Ali

2011-07-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Fun wedding for Sara & Ali at the great bridges Gold Club in San Ramon
See all the photos at this link

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Best Regards Peter

Ralston Hall wedding

2011-07-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Another fun wedding at Ralston Hall for Sheila & Mike this time,

Please check back in a few week to see all the photos

Cheers Peter Bruce

Ralston Hall Weddings

2011-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

This week sunday I did a fun wedding for Clare & Thomas at the wounderful Ralston Hall Mansion.

Cheers Peter Bruce

Old St. Hilary’s in Tiburon

2011-05-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Brides and Grooms love having there ceremony in a very special place, Old St. Hilary’s in Tiburon is one of the best.And I was lucky enough to shoot the wedding of a nice couple Laura & Alex at Old St. Hilary’s in Tiburon. Ca

Please check back in a week or so to see all the photos

Cheers Peter Bruce

Wedding location Peter Bruce Photo

2011-05-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of wedding locations to see more visit my full site

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/Locations.html

Please do let me know if this is helpful....

Thanks

Peter Bruce

Wedding locations by Peter Bruce Photo

2011-04-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo list of wedding locations to see more please visit.

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/Locations.html

Please let me know if this is helpful

Cheers Peter Bruce

Wedgewood wedding Center Oakland

2011-04-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Wedgewood wedding center in Oakland.
To see all of them please view and pass on to others
http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/

Cheers Peter Bruce

weddings,wedding,photo,photographer,photography,bride,groom,peter bruce photo,ceremony,wedding day,northern california wedding ,san francisco wedding,weddings,bay area wedding,

photographer, photography, black and white photography, professional photographer, professional photography, destination wedding, destination wedding Italy, fine art photography, fine art wedding photography, wedding photography, wedding photographer, event photography, event photographer, portrait photographer, family portrait photographer, child portrait photographer, baby photographer, Los Angeles photographer, Los Angeles wedding photographer, New York photographer, wedding photographer New York, San Francisco photographer, San Francisco photography, San Francisco wedding, San Francisco wedding photography, San Francisco wedding photographer, San Francisco bay area wedding photographer, photographer in San Francisco, photographer San Jose, bay area wedding photographer, Oakland photographer, Beverly Hills wedding, Carmel wedding, international wedding photography, Monterey wedding, wedding in Napa, Maui wedding photographer, Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, wedding Palo Alto, wedding Santa Monica, Palm Springs wedding, Hawaii wedding, beach wedding, celebrity wedding, wedding in Italy, wedding Italy, wedding paris, wedding in Greece, Disneyland wedding

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This is a list of some fabulous wedding locations that Peter Bruce Photo has worked in Northern California:

Bay Area Weddings Kohl Mansion www.kohl-mansion.com, Pacific Athletic Club www.pacclubevents.com Post Ranch Inn www.postranchinn.com, Seascape Resort www.seascaperesort.com Sofitel Hotel www.sofitel.com, Ruby Hill Golf Club www.rubyhill.com, The Ritz Carlton Halfmoon Bay www.ritzcarlton.com, Ventana Inn www.ventanainn.com

Carmel & Pebble Beach Weddings Bernardus Lodge & Winery www.bernardus.com, Carmel Valley Ranch carmelvalleyranch.com, The Highlands Inn www.highlandsinn.hyatt.com, The Holman Ranch www.holmanranch.com, Stonepine www.stonepinecalifornia.com, Inn at Spanish Bay and Lodge at Pebble Beach www.pebblebeach.com

Los Gatos Weddings Byington Winery www.byington.com, Nestldown www.nestldown.com

San Jose Weddings Dolce Hayes Mansion www.hayesmansion.dolce.com, The Fairmont San Jose www.fairmont.com/sanjose, Silver Creek Valley Country Club www.scvcc.com

Saratoga Weddings The Mountain Winery www.mountainwinery.com, Villa Montalvo www.villamontalvo.org

San Francisco Weddings Argent Hotel www.argenthotel.com, Asian Art Museum www.asianart.org/rentthemuseum.htm, City Club of San Francisco www.cityclubsf.com, Clift Hotel www.ianschragerhotels.com, Conservatory of Flowers www.conservatoryofflowers.org, The Fairmont San Francisco www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco, Ferry Building www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com, The Golden Gate Club www.presidio.gov, Great American Music Hall www.musichallsf.com, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco www.fourseasons.com, Hamlin Mansion www.parties-sf.com, The Flood Mansion www.floodmansion.org, Legion of Honor www.edible-art.com, Mandarin Oriental www.mandarinoriental.com, Mark Hopkins www.markhopkins.net, The Palace Hotel www.sfpalace.com, The Regency www.regencycentersf.com, Ritz-Carlton San Francisco www.ritzcarlton.com, Rubicon www.sfrubicon.com, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art www.sfmoma.org/events, Westin St. Francis www.westinstfrancis.com

Napa Valley & Sonoma Weddings Auberge du Soleil www.aubergedusoleil.com, Beltane Ranch www.beltaneranch.com, Calistoga Ranch www.calistogaranch.com, Cline Cellars www.clinecellars.com, Hans Fahden Vineyards www.hansfahden.com, Meadowood www.meadowood.com, Viansa Winery www.viansa.com, Villagio www.villagio.com

Winery Weddings Clos La Chance www.closlachance.com, Guglielmo Winery www.guglielmowinery.com, Thomas Fogarty Winery www.fogartywinery.com, Wente Vineyards www.wentevineyards.com

Seascape Resort, Seascape Golf Club, Hollins House, Holman Ranch, Nestldown, Highlands Inn, Monterey Penninsula Country Club, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Carmel Mission Ranch, Bernardus Lodge, Post Ranch, Ventana Inn, Clos LaChance, Guglielmo Winery, The Ritz Carlton Halfmoon Bay, Byington Winery, Villa Montalvo, Saratoga Country Club, Chateau La Cresta, Maison du Lac and Gardens, The Forum, Marin Art and Garden Center, Ralston Hall, Kohl Mansion, Crow Country Club, Fairmont Hotel, Grace Cathedral, Notre Dame Des Victorias, Old St. Hillary's, The Regency Building, Aqua Hotel, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Grand Cafe and Hotel Monaco, The Pan Pacific Hotel, Flood Mansion, Hamlin Mansion, The California Culinary Academy, Golden Gate Club or Presideo Officers Club, Log Cabin at the Presidio, Bohemian Club, SF MOMA, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Omni San Francisco Hotel, Sir Francis Drake Hotel, The Westin Saint Francis, Swedenborgian Church, Palace Hotel, W Hotel, The Clift Hotel, Claremont Resort & Spa, The Brazilian Room, Viansa Winery, Elliston Vinyards, Cline Cellars, Savannah-Chanelle Vinyards, V. Sattui Winery, Hans Fahden Winery, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Auberge du Soleil, Chardonnay Golf Club, Beaulieu Gardens, Meadowood, St. Francis Winery, Hacienda De Las Flores, Ruby Hills Country Club, Black Hawk Museum, Wente Vinyards, Grand Island Mansion, Bacara Resort & Spa, Stone Manor, Calamigos Ranch, Beverly Hills Hotel, The Four Seasons Beverly Hills, St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Casa Del Mar, Catalino Room, Resort at Squaw Creek, The Lodge at Rancho Mirage, El Monte Sagrado, Ballroom at the Ben & the Crystal Tea Room, The Penninsula Chicago, The National Hotel, The Breakers, Bellagio, The Paris Hotel, The Venetian, The Halcyon House, Meridian House, The Chanler at Cliffwalk, The Plaza, Regent Wall Street Hotel, The Otto H. Kahn Residence, New York at the Park Avenue mansion, Barton Creek Resort & Club, Magnolia Room, Nottoway Plantation, Yellowstone Club, Casa de Campo, The Four Seasons Maui, Casa Sol de Oriente, Las Ventanas, Villa de Sol, La Casa Que Canta, Costa Careyes, Punta Cana Resort and Club, Orangerie in Holland Park, The Dorchester, Claridge's Hotel, Home House, Treetrops Lodge, Lago di Como, Villa D'Este, Vatulele, Turtle Island.

Wedding photojournalism for the following Cities in the U.S. and Canada:
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, San Antonio, Detroit, San Jose, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Columbus, Austin, Baltimore, Memphis, Boston, Washington D.C., El Paso, Seattle, Denver, Charlotte, Fort Worth, Portland, Tucson, Pheonix, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Long Beach, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Sacramento, Oakland, Costa Mesa, Minneapolis, Honolulu, Miami, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Santa Ana, Pittsburgh, Arlington, Cincinnati, Anaheim, Toledo, Tampa, Buffalo, Saint Paul, Corpus Christi, Aurora, Raleigh, Newark, Lexington, Anchorage, Louisville, Riverside, Saint Petersburg, Burmingham, Jersey City, Norfolk, Baton Rouge, Rochester, Madison, Fort Wayne, Scottsdale, Montgomery, Shreveport, Augusta, Lubbock, Chesapeake, Grand Rapids, Richmond, Yonkers, Spokane, Glendale, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton, and Quebec.

Wedding Photographers Serving These European and Asian Pacific Rim Cities and Metropolitan Areas:
China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bali, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Marshall Islands, Virgin Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Moorea, Germany, UK, France, Paris, Italy, Greece, Oslo, Norway, Stockholm, Sweden, Helsinki, Finland, Copenhagen, Denmark, London, Dublin, Ireland, Scottland, Monaco, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Vatican City, Vatican, Vienna, Austria, Kiev, Ukraine, Prague, Czech Republic, Brussels, Belgium, Costa Rica, Cayman Islands, Grand Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, Cannes, Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Tokyo, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Cancun, Brazil, La Paz, Argentina, Chile, Santiago, Peru, Lima, Beijing, Shanghai, Okinawa, Osaka, Sapporo, Taipei, Easter Islands, French Polynesia, Sydney, Australia, Melbourne, Hanoi, Bangkok, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, South Africa, Cairo, Egypt, Morocco.

Wedding and Event Photographers serving the Four Seasons Hotels:

The Four Seasons Atlanta, The Four Seasons Austin, The Four Seasons Aviara, The Four Seasons Boston, The Four Seasons Buenas Aires, The Four Seasons Caracas, The Four Seasons Chicago, The Four Seasons Costa Rica, The Four Seasons Dallas, The Four Seasons Hawaii, The Four Seasons Houston, The Four Seasons Las Vegas, The Four Seasons Los Angeles,
The Regent Beverly Wilshire, The Four Seasons Maui, The Four Seasons Mexico, The Four Seasons Miami, The Four Seasons New York, The Pierre, The Four Seasons Newport Beach, The Four Seasons Palm Beach, The Four Seasons Philedelphia, The Four Seasons Punta Mita, The Four Seasons San Francisco, The Four Seasons Santa Barbara, The Four Seasons Vancouver, The Four Seasons Amman, The Four Seasons Berlin, The Four Seasons Budapest, The Four Seasons Cairo, The Four Seasons Dublin, The Four Seasons Hampshire, The Four Seasons Istanbul, The Four Seasons London, The Four Seasons Milan, The Four Seasons Paris, The Four Seasons Prague, The Four Seasons Provence, The Four Seasons Bali, The Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay, The Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, The Four Seasons Bangkok, The Regent Jakarta, The Regent Kuala Lumpur, The Four Seasons Shanghai, The Four Seasons Singapore, The Regent Singapore, The Four Seasons Sydney, Grand Formosa Regent.

Wedding and Event Photographers serving The Ritz Carlton:
The Ritz Carlton Phoenix, The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, The Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey, The Ritz Carlton Pasadena, The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles, The Ritz Carlton San Francisco, The Ritz Carlton Colorado, The Ritz Carlton Aspen, The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, The Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove, The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, The Ritz Carlton Naples, The Ritz Carlton Naples Golf, The Ritz Carlton Orlando, The Ritz Carlton Palm Beach, The Ritz Carlton Sarasota, The Ritz Carlton South Beach, The Ritz Carlton Atlanta, The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, The Ritz Carlton Maui, The Ritz Carlton New Orleans, The Ritz Carlton Maison Orleans, The Ritz Carlton Boston, The Ritz Carlton St. Louis, The Ritz Carlton Las Vegas, The Ritz Carlton New York, The Ritz Carlton Battery Park, The Ritz Carlton Central Park, The Ritz Carlton Cleveland, The Ritz Carlton Philedelphia, The Ritz Carlton Georgetown, The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, The Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner, The Ritz Carlton Washington D.C., The Ritz Carlton Montreal, The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, The Ritz Carlton Montego Bay, The Ritz Carlton San Juan, The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, The Ritz Carlton Cancun, The Ritz Carlton Santiago, The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, The Ritz Carlton Shanghai, The Ritz Carlton Bali, The Ritz Carlton Osaka, The Ritz Carlton Seol, The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, The Ritz Carlton Singapore, The Ritz Carlton Berlin, The Ritz Carlton Wolfsburg, Penha Longa Hotel and Resort, The Ritz Carlton Barcelona, The Ritz Carlton Istanbul, The Ritz Carlton London, The Ritz Carlton Sharm El Sheikh, The Ritz Carlton Egypt.

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San Francisco City Hall wedding

2011-03-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a recent San Francisco City hall wedding I did
Let me know your thoughts
Peter Bruce

Children a weddings by Peter Bruce Photo

2011-01-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

2010 was a funny year. Even though weddings were smaller and budgets were somewhat on the smaller side. There seemed to be more kids at the weddings we did and normally kids are the first things to be cut from the wedding to help the budget.

I have always thought that a wedding without kids is like having a dry wedding,not fun or real.

CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN,HEARD AND BELIEVED.THIS INCLUDES WEDDINGS

One thing I would also like to share are some photos of kids at weddings, and please don't tell me that these are not fun and made the wedding just that little bit better. As always I like your feed back

Here are some Wedding Reception Tips regrades kids

Place settings may be one of the most challenging of details at the wedding reception. Based upon table size, guests, and unique family situations, deciding who sits where can be as challenging as a difficult puzzle. If you have decided to have a children's table, here are a few hints and tips to help a table full of child wedding guests stay quiet and content during your reception:

WHICH PHOTO IS YOUR FAVORITE.LET ME KNOW

1. Know your guest list for the children’s wedding table.Generally, the children’s wedding table will be for children ages 3 – 12. Very young children (age 2 - 3) need some help while eating and may be better suited to stay with mom or dad, or at least have mom and dad on a table very close to them. Also, it is good to be aware that some grade-school children are painfully shy and would rather stay with mom and dad than sit at a table with children they have never met before. If you have a flower girl or ring bearer, they would most likely enjoy sitting at the kid's wedding table or with their parents - not with the rest of your adult wedding party!

2. A children's menu is a must! Kids prefer common foods (like pizza or hot dogs ) to gourmet food (like stuffed mushrooms), so have familiar foods for them to eat and everybody will be happier. (Your flower girls and ring bearers will be thrilled to fill their tummies with familiar foods!) If the meal is a buffet, consider choosing a few child-friendly items to add, like pecan-crusted chicken strips. They might have fancier name, but kids will think of them as chicken nuggets. Also, a fantastic bonus for you: child-friendly food generally costs much less than your caterer’s most popular dishes!

3. Cups with lids can keep everybody dry! Resist the temptation to choose crystal or glass drinking glasses for the children's table. Request cups with lids for the children's table even if they dress down your elegant table. Keep in mind that a wet table is worse than clear plastic drinking cups with lids and straws.

4. A small snack can be a lifesaver. Adults can handle hunger better than children, and many times wedding food is served to a famished crowd. To prevent cranky, fussy children, consider purchasing individual bags of crackers or lightly sweetened cookies to help children wait until the buffet line is open, or the meal can be served. You can even add a pretty ribbon to the package to dress it up a bit! The parents will think you are a genius and will be most appreciative that you have taken special notice of their child. This tip is especially important for your little flower girls or ring bearers - they have done their job, so a nice snack will give them the energy to keep up the smiles and enjoy the wedding reception.

5. Have activities for children to do while sitting and waiting. To adults, it is not sitting and waiting, but to kids it can feel like an eternity until they can eat and dance on the dance floor. Children need something to do while adults are enjoying appetizers and conversation. Crayons and paper are a good start, but that will not hold the attention of all children for very long. Look for age-appropriate, small, individual games and sticker sets – nothing messy, loud, or moving. We have some darling wedding table activity sets great for boys and girls. Our wedding table activity sets come with loads of fun activities for kids to do and have enough to keep 6 children busy! Click here to see our wedding activity set for younger children ages 3 - 7. Click here to see our set for older children ages 8 - 12. Each wedding table activity set has quiet activities and is sure to be a hit with kids and their parents!

6. Give every child their own activities. Sharing is great in theory, but can lead to tears and disappointment – the last thing you want at your wedding reception. If you choose activities such as crayons, puzzles, and snacks for the Children's Wedding Table, have a set for each child (labeled with their name), at their place. Your young guests will feel welcome and be thrilled with your thoughtful gift! Also, don't forget about the ring bearers and flower girls. They have had a long weekend and really need to feel special. Click here to see our specially designed deluxe wedding favors for flower girls and ring bearers

.So what do you think

Let me know

Peter Bruce Photo

2011 wedding trends by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-12-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

2011 wedding trends,here is what I think is going to happen.

Please let me know your thoughts, check this out for all my ideas

http://www.peterbrucephoto.com/

Cheers

Peter Bruce Photo

Olympic Club San Francisco by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-12-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

Check out some fun wedding photos from the Olympic Club in San Francisco Ca

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog/212/Olympic_Club_SF_with_Cynthia_Jay_by_Peter_Bruce_Photo.html

Let me know what you think

Peter Bruce

Weddings in 2011 by Peter Bruce photo

2010-12-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

Take a look at all the wedding tips and style for 2011 on this site

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog/211/Wedding_tips_for_2011_by_Peter_Bruce_Photo.html

Hope this helps you in 2011 with your wedding

Peter Bruce Photo

Wedding Trends & tips for 2011 by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-12-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

Here are my tips and trends for weddings in 2011

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog/210/Predicting_Wedding_Trends_For_2011_by_Peter_Bruce_Photo.html

Hope this help,love to hear back from you Please pass on to 2011 brides
Cheers Peter Bruce

Olympic Club SF wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-12-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Please view a great wedding with Cynthia and Jay at the great Olympic club down town San Francisco Ca

Check back in a week or so for all the photos,in the mean time enjoy

Best Regards

Peter Bruce

Allegro Romano Russian Hill SF by Peter Bruce

2010-11-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

Peter Bruce Photo just shot a very small,short but fun wedding for a great couple.

Lorenzo & Kelly,who own the great Italian restaurant Allego Romano on Jones St

Here is a link to it

www.allegroromanosf.com/

To see all the photos please visit

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Cheers Peter Bruce

Eagle Ridge Golf club wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-11-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

To view all the photos from this wedding,please visit this link...

Eagle Ridge Golf club wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

Best wishes

Peter Bruce

Calistoga Ranch by Peter Bruce photo

2010-11-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Please see all the photos at

Peter Bruce Photo

Eagle Ridge wedding Gilroy by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-10-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

To see all the photos from Kelly & Richards wedding at Eagle Ridge golf club in Gilroy

please look at

Peter Bruce Photography

Cheers Peter Bruce

clos de chance winery Morgan Hill by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-10-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

A great fun couple Cori& Scott at clos de chance winery Morgan Hill

Hope you enjoy the photos,please let me know

If you would like to see all the photos go to my blog at

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo

Fairmont hotel in San Jose by Peter Bruce

2010-10-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

What a great wedding Peter Bruce Photo was lucky enough to shoot for Abby and Anthony at the great Fairmont hotel in San Jose

To see more photos please go to the blog this link

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/

Check back in a week or so to see all the photos

Best Regards Peter Bruce Photo

weddings,wedding,photo,photographer,photography,bride,groom,peter bruce photo,ceremony,wedding day,northern california wedding ,san francisco wedding,weddings,bay area wedding,

photographer, photography, black and white photography, professional photographer, professional photography, destination wedding, destination wedding Italy, fine art photography, fine art wedding photography, wedding photography, wedding photographer, event photography, event photographer, portrait photographer, family portrait photographer, child portrait photographer, baby photographer, Los Angeles photographer, Los Angeles wedding photographer, New York photographer, wedding photographer New York, San Francisco photographer, San Francisco photography, San Francisco wedding, San Francisco wedding photography, San Francisco wedding photographer, San Francisco bay area wedding photographer, photographer in San Francisco, photographer San Jose, bay area wedding photographer, Oakland photographer, Beverly Hills wedding, Carmel wedding, international wedding photography, Monterey wedding, wedding in Napa, Maui wedding photographer, Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, wedding Palo Alto, wedding Santa Monica, Palm Springs wedding, Hawaii wedding, beach wedding, celebrity wedding, wedding in Italy, wedding Italy, wedding paris, wedding in Greece, Disneyland wedding

Jessica & Bryan's wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-10-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

All the photos from Jessica & Bryan's wedding at Wente in Livermore are up on line so every one can see them.

Please pass this link to family & friends

No pass word needed

See all photos

Just go to www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com

Click on "Store" tab or blog at top right & look for your photo.

Any questions don't hesitate to call me

415 701 7933

Please do not go direct to the photos, always go through www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com as if you go direct the site may think it it spam

Best regards Peter Bruce

weddings,wedding,photo,photographer,photography,bride,groom,peter bruce photo,ceremony,wedding day,northern california wedding ,san francisco wedding,weddings,bay area wedding,

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/

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http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/portfoliotype/2/Locations.html

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

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Irish Cultural Center San Francisco wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-10-10T08:50:00.001-07:00

What a great wedding at the Immaculate conception church & Irish Cultural Center San Francisco wedding by Peter Bruce Photo for Tiffany and Kevin

See all the Photos at...

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Check back next week to see all the photos

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo

Argonaut Hotel by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-10-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy some photographs from Pilar & Kurtis's wedding at the outstanding Argonaut Hotel near Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco Ca .People coming to the wedding can savor the history and soul of San Francisco. and the stunning view around it
Let me know what you think

Best Regards
Peter Bruce Photo

Wente weddings in livermore

2010-09-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Another cool wedding at Wente vine yards
please see all the photos on this link...

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

cheers Peter Bruce Photo

Shakespeare Garden San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-09-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare Garden San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park by Peter Bruce Photo
Let me know what you think
cheers Peter Bruce Photo

Clos La Chance Winery wedding by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well, you won’t think you’re in California anymore when you see Clos LaChance Winery. This majestic facility, with its white stucco and fieldstone walls, red tile roof and exquisitely landscaped gardens, will have you wondering if you’ve been magically transported to the hills of Provence. But the only magic involved here was the unique vision of owners Bill and Brenda Murphy, brought to reality by talented designers and architects.

Hope you enjoy the photos please let us know and check back in a weelk to see all the photos

Cheers Jonathan and Peter

Mayacama wedding video by Peter Bruce Photo & Video

2010-09-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mayacama wedding by Peter Bruce Photo & Video
Please enjoy the photos and let us know what you think. And you can see more photos at

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Best Regards to all Peter Bruce Photo

Wente wedding for Jessica & Bryan from Peter Bruce Photo

2010-09-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

What is going on here

California meets New York at Wente winery in Livermore for Jessica and Bryan's wedding and what a fun party it was.
As always the Wente was the best

Here is a link to my blog with more shots from the wedding,let me know what you think...

www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

All the best
Peter Bruce Photo

Jumping the broom by Peter Bruce photo

2010-09-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Lots of cultures have wedding traditions that symbolize the end of one’s life with her parents and immediate family, and the beginning of her life with her husband. Jumping the broom is one such tradition, however this tradition is made more interesting by its role in the marriage of slaves. There are many opinions on the origin of the jumping the broom ceremony, and some will be shown here. You may make your own decision about the symbolism of the tradition, just as you will decide whether or not to incorporate this ritual into your own wedding ceremony.

In most African-themed wedding ceremonies, jumping the broom is considered to have originated in the west during the times of slavery. This theory is that because slaves were prohibited from marriage, they formed their own ceremony, wherein they jumped over the broom. The broom itself was used by the bride and her groom’s family to sweep the courtyard, and using it within the ceremony demonstrated her willingness to become part of a new family. Modern ceremonies that include jumping the broom usually do so as a way for new couples to honor their ancestors and pay tribute to the difficulties their ancestors faced. Jumping the broom still symbolizes the bride’s transition into a new family.

Another view of this tradition is that it began in West Africa. However, there is no documentation of this ceremony in Africa, but there are records that attest to the spiritual symbolism of the broom in Africa. In Ghana, brooms were often passed above the heads of the bride and groom and their parents.

Alan Dunde, a scholar, believes that the ceremony can be traced back to the gypsies, who then forced the practice on their slaves. It is a well known fact that many slaves were forced to adopt religious and cultural behaviors of their owners, and that they often adapted them to suit their own purpose and needs

It is very important to note that while slaves did have a jumping the broom ceremony, they were not the only ones. Many different cultures practiced this custom, although it represented different things to each groups like

Southern Africans
The wife’s agreement to help the new family and to clean the courtyard
England
Symbolized secular or irregular weddings
American South

The person who jumped the highest (usually the man) became the head of the household Other cultures that had or have jumping the broom ceremonies include Wiccans, Roma, the Welsh, and gypsies. When you decide whether to include this ceremony in your wedding, you may also choose what the custom symbolizes, and you may explain it to your guests.

Because jumping the broom is most commonly believed to have been done by slaves as the only permissible way of demonstrating their marriage, this ceremony has received a stigma and is becoming much less common. However, understanding the different roots of the tradition, and different ways in which it can be used, couples may begin to incorporate it more often. Couples can even invent their own reasons for jumping the broom.

If you do decide to use this tradition, you and your husband can jump either together or separately. The broom should be decorated to go with your wedding style or theme. It can be elaborate, or simple. You can use a regular broom, or special order one. Most couples choose to keep the broom and hang it on a wall in their home after their wedding ceremony. The general purpose of this custom is to represent the blending of the two families, to provide a way to honor one’s ancestors, and to provide a reminder to the couple of the love and commitment that will be a part of their new life.

Hope you enjoyed this,let me know
Peter Bruce Photo

Shakespeare Garden wedding in Golden Gate Park by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-09-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Garden of Shakespeare's Flowers in the Golden gate park
The garden was designed in 1928 by the California Spring Blossom and Wildflower Association to honor plants and flowers mentioned in the Bard's poems and plays. Obsessed fans can play "name the work" as they pass each of the 150-odd specimens. The secluded location gives it a "secret garden" feel and makes it a popular wedding venue that is why Jamie and Brian feel in love with it. Please enjoy the photos and let me know what you think
Peter Bruce Photo

Funny Wedding Stories by Peter Bruce Photo

2010-09-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

If you've ever given a speech or made a presentation at work, school or a club, you might already know the wisdom of opening with a joke…or a quote. Something to catch the listen'r's attention and something with a theme to build your speech around. The same theory works with wedding toasts. You only have a few seconds at the start of your speech to grab your listeners and pull them in, get them interested in what y'u're saying and eager to hear more. A good start can often lead to a great finish.

Here you'll find a collection of quotes that you can use to springboard your own toast. Open with them, close with them, use them in the middle of your toast to emphasize your point. Take them and twist them to suit the honored guests. Follow them up with a well-planned punchline to get a laugh. The options are endless, so explore the following sayings:

"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth." — Apache Wedding Blessing

"If a man really loves a woman, of course he wouldn't marry her for the world if he were not quite sure that he was the best person she could possibly marry." — Geoffrey Chaucer

"Love is the flower you've got to let grow." — John Lennon

"Think not because you are wed that all your courtship is at an end." — Antonio Hurtado de Mendoza

"If I choose to bless another person, I will always end up feeling more blessed." — Marianne Williamson

"Man gets nothing brighter than a kind wife." — Semonides

"A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day." — Andre Maurois

"If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love." — Michel de Montaigne

"We attract hearts by the qualities we display. We retain them by the qualities we possess." — Jean Suard

"To love anyone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage" — Lao Tzu

"If you would love, love and be lovable." — Benjamin Franklin

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments." — Rose Kennedy

"Blessed are the man and woman who have grown beyond themselves." — Psalm 1

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." — Henry Ford

"Love …has the greatest power, and is the source of all our happiness and harmony, and makes us friends with the gods who are above us, and with each othe".—— Plato

"If you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you haven't really learned anything." — Muhammad Ali

"When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out." — Elizabeth Barrett

"Everything comes to us from others. To be is to belong to someone." — Jean-Paul Sartre

"All that I am, my mother made me." — John Quincy Adams

"Noble fathers have noble children." — Euripides

"A true friend is someone who can make us do what we can." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hope this was helpful

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo

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

Cake smashing by Peter Bruce Photo & Video

2009-11-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

If you are like me and think the cake smashing is fun,you can now find out where it all started on my blog. And there are some killer photo as well.

http://www.peterbruceweddingphotography.com/blog

Hope you like,let me know
Cheers 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

Simple cakes...

2009-08-09T09:39:00.001-07:00

To Save or not to Save, the question

. . .

During a consultation with a bride to be she ask us about her wedding cake, there are a few questions to consider. One of them is regarding the number of servings she would like from her cake. This often leads to a discussion about saving the top tier.

The tradition of saving the top tier of the cake began long ago in England UK, when tiered wedding cakes were made of a rich, wine or brandy wine soaked fruitcake. This cake was well preserved by the liquor and fruit it contained, and was usually served to the guest at the christening of the first kid . Birth-control, and life-styles being what they were in those days, this blessed event most often occurred within one year of the wedding.

Now, modern wedding cakes are rarely make a out of fruitcake, and most couples plan to extend their “honeymoons” beyond a year of their wedding date. Therefore, if saving the top tier is a tradition the couple wished to pursue, is should be wrapped really well, and kept it frozen for up to three months. It can then be thawed slowly and shared when celebrating the one year anniversary, a family member’s birthday, or a holiday gathering.

However, having a tier of cake which is not going to be served at the wedding also adds to the cost of the cake, so I don’t recommend it for the budget conscious. And speaking of budgets, it really isn’t absolutely necessary to have exactly the number of servings match the number of guests. As hard as it is for me to imagine, some people actually don’t care to eat cake, especially when there is another dessert being served. A smaller cake can be commissioned, and later on, if the guest list should grow, or the couple is concerned about having enough, a small “back-up” cake can be ordered within two weeks of the wedding date.

We hope this helped, please let us know...

Best Peter & team bELLE

10 reason guests don't like...

2009-08-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

The Top 10 Guest Complaints about weddings...

You need to know this weather you wan to or not...After all the wedding Peter Bruce Photo and bELLE fiine weddings we have done, we have seen it all. And we don't want to be a downer here, but want to help.We all know the saying "You can't please everyone all the time" While that may be very true, these types of guest criticisms are easily avoided by careful planning and thinking and addressing them now will make everyone's memories of your wedding day so much nicer. Trust us you will thanks us for pointing these facts out.

1... The DJ was obnoxious or played loud and lousy music. Find the best wedding DJ available using recommendations from other brides and the advice of wedding industry professionals. But can they think about where he puts the speaker, if he needs to get the sound to the other side of the room, don't put it near the guest next to them...run a cable.

2... I was never thanked for my gift! Share this task with your husband. Divide your list, write your notes at the same time, and make a pact to finish a certain number every night until they are finished. Dangle a carrot in front of your noses. When the last note is FINALLY written, reward yourselves with a special bottle of wine or dinner out. It is customary to mail thank-you notes within three months. You don’t want to wait that long for your carrot anyway, do you? How would you like to be treated.

3... Speeches were WAY TOO LONG and we couldn't decipher the words. Keep speeches under five to six minutes. Ideally, they should last between two and four minutes. A good DJ will spend a few moments with each person making a toast or speech, teaching him or her how to correctly operate and speak into the microphone. He will also use a quality microphone!

4... We didn't know anyone at our table. Take the time to carefully plan your seating arrangement, placing guests at tables with others they know. They don’t have to be fast friends, just acquaintances or people with some kind of connection. Try to seat out-of-town guests, who aren't likely to know anyone, with others having similar interests. But guests if you do get stuck at a table with people you don't know, go out of your way to meet the people and have fun.

5... I resented paying a dollar or more to dance with the bride. This is cheap and I have always thought so.Unless it’s a long-standing family tradition, and you will offend someone if you break the ritual, the money dance is best forgotten.

6... We stood to long in the receiving line... The newly weds, and their parents are the only required greeters. Better yet, couples should instead consider visiting individual tables during or immediately following dinner.

7... We had too much time to "kill" between the ceremony & the reception. Out-of-town guests are often at a loss for ways to fill the time between a two o'clock wedding and a six o'clock reception. Try to keep the down time to a minimum. When it isn't possible to hold the events within an hour or so of each other, ask the hall if it will open its doors early for your visiting guests (and ask them if there’s a charge). Other options include asking relatives or close friends to invite them to their home for a light snack, or arranging a hospitality suite for them at their hotel.

8... The centerpiece was so big that I couldn't see or talk to guests seated across the table. Smaller, shorter arrangements are best. Your center pieces shouldn't be the center of attention (or main topic of conversation) at the table.Our florist Chelsea would NEVER do this, you want to see the people at your table.

9... I was offended that I had to pay for drinks at least beer & wine should be free . Open bars are the accepted norm. If your budget is tight, offer wine and beer only -- or limit drink choices to “call” brands. You can also close the bar during the dinner hour to save money on costs.

10... The bride and groom didn't stop by to say hello. Make the rounds of guest tables at your reception, but don’t spend too much time at each. A quick greeting, thank you or compliment will suffice. People want to talk to you.

Well again we hope this helps and please let us know..

Best regards Peter & team bELLE

5 Fall ideas from the Professionals...

2009-08-03T09:13:00.001-07:00

5 Ideas That Fit Your Style and the Season

. . .

Fall dresses come in several styles to fit just about any type of bride. If you are having a fall wedding you will want to choose a dress that not only accents your body type but also accents the great season you have chosen for your wedding.

Great advice in any season is to be smart when looking for your wedding dress. Use all resources available to you including bridal shops, bridal shows, department stores and of course the Internet.

The Internet has become a good source for all stages of selecting fall wedding dresses. Many online stores make shopping for the best price a snap, and you may even be able to locate hard to find styles and sizes.

As you probably may know, fall is a great time to get married. The bright foliage available in many parts of the country makes the perfect backdrop for your wedding day.

Below are five tips for finding perfect fall wedding dresses.

The Weather...The location of your wedding may influence the type of dress you choose. Long sleeve gowns or gloves are an option however they are not for everyone.

Stoles or wraps are a good way to ensure you will not be cold on your wedding day. They can keep you warm if the temperature drops in the evening, and if it turns out to be a warm day you can just not wear it.

Unique Colors... Colors such as cream,off whites and ivory have become very popular for fall. These colors work well with the colors of the season, like gold, red and orange and even gold yes gold.

For a more edgy look, dark black wedding dresses allow you to make a statement. If all black isn't your taste and style, a black sash or belt makes a great accent for a white wedding dress.

Use Your Wedding Theme... There are several wedding themes that work really well in the fall, and fall wedding dresses can be used to tie everything together. Fall theme ideas include Halloween, vineyard,apple, pear, princess and harvest.

Gothic, princess and renaissance style dresses can help finish off your theme.

Use Accent Pieces... Accent pieces can be a beautiful addition to an elegant classie gown, or they can help an average dress up a level. Crystal and silver brocade embellishments or gold beading and accents are a nice touch.

Be careful not to go overboard, however. Some dresses don't need any extra touches, and it is always best to stick to the adage that less is sometimes more.

Don’t Wait... Finding the right dress for you can definitely be challenging. Starting the process early helps to reduce stress, and it can also helps ensure you get your first choice of dress.

A rule of thumb is to start the process at least one year in advance. This ensures enough time for ordering and altering your dress.

Hope this info is good and as always please let us know,we love your feed back...

Best Peter & team bELLE

10 favors..

2009-08-01T09:55:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Food Favors for Weddings

. . .

Choosing the right favor can be difficult. There a soooooooo many choices out there, it can make your head spin off your shoulders... From place card holders to pampering items, there seems to be a gift for every occasion and theme. But how do you know which ones your guests will truly enjoy? Choose a gift with good taste! Food and wine gifts remain the most popular gift choice for wedding favors. Take a look at these mouth watering wedding favors that top our list and let us know what you think.

Chocolate...
Anything what so ever to do with chocolate is #1 with brides and guests . Traditional favorites include personalized chocolate bars and squares, but the latest trends also rank themed chocolates (shaped like wedding bells, starfish, cakes, etc.) and even chocolate puzzles high on the list.

Shaped & cute Cookies...
The possibilities here are endless with these delicious shortbread cookies. Available in tons themes, including hearts, cakes, bells and bride-and-groom, these sweet treats can accommodate most wedding themes, from beach to golf.

Mints and more Mints...
Tins, rolls, pillow packs or “matchbooks,” mints are always a great choice. They’re kosher and usually don’t tempt anyone to break their diet. Personalizing them with wedding information makes them a favor to savor on.

Coffee,Tea or me...
Beverages are always among the top 10 because they’re affordable, practical and lend themselves easily to a variety of themes. Not only popular fall-themed favors, coffee and tea are delightful any time of the year for the couple that’s a perfect blend. Check out the photos of the home made beer and wines.

Wedding Oreos...
Go on do it... Indulge! The decadent enjoyment that comes with these double-dipped Oreos will give your taste buds a treat. Available in white and chocolate wedding themes, they’re a great way to dress up an old favorite.

Jordan (classic) Almonds...
The classic wedding favor of all time still makes the list because of its sweet, crunchy, nutty goodness. They’re also a great do-it-yourself wedding favor. You can purchase them bulk and package them yourselves in a variety of stylest wedding favor boxes. “Wedding gown” favor bags filled with candy make a cute bridal shower favor.

Fortune(give me the lotto numbers) Cookies...
Including a message of appreciation inside the fortune cookie makes this a unique wedding favor. Not just for Asian weddings, they can be used to spread good fortune among your guests.

Mini cup Cakes...
Don’t cut the cake! Give these personal-sized mini wedding cakes let guests have their cake and eat it too without standing in line to get it!

Covered Strawberries...
These tuxedo strawberries add an unexpected elegance to your wedding. Delicious berries are “dressed” in a tuxedo and dress made of chocolate. These “bride and groom” chocolate covered strawberries are a match made in heaven.

Biscotti...
Chocolate dipped and personalized, these biscotti wedding favors are a crunchy delight. Guests can enjoy them at the reception or with a hot cup of coffee at home. Either way, the uniqueness of this favor is sure to stand out.

Hope this helps and please give us your feed back...

Best Regards Peter & team bELLE

The list from Peter Bruce Photo...

2009-07-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

After many years working with wedding, one thing we can say for sure is that a wedding photo check list is very handy. I have seen many over the years, so I took the best of what I have seen and mad on up.

And the best thing about this list is you don't need to buy a book or pay for it

Wedding Photography Check List...

HERE IS A HELPFUL CHECKLIST FROM PETER BRUCE PHOTO & bELLE TO PRINT OUT AND GIVE TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TO MAKE SURE THEY CAPTURES ALL YOUR SPECIAL MOMENTS. WE HOPE THIS HELPS...

Date ____/____/____ Photographer Start Time __________

__ Mother/Maid of Honor adjusting veil
__ Bride putting on garter with bridesmaids looking on
or Brides father putting on garter
__ Bride in dressing room with mirror
__ Corsage being pinned on mother
__ Corsage being pinned on father
__ Portrait of mother and bride
__ Portrait of father and bride
__ Brothers and sisters and bride
__ Group Shot of Bride and bridesmaids
__ Individual shots of Bride with each bridesmaids
__ Bride leaving house with parents and bridesmaids
__ Father helping bride into car

AT THE CEREMONY LOCATION PRIOR TO CEREMONY...

__ Groom and groomsmen photographs
__ Best man adjusting groom's tie
__ Groom and best man handshaking
__ Groom and groomsmen handshaking
__ Groom with father
__ Bride and matron of honor
__ Bride with parents
__ Bride and mother
__ Bride and father
__ Bride kissing father on the cheek
__ Bride and mother with father looking on
__ Bride and bridesmaids group pose in vestibule or dressing room
__ Bride's mother on usher's arm
__ Groom's mother on usher's arm
__ Grandparents accompanied down the aisle
__ Other people accompanied down aisle

DURING THE CEREMONY...

__ Bridal party coming down the aisle__ Bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearer coming down the aisle
__ Bride being taken down aisle by father
__ Father giving away bride
__ Shots during the ceremony itself (Pre-approved by officiator)
(These can also be taken as setup shots after ceremony)
__ Time exposure of overall area during ceremony

AFTER THE CEREMONY AT CEREMONY LOCATION

__ Bride and groom coming down the aisle
__ Receiving line right after ceremony
__ Best man signing certificate with bride and groom looking on
__ Matron of honor signing certificate with bride and groom looking on

SETUP POSES IN THE CEREMONY LOCATION...

With most of your formal poses 2-4 shots should taken to help eliminate blinking and assure a good smile.

__ Groom kissing bride at the altar full length
__ Groom kissing bride at the altar 3/4 pose
__ Groom kissing bride at the altar tight head shot pose
__ Groom putting ring on bride's finger
__ Bride putting ring on groom's finger
__ Bride and groom lighting candles, full length
__ Bride and groom lighting candles, 3/4 pose
__ Bride and groom's hands with rings and flowers
__ Bride and groom with officiator
__ Bride and groom and bridal party with officiator
__ Other missed shots during ceremony
__ Bride with bridemaids flowers around her
__ Bride and groomsmen
__ Groom with bridesmaids
__ Bride and groom at ceremony location door (or stained glass window) in silhouette
__ Bride and groom on the steps of ceremony location
__ Bride and bridemaids on the steps of the ceremony location
__ Groom and groomsmen on the steps of the ceremony location
__ Group shots back inside ceremony location
(Use ceremony location altar/steps, etc. as a studio)
__ Bride and groom with bridal party standing
__ Bride and groom with bridal party sitting
__ Bride and groom with bridal party
(alternating male and female)
__ Bride and groom with all of the Brides family
(as big as the bride would like to go)
__ Bride and groom with brides immediate family
__ Bride and groom with bride's parents__ Bride with her parents
__ Bride with her mother
__ Bride with her father

__ Bride and groom with all of the groom's family
(as big as the bride would like to go)
__ Bride and groom with groom's immediate family
__ Bride and groom with groom's parents
__ Groom with his parents
__ Groom with his mother
__ Groom with his father
__ Bride and groom with both sets of parents
__ Bride and/or groom with special family members
(e.g. favorite uncle, best friend, generations photograph, etc)
__ Bride and groom leaving inside of ceremony location
__ Getting into car or limo
__ Shot through the sun roof of the limo
__ Shot while seated in limo
__ Wide shot of ceremony location/ceremony site and limo
__ Mood shots in and around the ceremony location/grounds and/or
on the way to the wedding reception site.

OUTSIDE SHOTS...

__ Outdoor shots of bride and groom
__ Outdoor shots of wedding party
__ Shots of groom and best man
__ Shots of groom and groomsmen
__ Shots of bride and maid of honor
__ Shots of bride and bridesmaids

AT THE RECEPTION...

__ Receiving line (If not taken earlier)
__ Wedding cake (prior to being cut)
__ Guest book
__ Guests signing book
__ Favors for guests
__ Gift table
__ Introduction of the wedding party
__ Wedding party toasting bride and groom
__ Close up of bride and groom toasting
__ Close up of bride and groom at head table kissing
__ Group shots of guests at their table during the meal
__ First dance
__ Parent dance
__ Bride and father dance__ Groom and mother dance
__ Parents dancing
__ Bridal party dancing
__ Guest dancing
__ Bride showing rings to bridesmaids
__ General dancing shots (wide and close up)
__ Flower girl and ring bearer together
__ Candids of guests and bridal party as conditions permit
__ Bride and groom posed in front of the cake
__ Cutting the cake
__ Bride and groom feeding cake to one another
__ Bride faking the bouquet toss
__ Bride throwing the bouquet
__ The catch of the bouquet
__ Groom taking off garter
__ Groom and garter
__ Groom throwing the garter
__ The catch of the garter
__ Group shot of bride and groom with the recipients of the
bouquet and garter
__ Guest leaving
__ Posed departure shot of bride and groom
(kissing, waving, etc.)
__ Getaway car
__ Bride and groom leaving reception area (birdseed, rose pedals)
__ Bride and groom in car as it goes in to the distance.

Remember, all weddings are unique. Our wedding list is meant to be used only as a guide, not the rule. Many of the above shots are not needed by some couples, yet others want many more! You and your photographer should decide this as your wedding date approaches. Please let Peter Bruce Photo and bELLE know if this help, we like your feed back.

Best Peter Bruce & team bELLE

Hair tips...

2009-07-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

8 Great Wedding Hairstyle Ideas...

. . .

If ever there was time to make the most of your hair, it is for your wedding day. Your bridal hairstyle can look like a million with imagination and the skills of a good hairdresser. Wedding hairstyles range from a more coiffed version of your everyday hair to an elaborate and dramatic look and style.

Perfect wedding hairstyles flatter your face, your wedding dress and your veil. They suit your personality while accentuating your best features and minimizing your weak ones. Here are some suggestions for different kinds of hair.

1...Hair swept back or up shows more of your face and profile. This style can be especially nice for formal or evening wedding.

2...A wedding up-do will accentuate your neck. This look can range from a simple French twist to a style mass of big ringlets.

3...Hair worn down or loose has a more casual look, perfect for daytime, outdoor, and informal weddings.

4...Long hair can be worn back, loose, braided, or entwined with beading or fabric that matches your gown.

5...Medium-length hair is nearly as versatile as long. It can be curled, straightened, tucked behind your ears, or brushed loosely down.

6...Even brides with short hair can have a long, thick wedding day hair style. Clip on hairpieces and extensions are available in a variety of colors and styles.

7...Short hair can be versatile, from sleek styles to curly. Tiaras, decorative booby pins, combs, and hair clips all look stunning worn in short hair.

8...Bangs can be worn several ways: soft, fringy, angled, or textured. If you've never had bangs, experiment with them well in advance. If you've always had them, this is not the time to sweep them aside and bare your forehead.

Current styles are important, but should be secondary to what is right for you. Something may be "in" but all wrong for you or your dress. Whatever style you choose, have practice sessions in the week before your ceremony. Do this and your wedding day will most certainly be a fabulous hair day.
We hope this was of help and please let us know, we love feed back!...

Best Peter & team bELLE

how do I know that photographer is right for me...

2009-07-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

What do I look for in a wedding photographer...

Well I tell couples that the number one thing to look for in their wedding photographer is personality, I call it bed side manner. Your wedding photographer is probably the only person who will be with you for the whole wedding day. They will be mixing with your friends and family all though the wedding. They will be shooting everyone. So, when you are meeting them, you are checking them out for comfort. See how you feel with them. Can you see yourself with them all day long . Could they be your friend pretty easily? This is a very important.When they are photographing you, you are apt to feel more comfortable in front of a friend than a wedding photographer.

The second next thing to finding a wedding photographer is when looking at their work, make sure that you really connect with it. When looking at their albums, try to see yourself in these pictures. If you can do this, and they seem like they might fit, you may have found someone for you. One key here is to understand that we do not all just take photos of people. We all have styles, approaches, and different ways of doing things. Make sure you walk through your wedding day with the photographers you are interviewing and ask them how they might approach different issues throughout the wedding day. A real pro should have great answers for you on a wide variety of topics that you bring up to them.

The last thing is price. The wedding photographer you choose should be close to your budget, otherwise you might be wasting your time meeting with them. However, some couples underestimate the cost of photography at first, and have to make adjustments once they see what it costs. The bridal magazines seem to perpetuate myths about the cost of photography. However, in the end, price is a component of the decision, but it should not be the main factor. If you find someone who really fits the above, but is $999.00 more than you budgeted, maybe you can cut back in other areas. After all, the photography lasts forever and is the only thing you will have after everything is gone.

Hope this helps you, as always...Feed back please.

Best Peter & tean bELLE