Bridal Association of America

Dynamic lighting for your wedding from lighting photos to tips and ideas to make your wedding unlike any other

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:31:44 +0000

Imagine a great theatrical production: possibly one you have attended in the past. Recall how you felt: inspiration, excitement and anticipation abound. How does the director accomplish the goal of evoking these emotions? Aside from securing talented actors, you can rest assured that careful attention has been given to the properly placed sets, which are brought to life with dramatic lighting. Now imagine watching the same production without theatrical lighting, making it visible only through house lights. Would the stage play then be completely ruined? Maybe not, but the difference would definitely be astounding. Your wedding is the most important production of your life. What emotions do you want to experience and evoke in your guests? Wedding lighting design sets the mood and tone for your wedding. Your banquet facility, tent, hall or church is like a blank canvas. Wedding lighting design is used in conjunction with the wedding decor to create the desired environment. Various types of lighting are used at weddings to accomplish specific goals. First and foremost, your guests should have no difficulty being able to see adequately. This comes into play particularly with outdoor wedding events. Covering an area evenly with lighting is typically done through Color Washing. This creates a blanket of ambient lighting with colors that compliment your wedding reception’s decor. Focal point enhancement through pin-spotting draws attention to the most important decorative objects. This can be done by casting an individual focused spotlight to these focal points. These objects can include your centerpieces, wedding cake, or an ice sculpture to name a few. Much can be done to compliment or enhance the architectural elements of your wedding venue through lighting. Up-lighting is a great way to soften walls, highlight pillars or archways, and create some residual lighting throughout. Adding texture through light is a type of “eye candy” that can make a dramatic statement. This is done by displaying different patterns. Other images can also be projected including custom monograms or theme-oriented motifs. Transformation of an environment as the evening progresses is often necessary in creating the appropriate atmosphere. As the overall feel of your wedding reception changes from cocktail hour and dinner to dancing, so should the lighting. Color changing LED lighting and automated moving lighting give the lighting designer complete control in adapting the lighting to your specific needs.

Custom lighting should be considered part of your wedding decor / design budget. As you prioritize your budget and consider your lighting needs, consult with a wedding lighting designer to discuss your options. A reputable lighting designer will schedule an on- site consultation and develop a site map illustrating the details of his/her design. Often, he or she will have pictures of previous wedding lighting productions implemented at your specific venue. In any case, ask to see a portfolio of lighting design work, which can help in determining the overall look of your wedding ceremony and/or wedding reception.

Custom lighting is one of the greatest determining factors in creating an event that is truly distinctive and original; capturing and enhancing the beauty and emotion of your special day.

FreeStyle Entertainment is a Member of the Bridal Association of America and the Kern County Bridal Association

Lighting Design
: Courtesy of
: Freestyle Entertainment & Event Services
661-324-1234

• May I publish articles I find on my website?
: • You may add articles to your website as long as you comply with our TOS. Basically you must keep full author credit with its respective links, a link to the Kern County Bridal Association, keep the article intact (no editing on your end) and keep all links active.

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

New Show coming to TLC Happily Ever Faster

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:28:54 +0000

TLC – Happily Ever Faster Premieres Nov 20^th with 6 new Episodes.

Follow two couples as they tie the knot at the Chapel of the Flowers on the famous Las Vegas Strip.

This family-run chapel has been in the business of weddings for almost 60 years and although they

Marry over 5000 couples a year, it’s there tasteful approach to matrimony that’s sets them apart from all the other chapels on the strip.

thae show is produced by Leftfield Pictures

Watch the Video

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

Do you or someone you know think you have what it takes to be on America's top-rated wedding show?

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:13:00 +0000

Do you or someone you know think you have what it takes to
be on America’s top-rated wedding show?

• Are you planning a wedding between November 2009 and May 2010?
• Are your wedding preparations getting out of control?
• Are you struggling with the cooperation of your wedding party, fiancé or in-laws?
• Are you doing everything in your power to make sure your wedding day is perfect?
• Are you ready to share your story with other women who’ve been or will be in your shoes?

If so, then you are just what we’re looking for!

--------------------------------------

**BRIDES WILL BE GENEROUSLY COMPENSATED***

If your wedding falls within the dates above & you’d like to be considered
for an episode, email the below to castingbridezillas@gmail.com.

BRIDE'S FULL NAME:
AGE:
ADDRESS:
CONTACT #:
EMAIL:
WEDDING DATE:
WEDDING BUDGET:
GROOM'S FULL NAME:
AGE:

1. TELL US WHY YOU'D BE A GREAT BRIDEZILLA. GIVE EXAMPLES.
2. WHO IS GIVING YOU THE MOST STRESS AND WHY?
3. GIVE US YOUR TOP 3 CONCERNS FOR YOUR WEDDING.

Lastly, please email us a couple photos of you and your fiancé.

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

Untitled Wedding Show Now Casting

admin — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:57:22 +0000

GETTING MARRIED? EVERYONE’S AGAINST IT? WEDDING PLANS? NO ONE WANTS TO COME?

Planning on getting married in early 2008 and everyone’s telling you not to? Friends, family, future in-laws trying to stop the wedding from happening? We want to hear your story. A new network reality series is looking for couples who are trying to convince their loved ones to support their decision and having no luck.

All participants must be accessible for on-camera appearances. If your story airs, show will pay$10,000 for the honeymoon or $5,000 each for you to part ways.

Closing On: 03/31/2008
Company: Studio City

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

Wedding Cake Traditions

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:08:55 +0000

The wedding cake was originally made of many little wheat cakes. These were broken over the head of the new bride. This tradition was meant to bestow fertility and good luck to the new bride for her married life. Fortunately for the bride, this tradition is no longer practiced. The cutting of the wedding cake was once cut only by the bride and was symbolic of her upcoming loss of virginity. In modern times this tradition of cutting the cake includes the groom as well. Cutting the cake and sharing the first bite with each other symbolizes the couple’s promise to share their new life together.

The top tier of the wedding cake was traditionally kept and used at the christening of the couple's first child. But today, this tradition has been modified and the top tier is saved to be used at the couple's first anniversary.

Another wedding cake tradition is if an unmarried person sleeps with a piece of a wedding cake under their pillow, they will dream of their future spouse that night. This is one custom that is sure to excite the single guests at your wedding!

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

Kern County Marriage License Application & Information

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:00:14 +0000

http://www.thebestweddings.com/MarriageLicense/

Kern County Marriage License Application & Information
County of Kern
Auditor-Controller-County Clerk

Ann K. Barnett
1115 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639
Regular Office Hours 8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri

Open to the public 8:30am-4:00pm Mon-Fri

Applications for a Marriage License

General Instructions:
Print the form

Completely fill out the form (All data must be completed.)
Bring the form to the County Clerk's Office at the time of your appointment

Click on the link below to print out the Kern County Marriage License Application in Elglish or Spanish

Instruciones:

Imprima la solicitud
Complete y traiga la solicitud a su cita. (Toda la informacion debe estar completa.)

Public Lic

Marriage License Application (English)
Marriage License Application (Spanish)

Confidential Marriage Lic

Application for a Confidential Marriage License (English)

Solicitud para licencia de Matrimonio Confidencial (en Espanol)

How do we obtain a marriage license?

Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the County Clerk's Office located in the Kern County Administrative building. To purchase a marriage license, both the bride and groom must appear together. You only need to make an appointment if you plan to have the wedding performed in our office. To make an appointment, call the County Clerk's Office at the phone number listed below.

Kern County Administrative Building
1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, Ca 93301

(661) 868-3743

Is a Blood test required to obtain a Marriage License?

No. A blood test is no longer required.

What do I need to get a marriage license?

If you are 17 years of age or younger, you must call the Kern County Probation Department at (661) 868-4313 before you can purchase a marriage license.

If you are 18 years of age or older and would like to purchase a PUBLIC license, you will need a driver's license or some form of goverment issued ID. Both the bride and groom must be present when obtaining a public marriage license.

If you are 18 years of age or older and are obtaining a CONFIDENTIAL marriage license, you will need a driver's license or some form of goverment issued ID. Both the bride and groom must be present when obtaining a confidential marriage license.

For further information, please call the County Clerk's Office at (661) 868-3743.

If your divorce was finalized within the last 90 days, you must provide proof of court order when applying for a license.

- MARRIAGE LICENSE TYPES -

PUBLIC LICENSE
» Public record
» License good for 90 days
» License can be used throughout the state of California
» Current fee is $67.00

CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE
» Not available for public inspection
» License can only be used in the county where purchased
» Current fee is $80.00
» Couple must be living together as husband and wife and both must be at least 18 years of age.

When does a marriage license expire?

The marriage license is only good for 90 days from the date issued. If not used within 90 days, a new license must be obtained.

What happens to the license after the ceremony?

Public Marriage Licenses

When the ceremony is performed at our office, we will send it to the Kern County Recorder's Office. Certified copies should be available within 10-14 business days at the Kern County Recorder's Office.

When the ceremony is performed outside of the County Clerk's Office, the license should be completed by the person performing the ceremony and returned to the Kern County Recorder's Office within 10 days from the ceremony. The license is recorded and a certified copy will be made available to you within approximately 10-14 business days after it is received. The fee for a certified copy of your Public Marriage License is $13.00. If you need a certified copy of your Public Marriage License, please stop by the address below or call:

The Kern County Recorder's Office
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-6400

KERN COUNTY RECORDER ONLINE

Confidential Marriage Licenses

A certified copy of a Confidential Marriage License may be purchased 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday by the bride or groom only. Photo I.D., such as a California Driver's License, is required. The fee for a certified copy of a Confidential Marriage License is $13.00. The Kern County Clerk's Office accepts cash, money orders, bank imprinted personal checks made payable to the Kern County Clerk, or credit cards.

If the ceremony is performed at the County Clerk's Office, a certified copy of the marriage license may be obtained that day.

When the marriage is performed outside of the County Clerk's Office, the license should be completed by the person performing the ceremony and returned to the Kern County Clerk's Office within 10 days from the ceremony. Certified copies will be availiable within 5-7 business days after it is received.

Kern County Clerk
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3743

Can the marriage ceremony be performed by our office?

The Kern County Clerk's office performs civil wedding ceremonies by appointment. The ceremony room is decorated and provides seating for 15 guests. Cameras are allowed. Rings may be exchanged during the ceremony and those attending may dress casually or formally. The fee to perform the ceremony is $30.00 in addition to the cost of the marriage license. Please call (661) 868-3743 to schedule a ceremony.

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you may have regarding your marriage license.

Our Address is:
Kern County Clerk's Office
1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Or reach us by phone at: (661) 868-3743
Fee Schedule

MARRIAGE LICENSES
Public Marriage License

$67.00
Confidential Marriage License

$80.00
Weddings performed by the County Clerk's Office

$30.00
Duplicate Marriage License (to replace lost or damaged license prior to recording)

$5.00
Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License
*available to bride or groom only

$13.00
Amendment & Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License after 1 year (or longer)
*available to bride or groom only
$20.00

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

Weddings on Ferries in Washington State

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:50:47 +0000

Weddings should be planned for non-peak times and we will need to know the exact time and route so we can alert the crew. Ceremonies are not allowed in the non-public areas of our vessels. Our captains are not legally authorized to perform weddings so plan to arrange for a justice of the peace or pastor to conduct the service.

We recommend small weddings. Larger weddings require reserved space and we cannot guarantee that other, non-invited customers will not inadvertently become part of the wedding party.

Here are some other things to be aware of;

* Outside catering services are not allowed.
* There are no private rooms for clothes changing, etc.
* We do not recommend driving onboard the ferry unless the wedding will be completed by the time the vessel reaches its destination. All vehicles that have boarded a ferry must be driven off once the vessel reaches its final destination.
* If the wedding party has special requests such as using live musicians, electrical power on the ferry, etc., those requests must be made at the time initial arrangements are made with the ferry system.
* Special wedding day photos of the bridal party may not be possible. Ferry crews cannot obstruct pathways for picture taking so bridal pictures may include a photo of a wandering ferry commuter who accidentally gets in your picture.
If you would like more information or would like to make arrangements for your "special event", please call our Aministrative Officer:

Jim Fletcher, Administrative Officer (206) 515-3400

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings

WHY IS THE CEREMONY SEALED WITH A KISS

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:44:27 +0000

You may exchange souls with the bride

Yes, this is what the big wedding kiss symbolizes--the swapping of souls between the bride and groom. Even earlier than this Christian belief, the Romans used a kiss to seal a contract. The kiss was considered legally binding. I don't know about you, but I'm glad that a handshake suffices today.

What's more, a bride marrying in the Church of England had to kiss the minister before she smooched the groom. I would really love to go to a wedding where the minister said, "Now, I may kiss the bride."

Bridal Association of America - We're All About Weddings