Bryan Morris - Aruba’s Premier Wedding Photographer

In this high tech day and age, people are conjuring up very unique ways of proposing. I don’t know about anyone else but I enjoy every minute of this electronic age that we live in. Possibilities are endless if you really want to achieve, even a proposal!

It just fascinates me to see the creativity and the ingenuity in some people, it totally blows me away.

After you put all the thought and effort in a proposal like this, can you really be rejected?

I doubt it very much…..

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

In my post on Wedding Proposal Ideas I’ve stressed, to avoid being embarrased, make sure she would say yes especially if you’re going to make a public proposal.

Here is one public proposal gone wrong.

Here’s another wedding proposal rejected in public.

Don’t even think about proposing like this even if you’re under the influence of any mind altering substance because you’ll still have to sober up to the rejection later.

This is the right way to propose in public.

Come back tomorrow for “Geeky Wedding Proposals” and there’s also a post entitled “Dumbest Proposal Ideas” for Saturday.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

On various forums I often see this question; “How can I propose to my girlfriend in a creative, romantic way?” After all, you want the proposal to be as original and impacting as possible. You want her to be blown away at your creativity and planning. You only ask someone to marry you once. You want her to have a great story to tell to her mother, girlfriends, and, someday, your children.

You can adapt them to fit your own relationship and resources. Remember, she’s worth it, and of course, the budget is not as important as your care, effort, and creativity. And those, unlike your pocketbook, are limitless!

One important question — Do you want to pop the question in public or privately? Is she shy and modest or does she loves to be the center of attention? The following suggestions are a mixture of ideas for public areas or solitary spots; the choice is yours…

Very important! If your choice of proposal is public, to avoid embarrassment, please be sure that she will accept.

• Consider all of the places that have been special in your dating relationship– maybe the restaurant where you had your first date, the swing under a tree where you shared your first kiss, a favorite park or walking trail, etc. Create clues that would help her to guess each place. Using a map, design a scavenger hunt for your girlfriend. Decide the order in which you want her to visit these favorite places. You’ll plant clues at each place leading her to the next place. Place the engagement ring in a miniature treasure chest. Plant the clues at each spot in advance. Make certain they are secure and not too difficult to find; you may even want to involve people whenever possible to ensure none of the clues are lost. (ask the restaurant hostess or movie theater ticket booth worker, etc.) Explain what you’re doing; maybe even show them your girlfriend’s photo so they know to be on the lookout for her. People love romantic proposals; they’ll be happy to help. Keep a cell phone handy and instruct your girlfriend to call you if she gets lost or can’t find the next clue. With the clue, place an explanation of why you selected the place and a favorite memory you’ve shared there. Tell your girlfriend to meet you and hand her the clue that will take her to the first spot. Explain that she’s going on a treasure hunt and that you’ll see her at her final destination. Make that final spot very special, if possible the place she’s said she’d always like to be married. Perhaps a small, quaint chapel, large peaceful church, ornate temple or pier overlooking the river. Wait for your girlfriend to arrive at the final point on the hunt. When she walks over to you, explain that for as long as you’ve known her she’s been your treasure. Ask her to allow you to treasure her for always as you pull out the box…

• This date depends upon several wonderful little surprises, each building up for the greatest surprise of you asking her to marry you over a romantic dinner. Feel free to add any other small surprises you might think of. For the day you’ve chosen to pop the question, tell her you’re throwing her a “surprise” date and that she should reserve the entire day. Plan a nice breakfast that you’ll cook and serve for her. Pick up the necessary ingredients. Make reservations at a very nice restaurant. Order flowers; buy her a nice new dress for the occasion. Make reservations for a car to pick her up and take her to dinner (or ask a friend to play chauffeur.) Rent a tux, or take your nicest suit to the dry cleaner. Get her a gift certificate to a day spa or for a facial, manicure, or some other kind of pampering activity. Make her an appointment for this if necessary. Let her sleep in and you cook breakfast. Omelets or Belgian waffles with strawberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, whatever she’d like. Serve it to her in bed. Then do the dishes. That part is very important! Tell her that you’re leaving but instructions will follow. Then leave! Have a dozen roses delivered mid-morning. Next, have lunch delivered (Chinese or whatever she likes.) In the afternoon call her to “remind” her of her appointment at the Day Spa, manicurist, etc. and the time and place for that afternoon. Then, drop the new dress off (anonymously if possible) with a note that she’s to wear it to dinner. Tell her what time to be ready by and that her driver will pick her up promptly at that time. Have her driven to the restaurant and seated. You will not be waiting at the table, but nearby, unseen. Ask a waiter to deliver a note to her that reads, “Say ‘yes.’” Then, approach the table and get down on one knee. You can tell her that she never ceases to surprise and amaze you, or that you’re surprised that an incredible person like her could love you, yadda yadda… In other words, ask her to marry you!

• Find someone in your community who performs as a magician for parties. Hire him to perform a 45 min. show at the local Mall and help you propose to your girlfriend. Arrange the exact time and place in the mall that he is to perform. Show him your girlfriend’s photo. Check with the Mall authorities to make certain it is okay (they shouldn’t argue with getting a free entertainer — explain that you’re paying for the magician to perform.) Suggest that you and your girlfriend go for a shopping trip during the time you’ve asked the magician to perform. “Just happen” to walk upon him (there should already be a small crowd gathered.) When he sees you he is to ask for volunteers for his next trick and choose your girlfriend. Arrange with him ahead of time how you’d like his help. Maybe he could do an ordinary trick, then call for another volunteer and bring you up. Maybe you’d rather he call you both up together in the first place.

• Freeze the ring in an ice cube and drop it in her glass, while you are at your favorite restaurant. When she realizes what is in her drink, get down on one knee and ask her to marry you.

• Go to a local bakery. Instruct them to bake a cake with a marriage proposal on it and put it in the window. Take her on a romantic nighttime stroll right past the bakery, and point to the personalized cake in the window. Drop down on one knee, pull out the ring, and ask her to marry you. This way you can have your cake and eat it too, literally.

• Surprise her by sending a bouquet of flowers to her office or home. Tie the ring to the end of one of the stems. After the flowers are delivered, go to her office and propose.

• Pretend to drop your napkin in front of her at a restaurant. Ask her to pick it up, and while she is not looking, drop the ring in her wine glass. When she sees the ring, propose to her.

• Purchase fortune cookies and take out the fortunes with a pair of tweezers. Swap the fortunes with a piece of paper that says, “Will you marry me?” Then bring her to your favorite Chinese restaurant and have the waiter bring out her fortune after the meal.

• Bring her to one of her favorite restaurants. Make a menu with your proposal printed inside of it. Then have the waiter deliver the menu to your sweetie. As she opens it, ask for her hand in marriage.

• Have breakfast in bed together on a Sunday morning. Make her a beautiful breakfast with scrambled eggs, fruit, and mimosas. After you are done eating, tell her there is just one thing left you have to give her, and pull out the ring.

• Book a room for the two of you at a fancy hotel. Decorate it with flower petals and scented candles. Put rose petals all over the room, leading into the bathtub. Give her a robe, and ask her to look in the pocket. After she finds the ring, propose. Then give her a relaxing massage in the tub.

• Make a rose petal trail from the front door to the bedroom. Create a heart shape with rose petals on the bed, and put the ring in the middle. Tell her to go see what is in your heart.

• Deliver one rose to her every hour for 11 hours. On the 12th hour show up to meet her and propose.

• If she is a thrill seeker, take her skydiving. After you land, tell her if you made it through this you can make it through anything. Pull out a ring from your pocket and propose.

• For a more tame air idea, arrange a sunset hot air balloon ride for her. As you watch the beautiful sky, tell her how much you love her and ask her to marry you.

• Go Bungee jumping. When she is at the top of the cliff, pull out a sign that says “Will you marry me?” at the bottom

• Bring her back to the spot where you went on your first date. Tell her that ever since then, the relationship has grown so much and you hope she feels the same way. Then ask her to marry you.

• Propose to her on Christmas. Put the ring in a box, and hang it like an ornament on the tree. After all the presents have been opened, tell her there is one more special gift for her. Direct her to the ornament, and get down on your knees to propose.

• Put the ring in several layers of boxes so that each box fits inside another to create an illusion of a giant present. Have her unwrap it until she finally gets to the ring, and ask her to marry you.

• Write an advertisement slide, and ask the movie theater to show it as a preview before the movie. Get to the theater early, and let her watch the previews. When it gets to her slide, get down on one knee and propose.

• Take her on a surprise trip somewhere special. Blindfold her so she has no idea where she is going. When you get to the spot, take off the blindfold and ask her to marry you.

• Pop the question on the PA system on the airplane on your way to a vacation. She will be surprised, and all eyes would be on you (both) during the entire flight and even after you land.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

The traditional first dance as man and wife is slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Brides & Grooms in this day and age are really working hard on stepping up what was preceded by their predecessors. The first dance was really swaying back and forth to the tunes of a ballad, but now……….

………this is a new era!

There are quite a few videos online I’ve chosen this one as it’s been online for just a few months but it has been seen close to two million times. Go on “Youtube” this weekend, entertain yourself and get some inspiration for your own wedding.

I just love it when a couple dare to come out of the box.

Blessings and a great weekend to you,

Bryan Morris

The daunting but very important task of selecting wedding songs during your wedding preparation has now just become a little less stressful.

The almighty Google or any other search engine came to the rescue.

Upon placing a search in google I came up with what seems to be the biggest wedding song resource. Our Wedding Songs.

There are however quite a few websites with this information so if you don’t find anything you like here, (which I doubt, a lot) just Google “wedding songs” and you will come up with alternative sites. Making a proper selection of wedding songs.

Having the right music sets the mood to your event and allows you to express yourself through music.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

“Aruba Ta Hot”

I would like to remind you about the “Aruba Ta Hot” campaign.

What is the “Aruba Ta Hot” campaign?

Since I’ve started I try and give back to the community that I so feel a part of. Annually I document at least one wedding for a less fortunate couple absolutely free of charge.

Why do I do this? I simply believe in the law of reciprocity. I just dawned on me one day after reading a few (auto) biographies of some well established business men and it was confirmed biblically, I then realized that this is the thing to do. Many people do it for the sake of taxes, I don’t, but nevertheless it does something in your business when you give back.

Because, this year we’re celebrating our 5th year of business and our 5th wedding anniversary I’ve chosen to do it like this, shooting whichever couple that dares to load up there video on Youtube letting me know why I should shoot their wedding for free. I would choose the response video that appeals to me most.

All you have to do is create your video (Be as creative as you can), load it up to Youtube and send me an email with the link to the video.

Newsletter

I don’t know if you’ve remembered this post. I’ve been having some problems with the newsletter since I’ve made an upgrade in my blogging platform. I’ve since fixed it so now you can go ahead and subscribe to the newsletter of which I will be sending the first issue out soon with great information.

Comments

My dear secret stalkers, you know who you are. Leave me some comments every now and again. It really help me to know that I’m not talking to myself. I know I’m not but it just gives you the fuzzies inside to know that we’re dialoging.

Still to come.

I have 2 more restaurant reviews for you (Sunset Grill & Chez Mathilde). One is almost done and the other I still have to work on their images. OMW! Aruba has some good food!

I also have a post on wedding dances. Where to get your music, the new trend of wedding dances etc I also have a post on romantic proposals ideas and tips so there’s a whole lot on the horizon.

Anything else in particular you would like me to post about, I’m just a comment or an email away.

I’m looking forward to those emails/comments gushing in.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Hot, Hot, Hot!

You better believe it. We’re getting closer and it’s getting hotter.

Stay tuned.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Many times I’m asked this question by couples planning their wedding.

This is one of the most conspicuous questions a couple is instructed by the many wedding message boards or magazines to ask, during a meeting with the photographer.

Just to clear the air a little, I’ll list some of the equipment I use.

2x Canon 1D Mark II (soon to be Mark III)

A variety of Canon lenses.

2x Canon 580 EX Flash Head

1x Canon 550 EX Flash Head

1x Canon 540 EZ Flash Head

A few radio slaves (Pocket Wizards) for my flash, I’m not too fond of working with flash. I prefer to use available light. Learned that from a great photographer friend of mine, Tim Zielenbach, who saw me shooting a wedding with all flash and asked me:”You have so much beautiful light out here that God gave you why use artificial light” And since I’ve tried it I’m hooked. In instances where I have to use flash I rather not use on camera flash, therefore the slaves.

This is just I believe the most important pieces that I carry in my bag as the rest is just really to pretty up your image or make the effort of the shot a little easier.

When communicating with me throw all the technical questions you have my way, I really don’t mind. One little very important question you should ask all photographers you’re interviewing or thinking on working with is: Do you have backup equipment? Make sure that they at the very least carry two camera bodies and a variety of lenses and flash heads. You don’t want them to be shooting your wedding and their equipment start acting up on them and they don’t have any replacement with them or they don’t have any at all.

I’ve heard stories of photographers because of humidity having 4 camera bodies jam on them during a wedding. I’ve had my own negative experiences of cameras going bad during the wedding, but I was happily backed up so I went on shooting with the other. Although it’s a challenge logging all that heavy camera equipment around after hearing of that one photographer loosing 4 cameras it makes me think how much backup is enough backup. I’m therefore about to get the 1D Mark III and then still keep these Mark II’s.

For peace of mind and zero sad stories after your wedding always make sure that your photographer work with backup equipment.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Nazareth, launched a song by the name of the title in 1983 but this post has nothing to do with the search of a loved one.

At the beginning of this very year I’ve had a small but potent post questioning the current direction of your life and the resolutions for the new year ahead of us. hence the question………

Where are you now?

Did you make the necessary changes to reposition yourself to success. Whether it’s financially, physically, academically, spiritually, in your relationships or in any other arena.

Did you start out with a resolution to make a change and you’ve still gone back to your comfort zone? therefore you’re back to going around in circles.

The quote I’ve used on January, still stands. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

I’m here to inform you that it’s not all lost “The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving.” says Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Sit back, analyze where you want to go, where you are and if you’re on the right track. If you are on track focus on how to get there even faster, if there’s a way. If you’re off course, reposition yourself and move back into the intended direction.

Remember insanity is continuing in the direction you’re heading and still expecting a change.

I have a goal for mid 2009 and I have to start loosing weight, this was one of my resolutions for 2008 so I get up every morning or should I say almost every morning at 4:45 AM and leave home at 5:00 AM and run/speed walk about 8 miles/12+ KM. I’ve changed my eating regimen quite a bit, I’ve since lost 25+ pounds. Good but not the way I want so I’ll tighten up on my eating and add the gym to my walk every day and then get me where I want to get and ready for my goal for 2009.

Another resolution of mine was to post more often on the blog which I’ve got myself caught up these last few weeks and was a very bad blogger, well not really as I’ve been putting stuff aside to blog, so you’ll be flooded with stuff for a bit.

Where are you now? Check yourself!

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

In my five years shooting weddings full time. I’ve learn that the way packages are setup by the various wedding planners is that they offer photography at one location with always the option to upgrade which however is very seldom enforced.

A bride having a visual of a beach ceremony in her mind almost always choose for photography at the beach. This is not their fault, they should be educated by their wedding planners on the beauty of our City Hall downtown.

Brides approach a civil ceremony on Aruba with a preconceived notion that the ceremony is the same as in their hometown. Just get into a pale office, sign these papers and we’re out of here.

Permit me an attempt to describe to you how this visual is as far from the truth as the east is from the west.

I’ll be displaying a few images of the building and then a few portraits shot in and around the building.

This is the front section of the house this is currently being used as the exit after the ceremony

This is a close up on the exit of the City Hall (Entrance of the house)

This is a side view of the house.

This is the current entrance of City Hall.

This is the view of inside, standing in the door.

This is the inside from behind the seat of the registrar.

These are images during the ceremony. Notice carefully that the images are a bit warm that’s because of the incandescent lights in the hall. It can be cooled down digitally but I like the warm feel the lights give the images, therefore I don’t do much alterations.

Images taken in the garden of City Hall.

This is the rear section of City Hall.

This wall is off to the left of this section in the image above this.

The many possibilities with these red colored walls.

This wall is literally 20 feet across the street from the rear section of City Hall.

OMG! That was my expression at the beginning of the wedding season when I saw this wall. This was once a screaming green backdrop and they’ve now decided to paint it this color. Bummer!

This is not even 2 minutes walk across the street from the orange wall. The possibilities here at the Willem III Tower are endless. You can shoot in and around of the building if your photographer would ask politely.

These were all taken at the Willem III Tower either inside or outside of this building.

Now you should have an idea of the many photographic opportunities in and around City Hall in downtown Oranjestad.

In conclusion of this three part series of “To marry or not to marry at City Hall”, I would say To marry, but not only to marry but have a reputable photographer to cover this event.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris