PICTURE PERFECT

On any regular day, a picture is worth a thousand words. On your wedding day, however, it's worth so much more, as it serves as a precious memory of one of the most special days of your life. For that reason, selecting a wedding photographer may be one of the most important elements of wedding planning. Here, John Mireles of Ventana Photography, who has been photographing weddings in Southern California for the past seven years, offers tips on choosing the best cameraman for your big day:

Do your research: "Start with vendor lists from the venue where you're going to have your wedding, as well as other venues' vendor lists," Mireles recommends. "If you start to see the same names on different lists, it tells you that person has been around for a while. With any of the better venues in town, they have to know you and your work and they have to have a relationship with you—it's a good way to separate the experienced photographers from the inexperienced."

Look online: Once you start to familiarize yourself with names, Mireles suggests checking out the photographer's Web site or blog. "This will help you see if the photographer's style is right for you and help you get a sense of his or her experience level," he says. "The blog will also help you see a little more depth to the photographer's work so you can gauge his or her personality and see what they've been doing recently."

Meet face to face: Attending bridal shows is another good way to review a photographer's work while also determining if his or her personality meshes well with your own. "Sometimes there are really good photographers, but their personality just isn't a match with the client—either the client is more reserved and the photographer is more over the top or vice versa," Mireles adds. "That might not be a good mix."

Let your personality shine through: Finally, it's no use basing your decision on the photographer's personality if you hide yours. "If a client has specific ideas of what they're looking for, great, I'd love to hear it," Mireles concludes. "It makes it more fun for me to use my imagination and take that idea to a place that will ultimately be what the client wants."

John Mireles' favorite San Diego wedding spots: Rancho Valencia, The Grand Del Mar, The Lodge at Torrey Pines and Balboa Park. "We're spoiled in San Diego because we have so many great locations," he says.

John Mireles' favorite wedding shots: The getting-ready shots. "It's really the most interesting part of the day," he says. "Everyone's nervous and excited and there's a lot of emotion below the surface—there are great little moments that you can try to pick out."

For more information, call John Mireles at 619-282-9022 or visit Ventana Photography at ventanaphotography.com.

    
 
 
 
   
   

WEDDING TREND:
ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS

For some honeymooning couples, lazing around on the beach is just...plain...boring. Luckily, couples looking for action-packed getaways have their choice of destinations, with more travel companies offering adventure packages for honeymooners. Honeymoon registry Web site TheBigDay.com lists recommended adventure travel destinations around the world, from Moab, Utah, and the Grand Canyon to such spots in Africa as Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Zanzibar—and even the far reaches of the earth, such as the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.

For more information, visit www.thebigday.com/Travel/Adventure-Resorts.htm.

    
 

FINISHING TOUCHES:
ELSA PERETTI PEARLS

Mixing the classic sophistication of pearls with the contemporary allure of designer jewelry, Tiffany & Co. presents the Elsa Peretti collection of cultured freshwater pearls for brides or bridesmaids. Pearls are matched for size and color and combined with sterling silver in a bracelet, necklace and drop earrings.

For more information, visit www.tiffany.com.