Travel and Leisure

Let's face it, the world of wedding-based entertainment is filled with a ton of options, some might actually say that there are too many. They range from DJs and bands to dance instructors and audio/video specialists. The only thing that seems to be consistent among these many options is their hefty prices.

In the last 5+ years, wedding budgets have begun to drop when it comes to your typical wedding. Income limitations or the current economic environment had made it difficult to realize the dream wedding outside of a reality show script. Because of this fact, brides and grooms have started realizing one important aspect of their special day: creativity. If they can't book their favorite band, load in the perfect DJ or serve the fresh lobster, they have opted to add in certain style elements and personalization that have turned out not only making the event even that much more unique, but also keeping the overall costs well within reason.

One of the most debated aspects of your typical wedding is the dreaded wedding slideshow. Why do I call it dreaded? One word: boring. Nothing stops a party dead cold than the typical couples slideshow. A string of 100+ pictures of the bride and groom dating, traveling or frolicking. That's right I said frolicking. Now there is definitely something to be said of the short string of childhood pictures towards the beginning These pictures usually border on entertaining, but they never end up lasting long enough. The main body of the presentation in one star wipe and one dissolve into another forcing that much needed extra trip to the bar by your average wedding guest. And we wonder why Aunt Sylvia is already two shots to the wind just minutes before the tossing of the bouquet.

The good news is for those out there ready and willing to make just one extra step in producing something quite memorable, there are now options. Thanks to the ease of current technology and some simple digital know-how even the most basic creative type can sit and create a masterpiece that will be talked about for years to come. In fact, some people out there already have some of the digital skills necessary for what needs to happen.

STEP ONE: Figure out your style

Figure out what you think you want. It could be a series of clips from your favorite TV show, a clip from a live concert or footage from your home movies. Take a moment and decipher what successfully describes you and your future spouse.

STEP TWO: Go out and get it

There are currently a ton of software applications out there that can successfully copy anything on the internet. Anything. From that video montage on YouTube to the DVD in your closet. I specifically like ishowuhd, an app that rips any DVD or even YouTube clips right off the playback from your desktop.

STEP THREE: Arrange the story

Create your story. Start with youth clips from kids movies, grab some boy meets girl scenes, then just line up some clips of actual famous weddings from feature length films. Don't worry there a ton of those.

STEP FOUR: Put it together

All you have to do is use the basic software you already have on your computer. It could be wondershare, iMovie or camtasia. It's easier than you think and if you don't have the time just let that nifty nephew make your wedding gift something useful.

If you don't have the time or energy to take anything like this on just tap into some website services that have it already done for you. My favorite: gigflixstudio.com.

Whatever you decide, just know one thing, people like to be entertained and people like to have fun so make it happen with a little creativity and some good old fashioned elbow grease.