Best places to visit in Southeast Asia this winter

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The bitter winter months are here, and what better time to finally commit to that dream holiday than to fly to the warm and sunny world of Southeast Asia. The typhoon season is over come November in most countries in this part of the world, ensuring that your trip will be hassle-free and truly memorable. Let’s look at several must-visit spots in the area to add to your itinerary.


Siem Reap, Cambodia: The haunting capital city in the province of Siem Reap is now home to a variety of hotels catering both to backpackers and luxury tourists. It’s a great place to truly immerse in everything Cambodian. You can go visit a floating village, hop from one age-old temple to another, quad bike, and visit the renowned Angkor National Museum.

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Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: This UNESCO World Heritage site is situated in the northeastern part of Vietnam and is one of the best places in the region to visit come December. It boasts of breathtaking limestone islands, karsts, and isles in various shapes and sizes. Ha Long is Vietnamese for “descending dragon,” and you’d feel like you’re riding one as your boat snakes past the marvelous natural lime formations jutting out of the water.


Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai is located in the mountain-riddled province of northern Thailand and is one of the most visited spots in recent years for tourists looking for a thrilling Asian water adventure and a glittering nightlife. From December to May, the area retains great weather for scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling. You should not miss visiting the famed Namuang Waterfall and partaking in Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party.


Douglas Grady is an event planner who specializes in handling weddings. When he wants to unwind, he explores the world one country at a time. For more on Douglas and his love for travel, click here. 

Wedding guest problems: How to deal with them

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You can’t please everyone, and this saying isn’t any less true when it comes to weddings. From the picky eater to the guest who’s always in the photographer’s way, some people can be quite a handful during your big day. Here are some familiar problematic wedding guests and how to deal with them properly and lovingly.


Unexpected extra guests

When it comes to wedding crashes, just send over a groomsman to tell the person to hit the bricks. If you can stand the person being present at your special day, you could also simply set down a place setting at a far-flung table and try to forget the fact that someone is crashing your wedding. Otherwise, it’s best to send someone to politely ask the unexpected guest to leave.

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Photographer wannabes

Some guests would have their iPhone constantly out, often getting in the way of the professional photographer to get their own perfect shots. Inform guests ahead of time that you’ll either implement a no-pictures policy or that you’ve hired a pro to capture the day’s events. Politely ask them to move out of the way.


The discontented ones

Some people will find that the steak isn’t cooked to their preference, the music is too loud, or that the room is too cold. If you’re faced with constant complainers, know that they likely won’t ever be satisfied – simply listen to them, and that’s it.


Guests with special needs and dietary restrictions

These can definitely cost extra expense and consideration, so include a space on the RSVP card where guests can indicate their food allergies, if any, as well as other dietary restrictions such as a religious diet. You can also send them emails individually to get this information.


Douglas Grady is an event planner who specializes in handling weddings. Based in Orange County, California, he is trained to handle and plan different kinds of events, from the lavish to the minimalist. More tips here.

Wedding planning mistakes to avoid like the plague

Clearly there’s no single right way to plan a wedding or go about the nitty-gritty of it, but there are a couple of mistakes to avoid. Here is a mini guide to things you should avoid when preparing ahead of the big day.

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Blowing the entire budget on a wedding dress
The money allotted for the bridal look should go to the dress alone; there’s still the undergarments, veil, shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories to take care of! Think twice about the huge shipping fees, too, when having the dress done overseas.

Booking a venue (or doing anything) before finalizing a guest list
Booking a venue is a major priority since most places get filled up pretty fast, but before doing so have a ballpark estimate of how many guests will be attending. This mistake can lead to the venue not able to hold everyone, or having lots of empty space on that day.

Freaking out
While getting jittery and nervous days leading up to the wedding is perfectly normal, freaking out over things is an entirely different matter and won’t help anyone. Weddings are about personalization and it could suck to have another couple choosing the same food or favors, but your time and energy are better reserved for making the similar details different or packaging your favors differently to set them apart.

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Micromanaging and doing it all yourself
 It’s understandable to want to make that wedding unique. But you can’t do everything and overwork yourself. Instead of trying to DIY all aspects, explore some prefab goodies or new ideas online and fit something that fits your style. Get trusted friends and suppliers for stuff that’s further down your priority list.

Douglas Grady majored in communications and public relations at the University of Washington. Right now he is an event planner who specializes in handling weddings. Read more articles on wedding planning on this page.

How to be a chill bride, not a raging Bridezilla

Planning a wedding comes with plenty of stress, worry, and fears that something might go wrong on the big day. But the bride need not unleash her inner monster during the planning phase and in the days leading up to the special day – she can keep her cool throughout the whole process. Here are some tips to achieve that chill-bride vibe.

Wear your problem-solver hat on Every problem has a solution. These problems are typically for the wedding planner to take care of, but if you’re planning your own wedding then talk to all vendors and suppliers about potential issues and challenges. Leverage their professional expertise to come up with solutions.

Be flexible There’s no need to go crazy over what’s considered “standard” – go with your and the groom’s preferences and what’s best for the couple and the guests at the same time. Don’t wallow over the smallest inconvenience, and accept what went wrong. Try your best to come up with a great alternative or solution.

Trust the vendors You chose the wedding vendors and suppliers for a reason: they’re experienced and good at what they do. Rely on their expertise and don’t fuss over what they should be fussing about in the first place.

Don’t micromanage Give the bridesmaids direction or some sort of guideline on what to do or wear, and be organized with the photographer. But don’t micromanage and don’t shadow them every step of the way. They’re adults and they know what to do, especially how to make the wedding a success!


Douglas Grady is an event planner who is passionate about meeting new people and planning large-scale events. He majored in communications and public relations at the University of Washington. At present, his work is based in Orange County, California. Read more on this page.

Great Spots For Photography In Orange County

Orange County is home to hundreds of scenic and popular locales, from Disneyland and its California Adventure park to its variety of beaches and water sports venues. But it also houses many hidden gems for your photography pleasures. I’ve listed below some of the most picture-friendly areas in the O.C.

The LAB

A lot of long-time O.C. residents call this the “anti-mall” as it lies unobtrusively behind a grove tree, and you’ve to follow a shader path if you’re to enter the marketplace. Here you’ll find quaint restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. There are regular events and festivals devoted to poetry and the visual arts. If you’ve managed to find yourself in the LAB, take photos in the ARTery, which features artwork placed in shipping containers.

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Great Park Balloon

These hot balloons are awesome subjects for photography. They can individually hold two to three people at a time, and it’s simply amazing to see an entire fleet of them soaring into the sky. From the balloons themselves, you can take generous, 360-degree photos of the gorgeous landscape.

The Blind Rabbit

Located in Anaheim, this nondescript restaurant is famed for its speakeasy atmosphere. The service is great, and the toned-down ambiance is perfect for shots that capture that old-world and artistic allure. But make sure to reserve first, as it’s often only available for first come, first served seating between two and four in the afternoon.

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My name is Douglas Grady, and I’m an Orange County-based event planner. Though my job can get hectic at times, this is where my passion lies. Outside of work, I’m into travel and photography. Hit up this link for similar tips.

The Simple Guide To Becoming a Great Wedding Photographer

It’s hardly possible to imagine a wedding without a wedding photographer. This doesn’t mean that weddings would be meaningless without pictures. However, wedding photography has become a part of every nuptial, be it a civil or church wedding. The union of two individuals is captured and immortalized by talented photographers that give story to each frame. 

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Be clear with what you’re offering as a photographer. When a client asks for your services, let them know of your available equipment, your team (if you have any), and show them your previous work. If large family photos won’t be something you will be offering, provide alternatives like smaller group photos. Pre-plan your shoots so as to not miss important shots. Wedding photography isn’t spontaneous like street photography. Scout for locations, and if your clients have places in mind, check them and see how you’ll be able to work with the lighting and other conditions of the place. 

It’s important to ask the couple what they want their shoot to be like. Ask them who the VIPs are in their wedding. Make sure to capture moments with them. On the day of the wedding, make sure you know what will transpire. Know the ones involved in the program. 

While it’s great to capture spontaneous moments during the wedding and reception, don’t be afraid of directing your subjects. With a few directions here and there, you’ll be boosting the confidence of the subjects, allowing them to relax when being photographed. Follow the smiles. Knowing the most expressive guests will provide you with the best subjects. 

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Douglas Grady, event and wedding planner at your service. My business is based in Orange County, California. I am passionate about travel and photography. Subscribe to my blog to get more photography tips.

Some Travel Photography Tips For Taking Those Gorgeous Photos

Photography is one of the best complementary hobbies to traveling. It has become the norm for people visiting various scenic and historic places in the world to be toting a good camera. Of course, if you are serious about travel photography, it could also be a lucrative career option. Whatever the case, here are some tips on ensuring that you capture those gorgeous scenes and moments in photos.

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Firstly, don’t go traveling blindly. Read official sites for the area if any, as well as blogs and guidebooks about your destination. Scouting is vital in knowing the best places for taking great photos, as well as what pictures genuinely capture the area’s essence and spirit. You can check Google Maps for markers on the most important places and form your shot list based on these.

Pay attention to the small things. For example, what day is there low tourist traffic? What is the weather forecast for the whole week? Which time of the day would offer the best light? Doing a bit more research is key to ensuring that the conditions for the shoot are ideal. 

Of course, if you are not just doing travel photography as a matter of circumstance, you should before anything else be certain about why a particular place is where you want to go. Go to those that best interest you and, based on your research, hold most opportunities for stunning photography: whether it’s the countryside, mountains, the pristine beaches, or the delicacies in a nation’s bustling city markets. Finally, be one with the locals; totally immerse yourself in the culture. 

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My name is Douglas Grady event planner and travel and photography enthusiast. I studied communication and public relations at the University of Washington. For more on my work, pay this page.