wedding invitation

25th Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas

2008-12-09T06:29:00.001-08:00

25th Wedding Anniversary Party Ideas
By Jen Carter

We know that coming up with 25th anniversary party ideas can be baffling. What type of party do you want to hold? A large party, a small gathering of close friends and associates? We know exactly what you're thinking: Where do I begin? Once you've chosen a location to hold the party, you'll need to call up friends and loved ones. This is important! Let everyone know that you're sending them an invitation. Confirm everyones address. That last thing you want is for your invitations to get returned. Once you've got all the information you need, you're ready to begin shopping for invitations.

Purchasing invitations isn't a difficult task at all. The only decision that you'll really need to make is whether you want your invitations store-bought or customized. What's the difference, you ask? Well, price for starters. Customized invitations can cost a pretty penny. However, they're excellent, as they come with RSVP cards that can be mailed back to you. Despite this, you can always add an RSVP on a store-bought invitation. Sure, they don't look as fancy--but it's just an invitation! As long as the invitation provides ample space for information you should be fine.

Let all your friends and loved-one's know they're going to party hard at your anniversary party. Tell them, wear comfortable shoes, ladies! You're going to dance the night away! Now you have to fulfill your promise to everyone. Hire a fantastic DJ or live band to provide entertainment for your special evening. Watch the dance floor come alive when fun songs and modern music are played.

Don't worry, you're friends will have an excellent time. But this night is all about you and your spouse. Check any worries you may have at the door. Kick your shoes off and mingle with your guests. Make sure that you have plenty of fun games and conversational topics. We're certain that you'll have plenty of harmlessly funny stories to tell after twenty five years of marriage. With that in mind, make a toast to the one you love.

A twenty-fifth anniversary party is also an excellent opportunity to renew your vows. Perhaps you'd like new friends and loved ones to witness the beautiful ceremony. If they couldn't be there the first time around, this party will make for a great opportunity. Saying I do all over again will rekindle all the love you have for one another. You may even feel twenty-five years younger before the night is over! If you're ready to fall in love all over again, you might want to take the plunge. Whatever it is you decide to do at your wedding anniversary party, make it a memorable experience that you'll treasure forever.

Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planner. You may find the above article in our wedding anniversary section. You may publish our articles on your website only if you do not edit the article in any way, and include the above html as a direct link to our site.

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Wedding Day Emergency Solutions

2008-11-29T15:20:00.001-08:00

Wedding Day Emergency Solutions
By Erin Love

No matter how prepared you think you are for your wedding, a potential disaster could be lurking right around the corner. Therefore, preparing an emergency kit for that special day could ease your mind. Its better to be safe than sorry. Below is a list of the most common mishaps that could occur:

Clothing Stains

There are various products that could diminish or totally erase the stain for you. For instance, hairspray on a Q-tip or Shout wipes are great to have on hand to wipe stains gently on delicate fabrics. Water marks require dabbing the fabric with a white towel and then steaming the spot to eliminate the problem. But bewarea hairdryer isnt the best choice for drying a watermark. It may actually spread the mark.

Puffy or red eyes

A few drops of Visine followed by cold compresses can correct the problem. A cold compress can be created from anything that will fit over the eye socket a washcloth, tea bag, quarters, etc.

Facial Spots, blotches, or acne

If such a disaster happens a day or two before the wedding, a dermatologist can administer a cortisone injection that should correct the problem. If spots appear on the morning of the wedding, however, applying concealer to the pimple with a brush for accurate application and then setting the concealer with powder, should blend the imperfection into your skin flawlessly.

Shaving nicks, cuts, and abrasions

Cuts and abrasions can happen to both bride and groom at the most inconvenient time, but there is a way to stop the bleeding without using toilet paper! Products containing both alum a hemostatic that stops bleeding and potassium an antiseptic that cleanses skin and closes up the pores can be found at any local drugstore.

Having a wedding day emergency kit can foil a host of disasters other than the ones listed above. Below are a few more items you should add to the kit:

Hairspray

Makeup

Bobby pins

Safety pins

Deodorant

Super glue

Erin Sharplin Love is a Certified Wedding Coordinator. If you'd like to learn more about Erin and the other services she offers please check out http://www.panachebyerin.com

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Prepare for Your Marriage Not Just the Wedding

2008-11-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

Prepare for Your Marriage, Not Just the Wedding
By Susanne Alexander

With literally hundreds of details to remember in preparing for a wedding, you might forget a very important step: marriage preparation, a research-proven step that contributes to lasting marriages. When we are madly in love and dreaming of special dresses and wedding music, it can be easy to think that marriage will be a perpetual honeymoon, filled with constant happy moments, romantic days and nights, and light-hearted fun. Actually, your marriage can be great and filled with joyful timeswith some preparation, key skills, and realistic expectations. Marriage education and preparation workshops, counseling/coaching, and books can be a great pre-marriage present from your family too!

Here are some options to consider:

- Engage in great in-depth discussions, using books that provide questions for couples to ask one another; such as, 365 Questions for Couples, The Hard Questions, or Marriage Can Be ForeverPreparation Counts! These kinds of discussions strengthen your friendship and ensure youre compatible. Important keys areas to discuss thoroughly before marriage include money, children, religion, family relationships, and more. If youre having difficulty with the discussions, you might consider asking a married couple to mentor you and assist you with the process.

- Know the character strengths that are important to you in a partner, and ensure your partner has them, so you are confident your marriage will be on a firm foundation. Character qualities that are vital in marriage include truthfulness, trustworthiness, faithfulness, courtesy, respect, helpfulness, and more. For more information on this topic, see Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage (Second Edition), (ISBN: 0-9726893-5-4)

- Assess your relationship/couple strengths and growth areas with the assistance of a trained counselor or relationship coach so that you know what skills you may need to continue developing as a couple.

- Learn vital communication skills that will have you avoid conflict and fighting with one another and reach effective agreements instead. A great resource for books, videos, and workshops is The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) (www.prepinc.com).

- Assess the activities you do together leading up to the wedding and choose to participate in ones that will strengthen your friendship and assist you to know one another well. Great choices include performing community service, spending time with friends and family members, practicing spiritual activities, or working on a project together.

- Develop a list together of your shared commitments for your marriage. You can include whatever practices are most important to you in sustaining your marriage, such as weekly dates, praying with one another, enjoying time with children, continuing your education, treating one another with courtesy and love, deciding how you will settle disagreements, and so on.

- Prepare a list of your assets and debts, and create a post-wedding budget for your lives together. Agree on how you will handle your money during your marriage. Money can be a key area for marital conflict, and you may prevent some of it with advance planning.

So, heres what there is to rememberyou are preparing for a wonderful wedding day, an event that marks your transition into marriage, something you want to last a lifetime. Preparing for the marriage is a great investment of time in your future.

Websites, such as http://www.lifeinnovations.com or http://www.foccusinc.com, can direct you to research-based, professional services.

Susanne M. Alexander is a relationship coach and marriage educator, as well as author of Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship and Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage. She is president of Marriage Transformation LLC (http://www.marriagetransformation.com).

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25th Wedding Anniversary Gifts

2008-11-23T07:59:00.001-08:00

25th Wedding Anniversary Gifts
By Ross Bainbridge

25th wedding anniversary gifts are traditionally silver, but you can think creatively when buying a gift and shop for a couple with silver in mind, but not the expense. For example, you can send a dozen roses to a couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a card that states that silver symbolizes perfection and roses symbolize love.

25th anniversary gifts can be creative and fun. Tickets to a special event enclosed in a sliver envelop are a creative way to give a couple something unique and something they will enjoy. You can also give an engraved sliver platter loaded with fruit or cheeses or a gift certificate for a family portrait with a silver frame included.

If you are a photography buff, you can put together an album with favorite photos taken throughout the years including the wedding, their children, grandchildren, friends, trips, homes, etc. You can also include little quotes from special friends and family members wishing them a happy 25th. Another great idea is to put together a CD with popular songs from the 25 years of the couples marriage. A quilt with family photos silk-screened in each square will be a treasured gift for any couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, as would a poem written in silver ink and framed in silver.

Another popular gift idea is a wish tree. Either purchase a fake tree from a craft store, or glue branches together from your yard. Spray them silver and decorate each limb with ribbons and bows and special little gifts like certificates to restaurants, weekend get-away, family photos, etc.

Anniversaries are special occasions, and a 25th is truly a milestone. Its a great time to show the couple that you know, whether it is family or friends, just how much you care.

Anniversary Gifts provides detailed information on Anniversary Gifts, Wedding Anniversary Gifts, First Wedding Anniversary Gifts, 25Th Wedding Anniversary Gifts and more. Anniversary Gifts is affiliated with Unusual Romantic Gifts.

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WorryFree Flowers For Destination Weddings

2008-11-22T20:09:00.001-08:00

Worry-Free Flowers For Destination Weddings
By Andree Lapare

Imagine your wedding taking place on a beautiful beach in Hawaii, or at a ski lodge in Whistler Imagine yourself feeling happy, and glad youve made the decision to fly away to this perfect spot. If you are reading this article, chances are that you ARE planning a destination dream wedding, and that you soon realized that having such a wedding requires even more planning than if you stayed home. It's a worthwhile decision to make, but it requires extra planning and smart thinking to make it less stressful, with few last minute surprises.

Planning is stressful. Making sure that you will have the right bouquet waiting for you can be one source of stress. You dont know if the florist will have all the right flowers on hand to create the arrangement that you had ordered. What if the flowers start wilting half-way through your wedding ceremony because they werent fresh or refrigerated properly? If your wedding is taking place at an out-of-the-way location, getting specific flowers may be very hard to guarantee; unless you were referred to that florist by a happy bride, you really are placing your trust on someone you havent met. Seeing your bouquet on the morning of your wedding could be a disappointment.

Many destination brides are choosing to bring along their bouquets in their luggage.

Thats right! Because of an enormous improvement in high-end, premium silk flowers, they knew that their bouquets would look wonderful, and be perfectly botanically-correct. These bouquets are easy to pack, and still look great when unpacked. By choosing a great designer who works only with top-quality flowers, these women get the bouquet of their dreams, months in advance. One thing less to worry about now, and on their wedding day. Another advantage is that they can use them again for the reception when they get back home.

Its important to choose a designer that will work with you, customizing your arrangements as per your request, to help ensure your wedding will be picture-perfect, and a little bit less stressful. A good designer will work hard to ensure you get what you want, and will guarantee their work.

Andre Lapar is the owner and designer at Mulberry Design, http://www.mulberrydesign.ca, a small rural floral design company in Nova Scotia specializing in sophisticated, premium silk wedding bouquets and arrangements that make brides shine.

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Choosing a Caterer for Your Wedding Reception

2008-11-08T20:09:00.001-08:00

Choosing a Caterer for Your Wedding Reception
By Jasmine Macdonald

Your wedding reception is the biggest party you will ever throw so you want to make sure you do it right. Choosing the right caterer is essential. Take it from me not all caterers are created equal.

Here is a list of tips to help your choose a great caterer

1. Get Referrals

A good place to start looking for a caterer is right in your own backyard. Ask your married friends, family and coworkers for referrals. You can also look in your local phone book. When you're interviewing your caterer, ask him/her to supply you with references. If the caterer refuses your request, it may be a good idea to leave and go onto the next interview.

2. Licenses & liability Insurance

Make sure the caterer is licensed in your state and has liability insurance. Insurance is very important in case one of your guests gets food poisoning (God Forbid!), chips a tooth, or is involved in an accident after leaving your reception. If the caterer does not have insurance, ask him/her if you can buy some.

3. Budget

The main thing you must consider is your budget. Before meeting with your caterer know exactly how much money you can afford to spend. A good caterer is creative and will gladly work with you to make sure you can stick to that budget. Do not let the caterer talk you into something you cannot afford as you do not need the extra stress worrying about how to pay for it.

4. Flexibility

Is your caterer flexible? Does he/she listen to your ideas and concerns. Will the caterer serve special food for guests with dietary restrictions such as vegetarians, and people with food allergies. Would the caterer be willing to cook a special family dish?

5. Personality & Style

Do you feel comfortable with the caterer. Do you have similar tastes? Beware of the know-it-all caterer who tries to talk you into something you do not want.

6. Food

Be careful! The caterer will try to sell you the most expensive meal plans. Ask how much each plate will cost. How much food each person will receive. Will you serve hors d'oeuvres and what is the cost?

(Money Saving Tip: Tray pass hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour and serve a lighter meal.)

Don't forget to ask about your wedding cake. Will they make one for you or do you need to bring your own. If the caterer is making the cake, do not assume they know how. Ask if they have any sample cakes you can see. Also you should show the caterer pictures of any cakes you like.

7. Taste Testing the Food

Most caterers will allow you to sample the planned dishes. This is very important as you do not want any surprises at your reception. Also, with any luck you may be able to taste a sample of your wedding cake.

8. Servers

Does the caterer provide waiter and waitresses. You will need approximately one server for every ten guests. Also you should ask what kind of clothes the waitstaff wears. Are you allowed to make wardrobe requests?

9. Decorations

When seeking a caterer you also want to know what types of decorations are offered - tableskirts, linens, centerpieces etc.

10. Place Settings

What does the place setting consist of. A good caterer will gladly show you what the plates, glasses and silverware will look like.

11. Bar

What about beverages. How will you be charged? By consumption or by how many bottles are opened. Exactly what are the charges per bottle. And what are the brands to be served. How many bottles will be served? Will you be refunded money for any unopened bottles?

Money Saving Tips: To reduce your bar tab only serve, beer, wine and soft drinks. You may also consider offering your guests an open bar for the first hour or two and then making them pay for their own drinks.

12. Little extra fees

Be careful of all the little extra fees the caterer will throw at you.

Servers, waiters & hostess fees (plus gratuities)
Tableware/Linen Fees
Bartender & Bar Fees & (plus gratuities)
Overtime fees
Cancellation fees ~ Make sure you have the cancellation policy in writing!
Extra food fees
Policy on champagne. Are there any pouring fees?
Cutting Cake fees

To make sure you are not charged for any hidden fees Read your caterer's contract very carefully before signing it. Make sure that all the items mentioned above are clearly stated. If they are not listed, have them written in before signing. Also discuss a payment schedule with your caterer. Never pay for everything in advance. With a little preparation, you can stick to your budget and have the party of your dreams!

Jasmine Macdonald is a wedding website designer. You can visit her at http://merrybrides.wordpress.com or read her wedding blog at http://funweddings.blogspot.com.

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How To Manage Your Wedding Budget

2008-10-30T05:57:00.001-07:00

How To Manage Your Wedding Budget
By Lesley-Ann Graham

You are almost there. Your special day is coming up and of course you need to do a little accounting. Otherwise you end up asking, where did all the money go?

Generally, no matter what country you live in, the biggest expense is the reception. It normally accounts for about 48% of your total expenses. Let's face it you are feeding a lot of people. The event is being catered by a chef and you are also paying for the cost of the people serving behind the bar and waiting on the tables. Not to mention that you're having a multi-course meal. This can really raise the costs.

The next in rank is the cost of your photos and video. A really good, professional photographer is expensive. They are well paid because of their skill. After all they are trying to capture a once in a lifetime event in a way that looks alive long after your nuptials are over.

Then comes the cost of your gown. It is usually a dress that you will only wear once but it is made from costly materials and is usually, at some point handcrafted. It usually comes up to about 10% of the total expense for your wedding.

The flowers and decor takes about 8% of the bill as does the music and entertainment. The skills of the artisans behind these wedding necessities are invaluable.

The remainder of your bill is split between the cost of your wedding rings, transportation, the invitations and the actual ceremony in varying amounts. Let's not forget the taxes you may have had to pay as well as your bride and groom gifts. This accounts for about 19% of the bill.

The funny thing is, no matter what the size of your budget, you will normally find that these figures are close.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. Visit Lesley-Ann's wedding blog for more free wedding planning help and advice.

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2006 Wedding Dress Trends

2008-10-17T20:51:00.001-07:00

2006 Wedding Dress Trends
By Natalie Aranda

The ever-changing Bridal trends usually underestimate the importance on the Bride's budget that only a discount wedding dress may offer. In 2006, the hottest trend is diamond or rhinestone hair accessories, adopted from celebrities wearing diamond tiaras the year before.

However, for a bride with a limited budget such accessories can only be affordable when they can save a bit of extra money. As for an example, investing in a wholesale wedding dress instead of a designer wedding dress, so the right selection of a hairdo and the hair accessory itself will become the shimmering focus point of the attire.

Another trend widely adopted during 2006 is the use of hot colors for the wedding dress. When it comes to an informal wedding dress, the bride can even mix more than two colors in the attire. When we say hot colors, we are referring a real intensive ones, including deep orange and chocolate brown.

Although, it may be hard to find these colors available in a wholesale wedding dress, hot colors for brides have been used in Oriental marriage traditions for many centuries including red, the color of the imperial wedding gown worn in Hong Kong and Japan. In our Western Culture, the 2006 hot colors are paired with other pastel colors such pink, cream and blue.

Brides who marry near the end of the year may take advantage of getting a discount wedding dress in hot colors, as the proximity of the new trends will be around the corner. New trends also dictate color in unexpected places, incorporating color into their look using colored crinoline underskirt or wearing shoes with details in contrasting colors.

Metallic embroidery and fabrics in a wedding dress are trendy this year adding embellishment even to an informal wedding dress. This shimmering look resembles the trend of Vogue during 2005, so it may be easier to find a good wholesale wedding dress with such characteristics.

The old tradition of bride's monograms placed on everything, from underwear to invitations, is over now. 2006 trends remark the importance of creating wedding logos designed by the couple, generally made of any element other than their initials, names, letters or traditional wedding elements.

The disadvantage of this is that you cannot stick a logo on a wholesale wedding dress, contrary to a monogram, that once embroidered to the fabric; it makes the gown resemble a designer wedding dress.

Wedding dress trends as of 2006 includes donating your wedding dress after the ceremony to help hurricane and earthquake victims from all over the world, so brides can also make a difference with a generous charitable attitude.

Natalie Aranda writes on family and relationship. Brides who marry near the end of the year may take advantage of getting a discount wedding gown in hot colors, as the proximity of the new trends will be around the corner. New trends also dictate color in unexpected places, incorporating color into their look using colored crinoline underskirt or wearing shoes with details in contrasting colors. Another trend widely adopted during 2006 is the use of hot colors for the wedding dress. When it comes to an informal wedding dress, the bride can even mix more than two colors in the attire.

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Writing Wedding Vows Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel

2008-10-15T06:49:00.001-07:00

Writing Wedding Vows - Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel
By Jean Bachcroft

More and more, couples are choosing to write their own wedding vows. Although many people believe that this is the best way to truly express their personal beliefs and feelings, often they are unsure about how to begin and what to include. If you would like to write your own wedding vows, here are some tips for writing vows that pledge the love you truly feel.

Inform your clergyman early

If the ceremony will be religious, let the clergyman know about your plans as soon as possible. If there are guide principles you will need to be aware of as you write your vows, the sooner you know what they are the better. This is also a good way to avoid possible conflicts between the beliefs of your house of worship and your own personal beliefs. If there is some disagreement between the two, you may need to adjust your plans or wording, or perhaps look for another clergyman.

Ask yourselves fundamental questions

Once youve taken that first step, begin by asking yourselves questions. These may include: What does marriage mean to us? Why are we marrying? What promises are most meaningful, and which ones are essential that we keep?

You may want to ask what words like love, honor, respect, faithfulness, forgiveness, honesty, fidelity, friendship, and trust mean to each of you. This exercise will help you to clarify your thoughts as well as express your true feelings toward each other, your expectations for the future, and your personal visions of your lives together in the future.

Focus on whats unique

An essential element of personalizing your wedding vows is expressing what is unique about the other person. Think about how you see each other and write down as many of the reasons for loving each other as you can verbalize. If your backgrounds are different, acknowledge this and promise to respect and honor your differences as well as your commitment to building bridges that will strengthen common grounds. If this is not a first marriage for one or both of you, you may want to talk about your faith in love and the bond that marriage creates between two people.

Dont get too personal

Keep in mind that exchanging wedding vows is as serious as it is meaningful. Your goal should not be to make your vows sound cute or amusing. Also, avoid suggestive language or phrasing.

And dont confuse personal feelings with private affairs. Topics having to do with money, conception and child-rearing, politics, or in-laws should not be included in wedding vows to be overheard by your guests.

Incorporating traditional pledges

Although much of what you will write will be unique to your relationship and therefore highly personalized, you may want to include meaning parts from traditional vows that are a part of your culture.

While most of the wording is their own, many couples continue to incorporate the familiar love, comfort, honor (though usually leaving out the obey part) wording into their vows.

Rehearse before your wedding day

Since this is a special occasion, you should give it all of the time and attention it deserves. Practice reading aloud what the two of you have written. This is the true test that what appears on paper is what you really intended to say, in the way you intended to say it. Rehearsing will also allow you to determine how long exchanging your vows will take and whether adjustments are needed. If the wording sounds awkward or if it is difficult to read, change it.

Dont rely solely on your memory

A case of nerves can strike unexpectedly, and at the most inopportune time, so make sure your precious words are written down. Once you are satisfied that your wedding vows express exactly what you wanted to say to each other, it is time to finalize your draft. The final copy, preferably two or three, should be printed using a fairly large font size, which will make it easier to read.

It is a good idea to give a copy to the clergyman, at least several days before the ceremony is to take place. If a severe case of nerves does strike, it may be he who will need to read your vows.

Personalize the whole ceremony

Aim to keep the time it takes to exchange your vows between one and three minutes. To extend the feeling of a ceremony that is a celebration of your unique love, have a family member or good friend offer a carefully selected prayer or reading as part of the ceremony. You can also choose music that is both appropriate for the occasion and especially meaningful to the two of you.

About the Author

Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels.

For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.

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Seasonal Theme Weddings

2008-10-13T16:56:00.001-07:00

Seasonal Theme Weddings
By Jane Martin

One way to make your wedding more memorable could be to have a theme wedding.

Taking the decision to have a theme wedding is the easier part. Deciding on the theme is harder. You could decide on a 17th century theme or a dream wedding theme, but while considering these themes, it is important to consider certain factors liIf you are looking for a fresh look theme, look at your wedding date. Every season has its own charm and you could have a seasonal theme for your wedding that would incorporate all the glory, colours and beauty of the nature around ke cost, availability personnel etc.

you. It could be memorable and unique in its own way.

Many people like to get married in late winter or early spring when nature is at its best.

In spring everything looks fresh and new after the winters sleepy hibernation. In spring gardens and parks are in full bloom and the colours of nature are in full swing. Shades of pastel adorn the landscape with myriad shades and romance blossoms with a new haste and height. Having a spring season theme for your marriage would evoke the same feelings in your guests albeit to a lesser extent (No-one can compete with nature can they?).

Spring colours for the bridesmaids are pastel shades, each a different colour would create a different look. Tables with snowdrops or daffodils miniature ones of course would give a fresh look. Back it up with tulips adorning the dcor. Fill old fashioned jam jars with fragrant candles for a garden ambience. You could add flavor to the wedding by adding pink champagne to the afternoon tea and organising dance entertainment with Morris dancing for the adults or an Easter Egg hunt for the young.

Another popular season for wedding is the Summer, June, July and August being the most preferred months owing to the warm sunshine and reduced chance of bad weather. The colour patterns of summer are spicier compared to the pastel shades of spring. A summer theme should aim to create a tropical ambience through the use of yellows, bright orange, lime green and hot pink colour themes. You could spice it up by making the bridesmaids wearing clothes of vibrant colours and more so, if they carry an exotic tropical flower different from each other and different from the normal bouquet offerings. Have the wedding breakfast in the garden incorporating barbecued fish and lime. A steel band can set the guests on fire with fun and relaxing aesthetics.

Autumn might bring some challenges to your creativity. Flowers are less abundant and the colours are down to earth with a mix of browns, gold, rust, coppers and reds. Substitute the flowers you carry with dried grass, wheat and berries, mix it up a little. Keep the food simple - soups, home made bread, fruits, cheese and roast meat. Halloween and romantic background music can work wonders with the ambience.

Winter, considered dull by some, can be the most is a magical time for weddings. The dark and cold nights could be converted to a warm ambience by use of candles, twinkling lights. Winter is when family gatherings have a special meaning and signals festive times. White, silver and blue are apt colour for a winter wedding theme. Adorn the bridesmaids with silver and turn the flower girls into little fairies with all the works wands and wings. Tables can be adorned with white feathers and the best sweets and chocolates available, light them with indirect blue lights. Serve white chocolate with the proper adornments to get the best of the winter ambience.

Whatever the season you choose, a little creativity in the theme can go a long way in making your wedding the most memorable ever.

Jane Martin is the founder of http://www.weddingplansecrets.com/ which offer inside secrets from within the wedding industry as well as more advice on Theme Weddings.

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Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

2008-10-10T06:01:00.001-07:00

Writing Your Own Wedding Vows
By Patrick Clemmond

Write Your Own Wedding Vows

The speaking of marriage vows are not words to be spoken lightly or in haste, that were found in a textbook or magazine article. The meaning behind the words you utter when saying your vows should be studied and meditated on long before they are made.
The words of a marriage covenant convey the most significant intentions ever to come from your heart through your lips towards another human being, to love honour and cherish till death us do part! Thats huge.

Most vows I have witnessed of late remind me of a puritan clich seen on many posters and a comic strip that states love is never having to say youre sorry and it makes me sad to think that such beautiful words can eventually cause so much hurt in the pure of heart.

We say were sorry when we come to realize we have unjustly hurt a loved one with words or actions that invariably breach a promise or vow made, and we seek forgiveness in saying we are sorry. Without remorse there can be no love.

If never having to say youre sorry means never hurting, then to never hurt means love is perfected in you. Yet we make vows as though love is perfected in us when it is not.
Most pre-written vows are idyllic and beautiful, yet place unrealistic expectations on fallible men and women, invariably these are broken and leave countless couples broken hurt and devastated in their wake.

Wedding vows are words embedded in a solemn covenant promise which if kept will bring about blessing and if broken a curse.
A promise kept and a promise broken will change the way you live breathe and think for the rest of your days.

The Importance of Vows

There are many beautiful romantic words you can use to express your feelings to one another as a run up to the vows, but dont confuse these with the actual vows. The actual vows are the words intended to bind, commit, and tie you to your partner for the rest of your living days. They are separate from the feelings you have for each other. They are words that form the very foundation of your future.

Consider this; your vows are the reason why friends and family surround you on your wedding day, to bear witness to what was said between you and your beloved. The whole wedding event with all its pomp and ceremony, preparations, friends and family coming from afar, their costs, your costs, your family costs, all to hear you and your partner make your vows, now thats powerful!

Wedding Vow elements

In this section I will outline the basic elements of two kinds of love we find ourselves dealing with in relationships on a day to day basis. As humans we are flesh, having a tendency towards conditional love which in essence says I do for you, therefore you do for me which has its merits and appeals to our fallen nature, but is diametrically opposed to unconditional love, derived from the Greek word agape which is also spoken of as the God kind of love.

I have listed the characteristics of the two love forms so that you can consider each as you ponder the words you are about to write in your vows. Your vows need to be prophetic in the sense that they speak promises based on your character now into future existence that are not yet, knowing full well that you are not there yet and that a road lies before you both. The only hint I am going to give you is to use phrases like I will strive to, and forgive me if I fall. If I give you any more, then the vows will not be yours.

Unconditional Love (humility)

Unconditional love circumvents those around it and seeks to give
Unconditional love is never offended and always forgives
Unconditional love serves without expecting compensation
Unconditional love never fails
Unconditional love finds reward is in giving

Conditional Love (pride)

Conditional love is at the center of itself seeking what it can get from others
Conditional love is easily offended and does not forgive easily
Conditional love expects compensation for serving
Conditional love fails
Conditional love finds no reward in giving

*Copyright
This Article may be freely distributed however all links and references to the author must be kept intact. The author maintains copyright on this articles and by giving free distribution rights does not revoke or nullify such copyright privileges.

I entered the wedding industry professionaly in 1995 operating as a photographer/videographer/dj/planner. Throughout this time I have recorded and been involved with countless weddings. I am also the author and programmer of the wedding application yesIdo-weddings

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2006 Wedding Color Trends Brides Bring Unique Palettes to the Table Through Improbable Pairings

2008-10-08T15:34:00.001-07:00

2006 Wedding Color Trends - Brides Bring Unique Palettes to the Table Through Improbable Pairings
By Alicia Whalen

The 2006 weddings fashion beauty out of the contrast of classic and contemporary. Classic formality is right at home with a casual and friendly ambiance. Traditional flowers such as roses are arranged with modern sensibility.

Wedding dcor is simple and elegant and the Victorian intricacy of lace meets the beachside sheath dress. Wedding colors are no exception. From the cake to the candles, brides are finding ways to incorporate the past with the present.

The most noticeable 2006 wedding candle color trend is surely the pairing of traditional pastels with dramatic modern chocolates. Pastel pinks and blues, in particular, have made their return in the company of deep brownsbringing brides the ability to be both ethereal and earthy at the same time. Even the more recent favorites, sage and celery, take on a new hue when incorporated with dark chocolate.

Monochromatic themes have made a strong showing. Classic white and ivory boast a contemporary flair when blended in dresses, flowers, candles, and cakes. For fall weddings, three unlikely companions such as brick red, ruby red, and orange make a bold statement when blended together throughout the dcor, while a subtler spring effect may be had by combining lighter colors such as violet, lavender, and lilac.

While these distinctive combinations may be wooing many of this years brides, seasonally inspired colors will never go out of fashion. Rich fall pairings such as orange and chocolate give an October affair a cozy flair; winter events will always be lovely in icy blue and white; and spring and summer love the lighter hues like lilac and yellow.

No matter the trends, brides should always remember to choose colors they are comfortable with and that they will enjoy not only on this very special day but in the memories and photographs that will live on long after the knot has been tied.

Brilliant Ideas Brought to you by Candlesjustonline.com

About: Candlesjustonline.com : CandlesJustOnline.com has been producing high-quality candles free of lead wicks and harmful dyes for over 25 years. A leader in the candle industry with several brands including Yummi and Just Candles, CandlesJustOnline.com has found its success in reliability, longevity, and the ability to produce candles quickly, in large quantities and at competitive prices.

Taking advantage of the online ability to provide products directly to the consumer. Shop for Candles Online with Candlesjustonline.com - an easy to use site with candle idea's for home dcor, weddings and other special occasions.

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5 Must Know Wedding Pictures Tips

2008-10-06T05:46:00.001-07:00

5 Must Know Wedding Pictures Tips
By Kirsten Garrett

As the old adage goes, Pictures are worth a thousand words. This is especially true and applicable to wedding pictures.

Normally, wedding pictures are photographs of the scenes from the wedding. Most of them are focused on the bride and the group.

However, what people do not know is that wedding pictures are not just mere solid representation of what had transpired during the event. Wedding pictures are more of a memorabilia of the wonderful moments that the couple had long been wanting to have.

And with wedding pictures always available for their perusal, it brings them back to the time they have once shared their union as husband and wife in front of the public.

For this reason, choosing the wedding photographer should never be taken for granted. This is because the angles and kinds of shots that must be incorporated therein should only be done by a professional.

Therefore, to have the best wedding pictures, it is best to hire a professional wedding photographer who can handle the shots perfectly.

However, there are some factors to be considered first before hiring the services of a wedding photographer. Here is a list of the factors that you need to know:

1. The style of your wedding

It is important to decide first the style of your wedding. Will it be formal, informal, or semi-formal? Whatever style you have chosen, this will definitely determine the kind of wedding photographer you should choose.

For example, if your wedding will be in a formal setting, it is best to hire wedding photographers that are traditional in styles. This is because traditional photographers consider all the details when it comes to photography and establishing good angle shots.

2. Your budget

Keep in mind that not all wedding photographers are created equal. Hence, it is important to stick to your budget to know which type of wedding photographer you will hire.

Of course, it will do you no good if you will extend or go beyond your budget just because you want to hire the best wedding photographer there is. So, better stick to your budget.

3. Know what you are paying for

Before signing a contract with a wedding photographer, be keen on the details of the agreement and that you should know the items or services that you will be paying for. Other wise, there might be some discrepancies regarding to what has been agreed upon and yet, you can no longer make any claims or complaints against the photographer because you have already affixed your signature.

4. Know your rights as a client

There are instances wherein wedding photographers are so engrossed with their jobs that they no longer take some suggestions from their clients. This should not be the case because the client has still the final discretion. The wedding photographer should only assist the couple on their decisions.

5. The photographer's complete profile

You wouldn't want spoiled films or pictures, right? So, it would be better if you will check on the profile and background of the photographer.

In this sense, it will give you some insight on the capabilities of the photographer and his reputation in the industry.

Boiled down, wedding pictures can be good, bad, or perfect. It all depends on the wedding photographer, so, it is best to hire the best.

For more wedding secrets and tips, Kirsten Garrett has created a useful wedding guide that exposes wedding secrets and more tips located at: http://www.weddingsecretsexposed.com

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Having Your Wedding at a Marriott Hotel

2008-10-01T05:25:00.001-07:00

Having Your Wedding at a Marriott Hotel
By Kathleen Terrana

Marriott International has nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and specialize in everything from wedding planning, caterers, ceremonies, receptions and honeymoon suites. They offer an online budgeting checklist that covers site selection, staff, invitations, decorations, flowers and food and beverage costs. They also offer a site selection checklist to insure you have information regarding proximity to airport, adequate airport assistance, availability of local attractions, shopping, recreation, restaurants and sufficient parking space.

Their wedding event planners provide complimentary services, handling all of the event details. They offer indoor and outdoor ceremony venues, as well as specialty linens, chair covers, place cards, cake boxes and guest books. Your reception may include a formal sit-down dinner, champagne brunch, or bountiful lunch buffet. Menu tastings are provided by request. The many services offered to make receptions special are great wine selections, distinctive menus, unique ice carvings, beautiful floral displays and dramatic lighting.

The chefs at Marriott may also prepare a rehearsal dinner for family and the wedding party. They will negotiate rates for the bridal party and reserve rooms for out of town guests. At your request, they will even present your guests with a thoughtful gift upon arrival.

After the wedding, begin your honeymoon at a gorgeous honeymoon suite, with champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and breakfast in bed.

By planning an event with Marriott, you may earn Marriott Rewards points. You may earn 50,000 Marriott Rewards points or 15,000 airline miles. Check www.marriott.com for details. Marriott also offers discounts for AAA members, all federal, state, county and local government employees, and all active military personnel.

Kathleen Terrana is the previous owner of Elegant Rentals and current owner of Beautiful Bridal.

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15 Tips For a Better Wedding

2008-09-29T05:48:00.001-07:00

15 Tips For a Better Wedding
By Jacqueline Wild

Tip 1: Make sure you weigh a single invitation before applying postage. Invitations can sometimes sneak over the minimum postage and be returned rubber stamped.

Tip 2: If you are ordering unprinted invitations, order 25 extra - it is cheaper to order a few more now that a single batch later on. Order extra envelopes as well to allow for mistakes.

Tip 3: It can be a nice idea to celebrate your first anniversary with a piece of your wedding cake. Wrap the top layer in plastic wrap, and then aluminium foil. Don't just use aluminium foil, as it can leave the cake with a metallic taste. To keep a good flavour, store the cake in the back of the freezer where the temperature is constant.

Tip 4: If you are doing your own makeup, don't accidentally leave your makeup kit in your car overnight. If it's a hot day it will melt!!!

Tip 5: It might be your last night of 'freedom', but don't blow your big day by drinking heavily the night before. Arrange a celebration at least 48 hours before your wedding day.

Tip 6: If the bride or groom is nervous about making a speech, just remember that on this particular day, the guests will indulge whatever you have to say - so just have fun.

Tip 7: Try and seat your older guests away from the speakers. They will typically want to socialize with family and friends, and be away from the centre of the buzz.

Tip 8: Most couples submit a list of song requests to the DJ. Consider also submitting a list of songs that you would prefer the DJ not play.

Tip 9: Every bride tries on her dress before the big day. However, the men often feel that a tux is just a tux, and don their outfit the morning of the big day - sometimes to find a surprise lurking. Two left shoes, enormous slacks, etc. Politely insist that the groomsmen try their outfits on just once the day that the outfit arrives. It can save a great deal of trouble later on.

Tip 10: If sending out directions to the wedding, do a quick test run of the last five miles of approach to make sure that the directions tie up with the roads. Give as much detail as possible, naming any structures that your guests may pass ('turn right at the Old Crow pub' is better than 'take the third road on the right'.

Tip 11: Before the service, ban anything that can stain, like wine, fruit juice or dark lipstick from any room in which you may be wearing your dress.

Tip 12: Wedding costs can start to run away with you. It is important to keep track of how much you are spending. Consider ordering a separate credit card to make your wedding purchases.

Tip 13: When addressing your invitations try and avoid writing 'and guest' wherever possible. If you are unsure of partner's names, make a quick phone call to find out. They will be touched that you want to know.

Tip 14: It is easy to be caught out by hidden charges at your reception. Make sure you ask your caterer if there are any other charges that haven't been discussed, such as corkage, serving fees, or napkin fees.

Tip 15: On her wedding day, every bride wants to feel that she is the only bride in the world. When making enquiries with reception venues, ask whether the venue host more than a single wedding concurrently. When a venue hosts more than one wedding at a time, mix ups can happen, including gifts going astray and guests drifting from one reception to the other (a concern if you are having an open bar).

Jacqueline Wild is part of a team that has designed the award winning wedding planning software product 'Perfect Day'. Learn more about the software here: http://www.perfectdayonline.co.uk

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The Wedding Cake: A Ceremony by Itself

2008-09-25T03:04:00.001-07:00

The Wedding Cake: A Ceremony by Itself
By Joy Cagil

When my son and daughter-in-law held a knife and cut the first slice out of their all traditional, butter-cream frosted, lavish, and very expensive wedding cake, I couldn't help smiling. If we had been in the early Roman times, the wedding cake would not be one huge, tasty, decorative creation, but many small, possibly cupcake-sized, salty wheat cakes. In addition, the guests wouldn't be eating the cakes but throwing them at the bride or crumbling it over her head for fertility and single women would try to catch the crumbs for the same reason they catch the bridal bouquet today.

In the olden times when children didn't make it to adulthood due to childhood illnesses, fertility was important, and that is probably the reason the wedding cake tradition was born. Later on during their empire, Romans turned their salty cakes into sweet cakes. This time, they made a slightly larger bridal cake with many smaller cakes surrounding it. The smaller cakes were brought as gifts by the guests. These cakes everyone ate, but still crumbled some of those over the bride.

After the Roman conquest of the British Isles, Roman customs influenced the natives who baked dry cakes for their weddings and drank their ale with them. In old England and Ireland, there also was, and still is, the custom of a groom's cake, dark in color and made of dried fruit.

When the English sent their pioneers into the new world, they also sent their customs with them. First European settlers in the Americas made fruitcakes for their weddings because their preservation was easier.

The fancy wedding cake with several tiers was created through the initiative of the French, and although scorned by the English at first, it was later adopted and became the norm through all Europe. The wedding cake, owing to its long history, became an individual affair for a modern wedding party, with different shapes and styles and with a rich variety of flavors, fillings, and icings.

A wedding cake, after the vows, has become a vital part of wedding ceremony in our day. It is assumed that a wedding cake reflects the style, elegance, and delicacy of the couple's upbringing, in addition to their enthusiasm for their marriage.

Not only the ingredients and the making of the cake, but the ceremony of its cutting has become another reception by itself. Traditionally, the bride and the groom cut the cake together, with groom placing his right hand over the bride's right hand to cut the first slice. Then, they feed each other that first slice while everyone applauds. Sometimes, the top tier is saved for the first anniversary or the birth of the couple's first child, whichever comes first.

In some new world weddings nowadays, smearing each other with the icing has been taking hold as a custom, adding hilarity to the reception. My favorite wedding cake anecdote is a real one that may have seemed like a disaster at the time; however in hindsight, it has become an amusing joke. Yet, since the marriage has lasted, the incident might have been a good omen.

Several years ago, we attended a large wedding reception. Over the several steep stairs to the main reception hall, the wedding cake had to be carried rather than wheeled. I don't know why nobody thought of a ramp but two waiters, one on each side, took the cake up the steps.

Suddenly, a waiter tripped and the cake fell on the floor, but with luck or heavenly intervention, the top two tiers stayed intact. A pandemonium broke out with the bride's mother fainting and maintenance people scurrying about. Since the reception hall was part of a big hotel, the management came up with their version of a wedding cake. Several small cakes were arranged as the bottom layer with the two top layers of the original cake placed over them.

Judging from that experience, I think it might be a good idea to have a just-in-case second cake. After all, cakes are loved by most anyone and they don't go to waste.

This article has been submitted by Joy Cagil in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations. Joy Cagil is a writer on writing.com.

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Planning a Wedding

2008-09-22T16:14:00.001-07:00

Planning a Wedding
By David Harvey

Planning a formal wedding takes weeks, if not months, of careful preparation. And it needs to be managed with as much care as a general planning a battle.

As the generals assets are his troops and supplies, a wedding planners assets are the money she is allowed in the budget, and the other professionals she can afford to hire to work for her and for the wedding couple. Its all got to be completed in the time available, even when things go wrong.

There are the hairdos and clothing for the bride and bridesmaids, and for the groom and the groomsmen. There is the church minister or other wedding celebrant to be booked and paid for. The wedding reception venue to be picked and reserved, caterers and menus arranged. And there are the wedding invitations and wedding flowers as well.

Dont forget the disc jockey or musicians who will provide the music for your wedding guests, and then theres the professional wedding photographer to be chosen and possibly an official wedding videographer.

Friends and relatives will have their own still cameras and camcorders, to be sure, but you need to use them as a backup in case the official photographer fouls up. Its rare, but it can happen, even to a Pro. So always try to have a Plan B you can fall back on.

Hire cars or limosines white wedding doves the list goes on and on. Just as the cost can go up and up.

People in some countries and cultures go deep into debt to have a big wedding, but you need not be so extravagant, thank goodness.

At the very least you will need to read a good book on the subject of Wedding Planning, or you can hire a professional wedding planner to do it all for you. But be sure to do a little research at least before you decide which way its going to be.

David Harvey has worked as a wedding photographer, among other things, so he's attended many weddings and dealt with many wedding professionals. Now he writes for websites, including this one about Wedding Planning.

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Memorable Wedding Favors

2008-09-21T05:03:00.001-07:00

Memorable Wedding Favors
By Paul Darch

There are many ways to welcome your guests and show your appreciate their attendance. If the whole wedding party stays in one place, prepare a small treat and leave it at the front desk, so that people receive the gifts when they check in. If people are in various places before your reception, have the caterer place the wedding favor on the place settings. Your wedding day favors should be as elegant and unique as you are.

They can range from elegant bridal accessories, personalized engraved gifts, distinctive apparel and extraordinary favors, to make every detail of your wedding day unique and memorable. The average wedding lasts about four hours which doesn't leave couples much time to spend with their guests, many of whom may have flown in from across the country to help celebrate the big bash. So, choosing the essential wedding favors and wedding party gifts should be fun to create a lasting memory forever.

Two to four months before your special day, you should choose your gifts for the Maid of Honor, Best Man and other Attendants. The bride is responsible for gifts for her bridesmaids, which need not be expensive but should serve as a token for friendship, and as a remembrance of the wedding. A picture frame engraved with the date of the wedding, with a photo of the wedding party to follow or small pieces of jewelry are very nice gifts. Personalized gifts are always the best and traditional always works to provide the most unique and elegant wedding party ideas ever.

Also the groom should not forget the groomsmen. He also, of course, pays for his gifts to his groomsmen which might be something traditional such as a money clip, tie tack or cigar cutter. As with the bride's gifts to her bridesmaids, the most important thing is not the item itself, but the fact that it will remind the groom's friends of the happy day.

Surely you don't want a cookie-cutter wedding reception that could be anyone's. You want your guests to know that you thought about the details and chose elements that are special to you and your groom. You can personalize just about every aspect of your wedding day and your reception is no exception, so choose wedding favors that are unique, elegant and memorable and most of all, special to you. Have gifts engraved with your personal touch. You are only limited by your imagination.

You've planned for months, the people closest to you and your new husband are all in one place, and you've chosen a great meal to enjoy with great entertainment to follow. Your only job at your wedding reception is to smile, relax and have fun. Enjoy the party and we hope that you are the icing on the cake!

Enjoy the planning process and remember the famous quote from Walt Disney, the man who knows how to bring fantasies to life, If you can dream it, you can do it.

Essential Wedding Favors is a company founded by Paul Darch and Tracey Spencer in 2006. Wanting to provide a bride and groom a source to find as much information about planning their wedding, inspired them to create a website dedicated to just that.http://www.essentialweddingfavors.com

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Your Wedding Doesn't Have To Be The Only Party You'll Have

2008-09-18T08:52:00.001-07:00

Your Wedding Doesn't Have To Be The Only Party You'll Have
By Martin McAllister

Regardless of whether you choose to plan your wedding yourself, or hire a wedding planner to handle the arrangements; when it comes to planning for your big day, the stress and worry caused by organising such an immense celebration can be overwhelming. Its extremely important, therefore, to remember to relax periodically along the path to your special day. In fact, throwing smaller celebrations along the way can really help take the edge off things, and so your wedding day doesnt have to be the only party you'll have during your engagement.

Following your engagement, it's often an excellent idea to throw an engagement party for your family and close friends. Traditionally, the bride's mother is in charge of this event, but now more people are increasingly throwing engagement parties themselves. This can be a fantastic way to relax before having to begin giving serious thought to your wedding plans, but it can also be used as a superb way of spreading the news of your impending marriage.

Other ideas for parties during the run up to your wedding include bridal and couples showers. Encourage your friends to throw a bridal shower for you, and it'll definitely help you to relax while the momentum builds up towards your big day; plus, you'll receive even more gifts from your friends and family! The tradition of the bridal shower is said to have emerged in Holland, when a poor bride's family would not have enough money to supply her dowry. Today, however, the trend of the bridal shower has become particularly prevalent in North America and it provides an excellent way of chilling out with your friends before the stress of your wedding becomes truly unbearable!

Of course, one of the most important parties to have before your wedding is your bachelor or bachelorette party. These parties tend to be portrayed as drunken and raucous affairs, but they don't have to be so. In fact, if you want to enjoy a truly relaxing bachelor or bachelorette party, you could choose to visit a day spa or a spa hotel with your friends, or perhaps play a round of golf instead. Or why not plan a weekend away with your friends to a thrilling destination for a change of scenery? It might be just the thing needed to help calm your nerves before that all-important day.

While your bridesmaids or the best man at your wedding might organise all these events for you, there are many hotels available which can offer wedding planning services; and help to take some of the pressure off your friends. Just make sure you take enough time out to relax before your wedding - it could make all the difference when it comes to your special day!

Martin McAllister is a freelance online journalist. He lives in Scotland.

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Your Wedding Invites Set The Tone

2008-09-16T09:03:00.001-07:00

Your Wedding Invites Set The Tone
By Donald Saunders

Your wedding will undoubtedly be one of the happiest days of your life and so it is no surprise that you will want to spare no effort in ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned and that your own individual style and personality is reflected in every aspect of the day, from your choice of dress and flowers to the topper on your wedding cake. Why is it then that so many couples fail to give the same degree of attention to their wedding invites?

Your wedding invites are the one piece of correspondence between you and your guests that will set the tone for your special day and yet in many cases sending out the invitations is seen as one of those peripheral tasks to be slotted in when you have a free moment and to be completed as quickly as possible.

To get your special day off to a perfect start take time and care over the choice and preparation of your wedding invites and stamp your own personality and style on your invitations is exactly the same way you do for every other aspect of your planning.

This will start with your choice of invitation cards. Today invitation cards vary widely from the relatively plain and simple to sophisticated letterpress invitations on cotton paper or delicate and fragrant inlaid petal paper invitations, with or without an embossed foil border. Cards can also include simple embossing or hot foil stamping and include your names, monogram or insignia pressed into your wedding stationary to make it quite unique. The stationary and printing style that you select is however just the start of the process.

The next thing to consider is whether or not you wish to include a picture(s) of yourselves on your wedding stationary. What better way can there be to make your invitations truly personal and unique than by including a picture of yourselves, either on the invitation card itself or on the accompanying envelope. Which brings us to the next item.

Having taken care to select and personalize the invitation card itself, don't forget to take the same care over selecting your envelope or envelopes. As your wedding invites will need to pass through the postal system it will be a good idea to think about using an outer postal envelope and an inner decorative envelope which might, for example, be decorated to follow the theme of your wedding including ribbons in the colors of your chosen decoration and perhaps dried of silk flowers.

One further thing that you should think about at this point is whether or not you would like to have a personal website for your wedding and, if so, you should include details of the website on your wedding invites. A website can be a super addition to your wedding allowing you to include photographs and stories about you and your fianc, as well as providing the facility for your guests to reply to their invitation online and to see details of the wedding venue, including travel and accommodation details, gift registry information and a great deal more.

As the first point of contact with your guests your wedding invites and an extremely important part of your wedding planning and taking time and care over the preparation of your invitations will help tremendously in smoothing the path to your wedding day.

For more information about wedding invites please visit Talking Weddings today.

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Wedding Toasts and Speeches Tips for the Bride Groom Best Man and Anyone with Something to Say

2008-09-14T09:58:00.001-07:00

Wedding Toasts and Speeches - Tips for the Bride, Groom, Best Man and Anyone with Something to Say
By Cori Locklin

Raise a glassnow's the time to toast to the happy couple! Wedding toasts and speeches can cause anxiety - but don't let them! Enjoy your moment in the limelight, and make the most of these situations with some prep work. Your best man, maid-of-honor and other special guests may inquire about appropriate speaking timesso it's good to have an idea beforehand. You and your fianc may also want to prepare some expressions of gratitude for your parents, your guests or each other. Every wedding is different; discuss and layout a general oasting timeline before the celebrations begin.

Who Toasts?
Traditionally the best man, maid-of-honor and parents of the bride and groom will say something over the course of events. However, close friends, the bride and groom themselves or anyone who has something to say is welcome to make a toast.

When?
When to toast all depends on the nature of your wedding. If yours will be a cocktail or buffet-style reception, your guests may not ever be gathered at the same place and time to listen to toasts. Another option is to hold the formal wedding toasts, such as the best man's speech, during the rehearsal dinner instead. At a seated dinner, the father of the bride traditionally toasts to commence the meal. Your caterer can arrange an official champagne toast, passing glasses of champagne to each guest prior to the best man speech or the father of the bride. Toasts can really occur at any time during the reception - between courses, after the meal, during the cake cutting etc. Try to give your event coordinator an estimated timeframe beforehand, so he or she can round up your guests to listen.

How to Respond
Everyone should rise for toasts to the new couple except the bride and groom, who remain seated (unless they already happen to be standing). When someone toasts the bride and groom, they should smile and say thank you. They should not clap or drink to themselves. If a toast addresses the bride only, the groom should rise. If a toast is directed towards the parents or any other guest, both the bride and groom should rise.

When the Newlyweds Toast
This is a wonderful opportunity to publicly recognize your family and friends for their love and support. If the bride and groom make a toast, they should not speak in unison (this sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised). They should instead stand together while one speaks or take turns speaking.

What to Say
Wedding toasts should be light, fun and G-rated. Avoid saying anything you wouldn't say to the bride's grandmother's face. Be succinct. There is nothing more awkward than a rambling, bumbling best man speech - under two minutes is perfect. All speakers should begin by introducing themselves. While toasts should include memories or funny anecdotes, avoid too many inside jokes that exclude the majority of guests. Your jokes will be met with silence if only a few listeners understand! Finally, wedding toasts should mention both the bride and the groom, even if the speaker only knows one or the other. And if the spotlight is on you and you're suddenly at a loss for words, try the old standby, I'm so happy for you two. Cheers! It never goes out of style.

How to Say It
It's smart to prepare beforehand, but always try to speak from the heart. Reading from a card seems insincere and awkward.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding vendors, with the planning tips to keep brides in the know on today's planning trends and styles.

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10 Tips to Make Your Wedding Day in One Piece

2008-09-12T09:14:00.001-07:00

10 Tips to Make Your Wedding Day in One Piece
By Alex Daniels

Organization is the key to a happy and blissful wedding ceremony. Family is also very important. The more family is willing to give of their time and create less commotion on what they think should be done, the smoother things will be.

Here are some top suggestions to help you get through your wedding day in one piece:

* Make sure that you have dependable people helping you. Usually the adults in your life are better equipped.

* With all of the preparations up to this day, make sure you have focused on your mate. If you know he or she is truly the one, than everything else really does not matter. You cannot control everything so do not worry about what you cannot change. The weather is the only thing you can do nothing about.

* Make sure the place you are getting married is agreeable to both of you. You do not want to come to that place and your heart is heavy because you do not want to be married here.

* Make sure everyone knows directions to the reception. This should have already been done earlier.

* Be sure that your dress fits and you have help getting dressed. Also make sure that you can go to the bathroom in your gown. The rest room has to accommodate you and your beautiful dress. Usually your mother, sister, or maid of honor has to help you.

* Get all vendor agreements in writing as a contract. Spell out exactly what you want when you make the bookings. Do not wait until your wedding day. Call a week ahead to confirm the agreement.

* For your bridal party, select dependable attendants and give each one a copy of the tentative timeline for the day. Do not have children under three years old to be in the wedding party. If you are unsure of the behavior of the child have one of the attendants walk with the child.

* Make sure your parents know what is going on. Nothing is worse then a groom's mother running around stirring up worry.

* Be sure you can dance in your gown and that your shoes are comfortable. You will be on your feet and you do not want to end your wedding because your feet are in pain.

* Be sure that all your attendants have a ride to the ceremony. Take into consideration the gowns and a limousine is a wonderful consideration if you can.

Have a sense of humor because this will get you in or out of any situation. Personally if you can avoid the alcohol it will avoid a lot of behavior and hopefully any family or friends who do not agree. If you are expected to have beer, wine or alcohol try to control and limit. Remember they are drinking and driving and there is responsibility that has to come with alcoholic beverages. You do not have to have it even though there are those who say you have to. Do what you feel right about. This will eliminate a lot of stress in your wedding day.

Good luck! The best laid plans will always fall apart so just plan the best you can, go with the flow and don't let the bumpy road get to you. You'll get through it!

Alex consults for a gift shop offering cheap wedding favors, classic gifts for her and other wedding stuff.

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10 Tips to Hiring a Wedding Planner

2008-09-10T14:36:00.001-07:00

10 Tips to Hiring a Wedding Planner
By Faith Walker

If you are in the market to hire a wedding consultant, here are ten helpful tips that can guide you through the process of obtaining a profesisonal wedding consultant.

1.Find out exactly what a wedding planner does do your homework.
2.Find the names of the reputable wedding planners in your area.
3.Make a list of things you would like the wedding planner to do. If you want to plan the entire wedding, but you want the planner to direct the ceremony and reception, then you should utilize the service of a wedding planner for Day of services only.
4.Make sure your budget is relative to the type of service you would like. Most wedding planners are willing to work with you for an allotted amount of time if you are unable to purchase a package. Check with him/her to find out if they charge and hourly rate.
5.Find out if your church requires you use their wedding coordinator. Many churches now require that for the protection of the churches property, that brides must use their wedding coordinator. This doesnt mean that coordinator will work at your reception; it means you may have to hire another consultant to do your reception.
6.Check with several bridal associations and see what their members must do to become certified. Find out what classes if any your wedding consultants have taken to become certified or how many years of experience they have had in doing weddings. If they arent that experienced, will they provide you with a discounted rate in exchange for a testimonial.
7.Ask for and check references. It is so important that the wedding planner live up to the expectations of the bride. A good testimonial from a bride is crucial to the consultants business. Check references and find out how the wedding consultant was able to handle stressful situations and how well the wedding guests were treated during the event.
8.Skinny down your list and invite at least three wedding planners for face-to-face interviews. Almost all wedding planners offer free initial consultations so take advantage of this meeting and get to know your potential wedding planner.
9.Ask for a face-to-face interview, dont just price shop. Some wedding planners dont like to give quotes over the phone. You are shopping not only for a service, but a personality. It is crucial to give your business to someone who understands what you are looking for in your vision.
10.Check to see if the wedding planner youve selected is affiliated with any Bridal Planning Association. Not only do you want your planner to be well connected, but you also want her to be in good standing and have a great rapport with any professional associations. Some wedding planners have won awards, and it is nice to be able to see this on a professional website as a sample of their work.

For more information, please visit our website at Plan It For Me! Weddings and Events.

Faith Walker is a Professional Wedding Planner in Atlanta Georgia. Her company, Plan It For Me! Weddings and Events features plans corporate events, parties, reunions, and weddings. The company was founded with the idea to provide brides-to-be with a stress-free alternative to planning their weddings. The motto is Plan It for Me! making the fairytale a reality!

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Perfect Wedding Lingerie for the Perfect Bride

2008-09-08T16:45:00.001-07:00

Perfect Wedding Lingerie for the Perfect Bride
By Megan Mathews

Think of all the planning it takes to prepare for your dream wedding. From the guest list, to the caterer, the flowers, the perfect gown of course, and every other detail you can fathom. Its no surprise that you may just forget to pick up a little something to slip on while you celebrate you and your husbands marriage and love during that first night on your honeymoon.

The wedding lingerie that you choose to wear on the first night as husband and wife should be something that, like your wedding dress, will leave an ever-lasting, pleasurable image in the mind of your one true love. Since men thrive on visual images, choosing the right lingerie for your wedding night that will flatter your every curve and amplify your best features is essential in creating the mental and physical picture youre looking for. Not only will your new husband be taken aback by your beauty, hell be astonished at how assertive you can be when you feel like a goddess, with a sexiness that the right wedding lingerie can expose.

So, you ask, where do you get this bridal lingerie that will take his breath away? You already have done enough shopping and planning to last you a lifetime, so heres the good news. You can make shopping for the perfect wedding lingerie fun and exciting in the privacy of your own home. There are so many online retailers that offer a plethora of choices when it comes to choosing bridal lingerie. And not only can you buy lingerie for the most important night of your life, you can also look for the right bridal underwear to wear under the gown youll walk down the aisle in.

It doesnt matter how what type of lingerie you feel the most comfortable in, as you will be sure to find just what youre looking for when searching the online lingerie stores. Wedding corsets, bridal garters, its up to you to choose the wedding lingerie of your dreams.

Your wedding signifies the beginning to a lifelong journey between you and your partner. Your wedding night and honeymoon is the one of the first steps in this journey, so being prepared right down to the wedding lingerie you want your husband to see you in on the first the night of your marriage is a step that you dont want to miss. You will already have made the perfect bride, and with right the bridal lingerie, you can also help make yourself into the perfect lover as well. Astonish him with your beauty and your air of sexy confidence. You deserve to give yourself the perfect wedding gift; the gift of sensuous, beautiful wedding lingerie.

Wedding Lingerie

Bedtime Flirt

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A Guide to Free Wedding Planning

2008-09-08T06:03:00.001-07:00

A Guide to Free Wedding Planning
By Reb Whit

If you have seen the cutsie film with Jennifer Lopez, then you may have an idea of what a wedding planner does and what a valuable service they can provide. Provided they dont run off with your fianc as in the cutsie film. However, one ting the film neglected to mention was how much this precision wedding planning can cost. Generally, as the cost of your wedding rises then generally, so does the cost of your planner. In this article we will give you some free wedding planning advice and give you some advice on planning some of the various aspects of your wedding.

While searching out sources for this article, I came across a wonderful site on the internet called wedding channel.com. For those 99 percent of us who cannot afford the top notch wedding planners as depicted by Jennifer Lopez in the cutsie film, this site can be a godsend. This site contains a plethora of information on everything from wedding budgets to how to avoid various rip off scams associated with weddings. The site also contains a wedding shop in which you can buy several items online.

One of the most interesting parts on the site is the articles. It contains, fact filled articles on just about every aspect of a wedding you can think of and are a great source for wedding planning. Whether you age debating on the good and bad points of eloping or who should pay or what, chances are this sit will have an article with the information you need.

A wedding planner would be great to organize your big day. However, with the rising costs of weddings and more and more of us becoming responsible for financing our own weddings, the reality of affording one of these wedding planners becomes more and more remote. Free wedding planning does exist if you know where to look for it. The internet is a wonderful resource for ideas and it is available at your fingertips. Wedding channel. Com has tons of free information available, but surf the net and loads of other sites come up. Free wedding planning is out there and very useful especially if you are planning a wedding on a tight budget. All it takes is a bit of ambition and a computer.

You can read this article and more at http://www.weddingplanningcentral.info

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