Yesterday Annabelle and I went to Melbourne to attend The Wedding Establishment showcase event, every detail organised by the lovely Tanja Radman - what energy this woman has - she was positively inspiring and we had so much to talk about. The event was the ideal opportunity for brides to meet a select range of quality wedding industry suppliers, all in one place.
An earlier event was held at the Tea Room QVB the previous week during the infamous Sydney dust storms that turned the city red. Check The Wedding Establishment site for a complete rundown of all the exhibitors.
The Tea Room QVB in Sydney
This second event was held in Melbourne at Comme in Alfred Place - such a lovely building. One of the grand upstairs areas was transformed to accommodate all the exhibitors.
Comme in Melbourne
As we ascended the wide original staircase we were greeted by waiters carrying platters of delectable finger food and cool drinks - just perfect for the relaxed environment. Models in stunning Mariana Hardwick, Ava Madison, Baccini & Hill and Pallas gowns mingled amongst the guests giving us all a sneak peek into the amazing array of dress choices. It was so nice to finally meet Louise from Harvey&Ella who let us in on her recent trip to France where she has sourced some exciting new fabrics. Her bridesmaid dresses are fantastic - the kind of dress you would actually wear long after the wedding. 
Left to Right: Baccini & Hill, Ava Madison, Pallas and Mariana Hardwick
Annabelle and I were so pleased to finally meet many of our advertisers and suppliers - those whom until now had only been a familiar voice at the other end of the telephone line. The beautiful letterpressed invitation that we received for the event was printed by Chapel Press who had many examples of their stationery on display. These stylish, embossed thank you cards were a surprise treat from Chapel Press in the goody bag.
Then there were the cakes - oh the cakes! Babycakes had an inspiring macaroon display, giving brides an alternative to a traditional wedding cake. Splendid Servings had a fantastic yellow and black themed cake that would have been perfect for our Ladies and Gentlemen story in Issue 7. 
Babycakes macaroon display
Splendid Servings striking cake
After chatting with the lovely Jessie from j studios and seeing examples of her great work, we practically had to drag ourselves away from chatting with the girls from Infinity Photography - they had a a great stand enticing brides with their beautiful albums. Across from Infinity was A Piece of Paris who had a sophisticated range of wedding stationery. I was interested to learn they offer a styling service as well.
One of our final ports of call was Kate Hill Flowers that was decorated with the most glorious display of fragrant flowers. We also saw a gorgeous helleborus and sweetpea bouquet from Texas Flower Rangers that just seem to capture the essence of spring.
There were many other exhibitors, too many for us chatterboxes to speak with them all. Please do check The Wedding Establishment site for a complete list of contacts.
Before we left Comme we stopped in at the restaurant downstairs for lunch - we were in heaven and wished our ultra-delicious meals would never end. Alas, they did and we had to hurriedly make our way to the airport to fly home to Adelaide. Not hurriedly enough as it turns out we missed our plane! What a fun day though.
Posted by Jane Cameron
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The lovely Elana, superstar behind the New York company Melangerie NYC, let me know about some cool new bits and pieces that are being launched. Their new genealogy chart design would make a trendy addition to any wedding along with three new designs for welcome gift packaging and customizable event guides. I'm loving the idea of goodie bags made out of cotton and printed with cute phrases such as 'To Have & To Hold'. Now that plastic bags are pretty much a thing of the past it's a great gift to your guests that you know they'll use again when they hit up the markets, supermarkets or even the beach. The memory of your day will stay with them for years to come. And... who likes carrying ugly green shopping bags? Not me! Visit www.melangerienyc.com to check out all their newest pieces.
Wedding genealogy chart
Welcome Everyone guides
Welcome goodie bags
The To Have & To Hold tote is available in tons of colour options if you order 50 or more
Posted by Emilie Harrison
Linda & Harriett is happy to announce a new print to their note cards collection – Green Apples! Printed on 30% post-consumer waste, carbon neutral paper, this note card is letterpressed with soy-based ink and comes in a boxed set of six. The note cards retail online for $14USD at select retailers and online at www.lindaandharriett.com.
Posted by Emilie Harrison
By Cori Russell
Your wedding gown is arguably the most important garment purchase in your lifetime. No other dress comes with more anticipation – and will be more photographed - than this one. But that doesn´t mean you have to spend like royalty to look like a princess on your wedding day. With these smart strategies, you can still walk down the aisle feeling like a million bucks (without having to spend just that).
Something Borrowed
Today, anything retro screams chic. So consider donning your mother´s wedding gown. You´ll not only honor a family legacy, you´ll save a pretty penny too. With vintage lace overlays and crystal embellishments making a comeback, you won´t have to worry about looking dated. With a few simple (and inexpensive) alterations, you can make it your own.
Avoid Added Adornments
Beading, pleating, stitching, embroidering…all of these trimmings add up and are going to cost you extra. Consider a dress that is simply embellished, yet still elegant.
Shop Savvy
Be on the lookout for sample sales, trunk shows, and outlet bargains. Bridal shops are trying to rid their racks of the previous season´s styles to make room for new ones in the late-summer/winter months. Get ready to brave the crowds for super savings.
Don't Name Drop
Sure, designer duds are nice – but if you´re on a budget – you may want to skip the sought-after label. The good news is that you won´t have to sacrifice on style. If you find a look you like from a high-end dress designer, you can almost always find something similar by another name in your price range.
Be Honest
Just because your wedding dress budget doesn´t match your elaborate vision doesn´t mean you have to sacrifice the look you want. Approach this shopping decision with an open mind. When stepping into a bridal boutique, tell them exactly what you can realistically spend, and let them take care of the rest. They are the experts, and you might be surprised to see what they can come up with—the perfect wedding gown exists at every price point.
Think Outside Traditional Tulle and Lace
There´s no written rule that says your wedding day attire has to be an official bridal gown. The look you are going for is often available through another avenue. For instance, many bridesmaids´ dresses come in white or ivory, offering a less expensive, less fussy alternative to the traditional wedding dress.
Save 15% on all Halloween Cards and Halloween Party Invitations at Cardstore.com - use coupon code SPOOKY
Great prices now at TheFruitCompany.com Check them out! Don't forget you should eat fruits everyday ~ You'll feel much better.
Ashlee's Hint ~ For vendor's fees don't forget to factor in sales tax plus a gratuity which generally ranges between 16% and 20%. These fees will increase costs. Watch out!!!
Recommended wedding sites ~
http://betteswedding.livejournal.com
http://merrybrides.blogspot.com
http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell
When discussing your wedding stationery, you may hear your graphic designer refer to PMS colours and wonder what on earth they're talking about. 'PMS' stands for Pantone Matching System - it was developed almost 50 years ago as a way of standardising colours so designers and printers have an accurate way to communicate with each other. When we choose PMS 123C, we know the egg-yolk yellow we have in mind is the same as the colour the printer will use.
We include a replica of a Pantone chip in each issue, giving you a reference if you'd like to replicate our theming palette.
Today Pantone has grown to supply colour matching products for a vast range of industries including interiors, fashion, architecture and most recently digital-based businesses. Here at Wedding Style Guide we use the Pantone swatch books that feature over 1000 colours - they look like this:
There is one swatch book for use on coated gloss papers, one for coated matte papers and one for uncoated papers - the same colour can look very different when printed on each different paper kind so there is a lot to consider when making decisions.
Of course there is a lot more to printing successfully using the Pantone system but hopefully this will make things a little clearer. Do have a look at their website as there is a wealth of information about colour forecasts and colour matching products. Their cotton swatches and new GoeGuide system (with over 2000 colours) are high on my list of 'needs'!
Posted by Jane Cameron
I found this gorgeous gown by Kate Towers on Etsy. Made from the palest silvery grey cotton, this simple floor-length dress is embellished with the most dramatic ruffled mane. Kate has a number of other lovely pieces too so her shop is definitely worth a visit.
Posted by Jane Cameron
Today I wanted to share with you some gorgeous images of Kate & Dominic's wedding day that didn't fit into the latest issue of Wedding Style Guide. The wedding and reception took place at the amazing Trisara Resort and Spa in Phuket. Kate looked absolutely stunning in her Pallas dress and i just loved her sequined peep toes also from Pallas. Infinity photgraphy captured the day beautifully.
all images by Infinity Photography
Posted by Emma Henderson
4 more years? Germany's Merkel, Steinmeier may be headed for another forced marriage
Friday, September 25, 2009
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FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2009 file picture election posters of the German Christian Democratic Party CDU, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right and left, and of the German Social Democratic Party, SPD, with German Foreign Minister and candidate for chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier, are seen in Berlin. Poster at right translates to: We vote the chancellor. It's the most-avoided question in Germany's election campaign, but chances are good that Chancellor Angela Merkel could be leading another "grand coalition" of the country's biggest parties after Sunday's vote. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer,file) (Gero Breloer, AP / September 14, 2009)most-avoided issue in Germany's election campaign, but chances are good that Chancellor Angela Merkel could be leading another "grand coalition" of the country's biggest parties after Sunday's vote.
Merkel, a conservative, is campaigning for a new center-right government to end her four-year-old alliance with the center-left Social Democrats and give the country a clearer direction.
For now, polls give her preferred coalition a slim majority — but she fell short in 2005 and is clearly keeping her options open. Her duel for the top job with Social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier, her vice chancellor and foreign minister, conspicuously lacks bite and passion.
Their only television debate was so tame that moderator Peter Limbourg told them they sounded like an old married couple, engaged in something "more like a duet than a duel."
The two big parties often find it hard to strike compromises but "they have got it together in many areas," said Oskar Niedermayer, a political science professor at Berlin's Free University. Another alliance is "always an option that they have up their sleeve."
If Merkel's Christian Democrats and the pro-business Free Democrats can't muster a center-right majority, the only alternative likely would be one of several exotic, untried three-way alliances — and commentators agree there is little chance of any of them coming together.
Facing a small and ideologically divided opposition, Merkel's coalition pushed through an increase in the retirement age to 67 from 65 and cut labor costs, but an attempt to reform public health insurance ended in a bad-tempered compromise that satisfied no one.
The coalition also partly reversed one of the previous center-left government's economic reforms by expanding jobless benefits for the older unemployed.
Common ground seemed nearly exhausted before the global economic crisis hit last year, but conservatives and Social Democrats then pulled together in decisive action to rescue banks and stimulate the economy.
"In the crisis, it has been shown that they can govern together," Niedermayer said. "People complain about the 'grand coalition' but they actually judge it rather positively."
Officially at least, no one wants a repeat, though no one is ruling it out either.
"I think it's good for a democracy when 'grand coalitions' are not the norm," Merkel said in her debate with Steinmeier.
It's questionable whether a second 'grand coalition' would have the energy to agree on much beyond "solutions to trivia," such as compromises on minimum wages, said Heinrich Oberreuter, a political science professor at the University of Passau.
Center-right politicians say a second "grand coalition" might not last four years, and that the Social Democrats — under new leadership — might jump ship before that, perhaps to form a government with the populist opposition Left Party, which opposes economic reform.
"I'm not ruling that out, but I don't think it's very likely," Oberreuter said.
One prominent Social Democrat, Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck, advocated a repeat of the current coalition last week.
His party scrambled to squelch the suggestion. A repeat would offer the Social Democrats' strongest chance of extending their 11 years in government — but the prospect isn't entirely appealing.
Despite holding half the Cabinet seats, they have trailed in polls as credit for the government's achievements has rubbed off on Merkel. They have been squeezed both by her popularity and by the Left Party.
by
We are glad to inform you the birth of Mediterranean Dream Weddings which organizes customized wedding events across the Mediterranean area.Whether it be a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony, wedding vows renewal or planning a honeymoon trip our Personal Wedding Planners will help during the entire process assuring constant professional assistance with necessary paperwork, selecting the restaurant or catering service as well as the menu, organizing transportation, and other services, such as the photographer, videographer, flower arrangements, and musical selections.
Our locations are: Firenze (Florence) where our head office is, furthermore Anghiari, Barcelona, Catania, Mallorca, Nice, Rome, Monaco, San Gimignano, Siena and Venice.
by Admin
In honor of Women’s Friendship Month, Jenna D. Barry -- author of “A Wife’s Guide To In-laws”-- will donate 15% of the profits for every book sold on September 24, 2009 to Women For Women International.
Manhattan, NY, September 01, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Jenna D. Barry, author of “A Wife’s Guide to In-laws: How to Gain Your Husband’s Loyalty Without Killing His Parents,” is celebrating Women’s Friendship Month by launching a promotion to help women war survivors in places like Rwanda and Bosnia. One day only -- on September 24, 2009-- Barry will donate 15% of the profits from book sales to Women For Women International.
“A few weeks ago, I read the book ‘The Other Side of War: Women’s Stories of Survival and Hope’ by Zainab Salbi,” explains Barry. “I was very moved by the photos and amazing stories of women whose lives have been devastated by war.” She continues, “When rebels attacked one woman’s village, they killed her husband and cut off her hands while she was changing her baby’s diaper.” When Barry realized the book was written by the CEO and President of Women For Women International, she knew she wanted to do something to help.
Founded in 1993, Women for Women International changes the world one woman at a time by providing women survivors of war with the resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. Through sponsorship programs, survivors (1) receive financial aid for food, water, and medicine, (2) get the tools and training they need to provide food for themselves and their children, and (3) make a one-to-one connection through exchanging letters with a “sister” across the globe.
“Because my book, ‘A Wife’s Guide to In-laws,’ was written for women by a woman, I decided that Women’s Friendship Month would be a perfect time to donate profits to Women For Women International,” says Barry. “Others can help by purchasing my book on September 24, 2009 via my website www.WifeGuide.org, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc.”
National Women's Friendship Month first began as National Women's Friendship Day in 1999. Created by Kappa Delta Sorority for all women, the day offered a chance for women to celebrate their special bonds with female friends. Recently the celebration was expanded to the entire month of September.
“I am very excited about this event because it is a win-win situation for women all over the world,” Jenna declares. “Wives who read my book will learn how to strengthen their marriage, and women war survivors will find the hope and help needed to rebuild their lives.”
“Jenna equips wives to get out of the victim role; she empowers them to have strong marriages in the face of difficult in-laws.”
-- Power Women Magazine
For more information about Jenna’s book, articles, and daughter-in-law support group, please visit www.WifeGuide.org.
About the Author:
Married 15 years, Jenna D. Barry (a pen name) learned how to gain her husband’s loyalty through communication, persistence, and a whole lot of love. She familiarized herself with the needs and frustrations of other wives by participating in on-line in-law support groups and by talking to marriage therapists, friends, family, and co-workers. She then started her own positive, encouraging support group for wives and created a website about in-laws at www.WifeGuide.org. Jenna has done radio interviews and writes monthly articles about in-laws for Hitched, a magazine that educates and inspires married couples. Her writing has been published in newspapers, magazines, and websites all over the globe: Mom Magazine, Power Women Magazine, Essential Baby Australia, Families On-Line Magazine, TheNest.com, ForeverBrides.com, CanadianParents.com, Pregnancy.org, About.com, and MarriedRomance.com.
“A Wife’s Guide to In-laws: How to Gain Your Husband’s Loyalty Without Killing His Parents” (November 2008) by Jenna D. Barry, Publisher: Lulu, Price: $21.95/paperback, ISBN: 9780557025008. This book can be ordered on-line at www.WifeGuide.org, Lulu.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
by Jenna D. Barry
“A few weeks ago, I read the book ‘The Other Side of War: Women’s Stories of Survival and Hope’ by Zainab Salbi,” explains Barry. “I was very moved by the photos and amazing stories of women whose lives have been devastated by war.” She continues, “When rebels attacked one woman’s village, they killed her husband and cut off her hands while she was changing her baby’s diaper.” When Barry realized the book was written by the CEO and President of Women For Women International, she knew she wanted to do something to help.
Founded in 1993, Women for Women International changes the world one woman at a time by providing women survivors of war with the resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. Through sponsorship programs, survivors (1) receive financial aid for food, water, and medicine, (2) get the tools and training they need to provide food for themselves and their children, and (3) make a one-to-one connection through exchanging letters with a “sister” across the globe.
“Because my book, ‘A Wife’s Guide to In-laws,’ was written for women by a woman, I decided that Women’s Friendship Month would be a perfect time to donate profits to Women For Women International,” says Barry. “Others can help by purchasing my book on September 24, 2009 via my website www.WifeGuide.org, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, etc.”
National Women's Friendship Month first began as National Women's Friendship Day in 1999. Created by Kappa Delta Sorority for all women, the day offered a chance for women to celebrate their special bonds with female friends. Recently the celebration was expanded to the entire month of September.
“I am very excited about this event because it is a win-win situation for women all over the world,” Jenna declares. “Wives who read my book will learn how to strengthen their marriage, and women war survivors will find the hope and help needed to rebuild their lives.”
“Jenna equips wives to get out of the victim role; she empowers them to have strong marriages in the face of difficult in-laws.”
-- Power Women Magazine
For more information about Jenna’s book, articles, and daughter-in-law support group, please visit www.WifeGuide.org.
About the Author:
Married 15 years, Jenna D. Barry (a pen name) learned how to gain her husband’s loyalty through communication, persistence, and a whole lot of love. She familiarized herself with the needs and frustrations of other wives by participating in on-line in-law support groups and by talking to marriage therapists, friends, family, and co-workers. She then started her own positive, encouraging support group for wives and created a website about in-laws at www.WifeGuide.org. Jenna has done radio interviews and writes monthly articles about in-laws for Hitched, a magazine that educates and inspires married couples. Her writing has been published in newspapers, magazines, and websites all over the globe: Mom Magazine, Power Women Magazine, Essential Baby Australia, Families On-Line Magazine, TheNest.com, ForeverBrides.com, CanadianParents.com, Pregnancy.org, About.com, and MarriedRomance.com.
“A Wife’s Guide to In-laws: How to Gain Your Husband’s Loyalty Without Killing His Parents” (November 2008) by Jenna D. Barry, Publisher: Lulu, Price: $21.95/paperback, ISBN: 9780557025008. This book can be ordered on-line at www.WifeGuide.org, Lulu.com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
by Jenna D. Barry
At The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Caribbean & Mexico, couples can rest assured that every detail of their destination wedding will be executed flawlessly, including the experiences of their friends and family. With the Reconnect® package wedding guests will enjoy a $100 daily resort credit that can be used to play golf on award-winning courses, relax at island-inspired Spas, or indulge at celebrated restaurants. Reconnect ensures stress-free planning for the wedding couple, offering a built-in itinerary of activities for guests to choose from based on their individual preferences.A brand known for its impeccable service, these hotels also offer dedicated wedding concierges to work with guests prior to arrival to make reservations and take care of any special requests--whether that means planning a sailing excursion through the USVI for the wedding party at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas or a five-course rehearsal dinner at Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
The Package: The Reconnect package at The Ritz-Carlton hotels of the Caribbean & Mexico includes:
* Nightly accommodations
* Daily breakfast for two
* A $100 daily resort credit- for use at restaurants, the Spa and for recreation activities such as:
* The Culinary Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun- where guests can explore cooking, wine, and Mexican tequilas
* The award-winning White Witch Golf Course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica
* Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
* BLT Steak at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino
* Sailing on the Lady Lynsey at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
Complimentary Wedding Ceremony & Anniversary Stay: In addition, when booking a wedding on the Reconnect® package, for a minimum of three nights and twenty-five rooms or more through December 20, 2009, the wedding couple will receive a complimentary wedding ceremony and three-night stay for their first anniversary, redeemable at any of the five Caribbean & Mexico hotels.Whether couples choose to celebrate their first year of marriage by returning to the hotel where they wed, or by exploring a new tropical escape, they are sure to enjoy rich culture, pure relaxation, and the finest in personalized service.
Rates: Reconnect Rates for Spring/Summer 2009*:
* The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun Starting at $369
* The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica Starting at $269
* The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Starting at $399
* The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino Starting at $339
* The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Starting at $379
* Spring/Summer rates valid May 1 through October 31, 2009. Rates are valid per room, per night, based on double occupancy, exclusive of taxes, gratuities, resort fees, and other charges; do not apply to groups; and cannot be combined with any other offer. Rates are based on availability. Advanced reservations required.
by The Ritz-Carlton Hotels
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At www.allofwedding.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.allofwedding.blogspot.com and how it is used.
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You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.allofwedding.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at ramajaghandi@gmail.com.
At www.allofwedding.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.allofwedding.blogspot.com and how it is used.
Log Files
Like many other Web sites, www.allofwedding.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.
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www.allofwedding.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.
DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on www.allofwedding.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to www.allofwedding.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html
Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense
Clickbank
Azoogle
Chitika
Linkshare
Amazon
These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on www.allofwedding.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.
www.allofwedding.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.allofwedding.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.
If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
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Many couples that decide to get married, don’t have a lot of money. This is especially so in young couples. A wedding registry is the perfect answer to getting started on your own. Setting one up is pretty simple, and will help you avoid receiving duplicates of some stuff and getting things that you don’t really need. You basically have to pick a couple of stores, create the wedding registry either on the internet or on paper, select different items that you would like, and tell the guests who are attending your wedding.
If you still need some help with your wedding registry, follow these ten easy steps:
1. First off, you should find between two to four merchants, such as Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond. This allows your guests to have some options.
2. Pick merchants online as well as in person. For some, registering online is confusing to those guests who have never gone online and shopped.
3. Make sure you look at the fine print and check for and fees that may not have been out in the open. You don’t want your guests to be charged a ridiculous amount when they are trying to buy a gift for you.
4. Look at general merchants who might offer a wedding registry.
5. Go big and go small. Some guests may be willing to buy you that 50 inch wide-screen, but others may not have it in their budget to purchase something expensive. So go ahead and register for different priced items.
6. Ask about discounts on gifts that weren’t purchased. There are a few merchants who will give at least a 10 percent discount on these items. It is also smart to add more things to your wedding registry if you do find out that you can get a discount.
7. Research! Know what household items you absolutely need and find out what will last for years to come. Doing so will save you time and money later on.
8. Do not put your address out for everyone to see. Give it to the wedding registry but make it unavailable to everyone else. You don’t want strangers popping up at your door.
9. Ask someone you know personally to watch out for packages while you aren’t there. This will avoid someone stealing your gifts.
10. Gifts like drinking glasses are good when they come in sets. So, if you get duplicates of something consider keeping it, you might never know when it might come in handy.
A wedding registry is great for any bride and groom. They make life easier and allow them to receive things they actually want.
by: Guest
If you still need some help with your wedding registry, follow these ten easy steps:
1. First off, you should find between two to four merchants, such as Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond. This allows your guests to have some options.
2. Pick merchants online as well as in person. For some, registering online is confusing to those guests who have never gone online and shopped.
3. Make sure you look at the fine print and check for and fees that may not have been out in the open. You don’t want your guests to be charged a ridiculous amount when they are trying to buy a gift for you.
4. Look at general merchants who might offer a wedding registry.
5. Go big and go small. Some guests may be willing to buy you that 50 inch wide-screen, but others may not have it in their budget to purchase something expensive. So go ahead and register for different priced items.
6. Ask about discounts on gifts that weren’t purchased. There are a few merchants who will give at least a 10 percent discount on these items. It is also smart to add more things to your wedding registry if you do find out that you can get a discount.
7. Research! Know what household items you absolutely need and find out what will last for years to come. Doing so will save you time and money later on.
8. Do not put your address out for everyone to see. Give it to the wedding registry but make it unavailable to everyone else. You don’t want strangers popping up at your door.
9. Ask someone you know personally to watch out for packages while you aren’t there. This will avoid someone stealing your gifts.
10. Gifts like drinking glasses are good when they come in sets. So, if you get duplicates of something consider keeping it, you might never know when it might come in handy.
A wedding registry is great for any bride and groom. They make life easier and allow them to receive things they actually want.
by: Guest
The wedding march is a traditional procession that happens at most weddings, depending on the customs and cultures of the bride and groom. Soon after each the bride and groom have arrived at the alter, everyone is expected to come together in couples, and follow the newlyweds to the venue. The procession branches out as they are following the couple. Those people who were in the wedding ceremony stick to the center while those who were invited stay towards the sides of the procession.
A wedding an amazing event to attended for both friends and family. A wedding is an event that demands felicitation and lots of arrangement prior to it. The wedding march is an event in which everyone can be a part of and gives the opportunity to join the couple by creating unity. Every tradition performed in a wedding has a history to it, this does not exclude the wedding march.
Music is an integral factor to anyone’s wedding. It plays a huge role in setting up the mood and tone for the ceremony. The harpsichord, contributes greatly to the wedding ceremony and its atmosphere. Anybody who has attended a wedding will tell you how important the music is, especially when the bride walks down the aisle. Different types of tunes and melodies are played at certain times in wedding services. Accompanied by two different tunes, the wedding march has one for the recessional and processional.
The wedding march can be dated back all the way the middle of the nineteenth century. Before then, music was not allowed to be a part of any wedding. Soon though, it became a tradition to have music played throughout the service. Richard Wagner was the creator of “Here Comes the Bride”, as it was first used in his opera Lohengren. This melody is what has become traditionally played as the bride walks down the aisle to the alter and her groom.
The tune choosen for the recessional, is from a piece composed by Felix Mendelssohn. It was choosen for A Midsummers Night’s Dream, but wasn’t played until after his death. It became popular in the mid-eighteen hundreds, after the English Princess Royal played it during her recessional.
The history of the music used for the wedding march, has and will change over time. So far, it has continued to be a part of wedding ceremonies for decades and will evolve as the world of music does.
by: Guest
A wedding an amazing event to attended for both friends and family. A wedding is an event that demands felicitation and lots of arrangement prior to it. The wedding march is an event in which everyone can be a part of and gives the opportunity to join the couple by creating unity. Every tradition performed in a wedding has a history to it, this does not exclude the wedding march.
Music is an integral factor to anyone’s wedding. It plays a huge role in setting up the mood and tone for the ceremony. The harpsichord, contributes greatly to the wedding ceremony and its atmosphere. Anybody who has attended a wedding will tell you how important the music is, especially when the bride walks down the aisle. Different types of tunes and melodies are played at certain times in wedding services. Accompanied by two different tunes, the wedding march has one for the recessional and processional.
The wedding march can be dated back all the way the middle of the nineteenth century. Before then, music was not allowed to be a part of any wedding. Soon though, it became a tradition to have music played throughout the service. Richard Wagner was the creator of “Here Comes the Bride”, as it was first used in his opera Lohengren. This melody is what has become traditionally played as the bride walks down the aisle to the alter and her groom.
The tune choosen for the recessional, is from a piece composed by Felix Mendelssohn. It was choosen for A Midsummers Night’s Dream, but wasn’t played until after his death. It became popular in the mid-eighteen hundreds, after the English Princess Royal played it during her recessional.
The history of the music used for the wedding march, has and will change over time. So far, it has continued to be a part of wedding ceremonies for decades and will evolve as the world of music does.
by: Guest
Your wedding day is approaching and you know it is going to be everything you ever wanted. It is important for many people to capture this special day and preserve its memories for years to come. Wedding photography can never take too much time and planning to make sure that your wedding day is captured in the manner you want.
I have a few tips on how to save money and make sure that you are happy with the photos from your wedding photographer.
The first and most important tip is to find the right photographer. Take your time and do your research. Wedding photography is an art and you want someone who has experience with wedding photography. Your photographer should want to make you look beautiful and should want to make you happy. Take a look at his or hers work from the past. You want someone who has a similar style as you do.
Another great wedding photography tip, is to have a good relationship with the photographer. You want to feel like your photographer is also your friend. Your photographer is going to be right beside you on your special day and you want to be comfortable with them. They are going to capture big moments and private moments.
A different idea for wedding photography, is to include your guests. Setting disposable cameras on the reception tables will get your guests to participate with taking pictures. You can end up with some great shots that wouldn’t have happened with just one photographer.
If you are on a budget, talking to friends and acquaintances is a great way to find a good photographer that isn’t horribly expensive. You can also talk the place where you are having your reception. They hosts a majority of weddings every year and probably know where you can find an affordable photographer.
If you have a wedding planner, talk to them about wedding photography if you have not already. Wedding planners are constantly working with photographers and may be able to help you save some money.
For those who are really set on a great wedding photographer, think about what you might be able to do without. If it comes between having those great chair covers for the reception hall and having photo’s that will last for lifetimes, it might be worth it. In doing this, you can have great pictures and stay in your budget.
Affordable wedding photography is all about being creative and flexible. Thinking a little differently can help you save money and get you beautiful pictures at the same time.
by Jean Neuhart
I have a few tips on how to save money and make sure that you are happy with the photos from your wedding photographer.
The first and most important tip is to find the right photographer. Take your time and do your research. Wedding photography is an art and you want someone who has experience with wedding photography. Your photographer should want to make you look beautiful and should want to make you happy. Take a look at his or hers work from the past. You want someone who has a similar style as you do.
Another great wedding photography tip, is to have a good relationship with the photographer. You want to feel like your photographer is also your friend. Your photographer is going to be right beside you on your special day and you want to be comfortable with them. They are going to capture big moments and private moments.
A different idea for wedding photography, is to include your guests. Setting disposable cameras on the reception tables will get your guests to participate with taking pictures. You can end up with some great shots that wouldn’t have happened with just one photographer.
If you are on a budget, talking to friends and acquaintances is a great way to find a good photographer that isn’t horribly expensive. You can also talk the place where you are having your reception. They hosts a majority of weddings every year and probably know where you can find an affordable photographer.
If you have a wedding planner, talk to them about wedding photography if you have not already. Wedding planners are constantly working with photographers and may be able to help you save some money.
For those who are really set on a great wedding photographer, think about what you might be able to do without. If it comes between having those great chair covers for the reception hall and having photo’s that will last for lifetimes, it might be worth it. In doing this, you can have great pictures and stay in your budget.
Affordable wedding photography is all about being creative and flexible. Thinking a little differently can help you save money and get you beautiful pictures at the same time.
by Jean Neuhart
A wedding planned in the spirit of nature provides the perfect opportunity for selecting wedding favors fashioned after elegant symbols consisting of, but not limited to maple leaves, butterflies, lavender buds, and roses. While there is certainly no shortage of wedding favors available today that are inspired by nature, those that are carefully designed with distinctive style and artistic detail remain popular choices.
As brides aim to locate the perfect wedding favors to reflect their personality and style, many look for favors made with exquisite details and designs inspired by nature such as embroidery or hand painting. Some examples include fabric containers made of silk and organza that are illustrated with floral landscapes or imagery. Besides attractive textures, color is another arena that brides have explored greatly as they sift through the astounding variety of favor bags in the hope of finding one that fits well within their wedding color scheme. The favorite color for nature-inspired weddings ranges from iridescent colors of red and orange to soft pastel colors in yellow and green.
These embroidered and hand-painted details are often found in wedding favor bags made from organza, which remains one of the most elegant and affordable fabrics. However, it is important to keep in mind that while organza bags come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and prices, be sure to find high quality organza fabric that neither frays nor easily tears as a result of handling. Of course, details such as embellished ribbons with unique pearl accents and beads have become the de rigueur, as brides have become more creative and discerning when searching for the ultimate favor bag.
When all is said and done, what would elegant organza or silk bags with embroidered or painted floral embellishments be without a delicious treat or personal memento tucked inside them. Use fillings that are also inspired by nature that include soothing chamomile tea, delicious maple sugar candy, or delightful iced sugar cookies that are rendered in floral shapes to extend a nature-inspired theme. No matter what filling may be desired, finding the ideal wedding favor for the nature-loving bride comes with exciting options, but only the perfect favor for today's demanding bride will make her top choice - those made with superior details and reflect the sophisticated taste of the bride and groom.
by Elizabeth Mansfield
As brides aim to locate the perfect wedding favors to reflect their personality and style, many look for favors made with exquisite details and designs inspired by nature such as embroidery or hand painting. Some examples include fabric containers made of silk and organza that are illustrated with floral landscapes or imagery. Besides attractive textures, color is another arena that brides have explored greatly as they sift through the astounding variety of favor bags in the hope of finding one that fits well within their wedding color scheme. The favorite color for nature-inspired weddings ranges from iridescent colors of red and orange to soft pastel colors in yellow and green.
These embroidered and hand-painted details are often found in wedding favor bags made from organza, which remains one of the most elegant and affordable fabrics. However, it is important to keep in mind that while organza bags come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and prices, be sure to find high quality organza fabric that neither frays nor easily tears as a result of handling. Of course, details such as embellished ribbons with unique pearl accents and beads have become the de rigueur, as brides have become more creative and discerning when searching for the ultimate favor bag.
When all is said and done, what would elegant organza or silk bags with embroidered or painted floral embellishments be without a delicious treat or personal memento tucked inside them. Use fillings that are also inspired by nature that include soothing chamomile tea, delicious maple sugar candy, or delightful iced sugar cookies that are rendered in floral shapes to extend a nature-inspired theme. No matter what filling may be desired, finding the ideal wedding favor for the nature-loving bride comes with exciting options, but only the perfect favor for today's demanding bride will make her top choice - those made with superior details and reflect the sophisticated taste of the bride and groom.
by Elizabeth Mansfield
Choosing the right wedding favor can be a challenge. There a so many choices, it can make your head spin! From placecard holders to pampering items, there seems to be a gift for every occasion and theme. But how do you know which ones your guests will truly enjoy? Choose a gift with good taste! Food gifts remain the most popular gift choice for wedding favors. Take a look at these mouth-watering wedding favors that top our list!
Chocolate
Anything chocolate is #1 with brides and guests alike. Traditional favorites include personalized chocolate bars and squares, but the latest trends also rank themed chocolates (shaped like wedding bells, starfish, cakes, etc.) and even chocolate puzzles high on the list.
Shaped Cookies
The possibilities are endless with these delicious shortbread cookies. Available in a variety of themes, including hearts, cakes, bells and bride-and-groom, these sweet treats can accommodate most wedding themes, from beach to golf.
Mints
Whether in tins, rolls, pillow packs or “matchbooks,” refreshing mints are always a popular choice. They’re kosher and usually don’t tempt anyone to break their diet. Personalizing them with wedding information makes them a favor to savor.
Coffee & Tea
Beverages are among the top 10 because they’re affordable, practical and lend themselves easily to a variety of themes. Not only popular fall-themed favors, coffee and tea are delightful any time of the year for the couple that’s a perfect blend.
Wedding Oreos
Go ahead. Indulge! The decadent enjoyment that comes with these double-dipped Oreos will give your taste buds a treat. Available in white and chocolate wedding themes, they’re a great way to dress up an old favorite.
Jordan Almonds
This classic wedding favor still makes the list because of its sweet, crunchy, nutty goodness. They’re also a great do-it-yourself wedding favor. You can purchase them bulk and package them yourselves in a variety of elegant wedding favor boxes. “Wedding gown” favor bags filled with candy make a cute bridal shower favor.
Fortune Cookies
Including a message of appreciation inside the fortune cookie makes this a unique wedding favor. Not just for Asian weddings, they can be used to spread good fortune among your guests.
Mini Cakes
Don’t cut the cake! These personal-sized mini wedding cakes let guests have their cake and eat it too—without standing in line to get it!
Covered Strawberries
These tuxedo strawberries add an unexpected elegance to your wedding. Delicious berries are “dressed” in a tuxedo and wedding gown made of chocolate. These “bride and groom” chocolate covered strawberries are a match made in heaven.
Biscotti
Chocolate-dipped and personalized, these biscotti wedding favors are a crunchy delight. Guests can enjoy them at the reception or with a hot cup of coffee at home. Either way, the uniqueness of this favor is sure to stand out.
by Karen Sullen
Chocolate
Anything chocolate is #1 with brides and guests alike. Traditional favorites include personalized chocolate bars and squares, but the latest trends also rank themed chocolates (shaped like wedding bells, starfish, cakes, etc.) and even chocolate puzzles high on the list.
Shaped Cookies
The possibilities are endless with these delicious shortbread cookies. Available in a variety of themes, including hearts, cakes, bells and bride-and-groom, these sweet treats can accommodate most wedding themes, from beach to golf.
Mints
Whether in tins, rolls, pillow packs or “matchbooks,” refreshing mints are always a popular choice. They’re kosher and usually don’t tempt anyone to break their diet. Personalizing them with wedding information makes them a favor to savor.
Coffee & Tea
Beverages are among the top 10 because they’re affordable, practical and lend themselves easily to a variety of themes. Not only popular fall-themed favors, coffee and tea are delightful any time of the year for the couple that’s a perfect blend.
Wedding Oreos
Go ahead. Indulge! The decadent enjoyment that comes with these double-dipped Oreos will give your taste buds a treat. Available in white and chocolate wedding themes, they’re a great way to dress up an old favorite.
Jordan Almonds
This classic wedding favor still makes the list because of its sweet, crunchy, nutty goodness. They’re also a great do-it-yourself wedding favor. You can purchase them bulk and package them yourselves in a variety of elegant wedding favor boxes. “Wedding gown” favor bags filled with candy make a cute bridal shower favor.
Fortune Cookies
Including a message of appreciation inside the fortune cookie makes this a unique wedding favor. Not just for Asian weddings, they can be used to spread good fortune among your guests.
Mini Cakes
Don’t cut the cake! These personal-sized mini wedding cakes let guests have their cake and eat it too—without standing in line to get it!
Covered Strawberries
These tuxedo strawberries add an unexpected elegance to your wedding. Delicious berries are “dressed” in a tuxedo and wedding gown made of chocolate. These “bride and groom” chocolate covered strawberries are a match made in heaven.
Biscotti
Chocolate-dipped and personalized, these biscotti wedding favors are a crunchy delight. Guests can enjoy them at the reception or with a hot cup of coffee at home. Either way, the uniqueness of this favor is sure to stand out.
by Karen Sullen
Typically the job of planning a shower for the bride-to-be falls on the maid of honor. But it is just as common for all the bridesmaids to pitch in. Legend has it the first shower was thrown for a couple deeply in love, but lacking the money to marry. Their friends and family got together and "showered" the couple with gifts to help them start their new life together. Today, the tradition lives, but it's more of an opportunity for the bride to gather with her girlfriends one last time before her big day!
Although not necessary, a theme for the bridal shower can help bring a focus to the festivities. Once the theme is decided all the details can come into place and the fun can begin! Themes can be anything from a single color to an exotic locale, or the bride's favorite pastime.
A popular bridal shower theme is "Pampering the Bride". The ladies get together and shower the bride with gifts meant to help her relax and unwind before the biggest day of her life. When planning a pampering shower, the invitation should instruct the guests to bring items suited to the purpose, such as bath products, gift certificates to a spa or salon, and yoga lessons. One idea is to have the shower at a spa or salon. There are plenty of places that specialize in hosting showers. What is more enjoyable than to spend a day at a spa with a group of your best girls?
Themes can also be practical, catered to fulfill the bride's or the couple's needs. For instance, a honeymoon shower will focus the topic of discussion on the honeymoon destination. Gifts can include helpful items like maps, travel books, or luggage. Food, decorations, guest favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination.
The ideas are limitless, so use your imagination and make the occasion meaningful as well as unforgettable!
Popular Bridal Shower Themes include:
* Tea Party: Serve tea along with finger foods such as scones, finger sandwiches, petite fours, etc...
* Room of the House: Each guest is "assigned" a room of the house and brings a gift to be used in that room.
* Lingerie: Guests bring their favorite lingerie for the bride!
* Around the Clock: Each guest is assigned a "time," such as breakfast time or bath time. Their gifts should reflect this time.
* Ethnic Theme: Using the bride's heritage, plan a shower with her favorite ethnic foods! For example, serve fresh fruit, poi poi and tropical drinks at a Hawaiian themed wedding shower. The decorations and favors should also have an ethnic flair.
* Christmas Ornament: Guests are instructed to bring a ornament for the couple's first Christmas tree. Great for winter showers.
* Garden Party: Host a shower in a garden setting and decorate the tables with beautiful flowers. Ask guests to bring gifts that the bride in use in her garden.
* Stock the Bar: If you're throwing a couple wedding shower, a popular theme is stock the pantry. Guests bring gifts to help the couple stock their bar.
* Month of the Year: Each guest is assigned a month of the year. This allows the bride to receive seasonal gifts that she can enjoy throughout the year.
* Favorite Memories: Each guest brings a gift that represents a favorite past time spent with the bride.
* Pajamas Theme: Have guests arrive in the evening dressed in their PJ's. The evening is filled with manicures, pedicures, facials and massages, and lots of girl talk!
* Stock the Pantry: Have each guest write their favorite recipe on a recipe card and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe in a box or gift basket.
By Winnie Ying
Although not necessary, a theme for the bridal shower can help bring a focus to the festivities. Once the theme is decided all the details can come into place and the fun can begin! Themes can be anything from a single color to an exotic locale, or the bride's favorite pastime.
A popular bridal shower theme is "Pampering the Bride". The ladies get together and shower the bride with gifts meant to help her relax and unwind before the biggest day of her life. When planning a pampering shower, the invitation should instruct the guests to bring items suited to the purpose, such as bath products, gift certificates to a spa or salon, and yoga lessons. One idea is to have the shower at a spa or salon. There are plenty of places that specialize in hosting showers. What is more enjoyable than to spend a day at a spa with a group of your best girls?
Themes can also be practical, catered to fulfill the bride's or the couple's needs. For instance, a honeymoon shower will focus the topic of discussion on the honeymoon destination. Gifts can include helpful items like maps, travel books, or luggage. Food, decorations, guest favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination.
The ideas are limitless, so use your imagination and make the occasion meaningful as well as unforgettable!
Popular Bridal Shower Themes include:
* Tea Party: Serve tea along with finger foods such as scones, finger sandwiches, petite fours, etc...
* Room of the House: Each guest is "assigned" a room of the house and brings a gift to be used in that room.
* Lingerie: Guests bring their favorite lingerie for the bride!
* Around the Clock: Each guest is assigned a "time," such as breakfast time or bath time. Their gifts should reflect this time.
* Ethnic Theme: Using the bride's heritage, plan a shower with her favorite ethnic foods! For example, serve fresh fruit, poi poi and tropical drinks at a Hawaiian themed wedding shower. The decorations and favors should also have an ethnic flair.
* Christmas Ornament: Guests are instructed to bring a ornament for the couple's first Christmas tree. Great for winter showers.
* Garden Party: Host a shower in a garden setting and decorate the tables with beautiful flowers. Ask guests to bring gifts that the bride in use in her garden.
* Stock the Bar: If you're throwing a couple wedding shower, a popular theme is stock the pantry. Guests bring gifts to help the couple stock their bar.
* Month of the Year: Each guest is assigned a month of the year. This allows the bride to receive seasonal gifts that she can enjoy throughout the year.
* Favorite Memories: Each guest brings a gift that represents a favorite past time spent with the bride.
* Pajamas Theme: Have guests arrive in the evening dressed in their PJ's. The evening is filled with manicures, pedicures, facials and massages, and lots of girl talk!
* Stock the Pantry: Have each guest write their favorite recipe on a recipe card and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe in a box or gift basket.
By Winnie Ying
When you think of wedding receptions, what is the one thing that they all have? A "stately mountain of snowy frosting and royal icing blossoms," (from "The Perfect Wedding Cake" by Kate Manchester), aka the wedding cake! Not bad for a dessert which has its roots clear back to the Roman Empire. But back then, there was no beautifully decorated, sweet confection. Instead, a loaf of barley bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize her fertility. Can you imagine picking crumbs out of your hair? As the barley bread evolved into today’s wedding cake, the symbolism of the cake and the cake cutting ceremony evolved into your first joint act as a married couple, your commitment to provide for each other, and the sweet life you will share together.
Your wedding cake should taste absolutely wonderful, however, it is not just dessert. Your wedding cake will be an integral part of the reception decor, so place it in a strategic location where all of your guests can easily see it. How about in the center of the dance floor? It can be removed after the cake cutting ceremony - table and all - so you have room for your first dance as husband and wife. Just be sure that someone carefully cleans up any stray icing that may hit the floor which can be very slippery and dangerous. Or how about placing your wedding cake in a corner with pin lights or a small spotlight highlighting its glory?
The Statue of Liberty has its pedestal, a queen has her throne, the cake table needs to be worthy to hold such a beautiful creation. Like a beautiful frame that surrounds a lovely painting, the cake table should be decorated to complement the wonderful confection that it holds. Decorating the cake table needn’t be time consuming nor expensive. You may already have something appropriate in your closet or on the dining room table. A lace tablecloth would be lovely draped across the cake table. A length of tulle loosely billowed on the top of the table gives the impression of your cake floating on clouds. Or, swag the table with tulle, organza, lame, or garlands of greenery and flowers.
If your motto is "Life’s too short, eat dessert first," then you may want to go all out with your desserts. Have a dessert bar with trays of different scrumptious delicacies – iced cookies, brownies, mini bite-sized cheesecakes – with your wedding cake as the centerpiece. And speaking of centerpieces, if one large cake to feed hundreds of people isn’t your thing, how about a small (only big enough for two) cake which you and your new spouse get to cut and feed each other, and in place of the more traditional floral or candle centerpieces for each guest table, have a single tiered cake that serves 8-10 people.
by Jean Neuhart
Your wedding cake should taste absolutely wonderful, however, it is not just dessert. Your wedding cake will be an integral part of the reception decor, so place it in a strategic location where all of your guests can easily see it. How about in the center of the dance floor? It can be removed after the cake cutting ceremony - table and all - so you have room for your first dance as husband and wife. Just be sure that someone carefully cleans up any stray icing that may hit the floor which can be very slippery and dangerous. Or how about placing your wedding cake in a corner with pin lights or a small spotlight highlighting its glory?
The Statue of Liberty has its pedestal, a queen has her throne, the cake table needs to be worthy to hold such a beautiful creation. Like a beautiful frame that surrounds a lovely painting, the cake table should be decorated to complement the wonderful confection that it holds. Decorating the cake table needn’t be time consuming nor expensive. You may already have something appropriate in your closet or on the dining room table. A lace tablecloth would be lovely draped across the cake table. A length of tulle loosely billowed on the top of the table gives the impression of your cake floating on clouds. Or, swag the table with tulle, organza, lame, or garlands of greenery and flowers.
If your motto is "Life’s too short, eat dessert first," then you may want to go all out with your desserts. Have a dessert bar with trays of different scrumptious delicacies – iced cookies, brownies, mini bite-sized cheesecakes – with your wedding cake as the centerpiece. And speaking of centerpieces, if one large cake to feed hundreds of people isn’t your thing, how about a small (only big enough for two) cake which you and your new spouse get to cut and feed each other, and in place of the more traditional floral or candle centerpieces for each guest table, have a single tiered cake that serves 8-10 people.
by Jean Neuhart
During a consultation with a bride-to-be about her wedding cake, there are a few questions to consider. One of them is regarding the number of servings she would like from her cake. This often leads to a discussion about saving the top tier.
The tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake began long ago in England, when tiered wedding cakes were made of a rich, wine or brandy-soaked fruitcake. This cake was well preserved by the liquor and fruit it contained, and was usually served to the guest at the christening of the first child the marriage produced. Birth-control, and life-styles being what they were in those days, this blessed event most often occurred within one year of the wedding.
Now, modern wedding cakes are rarely make a out of fruitcake, and most couples plan to extend their “honeymoons” beyond a year of their wedding date. Therefore, if saving the top tier is a tradition the couple wished to pursue, is should be wrapped really well, and kept it frozen for up to three months. It can then be thawed (slowly, in the refrigerator), and shared when celebrating the one-month anniversary, a family member’s birthday, or a holiday gathering.
However, having a tier of cake which is not going to be served at the wedding also adds to the cost of the cake, so I don’t recommend it for the budget conscious. And speaking of budgets, it really isn’t absolutely necessary to have exactly the number of servings match the number of guests. As hard as it is for me to imagine, some people actually don’t care to eat cake, especially when there is another dessert being served. A smaller cake can be commissioned, and later on, if the guest list should grow, or the couple is concerned about having enough, a small “back-up” cake can be ordered within two weeks of the wedding date.
by Cynthia Peithman
Planning a wedding can be exciting, stressful and expensive all at once. Many couples begin by planning the big items such as the reception venue, transport & photography. One of the hardest things can be making your wedding different by adding a special touch that people will remember.
Ther are many special touches on offer but one that offers a truly personal touch is a DVD Photo Show presentation screened during the Wedding Reception. DVD photo shows are produced using a bride and grooms personal photographs and brought to life with motion, transitions and music. Richard Greenwood, founding Partner of ShutterSlide.com which produces wedding photo shows in USA, Australia & UK said "we wanted to produce a unique and memorable product that shows the bride and groom in a different light to their friends and family and remind all of precious memories from their lives prior to marriage, from childhood to meeting each other and through to the wedding."
Often many wedding guests can be divided into two camps; the bride's guests and the groom's guests. Quite often the bride's guests may not know the groom well or visa versa. A DVD photo show at the wedding reception really helps to introduce yourselves to your new husband's or wife's family and friends.
There are several ways that you could show a DVD Photo Show at your wedding. All that is required is a DVD player and then something to display the show on such as a TV, PC or a data/digital projector. Using a projector will have the most impact and grab the attention on all your guests. If you use a projector you can display the photo show while guests are seated. A good time may be in between courses in you have a sit down meal as you will have a captive audience. If you don't have access to a projector they are easily available for hire. Another way to display the photo show is though a DVD player and TV on your gift table or next to your guest book. You can leave the show on loop and allow guests to view the show throughout the night.
Richard Greenwood said "we've had such a strong reaction from all the bride and grooms that have shown a DVD photo show at the reception. There are always laughs at those 'embarrassing photos' from when you were young and often tears of joy from proud parents and relatives."
Kylie and Dave who had a DVD Photo Show produced for their wedding day said "It's so beautiful! Dave and I both had tears in our eyes watching it! It is going to make such a special addition to our wedding day. We will be playing the DVD on loop next to our guest book so that everyone gets to have a look at it."
DVD Photo shows can also be used after the wedding with images from your wedding day and honeymoon. These shows will compliment your wedding photography package; act as a digital wedding album or even a cost effective alternative to a wedding video. They are also easy to share with long distance relatives and friends who could not be there to share your special day.
The best news is that DVD photo shows for weddings are very affordable so it won't break your budget.
by Richard Greenwood
Ther are many special touches on offer but one that offers a truly personal touch is a DVD Photo Show presentation screened during the Wedding Reception. DVD photo shows are produced using a bride and grooms personal photographs and brought to life with motion, transitions and music. Richard Greenwood, founding Partner of ShutterSlide.com which produces wedding photo shows in USA, Australia & UK said "we wanted to produce a unique and memorable product that shows the bride and groom in a different light to their friends and family and remind all of precious memories from their lives prior to marriage, from childhood to meeting each other and through to the wedding."
Often many wedding guests can be divided into two camps; the bride's guests and the groom's guests. Quite often the bride's guests may not know the groom well or visa versa. A DVD photo show at the wedding reception really helps to introduce yourselves to your new husband's or wife's family and friends.
There are several ways that you could show a DVD Photo Show at your wedding. All that is required is a DVD player and then something to display the show on such as a TV, PC or a data/digital projector. Using a projector will have the most impact and grab the attention on all your guests. If you use a projector you can display the photo show while guests are seated. A good time may be in between courses in you have a sit down meal as you will have a captive audience. If you don't have access to a projector they are easily available for hire. Another way to display the photo show is though a DVD player and TV on your gift table or next to your guest book. You can leave the show on loop and allow guests to view the show throughout the night.
Richard Greenwood said "we've had such a strong reaction from all the bride and grooms that have shown a DVD photo show at the reception. There are always laughs at those 'embarrassing photos' from when you were young and often tears of joy from proud parents and relatives."
Kylie and Dave who had a DVD Photo Show produced for their wedding day said "It's so beautiful! Dave and I both had tears in our eyes watching it! It is going to make such a special addition to our wedding day. We will be playing the DVD on loop next to our guest book so that everyone gets to have a look at it."
DVD Photo shows can also be used after the wedding with images from your wedding day and honeymoon. These shows will compliment your wedding photography package; act as a digital wedding album or even a cost effective alternative to a wedding video. They are also easy to share with long distance relatives and friends who could not be there to share your special day.
The best news is that DVD photo shows for weddings are very affordable so it won't break your budget.
by Richard Greenwood
You’ve made the big decision to have a destination wedding and you now face the daunting task of making sure that people from around the globe meet up in one location for your special day. Meanwhile, you want to be free to enjoy one of the most joyous events of your life. Admittedly, it can be a difficult balance to strike, but there is help. A well designed wedding website can facilitate good communication, something any wedding planner will tell you is a critical ingredient to ensuring the success of and simplifying the planning for your destination wedding. Your guests need to know all the necessary information about your wedding so they know where to go and how to get there. At the same time, feedback from your guests can give you the information you need to plan an event everyone will enjoy. An informative and interactive wedding website can help open the lines of communication between you and your guests and thus make the event more enjoyable for everyone involved.
In order to reap the full benefits from your destination wedding website, you’ll need to take what are some common features in wedding websites and adapt them to accommodate the special needs presented by your destination wedding. Here are some features to look for and some tips on how to use them to their full potential.
An online RSVP can be a handy tool for any wedding; for a destination wedding, however, it can really be put to work. A creatively designed RSVP gives your guests a convenient way to give you their vital information as well as their input on your wedding plans (if you want it!). In addition to asking for the typical information, you might consider additional entries such as flight information and arrival date, hotel where the guests would like to stay, any special requests they might have for activities and anything else pertinent to your wedding plans. Arrange to have the results sent to your wedding email address and you’ll have all this useful information stored away in one place for future reference.
Since it’s likely that not everyone can make it to your destination wedding, two common website features take on an even greater importance for your wedding website. First, a guestbook allows all your friends and family to send well wishes across the miles. Their messages can be sent to your email and/or posted on the site for all to enjoy. After the wedding, these messages can be saved and treasured as part of your wedding memories. Second, having links to your online gift registries provides your friends and family a quick and convenient way to send gifts whether they can make it to the wedding or not. Obviously, this is a great deal for them and for you!
Last but certainly not least come the critical information pages that provide the meat and potatoes of your site. Some important things to detail for your guests include local information such as maps and directions; local travel information (airports, ground transportation, etc.); restaurants and local activities to keep them well fed and entertained; local weather links and wedding specifics. In providing this information on your site you will have created a handy reference for your guests and a simple way for you and your family to avoid having to repeat information. Be sure to include any other information or deals you’ve arranged for your guests such as airline discounts, hotel deals, rental car arrangements, and anything that you feel would be of use to your wedding guests. If you’re planning pre- and post-wedding activities a wedding itinerary may also be a useful edition to your site.
Finally, let’s take a look at some helpful tips for making the most of your wedding website. If possible, it’s best to announce your web address with your “save the date” cards. This gets your web address to everyone who needs it and clues your guests in on your plans to communicate with them via your site. By no means does this mean that you have to have your website completed by that time. Having at least one working page with a welcome message and a note on the how you plan to use the site is sufficient. The critical factor is that your guests know to check your site for updates. This alone can save you hours of phone calls and other correspondence. You might even consider creating a mailing list for guests who would like to be contacted via email when your site is updated. This point leads us to our final necessity for a successful destination wedding website: flexibility, and lots of it! Since wedding plans evolve over time, you will need a website designer that is willing to update your site as information comes in and as it changes. Make sure you understand your designer’s policies before committing to any one company. A cheaper site may not end up so cheap after you’ve made 8 changes at $15 per update. You might consider making an advance agreement for a certain number of updates at a price you’ve agreed upon in advance.
Ready to start simplifying your destination wedding with a wedding website? Yes or no, you’ll do well to remember the cardinal rule of weddings: if things get too overwhelming, too involved, or just plain too much, you can always elope! Rest assured that no matter how you choose to wed your website won’t be wasted. Should you cut the guest list to two, you can always use your site to display your photos and tell everyone about the wedding they missed!
by Tamara Baker
In order to reap the full benefits from your destination wedding website, you’ll need to take what are some common features in wedding websites and adapt them to accommodate the special needs presented by your destination wedding. Here are some features to look for and some tips on how to use them to their full potential.
An online RSVP can be a handy tool for any wedding; for a destination wedding, however, it can really be put to work. A creatively designed RSVP gives your guests a convenient way to give you their vital information as well as their input on your wedding plans (if you want it!). In addition to asking for the typical information, you might consider additional entries such as flight information and arrival date, hotel where the guests would like to stay, any special requests they might have for activities and anything else pertinent to your wedding plans. Arrange to have the results sent to your wedding email address and you’ll have all this useful information stored away in one place for future reference.
Since it’s likely that not everyone can make it to your destination wedding, two common website features take on an even greater importance for your wedding website. First, a guestbook allows all your friends and family to send well wishes across the miles. Their messages can be sent to your email and/or posted on the site for all to enjoy. After the wedding, these messages can be saved and treasured as part of your wedding memories. Second, having links to your online gift registries provides your friends and family a quick and convenient way to send gifts whether they can make it to the wedding or not. Obviously, this is a great deal for them and for you!
Last but certainly not least come the critical information pages that provide the meat and potatoes of your site. Some important things to detail for your guests include local information such as maps and directions; local travel information (airports, ground transportation, etc.); restaurants and local activities to keep them well fed and entertained; local weather links and wedding specifics. In providing this information on your site you will have created a handy reference for your guests and a simple way for you and your family to avoid having to repeat information. Be sure to include any other information or deals you’ve arranged for your guests such as airline discounts, hotel deals, rental car arrangements, and anything that you feel would be of use to your wedding guests. If you’re planning pre- and post-wedding activities a wedding itinerary may also be a useful edition to your site.
Finally, let’s take a look at some helpful tips for making the most of your wedding website. If possible, it’s best to announce your web address with your “save the date” cards. This gets your web address to everyone who needs it and clues your guests in on your plans to communicate with them via your site. By no means does this mean that you have to have your website completed by that time. Having at least one working page with a welcome message and a note on the how you plan to use the site is sufficient. The critical factor is that your guests know to check your site for updates. This alone can save you hours of phone calls and other correspondence. You might even consider creating a mailing list for guests who would like to be contacted via email when your site is updated. This point leads us to our final necessity for a successful destination wedding website: flexibility, and lots of it! Since wedding plans evolve over time, you will need a website designer that is willing to update your site as information comes in and as it changes. Make sure you understand your designer’s policies before committing to any one company. A cheaper site may not end up so cheap after you’ve made 8 changes at $15 per update. You might consider making an advance agreement for a certain number of updates at a price you’ve agreed upon in advance.
Ready to start simplifying your destination wedding with a wedding website? Yes or no, you’ll do well to remember the cardinal rule of weddings: if things get too overwhelming, too involved, or just plain too much, you can always elope! Rest assured that no matter how you choose to wed your website won’t be wasted. Should you cut the guest list to two, you can always use your site to display your photos and tell everyone about the wedding they missed!
by Tamara Baker
Everything is perfect: Your family and friends are seated comfortably, the flowers look divine, the music is being played in key, and you know the caterers are busy making sure the food for the reception afterwards is scrumptious. The only thing left to do now is walk down the isle and wed the person of your dreams. Off you go!
Nightmare of all nightmares! You are sitting at the head table and the only reason you know you actually got married is because there is a gold band on your finger! You were so nervous and excited all at once that your mind is drawing a complete blank. All the effort, the planning, the endless sacrifices all year long and you don't have a single recollection of how things went. Yikes.
There is insurance against this all-to-common wedding amnesia: A wedding video! It will bring you, your family and friends, countless evenings of enjoyment and recollection simply at the flick of your remote control. The cost will be nominal and a professional video will bring you countless years of enjoyment.
The best person to entrust with capturing your special day is a professional Wedding-Videographer. The old saying that "A hammer does not a carpenter make" is good to remember when hiring a professional to film your wedding. The best person to ask for advice on this is your Wedding Planner. They will have a Videographer that they trust enough to put their name to so that you will have one less thing to worry about. It's It is after all, their job. If you are planning your own wedding, here are ten questions you should ask to ensure that you pick the best Videographer for the big day:
1. Video cameras are not all the same. Hi8 or DV provide a higher quality than the standard camcorder. Some of the best digital units include the Sony VX 2000 and the Canon XL1.
2. 3-chip CCD cameras will have the best Digital quality. You don't need to know what it means other than "the best possible chipset for the best possible image."
3. Ask to view a "wedding video sample" tape. This will give you an idea of what the quality will be like when you get yours.
4. Do they use wireless microphones? If they do, great, if they don't ask them to get one.
5. Is the Videographer unobtrusive? They should be.
6. What do they dress while filming? Make sure they dress neat and tidy. Blue jeans are NOT acceptable wedding-wear.
7. What back up equipment do they have? It should be comparable in quality to the original.
8. Price?? Most Videographers have several packages. Choose the one that fits within your budget and captures what you desire.
9. Do they use 1 camera or 2?. If 2 cameras is the second operator an extra charge?
10. Bookings? Make sure you give them specific instructions for time, place. Also, be sure to check with the church, Priest, hall, etc., to find out if they have any rules regarding filming of weddings.
Once these questions have been answered to your complete satisfaction you'll be well on your way to hiring the best possible professional to film the big day.
If you decide that a Videographer is simply not within your wedding budget you can still take some action to ensure that you get an acceptable "home video" of your Wedding. Everybody and their Uncle has a home video camera nowadays (we've all had to suffer through their personal movies at one time or another). As you know, having a camera is not enough to make a movie. If that was the case Hollywood would be out of business by now. Here are some tips to help your Uncle Jim or your Cousin Sally to film a video that will bring you tears of joy instead of making you cringe every time your throw it in the VCR:
1. Try to use a Digital or Hi-8 camera. The quality will be drastically improved when transferring or copying for friends and family.
2. Make sure they have a Tripod. This will reduce unwanted motion and save you and your friends from being queasy when you watch the finished product on TV.
3. Do not "zoom" in or out while filming. Do all "zooming" while the camera is NOT recording. If they want to switch from a wide shot to a close up, stop the camera from filming between transitions. All the professionals do this.
4. Be sure to scope out the best possible spot for the camera ahead of time. It should be in a spot that is unobtrusive but can also capture the bride's walk down the isle and ceremony without having to move the tripod & camera.
5. Practice, practice, practice. Be sure to film some "practice" runs before the actual ceremony. This will ensure that the person doing the filming will be ready to capture things in the heat of the moment without any worries or mistakes.
Again, I cannot recommend enough that the best way to capture your wedding on Video is to hire a professional. That being said, the tips above should give you a quality home video that you and yours will enjoy again and again. Professionally shot or captured by a reliable friend or relative, a Wedding Video will bring back all the feelings and wonder that you were too busy to remember on the special day itself!
By West McDonald
Nightmare of all nightmares! You are sitting at the head table and the only reason you know you actually got married is because there is a gold band on your finger! You were so nervous and excited all at once that your mind is drawing a complete blank. All the effort, the planning, the endless sacrifices all year long and you don't have a single recollection of how things went. Yikes.
There is insurance against this all-to-common wedding amnesia: A wedding video! It will bring you, your family and friends, countless evenings of enjoyment and recollection simply at the flick of your remote control. The cost will be nominal and a professional video will bring you countless years of enjoyment.
The best person to entrust with capturing your special day is a professional Wedding-Videographer. The old saying that "A hammer does not a carpenter make" is good to remember when hiring a professional to film your wedding. The best person to ask for advice on this is your Wedding Planner. They will have a Videographer that they trust enough to put their name to so that you will have one less thing to worry about. It's It is after all, their job. If you are planning your own wedding, here are ten questions you should ask to ensure that you pick the best Videographer for the big day:
1. Video cameras are not all the same. Hi8 or DV provide a higher quality than the standard camcorder. Some of the best digital units include the Sony VX 2000 and the Canon XL1.
2. 3-chip CCD cameras will have the best Digital quality. You don't need to know what it means other than "the best possible chipset for the best possible image."
3. Ask to view a "wedding video sample" tape. This will give you an idea of what the quality will be like when you get yours.
4. Do they use wireless microphones? If they do, great, if they don't ask them to get one.
5. Is the Videographer unobtrusive? They should be.
6. What do they dress while filming? Make sure they dress neat and tidy. Blue jeans are NOT acceptable wedding-wear.
7. What back up equipment do they have? It should be comparable in quality to the original.
8. Price?? Most Videographers have several packages. Choose the one that fits within your budget and captures what you desire.
9. Do they use 1 camera or 2?. If 2 cameras is the second operator an extra charge?
10. Bookings? Make sure you give them specific instructions for time, place. Also, be sure to check with the church, Priest, hall, etc., to find out if they have any rules regarding filming of weddings.
Once these questions have been answered to your complete satisfaction you'll be well on your way to hiring the best possible professional to film the big day.
If you decide that a Videographer is simply not within your wedding budget you can still take some action to ensure that you get an acceptable "home video" of your Wedding. Everybody and their Uncle has a home video camera nowadays (we've all had to suffer through their personal movies at one time or another). As you know, having a camera is not enough to make a movie. If that was the case Hollywood would be out of business by now. Here are some tips to help your Uncle Jim or your Cousin Sally to film a video that will bring you tears of joy instead of making you cringe every time your throw it in the VCR:
1. Try to use a Digital or Hi-8 camera. The quality will be drastically improved when transferring or copying for friends and family.
2. Make sure they have a Tripod. This will reduce unwanted motion and save you and your friends from being queasy when you watch the finished product on TV.
3. Do not "zoom" in or out while filming. Do all "zooming" while the camera is NOT recording. If they want to switch from a wide shot to a close up, stop the camera from filming between transitions. All the professionals do this.
4. Be sure to scope out the best possible spot for the camera ahead of time. It should be in a spot that is unobtrusive but can also capture the bride's walk down the isle and ceremony without having to move the tripod & camera.
5. Practice, practice, practice. Be sure to film some "practice" runs before the actual ceremony. This will ensure that the person doing the filming will be ready to capture things in the heat of the moment without any worries or mistakes.
Again, I cannot recommend enough that the best way to capture your wedding on Video is to hire a professional. That being said, the tips above should give you a quality home video that you and yours will enjoy again and again. Professionally shot or captured by a reliable friend or relative, a Wedding Video will bring back all the feelings and wonder that you were too busy to remember on the special day itself!
By West McDonald
Finding that perfect person to preserve your special day on video can be a daunting task. There are many things that you need to know before you write your name on that contract. Here are some suggestions for picking that perfect video that is just right for you.
* Ask friends & family for referrals. People will talk loud & often about services they didn't like, but they don't talk often enough about those they did! Ask around, I'm sure you'll find a few people you know who were very happy with their videographers or other wedding/event vendors.
* Search the internet - not just in your area, but surrounding areas as well. If you have a larger budget, you can even look national. Many vendors will travel as long as you pay their travel costs.
* Look in magazines - although sometimes only the vendors with the large budgets advertise here. Many young or cost effective companies won't spend that much money on advertising, but their services are just as good. You will find some qualified leads here, though.
* Compile a list of all videographers (or other vendors) that you feel could possibly be a good fit for your wedding. Don't worry about price, location or other factors at this point. Just list everyone that is a possibility.
* Next you need to determine the factors (I suggest 3) that are most important to you & your fiancé. Some suggestions to think about are:
o Local vendors only (they know the area best)
o Quality of work
o Style of video (ranges from documentary to MTV)
o Personalities (you need to be comfortable with the people you hire)
o Price
o Years in business
o Type of music used
o How many cameras
o Types of lighting & audio
o Extra features (Love Story, Photo Montages, Recaps, etc)
o Small business or large company
o And many more.
* Compare the companies on your list - look at websites & call or email them to determine how they fit with your 3 important factors.
* Narrow down your list to 3-5 of your favorite vendors & make appointments to visit them & view more of their work. You will know right off the bat if you will mesh with the videographers. Make sure you are meeting at least one of the videographers that will be there on your wedding day. It's great if you get along with the owner of the company, but if you don't mesh with the one actually there on your wedding day, that could spell trouble. Also, ask to see a video that is in the specific style you like or at the location where your wedding will be. No 2 wedding videos are the same, but you want to see something that is at least close to what you will be getting.
* Now you're ready to make your decision. Make sure once you decide you get them a deposit right away. Nothing is worse than getting your heart set on a vendor & then finding out it's too late & they are already booked!
Once you have made your decision following this guide, you can rest assured that the company you picked will deliver to you the video that you could already see in your mind.
By Darcie King
* Ask friends & family for referrals. People will talk loud & often about services they didn't like, but they don't talk often enough about those they did! Ask around, I'm sure you'll find a few people you know who were very happy with their videographers or other wedding/event vendors.
* Search the internet - not just in your area, but surrounding areas as well. If you have a larger budget, you can even look national. Many vendors will travel as long as you pay their travel costs.
* Look in magazines - although sometimes only the vendors with the large budgets advertise here. Many young or cost effective companies won't spend that much money on advertising, but their services are just as good. You will find some qualified leads here, though.
* Compile a list of all videographers (or other vendors) that you feel could possibly be a good fit for your wedding. Don't worry about price, location or other factors at this point. Just list everyone that is a possibility.
* Next you need to determine the factors (I suggest 3) that are most important to you & your fiancé. Some suggestions to think about are:
o Local vendors only (they know the area best)
o Quality of work
o Style of video (ranges from documentary to MTV)
o Personalities (you need to be comfortable with the people you hire)
o Price
o Years in business
o Type of music used
o How many cameras
o Types of lighting & audio
o Extra features (Love Story, Photo Montages, Recaps, etc)
o Small business or large company
o And many more.
* Compare the companies on your list - look at websites & call or email them to determine how they fit with your 3 important factors.
* Narrow down your list to 3-5 of your favorite vendors & make appointments to visit them & view more of their work. You will know right off the bat if you will mesh with the videographers. Make sure you are meeting at least one of the videographers that will be there on your wedding day. It's great if you get along with the owner of the company, but if you don't mesh with the one actually there on your wedding day, that could spell trouble. Also, ask to see a video that is in the specific style you like or at the location where your wedding will be. No 2 wedding videos are the same, but you want to see something that is at least close to what you will be getting.
* Now you're ready to make your decision. Make sure once you decide you get them a deposit right away. Nothing is worse than getting your heart set on a vendor & then finding out it's too late & they are already booked!
Once you have made your decision following this guide, you can rest assured that the company you picked will deliver to you the video that you could already see in your mind.
By Darcie King
So one of your close friends, relitives or just your brother's fiance comes up to you and says "I'm getting married! Will you be my bridesmaid?" Immediately you say yes.
Two weeks later you and the rest of the bridal party are shopping and looking at $300 dresses, $150 shoes, $100 hair-do's and the rest of the works. Suddenly you are thinking how on earth will I afford all of this stuff.
Luckily you have scored an easy bride, she knows exactly what she wants and isn't fussed about how much it will cost whether it's a lot of a little. Here are some easy suggestions that would work wonders on your budget..
1. Dont pay full price one week if it will be on sale the next!...
Many people make the mistake of buying at the wrong times of the month. Remember, stores are always having sales so maybe it would be best to wait that extra week and get those perfect shoes when they are on the 30% odiscount table. Also, instead of spending all the money in one go remember that most stores do accept lay-by's, so lay-by the shoes and gradually pay them of, and then you will still be able to eat the week later.
2.It doesn't have to break the bank....
Many people forget that you can get clothing that looks exactly the same as your Chanel and Prada from those budget stores like Target and K-mart. This means that you really need to make sure you have checked all stores before you come to a decision on what to buy. If you have a flexible bride then she wont mind buying your shoes from a department store or a factory outlet. Most bridesmaids will only wear their dresses or shoes once or twice so dont go o buy Lisa Ho if your not going to wear it again.
3. Shop Around...
Remember to shop around. It happens often that you wil walk into a store that sells one thing for $60 and then you walk next door and they are selling it for $10. So dont settle for big well known stores, go to a couple of the little independant stores and check out their range because you are more than likely to find what you are looking for and it will cost you half the price than if you were to go somewhere else.
4. Haggle...
It is vital to let your bride know what is to be expected of her financially. Traditionally the bridesmaid is expected to pay for her own dress and if located some distance away her travel fare. Alternatively you could offer to help pay for part of the dress or fare as a gift to say ‘Thank You’ for her help.
5. Friends with benefits...
Lastly if you have a friend who does nails, hair, make-up etc. don't be afraid to suggest this to the bride because it means you could save yourself up to $60 per bridesmaid on just their hair and make-up..
Finally remember that being a bridesmaid is a lot of fun and it is an all round great experience so dont let the pressure make you stress out. Just get out there and have some fun and remember to help the bride.
by Lauren
Two weeks later you and the rest of the bridal party are shopping and looking at $300 dresses, $150 shoes, $100 hair-do's and the rest of the works. Suddenly you are thinking how on earth will I afford all of this stuff.
Luckily you have scored an easy bride, she knows exactly what she wants and isn't fussed about how much it will cost whether it's a lot of a little. Here are some easy suggestions that would work wonders on your budget..
1. Dont pay full price one week if it will be on sale the next!...
Many people make the mistake of buying at the wrong times of the month. Remember, stores are always having sales so maybe it would be best to wait that extra week and get those perfect shoes when they are on the 30% odiscount table. Also, instead of spending all the money in one go remember that most stores do accept lay-by's, so lay-by the shoes and gradually pay them of, and then you will still be able to eat the week later.
2.It doesn't have to break the bank....
Many people forget that you can get clothing that looks exactly the same as your Chanel and Prada from those budget stores like Target and K-mart. This means that you really need to make sure you have checked all stores before you come to a decision on what to buy. If you have a flexible bride then she wont mind buying your shoes from a department store or a factory outlet. Most bridesmaids will only wear their dresses or shoes once or twice so dont go o buy Lisa Ho if your not going to wear it again.
3. Shop Around...
Remember to shop around. It happens often that you wil walk into a store that sells one thing for $60 and then you walk next door and they are selling it for $10. So dont settle for big well known stores, go to a couple of the little independant stores and check out their range because you are more than likely to find what you are looking for and it will cost you half the price than if you were to go somewhere else.
4. Haggle...
It is vital to let your bride know what is to be expected of her financially. Traditionally the bridesmaid is expected to pay for her own dress and if located some distance away her travel fare. Alternatively you could offer to help pay for part of the dress or fare as a gift to say ‘Thank You’ for her help.
5. Friends with benefits...
Lastly if you have a friend who does nails, hair, make-up etc. don't be afraid to suggest this to the bride because it means you could save yourself up to $60 per bridesmaid on just their hair and make-up..
Finally remember that being a bridesmaid is a lot of fun and it is an all round great experience so dont let the pressure make you stress out. Just get out there and have some fun and remember to help the bride.
by Lauren
Gifts given by the bride and groom are certainly part of the wedding tradition. But who makes up the group fortunate enough to receive a gift from the bride and groom? Members of the wedding party top that list. That includes everybody: best man, maid of honour, matron, bridesmaids, ushers, groomsmen, junior bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearers. It's also a nice gesture for the bride to give a gift to the groom and vice versa, although this is not mandatory. Nowadays, the bride and groom also include each set of parents on the gift giving list. Also, it's definitely a nice gesture to give a gift to any other person who did something special during the occasion. Sometimes someone will be asked to do a special reading at the ceremony, or to step in for the bride's father and walk the bride down the aisle and these individuals should be acknowledged.
Why give gifts to members of the wedding party?
The purpose of these wedding gifts is to show your appreciation, not break your wedding budget. A gift that has been specially picked out shows you put thought and consideration into the gift. Including a personalized note with the gift thanks the person for whatever role he or she played and it is certainly a nice touch when having the gift engraved with the wedding date and couple's names or initials. To help with thank you letters, keep a note of what each person's role so you know exactly what to say when it comes to writing.
Prepare the gifts several weeks in advance. Make sure you have the gifts purchased about 4 weeks prior to the wedding date. That gives you enough time to have them engraved and to create your personalized messages. To help the gifts make an even greater impression on the recipient, take special care in wrapping them. Use fancy wrapping paper and elaborate bows using colours that complement the wedding colours. The best time to give your gifts is during the rehearsal dinner, as it's intimate, and the people to whom you're giving the gifts should all be present.
Here are some gift ideas to help you get started? First, check your wedding budget to see how much you have allocated to this category. You've likely spent quite a bit of your money by this stage, so it's important to take a realistic look. Brides typically give each member of the bridal party a piece of jewellery or a hair clip that the bride would like her to wear on the wedding day. Other gift ideas include bud vases, picture frames, bath oils, a collectible item or a gift basket. The men in the wedding party like to receive engraved pens, pocket watches, cigars, business card holders, a clock for their desk, or key chains. For the parents, a professional wedding photo in an engraved frame is perfect as is a personalized letter detailing your appreciation. For each other, anything that conveys your love and devotion is ideal.
by Bridget Mwape
Why give gifts to members of the wedding party?
The purpose of these wedding gifts is to show your appreciation, not break your wedding budget. A gift that has been specially picked out shows you put thought and consideration into the gift. Including a personalized note with the gift thanks the person for whatever role he or she played and it is certainly a nice touch when having the gift engraved with the wedding date and couple's names or initials. To help with thank you letters, keep a note of what each person's role so you know exactly what to say when it comes to writing.
Prepare the gifts several weeks in advance. Make sure you have the gifts purchased about 4 weeks prior to the wedding date. That gives you enough time to have them engraved and to create your personalized messages. To help the gifts make an even greater impression on the recipient, take special care in wrapping them. Use fancy wrapping paper and elaborate bows using colours that complement the wedding colours. The best time to give your gifts is during the rehearsal dinner, as it's intimate, and the people to whom you're giving the gifts should all be present.
Here are some gift ideas to help you get started? First, check your wedding budget to see how much you have allocated to this category. You've likely spent quite a bit of your money by this stage, so it's important to take a realistic look. Brides typically give each member of the bridal party a piece of jewellery or a hair clip that the bride would like her to wear on the wedding day. Other gift ideas include bud vases, picture frames, bath oils, a collectible item or a gift basket. The men in the wedding party like to receive engraved pens, pocket watches, cigars, business card holders, a clock for their desk, or key chains. For the parents, a professional wedding photo in an engraved frame is perfect as is a personalized letter detailing your appreciation. For each other, anything that conveys your love and devotion is ideal.
by Bridget Mwape
After the social (cocktail) hour, guests will be invited to take their seats in the reception area. Depending on the number of guests, this should take about ten minutes. While the guests are being seated, the person doing your introductions will be getting the bridal party in order. As soon as guests are seated and the bridal party is in order, the introductions should begin.
Ideally, your DJ or bandleader is in charge of making these introductions because this creates the smoothest transition from music to each introduction. There are some halls that like to have their own banquet director announce the bridal party. In a situation like that, you should make the final decision as to who should have this responsibility.
Here is a suggestion, when you compile a list of your bridal party names (for the announcer), you may want to write down something about each person so your guests will know why that person is special to you. Whether it is funny or sentimental, everyone will enjoy this personal touch.
Introductions are usually performed in this order:
1. Grandparents
A grandmother should always be escorted. (Grandparents can also be introduced from their table).
2. Parents of the bride
3. Parents of the groom
If there is an extended family.
The bride's mother and her escort are introduced first.
Next, the bride's dad with whomever he is escorting.
Then, the groom's mother with her escort.
Last, the groom's father with whomever he is escorting. (A mother should always be escorted).
4. Flower Girl with Ring Bearer
5. Jr. Bridesmaid and Jr. Usher
6. Bridesmaids and Ushers (If there is an extra maid or usher, three people could be announced together).
7. Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man
8. The Bride and Groom
The music: Instrumentals (with no vocalist singing) are usually played for the introductions. Choose two songs, one for the bridal party and one for the bride and groom.
You may want to consider a song that is unique and personal, especially for the introduction of the bride and groom. For example a bride and groom that are in the Navy might choose "Anchors Away!"
About six weeks before your wedding date, you should have a meeting with the person doing the introductions. At that meeting, go over the names and order of all who will be introduced.
Don't worry if on your wedding day there is a last minute change. A Professional bandleader or DJ should have no problem at all making the changes.
Lastly, if you don't want all the above people introduced, it is perfectly fine to have just the bride and groom introduced.
It is your special day to share with your friends and family however you choose.
By Mikki Viereck
Ideally, your DJ or bandleader is in charge of making these introductions because this creates the smoothest transition from music to each introduction. There are some halls that like to have their own banquet director announce the bridal party. In a situation like that, you should make the final decision as to who should have this responsibility.
Here is a suggestion, when you compile a list of your bridal party names (for the announcer), you may want to write down something about each person so your guests will know why that person is special to you. Whether it is funny or sentimental, everyone will enjoy this personal touch.
Introductions are usually performed in this order:
1. Grandparents
A grandmother should always be escorted. (Grandparents can also be introduced from their table).
2. Parents of the bride
3. Parents of the groom
If there is an extended family.
The bride's mother and her escort are introduced first.
Next, the bride's dad with whomever he is escorting.
Then, the groom's mother with her escort.
Last, the groom's father with whomever he is escorting. (A mother should always be escorted).
4. Flower Girl with Ring Bearer
5. Jr. Bridesmaid and Jr. Usher
6. Bridesmaids and Ushers (If there is an extra maid or usher, three people could be announced together).
7. Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man
8. The Bride and Groom
The music: Instrumentals (with no vocalist singing) are usually played for the introductions. Choose two songs, one for the bridal party and one for the bride and groom.
You may want to consider a song that is unique and personal, especially for the introduction of the bride and groom. For example a bride and groom that are in the Navy might choose "Anchors Away!"
About six weeks before your wedding date, you should have a meeting with the person doing the introductions. At that meeting, go over the names and order of all who will be introduced.
Don't worry if on your wedding day there is a last minute change. A Professional bandleader or DJ should have no problem at all making the changes.
Lastly, if you don't want all the above people introduced, it is perfectly fine to have just the bride and groom introduced.
It is your special day to share with your friends and family however you choose.
By Mikki Viereck
A wedding is always exciting. A lot of planning and preparation go into action so that the wedding will be memorable meaningful and as one-of-a-kind as the marrying couple. Yet, each couple has consideration unique to them.
There are couples where both partners marry for the first time.
There are couples where one or both partners have been married before but have no children.
There are couples where one or both partners have been married before and have children.
And there are December couples who often have children and grandchildren.
This article is dedicated to couples that will have a "blended" family once they are married. That is, children will have a new parent and possibly new siblings.
Many, though not all marrying or re-marrying couples are looking for ways to integrate the children into the wedding ceremony and / or reception in such a way that it will become a Family Wedding.
Some people wonder why should a wedding not be dedicated to the bride and groom alone. Why should it not be "Their Day"?
There are two main reasons. One of the reason is that children need reassurance. They need to know that they are welcome and wanted by both parents and new siblings. The other, not less important, is that parents WANT their children to be an integral part of the wedding and celebration.
The following are ideas, implementation of which depends on the ages / abilities of the children and the degree of involvement the marrying couple wishes to dedicate to them.
Children must always feel that they are IMPORTANT especially now, when their parent is marrying a new life partner.
LET'S BEGIN WITH PLANNING AND PREPARATION.
Children who are old enough should be asked to put on their thinking caps and help with the wedding planning and preparations. Their input should always be taken into consideration and if possible acted upon.
Children can make recommendations ranging from wedding themes to color schemes. They can suggest favors and help make them. Some parents even let the children help address envelops and / or stuff them.
It is also very important to make shopping for the wedding attire a family affair.
WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE CEREMONY
First come the obvious. If the children or grandchildren are not grown ups, they should be given the duties of a Flower Child and Ring Bearer.
During the ceremony, after the bride and groom exchange vows, they may integrate vows dedicated especially to the children.
Children who are old and responsible enough, should participate in the Unity Candle ceremony. Here there are a few options.
* If only one or two children are involved, they should be given their own tapers and join the bride and groom in lighting the pillar candle.
* However, if more than two children are involved, they should receive their own tapers but rather than light the pillar candle, light their tapers from it.
The candle lighting ceremony is a perfect opportunity for children who are old enough to congratulate the bride and groom and acknowledge the new family union.
A friend who recently got married told us about the Unity Candle ceremony at her wedding. She had ordered a personalized pillar candle and seven personalized tapers, and gave each child a personalized taper.
The ceremony was actually a Family Unity Ceremony. All five children (his two and her three), all above 10 years old, wrote a congratulation and thank you note to the bride and groom. Once the Unity Candle was lit, they took turns lighting their tapers from the pillar and in unison, recited the following:
"As I light my candle from the Unity Candle, I feel the warmth, love and excitement of my new, larger family.
Thank you Susan (BRIDE'S NAME or MOM or MOTHER) and Bill (GROOM'S NAME or DAD or FATHER) for having given me an extended family to love and be loved by. Congratulations! I love you!
It was such a touching experience that there wasn't a dry eye in the room!
Right after the Family Unity Candle ceremony, Susan and Bill exchanged their first gifts as a husband and wife and gave each of the children a Family Unity Medallion, and a BIG welcome hug.
Another way to bestow honor to a teen age or older child is to have a son walk the bride and/or a daughter walk the groom down the aisle. The child can be either the bride's or groom's.
The reception offers as many opportunities for involving the children as there is imagination. There are also the obvious toasts, dances, special responsibilities and tasks.
By Nily Glaser
There are couples where both partners marry for the first time.
There are couples where one or both partners have been married before but have no children.
There are couples where one or both partners have been married before and have children.
And there are December couples who often have children and grandchildren.
This article is dedicated to couples that will have a "blended" family once they are married. That is, children will have a new parent and possibly new siblings.
Many, though not all marrying or re-marrying couples are looking for ways to integrate the children into the wedding ceremony and / or reception in such a way that it will become a Family Wedding.
Some people wonder why should a wedding not be dedicated to the bride and groom alone. Why should it not be "Their Day"?
There are two main reasons. One of the reason is that children need reassurance. They need to know that they are welcome and wanted by both parents and new siblings. The other, not less important, is that parents WANT their children to be an integral part of the wedding and celebration.
The following are ideas, implementation of which depends on the ages / abilities of the children and the degree of involvement the marrying couple wishes to dedicate to them.
Children must always feel that they are IMPORTANT especially now, when their parent is marrying a new life partner.
LET'S BEGIN WITH PLANNING AND PREPARATION.
Children who are old enough should be asked to put on their thinking caps and help with the wedding planning and preparations. Their input should always be taken into consideration and if possible acted upon.
Children can make recommendations ranging from wedding themes to color schemes. They can suggest favors and help make them. Some parents even let the children help address envelops and / or stuff them.
It is also very important to make shopping for the wedding attire a family affair.
WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE CEREMONY
First come the obvious. If the children or grandchildren are not grown ups, they should be given the duties of a Flower Child and Ring Bearer.
During the ceremony, after the bride and groom exchange vows, they may integrate vows dedicated especially to the children.
Children who are old and responsible enough, should participate in the Unity Candle ceremony. Here there are a few options.
* If only one or two children are involved, they should be given their own tapers and join the bride and groom in lighting the pillar candle.
* However, if more than two children are involved, they should receive their own tapers but rather than light the pillar candle, light their tapers from it.
The candle lighting ceremony is a perfect opportunity for children who are old enough to congratulate the bride and groom and acknowledge the new family union.
A friend who recently got married told us about the Unity Candle ceremony at her wedding. She had ordered a personalized pillar candle and seven personalized tapers, and gave each child a personalized taper.
The ceremony was actually a Family Unity Ceremony. All five children (his two and her three), all above 10 years old, wrote a congratulation and thank you note to the bride and groom. Once the Unity Candle was lit, they took turns lighting their tapers from the pillar and in unison, recited the following:
"As I light my candle from the Unity Candle, I feel the warmth, love and excitement of my new, larger family.
Thank you Susan (BRIDE'S NAME or MOM or MOTHER) and Bill (GROOM'S NAME or DAD or FATHER) for having given me an extended family to love and be loved by. Congratulations! I love you!
It was such a touching experience that there wasn't a dry eye in the room!
Right after the Family Unity Candle ceremony, Susan and Bill exchanged their first gifts as a husband and wife and gave each of the children a Family Unity Medallion, and a BIG welcome hug.
Another way to bestow honor to a teen age or older child is to have a son walk the bride and/or a daughter walk the groom down the aisle. The child can be either the bride's or groom's.
The reception offers as many opportunities for involving the children as there is imagination. There are also the obvious toasts, dances, special responsibilities and tasks.
By Nily Glaser
